Crocs, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2020

Business Overview

Crocs, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries (collectively the “Company,” “Crocs,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are engaged in the design, development, worldwide marketing, distribution, and sale of casual lifestyle footwear and accessories for men, women, and children. We strive to be the world leader in innovative casual footwear for women, men, and children, combining comfort and style with a value that consumers want. The vast majority of shoes within our collection contain Croslite™ material, a proprietary, molded footwear technology, delivering extraordinary comfort with each step.

Known or Anticipated Trends

Based on our recent operating results and current perspectives on our operating environment, we anticipate certain trends will continue to impact our operating results:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our business globally in 2020. Despite this, the vast majority of our 351 company-operated stores were open during the third quarter, albeit at reduced hours. Wholesale brick-and-mortar stores also largely reopened prior to or during the quarter, which along with strong consumer demand at e-tailers, drove higher than anticipated growth in our wholesale channel. Further, the increase in digital sales, which includes sales through our company-owned websites, third party marketplaces, and e-tailers, began to temper compared to second quarter growth, but still showed significant growth over prior year.
• In Asia, our South Korea and China markets performed well, but our Southeast Asia distributors continued to struggle as a result of reduced travel in these highly tourism-dependent markets.
• While we began to reinvest in the business in the third quarter, we have still realized overall savings to date related to our 2020 COVID-19 cost reduction initiatives.
• To ensure the well-being of our employees and customers, our corporate offices, retail stores, and distribution centers have implemented various elevated safety protocols, in accordance with local guidelines and regulations, including temperature checks, mandatory mask policies, social distancing, access to hand sanitizer, plexiglass partitions, and enhanced cleaning of the facilities. Our corporate offices have also actively managed attendance levels in accordance with local guidelines and regulations, and many of our corporate employees have continued to successfully conduct business virtually.
• We expect to be cash flow positive for all of 2020, barring any material, unforeseen changes in the pandemic or economic environment. As of September 30, 2020, we have largely returned to standard payment terms with our customers and vendors after more strictly managing accounts payable in the first part of the year. At September 30, 2020, there were $135.0 million of borrowings outstanding on our credit facility after repayments of $140.0 million during the third quarter. Our borrowings may continue to fluctuate as we manage our liquidity needs. Finally, our share repurchases have remained temporarily suspended to preserve maximum liquidity and flexibility, but we may opportunistically resume share repurchases in the future.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures presented on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), we present certain information related to our results of operations through “constant currency,” which is a non-GAAP financial measure and should be viewed as a supplement to our results of operations and presentation of reportable segments under U.S. GAAP. Constant currency represents current period results that have been retranslated using prior year average foreign exchange rates for the comparative period to enhance the visibility of the underlying business trends excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on reported amounts.

Management uses constant currency to assist in comparing business trends from period to period on a consistent basis in communications with the Board of Directors, stockholders, analysts, and investors concerning our financial performance. We believe constant currency is useful to investors and other users of our condensed consolidated financial statements as an additional tool to evaluate operating performance and trends. Investors should not consider constant currency in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Third Quarter 2020 Financial and Operational Highlights

Revenues were $361.7 million for the third quarter of 2020, a 15.7% increase compared to the third quarter of 2019. The increase was due to the net effects of: (i) higher unit sales volumes, which increased revenues by $11.1 million, or 3.6%, driven by rapid e-commerce and e-tail growth, combined with positive wholesale brick-and-mortar performance, as multi-brand wholesale stores reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) higher average selling prices, driven by reduced promotions, higher pricing, and increased sales of charms per shoe, which increased revenues by $38.5 million, or 12.3%; and (iii) unfavorable changes in exchange rates, which decreased revenues by $0.6 million, or 0.2%.

The following were significant developments affecting our businesses and capital structure during the three months ended September 30, 2020:

• We sold 16.9 million pairs of shoes worldwide, an increase from 15.9 million pairs in the third quarter of 2019.
• Digital sales represented 37.7% of revenue, compared to 32.2% in last year’s third quarter.
• Gross margin was 57.2%, an increase of 480 basis points from last year’s third quarter, as a result of changes in product mix, price increases on certain products, and lower levels of promotions and discounts.
• SG&A was $134.7 million compared to $123.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. As a percent of revenues, SG&A decreased 240 basis points to 37.2% of revenues compared to 39.6% of revenues in the third quarter of 2019.
• Income from operations increased 80.7% to $72.1 million from $39.9 million in last year’s third quarter. Net income was $61.9 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $35.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in last year’s third quarter.

