UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 23, 2017

SIGNET JEWELERS LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 1-32349

Bermuda
Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Hamilton
HM11
Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(441) 296 5872
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). 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.
 


Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Termination of Asset-Backed Securitization Facility

On October 20, 2017 and in connection with the closing disclosed under Item 8.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, Sterling Jewelers Receivables Master Note Trust (the “ Issuer ”), a Delaware statutory trust and an indirect subsidiary of Signet Jewelers Limited (“ Signet ”), Sterling Jewelers Inc. (“ Sterling ”), a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Signet, Sterling Jewelers Receivables Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Signet, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Chariot Funding LLC, Jupiter Securitization Company LLC and the noteholders related thereto entered into a Termination Agreement of its previously disclosed asset-backed securitization facility (the “ Termination Agreement ”).

Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the parties effected (i) the termination of all of the Class A Notes and the Class B Notes in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Termination Agreement, (ii) the termination of each of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Indenture Supplement (as defined in the Termination Agreement), and (iii) the transfer of certain receivables and all other assets of the Issuer to Sterling, for a payoff amount of approximately $600.8 million which was paid from the $960 million in proceeds from the credit portfolio sale described in Item 8.01, below.

The foregoing summary of the Termination Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Termination Agreement, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.01
Other Events

On October 23, 2017, Signet announced it had completed the first phase of its credit portfolio strategic outsourcing. The first phase of the strategic outsourcing includes the sale of its prime-only credit quality accounts receivable to Alliance Data Systems Corporation for par value of $960 million at the time of closing, outsourcing of the credit servicing function of its existing and future non-prime accounts receivable to Genesis Financial Solutions, and implementation of its lease-purchase program in partnership with Progressive Leasing.

Signet issued a press release relating to the closing. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)
Exhibits

Exhibit Number
Description
   
10.1*
Termination Agreement, dated October 20, 2017, among Sterling Jewelers Receivables Master Note Trust, Sterling Jewelers Inc., Sterling Jewelers Receivables Corp., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Chariot Funding LLC, Jupiter Securitization Company LLC and the noteholders related thereto
   
99.1*
Press Release, dated October 23, 2017

*Filed herewith
 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 
SIGNET JEWELERS LIMITED
Date: October 23, 2017
   
     
 
By:
/s/ Lynn Dennison
 
Name:
Lynn Dennison
 
Title:
Chief Legal, Risk & Corporate Affairs Officer
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
Description
   
Termination Agreement, dated October 20, 2017, among Sterling Jewelers Receivables Master Note Trust, Sterling Jewelers Inc., Sterling Jewelers Receivables Corp., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Chariot Funding LLC, Jupiter Securitization Company LLC and the noteholders related thereto
   
Press Release, dated October 23, 2017

*Filed herewith
 
 


Exhibit 10.1
 
EXECUTION VERSION

Sterling Jewelers Receivables Master Note Trust,

Sterling Jewelers Inc.,

Sterling Jewelers Receivables Corp.,
as Transferor and Class B Noteholder

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas,
as Indenture Trustee,

Chariot Funding LLC,
as Class A Noteholder,
And
Jupiter Securitization Company LLC,
as Class A Noteholder,

TERMINATION AGREEMENT

Dated as of October 20, 2017
 

THIS TERMINATION AGREEMENT, dated as of October 20, 2017 (this “ Termination Agreement ”), among Sterling Jewelers Receivables Master Note Trust, a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (the “ Issuer ”), Sterling Jewelers Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ SJI ”), Sterling Jewelers Receivables Corp., a Delaware corporation, as transferor and Class B Noteholder (“ SJRC ”, and in its capacity as Class B Noteholder, the “ Class B Noteholder ”), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as indenture trustee (the “ Indenture Trustee ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”), and Chariot Funding LLC and Jupiter Securitization Company LLC, as Class A Noteholders (the “ Class A Noteholders ” and together with the Class B Noteholder, the “ Noteholders ”).

