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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - CONNS INCconns10312017ex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - CONNS INCconns10312017ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - CONNS INCconns10312017ex311.htm
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, 2017
 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, 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.
Large accelerated filer
o
 
Accelerated filer
ý
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
o
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 Act).  Yes o  No ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of November 30, 2017
Class
 
Outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
31,370,581



CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q
FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page No.
PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
PART II.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
References to "Conn's," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Conn's, Inc. and, as apparent from the context, its consolidated bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entities (“VIEs”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.



PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited and dollars in thousands)
 
October 31,
2017
 
January 31,
2017
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
12,742

 
$
23,566

Restricted cash (all held by VIEs)
71,099

 
110,698

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowances (includes VIE balance of $360,086 and $529,108, respectively)
635,700

 
702,162

Other accounts receivable
63,203

 
69,286

Inventories
235,479

 
164,856

Income taxes recoverable
1,194

 
2,150

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
14,721

 
14,955

Total current assets
1,034,138

 
1,087,673

Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowances (includes VIE balance of $231,036 and $320,382, respectively)
616,665

 
615,904

Property and equipment, net
144,747

 
159,202

Deferred income taxes
72,554

 
71,442

Other assets
6,285

 
6,913

Total assets
$
1,874,389

 
$
1,941,134

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (includes VIE balance of $64,952 and $0 respectively)
$
65,651

 
$
849

Accounts payable
109,738

 
101,612

Accrued compensation and related expenses
16,912

 
13,325

Accrued expenses
45,491

 
26,456

Income taxes payable
2,513

 
3,318

Deferred revenues and other credits
22,018

 
21,821

Total current liabilities
262,323

 
167,381

Deferred rent
87,152

 
87,957

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (includes VIE balance of $396,010 and $745,581, respectively)
973,278

 
1,144,393

Other long-term liabilities
22,245

 
23,613

Total liabilities
1,344,998

 
1,423,344

Commitments and contingencies
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

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

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 31,365,028 and 30,961,898 shares issued, respectively)
314

 
310

Additional paid-in capital
98,611

 
90,276

Retained earnings
430,466

 
427,204

Total stockholders' equity
529,391

 
517,790

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,874,389

 
$
1,941,134

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product sales
$
263,786

 
$
278,056

 
$
774,741

 
$
864,269

Repair service agreement commissions
24,488

 
26,354

 
72,703

 
82,849

Service revenues
3,534

 
3,623

 
10,062

 
11,456

Total net sales
291,808

 
308,033

 
857,506

 
958,574

Finance charges and other revenues
81,364

 
68,740

 
238,139

 
205,469

Total revenues
373,172

 
376,773

 
1,095,645

 
1,164,043

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
175,591

 
192,374

 
519,847

 
605,709

Selling, general and administrative expenses
114,355

 
114,457

 
332,524

 
347,550

Provision for bad debts
56,512

 
51,564

 
161,891

 
169,978

Charges and credits
5,861

 
1,987

 
11,156

 
5,408

Total costs and expenses
352,319

 
360,382

 
1,025,418

 
1,128,645

Operating income
20,853

 
16,391

 
70,227

 
35,398

Interest expense
18,095

 
23,470

 
62,142

 
73,504

Loss on extinguishment of debt
461

 

 
2,907

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
2,297

 
(7,079
)
 
5,178

 
(38,106
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
728

 
(3,264
)
 
1,916

 
(12,618
)
Net income (loss)
$
1,569

 
$
(3,815
)
 
$
3,262

 
$
(25,488
)
Income (loss) per share:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.05

 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.10

 
$
(0.83
)
Diluted
$
0.05

 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.10

 
$
(0.83
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
31,292,913

 
30,816,319

 
31,121,177

 
30,736,636

Diluted
31,764,594

 
30,816,319

 
31,457,420

 
30,736,636

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
3,262

 
$
(25,488
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation
23,138

 
21,209

Loss from retirement of leasehold improvement

 
1,980

Amortization of debt issuance costs
11,088

 
19,164

Provision for bad debts and uncollectible interest
192,354

 
200,349

Loss on extinguishment of debt
2,907

 

Stock-based compensation expense
5,899

 
3,928

Charges, net of credits, for store and facility closures
428

 
954

Deferred income taxes
(1,112
)
 
3,309

Loss (gain) on sale/write-off of fixed assets
5,636

 
(259
)
Tenant improvement allowances received from landlords
5,072

 
23,674

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Customer accounts receivable
(126,654
)
 
(131,943
)
Other accounts receivable
5,641

 
13,281

Inventories
(70,623
)
 
(2,568
)
Other assets
964

 
1,483

Accounts payable
8,186

 
32,342

Accrued expenses
21,371

 
11,542

Income taxes
151

 
(355
)
Deferred rent, revenues and other credits
(4,971
)
 
10,409

Net cash provided by operating activities
82,737

 
183,011

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchase of property and equipment
(11,995
)
 
(41,804
)
Proceeds from sale of property

 
686

Net cash used in investing activities
(11,995
)
 
(41,118
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes
469,814

 
1,067,850

Payments on asset-backed notes
(816,243
)
 
(736,266
)
Changes in restricted cash balances
39,599

 
(87,900
)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility
1,257,052

 
529,352

Payments on revolving credit facility
(1,082,552
)
 
(858,559
)
Borrowings on warehouse facility
79,940

 

Payments on warehouse facility
(23,066
)
 

Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees
(8,172
)
 
(9,775
)
Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans
3,011

 
824

Other
(949
)
 
(608
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(81,566
)
 
(95,082
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(10,824
)
 
46,811

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
23,566

 
12,254

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
12,742

 
$
59,065

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Capital lease asset additions and related obligations
$
3,196

 
$

Property and equipment purchases not yet paid
$
1,021

 
$
1,805

Supplemental cash flow data:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
$
44,561

 
$
53,074

Cash income taxes paid (refunded), net
$
2,878

 
$
(15,624
)
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 
Business. Conn's, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. References to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company,” “Conn’s” or “CONN” refer to Conn’s, Inc. and, as apparent from the context, its subsidiaries. Conn's is a leading specialty retailer that offers a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to proprietary credit solutions 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 credit alternatives.
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 to 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 ("GAAP") and prevailing industry practice 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, 2017 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, 2017, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 4, 2017.
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.
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Conn's, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. 
Variable Interest Entities. Variable interest entities ("VIEs") are consolidated if the Company is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
We securitize customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to various bankruptcy-remote VIEs. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolio and have a variable interest in each corresponding VIE by holding the residual equity. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of each respective VIE because (i) our servicing responsibilities for the securitized portfolio give us the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIE and (ii) our variable interest in the VIE gives us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns that potentially could be significant. As a result, we consolidate the respective VIEs within our consolidated financial statements.
Refer to Note 6, Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, and Note 8, Variable Interest Entities, for additional information.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ, even significantly, from these estimates. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, allowances for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest, which are particularly sensitive given the size of our customer portfolio balance.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash, credit card deposits in-transit, and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents include credit card deposits in-transit of $2.1 million and $2.4 million, as of October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, respectively. 

4

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Restricted Cash. The restricted cash balance as of October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017 includes $52.8 million and $75.2 million, respectively, of cash we collected as servicer on the securitized receivables that was subsequently remitted to the VIEs and $18.3 million and $35.5 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 both those transferred to the VIEs and those not transferred to the VIEs. Customer accounts receivable are recognized at the time the customer takes possession of the product. 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 include the 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 involves 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 principal 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 principal amount due from the customer but does reduce the monthly contractual payments and extend 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").
Interest income on customer accounts receivableInterest income, which includes interest income and amortization of deferred fees and origination costs, is recorded using the 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 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, 2017 and January 31, 2017, there was $13.0 million and $13.7 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 no-interest option 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 option 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 option finance programs with an offsetting reserve for those customers expected to satisfy the requirements of the program based on our historical experience.
No-interest option 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.
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. At October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, customer receivables carried in non-accrual status were $21.4 million and $22.9 million, respectively. At October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, customer receivables that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaled $105.2 million and $124.0 million, respectively. At October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, customer receivables in a bankruptcy status that are less than 60 days past due of $11.7 million and $19.5 million, respectively, are included within the customer receivables carried in non-accrual status balance.
Allowance for doubtful accounts. The determination of the amount of the allowance for bad debts is, by nature, highly complex and subjective. Future events that are inherently uncertain could result in material changes to the level of the allowance for bad debts. General economic conditions, changes to state or federal regulations and a variety of other factors that affect the ability of borrowers’ to service their debts or our ability to collect will impact the future performance of the portfolio.   
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.

5

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


We record an allowance for doubtful accounts on our non-TDR customer accounts receivable that we expect to charge-off over the next 12 months based on historical gross charge-off rates over the last 24 months. We incorporate an adjustment to historical gross charge-off rates for a scaled factor of the year-over-year change in six month average first payment default rates and the year-over-year change in the balance of customer accounts receivable that are 60 days or more past due.  In addition to adjusted historical gross charge-off rates, 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.               
Qualitative adjustments are made to the allowance for bad debts when, based on management’s judgment, there are internal or external factors impacting probable incurred losses not taken into account by the quantitative calculations. These qualitative considerations are based on the following factors: changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, changes in lending management, changes in credit quality statistics, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral, changes in concentrations of credit, and other internal or external factor changes. We utilize an economic qualitative adjustment based on changes in unemployment rates if current unemployment rates in our markets are worse than they were on average over the last 24 months.  We also qualitatively limit the impact of changes in first payment default rates and changes in delinquency when those changes result in a decrease to the allowance for bad debts based on a measure of the dispersion of historical charge-off rates.  
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 based primarily on the performance of TDR loans over the last 24 months.  The cash flows are discounted based on the weighted-average effective interest rate of the TDR accounts. The excess of the carrying amount over the discounted cash flow amount is recorded as an allowance for loss on those accounts.
Debt Issuance Costs. Costs that are direct and incremental to debt issuance are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected life of the debt.  All other costs related to debt issuance are expensed as incurred. We present debt issuance costs associated with long-term debt as a reduction of the carrying amount of the debt. Unamortized costs related to the revolving credit facility were $5.9 million and $5.7 million as of October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, respectively, and were included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.
Income Taxes. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016 we utilized the estimated annual effective tax rate based on our estimated fiscal year 2018 and 2017 pre-tax income, respectively, in determining income tax expense.
Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded, net of estimated forfeitures, for share-based compensation awards over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. An adjustment is made to compensation cost for any difference between the estimated forfeitures and the actual forfeitures related to the awards. For equity-classified share-based compensation awards, expense is recognized based on the grant-date fair value. For stock option grants, we use the Black-Scholes model to determine fair value. For grants of restricted stock units, the fair value of the grant is the market value of our stock at the date of issuance.
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Restricted stock awards ("RSUs") (1)
2,740

 
14,502

 
646,033

 
343,369

Performance stock awards ("PSUs") (2)

 

 
501,012

 
131,759

Total stock awards granted
2,740

 
14,502

 
1,147,045

 
475,128

Aggregate grant date fair value (in thousands)
$
50

 
$
96

 
$
14,596

 
$
5,046

(1) The majority of the RSUs issued during the nine months ended October 31, 2017 will vest, if at all, over periods of three to five years from the date of grant.
(2)The majority of the PSUs issued during the nine months ended October 31, 2017 will vest, if at all, upon the certification, after fiscal year 2020, by the compensation committee of the satisfaction of the annual and cumulative Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization performance conditions over the three fiscal years commencing with fiscal year 2018.
For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, stock-based compensation expense was $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, stock-based compensation expense was $5.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively, inclusive of severance related stock-based compensation expense of $0.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively.


