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 November 30, 2014

 

OR

 

  [    ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number:  1-31420

 

CARMAX , INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

VIRGINIA	54-1821055
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

 

 

 

(804) 747-0422

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(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.

 

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class Outstanding as of December 31, 2014

 

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

		Three Months Ended November 30						Nine Months Ended November 30
(In thousands except per share data)		2014	%   (1)		2013	%   (1)		2014	%   (1)		2013	%   (1)
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES :
Used vehicle sales	$	2,794,515	82.1	$	2,396,840	81.5	$	8,775,021	81.6	$	7,738,118	81.5
New vehicle sales		54,561	1.6		50,073	1.7		194,294	1.8		162,502	1.7
Wholesale vehicle sales		481,676	14.1		437,272	14.9		1,557,191	14.5		1,402,838	14.8
Other sales and revenues		74,482	2.2		57,222	1.9		228,118	2.1		194,558	2.0
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES		3,405,234	100.0		2,941,407	100.0		10,754,624	100.0		9,498,016	100.0
Cost of sales		2,958,614	86.9		2,559,686	87.0		9,342,934	86.9		8,233,456	86.7
GROSS PROFIT		446,620	13.1		381,721	13.0		1,411,690	13.1		1,264,560	13.3
CARMAX AUTO FINANCE INCOME		89,722	2.6		83,905	2.9		276,911	2.6		255,346	2.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses		316,632	9.3		284,366	9.7		927,716	8.6		857,761	9.0
Interest expense		7,338	0.2		7,649	0.3		22,290	0.2		23,288	0.2
Other expense		1,536	―		411	―		2,096	―		1,243	―
Earnings before income taxes		210,836	6.2		173,200	5.9		736,499	6.8		637,614	6.7
Income tax provision		80,787	2.4		66,748	2.3		282,279	2.6		244,237	2.6
NET EARNINGS	$	130,049	3.8	$	106,452	3.6	$	454,220	4.2	$	393,377	4.1
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES:
Basic		214,228			223,259			217,568			223,831
Diluted		217,025			227,417			220,585			227,870
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic	$	0.61		$	0.48		$	2.09		$	1.76
Diluted	$	0.60		$	0.47		$	2.06		$	1.73

 

 

 

(1) C alculated as a percentage of net sales and operating revenues and may not equal totals due to rounding.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 3

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

	Three Months Ended November 30						Nine Months Ended November 30
(In thousands)	2014			2013				2014			2013
NET EARNINGS	$	130,049		$	106,452		$	454,220		$	393,377
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes:
Net change in retirement benefit plan
unrecognized actuarial losses		214			(25)			640			501
Net change in cash flow hedge
unrecognized losses		(1,605)			(3,193)			(227)			2,180
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes		(1,391)			(3,218)			413			2,681
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	128,658		$	103,234		$	454,633		$	396,058

 

  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 4

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

			(Unaudited)
			As of November 30			As of February 28
(In thousands except share data)			2014			2014
ASSETS
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	189,880		$	627,901
	Restricted cash from collections on auto loan receivables			275,718			259,299
	Accounts receivable, net			88,180			79,923
	Inventory			1,964,673			1,641,424
	Deferred income taxes			6,368			7,866
	Other current assets			48,433			26,811
	TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			2,573,252			2,643,224
	Auto loan receivables, net			8,138,307			7,147,848
	Property and equipment, net			1,833,600			1,652,977
	Deferred income taxes			166,811			152,199
	Other assets			131,436			110,909
	TOTAL ASSETS		$	12,843,406		$	11,707,157
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Accounts payable		$	459,929		$	427,492
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			202,533			202,588
	Accrued income taxes			424			2,438
	Short-term debt			2,574			582
	Current portion of finance and capital lease obligations			20,915			18,459
	Current portion of non-recourse notes payable			241,807			223,938
	TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			928,182			875,497
	Long-term debt			300,000			―
	Finance and capital lease obligations, excluding current portion			311,771			315,925
	Non-recourse notes payable, excluding current portion			7,938,626			7,024,506
	Other liabilities			182,675			174,232
	TOTAL LIABILITIES			9,661,254			8,390,160
	Commitments and contingent liabilities
	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
	Common stock, $0.50 par value; 350,000,000 shares authorized;
	210,918,281 and 221,685,984 shares issued and outstanding
	as of November 30, 2014 and February 28, 2014, respectively			105,459			110,843
	Capital in excess of par value			1,080,267			1,038,209
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(45,858)			(46,271)
	Retained earnings			2,042,284			2,214,216
	TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			3,182,152			3,316,997
	TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	12,843,406		$	11,707,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 5

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

		Nine Months Ended November 30
(In thousands)		2014			2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings		$	454,220		$	393,377
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			84,994			73,983
Share-based compensation expense			57,192			54,948
Provision for loan losses			60,274			48,993
Provision for cancellation reserves			53,764			35,247
Deferred income tax benefit			(13,347)			(4,576)
Loss on disposition of assets and other			2,486	–		1,844
Net (increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable, net			(8,257)			23,934
Inventory			(323,249)			(38,464)
Other current assets			(22,061)			3,480
Auto loan receivables, net			(1,050,733)			(1,045,386)
Other assets			(2,910)			(6,714)
Net (decrease) increase in:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current
liabilities and accrued income taxes			(16,321)			1,707
Other liabilities			(60,667)			(35,513)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES			(784,615)			(493,140)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures			(238,860)			(212,900)
Proceeds from sales of assets			5,833			5,143
Increase in restricted cash from collections on auto loan receivables			(16,419)			(22,508)
Increase in restricted cash in reserve accounts			(11,323)			(7,826)
Release of restricted cash from reserve accounts			6,340			15,022
Purchases of money market securities, net			(8,604)			(3,833)
Purchases of trading securities			(3,468)			(1,868)
Sales of trading securities			333			71
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES			(266,168)			(228,699)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in short-term debt, net			1,992			932
Issuances of long-term debt			300,000			-
Cash paid for issuance of long-term debt			(496)			-
Payments on finance and capital lease obligations			(13,395)			(14,963)
Issuances of non-recourse notes payable			5,882,000			5,300,000
Payments on non-recourse notes payable			(4,950,011)			(4,185,021)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock			(688,619)			(196,748)
Equity issuances, net			47,330			19,967
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements			33,961			13,066
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES			612,762			937,233
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(438,021)			215,394
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			627,901			449,364
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	189,880		$	664,758
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest		$	22,232		$	23,339
Cash paid for income taxes		$	287,905		$	213,965
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase in accrued capital expenditures		$	16,538		$	20,069
Finance lease modifications		$	11,697		$	―

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1. Background

 

CarMax, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us,” “CarMax” and “the company”), including its wholly owned subsidiaries, is the largest retailer of used vehicles in the United States.  We operate in two reportable segments:  CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance (“CAF”).  Our CarMax Sales Operations segment consists of all aspects of our auto merchandising and service operations, excluding financing provided by CAF.  Our CAF segment consists solely of our own finance operation that provides vehicle financing through CarMax stores.

