UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended May 1, 2010
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-15059
NORDSTROM, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
206-628-2111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨ NO x
Common stock outstanding as of June 4, 2010: 219,093,484 shares of common stock
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Quarter Ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
May 1, 2010, January 30, 2010 and May 2, 2009
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Exhibits.
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Amounts in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Net sales
Credit card revenues
Total revenues
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
Retail
Credit
Earnings before interest and income taxes
Interest expense, net
Earnings before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net earnings
Earnings per basic share
Earnings per diluted share
Basic shares
Diluted shares
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in millions)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Merchandise inventories
Current deferred tax assets, net
Prepaid expenses and other
Total current assets
Land, buildings and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $3,388, $3,316 and $3,170)
Goodwill
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Commercial paper
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits
Other current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net
Deferred property incentives, net
Other liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 218.9, 217.7 and 216.2 shares issued and outstanding
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Balance at January 30, 2010
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Comprehensive net earnings
Dividends ($0.16 per share)
Issuance of common stock for:
Stock option plans
Employee stock purchase plan
Stock-based compensation
Balance at May 1, 2010
Earnings (Loss)
Balance at January 31, 2009
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax
Balance at May 2, 2009
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Operating Activities
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of buildings and equipment, net
Amortization of deferred property incentives and other, net
Deferred income taxes, net
Stock-based compensation expense
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
Provision for bad debt expense
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Deferred property incentives
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures
Change in credit card receivables originated at third parties
Other, net
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing Activities
Repayments of commercial paper borrowings, net
Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net of discounts
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
Decrease in cash book overdrafts
Cash dividends paid
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of capitalized interest)
Income taxes
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)
NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent in all material respects with the accounting policies described and applied in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and reflect all adjustments that are, in management’s opinion, necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented.
The condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009 are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 30, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and related footnote disclosures contained in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The preparation of our financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Our business, like that of other retailers, is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Due to our Anniversary Sale in July, the holidays in December and the half-yearly sales that occur in the second and fourth quarters, our sales are historically higher in the second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year than in the first and third quarters. Accordingly, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.
NOTE 2: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The following table illustrates the allowance for doubtful accounts activity for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009:
Allowance at beginning of period
Bad debt provision
Net write-offs
Allowance at end of period
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NOTE 3: DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
Debt
A summary of our long-term debt is as follows:
Secured
Series 2007-1 Class A Notes, 4.92%, retired April 2010
Series 2007-1 Class B Notes, 5.02%, retired April 2010
Series 2007-2 Class A Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.06% per year, due April 2012
Series 2007-2 Class B Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.18% per year, due April 2012
Mortgage payable, 7.68%, due April 2020
Unsecured
Senior notes, 6.75%, due June 2014, net of unamortized discount
Senior notes, 6.25%, due January 2018, net of unamortized discount
Senior notes, 4.75%, due May 2020, net of unamortized discount
Senior debentures, 6.95%, due March 2028
Senior notes, 7.00%, due January 2038, net of unamortized discount
Total long-term debt
Less: current portion
Total due beyond one year
On April 15, 2010, we retired our $350 Series 2007-1 Class A & B Notes. On April 23, 2010, we issued $500 of senior unsecured notes at 4.75%, due May 2020. After deducting the original issue discount of $2, net proceeds from the offering were $498. We intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes for general corporate purposes.
As of May 1, 2010, the estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, based on quoted market prices of the same or similar issues, was $2,998. The estimated fair value of associated interest rate swap agreements was a $2 asset, included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of May 1, 2010.
Credit Facilities
As of May 1, 2010, we had total short-term borrowing capacity available for general corporate purposes of $950. Of the total capacity, we had $650 under our commercial paper program, which is backed by our unsecured revolving credit facility (“revolver”) that expires in August 2012 and $300 under our Variable Funding Note facility (“2007-A VFN”) that expires in January 2011. As of May 1, 2010, we had no outstanding issuances under our commercial paper program and no outstanding borrowings under our revolver or our 2007-A VFN.
The revolver includes certain customary financial covenants. As of May 1, 2010, we were in compliance with these covenants.
