Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________________________________

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended August 4, 2018

For the transition period from               to              

Commission file number 0-23071

______________________________________________________

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(201) 558-2400

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x No  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 (Section 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  x No  o

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock with a par value of $0.10 per share, as of August 24, 2018 was 16,400,378 shares.

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 4, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Description of Business

The Children's Place, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. The Company provides apparel, accessories, footwear, and other items for children. The Company designs, contracts to manufacture, sells at retail and wholesale and licenses to sell trend right, high-quality merchandise at value prices, the substantial majority of which is under its proprietary "The Children's Place", "Place" and "Baby Place" brand names.

The Company classifies its business into two segments: The Children's Place U.S. and The Children's Place International.  Included in The Children's Place U.S. segment are the Company's U.S. and Puerto Rico-based stores and revenue from its U.S.- based wholesale business. Included in The Children's Place International segment are its Canadian-based stores, revenue from the Company's Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com.

Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of The Children's Place, Inc. (the "Company") as of August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 and the results of its consolidated operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 and cash flows for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 . The consolidated financial position as of February 3, 2018 was derived from audited financial statements.  Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, the results of operations for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for a full fiscal year.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 .

Terms that are commonly used in the Company's notes to consolidated financial statements are defined as follows:

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. FASB ASC 810-- Consolidation is considered when determining whether an entity is subject to consolidation.

Fiscal Year

The Company's fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of

the financial statements, and amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period. Actual results could differ from the assumptions used and estimates made by management, which could have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include: reserves for the realizability of inventory; reserves for litigation and other contingencies; useful lives and impairments of long-lived assets; fair value measurements; accounting for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions; insurance reserves; valuation of stock-based compensation awards and related estimated forfeiture rates, among others.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments consist of investments which the Company expects to convert into cash within one year, including time deposits, which have original maturities greater than 90 days. The Company classifies its investments in securities at the time of purchase as held-to-maturity and reevaluates such classifications on a quarterly basis. Held-to-maturity investments consist of securities that the Company has the intent and ability to retain until maturity. These securities are recorded at cost and adjusted for the amortization of premiums and discounts, which approximates fair value. Cash inflows and outflows related to the sale and purchase of investments are classified as investing activities in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. All of the Company's short-term investments are U.S. dollar denominated time deposits with banking institutions in Hong Kong that have six month maturity dates from inception.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("Topic 606") as of the beginning of fiscal 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Topic 606 requires the use of a five-step model to recognize revenue.    

See Note 2 " Revenues" for further details on the Company's adoption of Topic 606.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on an average cost basis. The Company capitalizes certain supply chain costs in inventory and these costs are reflected within cost of sales as the inventories are sold. Inventory shrinkage is estimated in interim periods based upon the historical results of physical inventory counts in the context of current year facts and circumstances.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events include historical trends or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation that the Company will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. In reviewing for impairment, the Company groups its long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.

The Company reviews all stores that have reached comparable sales status, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at least an annual basis. The Company believes waiting this period of time allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financial performance can be performed. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, the Company projects future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease and compares the total undiscounted cash flows to the net book value of the related long-lived assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. The Company primarily determines fair market value to be the discounted future cash flows directly associated with those assets. In evaluating future cash flows, the Company considers external and internal factors. External factors comprise the local environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic, competition and their effect on sales trends. Internal factors include the Company's ability to gauge the fashion taste of its customers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll and, in certain cases, its ability to renegotiate lease costs.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company generally grants time vesting stock awards ("Deferred Awards") and performance-based stock awards ("Performance Awards") to employees at management levels.  The Company also grants Deferred Awards to its non-employee directors.  Deferred Awards are granted in the form of a defined number of restricted stock units that require each recipient to complete a service period. Deferred Awards generally vest ratably over three years, except for those granted to non-employee directors, which generally vest after one year. Performance Awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have performance criteria that must be achieved for the awards to vest (the "Target Shares") in addition to a service period

requirement. For Performance Awards issued during fiscal 2015 (the "2015 Performance Awards"), an employee may earn from 0% to 300% of their Target Shares based on the adjusted earnings per share achieved for a cumulative three-fiscal year performance period and our 3-year total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to that of companies in our peer group. The 2015 Performance Awards cliff vested after completion of the applicable three year performance period at 300%.  The 2015 Performance Awards grant date fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation covering the period from the valuation date through the end of the applicable performance period using our simulated stock price as well as the TSR of companies in our peer group. For Performance Awards issued during fiscal 2016 and 2017 (the "2016 and 2017 Performance Awards"), an employee may earn from 0% to 200% of their Target Shares based on the achievement of cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the three-year performance period and adjusted return on invested capital ("adjusted ROIC") achieved as of the end of the performance period. The 2016 and 2017 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the three-year performance period. The fair value of the 2016 and 2017 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For Performance Awards issued during fiscal 2018 (the "2018 Performance Awards"), an employee may earn from 0% to 250% of their Target Shares based on cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted ROIC achieved as of the end of the performance period, and the ranking of our adjusted ROIC relative to that of companies in our peer group as of the end of the performance period. The 2018 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the three-year performance period. The fair value of the 2018 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the related service period reduced for estimated forfeitures of those awards not expected to vest due to employee turnover. Stock-based compensation expense, as it relates to Performance Awards, is also adjusted based on the Company's estimate of adjusted earnings per share and adjusted operating margin expansion, and adjusted return on invested capital as they occur.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has a deferred compensation plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"), which is a nonqualified plan, for eligible senior level employees.  Under the plan, participants may elect to defer up to 80% of his or her base salary and/or up to 100% of his or her bonus to be earned for the year following the year in which the deferral election is made.  The Deferred Compensation Plan also permits members of the Board of Directors to elect to defer payment of all or a portion of their retainer and other fees to be earned for the year following the year in which a deferral election is made.  In addition, eligible employees and directors of the Company may also elect to defer payment of any shares of Company stock that is earned with respect to stock-based awards.  Directors may elect to have all or a certain portion of their fees earned for their service on the Board invested in shares of the Company's common stock.  Such elections are irrevocable.  The Company is not required to contribute to the Deferred Compensation Plan, but at its sole discretion, can make additional contributions on behalf of the participants. Deferred amounts are not subject to forfeiture and are deemed invested among investment funds offered under the Deferred Compensation Plan, as directed by each participant.  Payments of deferred amounts (as adjusted for earnings and losses) are payable following separation from service or at a date or dates elected by the participant at the time the deferral is elected.  Payments of deferred amounts are generally made in either a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not exceeding 15 years.  All deferred amounts are payable in the form in which they were made, except for board fees invested in shares of the Company's common stock, which will be settled in shares of Company common stock.  Earlier distributions are not permitted except in the case of an unforeseen hardship.