 

We were the first used vehicle retailer to offer a large selection of high quality used vehicles at low, no-haggle prices using a customer-friendly sales process in an attractive, modern sales facility.  We provide customers with a full range of related products and services, including the appraisal and purchase of vehicles directly from consumers; the financing of vehicle purchases through CAF and third-party financing providers; the sale of extended protection plan (“EPP”) products, which include extended service plans (“ESP”) and guaranteed asset protection (“GAP”); and vehicle repair service.  Vehicles purchased through the appraisal process that do not meet our retail standards are sold to licensed dealers through on-site wholesale auctions.  At select locations we also sell new vehicles under franchise agreements.

 

2. Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates.  The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CarMax and our wholly owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, such interim consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year’s presentation.  Amounts and percentages may not total due to rounding.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Cash equivalents of $ 159.3  million as of November 30 , 2014, and $607.0 million as of February 28, 2014, consisted of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Restricted Cash from Collections on Auto Loan Receivables.  Cash accounts totaling $ 275.7  million as of November 30 , 2014, and $ 259.3 million as of February 28, 2014, consisted of collections of principal and interest payments on securitized auto loan receivables that are restricted for payment to the securitization investors pursuant to the applicable securitization agreements.

 

Securitizations.  We maintain a revolving securitization program composed of two warehouse facilities (“warehouse facilities”) that we use to fund auto loan receivables originated by CAF until we elect to fund them through a term securitization or alternative funding arrangement.  We sell the auto loan receivables to a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entity that transfers an undivided percentage ownership interest in the receivables, but not the receivables themselves, to entities formed by third-party investors.  These entities issue asset-backed commercial paper or utilize other funding sources supported by the transferred receivables, and the proceeds are used to finance the securitized receivables.

 

We typically use term securitizations to provide long-term funding for most of the auto loan receivables initially securitized through the warehouse facilities.  In these transactions, a pool of auto loan receivables is sold to a bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entity that, in turn, transfers the receivables to a special purpose securitization trust.  The securitization trust issues asset-backed securities, secured or otherwise supported by the transferred receivables, and the proceeds from the sale of the asset-backed securities are used to finance the securitized receivables.

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We are required to evaluate term securitization trusts for consolidation.  In our capacity as servicer, we have the power to direct the activities of the trusts that most significantly impact the economic performance of the trusts.  In addition, we have the obligation to absorb losses (subject to limitations) and the rights to receive any returns of the trusts, which could be significant.  Accordingly, we are the primary beneficiary of the trusts and are required to consolidate them.

 

We recognize transfers of auto loan receivables into the warehouse facilities and term securitizations (“securitization vehicles”) as secured borrowings, which result in recording the auto loan receivables and the related non-recourse notes payable to the investors on our consolidated balance sheets.

 

The securitized receivables can only be used as collateral to settle obligations of the securitization vehicles.  The securitization vehicles and investors have no recourse to our assets beyond the securitized receivables, the amounts on deposit in reserve accounts and the restricted cash from collections on auto loan receivables.  We have not provided financial or other support to the securitization vehicles that was not previously contractually required, and there are no additional arrangements, guarantees or other commitments that could require us to provide financial support to the securitization vehicles.

 

See Notes 4 and 10 for additional information on auto loan receivables and non-recourse notes payable.

 

Auto Loan Receivables, Net.  Auto loan receivables include amounts due from customers related to retail vehicle sales financed through CAF.  The receivables are presented net of an allowance for estimated loan losses.  The allowance for loan losses represents an estimate of the amount of net losses inherent in our portfolio of managed receivables as of the applicable reporting date and anticipated to occur during the following 12 months.  The allowance is primarily based on the credit quality of the underlying receivables, historical loss trends and forecasted forward loss curves.  We also take into account recent trends in delinquencies and losses, recovery rates and the economic environment.  The provision for loan losses is the periodic expense of maintaining an adequate allowance.

 

An account is considered delinquent when the related customer fails to make a substantial portion of a scheduled payment on or before the due date.  In general, accounts are charged-off on the last business day of the month during which the earliest of the following occurs:  the receivable is 120 days or more delinquent as of the last business day of the month, the related vehicle is repossessed and liquidated, or the receivable is otherwise deemed uncollectible.  For purposes of determining impairment, auto loans are evaluated collectively, as they represent a large group of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, and therefore, are not individually evaluated for impairment.  See Note 4 for additional information on auto loan receivables.

 

Interest income and expenses related to auto loans are included in CAF income.  Interest income on auto loan receivables is recognized when earned based on contractual loan terms.  All loans continue to accrue interest until repayment or charge ‑off.  Direct costs associated with loan originations are not considered material, and thus, are expensed as incurred.  See Note 3 for additional information on CAF income.

 

Property and Equipment, Net.  Property and equipment is reported net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $ 799.1 million and $730.6 million as of November 30 , 2014 and February 28, 2014, respectively.

 

Other Assets.  Other assets includes amounts classified as restricted cash on deposit in reserve accounts and restricted investments.  The restricted cash on deposit in reserve accounts is for the benefit of holders of non-recourse notes payable, and these funds are not expected to be available to the company or its creditors.  In the event that the cash generated by the securitized receivables in a given period was insufficient to pay the interest, principal and other required payments, the balances on deposit in the reserve accounts would be used to pay those amounts.  Restricted cash on deposit in reserve accounts was $37.5 million as of November 30 , 2014, and $32.5 million as of February 28, 2014.

 

Restricted investments includes money market securities primarily held to satisfy certain insurance program requirements, as well as mutual fund investments held in a rabbi trust established to fund informally our executive deferred compensation plan.  The rabbi trust investments are classified as trading securities with realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as a component of other expense.  Restricted investments totaled $ 52.4 million as of November 30 , 2014, and $40.2 million as of February 28, 2014.  

