Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549  
 
FORM 10-Q  
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 4, 2018
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 1-12107
 
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
31-1469076
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio
43054
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (614) 283-6500
Not Applicable
(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.     x   Yes     ¨   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).     x   Yes     ¨   No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
 
 
Emerging growth company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     ¨   Yes     x   No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class A Common Stock
 
Outstanding at September 5, 2018
$.01 Par Value
 
66,749,930 Shares


Table of Contents


ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 


2

Table of Contents


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)



 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Net sales
$
842,414

 
$
779,321

 
$
1,573,313

 
$
1,440,420

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
335,519

 
318,426

 
624,073

 
580,600

Gross profit
506,895

 
460,895

 
949,240

 
859,820

Stores and distribution expense
374,552

 
369,295

 
735,707

 
729,224

Marketing, general and administrative expense
123,883

 
109,353

 
248,780

 
219,246

Asset impairment
8,671

 
6,135

 
9,727

 
6,865

Other operating income, net
(434
)
 
(2,799
)
 
(2,994
)
 
(4,485
)
Operating income (loss)
223

 
(21,089
)
 
(41,980
)
 
(91,030
)
Interest expense, net
3,023

 
4,089

 
6,041

 
8,209

Loss before income taxes
(2,800
)
 
(25,178
)
 
(48,021
)
 
(99,239
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
24

 
(10,563
)
 
(3,689
)
 
(23,615
)
Net loss
(2,824
)
 
(14,615
)
 
(44,332
)
 
(75,624
)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,029

 
876

 
1,982

 
1,567

Net loss attributable to A&F
$
(3,853
)
 
$
(15,491
)
 
$
(46,314
)
 
$
(77,191
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per share attributable to A&F
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.68
)
 
$
(1.13
)
Diluted
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.68
)
 
$
(1.13
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
68,008

 
68,456

 
68,254

 
68,264

Diluted
68,008

 
68,456

 
68,254

 
68,264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
0.20

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
$
(11,206
)
 
$
19,072

 
$
(19,545
)
 
$
24,679

Derivative financial instruments, net of tax
7,447

 
(10,148
)
 
19,707

 
(14,748
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
(3,759
)
 
8,924

 
162

 
9,931

Comprehensive loss
(6,583
)
 
(5,691
)
 
(44,170
)
 
(65,693
)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,029

 
876

 
1,982

 
1,567

Comprehensive loss attributable to A&F
$
(7,612
)
 
$
(6,567
)
 
$
(46,152
)
 
$
(67,260
)


The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

Table of Contents


ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands, except par value amounts)
(Unaudited)




 
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
$
581,166

 
$
675,558

Receivables
91,719

 
79,724

Inventories
454,913

 
424,393

Other current assets
115,276

 
84,863

Total current assets
1,243,074

 
1,264,538

Property and equipment, net
691,933

 
738,182

Other assets
325,842

 
322,972

Total assets
$
2,260,849

 
$
2,325,692

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
213,167

 
$
168,868

Accrued expenses
311,930

 
308,601

Short-term portion of deferred lease credits
19,449

 
19,751

Income taxes payable
8,189

 
10,326

Total current liabilities
552,735

 
507,546

Long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
Long-term portion of deferred lease credits
75,963

 
75,648

Long-term portion of borrowings, net
249,920

 
249,686

Leasehold financing obligations
47,171

 
50,653

Other liabilities
187,676

 
189,688

Total long-term liabilities
560,730

 
565,675

Stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Class A Common Stock - $0.01 par value: 150,000 shares authorized and 103,300 shares issued at August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, respectively
1,033

 
1,033

Paid-in capital
401,483

 
406,351

Retained earnings
2,337,100

 
2,420,552

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(94,892
)
 
(95,054
)
Treasury stock, at average cost: 36,325 and 35,105 shares at August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, respectively
(1,507,414
)
 
(1,490,503
)
Total Abercrombie & Fitch Co. stockholders’ equity
1,137,310

 
1,242,379

Noncontrolling interests
10,074

 
10,092

Total stockholders’ equity
1,147,384

 
1,252,471

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,260,849

 
$
2,325,692


The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4

Table of Contents


ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands)
(Unaudited)



 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Operating activities
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(44,332
)
 
$
(75,624
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
93,153

 
95,502

Asset impairment
9,727

 
6,865

Loss on disposal
1,644

 
3,824

Amortization of deferred lease credits
(10,609
)
 
(10,412
)
Benefit from deferred income taxes
(17,049
)
 
(19,121
)
Share-based compensation
10,940

 
10,396

Changes in assets and liabilities
 
 
 
Inventories
(40,934
)
 
(67,964
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
62,918

 
2,908

Lessor construction allowances
6,107

 
5,478

Income taxes
(1,043
)
 
(3,135
)
Long-term lease deposits
1,452

 
(530
)
Other assets
(20,319
)
 
9,960

Other liabilities
(1,129
)
 
(6,193
)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
50,526

 
(48,046
)
Investing activities
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(54,115
)
 
(61,777
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 
203

Net cash used for investing activities
(54,115
)
 
(61,574
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury stock
(43,670
)
 

Dividends paid
(27,196
)
 
(27,159
)
Other financing activities
(6,875
)
 
(1,057
)
Net cash used for financing activities
(77,741
)
 
(28,216
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
(13,437
)
 
13,354

Net decrease in cash and equivalents, and restricted cash
(94,767
)
 
(124,482
)
Cash and equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
697,955

 
567,632

Cash and equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period
$
603,188

 
$
443,150

Significant non-cash investing activities
 
 
 
Change in accrual for construction in progress
$
13,989

 
$
(9,508
)
Supplemental information
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
6,832

 
$
6,998

Cash paid for income taxes
$
14,928

 
$
8,698

Cash received from income tax refunds
$
8,173

 
$
5,808



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5

Table of Contents


ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
INDEX FOR NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
Note 1.
 
 
 
Note 2.
 
 
 
Note 3.
 
 
 
Note 4.
 
 
 
Note 5.
 
 
 
Note 6.
 
 
 
Note 7.
 
 
 
Note 8.
 
 
 
Note 9.
 
 
 
Note 10.
 
 
 
Note 11.

6

Table of Contents


ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), a company incorporated in Delaware in 1996, through its subsidiaries (collectively, A&F and its subsidiaries are referred to as “Abercrombie & Fitch” or the “Company”),  is a global, multi-brand, specialty retailer, which primarily sells its products through its wholly-owned store and direct-to-consumer channels, as well as through various third-party wholesale, franchise and licensing arrangements. The Company offers a broad assortment of apparel, personal care products and accessories for men, women and kids under the Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. The Company has operations in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include historical financial statements of, and transactions applicable to, the Company and reflect its assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company has interests in a United Arab Emirates business venture and in a Kuwait business venture with Majid al Futtaim Fashion L.L.C. (“MAF”), each of which meets the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of these VIEs; therefore, the Company has consolidated the operating results, assets and liabilities of these VIEs, with MAF’s portion of net income presented as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and MAF’s portion of equity presented as NCI on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. All references herein to “Fiscal 2018 ” and “Fiscal 2017 ” represent the fifty-two week fiscal year ending on February 2, 2019 and the fifty-three week fiscal year ended on February 3, 2018 , respectively.

Interim Financial Statements

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of August 4, 2018 , and for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018 . The February 3, 2018 consolidated balance sheet data, included herein, were derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary to state fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be anticipated for Fiscal 2018 .

7



Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company reviews recent accounting pronouncements on a quarterly basis and has excluded discussion of those not applicable to the Company and those not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements the Company has adopted or that could affect the Company’s financial statements.
Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
 
Description
 
Date of
Adoption
 
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Standards adopted
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 
This update superseded the revenue recognition guidance in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition . The new guidance 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 or services.
 
February 4, 2018
 
The Company adopted this guidance and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method, and applied the standard to contracts that were not complete as of the adoption date. Comparative period information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. This guidance primarily impacts the classification and timing of the recognition of the Company’s gift card breakage and timing of direct-to-consumer revenue. Adoption of this guidance had an immaterial impact on net loss attributable to A&F in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

The cumulative effect of applying the new standard on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 4, 2018 was recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, increasing beginning retained earnings by $6.9 million, with corresponding reductions in accrued expenses, inventories, and other assets of $4.7 million, $6.4 million, and $2.2 million, respectively, and increases to receivables and other current assets of $6.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

In accordance with the new guidance, expected gift card breakage is now recognized in net sales as gift cards are redeemed. Previously, gift card breakage was recognized as other operating income when the Company determined that the likelihood of redemption was remote. Under the new guidance, direct-to-consumer revenue is recognized when control is passed to the customer, typically upon shipment or pick-up of goods. Previously, direct-to-consumer revenue was recognized upon customer acceptance, which typically occurred upon the customer’s possession of the merchandise. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on store, direct-to-consumer, wholesale, franchise or license revenues on an ongoing basis.

The Company’s revenue recognition accounting policies are discussed further in this Note 1 under “Revenue Recognition.”
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows
 
This update amends the guidance in ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows . The new guidance requires an entity to show the changes in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. Consequently, an entity is no longer required to present transfers between cash and equivalents and restricted cash.
 
February 4, 2018
 
The Company adopted this guidance under the retrospective method. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017, adoption of this guidance resulted in a $0.8 million decrease in net cash used for operating activities and increases of $20.4 million and $21.2 million to beginning and ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, respectively. In addition, captions have been updated in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to reflect the inclusion of restricted cash. Restricted cash is classified as other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as was the case at year-end.
Standards not yet adopted
ASU 2016-02, Leases
 
This update supersedes the leasing guidance in ASC 840, Leases . The new guidance requires an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key leasing information that depicts the lease rights and obligations of an entity.
 
February 3, 2019
 
The Company expects that this guidance will result in a material increase in the Company’s long-term assets and long-term liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and is currently evaluating additional impacts that this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements, including the potential for impairment of right-of-use assets. The Company did not elect to early adopt this guidance.
ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
 
This update amends ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging . The new guidance simplifies certain aspects of hedge accounting for both financial and commodity risks to more accurately present the economic effects of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. Under the new standard, more hedging strategies will be eligible for hedge accounting, including hedges of the benchmark rate component of the contractual coupon cash flows of fixed-rate assets or liabilities and partial-term hedges of fixed-rate assets or liabilities. For cash flow and net investment hedges, the guidance requires a modified retrospective approach while the amended presentation and disclosure guidance requires a prospective approach.
 
February 3, 2019
 
The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company did not elect to early adopt this guidance.

8



The Company’s significant accounting policies as of August 4, 2018 have not changed materially from those disclosed in Note 2, “ SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 , with the exception of those discussed below:

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when control of the good is transferred to the customer, generally upon pick up at, or shipment from, a Company location.

The Company provides shipping and handling services to customers in certain direct-to-consumer transactions. Revenue associated with the related shipping and handling obligations is deferred until the obligation is fulfilled, typically upon the customer’s receipt of the merchandise. The related shipping and handling costs are classified in stores and distribution expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Revenue is recorded net of estimated returns, associate discounts, promotions and other similar customer incentives. The Company estimates reserves for sales returns based on historical experience among other factors. The sales return reserve is classified in accrued expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company accounts for gift cards sold to customers by recognizing an unearned revenue liability at the time of sale, which remains until income from gift cards not expected to be redeemed, referred to as gift card breakage, is recognized as revenue proportionally with gift card redemptions. Gift cards sold to customers do not expire or lose value over periods of inactivity and the Company is not required by law to escheat the value of unredeemed gift cards to the jurisdictions in which it operates.

The Company also maintains loyalty programs, which primarily provides customers with the opportunity to earn points toward future merchandise discount rewards with qualifying purchases. The Company accounts for expected future reward redemptions by recognizing an unearned revenue liability as customers accumulate points, which remains until revenue is recognized at the earlier of redemption or expiration.

Unearned revenue liabilities are primarily recorded when prepayments for future merchandise are received through gift card purchases or when loyalty rewards are earned by a customer in a sales transaction, and are classified in accrued expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are typically recognized as revenue within a 12-month period. Unearned revenue liabilities as of August 4, 2018 and the date of adoption, February 4, 2018, were approximately $37.5 million and $38.7 million , respectively. On the date of adoption, February 4, 2018, an adjustment related to the adoption of new revenue recognition standards decreased the beginning of period balance by $6.2 million. For the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended  August 4, 2018 , the Company recognized revenue of approximately $20.3 million and $41.3 million , respectively, related to previous deferrals of revenue resulting from the Company’s gift card and loyalty programs.