Results of Operations

(in thousands, except per share, margin, and average selling price data)

(1) Changes for gross margin and operating margin are shown in basis points (“bp”).

(2) Average footwear selling price is calculated as footwear and charms revenues divided by footwear units.

Revenues By Channel

(in thousands)

(1) Reflects year over year change as if the current period results were in constant currency, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

The primary drivers of changes in revenue were:

(in thousands)

(1) The change due to price is based on the change in average selling price on a constant currency basis (“ASP”).

(in thousands)

(1) The change due to price is based on the change in ASP.

Revenues. In three months ended September 30, 2020, revenues increased compared to the same period in 2019. Despite the continued presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, brick-and-mortar stores in our wholesale channel reopened and remained open for most of the quarter and e-commerce revenues continued to grow. Volume was up, particularly in our Americas and EMEA wholesale revenues, as a result of higher consumer demand in our e-tail and brick-and-mortar accounts as markets reopened. This was offset in part by lower volumes in our Asia Pacific revenues, due to ongoing negative impacts from COVID-19, including pervasive closures and the lack of tourism in the region. Higher ASP drove growth in all segments and substantially all channels, especially in the Americas, as a result of fewer promotions and discounts, higher pricing on certain products, and increased sales of charms per shoe. Fluctuations in foreign currencies slightly reduced revenues, primarily from unfavorable changes in the Brazilian Real that were mostly offset by favorable changes in the Euro.

Revenues also increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily as a result of increases in ASP in all segments, due to fewer promotions and discounts, price increases, and increased sales of charms per shoe. These increases were partially offset by lower volume in the first half of the year, attributable to COVID-19 store closures, and negative currency changes, primarily in the Russian Ruble, Brazilian Real, Korean Won, and Chinese Yuan.

Cost of sales. In the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, cost of sales increased due to higher volume of $9.0 million, or 6.0%, primarily in our Americas and EMEA segments, offset in part by lower average cost per unit on a constant currency basis (“AUC”), as a result of product mix, which decreased cost of sales by $2.7 million, or 1.8%, and foreign currency fluctuations, which decreased cost of sales by $0.3 million, or 0.2%.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, cost of sales decreased primarily due to lower volume of $23.8 million, or 5.0%. Foreign currency fluctuations further decreased cost of sales by $5.7 million, or 1.2%. These decreases were partially offset by higher AUC of $6.3 million, or 1.3%, primarily due to higher costs as a result of changes in channel mix, purchasing power related to currency changes in our EMEA segment, and an inventory write-off in our Asia Pacific segment in response to COVID-19.

Gross profit. Gross margin increased in the three months ended September 30, 2020 to 57.2%, compared to 52.4% in the same period in 2019, as a result of changes in product mix, price increases, and fewer promotions and discounts. Gross profit increased $42.9 million, or 26.2%. This was primarily as a result of higher ASP, supplemented by moderately lower AUC, of $41.2 million, or 25.1%, and higher volume of $2.0 million, or 1.3%. Negative currency changes of $0.3 million, or 0.2% had a minimal impact on gross profit.

Gross margin in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 53.5% compared to 50.7% in 2019, due to product mix, price increases, and fewer promotions and discounts. Gross profit increased $30.0 million, or 6.1%, as a result of net higher ASP and AUC of $77.6 million, or 15.8%, partially offset by lower volume of $41.6 million, or 8.5%, and negative currency changes of $6.0 million, or 1.2%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. SG&A increased $10.7 million, or 8.7%, in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. This was driven primarily by an increase in compensation expense of $11.2 million, primarily in variable compensation, as a result of the timing of positive business performance compared to 2019. Additionally, marketing costs increased by $2.2 million, primarily as a result of variable costs associated with increased revenue and a higher share of e-commerce sales. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional services costs of $2.3 million, primarily due to cost saving measures related to COVID-19, and lower other net costs of $0.4 million.