 

Revenue Recognition.     We recognize revenue when the earnings process is complete, generally either at the time of sale to a customer or upon delivery to a customer.  As part of our customer service strategy, we guarantee the retail vehicles we

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sell with a 5 ‑day, money-back guarantee.  We record a reserve for estimated returns based on historical experience and trends.

   

We sell EPP products on behalf of unrelated third parties to customers who purchase a vehicle.  In May 2014, the ESPs we offer on all used vehicles were modified to provide coverage of 60 months (subject to mileage limitations).  Prior to this modification, the ESPs we offered provided coverage up to 72 months.  GAP covers the customer for the term of their finance contract. We recognize commission revenue at the time of sale, net of a reserve for estimated customer cancellations.  Periodically, we may receive additional commissions based upon the level of underwriting profits of the third parties who administer the products.  These additional commissions are recognized as revenue when received.  The reserve for cancellations is evaluated for each product, and is based on forecasted forward cancellation curves utilizing historical experience, recent trends and credit mix of the customer base.  Our risk related to customer cancellations is limited to the commissions that we receive.  Cancellations fluctuate depending on the volume of EPP sales, customer financing default or prepayment rates, and shifts in customer behavior, including those related to changes in the coverage or term of the product.  The current portion of estimated cancellation reserves is recognized as a component of other current liabilities with the remaining amount recognized in other liabilities.  See Note 7 for additional information on cancellation reserves.

   

Customers applying for financing who are not approved , or are conditionally approved, by CAF may be evaluated by other financial institutions.  Depending on the credit profile of the customer, third-party finance providers generally either pay us or are paid a fixed, pre-negotiated fee per contract.  We recognize these fees at the time of sale.

   

We collect sales taxes and other taxes from customers on behalf of governmental authorities at the time of sale.  These taxes are accounted for on a net basis and are not included in net sales and operating revenues or cost of sales.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  We enter into derivative instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the future known receipt or payment of uncertain cash amounts, the values of which are impacted by interest rates.  We recognize the derivatives at fair value as either current assets or current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, and where applicable, such contracts covered by master netting agreements are reported net.  Gross positive fair values are netted with gross negative fair values by counterparty.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting.  We may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain risks, even though hedge accounting may not apply or we do not elect to apply hedge accounting.  See Note 5 for additional information on derivative instruments and hedging activities.

 

 

3. CarMax Auto Finance Income

 

CAF provides financing to qualified customers purchasing vehicles at CarMax stores.  CAF provides us the opportunity to capture additional sales, profits and cash flows while managing our reliance on third-party finance sources.  Management regularly analyzes CAF's operating results by assessing profitability, the performance of the auto loan receivables including trends in credit losses and delinquencies, and CAF direct expenses.  This information is used to assess CAF's performance and make operating decisions including resource allocation.

 

We typically use securitizations to fund loans originated by CAF, as discussed in Note 2.  CAF income primarily reflects the interest and fee income generated by the auto loan receivables less the interest expense associated with the debt issued to fund these receivables, a provision for estimated loan losses and direct CAF expenses.

 

CAF income does not include any allocation of indirect costs.  Although CAF benefits from certain indirect overhead expenditures, we present this information on a direct basis to avoid making subjective decisions regarding the indirect benefits or costs that could be attributed to CAF .  Examples of indirect costs not allocated to CAF include retail store expenses and corporate expenses such as human resources, administrative services, marketing, information systems, accounting, legal, treasury and executive payroll.  In addition, except for auto loan receivables, which are disclosed in Note 4, CAF assets are not separately reported nor do we allocate assets to CAF because such allocation would not be useful to management in making operating decisions.

 

Components of CAF Income

Three Months Ended November 30

Nine Months Ended November 30

 

Page 9

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(In millions)	2014				%   (1)	2013				%   (1)		2014			%   (1)	2013				%   (1)
Interest margin:
Interest and fee income		$	152.7		7.6		$	138.3		8.1		$	450.4		7.8		$	409.0		8.4
Interest expense			(24.8)		(1.2)			(22.2)		(1.3)			(71.8)		(1.2)			(67.6)		(1.4)
Total interest margin			127.9		6.4			116.1		6.8			378.6		6.5			341.4		7.0
Provision for loan losses			(24.1)		(1.2)			(19.7)		(1.2)			(60.3)		(1.0)			(49.0)		(1.0)
Total interest margin after
provision for loan losses			103.8		5.2			96.4		5.7			318.3		5.5			292.4		6.0
Other income			―		―			―		―			―		―			0.1		―
Direct expenses:
Payroll and fringe benefit expense			(6.3)		(0.3)			(5.6)		(0.3)			(18.8)		(0.3)			(16.7)		(0.3)
Other direct expenses			(7.8)		(0.4)			(6.9)		(0.4)			(22.6)		(0.4)			(20.5)		(0.4)
Total direct expenses			(14.1)		(0.7)			(12.5)		(0.7)			(41.4)		(0.7)			(37.2)		(0.8)
CarMax Auto Finance income		$	89.7		4.5		$	83.9		4.9		$	276.9		4.8		$	255.3		5.2
Total average managed receivables		$	8,026.2				$	6,805.3				$	7,713.6				$	6,491.4

 

  (1) Annualized percentage of total average managed receivables.

 

4. Auto Loan Receivables

 

Auto loan receivables include amounts due from customers related to retail vehicle sales financed through CAF and are presented net of an allowance for estimated loan losses.  We use warehouse facilities to fund auto loan receivables originated by CAF until we elect to fund them through a term securitization or alternative funding arrangement.  The majority of the auto loan receivables serve as collateral for the related non-recourse notes payable of $ 8.18 billion as of November 30, 2014, and $7.25 billion as of February 28, 2014 .  See Notes 2 and 10 for additional information on securitizations and non-recourse notes payable.

 

Auto Loan Receivables, Net

	As of November 30			As of February 28
(In millions)		2014			2014
Warehouse facilities	$	959.0		$	879.0
Term securitizations		6,979.6			6,145.5
Other receivables (1)		247.9			159.9
Total ending managed receivables		8,186.5			7,184.4
Accrued interest and fees		32.7			26.3
Other		(0.5)			7.0
Less allowance for loan losses		(80.4)			(69.9)
Auto loan receivables, net	$	8,138.3		$	7,147.8

 

(1) Other receivables includes receivables not funded through the warehouse facilities or term securitizations.