6

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effects of any stock options and restricted stock units granted, which is calculated using the treasury-stock method. The following table sets forth the shares outstanding for the earnings per share calculations: 
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic
31,292,913

 
30,816,319

 
31,121,177

 
30,736,636

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units
471,681

 

 
336,243

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted
31,764,594

 
30,816,319

 
31,457,420

 
30,736,636

For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016 the weighted-average number of stock options and restricted stock units not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect was 0.2 million and 1.2 million, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the weighted-average number of stock options and restricted stock units not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect was 0.4 million and 1.2 million, respectively. 
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 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (for example, quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or market-corroborated inputs).
Level 3 – Inputs that are not observable from objective sources such as our internally developed assumptions used in pricing an asset or liability (for example, an estimate of future cash flows used in our internally developed present value of future cash flows model that underlies the fair-value measurement).
In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available or models that incorporate observable market data. When we are required to measure fair value and there is not a market-observable price for the asset or liability or for a similar asset or liability, we use the cost or income approach depending on the quality of information available to support management’s assumptions. The cost approach is based on management’s best estimate of the current asset replacement cost. The income approach is based on management’s best assumptions regarding expectations of future net cash flows and discounts the expected cash flows using a commensurate risk-adjusted discount rate. Such evaluations involve significant judgment, and the results are based on expected future events or conditions such as sales prices, economic and regulatory climates, and other factors, most of which are often outside of management’s control. However, we believe assumptions used reflect a market participant’s view of long-term prices, costs, and other factors and are consistent with assumptions used in our business plans and investment decisions.
In arriving at fair-value estimates, we use relevant observable inputs available for the valuation technique employed. If a fair-value measurement reflects inputs at multiple levels within the hierarchy, the fair-value measurement is characterized based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair-value measurement.
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash held by the consolidated VIEs 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 carrying amount, which includes the allowance for doubtful accounts. 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, 2017, the fair value of the Senior Notes outstanding, which was determined using Level 1 inputs, was $225.3 million as compared to the carrying value of $227.0 million, excluding the impact of the related discount. At October 31, 2017, the fair value of the asset-backed notes approximates their carrying value and was determined using Level 2 inputs based on inactive trading activity.

7

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): 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 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 are classified as operating activities as opposed to financing. The standard became effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The amendment requiring the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense in the income statement as opposed to being recognized as additional paid-in-capital was applied prospectively and the impact was not material. The Company retrospectively adopted the amendments requiring the classification of excess tax benefits and deficiencies with other income tax cash flows as operating activities and cash paid when directly withholding shares as financing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows; the impact was not material. The Company has elected to continue its current practice of estimating the number of awards expected to vest in determining the amount of compensation cost to be recognized related to share based payment transactions.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 requires that inventory that has historically been measured using first-in, first-out or average cost method be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The update requires prospective application and became effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Yet To Be Adopted. In May 2014, the FASB issued 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 such 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. The FASB has also issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net); ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; ASU 2016-11, Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting; and ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, all of which were issued to improve and clarify the guidance in ASU 2014-09. These ASUs will be 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. Based on our preliminary assessment, we do not expect the adoption of these ASUs to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements other than the expected additional disclosure requirements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), 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 final standard will become effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Based on our preliminary assessment, we believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our financial statements as we will be required to report additional leases on our consolidated balance sheet. We are the lessee under various lease agreements for our retail stores and equipment that are currently accounted for as operating leases as discussed in Note 6, Leases, of our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. 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 will become 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 this ASU will have on our financial statements.

8

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). ASU 2016-15 clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows to reduce diversity in practice. Among other things, debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs will be presented as cash outflows for financing activities on the statement of cash flow. The standard will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory, which eliminates the exception that prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income tax effects for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The standard will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The application of the amendments will require the use of a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We are evaluating the standard and the impact it will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). 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. We hold restricted cash related to our asset-backed security transactions. The adoption of this standard 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 ASU will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, and early adoption is permitted.

2.    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,
2017
 
January 31,
2017
 
October 31, 2017 (2)
 
January 31,
2017
 
October 31, 2017 (3)
 
January 31,
2017
Customer accounts receivable
$
1,341,939

 
$
1,417,581

 
$
110,382

 
$
127,747

 
$
208,047

 
$
111,585

Restructured accounts
146,967

 
138,858

 
37,484

 
38,010

 
146,967

 
138,858

Total customer portfolio balance
1,488,906

 
1,556,439

 
$
147,866

 
$
165,757

 
$
355,014

 
$
250,443

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
(202,906
)
 
(210,175
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowances for no-interest option credit programs
(19,616
)
 
(21,207
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred fees and origination costs, net
(14,019
)
 
(6,991
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total customer accounts receivable, net
1,252,365

 
1,318,066

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net
(635,700
)
 
(702,162
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net
$
616,665

 
$
615,904

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitized receivables held by the VIEs
$
712,727

 
$
1,015,837

 
$
99,763

 
$
156,344

 
$
246,333

 
$
238,375

Receivables not held by the VIEs
776,179

 
540,602

 
48,103

 
9,413

 
108,681

 
12,068

Total customer portfolio balance
$
1,488,906

 
$
1,556,439

 
$
147,866

 
$
165,757

 
$
355,014

 
$
250,443

(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, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the amounts included within both 60 days past due and re-aged were $64.8 million and $66.7 million, respectively. As of October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the total customer portfolio balance past due one day or greater was $394.5 million and $406.1 million, respectively. These amounts include the 60 days past due balances shown.

9

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(2)
The balance of accounts 60 days past due as of October 31, 2017 reflects the impact of first time re-ages related to customers within FEMA-designated Hurricane Harvey disaster areas.
(3)
The re-aged receivable balance as of October 31, 2017 includes $71.8 million in first time re-ages related to customers within FEMA-designated Hurricane Harvey disaster areas.
The following presents the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts and uncollectible interest for customer receivables: 
 
Nine Months Ended October 31, 2017
 
Nine Months Ended October 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Customer
Accounts
Receivable
 
 
Restructured
Accounts
 
 
 
Total
 
Customer
Accounts
Receivable
 
 
Restructured
Accounts
 
 
 
Total
Allowance at beginning of period
$
158,992

 
$
51,183

 
$
210,175

 
$
149,226

 
$
41,764

 
$
190,990

Provision (1)
139,406

 
52,948

 
192,354

 
156,063

 
44,286

 
200,349

Principal charge-offs (2)
(133,033
)
 
(44,657
)
 
(177,690
)
 
(132,028
)
 
(31,802
)
 
(163,830
)
Interest charge-offs
(21,884
)
 
(7,346
)
 
(29,230
)
 
(22,400
)
 
(5,405
)
 
(27,805
)
Recoveries (2)
5,463

 
1,834

 
7,297

 
3,727

 
899

 
4,626

Allowance at end of period
$
148,944

 
$
53,962

 
$
202,906

 
$
154,588

 
$
49,742

 
$
204,330

Average total customer portfolio balance
$
1,352,137

 
$
141,155

 
$
1,493,292

 
$
1,422,473

 
$
126,493

 
$
1,548,966

(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.
3.     Accrual for Store and Facility Closures 
We have closed or relocated retail and facility locations that did not perform at a level expected for mature store locations or that did not align with our long-term retail objectives. Certain of the closed or relocated stores and facilities had non-cancelable 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 store and facility closures: 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,874

 
$
1,866

Accrual for additional closures
1,314

 
954

Adjustments
16

 
(74
)
Cash payments, net of sublease income
(2,010
)
 
(767
)
Balance at end of period
1,194

 
1,979

Current portion, included in accrued expenses
(170
)
 
(923
)
Long-term portion, included in other long-term liabilities
$
1,024

 
$
1,056


10

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


4.     Charges and Credits
Charges and credits consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Store and facility closure costs
$

 
$
954

 
$
1,349

 
$
954

Impairments from disposals

 
595

 

 
1,980

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

 
158

 
34

 
747

Employee severance

 
280

 
1,317

 
1,493

Indirect tax audit reserve

 

 
2,595

 

Write-off of capitalized software costs
5,861

 

 
5,861

 

Executive management transition costs

 

 

 
234

 
$
5,861

 
$
1,987

 
$
11,156

 
$
5,408

During the three months ended October 31, 2017, we incurred a loss from the write-off of previously capitalized costs for a software project that was abandoned during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 related to the implementation of a new point of sale system that began in fiscal year 2013. During the nine months ended October 31, 2017, we incurred exit costs associated with reducing the square footage of a distribution center, severance costs related to a change in the executive management team, a charge related to an increase in our indirect tax audit reserve, and a loss from the write-off of previously capitalized costs for a software project that was abandoned during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 related to the implementation of a new point of sale system that began in fiscal year 2013. During the three and nine months ended October 31, 2016, we incurred costs associated with store and facility closures, impairments from disposals, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation and severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for one store we relocated prior to the end of the useful life of the leasehold improvements and incurred costs for a terminated store project prior to starting construction.
5.     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)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income and fees
$
74,144

 
$
58,404

 
$
210,765

 
$
173,527

Insurance income
7,125

 
9,999

 
27,107

 
30,674

Other revenues
95

 
337

 
267

 
1,268

 
$
81,364

 
$
68,740

 
$
238,139

 
$
205,469

Interest income and fees and insurance income are derived from the credit segment operations, whereas other revenues are derived from the retail segment operations. Insurance income is comprised of sales commissions from third-party insurance companies at the time we sell the coverage, and we may receive retrospective commissions, which are additional commissions paid by the insurance carrier if insurance claims are less than earned premiums.
During the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, interest income and fees reflected provisions for uncollectible interest of $10.5 million and $11.0 million and interest income related to TDR accounts of $4.8 million and $4.4 million, respectively. During the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, interest income and fees reflected provisions for uncollectible interest of $31.0 million and $31.2 million and interest income related to TDR accounts of $14.0 million and $12.7 million, respectively.

11

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


6.     Debt and Capital Lease Obligations 
Debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
October 31,
2017
 
January 31,
2017
Revolving credit facility
$
352,000

 
$
177,500

Senior Notes
227,000

 
227,000

2015 VIE Asset-backed Class A notes

 
12,166

2015 VIE Asset-backed Class B notes

 
165,900

2016-A VIE Asset-backed Class A notes

 
64,732

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
8,563

 
256,513

2016-B VIE Asset-backed Class B notes
111,960

 
111,960

2017-A VIE Asset-backed Class A notes
129,583

 

2017-A VIE Asset-backed Class B notes
106,270

 

2017-A VIE Asset-backed Class C notes
50,340

 

2017 Warehouse Class A Notes
56,874

 

Capital lease obligations
5,213

 
2,393

Total debt and capital lease obligations
1,047,803

 
1,159,184

Less:
 
 
 
Discount on debt
(2,668
)
 
(3,089
)
Deferred debt issuance costs
(6,206
)
 
(10,853
)
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
(65,651
)
 
(849
)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
973,278

 
$
1,144,393

Senior Notes. On July 1, 2014, we issued $250.0 million of the unsecured Senior Notes due July 2022 bearing interest at 7.25% (the "Senior Notes"), 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. The effective interest rate of the Senior Notes after giving effect to the discount and issuance costs is 7.8%.
The Indenture 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 on restricted payments are only effective if one or more of the following occurred: (1) a default were to exist under the Indenture, (2) we could not satisfy a debt incurrence test, and (3) the aggregate amount of restricted payments were to exceed an amount tied to 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 had a leverage ratio, as defined under the Indenture, of less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0. As a result of these exceptions, as of October 31, 2017, $179.2 million would have been free from the distribution restriction. However, as a result of the revolving credit facility distribution restrictions, which are further described below, we were restricted from making a distribution as of October 31, 2017. 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 fail to make payment of other indebtedness prior to the expiration of any applicable grace period or upon acceleration of indebtedness prior to its stated maturity date 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.