The Company also recognizes revenue under wholesale arrangements, which is generally recognized upon shipment, when control passes to the wholesale partner. Revenue from the Company’s franchise and license arrangements, primarily royalties earned upon sale of merchandise, is generally recognized at the time merchandise is sold to the franchisees’ retail customers or to the licensees’ wholesale customers.

All revenues are recognized in net sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. For a discussion of the disaggregation of revenue, refer to Note 10, “ SEGMENT REPORTING . ” The Company does not include tax amounts collected from customers on behalf of third parties, including sales and indirect taxes, in net sales.


9



2. NET LOSS PER SHARE

Net loss per basic and diluted share attributable to A&F is computed based on the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”).

Additional information pertaining to net loss per share attributable to A&F is as follows:
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Shares of Common Stock issued
103,300

 
103,300

 
103,300

 
103,300

Weighted-average treasury shares
(35,292
)
 
(34,844
)
 
(35,046
)
 
(35,036
)
Weighted-average — basic shares
68,008

 
68,456

 
68,254

 
68,264

Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards

 

 

 

Weighted-average — diluted shares
68,008

 
68,456

 
68,254

 
68,264

Anti-dilutive shares (1)
3,466

 
5,154

 
4,033

 
5,460


(1)  
Reflects the total number of shares related to outstanding share-based compensation awards that have been excluded from the computation of net loss per diluted share because the impact would have been anti-dilutive.


3. FAIR VALUE

Fair value is 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 inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized based on a three-level hierarchy. The three levels of inputs to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1—inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities that are available in active markets that the Company can access at the measurement date.
Level 2—inputs are other than quoted market prices included within Level 1 that are observable for assets or liabilities, directly or indirectly.
Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable.

The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy. The three levels of the hierarchy and the distribution of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
 
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of August 4, 2018
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust-owned life insurance policies (at cash surrender value)
$

 
$
104,310

 
$

 
$
104,310

Money market funds
25,073

 

 

 
25,073

Derivative financial instruments

 
12,343

 

 
12,343

Total assets
$
25,073

 
$
116,653

 
$

 
$
141,726

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments
$

 
$
28

 
$

 
$
28

Total liabilities
$

 
$
28

 
$

 
$
28

 
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of February 3, 2018
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust-owned life insurance policies (at cash surrender value)
$

 
$
102,784

 
$

 
$
102,784

Money market funds
330,649

 

 

 
330,649

Derivative financial instruments

 
37

 

 
37

Total assets
$
330,649

 
$
102,821

 
$

 
$
433,470

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments
$

 
$
9,147

 
$

 
$
9,147

Total liabilities
$

 
$
9,147

 
$

 
$
9,147


10



The Level 2 assets and liabilities consist of trust-owned life insurance policies and derivative financial instruments, primarily foreign currency exchange forward contracts.The fair value of trust-owned life insurance policies is determined using the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies. The fair value of foreign currency exchange forward contracts is determined using quoted market prices of the same or similar instruments, adjusted for counterparty risk.

Fair value of borrowings

The Company’s borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities are carried at historical cost in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s gross borrowings under the term loan credit facility were as follows:
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Gross borrowings outstanding, carrying amount
$
253,250

 
$
253,250

Gross borrowings outstanding, fair value
$
254,200

 
$
253,250


No borrowings were outstanding under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility as of August 4, 2018 or February 3, 2018 .


4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of:
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Property and equipment, at cost
$
2,802,253

 
$
2,821,709

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(2,110,320
)
 
(2,083,527
)
Property and equipment, net
$
691,933

 
$
738,182


The Company incurred store asset impairment charges of $8.7 million and $9.7 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , respectively, and $6.1 million and $6.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 , respectively, primarily related to certain of the Company’s international Abercrombie & Fitch stores.

The Company had $35.6 million and $38.7 million of construction project assets in property and equipment, net at August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018 , respectively, related to the construction of buildings in certain lease arrangements where the Company is deemed to be the owner of the construction project.


11



5. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s quarterly tax provision and the estimate of the annual effective tax rate are subject to significant variation due to several factors. These include variability in the pre-tax jurisdictional mix of earnings, changes in how the Company does business including entering into new businesses or geographies, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in law, regulations, interpretations and administrative practices, relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized and the impact of discrete items. The impact of these items on the effective tax rate will be greater at lower levels of pre-tax earnings.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act makes broad and significantly complex changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system by, among other things: reducing the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%; transitioning U.S. international taxation to a modified territorial tax system; and imposing a mandatory one-time deemed repatriation tax, payable over eight years, on accumulated undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits as of December 31, 2017. The Company recognized provisional discrete net tax charges of $19.9 million related to the enactment of the Act in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017.

Due to proposed regulatory guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service during the second quarter of Fiscal 2018, the Company recognized a measurement period charge of $2.0 million during the thirteen weeks ended  August 4, 2018 , adjusting the provisional tax amounts related to the mandatory one-time deemed repatriation tax on accumulated undistributed foreign earnings.

As a result of the Company's initial analysis of the impact of the Act and the measurement period adjustment, the Company has incurred discrete net income tax charges in an aggregate amount of $21.9 million since the enactment of the Act, which consists of:

$23.7 million of provisional tax expense related to the mandatory one-time deemed repatriation tax on accumulated undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits of approximately $385.8 million;
$3.8 million of provisional tax expense related to the remeasurement of the Company's ending deferred tax assets and liabilities at February 3, 2018, as a result of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate reduction from 35% to 21%; and,
$5.6 million of tax benefit for the decrease in its federal deferred tax liability on unremitted foreign earnings.

Given the significant changes resulting from and complexities associated with the Act, the estimated financial impacts related to the enactment of the Act are provisional and assessed as of August 22, 2018 . The ultimate outcome may differ from these provisional amounts and could impact the provision for income taxes in Fiscal 2018, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued and actions the Company may take as a result of the Act. Provisional amounts are expected to be finalized after the Company’s Fiscal 2017 U.S. corporate income tax return is filed in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018, but no later than one year from the enactment of the Act.

Other

The Company incurred discrete non-cash income tax benefits of $0.2 million and charges of $7.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended  August 4, 2018 , respectively, and charges of $0.7 million and $9.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended  July 29, 2017 , respectively, related to the expiration of certain share-based compensation awards, recognized in income tax expense (benefit) due to changes in share-based compensation accounting standards adopted by the Company in the first quarter of Fiscal 2017.


12



6. BORROWINGS

Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

On August 7, 2014, A&F, through its subsidiary Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co. (“A&F Management”) as the lead borrower (with A&F and certain other subsidiaries as borrowers or guarantors), entered into an asset-based revolving credit agreement.

On October 19, 2017, the Company, through A&F Management, entered into the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “ABL Second Amendment”), amending and extending the maturity date of the asset-based revolving credit agreement. As amended, the asset-based revolving credit agreement continues to provide for a senior secured revolving credit facility of up to $400 million (the “Amended ABL Facility”). The Amended ABL Facility will mature on October 19, 2022.

The provisions of the credit agreement for the Amended ABL Facility have not changed from those contained in “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 .

As of August 4, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under the Amended ABL Facility.

As of August 4, 2018, the Company had availability under the Amended ABL Facility of $328.1 million.

Term Loan Facility

A&F, through its subsidiary A&F Management as the borrower (with A&F and certain other subsidiaries as guarantors), also entered into a term loan credit agreement on August 7, 2014, which, as amended, provides for a term loan facility of $300 million (the “Term Loan Facility” and, together with the Amended ABL Facility, the “Credit Facilities”).

On June 22, 2018, the Company, through A&F Management, entered into the Term Loan Second Amendment , which served to reprice the Term Loan Facility. As permitted under the credit agreement applicable to the Term Loan Facility, among other things, the Term Loan Second Amendment provided for the issuance by A&F Management of refinancing term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $253.3 million in exchange for the term loans then outstanding under the Term Loan Facility, which resulted in the reduction of the applicable margins for term loans by 0.25% . Under the Term Loan Second Amendment, at the Company's option, borrowings under the Term Loan Facility will now bear interest at either (a) an adjusted LIBO rate no lower than 1.00% plus a margin of 3.50% per annum, reduced from a margin of 3.75% per annum, or (b) an alternate base rate plus a margin of 2.50% per annum, reduced from a margin of 2.75% per annum. Deferred financing fees associated with the repricing transaction were not significant. All other material provisions under the credit agreement applicable to the Term Loan Facility remained unchanged.

As of August 4, 2018 , the interest rate on borrowings under the Term Loan Facility was 5.59% .

The Company’s Term Loan Facility debt is presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of the unamortized discount and fees. Net borrowings as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018 were as follows:
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Borrowings, gross at carrying amount
$
253,250

 
$
253,250

Unamortized discount
(1,014
)
 
(1,184
)
Unamortized fees
(2,316
)
 
(2,380
)
Borrowings, net
249,920

 
249,686

Less: short-term portion of borrowings, net

 

Long-term portion of borrowings, net
$
249,920

 
249,686



13



Representations, Warranties and Covenants

The Credit Facilities contain various representations, warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things and subject to specified exceptions, restrict the ability of A&F and its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, pay dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers, dispose of certain assets or change the nature of their business. In addition, excess availability equal to the greater of 10% of the loan cap or $30 million must be maintained under the Amended ABL Facility. The Credit Facilities do not otherwise contain financial maintenance covenants. Both Credit Facilities contain certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.

The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Credit Facilities as of August 4, 2018 .


7. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Financial Statement Impact

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $6.2 million and $10.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , respectively, and $5.5 million and $10.4 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 , respectively. The Company recognized tax benefits associated with share-based compensation expense of $1.3 million and $2.2 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , respectively, and $2.1 million and $4.0 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 , respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes activity for restricted stock units for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 :
 
Service-based Restricted
Stock Units
 
Performance-based Restricted
Stock Units
 
Market-based Restricted
Stock Units
 
Number of 
Underlying
Shares (1)
 
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Number of 
Underlying
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Number of 
Underlying
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Unvested at February 3, 2018
2,520,160

 
$
15.35

 
690,174

 
$
11.82

 
383,980

 
$
16.50

Granted
736,915

 
21.93

 
197,979

 
21.77

 
142,014

 
33.69

Adjustments for performance achievement

 

 
(43,999
)
 
20.10

 
(36,817
)
 
19.04

Vested
(844,382
)
 
17.30

 

 

 
(7,185
)
 
19.04

Forfeited
(121,568
)
 
14.88

 
(12,998
)
 
12.17

 
(12,999
)
 
17.28

Unvested at August 4, 2018
2,291,125

 
$
16.78

 
831,156

 
$
13.74

 
468,993

 
$
21.45


(1)  
Includes 496,981 unvested restricted stock units as of August 4, 2018 , subject to vesting requirements related to the achievement of certain performance metrics, such as operating income and net income, for the fiscal year immediately preceding the vesting date. Holders of these restricted stock units have the opportunity to earn back one or more installments of the award if the cumulative performance requirements are met in a subsequent year. Unvested shares related to restricted stock units with performance-based and market-based vesting conditions can achieve up to 200% of their target vesting amount and are reflected at 100% of their target vesting amount in the table above.

Fair value of both service-based and performance-based restricted stock units is calculated using the market price of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant reduced for anticipated dividend payments on unvested shares. In determining fair value, the Company does not take into account performance-based vesting requirements. Performance-based vesting requirements are taken into account in determining the number of awards expected to vest. For market-based restricted stock units, fair value is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation with the number of shares that ultimately vest dependent on the Company’s total stockholder return measured against the total stockholder return of a select group of peer companies over a three-year period. For awards with performance-based or market-based vesting requirements, the number of shares that ultimately vest can vary from 0% to 200% of target depending on the level of achievement of performance criteria.

Service-based restricted stock units are expensed on a straight-line basis over the total award’s requisite service period. Performance-based restricted stock units subject to graded vesting are expensed on an accelerated attribution basis. Performance share award expense is primarily recognized in the performance period of the award’s requisite service period. Market-based restricted stock units without graded vesting features are expensed on a straight-line basis over the award’s requisite service period. Compensation

14



expense for stock options and stock appreciation rights is recognized on a straight-line basis over the award’s requisite service period. The Company adjusts share-based compensation expense on a quarterly basis for actual forfeitures. Unrecognized compensation expense presented excludes the effect of potential forfeitures, and will be adjusted for actual forfeitures as they occur.

As of August 4, 2018 , there was $31.5 million , $9.1 million and $6.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, related to service-based, performance-based and market-based restricted stock units, respectively. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 16 months , 13 months and 14 months for service-based, performance-based and market-based restricted stock units, respectively.

The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions related to the issuance of shares associated with restricted stock unit vesting was  $1.5 million  and  $4.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended  August 4, 2018 , respectively, and $0.5 million  and  $2.5 million for the thirteen and twenty-six  weeks ended  July 29, 2017 , respectively.