 

Credit Quality.  When customers apply for financing, CAF’s proprietary scoring models rely on the customers’ credit history and certain application information to evaluate and rank their risk.  We obtain c redit histories and other credit data   that includes information such as number, age, type and payment history for prior or existing credit accounts.  The

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application information that is used includes income, collateral value and down payment.  The scoring models yield credit grades that represent the relative likelihood of repayment.  Customers assigned a grade of “A” are determined to have the highest probability of repayment, and customers assigned a lower grade are determined to have a lower probability of repayment.  For loans that are approved, the credit grade influences the terms of the agreement, such as the required loan-to-value ratio and interest rate.

 

CAF uses a combination of the initial credit grades and historical performance to monitor the credit quality of the auto loan receivables on an ongoing basis.  We validate the accuracy of the scoring models periodically.  Loan performance is reviewed on a recurring basis to identify whether the assigned grades adequately reflect the customers’ likelihood of repayment.

 

Ending Managed Receivables by Major Credit Grade

			As of November 30				As of February 28
(In millions)			2014 (1)		%   (2)			2014 (1)		%   (2)
A		$	4,020.4		49.1		$	3,506.0		48.8
B			2,969.7		36.3			2,658.5		37.0
C and other			1,196.4		14.6			1,019.9		14.2
Total ending managed receivables		$	8,186.5		100.0		$	7,184.4		100.0

 

(1) Classified based on credit grade assigned when customers were initially approved for financing.

(2) Percentage of total ending managed receivables.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

		Three Months Ended November 30										Nine Months Ended November 30
(In millions)			2014		%   (1)			2013		%   (1)			2014		%   (1)			2013		%   (1)
Balance as of beginning of period		$	77.8		0.99		$	65.9		0.99		$	69.9		0.97		$	57.3		0.97
Charge-offs			(43.8)					(36.3)					(112.7)					(94.5)
Recoveries			22.3					18.6					62.9					56.1
Provision for loan losses			24.1					19.7					60.3					49.0
Balance as of end of period		$	80.4		0.98		$	67.9		0.98		$	80.4		0.98		$	67.9		0.98

 

(1) Percentage of total ending managed receivables as of the corresponding reporting date.

 

The allowance for loan losses represents an estimate of the amount of net losses inherent in our portfolio of managed receivables as of the applicable reporting date and anticipated to occur during the following 12 months.  The allowance is primarily based on the credit quality of the underlying receivables, historical loss trends and forecasted forward loss curves.  We also take into account recent trends in delinquencies and losses, recovery rates and the economic environment.  The provision for loan losses is the periodic expense of maintaining an adequate allowance.

 

Past Due Receivables

			As of November 30				As of February 28
(In millions)			2014		%   (1)		2014			%   (1)
Total ending managed receivables		$	8,186.5		100.0		$	7,184.4		100.0
Delinquent loans:
31-60 days past due		$	173.6		2.2		$	126.6		1.8
61-90 days past due			60.0		0.7			42.6		0.6
Greater than 90 days past due			17.4		0.2			16.0		0.2
Total past due		$	251.0		3.1		$	185.2		2.6

 

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(1) Percentage of total ending managed receivable s.

 

5. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives.  We are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions, particularly with regard to future issuances of fixed-rate debt and existing and future issuances of floating-rate debt.  Primary exposures include LIBOR and other rates used as benchmarks in our securitizations.  We enter into derivative instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the future known receipt or payment of uncertain cash amounts, the values of which are impacted by interest rates.  Our derivative instruments are used to manage differences in the amount of our known or expected cash receipts and our known or expected cash payments principally related to the funding of our auto loan receivables.  In December 2014, we entered into an interest rate derivative contract related to the issuance of a $300 million floating rate term loan to manage exposure to variable interest rates associated with the term loan , as further discussed at Note 10.

 

We do not anticipate significant market risk from derivatives as they are predominantly used to match funding costs to the use of the funding.  However, disruptions in the credit or interest rate markets could impact the effectiveness of our hedging strategies.

 

Credit risk is the exposure to nonperformance of another party to an agreement.  We mitigate credit risk by dealing with highly rated bank counterparties.

 

Designated Cash Flow Hedges.  Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to CAF’s interest expense, to manage our exposure to interest rate movements and to better match funding costs to the interest received on the   receivables being securitized.  To accomplish these objectives, we primarily use interest rate swaps that involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted interest payments in anticipation of permanent funding in the term securitization market or to hedge interest rate exposure related to floating rate notes .

 

For derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value is initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and is subsequently reclassified into CAF income in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in CAF income.  Amounts reported in AOCL related to derivatives will be reclassified to CAF income as interest expense is incurred on our future issuances of fixed rate debt.  During the next 12 months, we estimate that an additional $ 11.1 million will be reclassified as a decrease to CAF income.

 

As of November 30, 2014 and February 28, 2014 we had interest rate swaps outstanding with combined notional amounts of $1,051.0 million and $869.0 million, respectively, which were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

 

As of November 30, 2014   and February 2 8 , 2014 , we had no derivatives that were not designated as accounting hedges.

 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

 

	As of November 30, 2014							As of February 28, 2014
(In thousands)	Assets				Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges:
Interest rate swaps (1)		$	191		$	―		$	―		$	―
Interest rate swaps (2)		$	―		$	(3,298)		$	―		$	(1,351)
Total		$	191		$	(3,298)		$	―		$	(1,351)

 

 

    (1) Reported in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

 (2) Reported in accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Effect of Derivative Instruments on Comprehensive Income

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		November 30						November 30
(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges:
Loss recognized in AOCL (1)		$	(4,525)		$	(7,421)		$	(6,594)		$	(4,069)
Loss reclassified from AOCL into CAF income (1)		$	(1,881)		$	(2,155)		$	(6,220)		$	(7,665)
Gain recognized in CAF Income (2)		$	―		$	―		$	―		$	78

 

  (1) Represents the effective portion.

(2) Represents the ineffective portion .

 

6. Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market or, if none exists, the most advantageous market, for the specific asset or liability at the measurement date (referred to as the “exit price”).  The fair value should be based on assumptions that market participants would use, including a consideration of nonperformance risk.

 

We assess the inputs used to measure fair value using the three-tier hierarchy.  The hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market.

 

Level 1 Inputs include unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we can access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices from identical or similar assets in inactive markets and observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves.

 

Level 3 Inputs that are significant to the measurement that are not observable in the market and include management's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

 

Our fair value processes include controls that are designed to ensure that fair values are appropriate.  Such controls include model validation, review of key model inputs, analysis of period-over-period fluctuations and reviews by senior management.

 

Valuation Methodologies

 

Money Market Securities.  Money market securities are cash equivalents, which are included in either cash and cash equivalents or other assets, and consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  We use quoted market prices for identical assets to measure fair value.  Therefore, all money market securities are classified as Level 1.