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, SJRC, as transferor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as owner trustee (the “ Owner Trustee ”), entered into the Sterling Jewelers Receivables Master Note Trust Trust Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2001 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Trust Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Issuer was created; and

WHEREAS, the Issuer, SJI and the Indenture Trustee are parties to the Series 2014-A Indenture Supplement, dated as of May 15, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Indenture Supplement ”), to the Master Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2001, between the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Master Indenture ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture Supplement, the Issuer originally issued, and the Indenture Trustee originally authenticated and delivered, the Class A Notes to each of the Class A Noteholders and the Class B Note to SJRC and the Class A Notes and the Class B Note are the only Notes currently outstanding under the Master Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Issuer and SJI entered into the Administration Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2001(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Administration Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, SJI, as seller, and SJRC, as purchaser, entered into the Third Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Receivables Purchase Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, SJRC, as transferor, SJI, as servicer, and the Issuer entered into the Amended and Restated Transfer and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Transfer and Servicing Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Issuer, SJRC, as transferor, SJI, as servicer, each of the Class A Noteholders and the Administrative Agent entered into the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2014 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Note Purchase Agreement ” and, together with the Trust Agreement, the Master Indenture, the Indenture Supplement, the Administration Agreement, the Receivables Purchase Agreement and the Transfer and Servicing Agreement, the “ Applicable Documents ”); and
 
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WHEREAS, the Issuer, SJI, SJRC, as Class B Noteholder, the Administrative Agent and each of the Class A Noteholders wish to effect (i) the termination of all the Class A Notes and the Class B Notes in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, (ii) the termination of each of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Indenture Supplement and (iii) the transfer of the Receivables (as defined in the Master Indenture) and all other assets of the Issuer to SJI;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as set forth below, as follows:

SECTION 1.           Definitions . Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture Supplement or, if not defined therein, shall have the meanings specified in the Master Indenture or, if not defined therein, shall have the meanings specified in the Transfer and Servicing Agreement or, if not defined therein, shall have the meanings specified in the Receivables Purchase Agreement or, if not defined therein, shall have the meanings specified in the Note Purchase Agreement.

SECTION 2.           Termination .

(a)            The Issuer, each Noteholder, SJI, SJRC, the Administrative Agent and the Indenture Trustee (as to the Master Indenture and the Indenture Supplement) hereby agree that upon (i) receipt by each Class A Noteholder of the amount set forth with respect to such Class A Noteholder on Schedule I hereto as “Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount” (each such amount, a “ Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount ”) in immediately available funds by wire transfer, which funds for the Series 2014-A Payoff Amount represent all interest, fees and other amounts owing under the Indenture Supplement, the Master Indenture and the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) delivery of the Notes to the Indenture Trustee for cancellation, each of the Indenture Supplement and the Note Purchase Agreement will be terminated (subject to the survival of any provisions of such agreements which by the terms thereof survive termination) (without any further action by any party and notwithstanding any event, notice, waiting period or other condition provided for in the Indenture Supplement, the Master Indenture or the Note Purchase Agreement).

(b)            Each of the Noteholders and the Administrative Agent hereby agree and acknowledge that upon payment to each Class A Noteholder of the applicable Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount, there will be no other amounts due or owing from the Issuer, SJI or SJRC in respect of the Notes or the documents delivered in connection therewith, other than any amounts due and owing from the Issuer, SJI or SJRC in connection with indemnity claims which, by the terms of the Applicable Documents, expressly survive the termination of such Applicable Documents.

(c)            Each of the Noteholders, the Issuer, SJI, SJRC, the Administrative Agent and the Indenture Trustee (with respect to the Master Indenture and the Indenture Supplement) hereby agree and acknowledge that, upon receipt by each Class A Noteholder of the applicable Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount, all of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to each Note will have been fully paid and satisfied (subject to the survival of any provisions of the Indenture Supplement which by the terms thereof survive termination) and that simultaneously with the termination of the Indenture Supplement and the Note Purchase Agreement, each Note will be deemed terminated and shall be surrendered to the Indenture Trustee for cancellation.
 
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SECTION 3.           Distribution and Release of Assets .