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NOTE 4: CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
We are subject from time to time to various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including lawsuits alleging violations of state and/or federal wage and hour laws. Some of these suits purport or have been determined to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. While we cannot predict the outcome of these matters with certainty, we do not believe any such claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in aggregate, will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
NOTE 5: STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
On May 18, 2010, our shareholders approved the adoption of the Nordstrom, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”), which replaced the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (“2004 Plan”). The 2010 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, performance share units, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and both restricted and unrestricted shares of common stock to employees. The aggregate number of shares to be issued under the 2010 Plan may not exceed 11.6 plus any shares currently underlying awards outstanding under the 2004 Plan, but which are forfeited or which expire during the term of the 2010 Plan. No future grants will be made under the 2004 Plan.
During the quarters ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009 we granted 2.6 and 4.9 options with weighted average grant-date fair values per option of $13 and $7.
NOTE 6: EARNINGS PER SHARE
The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
Dilutive effect of stock options and performance share units
Anti-dilutive stock options and other
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NOTE 7: SEGMENT REPORTING
Through January 30, 2010, our reportable segments consisted of Retail Stores, Direct and Credit. Our Retail Storessegment included our Nordstrom full-line stores and our Nordstrom Rack off-price stores. Our Direct segment consisted of our online store, nordstrom.com.
Effective with the first quarter of 2010, we now view our Nordstrom full-line stores and our Nordstrom online store as a single, “multi-channel” operating segment. Through our multi-channel initiatives, we have substantially integrated the operations, merchandising and technology of our Nordstrom full-line and online stores, consistent with our customers’ expectations of a seamless shopping experience regardless of channel. As a result, we have also realigned our internal reporting to our chief operating decision maker to be consistent with these multi-channel initiatives. We aggregate our Nordstrom multi-channel and Nordstrom Rack operating segments into a single reportable segment, which we refer to as Retail, based on their similar economic characteristics.
Through our Credit segment, we offer our customers a variety of payment products and services, including a Nordstrom private label card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. Our card products also include a loyalty program that provides benefits to our cardholders based on their level of spending.
Amounts in the Corporate/Other column include unallocated corporate expenses and assets, inter-segment eliminations and other adjustments to segment results necessary for the presentation of consolidated financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The segment information for the quarter ended May 2, 2009 presented below has been adjusted to reflect our 2010 reportable segments.
Quarter Ended
May 1, 2010
Corporate/
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
May 2, 2009
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NOTE 7: SEGMENT REPORTING (CONTINUED)
Within our reportable segments we also report sales by channel to our chief operating decision maker as we believe sales are an important measure of our performance. Net sales by channel were as follows:
Sales by channel:
Full-line stores
Direct
Multi-channel
Rack and other
Total Retail segment sales
Corporate/Other
Total net sales
Online orders fulfilled from our full-line stores are included in Direct sales. Items purchased online and picked up in our full-line stores are included in full-line sales. Prior to February 2010, merchandise purchased from our online store that was later returned to our full-line stores was reported as a deduction from full-line sales. Beginning in February 2010, we now deduct these returns from Direct sales instead of from full-line sales in order to better align sales and sales returns within each channel. For purposes of comparison, 2009 net sales results for both full-line and Direct channels have been revised to reflect this realignment of returns. This realignment of sales returns between channels has no effect on total Retail segment sales.
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(Amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain “forward-looking” information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, anticipated financial results (including, but not limited to, our anticipated same-store sales results, credit card revenues, gross profit rate, selling, general and administrative expenses, net interest expense, effective tax rate and earnings per share), anticipated store openings, capital expenditures and dividend yield, and trends in our operations. Such statements are based upon current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results may differ materially from historical results or current expectations depending upon factors including but not limited to:
the impact of deteriorating economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns,
our ability to respond to the business environment and fashion trends,
our ability to safeguard our brand and reputation,
effective inventory management,
efficient and proper allocation of our capital resources,
successful execution of our store growth strategy including the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations and remodels, all of which may be impacted by the financial health of third parties,
our compliance with applicable banking and related laws and regulations impacting our ability to extend credit to our customers,
trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs,
availability and cost of credit,
impact of the current regulatory environment and financial system reforms,
changes in interest rates,
disruptions in our supply chain,
our ability to maintain our relationships with vendors and developers who may be experiencing economic difficulties,
the geographic locations of our stores,
our ability to maintain relationships with our employees and to effectively train and develop our future leaders,
our compliance with information security and privacy laws and regulations, employment laws and regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to us,
successful execution of our information technology strategy,
successful execution of our multi-channel strategy,
risks related to fluctuations in world currencies,
public health concerns and the resulting impact on consumer spending patterns, supply chain, and employee health,
weather conditions and hazards of nature that affect consumer traffic and consumers’ purchasing patterns,
the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns, and
our ability to control costs.