The Company has established a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow the Deferred Compensation Plan liability. The assets of the rabbi trust are general assets of the Company and as such, would be subject to the claims of creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency.  Investments of the rabbi trust consist of mutual funds and Company common stock.  The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company common stock, is included within other long-term liabilities and changes in the balance, except those relating to payments, are recognized as compensation expense within selling, general, and administrative expenses.  The value of the mutual funds is included in other assets and related earnings and losses are recognized as investment income or loss, which is included within selling, general, and administrative expenses.  Company stock deferrals are included within the equity section of the Company's consolidated balance sheet as treasury stock and as a deferred compensation liability.  Deferred stock is recorded at fair market value at the time of deferral and any subsequent changes in fair market value are not recognized.

Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820-- Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

This topic defines fair value 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 and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an

entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

The Company's cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, assets of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and revolving loan are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company stock that is included in the Deferred Compensation Plan is not subject to fair value measurement.

The Company's assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward contracts that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates, the Company's credit risk, and our counterparties' credit risks. Based on these inputs, the Company's derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The Company's assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of such assets when events indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adopted in Fiscal 2018

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance relating to revenue recognition from contracts with customers. This guidance requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective method. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 2, " Revenues" , for additional information.

To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2018

In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for hedging activities. This guidance aims to better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in the guidance expand and refine hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for leases. This guidance applies a right of use model that requires a lessee to record, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability to make lease payments. The lease term is the noncancellable period of the lease, and includes both periods covered by an option to extend the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that termination option. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. We are executing against our implementation plan and gathering information to assess which of our real estate, personal property and other arrangements may meet the definition of a lease as contemplated in the guidance. While we are currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard, we would expect that the adoption of this standard will require us to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be material to our consolidated balance sheet given the extent of our lease portfolio.

2. REVENUES

Adoption of ASC Topic 606, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers "

On February 4, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" using the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning February 4, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company's historic accounting under Topic 605 "Revenue Recognition". Upon adoption of this guidance, there was no material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by geography:

The Company recognizes revenue, including shipping and handling fees billed to customers, upon purchase at the Company's retail stores or when received by the customer if the product was purchased via e-commerce, net of coupon redemptions and anticipated sales returns. The Company deferred approximately $5.4 million and $4.3 million as of August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , respectively, based upon estimated time of delivery, at which point control passes to the customer, and is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue.

For the sale of goods with a right of return, the Company recognizes revenue for the consideration it expects to be entitled to and calculates an allowance for estimated sales returns based upon the Company's sales return experience. Adjustments to the allowance for estimated sales returns in subsequent periods are generally not material based on historical data, thereby reducing the uncertainty inherent in such estimates. The allowance for estimated sales returns, which is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, was approximately $2.3 million and $3.0 million as of August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , respectively.

Our private label credit card is issued to our customers for use exclusively at The Children's Place stores and online at www.childrensplace.com , and credit is extended to such customers by a third-party financial institution on a non-recourse basis to us. The private label credit card includes multiple performance obligations, including marketing and promoting the program on behalf of the bank and the operation of the loyalty rewards program. Included in the agreement with the third-party financial institution was an upfront bonus paid to the Company. The upfront bonus is recognized as revenue and allocated between brand and reward obligations. As the license of the Company's brand is the predominant item in the performance obligation, the amount allocated to the brand obligation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the initial term. The amount allocated to the reward obligation is recognized on a point-in-time basis as redemptions under the loyalty program occur.

In measuring revenue and determining the consideration the Company is entitled to as part of a contract with a customer, the Company takes into account the related elements of variable consideration, such as additional bonuses, including profit-sharing, over the life of the program. Similar to the upfront bonus, the usage-based royalties and bonuses are recognized as revenue and allocated between the brand and reward obligations. The amount allocated to the brand obligation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the initial term. The amount allocated to the reward obligation is recognized on a point-in-time basis as redemptions under the loyalty program occur. In addition, the annual profit-sharing amount is estimated and recognized quarterly within an annual period when earned. The additional bonuses are amortized over the contract term based on anticipated progress against future targets and level of risk associated with achieving the targets. The Company deferred approximately $0.9 million as of August 4, 2018 in relation to its private label credit card performance obligations.