(a)            Upon payment of the Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount, SJRC, as the transferor, hereby designates SJI as the party to receive from the Issuer all of the assets (including cash) to be transferred by the Issuer pursuant to this Section 3.

(b)            Upon payment of the Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount, the Issuer shall, on the date thereof, transfer, assign, set over and otherwise convey to SJI (as the party designated by SJRC pursuant to Section 3(a) above) all of its right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral (including but not limited to, the Receivables and all Eligible Investments and all money, investment property, instruments and other property on deposit in, credited to or related to the Collection Account, the Series Accounts and the Special Funding Account) and any other assets of the Issuer.

(c)            For the avoidance of doubt, all of the property or assets delivered or otherwise transferred as described in this Section 3 shall be released from the liens of the Master Indenture, the Indenture Supplement, the Receivables Purchase Agreement and the Transfer and Servicing Agreement upon payment of the Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount.

(d)            For the avoidance of doubt, Upon payment of the Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount, all Accounts related to the Receivables transferred to SJI pursuant to this Section 3 shall be deemed to be Removed Accounts without any further action by SJI or SJRC and without satisfying any of the requirements of Section 2.10 of the Transfer and Servicing Agreement.

SECTION 4.           General Representations . Each of parties hereto represents and warrants as follows in connection with this Termination Agreement, as of the date of this Termination Agreement:

(a)            Status . It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing.

(b)            Powers . It has the power to execute, deliver and perform this Termination Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance.

(c)            No Violation or Conflict . The execution, delivery and performance of this Termination Agreement by it does not (x) violate, breach, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets, any agreement by it relating to the Indenture Supplement, the Master Indenture, the Note Purchase Agreement, the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Transfer and Servicing Agreement, the Administration Agreement or the Trust Agreement or any other contractual restriction or other instrument or arrangement binding on or affecting it or any of its assets or (y) require it to obtain the consent of any governmental authority or third party which has not been obtained.
 
4

(d)            Enforceability . This Termination Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation and agreement of it, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, winding up, insolvency, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

SECTION 5.           Miscellaneous .

(a)            Indenture and Termination Agreement . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any conflict between this Termination Agreement, on the one hand, and the Applicable Documents, on the other hand, this Termination Agreement shall control. Each of the parties hereto further agrees and acknowledges that notwithstanding any consent requirement, condition or other provision to the contrary in any of the Applicable Documents (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sections 8.09 and 8.10 of the Master Indenture), the express terms hereof control and supersede any term in any of the Applicable Documents that is inconsistent with any of the terms hereof. Each of the parties hereby agrees and acknowledges that any breach or violation of or failure to comply with (or potential breach or violation of or failure to comply with) any of the terms, provisions, requirements or conditions of any Applicable Document, resulting from compliance by the parties hereto with the express terms of this Termination Agreement, any provision hereof or any of the agreements, actions or transactions contemplated hereby (including any breach, violation or failure in connection with any requirement for the consent of, or the furnishing of any document, certificate, opinion or notice by or to, any party hereto or obtaining or receiving a notice, confirmation or other action or communication from any nationally recognized statistical ratings organization), are each hereby irrevocably waived by each of the parties hereto.

(b)            Severability . In case any provision in this Termination Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(c)            Headings . The Section headings of this Termination Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered part of this Termination Agreement and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

(d)            Benefits of Termination Agreement, etc . Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Termination Agreement shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Master Indenture, this Termination Agreement or the Notes.
 
5

(e)            Successors . All agreements of the parties in this Termination Agreement shall bind their respective successors.

(f)            Governing Law . This Termination Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of law provisions, and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws.

(g)            Consent to Jurisdiction . Each party irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United Stated Federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan and the courts of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan.

(h)            Waiver of Jury Trial . THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS TERMINATION AGREEMENT.

(i)            Counterpart Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Termination Agreement. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(j)             Further Assurances . Each of the parties hereto agrees to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable law and to execute and deliver such documents and other papers, as may be required to carry out the provisions of this Termination Agreement and to consummate and make effective this Termination Agreement and the matters contemplated herein as reasonably requested by the parties hereto.