These and other factors including those factors described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information we may provide. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances.
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(Continued) (Amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)
OVERVIEW
Our first quarter performance continued the positive momentum that we experienced throughout the latter half of 2009. This was the result of our ongoing efforts in the areas of merchandising and inventory productivity, multi-channel execution, new store opportunities and most importantly, customer service.
Our merchandising efforts have significantly contributed to our recent performance, including sales growth and gross margin expansion. By managing our inventory levels effectively and providing a constant flow of new merchandise into the stores, we have been able to increase our regular priced sales, improve inventory turnover and reduce markdowns.
We continue to learn from our shared multi-channel inventory capabilities and to develop additional tools to enhance the total shopping experience for our customers. We believe that our customers want a seamless experience between nordstrom.com and our stores. Therefore, our goal is to become more integrated across all of our channels to give our customers more options for shopping with us. We view these multi-channel initiatives as consistent with our commitment to improving customer service.
During the first quarter, we opened two full-line stores and six Nordstrom Rack stores. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we also relocated a full-line store in Cerritos, California, and opened a Nordstrom Rack store in Manhattan, New York, our first Manhattan location. We have been encouraged by the results from our new store openings thus far this year. Our strong financial position enables us to continue to invest in our business, through store growth and remodels, technology, merchandising systems and other opportunities.
Macroeconomic conditions continue to be uncertain and unemployment levels remain high, particularly in California, which accounts for a disproportionate share of our credit write-offs. However, overall credit trends on our card portfolio began to improve during the first quarter, with delinquency rates returning to levels comparable with the first half of 2009. These improving trends, including improvement in California, offer early signs of a stabilizing and gradually improving outlook.
As our business continues to improve, we remain focused on strengthening customer service as our greatest opportunity to improve our results. We have a track record of disciplined execution. As a result of our efforts, we believe that we are well positioned to continue gaining market share.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our reportable segments are Retail and Credit. Our Retail segment includes our Nordstrom multi-channel operations and our Rack and Jeffrey stores. For purposes of discussion and analysis of our results of operations, we combine our Retail segment results with revenues and expenses in the “Corporate/Other” column of our segment reporting footnote (collectively, the “Retail Business”). We analyze our results of operations through earnings before interest and income taxes for our Retail Business and Credit while interest expense, income taxes, and net earnings are discussed on a total company basis.
Summary
The following tables summarize the combined results of our Retail Business for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with the quarter ended May 2, 2009:
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
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Retail Business Net Sales
Net sales by channel:
Total company
Net sales increase (decrease)
Same-store sales increase (decrease) by channel:
Rack
Sales per square foot
Net sales increased 16.7% for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with the same period in the prior year. All channels had same-store sales increases, led by multi-channel. During the quarter ended May 1, 2010, we opened two full-line and six Rack stores.
Our multi-channel same-store sales increased 13.7% for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009. Our merchandising efforts, inventory management and multi-channel capabilities continued to drive multi-channel sales growth.
Multi-channel category highlights for the quarter included jewelry, dresses and women’s shoes. The Midwest, Northeast and South were the top-performing geographic regions during the first quarter. Although California showed improving sales trends, the region ended the quarter below the full-line store average.
Rack same-store sales increased 1.9% for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with the same period in 2009. These results were driven by growth in men’s shoes as well as women’s contemporary clothing.
We expect 2010 same-store sales to increase approximately 4.0% to 6.0% over 2009.