The Company has a points-based customer loyalty program, in which customers earn points based on purchases and other promotional activities. These points can be redeemed for coupons to discount future purchases. A contract liability is estimated based on the standalone selling price of benefits earned by customers through the program and the related redemption experience under the program. The value of each point earned is recorded as deferred revenue and is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The total contract liability related to this program was $1.2 million and $3.6 million as of August 4, 2018

The Company's policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as and when the gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. The Company recognizes gift card breakage income in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer when the Company expects to be entitled to breakage and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card to the relevant jurisdiction as unclaimed or abandoned property. With the adoption of Topic 606, gift card breakage is recorded within net sales during Year-To-Date 2018 and within selling, general, and administrative expenses during Year-To-Date 2017 prior to adoption of Topic 606. Prior to their redemption, gift cards are recorded as a liability, included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The total contract liability related to gift cards issued was $16.2 million and $17.0 million as of August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017 , respectively. The liability is estimated based on expected breakage that considers historical patterns of redemption. The following table provides the reconciliation of the contract liability related to gift cards:

The Company has an international expansion program through territorial agreements with franchisees. The Company generates revenues from the franchisees from the sale of product and, in certain cases, sales royalties. The Company records net sales and cost of goods sold on the sale of product to franchisees when the franchisee takes ownership of the product. The Company records net sales for royalties when the applicable franchisee sells the product to their customers. Under certain agreements, the Company receives a fee from each franchisee for exclusive territorial rights and based on the opening of new stores. The Company records these territorial fees as deferred revenue and amortizes the fee into gross sales over the life of the territorial agreement.

Share Repurchase Programs

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the following share repurchase programs which were active during Year-To-Date 2018 and Year-To-Date 2017 : (1) $250 million in December 2015 (the "2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program"); (2) $250 million in March 2017 (the "2017 Share Repurchase Program"); and (3) $250 million in March 2018 (the "2018 Share Repurchase Program"). The 2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program has been completed. At August 4, 2018 , there was approximately $307.0 million in the aggregate remaining on the 2017 and 2018 Share Repurchase Programs. Under these programs, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under a program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market and business conditions. The Company may suspend or discontinue a program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior announcement.

As part of its share repurchase programs, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase program with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in March 2018 under which it repurchased and retired approximately 1.0 million shares for $125.0 million. The accelerated share repurchase program was completed during the Second Quarter 2018 .

Pursuant to the Company's practice, including due to restrictions imposed by the Company's insider trading policy during black-out periods, the Company withholds and repurchases shares of vesting stock awards and makes payments to taxing authorities as required by law to satisfy the withholding tax requirements of all equity award recipients. The Company's payment of the withholding taxes in exchange for the surrendered shares constitutes a purchase of its common stock. The Company also acquires shares of its common stock in conjunction with liabilities owed under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, which are held in treasury.

The following table summarizes the Company's share repurchases:

In accordance with the FASB ASC 505-- Equity , the par value of the shares retired is charged against common stock and the remaining purchase price is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings.  The portion charged against additional paid-in capital is determined using a pro-rata allocation based on total shares outstanding.  Related to all shares retired during Year-To-Date 2018 and Year-To-Date 2017 , approximately $50.2 million and $50.3 million , respectively, were charged to retained earnings.

Dividends

The Second Quarter 2018 dividend of $0.50 per share was paid on June 29, 2018 to shareholders of record on the close of business on June 18, 2018. During Year-To-Date 2018 , $17.4 million was charged to retained earnings, of which $16.7 million related to cash dividends paid and $0.7 million related to dividend share equivalents on unvested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards. During Year-To-Date 2017 , $14.9 million was charged to retained earnings, of which $14.1 million related to cash dividends paid and $0.8 million related to dividend share equivalents on unvested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards.

The Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share to be paid September 17, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 5, 2018. Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to approval by the Company's Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including business and market conditions, the Company's future financial performance and other investment priorities.

The following table summarizes the Company's stock-based compensation expense:

____________________________________________

The Company recognized a tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense of approximately $4.3 million and $5.6 million during Year-To-Date 2018 and Year-To-Date 2017 , respectively.

Awards Granted During Year-To-Date 2018

The Company granted Deferred Awards and Performance Awards to various executives and Deferred Awards to members of our Board of Directors during Year-To-Date 2018 . Awards were also granted in connection with new hires. Generally, the Deferred Awards have a three year vesting period with one third of the award vesting annually. Generally, the Deferred Awards granted to members of the Board of Directors vest after one year. Performance Awards granted during Year-To-Date 2018 have a three-year performance period, and, if earned, vest upon completion of the three-year performance period. Depending on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted return on invested capital achieved as of the end of fiscal 2020, and the ranking of our adjusted ROIC relative to that of companies in our peer group as of the end of the performance period, the percentage of Target Shares earned could range from 0% to 250%.

Changes in the Company's Unvested Stock Awards during Year-To-Date 2018

Deferred Awards

Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Deferred Awards approximated $26.1 million as of August 4, 2018 , which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years.

Performance Awards

____________________________________________

For those awards in which the performance period is not yet complete, the number of unvested shares in the table above is based on the participants earning their Target Shares at 100% . However, the cumulative expense recognized reflects changes in estimated adjusted earnings per share, adjusted operating margin expansion, and adjusted return on invested capital as they occur. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Performance Awards approximated $18.8 million as of August 4, 2018 , which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years.

The following table reconciles net income and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share:

Antidilutive stock awards (Deferred Awards and Performance Awards) represent those awards that are excluded from the earnings per share calculation as a result of their antidilutive effect in the application of the treasury stock method in accordance with FASB ASC 260-- Earnings per Share . 

Property and equipment, net consist of the following:

At August 4, 2018 , the Company performed impairment testing on 992 stores with a total net book value of approximately $84.5 million . During the Second Quarter 2018 , the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $0.6 million primarily for two stores, both of which were fully impaired. Additionally, during the Second Quarter 2018 , the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $3.4 million related to the write-down of information technology systems. During Year-To-Date 2018 , the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $0.8 million primarily for four stores. Additionally, during Year-To-Date 2018 , the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $4.4 million related to the write-down of information technology systems.

At July 29, 2017 , the Company performed impairment testing on 1,026 stores with a total net book value of approximately $84.9 million . During the Second Quarter 2017, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $1.0 million for three stores, all of which were fully impaired. During Year-To-Date 2017, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $1.5 million for primarily nine stores, all of which were fully impaired.

7. CREDIT FACILITY

The Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders (collectively, the "Lenders") and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender.

