PSMT-10Q Master Document Q1 FY2014


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
  
FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2013
 OR
¨
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 0-22793
  PriceSmart, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
33-0628530
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
9740 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA 92121
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(858) 404-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   ý
No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (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   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer   ¨ 
Non-accelerated filer   ¨
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   ¨
No   ý
 The registrant had 30,233,507 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at December 31, 2013.



PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


i


 PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2013 and the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2013, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, the unaudited consolidated statements of equity for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, are included herein. Also included herein are the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
November 30,
2013
 
August 31,
2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
77,226

 
$
121,874

Short-term restricted cash
3,100

 
5,984

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7 and $0 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively
3,481

 
3,130

Merchandise inventories
298,721

 
217,413

Deferred tax assets – current
7,126

 
6,290

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
30,717

 
20,890

Total current assets
420,371

 
375,581

Long-term restricted cash
26,759

 
34,775

Property and equipment, net
351,210

 
338,478

Goodwill
36,289

 
36,364

Deferred tax assets – long term
12,038

 
12,871

Other non-current assets (includes $1,324 and $1,505 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)
25,787

 
19,866

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
8,108

 
8,104

Total Assets
$
880,562

 
$
826,039

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
$
13,000

 
$

Accounts payable
230,890

 
199,425

Accrued salaries and benefits
16,171

 
17,862

Deferred membership income
17,231

 
16,528

Income taxes payable
7,455

 
8,059

Other accrued expenses
17,646

 
20,136

Long-term debt, current portion
16,375

 
12,757

Deferred tax liability – current
128

 
111

Total current liabilities
318,896

 
274,878

Deferred tax liability – long-term
2,603

 
2,622

Long-term portion of deferred rent
4,452

 
4,440

Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion
2,014

 
2,184

Long-term debt, net of current portion
46,907

 
60,263

Other long-term liabilities (includes $9 and $14 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $621 and $589 for the defined benefit plans as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively)
630

 
603

Total liabilities
375,502

 
344,990

Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,923,393 and 30,924,392 shares issued and 30,233,507 and 30,234,506 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively
3

 
3

Additional paid-in capital
392,011

 
390,581

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
8,016

 
8,016

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(40,326
)
 
(41,475
)
Retained earnings
165,303

 
143,871

Less: treasury stock at cost; 689,886 shares as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively
(19,947
)
 
(19,947
)
Total equity
505,060

 
481,049

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
880,562

 
$
826,039

See accompanying notes.  

2


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues:
 
 
 
Net warehouse club sales
$
589,694

 
$
523,599

Export sales
5,721

 
3,073

Membership income
9,268

 
7,673

Other income
918

 
941

Total revenues
605,601

 
535,286

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold:
 
 
 
Net warehouse club
504,287

 
444,944

Export
5,441

 
2,835

Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
Warehouse club operations
51,772

 
45,842

General and administrative
11,184

 
11,158

Pre-opening expenses
474

 
737

Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets
84

 
57

Total operating expenses
573,242

 
505,573

Operating income
32,359

 
29,713

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
Interest income
181

 
294

Interest expense
(1,038
)
 
(1,218
)
Other income (expense), net
311

 
(1
)
Total other expense
(546
)
 
(925
)
Income before provision for income taxes and income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates
31,813

 
28,788

Provision for income taxes
(10,385
)
 
(8,779
)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates
4

 
(4
)
Net income
$
21,432

 
$
20,005

Net income per share available for distribution:
 
 
 
Basic net income per share
$
0.71

 
$
0.66

Diluted net income per share
$
0.71

 
$
0.66

Shares used in per share computations:
 
 
 
Basic
29,690

 
29,592

Diluted
29,702

 
29,604

Dividends per share
$

 
$
0.60

See accompanying notes.

3


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
21,432

 
$
20,005

Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
$
1,289

 
$
(1,396
)
     Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) arising during period
3

 
1

     Total defined pension plans
3

 
1

Unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps(2)
(143
)
 
(205
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
1,149

 
(1,600
)
Comprehensive income
$
22,581

 
$
18,405


(1)
Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to unremitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.
(2) See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.




4


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)  

 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Tax Benefit
From
Stock Based Compen-sation
 
Accumu-lated
Other
Compre-hensive
Income(Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Equity
Balance at August 31, 2012
30,856

 
$
3

 
$
384,154

 
$
6,680

 
$
(33,182
)
 
$
77,739

 
645

 
$
(16,480
)
 
$
418,914

Issuance of restricted stock award
6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 
1,823

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,823

Dividend payable to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(18,129
)
 

 

 
(18,129
)
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
20,005

 

 

 
20,005

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
(1,600
)
 

 

 

 
(1,600
)
Balance at November 30, 2012
30,861

 
$
3

 
$
385,977

 
$
6,680

 
$
(34,782
)
 
$
79,615

 
645

 
$
(16,480
)
 
$
421,013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at August 31, 2013
30,924

 
$
3

 
$
390,581

 
$
8,016

 
$
(41,475
)
 
$
143,871

 
690

 
$
(19,947
)
 
$
481,049

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 
1,430

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,430

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
21,432

 

 

 
21,432

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
1,149

 

 

 

 
1,149

Balance at November 30, 2013
30,923

 
$
3

 
$
392,011

 
$
8,016

 
$
(40,326
)
 
$
165,303

 
690

 
$
(19,947
)
 
$
505,060

 


See accompanying notes.