 

Mutual Fund Investments.  Mutual fund investments consist of publicly traded mutual funds that primarily include diversified investments in large-, mid- and small-cap domestic and international companies.  The investments, which are included in other assets, are held in a rabbi trust established to fund informally our executive deferred compensation plan.  We use quoted active market prices for identical assets to measure fair value.  Therefore, all mutual fund investments are classified as Level 1.

 

Derivative Instruments.  The fair values of our derivative instruments are included in either other current assets or accounts payable.  As described in Note 5, as part of our risk management strategy, we utilize derivative instruments to manage differences in the amount of our known or expected cash receipts and our known or expected cash payments principally related to the funding of our auto loan receivables.  Our derivatives are not exchange-traded and are over-the-counter customized derivative instruments.  All of our derivative exposures are with highly rated bank counterparties.

 

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We measure derivative fair values assuming that the unit of account is an individual derivative instrument and that derivatives are sold or transferred on a stand-alone basis.  We estimate the fair value of our derivatives using quotes determined by the derivative counterparties and third-party valuation services.  Quotes from third-party valuation services and quotes received from bank counterparties project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based expectations for interest rates and the contractual terms of the derivative instruments.  The models do not require significant judgment and model inputs can typically be observed in the liquid market; however, because the models include inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, all derivatives are classified as Level 2.

 

Our derivative fair value measurements consider assumptions about counterparty and our own nonperformance risk.  We monitor counterparty and our own nonperformance risk and, in the event that we determine that a party is unlikely to perform under terms of the contract, we would adjust the derivative fair value to reflect the nonperformance risk.

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Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

	As of November 30, 2014
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Total
Assets:
Money market securities	$	202,540		$	―		$	202,540
Mutual fund investments		9,221			―			9,221
Derivative instruments		―			191			191
Total assets at fair value	$	211,761		$	191		$	211,952
Percentage of total assets at fair value		99.9	%		0.1	%		100.0	%
Percentage of total assets		1.7	%		―	%		1.7	%
Liabilities:
Derivative instruments	$	―		$	3,298		$	3,298
Total liabilities at fair value	$	―		$	3,298		$	3,298
Percentage of total liabilities		―	%		―	%		―	%

 

 

 

 

 

7. Cancellation Reserves

 

We recognize commission revenue for EPP products at the time of sale, net of a reserve for estimated contract cancellations.  Cancellations of these services may result from early termination by the customer, or default or prepayment on the finance contract.  The reserve for cancellations is evaluated for each product, and is based on forecasted forward cancellation curves utilizing historical experience, recent trends and credit mix of the customer base. 

Cancellation Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Income Taxes

 

We had $29.9 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of November 30 , 2014, and $26.3 million as of February 28, 2014.  There were no significant changes to the gross unrecognized tax benefits as reported for the year ended February 28, 2014, as all activity was related to positions taken on tax returns filed or intended to be filed in the current fiscal year.

 

9. Retirement Plans

 

Effective December 31, 2008, we froze both of our noncontributory defined benefit plans: our pension plan (the “pension plan”) and our unfunded, nonqualified plan (the “restoration plan”), which restores retirement benefits for certain associates who are affected by Internal Revenue Code limitations on benefits provided under the pension plan.  No additional benefits have accrued under these plans since that date.  In connection with benefits earned prior to December 31, 2008, we have a continuing obligation to fund the pension plan and will continue to recognize net periodic pension expense for both plans.  We use a fiscal year end measurement date for both the pension plan and the restoration plan.

 

Components of Net Pension Expense

			Three Months Ended November 30
(In thousands)			Pension Plan						Restoration Plan						Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
Interest cost		$	2,008		$	1,896		$	113		$	128		$	2,121		$	2,024
Expected return on plan assets			(2,257)			(1,979)			―			―			(2,257)			(1,979)
Recognized actuarial loss			340			418			―			―			340			418
Net pension expense		$	91		$	335		$	113		$	128		$	204		$	463

 

 

 

			Nine Months Ended November 30
(In thousands)			Pension Plan						Restoration Plan						Total
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
Interest cost		$	6,024		$	5,687		$	339		$	325		$	6,363		$	6,012
Expected return on plan assets			(6,771)			(5,937)			―			―			(6,771)			(5,937)
Recognized actuarial loss			1,020			1,255			―			―			1,020			1,255
Net pension expense		$	273		$	1,005		$	339		$	325		$	612		$	1,330

 

 

We made $2.3 million in contributions to the pension plan during the nine months ended November 30 , 2014, and anticipate making no additional   contributions during the remainder of fiscal 2015.  The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the pension plan was 7.75% as of February 28, 2014.

 

10. Debt

 

 

		As of November 30			As of February 28
(In thousands)	2014				2014
Short-term revolving credit facility		$	2,574		$	582
Current portion of finance and capital lease obligations			20,915			18,459

 

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Current portion of non-recourse notes payable			241,807			223,938
Total current debt			265,296			242,979
Long-term debt			300,000			―
Finance and capital lease obligations, excluding current portion			311,771			315,925
Non-recourse notes payable, excluding current portion			7,938,626			7,024,506
Total debt, excluding current portion			8,550,397			7,340,431
Total debt		$	8,815,693		$	7,583,410

 

Revolving Credit Facility.     During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, we increased the borrowing capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility (the “credit facility”) by $ 300 million to $ 1.0  b illion .  The terms of the credit facility were unchanged and the expiration date remains   August 2016 .  Borrowings under the credit facility are available for working capital and general corporate purposes.  Borrowings accrue interest at variable rates based on LIBOR, the federal funds rate, or the prime rate, depending on the type of borrowing, and we pay a commitment fee on the unused portions of the available funds.  As of November 30 , 2014, the unused capacity of approximately $ 997  m illion was fully available to us.

 

Finance and Capital Lease Obligations.  Finance and capital lease obligations relate primarily to stores subject to sale-leaseback transactions that did not qualify for sale accounting, and therefore, are accounted for as financings.  The leases were structured at varying interest rates and generally have initial lease terms ranging from 15 to 20 years with payments made monthly.  Payments on the leases are recognized as interest expense and a reduction of the obligations.  We have not entered into any sale-leaseback transactions since fiscal 2009.

 

Non-Recourse Notes Payable.  The non-recourse notes payable relate to auto loan receivables funded through term securitizations and our warehouse facilities.  The timing of principal payments on the non-recourse notes payable is based on the timing of principal collections and defaults on the securitized auto loan receivables.     The current portion of non-recourse notes payable represents principal payments that are due to be distributed in the following period.