SG&A increased $0.8 million, or 0.2%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Increases due to inventory donations of $10.0 million, bad debt expense of $3.6 million, and information technology, marketing, and other net costs of $3.5 million were partially offset by various reductions, mostly as a result of cost saving measures taken in response to COVID-19. These reductions included net lower compensation expense of $8.5 million, primarily due to the temporary and permanent elimination of certain roles, decreased travel and related costs of $5.2 million, and decreased facilities costs of $2.6 million, due to savings in our company-owned retail stores, primarily in variable rent costs.

Foreign currency gains (losses), net. Foreign currency gains (losses), net, consist of realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses from the remeasurement and settlement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies as well as realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency derivative instruments. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized realized and unrealized net foreign currency losses of $0.5 million, compared to gains of $0.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized realized and unrealized net foreign currency losses of $1.4 million, compared to losses of $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Income tax expense. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, income tax expense increased $5.8 million compared to the same period in 2019. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was 11.7% compared to an effective tax rate of 6.4% for the same period in 2019, a 5.3% increase. The increase in the effective rate was driven by tax expense recorded in profitable jurisdictions, partially offset by the utilization of deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance, and by operating losses in certain jurisdictions where we had determined that it is not more likely than not to realize the associated tax benefits. Our effective income tax rate, for each period presented, also differs from the federal U.S statutory rate primarily due to differences in income tax rates between U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, as well as utilization of deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, income tax expense increased $0.5 million compared to the same period in 2019. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 9.8% compared to an effective tax rate of 12.0% for the same period in 2019, a 2.2% decrease. This decrease in the effective rate was driven primarily by the utilization of deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance, tax expense recorded in profitable jurisdictions, and by operating losses in certain jurisdictions where we had determined that it is not more likely than not to realize the associated tax benefits. Our effective income tax rate, for each period presented, also differs from the federal U.S. statutory rate primarily due to differences in income tax rates between U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, as well as utilization of deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance.

Reportable Operating Segments

The following table sets forth information related to our reportable operating segments, including a comparison of revenues and operating income by segment:

(in thousands)

(1) Reflects year over year change as if the current period results were in constant currency, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

(2) Unallocated corporate and other includes corporate support and administrative functions, costs associated with share-based compensation, research and development, brand marketing, legal, and depreciation and amortization of corporate and other assets not allocated to operating segments.

The primary drivers of changes in revenues by operating segment were:

(in thousands)

(1) The change due to price for revenues is based on ASP, as defined earlier in this section.

(in thousands)

(1) The change due to price for revenues is based on ASP, as defined earlier in this section.

Americas Operating Segment

Revenues. Americas revenues increased in the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, particularly in our e-commerce channel, with an increase of 47.4%, and our wholesale channel, with an increase of 29.6%. The overall increase in revenue was primarily due to higher ASP in all three channels, particularly as a result of less promotional activity, product mix, increased prices, and increased sales of charms per shoe, and increased volume, mostly in our wholesale channel, as a result of higher consumer demand from our e-tail and brick-and-mortar accounts as markets reopened. These increases were slightly offset by negative currency changes, primarily in the Brazilian Real.

The increase in Americas revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to increased ASP from product mix, price increases, less promotional activity, and increased sales of charms per shoe. Lower volume in our retail channel offset higher volumes in our wholesale and e-commerce channels, as a result of COVID-19-related closures in the first and second quarters that drove a consumer shift to online shopping. Negative currency changes, largely in the Brazilian Real, also decreased revenues.

Income from Operations. Income from operations for our Americas segment was $109.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $43.1 million, or 64.6%, compared to the same period in 2019. Gross profit increased $44.3 million, or 41.5%, primarily due to an increase of $36.0 million, or 33.7%, from higher ASP, as a result of less promotional activity, product mix, and increased prices, and lower AUC, as a result of product mix in our wholesale and retail channels. Volume increased $8.9 million, or 8.4%, primarily in our e-commerce and wholesale channels. Negative currency changes of $0.6 million, or 0.6%, partially offset these increases in gross profit.

