The Quarterly
CONN Q3 2016 10-Q

Conns Inc (CONN) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q4 2016

CONN 2017 10-K
CONN Q3 2016 10-Q CONN 2017 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C.  20549 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One) 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2016

 or

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

Commission File Number 001-34956

CONN'S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

06-1672840

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

4055 Technology Forest Blvd, Suite 210, The Woodlands, TX

77381

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (936) 230-5899

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) 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  ý   No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ý   No o

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 the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

ý

Accelerated filer

o

Non-accelerated filer

o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  o   No ý

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of November 29, 2016 : 

Class

Outstanding

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share

30,859,250


Table of Contents


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


FORM 10-Q

FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2016


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

3

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

24

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

39

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

40

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

40

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

40

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

40

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

40

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

40

Item 5.

Other Information

40

Item 6.

Exhibits

40

Signature

41

Exhibit Index

42

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes our trademarks such as "Conn's," "Conn's HomePlus," "YES Money," "YE$ Money," and our logos, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are the property of Conn's, Inc. This report also contains trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references to "Conn's," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to the consolidated business operations of Conn's, Inc., its consolidated VIEs, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.


Table of Contents


PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)

October 31,
2016

January 31,
2016

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

59,065


$

12,254


Restricted cash (all held by VIEs)

130,979


64,151


Customer accounts receivable, net of allowances (includes balances for VIEs of $620,698 and $390,150, respectively)

688,011


743,931


Other accounts receivable

73,206


95,404


Inventories

204,537


201,969


Income taxes recoverable

9,930


10,774


Prepaid expenses and other current assets

13,810


20,092


Total current assets

1,179,538


1,148,575


Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowances (includes balances for VIEs of $499,542 and $331,254, respectively)

619,159


631,645


Long-term restricted cash (all held by VIEs)

35,497


14,425


Property and equipment, net

171,753


151,483


Deferred income taxes

66,910


70,219


Other assets

7,777


8,953


Total assets

$

2,080,634


$

2,025,300


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



Current liabilities:



Current maturities of capital lease obligations

$

752


$

799


Accounts payable

116,469


86,797


Accrued compensation and related expenses

10,408


9,337


Accrued expenses

41,660


30,037


Income taxes payable

2,435


2,823


Deferred revenues and other credits

21,360


16,332


Total current liabilities

193,084


146,125


Deferred rent

89,294


74,559


Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (includes balances of VIEs of $1,038,418 and $699,515, respectively)

1,259,009


1,248,879


Other long-term liabilities

22,554


17,456


Total liabilities

1,563,941


1,487,019


Commitments and contingencies



Stockholders' equity:



Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding)

-


-


Common stock ($0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 30,856 and 30,630 shares issued, respectively)

309


306


Additional paid-in capital

89,106


85,209


Retained earnings

427,278


452,766


Total stockholders' equity

516,693


538,281


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

2,080,634


$

2,025,300


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


1

Table of Contents


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

2016

2015

2016

2015

Revenues:

Product sales

$

278,056


$

293,122


$

864,269


$

858,487


Repair service agreement commissions

26,354


26,038


82,849


77,590


Service revenues

3,623


3,474


11,456


9,982


Total net sales

308,033


322,634


958,574


946,059


Finance charges and other revenues

68,740


72,599


205,469


210,300


Total revenues

376,773


395,233


1,164,043


1,156,359


Costs and expenses:



Cost of goods sold

192,374


202,901


605,709


592,495


Selling, general and administrative expenses

114,457


113,668


347,550


314,175


Provision for bad debts

51,564


58,208


169,978


157,397


Charges and credits

1,987


2,540


5,408


4,172


Total costs and expenses

360,382


377,317


1,128,645


1,068,239


Operating income

16,391


17,916


35,398


88,120


Interest expense

23,470


19,702


73,504


39,185


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


1,367


-


1,367


Income (loss) before income taxes

(7,079

)

(3,153

)

(38,106

)

47,568


Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(3,264

)

(732

)

(12,618

)

17,774


Net income (loss)

$

(3,815

)

$

(2,421

)

$

(25,488

)

$

29,794


Earnings (loss) per share:



Basic

$

(0.12

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.83

)

$

0.82


Diluted

$

(0.12

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.83

)

$

0.81


Weighted average common shares outstanding:



Basic

30,816


35,704


30,737


36,175


Diluted

30,816


35,704


30,737


36,694


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


2

Table of Contents


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited and in thousands)

Nine Months Ended October 31,

2016

2015

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

(25,488

)

$

29,794


Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:



Depreciation

21,209


16,400


Impairments of long-lived assets

1,980


-


Amortization of debt issuance costs

19,164


7,048


Provision for bad debts and uncollectible interest

200,349


184,297


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


1,367


Stock-based compensation expense

3,928


2,961


Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

(1

)

(479

)

Charges, net of credits, for store and facility closures

954


637


Deferred income taxes

3,309


(12,944

)

Gain on sale of property and equipment

(259

)

(1,303

)

Tenant improvement allowances received from landlords

23,674


12,866


Change in operating assets and liabilities:



Customer accounts receivable

(131,943

)

(285,007

)

Other accounts receivable

13,281


(10,260

)

Inventories

(2,568

)

(79,085

)

Other assets

1,483


(551

)

Accounts payable

32,342


58,790


Accrued expenses

11,542


687


Income taxes

(355

)

11,612


Deferred rent, revenues and other credits

10,410


(2,124

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

183,011


(65,294

)

Cash flows from investing activities:



Purchase of property and equipment

(41,804

)

(46,667

)

Proceeds from sale of property

686


5,609


Net cash used in investing activities

(41,118

)

(41,058

)

Cash flows from financing activities:



Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes

1,067,850


1,118,000


Payments on asset-backed notes

(736,266

)

(184,349

)

Changes in restricted cash balances

(87,900

)

(97,924

)

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

529,352


277,081


Payments on revolving credit facility

(858,559

)

(805,193

)

Repurchase of senior notes

-


(22,965

)

Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees

(9,775

)

(31,871

)

Repurchase of common stock

-


(51,680

)

Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans

824


2,034


Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

1


479


Other

(609

)

(412

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(95,082

)

203,200


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

46,811


96,848


Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

12,254


12,223


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

59,065


$

109,071


Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Capital lease asset additions and related obligations

$

-


$

2,187


Property and equipment purchases not yet paid

$

1,805


$

2,391


Supplemental cash flow data:

Cash interest paid

$

53,074


$

29,200


Cash income taxes paid (refunded), net

$

(15,624

)

$

21,393


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


3

Table of Contents


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business. Conn's is a leading specialty retailer that offers a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to a proprietary credit solution for its core credit constrained consumers. We operate an integrated and scalable business through our retail stores and website. Our complementary product offerings include furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products from leading global brands across a wide range of price points. Our credit offering provides financing solutions to a large, under-served population of credit constrained consumers who typically have limited banking options.

We operate two reportable segments: retail and credit. Our retail stores bear the "Conn's" or "Conn's HomePlus" name with all of our stores providing the same products and services to a common customer group. Our stores follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations. Our retail business and credit business are operated independently from each other. The credit segment is dedicated to providing short- and medium-term financing for our retail customers. The retail segment is not involved in credit approval decisions. Our management evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating results of the retail and credit segments.

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements of Conn's, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the VIEs (as defined below), have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, we do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. The balance sheet at January 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 , filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 29, 2016 .

Variable Interest Entities. In September 2015, we securitized $1.4 billion of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2015 VIE"). The 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes at a face amount of $1.12 billion secured by the transferred portfolio balance, which resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $1.08 billion , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility, to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock and Senior Notes, and for other general corporate purposes.

In March 2016, we securitized $705.1 million of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a separate bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2016-A VIE"). The 2016-A VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $493.5 million secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $478.0 million , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2016-A VIE. In October 2016, the 2016-A VIE issued a third class of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $70.5 million also secured by the same customer accounts receivables that were transferred in March 2016. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $71.6 million , including debt premium and net of transaction costs. The net proceeds from the issued asset-backed notes were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.

In October 2016, we securitized $699.7 million of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a new bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2016-B VIE" or together with the 2015 VIE and the 2016-A VIE, the "VIEs"). The 2016-B VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $503.8 million secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $488.5 million , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2016-B VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.

We currently hold the residual equity for each of the VIEs as well as a third class of asset-backed notes of the 2016-B VIE, of which we may elect to retain all or a portion of these interests if that is determined to be in our best economic interest. In addition, we retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios. We determined that we have a variable interest in both VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary because (i) our servicing responsibilities for the securitized portfolios give us the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIEs, and (ii) our variable interest in the VIEs gives us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns that could potentially be significant. As a result, so long as we hold all or a significant portion of the residual equity of the VIEs and the third class of asset-backed notes of the 2016-B VIE, we will consolidate the VIEs within our financial statements. If we sell all or a significant portion of our interest, we will assess if the transaction


4

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



achieves sale treatment for accounting purposes, which may result in deconsolidation of any or all of the VIEs. There is no assurance that we will complete a sale of all or a portion of our interest in the VIEs, and there is no assurance we will achieve sale treatment. As a result, we have determined that the securitized portfolios do not meet the criteria for treatment as an asset held for sale, which would require recording at the lower of cost, net of allowances, or fair value. We have not made an adjustment to the customer accounts receivable balance as a result of the transaction or in anticipation of any gain or loss that may occur should a sale of our interest in the VIEs be completed.

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Conn's, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the VIEs. Conn's, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.

Accounting Policies. The complete summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 . 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance for doubtful accounts, allowances for no-interest option credit programs, and deferred interest are particularly sensitive given the size of our customer portfolio balance. During the three months ended July 31, 2016, we revised our methods for calculating these estimates and recorded the following adjustments as a result of changes to our estimates:

Allowance for doubtful accounts – We adjusted our allowances for doubtful accounts in two respects in connection with changes in estimates to our sales tax recovery for charged-off accounts. First, we revised our estimate of the amount of sales tax recovery for previously charged-off accounts that we expect to claim with particular taxing jurisdictions, based on updated financial information. We reduced our sales tax receivable by $3.9 million , which resulted in higher net charge-offs and an increase to our provision for bad debts. Second, we updated our estimate of the amount of sales tax recovery associated with expected charge-offs over the next twelve months in estimating our allowance for doubtful accounts and recorded an additional allowance of $1.1 million with an increase in our provision for bad debts.

Allowances for no-interest option credit programs – We revised our estimate of the interest income to be waived for customers that we expect will comply with our no-interest option credit programs based on specific customer loan information rather than information from pooled loans by origination. We recorded an increase in the allowance for no-interest option credit programs of $4.7 million with a corresponding decrease in interest income and fees.

Deferred interest – We revised our estimate of the timing of the benefit we recognize to interest income related to our assumptions regarding future prepayments based on our historical experience of the timing of expected prepayments over the remaining life of pooled loans. We changed our estimate to consider a greater number of pools based on origination terms and recorded an increase in deferred interest of $3.5 million with a corresponding decrease in interest income and fees.

Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the potential dilutive effects of any stock-based awards, which is calculated using the treasury-stock method. The following table sets forth the shares outstanding used for the earnings per share calculations:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

2016

2015

Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic

30,816


35,704


30,737


36,175


Dilutive effect of stock based awards

-


-


-


519


Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted

30,816


35,704


30,737


36,694


For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the weighted average number of shares from stock based awards not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect was approximately 1.2 million and 0.9 million shares, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the weighted average number of shares from stock based awards not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect was approximately 1.2 million and 0.2 million shares, respectively.


5

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Restricted Cash. The restricted cash balance as of October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 includes $131.0 million and $64.2 million , respectively, of cash we collected as servicer on the securitized receivables that was remitted to the VIEs and $ 35.5 million and $14.4 million , respectively, of cash held by the VIEs as additional collateral for the asset-backed notes.

Customer accounts receivable.  Customer accounts receivable reported in the consolidated balance sheet includes total receivables managed, including those transferred to the VIEs and those receivables not transferred to the VIEs. Customer accounts receivable are originated at the time of sale and delivery of the various products and services. Based on contractual terms, we record the amount of principal and accrued interest on customer receivables that is expected to be collected within the next twelve months in current assets with the remaining balance in long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Customer accounts receivable is presented net of unamortized deferred fees charged to customers and origination costs. Customer receivables are considered delinquent if a payment has not been received on the scheduled due date. Accounts that are delinquent more than 209 days as of the end of a month are charged-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts along with interest accrued subsequent to the last payment.