 

As of November 30 , 2014, $ 7.22 billion of non-recourse notes payable was outstanding related to term securitizations.  These notes payable accrue interest predominantly at fixed rates and have scheduled maturities through May 2021 , but may mature earlier or later, depending upon the repayment rate of the underlying auto loan receivables. 

 

As of November 30 , 2014 , $ 959.0  m illion of non-recourse notes payable was outstanding related to our warehouse facilities.  The combined warehouse facility limit was $ 2.3  billion, and unused warehouse capacity totaled $ 1.34 billion.  We increased the combined limit of our warehouse facilities by $ 300 million in July 2014 and by an additional $ 200 million in November 2014 .     During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we renewed our $800 million warehouse facility that was scheduled to expire in August 2014 for an additional 364 -day term.  Of the combined warehouse facility limit, $ 1. 5 billion will expire in February 2015 and $ 800 million will expire in July 2 015.  The return requirements of the warehouse facility investors could fluctuate significantly depending on market conditions.  At renewal, the cost, structure and capacity of the facilities could change.  These changes could have a significant impact on our funding costs.

 

See Notes 2 and 4 for additional information on the related securitized auto loan receivables.

 

Term Loan .     During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, we entered into a $300 million term loan with total outstanding principal due in November 2017 .  The term loan accrues interest at variable rates based on the LIBOR rate, the federal funds rate, or the prime rate.  As of November 30, 2014, $ 300 million remained outstanding and no repayments are scheduled to be made within the next 12 months.     Borrowings under the loan are available for working capital a nd general corporate purposes.  In December 2014, we entered into an interest rate derivative contract to manage our exposure to variable interest rates associated with this term loan.

 

Financial Covenants. The credit facility and term loan agreement s contain representations and warranties, conditions and covenants.  We must also meet financial covenants in conjunction with certain of the sale-leaseback transactions.  Our securitization agreements contain representations and warranties, financial covenants and performance triggers.  As of November 30 , 2014, we were in compliance with all financial covenants and our securitized receivables were in compliance with the related performance triggers.

 

 

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1 1 . Stock and Stock-Based Incentive Plans

 

(A) Share Repurchase Program

In fiscal 2013 , our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $ 800 million of our common stock .  On April 4, 2014, we announced that they had authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $1 billion of our common stock expiring on December 31, 2015.  On October 22, 2014, we announced that they had authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $2 billion of our common stock expiring on December 31, 2016.  During the nine months ended November 30, 2014, we exhausted the initial $800 million authorization and, as of November 30, 2014, $ 2.58  b illion was available for repurchase unde r the rem aining authorizations .    

 

For the three months ended November 30 , 2014 , we repurchased 6,234,799 shares of common stock at an average purchase pric e of $52.48 per share.  For the nine months ended November 30, 2014, we repurchased 14,101,539 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $49.80 per share. For the three months ended November 30 , 2013, we repurchased 313,042 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $47.39 per share. For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, we purchased 4,305,293 shares of common stock at an average price of $43.69 per share. 

 

(B) Stock Incentive Plans

We maintain long-term incentive plans for management, key employees and the nonemployee members of our board of directors.  The plans allow for the granting of equity-based compensation awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, stock- and cash-settled restricted stock units, stock grants or a combination of awards.  To date, we have not awarded any incentive stock options.

 

The majority of associates who receive share-based compensation awards primarily receive cash-settled restricted stock units.  Senior management and other key associates receive awards of nonqualified stock options and stock-settled restricted stock units.  Nonemployee directors receive awards o f nonqualified stock options, stock grants and/or restricted stock awards.  Excluding stock grants, all share-based compensation awards, including any associated dividend rights, are subject to forfeiture.

 

Nonqualified Stock Options.  Nonqualified stock options are awards that allow the recipient to purchase shares of our common stock at a fixed price.  Stock options are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date.  The stock options generally vest annually in equal amounts over periods of one to four years.  These option s   expire no later than ten years after the date of the grant.

 

Cash-Settled Restricted Stock Units.  Also referred to as restricted stock units, or RSUs, these are awards that entitle the holder to a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock for each unit granted.  Conversion generally occurs at the end of a three -year vesting period.  However, the cash payment per RSU will not be greater than 200 % or less than 75 % of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date.  RSUs are liability awards and do not have voting rights.

 

Stock-Settled Restricted Stock Units.  Also referred to as market stock units, or MSUs, these are awards to eligible key associates that are converted into between zero and two shares of common stock for each unit granted.  Conversion generally occurs at the end of a three -year vesting period.  The conversion ratio is calculated by dividing the average closing price of our stock during the final forty trading days of the three-year vesting period by our stock price on the grant date, with the resulting quotient capped at two.  This quotient is then multiplied by the number of MSUs granted to yield the number of shares awarded.  MSU s   do not have voting rights.

 

Restricted Stock Awards .  Restricted stock awards (RSAs) are awards of our common stock that are subject to specified restrictions that lapse 1 year from the grant date.  Participants holding RSAs are entitled to vote on matters submitted to holders of our common stock for a vote.  During the nine months ended November 30, 2014, we granted to our board of directors RSAs of 22,860 shares at a fair value per share on the grant date of $51.18 .  No RSAs were outstanding during the nine months ended November 30, 2013.  The unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested RSAs totaled $0.1 million as of November 30, 2014.  These costs are expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of 0.6 years.

 

(C) Share-Based Compensation

 

Composition of Share-Based Compensation Expense

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

November 30

November 30

 

Page 18

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(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
Cost of sales		$	1,159		$	1,037		$	2,733		$	2,896
CarMax Auto Finance income			889			790			2,526			2,302
Selling, general and administrative expenses			17,637			15,371			52,846			50,608
Share-based compensation expense, before income taxes		$	19,685		$	17,198		$	58,105		$	55,806

 

Composition of Share-Based Compensation Expense – By Grant Type

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		November 30						November 30
(In thousands)		2014			2013			2014			2013
Nonqualified stock options		$	6,223		$	5,946		$	21,230		$	18,765
Cash-settled restricted stock units			10,121			8,014			24,342			25,986
Stock-settled restricted stock units			3,004			2,986			10,597			9,697
Employee stock purchase plan			271			252			913			858
Restricted stock awards to non-employee directors			66			―			1,023			―
Stock grants to non-employee directors			―			―			―			500
Share-based compensation expense, before income taxes		$	19,685		$	17,198		$	58,105		$	55,806

 

We recognize compensati on expense for stock options, MSUs and RSAs on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award.  The variable expense associated with RSUs is recognized over their vesting period (net of estimated forfeitures) and is calculated based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock on the last trading day of each reporting period.  The total costs for matching contributions for our employee stock purchase plan are included in share-based compensation expense.  There were no capitalized share-based compensation costs as of or for the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 or 2013 .