5


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
21,432

 
$
20,005

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
6,654

 
5,684

Allowance for doubtful accounts
7

 

(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment
84

 
57

Deferred income taxes
(5
)
 
1,209

Equity in gains/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates
(4
)
 
4

Stock-based compensation
1,430

 
1,823

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Change in receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals
(20,345
)
 
(9,558
)
Merchandise inventories
(81,308
)
 
(38,935
)
Accounts payable
34,413

 
27,631

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(37,642
)
 
7,920

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
(18,288
)
 
(14,663
)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
22

 
43

Capital contribution to joint ventures

 
(550
)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
(18,266
)
 
(15,170
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from bank borrowings
13,000

 
3,979

Repayment of bank borrowings
(10,182
)
 
(1,921
)
Release of (addition to) restricted cash
8,000

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
10,818

 
2,058

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
442

 
(1,706
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(44,648
)
 
(6,898
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
121,874

 
91,248

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
77,226

 
$
84,350

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
1,059

 
$
1,295

Income taxes
$
15,216

 
$
9,366

Supplemental non-cash item:
 
 
 
Dividends declared but not paid
$

 
$
18,129


6


PRICESMART, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
November 30, 2013
 
NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States.  As of November 30, 2013, the Company had 32 consolidated warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (six in Costa Rica, four each in Panama and Trinidad, three each in Colombia, Guatemala and in the Dominican Republic, two each in El Salvador and Honduras and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). During fiscal 2013, the Company opened its second and third clubs in Colombia. These clubs are in south and north Cali and opened in October 2012 and May 2013, respectively. Additionally, in February 2013, the Company acquired property located in La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica, upon which it opened its sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica on October 18, 2013. Finally, in February 2013, the Company acquired land in Tegucigalpa, Honduras upon which it anticipates opening its third warehouse club in Honduras in the spring of 2014. The Company continues to explore other potential sites for future warehouse clubs in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. The warehouse club sales and membership sign-ups experienced with the opening of the Barranquilla and Cali warehouse clubs have reinforced the Company's belief that Colombia could be a market for additional PriceSmart warehouse clubs in other Colombian cities.

Basis of Presentation - The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”).  The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.  Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) revised guidance establishing general accounting standards and disclosure of subsequent events, the Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date and time these financial statements were issued. 

Reclassifications to consolidated statement of income recorded during fiscal year 2014 for fiscal year 2013 - The Company recorded asset disposal activity during fiscal year 2013 under other income (expense), net. This activity consisted mainly of normally scheduled asset replacement and upgrades involved in operating activities. The Company has determined that these costs represent operating expenses. Therefore, the Company has accordingly recorded such asset disposal activity as operating expenses under loss/(gain) on disposal of assets starting in fiscal year 2014. The Company has made reclassifications to the consolidated statement of income for fiscal year 2013 to conform to the presentation in fiscal year 2014. These reclassifications did not impact net income. The following tables summarize the impact of this reclassification (in thousands):
 
Fiscal Year 2013
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
November 30, 2012
 
February 28, 2013
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
 
Total Fiscal Year 2013
Other income (expense), net – as previously reported
$
(58
)
 
$
(312
)
 
$
(1,034
)
 
$
(439
)
 
$
(1,843
)
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets, other income (expense), net reclassified to Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets, total operating expenses
57

 
49

 
249

 
534

 
889

Other income (expense), net – as currently reported
$
(1
)
 
$
(263
)
 
$
(785
)
 
$
95

 
$
(954
)


7


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
November 30, 2012
 
February 28, 2013
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
 
Total Fiscal Year 2013
Composition of beginning balance other income (expense) – as previously reported:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain/(loss) on sale
(57
)
 
(49
)
 
(249
)
 
(534
)
 
(889
)
Currency gain/(loss)
(1
)
 
(263
)
 
(785
)
 
95

 
(954
)
Total
(58
)
 
(312
)
 
(1,034
)
 
(439
)
 
(1,843
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Composition of ending balance Other income (expense) – as currently reported:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain/(loss) on sale

 

 

 

 

Currency gain/(loss)
(1
)
 
(263
)
 
(785
)
 
95

 
(954
)
Total
(1
)
 
(263
)
 
(785
)
 
95

 
(954
)


NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries and the investments and operating results of joint ventures recorded under the equity method.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. As of November 30, 2013, all of the Company's subsidiaries were wholly owned. Additionally, the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures as of November 30, 2013 is listed below:
Real Estate Development Joint Ventures
 
Countries
 
Ownership
 
Basis of Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.
 
Panama
 
50.0
%
 
Equity(1)
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.
 