In an effort to mitigate losses on our accounts receivable, we may make loan modifications to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. In our role as servicer, we may also make modifications to loans held by the VIEs. The loan modifications are intended to maximize net cash flow after expenses and avoid the need to repossess collateral or exercise legal remedies available to us. We may extend or "re-age" a portion of our customer accounts, which involve modifying the payment terms to defer a portion of the cash payments due. Our re-aging of customer accounts does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer and typically does not reduce the monthly contractual payments. To a much lesser extent, we may provide the customer the ability to re-age their obligation by refinancing the account, which does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer but does reduce the monthly contractual payments and extends the term. We consider accounts that have been re-aged in excess of three months or refinanced as Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDR" or "Restructured Accounts"). 

Allowance for doubtful accounts. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts, including estimated uncollectible interest, to cover probable and estimable losses on our customer accounts receivable resulting from the failure of customers to make contractual payments. Our customer portfolio balance consists of a large number of relatively small, homogeneous accounts. None of our accounts are large enough to warrant individual evaluation for impairment.

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts for our non-TDR customer accounts receivable that we expect to charge-off over the next twelve months based on our historical cash collection and net loss experience. In addition to pre-charge-off cash collections and charge-off information, estimates of post-charge-off recoveries, including cash payments from customers, amounts realized from the repossession of the products financed, sales tax recoveries from taxing jurisdictions, and payments received under credit insurance policies are also considered.

We determine allowances for those accounts that are TDR based on the discounted present value of cash flows expected to be collected over the life of those accounts. The excess of the carrying amount over the discounted cash flow amount is recorded as an allowance for loss on those accounts.

Interest income on customer accounts receivable. Interest income, which includes interest income and amortization of deferred fees and origination costs, is recorded using the effective interest method and is reflected in finance charges and other revenues. Typically, interest income is recorded until the customer account is paid off or charged-off, and we provide an allowance for estimated uncollectible interest. Any contractual interest income received from customers in excess of the interest income calculated using the effective interest method is recorded as deferred revenue on our balance sheets. Our calculation of interest income for customers with similar financing arrangements for which the timing and amount of prepayments can be reasonably estimated includes an estimate of the benefit from future prepayments based on our historical experience. At October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , there were $12.5 million and $5.2 million , respectively, of deferred interest included in deferred revenues and other credits and other long-term liabilities. The deferred interest will ultimately be brought into income as the accounts pay off or charge-off.

We offer 12- and 18-month cash-option, no-interest finance programs. If the customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment or does not repay the principal in full by the end of the no-interest program period (grace periods are provided), the account does not qualify for the no-interest provision and none of the interest earned is waived. Interest income is recognized based on estimated accrued interest earned to date on all no-interest finance programs with an offsetting reserve for those customers expected to satisfy the requirements of the program based on our historical experience.

We previously offered 18- and 24-month equal-payment, no-interest finance programs to certain higher credit quality borrowers. If a customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment (grace periods are provided), the account begins accruing interest based on the contract rate from the date of the last payment made.

No-interest finance programs with terms greater than 12 months are discounted to their present value at origination, resulting in a reduction in sales and customer receivables, and the discount amount is amortized into finance charges and other revenues over the term of the contract.


6

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



We recognize interest income on TDR accounts using the interest income method, which requires reporting interest income equal to the increase in the net carrying amount of the loan attributable to the passage of time. Cash proceeds and other adjustments are applied to the net carrying amount such that it equals the present value of expected future cash flows.

We typically only place accounts in non-accrual status when legally required. Payments received on non-accrual loans will be applied to principal and reduce the amount of the loan. Interest accrual is resumed on those accounts once a legally-mandated settlement arrangement is reached or other payment arrangements are made with the customer. At October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , customer receivables carried in non-accrual status were $26.2 million and $20.6 million , respectively. At October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , customer receivables that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaled $121.6 million and $115.1 million , respectively.

Income Taxes. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we utilized the estimated annual effective tax rate in determining income tax expense rather than the actual effective tax rate (discrete method), which we used for the three months ended April 30, 2016, based on our updated estimated fiscal 2017 pre-tax income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. 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 at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized using defined hierarchical levels related to subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair value measurements as follows:  

Level 1 – Quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – Pricing inputs not quoted in active markets but either directly or indirectly observable

Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing that have little or no transparency with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of customer accounts receivables, determined using a Level 3 discounted cash flow analysis, approximates their net carrying amount. The fair value of our revolving credit facility approximates carrying value based on the current borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements. At October 31, 2016 , the fair value of our Senior Notes, which was determined using Level 1 inputs, was $189.9 million as compared to the carrying value of $227.0 million , excluding the impact of the related discount. At October 31, 2016 , the fair value of the VIE's asset-backed notes, which were determined using Level 2 inputs based on inactive trading activity, approximates their carrying value.

Reclassifications.  Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. On the consolidated balance sheets, as of January 31, 2016 , we reclassified cash held by the VIEs as additional collateral for the asset-backed notes out of current restricted cash and separately presented as long-term restricted cash. These reclassifications did not impact consolidated operating income or net income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which provides a single comprehensive accounting standard for revenue recognition for contracts with customers and supersedes current guidance. Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09, entities are required to recognize revenue using the following comprehensive model: (1) identify contracts with customers, (2) identify the performance obligations in contracts, (3) determine transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (5) recognize revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of Effective Date , which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and allows early adoption on a limited basis. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and will result in retrospective application, either in the form of recasting all prior periods presented or a cumulative adjustment to equity in the period of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will change how lessees account for leases. For most leases, a liability will be recorded on the balance sheet based on the present value of future lease obligations with a corresponding right-of-use asset. Primarily for those leases currently classified by us as operating leases, we will recognize a single lease cost on a straight line basis based on the combined amortization of the lease obligation and the right-of-use asset. Other leases will be required to be accounted for as financing arrangements similar to how we currently account for capital leases. On transition, we will recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which modifies the accounting for excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with share-based payments, the accounting for forfeitures, and the classification of certain items on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 eliminates the requirement to recognize excess


7

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



tax benefits in additional paid-in capital ("APIC"), and the requirement to evaluate tax deficiencies for APIC or income tax expense classification, and provides for these benefits or deficiencies to be recorded as an income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. With these changes, tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments will be classified as operating activities as opposed to financing, as currently presented. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses . ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management's current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 and earlier adoption is permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash . ASU 2016-18 requires that the statement of cash flows provides the change in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This will result in us no longer showing the changes in restricted cash balances as a component of cash flows from financing activities but instead include the balances of both current and long-term restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the beginning and end of the periods presented. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing when we expect to adopt the standard.

2.     Charges and Credits

Charges and credits consisted of the following:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

2016

2015

Store and facility closure costs

$

954


$

212


$

954


$

637


Impairments from disposals

595


-


1,980


-


Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation

158


999


747


2,206


Employee severance

280


-


1,493


-


Executive management transition costs

-


1,329


234


1,329


$

1,987


$

2,540


$

5,408


$

4,172


During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we had costs associated with facility closures, impairments from disposals, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, charges for severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for two stores we relocated prior to the end of their useful lives and incurred costs for terminated store projects prior to starting construction. During the nine months ended October 31, 2015 , we had costs associated with charges related to the closing of under-performing retail locations, legal and professional fees related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and our securities-related litigation, and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team.

3.     Finance Charges and Other Revenues

Finance charges and other revenues consisted of the following:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

2016

2015

Interest income and fees

$

58,404


$

58,961


$

173,527


$

171,763


Insurance commissions

9,999


13,222


30,674


37,313


Other revenues

337


416


1,268


1,224


$

68,740


$

72,599


$

205,469


$

210,300


Interest income and fees and insurance commissions are derived from the credit segment operations, whereas other revenues are derived from the retail segment operations. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we decreased interest income and fees by $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates to our allowance for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest


8

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , interest income and fees was reduced by provisions for uncollectible interest of $11.0 million and $10.0 million , respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , interest income and fees was reduced by provisions for uncollectible interest of $31.2 million and $27.4 million , respectively. For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount included in interest income and fees related to TDR accounts was $4.4 million and $3.5 million , respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount included in interest income and fees related to TDR accounts was $12.7 million and $10.0 million , respectively.

4.    Customer Accounts Receivable

Customer accounts receivable consisted of the following:

Total Outstanding Balance

Customer Accounts Receivable

60 Days Past Due (1)

Re-aged (1)

(in thousands)

October 31,
2016

January 31,
2016

October 31,
2016

January 31,
2016

October 31,
2016

January 31,
2016

Customer accounts receivable

$

1,399,769


$

1,470,205


$

129,660


$

127,400


$

111,581


$

112,221


Restructured accounts

134,446


117,651


38,984


30,323


134,446


117,651


Total customer portfolio balance

1,534,215


1,587,856


$

168,644


$

157,723


$

246,027


$

229,872


Allowance for uncollectible accounts

(204,330

)

(190,990

)

Allowances for no-interest option credit programs

(21,412

)

(21,290

)

Deferred fees and origination costs, net

(1,303

)

-


Total customer accounts receivable, net

1,307,170


1,375,576


Short-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net

(688,011

)

(743,931

)

Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net

$

619,159


$

631,645


Securitized receivables held by the VIEs

$

1,321,413


$

870,684


$

168,439


$

135,800


$

242,517


$

204,594


Receivables not held by the VIEs

212,802


717,172


205


21,923


3,510


25,278


Total customer portfolio balance

$

1,534,215


$

1,587,856


$

168,644


$

157,723


$

246,027


$

229,872


(1)

Due to the fact that an account can become past due after having been re-aged, accounts could be represented as both past due and re-aged. As of October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , the amounts included within both past due and re-aged were $66.6 million and $55.2 million , respectively. As of October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , the total customer portfolio balance past due one day or greater was $397.9 million and $387.3 million , respectively. These amounts include the 60 days past due balances shown.

The following presents the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts and uncollectible interest for customer receivables: 

Nine Months Ended October 31, 2016

Nine Months Ended October 31, 2015

(in thousands)

Customer

Accounts

Receivable

Restructured

Accounts

Total

Customer

Accounts

Receivable

Restructured

Accounts

Total

Allowance at beginning of period

$

149,226


$

41,764


$

190,990


$

118,786


$

28,196


$

146,982


Provision (1)

156,063


44,286


200,349


146,587


37,710


184,297


Principal charge-offs (2)

(132,028

)

(31,802

)

(163,830

)

(107,590

)

(22,779

)

(130,369

)

Interest charge-offs

(22,400

)

(5,405

)

(27,805

)

(19,613

)

(4,153

)

(23,766

)

Recoveries (2)

3,727


899


4,626


2,797


592


3,389


Allowance at end of period

$

154,588


$

49,742


$

204,330


$

140,967


$

39,566


$

180,533


Average total customer portfolio balance

$

1,422,473


$

126,493


$

1,548,966


$

1,325,324


$

98,993


$

1,424,317



9

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(1)

Includes provision for uncollectible interest, which is included in finance charges and other revenues.

(2)

Charge-offs include the principal amount of losses (excluding accrued and unpaid interest). Recoveries include principal collections of previously charged-off balances. Net charge-offs are calculated as the net of principal charge-offs and recoveries. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we increased provision for bad debts by $5.0 million as a result of changes in estimates as it relates to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

5.     Accrual for Property Closures

We have closed or relocated certain store and facility locations that had noncancelable lease agreements, resulting in the accrual of the present value of the remaining lease payments and estimated related occupancy obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Adjustments to these projections for changes in estimated marketing times and sublease rates, as well as other revisions, are made to the obligation as further information related to the actual terms and costs become available.