The Credit Agreement, which expires in September 2020, consists of a $250 million asset based revolving credit facility, with a $50 million sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit and an uncommitted accordion feature that could provide up to $50 million of additional availability. Revolving credit loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at:

The Company is charged a fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the commitments.  Letter of credit fees range from 0.625% to 0.75% for commercial letters of credit and from 0.75% to 1.00% for standby letters of credit.  Letter of credit fees are determined based on the amount of the Company's average excess availability under the facility. The amount available for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Agreement is determined by a borrowing base consisting of certain credit card receivables, certain trade and franchise receivables, certain inventory, and the fair market value of certain real estate, subject to certain reserves.

The outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, non-payment, breach of covenants, the institution of insolvency proceedings, defaults under other material indebtedness and a change of control, subject, in the case of certain defaults, to the expiration of applicable grace periods.  The Company is not subject to any early termination fees. 

The Credit Agreement contains covenants which include conditions on stock buybacks and the payment of cash dividends or similar payments.  Credit extended under the Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company's U.S. assets excluding intellectual property, software, equipment, and fixtures.

The Company has capitalized an aggregate of approximately $4.3 million in deferred financing costs related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at August 4, 2018 was approximately $0.6 million . Unamortized deferred financing costs are amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.

The table below presents the components of the Company's credit facility:

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The Company is a defendant in Rael v. The Children's Place, Inc. , a purported class action, pending in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.  In the initial complaint filed in February 2016, the plaintiff alleged that the Company falsely advertised discount prices in violation of California's Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act.  The plaintiff filed an amended complaint in April 2016, adding allegations of violations of other state consumer protection laws.  In August 2016, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, adding an additional plaintiff and removing the other state law claims.  The plaintiffs' second amended complaint seeks to represent a class of California purchasers and seeks, among other items, injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys' fees and costs. 

The Company engaged in mediation proceedings with the plaintiffs in December 2016 and April 2017. The parties reached an agreement in principle in April 2017, and signed a definitive settlement agreement in November 2017, to settle the matter on a class basis with all individuals in the U.S. who made a qualifying purchase at The Children's Place from February 11, 2012 through the date of preliminary approval by the court of the settlement. The settlement is subject to court approval and provides for merchandise vouchers for class members who submit valid claims, as well as payment of legal fees and expenses and claims administration expenses. The court has stayed the matter, pending an appellate court ruling in another lawsuit to which the Company is not a party. The settlement, if ultimately approved by the court, will result in the dismissal of all claims through the date of the court's preliminary approval of the settlement. However, if the settlement is rejected by the court, the parties will likely return to litigation, and in such event, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of this

matter. In connection with the proposed settlement, the Company recorded a reserve for $5.0 million in its consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of 2017.

The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any ultimate liability arising out of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company computes income taxes using the liability method. This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, measured by enacted rates, attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised largely of differences relating to depreciation, rent expense, inventory, stock-based compensation and various accruals and reserves.

The Company's effective tax rate for the Second Quarter 2018 was an expense of 17.5% compared to a benefit of 388.0% during the Second Quarter 2017. The effective tax rate was higher during the Second Quarter 2018 primarily as a result of excess tax benefits of approximately $0.5 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to approximately $12.3 million in the Second Quarter 2017 due to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation vestings, partially offset by the benefit of the lower U.S. tax rate due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act").

The Company's effective tax rate for Year-To-Date 2018 was a benefit of 22.6%, compared to a benefit of 11.8% for Year-To-Date 2017. The effective tax rate was lower for the Year-To-Date 2018 primarily due to a higher excess tax benefit on a percentage basis during Year-To-Date 2018 when applied to pre-tax income year over year, a lower U.S. Federal tax rate in fiscal 2018 due to the reduction in rate under the Tax Act, partially offset by a reserve release of $4 million in the Second Quarter 2017.

Due to the complexities of the Tax Act, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 that allows the Company to record a provisional amount for any income tax effects of the Tax Act in accordance with ASC 740--Income Taxes, to the extent that a reasonable estimate can be made. SAB 118 allows for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. We have recorded provisional amounts for any items that could be reasonably estimated at this time. This includes the one-time transition tax that we have estimated to be $37.6 million, which is based on our total accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign earnings and profits ("E&P") estimated to be $388 million, which was previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested. The transition tax is payable over eight years. The first payment was made during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. In addition, pursuant to IRS guidance, the overpayment from the fiscal year 2017 tax return will be applied first toward the transition tax. Within our consolidated balance sheets, the remaining unpaid transition tax of $19.1 million is included in long-term liabilities.

Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. This amount may change when we finalize the calculation of accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign E&P and finalize the amounts held in cash or other specified assets. While the Company is no longer permanently reinvested to the extent earnings were subject to the transition tax under the Tax Act, no additional income taxes have been provided on any earnings subsequent to the transition or for any additional outside basis differences inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be permanently reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any additional outside basis differences in these entities (i.e., basis differences in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practicable.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in provision for income taxes. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of August 4, 2018 , February 3, 2018, and July 29, 2017 were $3.9 million , $4.0 million and $3.2 million , respectively, and is included within non-current liabilities. The Company recognized less than $0.1 million in each of the Second Quarter 2018 and the Second Quarter 2017 , respectively, of additional interest expense related to its unrecognized tax benefits. During each of Year-To-Date 2018 and Year-To-Date 2017 , the Company recognized less than $0.1 million of additional interest expense. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in provision for income taxes.

The Company is subject to tax in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including Canada and Hong Kong. The Company, joined by its domestic subsidiaries, files a consolidated income tax return for federal income tax purposes. The Company, with certain exceptions, is no longer subject to income tax examinations by U.S. federal, state and local, or foreign tax authorities for tax years 2012 and prior.

Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations; however, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Company's

tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management's expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income tax in the period such resolution occurs.