SG&A for our Americas segment increased $1.2 million, or 2.9%, during the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, due to increased marketing costs of $1.5 million, as a result of higher variable marketing associated with a higher share of e-commerce sales, and higher other net costs of $0.4 million, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in compensation expense due to the elimination of certain roles in response to COVID-19.

Income from operations for our Americas segment was $220.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $63.5 million, or 40.4%, compared to the same period in 2019. Gross profit increased $69.9 million, or 25.9%, primarily due to an increase of $82.4 million, or 30.5%, from higher ASP, as a result of less promotional activity, product mix, and increased prices, and lower AUC, as a result of product mix. Lower sales volumes of $11.1 million, or 4.1%, primarily in our retail channel, and a $1.4 million, or 0.5%, decrease as a result of negative currency changes somewhat offset the gross profit increase.

SG&A for our Americas segment increased $6.4 million, or 5.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. This was primarily due to $8.3 million of inventory donations associated with COVID-19, an increase of $4.4 million in marketing costs from higher variable marketing associated with a higher share of e-commerce sales, and a $2.4 million increase in bad debt expense, largely due to the impact of COVID-19 on our distributors. A reduction in compensation expense of $7.2 million, primarily due to the temporary and permanent elimination of certain roles in response to COVID-19, and a decrease in travel, facilities, and other net costs of $1.5 million partially offset this increase.

Asia Pacific Operating Segment

Revenues. Asia Pacific revenues decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Volume was lower, as growth in digital sales was offset by declines in our brick-and-mortar wholesale accounts and in our retail channel, as a result of decreased customer traffic and a lack of tourism resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as right-sizing our retail fleet in certain markets. Higher ASP, due to channel mix, fewer promotions, and less discounting, also partially offset these declines.

Asia Pacific revenues decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, due to lower volumes in our wholesale and retail channels, as a result of store closures, decreased customer traffic, and a lack of tourism, all as a result of the pandemic. Higher ASP, due to channel mix, fewer promotions, and less discounting almost entirely offset negative currency impacts, primarily in the Korean Won and Chinese Yuan.

Income from Operations. Income from operations for the Asia Pacific segment was $14.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 11.2%, compared to the same period in 2019. Gross profit decreased by $1.4 million, or 3.6%, as a result of lower volume of $5.5 million, or 13.6%, primarily in our wholesale and retail channels, offset in part by net higher ASP and AUC of $4.0 million, or 9.8%. Currency favorably impacted gross margin by $0.1 million, or 0.2%.

SG&A for our Asia Pacific segment decreased $2.9 million, or 10.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, due in part to a reduction in compensation costs of $1.7 million due to the elimination of certain roles in response to COVID-19 and a decrease in bad debt expense of $1.6 million, partially offset by increases in other net costs of $0.4 million.

Income from operations for the Asia Pacific segment was $40.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $27.6 million, or 40.6%, compared to the same period in 2019. Gross profit decreased by $30.4 million, or 20.1%, mostly due to lower volume of $24.0 million, or 15.9%, from reduced customer traffic and a lack of tourism during the pandemic, and net higher AUC and ASP of $4.0 million, or 2.6%, from higher distribution and logistics costs and an inventory write-off as a result of the impact of COVID-19. Negative currency impacts decreased gross profit by $2.4 million, or 1.6%.

SG&A for our Asia Pacific segment decreased $2.8 million, or 3.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to a decrease in facilities expense of $3.2 million as a result of savings from variable rent in our company-owned retail stores and a reduction in compensation expense of $2.8 million due to the elimination of certain roles in response to COVID-19. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in inventory donations to healthcare workers and other organizations of $1.4 million, primarily in the first quarter of 2020, and other net costs of $1.8 million.

EMEA Operating Segment

Revenues. Revenues increased in our EMEA segment in the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, in part as a result of a consumer shift to online shopping during the pandemic, driving higher volumes in our e-commerce channel of 32.4% and our wholesale channel of 10.2%, offset in part by lower retail volume of 24.6%. We also had higher ASP, as a result of less discounting, and favorable currency changes, primarily in the Euro.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, EMEA revenues decreased compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to lower volumes in our retail channel of 37.4% and wholesale channel of 4.9%, offset in part by increased volume in our e-commerce channel of 35.7% due to a consumer shift to online shopping during the pandemic. Negative currency, primarily in the Russian Ruble, was more than offset by higher ASP in all channels, primarily in e-commerce, as a result of less discounting.