The following table presents detail of the activity in the accrual for property closures:

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Balance at beginning of period

$

1,866


$

2,556


Accrual for additional closures

954


318


Adjustments

(74

)

(21

)

Cash payments, net of sublease income

(767

)

(876

)

Balance at end of period

1,979


1,977


Current portion, included in accrued expenses

(923

)

(473

)

Long-term portion, included in other long-term liabilities

$

1,056


$

1,504


6.     Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

October 31,
2016

January 31,
2016

Revolving credit facility

$

-


$

329,207


Senior Notes

227,000


227,000


2015 VIE Asset-backed Class A notes

92,744


551,383


2015 VIE Asset-backed Class B notes

165,900


165,900


2016-A VIE Asset-backed Class A notes

145,404


-


2016-A VIE Asset-backed Class B notes

70,510


-


2016-A VIE Asset-backed Class C notes

70,510


-


2016-B VIE Asset-backed Class A notes

391,840


-


2016-B VIE Asset-backed Class B notes

111,960


-


Capital lease obligations

1,878


2,488


Total debt and capital lease obligations

1,277,746


1,275,978


Less:

Unamortized net discounts and debt issuance costs

(17,985

)

(26,300

)

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

(752

)

(799

)

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

$

1,259,009


$

1,248,879


Senior Notes. On July 1, 2014, we issued $250.0 million of unsecured Senior Notes due July 2022 bearing interest at 7.250% , pursuant to an indenture dated July 1, 2014 (the "Indenture") among Conn's, Inc., its subsidiary guarantors (the "Guarantors") and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. During the year ended January 31, 2016, we repurchased $23.0 million of face value of the Senior Notes for $22.9 million . The effective interest rate of the Senior Notes after giving effect to offering fees and debt discount is 7.8% .


10

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The Indenture, as amended, restricts the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' ability to: (i) incur indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock ("restricted payments"); (iii) prepay, redeem or repurchase debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes; (iv) make loans and certain investments; (v) sell assets; (vi) incur liens; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. Specifically, limitations for restricted payments are triggered only if one or more of the following occurred: (1) a default were to exist under the indenture, (2) if we could not satisfy a debt incurrence test, and (3) if the aggregate amount of restricted payments would exceed an amount tied to the consolidated net income. These limitations, however, are subject to two exceptions: (1) an exception that permits the payment of up to $375.0 million in restricted payments, and (2) an exception that permits restricted payments regardless of dollar amount so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the dividends and other restricted payments, we would have a leverage ratio, as defined under the Indenture, less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 . Thus, as of October 31, 2016 , $176.0 million would have been free from the dividend restriction. However, as a result of the revolving credit facility dividend restrictions, which are further described below, no amount was available for dividends. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated investment grade by either of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and no default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and we will cease to be subject to such covenants during such period.

Events of default under the Indenture include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default in the payment of other debt due at maturity or upon acceleration for default in an amount exceeding $25.0 million , as well as in the event a judgment is entered against us in excess of $25.0 million that is not discharged, bonded or insured.

Asset-backed Notes. In September 2015, the 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $952.1 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.565% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class A Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 6.9% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $165.9 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.500% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class B Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 12.6% .

The 2015-A asset-backed notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2015-A asset-backed notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2015 VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.

In March 2016, the 2016-A VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes and, in October 2016, issued a third class of asset-backed notes. All three classes of asset-backed notes are secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2016-A VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $423.0 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.68% and mature on April 16, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class A Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 6.8% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $70.5 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.96% and mature on August 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class B Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 9.7% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class C, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class C Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $70.5 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 12.00% and mature on August 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class C Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 11.1% .

The 2016-A asset-backed notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2016-A asset-backed notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2016-A VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.

In October 2016, the 2016-B VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2016-B VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:


11

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2016-B ("2016-B Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $391.8 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.73% and mature on October 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-B Class A Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 5.9% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2016-B ("2016-B Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $112.0 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 7.34% and mature on March 15, 2019. The effective interest rate of the 2016-B Class B Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 8.1% .

The 2016-B Class A Notes and 2016-B Class B Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of a third class of asset-backed notes issued by the 2016-B VIE ("2016-B Class C Notes") and the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2016-B Class A Notes and 2016-B Class B Notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2016-B VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.

Revolving Credit Facility. On October 30, 2015, Conn's, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Borrowers") entered into the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with a syndicate of banks that provides for an $810.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") under which availability is subject to a borrowing base. The revolving credit facility matures on October 30, 2018.

On February 16, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a first amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:

Excluding non-cash deferred amortization of debt related transaction costs from interest coverage ratio; and

Extending from 6 months to 18 months the time frame subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent covenant will be determined.

On May 18, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a second amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:

Amending the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, so long as the borrowing base reduction discussed below is in effect, to:

Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.0 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 through the first quarter of fiscal 2018; and

Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.25 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Modifying the conditions for repurchases of the Company's common stock, including the addition of a requirement to achieve a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.5 x for two consecutive quarters; and

Reducing the borrowing base by $15.0 million beginning on May 31, 2016, reducing the borrowing base by $10.0 million for any month beginning with July 31, 2017 so long as the interest coverage ratio is at least 1.25 x, and no borrowing base reduction at any time the interest coverage ratio is at least 2.0 x for two consecutive quarters.

As of October 31, 2016 , loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). Pursuant to the second amendment, the margins increased by 25 basis points subsequent to October 31, 2016 . The alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., the federal funds rate plus 0.5% , or LIBOR for a 30-day interest period plus 1.0% . The effective interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility after giving effect to offering fees is 4.6% . We also pay an unused fee on the portion of the commitments that are available for future borrowings or letters of credit at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, depending on the outstanding balance and letters of credit of the revolving credit facility.

The revolving credit facility provides funding based on a borrowing base calculation that includes customer accounts receivable and inventory, and provides for a $40.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit to support obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The obligations under the revolving credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of the Company, excluding the assets of the VIEs. As of October 31, 2016 , we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $146.0 million under our revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $5.3 million . We also had $658.7 million that may become available under our revolving credit facility if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and our total eligible inventory balances.


12

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The revolving credit facility places restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens on assets, make distributions on equity interests, dispose of assets, make loans, pay other indebtedness, engage in mergers, and other matters. The revolving credit facility restricts our ability to make dividends and distributions unless no event of default exists and a liquidity test is satisfied. Subsidiaries of the Company may make dividends and distributions to the Company and other obligors under the revolving credit facility without restriction. As of October 31, 2016 , under the revolving credit facility, as amended, no amount was available for dividends. The revolving credit facility contains customary default provisions, which, if triggered, could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Debt covenants. We were in compliance with our debt covenants, as amended, at October 31, 2016 . A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our revolving credit facility, as amended, compared to our actual compliance status at October 31, 2016 is presented below: 

Actual

Required

Minimum/

Maximum

Interest Coverage Ratio must equal or exceed minimum

1.03:1.00

1.00:1.00

Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum

2.59:1.00

4.00:1.00

ABS Excluded Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum

0.88:1.00

2.00:1.00

Cash Recovery Percent must exceed stated amount

4.76%

4.50%

Capital Expenditures, net, must not exceed maximum

$25.2 million

$75.0 million

All capitalized terms in the above table are defined by the revolving credit facility, as amended, and may or may not agree directly with the financial statement captions in this document. Compliance with the covenants is calculated quarterly, except for the Cash Recovery Percent, which is calculated monthly on a trailing three-month basis, and Capital Expenditures, which is calculated for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The revolving credit facility provides for 18 months subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent will be determined based on the portfolio of contracts subject to the (i) securitization facilities; and (ii) a lien under the revolving credit facility.

7.     Contingencies

Securities Class Action Litigation. We and one of our current and one of our former executive officers are defendants in a consolidated securities class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the "Court"), In re Conn's Inc. Securities Litigation, Cause No. 14-CV-00548 (the "Consolidated Securities Action"). The Consolidated Securities Action started as three separate purported securities class action lawsuits filed between March 5, 2014 and May 5, 2014, which were combined into the Consolidated Securities Action on June 3, 2014. The plaintiffs in the Consolidated Securities Action allege that the defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material adverse facts about our business, operations, and prospects. They allege violations of sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seek to certify a class of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Conn's common stock and/or call options, or sold/wrote Conn's put options between April 3, 2013 and December 9, 2014. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought.

On June 30, 2015, the Court held a hearing on the defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiffs' complaint. At the hearing, the Court dismissed Brian Taylor, a former executive officer, and certain other aspects of the complaint. The Court ordered the plaintiffs to further amend their complaint in accordance with its ruling, and the plaintiffs filed their Fourth Consolidated Amended Complaint on July 21, 2015. The remaining defendants filed a motion to dismiss on August 28, 2015. The briefing on the defendants' motion to dismiss was fully briefed and the Court held a hearing on defendants' motion over the course of two days, on March 25 and 29, 2016. On May 6, 2016, the Court granted in part and denied in part defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiffs' complaint. Thereafter, the defendants filed a motion requesting the Court's decision be certified for interlocutory appeal to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which the Court denied on June 13, 2016. On June 24, 2016, the defendant's filed their answer to the Consolidated Securities Action, denying liability and raising numerous affirmative defenses to the claims asserted against them. 

The parties have negotiated a scheduling order, which was entered by the Court on September 13, 2016, and discovery is proceeding. The plaintiffs filed their motion for certification on November 10, 2016. The defendants are scheduled to file their opposition motion on January 6, 2017.

The defendants intend to vigorously defend against all of these claims. It is not possible at this time to predict the timing or outcome of any of this litigation, and we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss from these claims.

Derivative Litigation. On December 1, 2014, an alleged shareholder, purportedly on behalf of the Company, filed a derivative shareholder lawsuit against us and certain of our current and former directors and executive officers in the Court, captioned as Robert Hack, derivatively on behalf of Conn's, Inc., v. Theodore M. Wright (former executive officer and former director), Bob


13

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



L. Martin, Jon E.M. Jacoby (former director), Kelly M. Malson, Douglas H. Martin, David Schofman, Scott L. Thompson (former director), Brian Taylor (former executive officer) and Michael J. Poppe and Conn's, Inc., Case No. 4:14-cv-03442 (the "Original Derivative Action"). The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, gross mismanagement, and insider trading based on substantially similar factual allegations as those asserted in the Consolidated Securities Action. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages against these persons and does not request any damages from us. Setting forth substantially similar claims against the same defendants, on February 25, 2015, an additional federal derivative action, captioned 95250 Canada LTEE, derivatively on Behalf of Conn's, Inc. v. Wright et al., Cause No. 4:15-cv-00521, was filed in the Court, which has been consolidated with the Original Derivative Action.

The Court previously approved a stipulation among the parties to stay the action pending resolution of the motion to dismiss in the Consolidated Securities Action. The parties are currently discussing next steps in the litigation process.

Another derivative action was filed on January 27, 2015, captioned as Richard A. Dohn v. Wright, et al., Cause No. 2015-04405, filed in the 281 st Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas. This action makes substantially similar allegations to the Original Derivative Action against the same defendants. On July 28, 2016, the court entered an order extending the stay for an additional 90 days (until October 26, 2016). On May 19, 2016, an alleged shareholder, purportedly on behalf of the Company, filed a lawsuit against us and certain of our current and former directors and executive officers in the 55 th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas, captioned as Robert J. Casey II, derivatively on behalf of Conn's, Inc., v. Theodore M. Wright (former executive officer and former director), Michael J. Poppe, Brian Taylor (former executive officer), Bob L. Martin, Jon E.M. Jacoby (former director), Kelly M. Malson, Douglas H. Martin, David Schofman, Scott L. Thompson (former director) and William E. Saunders Jr., and Conn's, Inc., Cause No. 2016-33135. The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment based on substantially similar factual allegations as those asserted in the Original Derivative Action. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought.

None of the plaintiffs in any of the derivative actions made a demand on our Board of Directors prior to filing their respective lawsuits. The defendants in the derivative actions intend to vigorously defend against these claims. We cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss from these claims.

Regulatory Matters. We are continuing to cooperate with the SEC's investigation, which began on or around November 2014, which generally relates to our underwriting policies and bad debt provisions.  The investigation is a non-public, fact-finding inquiry, and the SEC has stated that the investigation does not mean that any violations of law have occurred.

In addition, we are involved in other routine litigation and claims incidental to our business from time to time which, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As required, we accrue estimates of the probable costs for the resolution of these matters. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. However, the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and changes in facts and circumstances could impact our estimate of reserves for litigation.

8.     Variable Interest Entities

The VIEs have issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the VIEs. Under the terms of the securitization transactions, the customer receivable principal and interest payment cash flows will go first to the servicer and the holders of issued notes, and then to us as the holder of the 2016-B Class C Notes and residual equities. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios and are receiving a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, will retain all credit insurance income together with certain recoveries related to credit insurance and repair service agreements on charge-offs of the securitized receivables, which will continue to be reflected as a reduction of net charge-offs on a consolidated basis for as long as we consolidate the VIEs.


14

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



The following presents the assets and liabilities held by the VIEs and that are included in our consolidated balance sheet (for legal purposes, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs will remain distinct from Conn's, Inc.): 

(in thousands)

October 31,
2016

January 31,
2016

Assets:

Restricted cash

$

166,476


$

78,576


Due from Conn's, Inc.