The Company is exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable to inventory purchases denominated in a foreign currency. Specifically, our Canadian subsidiary's functional currency is the Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts. These contracts typically mature within 12 months. We do not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

The Company accounts for all of its derivatives and hedging activity under FASB ASC 815-- Derivatives and Hedging .

Under the Company's risk management policy and in accordance with guidance under the topic, in order to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be considered highly effective at offsetting changes in either the hedged item's cash flows or fair value. Additionally, the hedge relationship must be documented to include the risk management objective and strategy, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the risk exposure, and how hedge effectiveness will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The Company formally measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis. The Company would discontinue hedge accounting under a foreign exchange forward contract prospectively (i) if management determines that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is terminated, (iii) if the forecasted transaction being hedged by the derivative is no longer probable of occurring, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate.

All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value on the consolidated balance sheets within either prepaid expenses and other current assets or accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of August 4, 2018 , the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $23.9 million and the fair value of the derivative instruments was an asset of $2.6 million . As these foreign exchange forward contracts are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates, the Company's credit risk and our counterparties' credit risks, they are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Cash settlements related to these forward contracts are recorded within cash flows from operating activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") and reclassified into earnings within cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in earnings within selling, general, and administrative expenses, consistent with where the Company records realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses on transactions in foreign denominated currencies. There were no losses related to hedge ineffectiveness during Year-To-Date 2018 . Assuming August 4, 2018 exchange rates remain constant, $0.8 million of gains, net of tax, related to hedges of these transactions are expected to be reclassified from OCI into earnings over the next 12 months. Changes in fair value associated with derivatives that are not designated and qualified as cash flow hedges are recognized as earnings within selling, general, and administrative expenses.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with major banks and has risk exposure in the event of nonperformance by either party. However, based on our assessment, the Company believes that obligations under the contracts will be fully satisfied. Accordingly, there was no requirement to post collateral or other security to support the contracts as of August 4, 2018 .

In accordance with FASB ASC 280--- Segment Reporting , the Company reports segment data based on geography: The Children's Place U.S. and The Children's Place International.  Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com .  Included in The Children's Place U.S. segment are the Company's U.S. and Puerto Rico-based stores and revenue from the Company's U.S.-based wholesale business. Included in The Children's Place International segment are the Company's Canadian-based stores, revenue from the Company's Canadian wholesale business and revenue from international franchisees. The Company measures its segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes.  Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment.  Certain inventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children's Place U.S. segment.  Expenses related to

these functions, including depreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children's Place International segment based primarily on net sales.  The assets related to these functions are not allocated.  The Company periodically reviews these allocations and adjusts them based upon changes in business circumstances.  Net sales to external customers are derived from merchandise sales and the Company has no major customers that account for more than 10% of its net sales.  As of August 4, 2018 , The Children's Place U.S. owned and operated 866 stores and The Children's Place International owned and operated 126 stores. As of July 29, 2017 , The Children's Place U.S. owned and operated 897 stores and The Children's Place International owned and operated 129 stores.

The following tables provide segment level financial information:

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Subsequent to August 4, 2018 and through August 24, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately 40 thousand shares for approximately $5.7 million.

The Company announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share to be paid on September 17, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 5, 2018.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements relating to the Company's strategic initiatives. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "plan," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the "Risk Factors" section of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 . Included among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are the risk that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences, the risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Company's business and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which may be affected by changes in economic conditions, the risk that the Company's strategic initiatives to increase sales and margin are delayed or do not result in anticipated improvements, the risk of delays, interruptions and disruptions in the Company's global supply chain, including resulting from foreign sources of supply in less developed countries or more politically unstable countries, the risk that the cost of raw materials or energy prices will increase beyond current expectations or that the Company is unable to offset cost increases through value engineering or price increases, various types of litigation, including class action litigations brought under consumer protection, employment, and privacy and information security laws and regulations, the imposition of regulations affecting the importation of foreign-produced merchandise, including duties and tariffs, and the uncertainty of weather patterns. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the annual audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2018 .

Terms that are commonly used in our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are defined as follows:

Our Business

We are the largest pure-play children's specialty apparel retailer in North America. The Company provides apparel, accessories, footwear, and other items for children. We design, contract to manufacture, sell at retail and wholesale, and license to sell trend right, high-quality merchandise at value prices, the substantial majority of which is under our proprietary "The Children's Place", "Place" and "Baby Place" brand names. As of August 4, 2018 , we operated 992 stores across North America,

our e-commerce business at www.childrensplace.com , and had 211 international points of distribution open and operated by our eight franchise partners in 20 countries.

Segment Reporting

In accordance with the " Segment Reporting " topic of the FASB ASC, we report segment data based on geography: The Children's Place U.S. and The Children's Place International.  Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com .  Included in The Children's Place U.S. segment are our U.S. and Puerto Rico-based stores and revenue from our U.S.-based wholesale business. Included in The Children's Place International segment are our Canadian- based stores, revenue from the Company's Canadian wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. We measure our segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes.  Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment.  Certain inventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children's Place U.S. segment.  Expenses related to these functions, including depreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children's Place International segment based primarily on net sales.  The assets related to these functions are not allocated.  We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business circumstances.  Net sales from external customers are derived from merchandise sales and we have no major customers that account for more than 10% of our net sales.  As of August 4, 2018 , The Children's Place U.S. owned and operated 866 stores and The Children's Place International owned and operated 126 stores. As of July 29, 2017 , The Children's Place U.S. owned and operated 897 stores and The Children's Place International owned and operated 129 stores.

Operating Highlights

Our Comparable Retail Sales increased 13.2% and 5.1% during the Second Quarter 2018 and Year-To-Date 2018 , respectively. Net sales increased by $75.1 million, or 20.1%, to $448.7 million during the Second Quarter 2018 inclusive of a positive impact of approximately $22.0 million resulting from the calendar shift related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017.

