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 May 31, 2015

 

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)

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

ClassOutstanding as of June 30, 2015

 

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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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)Percents are calculated as a percentage of net sales and operating revenues and may not total due to rounding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

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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 seek to deliver an unrivaled customer experience by offering a broad selection of high quality used vehicles and related products and services 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, 2015.

 

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 the current year’s presentation.  Amounts and percentages may not total due to rounding.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Cash equivalents of $318.5 million as of May 31, 2015, and $48,000 as of February 28, 2015, consisted of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Restricted Cash from Collections on Auto Loan Receivables.  Cash equivalents totaling $328.1 million as of May 31, 2015, and $294.1 million as of February 28, 2015, consisted of collections of principal, interest and fee 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 one of two wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities that transfer 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

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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.

 

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 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, 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.  Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $849.8 million and $822.7 million as of May 31, 2015 and February 28, 2015, 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 is invested in money market securities and was $44.1 million as of May 31, 2015, and $42.7 million as of February 28, 2015.

 

Restricted investments includes money market securities primarily held to satisfy certain insurance program requirements, as well as mutual funds held in a rabbi trust established to fund informally our executive deferred compensation plan.  Restricted investments totaled $56.6 million as of May 31, 2015, and $52.4 million as of February 28, 2015.

 

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 also sell ESPs and GAP products on behalf of unrelated third parties, who are the primary obligors, to customers who purchase a vehicle.  The ESPs we currently offer on all used vehicles provide coverage of up to 60 months (subject to mileage limitations), while 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 contract 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 contract 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 are generally evaluated by third-party finance providers.  These 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 and economic conditions 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.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

Effective in the Current Period.    In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2014-8) related to discontinued operations (FASB ASC Topic 205).  The standard raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as a discontinued operation by focusing on strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results.  The standard also requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations and new disclosures for individually material disposal transactions that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations.  We adopted this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning March 1, 2015, and there was no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Effective in Future Periods.  In May 2015, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement (FASB ASU 2015-7) which eliminates the requirement for entities to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair values are measured at net asset value ("NAV") per share (FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10).  This standard also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the NAV per share practical expedient, instead limiting disclosures to investments for which the entity has elected the expedient.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and retrospective adoption is required.  We will adopt this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning March 1, 2016.  We do not expect this pronouncement to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

3.CarMax Auto Finance

 

CAF provides financing to qualified retail customers purchasing vehicles at CarMax stores.  CAF provides us the opportunity to capture additional profits, cash flows and sales 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.

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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 have not allocated indirect costs to CAF to avoid making subjective allocation decisions.  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

 

(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 generally 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 $8.86 billion as of May 31, 2015 and $8.47 billion as of February 28, 2015.  See Notes 2 and 10 for additional information on securitizations and non-recourse notes payable.

 

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Auto Loan Receivables, Net

 

(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 credit histories and other credit data that includes information such as number, age, type of and payment history for prior or existing credit accounts.  The 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

 

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

(2)Percent of total ending managed receivables.

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses

 

(1)Percent of total ending managed receivables.

 

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

 

(1)Percent of total ending managed receivables.

 

5.Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives.  We use derivatives to manage certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions, particularly with regard to future issuances of fixed-rate debt and existing issuances of floating-rate debt.  Primary exposures include LIBOR and other rates used as benchmarks in our securitizations and other debt financing.  We enter into derivative instruments to manage exposures related to 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 (i) 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, and (ii) exposure to variable interest rates associated with our term loan, as further discussed in 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 on our derivative transactions by dealing with highly rated bank counterparties.

 

Designated Cash Flow Hedges – Securitizations.    Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives in conjunction with our securitization program 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. 

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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.

 

For these derivatives, the effective portion of changes in the fair value is initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”).  These amounts are subsequently reclassified into CAF income in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings, which occurs as interest expense is recognized on those future issuances of fixed-rate debt.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in CAF income.  During the next 12 months, we estimate that an additional $10.1 million will be reclassified from AOCL as a decrease to CAF income.

 

In addition, we have issued floating rate notes in connection with our term securitizations.  To manage our exposure to interest rate movements, we have entered into interest rate swaps that involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for making fixed-rate payments over the estimated life of the note.  These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in CAF income.

 

These hedges were effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and changes in the fair value were recorded in AOCL.