Costa Rica
 
50.0
%
 
Equity(1)
 
(1)
Purchases of joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  
 
Variable Interest Entities –  The Company reviews and determines at the start of each arrangement, or subsequently if a reconsideration event occurs, whether any of its investments in joint ventures are a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) and whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. The Company has determined that the joint ventures for GolfPark Plaza (Panama) and Price Plaza Alajuela (Costa Rica) are VIEs.  The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions, which are generally settled within a few days of the underlying transaction.



8


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Restricted Cash –   The changes in restricted cash are disclosed within the consolidated statement of cash flows based on the nature of the restriction. The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):

 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
Short-term restricted cash:
 
 
 
Restricted cash for Honduras loan (1)
$
1,200

 
$
1,200

Restricted cash in Honduras for purchase of property (1)
200

 
3,148

Restricted cash for land purchase option agreements
1,621

 
1,599

Other short-term restricted cash (2)
79

 
37

Total short-term restricted cash
$
3,100

 
$
5,984

 
 
 
 
Long-term restricted cash:
 
 
 
Restricted cash for Honduras loan (1)
$
1,720

 
$
1,720

Restricted cash for Colombia bank loans
24,000

 
32,000

Other long-term restricted cash (2)
1,039

 
1,055

Total long-term restricted cash
$
26,759

 
$
34,775

 
 
 
 
Total restricted cash
$
29,859

 
$
40,759


(1)  
Restricted cash as of November 30, 2013 in Honduras consists of $1.2 million and $1.7 million related to loans, and $200,000 related to funds held in escrow related to the purchase of land. Restricted cash as of August 31, 2013 in Honduras consists mainly of $3.1 million in funds held in escrow related to the purchase of land and $1.2 million and $1.7 million related to loans.

(2)
Other short-term and long-term restricted cash consist mainly of cash deposits held within banking institutions in compliance with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama.
    
Value Added Tax Receivable - The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”) within the normal course of its business in most of the countries it operates in on merchandise and/or services it acquires. The Company also collects VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output taxes”) for merchandise and/or services it sells. If the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, then the difference is remitted to the government, usually on a monthly basis. If the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, this creates a VAT receivable. The Company either requests a refund of this VAT receivable or applies the balance to expected future VAT payables. In some countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit card directly to the government. These procedures alter the natural offset of input and output VAT and generally leaves the Company with a net VAT receivable, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete. In most countries where the Company operates, the VAT refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets. However, in one country the government has alleged that there is no defined process in the law to allow them to refund this VAT receivable. The Company together with its tax and legal advisers is currently appealing this interpretation in court and based on recent favorable jurisprudence on this matter, expects to prevail. Therefore, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the amounts of VAT receivable. The balance of the VAT receivable in this country was $4.6 million and $4.3 million as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively.

    

9


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company's policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company's subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to use the VAT receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company's subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery. The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
7,263

 
$
5,458

Other non-current assets
$
16,748

 
$
12,875


Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates.  The Company's Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, primarily included cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts.  In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.  The Company has elected not to revalue long-term debt because this debt will be settled at the carrying value and not at the fair market value.  The Company did not make any significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value tiers during the periods reported on herein.
 
Nonfinancial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment.   For the periods reported, no impairment of such nonfinancial assets was recorded.

The disclosure of fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost is as follows:
 
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Short-term restricted cash: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Long-term restricted cash: Long-term restricted cash primarily consists of auto renewable 3-12 month certificates of deposit, which are held as collateral on our long-term debt. The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the underlying certificates of deposit.

Accounts receivable:  The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these accounts.
 
Short-term debt: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
 

10


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



Long-term debt: The fair value of debt is generally measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current market interest rates for similar types of financial instruments.  These inputs are not quoted prices in active markets but they are either directly or indirectly observable; therefore, they are classified as Level 2 inputs. The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion
$
63,282

 
$
63,363

 
$
73,020

 
$
72,576


Derivatives -   The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates.  In using derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the Company’s exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item, providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria (effective hedge) are recorded using hedge accounting.   If a derivative financial instrument is an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be offset in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item completes its contractual term.  If any portion of the hedge is deemed ineffective, the change in fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities will be immediately recognized in earnings during the period.   Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change.  Valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets were not changed from previous practice during the reporting period. 

Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk.  These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting.   The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt.  These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting.  Under cash flow hedging, the effective portion of the fair value of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is deferred on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. If any portion of an interest rate swap is determined to be an ineffective hedge, the gains or losses from changes in fair value would be recorded directly in the consolidated statements of income. For cash flow hedges, that were previously considered effective, and are now considered ineffective hedges, amounts previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive gain or loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction has been determined to be ineffective and impacts consolidated earnings. See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company is also exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.
 

11


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk. The contracts are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013.