3,076


3,405


Customer accounts receivable:

Customer accounts receivable

1,190,422


763,278


Restructured accounts

130,991


107,406


Allowance for uncollectible accounts

(180,652

)

(136,325

)

Allowances for no-interest option credit programs

(20,521

)

(12,955

)

Total customer accounts receivable, net

1,120,240


721,404


Total assets

$

1,289,792


$

803,385


Liabilities:

Accrued interest

$

3,185


$

1,636


Due to Conn's, Inc.

1,674


-


Deferred interest income

10,472


3,042


Long-term debt:

2015-A Class A Notes

92,744


551,383


2015-A Class B Notes

165,900


165,900


2016-A Class A Notes

145,404


-


2016-A Class B Notes

70,510


-


2016-A Class C Notes

70,510


-


2016-B Class A Notes

391,840


-


2016-B Class B Notes

111,960


-


1,048,868


717,283


Less unamortized net discounts and debt issuance costs

(10,450

)

(17,768

)

Total long-term debt

1,038,418


699,515


Total liabilities

$

1,053,749


$

704,193


The assets of the VIEs serve as collateral for the obligations of the VIEs. The holders of the asset-backed notes have no recourse to assets outside of the VIEs.


15

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



9. Segment Reporting

Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables: 

Three Months Ended October 31, 2016

Three Months Ended October 31, 2015

(in thousands)

Retail

Credit

Total

Retail

Credit

Total

Revenues:

Furniture and mattress

$

98,898


$

-


$

98,898


$

105,735


$

-


$

105,735


Home appliance

85,785


-


85,785


86,434


-


86,434


Consumer electronic

65,670


-


65,670


70,263


-


70,263


Home office

22,747


-


22,747


26,108


-


26,108


Other

4,956


-


4,956


4,582


-


4,582


Product sales

278,056


-


278,056


293,122


-


293,122


Repair service agreement commissions

26,354


-


26,354


26,038


-


26,038


Service revenues

3,623


-


3,623


3,474


-


3,474


Total net sales

308,033


-


308,033


322,634


-


322,634


Finance charges and other revenues

337


68,403


68,740


416


72,183


72,599


Total revenues

308,370


68,403


376,773


323,050


72,183


395,233


Costs and expenses:







Cost of goods sold

192,374


-


192,374


202,901


-


202,901


Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)

79,777


34,680


114,457


81,484


32,184


113,668


Provision for bad debts

286


51,278


51,564


120


58,088


58,208


Charges and credits

1,987


-


1,987


2,540


-


2,540


Total costs and expense

274,424


85,958


360,382


287,045


90,272


377,317


Operating income (loss)

33,946


(17,555

)

16,391


36,005


(18,089

)

17,916


Interest expense

-


23,470


23,470


-


19,702


19,702


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


-


-


-


1,367


1,367


Income (loss) before income taxes

$

33,946


$

(41,025

)

$

(7,079

)

$

36,005


$

(39,158

)

$

(3,153

)


16

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Nine Months Ended October 31, 2016

Nine Months Ended October 31, 2015

(in thousands)

Retail

Credit

Total

Retail

Credit

Total

Revenues:

Furniture and mattress

$

309,766


$

-


$

309,766


$

294,119


$

-


$

294,119


Home appliance

275,048


-


275,048


267,796


-


267,796


Consumer electronic

197,270


-


197,270


211,375


-


211,375


Home office

66,921


-


66,921


71,033


-


71,033


Other

15,264


-


15,264


14,164


-


14,164


Product sales

864,269


-


864,269


858,487


-


858,487


Repair service agreement commissions

82,849


-


82,849


77,590


-


77,590


Service revenues

11,456


-


11,456


9,982


-


9,982


Total net sales

958,574


-


958,574


946,059


-


946,059


Finance charges and other revenues

1,268


204,201


205,469


1,224


209,076


210,300


Total revenues

959,842


204,201


1,164,043


947,283


209,076


1,156,359


Costs and expenses:







Cost of goods sold

605,709


-


605,709


592,495


-


592,495


Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)

244,598


102,952


347,550


226,394


87,781


314,175


Provision for bad debts

811


169,167


169,978


513


156,884


157,397


Charges and credits

5,408


-


5,408


4,172


-


4,172


Total costs and expense

856,526


272,119


1,128,645


823,574


244,665


1,068,239


Operating income (loss)

103,316


(67,918

)

35,398


123,709


(35,589

)

88,120


Interest expense

-


73,504


73,504


-


39,185


39,185


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


-


-


-


1,367


1,367


Income (loss) before income taxes

$

103,316


$

(141,422

)

$

(38,106

)

$

123,709


$

(76,141

)

$

47,568


(1)

Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated overhead expenses and a charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses it incurs related to occupancy, personnel, advertising and other direct costs of the retail segment that benefit the credit operations by sourcing credit customers and collecting payments. The reimbursement received by the retail segment from the credit segment is estimated using an annual rate of 2.5% times the average portfolio balance for each applicable period. For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $6.7 million and $3.7 million , respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $18.9 million and $10.6 million , respectively. For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $9.6 million and $9.3 million , respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $29.0 million and $26.7 million , respectively.


17

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



10.

Guarantor Financial Information

Conn's, Inc. is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. The Senior Notes, which were issued by Conn's, Inc., are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors. The direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conn's, Inc. that are not Guarantors are the VIE and minor subsidiaries. Prior to transferring the securitized customer receivables to the 2015 VIE in September 2015, the only direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conn's, Inc. that were not Guarantors were minor subsidiaries. There are no restrictions under the Indenture on the ability of any of the Guarantors to transfer funds to Conn's, Inc. in the form of loans, advances or dividends, except as provided by applicable law. The following financial information presents the condensed consolidated balance sheet, statement of operations, and statement of cash flows for Conn's, Inc. (the issuer of the Senior Notes), the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Non-guarantor Subsidiaries, together with certain eliminations.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2016 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

-


$

59,065


$

-


$

-


$

59,065


Restricted cash

-


-


130,979


-


130,979


Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

-


67,313


620,698


-


688,011


Other accounts receivable

-


73,206


-


-


73,206


Inventories

-


204,537


-


-


204,537


Other current assets

9,930


13,810


3,076


(3,076

)

23,740


Total current assets

9,930


417,931


754,753


(3,076

)

1,179,538


Investment in and advances to subsidiaries

664,118


234,641


-


(898,759

)

-


Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

-


119,617


499,542


-


619,159


Long-term restricted cash

-


-


35,497


-


35,497


Property and equipment, net

-


171,753


-


-


171,753


Deferred income taxes

66,910


-


-


-


66,910


Other assets

-


7,777


-


-


7,777


Total assets

$

740,958


$

951,719


$

1,289,792


$

(901,835

)

$

2,080,634


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

$

-


$

752


$

-


$

-


$

752


Accounts payable

-


116,469


-


-


116,469


Accrued expenses

4,800


44,083


4,859


(1,674

)

52,068


Other current liabilities

-


18,131


5,664


-


23,795


Total current liabilities

4,800


179,435


10,523


(1,674

)

193,084


Deferred rent

-


89,294


-


-


89,294


Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

219,465


1,126


1,038,418


-


1,259,009


Other long-term liabilities

-


17,746


4,808


-


22,554


Total liabilities

224,265


287,601


1,053,749


(1,674

)

1,563,941


Total stockholders' equity

516,693


664,118


236,043


(900,161

)

516,693


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

740,958


$

951,719


$

1,289,792


$

(901,835

)

$

2,080,634



18

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2016 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

-


$

12,254


$

-


$

-


$

12,254


Restricted cash

-


-


64,151


-


64,151


Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

-


353,781


390,150


-


743,931


Other accounts receivable

-


95,404


-


-


95,404


Inventories

-


201,969


-


-


201,969


Other current assets

10,774


20,092


3,405


(3,405

)

30,866


Total current assets

10,774


683,500


457,706


(3,405

)

1,148,575


Investment in and advances to subsidiaries

676,492


95,787


-


(772,279

)

-


Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

-


300,391


331,254


-


631,645


Long-term restricted cash

-


-


14,425


-


14,425


Property and equipment, net

-


151,483


-


-


151,483


Deferred income taxes

70,219


-


-


-


70,219


Other assets

-


8,953


-


-


8,953


Total assets

$

757,485


$

1,240,114


$

803,385


$

(775,684

)

$

2,025,300


Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

$

-


$

799


$

-


$

-


$

799


Accounts payable

-


86,797


-


-


86,797


Accrued expenses

736


37,002


1,636


-


39,374


Other current liabilities

-


17,510


1,645


-


19,155


Total current liabilities

736


142,108


3,281


-


146,125


Deferred rent

-


74,559


-


-


74,559


Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

218,468


330,896


699,515


-


1,248,879


Other long-term liabilities

-


16,059


1,397


-


17,456


Total liabilities

219,204


563,622


704,193


-


1,487,019


Total stockholders' equity

538,281


676,492


99,192


(775,684

)

538,281


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

757,485


$

1,240,114


$

803,385


$

(775,684

)

$

2,025,300



19

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended October 31, 2016 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

Total net sales

$

-


$

308,033


$

-


$

-


$

308,033


Finance charges and other revenues

-


22,326


46,414


-


68,740


Servicing fee revenue

-


15,073


-


(15,073

)

-


Total revenues

-


345,432


46,414


(15,073

)

376,773


Costs and expenses:






Cost of goods sold

-


192,374


-


-


192,374


Selling, general and administrative expenses

-


114,457


15,073


(15,073

)

114,457


Provision for bad debts

-


31,672


19,892


-


51,564


Charges and credits

-


1,987


-


-


1,987


Total costs and expenses

-


340,490


34,965


(15,073

)

360,382


Operating income

-


4,942


11,449


-


16,391


Loss (income) from consolidated subsidiaries

924


2,404


-


(3,328

)

-


Interest expense

4,447


3,876


15,147


-


23,470


Income (loss) before income taxes

(5,371

)

(1,338

)

(3,698

)

3,328


(7,079

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(1,556

)

(414

)

(1,294

)

-


(3,264

)

Net income (loss)

$

(3,815

)

$

(924

)

$

(2,404

)

$

3,328


$

(3,815

)

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended October 31, 2015 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

Total net sales

$

-


$

322,634


$

-


$

-


$

322,634


Finance charges and other revenues

-


23,274


49,325


-


72,599


Servicing fee revenue

-


15,929


-


(15,929

)

-


Total revenues

-


361,837


49,325


(15,929

)

395,233


Costs and expenses:






Cost of goods sold

-


202,901


-


-


202,901


Selling, general and administrative expenses

-


113,668


15,929


(15,929

)

113,668


Provision for bad debts

-


27,047


31,161


-


58,208


Charges and credits

-


2,540


-


-


2,540


Total costs and expenses

-


346,156


47,090


(15,929

)

377,317


Operating income

-


15,681


2,235


-


17,916


Loss (income) from consolidated subsidiaries

(921

)

6,349


-


(5,428

)

-


Interest expense

4,658


3,041


12,003


-


19,702


Loss on extinguishment of debt

483


884


-


-


1,367


Income (loss) before income taxes

(4,220

)

5,407


(9,768

)

5,428


(3,153

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(1,799

)

4,486


(3,419

)

-


(732

)

Net income (loss)

$

(2,421

)

$

921


$

(6,349

)

$

5,428


$

(2,421

)


20

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

Total net sales

$

-


$

958,574


$

-


$

-


$

958,574


Finance charges and other revenues

-


85,560


119,909


-


205,469


Servicing fee revenue

-


45,384


-


(45,384

)

-


Total revenues

-


1,089,518


119,909


(45,384

)

1,164,043


Costs and expenses:






Cost of goods sold

-


605,709


-


-


605,709


Selling, general and administrative expenses

-


347,550


45,384


(45,384

)

347,550


Provision for bad debts

-


88,084


81,894


-


169,978


Charges and credits

-


5,408


-


-


5,408


Total costs and expenses

-


1,046,751


127,278


(45,384

)

1,128,645


Operating income

-


42,767


(7,369

)

-


35,398


Loss (income) from consolidated subsidiaries

16,849


37,107


-


(53,956

)

-


Interest expense

13,290


10,496


49,718


-


73,504


Income (loss) before income taxes

(30,139

)

(4,836

)

(57,087

)

53,956


(38,106

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(4,651

)

12,013


(19,980

)

-


(12,618

)

Net income (loss)

$

(25,488

)

$

(16,849

)

$

(37,107

)

$

53,956


$

(25,488

)