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Retail Business Gross Profit
Gross profit1
Gross profit rate2
Ending inventory per square foot
Inventory turnover rate3
Gross profit is calculated as net sales less Retail Business cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs.
Gross profit rate is calculated as gross profit divided by net sales.
Inventory turnover rate is calculated as the trailing 12 months cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs (for all segments) divided by 4-quarter average inventory.
Retail gross profit increased $152 for the quarter while the gross profit rate improved 257 basis points compared with the same period in 2009. Retail gross profit consists of merchandise margin offset by buying and occupancy costs. The increase in our gross profit rate was the result of both improvement in merchandise margin, reflecting reduced markdown rates, as well as increased leverage of buying and occupancy costs on higher net sales. As we have continued to improve sell-through rates as a result of our merchandising and multi-channel initiatives, we have been able to increase regular priced selling along with our inventory turnover rate. Our ending inventory per square foot increased 1.9% on a 13.0% increase in sales per square foot.
In 2010, we expect a 100 to 130 basis point improvement in our total company gross profit rate, which includes both our Retail gross profit and loyalty program costs within our Credit segment. We expect greater gross profit improvement in the first half of the year when compared to 2009, when weaker sales trends in the first and second quarters increased markdown pressure. The improvement will be partially offset by additional occupancy expense from the opening of three full-line and seventeen Rack stores in 2010.
Retail Business Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative rate
Our Retail Business selling, general and administrative expenses (“Retail SG&A”) increased $86 compared with last year’s first quarter primarily due to variable and performance-related expenses resulting from the improvement in our sales and earnings performance, as well as expenses for the three full-line and fifteen Rack stores opened since the first quarter of 2009. We also incurred planned increases in organizational and technology expenses as we reinvest in the business and expand our capabilities.
The increase in our Retail SG&A rate of approximately 60 basis points is due to the timing of performance-related expenses and, to a lesser extent, planned expenses related to new stores, labor and technology. The increase in performance-related expenses is reflective of the improvement in our sales and earnings performance relative to our plan, and better visibility into operating trends relative to the first quarter of 2009.
We anticipate our Retail SG&A expense will increase $200 to $250 for 2010. This increase relates to our expectations for higher variable expenses consistent with the planned increase in sales and earnings, and expenses related to new stores, organizational and technology improvements.
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The table below illustrates a detailed view of the operational results of our Credit segment, consistent with the segment disclosure provided in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. In order to view the total economic contribution of our credit card program, intercompany merchant fees are included in the table below. Intercompany merchant fees represent the estimated intercompany income of our credit business from the usage of our cards in the Retail segment. To encourage the use of Nordstrom cards in our stores, the Credit segment does not charge the Retail segment an intercompany interchange merchant fee. On a consolidated basis, we avoid costs that would be incurred if our customers used third-party cards.
Interest expense is assigned to the Credit segment in proportion to the amount of estimated capital needed to fund our credit card receivables, which assumes a mix of 80% debt and 20% equity. The average accounts receivable investment metric included in the following table represents our best estimate of the amount of capital for our credit card program that is financed by equity. As a means of assigning a comparable cost of capital for our credit card business, we believe it is important to maintain a capital structure similar to other financial institutions. Based on our research, debt as a percentage of credit card receivables for other credit card companies ranges from 70% to 90%. We believe that debt equal to 80% of our credit card receivables is appropriate given our overall capital structure goals.
Finance charge revenue
Interchange — third party
Late fees and other revenue
Total credit card revenues
Interest expense
Net credit card income
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs — loyalty program
Total expense
Credit segment loss before income taxes, as presented in segment disclosure
Intercompany merchant fees
Credit segment (loss) contribution before income taxes
Average accounts receivable investment (assuming 80% of accounts receivable is funded with debt)
Credit segment loss, net of tax, as a percentage of average accounts receivable investment1
Based on annualized Credit segment (loss) contribution, net of tax for the quarters ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009.
Net Credit Card Income
Credit card revenues increased to $97 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 from $86 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009. The increase was primarily due to higher late fees and finance charges associated with increased delinquencies compared with the first quarter of 2009, growth in our accounts receivable balance and the increase in our annual percentage rate terms implemented during 2009.