Income from Operations. Income from operations for the EMEA segment was $16.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $3.1 million, or 23.0%, compared to the same period in 2019. Gross profit increased $3.2 million, or 11.9%, due to higher volume of $1.6 million, or 5.9%, net higher ASP and AUC of $1.2 million, or 4.6%, and a favorable currency impact of $0.4 million, or 1.4%.

SG&A for our EMEA segment was mostly flat in the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

Income from operations for the EMEA segment was $54.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $6.4 million, or 10.5%, compared to the same period in 2019. Gross profit decreased $7.4 million, or 7.3%, due to lower sales volumes of $4.7 million, or 4.7%, negative currency impacts of $1.9 million, or 1.8%, and net higher AUC and ASP, of $0.8 million, or 0.8%, as a result of product mix, price increases, and fewer promotions and less discounts.

SG&A for our EMEA segment decreased $1.0 million, or 2.5%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to a $1.3 million reduction in compensation expense and a $0.9 million reduction in net other costs, offset in part by increases in marketing costs of $1.2 million as a result of higher variable marketing associated with a higher share of e-commerce sales.

Other Businesses and Unallocated Corporate

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, total net costs within ‘Other Businesses’ and ‘Unallocated Corporate and Other’ increased $15.5 million compared to the same period in 2019. This was mostly due to an increase in compensation expense of $13.7 million, primarily in variable compensation driven by the timing of positive business performance compared to 2019, an increase in supply chain costs of $3.1 million driven in part by investments in our distribution network, and an increase in facilities and other net costs of $0.9 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional services fees of $2.2 million due to cost saving measures related to COVID-19.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, total net costs within ‘Other Businesses’ and ‘Unallocated Corporate and Other’ increased $0.3 million compared to the same period in 2019, primarily driven by an increase in compensation expense of $2.8 million due to the strong performance of the business, increased facilities expense of $2.3 million as a result of the opening of our new headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, and higher supply chain costs of $2.0 million due in part to investment in our distribution network. These increases were mostly offset by a lower investment in marketing of $4.0 million and decreases in travel, professional services, and other net costs of $2.8 million.

Store Locations and Comparable Store Sales

The tables below illustrate the overall change in the number of our company-operated retail locations by type of store and reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020:

29

Digital sales, which includes sales through our company-owned website, third party marketplaces, and e-tailers (which are reported in our wholesale channel), as a percent of total revenues, by operating segment were:

Comparable retail store sales and direct-to-consumer store sales by operating segment are shown below.

(1) Reflects period over period change on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

(2) Comparable store status is determined on a monthly basis. Comparable store sales includes the revenues of stores that have been in operation for more than twelve months. Stores in which selling square footage has changed more than 15% as a result of a remodel, expansion, or reduction are excluded until the thirteenth month in which they have comparable prior year sales. Temporarily closed stores are excluded from the comparable store sales calculation during the month of closure. Location closures in excess of three months are excluded until the thirteenth month post re-opening. E-commerce revenues are based on same site sales period over period.

Financial Condition, Capital Resources, and Liquidity

Liquidity

Our liquidity position as of September 30, 2020 was:

(in thousands)

As of September 30, 2020, we had $123.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and up to $364.4 million of remaining borrowing availability under our Facility (as defined below), which was amended in March 2020 to provide additional flexibility and borrowing commitments as we continue to operate in a business landscape impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also entered into two revolving credit facility agreements in Asia during the year, which are discussed in more detail under “Asia Revolving Credit Facilities” below. Throughout the year, we have taken several defensive measures to maximize liquidity in response to COVID-19, including reducing expenses, primarily through the temporary and permanent elimination of certain corporate and regional roles, extending payment terms with vendors, managing inventory levels by constraining incoming supply and focusing on core product, deferring discretionary capital expenditures, and suspending our share repurchase and foreign currency exchange derivative programs. While we have begun to reinvest in the business and increase inventory to meet demand, we will continue to closely monitor our costs and adjust as needed in response to changes in the market. Additionally, as of September 30, 2020, we have largely returned to standard payment terms with our vendors and customers after more strictly managing accounts payable in the first part of the year and recognizing bad debt expense of $4.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, associated with global distributors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through September 30, 2020, we also received rent concessions from landlords of $6.0 million, the majority of which were either paid back during the three months ended September 30, 2020 or are expected to be paid back by the end of 2020.