12

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Asset-backed Notes. During fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, we securitized customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to various bankruptcy-remote VIEs. In turn, the VIEs 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, all cash collections and other cash proceeds of the customer receivables go first to the servicer and the holders of issued notes, and then to us as the holder of non-issued notes and residual equity. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios and receive a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, 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 are reflected as a reduction to net charge-offs on a consolidated basis.
The 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 of 1933, as amended. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the respective asset-backed notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts may be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to the residual equity holder would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the asset-backed notes, or if the receivables are liquidated, all liquidation proceeds could be directed solely to repayment of the asset-backed notes as governed by the respective terms of the asset-backed notes. The holders of the asset-backed notes have no recourse to assets outside of the VIEs. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the asset-backed notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.
The asset-backed notes at origination consisted of the following:
Asset-Backed Notes
 
Original Principal Amount
 
Net Proceeds(1)
 
Issuance Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Contractual Interest Rate
 
Effective Interest Rate(2)
2016-B Class A Notes
 
391,840

 
380,033

 
10/6/2016
 
10/15/2018
 
3.73%
 
5.47%
2016-B Class B Notes
 
111,960

 
108,586

 
10/6/2016
 
3/15/2019
 
7.34%
 
8.03%
2017-A Class A Notes
 
313,220

 
304,451

 
4/19/2017
 
7/15/2019
 
2.73%
 
4.96%
2017-A Class B Notes
 
106,270

 
103,300

 
4/19/2017
 
2/15/2020
 
5.11%
 
5.83%
2017-A Class C Notes
 
50,340

 
48,919

 
4/19/2017
 
10/15/2021
 
7.40%
 
7.91%
2017 Warehouse Class A Notes

 
79,940

 
78,777

 
8/15/2017
 
8/15/2018
 
1M CP + 4% (3)
 
7.02%
Total
 
$
1,053,570

 
$
1,024,066

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
After giving effect to debt issuance costs and restricted cash held by the VIEs.
(2)
For the nine months ended October 31, 2017, and inclusive of changes in timing of actual and expected cash flows.
(3)
The rate on the 2017 Warehouse Class A Notes is defined as the one-month commercial paper rate, representing the purchaser's commercial paper cost, plus a 4% fixed margin.
On May 15, 2017, the Company completed the redemption of its Series 2015-A Class B Notes (collectively, the "2015-A Redeemed Notes") at an aggregate redemption price of $114.1 million (which was equal to the entire outstanding principal of, plus accrued interest on, the 2015-A Redeemed Notes). The net funds used to call the notes was $78.8 million, which is equal to the redemption price less adjustments of $35.3 million for funds held in reserve and collection accounts in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture governing the 2015-A Redeemed Notes. The net funds used to call the 2015-A Redeemed Notes of $78.8 million was transferred from the Guarantors to the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary in exchange for the underlying securities held as collateral on the 2015-A Redeemed Notes with carrying value of $126.3 million as of April 30, 2017. In connection with the early redemption of the 2015-A Redeemed Notes, we wrote-off $2.1 million of debt issuance costs.

On August 15, 2017, affiliates of the Company closed on a $79.9 million financing under a receivables warehouse financing transaction entered into on August 8, 2017 (the "Warehouse Financing"). The net proceeds of the Warehouse Financing were used to prepay in full the Series 2016-A Class B Notes and Class C Notes (collectively, the "2016-A Redeemed Notes"), which had been issued by Conn’s Receivables Funding 2016-A, LLC under a securitization transaction entered into on March 17, 2016, that were still outstanding as of August 15, 2017.

On August 15, 2017, the Company completed the redemption of the 2016-A Redeemed Notes at an aggregate redemption price of $102.9 million (which was equal to the entire outstanding principal of, plus accrued interest and the call premiums on, the 2016-A Redeemed Notes). The net funds used to call the notes was $78.6 million, which is equal to the redemption price less adjustments of $24.3 million for funds held in reserve and collection accounts in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture governing the 2016-A Redeemed Notes. The difference between the net proceeds of the Warehouse Financing and the carrying value of the

13

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


2016-A Redeemed Notes at redemption was used to fund fees, expenses and a reserve account related to the Warehouse facility. In connection with the early redemption of the 2016-A Redeemed Notes, we wrote-off $0.5 million of debt issuance costs.

Revolving Credit Facility. On March 31, 2017, Conn's, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Borrowers") entered into a Third Amendment (the "Third Amendment") to the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2015, with certain lenders, which provides for a $750.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") under which credit availability is subject to a borrowing base. The revolving credit facility matures on October 30, 2019.
The Third Amendment, among other things, (a) extends the maturity date of the credit facility one year to October 30, 2019; (b) provides for a reduction in the aggregate commitments from $810 million to $750 million; (c) amends the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio to 1.10x as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017 and to 1.25x as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2018; (d) sets the applicable margin at 3.50% for LIBOR loans and 2.50% for Base Rate loans until the Company demonstrates an interest coverage ratio of equal to or greater than 1.10x for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017, at which point the applicable margin will revert to being determined according to the existing pricing grid based on facility availability; (e) reduces the minimum cash recovery percentage on the contracts it owns and manages from 4.50% to 4.45% for the first nine months of each fiscal year, and from 4.25% to 4.20% for the last three months of each fiscal year; (f) amends the definition of “EBITDA” to, among other things, exclude the impact of non-cash asset write-offs relating to construction in process; (g) amends the definition of “Interest Expense” to exclude certain non-interest expenses; (h) amends various definitions and other related provisions to clarify the Company’s ability to undertake permitted securitization transactions; (i) increases the number of equity cures that may be exercised during the term of the agreement from one time to two times, and increases the maximum amount of each such cure from $10 million to $20 million; and (j) modifies the calculations of “Tangible Net Worth” and “Interest Coverage Ratio” to deduct certain amounts attributable to the difference between a calculated loss reserve and the Company’s recorded loss reserve on its customer receivables.
Loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to LIBOR plus the applicable margin at 3.50% for LIBOR loans and 2.50% for base rate loans until the Company demonstrates an interest coverage ratio of equal to or greater than 1.10x for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017, at which point the applicable margin will revert to being determined according to the existing pricing grid based on facility availability which specifies a margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.25% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). The alternate base rate is the greatest 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%. We also pay an unused fee on the portion of the commitments that is available for future borrowings or letters of credit at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, depending on the average outstanding balance and letters of credit of the revolving credit facility in the immediately preceding quarter. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings outstanding and including unused line fees under the revolving credit facility was 6.6% for the nine months ended October 31, 2017.
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, 2017, we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $110.5 million under our revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $2.8 million. We also had $284.8 million that may become available under our revolving credit facility if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and our 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, 2017, we were unable to repay the Senior Notes or make other distributions as a result of the revolving credit facility restrictions. The revolving credit facility contains customary default provisions, which, if triggered, could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
In connection with entering into the Third Amendment, we wrote-off $0.3 million of debt issuance costs for lenders that did not continue to participate. We also paid $2.8 million of debt issuance costs, recorded as other assets, which will be amortized ratably over the remaining term of the revolving credit facility along with the unamortized debt issuance costs remaining on the revolving credit facility.

14

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Debt Covenants. We were in compliance with our debt covenants, as amended, at October 31, 2017. A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our revolving credit facility, as amended, compared to our actual compliance status at October 31, 2017 is presented below: 
 
Actual
 
Required
Minimum/
Maximum
Interest Coverage Ratio must equal or exceed minimum
1.75:1.00
 
1.10:1.00
Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
2.49:1.00
 
4.00:1.00
ABS Excluded Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
1.71:1.00
 
2.00:1.00
Cash Recovery Percent must exceed stated amount
4.80%
 
4.45%
Capital Expenditures, net, must not exceed maximum
$1.0 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 to the financial statement captions in this document. The covenants are 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.

7.     Contingencies
Securities Class Action Litigation. We and two 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”), captioned 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 in the Court that were consolidated 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 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 or call options, or sold or 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 defendant's motion to dismiss was fully briefed and the Court held a hearing on defendants' motion on March 25, 2016 and on May 5, 2016, the Court issued a ruling that dismissed 78 of 91 alleged misstatements. The parties have submitted their respective briefs in support of, and in opposition to, class certification, and also engaged in discovery pursuant to the Court’s scheduling order. In late June 2017, the Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, and shortly thereafter, Defendants filed a petition for permission to appeal to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Fifth Circuit granted leave to appeal on August 21, 2017. We anticipate that the appellate court may issue its ruling in the first half of calendar year 2018. Trial is scheduled for October 2018.
We intend to vigorously defend against all of the claims in the Consolidated Securities Action against us. 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 former 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 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 (former executive officer) 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.

15

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


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 Consolidated Securities Action is scheduled for trial in October 2018. The parties have agreed to continue the stay.
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 281st Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas. This action makes substantially similar allegations to the Original Derivative Action against the same defendants. On September 14, 2017, the court entered an order extending the stay until March 16, 2018. 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 former executive officers in the 55th 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 (former executive officer), 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. Pursuant to the parties’ agreement, this action is currently stayed.
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. 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.
Regulatory Matters. We are continuing to cooperate with the SEC's investigation of our underwriting policies and bad debt provisions, which began in November 2014.  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. At this time, it is not possible to predict the timing or outcome of this investigation, or whether there will be a material loss, if any, resulting from this investigation.
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 us. 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
In fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, we securitized customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to various bankruptcy-remote VIEs. Under the terms of the respective securitization transactions, all cash collections and other cash proceeds of the customer receivables go first to the servicer and the holders of the asset-backed notes, and then to the residual equity holder. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolio and receive a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables, and we currently hold all of the residual equity. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, will retain certain 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.
We consolidate VIEs when we determine that we are the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIEs and our obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns are significant.

16

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following table presents the assets and liabilities held by the VIEs (for legal purposes, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs will remain distinct from Conn's, Inc.):
(in thousands)
October 31,
2017
 
January 31,
2017
Assets:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
$
71,099

 
$
110,698

Due from Conn's, Inc., net
2,387

 
7,368

Customer accounts receivable:
 
 
 
Customer accounts receivable
603,584

 
884,367

Restructured accounts
109,143

 
131,470

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
(109,759
)
 
(150,435
)
Allowances for no-interest option credit programs
(8,661
)
 
(15,912
)
Deferred fees and origination costs
(3,185
)
 

Total customer accounts receivable, net
591,122

 
849,490

Total assets
$
664,608

 
$
967,556

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued expenses
$
3,602

 
$
6,525

Other liabilities
6,362

 
6,691

Current maturities of long-term debt:
 
 
 
2016-B Class A Notes
8,563

 
 
2017-A Warehouse Class A Notes
56,874

 
 
Deferred debt issuance costs
(485
)
 
 
 
64,952

 

Long-term debt:
 
 
 
2015 Class A Notes

 
12,166

2015 Class B Notes

 
165,900

2016-A Class A Notes

 
64,732

2016-A Class B Notes

 
70,510

2016-A Class C Notes

 
70,510

2016-B Class A Notes

 
256,513

2016-B Class B Notes
111,960

 
111,960

2017-A Class A Notes
129,583

 

2017-A Class B Notes
106,270

 

2017-A Class C Notes
50,340

 

 
398,153

 
752,291

Less: deferred debt issuance costs
(2,143
)
 
(6,710
)
Total long-term debt
396,010

 
745,581

Total liabilities
$
470,926

 
$
758,797

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 respective VIEs.