Additional information pertaining to restricted stock units for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 follows:
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Service-based restricted stock units:
 
 
 
Total grant date fair value of awards granted
$
16,161

 
$
15,948

Total grant date fair value of awards vested
14,608

 
16,806

 
 
 
 
Performance-based restricted stock units:
 
 
 
Total grant date fair value of awards granted
$
4,310

 
$
4,774

Total grant date fair value of awards vested

 

 
 
 
 
Market-based restricted stock units:
 
 
 
Total grant date fair value of awards granted
$
4,784

 
$
2,793

Total grant date fair value of awards vested
137

 


The weighted-average assumptions used for market-based restricted stock units in the Monte Carlo simulation during the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 were as follows:
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Grant date market price
$
23.59

 
$
11.43

Fair value
$
33.69

 
$
11.79

Assumptions:
 
 
 
Price volatility
54
%
 
47
%
Expected term (years)
2.9

 
2.9

Risk-free interest rate
2.4
%
 
1.5
%
Dividend yield
3.4
%
 
7.0
%
Average volatility of peer companies
37.4
%
 
35.2
%
Average correlation coefficient of peer companies
0.2709

 
0.2664



15



Stock Appreciation Rights

The following table summarizes stock appreciation rights activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 :
 
Number of
Underlying
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
Outstanding at February 3, 2018
3,010,720

 
$
49.35

 
 
 
 
Granted

 

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(50,190
)
 
22.21

 
 
 
 
Forfeited or expired
(1,614,371
)
 
54.67

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at August 4, 2018
1,346,159

 
$
44.13

 
$
867,381

 
3.4
Stock appreciation rights exercisable at August 4, 2018
1,248,775

 
$
45.80

 
$
612,390

 
3.1
Stock appreciation rights expected to become exercisable in the future as of August 4, 2018
92,143

 
$
22.68

 
$
239,589

 
6.7

As of August 4, 2018 , there was $0.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock appreciation rights. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 5 months .

The grant date fair value of stock appreciation rights that were exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 was $1.2 million and $2.2 million , respectively.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 :
 
Number of
Underlying
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
Outstanding at February 3, 2018
87,200

 
$
78.20

 
 
 
 
Granted

 

 
 
 
 
Exercised

 

 
 
 
 
Forfeited or expired
(87,200
)
 
78.20

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at August 4, 2018

 
$

 
$

 

Stock options exercisable at August 4, 2018

 
$

 
$

 


As of August 4, 2018 , there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options.


8. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company is exposed to risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and uses derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts, to manage the financial impacts of these exposures. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation and does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

The Company uses derivative instruments, primarily foreign currency exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, to hedge the foreign currency exchange rate exposure associated with forecasted foreign currency denominated intercompany inventory sales to foreign subsidiaries and the related settlement of the foreign currency denominated intercompany receivables. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates will either increase or decrease the Company’s intercompany equivalent cash flows and affect the Company’s U.S. Dollar earnings. Gains or losses on the foreign currency exchange forward contracts that are used to hedge these exposures are expected to partially offset this variability. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed upon settlement date. These foreign currency exchange forward contracts typically have a maximum term of twelve months . The sale of the inventory to the Company’s customers will result in the reclassification of related derivative gains and losses that are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”). Under the current accounting guidance, substantially all of the unrealized gains or losses related to designated cash flow hedges as of August 4, 2018 would be recognized in cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, over the next twelve months . Refer to Note 1, “ BASIS OF PRESENTATION , ” for further discussion of recent accounting pronouncements related to derivative instruments that could affect the Company's financial statements.


16



The Company presents its derivative assets and derivative liabilities at their gross fair values on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, the Company’s derivative contracts allow net settlements under certain conditions.

As of August 4, 2018 , the Company had outstanding the following foreign currency exchange forward contracts that were entered into to hedge either a portion, or all, of forecasted foreign currency denominated intercompany inventory sales, the resulting settlement of the foreign currency denominated intercompany accounts receivable, or both:
(in thousands)
Notional Amount (1)
Euro
$
159,768

British pound
$
73,692

Canadian dollar
$
29,989

Japanese yen
$
15,960


(1)  
Amounts reported are the U.S. Dollar notional amounts outstanding as of August 4, 2018 .

The Company also uses foreign currency exchange forward contracts to hedge certain foreign-currency-denominated net monetary assets/liabilities. Examples of monetary assets/liabilities include cash balances, receivables and payables. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates result in transaction gains or losses being recorded in earnings, as U.S. GAAP requires that monetary assets/liabilities be remeasured at the spot exchange rate at quarter-end or upon settlement. The Company has chosen not to apply hedge accounting to these instruments because there are no differences in the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instruments and the hedged items.

As of August 4, 2018 , the Company had outstanding the following foreign currency exchange forward contracts that were entered into to hedge foreign-currency-denominated net monetary assets/liabilities:
(in thousands)
Notional Amount (1)
Euro
$
8,818

Japanese yen
$
3,294


(1)  
Amounts reported are the U.S. Dollar notional amounts outstanding as of August 4, 2018 .

The location and amounts of derivative fair values on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018 were as follows:
(in thousands)
Location
 
August 4,
2018
 
February 3,
2018
 
Location
 
August 4,
2018
 
February 3,
2018
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
 
 
$
12,198

 
$
37

 
 
 
$
28

 
$
9,108

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
 
 
$
145

 
$

 
 
 
$

 
$
39

Total
Other current assets
 
$
12,343

 
$
37

 
Accrued expenses
 
$
28

 
$
9,147


Refer to Note 3, “ FAIR VALUE , ” for further discussion of the determination of the fair value of derivative instruments.


17



The location and amounts of derivative gains and losses for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Location
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts gain (loss)
Other operating income, net
 
$
1,894

 
$
(523
)
 
$
4,595

 
$
(551
)
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivative Contracts (1)
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings (2)
 
Location of Gain Recognized in Earnings on Derivative Contracts
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivative Contracts (3)
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
$
8,058

 
$
(11,029
)
 
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
$
(150
)
 
$
545

 
Other operating income, net
 
$
1,686

 
$
634

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
$
16,665

 
$
(12,402
)
 
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
$
(5,222
)
 
$
4,081

 
Other operating income, net
 
$
3,055

 
$
1,161


(1)  
The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.
(2)  
The amount represents the reclassification from AOCL into earnings when the hedged item affects earnings, which is when merchandise is sold to the Company’s customers.
(3)  
The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in the difference between the spot price and forward price that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and, therefore, recognized in earnings.

18



9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 was as follows:
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended August 4, 2018
(in thousands)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance at May 5, 2018
$
(93,286
)
 
$
2,153

 
$
(91,133
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(11,206
)
 
8,058

 
(3,148
)
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)

 
150

 
150

Tax effect

 
(761
)
 
(761
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
(11,206
)
 
7,447

 
(3,759
)
Ending balance at August 4, 2018
$
(104,492
)
 
$
9,600

 
$
(94,892
)
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 4, 2018
(in thousands)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance at February 3, 2018
$
(84,947
)
 
$
(10,107
)
 
$
(95,054
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(19,545
)
 
16,665

 
(2,880
)
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)

 
5,222

 
5,222

Tax effect

 
(2,180
)
 
(2,180
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
(19,545
)
 
19,707

 
162

Ending balance at August 4, 2018
$
(104,492
)
 
$
9,600

 
$
(94,892
)

(1)  
Amount represents losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

The activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 was as follows:
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance at April 29, 2017
$
(120,520
)
 
$
225

 
$
(120,295
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
19,072

 
(11,029
)
 
8,043

Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (2)

 
(545
)
 
(545
)
Tax effect

 
1,426

 
1,426

Other comprehensive (loss) income
19,072

 
(10,148
)
 
8,924

Ending balance at July 29, 2017
$
(101,448
)
 
$
(9,923
)
 
$
(111,371
)
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance at January 28, 2017
$
(126,127
)
 
$
4,825

 
$
(121,302
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
24,679

 
(12,402
)
 
12,277

Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (2)

 
(4,081
)
 
(4,081
)
Tax effect

 
1,735

 
1,735

Other comprehensive income
24,679

 
(14,748
)
 
9,931

Ending balance at July 29, 2017
$
(101,448
)
 
$
(9,923
)
 
$
(111,371
)

(2)  
Amount represents gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

19



10. SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company’s two operating segments are brand-based: Hollister and Abercrombie, the latter of which includes the Company’s Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. These operating segments have similar economic characteristics, classes of consumers, products, and production and distribution methods, operate in the same regulatory environments, and have been aggregated into one reportable segment. Amounts shown below include net sales from wholesale, franchise and licensing operations, which are not a significant component of total revenue, and are aggregated within their respective areas.

The following table provides the Company’s net sales by operating segment for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 .
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
Hollister
$
500,836

 
$
446,639

 
$
924,464

 
$
821,315

Abercrombie
341,578

 
332,682

 
648,849

 
619,105

Total
$
842,414

 
$
779,321

 
$
1,573,313

 
$
1,440,420


The following table provides the Company’s net sales by geographic area for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 .
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
United States
$
531,446

 
$
470,280

 
$
980,572

 
$
879,347

Europe
192,354

 
195,895

 
362,014

 
350,880

Other
118,614

 
113,146

 
230,727

 
210,193

Total
$
842,414

 
$
779,321

 
$
1,573,313

 
$
1,440,420



20



11. CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a defendant in lawsuits and other adversary proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred, and the Company establishes estimated liabilities for the outcome of litigation where losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. The Company’s assessment of the current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts. As of August 4, 2018 , the Company had accrued charges for legal contingencies, including the certain legal matters detailed below, of approximately $23 million , which are classified within accrued expenses on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimated liability represents what the Company believes to be reasonable estimates of the loss exposures related to its legal matters. Actual liabilities may differ from the amounts recorded, due to uncertainties regarding final settlement agreement negotiations, actual claims rate experience, court approvals and the terms of any approval by the courts, and there can be no assurance that final resolution of legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company may be subject to estimated incremental losses of as much as approximately $20 million . There are certain claims and legal proceedings pending against the Company for which accruals have not been established.

Certain Legal Matters

The Company is a defendant in two separate class action lawsuits filed by former associates of the Company who are represented by the same counsel. The first lawsuit, filed in 2013, alleges failure to indemnify business expenses and a series of derivative claims for compelled patronization, inaccurate wage statements, waiting time penalties, minimum wage violations and unfair competition under California state law on behalf of all non-exempt hourly associates at Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks stores in California. Four subclasses of associates were certified, and the matter was before a U.S. District Court of California. The second lawsuit, filed in 2015, alleges that associates were required to purchase uniforms without reimbursement in violation of federal law, and laws of the states of New York, Florida and Massachusetts, as well as derivative putative state law claims and seeks to pursue such claims on a class and collective basis. On December 12, 2017, a U.S. District Court of California granted the parties’ stipulation to transfer the first lawsuit pending and combine it with the second lawsuit then pending before a U.S. District Court of Ohio.

Both matters were mediated and the parties signed a $25.0 million claims-made settlement agreement which, subject to final approval by a U.S. District Court of Ohio, is intended to result in a full and final settlement of all claims in both lawsuits on a class-wide basis. On February 16, 2018, a U.S. District Court of Ohio granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement and ordered that notice of the proposed settlement be given to the absent members of the settlement class. The ultimate settlement amount is dependent upon the actual claims made by members of the class and is also subject to final approval by the U.S. District Court of Ohio and could be subject to appeal by class members. A final approval hearing is set to occur in the third quarter of Fiscal 2018.

In addition to the matters discussed above, the Company is a defendant in certain other class action lawsuits filed by former associates of the Company. These lawsuits, currently assigned to the same judge in a U.S. District Court of California, allege non-exempt hourly associates of the Company were not properly compensated, in violation of federal and California law, for call-in practices requiring associates to engage in certain pre-shift activities in order to determine whether they should report to work and the Company’s alleged failure to pay reporting time pay and all wages earned at termination. In addition, these lawsuits include derivative claims alleging inaccurate wage statements and unfair competition under California state law on behalf of non-exempt hourly associates. One of these lawsuits was mediated and the parties involved have signed a $9.6 million settlement agreement, and on August 13, 2018, a U.S. District Court of California granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement. The ultimate settlement is subject to final approval by the U.S. District Court of California and could be subject to appeal from class members, objection from class members or revocation of the settlement agreement under certain circumstances. A final approval hearing is set to occur in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018.

There can be no absolute assurance that settlements will be finalized or approved or of the ultimate outcomes of the litigations.