The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013 (in thousands) for derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting: 
 
Assets and Liabilities as of November 30, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Other non-current assets - (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
1,324

 
$

 
$
1,324

Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)
 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities – (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Total 
 
$

 
$
1,315

 
$

 
$
1,315


Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Other non-current assets - (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
1,505

 
$

 
$
1,505

Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)
 

 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
Other long-term liabilities – (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 

 

 

Total 
 
$

 
$
1,491

 
$

 
$
1,491


The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013 (in thousands) for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting: 
Assets and Liabilities as of November 30, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$

 
$
(4
)


12


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


 
Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 

 

 

 

Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


As of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, the Company had no significant measurements of financial assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Goodwill – The table below presents goodwill resulting from certain business combinations as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013 (in thousands).  The change in goodwill is a result of foreign exchange translation losses.

 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
 
Change
Goodwill
$
36,289

 
$
36,364

 
$
(75
)

The Company reviews goodwill at the entity level for impairment. The Company first reviews qualitative factors for each reporting unit, in determining if an annual goodwill test is required. If the Company's review of qualitative factors indicates a requirement for a test of goodwill impairment, the Company then will assess whether the carrying amount of a reporting unit is greater than zero and exceeds its fair value established during the Company's prior test of goodwill impairment ("established fair value"). If the carrying amount of a reporting unit at the entity level is greater than zero and its established fair value exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If either the carrying amount of the reporting unit is not greater than zero or if the carrying amount of the entity exceeds its established fair value, the Company performs a second test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of that impairment.
 
Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes merchandise sales revenue when title passes to the customer. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership.  Membership refunds are prorated over the remaining term of the membership; accordingly, no refund reserve is required to be established for the periods presented.  The Company recognizes and presents revenue-producing transactions on a net of value added/sales tax basis.  

The Company began offering Platinum memberships in Costa Rica during fiscal year 2013, which provides members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500.00. Platinum members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club at the end of the annual membership period.  The Company records this 2% rebate as a reduction of revenue at the time of the sales transaction. Accordingly, the Company has reduced warehouse sales and has accrued a liability within other accrued expenses. The rebate expires within six months of the membership renewal date. However, the Company has determined that in the absence of relevant historical experience, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of rebate redemptions and accordingly has assumed a 100% redemption rate. The Company will periodically review expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates will be recognized as Revenues: Other income on the consolidated statements of income.
    

13


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company recognizes gift certificate sales revenue when the certificates are redeemed. The outstanding gift certificates are reflected as other accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift certificates generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance. However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift certificates impairs the Company's ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates; therefore, the Company assumes a 100% redemption rate prior to expiration of the gift certificate. The Company periodically reviews unredeemed outstanding gift certificates, and the gift certificates that have expired are recognized as Revenues: Other income on the consolidated statements of income.
Operating leases, where the Company is the lessor, with lease payments that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also accounts in its straight-line computation for the effect of any "rental holidays." Contingent rental revenue is recognized as the contingent rent becomes due per the individual lease agreements.

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise, food service and bakery raw materials, and one hour photo supplies in cost of goods sold. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation at its distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in-store demonstrations.
  
Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates that are not threshold based are incorporated into the unit cost of merchandise reducing the inventory cost and cost of goods sold. Volume rebates that are threshold based are recorded as a reduction to cost of good sold when the Company achieves established purchase levels that are confirmed by the vendor in writing or upon receipt of funds. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Product promotions are generally linked to coupons that provide for reimbursement to the Company from vendor rebates for the product being promoted.  Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-store promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases, and therefore, are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.
 
Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs are comprised primarily of expenses associated with warehouse operations. Warehouse operations include the operating costs of the Company's warehouse clubs, including all payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, and bank and credit card processing fees. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company's U.S. and regional purchasing and management centers. 

Pre-Opening Costs – The Company expenses pre-opening costs (the costs of start-up activities, including organization costs and rent) as incurred.

Asset Impairment Costs –  The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair value. Future business conditions and/or activity could differ materially from the projections made by management causing the need for additional impairment charges.
 
Contingencies and Litigation –  The Company accounts for and reports loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  
 

14


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Foreign Currency Translation – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.  These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. Dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the amounts recorded for the three month periods ending November 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
November 30, 2013
 
November 30, 2012
Currency gain (loss)
311

 
$
(1
)

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.

The Company and its subsidiaries are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various federal, state and foreign taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company or one of its subsidiaries file tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions taken by the Company (“uncertain tax positions”) and, therefore, require the Company or one of its subsidiaries to pay additional taxes.

The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, the Company reassesses these probabilities and records any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate.  There were no material changes in the Company's uncertain income tax positions for the periods ended November 30, 2013 and 2012. However, during the three months ended November 30, 2013, the Company was required to make a payment to the government in one country with respect to an income tax case that it is currently appealing, but continues to believe it will eventually prevail.  The total amount remitted to the government on this case as of this date is $2.7 million.  This amount has been recorded in the balance sheet as Other non-current assets, as the Company considers this a payment on account and expects to get a refund thereof upon eventually prevailing on this case.
     