17

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


9.     Segment Reporting 
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities and for which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about how to allocate resources and assess performance. We are a leading specialty retailer and offer a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to a proprietary credit solution for our core credit-constrained consumers. We have two operating segments: (i) retail and (ii) credit. Our operating segments complement one another. The retail segment operates primarily through our stores and website in the retail furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products business. Our retail segment 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 segment offers affordable financing solutions to a large, under-served population of credit-constrained consumers who typically have limited credit alternatives. Our operating segments provide customers the opportunity to comparison shop across brands with confidence in our competitive prices as well as affordable monthly payment options, next day delivery and installation in the majority of our markets, and product repair service. We believe our large, attractively merchandised retail stores and credit solutions offer a distinctive value proposition compared to other retailers that target our core customer demographic. The operating segments follow the same accounting policies used in our consolidated financial statements.
We evaluate a segment’s performance based upon operating income before taxes. Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated corporate 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 which 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.
As of October 31, 2017, we operated retail stores in 14 states with no operations outside of the United States. No single customer accounts for more than 10% of our total revenues.

18

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables:
 
Three Months Ended October 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended October 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
 
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture and mattress
$
97,146

 
$

 
$
97,146

 
$
98,898

 
$

 
$
98,898

Home appliance
83,837

 

 
83,837

 
85,785

 

 
85,785

Consumer electronic
58,062

 

 
58,062

 
65,670

 

 
65,670

Home office
20,295

 

 
20,295

 
22,747

 

 
22,747

Other
4,446

 

 
4,446

 
4,956

 

 
4,956

Product sales
263,786

 

 
263,786

 
278,056

 

 
278,056

Repair service agreement commissions
24,488

 

 
24,488

 
26,354

 

 
26,354

Service revenues
3,534

 

 
3,534

 
3,623

 

 
3,623

Total net sales
291,808

 

 
291,808

 
308,033

 

 
308,033

Finance charges and other revenues
95

 
81,269

 
81,364

 
337

 
68,403

 
68,740

Total revenues
291,903

 
81,269

 
373,172

 
308,370

 
68,403

 
376,773

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold
175,591

 

 
175,591

 
192,374

 

 
192,374

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
80,676

 
33,679

 
114,355

 
79,777

 
34,680

 
114,457

Provision for bad debts
189

 
56,323

 
56,512

 
286

 
51,278

 
51,564

Charges and credits
5,861

 

 
5,861

 
1,987

 

 
1,987

Total costs and expense
262,317

 
90,002

 
352,319

 
274,424

 
85,958

 
360,382

Operating income (loss)
29,586

 
(8,733
)
 
20,853

 
33,946

 
(17,555
)
 
16,391

Interest expense

 
18,095

 
18,095

 

 
23,470

 
23,470

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
461

 
461

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
29,586

 
$
(27,289
)
 
$
2,297

 
$
33,946

 
$
(41,025
)
 
$
(7,079
)

19

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



 
Nine Months Ended October 31, 2017
 
Nine Months Ended October 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
 
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture and mattress
$
286,886

 
$

 
$
286,886

 
$
309,766

 
$

 
$
309,766

Home appliance
253,044

 

 
253,044

 
275,048

 

 
275,048

Consumer electronic
166,761

 

 
166,761

 
197,270

 

 
197,270

Home office
54,945

 

 
54,945

 
66,921

 

 
66,921

Other
13,105

 

 
13,105

 
15,264

 

 
15,264

Product sales
774,741

 

 
774,741

 
864,269

 

 
864,269

Repair service agreement commissions
72,703

 

 
72,703

 
82,849

 

 
82,849

Service revenues
10,062

 

 
10,062

 
11,456

 

 
11,456

Total net sales
857,506

 

 
857,506

 
958,574

 

 
958,574

Finance charges and other revenues
267

 
237,872

 
238,139

 
1,268

 
204,201

 
205,469

Total revenues
857,773

 
237,872

 
1,095,645

 
959,842

 
204,201

 
1,164,043

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold
519,847

 

 
519,847

 
605,709

 

 
605,709

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
233,290

 
99,234

 
332,524

 
244,598

 
102,952

 
347,550

Provision for bad debts
584

 
161,307

 
161,891

 
811

 
169,167

 
169,978

Charges and credits
11,156

 

 
11,156

 
5,408

 

 
5,408

Total costs and expense
764,877

 
260,541

 
1,025,418

 
856,526

 
272,119

 
1,128,645

Operating income (loss)
92,896

 
(22,669
)
 
70,227

 
103,316

 
(67,918
)
 
35,398

Interest expense

 
62,142

 
62,142

 

 
73,504

 
73,504

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
2,907

 
2,907

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
92,896

 
$
(87,718
)
 
$
5,178

 
$
103,316

 
$
(141,422
)
 
$
(38,106
)
(1)
For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of corporate overhead allocated to each segment reflected in selling, general and administrative expense was $7.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively. For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of reimbursement made to the retail segment by the credit segment was $9.3 million and $9.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of corporate overhead allocated to each segment reflected in selling, general and administrative expense was $21.5 million and $18.9 million, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of reimbursement made to the retail segment by the credit segment was $27.9 million and $29.0 million, respectively.
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 certain guarantor subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). As of October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conn's, Inc. that were not Guarantors (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries") were the VIEs and 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 dividends or distributions.
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 Guarantors, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, together with certain eliminations. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the parent company using the equity method for purposes of this presentation. Results of operations of subsidiaries are therefore reflected in the parent company's investment accounts and operations. The consolidated financial information includes financial data for:
(i) Conn’s, Inc. (on a parent-only basis),
(ii) Guarantors,

20

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(iii) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and
(iv) the parent company and the subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017 (after the elimination of intercompany balances and transactions). Condensed consolidated net income (loss) is the same as condensed consolidated comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
12,742

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,742

Restricted cash

 

 
71,099

 

 
71,099

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

 
275,614

 
360,086

 

 
635,700

Other accounts receivable

 
63,203

 

 

 
63,203

Inventories

 
235,479

 

 

 
235,479

Other current assets

 
18,865

 
2,387

 
(5,337
)
 
15,915

Total current assets

 
605,903

 
433,572

 
(5,337
)
 
1,034,138

Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
682,391

 
193,682

 

 
(876,073
)
 

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

 
385,629

 
231,036

 

 
616,665

Property and equipment, net

 
144,747

 

 

 
144,747

Deferred income taxes
72,554

 

 

 

 
72,554

Other assets

 
6,285

 

 

 
6,285

Total assets
$
754,945

 
$
1,336,246

 
$
664,608

 
$
(881,410
)
 
$
1,874,389

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
$

 
$
699

 
$
64,952

 
$

 
$
65,651

Accounts payable

 
109,738

 

 

 
109,738

Accrued expenses
4,800

 
59,463

 
3,602

 
(2,949
)
 
64,916

Other current liabilities

 
21,342

 
3,063

 
(2,387
)
 
22,018

Total current liabilities
4,800

 
191,242

 
71,617

 
(5,336
)
 
262,323

Deferred rent

 
87,152

 

 

 
87,152

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
220,754

 
356,514

 
396,010

 

 
973,278

Other long-term liabilities

 
18,946

 
3,299

 

 
22,245

Total liabilities
225,554

 
653,854

 
470,926

 
(5,336
)
 
1,344,998

Total stockholders' equity
529,391

 
682,391

 
193,682

 
(876,073
)
 
529,391

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
754,945

 
$
1,336,245

 
$
664,608

 
$
(881,409
)
 
$
1,874,389

Deferred income taxes related to tax attributes of the Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are reflected under Conn's, Inc.


21

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
23,566

 
$

 
$

 
$
23,566

Restricted cash

 

 
110,698

 

 
110,698

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

 
173,054

 
529,108

 

 
702,162

Other accounts receivable

 
69,286

 

 

 
69,286

Inventories

 
164,856

 

 

 
164,856

Other current assets

 
21,505

 
7,368

 
(11,768
)
 
17,105

Total current assets

 
452,267

 
647,174

 
(11,768
)
 
1,087,673

Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
678,149

 
220,107

 

 
(898,256
)
 

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

 
295,522

 
320,382

 

 
615,904

Property and equipment, net

 
159,202

 

 

 
159,202

Deferred income taxes
71,442

 

 

 

 
71,442

Other assets

 
6,913

 

 

 
6,913

Total assets
$
749,591

 
$
1,134,011

 
$
967,556

 
$
(910,024
)
 
$
1,941,134

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
$

 
$
849

 
$

 
$

 
$
849

Accounts payable

 
101,612

 

 

 
101,612

Accrued expenses
686

 
40,287

 
6,525

 
(4,399
)
 
43,099

Other current liabilities

 
25,230

 
3,961

 
(7,370
)
 
21,821

Total current liabilities
686

 
167,978

 
10,486

 
(11,769
)
 
167,381

Deferred rent

 
87,957

 

 

 
87,957

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
219,768

 
179,044

 
745,581

 

 
1,144,393

Other long-term liabilities

 
20,883

 
2,730

 

 
23,613

Total liabilities
220,454

 
455,862

 
758,797

 
(11,769
)
 
1,423,344

Total stockholders' equity
529,137

 
678,149

 
208,759

 
(898,255
)
 
517,790

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
749,591

 
$
1,134,011

 
$
967,556

 
$
(910,024
)
 
$
1,941,134

Deferred income taxes related to tax attributes of the Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are reflected under Conn's, Inc.


22

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended October 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net sales
$

 
$
291,808

 
$

 
$

 
$
291,808

Finance charges and other revenues

 
45,228

 
36,136

 

 
81,364

Servicing fee revenue

 
18,178

 

 
(18,178
)
 

Total revenues

 
355,214

 
36,136

 
(18,178
)
 
373,172

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold

 
175,591

 

 

 
175,591

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
125,355

 
7,178

 
(18,178
)
 
114,355

Provision for bad debts

 
44,454

 
12,058

 

 
56,512

Charges and credits

 
5,861

 

 

 
5,861

Total costs and expenses

 
351,261

 
19,236

 
(18,178
)
 
352,319

Operating income

 
3,953

 
16,900

 

 
20,853

Interest expense
4,443

 
4,979

 
8,673

 

 
18,095

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
461

 

 
461

Income (loss) before income taxes
(4,443
)
 
(1,026
)
 
7,766

 

 
2,297

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(1,408
)
 
(324
)
 
2,460

 

 
728

Net income (loss) before consolidation
$
(3,035
)
 
$
(702
)
 
$
5,306

 
$

 
$
1,569

Income (loss) from consolidated subsidiaries (after tax)
$
4,742

 
$
1,988

 
$

 
$
(6,730
)
 
$

Consolidated net income (loss)
$
1,707

 
$
1,286

 
$
5,306

 
$
(6,730
)
 
$
1,569

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended October 31, 2016:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
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

Interest expense
4,447

 
3,876

 
15,147

 

 
23,470

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
(4,447
)
 
1,066

 
(3,698
)
 

 
(7,079
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(2,051
)
 
492

 
(1,705
)
 

 
(3,264
)
Net income (loss) before consolidation
$
(2,396
)
 
$
574

 
$
(1,993
)
 
$

 
$
(3,815
)
Income (loss) from consolidated subsidiaries (after tax)
$
(1,419
)
 
$
(1,993
)
 
$

 
$
3,412

 
$

Consolidated net income (loss)
$
(3,815
)
 
$
(1,419
)
 
$
(1,993
)
 
$
3,412

 
$
(3,815
)

23

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net sales
$

 
$
857,506

 
$

 
$

 
$
857,506

Finance charges and other revenues

 
122,305

 
115,834

 

 
238,139

Servicing fee revenue

 
46,010

 

 
(46,010
)
 

Total revenues

 
1,025,821

 
115,834

 
(46,010
)
 
1,095,645

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold

 
519,847

 

 

 
519,847

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
343,043

 
35,491

 
(46,010
)
 
332,524

Provision for bad debts

 
64,438

 
97,453

 

 
161,891

Charges and credits

 
11,156

 

 

 
11,156

Total costs and expenses

 
938,484

 
132,944

 
(46,010
)
 
1,025,418

Operating income

 
87,337

 
(17,110
)
 

 
70,227

Interest expense
13,329

 
7,501

 
41,312

 