21



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


OVERVIEW

BUSINESS SUMMARY

The Company is a global, multi-brand, specialty retailer, which primarily sells its products through its wholly-owned store and direct-to-consumer channels, as well as through various third-party wholesale, franchise and licensing arrangements. The Company offers a broad assortment of apparel, personal care products and accessories for men, women and kids under the Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. The Company has operations in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are designated in the consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2018 ” represent the fifty-two-week fiscal year ending on February 2, 2019 , and to “Fiscal 2017 ” represent the fifty-three-week fiscal year that ended February 3, 2018 .

Due to the seasonal nature of the retail apparel industry, the results of operations for any current period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year. The seasonality of the Company’s operations may also lead to significant fluctuations in certain asset and liability accounts.

SUMMARY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The table below summarizes the Company’s results of operations and reconciles financial measures determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) to non-GAAP financial measures for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 . Additional discussion about why the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors is provided below under “NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES.”
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands, except change in comparable sales, gross profit rate and per share amounts)
 
GAAP
 
Excluded Items (1)
 
Non-GAAP
 
GAAP
 
Excluded Items (1)
 
Non-GAAP
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
842,414

 
$

 
$
842,414

 
$
779,321

 
$

 
$
779,321

Change in net sales
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in comparable sales (2)
 
 
 
 
 
3
%
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)%
Gross profit rate
 
60.2
%
 
%
 
60.2
%
 
59.1
%
 
%
 
59.1
 %
Operating income (loss)
 
$
223

 
$
(8,671
)
 
$
8,894

 
$
(21,089
)
 
$
(6,135
)
 
$
(14,954
)
Net (loss) income attributable to A&F
 
$
(3,853
)
 
$
(8,024
)
 
$
4,171

 
$
(15,491
)
 
$
(4,525
)
 
$
(10,966
)
Net (loss) income per diluted share attributable to A&F
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.06

 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
1,573,313

 
$

 
$
1,573,313

 
$
1,440,420

 
$

 
$
1,440,420

Change in net sales
 
9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in comparable sales (2)
 
 
 
 
 
4
%
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)%
Gross profit rate
 
60.3
%
 
%
 
60.3
%
 
59.7
%
 
%
 
59.7
 %
Operating loss
 
$
(41,980
)
 
$
(14,271
)
 
$
(27,709
)
 
$
(91,030
)
 
$
(6,135
)
 
$
(84,895
)
Net loss attributable to A&F
 
$
(46,314
)
 
$
(12,083
)
 
$
(34,231
)
 
$
(77,191
)
 
$
(4,525
)
 
$
(72,666
)
Net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F
 
$
(0.68
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.50
)
 
$
(1.13
)
 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
(1.06
)

(1)  
Refer to RESULTS OF OPERATIONS for details on excluded items.
(2)  
Comparable sales are calculated on a constant currency basis. Due to the calendar shift resulting from the 53 rd week in Fiscal 2017, comparable sales for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 are compared to the thirteen weeks ended August 5, 2017. Refer to the discussion below in NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES for further details on the comparable sales calculation.


22

Table of Contents


As of August 4, 2018 , the Company had $581.2 million in cash and equivalents, and $253.3 million in gross borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. Net cash provided by operating activities was $50.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 . The Company also used cash of $43.7 million to repurchase approximately 1.7 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock in the open market, $54.1 million for capital expenditures and $27.2 million to pay dividends during the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 .

As of July 29, 2017 , the Company had $421.9 million in cash and equivalents, and $268.3 million in gross borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. Net cash used for operating activities was $48.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 . The Company also used cash of $61.8 million for capital expenditures and $27.2 million to pay dividends during the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 .


STORE ACTIVITY

Store count and gross square footage by brand and geography for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , respectively, were as follows:
 
Hollister (1)
 
Abercrombie (2)
 
Total
 
United States
 
International
 
United States
 
International
 
United States
 
International
February 3, 2018
394

 
144

 
285

 
45

 
679

 
189

New
2

 

 
1

 
2

 
3

 
2

Closed

 

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 

August 4, 2018
396

 
144

 
283

 
47

 
679

 
191

Gross square footage (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
2,685

 
1,196

 
2,182

 
631

 
4,867

 
1,827

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hollister (1)
 
Abercrombie (2)
 
Total
 
United States
 
International
 
United States
 
International
 
United States
 
International
January 28, 2017
398

 
145

 
311

 
44

 
709

 
189

New
1

 

 
2

 

 
3

 

Closed
(2
)
 

 
(7
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(1
)
July 29, 2017
397

 
145

 
306

 
43

 
703

 
188

Gross square footage (in thousands) :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 29, 2017
2,706

 
1,216

 
2,376

 
610

 
5,082

 
1,826


(1)
Excludes seven international franchise stores as of August 4, 2018 , five international franchise stores as of each of February 3, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , and three international franchise stores as of January 28, 2017.
(2)
Includes Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. Excludes six international franchise stores as of August 4, 2018 , four international franchise stores as of February 3, 2018 , three international franchise stores as of July 29, 2017 and one international franchise store as of January 28, 2017.

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Table of Contents


CURRENT TRENDS AND OUTLOOK

We are pleased with our second quarter performance, which capped off a strong first half of the year and demonstrated further progress our strategic transformation. During the second quarter, we delivered both top and bottom line growth, while continuing to invest in our key transformation initiatives. As previously discussed, these initiatives are focused on the following four pillars:
optimizing our global store network;
enhancing our digital commerce fulfillment and omnichannel capabilities;
streamlining our end-to-end concept to customer processes; and
optimizing our marketing investments, including leveraging our growing loyalty programs.

Our second quarter results reflect another quarter of improved profitability fueled by sales growth across both brands, gross profit expansion and operating expense leverage as we continue to execute our playbooks. Hollister continued its momentum with another quarter of strong sales performance and Abercrombie posted its third consecutive quarter of positive sales growth, both led by strength in the United States.

Our customers remain at the center of all we do, and that singular focus continues to improve brand health metrics and drive our brands forward. We remain on track to achieve our Fiscal 2018 expectations and our longer term Fiscal 2020 targets, as we work towards our objective of being a leading global omnichannel retailer.

For Fiscal 2018, we expect:

Comparable sales to be up in the range of 2% to 4% .
Net sales to be up in the range of 2% to 4%, with net sales in the third quarter to be approximately flat to last year, including the adverse effects from the calendar shift and changes in foreign currency exchange rates .
The calendar shift and the loss of Fiscal 2017’s 53 rd  week to adversely impact net sales by approximately $40 million, with benefits to first quarter and second quarter net sales of approximately $10 million and $30 million, respectively, to be more than offset by adverse impacts to third quarter and fourth quarter net sales of approximately $20 million and $60 million, respectively
A gross profit rate up slightly from the Fiscal 2017 rate of 59.7%.
GAAP operating expense to now be up approximately 2.5% from Fiscal 2017 adjusted operating expense of $2 billion, including approximately $14 million of charges related to asset impairment and certain legal matters that are excluded from adjusted non-GAAP operating expense. For the third quarter of Fiscal 2018, GAAP operating expense is expected to be up in the range of 2% to 3% from Fiscal 2017 adjusted non-GAAP operating expense of $489 million.
A weighted average fully-diluted share count of approximately 69 million shares, excluding the effect of potential share buybacks .

In addition, we expect to end the third quarter of Fiscal 2018 with inventories to be up low- to mid-single digits in advance of the peak holiday selling periods.

For Fiscal 2018, the Company now expects the full year effective tax rate to be in the mid-to-upper 30s, including discrete non-cash income tax charges of approximately $9 million related to the expiration of certain share-based compensation awards, of which approximately $8 million has been recognized to date. The full year effective tax rate also includes discrete tax charges of $2 million, which are excluded from adjusted non-GAAP results, adjusting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 provisional estimate. For the third quarter of Fiscal 2018, the Company expects the effective tax rate to be in the mid 30s.

With regard to capital allocation, we continue to target capital expenditures to be in the range of $135 million to $140 million for the full year.

We plan to open 22 full-price stores in Fiscal 2018, including 13 Hollister and nine Abercrombie stores. In addition, we expect to remodel or right-size close to 50 stores to the new prototype formats. We also anticipate closing up to 60 stores primarily in the U.S. during Fiscal 2018 through natural lease expirations, with the the final number being dependent on lease negotiations and business outcomes.

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Table of Contents


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes discussion of certain financial measures under “ RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ” on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. The Company believes that each of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this “ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” is useful to investors as it provides a measure of the Company’s operating performance excluding the effect of certain items that the Company believes do not reflect its future operating outlook, and therefore supplements investors’ understanding of comparability of operations across periods. Management used these non-GAAP financial measures during the periods presented to assess the Company’s performance and to develop expectations for future operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be used as a supplement to, and not as an alternative to, the Company’s GAAP financial results, and may not be calculated in the same manner as similar measures presented by other companies.

Financial Information on a Constant Currency Basis

The Company provides certain financial information on a constant currency basis to enhance investors’ understanding of underlying business trends and operating performance by removing the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The effect from foreign currency exchange rates, calculated on a constant currency basis, is determined by applying the current period’s foreign currency exchange rates to the prior year’s results and is net of the year-over-year impact from hedging. The per diluted share effect from foreign currency exchange rates for Fiscal 2018 is calculated using a 27% effective tax rate.

Comparable Sales

In addition, the Company provides comparable sales, defined as the aggregate of (1) year-over-year sales for stores that have been open as the same brand at least one year and whose square footage has not been expanded or reduced by more than 20% within the past year, with the prior year’s net sales converted at the current year’s foreign currency exchange rates to remove the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and (2) year-over-year direct-to-consumer sales with the prior year’s net sales converted at the current year’s foreign currency exchange rates to remove the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Comparable sales excludes revenue other than store and direct-to-consumer sales. Due to the calendar shift in Fiscal 2018, resulting from the 53 rd week in Fiscal 2017, comparable sales for the Fiscal 2018 quarterly periods ended May 5, 2018, August 4, 2018, November 3, 2018 and February 2, 2019 are to be compared to the thirteen weeks ended May 6, 2017, August 5, 2017, November 4, 2017 and February 3, 2018, respectively. Management uses comparable sales to understand the drivers of net sales year-over-year changes as well as a performance metric for certain performance-based restricted stock units. The Company believes comparable sales is a useful metric as it can assist investors in distinguishing the portion of the Company’s revenue attributable to existing locations from the portion attributable to the opening or closing of stores. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is change in net sales.

Calendar Shift Impact on Net Sales

The impact on net sales from the calendar shift, resulting from the loss of Fiscal 2017’s 53 rd week, is calculated as the difference between net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 6, 2017, August 5, 2017, November 4, 2017 and February 3, 2018 and reported net sales for the fiscal quarters ended April 29, 2017, July 29, 2017, October 28, 2017 and February 3, 2018, respectively. The impact on net sales from the calendar shift, resulting from the loss of Fiscal 2017’s 53 rd week for the year-to-date period ended August 4, 2018 is calculated as the difference between the twenty-six weeks ended August 5, 2017 and reported net sales for the year-to-date period ended July 29, 2017.

Excluded Items

The following financial measures are disclosed on a GAAP and on an adjusted non-GAAP basis excluding the following items, as applicable:
Financial measures (1)
 
Excluded items
Marketing, general and administrative expense
 
Certain legal charges
Operating income (loss)
 
Asset impairment; certain legal charges
Net (loss) income and net (loss) income per share attributable to A&F (2)
 
Asset impairment; certain legal charges; discrete net tax charges related to the Act; and the tax effect of excluded items

(1)  
Certain of these financial measures are also expressed as a percentage of net sales.
(2)  
The Company also presents income tax expense (benefit) and the effective tax rate on both a GAAP and on an adjusted non-GAAP basis excluding the items listed under “ Operating income (loss) ,” as applicable, in the table above and discrete net tax charges related to the Act. The tax effect of excluded items is the difference between the tax provision calculation on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted non-GAAP basis.