Based on these actions, we believe that cash flows from operations, our cash and cash equivalents on hand, and available borrowings under our Facility will be sufficient to meet our ongoing liquidity needs and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. Additional future financing may be necessary to fund our operations, and there can be no assurance that, if needed, we will be able to secure additional debt or equity financing on terms acceptable to us or at all, especially in light of the market volatility and uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Although we believe we have adequate sources of liquidity over the long term, the success of our operations, the global economic outlook, and the pace of sustainable growth in our markets, in each case, in light of the market volatility and uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, could impact our business and liquidity.

Seasonality

Due to the seasonal nature of our footwear, which is more heavily focused on styles suitable for warm weather, revenues generated during our fourth quarter, when the northern hemisphere is experiencing cooler weather, are typically less than revenues generated during our first three quarters. Accordingly, cash flows from operating activities during our first quarter are typically lower as we collect on the related fourth quarter customer receivables and as customer receivables and inventories rise in preparation for the Spring/Summer season. Cash flows from operating activities generated during our second and third quarters are generally higher, when the northern hemisphere is experiencing warmer weather. Accordingly, results of operations and cash flows for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of expected results for any other quarter or for any other year.

Repatriation of Cash

As a global business, we have cash balances in various countries, and amounts are denominated in various currencies. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates impact our results of operations and cash positions. Future fluctuations in foreign currencies may have a material impact on our cash flows and capital resources. Cash balances held in foreign countries may have additional restrictions and covenants associated with them which could adversely impact our liquidity and our ability to timely access and transfer cash balances between entities.

All of the cash held outside of the U.S. could be repatriated to the U.S. without incurring additional U.S. federal income taxes. As of September 30, 2020, we held $69.5 million of our total $123.6 million in cash in international locations. This cash is primarily used for the ongoing operations of the business in the locations in which the cash is held. None of the $69.5 million held in international locations is limited by local regulations. If the remaining $69.5 million were to be immediately repatriated to the U.S., no additional U.S. federal income tax expense would be incurred.

Senior Revolving Credit Facility

In July 2019, the Company and certain of our subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”) entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), with the lenders named therein and PNC Bank, National Association, as a lender and administrative agent for the lenders, which provided for a revolving credit facility of $500.0 million, which can be increased by an additional $100.0 million subject to certain conditions (the “Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable rate based on (A) a domestic base rate (defined as the highest of (i) the Federal Funds open rate, plus 0.25%, (ii) the Prime Rate, and (iii) the Daily LIBOR rate, plus 1.00%), plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% or 0.875% based on our leverage ratio, or (B) a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.875% based on our leverage ratio. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by all of the assets of the Borrowers and guaranteed by certain other subsidiaries of the Borrowers.

The Credit Agreement requires us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 4.00 to 1.00, and a maximum leverage ratio of (i) 4.00 to 1.00 until September 30, 2020, (ii) 3.50 to 1.00 from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021, and (iii) 3.25 to 1.00 from March 31, 2022 and thereafter (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances). The Credit Agreement permits (i) stock repurchases subject to certain restrictions, including after giving effect to such stock repurchases, the maximum leverage ratio does not exceed certain levels; and (ii) certain acquisitions so long as there is borrowing availability under the Credit Agreement of at least $40.0 million. As of September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Agreement.

As of September 30, 2020, the total commitments available from the lenders under the Facility were $500.0 million. At September 30, 2020, we had $135.0 million in outstanding borrowings, which are due when the Facility matures in July 2024, and $0.6 million in outstanding letters of credit under the Facility, which reduces amounts available for borrowing under the Facility. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $364.4 million and $240.4 million, respectively, of available borrowing capacity under the Facility. Our borrowings may continue to fluctuate as we manage our liquidity needs.