 
62,142

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
349

 
2,558

 

 
2,907

Income (loss) before income taxes
(13,329
)
 
79,487

 
(60,980
)
 

 
5,178

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(4,934
)
 
29,420

 
(22,570
)
 

 
1,916

Net income (loss) before consolidation
$
(8,395
)
 
$
50,067

 
$
(38,410
)
 
$

 
$
3,262

Income (loss) from consolidated subsidiaries (after tax)
$
11,657

 
$
(38,410
)
 
$

 
$
26,753

 
$

Consolidated net income (loss)
$
3,262

 
$
11,657

 
$
(38,410
)
 
$
26,753

 
$
3,262

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2016:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
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

Interest expense
13,290

 
10,496

 
49,718

 

 
73,504

Income (loss) before income taxes
(13,290
)
 
32,271

 
(57,087
)
 

 
(38,106
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(4,400
)
 
10,685

 
(18,903
)
 

 
(12,618
)
Net income (loss) before consolidation
$
(8,890
)
 
$
21,586

 
$
(38,184
)
 
$

 
$
(25,488
)
Income (loss) from consolidated subsidiaries (after tax)
$
(16,598
)
 
$
(38,184
)
 
$

 
$
54,780

 
$

Consolidated net income (loss)
$
(25,488
)
 
$
(16,598
)
 
$
(38,184
)
 
$
54,780

 
$
(25,488
)


24

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(3,011
)
 
$
(635,568
)
 
$
721,316

 
$

 
$
82,737

Cash flows from investing activities:


 


 


 


 
  

Purchase of customer accounts receivables

 

 
(544,833
)
 
544,833

 

Sale of customer accounts receivables

 
544,833

 

 
(544,833
)
 

Purchase of property and equipment

 
(11,995
)
 

 

 
(11,995
)
Proceeds from sales of property

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 
532,838

 
(544,833
)
 

 
(11,995
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes

 

 
469,814

 

 
469,814

Payments on asset-backed notes

 
(78,780
)
 
(737,463
)
 

 
(816,243
)
Changes in restricted cash balances

 

 
39,599

 

 
39,599

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

 
1,257,052

 

 

 
1,257,052

Payments on revolving credit facility

 
(1,082,552
)
 

 

 
(1,082,552
)
Borrowings from warehouse facility

 

 
79,940

 

 
79,940

Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees

 
(2,865
)
 
(5,307
)
 

 
(8,172
)
Payments on warehouse facility

 

 
(23,066
)
 

 
(23,066
)
Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans
3,011

 

 

 

 
3,011

Other

 
(949
)
 

 

 
(949
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
3,011

 
91,906

 
(176,483
)
 

 
(81,566
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 
(10,824
)
 

 

 
(10,824
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 
23,566

 

 

 
23,566

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$

 
$
12,742

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,742




25

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.
 
Guarantors
 
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



26


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," “predict,” “will,” “potential,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations. 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 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 manage effectively the selection of 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 our 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; 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, 2017 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, or to provide periodic updates or guidance. 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 $373.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to $376.8 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016. Retail revenues decreased to $291.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2017 from $308.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016. The decrease in retail revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in same store sales of 7.0%, partially offset by new store growth. Sales for the three months ended October 31, 2017 were impacted negatively by general softness in consumer spending. Credit revenue increased to $81.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2017 from $68.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016. The increase in credit revenue resulted from increased originations of our higher-yielding direct loan product, which resulted in an increase in the portfolio yield rate to 19.8% from 15.0%, partially offset by a 3.7% decline in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio.
Retail gross margin for the three months ended October 31, 2017 was 39.8%, an increase of 230 basis points from the 37.5% reported in the three months ended October 31, 2016. The increase in retail gross margin was primarily due to improved product margins across all product categories, favorable product mix and continued focus on increasing efficiencies.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the three months ended October 31, 2017 were $114.4 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.1%, over the three months ended October 31, 2016. The SG&A decrease in the credit segment was primarily due to a decrease in compensation costs, partially offset by an increase in the corporate overhead allocation. The SG&A increase in the retail segment was primarily due to an increase in the corporate overhead allocation, an increase in occupancy costs due to additional stores opened in fiscal year 2018, and $1.2 million of expenses incurred, net of estimated insurance proceeds, related to Hurricane Harvey, partially offset by a decrease in advertising and compensation expenses. The Company incurred a

27


total of $1.6 million of expenses, net of estimated insurance proceeds, related to Hurricane Harvey. The increase in the corporate overhead allocation made to each of the segments was driven by investments we are making in information technology, other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives, and an increase in accrued incentive compensation.
Provision for bad debts for the three months ended October 31, 2017 was $56.5 million, an increase of $4.9 million from the comparable prior-year period. The most significant reasons for the increase in the provision for bad debts for the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2016 were
i.
growth in the customer receivables portfolio in the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to a decline in the three months ended October 31, 2016,
ii.
higher net-charge offs in the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2016, and
iii.
an increase in the qualitative reserve related to Hurricane Harvey of $1.1 million, partially offset by
iv.
a decrease in our estimated TDR loss rate as a result of improvements in TDR delinquency rates.

Interest expense decreased to $18.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2017, compared to $23.5 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016, primarily reflecting a lower effective cost of borrowing and lower average outstanding balance of debt. Interest expense during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 benefited from the early redemption of previously issued higher cost asset backed notes.
Net income for the three months ended October 31, 2017 was $1.6 million or $0.05 per share, which included certain pre-tax charges of $6.3 million or $0.13 per diluted share, related to the write-off of previously capitalized costs for a software project that was abandoned during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 related to the implementation of a new point of sale system that began in fiscal year 2013, and the loss on extinguishment of debt related to the early redemption of our 2016-A Redeemed Notes. This compares to a net loss for the three months ended October 31, 2016 of $3.8 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, which included net pre-tax charges of $2.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation, impairment on disposals, facility close costs, and executive management transition costs.
Company Initiatives
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, we demonstrated the resiliency of our business model and the significant value we provide our customers as we quickly recovered from the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Despite the challenges caused by Hurricane Harvey, we maintained our focus on enhancing our credit platform to improve near-term results and to support the pursuit of the Company’s long-term growth objectives. Retail performance and margin remain strong, demonstrating our differentiated business model. We continue to see the benefit in our credit operations from the structural changes we are making to increase yield, reduce losses and improve overall credit performance. We delivered the following financial and operational results in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018:
Achieved second consecutive quarter of profitability, despite the unprecedented impact of Hurricane Harvey;
Successfully launched our direct loan program in all of our Oklahoma and Tennessee locations which contributed to our sixth consecutive quarter of incremental yield improvement. Our weighted average origination loan yield increased to 27.9% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 from 24.7% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, an increase of over 300 basis points;
Reduced, year-over-year, the balance of accounts 60 days past due as a percentage of the customer receivables portfolio to 9.9% at October 31, 2017 from 11.0% at October 31, 2016;
Increased retail gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 to 39.8%, an increase of over 230 basis points compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 rate of 37.5%, driven primarily by improved product margins across all product categories, favorable product mix, and continued focus on increasing efficiencies;
Completed the early redemption of our 2016-A Redeemed Notes on August 15, 2017, which contributed to a $1.9 million reduction in interest expense in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 and a $5.4 million reduction compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2017; and
Increased sales financed with the lease-to-own product offered through Progressive Leasing, which we offer to our customers who do not qualify for our proprietary credit programs, to 5.7% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 from 3.8% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.

We believe that we are positioned to prudently execute our long-term growth strategy and reduce financial and operational risk while enhancing shareholder value. We continue to execute on the following strategic priorities for fiscal year 2018:

28


Implement our direct loan program offering to further enhance our yield;
Continue to refine and enhance our underwriting model and focus on our collection operations to reduce delinquency rates and future charge-offs to improve future credit segment performance;
Lower our cost of funds;
Optimize our mix of quality, branded products and reduce warehouse, delivery and transportation costs to increase our retail gross margin;
Maintain focus on cost control of our SG&A expenses; and
Open three new stores, all of which were successfully opened during the first half of fiscal year 2018.

Outlook
The broad appeal of the Conn's store to our geographically diverse core demographic, the historical unit economics and current retail real estate market conditions provide us ample room for continued expansion. There are many markets in the United States with demographic characteristics similar to those in our existing footprint, which provides substantial opportunities for future growth. We plan to continue to improve our operating results by leveraging our existing infrastructure and seeking to continually optimize the efficiency of our marketing, merchandising, sourcing, distribution and credit operations. As we penetrate new markets, we expect to increase our purchase volumes, achieve distribution efficiencies and strengthen our relationships with our key vendors. We also expect our increased store base and higher net sales to further leverage our existing corporate and regional infrastructure.
Results of Operations 
The following tables present certain financial and other information, on a consolidated basis: 
Consolidated:
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net sales
$
291,808

 
$
308,033

 
$
(16,225
)
 
$
857,506

 
$
958,574

 
$
(101,068
)
Finance charges and other revenues
81,364

 
68,740

 
12,624

 
238,139

 
205,469

 
32,670

Total revenues
373,172

 
376,773

 
(3,601
)
 
1,095,645

 
1,164,043

 
(68,398
)
Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cost of goods sold
175,591

 
192,374

 
(16,783
)
 
519,847

 
605,709

 
(85,862
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
114,355

 
114,457

 
(102
)
 
332,524

 
347,550

 
(15,026
)
Provision for bad debts
56,512

 
51,564

 
4,948

 
161,891

 
169,978

 
(8,087
)
Charges and credits
5,861

 
1,987

 
3,874

 
11,156

 
5,408

 
5,748

Total costs and expenses
352,319

 
360,382

 
(8,063
)
 
1,025,418

 
1,128,645

 
(103,227
)
Operating income
20,853

 
16,391

 
4,462

 
70,227

 
35,398

 
34,829

Interest expense
18,095

 
23,470

 
(5,375
)
 
62,142

 
73,504

 
(11,362
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
461

 

 
461

 
2,907

 

 
2,907

Income (loss) before income taxes
2,297

 
(7,079
)
 
9,376

 
5,178

 
(38,106
)
 
43,284

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
728

 
(3,264
)
 
3,992

 
1,916

 
(12,618
)
 
14,534

Net income (loss)
$
1,569

 
$
(3,815
)
 
$
5,384

 
$
3,262

 
$
(25,488
)
 
$
28,750

Supplementary Operating Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities and for which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about how to allocate resources and assess performance. We are a leading specialty retailer and offer a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to a proprietary credit solution for our core credit-constrained consumers. We have two operating segments: (i) retail and (ii) credit. Our operating segments complement one another. The retail segment operates primarily through our stores and website and its 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 segment offers affordable financing solutions to a large, under-served population of credit-constrained consumers who typically have limited credit alternatives. Our operating segments provide customers the opportunity to comparison shop across brands with confidence

29


in our competitive prices as well as affordable monthly payment options, next day delivery and installation in the majority of our markets, and product repair service. We believe our large, attractively merchandised retail stores and credit solutions offer a distinctive value proposition compared to other retailers that target our core customer demographic. The operating segments follow the same accounting policies used in our consolidated financial statements.
We evaluate a segment’s performance based upon operating income before taxes. Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated corporate 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 which 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% multiplied by the average portfolio balance for each applicable period.
The following table represents total revenues, costs and expenses, operating income and income before taxes attributable to these operating segments for the periods indicated:
Retail Segment:
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenues:











Product sales
$
263,786

 
$
278,056

 
$
(14,270
)
 
$
774,741

 
$
864,269

 
$
(89,528
)
Repair service agreement commissions
24,488

 
26,354

 
(1,866
)
 
72,703

 
82,849

 
(10,146
)
Service revenues
3,534

 
3,623

 
(89
)
 
10,062

 
11,456

 
(1,394
)
Total net sales
291,808

 
308,033

 
(16,225
)
 