15


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



The following tables presents a reconciliation of the effective tax rate for the periods presented:

 
Three Months Ended
 
November 30, 2013
 
November 30, 2012
Federal tax provision at statutory rates
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit
0.4

 
0.3

Differences in foreign tax rates
(4.2
)
 
(4.5
)
Permanent items and other adjustments
1.8

 
(0.5
)
Increase (decrease) in foreign valuation allowance
(0.4
)
 
0.2

Provision for income taxes
32.6
 %
 
30.5
 %
 
The increase in the effective tax rate for the three-month period ended on November 30, 2013 compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) 1.4% increase from reversals of income tax liability for uncertain tax positions in the first three months of fiscal year 2013, compared to additional accruals for the same during the first three months of fiscal year 2014; and (ii) 0.9% from the impact of the relative increase in U.S. taxable income at a higher statutory tax rate compared to tax rates in foreign jurisdictions.
 
 


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

FASB ASC 405 ASU 2013-04 - Obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments providing guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this update is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendment was retrospectively effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 220 ASU 2013-02 - Reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income.

In February 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance for the presentation requirements for reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment requires the Company to provide additional information about reclassifications of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment was effective as of March 1, 2013.  The Company adopted this guidance on March 1, 2013. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

16


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



FASB ASC 220 ASU 2011-05 - Presentation of comprehensive income.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the presentation of comprehensive income to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  The amended guidance was effective for annual and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011 and was to be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2012.  Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2010-28 - When to perform step 2 of the Goodwill impairment test.

In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning testing for impairment of goodwill where an entity has one or more reporting units whose carrying value is zero or negative.  The amended guidance requires the entity to perform a test to measure the amount, if any, of impairment to goodwill by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The Company was required to adopt this amended guidance for fiscal years or interim periods within those years after December 15, 2011.  The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2012.  The adoption of the amended guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.

 

17


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost. The historical cost of acquiring an asset includes the costs necessarily incurred to bring it to the condition and location necessary for its intended use. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful life of fixtures and equipment ranges from three to 15 years and that of certain components of building improvements and buildings from 10 to 25 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the expected term of the lease. In some locations, leasehold improvements are amortized over a period longer than the initial lease term where management believes it is reasonably assured that the renewal option in the underlying lease will be exercised as an economic penalty may be incurred if the option is not exercised. The sale or purchase of property and equipment is recognized upon legal transfer of property. For property and equipment sales, if any long-term notes are carried by the Company as part of the sales terms, the sale is reflected at the net present value of current and future cash streams.

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
Land
$
101,759

 
$
100,108

Building and improvements
240,432

 
228,257

Fixtures and equipment
133,067

 
119,242

Construction in progress
14,415

 
23,657

Total property and equipment, historical cost
489,673

 
471,264

Less: accumulated depreciation
(138,463
)
 
(132,786
)
Property and equipment, net
$
351,210

 
$
338,478


Depreciation and amortization expense (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Depreciation and amortization expense
$
6,654

 
$
5,684

    
The Company capitalizes interest on expenditures for qualifying assets over a period that covers the duration of the activities required to get the asset ready for its intended use, provided that expenditures for the asset have been made and interest cost is being incurred. Interest capitalization continues as long as those activities and the incurrence of interest cost continues. The amount capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying the capitalization rate (average interest rate) to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the qualifying asset during the period. The capitalization rates are based on the interest rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period.
Total interest capitalized (in thousands):
 
As of November 30, 2013
 
As of August 31, 2013
Total interest capitalized
$
4,492

 
$
4,475

    
Total interest capitalized (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Interest capitalized
$
299

 
$
172





18


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The Company presents basic and diluted net income per share using the two-class method.   The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders.   A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.  The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends.  These are the restricted stock awards authorized within the 2002 and 2013 Equity Participation Plans/Equity Incentive Awards Plan of the Company and restricted stock units authorized within the 2001, 2002 and 2013 Equity Participation Plans/Equity Incentive Awards Plan.  In addition, the Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding stock options in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two class-method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
21,432

 
$
20,005

Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders
(440
)
 
(407
)
Net earnings available to common stockholders
$
20,992

 
$
19,598

Basic weighted average shares outstanding
29,690

 
29,592

Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)
12

 
12

Diluted average shares outstanding
29,702

 
29,604

Basic net income per share
$
0.71

 
$
0.66

Diluted net income per share
$
0.71

 
$
0.66




19


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Dividends

Dividends

No dividends were declared by the Company's Board of Directors during the first three months of fiscal year 2014. The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2013.
 
 
 
 
First Payment
 
Second Payment
Declared
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
11/27/12
 
$
0.60

 
12/10/12
 
12/21/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30

 
8/15/13
 
8/30/13
 
N/A
 
$
0.30


The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements. 

Preferred Stock Authorized Shares

As of November 30, 2013, 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $.0001, were authorized, but no shares were outstanding.  Upon issuance, our Board of Directors has the ability to define the terms of the preferred shares, including voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion and redemption provisions and dividend rates.