 

Designated Cash Flow Hedge – Other Debt.  Our objective in using an interest rate derivative for our term loan is to manage our exposure to interest rate movements.  To accomplish this objective, we use an interest rate swap that involves the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our making fixed-rate payments over the life of the loan without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  This derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, where the effective portion of the change in the fair value is recorded in AOCL.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value is recognized in current income.  These hedges were effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

As of May 31, 2015 and February 28, 2015, we had interest rate swaps outstanding with a  combined notional amount of $1.68 billion and $1.40 billion, respectively, that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

 

As of May 31, 2015 and February 28, 2015,  all derivatives were designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

 

 

 

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

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

 

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Comprehensive Income

 

(1)Represents the effective portion.

 

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

 

Level 2Inputs 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 3Inputs 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 cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash from collections on auto loan receivables or other assets.  They 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 as well as to manage exposure to variable interest rates on our term loan.  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.

 

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 a 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

 

 

 

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the period ended May 31, 2015.

 

 

 

 

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. 

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Cancellation Reserves

 

 

The current portion of estimated cancellation reserves is recognized as a component of other accrued expenses with the remaining amount recognized in other liabilities. As of May 31, 2015 and February 28, 2015, the current portion of cancellation reserves was $47.9 million and $44.8 million, respectively.

 

 

8.Income Taxes

 

We had $26.2 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of May 31, 2015, and $25.0 million as of February 28, 2015.  There were no significant changes to the gross unrecognized tax benefits as reported for the year ended February 28, 2015, 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

 

 

 

We made no contributions to the pension plan during the three months ended May 31, 2015, and do not anticipate making any contributions during the remainder of fiscal 2016.  The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the pension plan was 7.75% as of February 28, 2015.

 

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10.Debt

 

 

 

Revolving Credit Facility.    We have an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “credit facility”) with a borrowing capacity of $1.0  billion that expires in 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.  Borrowings under the credit facility are either due ‘on demand’ or at maturity depending on the type of borrowing.  Borrowings with ‘on demand’ repayment terms are presented as short-term debt while amounts due at maturity are presented as long-term debt with expected repayments within the next fiscal year presented as a component of current portion of long-term debt.  As of May 31, 2015, the unused capacity of $999.2  million was fully available to us.

 

Term Loan.    In November 2014, 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 May 31, 2015, $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 and general corporate purposes.  We have entered into an interest rate derivative contract to manage our exposure to variable interest rates associated with this term loan.

 

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 new 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 May 31, 2015,  $7.77 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 November 2021, but may mature earlier, depending upon the repayment rate of the underlying auto loan receivables. 

 

As of May 31, 2015, $1.09 billion 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 $1.21 billion.  Of the combined warehouse facility limit, $800 million will expire in July 2015 and $1.5 billion will expire in February 2016.  The return requirements of 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.

 

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Capitalized Interest.    We capitalize interest in connection with the construction of certain facilities.  We capitalized interest of $2.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016; no interest was capitalized in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

 

Financial Covenants.  The credit facility and term loan agreements 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 May 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all financial covenants and our securitized receivables were in compliance with the related performance triggers.

 

11.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 which was exhausted in fiscal 2015.  In fiscal 2015, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $3 billion of our common stock of which $1 billion expires on December 31, 2015, and $2 billion expires on December 31, 2016.

 

Common Stock Repurchases

 

 

(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, stock-settled restricted stock units and stock-settled performance stock units.  Nonemployee directors receive awards of 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 options 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 restricted stock unit 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 Market Stock Units.  Also referred to as market stock units, or MSUs, these are restricted stock unit awards with market conditions granted 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.  MSUs do not have voting rights.

 

Stock-Settled Performance Stock Units.  Also referred to as performance stock units, or PSUs, these are restricted stock unit awards with performance conditions granted to eligible key associates that are converted into between zero and two

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shares of common stock for each unit granted.  Conversion generally occurs at the end of a three-year vesting period.  The conversion ratio is based on the company reaching certain target levels set by the board of directors for cumulative three-year earnings before interest and taxes at the end of the three-year vesting period, with the resulting quotient subject to meeting a minimum 25% threshold and capped at 200%.  This quotient is then multiplied by the number of PSUs granted to yield the number of shares awarded.  PSUs 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 generally lapse after a one year period from date of grant.  Participants holding restricted stock are entitled to vote on matters submitted to holders of our common stock for a vote.  No RSAs were granted during the three months ended May 31, 2015 or 2014.  As of May 31, 2015, 22,860 shares of RSAs, which vested in June 2015, remained outstanding.  No RSAs were outstanding during the three months ended May 31, 2014.  The unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested RSAs was minimal as of May 31, 2015.

 

(C)Share-Based Compensation

 

Composition of Share-Based Compensation Expense

 

Composition of Share-Based Compensation Expense – By Grant Type