857,506

 
958,574

 
(101,068
)
Other revenues
95

 
337

 
(242
)
 
267

 
1,268

 
(1,001
)
Total revenues
291,903

 
308,370

 
(16,467
)
 
857,773

 
959,842

 
(102,069
)
Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Cost of goods sold
175,591

 
192,374

 
(16,783
)
 
519,847

 
605,709

 
(85,862
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
80,676

 
79,777

 
899

 
233,290

 
244,598

 
(11,308
)
Provision for bad debts
189

 
286

 
(97
)
 
584

 
811

 
(227
)
Charges and credits
5,861

 
1,987

 
3,874

 
11,156

 
5,408

 
5,748

Total costs and expenses
262,317

 
274,424

 
(12,107
)
 
764,877

 
856,526

 
(91,649
)
Operating income
$
29,586

 
$
33,946

 
$
(4,360
)
 
$
92,896

 
$
103,316

 
$
(10,420
)
Number of stores:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
116

 
112

 
 
 
113

 
103

 
 
Open

 
1

 
 
 
3

 
10

 
 
Closed

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
End of period
116

 
113

 
 
 
116

 
113

 
 
Credit Segment:
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance charges and other revenues
$
81,269

 
$
68,403

 
$
12,866

 
$
237,872

 
$
204,201

 
$
33,671

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
33,679

 
34,680

 
(1,001
)
 
99,234

 
102,952

 
(3,718
)
Provision for bad debts
56,323

 
51,278

 
5,045

 
161,307

 
169,167

 
(7,860
)
Total cost and expenses
90,002

 
85,958

 
4,044

 
260,541

 
272,119

 
(11,578
)
Operating loss
(8,733
)
 
(17,555
)
 
8,822

 
(22,669
)
 
(67,918
)
 
45,249

Interest expense
18,095

 
23,470

 
(5,375
)
 
62,142

 
73,504

 
(11,362
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
461

 

 
461

 
2,907

 

 
2,907

Loss before income taxes
$
(27,289
)
 
$
(41,025
)
 
$
13,736

 
$
(87,718
)
 
$
(141,422
)
 
$
53,704


30


(1)
For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of corporate overhead allocated to each segment reflected in selling, general and administrative expense was $7.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively. For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of reimbursement made to the retail segment by the credit segment was $9.3 million and $9.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of corporate overhead allocated to each segment reflected in selling, general and administrative expense was $21.5 million and $18.9 million, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount of reimbursement made to the retail segment by the credit segment was $27.9 million and $29.0 million, respectively.

Three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to three months ended October 31, 2016
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)
2017
 
% of Total
 
2016
 
% of Total
 
Change
 
Change
 
% change

Furniture and mattress
$
97,146

 
33.3
%
 
$
98,898

 
32.1
%
 
$
(1,752
)
 
(1.8
)%
 
(6.1
)%
Home appliance
83,837

 
28.7

 
85,785

 
27.8

 
(1,948
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(3.3
)
Consumer electronic
58,062

 
19.9

 
65,670

 
21.3

 
(7,608
)
 
(11.6
)
 
(10.7
)
Home office
20,295

 
7.0

 
22,747

 
7.5

 
(2,452
)
 
(10.8
)
 
(8.1
)
Other
4,446

 
1.5

 
4,956

 
1.6

 
(510
)
 
(10.3
)
 
(11.1
)
Product sales
263,786

 
90.4

 
278,056

 
90.3

 
(14,270
)
 
(5.1
)
 
(6.6
)
Repair service agreement commissions
24,488

 
8.4

 
26,354

 
8.5

 
(1,866
)
 
(7.1
)
 
(10.1
)
Service revenues
3,534

 
1.2

 
3,623

 
1.2

 
(89
)
 
(2.5
)
 
 

Total net sales
$
291,808

 
100.0
%
 
$
308,033

 
100.0
%
 
$
(16,225
)
 
(5.3
)%
 
(7.0
)%
Sales for the three months ended October 31, 2017 were impacted negatively by general softness in consumer spending. The following provides a summary of the same store sales performance of our product categories during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2017:
Furniture unit volume decreased 12.5%, partially offset by a 9.3% increase in average selling price;
Mattress unit volume decreased 15.1%, partially offset by a 4.5% increase in average selling price;
Home appliance unit volume decreased 5.0%, partially offset by a 1.8% increase in average selling price;
Consumer electronic unit volume decreased 11.9%, partially offset by a 1.5% increase in average sales price; and
Home office unit volume decreased 20.4%, partially offset by a 15.5% increase in average selling price.
The following table provides the change of the components of finance charges and other revenues:
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
74,144

 
$
58,404

 
$
15,740

Insurance income
7,125

 
9,999

 
(2,874
)
Other revenues
95

 
337

 
(242
)
Finance charges and other revenues
$
81,364

 
$
68,740

 
$
12,624

The increase in interest income and fees was due to a yield rate of 19.8% during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, 480 basis points higher than the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, partially offset by a decline of 3.7% in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio. Insurance income is comprised of sales commissions from third-party insurance companies at the time we sell the coverage, and we may receive retrospective commissions, which are additional commissions paid by the insurance carrier if insurance claims are less than earned premiums. Insurance income decreased over the prior year period primarily due to the decrease in retrospective commissions as a result of higher claim volumes related to Hurricane Harvey.

31


The following table provides key portfolio performance information: 
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
74,144

 
$
58,404

 
$
15,740

Net charge-offs
(56,519
)
 
(50,216
)
 
(6,303
)
Interest expense
(18,095
)
 
(23,470
)
 
5,375

Net portfolio income
$
(470
)
 
$
(15,282
)
 
$
14,812

Average portfolio balance
$
1,485,683

 
$
1,542,767

 
$
(57,084
)
Interest income and fee yield (annualized)
19.8
%
 
15.0
%
 
 
Net charge-off % (annualized)
15.2
%
 
13.0
%
 
 
Retail Gross Margin
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Total net sales
$
291,808

 
$
308,033

 
$
(16,225
)
Cost of goods sold
$
175,591

 
$
192,374

 
$
(16,783
)
Retail gross margin
39.8
%
 
37.5
%
 
 

The increase in retail gross margin was primarily due to improved product margins across all product categories, favorable product mix and continued focus on increasing efficiencies.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
80,676

 
$
79,777

 
$
899

Credit segment
33,679

 
34,680

 
(1,001
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses - Consolidated
$
114,355

 
$
114,457

 
$
(102
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues
30.6
%
 
30.4
%
 
 

The SG&A increase in the retail segment was primarily due to an increase in the corporate overhead allocation, an increase in occupancy costs due to additional stores opened in fiscal year 2018, and $1.2 million of expenses incurred, net of estimated insurance proceeds, related to Hurricane Harvey, partially offset by a decrease in advertising expense. The increase in retail SG&A as well as the decrease in retail revenue resulted in an increase in SG&A as a percent of retail segment revenues of 170 basis points for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2017. The SG&A decrease in the credit segment was primarily due to a decrease in compensation costs, partially offset by an increase in the corporate overhead allocation. As a percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized), SG&A for the credit segment in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 increased 10 basis points compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2017. The increase in the corporate overhead allocation made to each of the segments was driven by investments we are making in information technology, other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives, and an increase in accrued incentive compensation.

32


Provision for Bad Debts
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Provision for bad debts:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
189

 
$
286

 
$
(97
)
Credit segment
56,323

 
51,278

 
5,045

Provision for bad debts - Consolidated
$
56,512

 
$
51,564

 
$
4,948

Provision for bad debts - Credit segment, as a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)
15.2
%
 
13.3
%
 
 

The provision for bad debts increased by $4.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2016. The most significant reasons for this increase were:
i.
growth in the customer receivables portfolio in the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to a decline in the three months ended October 31, 2016;
ii.
higher net-charge offs in the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2016; and
iii.
an increase in the qualitative reserve related to Hurricane Harvey of $1.1 million; partially offset by
iv.
a decrease in our estimated TDR loss rate as a result of improvements in TDR delinquency rates.
Charges and Credits
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Store and Facility closure costs
$

 
$
954

 
$
(954
)
Impairments from disposals

 
595

 
(595
)
Legal and professional fees related to securities-related litigation

 
158

 
(158
)
Employee severance

 
280

 
(280
)
Write-off of capitalized software costs
5,861

 

 
5,861

 
$
5,861

 
$
1,987

 
$
3,874

During the three months ended October 31, 2017, we incurred a loss from the write-off of previously capitalized costs for a software project that was abandoned during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 related to the implementation of a new point of sale system that began in fiscal year 2013. During the three months ended October 31, 2016, we incurred charges associated with store and 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.
Interest Expense
For the three months ended October 31, 2017, net interest expense decreased by $5.4 million from the prior year comparative period, primarily reflecting a lower weighted average cost of borrowing and a lower average outstanding balance of debt.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
During the three months ended October 31, 2017, we wrote off $0.5 million of debt issuance costs related to the early retirement of our 2016-A Redeemed Notes.


33


Provision for Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
728

 
$
(3,264
)
 
$
3,992

Effective tax rate
31.7
%
 
46.1
%
 
 

The decrease in the income tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended October 31, 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in the rate due to discrete items, partially offset by an increase in the rate due to state income taxes.

Nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to Nine months ended October 31, 2016
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)
2017
 
% of Total
 
2016
 
% of Total
 
Change
 
Change
 
% change

Furniture and mattress
$
286,886

 
33.5
%
 
$
309,766

 
32.3
%
 
$
(22,880
)
 
(7.4
)%
 
(11.0
)%
Home appliance
253,044

 
29.5

 
275,048

 
28.7

 
(22,004
)
 
(8.0
)
 
(9.7
)
Consumer electronic
166,761

 
19.4

 
197,270

 
20.6

 
(30,509
)
 
(15.5
)
 
(16.0
)
Home office
54,945

 
6.4

 
66,921

 
7.0

 
(11,976
)
 
(17.9
)
 
(17.6
)
Other
13,105

 
1.6

 
15,264

 
1.6

 
(2,159
)
 
(14.1
)
 
(16.2
)
Product sales
774,741

 
90.4

 
864,269

 
90.2

 
(89,528
)
 
(10.4
)
 
(12.4
)
Repair service agreement commissions
72,703

 
8.5

 
82,849

 
8.6

 
(10,146
)
 
(12.2
)
 
(13.9
)
Service revenues
10,062

 
1.1

 
11,456

 
1.2

 
(1,394
)
 
(12.2
)
 
 
Total net sales
$
857,506

 
100.0
%
 
$
958,574

 
100.0
%
 
$
(101,068
)
 
(10.5
)%
 
(12.5
)%
The decrease in same store sales was impacted by underwriting changes made during fiscal year 2017, one less business day in fiscal year 2018 versus the leap year in fiscal year 2017, and general softness in consumer spending. The following provides a summary of the same store sales performance of our product categories during the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016:
Furniture unit volume decreased 20.7%, partially offset by a 11.4% increase in average selling price;
Mattress unit volume decreased 17.4%, partially offset by a 10.2% increase in average selling price;
Home appliance unit volume decreased 9.0% and average selling price decreased 0.8%;
Consumer electronic unit volume decreased 16.5%, partially offset by a 0.6% increase in average selling price; and
Home office unit volume decreased 21.0%, partially offset by a 4.3% increase in average selling price.
The following table provides the change of the components of finance charges and other revenues:
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
210,765