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

Total net sales

$

-


$

946,059


$

-


$

-


$

946,059


Finance charges and other revenues

-


160,975


49,325


-


210,300


Servicing fee revenue

-


15,929


-


(15,929

)

-


Total revenues

-


1,122,963


49,325


(15,929

)

1,156,359


Costs and expenses:






Cost of goods sold

-


592,495


-


-


592,495


Selling, general and administrative expenses

-


314,175


15,929


(15,929

)

314,175


Provision for bad debts

-


126,236


31,161


-


157,397


Charges and credits

-


4,172


-


-


4,172


Total costs and expenses

-


1,037,078


47,090


(15,929

)

1,068,239


Operating income

-


85,885


2,235


-


88,120


Loss (income) from consolidated subsidiaries

(39,298

)

6,349


-


32,949


-


Interest expense

14,139


13,043


12,003


-


39,185


Loss on extinguishment of debt

483


884


-


-


1,367


Income (loss) before income taxes

24,676


65,609


(9,768

)

(32,949

)

47,568


Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(5,118

)

26,311


(3,419

)

-


17,774


Net income (loss)

$

29,794


$

39,298


$

(6,349

)

$

(32,949

)

$

29,794





21

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

(13,544

)

$

(606,570

)

$

803,125


$

-


$

183,011


Cash flows from investing activities:






Purchase of customer accounts receivables

-


-


(1,038,226

)

1,038,226


-


Sale of customer accounts receivables

-


1,038,226


-


(1,038,226

)

-


Purchase of property and equipment

-


(41,804

)

-


-


(41,804

)

Proceeds from sales of property

-


686


-


-


686


Net change in intercompany

12,719






(12,719

)

-


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

12,719


997,108


(1,038,226

)

(12,719

)

(41,118

)

Cash flows from financing activities:






Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes

-


-


1,067,850


-


1,067,850


Payments on asset-backed notes

-


-


(736,266

)

-


(736,266

)

Changes in restricted cash balances

-


-


(87,900

)

-


(87,900

)

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

-


529,352


-


-


529,352


Payments on revolving credit facility

-


(858,559

)

-


-


(858,559

)

Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees

-


(1,192

)

(8,583

)

-


(9,775

)

Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans

824


-


-


-


824


Net change in intercompany

-


(12,719

)



12,719


-


Other

1


(609

)

-


-


(608

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

825


(343,727

)

235,101


12,719


(95,082

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

-


46,811


-


-


46,811


Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

-


12,254


-


-


12,254


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

-


$

59,065


$

-


$

-


$

59,065



22

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 .

(in thousands)

Conn's, Inc.

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Non-guarantor Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

33,226


$

(366,367

)

$

267,847


$

-


$

(65,294

)

Cash flows from investing activities:






Purchase of customer accounts receivables

-


-


(1,076,106

)

1,076,106


-


Sale of customer accounts receivables

-


1,076,106


-


(1,076,106

)

-


Purchase of property and equipment

-


(46,667

)

-


-


(46,667

)

Proceeds from sales of property

-


5,609


-


-


5,609


Net change in intercompany

78,204


-


-


(78,204

)

-


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

78,204


1,035,048


(1,076,106

)

(78,204

)

(41,058

)

Cash flows from financing activities:






Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes

-


-


1,118,000


-


1,118,000


Payments on asset-backed notes

-


-


(184,349

)

-


(184,349

)

Changes in restricted cash balances

-


-


(97,924

)

-


(97,924

)

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

-


277,081


-


-


277,081


Payments on revolving credit facility

-


(805,193

)

-


-


(805,193

)

Repurchase of senior notes

(22,965

)

-


-


-


(22,965

)

Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees

-


(4,403

)

(27,468

)

-


(31,871

)

Repurchase of common stock

(51,680

)

-


-


-


(51,680

)

Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans

2,034


-


-


-


2,034


Net change in intercompany

-


(78,204

)

-


78,204


-


Other

479


(412

)

-


-


67


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(72,132

)

(611,131

)

808,259


78,204


203,200


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

39,298


57,550


-


-


96,848


Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

-


12,223


-


-


12,223


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

39,298


$

69,773


$

-


$

-


$

109,071




23

Table of Contents


ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. We can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct, and actual results may differ materially. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: general economic conditions impacting our customers or potential customers; our ability to execute periodic securitizations of future originated customer loans including the sale of any remaining residual equity on favorable terms; our ability to continue existing customer financing programs or to offer new customer financing programs; changes in the delinquency status of our credit portfolio; unfavorable developments in ongoing litigation; increased regulatory oversight; higher than anticipated net charge-offs in the credit portfolio; the success of our planned opening of new stores; technological and market developments and sales trends for our major product offerings; our ability to protect against cyber-attacks or data security breaches and to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees; our ability to fund its operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from our revolving credit facility, and proceeds from accessing debt or equity markets; the ability to continue the repurchase program; and other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and other reports filed with the SEC. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

The Company makes available in the investor relations section of its website at ir.conns.com updated monthly reports to the holders of its asset-backed notes. This information reflects the performance of the securitized portfolio only, in contrast to the financial statements contained herein, which reflect the performance of all of the Company's outstanding receivables, including those originated subsequent to those included in the securitized portfolio. The website and the information contained on our website is not incorporated in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or any other document filed with the SEC.

Overview

We encourage you to read this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.

Executive Summary

Total revenues decreased to $376.8 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016 , compared to $395.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2015 . The decrease in retail revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in same store sales of 10.1% , partially offset by new store growth. Slower sales growth was impacted by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and during fiscal 2017. The decrease in credit revenue was primarily the result of lower credit insurance commissions due to higher claim volumes in Louisiana after the floods and lower average rates in new states, as well as the yield rate of 15.0% , 80 basis points lower than a year ago, partially offset by growth in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio of 3.9% .

Retail gross margin for the three months ended October 31, 2016 was 37.5% , an increase of 40 basis points versus the 37.1% reported in the comparable quarter last year. The increase in retail gross margin was driven by improved product margin and an increase in repair service agreement commissions, partially offset by the impact softer sales have on our fixed warehouse and delivery costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the three months ended October 31, 2016 was $114.5 million , an increase of $0.8 million , or 0.7% , over the same prior year period. The SG&A decrease in the retail segment was primarily due to lower compensation and advertising costs, partially offset by higher new store occupancy costs and an increase in the overhead allocation. SG&A for the credit segment increased due to the increase in the overhead allocation and charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses, partially offset by lower compensation costs. The increase in the overhead allocation made to each of the segments was driven by investments we are making in IT and other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives.


24

Table of Contents


Provision for bad debts for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was $51.6 million , a decrease of $6.6 million from the same prior-year period. This decrease was primarily a result of smaller growth in the allowance for bad debt due to slower portfolio growth and underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and during fiscal 2017, partially offset by higher net-charge offs.

Interest expense increased to $23.5 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016 , compared to $19.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2015 , reflecting the increase in outstanding debt due to the asset-backed notes issued by our consolidated VIEs.

Net loss for the three months ended October 31, 2016 was $3.8 million , or $0.12 loss per diluted share, which included the net pre-tax charges of $2.0 million , or $0.04 per diluted share, primarily from facility closures, impairments from disposals, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, and charges for severance. This compares to net loss for the three months ended October 31, 2015 of $2.4 million , or $0.07 earnings per diluted share, which included net pre-tax charges of $2.5 million , or $0.06 per diluted share, primarily related to legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation, executive management transition costs, and loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.4 million , or $0.03 per diluted share on an after-tax basis.

Company Initiatives

We believe we are positioning ourselves to execute long-term growth strategies and reduce risk while enhancing shareholder value. As a result, we expect fiscal 2017 to be a transitional year as we work on improving the performance of our credit operation while moderating our retail growth plan. Our initiatives include:

Completing implementation of an updated underwriting strategy and continuing to review and modify our underwriting analysis and standards to improve the overall quality of our credit portfolio by quickly adapting to changes in consumer behavior, the regulatory environment, and portfolio performance;

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we implemented our new direct consumer loan program, at a higher interest rate of up to 30%, across all Texas locations and are targeting the implementation of similar programs in other states with similar regulatory frameworks by the end of fiscal 2018;

In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we recently increased our rates to 29.99% .

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we made changes to our no-interest programs to improve returns on capital and increase the yield on our portfolio, including reducing the availability of cash-option, no-interest programs to higher risk customers and moving origination of long-term equal-payment, no-interest programs to a third-party;

Focusing on further improvement of execution within our collection operations to reduce delinquency rates and future charge-offs;

Focusing on quality, branded products to improve operating performance;

Reducing warehouse and delivery costs;

Optimizing our product offering; and

During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we opened ten new stores in Alabama (1), Louisiana (2), Mississippi (1), Nevada (1), North Carolina (2), South Carolina (1) and Tennessee (2), with no additional openings planned for the remainder of the year.

Outlook

The broad appeal of the Conn's store to our geographically diverse core demographic provides long-term opportunity to expand towards a national retail platform. There are many markets in the United States with similar demographic characteristics to our current customer base. We plan to continue to improve our operating results by optimizing the efficiency of our marketing, merchandising, sourcing, distribution, and credit operations. Expanding our store base over the long-term allows us to increase our purchase volumes, achieve distribution efficiencies, further leverage our existing corporate and regional infrastructure and strengthen our relationships with our key vendors.


25

Table of Contents


Results of Operations 

The following tables present certain financial and other information, on a consolidated and segment basis: 

Consolidated:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

2016

2015

Change

Revenues:

Total net sales

$

308,033


$

322,634


$

(14,601

)

$

958,574


$

946,059


$

12,515


Finance charges and other revenues

68,740


72,599


(3,859

)

205,469


210,300


(4,831

)

Total revenues

376,773


395,233


(18,460

)

1,164,043


1,156,359


7,684


Costs and expenses:





Cost of goods sold

192,374


202,901


(10,527

)

605,709


592,495


13,214


Selling, general and administrative expenses

114,457


113,668


789


347,550


314,175


33,375


Provision for bad debts

51,564


58,208


(6,644

)

169,978


157,397


12,581


Charges and credits

1,987


2,540


(553

)

5,408


4,172


1,236


Total costs and expenses

360,382


377,317


(16,935

)

1,128,645


1,068,239


60,406


Operating income

16,391


17,916


(1,525

)

35,398


88,120


(52,722

)

Interest expense

23,470


19,702


3,768


73,504


39,185


34,319


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


1,367


(1,367

)

-


1,367


(1,367

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

(7,079

)

(3,153

)

(3,926

)

(38,106

)

47,568


(85,674

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(3,264

)

(732

)

(2,532

)

(12,618

)

17,774


(30,392

)

Net income (loss)

$

(3,815

)

$

(2,421

)

$

(1,394

)

$

(25,488

)

$

29,794


$

(55,282

)

Retail Segment:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

2016

2015

Change

Revenues:












Product sales

$

278,056


$

293,122


$

(15,066

)

$

864,269


$

858,487


$

5,782


Repair service agreement commissions

26,354


26,038


316


82,849


77,590


5,259


Service revenues

3,623


3,474


149


11,456


9,982


1,474


Total net sales

308,033


322,634


(14,601

)

958,574


946,059


12,515


Other revenues

337


416


(79

)

1,268


1,224


44


Total revenues

308,370


323,050


(14,680

)

959,842


947,283


12,559


Costs and expenses:





Cost of goods sold

192,374


202,901


(10,527

)

605,709


592,495


13,214


Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)

79,777


81,484


(1,707

)

244,598


226,394


18,204


Provision for bad debts

286


120


166


811


513


298


Charges and credits

1,987


2,540


(553

)

5,408


4,172


1,236


Total costs and expenses

274,424


287,045


(12,621

)

856,526


823,574


32,952


Operating income

$

33,946


$

36,005


$

(2,059

)

$

103,316


$

123,709


$

(20,393

)

Number of stores:

Beginning of period

112


95


103


90


Open

1


6


10


13


Closed

-


-


-


(2

)

End of period

113


101


113


101



26

Table of Contents


Credit Segment:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

2016

2015

Change

Revenues -

Finance charges and other revenues

$

68,403


$

72,183


$

(3,780

)

$

204,201


$

209,076


$

(4,875

)

Costs and expenses:







Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)

34,680


32,184


2,496


102,952


87,781


15,171


Provision for bad debts

51,278


58,088


(6,810

)

169,167


156,884


12,283


Total cost and expenses

85,958


90,272


(4,314

)

272,119


244,665


27,454


Operating loss

(17,555

)

(18,089

)

534


(67,918

)

(35,589

)

(32,329

)

Interest expense

23,470


19,702


3,768


73,504


39,185


34,319


Loss on extinguishment of debt

-


1,367


(1,367

)

-


1,367


(1,367

)

Loss before income taxes

$

(41,025

)

$

(39,158

)

$

(1,867

)

$

(141,422

)

$

(76,141

)

$

(65,281

)

(1)

Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated overhead expenses and a charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses it incurs related to occupancy, personnel, advertising and other direct costs of the retail segment that benefit the credit operations by sourcing credit customers and collecting payments. The reimbursement received by the retail segment from the credit segment is estimated using an annual rate of 2.5% times the average portfolio balance for each applicable period. For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $6.7 million and $3.7 million , respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $18.9 million and $10.6 million , respectively. For the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $9.6 million and $9.3 million , respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $29.0 million and $26.7 million , respectively.