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Table of Contents


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRTEEN AND TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED AUGUST 4, 2018 VERSUS JULY 29, 2017

Net Sales
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Net Sales
 
Net Sales
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
Change in Comparable Sales (1)
Hollister
$
500,836

 
$
446,639

 
$
54,197

 
12%
 
4%
Abercrombie (2)
341,578

 
332,682

 
8,896

 
3%
 
2%
Total net sales
$
842,414

 
$
779,321

 
$
63,093

 
8%
 
3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
531,446

 
$
470,280

 
$
61,166

 
13%
 
7%
International
310,968

 
309,041

 
1,927

 
1%
 
(4)%
Total net sales
$
842,414

 
$
779,321

 
$
63,093

 
8%
 
3%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Net Sales
 
Net Sales
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
Change in Comparable Sales (1)
Hollister
$
924,464

 
$
821,315

 
$
103,149

 
13%
 
5%
Abercrombie (2)
648,849

 
619,105

 
29,744

 
5%
 
2%
Total net sales
$
1,573,313

 
$
1,440,420

 
$
132,893

 
9%
 
4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
980,572

 
$
879,347

 
$
101,225

 
12%
 
7%
International
592,741

 
561,073

 
31,668

 
6%
 
(2)%
Total net sales
$
1,573,313

 
$
1,440,420

 
$
132,893

 
9%
 
4%

(1)  
Comparable sales are calculated on a constant currency basis. Due to the calendar shift resulting from the 53 rd week in Fiscal 2017, comparable sales for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 are compared to the thirteen weeks ended August 5, 2017. Comparable sales for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 are compared to the twenty-six weeks ended August 5, 2017. Refer to NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES in “ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” for further details on the comparable sales calculation.
(2)  
Includes Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands.

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , net sales increased 8% as compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 , primarily attributable to an increase in units sold, partially offset by lower average unit retail driven by product mix. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited net sales by approximately $8 million , or 1% . The calendar shift resulting from Fiscal 2017’s 53 rd week benefited net sales by approximately $30 million , or 4% . Comparable sales, which do not include impacts from changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the calendar shift, increased 3% , with a 4% increase in comparable sales for Hollister and a 2% increase in comparable sales for Abercrombie.

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , net sales increased 9% as compared to the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 , primarily attributable to an increase in units sold and slightly higher average unit retail driven by benefits from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited net sales by approximately of approximately $33 million , or 2% . The calendar shift resulting from Fiscal 2017’s 53 rd week benefited net sales by approximately $40 million , or 3% . Comparable sales, which do not include impacts from changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the calendar shift, increased 4% , with a 5% increase in comparable sales for Hollister and a 2% increase in comparable sales for Abercrombie .

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Table of Contents


Cost of Sales, Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
$
335,519

 
39.8%
 
$
318,426

 
40.9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
506,895

 
60.2%
 
$
460,895

 
59.1%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
$
624,073

 
39.7%
 
$
580,600

 
40.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
949,240

 
60.3%
 
$
859,820

 
59.7%

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 110 basis points as compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 , primarily due to lower costs.

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 60 basis points as compared to the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 , primarily due to lower costs.

Stores and Distribution Expense
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Stores and distribution expense
$
374,552

 
44.5%
 
$
369,295

 
47.4%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Stores and distribution expense
$
735,707

 
46.8%
 
$
729,224

 
50.6%

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , stores and distribution expense as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 290 basis points as compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 , primarily due to the leveraging effect from higher net sales and expense reduction efforts, partially offset by higher direct-to-consumer expense. For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , store occupancy expense, including rent, depreciation, utilities and other store expenses, as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 230 basis points as compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 .

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , stores and distribution expense as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 380 basis points as compared to the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 , primarily due to the leveraging effect from higher net sales and expense reductions, partially offset by higher direct-to-consumer expense and $3.9 million of lease termination charges related to the A&F flagship store lease in Copenhagen. For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , store occupancy expense as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 260 basis points as compared to the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 .

27



Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Marketing, general and administrative expense
$
123,883

 
14.7%
 
$
109,353

 
14.0%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Marketing, general and administrative expense
$
248,780

 
15.8%
 
$
219,246

 
15.2%
Deduct:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certain legal charges (1)
(5,600
)
 
(0.4)%
 

 
0.0%
Adjusted non-GAAP marketing, general and administrative expense
$
243,180

 
15.5%
 
$
219,246

 
15.2%

(1)  
Includes legal charges in connection with the proposed settlement of a class action claim, subject to final court approval, related to alleged wage and hour practices . See Note 11, “ CONTINGENCIES .”

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , marketing, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increased by approximately 70 basis points as compared to the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 , primarily due to increases in marketing, performance-based compensation and expenses related to the transformation of our business that more than offset the leveraging effect from increased net sales and expense reduction efforts.

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , marketing, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increased by approximately 60 basis points as compared to the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 , primarily due to increases in marketing, performance-based compensation, $5.6 million of certain legal charges and expenses related to the transformation of our business that more than offset the leveraging effect from increased net sales and expense reduction efforts. Excluding $5.6 million of certain legal charges in Fiscal 2018, year-to-date Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP marketing, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales increased approximately 30 basis points as compared to the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 .

Asset Impairment

The Company incurred store asset impairment charges of $8.7 million and $9.7 million for the second quarter and year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , respectively, and $6.1 million and $6.9 million for the second quarter and year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 , respectively, primarily related to certain of the Company’s international Abercrombie & Fitch stores.

Other Operating Income, Net
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Other operating income, net
$
434

 
0.1%
 
$
2,799

 
0.4%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Other operating income, net
$
2,994

 
0.2%
 
$
4,485

 
0.3%

For the second quarter and the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , other operating income, net as a percentage of net sales decreased by approximately 30 basis points and 10 basis points, respectively, as compared to the second quarter and year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 . These decreases were primarily due to lower foreign currency exchange rate related gains and a change in classification of gift card breakage which was previously recognized in other operating income, but beginning in Fiscal 2018 is recognized in net sales on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

28



Operating Income (Loss)
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Operating income (loss)
$
223

 
0.0%
 
$
(21,089
)
 
(2.7)%
Deduct:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset impairment
8,671

 
1.0%
 
6,135

 
0.8%
Adjusted non-GAAP operating income (loss)
$
8,894

 
1.1%
 
$
(14,954
)
 
(1.9)%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Operating loss
$
(41,980
)
 
(2.7)%
 
$
(91,030
)
 
(6.3)%
Deduct:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certain asset impairment
8,671

 
0.6%
 
6,135

 
0.4%
Certain legal charges (1)
5,600

 
0.4%
 

 
0.0%
Adjusted non-GAAP operating loss
$
(27,709
)
 
(1.8)%
 
$
(84,895
)
 
(5.9)%

(1)  
Includes legal charges in connection with the proposed settlement of a class action claim, subject to final court approval, related to alleged wage and hour practices . See Note 11, “ CONTINGENCIES .”

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018, operating income was $0.2 million as compared to a loss of $21.1 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2017. Excluding items presented above, second quarter of Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP operating income was $8.9 million , as compared to adjusted non-GAAP operating loss of $15.0 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2017. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited operating income (loss) by approximately $1 million .

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , operating loss was $42.0 million as compared to a loss of $91.0 million for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 . Excluding items presented above, year-to-date Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP operating loss was $27.7 million as compared to adjusted non-GAAP operating loss of $84.9 million for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited operating loss by approximately $4 million .

Interest Expense, Net
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Interest expense
$
5,695

 
0.7%
 
$
5,334

 
0.7%
Interest income
(2,672
)
 
(0.3)%
 
(1,245
)
 
(0.2)%
Interest expense, net
$
3,023

 
0.4%
 
$
4,089

 
0.5%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Interest expense
$
11,357

 
0.8%
 
$
10,667

 
0.7%
Interest income
(5,316
)
 
(0.4)%
 
(2,458
)
 
(0.2)%
Interest expense, net
$
6,041

 
0.4%
 
$
8,209

 
0.6%

Interest expense, net primarily consists of interest expense on borrowings outstanding under the Company’s Term Loan Facility, partially offset by realized gains from the trust-owned life insurance policies held in the irrevocable rabbi trust (the “Rabbi Trust”) and interest income earned on the Company’s investments and cash holdings.

For the second quarter and the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , interest expense, net as a percentage of net sales decreased by as compared to the second quarter and year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 by approximately 10 basis points and 20 basis points, respectively, primarily due to higher interest income earned on the Company’s investments and cash holdings.


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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands, except ratios)
 
 
Effective Tax Rate
 
 
 
Effective Tax Rate
Income tax expense (benefit)
$
24

 
(0.9)%
 
$
(10,563
)
 
42.0%
Deduct:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax effect of excluded items (1)
(1,395
)
 


1,610

 
 
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 charges (2)
2,042

 
 
 

 
 
Adjusted non-GAAP income tax expense (benefit)
$
671

 
11.4%
 
$
(8,953
)
 
47.0%
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands, except ratios)
 
 
Effective Tax Rate
 
 
 
Effective Tax Rate
Income tax benefit
$
(3,689
)
 
7.7%
 
$
(23,615
)
 
23.8%
Deduct:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax effect of excluded items (1)
146

 
 
 
1,610

 
 
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 charges (2)
2,042

 
 
 

 
 
Adjusted non-GAAP income tax benefit
$
(1,501
)
 
4.4%
 
$
(22,005
)
 
23.6%

(1)  
Refer to Operating Income (Loss) for details of excluded items. The tax effect of excluded items is the difference between the tax provision calculation on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted non-GAAP basis.
(2)  
Discrete tax charges related to the Act. See Note 5, “ INCOME TAXES ,” for further discussion.

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , the effective tax rate was -0.9% as compared to 42.0% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 . In the second quarter of Fiscal 2018, the effective tax rate was impacted by discrete income tax charges of $2.0 million related to the provisional estimate of the Act. Excluding items presented above in the table under “ Operating Income (Loss) ,” and charges related to the Act, the second quarter Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP effective tax rate was 11.4% as compared to 47.0% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 .

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , the effective tax rate was 7.7% as compared to 23.8% for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 . In both the Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 year-to-date period, the effective tax rate was impacted by discrete non-cash income tax charges related to the expiration of certain share-based compensation awards of $7.9 million and $9.9 million , respectively. In addition, for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 the effective tax rate was also impacted by a discrete income tax charge of $2.0 million related to the provisional estimate of the Act. Excluding items presented above in the table under “ Operating Income (Loss) ,” and charges related to the Act, the year-to-date Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP effective tax rate was 4.4% as compared to 23.6% for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 .

For the second quarter and the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , the year-over-year change in the effective tax rate, which is highly sensitive at lower levels of pre-tax earnings, was primarily driven by changes in the level and mix of consolidated pre-tax earnings between operating and valuation allowance jurisdictions and the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% as a result of the enactment of the Act in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017.

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Table of Contents


Net Loss and Net Loss per Share Attributable to A&F
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Net loss attributable to A&F
$
(3,853
)
 
(0.5)%
 
$
(15,491
)
 
(2.0)%
Adjusted non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to A&F (1)
$
4,171

 
0.5%
 
$
(10,966
)
 
(1.4)%
 

 
 
 

 
 
Net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F
$
(0.06
)
 

 
$
(0.23
)
 

Adjusted non-GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share attributable to A&F  (1)
$
0.06

 
 
 
$
(0.16
)
 
 
 
Twenty-six Weeks Ended
 
August 4, 2018
 
July 29, 2017
(in thousands)
 
 
% of Net Sales
 
 
 
% of Net Sales
Net loss attributable to A&F
$
(46,314
)
 
(2.9)%
 
$
(77,191
)
 
(5.4)%
Adjusted non-GAAP net loss attributable to A&F (1)
$
(34,231
)
 
(2.2)%
 
$
(72,666
)
 
(5.0)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F
$
(0.68
)
 
 
 
$
(1.13
)
 
 
Adjusted non-GAAP net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F (1)
$
(0.50
)
 
 
 
$
(1.06
)
 
 

(1)  
Excludes items presented above under “ Operating Income (Loss) , ” and “ Income Tax Expense (Benefit) .

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 , net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F was $0.06 as compared to a loss of $0.23 for the second quarter of Fiscal 2017 . Excluding items presented above under “ Operating Income (Loss) , ” and “ Income Tax Expense (Benefit) , second quarter of Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP net income per diluted share attributable to A&F was $0.06 , as compared to a loss of $0.16 last year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited net income (loss) per share attributable to A&F by approximately $0.01 .

For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2018 , net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F was $0.68 as compared to a loss of $1.13 for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2017 . Excluding items presented above under “ Operating Income (Loss) , ” and “ Income Tax Expense (Benefit) , ” year-to-date Fiscal 2018 adjusted non-GAAP net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F was $0.50 , as compared to a loss of $1.06 last year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited net loss per diluted share attributable to A&F by approximately $0.03 .

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Table of Contents


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

HISTORICAL SOURCES AND USES OF CASH

Seasonality of Cash Flows

The Company’s business has two principal selling seasons: the spring season, which includes the first and second fiscal quarters (“Spring”) and the fall season, which includes the third and fourth fiscal quarters (“Fall”). As is typical in the apparel industry, the Company experiences its greatest sales activity during Fall due to Back-to-School and Back-to-Fall sales periods, for Hollister and Abercrombie, respectively, and Holiday sales periods. The Company relies on excess operating cash flows, which are largely generated in Fall, to fund operations throughout the year and to reinvest in the business to support future growth. The Company also has a revolving credit facility available as a source of additional funding.