 

Stock Option Activity

								Weighted
								Average
				Weighted				Remaining				Aggregate
	Number of			Average				Contractual				Intrinsic
(Shares and intrinsic value in thousands)	Shares			Exercise Price				Life (Years)				Value
Outstanding as of February 28, 2014		10,018		$	27.02
Options granted		2,051			45.02
Options exercised		(3,035)			17.89
Options forfeited or expired		(34)			36.95
Outstanding as of November 30, 2014		9,000		$	34.17				4.2			$	205,337
Exercisable as of November 30, 2014		4,771		$	28.47				3.1			$	136,009

 

During the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , we granted nonqualified options to purchase 2,050,919 and 1,605,149 shares of common stock, respectively.  The total cash received as a result of stock option exercises for the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , was $ 54.3 million and $ 26.0 million, respectively.  We settle stock option exercises with authorized but unissued shares of our common stock.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , was $ 99.9 million and $ 34.7 million, respectively.  We realized related tax benefits of $ 40.2 million and $ 13.9 million during the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

 

Outstanding Stock Options

As of November 30, 2014

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Weighted

Average

Weighted

Weighted

Remaining

Average

Average

(Shares in thousands)

Number of

Contractual

Exercise

Number of

Exercise

 

Page 19

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Range of Exercise Prices						Shares			Life (Years)			Price				Shares			Price
$	11.43						458			1.4		$	11.43				458		$	11.43
$	13.19	-	$	19.82			358			0.7		$	15.65				358		$	15.65
$	19.98	-	$	25.39			1,250			2.4		$	25.18				1,250		$	25.18
$	28.81	-	$	32.69			3,340			3.9		$	32.09				2,094		$	32.21
$	33.11	-	$	49.25			3,594			5.8		$	43.90				611		$	42.69
Total							9,000			4.2		$	34.17				4,771		$	28.47

 

For stock options, the fair value of each award is estimated as of the date of grant using a binomial valuation model.  In computing the value of the option, the binomial model considers characteristics of fair-value option pricing that are not available for consideration under a closed-form valuation model (for example, the Black-Scholes model), such as the contractual term of the option, the probability that the option will be exercised prior to the end of its contractual life and the probability of termination or retirement of the option holder.  For this reason, we believe that the binomial model provides a fair value that is more representative of actual experience and future expected experience than the value calculated using a closed-form model.  Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by the recipients of share-based awards.

 

The weighted average fair value per share at the date of grant for options granted during the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , was $ 13.25 and $ 15.59 , respectively.  The unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested options totaled $ 38.2 million as of November 30 , 2014 .  These costs are expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

 

Assumptions Used to Estimate Option Values

		Nine Months Ended November 30
		2014						2013
Dividend yield					0.0	%					0.0	%
Expected volatility factor (1)		25.2	%	-	32.7	%		27.9	%	-	46.8	%
Weighted average expected volatility					31.8	%					44.7	%
Risk-free interest rate (2)		0.01	%	-	2.7	%		0.02	%	-	2.6	%
Expected term (in years)   (3)					4.7						4.7

 

  (1) Measured using historical daily price changes of our stock for a period corresponding to the term of the options and the implied volatility derived from the market prices of traded options on our stock.

(2) Based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

(3) Represents the estimated number of years that options will be outstanding prior to exercise.

 

Cash-Settled Restricted Stock Unit Activity

				Weighted
				Average
		Number of		Grant Date
(Units in thousands)		Units		Fair Value
Outstanding as of February 28, 2014		1,531		$	35.68
Stock units granted		588		$	44.96
Stock units vested and converted		(470)		$	32.87
Stock units cancelled		(91)		$	39.29
Outstanding as of November 30, 2014		1,558		$	39.82

 

During the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , we granted 587,990   and 541,819 RSUs, respectively.  The initial fair market value per RSU at the date of grant for the RSUs granted during the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , was $ 44.96 and $ 42.68 , respectively.  The RSUs are cash-settled upon vesting.  During the nine months ended November 30 , 2014   and 2013, we paid $ 21.6 million and $ 23.3 million, respectively (before payroll tax withholdings) , to RSU holders upon the vesting of RSUs.  We realized tax benefits of $ 8.7 million and $ 9.3 million during the nine months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

 

 

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Expected Cash Settlement Range Upon Restricted Stock Unit Vesting

		As of November 30, 2014
(In thousands)		Minimum   (1)			Maximum (1)
Fiscal 2016		$	12,307		$	32,820
Fiscal 2017			14,028			37,408
Fiscal 2018			16,225			43,266
Total expected cash settlements		$	42,560		$	113,494

 

  (1) Net of estimated forfeitures.

 

Stock-Settled Restricted Stock Unit Activity

				Weighted
				Average
		Number of		Grant Date
(Units in thousands)		Units		Fair Value
Outstanding as of February 28, 2014		852		$	45.26
Stock units granted		249		$	55.42
Stock units vested and converted		(296)		$	45.69
Stock units cancelled		(5)		$	47.31
Outstanding as of November 30, 2014		800		$	48.25

 

During the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , we granted 249,291   and 237,660   MSUs , respectively.  The weighted average fair value per MSU at the date of grant for MSUs granted during the nine months ended November 30 , 2014 and 2013 , was $ 55.42 and $ 52.02 , respectively.  The fair values were determined using a Monte-Carlo simulation and were based on the expected market price of our common stock on the vesting date and the expected number of converted common shares.  We realized related tax benefits of $ 7.5 million and $ 6.7 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013 , respectively, from the vesting of market stock units.  The unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested MSUs totaled $ 16.2 million as of November 30 , 2014 .  These costs are expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

 

  1 2 . Net Earnings per Share

 

Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available for basic common shares by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding .  Diluted net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available for diluted common shares by the sum of weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and dilu tive potential commo n   stock .  