Three months ended October 31, 2016 compared to three months ended October 31, 2015

Revenues

The following table provides an analysis of retail net sales by product category in each period, including repair service agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales:

Three Months Ended October 31,

%

Same store

(dollars in thousands)

2016

% of Total

2015

% of Total

Change

Change

% change

Furniture and mattress

$

98,898


32.1

%

$

105,735


32.7

%

$

(6,837

)

(6.5

)%

(13.5

)%

Home appliance

85,785


27.8


86,434


26.8


(649

)

(0.8

)

(6.5

)

Consumer electronic

65,670


21.3


70,263


21.8


(4,593

)

(6.5

)

(9.9

)

Home office

22,747


7.5


26,108


8.1


(3,361

)

(12.9

)

(15.5

)

Other

4,956


1.6


4,582


1.4


374


8.2


(3.9

)

Product sales

278,056


90.3


293,122


90.8


(15,066

)

(5.1

)

(10.6

)

Repair service agreement commissions

26,354


8.5


26,038


8.1


316


1.2


(6.2

)

Service revenues

3,623


1.2


3,474


1.1


149


4.3



Total net sales

$

308,033


100.0

%

$

322,634


100.0

%

$

(14,601

)

(4.5

)%

(10.1

)%

Slower sales growth was impacted by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and during fiscal 2017. The following provides a summary of the performance of our product categories during the quarter compared to the prior year period:

Furniture unit volume decreased 13.7%, partially offset by a 6.8% increase in average selling price;

Mattress unit volume decreased 7.3%, partially offset by a 4.8% increase in average selling price;

Home appliance average selling price decreased 6.0%, partially offset by a 5.6% increase in unit volume. Total sales for laundry increased 3.2%, cooking decreased 7.0%, and refrigeration decreased 2.0%;


27

Table of Contents


Consumer electronic unit volume decreased 11.8%, partially offset by a 6.9% increase in average selling price. Television sales decreased 5.7% as unit volume decreased 11.6%, partially offset by a 6.7% increase in average selling price; and

Home office unit volume decreased 12.2% and average selling price decreased 1.0%.

The following table provides the change of the components of finance charges and other revenues:

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Interest income and fees

$

58,404


$

58,961


$

(557

)

Insurance commissions

9,999


13,222


(3,223

)

Other revenues

337


416


(79

)

Finance charges and other revenues

$

68,740


$

72,599


$

(3,859

)

The decrease in interest income and fees was due to a yield rate of 15.0% , 80 basis points lower than the prior year period, partially offset by growth in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio of 3.9% . Insurance commissions decreased over the prior year period due to higher claim volumes in Louisiana after the floods, which resulted in lower retrospective commissions earned. Insurance commissions were also impacted by the growth of sales in states that have lower premium requirements.

The following table provides key portfolio performance information: 

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Interest income and fees

$

58,404


$

58,961


$

(557

)

Net charge-offs

(50,216

)

(43,766

)

(6,450

)

Interest expense

(23,470

)

(19,702

)

(3,768

)

Net portfolio yield

$

(15,282

)

$

(4,507

)

$

(10,775

)

Average portfolio balance

$

1,542,767


$

1,484,972


$

57,795


Interest income and fee yield (annualized)

15.0

%

15.8

%

Net charge-off % (annualized)

13.0

%

11.8

%

Cost of Goods Sold and Retail Gross Margin

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Cost of goods sold

$

192,374


$

202,901


$

(10,527

)

Retail gross margin

37.5

%

37.1

%


The increase in retail gross margin was driven by improved product margin and an increase in repair service agreement commissions, partially offset by the impact softer sales have on our fixed warehouse and delivery costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

Retail segment

$

79,777


$

81,484


$

(1,707

)

Credit segment

34,680


32,184


2,496


Selling, general and administrative expenses - Consolidated

$

114,457


$

113,668


$

789


Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues

30.4

%

28.8

%



28

Table of Contents


The SG&A decrease in the retail segment was primarily due to lower compensation and advertising costs, partially offset by higher new store occupancy costs and an increase in the overhead allocation. The decrease in retail revenue resulted in an increase of SG&A as a percent of segment revenues of 70 basis points as compared to the prior year period. SG&A for the credit segment increased due to the increase in the overhead allocation and the charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses, partially offset by lower compensation costs. As a percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized), SG&A for the credit segment in the current period increased 30 basis points as compared to the prior year period. The increase in the overhead allocation made to each of the segments was driven by investments we are making in IT and other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives.

Provision for Bad Debts

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Provision for bad debts:

Retail segment

$

286


$

120


$

166


Credit segment

51,278


58,088


(6,810

)

Provision for bad debts - Consolidated

$

51,564


$

58,208


$

(6,644

)

Provision for bad debts - Credit segment, as a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)

13.3

%

15.6

%


The decrease in provision for bad debts was primarily the result of a smaller growth in the allowance for bad debt due to slower portfolio growth and underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and during fiscal 2017, partially offset by higher net-charge offs.

Charges and Credits

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Store and facility closure costs

$

954


$

212


$

742


Impairments from disposals

595


-


595


Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation

158


999


(841

)

Employee severance

280


-


280


Executive management transition costs

-


1,329


(1,329

)

$

1,987


$

2,540


$

(553

)

During the three months ended October 31, 2016 , we had costs associated with facility closures, impairments from disposals, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, and charges for severance. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for one store we relocated prior to the end of its useful life and incurred costs for terminated store projects prior to starting construction. During the three months ended October 31, 2015 , we had costs associated with charges related to the closing of under-performing retail locations, legal and professional fees related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and our securities-related litigation, and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team.

Interest Expense

For the three months ended October 31, 2016 , net interest expense increased by $3.8 million from the prior year comparative period primarily reflecting the increase in outstanding debt due to the asset-backed notes issued by our consolidated VIEs.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

During the three months ended October 31, 2015 , we repurchased $23.0 million of face of value of the Senior Notes for $22.9 million, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of $0.5 million, primarily due to the write-off of related deferred costs. Also, in connection with entering into the amended revolving credit facility, we wrote-off $0.9 million of debt issuance costs related to the previous revolving credit facility for lenders that did not continue to participate.


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Table of Contents


Provision for Income Taxes

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

$

(3,264

)

$

(732

)

$

(2,532

)

Effective tax rate

46.1

%

23.2

%


The increase in the income tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2016 was impacted primarily by discrete items, including benefits from employment tax credits and additional state deductions claimed.

Nine months ended October 31, 2016 compared to nine months ended October 31, 2015

Revenues

The following table provides an analysis of retail net sales by product category in each period, including repair service agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales:

Nine Months Ended October 31,

%

Same store

(dollars in thousands)

2016

% of Total

2015

% of Total

Change

Change

% change

Furniture and mattress

$

309,766


32.3

%

$

294,119


31.1

%

$

15,647


5.3

 %

(3.4

)%

Home appliance

275,048


28.7


267,796


28.3


7,252


2.7


(3.8

)

Consumer electronic

197,270


20.6


211,375


22.3


(14,105

)

(6.7

)

(11.2

)

Home office

66,921


7.0


71,033


7.5


(4,112

)

(5.8

)

(9.6

)

Other

15,264


1.6


14,164


1.5


1,100


7.8


(1.3

)

Product sales

864,269


90.2


858,487


90.7


5,782


0.7


(6.0

)

Repair service agreement commissions

82,849


8.6


77,590


8.2


5,259


6.8


(1.4

)

Service revenues

11,456


1.2


9,982


1.1


1,474


14.8


Total net sales

$

958,574


100.0

%

$

946,059


100.0

%

$

12,515


1.3

 %

(5.4

)%

Excluding the impact of our April 2015 decision to exit video game products, digital cameras, and certain tablets, same store sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 decreased 4.6% . Slower sales growth was also impacted by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and during fiscal 2017. The following provides a summary of the performance of our product categories during the quarter compared to the prior year period:

Furniture unit volume increased 2.8%, and average selling price increased 3.2%;

Mattress unit volume increased 6.6%, partially offset by a 2.1% decrease in average selling price;

Home appliance unit volume increased 5.4%, partially offset by a 2.1% decrease in average selling price. Total sales for refrigeration increased 4.0%, laundry increased 3.3%, and cooking was flat;

Consumer electronic unit volume decreased 10.8%, partially offset by a 5.3% increase in average selling price. Television sales decreased 3.8% as unit volume decreased 10.5%, partially offset by a 7.5% increase in average selling price. Excluding the impact from exiting video game products and digital cameras, consumer electronics same store sales decreased 9.0%; and

Home office unit volume decreased 9.9%, partially offset by a 4.8% increase in average selling price. Excluding the impact from exiting certain tablets, home office same store sales decreased 7.1%.


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Table of Contents


The following table provides the change of the components of finance charges and other revenues:

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Interest income and fees

$

173,527


$

171,763


$

1,764


Insurance commissions

30,674


37,313


(6,639

)

Other revenues

1,268


1,224


44


Finance charges and other revenues

$

205,469


$

210,300


$

(4,831

)

Interest income and fees of the credit segment increased over the prior year primarily driven by a 8.8% increase in the average balance of the portfolio, partially offset by a yield rate of 14.9% , 120 basis points lower than the prior year period, which included the negative impact of adjustments of $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates of amounts for allowances for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest. Excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, yield was down 50 basis points compared to the prior year period. Insurance commissions decreased over the prior year period primarily due to the decrease in retrospective commissions as a result of higher claim volumes in Louisiana after the floods and higher charge-offs. Insurance commissions were also impacted by the decline in the number of loans with insurance products and the growth of sales in states that have lower premium requirements.

The following table provides key portfolio performance information: 

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Interest income and fees

$

173,527


$

171,763


$

1,764


Net charge-offs

(159,204

)

(126,980

)

(32,224

)

Interest expense

(73,504

)

(39,185

)

(34,319

)

Net portfolio yield

$

(59,181

)

$

5,598


$

(64,779

)

Average portfolio balance

$

1,548,966


$

1,424,317


$

124,649


Interest income and fee yield % (annualized)

14.9

%

16.1

%

Net charge-off % (annualized)

13.7

%

11.9

%

Cost of Goods Sold and Retail Gross Margin

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Cost of goods sold

$

605,709


$

592,495


$

13,214


Retail gross margin

36.8

%

37.4

%


The decrease in retail gross margin was driven by the impact softer sales have on our fixed warehouse and delivery costs and higher inventory shrink, partially offset by the favorable shift in product mix towards the furniture and mattress category.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

Retail segment

$

244,598


$

226,394


$

18,204


Credit segment

102,952


87,781


15,171


Selling, general and administrative expenses - Consolidated

$

347,550


$

314,175


$

33,375


As a percent of total revenues

29.9

%

27.2

%



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Table of Contents


The increase in SG&A for the retail segment was primarily due to higher new store occupancy, advertising and compensation, which resulted in an increase as a percent of segment revenues of 160 basis points as compared to the prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the credit segment was driven by the additional investments in credit personnel to improve long-term credit performance. As a percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized), SG&A for the credit segment in the current period increased 70 basis points as compared to the prior year period. Total SG&A was also impacted by investments we are making in IT and other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives.

Provision for Bad Debts

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Provision for bad debts:

Retail segment

$

811


$

513


$

298


Credit segment

169,167


156,884


12,283


Provision for bad debts - Consolidated

$

169,978


$

157,397


$

12,581


Provision for bad debts - Credit segment, as a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)

14.6

%

14.7

%


The year-over-year increase in the credit segment provision for bad debts was impacted by the following:

During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , provision for bad debts increased by $5.0 million as a result of changes in estimates as it relates to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts;

An 8.8% increase in the average receivable portfolio balance; and

The balance of customer receivables accounted for as troubled debt restructurings increased to $134.4 million , or 8.8% of the total portfolio balance, driving $4.0 million of additional provision for bad debts.