  Gross margin leveraged 10 basis points to 34.5% during the Second Quarter 2018 from 34.4% during the Second Quarter 2017 . The increase resulted primarily from leverage of fixed expenses due to positive Comparable Retail Sales and the reclassification of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606, partially offset by lower merchandise margins with continued increased penetration of our e-commerce business.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $16.0 million to $124.2 million during the Second Quarter 2018 from $108.2 million during the Second Quarter 2017 . As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased 130 basis points to 27.7% during the Second Quarter 2018 from 29.0% during the Second Quarter 2017 . The comparability of our SG&A was affected by expenses related to the restructuring of certain store and corporate operations, consulting costs for organizational design efforts, system transition costs, and costs incurred in connection with the review of our warehouse and distribution network of $1.8 million for the Second Quarter 2018 and by costs related to the restructuring of certain store operations, a state sales and use tax audit settlement, and a provision for foreign exchange control penalties of $0.6 million for the Second Quarter 2017 . Excluding this impact, our SG&A increased $14.8 million and leveraged 150 basis points. The leverage was primarily due to strong Comparable Retail Sales and lower incentive compensation expense, partially offset by expenses related to the continued investment in our transformation initiatives and the reclassification of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes was an expense of $1.6 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to a benefit of $11.4 million during the Second Quarter 2017 .  Our effective tax rate was 17.5% and (388)% in the Second Quarter 2018 and the Second Quarter 2017 , respectively. The effective tax rate was higher during the Second Quarter 2018 primarily as a result of excess tax benefits of approximately $0.5 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to approximately $12.3 million in the Second Quarter 2017 due to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation vestings, partially offset by the benefit of the lower U.S. tax rate due to the Tax Act.

Net income was $7.5 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $14.3 million during the Second Quarter 2017 , due to the factors discussed above.  Earnings per diluted share was $0.45 in the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $0.79 per diluted share in the Second Quarter 2017 .  This decrease in earnings per share is due to the factors noted above, partially offset by a lower weighted average common shares outstanding of approximately 1.5 million, which is the result of our share repurchase program.

We continue to make significant progress on our key strategic growth initiatives--superior product, business transformation through technology, alternate channels of distribution, and fleet optimization.

Our business transformation through technology initiative has two key components: inventory management and digital transformation. With respect to digital transformation, our goal is to deliver one to one personalization that will gain market share by focusing on improving customer acquisition and increasing customer engagement with our brand.

The transformation of our digital capabilities has continued during the Second Quarter 2018 with the implementation of a new on-site search tool, the enhancement of our email trigger capabilities, and the introduction of dynamic display re-targeting. During the remainder of fiscal 2018, we plan to develop several new capabilities, including: a new pricing and promotional system that will enable us to deliver personalized offers to our customers, improvements to our e-commerce platform, a new loyalty system that will deliver real-time personalized communication and promotions, and buy-online-ship-to-store.

With respect to alternate channels of distribution, we continued our international expansion program and added 10 additional international points of distribution (stores, shop in shops, e-commerce site) during the Second Quarter 2018 bringing our total count to 211, operating in 20 countries. During the Second Quarter 2018 , Semir, our Chinese partner, completed its transition of the operation of our e-commerce site with Tmall and we are expecting for Semir to open its first stores in the second half of fiscal 2018.

We continue to evaluate our store fleet as part of our fleet optimization initiative to improve store productivity and plan to close approximately 300 stores through fiscal 2020, which includes the 191 stores closed since the announcement of this initiative.

During Year-To-Date 2018 , we repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares for approximately $187.5 million, inclusive of shares repurchased under our accelerated share repurchase program and shares surrendered to cover tax withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards. As of August 4, 2018, there was approximately $307.0 million in aggregate remaining pursuant to the 2017 and 2018 Share Repurchase Programs. We also paid cash dividends of $16.7 million during Year-To-Date 2018 and announced that our Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share to be paid on September 17, 2018 to shareholders of record on the close of business on September 5, 2018.

We have subsidiaries whose operating results are based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the corresponding translation rates into U.S. dollars. The table below summarizes those average translation rates that most impact our operating results:

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reported period.  In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used.  We continuously review the application of our accounting policies and evaluate the appropriateness of the estimates used in preparing our financial statements; however, estimates routinely require adjustment based on changing circumstances and the receipt of new or better information.  Consequently, actual results could differ from our estimates.

The accounting policies and estimates discussed below include those that we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results.  Senior management has discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, which has reviewed our related disclosures herein.

Inventory Valuation - We value inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using an average cost method. The estimated market value of inventory is determined based on an analysis of historical sales trends of our individual product categories, the impact of market trends and economic conditions and a forecast of future demand, as well as plans to sell through inventory. Estimates may differ from actual results due to the quantity, quality, and mix of products in inventory, consumer and retailer preferences and market conditions.  Our historical estimates have not differed materially from

actual results and a 10% difference in our reserve as of August 4, 2018 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.3 million.  Our reserve balance at August 4, 2018 was approximately $4.3 million compared to $2.3 million at July 29, 2017 .

Reserves for inventory shrinkage, representing the risk of physical loss of inventory, are estimated based on historical experience and are adjusted based upon physical inventory counts. A 0.5% difference in our shrinkage rate as a percentage of cost of goods sold could impact each quarter's net income by approximately $0.7 million.

Stock-Based Compensation - We account for stock-based compensation according to the provisions of FASB ASC 718-- Compensation-Stock Compensation .