 

Basic and Dilutive Net Earnings Per Share Reconciliations

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		November 30						November 30
(In thousands except per share data)		2014			2013			2014			2013
Net earnings		$	130,049		$	106,452		$	454,220		$	393,377
Weighted average common shares outstanding			214,228			223,259			217,568			223,831
Dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options			2,105			3,402			2,382			3,305
Stock-settled restricted stock units and awards			692			756			635			734
Weighted average common shares and dilutive
potential common shares			217,025			227,417			220,585			227,870
Basic net earnings per share		$	0.61		$	0.48		$	2.09		$	1.76
Diluted net earnings per share		$	0.60		$	0.47		$	2.06		$	1.73

 

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Certain options to purchase shares of common stock were outstanding and not included in the calculation of diluted net earnings per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.  On a weighted average basis, f or the three months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013, options to purchase 1,707,581   shares and 1,309,282 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included.   For the nine months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013, options to purchase 2,617,453 shares and 1,175,274 shares , respectively, were not included.

  

1 3 . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

 

 

										Total
		Net								Accumulated
		Unrecognized				Net				Other
		Actuarial				Unrecognized				Comprehensive
(In thousands, net of income taxes)		Losses				Hedge Losses				Loss
Balance as of February 28, 2014		$	(38,715)			$	(7,556)			$	(46,271)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			―				(4,001)				(4,001)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			640				3,774				4,414
Other comprehensive income (loss)			640				(227)				413
Balance as of November 30, 2014		$	(38,075)			$	(7,783)			$	(45,858)

 

 

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Changes In and Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

 

		Three Months Ended November 30				Nine Months Ended November 30
(In thousands)		2014		2013		2014		2013
Retirement Benefit Plans (Note 9):
Actuarial loss arising during the year	$	―	$	(458)	$	―	$	(458)
Tax benefit		―		171		―		171
Amortized actuarial loss arising during the year, net
of tax		―		(287)		―		(287)
Actuarial loss amortization reclassifications recognized
in net pension expense:
Cost of sales		139		166		415	$	500
CarMax Auto Finance income		8		9		23		28
Selling, general and administrative expenses		193		243		582		727
Total amortization reclassifications recognized
in net pension expense		340		418		1,020		1,255
Tax expense		(126)		(156)		(380)		(467)
Amortization reclassifications recognized in net
pension expense, net of tax		214		262		640		788
Net change in retirement benefit plan unrecognized
actuarial losses, net of tax		214		(25)		640		501
Cash Flow Hedges (Note 5):
Effective portion of changes in fair value		(4,525)		(7,421)		(6,594)		(4,069)
Tax benefit		1,779		2,922		2,593		1,602
Effective portion of changes in fair value, net of tax		(2,746)		(4,499)		(4,001)		(2,467)
Reclassifications to CarMax Auto Finance income		1,881		2,155		6,220		7,665
Tax expense		(740)		(849)		(2,446)		(3,018)
Reclassification of hedge losses, net of tax		1,141		1,306		3,774		4,647
Net change in cash flow hedge unrecognized losses,
net of tax		(1,605)		(3,193)		(227)		2,180
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$	(1,391)	$	(3,218)	$	413	$	2,681

 

Changes in the funded status of our retirement plans and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  The cumulative balances are net of deferred taxes of $ 27.4   million as of November 30, 2014 , and $ 27.7 million as of February 28, 2014.

  

14. Contingent Liabilities

 

Litigation .   On April 2, 2008, Mr. John Fowler filed a putative class action lawsuit against CarMax Auto Superstores California, LLC and CarMax Auto Superstores West Coast, Inc. in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.  Subsequently, two other lawsuits, Leena Areso et al. v.  CarMax Auto Superstores California, LLC and Justin Weaver v. CarMax Auto Superstores California, LLC , were consolidated as part of the Fowler case.  The allegations in the consolidated case involved: (1) failure to provide meal and rest breaks or compensation in lieu thereof; (2) failure to pay wages of terminated or resigned employees related to meal and rest breaks and overtime; (3) failure to pay overtime; (4) failure to comply with itemized employee wage statement provisions; (5) unfair competition; and (6) California’s Labor Code Private Attorney General Act.  The putative class consisted of sales consultants, sales managers, and other hourly employees who worked for the company in California from April 2, 2004, to the present.  On May 12, 2009, the court

 

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dismissed all of the class claims with respect to the sales manager putative class.  On June 16, 2009, the court dismissed all claims related to the failure to comply with the itemized employee wage statement provisions.  The court also granted CarMax’s motion for summary adjudication with regard to CarMax’s alleged failure to pay overtime to the sales consultant putative class.  The plaintiffs appealed the court's ruling regarding the sales consultant overtime claim.  On May 20, 2011, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the ruling in favor of CarMax.  The plaintiffs filed a Petition of Review with the California Supreme Court, which was denied.  As a result, the plaintiffs’ overtime claims are no longer a part of the lawsuit.

 

The claims currently remaining in the lawsuit regarding the sales consultant putative class are: (1) failure to provide meal and rest breaks or compensation in lieu thereof; (2) failure to pay wages of terminated or resigned employees related to meal and rest breaks; (3) unfair competition; and (4) California’s Labor Code Private Attorney General Act.  On June 16, 2009, the court entered a stay of these claims pending the outcome of a California Supreme Court case involving unrelated third parties but related legal issues.  Subsequently, CarMax moved to lift the stay and compel the plaintiffs’ remaining claims into arbitration on an individual basis, which the court granted on November 21, 2011.  The plaintiffs appealed the court’s ruling to the California Court of Ap peal.  On March 26, 2013, th e California Court of Appeal reversed the trial court's order granting CarMax's motion to compel arbitration.  On October 8, 2013, CarMax filed a petition for a writ of certiorari seeking review in the United States Supreme Court.  On February 24, 2014, the United States Supreme Court granted CarMax's petition for certiorari, vacated the California Court of Appeal decision and remanded the case to the California Court of Appeal for further consideration.  The Fowler laws uit seeks compensator y and special damages, wages, interest, civil and statutory penalties, restitution, injunctive relief and the recovery of attorneys’ fees.  We are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome in these matters.

 

We are involved in various other legal proceedings in the normal course of business.  Based upon our evaluation of information currently available, we believe that the ultimate resolution of any such proceedings will not have a material effect, either individually or in the aggregate, on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Gain Contingency .   The Company is a class member in a consolidated and settled class action lawsuit ( In Re Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litig. , Case No. 10-2151 (C.D. Cal.), consolidated as of April 9, 2010) against Toyota Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (collectively, “Toyota”) related to the economic loss associated with certain Toyota vehicles equipped with electronic throttle controls systems and the potential unintended acceleration of these vehicles.  On July 9, 2014, we received $20.9 million in the settlement of this matter and recorded the gain at the time of receipt.