In 2010, credit card revenues are expected to increase $35 to $45, due to moderate growth in our accounts receivable.
Interest expense decreased to $7 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 from $10 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009, due to declining variable interest rates, partially offset by higher average borrowings.
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Credit Segment Cost of Sales and Related Buying and Occupancy Costs
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs, which includes the estimated cost of Nordstrom Notes that will be issued and redeemed under our Fashion Rewards program, increased by $4 to $16 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 from $12 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009. The increase was due to additional expense related to the Fashion Rewards program as a result of increased use of Nordstrom credit cards and increased utilization of program benefits. Participation in the Fashion Rewards program generates incremental sales in our stores.
Credit Segment Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for our Credit segment are made up of operational and marketing expenses and bad debt expense. These expenses are summarized in the following table:
Operational and marketing expense
Bad debt expense
Total credit selling, general and administrative expenses
Operational and marketing expense increased $4 to $29 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with $25 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009, while bad debt expense decreased $4 to $63 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with $67 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009. The decrease in bad debt reflects recent improvements in our credit trends.
Allowance as a percentage of ending trade accounts receivable
Delinquent balances over thirty days as a percentage of accounts receivable
Bad debt provision as a percentage of average accounts receivable1
Net write-offs as a percentage of average accounts receivable2
Based upon annualized first quarter bad debt provision.
Based upon annualized first quarter net write-offs.
Delinquency rates and write-offs have run at elevated levels since the economic downturn and credit crisis began approximately two years ago. Recently, however, our delinquency and write-off trends have started to improve along with overall macroeconomic conditions. As of May 1, 2010, our delinquency rate was 4.2%, up from 3.9% as of May 2, 2009, but down from 5.3% as of January 30, 2010. Write-offs increased to $63 or 11.9% of average receivables on an annualized basis, from $44 or 8.7% of average receivables in the first quarter of last year, and from $56 or 10.5% of average receivables in the fourth quarter. The increase in write-offs during the first quarter of 2010 reflects the increase in delinquent accounts during 2009. As our delinquency rates improve, we would expect a corresponding future improvement in our write-offs.
Our write-offs have a strong long-term correlation with the national unemployment rate, which was 9.9% as of May 1, 2010, and a disproportionate share of our write-offs are from customers in California, which has experienced greater economic weakness relative to other geographic areas. However, California has recently shown some indications of improvement, consistent with overall macroeconomic conditions.
We anticipate that 2010 selling, general and administrative expenses for our Credit segment will decrease by $15 to $30, primarily due to lower bad debt expense relative to 2009 as the unemployment rate stabilizes and our associated write-offs slow.
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Total Company Results
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net remained flat at $31 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with the quarter ended May 2, 2009 due to lower average interest rates offset by higher average borrowings.
We anticipate our net interest expense to decrease $5 to $15 in 2010, due to lower interest rates and borrowing facility fees relative to 2009.
Income Tax Expense
Effective tax rate
The increase in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009, was primarily due to the impact of a non-recurring benefit of approximately $12, or $0.06 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2009 related to the closure of our 2007 federal tax return audit.
We expect our effective tax rate to be 38.6% in 2010.
Net Earnings and Earnings per Diluted Share
Net earnings increased $35 to $116 and earnings per diluted share increased $0.15 to $0.52 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010, compared with the first quarter in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher sales and higher gross profit rates, partially offset by higher variable and performance-related expenses associated with the improvement in our sales and earnings.
For the 2010 fiscal year, we expect earnings per diluted share in the range of $2.50 to $2.65.