Asia Revolving Credit Facilities

The revolving credit facility with China Merchants Bank Company Limited, Shanghai Branch (the “CMBC Facility”) provides up to 30.0 million RMB, or $4.4 million at current exchange rates, and matures in May 2021. For RMB loans under the CMBC Facility, interest is determined at the time of borrowing based on variable rates in effect at that time.

The revolving credit facility with Citibank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch (the “Citibank Facility”) provides up to an equivalent of $5.0 million and matures in June 2021. For RMB loans under the Citibank Facility, interest is based on a National Interbank Funding Center 1-year prime rate, plus 65 basis points. For USD loans under the Citibank Facility, interest is based on a LIBOR rate, plus 1.5%.

We had no borrowings under our Asia revolving facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019 or borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

In July 2020, we cancelled a previously suspended revolving credit facility in Asia.

Cash Flows

(in thousands)

Operating Activities. Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operating activities, consisting of net income adjusted for noncash items and changes in working capital. Cash provided by operating activities increased $85.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, driven by higher net income, adjusted for non-cash items, of $52.5 million and by net increases in operating assets and liabilities of $33.0 million.

Investing Activities. There was a $0.4 million increase in cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The $32.9 million used in investing activities in 2020 primarily reflects expenditures related to the relocation of our Corporate headquarters in Broomfield and continued investment in our U.S. distribution center. The $32.6 million used in investing activities in 2019 reflects expenditures on the relocation of the Company’s U.S. distribution center from California to Ohio and information technology investments.

Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities increased by $36.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This increase was primarily driven by a $135.0 million decrease in borrowings, net of repayments, on our Facility. There was an offsetting decrease in repurchases of our common stock of $94.3 million, as part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We also made a final payment of $3.0 million in 2019 related to the conversion of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock that did not recur in the current year. The increase was also offset by less cash used in other financing activities of $1.5 million, which primarily related to equity transactions.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no significant changes to the contractual obligations reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, other than borrowings and repayments on the Facility, as described above and in Note 7 — Revolving Credit Facilities and Bank Borrowings in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2020, other than certain purchase commitments, which are described in Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales, and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our assumptions and estimates on an on-going basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

For a complete discussion of our critical accounting policies, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. There have been no other significant changes in our critical accounting policies or their application since December 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I - Item 1. Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of recently adopted accounting pronouncements and issued accounting pronouncements that we believe may have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements when adopted.

Interest Rate Risk

We centrally manage our debt and investment portfolios considering investment opportunities and risks, tax consequences, and overall financing strategies. Our exposure to market risk includes interest rate fluctuations in connection with our Facility and certain financial instruments.

Borrowings under our Facility bear interest at a variable rate and are therefore subject to risk based upon prevailing market interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate as a result of many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors that are beyond our control.

As of September 30, 2020, we had $135.0 million in outstanding borrowings and $0.6 million in outstanding letters of credit under our Facility. As of December 31, 2019, we had $205.0 million in outstanding borrowings and $4.6 million in outstanding letters of credit under our Facility.

A hypothetical increase of 1% in the interest rate on these borrowings would have increased interest expense by $0.3 million and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Changes in exchange rates have a direct effect on our reported U.S. Dollar condensed consolidated financial statements because we translate the operating results and financial position of our international subsidiaries to U.S. Dollars using current period exchange rates. Specifically, we translate the statements of operations of our foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. Dollar reporting currency using exchange rates in effect during each reporting period. As a result, comparisons of reported results between reporting periods may be impacted significantly due to differences in the exchange rates in effect at the time such exchange rates are used to translate the operating results of our international subsidiaries.

An increase of 1% of the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to foreign currencies, excluding the impact on our purchasing power, would have decreased our income before taxes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 by less than $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The volatility of the exchange rates is dependent on many factors that cannot be forecasted with reliable accuracy.

We may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to buy or sell various foreign currencies to selectively protect against volatility in the value of non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. Changes in the fair value of these forward contracts are recognized in earnings in the period that the changes occur. As of September 30, 2020, the U.S. Dollar notional value of our outstanding foreign currency forward exchange contracts was approximately $150.5 million. The net fair value of these contracts at September 30, 2020 was a liability of less than $0.1 million.