Credit Facilities

On August 7, 2014, A&F, through its subsidiary A&F Management as the lead borrower (with A&F and certain other subsidiaries as borrowers or guarantors), entered into an asset-based revolving credit agreement.

On October 19, 2017, the Company, through A&F Management, entered into the ABL Second Amendment, amending and extending the maturity date of the asset-based revolving credit agreement to October 19, 2022. The Amended ABL Facility continues to provide for a senior secured credit facility of up to $400 million.

As of August 4, 2018 , the borrowing base on the Amended ABL Facility was $329.1 million .

The Company uses, in the ordinary course of business, stand-by letters of credit under the Amended ABL Facility. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018 , the Company had not drawn on the Amended ABL Facility, but had outstanding stand-by letters of credit under the Amended ABL Facility of approximately $1.1 million and $1.9 million , respectively. The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

A&F, through its subsidiary A&F Management as the borrower (with A&F and certain other subsidiaries as guarantors), also entered into a term loan agreement on August 7, 2014, which provides for a Term Loan Facility of $300 million.

On June 22, 2018, the Company, through A&F Management, entered into the Term Loan Second Amendment , which, among other things, repriced the Term Loan Facility by reducing the applicable margins for term loans by 0.25%.

The material provisions of the Credit Facilities have not changed from those disclosed in Note 11, “ BORROWINGS ,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 , except as described in Note 6, “ BORROWINGS ” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in “ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED),” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Operating Activities

For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , net cash provided by operating activities was $50.5 million as compared to $48.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 . The year-over-year change in cash flow associated with operating activities was primarily due to higher cash receipts from increased net sales, decreased rent payments due to timing, and increased payments to vendors in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2017 which resulted in lower cash payments in Fiscal 2018 Spring season as compared to the prior year. These year-over-year changes were partially offset by incentive compensation payments in Fiscal 2018 related to Fiscal 2017 performance and an increase in income tax payments.

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Investing Activities

For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , cash used for investing activities included capital expenditures of $54.1 million and $61.8 million , respectively, primarily for store updates and new stores, as well as direct-to-consumer and omnichannel and information technology investments.

Financing Activities

For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , cash used for financing activities consisted primarily for the repurchase of approximately 1.7 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock in the open market with a market value of approximately $43.7 million and dividend payments of $27.2 million . For the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 , cash used for financing activities consisted primarily of dividend payments of $27.2 million .


FUTURE CASH REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCES OF CASH

The Company’s capital allocation strategy remains to prioritize investments in the business to build on the foundation for sustainable long-term growth and invest in projects that have the highest return, including improvements in customer experience, both in stores and online. In addition, the Company prioritizes returning cash to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases as appropriate. Capital allocation priorities and investments are reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors considering both liquidity and valuation factors.

To execute on these priorities, the Company relies on excess operating cash flows, which are largely generated in the Fall season, to fund operations throughout the fiscal year and to reinvest in the business to support future growth. The Company also has availability under the Amended ABL Facility as a source of additional funding. Over the next twelve months, the Company’s primary cash requirements will be to fund operating activities, including the acquisition of inventory, and obligations related to compensation, leases, any obligations related to lease buyouts or kickouts we may exercise, taxes and other operating activities, as well as to fund capital expenditures, marketing initiatives, quarterly dividends to stockholders subject to approval by A&F’s Board of Directors and debt service requirements, including voluntary debt prepayments, or required repayments, if any, based on annual excess cash flows, as defined in the credit agreement applicable to the Term Loan Facility.

The Company may repurchase shares of its Common Stock and, if it were to do so, would anticipate funding such repurchases by utilizing free cash flow generated from operations or proceeds from the Amended ABL Facility. As of August 4, 2018 , A&F had the ability to repurchase up to 4.8 million shares as part of the A&F Board of Directors’ previously approved authorization.

Income Taxes

As of August 4, 2018 , certain foreign subsidiaries have lent approximately $266.4 million to certain U.S. subsidiaries resulting in
$350.2 million of the Company’s $581.2 million of cash and equivalents being held by U.S. subsidiaries. The Company is not dependent on dividends from its foreign affiliates to fund its U.S. operations or pay dividends to A&F’s stockholders. As a result of the adoption of a modified territorial system under the Act, future earnings from foreign subsidiaries are generally not subject to additional federal tax upon repatriation. If funds were to be legally repatriated to the U.S., there could be implications at the state and foreign levels. Because of the complexities associated with the Act, the Company has not fully concluded on its position with respect to reinvestment of foreign earnings and whether its existing international structure for the various jurisdictions is the optimal structure for the future, but expects to complete this assessment in Fiscal 2018.

Capital Expenditures

For Fiscal 2018 , the Company expects capital expenditures to be in the range of $135 million to $140 million , primarily for store updates and new stores, as well as direct-to-consumer, omnichannel and information technology investments.


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Table of Contents


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Company’s contractual obligations consist primarily of operating leases, purchase orders for merchandise inventory, unrecognized tax benefits, certain retirement obligations, lease deposits and other agreements to purchase goods and services that are legally binding and that require minimum quantities to be purchased. These contractual obligations impact the Company’s short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. During the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , there were no material changes in the contractual obligations as of February 3, 2018 , with the exception of those obligations which occurred in the normal course of business (primarily changes in the Company’s merchandise inventory-related purchases and lease obligations, which fluctuate throughout the year as a result of the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations).


RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company describes its significant accounting policies in Note 2, “ SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 . Refer to Note 1, “ BASIS OF PRESENTATION--Recent Accounting Pronouncements ” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in “ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED),” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for recent accounting pronouncements, including the dates of adoption or expected dates of adoption, as applicable, and estimated effects on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company describes its critical accounting policies and estimates in “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 . There have been no other significant changes in critical accounting policies and estimates since the end of Fiscal 2017 , except as described in Note 1, “ BASIS OF PRESENTATION--Recent Accounting Pronouncements ” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in “ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED),” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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Table of Contents


SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or made by the Company, its management or spokespeople involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Future economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenue and profitability are difficult to predict. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

The following factors, categorized by the primary nature of the associated risk, including the disclosures under the heading “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS” in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 , in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause actual results for Fiscal 2018 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or otherwise made by management:

Macroeconomic and industry risks include:
Changes in global economic and financial conditions, and the resulting impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending, as well as other changes in consumer discretionary spending habits, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and liquidity;
Failure to anticipate customer demand and changing fashion trends and to manage our inventory commensurately could adversely impact our sales levels and profitability;
Our market share may be negatively impacted by increasing competition and pricing pressures from companies with brands or merchandise competitive with ours;
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations;
Our ability to attract customers to our stores depends, in part, on the success of the shopping malls or area attractions that our stores are located in or around; and,
The impact of war, acts of terrorism or civil unrest could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Strategic risks include:
The expansion of our direct-to-consumer sales channels and omnichannel initiatives are significant components of our growth strategy, and the failure to successfully develop our position across all channels could have an adverse impact on our results of operations;
Our international growth strategy and ability to conduct business in international markets may be adversely affected by legal, regulatory, political and economic risks; and,
Failure to successfully implement our strategic plans could have a negative impact on our growth and profitability.

Operational risks include:
Failure to protect our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our brands;
Our business could suffer if our information technology systems are disrupted or cease to operate effectively;
We may be exposed to risks and costs associated with cyber-attacks, credit card fraud and identity theft that would cause us to incur unexpected expenses and reputation loss;
Our reliance on DCs makes us susceptible to disruptions or adverse conditions affecting our supply chain;
Changes in cost, availability and quality of raw materials, labor, transportation, and trade relations could cause manufacturing delays and increase our costs;
We depend upon independent third parties for the manufacture and delivery of all our merchandise, and a disruption of the manufacture or delivery of our merchandise could result in lost sales and could increase our costs;
We rely on the experience and skills of our senior executive officers and associates, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on our business; and,
Extreme weather conditions, including natural disasters, pandemic disease and other unexpected events, could negatively impact our facilities, systems and stores, as well as the facilities and systems of our vendors and manufacturers, which could result in an interruption to our business and adversely affect our operating results.


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Table of Contents


Legal, tax, regulatory and compliance risks include:
Fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate may result in volatility in our results of operations;
Our litigation exposure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations;
Failure to adequately protect our trademarks could have a negative impact on our brand image and limit our ability to penetrate new markets;
Changes in the regulatory or compliance landscape and compliance with changing regulations for accounting, corporate governance and public disclosure could adversely affect our business, results of operations and reported financial results; and,
Our Asset-Based Revolving Credit Agreement and our Term Loan Agreement include restrictive covenants that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

The factors listed above are not our only risks. Additional risks may arise and current evaluations of risks may change, which could lead to material, adverse effects on our business, operating results and financial condition.


ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Investment Securities

The Rabbi Trust includes amounts to meet funding obligations to participants in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan I, the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan II and the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The Rabbi Trust assets primarily consist of trust-owned life insurance policies which are recorded at cash surrender value. The change in cash surrender value of the trust-owned life insurance policies held in the Rabbi Trust resulted in realized gains of $0.8 million and $1.5 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 , respectively, and realized gains of $0.8 million and $1.5 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 , respectively, which are recorded in interest expense, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

The Rabbi Trust assets are included in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018 , and are restricted in their use as noted above.

Interest Rate Risks

As of August 4, 2018 , the Company has approximately $253.3 million in gross borrowings outstanding under its Term Loan Facility and no borrowings outstanding under its Amended ABL Facility. The Credit Facilities carry interest rates that are tied to LIBO rate, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The interest rate on the Term Loan Facility has a 100 basis point LIBO rate floor, and assuming no changes in the Company’s financial structure as it stands, an increase in market interest rates of 100 basis points would increase annual interest expense by approximately $2.6 million . This hypothetical analysis for the fifty-two weeks ending February 2, 2019 may differ from the actual change in interest expense due to potential changes in interest rates or gross borrowings outstanding under the Company’s Credit Facilities.


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Table of Contents


Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

A&F’s international subsidiaries generally operate with functional currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Since the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in U.S. Dollars, the Company must translate all components of its condensed consolidated financial statements from functional currencies into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the end of the reporting period. The fluctuation in the value of the U.S. Dollar against other currencies affects the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. The potential impact of currency fluctuation increases as international expansion increases.

A&F and its subsidiaries have exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates associated with foreign currency transactions and forecasted foreign currency transactions, including the sale of inventory between subsidiaries and foreign-currency-denominated assets and liabilities. The Company has established a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency exchange forward contracts to partially offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency transactions and forecasted transactions. Under this program, increases or decreases in foreign currency exchange rate exposures are partially offset by gains or losses on forward contracts, to mitigate the impact of foreign currency gains or losses. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation. All outstanding foreign currency exchange forward contracts are recorded at fair value at the end of each fiscal period.

The fair value of outstanding foreign currency exchange forward contracts included in other current assets was $12.3 million as of August 4, 2018 and insignificant as of February 3, 2018 . The fair value of outstanding foreign currency exchange forward contracts included in accrued expenses was insignificant as of August 4, 2018 and was $9.1 million as of February 3, 2018 . Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company assessed the risk of loss in fair values from the effect of a hypothetical 10% devaluation of the U.S. Dollar against the exchange rates for foreign currencies under contract. Such a hypothetical devaluation would decrease derivative contract fair values by approximately $27.7 million . As the Company’s foreign currency exchange forward contracts are primarily designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions, the hypothetical change in fair value would be largely offset by the net change in fair values of the underlying hedged items.


ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

A&F maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as 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 provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that A&F files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to A&F’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Because of inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.

A&F’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer of A&F (who serves as Principal Executive Officer of A&F) and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of A&F (who serves as Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer of A&F), evaluated the effectiveness of A&F’s design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2018 . The Chief Executive Officer of A&F (in such individual’s capacity as the Principal Executive Officer of A&F) and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of A&F (in such individual’s capacity as the Principal Financial Officer of A&F) concluded that A&F’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable level of assurance as of August 4, 2018 , the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in A&F’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during A&F’s fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2018 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, A&F’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a defendant in lawsuits and other adversary proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred, and the Company establishes estimated liabilities for the outcome of litigation where losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. The Company’s assessment of the current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts. As of August 4, 2018 , the Company had accrued charges of approximately $23 million for certain legal contingencies, which are classified within accrued expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet included in “ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED),” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Actual liabilities may differ from the amounts recorded, and there can be no assurance that final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. There are certain claims and legal proceedings pending against the Company for which accruals have not been established.


ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

The Company’s risk factors as of  August 4, 2018  have not changed materially from those disclosed in Part I, “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal  2017 .