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Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) (Non-GAAP financial measure)
We define Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as follows:
We believe that ROIC is a useful financial measure for investors in evaluating our operating performance. When analyzed in conjunction with our net earnings and total assets and compared to return on assets, it provides investors with a useful tool to evaluate our ongoing operations and our management of assets from period to period. ROIC is one of our key financial metrics, and we also incorporate it into our executive incentive measures. Our research has shown that, historically, overall performance as measured by ROIC correlates directly to shareholders’ return over the long term. For the 12 fiscal months ended May 1, 2010, our ROIC increased to 12.4% compared to 10.8% for the 12 fiscal months ended May 2, 2009. ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, should not be considered a substitute for return on assets, net earnings or total assets as determined in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The closest measure calculated using GAAP amounts is return on assets, which increased to 7.4% from 6.3% for the 12 fiscal months ended May 1, 2010 compared with the 12 fiscal months ended May 2, 2009. The following is a comparison of return on assets to ROIC:
Add: income tax expense
Add: interest expense, net
Add: rent expense
Less: estimated depreciation on capitalized operating leases1
Net operating profit
Estimated income tax expense2
Net operating profit after tax (NOPAT)
Average total assets3
Less: average non-interest bearing current liabilities4
Less: average deferred property incentives3
Add: average estimated asset base of capitalized operating leases5
Average invested capital
Return on Assets
ROIC
Capitalized operating leases is our best estimate of the asset base we would record for our operating leases as if we had classified them as capital or purchased the property. Asset base is calculated as described in footnote 5 below.
Based upon our effective tax rate multiplied by the net operating profit for the 12 fiscal months ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009.
Based upon the trailing 12-month average.
Based upon the trailing 12-month average for accounts payable, accrued salaries, wages and related benefits, and other current liabilities.
Based upon the trailing 12-month average of the monthly asset base, which is calculated as the trailing 12 months rent expense multiplied by 8.
Our ROIC increased compared to the prior year primarily due to an increase in our earnings before interest and income taxes, offset by an increase in our average invested capital, attributable primarily to growth in cash and cash equivalents.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We maintain a level of liquidity sufficient to allow us to cover our seasonal cash needs and to maintain appropriate levels of short-term borrowings. We believe that our operating cash flows and available credit facilities are sufficient to finance our cash requirements for the next 12 months and beyond.
Over the long term, we manage our cash and capital structure to maximize shareholder return, maintain our solid financial position and allow flexibility for future strategic initiatives. We regularly assess our debt and leverage levels, capital expenditure requirements, debt service payments, dividend payouts, potential share repurchases and future investments or acquisitions. We believe our existing cash on-hand, operating cash flows, available credit facilities and potential future borrowings will be sufficient to fund these scheduled future payments and potential long-term initiatives.
For the quarter ended May 1, 2010, cash and cash equivalents increased by $245 to $1,040 from January 30, 2010. Activity for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 included cash provided by operations of $204, partially offset by capital expenditures of $95. Additionally, we received net proceeds from long-term borrowings of $498, repaid long-term borrowings totaling $350 and paid cash dividends of $34.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $204 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with $205 for the same quarter of 2009. Increased cash flows provided by higher earnings and lower working capital were offset by higher cash outflows for performance-related incentives and income taxes.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $98 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 from $132 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009.
Capital expenditures decreased slightly due to the timing of expenditures incurred for store openings. We opened two full-line stores and six Rack stores in the first quarter of 2010, compared with opening two full-line stores and four Rack stores for the same period last year. We also incurred capital expenditures for the one Rack store we will open in the second quarter of 2010 compared to one Rack store opened in the second quarter of 2009. To date in 2010 we have opened two full-line stores, relocated one full-line store and opened seven Rack stores. During the remainder of 2010, we anticipate opening one full-line store and ten Rack stores.
Activity related to customers using their Nordstrom VISA credit cards for merchandise and services outside of Nordstrom stores decreased to $4 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with $30 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009. The decrease was a result of improved payment rates.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $139 for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 compared with net cash used in financing activities of $67 for the quarter ended May 2, 2009.
During the first quarter of 2010, we issued $500 of senior unsecured notes at 4.75% due May 2020. Net proceeds from the offering were $498. Additionally, we retired $350 of securitized notes in April 2010 using available cash and paid dividends of $34.
During the first quarter of 2009, our principal financing activities consisted of dividend payments of $35, a decrease in cash book overdrafts of $32 and repayments of commercial paper borrowings of $10.