We perform a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have on the fair values of our foreign currency forward exchange contracts. To perform the sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of changes in fair values from the effect of hypothetical changes in foreign currency exchange rates. This analysis assumes a like movement by the foreign currencies in our hedge portfolio against the U.S. Dollar. As of September 30, 2020, a 10% appreciation in the value of the U.S. Dollar would result in a net increase in the fair value of our derivative portfolio of approximately $2.5 million.

See Part I - Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of the impact of the change in foreign exchange rates on our U.S. Dollar condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as such item is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2020, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applies its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures that, by their nature, can only provide reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the three months ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, or future results. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors included in our Annual Report.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had, and may continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business, operations, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to drive global uncertainty and disruption and has spread throughout the geographic regions in which we run our business and where our suppliers, third-party manufacturers, retail stores, wholesale customers, and consumers are located. The pandemic had a material impact on our retail and wholesale channel revenues, predominately in the first half of 2020, and the total impact of the pandemic on us will depend on developments outside of our control, including, among other factors, the duration and spread of the outbreak, actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the outbreak or mitigate its impact, including related restrictions on movement and commercial activities, the economic or other impacts on our wholesale partners, the impact on and recovery time of our supply chain, consequential staffing shortages, manufacturing delays and the uncertainty with respect to the accessibility of additional liquidity or to the capital markets.

While most of our company-operated stores, our partner stores, and our wholesale partner stores were reopened during the three months ended September 30, 2020, some may close again upon additional COVID-19 outbreaks. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the length of time of any remaining closures, if further closures will occur, or if consumers will return to purchasing our products at historical levels in retail locations. The inability to sell our products in our retail or wholesale channels has had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.

We also rely upon the facilities of our third-party manufacturers outside of the U.S. to support our business as well as to export our products throughout the world. As a result of COVID-19 and the measures designed to contain the spread of the virus, our third-party manufacturers may not have the materials, capacity, or capability to manufacture our products according to our schedule and specifications, which may negatively impact our ability to manage inventories. If our third-party manufacturers’ operations are curtailed, we may need to seek alternate manufacturing sources, which may be unavailable, more expensive, or face the same constraints. The possibility of and the duration of any production or supply chain disruption, and related financial impact, if any, cannot be estimated at this time. Should any production and distribution closures continue for an extended period of time, the impact on our global supply chain could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. See “We depend solely on third-party manufacturers located outside the U.S.” in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The effects of COVID-19 could affect our ability to successfully operate in many ways, including, but not limited to, the following factors:

• the impact of the pandemic on the economies and financial markets of the countries and regions in which we operate, including a prolonged global recession, a decline in consumer confidence and spending, or a further increase in unemployment levels, has resulted, and could continue to result, in consumers having less disposable income and, in turn, decreased sales of our products;
• “shelter in place” and other similar mandated or suggested isolation protocols, which have disrupted, and could continue to disrupt, our retail locations, partner stores, and brick-and-mortar retailers via store closures or reduced operating hours and decreased retail traffic;
• difficulty accessing debt and equity on attractive terms, or at all, and a severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deterioration in credit and financing conditions may affect our ability to access capital necessary to operate our business;
• our success in attempting to reduce operating costs and conserve cash;
• our inability to obtain additional rent and other relief from our landlords if retail stores close in response to another outbreak, which may involve litigation or other disruptions;
• the failure of our wholesale customers, to whom we extend credit, to pay amounts owed to us on time, or at all, particularly if such customers are significantly impacted by COVID-19;
• the risk that even after the pandemic has initially subsided, fear of COVID-19 re-occurrence could cause customers to avoid public places where our stores and those of our wholesale partners are located such as malls and outlets;
• we may be required to revise certain accounting estimates and judgments such as, but not limited to, those related to the valuation of long-lived assets and deferred tax assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

The rapid development and fluidity of the pandemic precludes any prediction as to the ultimate impact of COVID-19. The full extent of the impact and effects of COVID-19 on our business, operations, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations remain uncertain at this time.