 
$
173,527

 
$
37,238

Insurance income
27,107

 
30,674

 
(3,567
)
Other revenues
267

 
1,268

 
(1,001
)
Finance charges and other revenues
$
238,139

 
$
205,469

 
$
32,670


34


The increase in interest income and fees was due to a yield rate of 18.9% during the nine months ended October 31, 2017, 400 basis points higher than the nine months ended October 31, 2016, partially offset by a decline of 3.6% in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio. Interest income and fees for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 included the negative impact of adjustments of $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates for allowances for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest. Excluding the impact of changes in estimates, the yield rate increased 320 basis points from the nine months ended October 31, 2016. Insurance income is comprised of sales commissions from third-party insurance companies at the time we sell the coverage, and we may receive retrospective commissions, which are additional commissions paid by the insurance carrier if insurance claims are less than earned premiums. Insurance income decreased over the prior year period primarily due to the decrease in retrospective commissions as a result of higher claim volumes related to Hurricane Harvey.
The following table provides key portfolio performance information: 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
210,765

 
$
173,527

 
$
37,238

Net charge-offs
(170,393
)
 
(159,204
)
 
(11,189
)
Interest expense
(62,142
)
 
(73,504
)
 
11,362

Net portfolio income
$
(21,770
)
 
$
(59,181
)
 
$
37,411

Average portfolio balance
$
1,493,292

 
$
1,548,966

 
$
(55,674
)
Interest income and fee yield (annualized)
18.9
%
 
14.9
%
 
 
Net charge-off % (annualized)
15.2
%
 
13.7
%
 
 
Retail Gross Margin
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Total net sales
$
857,506

 
$
958,574

 
$
(101,068
)
Cost of goods sold
$
519,847

 
$
605,709

 
$
(85,862
)
Retail gross margin
39.4
%
 
36.8
%
 
 

The increase in retail gross margin was primarily due to improved product margins across all product categories, favorable product mix and continued focus on increasing efficiencies.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
233,290

 
$
244,598

 
$
(11,308
)
Credit segment
99,234

 
102,952

 
(3,718
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses - Consolidated
$
332,524

 
$
347,550

 
$
(15,026
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues
30.3
%
 
29.9
%
 
 

The SG&A decrease in the retail segment was primarily due to a decrease in compensation, advertising, delivery, and transportation costs, partially offset by an increase in the corporate overhead allocation, an increase in occupancy costs due to additional stores opened in fiscal year 2018, and $1.2 million of expenses incurred, net of estimated insurance proceeds, related to Hurricane Harvey. The decrease in retail revenue resulted in an increase in SG&A as a percent of retail segment revenues of 170 basis points for the nine months ended October 31, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016. The SG&A decrease in the credit segment was primarily due to a decrease in compensation costs, partially offset by an increase in the corporate overhead allocation. As a percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized), SG&A for the credit segment in the nine months ended October 31, 2017 remained the same as compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016. The increase in the corporate

35


overhead allocation made to each of the segments was driven by investments we are making in information technology, other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives, and an increase in accrued incentive compensation.

Provision for Bad Debts
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Provision for bad debts:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
584

 
$
811

 
$
(227
)
Credit segment
161,307

 
169,167

 
(7,860
)
Provision for bad debts - Consolidated
$
161,891

 
$
169,978

 
$
(8,087
)
Provision for bad debts - Credit segment, as a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)
14.4
%
 
14.6
%
 
 

The provision for bad debts decreased by $8.1 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016. The most significant reasons for this decrease were:
i.
a decrease in our estimated non-TDR loss rate as a result of the inclusion of first payment default rates as a factor in our allowance for bad debts estimate;
ii.
changes in estimates of $5.0 million reflected as an increase to provision for bad debts for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 related to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts;
iii.
a decrease in our estimated TDR loss rate as a result of improvements in TDR delinquency rates; and
iv.
a larger decrease in the customer receivables portfolio in the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016; partially offset by
v.
higher net-charge offs in the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016; and
vi.
an increase in the qualitative reserve related to Hurricane Harvey of $1.1 million.
Charges and Credits
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Store and facility closure costs
$
1,349

 
$
954

 
$
395

Impairments from disposals

 
1,980

 
(1,980
)
Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation
34

 
747

 
(713
)
Employee severance
1,317

 
1,493

 
(176
)
Write-off of software capitalized costs

5,861

 

 
5,861

Indirect tax audit reserve
2,595

 

 
2,595

Executive management transition costs

 
234

 
(234
)
 
$
11,156

 
$
5,408

 
$
5,748

During the nine months ended October 31, 2017, we incurred exit costs associated with reducing the square footage of a distribution center, charges for severance due to changes in our executive management team, an increase to our indirect tax audit reserve, and a loss from the write-off of previously capitalized costs for a software project that was abandoned during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 related to the implementation of a new point of sale system that began in fiscal year 2013. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016, we had costs associated with store and facility closures, impairments from disposals of two real estate assets, 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 one store.

36


Interest Expense
For the nine months ended October 31, 2017, net interest expense decreased by $11.4 million from the prior year comparative period, primarily reflecting a lower weighted average cost of borrowing and a lower average outstanding balance of debt.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
During the nine months ended October 31, 2017, we wrote-off $2.9 million of debt issuance costs related to an amendment to our revolving credit facility for lenders that did not continue to participate, the early retirement of our 2015-A Redeemed Notes, and the early retirement of our 2016-A Redeemed Notes.
Provision for Income Taxes
 
Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
1,916

 
$
(12,618
)
 
$
14,534

Effective tax rate
37.0
%
 
33.1
%
 
 

The increase in the income tax rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the rate due to state income taxes.
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. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we implemented our new direct loan program in all Louisiana locations. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, we implemented our new direct loan program in all Tennessee and Oklahoma locations. The states of Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Oklahoma represent approximately 78% of our third quarter of fiscal year 2018 originations, which under our previous offerings had a maximum equivalent interest rate of approximately 21%, compared to an interest rate of up to 30% under our new direct loan programs. In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we increased our rates in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 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 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. 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 the account balance. Our re-aging of customer accounts does not change the interest rate or the total principal 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. As part of our re-age program, we have straight extension programs and two payment update programs, which also include unilateral extensions to customers who make two full payments in three calendar months in certain states. 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. The re-aged receivable balance as of October 31, 2017 includes $71.8 million in first time re-ages related to customers within FEMA-designated Hurricane Harvey disaster areas. 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 principal 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.


37


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,

2017
 
2016
Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances(1)
589

 
591

Average outstanding customer balance
$
2,405

 
$
2,354

Balances 60+ days past due as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance(2)(3)
9.9
%
 
11.0
%
Re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance(2)(4)
23.8
%
 
16.0
%
Account balances re-aged more than six months (in thousands)
$
80,516

 
$
73,385

Allowance for bad debts as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance
13.6
%
 
13.3
%
Percent of total customer portfolio balance represented by no-interest option receivables
22.3
%
 
28.3
%

Three Months Ended 
 October 31,

Nine Months Ended 
 October 31,

2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total applications processed
321,373

 
326,131

 
909,287

 
975,363

Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed(1)
611

 
610

 
609

 
610

Percent of total applications approved and utilized
29.1
%
 
32.7
%
 
31.1
%
 
35.1
%
Average down payment
2.9
%
 
3.1
%
 
3.2
%
 
3.4
%
Average income of credit customer at origination
$
43,500

 
$
42,200

 
$
42,700

 
$
41,400

Percent of retail sales paid for by:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

In-house financing, including down payments received
72.0
%
 
72.3
%
 
71.7
%
 
69.8
%
Third-party financing
15.1
%
 
16.4
%
 
15.8
%
 
15.4
%
Third-party lease-to-own option
5.7
%
 
5.2
%
 
5.7
%
 
5.1
%

92.8
%
 
93.9
%
 
93.2
%
 
90.3
%
(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.
(3)
The balance of 60+ days past due as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance as of October 31, 2017 reflects the impact of first time re-ages related to customers within FEMA-designated Hurricane Harvey disaster areas.
(4)
The re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio as of October 31, 2017 includes $71.8 million in first time re-ages related to customers within FEMA-designated Hurricane Harvey disaster areas.
The decrease in the weighted average credit score of outstanding balances from October 31, 2016 to October 31, 2017 was driven by us moving origination of long-term equal-payment, no-interest programs to a third-party, partially offset by underwriting changes made during fiscal year 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 three months 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 11.0% as of October 31, 2016 to 11.1% as of October 31, 2017. The percentage of non-restructured accounts greater than 60 days past due decreased 110 basis points compared to October 31, 2016 to 8.2% as of October 31, 2017. We expect delinquency levels to continue to decline over time. The decrease in delinquency and changes in expectations for customer performance and cash recoveries on charged-off accounts are reflected in our projection models.
For restructured accounts, the allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of the portfolio balance was 37.0% as of October 31, 2016 as compared to 36.7% as of October 31, 2017. This 30 basis point decrease reflects the impact of improved delinquency rates, partially offset by an increase in charge-offs in the current period compared to a year ago.

38


The percent of bad debt charge-offs, net of recoveries, to average portfolio balance was 13.0% for the three months ended October 31, 2016 compared to 15.2% for the three months ended October 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to the acceleration of charge-offs related to bankruptcy and legal settlement accounts during the third quarter of the current year.
As of October 31, 2017 and 2016, balances under no-interest programs included within customer receivables were $331.6 million and $434.5 million, respectively. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 we shifted our 18- 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. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 we began to issue 18 month cash-option, no-interest program. 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 to our operations, which in turn requires additional working capital for increased customer receivables and inventory. We generally finance our operations through a combination of cash flow generated from operations, the use of our revolving credit facility, and through periodic securitizations of originated customer receivables. We plan to execute periodic securitizations of future originated customer receivables.
We believe, based on our current projections, that we have sufficient sources of liquidity to fund our operations, store expansion and renovation activities, and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Operating cash flows.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $82.7 million compared to $183.0 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2016. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by an increase in cash used for working capital primarily used to purchase inventory related to seasonal sales activity, a decrease in cash used for accounts payable, a decrease in the amount of tenant improvement allowances received, partially offset by a decrease in cash used to fund customer receivables, and an increase in net income when adjusted for non-cash activity.
Investing cash flows.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2017, net cash used in investing activities was $12.0 million compared to $41.1 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2016. The change was primarily the result of lower capital expenditures due to fewer new store openings in the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to the comparable prior year period. 
Financing cash flows.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2017, net cash used in financing activities was $81.6 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $95.1 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2016. During the nine months ended October 31, 2017, the 2017-A VIE issued asset-backed notes and 2017-A warehouse financing transaction resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $456.7 million and $78.8 million respectively, net of transaction costs and restricted cash. The proceeds from the 2017-A VIE asset-backed notes were used to pay down the entire balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes. The proceeds from the 2017-A warehouse financing transaction were used to pay down the entire balance on our 2016-A asset-backed notes. Cash collections from the securitized receivables were used to make payments on the asset-backed notes of approximately $816.2 million during the nine months ended October 31, 2017 compared to $736.3 million in the comparable prior year period. During the nine months ended October 31, 2016, the 2016-A and 2016-B VIE issued asset-backed notes resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $1.0 billion, net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2016-A VIE, which were used to pay down the balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.
Senior Notes. On July 1, 2014, we issued $250.0 million of the unsecured Senior Notes due July 2022 bearing interest at 7.25% (the "Senior Notes"), 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. The effective interest rate of the Senior Notes after giving effect to the discount and issuance costs is 7.8%.
The Indenture 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 on restricted payments are only effective if one or more of the following occurred: (1) a default were to exist under the Indenture, (2) we could not satisfy a debt incurrence test, and (3) the aggregate amount of restricted payments were to exceed an amount tied to 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 had a leverage ratio, as defined under the Indenture, of less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0. As a result of these exceptions, as of October 31, 2017, $179.2 million would have been free from the distribution restriction. However, as a result of the revolving credit facility distribution restrictions, which are further described below, we were restricted from making a distribution as of October 31, 2017. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated

39


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 fail to make payment of other indebtedness prior to the expiration of any applicable grace period or upon acceleration of indebtedness prior to its stated maturity date 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. During fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, we securitized customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to various bankruptcy-remote VIEs. In turn, the VIEs 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, all cash collections and other cash proceeds of the customer receivables go first to the servicer and the holders of issued notes, and then to us as the holder of non-issued notes and residual equity. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios and receive a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, 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 are reflected as a reduction to net charge-offs on a consolidated basis.
The 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 of 1933, as amended. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the respective asset-backed notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts may be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to the residual equity holder would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the asset-backed notes, or if the receivables are liquidated, all liquidation proceeds could be directed solely to repayment of the asset-backed notes as governed by the respective terms of the asset-backed notes. The holders of the asset-backed notes have no recourse to assets outside of the VIEs. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the asset-backed notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.
The asset-backed notes at origination consisted of the following:
Asset-Backed Notes
 
Original Principal Amount
 
Net Proceeds(1)
 
Issuance Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Contractual Interest Rate
 
Effective Interest Rate(2)
2016-B Class A Notes
 
391,840

 
380,033

 
10/6/2016
 
10/15/2018
 
3.73%
 
5.47%
2016-B Class B Notes
 
111,960

 
108,586

 
10/6/2016
 
3/15/2019
 
7.34%
 
8.03%
2017-A Class A Notes
 
313,220

 
304,451

 
4/19/2017
 
7/15/2019
 
2.73%
 
4.96%
2017-A Class B Notes
 
106,270

 
103,300

 
4/19/2017
 
2/15/2020
 
5.11%
 
5.83%
2017-A Class C Notes
 
50,340

 
48,919

 
4/19/2017
 
10/15/2021
 
7.40%
 
7.91%
2017 Warehouse Class A Notes
 
79,940

 
78,777

 
8/15/2017
 
8/15/2018
 
1M CP + 4% (3)
 
7.02%
Total
 
$
1,053,570

 
$
1,024,066

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
After giving effect to debt issuance costs and restricted cash held by the VIEs.
(2)
For the nine months ended October 31, 2017, and inclusive of changes in timing of actual and expected cash flows.
(3)
The rate on the 2017 Warehouse Class A Notes is defined as the one-month commercial paper rate, representing the purchaser's commercial paper cost, plus a 4% fixed margin.
On May 15, 2017, the Company completed the redemption of its Series 2015-A Class B Notes (collectively, the "2015-A Redeemed Notes") at an aggregate redemption price of $114.1 million (which was equal to the entire outstanding principal of, plus accrued interest on, the 2015-A Redeemed Notes). The net funds used to call the notes was $78.8 million, which is equal to the redemption price less adjustments of $35.3 million for funds held in reserve and collection accounts in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture governing the 2015-A Redeemed Notes. The net funds used to call the 2015-A Redeemed Notes of $78.8 million was transferred from the Guarantors to the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary in exchange for the underlying securities held as collateral on the 2015-A Redeemed Notes with carrying value of $126.3 million as of April 30, 2017. In connection with the early redemption of the 2015-A Redeemed Notes, we wrote-off $2.1 million of debt issuance costs.

On August 15, 2017, affiliates of the Company closed on a $79.9 million financing under a receivables warehouse financing transaction entered into on August 8, 2017 (the "Warehouse Financing"). The net proceeds of the Warehouse Financing were used to prepay in full the Series 2016-A Class B Notes and Class C Notes (collectively, the "2016-A Redeemed Notes"), which had

40


been issued by Conn’s Receivables Funding 2016-A, LLC under a securitization transaction entered into on March 17, 2016, that were still outstanding as of August 15, 2017.

On August 15, 2017, the Company completed the redemption of the 2016-A Redeemed Notes at an aggregate redemption price of $102.9 million (which was equal to the entire outstanding principal of, plus accrued interest and the call premiums on, the 2016-A Redeemed Notes). The net funds used to call the notes was $78.6 million, which is equal to the redemption price less adjustments of $24.3 million for funds held in reserve and collection accounts in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture governing the 2016-A Redeemed Notes. The difference between the net proceeds of the Warehouse Financing and the carrying value of the 2016-A Redeemed Notes at redemption was used to fund fees, expenses and a reserve account related to the Warehouse facility. In connection with the early redemption of the 2016-A Redeemed Notes, we wrote-off $0.5 million of debt issuance costs.

Revolving Credit Facility. On March 31, 2017, Conn's, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Borrowers") entered into a Third Amendment (the "Third Amendment") to the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2015, with certain lenders, which provides for a $750.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") under which credit availability is subject to a borrowing base. The revolving credit facility matures on October 30, 2019.
The Third Amendment, among other things, (a) extends the maturity date of the credit facility one year to October 30, 2019; (b) provides for a reduction in the aggregate commitments from $810 million to $750 million; (c) amends the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio to 1.10x as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017 and to 1.25x as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2018; (d) sets the applicable margin at 3.50% for LIBOR loans and 2.50% for Base Rate loans until the Company demonstrates an interest coverage ratio of equal to or greater than 1.10x for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017, at which point the applicable margin will revert to being determined according to the existing pricing grid based on facility availability; (e) reduces the minimum cash recovery percentage on the contracts it owns and manages from 4.50% to 4.45% for the first nine months of each fiscal year, and from 4.25% to 4.20% for the last three months of each fiscal year; (f) amends the definition of “EBITDA” to, among other things, exclude the impact of non-cash asset write-offs relating to construction in process; (g) amends the definition of “Interest Expense” to exclude certain non-interest expenses; (h) amends various definitions and other related provisions to clarify the Company’s ability to undertake permitted securitization transactions; (i) increases the number of equity cures that may be exercised during the term of the agreement from one time to two times, and increases the maximum amount of each such cure from $10 million to $20 million; and (j) modifies the calculations of “Tangible Net Worth” and “Interest Coverage Ratio” to deduct certain amounts attributable to the difference between a calculated loss reserve and the Company’s recorded loss reserve on its customer receivables.
Loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to LIBOR plus the applicable margin at 3.50% for LIBOR loans and 2.50% for base rate loans until the Company demonstrates an interest coverage ratio of equal to or greater than 1.10x for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017, at which point the applicable margin will revert to being determined according to the existing pricing grid based on facility availability which specifies a margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.25% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). The alternate base rate is the greatest 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%. We also pay an unused fee on the portion of the commitments that is available for future borrowings or letters of credit at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, depending on the average outstanding balance and letters of credit of the revolving credit facility in the immediately preceding quarter. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings outstanding and including unused line fees under the revolving credit facility was 6.6% for the nine months ended October 31, 2017.
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, 2017, we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $110.5 million under our revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $2.8 million. We also had $284.8 million that may become available under our revolving credit facility if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and our 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, 2017, we were unable to repay the Senior Notes or make other distributions as a result of the revolving credit facility restrictions. The revolving credit facility contains customary default provisions, which, if triggered, could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

41


In connection with entering into the Third Amendment, we wrote-off $0.3 million of debt issuance costs for lenders that did not continue to participate. We also paid $2.8 million of debt issuance costs, recorded as other assets, which will be amortized ratably over the remaining term of the revolving credit facility along with the unamortized debt issuance costs remaining on the revolving credit facility.
Debt Covenants. We were in compliance with our debt covenants, as amended, at October 31, 2017. A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our revolving credit facility, as amended, compared to our actual compliance status at October 31, 2017 is presented below: 
 
Actual
 
Required
Minimum/
Maximum
Interest Coverage Ratio must equal or exceed minimum
1.75:1.00
 
1.10:1.00
Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
2.49:1.00
 
4.00:1.00
ABS Excluded Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
1.71:1.00
 
2.00:1.00
Cash Recovery Percent must exceed stated amount
4.80%
 
4.45%
Capital Expenditures, net, must not exceed maximum
$1.0 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 to the financial statement captions in this document. The covenants are 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.
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 $1.3 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 relationships 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 do not purchase the real property for new stores, our direct cash needs should include only our capital expenditures for tenant improvements to leased properties and our remodel programs for existing stores. We have opened three new stores during fiscal year 2018. We do not plan to open any additional stores during fiscal year 2018. Our anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal year 2018 are between $13.0 and $17.0 million.
Cash Flow
We periodically evaluate our liquidity requirements, capital needs and availability of resources in view of inventory levels, expansion plans, debt service requirements and other operating cash needs. To meet our short- and long-term liquidity requirements, including payment of operating expenses and repayment of debt, we rely primarily on cash from operations. As of October 31, 2017, beyond cash generated from operations we had (i) immediately available borrowing capacity of $110.5 million under our revolving credit facility, (ii) $284.8 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 and (iii) $12.7 million of cash on hand. However, we have in the past sought to raise additional capital.
We expect that, for the next 12 months, cash generated from operations, proceeds from potential accounts receivable securitizations and our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to provide us the ability to fund our operations, provide the increased working capital necessary to support our strategy and fund planned capital expenditures discussed above in Capital expenditures.
We may repurchase or otherwise retire our debt and take other steps to reduce our debt or otherwise improve our financial position. These actions could include open market debt repurchases, negotiated repurchases, other retirements of outstanding debt and opportunistic refinancing of debt. The amount of debt that may be repurchased or otherwise retired, if any, will depend on market conditions, the Company’s cash position, compliance with debt covenant and restrictions and other considerations.

42


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, 2017
 
 
 
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(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility(1)
$
385,394

 
$
16,720

 
$
368,674

 
$

 
$

Senior Notes(2)
304,464

 
16,458

 
32,915

 
255,091

 


2016B Class A Notes(2)
8,868

 
8,868

 


 


 


2016B Class B Notes(2)
123,217

 
8,218

 
114,999

 


 


2017A Class A Notes(2)
135,611

 
3,538

 
132,073

 


 


2017A Class B Notes(2)
118,722

 
5,430

 
113,292

 


 


2017A Class C Notes(2)
65,088

 
3,725

 
7,450

 
53,913

 


2017 Warehouse Class A Notes(1)



59,353

 
59,353

 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital lease obligations
7,668

 
1,281

 
1,540

 
826

 
4,021

Operating leases:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Real estate
434,072

 
58,571

 
116,284

 
109,474

 
149,743

Equipment
1,521

 
1,003

 
505

 
13

 

Contractual commitments(3)
111,704

 
107,030

 
4,575

 
99

 

Total
$
1,755,682

 
$
290,195

 
$
892,307

 
$
419,416

 
$
153,764

(1)
Estimated interest payments are based on the outstanding balance as of October 31, 2017 and the interest rate in effect at that time.
(2)
The payments due by period for the Senior Notes, and asset-backed notes were based on their respective maturity dates at their respective 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 $100.7 million, with the remaining 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, 2017.
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 equal to LIBOR plus the applicable margin at 3.50% for LIBOR loans and 2.50% for base rate loans until the Company demonstrates an interest coverage ratio of equal to or greater than 1.10x for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2017, at which point the applicable margin will revert to being determined according to the existing pricing grid based on facility availability which specifies a margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.25% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging

43


from 1.75% to 2.25% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). The alternate base rate is the greatest 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. As of October 31, 2017, the balance outstanding under our revolving credit facility was $352.0 million. A 100 basis point increase in interest rates on the revolving credit facility would increase our borrowing costs by $3.5 million over a 12-month period, based on the balance outstanding as of October 31, 2017.
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, 2017
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, 2017, 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, 2017.
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
None. 
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 
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.

44


EXHIBIT INDEX  
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Document
 
 
 
3.1
 
3.1.1
 
3.1.2
 
3.1.3
 
3.1.4
 
3.2
 
3.3
 
3.4
 
4.1
 

10.1
 
10.2
 
10.3
 
11.1
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32.1
 
101
 
The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, filed with the SEC on December 7, 2017, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the consolidated balance sheets at October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, (ii) the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, (iii) the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016 and (iv) the notes to consolidated financial statements

45


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 7, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
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)