Time Vesting and Performance-Based Awards

We generally grant time vesting and performance-based stock awards to employees at management levels and above.  We also grant time vesting stock awards to our non-employee directors.  Time vesting awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units that require each recipient to complete a service period ("Deferred Awards"). Deferred Awards granted to employees generally vest ratably over three years. Deferred Awards granted to non-employee directors generally vest after one year. Performance-based stock awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have a performance criteria that must be achieved for the awards to be earned in addition to a service period requirement ("Performance Awards") and each Performance Award has a defined number of shares that an employee can earn (the "Target Shares"). With the approval of the Board's Compensation Committee, the Company may settle vested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards to the employee in shares, in a cash amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time all requirements for delivery of the award have been met, or in part shares and cash. For Performance Awards issued during fiscal 2015 (the "2015 Performance Awards"), the Target Shares earned can range from 0% to 300% and depend on the achievement of adjusted earnings per share for the cumulative three-fiscal year performance period and our total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to that of companies in our peer group. The 2015 Performance Awards cliff vested at 300% after the completion of the applicable three year performance period.  The 2015 Performance Awards grant date fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation covering the period from the valuation date through the end of the applicable performance period using our simulated stock price as well as the TSR of companies in our peer group. For Performance Awards issued during fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017 (the "2016 and 2017 Performance Awards"), an employee may earn from 0% to 200% of their Target Shares based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the three-year performance period, and adjusted return on invested capital ("adjusted ROIC") achieved at the end of the performance period. The 2016 and 2017 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the applicable three year performance period. The fair value of the 2016 and 2017 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For Performance Awards issued during fiscal 2018 (the "2018 Performance Awards"), an employee may earn from 0% to 250% of their Target Shares based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the three-year performance period, adjusted ROIC achieved as of the end of the performance period, and the ranking of our adjusted ROIC relative to that of companies in our peer group as of the end of the performance period. The 2018 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the three-year performance period. The fair value of the 2018 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the related service period reduced for estimated forfeitures of those awards not expected to vest due to employee turnover. While actual forfeitures could vary significantly from those estimated, a 10% change in our estimated forfeiture rate would impact our fiscal 2018 net income by approximately $0.5 million. 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - We periodically review our long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable.  Such events include a historical or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation that we will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.  In reviewing for impairment, we group our long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. 

We review all stores that have been open for at least two years, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at least an annual basis.  We believe waiting two years allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financial performance can be performed. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, we project future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease and compare the total undiscounted cash flows to the net book value of the related long-lived assets.  If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value.  We primarily determine fair market value to be the discounted future cash flows associated with those assets.  In evaluating future cash flows, we consider external and internal factors.  External factors comprise the local environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic, competition, and their effect on sales trends.  Internal factors include our ability to gauge the fashion taste of our customers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll, and in certain cases, our ability to renegotiate lease costs. If external factors should change unfavorably, if actual sales should differ from our projections, or if our ability to control costs is insufficient to sustain the necessary cash flows, future impairment charges could be material.  At August 4, 2018 , the average net book value per store was approximately $0.1 million.

Income Taxes -We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740--Income Taxes.  Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as for net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which the basis differences and tax assets are expected to be realized.  In accordance with SAB 118, we report provisional amounts if we are able to determine a reasonable estimate but do not have the necessary information available, prepared, and analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for the Tax Act. We may revise our estimates as we finalize our accounting during a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment of the Tax Act. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  In determining the need for valuation allowances we consider projected future taxable income, the availability of tax planning strategies, taxable income in prior carryback years, and future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences.  If, in the future we determine that we would not be able to realize our recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would decrease earnings in the period in which such determination is made.

 We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date.  For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments- FASB ASC 820-- Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.

This topic defines fair value 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 and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, assets of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, accounts payable and revolving loan are all short-term in nature.  As such, their carrying amounts approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company stock included in the Deferred Compensation Plan is not subject to fair value measurement.

Our assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets. We review the carrying amounts of such assets when events indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Our derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward contracts that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates, our credit risk and our counterparties' credit risks. Based on these inputs, our derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Insurance and Self-Insurance Liabilities - Based on our assessment of risk and cost efficiency, we self-insure as well as purchase insurance policies to provide for workers' compensation, general liability and property losses, cyber-security coverage, as well as directors' and officers' liability, vehicle liability and employee medical benefits.  We estimate risks and record a liability based upon historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions.  These estimates include inherent uncertainties due to the variability of the factors involved, including type of injury or claim, required services by the providers, healing time, age of claimant, case management costs, location of the claimant and governmental regulations.  While we believe that our risk assessments are appropriate, these uncertainties or a deviation in future claims trends from recent historical patterns could result in our recording additional or reduced expenses, which may be material to our results of operations.  Our historical estimates have not differed materially from actual results and a 10% difference in our insurance reserves as of August 4, 2018 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.4 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adopted in Fiscal 2018

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance relating to revenue recognition from contracts with customers. This guidance requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified-retrospective method. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 2, " Revenues" , for additional information.

To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2018

In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for hedging activities. This guidance aims to better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in the guidance expand and refine hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for leases. This guidance applies a right of use model that requires a lessee to record, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability to make lease payments. The lease term is the noncancellable period of the lease, and includes both periods covered by an option to extend the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that termination option. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in its fiscal year 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. We are executing against our implementation plan and gathering information to assess which of our real estate, personal property and other arrangements may meet the definition of a lease as contemplated in the guidance. While we are currently reviewing the potential impact of this standard, we would expect that the adoption of this standard will require us to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that will be material to our consolidated balance sheet given the extent of our lease portfolio.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales. We primarily evaluate the results of our operations as a percentage of net sales rather than in terms of absolute dollar increases or decreases by analyzing the year over year change in our business expressed as a percentage of net sales (i.e. "basis points"). For example, gross profit increased approximately 10 basis points to 34.5% of net sales during the Second Quarter 2018 from 34.4% during the Second Quarter 2017 .  Accordingly, to the extent that our sales have increased at a faster rate than our costs (i.e. "leveraging"), the more efficiently we have utilized the investments we have made in our business.  Conversely, if our sales decrease or if our costs grow at a faster pace than our sales (i.e. "de-leveraging"), we have less

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Table may not add due to rounding.

The following tables set forth net sales by segment, for the periods indicated.