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

There were no sales of equity securities during the second quarter of Fiscal 2018 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

The following table provides information regarding the purchase of shares of Common Stock of A&F made by or on behalf of A&F or any “affiliated purchaser” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during each fiscal month of the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 :
Period (Fiscal Month)
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs (3)
May 6, 2018 through June 2, 2018
12,156

 
$
25.41

 

 
5,725,494

June 3, 2018 through July 7, 2018
661,298

 
$
25.83

 
636,690

 
5,088,804

July 8, 2018 through August 4, 2018
333,526

 
$
25.70

 
332,378

 
4,756,426

Total
1,006,980

 
$
25.78

 
969,068

 
4,756,426


(1)  
37,912 shares of A&F’s Common Stock purchased during the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018  represented shares which were withheld for tax payments due upon the exercise of employee stock appreciation rights and vesting of employee restricted stock units.
(2)  
969,068 shares of A&F’s Common Stock were repurchased during the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 pursuant to A&F’s publicly announced stock repurchase authorization. On August 14, 2012, A&F’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 10.0 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock, which was announced on August 15, 2012.
(3)  
The number shown represents, as of the end of each period, the maximum number of shares of A&F’s Common Stock that may yet be purchased under A&F’s publicly announced stock repurchase authorization described in footnote 2 above. The shares may be purchased, from time-to-time, depending on market conditions.

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Table of Contents


ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Document
10.1
10.2
10.3
31.1
31.2
32.1
101
The following materials from Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended August 4, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Thirteen and Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.*
 
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
Date: September 10, 2018
By
/s/ Scott Lipesky
 
 
Scott Lipesky
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Authorized Officer)

40


EXHIBIT 10.2

EXECUTION COPY


SECOND AMENDMENT TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 22, 2018

This SECOND AMENDMENT TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is by and among ABERCROMBIE & FITCH MANAGEMENT CO., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), each Lender and Refinancing Term Loan Lender party hereto pursuant to an authorization in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “ Lender Authorization ”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Agent ”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Parent, the lenders party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and the Agent entered into that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 2014 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of September 10, 2015, by and among the Borrower, the Parent, each lender party or consenting thereto and the Agent, and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment, the “ Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, the Borrower has hereby notified the Agent that it is requesting the establishment of Refinancing Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of $253,250,000.00 (the “ Term B-1 Loans ”; the commitments relating thereto, the “ Term B-1 Commitments ”; and the Lenders and Refinancing Term Lenders with Term B-1 Commitments and any permitted assignees thereof, the “ Term B-1 Lenders ”) to refinance in full the outstanding Initial Term Loans on the Effective Date (as defined below);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower may obtain Refinancing Term Loans by, among other things, entering into one or more Refinancing Amendments in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, on the Effective Date, the Borrower has offered to (a) issue the Term B-1 Loans in exchange for certain existing Initial Term Loans pursuant to a cashless settlement as described herein and (b) to the extent any Initial Term Loans are not so exchanged, to use the proceeds of the Term B-1 Loans to refinance the Initial Term Loans outstanding as of the Effective Date after giving effect to such cashless settlement;

WHEREAS, upon the Effective Date, each Term B-1 Lender shall have the Term B-1 Commitment set forth opposite its name in the Register;

WHEREAS, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“ WFS ”) will act as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner for this Amendment, the Term B-1 Commitments and the Term B-1 Loans; and

WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the effectiveness of the Term B-1 Commitments, the Borrower and the Parent wish to make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement to provide for the incurrence of the Term B-1 Loans and the other modifications to the Credit Agreement set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


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Section 1.      Capitalized Terms . All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment (including without limitation in the introductory paragraph and the Preliminary Statements hereto) shall have the meanings as specified in the Credit Agreement.

Section 2.      Amendments to Credit Agreement . Subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Agent and the Lenders party hereto hereby agree to the following amendments to the Credit Agreement:

(a) The cover page of the Credit Agreement is amended to replace the Term Loan CUSIP Number on top right portion thereof in its entirety with the following:

“Term Loan CUSIP Number: 00289HAE4”

(b) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended by inserting the following new definitions in their correct alphabetical order:

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Beneficial Ownership Certification ” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation ” means 31 CFR § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member

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Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor thereto), as in effect from time to time.

PTE ” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Second Amendment ” means the Second Amendment to this Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2018, among the Borrower, the Parent, the Lenders party thereto, and the Agent.

Replacement Rate ” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.10(d).

Term B-1 Loan ” has the meaning specified in the Second Amendment.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

(c) The definition of “ Defaulting Lender ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended by adding a new clause (iii) to the end of clause (d) of such definition as follows: “(iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action”.

(d) The definition of “ LIBO Rate ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“‘ LIBO Rate ’ means, subject to the implementation of a Replacement Rate in accordance with Section 3.03(b) , for any Interest Period, for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBO Rate Loan, the rate as published by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, a United Kingdom company as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on the second London Business Day preceding the first day of such Interest Period (or if such rate is not so published, then the rate as determined by the Agent from another recognized source or interbank quotation), for a term, and in an amount, comparable to the Interest Period and the amount of the LIBO Rate Loan requested (whether as an initial LIBO Rate Loan or as a continuation of a LIBO Rate Loan or as a conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBO Rate Loan) by the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement (and, if any such rate is below zero, the LIBO Rate shall be deemed to be zero), which determination shall be made by Agent and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the LIBO Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Wells Fargo and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered to Wells Fargo by major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market in which Wells Fargo

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participates at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise specified in any amendment to this Agreement entered into in accordance with Section 3.03(b) , in the event that a Replacement Rate with respect to LIBO Rate is implemented, then all references herein to LIBO Rate shall be deemed references to such Replacement Rate.”

(e) Article I of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 1.08 thereto and in connection therewith the table of contents shall be amended to include a reference to “Section 1.08 Rates”:

1.08      Rates. The Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of ‘LIBO Rate’.”

(f) Section 3.03 of Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

3.03      Inability to Determine Rates .

(a)      Unless and until a Replacement Rate is implemented in accordance with clause (b) below, if the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a LIBO Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBO Rate Loan, (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBO Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBO Rate Loan , or (iii) the LIBO Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBO Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBO Rate Loans shall be suspended until the Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBO Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

(b)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3.03(a) above, if the Agent has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances described in Section 3.03(a)(i) or (a)(ii) have arisen and that such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary, (ii) any applicable interest rate specified herein is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. syndicated loan market in the applicable currency or (iii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of any applicable interest rate specified herein or any Governmental Authority having, or purporting to have, jurisdiction over the Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which any applicable interest rate specified herein shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. syndicated loan market in the applicable

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currency, then the Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternative rate of interest (as determined by the Agent to be generally in accordance with similar situations in other transactions in which it is serving as administrative agent or otherwise consistent with market practice generally) (the “ Replacement Rate ”), in which case, the Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace such applicable interest rate for all purposes under the Loan Documents unless and until (A) an event described in Section 3.03(a)(i) , (a)(ii) , (b)(i) , (b)(ii) or (b)(iii) occurs with respect to the Replacement Rate or (B) the Agent (or the Required Lenders through the Agent) notifies the Borrower that the Replacement Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding the Loans bearing interest at the Replacement Rate. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be amended solely with the consent of the Agent and the Borrower, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 3.03(b) . The Administrative Agent agrees that it will not charge the Borrower an amendment fee, for itself as Administrative Agent, solely with respect to any such amendment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Section 10.02 ), such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Agent shall not have received, within five (5) Business Days of the delivery of such amendment to the Lenders, written notices from such Lenders that in the aggregate constitute Required Lenders, with each such notice stating that such Lender objects to such amendment (which such notice shall note with specificity the particular provisions of the amendment to which such Lender objects). To the extent the Replacement Rate is approved by the Agent in connection with this clause (b), the Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Agent, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Agent (it being understood that any such modification by the Agent shall not require the consent of, or consultation with, any of the Lenders).”

(g) Sections 2.15(b) and (c) of the Credit Agreement are amended by replacing each reference to “Initial Term Loan” therein with “Term B-1 Loan”.

(h) Section 5.12 of the Credit Agreement is amended to add a new clause (d) at the end of such section as follows:

“(d)      The Borrower is not nor will be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with any payment or prepayment of the Term Loans.”

(i) Article VI of the Credit Agreement is amended to add the following new Section 6.21 to the end thereof and in connection therewith the table of contents shall be amended to include a reference to “Section 6.21 Beneficial Ownership Regulation”:

6.21      Beneficial Ownership Regulation . The Borrower shall (a) notify the Agent and each Lender that previously received a Beneficial Ownership Certification of any change in the information provided in the

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Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified therein and (b) promptly upon the reasonable request of the Agent or any Lender, provide the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, any information or documentation requested by it for purposes of complying with the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.”

(j) Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the “and” before “(v)” in the “ provided further ” provision thereof and adding a new clause (vi) thereto as follows:

“; and (vi) the Agent and the Borrower may, without the consent of any Lender, enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to enter into additional Loan Documents as the Agent reasonably deems appropriate in order to implement any Replacement Rate or otherwise effectuate the terms of Section 3.03(b) in accordance with the terms of Section 3.03(b) .”

(k) Article X of the Credit Agreement is amended to add the following new Section 10.25 and Section 10.26 at the end thereof and in connection therewith the table of contents shall be amended to include references to “Section 10.25 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions” and “Section 10.26 Certain ERISA Matters”:

10.25      Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)      the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b)      the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)      a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)      a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)      the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.


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10.26      Certain ERISA Matters .

(a)      Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i)      such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Term Loans or the Term Loan Commitments;

(ii)      the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement;

(iii)      (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv)      such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b)      In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y)

7
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covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:

(i)      none of the Agent, any Arranger nor any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto);

(ii)      the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii)      the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations);

(iv)      the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Agent, each Arranger or their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments or this Agreement.

(c)      The Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Term Loans, the Term Loan Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Term Loans or the Term Loan Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Term Loans or the Term Loan Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in

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connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.”

Section 3.      Term B-1 Loans.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term B-1 Lender severally agrees to make Term B-1 Loans to the Borrower in a single borrowing on the Effective Date in the amount of its Term B-1 Commitment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the total Term B-1 Loan Commitment as of the Effective Date is not drawn on the Effective Date, the undrawn amount shall automatically be cancelled.

(b) The Term B-1 Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans on the Effective Date ( provided that the Borrower may request, no later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Effective Date, that the Term B-1 Lenders make the Term B-1 Loans as LIBO Rate Loans if the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent indemnifying the Term B-1 Lenders in the manner set forth in Section 3.05 of the Credit Agreement). Not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Effective Date, each Term B-1 Lender will make available to the Agent for the account of the Borrower, at the Agent’s Office in immediately available funds, the amount of such Term B-1 Loans to be made by such Term B-1 Lender on the Effective Date (net of any applicable original issue discount). The Agent shall apply the proceeds of the Term B-1 Loans to refinance the outstanding principal amount of the Initial Term Loans on the Effective Date and to pay any interest, fees and/or expenses related thereto.

(c) Pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement, the Term B-1 Loans shall constitute a separate Class of Term Loans and shall have the following terms:

(i) Applicable Margin . The Applicable Margin for Term B-1 Loans shall be (i) with respect to LIBO Rate Loans, 3.50% and (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, 2.50%.

(ii) LIBO Rate Floor . With respect to the Term B-1 Loans, the interest rate in clause (ii) of the definition of “Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall be 1% per annum”.

(iii) Maturity Date and Amortization . The Term B-1 Loans will mature on the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date. The Term B-1 Loans shall not be subject to any required principal amortization prior to the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date. If not sooner paid, the Term B-1 Loans shall be paid in full, together with accrued interest thereon, on the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date.

(iv) Optional Prepayments . The Term B-1 Loans may be optionally prepaid as set forth in Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement.

(v) Mandatory Prepayments . The Term B-1 Loans shall be subject to mandatory prepayments as set forth in Section 2.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

(vi) Call Premium . In the event that, during the six (6) month period following the Effective Date, the Borrower (i) prepays, refinances, substitutes or replaces any Term B-1 Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction or (ii) effects any amendment of the Credit

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Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the ratable account of each applicable Lender, a fee in an amount equal to, (x) in the case of clause (i), a prepayment premium of 1.0% of the principal amount of the Term B-1 Loans so prepaid, refinanced, substituted or replaced and (y) in the case of clause (ii), a payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Term B-1 Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment which are affected by such Repricing Transaction (it being understood that any prepayment premium with respect to a Repricing Transaction shall apply to any required assignment by a Non-Consenting Lender in connection with any such amendment pursuant to Section 10.13 of the Credit Agreement). Such fees shall be due and payable on the date of the effectiveness of such Repricing Transaction.