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Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP financial measure)
We define Free Cash Flow as:
Free Cash Flow = Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities – Capital Expenditures – Change in Credit Card Receivables Originated at Third Parties – Cash Dividends Paid +/(–) Increase/(Decrease) in Cash Book Overdrafts
Free cash flow is one of our key liquidity measures, and, in conjunction with GAAP measures, provides us with a meaningful analysis of our cash flows. We believe that our cash levels are more appropriately analyzed using this measure. Free cash flow is not a measure of liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating cash flows as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, free cash flow does have limitations:
Free cash flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs; and
Other companies in our industry may calculate free cash flow differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
To compensate for these limitations, we analyze free cash flow in conjunction with other GAAP financial and performance measures impacting liquidity, including operating cash flows. The closest GAAP measure is net cash provided by operating activities, which was $204 and $205 for the quarters ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009. The following is a reconciliation of our net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow:
Less: Capital expenditures
Free cash flow
Credit Capacity and Commitments
As of May 1, 2010 we had total short-term borrowing capacity available for general corporate purposes of $950. Of the total capacity, we had $650 under our commercial paper program, which is backed by our unsecured revolving credit facility (“revolver”) that expires in August 2012 and $300 under our Variable Funding Note facility (“2007-A VFN”) that expires in January 2011. As of May 1, 2010, we had no outstanding issuances under our commercial paper program and no outstanding borrowings under our revolver or our 2007-A VFN.
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Credit Ratings
The following table shows our credit ratings at the date of this report:
Senior unsecured debt
Senior unsecured outlook
These ratings could change depending on our performance and other factors.
Debt Covenants
Our $650 revolver requires that we maintain a leverage ratio of not greater than four times Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least two times.
The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as:
EBITDAR less gross capital expenditures
Interest expense, net + rent expense
As of May 1, 2010 we were in compliance with these covenants. We will continue to monitor these covenants to ensure that we make any necessary adjustments to our plans and believe that we will remain in compliance with these covenants during 2010. See additional disclosure of Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR on the following page.
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Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR (Non-GAAP financial measure)
We define Adjusted Debt to Earnings before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Rent (“EBITDAR”) as follows:
Adjusted Debt
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is one of our key financial metrics, and we believe that our debt levels are best analyzed using this measure. Our current goal is to manage debt levels to maintain an investment grade credit rating as well as operate with an efficient capital structure for our size, growth plans and industry. Investment grade credit ratings are important to maintaining access to a variety of short-term and long-term sources of funding, and we rely on these funding sources to continue to grow our business. We believe a higher ratio, among other factors, could result in rating agency downgrades. In contrast, we believe a lower ratio would result in a higher cost of capital and could negatively impact shareholder returns. As of May 1, 2010, our Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR was 2.5 compared with 2.7 as of May 2, 2009. The decrease was primarily the result of an increase in earnings before interest and income taxes for the 12 months ended May 1, 2010 compared with the 12 months ended May 2, 2009.
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for debt to net earnings, net earnings or debt as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR does have limitations:
Adjusted Debt is not exact, but rather our best estimate of the total company debt we would hold if we had purchased the property and issued debt associated with our operating leases;
EBITDAR does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, including leases, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; and
Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
To compensate for these limitations, we analyze Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR in conjunction with other GAAP financial and performance measures impacting liquidity, including operating cash flows, capital spending and net earnings. The closest GAAP measure is debt to net earnings, which was 5.8 and 6.9 for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009. The following is a comparison of debt to net earnings to Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR:
Debt2
Add: rent expense x 83
Add: depreciation and amortization of buildings and equipment, net
EBITDAR
Debt to Net Earnings
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR
The components of adjusted debt are as of May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009, while the components of EBITDAR are for the 12 months ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009.
Debt included $265 of commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of May 2, 2009. There were no outstanding commercial paper borrowings as of May 1, 2010.
The multiple of eight times rent expense used to calculate adjusted debt is our best estimate of the debt we would record for our leases that are classified as operating if they had met the criteria for a capital lease, or we had purchased the property.
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We discussed our interest rate risk and our foreign currency exchange risk in Part II, “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 22, 2010. There have been no material changes to these risks since that time.
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, of the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in the timely and accurate recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of material financial and non-financial information within the time periods specified within the Commission’s rules and forms. Our President and Chief Financial Officer also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed or furnished with this report as set forth in the Index to Exhibits on page 26 hereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
/s/ Michael G. Koppel
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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Index to Exhibits
Exhibit
Method of Filing
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