Second Quarter 2018 Compared to the Second Quarter 2017

Net sales increased by $75.1 million, or 20.1%, to $448.7 million during the Second Quarter 2018 from $373.6 million during the Second Quarter 2017 .  The net sales increase of $75.1 million was primarily driven by a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 13.2%, a positive impact of approximately $22.0 million resulting from the calendar shift related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, and the adoption of Topic 606.

We believe that our e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail store operations are highly interdependent, with both sharing common customers purchasing from a common pool of product inventory. Accordingly, we believe that consolidated omni-channel reporting presents the most meaningful and appropriate measure of our performance, including Comparative Retail Sales and revenues.

The Children's Place U.S. net sales increased $71.9 million, or 22%, to $399.3 million in the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $327.4 million in the Second Quarter 2017 .  This increase primarily resulted from a U.S. Comparable Retail Sales increase of 14.2%, a positive impact resulting from the calendar shift related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, and the adoption of Topic 606.

The Children's Place International net sales increased $3.2 million, or 6.9%, to $49.4 million in the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $46.2 million in the Second Quarter 2017 .  The increase resulted primarily from a Canadian Comparable Retail Sales increase of 4.2%.

Gross profit increased by $26.4 million to $154.8 million during the Second Quarter 2018 from $128.4 million during the Second Quarter 2017 .  Gross margin leveraged 10 basis points to 34.5% during the Second Quarter 2018 from 34.4% during the Second Quarter 2017 . The increase resulted primarily from leverage of fixed expenses due to positive Comparable Retail Sales and the reclassification of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606, partially offset by lower merchandise margins with continued increased penetration of our e-commerce business.

Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues is dependent upon a variety of factors, including changes in the relative sales mix among distribution channels, changes in the mix of products sold, the timing and level of promotional activities,

foreign currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in material costs. These factors, among others, may cause gross profit as a percentage of net revenues to fluctuate from period to period.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $16.0 million to $124.2 million during the Second Quarter 2018 from $108.2 million during the Second Quarter 2017 . As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased 130 basis points to 27.7% during the Second Quarter 2018 from 29.0% during the Second Quarter 2017 . The comparability of our SG&A was affected by expenses related to the restructuring of certain store and corporate operations, consulting costs for organizational design efforts, system transition costs, and costs incurred in connection with the review of our warehouse and distribution network of $1.8 million for the Second Quarter 2018 and by costs related to the restructuring of certain store operations, a state sales and use tax audit settlement, and a provision for foreign exchange control penalties of $0.6 million for the Second Quarter 2017 . Excluding this impact, our SG&A increased $14.8 million and leveraged 150 basis points. The leverage was primarily due to strong Comparable Retail Sales and lower incentive compensation expense, partially offset by expenses related to the continued investment in our transformation initiatives and the reclassification of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606.

Asset impairment charges were $4.0 million during the Second Quarter 2018 , of which $0.6 million related to the full impairment of primarily two stores, and $3.4 million related to the write-down of information technology systems. Asset impairment charges during the Second Quarter 2017 were $1.0 million, which related to the full impairment of primarily three stores.

Depreciation and amortization was $16.6 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $16.0 million during the Second Quarter 2017 reflecting increased depreciation associated with our ongoing investment in business transformation initiatives.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes was an expense of $1.6 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to a benefit of $11.4 million during the Second Quarter 2017 .  Our effective tax rate was 17.5% and (388)% in the Second Quarter 2018 and the Second Quarter 2017 , respectively. The effective tax rate was higher during the Second Quarter 2018 primarily as a result of excess tax benefits of approximately $0.5 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to approximately $12.3 million in the Second Quarter 2017 due to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation vestings, partially offset by the benefit of the lower U.S. tax rate due to the Tax Act.

Net income was $7.5 million during the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $14.3 million during the Second Quarter 2017 , due to the factors discussed above.  Earnings per diluted share was $0.45 in the Second Quarter 2018 compared to $0.79 per diluted share in the Second Quarter 2017 .  This decrease in earnings per share is due to the factors noted above, partially offset by a lower weighted average common shares outstanding of approximately 1.5 million, which is the result of our share repurchase program.

Year-To-Date 2018 Compared to the Year-To-Date 2017

Net sales increased by $74.8 million, or 9.2%, to $885.0 million during Year-To-Date 2018 from $810.3 million during Year-To-Date 2017 .  The net sales increase was primarily driven by a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 5.1%, a positive impact of approximately $22.0 million resulting from the calendar shift related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, and the adoption of Topic 606.

We believe that our e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail store operations are highly interdependent, with both sharing common customers purchasing from a common pool of product inventory. Accordingly, we believe that consolidated omni-channel reporting presents the most meaningful and appropriate measure of our performance, including Comparative Retail Sales and revenues.

The Children's Place U.S. net sales increased $73.0 million, or 10.1%, to $795.1 million during Year-To-Date 2018 compared to $722.1 million during Year-To-Date 2017 .  This increase primarily resulted from a U.S. Comparable Retail Sales increase of 5.9% and the adoption of Topic 606.

The Children's Place International net sales increased $1.9 million, or 2.2%, to $90.0 million during Year-To-Date 2018 compared to $88.1 million during Year-To-Date 2017 .  The increase resulted primarily from a Canadian Comparable Retail Sales increase of 1.4%.

Gross profit increased by $16.0 million to $315.0 million during Year-To-Date 2018 from $299.0 million during Year-To-Date 2017 .  Gross margin de-leveraged 130 basis points to 35.6% during Year-To-Date 2018 from 36.9% during Year-To-Date 2017 . The de-leverage resulted primarily from increased penetration of our e-commerce business, which operates at a lower gross margin rate due to higher fulfillment costs, partially offset by the reclassification of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606.

Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues is dependent upon a variety of factors, including changes in the relative sales mix among distribution channels, changes in the mix of products sold, the timing and level of promotional activities,