(vii) Other Terms . Except as set forth in this Amendment, the Term B-1 Loans shall have identical terms as the Initial Term Loans and shall otherwise be subject to the provisions, including any provisions restricting the rights, or regarding the obligations, of the Loan Parties or any provisions regarding the rights or obligations of the Lenders, of the Credit Agreement (as amended by this Amendment) and the other Loan Documents, each reference to a “Term Loan” in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to include the Term B-1 Loans, each reference to a “Term Loan Commitment” in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to include the Term B-1 Commitments and other related terms will have correlative meanings mutatis mutandis .

(d) On the Effective Date, the outstanding amount of Initial Term Loans shall be refinanced in full by the Term B-1 Loans.

Section 4.      Exchange of Term Loans; Cashless Settlement.

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Lender holding Initial Term Loans immediately prior to the Effective Date (each such Lender, an “ Existing Lender ”) executing and delivering a Lender Authorization that elects the cashless settlement option (i) shall, in lieu of its requirement to fund a Term B-1 Loan, be deemed to have made to the Borrower a Term B-1 Loan on the Effective Date in an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term Loans held by such Existing Lender immediately prior to the Effective Date (such Existing Lender’s “ Existing Initial Term Loan Amount ”) and (B) such Existing Lender’s Term B-1 Commitment; provided that if such Existing Lender’s Term B-1 Commitment exceeds such Existing Lender’s Existing Initial Term Loan Amount, then such Existing Lender shall be required to fund a Term B-1 Loan on the Effective Date in accordance with Section 3 hereof in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess, and (ii) the Borrower shall, in lieu of its obligation to prepay Initial Term Loans of any Existing Lender, be deemed to have prepaid, on the Effective Date, an amount of the Initial Term Loans of each Existing Lender in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lesser of (A) such Existing Lender’s Initial Term Loans and (B) such Existing Lender’s Term B-1 Commitment; provided that (1) if such Existing Lender’s Initial Term Loans exceed such Existing Lender’s Term B-1 Commitment, then the Borrower shall be required to prepay in full, on the Effective Date, the outstanding principal amount of the Initial Term Loans of such Existing Lender not deemed to be prepaid pursuant to this clause (ii) and (2) notwithstanding the operation of this clause (ii), the Borrower shall be required to pay to such Existing Lender, on the Effective Date, all accrued but unpaid interest and fees on the outstanding principal amount of the Initial Term Loans of such Existing Lender immediately prior to the Effective Date.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Existing Lender that does not have a Term B-1 Commitment shall be repaid in full in cash with respect to its Initial Term Loans and, by execution of a Lender Authorization, each Term B-1 Lender hereby consents to such repayments.

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(c) Each Existing Lender party hereto hereby waives (i) any requirement to pay any amounts due and owing to it pursuant to Section 3.05 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the three (3) Business Day notice period required pursuant to Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement, in each case as a result of the prepayment of Initial Term Loans described herein.

(d) In order to evidence the exchange contemplated above, the Agent has notified the Borrower that, upon the occurrence of the Effective Date (and the payment of all interest and other non-principal amounts then due and owing by the Borrower to such Existing Lender in respect of such Existing Lender’s Existing Initial Term Loan Amount on the Effective Date), it will mark the Register to reflect (i) the Existing Initial Term Loan Amount of each Existing Lender in the amount equal to such Existing Lender’s Allocated Amount as no longer outstanding and (ii) that each Existing Lender is a Lender under the Credit Agreement upon the occurrence of the Effective Date in respect of its Term B-1 Commitment. None of the Agent, WFS, any other agent, or any of their respective affiliates (each of the foregoing, an “ Agent-Related Person ”), shall be liable to any Existing Lender, any other Lender, the Borrower or any of their respective affiliates, equity holders or debt holders for any losses, costs, damages or liabilities incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of any Agent-Related Person, or their counsel or other representatives, taking any action in accordance with the Lender Authorizations or this Amendment or executing a Lender Authorization or this Amendment.

Section 5.      Refinancing Amendment . In each case for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, (a) this Amendment shall constitute a “Refinancing Amendment”, (b) the Term B-1 Loans shall constitute “Refinancing Term Loans” and “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”, and (c) the Term B-1 Lenders shall constitute “Refinancing Term Lenders” and “Lenders”.

Section 6.      Conditions to Effectiveness . This Amendment shall become effective on the first date (the “ Effective Date ”), when, and only when, each of the following conditions have been satisfied (or waived) in accordance with the terms therein:

(a) The Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals, telecopies or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif” via e-mail) (followed promptly by originals the provision of which is reasonable and customary) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party or the Lenders, as applicable, each dated the Effective Date and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent:

(i) executed counterparts of this Amendment by the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders;

(ii) an executed Lender Authorization from all of the Term B-1 Lenders;

(iii) a satisfactory opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Agent may reasonably request; and

(iv) (A) a written notice from the Borrower with respect to the Term B-1 Loans setting forth the information specified in Section 3(b) above and (B) a Notice of Prepayment with respect to the prepayment of the Initial Term Loans required to be made pursuant to Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement.

(b) the representations and warranties in Section 7 of this Amendment shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Effective Date;

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(c) (i) all fees and out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid or reimbursed by the Borrower in connection with this Amendment shall have been paid or reimbursed and (ii) all accrued interest and fees in respect of the Initial Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to effectiveness of this Amendment shall have been paid;

(d) The Agent and the Lenders shall have received (A) all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the Patriot Act in each case, the results of which are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and (B) with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04 of the Credit Agreement, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 6 , each Lender that has signed this Amendment shall be deemed to have Consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be Consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 7.      Representations and Warranties . By its execution of this Amendment, each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants that:

(a) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach, termination, or contravention of, or constitute a default under, or require any payment to be made under (A) any Material Contract or any Material Indebtedness to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject, (iii) result in or require the creation of any Lien upon any asset of any Loan Party (other than Liens in favor of the Agent under the Security Documents and Liens in favor of the ABL Agent under the ABL Documents) or (iv) violate any Law;

(b) this Amendment (i) has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party hereto and (ii) constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

(c) no consents, licenses or approvals (other than such consents, licenses and approvals that have been obtained and are in full force and effect) are required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of this Amendment;

(d) after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, (ii) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, they shall be true and correct in all respects, and (iii) for purposes of this clause, the representations and

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warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement;

(e) no Default or Event of Default shall exist after giving effect to this Amendment;

(f) after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Amendment, and before and after giving effect to the funding of the Term B-1 Loans, the Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent; and

(g) as of the Effective Date, all of the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct.

Section 8      Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents . On and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in each of the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment and this Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document.

(a) The Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, as specifically amended by this Amendment, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Security Documents and all of the Collateral described therein do and shall continue to secure the payment of all Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, in each case as amended or converted by this Amendment.

(b) The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any other provision of any of the Loan Documents.

Section 9.      Reaffirmations . By its execution of this Amendment, each Loan Party (a) consents to this Amendment and agrees that the transactions contemplated by this Amendment shall not limit or diminish the obligations of such Person, or release such Person from any obligations, under any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (b) confirms and reaffirms its obligations under each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) agrees that each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed and (d) agrees that this Amendment shall not constitute a novation of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and that nothing in this Amendment shall be construed as a substitution or novation of the Obligations or any instruments securing the same or of any other obligations under any Security Documents. Each Loan Party further agrees to take any action that may be required or that is requested by the Agent to ensure compliance by the Loan Parties with the provisions Section 6.17 of the Credit Agreement (as amended by this Amendment) and hereby affirms its obligations under each similar provision of each Loan Document to which it is a party.

Section 10.      Execution in Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or in electronic ( i.e. , “pdf” or “tif”) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

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Section 11.      GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

Section 12.      Entire Agreement . This Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Agent, the Issuing Lender, each Swingline Lender and/or the Arrangers, constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.
    

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.


BORROWER :

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH MANAGEMENT CO., as Borrower

By:
/s/ Everett E. Gallagher
Name:
Everett E. Gallagher
Title:
Senior Vice President and Treasurer


GUARANTORS :

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO., as Parent and as a Guarantor

By:
/s/ Everett E. Gallagher
Name:
Everett E. Gallagher
Title:
Senior Vice President Tax, Treasury and Risk Management and Treasurer


A & F TRADEMARK, INC.
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH HOLCORPORATION
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH STORES, INC.
HOLLISTER CO.
J.M.H. TRADEMARK, INC.
J.M. HOLLISTER, LLC
GILLY HICKS, LLC
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH TRADING CO.
HOLLISTER CO. CALIFORNIA, LLC
A&F CANADA HOLDING CO.
AFH PUERTO RICO LLC, as Guarantors

By:
/s/ Everett E. Gallagher
Name:
Everett E. Gallagher
Title:
Senior Vice President and Treasurer

Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.
Second Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement
Signature Page


ABERCROMBIE & FITCH PROCUREMENT SERVICES, LLC, as a Guarantor
    
By: ABERCROMBIE & FITCH TRADING CO., its sole member

By:
/s/ Everett E. Gallagher
Name:
Everett E. Gallagher
Title:
Senior Vice President and Treasurer

Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.
Second Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement
Signature Page


AGENT :

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent, on behalf of itself and each Lender pursuant to a Lender Authorization

By:
/s/ Irena Stavreska
Name:
Irena Stavreska
Title:
Director

Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.
Second Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement
Signature Page



Exhibit A
 
Form of Lender Authorization and Consent

[See Attached]


100850833_5


LENDER AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT

Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.
Second Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement
 
LENDER AUTHORIZATION (this “ Lender Authorization   ”) to the Second Amendment to be dated on or about June 18, 2018 (the “  Amendment   ”), to the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 2014 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) by and among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., a Delaware corporation, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a Delaware corporation, the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the “ Agent ”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement or the Amendment.
 
By its signature below, the undersigned hereby (a) consents and agrees to the amendment of the Credit Agreement as described in the Amendment, (b) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Amendment together with all exhibits, schedules and annexes thereto and (c) authorizes the Agent, pursuant to authority granted to the Agent under the Credit Agreement, to execute the Amendment on its behalf as if it were a party thereto.

Exchanging Term Lenders
 
Cashless Settlement Option:

¨
Mark this box to exchange or convert (on a cashless basis) 100% of the outstanding principal amount of Initial Term Loans held by such Lender (or such lesser amount allocated to such Lender by Wells Fargo Securities) into Term B-1 Loans in a like principal amount as described in the Amendment.

By choosing this option the undersigned Lender hereby agrees (i) that the Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to exchange or convert (on a cashless basis) less than 100% of the principal amount of such Lender’s Initial Term Loans for Term B-1 Loans, in which case the difference   between the principal amount of such Lender’s Initial Term Loans and the allocated amount of Term B-1 Loans will be prepaid on the Effective Date and (ii) to the terms of the Amendment, with all rights and obligations attendant thereto.

Post-Effectiveness Settlement Option:

¨
Mark this box to have 100% of the outstanding principal amount of your Initial Term Loans prepaid on the Effective Date and to purchase by assignment an aggregate principal amount of Term B-1 Loans equal to the amount of such Initial Term Loans prepaid (or such lesser amount allocated by Wells Fargo Securities).

,
as a Lender [ type name of the legal entity ]
By:
 
 
Name:
 
Title:
[ If a second signature is necessary ]
By:
 
 
Name:
 
Title:

Name of Fund Manager (if any):
 
Current holding amount:
$


Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.
Lender Authorization and Consent to Second Amendment



EXHIBIT 31.1
 
CERTIFICATIONS

I, Fran Horowitz , certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the quarterly period ended August 4, 2018 ;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;    
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
 
 
 
Date: September 10, 2018
By:
/s/ Fran Horowitz
 
 
Fran Horowitz
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)




EXHIBIT 31.2
 
CERTIFICATIONS

I, Scott Lipesky , certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the quarterly period ended August 4, 2018 ;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;    
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
 
 
 
Date: September 10, 2018
By:
/s/ Scott Lipesky
 
 
Scott Lipesky
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)




EXHIBIT 32.1
            

Certifications by Chief Executive Officer (who serves as Principal Executive Officer) and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (who serves as Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (the “Corporation”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended August 4, 2018 , as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned Fran Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (serving as Principal Executive Officer of the Corporation) and Scott Lipesky, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation (serving as Principal Financial Officer of the Corporation), certify, pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

/s/ Fran Horowitz
 
/s/ Scott Lipesky
Fran Horowitz
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Scott Lipesky
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
Date: September 10, 2018
 
Date: September 10, 2018


*
These certifications are being furnished as required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. These certifications shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Corporation specifically incorporates these certifications by reference in such filing.