Charges and Credits

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Store and facility closure costs

$

954


$

637


$

317


Impairments from disposals

1,980


-


1,980


Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation

747


2,206


(1,459

)

Employee severance

1,493


-


1,493


Executive management transition costs

234


1,329


(1,095

)

$

5,408


$

4,172


$

1,236


During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we had costs associated with facility closures, impairments from disposals, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, charges for severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for two stores we relocated prior to the end of their useful lives and incurred costs for terminated store projects prior to starting construction. During the nine months ended October 31, 2015 , we had costs associated with charges related to the closing of under-performing retail locations, legal and professional fees related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and our securities-related litigation, and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team.

Interest Expense

For the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , net interest expense increased by $34.3 million from the prior year comparative period primarily reflecting the increase in outstanding debt due to the asset-backed notes issued by our consolidated VIEs.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

During the nine months ended October 31, 2015 , we repurchased $23.0 million of face of value of the Senior Notes for $22.9 million, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of $0.5 million, primarily due to the write-off of related deferred costs. Also, in connection with entering into the amended revolving credit facility, we wrote-off $0.9 million of debt issuance costs related to the previous revolving credit facility for lenders that did not continue to participate.


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Table of Contents


Provision for Income Taxes

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2016

2015

Change

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

$

(12,618

)

$

17,774


$

(30,392

)

Effective tax rate

33.1

%

37.4

%


The decrease in the income tax rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 was impacted by discrete items, including benefits from employment tax credits and additional state deductions claimed, and tax expense from state taxes offsetting the federal income tax benefit.

Customer Receivable Portfolio

We provide in-house financing to individual consumers on a short- and medium-term basis (contractual terms generally range from 12 to 36 months) for the purchase of durable products for the home. A significant portion of our customer credit portfolio is due from customers that are considered higher-risk, subprime borrowers. Our financing is executed using contracts that require fixed monthly payments over fixed terms. We maintain a secured interest in the product financed. If a payment is delayed, missed or paid only in part, the account becomes delinquent. Our collection personnel attempt to contact a customer once their account becomes delinquent. Our loan contracts generally provide for interest at the maximum rate allowed by the respective regulations in the states in which we operate, which generally range between 18% and 30% . During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we implemented our new direct consumer loan program across all Texas locations. The state of Texas represents approximately 70% of our recent originations, which under our previous offering had a maximum equivalent interest rate of approximately 21%, compared to an interest rate of up to 30% under our new direct loan program. Additionally, we are working through the regulatory framework to raise our interest rates in certain other states that represent 14% of our originations. In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we recently increased our rates to 29.99% .

We offer 12- and 18-month cash-option, no-interest finance programs. If the customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment or does not repay the principal in full by the end of the no-interest program period (grace periods are provided), the account does not qualify for the no-interest provision and none of the interest earned is waived. We previously offered 18- and 24-month equal-payment, no-interest finance programs to certain higher credit quality borrowers. If a customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment (grace periods are provided), the account begins accruing interest based on the contract rate from the date of the last payment made.

We regularly extend or "re-age" a portion of our delinquent customer accounts as a part of our normal collection procedures to protect our investment. Generally, extensions are granted to customers who have experienced a financial difficulty (such as the temporary loss of employment), which is subsequently resolved and when the customer indicates a willingness and ability to resume making monthly payments. Re-ages are not granted to debtors who demonstrate a lack of intent or ability to service the obligation or have reached our limits for account re-aging. These re-ages involve modifying the payment terms to defer a portion of the cash payments currently required of the debtor to help the debtor improve his or her financial condition and eventually be able to pay us. Our re-aging of customer accounts does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer and typically does not reduce the monthly contractual payments. We may also charge the customer an extension fee, which approximates the interest owed for the time period the contract was past due. To a much lesser extent, we may provide the customer the ability to re-age their obligation by refinancing the account, which does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer but does reduce the monthly contractual payments and extends the term. Under these options, as with extensions, the customer must resolve the reason for delinquency and show a willingness and ability to resume making contractual monthly payments.


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Table of Contents


The following tables present, for comparison purposes, information about our managed portfolio (information reflects on a combined basis the securitized receivables transferred to the VIEs and receivables not transferred to the VIEs): 

As of October 31,


2016

2015

Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances (1)

591


594


Average outstanding customer balance

$

2,354


$

2,370


Balances 60+ days past due as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance (2)

11.0

%

10.2

%

Re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance (2)

16.0

%

14.0

%

Account balances re-aged more than six months (in thousands)

$

73,385


$

58,502


Allowance for bad debts as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance

13.3

%

12.0

%

Percent of total customer portfolio balance represented by no-interest option receivables

28.3

%

36.2

%


Three Months Ended 
 October 31,


Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,


2016

2015

2016

2015

Total applications processed

326,131


306,749


975,363


911,346


Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed (1)

610


613


610


615


Percent of total applications approved and utilized

32.7

%

42.2

%

35.1

%

43.8

%

Average down payment

3.1

%

3.1

%

3.4

%

3.5

%

Average income of credit customer at origination

$

42,200


$

40,900


$

41,400


$

40,600


Percent of retail sales paid for by:





In-house financing, including down payment received

72.3

%

79.9

%

69.8

%

82.6

%

Third-party financing

16.4

%

9.8

%

15.4

%

6.6

%

Third-party rent-to-own option

5.2

%

4.1

%

5.1

%

4.4

%


93.9

%

93.8

%

90.3

%

93.6

%

(1)

Credit scores exclude non-scored accounts.

(2)

Accounts that become delinquent after being re-aged are included in both the delinquency and re-aged amounts.

The decrease in the weighted average credit score of outstanding balances and the weighted average origination credit score of sales financed was driven by us reducing the availability of cash-option, no-interest programs to higher risk customers and moving origination of long-term equal-payment, no-interest programs to a third-party, partially offset by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and during fiscal 2017. The underwriting changes were made to reduce credit risk, specifically related to new customers, while identifying opportunities to increase originations to certain existing customers

Our customer portfolio balance and related allowance for uncollectible accounts are segregated between customer accounts receivable and restructured accounts. Customer accounts receivable include all accounts for which payment term has not been cumulatively extended over 90 days or refinanced. Restructured accounts includes all accounts for which payment term has been re-aged in excess of three months or refinanced.

For customer accounts receivable (excluding restructured accounts), the allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of the outstanding portfolio balance rose from 10.1% as of October 31, 2015 to 11.0% as of October 31, 2016 . The percentage of non-restructured accounts greater than 60 days past due increased 50 basis points over the prior year period to 9.3% as of October 31, 2016 . We expect delinquency levels and charge-offs to remain elevated over the short-term. The increase in delinquency and changes in expectations for customer performance and cash recoveries on charged-off accounts are reflected in our projection models, resulting in an increase in the level of losses we expect to realize over the next twelve months.

For restructured accounts, the allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of the portfolio balance was 36.0% as of October 31, 2015 as compared to 37.0% as of October 31, 2016 . This 100 basis point increase reflects the impact of higher delinquency rates and charge-offs from a year ago.

The percent of bad debt charge-offs, net of recoveries, to average portfolio balance was 11.8% for the three months ended October 31, 2015 compared to 13.0% for the three months ended October 31, 2016 . The increase was primarily due to the higher level of delinquency experienced over the past twelve months.


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Table of Contents


As of October 31, 2016 and 2015 , balances under no-interest programs included within customer receivables were $434.5 million and $543.2 million , respectively. We recently shifted our18- and 24-month equal-payment, no-interest programs to a third-party and reduced the availability of cash-option, no-interest programs to higher risk customers. As a result, a decline in the proportion of accounts financed under no-interest programs is likely to result in an increase in the overall yield recognized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We require liquidity and capital resources to finance our operations and future growth as we add new stores and markets to our operations, which in turn requires additional working capital for increased customer receivables and inventory. We generally finance our operations primarily through a combination of cash flow generated from operations, the use of our revolving credit facility, and periodic securitizations of originated customer receivables. We believe, based on our current projections, that we have sufficient sources of liquidity to fund our operations, store expansion and updating activities, and capital programs for at least the next twelve months.

In September 2015, we securitized $1.4 billion of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2015 VIE"). The 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes at a face amount of $1.12 billion secured by the transferred portfolio balance, which resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $1.08 billion , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility, to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock and Senior Notes, and for other general corporate purposes.

In March 2016, we securitized $705.1 million of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a separate bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2016-A VIE"). The 2016-A VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $493.5 million secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $478.0 million , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2016-A VIE. In October 2016, the 2016-A VIE issued a third class of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $70.5 million also secured by the same customer accounts receivables that were transferred in March 2016. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $71.6 million , including debt premium and net of transaction costs. The net proceeds from the issued asset-backed notes were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.

In October 2016, we securitized $699.7 million of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a new bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2016-B VIE" or together with the 2015 VIE and the 2016-A VIE, the "VIEs"). The 2016-B VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $503.8 million secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $488.5 million , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2016-B VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.

Under the terms of the securitization transactions, the customer receivable principal and interest payment cash flows will go first to the servicer and the holders of issued notes, and then to us as the holder of the 2016-B Class C Notes and residual equities. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios and are receiving a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, will retain all credit insurance income together with certain recoveries related to credit insurance and repair service agreements on charge-offs of the securitized receivables, which will continue to be reflected as a reduction of net charge-offs on a consolidated basis for as long as we consolidate the VIEs.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we implemented our new direct consumer loan program across all Texas locations. The state of Texas represents approximately 70% of our recent originations, which under our previous offering had a maximum equivalent interest rate of approximately 21%, compared to an interest rate of up to 30% under our new direct loan program. Additionally, we are working through the regulatory framework to raise our interest rates in certain other states that represent 14% of our originations. In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we recently increased our rates to 29.99% . These efforts are expected to enhance the profitability of our credit segment.

Operating cash flow activities. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , net cash provided by operating activities was $183.0 million as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $65.3 million during the prior-year period. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by the lower growth rate in our customer portfolio balance, which resulted in collections on customer accounts exceeding the growth in new accounts, working capital improvements, and an increase in the amount of tenant improvement allowances received, partially offset by the decrease in net income when adjusted for non-cash activity, including the increases in provision for bad debts and uncollectible interest and amortization of debt issuance costs and the change in deferred income taxes.

Investing cash flow activities. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , net cash used in investing activities was $41.1 million as compared to $41.1 million during the prior-year period. Purchases of property and equipment decreased year-over-year reflecting the slower growth in new stores. The prior year period included a sale of one owned property.


35

Table of Contents


Financing cash flow activities. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , net cash used in financing activities was $95.1 million as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $203.2 million during the prior-year period. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , the 2016-A VIE issued asset-backed notes resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $71.6 million , including debt premium and net of transaction costs and reserves, and the 2016-B VIE issued asset-backed notes resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $488.5 million , net of transaction costs and reserves. The net proceeds were used to pay down the revolving credit facility. Also during the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we made payments of $736.3 million on asset-backed notes from proceeds received on the securitized receivables. During the nine months ended October 31, 2015 , the 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $1.08 billion, net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the entire balance on our previous revolving credit facility and to repurchase the Company's common stock and Senior Notes.

Senior Notes. On July 1, 2014, we issued $250.0 million of unsecured Senior Notes due July 2022 bearing interest at 7.250% , pursuant to an indenture dated July 1, 2014 (the "Indenture") among Conn's, Inc., its subsidiary guarantors (the "Guarantors") and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. During the year ended January 31, 2016, we repurchased $23.0 million of face value of the Senior Notes for $22.9 million. The effective interest rate of the Senior Notes after giving effect to offering fees and debt discount is 7.8% .

The Indenture, as amended, restricts the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' ability to: (i) incur indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock ("restricted payments"); (iii) prepay, redeem or repurchase debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes; (iv) make loans and certain investments; (v) sell assets; (vi) incur liens; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. Specifically, limitations for restricted payments are triggered only if one or more of the following occurred: (1) a default were to exist under the indenture, (2) if we could not satisfy a debt incurrence test, and (3) if the aggregate amount of restricted payments would exceed an amount tied to the consolidated net income. These limitations, however, are subject to two exceptions: (1) an exception that permits the payment of up to $375.0 million in restricted payments, and (2) an exception that permits restricted payments regardless of dollar amount so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the dividends and other restricted payments, we would have a leverage ratio, as defined under the Indenture, less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00. Thus, as of October 31, 2016 , $176.0 million would have been free from the dividend restriction. However, as a result of the revolving credit facility dividend restrictions, which are further described below, no amount was available for dividends. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated investment grade by either of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and no default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and we will cease to be subject to such covenants during such period.