(k)            Covenants . Each party hereto agrees, from and after the date hereof, it shall not sue or institute any legal action or proceeding seeking to repudiate, disclaim or contest the validity, effectiveness or enforceability of this Termination Agreement or any of the terms hereof (including the terminations, discharges, releases and cancellations provided for herein), it being understood that nothing contained herein shall prohibit any party from suing or instituting any legal action or proceeding to enforce this Termination Agreement or any of the terms hereof.

(l)             Amendments . This Termination Agreement shall not be modified, altered, amended or changed in any way except as specifically set forth in a written agreement specifically referring to this Termination Agreement and executed by each of the parties hereto. No right or remedy of any party under this Termination Agreement can be waived except by a writing specifically referring to this Termination Agreement and executed by the party hereto specifically waiving that right or remedy. No course of dealing or performance, failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising, in whole or in part, any right or remedy under this Termination Agreement shall waive or impair such or any other right or remedy under this Termination Agreement, or in any manner preclude its additional or future exercise.

(m)           Entire Agreement . This Termination Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 
6

(n)            Indenture Trustee Direction . The Noteholders hereby direct the Indenture Trustee to execute this Termination Agreement.

(o)            Limitation of Liability . It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that insofar as this Termination Agreement is executed by the Owner Trustee (i) this Termination Agreement is executed and delivered by Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as the trustee of the Issuer, in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred upon and vested in it, and as directed in the Trust Agreement, (ii) each of the undertakings and agreements herein made on the part of the Owner Trustee is made and intended not as a personal representation, undertaking or agreement of or by Wilmington Trust Company but is made and intended for purposes of binding only the Issuer, (iii) nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating any liability on the part of Wilmington Trust Company, individually or personally, to perform any covenant either express or implied in this Termination Agreement, all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by the parties hereto and by any person claiming by, through or under the parties hereto, (iv) Wilmington Trust Company has made no investigation as to the accuracy or completeness of any representations or warranties made by the Issuer in this Termination Agreement and (v) under no circumstances shall Wilmington Trust Company in its individual capacity or in its capacity as trustee of the Issuer be personally liable for the payment of any indebtedness, amounts or expenses owed by the Issuer under the Applicable Documents, as modified or supplemented by this termination Agreement (such indebtedness, expenses and other amounts being payable solely from and to the extent of funds of the Issuer) or be personally liable for the breach or failure of any obligation, representation, warranty or covenant made or undertaken by the Issuer under this Termination Agreement or any other related documents.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
 
7

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Termination Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
 
STERLING JEWELERS RECEIVABLES MASTER NOTE TRUST
   
 
By: Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee
   
 
By:
/s/ Shaheen Mohajer
 
Name:
Shaheen Mohajer
 
Title:
Vice President

 
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Indenture Trustee
   
 
By:
/s/ Rosemary Cabrera
 
Name:
Rosemary Cabrera
 
Title:
Associate
     
 
By:
/s/ Mark Esposito
 
Name:
Mark Esposito
 
Title:
Assistant Vice President

 
STERLING JEWELERS INC.
   
 
By:
/s/ Michele L. Santana
 
Name:
Michele L. Santana
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 


 
STERLING JEWELERS RECEIVABLES CORP., as Transferor and Class B Noteholder
   
 
By:
/s/ Michele L. Santana
 
Name:
Michele L. Santana
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
     
 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as
 
Administrative Agent
   
 
By:
/s/ Abide Kakou
 
Name:
Abide Kakou
 
Title:
Vice President
     
 
CHARIOT FUNDING LLC, as
 
Class A Noteholder
   
 
By:
/s/ Abide Kakou
 
Name:
Abide Kakou
 
Title:
Vice President
     
 
JUPITER SECURITIZATION FUNDING LLC, as
 
Class A Noteholder
   
 
By:
/s/ Abide Kakou
 
Name:
Abide Kakou
 
Title:
Vice President
 

Schedule I

Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amounts

Chariot Funding LLC , as a Class A Noteholder
Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount: $300,411,960.25