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
The following tables disclose the tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
November 30, 2013
 
November 30, 2012
 
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
 
Net-of-Tax Amount
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
 
Net-of-Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
 
$
1,289

 
$

 
$
1,289

 
$
(1,396
)
 
$

 
$
(1,396
)
Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) arising during period
 
5

 
(2
)
 
3

 
(1
)
 
2

 
1

Total defined pension plans
 
5

 
(2
)
 
3

 
(1
)
 
2

 
1

Unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps(2)
 
(176
)
 
33

 
(143
)
 
(185
)
 
(20
)
 
(205
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
1,118

 
$
31

 
$
1,149

 
$
(1,582
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(1,600
)

(1)
Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to unremitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.
(2)
See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
   


20


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The following tables disclose the changes in the balances of each component of other comprehensive loss included as a separate component of equity within the balance sheet and for each component of other comprehensive income, the current period reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2013
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps (1)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, September 1, 2013
$
(42,321
)
 
$
(152
)
 
$
998

 
$
(41,475
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
1,289

 

 

 
1,289

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
3

 
(143
)
(1) 
(140
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
1,289

 
3

 
(143
)
 
1,149

Ending Balance November 30, 2013
$
(41,032
)
 
$
(149
)
 
$
855

 
$
(40,326
)
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2012
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps (1)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, September 1, 2012
$
(31,962
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
(1,146
)
 
$
(33,182
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(1,396
)


 

 
(1,396
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
1

 
(205
)
(1) 
(204
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
(1,396
)
 
1

 
(205
)
 
(1,600
)
Ending Balance November 30, 2012
$
(33,358
)
 
$
(73
)
 
$
(1,351
)
 
$
(34,782
)
 
Twelve Months Ended August 31, 2013
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps (1)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, September 1, 2012
$
(31,962
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
(1,146
)
 
$
(33,182
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(10,359
)


 

 
(10,359
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
(78
)
 
2,144

(1) 
2,066

Net current-period other comprehensive income
(10,359
)
 
(78
)
 
2,144

 
(8,293
)
Ending balance, August 31, 2013
$
(42,321
)
 
$
(152
)
 
$
998

 
$
(41,475
)
(1) See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
    

21


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



The following tables disclose the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
November 30, 2013
 
November 30, 2012
 
August 31, 2013

 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Financial statement line item where effect is presented
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Financial statement line item where effect is presented
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Financial statement line item where effect is presented
Amortization of Defined benefit pension plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service costs
 
$

 
(1) 
 
$

 
(1) 
 
$
260

 
(1) 
Actuarial gains (losses)
 
5

 
(1) 
 
(1
)
 
(1) 
 
(365
)
 
(1) 
Total before tax
 
5

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(105
)
 
 
Tax benefit
 
(2
)
 
Statement of Income- Provision for income taxes
 
2

 
Statement of Income- Provision for income taxes
 
27

 
Statement of Income- Provision for income taxes
Net of tax
 
$
3

 
(1) 
 
$
1

 
(1) 
 
$
(78
)
 
(1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
Cross currency interest rate cash flow hedges
 
$
(181
)
 
Balance sheet- other non-current assets
 
$

 
Balance sheet- other non-current assets
 
$
1,505

 
Balance sheet-other non-current assets
Interest rate cash flow hedges
 
14

 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
81

 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
203

 
Balance sheet-other long-term liabilities
Cross currency interest rate cash flow hedges
 
(9
)
 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
(266
)
 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
983

 
Balance sheet-other long-term liabilities
Total before tax
 
(176
)
 
 
 
(185
)
 
 
 
2,691

 
 
Tax expense
 
(4
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax assets
 
(20
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax assets
 
(50
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax assets
Tax expense
 
37

 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax liabilities
 

 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax liabilities
 
(497
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax liabilities
Net of tax
 
$
(143
)
 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
$
(205
)
 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
$
2,144

 
Balance sheet-other long-term liabilities
(1) These amounts are included as part of salaries reported within the statement of income; warehouse club operations.

Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution
 
The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
Retained earnings not available for distribution
$
7,200

 
$
6,872


22


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


NOTE 6 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
The three types of equity awards offered by the Company are stock options (“options”), restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”).  Compensation related to options is accounted for by applying the valuation technique based on the Black-Scholes model. Compensation related to RSAs and RSUs is based on the fair market value at the time of grant with the application of an estimated forfeiture rate.  The Company recognizes the compensation cost related to these awards over the requisite service period as determined by the grant, amortized ratably or on a straight line basis over the life of the grant.  The Company utilizes “modified grant-date accounting” for true-ups due to actual forfeitures at the vesting dates.  The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation as additional paid-in capital and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as a reduction in paid-in capital, based on the Tax Law Ordering method.  In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as a financing cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows, rather than as operating cash flows.