Events of default under the Indenture include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default in the payment of other debt due at maturity or upon acceleration for default in an amount exceeding $25.0 million , as well as in the event a judgment is entered against us in excess of $25.0 million that is not discharged, bonded or insured.

Asset-backed Notes. In September 2015, the 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $952.1 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.565% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class A Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 6.9% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $165.9 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.500% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class B Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 12.6% .

The 2015-A asset-backed notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2015-A asset-backed notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2015 VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.

In March 2016, the 2016-A VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes and, in October 2016, issued a third class of asset-backed notes. All three classes of asset-backed notes are secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2016-A VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $423.0 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.68% and mature on April 16, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class A Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 6.8% .


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Table of Contents


Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $70.5 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.96% and mature on August 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class B Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 9.7% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class C, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class C Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $70.5 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 12.00% and mature on August 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class B Notes after giving effect to transaction costs is 11.1% .

The 2016-A asset-backed notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2016-A asset-backed notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2016-A VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.

In October 2016, the 2016-B VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2016-B VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2016-B ("2016-B Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $391.8 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.73% and mature on October 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-B Class A Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 5.9% .

Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2016-B ("2016-B Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $112.0 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 7.34% and mature on March 15, 2019. The effective interest rate of the 2016-B Class B Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 8.1% .

The 2016-B Class A Notes and 2016-B Class B Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of a third class of asset-backed notes issued by the 2016-B VIE ("2016-B Class C Notes") and the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2016-B Class A Notes and 2016-B Class B Notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2016-B VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.

Revolving Credit Facility. On October 30, 2015, Conn's, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Borrowers") entered into the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with a syndicate of banks that provides for an $810.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") under which availability is subject to a borrowing base. The revolving credit facility matures on October 30, 2018.

On February 16, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a first amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:

Excluding non-cash deferred amortization of debt related transaction costs from interest coverage ratio; and

Extending from 6 months to 18 months the time frame subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent covenant will be determined.

On May 18, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a second amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:

Amending the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, so long as the borrowing base reduction discussed below is in effect, to:

Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.0 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 through the first quarter of fiscal 2018; and

Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.25 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Modifying the conditions for repurchases of the Company's common stock, including the addition of a requirement to achieve a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.5 x for two consecutive quarters; and

Reducing the borrowing base by $15.0 million beginning on May 31, 2016, reducing the borrowing base by $10.0 million for any month beginning with July 31, 2017 so long as the interest coverage ratio is at least 1.25 x, and no borrowing base reduction at any time the interest coverage ratio is at least 2.0 x for two consecutive quarters.


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As of October 31, 2016 , loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). Pursuant to the second amendment, the margins increased by 25 basis points subsequent to October 31, 2016 . The alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., the federal funds rate plus 0.5% , or LIBOR for a 30-day interest period plus 1.0% . The effective interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility after giving effect to offering fees is 4.6% . We also pay an unused fee on the portion of the commitments that are available for future borrowings or letters of credit at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, depending on the outstanding balance and letters of credit of the revolving credit facility.

The revolving credit facility provides funding based on a borrowing base calculation that includes customer accounts receivable and inventory, and provides for a $40.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit to support obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The obligations under the revolving credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of the Company, excluding the assets of the VIEs. As of October 31, 2016 , we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $146.0 million under our revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $5.3 million . We also had $658.7 million that may become available under our revolving credit facility if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and our total eligible inventory balances.

The revolving credit facility places restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens on assets, make distributions on equity interests, dispose of assets, make loans, pay other indebtedness, engage in mergers, and other matters. The revolving credit facility restricts our ability to make dividends and distributions unless no event of default exists and a liquidity test is satisfied. Subsidiaries of the Company may make dividends and distributions to the Company and other obligors under the revolving credit facility without restriction. As of October 31, 2016 , under the revolving credit facility, as amended, no amount was available for dividends. The revolving credit facility contains customary default provisions, which, if triggered, could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Debt covenants. We were in compliance with our debt covenants, as amended, at October 31, 2016 . A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our revolving credit facility, as amended, compared to our actual compliance status at October 31, 2016 is presented below: 

Actual

Required

Minimum/

Maximum

Interest Coverage Ratio must equal or exceed minimum

1.03:1.00

1.00:1.00

Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum

2.59:1.00

4.00:1.00

ABS Excluded Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum

0.88:1.00

2.00:1.00

Cash Recovery Percent must exceed stated amount

4.76%

4.50%

Capital Expenditures, net, must not exceed maximum

$25.2 million

$75.0 million

All capitalized terms in the above table are defined by the revolving credit facility, as amended, and may or may not agree directly with the financial statement captions in this document. Compliance with the covenants is calculated quarterly, except for the Cash Recovery Percent, which is calculated monthly on a trailing three-month basis, and Capital Expenditures, which is calculated for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The revolving credit facility provides for 18 months subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent will be determined based on the portfolio of contracts subject to the (i) securitization facilities; and (ii) a lien under the revolving credit facility.

Capital expenditures.  We lease the majority of our stores under operating leases and our plans for future store locations include primarily operating leases, but do not exclude store ownership. Our capital expenditures for future new store projects should primarily be for our tenant improvements to the property leased (including any new distribution centers and cross-dock facilities), the cost of which is estimated to be between $1.0 million and $1.5 million per store (before tenant improvement allowances), and for our existing store remodels, estimated to range between $0.5 million and $1.0 million per store remodel, depending on store size. In the event we purchase existing properties, our capital expenditures will depend on the particular property and whether it is improved when purchased. We are continuously reviewing new relationship and funding sources and alternatives for new stores, which may include "sale-leaseback" or direct "purchase-lease" programs, as well as other funding sources for our purchase and construction of those projects. If we are successful in these relationship developments, our direct cash needs should include only our capital expenditures for tenant improvements to leased properties and our remodel programs for existing stores, but could include full ownership. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016 , we opened ten new stores with no additional openings planned for the remainder of the year and we are committed to opening only three new locations for fiscal year 2018 . Our anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal year 2017 are between $43.0 million and $45.5 million , which does not take into account any potential proceeds from the sale of owned real estate.


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Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities and Other Contractual Obligations

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

The following table presents a summary of our minimum contractual commitments and obligations as of October 31, 2016 : 

Payments due by period

(in thousands)

Total

Less Than 1 Year

1-3

Years

3-5

Years

More Than

5 Years

Debt, including estimated interest payments:

Revolving credit facility (1)

$

-


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

-


Senior Notes

320,876


16,458


32,915


32,915


238,588


2015-A Class A Notes (2)

109,156


4,234


8,467


96,455


-


2015-A Class B Notes (2)

215,116


14,102


28,203


172,811


-


2016-A Class A Notes (2)

155,323


6,805


148,518


-


-


2016-A Class B Notes (2)

81,813


6,318


75,495


-


-


2016-A Class C Notes (2)

85,647


8,461


77,186


-


-


2016-B Class A Notes (2)

420,431


14,616


405,815


-


-


2016-B Class B Notes (2)

131,435


8,218


123,217


-


-


Capital lease obligations

2,052


881


1,171


-


-


Operating leases:






Real estate

466,037


56,379


112,645


107,209


189,804


Equipment

4,319


2,563


1,663


93


-


Contractual commitments (3)

138,828


137,380


1,433


15


-


Total

$

2,131,033


$

276,415


$

1,016,728


$

409,498


$

428,392


(1)

Estimated interest payments are based on the outstanding balance and the interest rate in effect as of October 31, 2016 .

(2)

The payments due by period were based on the maturity date at the fixed annual interest rate. Actual principal and interest payments will be provided based on the proceeds from the securitized customer accounts receivables.

(3)

Contractual commitments primarily includes commitments to purchase inventory of $121.2 million and capital expenditures of $7.6 million , with the remaining relating to commitments for advertising and other services. The timing of the payments is subject to change based upon actual receipt and the terms of payment with the vendor.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Certain accounting policies are considered "critical accounting policies" because they are particularly dependent on estimates made by us about matters that are inherently uncertain and could have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. As a result, actual results could differ because of the use of estimates. The description of critical accounting policies is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 .

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The information related to recent accounting pronouncements as set forth in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 3.  

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). Pursuant to the second amendment to the revolving credit facility, the margins increased by 25 basis points subsequent to October 31, 2016 . The alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., the federal funds rate plus 0.5% , or LIBOR for a 30-day interest period plus 1.0% . Accordingly, changes in our quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base and LIBOR or the alternate base rate will affect the interest rate on, and therefore our costs under, the revolving credit facility.


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As of October 31, 2016 , we did not have borrowings under our revolving credit facility and, consequently, did not have any material exposure to interest rate market risks at the end of this period. However, any future borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be at a variable rate of interest and we could potentially be materially adversely impacted should we require significant borrowings in the future, particularly during a period of rising interest rates.

For additional information regarding quantitative and qualitative market risks, as updated by the preceding paragraphs, see Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 . 

ITEM 4.  

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

Based on management's evaluation (with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO")), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

For the quarter ended October 31, 2016 , there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION 

ITEM 1.  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

The information set forth in Note 7, Contingencies , of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference. 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

As of the date of the filing, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2016 .

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the three months ended October 31, 2016 , we did not engage in any share repurchase activity under our share repurchase program.

On September 9, 2015, we announced that the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board of Directors") authorized a repurchase program of up to an aggregate of $75.0 million of (i) shares of the Company's outstanding common stock; (ii) the Senior Notes; or (iii) a combination thereof. On November 2, 2015, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized an additional $100.0 million towards the repurchase program for purchase of shares of the Company's outstanding common stock, Senior Notes, or a combination thereof.  During fiscal 2016, we purchased 5.9 million shares of common stock, using $151.6 million of the $175.0 million repurchase authorization. Additionally, we utilized $22.9 million of the repurchase authorization to acquire $23.0 million of face value of our senior notes. As a result of the second amendment to our revolving credit facility executed on May 18, 2016, we must achieve a 2.5x minimum interest coverage ratio for two consecutive quarters before we will be permitted to make any further stock repurchases. On November 30, 2016, the Board of Directors terminated the share repurchase program.

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 

None. 

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  

OTHER INFORMATION

None. 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS 

The exhibits required pursuant to Item 6 of Form 10-Q are listed in the Exhibit Index filed herewith, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.


40


SIGNATURE

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. 

CONN'S, INC.

Date:

December 6, 2016

By:

/s/ Lee A. Wright

Lee A. Wright

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized to sign this report on behalf of the registrant)


Table of Contents


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

Number

Description of Document

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003)

3.1.1

Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. dated June 3, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004)

3.1.2

Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. dated May 30, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2012 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2012)

3.1.3

Certificate of Correction to the Certificate of Amendment to Conn's, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation (as corrected December 31, 2013) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2014 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2014)

3.1.4

Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. as filed on May 29, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.4 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2014 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2014)

3.1.5

Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2014)

3.1.6

Certificate of Elimination of Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Conn's Inc., dated September 10, 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2015)

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Conn's, Inc. effective as of December 3, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2013 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2013)

4.1

Specimen of certificate for shares of Conn's, Inc.'s common stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2003)

4.2

Base Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2016, by and between Conn's Receivables Funding 2016-B, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2016)

4.3

Series 2016-B Supplement to the Base Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2016, by and between Conn's Receivables Funding 2016-B, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2016)

10.1

Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated October 6, 2016, by and between Conn Credit I, L.P. and Conn Appliances Receivables Funding, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2016)

10.2

Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated October 6, 2016, by and between Conn Appliances Receivables Funding, LLC and Conn's Receivables 2016-B Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2016)

10.3

Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 6, 2016, by and between Conn Appliances Receivables Funding, LLC and Conn's Receivables 2016-B Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2016)

10.4

Servicing Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2016, by and among Conn's Receivables Funding 2016-B, LLC, Conn's Receivables 2016-B Trust, Conn Appliances, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2016)

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer)

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer)

32.1

Section 1350 Certification (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer)


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Table of Contents


Exhibit

Number

Description of Document

101

The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, filed with the SEC on December 6, 2016, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the consolidated balance sheets at October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, (ii) the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, (iii) the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 and (iv) the notes to consolidated financial statements


43