Jupiter Securitization Funding LLC , as a Class A Noteholder
Series 2014-A Noteholder Payoff Amount: $300,411,960.25
 
 


Exhibit 99.1
 
Signet Jewelers Completes First Phase of Strategic Outsourcing of Credit Portfolio

HAMILTON, Bermuda – October 23, 2017 – Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet”) (NYSE: SIG), the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry, announced today the completion of the first phase of the strategic outsourcing of its in-house credit program, including:
·
The sale of its prime-only credit quality accounts receivable to the Columbus, Ohio-based card services business of Alliance Data Systems Corporation (“Alliance Data”) (NYSE: ADS) for par value of $960 million at the time of closing;
·
Outsourcing of the credit servicing function of its existing and future non-prime accounts receivable to Genesis Financial Solutions (“Genesis”); and
·
Implementation of its lease-purchase program in partnership with Progressive Leasing.

Virginia C. Drosos, Chief Executive Officer of Signet, said: “The successful completion of the first phase of strategic outsourcing of our credit portfolio has allowed us to reduce our outstanding debt and return capital to our shareholders. In addition, the transaction enables us to optimize our business model with greater organizational focus on driving the growth of our OmniChannel retail platforms and delivering a true Customer First experience.”

Ms. Drosos added: “A key priority of our credit transaction has been to minimize impact on our credit customers and substantially maintain our net sales. This has been achieved through our partnership with Alliance Data and Genesis to continue to provide the full suite of our credit offerings for our customers, and adding an incremental lease-purchase financing option with Progressive Leasing. I want to thank our partners and Signet team for their hard work in executing this complex transaction on time.”

As previously announced, Signet and Alliance Data have entered into a seven-year program agreement under which Alliance Data will become the primary provider of credit, including funding, underwriting, servicing and associated program functions, to Signet’s U.S. stores. Signet will receive future payments from Alliance Data under an economic-sharing agreement.

Signet and Genesis have entered into a five-year servicing agreement, under which Genesis will provide credit servicing functions for Signet’s existing non-prime accounts receivable, as well as future non-prime account originations. Signet will retain the existing non-prime accounts receivable on its balance sheet and continue to originate the majority of new accounts until the expected completion of the second phase of credit outsourcing.

Finally, Signet implemented a lease-purchase program in partnership with Progressive Leasing across its U.S. stores. Lease-purchase is an incremental payment option available for customers who do not qualify for Signet’s credit programs, or do not wish to pursue a credit option to finance the purchase of our merchandise. Signet believes the program represents an incremental growth opportunity.

As part of the transaction, nearly all existing Signet team members supporting credit operations have been transferred to Alliance Data or Genesis, or retained by Signet to facilitate a smooth transition for Signet’s team members and customers.
 


In the first phase of strategic outsourcing of credit, Signet completed the sale of approximately 55% of its credit portfolio to Alliance Data and outsourced servicing of its full credit programs. Signet is in ongoing discussions with several interested funding partners related to the second phase, which is expected to be completed in the first half of calendar year 2018. In the second phase, Signet expects to sell remaining accounts receivable on its balance sheet at the time of the transaction and fully outsource new account originations to a third party.

Use of Proceeds, Accounting Considerations and Financial Impact

Signet received $960 million of proceeds from the sale of its prime-only accounts receivable to Alliance Data. As previously indicated, Signet directed the sale proceeds to fully repay its $600 million securitization facility and repurchase shares earlier in the year based on opportunistic market conditions. In the second quarter of Fiscal 2018, the Company repurchased 12% of its outstanding shares using cash on hand and revolver borrowings. Therefore, the remaining $360 million of sale proceeds will be used to repay the $350 million short-term loan used to finance the R2Net acquisition, which would otherwise be financed through revolver borrowings.

As previously disclosed, Signet will report a $10 million pre-tax, non-cash gain at closing reflecting the future profit sharing agreement with Alliance Data. Total transaction costs   related to legal, advisory, implementation and retention expense were $36 million for the full year Fiscal 2018, of which $30 million was recognized in the third quarter and $6 million was recognized in the second quarter.

The table below provides information on the Fiscal 2018 Operating Profit and EPS impact of outsourcing on Signet’s financial statements as disclosed on August 24, 2017.

FY18 Net impact from outsourcing credit portfolio¹
   
Operating
Profit
   
Diluted
EPS
 
Elimination of bad debt, net of late fee income
 
$
10
   
$
0.10
 
Elimination of finance charge income
 
(38
)
 
(0.36
)
SGA savings (net of servicing costs, Alliance Data net economic
               
profit sharing and elimination of in-house credit operations)
 
$
6
   
$
0.06
 
Interest expense savings from repayment of $600 million ABS facility
   
-
   
$
0.04
 
Net impact
 
(22
)
 
(0.16
)

FY18 Net transaction costs including gain on sale of prime A/R
   
Operating
Profit
   
Diluted
EPS
 
Q2 gain recognized in reclassification of portfolio as assets held for sale
 
$
21
   
$
0.19
 
Q2 transaction costs recognized²
 
(6
)
 
(0.06
)
Q3 transaction costs to be recognized²
 
(30
)
 
(0.28
)
Q3 beneficial interest gain recognized upon closing
 
$
10
   
$
0.09
 
Net impact
 
(5
)
 
(0.05
)
 

Share repurchase acceleration
   
Operating
Profit
   
Diluted
EPS
 
Q2 share repurchases associated with A/R sale proceeds
 
$
-
   
$
0.50
 
Net impact
 
$
-
   
$
0.50
 

(1) Impact is almost entirely in Q4 of FY2018.
(2) Credit transaction costs related to legal, advisory, implementation and retention expense.

About Signet Jewelers and Safe Harbor Statement:

Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Signet operates approximately 3,600 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Piercing Pagoda and JamesAllen.com. Further information on Signet is available at www.signetjewelers.com . See also www.kay.com , www.zales.com , www.jared.com , www.hsamuel.co.uk , www.ernestjones.co.uk , www.peoplesjewellers.com , www.pagoda.com and www.jamesallen.com .

This release contains statements which are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, based upon management’s beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding, among other things, Signet’s results of operation, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which Signet operates. The use of the words “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “believes,” “should,” “potential,” “may,” “forecast,” “objective,” “plan,” or “target,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the benefits of the credit portfolio sale including future financial and operating results, the timing and expected completion of the second phase of the credit outsourcing, general economic conditions, the impact of hurricanes on Signet’s business, regulatory changes following the United Kingdom’s announcement to exit from the European Union, a decline in consumer spending, the merchandising, pricing and inventory policies followed by Signet, the reputation of Signet and its brands, the level of competition in the jewelry sector, the cost and availability of diamonds, gold and other precious metals, regulations relating to customer credit, seasonality of Signet’s business, financial market risks, deterioration in customers’ financial condition, exchange rate fluctuations, changes in Signet’s credit rating, changes in consumer attitudes regarding jewelry, management of social, ethical and environmental risks, security breaches and other disruptions to Signet’s information technology infrastructure and databases, inadequacy in and disruptions to internal controls and systems, changes in assumptions used in making accounting estimates relating to items such as extended service plans and pensions, risks related to Signet being a Bermuda corporation, the impact of the acquisition of Zale Corporation on relationships, including with employees, suppliers, customers and competitors, and our ability to successfully integrate Zale Corporation’s operations and to realize synergies from the transaction.
 


For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, see the “Risk Factors” section of Signet's Fiscal 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2017 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Signet undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Investors:
James Grant, VP Investor Relations, Signet Jewelers             +1 (330) 668-5412

James.Grant@SignetJewelers.com

Media:
David Bouffard, VP Corporate Affairs, Signet Jewelers        +1 (330) 668-5369

David.Bouffard@SignetJewelers.com

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