RSAs have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered to be currently issued and outstanding shares of common stock.  RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested and do not have the cash dividend and voting rights of common stock.  However, the Company has paid dividend equivalents to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding.  The providing of dividend equivalents on RSUs is subject to the annual review and final determination by the board of directors at their discretion.  Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

The Company adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the "2013 Plan") for the benefit of its eligible employees, consultants and non-employee directors on January 22, 2013. The 2013 Plan provides for awards covering up to (1) 600,000 shares of common stock plus (2) the number of shares that remained available for issuance as of January 22, 2013 under three equity participation plans previously maintained by the Company. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan increases during the term of the plan by the number of shares relating to awards outstanding under the 2013 Plan or any of the prior plans that expire, or are forfeited, terminated, canceled or repurchased, or are settled in cash in lieu of shares. However, in no event will more than an aggregate of 1,531,818 shares of the Company’s common stock be issued under the 2013 Plan. The following table summarizes the shares authorized and shares available for future grants:

 
 
 
Shares available to grant
 
Shares authorized for issuance (including shares originally authorized for issuance under the prior plans)
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
2013 Plan
838,766

 
783,384

 
782,385

    
The following table summarizes the components of the stock-based compensation expense (in thousands), which are included in general and administrative expense and warehouse club operations in the consolidated statements of income:
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Options granted to directors
$
29

 
$
33

Restricted stock awards
1,151

 
1,550

Restricted stock units
250

 
240

Stock-based compensation expense
$
1,430

 
$
1,823

    
    

23


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The following table summarizes other information related to stock-based compensation:
 
November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Remaining unrecognized compensation cost (in thousands)
$
24,014

 
$
25,658

Weighted average period of time over which this cost will be recognized (years)
7

 
8


The Company began issuing restricted stock awards in fiscal year 2006 and restricted stock units in fiscal year 2008. The restricted stock awards and units vest over a five to ten year period and the unvested portion of the award is forfeited if the employee or non-employee director leaves the Company before the vesting period is completed. Restricted stock awards and units activity for the period was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Grants outstanding at beginning of period
623,424

 
700,893

Granted

 
6,264

Forfeited
(999
)
 
(670
)
Grants outstanding at end of period
622,425

 
706,487


    
The following table summarizes the weighted average per share grant date fair value for restricted stock awards and units for the period:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
2013
 
2012
Restricted stock awards and units granted
 
$

 
$
82.87

Restricted stock awards and units forfeited
 
53.62

 
19.85


    
The following table summarizes the total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested for the period (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested
$

 
$


    

24


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


At the vesting dates of restricted stock awards, the Company repurchases shares at the prior day's closing price per share, with the funds used to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. The following table summarizes this activity during the period:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Shares repurchased
 

 

Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)
 
$

 
$

    
The Company reissues treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs. The following table summarizes the treasury shares reissued:

 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Reissued treasury shares

 


The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding: 
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
Stock Options Outstanding
28,000

 
28,000


Due to the substantial shift from the use of stock options to restricted stock awards and units, the Company believes stock option activity is no longer significant and that any further disclosure on options is not necessary. 


NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, the outcome of which, in the opinion of management, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit.

The Company is required to file federal and state tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the interpretations the Company used to calculate its tax liability and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes.




25


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained.

In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies.  As of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, the Company had recorded within other accrued expenses a total of $3.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, for various non-income tax related tax contingencies. 

While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation, in estimating probable additional income tax liability taking into account uncertain tax positions and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions.  As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities.  As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate.

The Company is committed under non-cancelable operating leases for the rental of facilities and land. Future minimum lease commitments for facilities under these leases with an initial term in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended November 30,
 
 
Open
Locations(1)
2014
 
$
7,311

2015
 
7,011

2016
 
6,444

2017
 
6,923

2018
 
6,932

Thereafter
 
28,134

Total
 
$
62,755


(1)
Operating lease obligations have been reduced by approximately $685,000 to reflect sub-lease income. Certain obligations under leasing arrangements are collateralized by the underlying asset being leased.

The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction services obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of November 30, 2013 the Company has approximately $4.0 million in contractual obligations for construction services not yet rendered.

See Note 10 - Unconsolidated Affiliates for a description of additional capital contributions that may be required in connection with joint ventures to develop commercial centers adjacent to PriceSmart warehouse clubs in Panama and Costa Rica.

The Company contracts for distribution center services in Mexico.  The contract for this distribution center's services was renewed on December 31, 2011 for an additional three years, with the applicable fees and rates to be reviewed at the beginning of each calendar year.   Future minimum service commitments related to this contract for the following twelve months is approximately $125,000 and for the remaining of the term is approximately $10,000.

    

    


26


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


NOTE 8 – DEBT

Short-term borrowings consist of lines of credit which are secured by certain assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and in some cases are guaranteed by the Company as summarized below (in thousands):

 
 
 
Facilities Used
 
 
 
 
 
Total Amount of Facilities
 
Short-term Borrowings
 
Letters of Credit
 
Facilities Available
 
Weighted average interest rate
November 30, 2013
$
35,905

 
$
13,000

 
$
132

 
$
22,773

 
3.25
%
August 31, 2013
$
35,863

 
$

 
$
588

 
$
35,275

 
N/A

 
Each of the facilities expires annually and is normally renewed.
  
Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve months ended November 30,
 
Amount
2014
 
$
16,375

2015
 
10,097

2016
 
21,109

2017
 
10,198

2018
 
2,129

Thereafter
 
3,374

Total
 
$
63,282


On November 3, 2013, the Company paid down $8.0 million of the loan agreement entered into by the Company's Colombia subsidiary on November 1, 2010, with Citibank, N.A. in New York. The original agreement established a loan facility for $16.0 million to be disbursed in two tranches of $8.0 million each.  The interest rate was set at the six-month LIBOR rate plus 2.4%.  The loan term was for five years with interest only payments and a balloon payment at maturity.  The loan facility was renewable for an additional five-year period at the option of the Company's Colombia subsidiary, but if the Company did not draw on the facility or pay off the loan, the facility would terminate. Accordingly since the Company has paid down this loan, this loan facility has terminated.  This loan was secured by a time deposit pledged by the Company equal to the amount outstanding on the loan.   The secured time deposit of $8.0 million pledged by the Company was also released on November 3, 2013.


NOTE 9 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. One risk managed by the Company using derivative instruments is interest rate risk.  To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments.  The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the LIBOR interest payments associated with variable-rate loans over the life of the loans.  As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to a non-functional currency long-term debt of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, the Company’s subsidiary entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap that converts its foreign currency denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.


27


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


These derivative instruments (cash flow hedging instruments) are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction is determined to be ineffective.  There were no such amounts recorded for ineffectiveness for the periods reported herein related to the interest rate or cross-currency interest rate swaps of long-term debt.

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business, particularly in the case of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  These contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. As of November 30, 2013, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges.  The cross-currency interest rate swap agreements convert the Company's subsidiary's foreign currency United States dollar denominated floating interest payments on long-term debt to the functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign currency exchange movements.  Various subsidiaries entered into interest rate swap agreements that fix the interest rate over the life of the underlying loans.
    
    

28


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the three months ended November 30, 2013:
Subsidiary
 
Date entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Initial
US Notional Amount (in thousands)
 
Bank US loan Held with
 
Floating Leg (swap counter-party)
 
Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary
 
Settlement Reset Date
 
Effective Period of Swap
Colombia
 
11-Dec-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
4.79
%
 
March, June, September and December, beginning on March 5, 2013
 
December 5, 2012 - December 5, 2014
Colombia
 
21-Feb-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.6%
 
6.02
%
 
February, May, August and November beginning on May 22, 2012
 
February 21, 2012 - February 21, 2017
Colombia
 
17-Nov-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 6-month Eurodollar Libor plus 2.4%
 
5.85
%
 
May 3, 2012 and semi-annually thereafter
 
November 3, 2011 - November 3, 2013
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
2,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
5.30
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on October 29, 2011
 
July 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
6,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
5.45
%
 
March, June, September and December, beginning on October 29, 2011
 
September 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Colombia
 
5-May-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
6.09
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on July 5, 2011
 
April 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Trinidad
 
20-Nov-08
 
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
8,900,000

 
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
 
Variable rate 1-year Libor plus 2.75%
 
7.05
%
 
Annually on August 26
 
September 25, 2008 - September 26, 2013



29


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


For the three-month period ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):
Income Statement Classification
 
Interest expense
on Borrowings
 
Cost of Swaps
 
Interest expense
Interest expense for the three months ended November 30, 2013
 
$
126

 
$
431

 
$
557

Interest expense for the three months ended November 30, 2012
 
198

 
396

 
594


The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):
 Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
RBTT
 

 
4,500

Scotiabank
 
32,000

 
40,000

Total
 
$
32,000

 
$
44,500


The following table summarizes the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands, except footnote data):
 
 
November 30, 2013
 
August 31, 2013
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)(2)
 
Other non-current assets
 
1,324

 
Other non-current assets
 
1,505

Interest rate swaps(3)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 

 
Other long-term  liabilities
 
(14
)
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)(4)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(9
)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 

Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)(5)
 
 
 
1,315

 
 
 
1,491


(1) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/ loss for $(855,000) and $(1.0) million as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively.  
(2) 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax liability amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $(460,000) and $(497,000) as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively, related to Other non-current assets for the cross-currency interest rate swap.
(3) 
The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss for $0 and $10,000 net of tax as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $0 and $4,000 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively.
(4) 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to the tax valuation allowance of $3,000 and $0 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively, related to Other long-term liabilities for the cross currency interest rate swaps.
(5) 
Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

30


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Fair Value Instruments

The Company has entered into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts.  These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting.  The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  These contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has entered into non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts; the open amounts as of November 30, 2013 are summarized below:

Subsidiary
 
Date entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Notional Amount
(in thousands)
 
Settlement Date
 
Effective Period
Colombia
 
August 2013
 
 Citibank N.A.
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$
5,000

 
December 3, 2013 - December 10, 2013
 
November 7, 2013 - December 10, 2013

For the three-month periods ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company included in its consolidated statements of income the forward derivative (gain) or loss on the non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
Income Statement Classification
 
November 30, 2013
 
November 30, 2012
Other income (expense), net
 
(123
)
 
95


The following table summarizes the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands):