form10-q.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended October 31, 2010
 
¨
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: 1-16497
 
MOVADO GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

New York
 
13-2595932
(State or Other Jurisdiction
 
(IRS Employer
of Incorporation or Organization)
 
Identification No.)
650 From Road, Ste. 375
Paramus, New Jersey
 
07652-3556
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 (201) 267-8000
 
(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 that past 90 days. Yes  x   No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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  ¨    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.
Large accelerated filer ¨    Accelerated filer x    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 x
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock and class A common stock as of November 23, 2010 were 18,103,669 and 6,634,319, respectively.




 
 

 

MOVADO GROUP, INC.

Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
October 31, 2010


     
Page
Part I
Financial Information (Unaudited)
 
       
 
Item 1.
Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 31, 2010, January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009
3
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009
4
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009
5
       
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
       
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
17
       
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
28
       
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
30
     
Part II
Other Information
 
       
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
31
       
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
31
       
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
31
       
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
33
     
Signature
 
34
     
     
     

 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

MOVADO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
   
October 31, 2010
   
January 31, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
ASSETS
                 
Current assets:
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 63,243     $ 70,975     $ 49,478  
Trade receivables, net
    91,594       67,206       105,469  
Inventories, net
    206,549       204,096       228,766  
Other current assets
    27,300       38,014       35,711  
Total current assets
    388,686       380,291       419,424  
                         
Property, plant and equipment, net
    39,956       47,394       58,142  
Deferred income taxes
    14,163       12,347       10,014  
Other non-current assets
    23,618       29,345       28,648  
Total assets
  $ 466,423     $ 469,377     $ 516,228  
                         
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable
  $ 19,950     $ 22,661     $ 17,373  
Accrued liabilities
    44,979       35,161       43,760  
Deferred and current income taxes payable
    631       541       484  
Total current liabilities
    65,560       58,363       61,617  
                         
Long-term debt
    -       10,000       24,910  
Deferred and non-current income taxes payable
    8,068       7,874       6,116  
Other non-current liabilities
    16,973       21,688       20,763  
Total liabilities
    90,601       97,925       113,406  
                         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
                       
                         
Equity:
                       
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued
    -       -       -  
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 25,279,966, 25,134,084 and 25,103,084 shares issued, respectively
      253       251         251  
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 6,634,319, 6,634,319 and 6,634,319 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
      66       66         66  
Capital in excess of par value
    139,779       138,076       137,078  
Retained earnings
    252,242       265,856       289,414  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    83,246       67,390       76,114  
Treasury Stock, 7,176,297, 7,171,348 and 7,171,348 shares, respectively, at cost
    (102,131 )     (102,071 )     (102,071 )
Total Movado Group, Inc. shareholders’ equity
    373,455       369,568       400,852  
Noncontrolling interests
    2,367       1,884       1,970  
Total equity
    375,822       371,452       402,822  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 466,423     $ 469,377     $ 516,228  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
3

 

MOVADO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


   
Three Months Ended October 31,
   
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Continuing operations:
                       
Net sales
  $ 123,002     $ 123,443     $ 281,194     $ 267,629  
Cost of sales
    54,406       66,774       126,846       131,755  
                                 
Gross profit
    68,596       56,669       154,348       135,874  
Selling, general and administrative
    50,400       50,360       140,649       133,900  
                                 
Operating income
    18,196       6,309       13,699       1,974  
                                 
Interest expense
    (460 )     (1,080 )     (1,808 )     (3,797 )
Interest income
    175       16       229       87  
                                 
Income / (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    17,911       5,245       12,120       (1,736 )
Provision for income taxes (Note 10)
    781       24,398       1,573       22,865  
Income / (loss) from continuing operations
    17,130       (19,153 )     10,547       (24,601 )
Discontinued operations:
                               
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax  (Note 2)
    -       (1,491 )     (23,675 )     (6,234 )
Net income / (loss)
    17,130       (20,644 )     (13,128 )     (30,835 )
   Less: Income attributed to noncontrolling interests
    279       226       486       232  
                                 
Net income / (loss) attributed to Movado Group, Inc.
  $ 16,851     $ (20,870 )   $ (13,614 )   $ (31,067 )
                                 
Income / (loss) attributable to Movado Group, Inc.:
                               
Income / (loss) from continuing operations , net of tax
  $ 16,851     $ (19,379 )   $ 10,061     $ (24,833 )
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       (1,491 )     (23,675 )     (6,234 )
Net income / (loss)
  $ 16,851     $ (20,870 )   $ (13,614 )   $ (31,067 )
                                 
Basic income / (loss)  per share:
                               
Weighted basic average shares outstanding
    24,772       24,558       24,730       24,509  
Income / (loss) per share from continuing operations attributed to Movado Group, Inc.
  $ 0.68     $ (0.79 )   $ 0.41     $ (1.01 )
(Loss) per share from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ (0.06 )   $ (0.96 )   $ (0.25 )
Net income / (loss) per share attributed to Movado Group, Inc.
  $ 0.68     $ (0.85 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (1.27 )
                                 
Diluted income / (loss) per share:
                               
Weighted diluted average shares outstanding
    24,907       24,558       24,988       24,509  
Income / (loss) per share from continuing operations attributed to Movado Group, Inc.
  $ 0.68     $ (0.79 )   $ 0.40     $ (1.01 )
(Loss) per share from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ (0.06 )   $ (0.96 )   $ (0.25 )
Net income / (loss) per share attributed to Movado Group, Inc.
  $ 0.68     $ (0.85 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (1.27 )
                                 

 


 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



 
4

 

MOVADO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
                               (Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended October 31,
   
2010
   
2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net loss
  $ (13,128 )   $ (30,835 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities:
                 
Loss from discontinued operations
    23,675       6,234  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,408       11,796  
Deferred income taxes
    (1,344 )     20,442  
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
    1,271       1,453  
Provision for losses on inventory
    1,600       469  
Stock-based compensation
    1,178       862  
Excess tax from stock-based compensation
    -       478  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                 
Trade receivables
    (24,344 )     (25,787 )
Inventories
    (4,585 )     14,434  
Other current assets
    13,192       9,148  
Accounts payable
    (2,863 )     (3,876 )
Accrued liabilities
    11,573       (3,216 )
Current income taxes payable
    28       2,710  
Other non-current assets
    4,267       1,429  
Other non-current liabilities
    (3,077 )     (1,430 )
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
    17,851       4,311  
Net cash (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations
    (12,923 )     (6,118 )
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
    4,928       (1,807 )
                   
Cash flows from investing activities:
                 
Capital expenditures
    (4,903 )     (3,373 )
Trademarks
    (230 )     (382 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities from continuing operations
    (5,133 )     (3,755 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations
    (100 )     -  
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    (5,233 )     (3,755 )
                   
Cash flows from financing activities:
                 
Proceeds from bank borrowings
    30,000       55,909  
Repayments of bank borrowings
    (40,000 )     (89,928 )
Stock options exercised and other changes
    468       203  
Excess tax from stock-based compensation
    -       (478 )
Financing fee
    -       (2,751 )
Dividends paid
    -       (1,220 )
Net cash (used in) financing activities from continuing operations
    (9,532 )     (38,265 )
Net cash (used in) financing activities from discontinued operations
    -       -  
Net cash (used in) financing activities
    (9,532 )     (38,265 )
                   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    2,105       6,684    
                   
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (7,732 )     (37,143 )
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    70,975       86,621  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 63,243     $ 49,478  


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
5

 


MOVADO GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Movado Group, Inc. (the “Company”) with information derived from the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s fiscal 2010 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned Annual Report.  Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
 
As announced on May 27, 2010, the Company’s subsidiary, Movado Retail Group, Inc., closed its Movado boutique division during its second quarter ending July 31, 2010.  All of the Movado boutiques were located in the United States.  Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the financial results of the boutiques were reported as discontinued operations and presented in a separate section on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for all periods presented.

NOTE 1 – RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain reclassifications were made to prior year’s financial statement amounts and related note disclosures to conform to the fiscal 2011 presentation.

NOTE 2 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The Company closed its Movado boutique division effective the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  As a result of that action, the Company is reporting the Movado boutiques' financial activity as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

The following is a summary of the operating results of the Company’s discontinued operations:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31, 2010
   
Three Months Ended
October 31, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Net
   
Pretax
   
Net
   
Net
   
Pretax
   
Net
 
 
Sales
   
Loss
   
Loss
   
Sales
   
Loss
   
Loss
 
Movado Boutiques
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 5,523     $ 3,370     $ 1,491  

   
Nine Months Ended
October 31, 2010
   
Nine Months Ended
October 31, 2009
 
(In thousands)
 
Net
   
Pretax
   
Net
   
Net
   
Pretax
   
Net
 
 
Sales
   
Loss
   
Loss
   
Sales
   
Loss
   
Loss
 
Movado Boutiques
  $ 14,252     $ 23,675     $ 23,675     $ 18,613     $ 9,374     $ 6,234  


 
6

 

For the three months ended October 31, 2010, the Company had no tax provision for its discontinued operations.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $1.9 million related to discontinued operations.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2009 was 55.8%.

For the nine months ended October 31, 2010, the Company had no tax provision for its discontinued operations.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $3.1 million related to discontinued operations.  The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended October 31, 2009 was 33.5%.

As a result of the Movado boutiques closing, the Company recorded $20.0 million of expenses primarily for occupancy charges, asset impairments, inventory reserves and severance.  The Company expects that, with the exception of inventory reserves, the majority of the remaining liabilities will be paid by fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

A summary rollforward of costs related to the closing of the Movado boutiques is as follows (in thousands):

   
Fiscal 2011 charges
   
Cash
payments
   
Non-cash adjustments
   
Accrued balance at October 31, 2010
 
Occupancy charges (1)
  $ 12,915     $ (13,438 )   $ 1,284     $ 761  
Asset impairments
    3,432       -       (3,432 )     -  
Inventory reserves
    1,892       -       (37 )     1,855  
Severance
    1,756       (1,583 )     -       173  
Total
  $ 19,995     $ (15,021 )   $ (2,185 )   $ 2,789  

(1) Occupancy charges include expenses for lease buyouts, moving and legal expenses and reductions for the reversal of deferred rent accruals.

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
As of February 1, 2008, the Company adopted accounting guidance related to fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on February 1, 2009, the Company adopted fair value measurements for non-recurring financial assets and liabilities.  The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:
 
·       Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
·
Level 2 - Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
 
·
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions.

The guidance requires the use of observable market data if such data is available without undue cost and effort.  The Company’s adoption of the guidance did not result in any changes to the accounting for its financial assets and liabilities.  Therefore, the primary impact to the Company upon its adoption of this guidance was to expand its fair value measurement disclosures. 

 
7

 

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2010 (in thousands):
 
   
Fair Value at October 31, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Available-for-sale securities
  $ 227     $ -     $ -     $ 227  
SERP assets - employer
    446       -       -       446  
SERP assets - employee
    13,717       -       -       13,717  
Hedge derivatives
    -       2,916       -       2,916  
Total
  $ 14,390     $ 2,916     $ -     $ 17,306  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
SERP liabilities - employee
  $ 13,717     $ -     $ -     $ 13,717  
Hedge derivatives
    -       243       -       243  
Total
  $ 13,717     $ 243     $ -     $ 13,960  
 
The fair values of the Company’s available-for-sale securities are based on quoted prices.  The hedge derivatives are entered into by the Company principally to reduce its exposure to the Swiss franc exchange rate risk.  Fair values of the Company’s hedge derivatives are calculated based on quoted foreign exchange rates, quoted interest rates and market volatility factors.  The assets related to the Company’s defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) consist of both employer (employee unvested) and employee assets which are invested in investment funds with fair values calculated based on quoted market prices.  The SERP liability represents the Company’s liability to the employees in the plan for their vested balances.

NOTE 4 – EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)

The components of equity for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

 
Movado Group, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
   
           
Accumulated
   
   
Class A
Capital in
   
Other
     
 
Common
Common
Excess of
Retained
Treasury
Comprehensive
Noncontrolling
   
 
Stock
Stock
Par Value
Earnings
Stock
Income
Interests
Total
 
 Balance, January 31, 2010
         $ 251
         $ 66
      $138,076
      $265,856
      ($102,071)
           $67,390
                $1,884
      $371,452
 
   Net (loss) / income
     
        (13,614)
   
486
        (13,128)
 
   Stock options exercised, net of  tax
2
 
530
 
            (60)
   
472
 
   Stock-based compensation expense
   
            1,178
       
            1,178
 
   Supplemental executive retirement plan
   
(5)
       
(5)
 
   Net unrealized gain on investments, net of tax
         
97
 
              97
 
   Effective portion of unrealized gain on hedging contracts, net of tax
         
609
 
             609
 
   Foreign currency translation adjustment (1)
         
15,150
(3) 
         15,147
 
 Balance, October 31, 2010
          $253
         $ 66
    $139,779
      $252,242
      ($102,131)
           $83,246
                $2,367
      $375,822
 


 
8

 


 
Movado Group, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
   
           
Accumulated
   
   
Class A
Capital in
   
Other
   
 
Common
Common
Excess of
Retained
Treasury
Comprehensive
Noncontrolling
 
 
Stock
Stock
Par Value
Earnings
Stock
Income
Interests
Total
 Balance, January 31, 2009
          $246
         $ 66
      $131,796
      $320,481
      ($97,371)
$44,041
                 $1,506
      $400,765
   Net (loss) / income
     
        (31,067)
   
232
        (30,835)
   Stock options exercised, net of tax
5
 
            4,618
 
            (4,700)
   
            (77)
   Stock-based compensation expense
   
            862
       
            862
   Supplemental executive retirement plan
   
           (198)
       
           (198)
   Net unrealized gain on investments, net of tax
         
                  81
 
              81
   Effective portion of unrealized loss on hedging contracts, net of tax
         
                 (738)
 
             (738)
   Foreign currency translation adjustment (1)
         
32,730
232 
         32,962
 Balance, October 31, 2009
          $251
         $ 66
    $137,078
      $289,414
      ($102,071)
           $76,114
                $1,970
      $402,822

The components of comprehensive income / (loss) for the three months and nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Nine Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income / (loss)
  $ 17,130     $ (20,644 )   $ (13,128 )   $ (30,835 )
Net unrealized gain / (loss) on investments, net of tax
    16       (16 )     97       81  
Effective portion of unrealized gain / (loss) on hedging contracts, net of tax
    (93 )     (491 )     609       (738 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
    13,463       16,616       15,147       32,962  
Comprehensive  income / (loss)
    30,516       (4,535 )     2,725       1,470  
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    366       270       483       464  
Total comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to Movado Group, Inc.
  $ 30,150     $ (4,805 )   $ 2,242     $ 1,006  

(1) The foreign currency translation adjustments are tax-effected to the extent they relate to non-permanent investments in foreign subsidiaries.

NOTE 5 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company follows accounting guidance related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information.  This guidance requires disclosure of segment data based on how management makes decisions about allocating resources to segments and measuring their performance.

With the exception of Total Assets and Long-Lived Assets, the Retail segment and United States segment information presented below no longer includes amounts related to the Movado boutiques, which were closed during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and subsequently reported as discontinued operations.

 
9

 

The Company conducts its business primarily in two operating segments: Wholesale and Retail.  The Company’s Wholesale segment includes the designing, manufacturing and distribution of quality watches, in addition to revenue generated from after sales service activities and shipping. The retail segment includes the Company’s outlet stores and the Movado brand flagship store.

The Company divides its business into two major geographic segments: United States operations, and International, which includes the results of all other Company operations.  The allocation of geographic revenue is based upon the location of the customer. The Company’s international operations are principally conducted in Europe, Asia, Canada, the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean.  The Company’s international assets are substantially located in Switzerland.

Operating Segment Data for the Three Months Ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

       
   
Net Sales
   
Operating Income (1)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Wholesale
  $ 110,154     $ 110,987     $ 16,534     $ 4,208  
Retail
    12,848       12,456       1,662       2,101  
Consolidated total
  $ 123,002     $ 123,443     $ 18,196     $ 6,309  

Operating Segment Data for the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
       
   
Net Sales
   
Operating Income (Loss) (1)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Wholesale
  $ 245,962     $ 232,396     $ 9,018     $ (4,176 )
Retail
    35,232       35,233       4,681       6,150  
Consolidated total
  $ 281,194     $ 267,629     $ 13,699     $ 1,974  

   
Total Assets
 
   
October 31, 2010
   
January 31, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
                   
Wholesale
  $ 444,819     $ 435,432     $ 472,845  
Retail
    21,604       33,945       43,383  
Consolidated total
  $ 466,423     $ 469,377     $ 516,228  


 
(1) Fiscal 2011 Wholesale Operating Income includes the reversal of a $4.3 million previously recorded liability for a retirement agreement with the Company's late Chairman.  See note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.

Geographic Segment Data for the Three Months Ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
       
   
Net Sales
   
Operating Income (Loss) (2)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
United States
  $ 66,105     $ 74,092     $ 6,604     $ (1,513 )
International
    56,897       49,351       11,592       7,822  
Consolidated total
  $ 123,002     $ 123,443     $ 18,196     $ 6,309  


 
10

 

United States and International net sales are net of intercompany sales of $64.3 million and $56.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Geographic Segment Data for the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

       
   
Net Sales
   
Operating (Loss) Income (2)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
United States
  $ 148,505     $ 152,726     $ (941 )   $ (13,245 )
International
    132,689       114,903       14,640       15,219  
Consolidated total
  $ 281,194     $ 267,629     $ 13,699     $ 1,974  

United States and International net sales are net of intercompany sales of $149.9 million and $159.8 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(2) Fiscal 2011 United States Operating (Loss) includes the reversal of a $4.3 million previously recorded liability for a retirement agreement with the Company's late Chairman.  See note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.


   
Total Assets
 
   
October 31, 2010
   
January 31, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
                   
United States
  $ 203,256     $ 204,836     $ 249,161  
International
    263,167       264,541       267,067  
Consolidated total
  $ 466,423     $ 469,377     $ 516,228  

   
Long-Lived Assets
 
   
October 31, 2010
   
January 31, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
                   
United States
  $ 30,869     $ 36,000     $ 42,842  
International
    9,087       11,394       15,300  
Consolidated total
  $ 39,956     $ 47,394     $ 58,142  

NOTE 6 – INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
   
October 31, 2010
   
January 31, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
                   
Finished goods
  $ 124,977     $ 128,334     $ 144,287  
Component parts
    60,333       55,077       63,104  
Work-in-process
    21,239       20,685       21,375  
    $ 206,549     $ 204,096     $ 228,766  


 


 
11

 

NOTE 7 – DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT

On July 17, 2009, the Company, together with Movado Group Delaware Holdings Corporation, Movado Retail Group, Inc. and Movado LLC (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), each a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. and Bank Leumi USA, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”).  The Loan Agreement provides a $55.0 million asset based senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”), including a $15.0 million letter of credit subfacility.  The maturity date of the Facility is June 5, 2012.

Availability under the Facility is determined by reference to a borrowing base which is based on the sum of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory of the Borrowers.  $10.0 million in availability is blocked until the date (the “Block Release Date”) on which the Borrowers have achieved for a four fiscal quarter period a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25 to 1.0 and have domestic EBITDA greater than $10.0 million.  The availability block must remain in place for at least one year.  The amount of the availability block will be reduced by the amount by which the borrowing base exceeds $55.0 million, up to a maximum reduction of $5.0 million.  Availability under the Facility may be further reduced by certain reserves established by the Agent in its good faith credit judgment.  As of October 31, 2010, total availability under the Facility, giving effect to the availability block, no outstanding borrowings and the letters of credit outstanding under the subfacility, was $49.3 million.

The initial applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans was 4.25% and for base rate loans was 3.25%.  After July 17, 2010, the applicable margins decrease or increase by 0.25% per annum from the initial applicable margins depending on whether average availability for the most recently completed fiscal quarter is either greater than $12.5 million, or is $5.0 million or less, respectively.  Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the applicable margin decreased by 0.25% per annum.  The Company has also agreed to pay certain fees and expenses and provide certain indemnities, all of which are customary for such financings.
 
Prior to the Block Release Date, if borrowing availability is less than $10.0 million (which threshold may be reduced to the extent the borrowing base exceeds $55.0 million, up to a maximum $5.0 million reduction), the Borrowers will be subject to a minimum EBITDA covenant.  After the Block Release Date, the Borrowers will be subject to a minimum EBITDA covenant if borrowing availability is less than $15.0 million.  As of October 31, 2010, the Borrowers were not subject to the minimum EBITDA covenant.

In addition, after the Block Release Date, if borrowing availability is less than $15.0 million, the Borrowers will be subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

The Borrowers’ deposit accounts will be subject to cash dominion prior to the Block Release Date if borrowing availability is less than $7.5 million, but such threshold may be reduced to the extent the borrowing base exceeds $55.0 million, up to a maximum $5.0 million reduction.  After the Block Release Date, cash dominion will be imposed if borrowing availability is less than $15.0 million.  As of October 31, 2010, the Borrowers were not subject to cash dominion nor do the Borrowers expect to be subject to such a requirement in the foreseeable future.

The Loan Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants binding on the Borrowers and their subsidiaries that are customary for asset based facilities, including, but not limited to, restrictions and limitations on the incurrence of debt for borrowed money and liens, dispositions of assets, capital expenditures, dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests, the making of loans and equity investments, prepayments of subordinated and certain other debt, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, and transactions with affiliates.

 
12

 

The Loan Agreement contains events of default that are customary for facilities of this type, including, but not limited to, nonpayment of principal, interest, fees and other amounts when due, failure of any representation or warranty to be true in any material respect when made or deemed made, violation of covenants, cross default, material judgments, material ERISA liability, bankruptcy events, material loss of collateral in excess of insured amounts, asserted or actual revocation or invalidity of the loan documents, change of control and events or circumstances having a material adverse effect.  The borrowings under the Facility are joint and several obligations of the Borrowers and also cross-guaranteed by each Borrower.  In addition, the Borrowers’ obligations under the Facility are secured by first priority liens, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the Borrowers’ U.S. assets (other than certain excluded assets).
 
A Swiss subsidiary of the Company maintains unsecured lines of credit with an unspecified length of time with a Swiss bank.  As of October 31, 2010 and 2009, these lines of credit totaled 10.0 million Swiss francs and 8.0 million Swiss francs, respectively, with U.S. dollar equivalents of $10.2 million and $7.9 million, respectively.  As of October 31, 2010, two European banks have guaranteed obligations to third parties on behalf of two of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries with U.S. dollar equivalents of $1.7 million in various foreign currencies.  As of October 31, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings against these lines.

NOTE 8 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company presents net income per share on a basic and diluted basis.  Basic earnings per share are computed using weighted-average shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding adjusted for dilutive common stock equivalents.

The weighted-average number of shares outstanding for basic earnings per share was 24,772,000 and 24,558,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  For the three months ended October 31, 2010, diluted earnings per share was increased by 135,000, due to potentially dilutive common stock equivalents issuable under the Company’s stock compensation plans.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, the number of shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share was the same as the basic earnings per share because the Company generated a net loss.

For the three months ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, approximately 605,000 and 730,000, respectively, of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.

The weighted-average number of shares outstanding for basic earnings per share was 24,730,000 and 24,509,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2010, diluted earnings per share was increased by 258,000, due to potentially dilutive common stock equivalents issuable under the Company’s stock compensation plans.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the number of shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share was the same as the basic earnings per share because the Company generated a net loss.

For the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, approximately 513,000 and 1,080,000, respectively, of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At October 31, 2010, one bank in the domestic bank group has issued five irrevocable standby letters of credit for retail and operating facility leases to various landlords, for the administration of the Movado boutique
 
13

 

private-label credit card and Canadian payroll to the Royal Bank of Canada.  The Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.7 million with expiration dates through March 10, 2013.

As of October 31, 2010, two European banks have guaranteed obligations to third parties on behalf of two of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in the amount of $1.7 million in various foreign currencies.

The Company is involved from time to time in legal claims involving trademarks and other intellectual property, contracts, employee relations and other matters incidental to the Company’s business.  Although the outcome of such matters cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s general counsel and management believe that the final outcome would not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded a tax expense of $0.8 million and $24.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the three month period ended October 31, 2010 was 4.4%.  Actual taxes in the current period include adjustments for a non-cash charge to record changes in the valuation allowances on the Company's net deferred tax assets, taxes on repatriated foreign dividends and the application of interim tax reporting guidelines.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, the Company determined that it was appropriate to record a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in the U.S., primarily due to the Company’s U.S. loss position in recent years, and the Company recognized a non-cash deferred tax expense of $20.8 million.  In addition, for the three months ended October 31, 2009, a non-cash provision of $2.2 million was recorded for net federal income tax on the future remittance of earnings of a foreign subsidiary. 

The Company recorded a tax expense of $1.6 million and $22.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended October 31, 2010 was 13.0%.  Actual taxes in the current period include adjustments for a non-cash charge to record changes in the valuation allowances on the Company's net deferred tax assets, taxes on repatriated foreign dividends and the application of interim tax reporting guidelines.  The tax expense for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 included charges regarding the above mentioned non-cash deferred tax expense related to valuation allowances and the non-cash provision on future remittance of earnings of a foreign subsidiary.

NOTE 11 DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company accounts for its derivative financial instruments in accordance with guidance which requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial condition and measure those instruments at fair value.  A significant portion of the Company’s purchases are denominated in Swiss francs.  The Company reduces its exposure to the Swiss franc exchange rate risk through a hedging program.  Under the hedging program, the Company manages most of its foreign currency exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows it to net certain exposures and take advantage of natural offsets.  In the event these exposures do not offset, the Company uses various derivative financial instruments to further reduce the net exposures to currency fluctuations, predominately forward and option contracts.  When entered into, the Company designates and documents these derivative instruments as a cash flow hedge of a specific underlying exposure, and sets forth the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and documented as a cash flow hedge, and which is highly effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying transaction affects earnings, and then are later reclassified into earnings in the same account as the hedged transaction.  The Company formally assesses, both at the inception and at each financial quarter thereafter, the effectiveness of the derivative instrument hedging the underlying forecasted cash flow transaction.  Any ineffectiveness related to

 
14

 

the derivative financial instruments’ change in fair value will be recognized in the period in which the ineffectiveness was calculated.

The Company uses forward exchange contracts to offset its exposure to certain foreign currency receivables and liabilities. These forward contracts are not designated as qualified hedges and, therefore, changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized into earnings, thereby offsetting the current earnings effect of the related foreign currency receivables and liabilities.

All of the Company’s derivative instruments have liquid markets to assess fair value.  The Company does not enter into any derivative instruments for trading purposes.

As of October 31, 2010, the Company’s entire net forward contracts hedging portfolio consisted of 50.0 million Swiss francs equivalent for various expiry dates ranging through April 26, 2011.

The following table summarizes the fair value and presentation in the consolidated balance sheets for derivatives designated as hedging instruments and derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under the relevant guidance as of October 31, (in thousands):

 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Balance
 
2010
   
2009
 
Balance
 
2010
   
2009
 
 
Sheet
 
Fair
   
Fair
 
Sheet
 
Fair
   
Fair
 
 
Location
 
Value
   
Value
 
Location
 
Value
   
Value
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
                           
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Other Current Assets
  $ -     $ -  
Accrued Liabilities
  $ -     $ -  
                                     
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                                   
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Other Current Assets
    2,916       1,919  
Accrued Liabilities
    243       152  
                                     
Total Derivative Instruments
    $ 2,916     $ 1,919       $ 243     $ 152  

As of October 31, 2010, the balance of deferred net gains on derivative financial instruments documented as cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) was $0.4 million in net gains, net of tax of $1.0 million, compared to $0.7 million in net gains, net of tax of $0.5 million at October 31, 2009.  The Company estimates that a substantial portion of the deferred net gains at October 31, 2010 will be realized into earnings over the next 12 to 24 months as a result of transactions that are expected to occur over that period. The primary underlying transaction which will cause the amount in AOCI to affect cost of goods sold consists of the Company’s sell through of inventory purchased in Swiss francs. The maximum length of time the Company is hedging its exposure to the fluctuation in future cash flows for forecasted transactions is 24 months. For the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company reclassified from AOCI to earnings $0.4 million of net gains, net of tax of $0.3 million and $0.5 million of net gains, net of tax of $0.3 million, respectively.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company reclassified from AOCI to earnings $0.6 million of net gains, net of tax of $0.4 million and $1.3 million of net gains, net of tax of $0.7 million, respectively.

During the three and nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded no charge related to its assessment of the effectiveness of its derivative hedge portfolio because of the high degree of effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the underlying exposure being hedged.  Changes in the contracts’ fair value

 
15

 

due to spot-forward differences are excluded from the designated hedge relationship.  The Company records these transactions in the cost of sales of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

NOTE 12 - OTHER

In fiscal 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with a trust which owned an insurance policy issued on the lives of the Company's former Chairman, Mr. Gedalio Grinberg (“Mr. Grinberg”), and his spouse (“Mrs. Grinberg”). Under this agreement, the trust assigned the insurance policy to the Company as collateral to secure repayment by the trust of interest-free loans made by the Company to the trust in amounts equal to the premiums on said insurance policy (approximately $0.7 million per annum). The agreement required the trust to repay the loans from the proceeds of the policy. At January 31, 2003, the Company had outstanding loans from the trust of $5.2 million. On April 4, 2003, the agreement was amended and restated to transfer the policy from the trust to the Company in partial repayment of the loan balance. The Company is the beneficiary of the policy insofar as upon the death of Mr. Grinberg and Mrs. Grinberg, the proceeds of the policy would first be distributed to the Company to repay the premiums paid by the Company with the remaining proceeds distributed to the trust.  On January 5, 2009, the Company announced the passing of Mr. Grinberg.  During fiscal 2010, the Company borrowed approximately $11.0 million against the cash surrender value of this insurance policy.  On August 9, 2010, Mrs. Grinberg passed away.  As of this date, the Company had a balance of $5.0 million in Other Current Assets, consisting of $11.1 million of premiums paid on the policy, net of the outstanding loan balance of $6.1 million.  The Company received approximately $4.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, which represented the net balance due from the trust and accrued interest owed as of August 9, 2010.

On December 19, 2008, the Company entered into a Transition and Retirement Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Company’s former Chairman, Mr. Grinberg.  The Agreement stipulated that upon his retirement on January 31, 2009, Mr. Grinberg, or Mrs. Grinberg if he predeceases her, would receive a payment of $0.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2010, and annual payments of $0.5 million for each year thereafter through the life of Mr. Grinberg and, if he predeceases Mrs. Grinberg, through the life of Mrs. Grinberg.  On January 5, 2009, the Company announced the passing of Mr. Grinberg.  As of July 31, 2010, a $4.3 million liability was recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the Agreement, of which $0.5 million was recorded in Accrued Liabilities, and $3.8 million was recorded in Other Non-Current Liabilities.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2011, due to the passing of Mrs. Grinberg, the Company reversed the $4.3 million liability as a reduction of SG&A expenses.
 

 
16

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including, without limitation, statements under Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report, as well as statements in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Company’s press releases and oral statements made by or with the approval of an authorized executive officer of the Company, which are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company, its future performance, the industry in which the Company operates and management’s assumptions. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “targets”, “goals”, “projects”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “may”, “will”, “should” and variations of such words and similar expressions are also intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future business prospects, projected operating or financial results, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, plans for future operations, expectations regarding capital expenditures and operating expenses, effective tax rates, margins, interest costs, and income as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing.  Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified.  Actual results and future events could differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, due to several important factors herein identified, among others, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC including, without limitation, the following: general economic and business conditions which may impact disposable income of consumers in the United States and the other significant markets where the Company’s products are sold, uncertainty regarding such economic and business conditions, trends in consumer debt levels and bad debt write-offs, general uncertainty related to possible terrorist attacks and the impact on consumer spending, changes in consumer preferences and popularity of particular designs, new product development and introduction, competitive products and pricing, seasonality, availability of alternative sources of supply in the case of the loss of any significant supplier or any supplier's inability to fulfill the Company’s orders, the loss of or curtailed sales to significant customers, the  Company’s dependence on key employees and officers, the ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired businesses without disruption to other business activities, the continuation of licensing arrangements with third parties, the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights, the ability to lease new stores on suitable terms in desired markets and to complete construction on a timely basis, the ability of the Company to successfully manage its expenses on a continuing basis, the continued availability to the Company of financing and credit on favorable terms, business disruptions, disease, general risks associated with doing business outside the United States including, without limitation, import duties, tariffs, quotas, political and economic stability, and success of hedging strategies with respect to currency exchange rate fluctuations.
 
These risks and uncertainties, along with the risk factors discussed under Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or incorporated by reference herein.  All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or, in the case of any document incorporated by reference, the date of that document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this report.

 
17

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses.  Estimates by their nature are based on judgments and available information. Therefore, actual results could materially differ from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and the results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company’s most critical accounting policies have been discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.

As of October 31, 2010, there have been no material changes to any of the critical accounting policies as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted FASB issued accounting guidance that requires the gross presentation of activity within the Level 3 fair value measurement roll forward and details of transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements.  It also clarifies existing disclosure requirements regarding the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements and disclosures on inputs.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.  

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted new standards for determining whether to consolidate a variable interest entity.  These new standards eliminated a mandatory quantitative approach to determine whether a variable interest gives the entity a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity in favor of a qualitatively focused analysis, and require an ongoing reassessment of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary.  The adoption of these new standards did not impact the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or balance sheets.

Recent Developments

Economic conditions around the world began to deteriorate in fiscal 2009.  Global economic conditions are showing signs of recovery, particularly in the watch category.  The Company believes that the U.S. economy will continue to show moderate growth, yet it remains conservative on the outlook in the European market.  The Asia market remains strong but currently represents only a small part of the Company’s business.  As the Company continues to manage its way through these uncertain times, it is taking, and will continue to take, appropriate actions to address challenges in the marketplace and more strongly position the Company for the future, including:

·  
proactively managing sales to limit credit risk and future potential liquidations,
 
·  
continuing to control spending in accordance with the Company’s expense reduction program implemented in fiscal 2009,
 
·  
further strengthening its balance sheet and liquidity, continuing to tightly manage cash and inventory levels,
 
·  
increasing investments in certain of the Company’s brands to elevate their connection with consumers and drive top-line growth,
 
·  
building the business for its core portfolio of brands with a renewed focus on product innovation and improved execution of product segmentation and pricing,
 
·  
maintaining the Company’s strong licensed brand business, and
 

 
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·  
reducing the negative contribution from areas of its business that are underperforming.
 
As announced on May 27, 2010, the Company’s subsidiary, Movado Retail Group, Inc., closed its Movado boutique division during its second quarter ending July 31, 2010.  All of the Movado boutiques were located in the United States.  The Company incurred a charge of approximately $20 million in connection with the closing of the boutiques.  This charge was primarily comprised of occupancy charges, asset impairments, inventory reserves and severance.  Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the financial results of the boutiques are being reported as discontinued operations and presented in a separate section on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for all periods presented.
 
Overview

The Company conducts its business primarily in two operating segments: Wholesale and Retail.  The Company’s wholesale segment includes the designing, manufacturing and distribution of quality watches.  The retail segment includes the Company’s outlet stores and the Movado brand flagship store.  The following discussion of retail segment and United States segment operating results no longer includes amounts related to the Movado boutiques as a result of closing the Movado boutique division during the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  The financial results of the Movado boutiques are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

The Company divides its watch business into distinct categories.  The luxury category consists of the Ebel® and Concord® brands.  The accessible luxury category consists of the Movado® and ESQ® by Movado brands.  The licensed brands category represents brands distributed under license agreements and includes Coach®, HUGO BOSS®, Juicy Couture®, Lacoste® and Tommy Hilfiger®.

Results of operations for the three months ended October 31, 2010 as compared to the three months ended October 31, 2009

Net Sales: Comparative net sales by business segment were as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Wholesale:
           
United States
  $ 53,257     $ 61,636  
International
    56,897       49,351  
Total Wholesale
    110,154       110,987  
                 
Retail
    12,848       12,456  
                 
Net Sales
  $ 123,002     $ 123,443  

Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2010 were $123.0 million, below prior year by $0.4 million or 0.4%.  Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2009 included $8.4 million of liquidation of excess discontinued inventory.  Excluding the liquidation of excess discontinued inventory in the prior year period, net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2010 were above the prior year period by $8.0 million or 6.9%.  The Company is presenting net sales excluding sales of excess discontinued inventory because the Company believes that it is useful to eliminate the effect of this item in order to improve the comparability of the Company’s results for the periods presented.  For the three months ended October 31, 2010, fluctuations in

 
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foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted net sales by $0.6 million when compared to the prior year period.

Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2010 in the wholesale segment were $110.2 million, below the prior year period by $0.8 million or 0.8%.  Excluding $8.4 million of liquidation of excess discontinued inventory in the prior year period, net sales in the wholesale segment for the current period were above the prior year period by $7.6 million or 7.4%.  The increase in wholesale net sales was driven by growth in the international segment.  Sales in the U.S. segment were flat year-over-year.

Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2010 in the U.S. wholesale segment were $53.3 million, below the prior year period by $8.4 million or 13.6%.  Excluding $8.4 million of liquidation of excess discontinued inventory in the prior year period, net sales in the U.S. wholesale segment for the current period were flat to the prior year period.  (The remaining discussion in this paragraph excludes the impact of the liquidation sales of excess discontinued inventory.)  Net sales in the licensed brands category were above the prior year period by $0.9 million or 5.5%, primarily due to better performance resulting from improved economic conditions when compared to the prior year period.  The licensed brand category has favorable pricing when compared to the luxury and the accessible luxury categories, making the licensed brand category watches more attractive to consumers who continue to manage their spending.  Net sales in the luxury category were below prior year by $0.3 million, or 23.1%, as the relatively high priced watch offerings of the category continued to be negatively affected by the difficult U.S. economic environment.  Net sales in the accessible luxury category were below prior year by $0.2 million, or 0.7%, resulting from the Company’s decision to continue to control distribution in the current year period, as well as the decision to limit sales to customers which the Company believed to have credit risk.  These decreases were partially offset by higher demand as customers began to replenish their inventories after significant destocking in the prior year when they slowed replenishment and reduced open-to-buy levels as a result of the unfavorable economic conditions.

Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2010 in the international wholesale segment were $56.9 million, above the prior year period by $7.5 million or 15.3%, with increases recorded in all watch brand categories.  Net sales in the licensed brands category were above the prior year period by $5.1 million or 17.9%, primarily due to market expansion and better performance resulting from improved economic conditions when compared to prior year period.  Net sales in the luxury category were above the prior year period by $2.6 million, or 37.6%.  Net sales in the accessible luxury category were above the prior year period by $1.0 million, or 8.5%.  The increase in net sales for both the luxury and accessible luxury categories was primarily due to better performance resulting from improved economic conditions when compared to the prior year period.  For the three months ended October 31, 2010, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted net sales by $0.6 million when compared to the prior year period.

Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2010 in the retail segment were $12.8 million, above the prior year period by $0.4 million or 3.2%.  As of October 31, 2010, the Company operated 32 outlet stores and the Movado brand flagship store.

Gross Profit.  Gross profit for the three months ended October 31, 2010 was $68.6 million or 55.8% of net sales as compared to $56.7 million or 45.9% of net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2009.  The increase in gross profit of $11.9 million was primarily attributed to the increase in gross margin percentage.  The gross margin percentage for the three months ended October 31, 2010 was favorably impacted by approximately 90 basis points resulting from a shift in channel and product mix.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, both the gross profit and gross margin percentage were unfavorably impacted by currency and unfavorable inventory overhead absorption.  The gross margin percentage for the three months ended October 31, 2009 was unfavorably impacted by approximately 150 basis points by fluctuations in foreign currency due to losses on the un-hedged portion of the Company’s Swiss franc liabilities, predominantly in the United States.  The unfavorable overhead absorption in the prior year period was primarily attributed to abnormally low production

 
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levels associated with the decline in sales volume which unfavorably impacted the gross margin percentage by approximately 210 basis points.  In addition, the gross margin percentage during the three months ended October 31, 2009 was unfavorably impacted by approximately 540 basis points resulting from the $8.4 million of sales of excess discontinued inventory.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2010 were $50.4 million, or flat to the prior year period.  Higher marketing expense of $2.5 million was recorded during the three months ending October 31, 2010 when compared to the prior year period, resulting from the Company’s decision to increase investment in this area to elevate its brands’ connection with consumers and to drive sales growth.  Additionally, performance based compensation was higher by $3.4 million year-over-year, resulting from expense recorded for the current period due to the expected achievement of performance goals, as well as the reversal of previously recorded expenses in the prior year due to goals not being met in light of the challenging global economy at that time.  These expense increases were offset by lower expenses of $1.0 million associated with tradeshows as the Company reduced participation in these events.  Additionally, the Company recorded a benefit of $4.3 million in the current year period resulting from the reversal of a previously recorded liability for a retirement agreement with the Company’s late Chairman.  The effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates favorably impacted SG&A for the three months ended October 31, 2010 by $0.6 million, primarily due to the transactional effect of foreign denominated assets held in strengthening currencies.

Wholesale Operating Income.  Operating income of $16.5 million and $4.2 million was recorded in the wholesale segment for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The $12.3 million increase in profit was the result of an increase in gross profit of $11.7 million, and a decrease in SG&A expenses of $0.6 million.  The increase in gross profit of $11.7 million was primarily attributed to the increase in gross margin percentage achieved year-over-year.  The decrease in SG&A expenses of $0.6 million was driven by a reduction in expenses associated with tradeshows of $1.0 million, the $4.3 million benefit recorded in the current period resulting from the reversal of a previously recorded liability for a retirement agreement, as well as the favorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations of $0.6 million when compared to the prior year period.  These decreases were partially offset by higher marketing expenses of $2.6 million and higher performance based compensation of $3.4 million.

Retail Operating Income.  Operating income of $1.7 million and $2.1 million was recorded in the retail segment for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The $0.4 million decrease in profit was primarily the result of an increase in SG&A expenses of $0.6 million, partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $0.2 million.  The increase in gross profit of $0.2 million was primarily attributed to the increase in sales volume year-over-year.  The increase in SG&A expenses of $0.6 million was primarily due to higher occupancy and payroll related expenses in the current year period.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 was $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively.  The decrease in interest expense of $0.6 million was primarily due to lower average borrowings year-over-year.
 
Interest Income.  Interest income was $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three month periods ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income Taxes.  The Company recorded a tax expense of $0.8 million and a tax expense of $24.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the three month period ended October 31, 2010 was 4.4%. Actual taxes in the current period include adjustments for a non-cash charge to record changes in the valuation allowances on the Company's net deferred tax assets, taxes on repatriated foreign dividends and the application of interim tax reporting guidelines.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, the Company determined that it was appropriate to record a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in the U.S., primarily due to the Company’s U.S. loss position in recent years,

 
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and the Company recognized a non-cash deferred tax expense of $20.8 million.  In addition, for the three months ended October 31, 2009, a non-cash provision of $2.2 million was recorded for net federal income tax on the future remittance of earnings of a foreign subsidiary.

Loss From Discontinued Operations.  The Company records the financial results of its Movado boutique division as discontinued operations, which ceased doing business during the quarter ended July 31, 2010.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $1.5 million.

Net Income / (Loss) Attributed to Movado Group, Inc.  For the three months ended October 31, 2010, the Company recorded net income of $16.9 million, as compared to a net loss of $20.9 million recorded for the three months ended October 31, 2009.

Results of operations for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2009

Net Sales: Comparative net sales by business segment were as follows (in thousands):

   
Nine Months Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Wholesale:
           
United States
  $ 113,273     $ 117,493  
International
    132,689       114,903  
Total Wholesale
    245,962       232,396  
                 
Retail
    35,232       35,233  
                 
Net Sales
  $ 281,194     $ 267,629  

Net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 were $281.2 million, above the prior year period by $13.6 million or 5.1%.  Net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 included $13.6 million of liquidation of excess discontinued inventory.  Excluding the liquidation of excess discontinued inventory in the prior year period, net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 were above the prior year period by $27.2 million or 10.7%.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2010, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted net sales by $0.4 million when compared to the prior year period.

Net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 in the wholesale segment were $246.0 million, above the prior year period by $13.6 million or 5.8%.  Excluding $13.6 million of liquidation of excess discontinued inventory in the prior year period, net sales in the wholesale segment for the current period were above the prior year period by $27.2 million or 12.4%.  Excluding the liquidation sales of excess discontinued inventory, increases in wholesale net sales were recorded in both the U.S. and international segments.

Net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 in the U.S. wholesale segment were $113.3 million, below the prior year period by $4.2 million or 3.6%.  Excluding $13.6 million of liquidation of excess discontinued inventory in the prior year period, net sales in the U.S. wholesale segment for the current period were above the prior year period by $9.4 million or 9.1%.  (The remaining discussion in this paragraph excludes the impact of the liquidation sales of excess discontinued inventory.)   The increase in U.S. wholesale net sales of $9.4 million was driven by increases in both the licensed brand and accessible luxury brand categories.  Net sales in the licensed brands category were above the prior year period by $4.6 million or 14.4%, primarily due

 
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to better performance resulting from improved economic conditions when compared to prior year period.  Net sales in the accessible luxury category were above the prior year period by $4.9 million or 8.0%, resulting from higher demand as customers began to replenish their inventories after significant destocking in the prior year when they slowed replenishment and reduced open-to-buy levels as a result of the unfavorable economic conditions.  These increases were partially offset by the Company’s decision to continue to control distribution in the current year period, as well as the decision to limit sales to customers which the Company believed to have credit risk.  Net sales in the luxury category were relatively flat year-over-year.

Net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 in the international wholesale segment were $132.7 million, above the prior year period by $17.8 million or 15.5%, with increases recorded in all watch brand categories.  Net sales in the licensed brands category were above the prior year period by $15.0 million or 23.5%, primarily due to market expansion and better performance resulting from improved economic conditions when compared to prior year period.  Net sales in the accessible luxury category were above the prior year period by $1.6 million, or 6.7%.  Net sales in the luxury category were above the prior year period by $1.2 million, or 5.4%.  The increase in net sales for both the accessible luxury and luxury categories was primarily due to better performance resulting from improved economic conditions when compared to the prior year period.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2010, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted net sales by $0.4 million when compared to the prior year period.

Net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 in the retail segment were $35.2 million, or flat to the prior year period.

Gross Profit.  Gross profit for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 was $154.3 million or 54.9% of net sales as compared to $135.9 million or 50.8% of net sales for the nine months ended October 31, 2009.  The increase in gross profit of $18.4 million was primarily attributed to the increase in sales volume year-over-year.  The gross margin percentage for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 was unfavorably impacted by approximately 150 basis points resulting from a shift in channel and product mix.  For the three months ended October 31, 2009, both the gross profit and gross margin percentage were unfavorably impacted by currency and unfavorable inventory overhead absorption.  The gross margin percentage for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was unfavorably impacted by approximately 70 basis points by fluctuations in foreign currency due to losses on the un-hedged portion of the Company’s Swiss franc liabilities, predominantly in the United States.  The unfavorable overhead absorption in the prior year period was primarily attributed to abnormally low production levels associated with the decline in sales volume which unfavorably impacted the gross margin percentage by approximately 100 basis points.  In addition, the gross margin percentage during the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was unfavorably impacted by approximately 390 basis points resulting from the $13.6 million of sales of excess discontinued inventory.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expenses for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 were $140.6 million as compared to $133.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, representing an increase of $6.7 million or 5.0%.  The increase in SG&A expenses included higher marketing expense of $8.1 million resulting from the Company’s decision to increase investment in this area to elevate its brands’ connection with consumers and to drive sales growth.  Also contributing to the increase, performance based compensation was higher by $3.0 million year-over-year, resulting from expense recorded for the current period due to the expected achievement of performance goals, as well as the reversal of previously recorded expenses in the prior year due to goals not being met in light of the challenging global economy at that time.  Additionally, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted SG&A for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 by $4.0 million, primarily due to the transactional effect of foreign denominated assets held in weakening currencies during the first half of the current fiscal year.  These expense increases were partially offset by a reduction in consulting and professional fees of $1.4 million, primarily as a result of reduced outside services related to the implementation of SAP in the prior year, and a reduction in expenses of $0.6 million associated with tradeshows as the Company reduced participation in these events.  In the current
 
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year, the Company also recorded lower depreciation expense of $1.1 million, primarily due to the impairment of certain assets in the prior fiscal year, and lower bad debt expense of $0.5 million resulting from higher estimated collection exposure in the prior year period due to the challenging economic conditions at the time. Additionally, the Company recorded a benefit of $4.3 million in the current year period resulting from the reversal of a previously recorded liability for a retirement agreement with the Company’s late Chairman.
 
Wholesale Operating Income / (Loss).  Operating income of $9.0 million was recorded in the wholesale segment for the nine months ended October 31, 2010, compared to an operating loss of $4.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009.  The $13.2 million increase in profit was the net result of an increase in gross profit of $19.1 million, partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses of $5.9 million.  The increase in gross profit of $19.1 million was primarily attributed to the increase in sales volume, as well as an increase in gross margin percentage.  The increase in SG&A expenses of $5.9 million was driven by higher marketing expenses of $8.0 million, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency of $4.0 million when compared to the prior year period and higher performance based compensation of $3.0 million.  These increases were partially offset by reductions in consulting and professional fees of $1.4 million, lower depreciation expense of $1.1 million, reduced spending related to tradeshows of $0.6 million, and lower bad debt expense of $0.5 million.  Additionally, the Company recorded a benefit of $4.3 million in the current year period resulting from the reversal of a previously recorded liability for a retirement agreement.

Retail Operating Income.  Operating income of $4.7 million and $6.1 million was recorded in the retail segment for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The $1.4 million decrease in profit was primarily the result of a decrease in gross profit of $0.6 million and an increase in SG&A expenses of $0.8 million.  The decrease in gross profit of $0.6 million was primarily attributed to the decrease in gross margin percentage achieved year-over-year.  The increase in SG&A expenses of $0.8 million was primarily due to higher occupancy and payroll related expenses in the current period.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 was $1.8 million and $3.8 million, respectively.  The decrease in interest expense of $2.0 million was primarily due to expenses and fees associated with the refinancing and repayment of the Company’s former credit and note agreements in the prior year period of $1.3 million.  Additionally, lower interest expense was recorded in the current year resulting from lower average borrowings outstanding during the period.

Interest Income.  Interest income was $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the nine month periods ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income Taxes.  The Company recorded a tax expense of $1.6 million and $22.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended October 31, 2010 was 13.0%.  Actual taxes in the current period include adjustments for a non-cash charge to record changes in the valuation allowances on the Company's net deferred tax assets, taxes on repatriated foreign dividends and the application of interim tax reporting guidelines.  The tax expense for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 included charges regarding the aforementioned non-cash deferred tax expense related to valuation allowances and the non-cash provision on the future remittance of earnings of a foreign subsidiary.

Loss From Discontinued Operations.  The Company records the financial results of its Movado boutique division as discontinued operations, which ceased doing business during the quarter ended July 31, 2010.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $23.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively.  The increase in the loss is primarily due to expenses associated with the closing of all Movado boutique locations during the six months ended July 31, 2010, including costs associated with occupancy charges, asset impairments, inventory reserves and severance.

 
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Net Loss Attributed to Movado Group, Inc.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded a net loss of $13.6 million and $31.1 million, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash provided by operating activities was $4.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010, resulting from cash provided by continuing operations of $17.8 million, partially offset by $12.9 million of cash used in discontinued operations related to the Movado boutiques.  Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was $1.8 million, resulting from cash used of $6.1 million attributed to discontinued operations, partially offset by cash provided by continuing operations of $4.3 million.  The cash provided by continuing operating activities of $17.8 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 was primarily the result of the income for the period of $10.5 million, favorable non-cash items of $13.1 million, partially offset by unfavorable changes in working capital of $7.0 million.  The cash provided by continuing operating activities of $4.3 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was the result of the net loss for the period of $24.6 million, offset by favorable non-cash items of $35.5 million and unfavorable changes in working capital of $6.6 million.

Cash used in investing activities amounted to $5.2 million and $3.8 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The cash used during both periods consisted of capital expenditures which included the acquisition and integration of computer hardware and software in conjunction with the SAP enterprise resource planning system, as well as spending for tooling and design.

Cash used in financing activities amounted to $9.5 million and $38.3 for the nine months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Cash used in financing activities for the current and prior period was primarily to pay down long-term debt.  In the prior period cash used also was the result of payment of financing fees related to the new loan agreement and to pay dividends that were declared in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

On July 17, 2009, the Company, together with Movado Group Delaware Holdings Corporation, Movado Retail Group, Inc. and Movado LLC (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), each a wholly- owned domestic subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. and Bank Leumi USA, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”).  The Loan Agreement provides a $55.0 million asset based senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”), including a $15.0 million letter of credit subfacility.  The maturity date of the Facility is June 5, 2012.

Availability under the Facility is determined by reference to a borrowing base which is based on the sum of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory of the Borrowers.  $10.0 million in availability is blocked until the date (the “Block Release Date”) on which the Borrowers have achieved for a four fiscal quarter period a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25 to 1.0 and have domestic EBITDA greater than $10.0 million.  The availability block must remain in place for at least one year.  The amount of the availability block will be reduced by the amount by which the borrowing base exceeds $55.0 million, up to a maximum reduction of $5.0 million.  Availability under the Facility may be further reduced by certain reserves established by the Agent in its good faith credit judgment.  As of October 31, 2010, total availability under the Facility, giving effect to the availability block, no outstanding borrowings and the letters of credit outstanding under the subfacility, was $49.3 million.

The initial applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans was 4.25% and for base rate loans was 3.25%.  After July 17, 2010, the applicable margins decrease or increase by 0.25% per annum from the initial applicable margins depending on whether average availability for the most recently completed fiscal quarter is either greater than $12.5 million, or is $5.0 million or less, respectively.  Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the

 
25

 

applicable margin decreased by 0.25% per annum.  The Company has also agreed to pay certain fees and expenses and provide certain indemnities, all of which are customary for such financings.
 
Prior to the Block Release Date, if borrowing availability is less than $10.0 million (which threshold may be reduced to the extent the borrowing base exceeds $55.0 million, up to a maximum $5.0 million reduction), the Borrowers will be subject to a minimum EBITDA covenant.  After the Block Release Date, the Borrowers will be subject to a minimum EBITDA covenant if borrowing availability is less than $15.0 million.  As of October 31, 2010, the Borrowers were not subject to the minimum EBITDA covenant.

In addition, after the Block Release Date, if borrowing availability is less than $15.0 million, the Borrowers will be subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

The Borrowers’ deposit accounts will be subject to cash dominion prior to the Block Release Date if borrowing availability is less than $7.5 million, but such threshold may be reduced to the extent the borrowing base exceeds $55.0 million, up to a maximum $5.0 million reduction.  After the Block Release Date, cash dominion will be imposed if borrowing availability is less than $15.0 million.  As of October 31, 2010, the Borrowers were not subject to cash dominion nor do the Borrowers expect to be subject to such a requirement in the foreseeable future.

The Loan Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants binding on the Borrowers and their subsidiaries that are customary for asset based facilities, including, but not limited to, restrictions and limitations on the incurrence of debt for borrowed money and liens, dispositions of assets, capital expenditures, dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests, the making of loans and equity investments, prepayments of subordinated and certain other debt, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, and transactions with affiliates.

The Loan Agreement contains events of default that are customary for facilities of this type, including, but not limited to, nonpayment of principal, interest, fees and other amounts when due, failure of any representation or warranty to be true in any material respect when made or deemed made, violation of covenants, cross default, material judgments, material ERISA liability, bankruptcy events, material loss of collateral in excess of insured amounts, asserted or actual revocation or invalidity of the loan documents, change of control and events or circumstances having a material adverse effect.
 
The borrowings under the Facility are joint and several obligations of the Borrowers and also cross-guaranteed by each Borrower.  In addition, the Borrowers’ obligations under the Facility are secured by first priority liens, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the Borrowers’ U.S. assets (other than certain excluded assets).
 
A Swiss subsidiary of the Company maintains unsecured lines of credit with an unspecified length of time with a Swiss bank.  As of October 31, 2010 and 2009, these lines of credit totaled 10.0 million Swiss francs and 8.0 million Swiss francs, respectively, with U.S. dollar equivalents of $10.2 million and $7.9 million, respectively.  As of October 31, 2010, two European banks have guaranteed obligations to third parties on behalf of two of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries with U.S. dollar equivalents of $1.7 million in various foreign currencies.  As of October 31, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings against these lines.

On April 9, 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors decided to discontinue the quarterly cash dividend.  This decision was based on the Company’s desire to retain capital during the challenging economic environment.  Under the Amended Loan Agreement, dividends are prohibited until certain financial performance measures are achieved.  In that event, the Board of Directors will evaluate the reinstitution of a quarterly dividend assuming the Company has returned to an appropriate level of profitability.  The Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share, or approximately $1.2 million, for the three months ended April 30,

 
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2009 (which was declared in the prior year).  No cash dividend was declared in the nine months ended October 31, 2010.

Cash at October 31, 2010 amounted to $63.2 million compared to $49.5 million at October 31, 2009.  The increase in cash is primarily the result of reductions of accounts receivable and inventory partially offset by the pay down of debt.

Management believes that the cash on hand in addition to the expected cash flow from operations and the Company’s short-term borrowing capacity will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs for at least the next twelve months.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have off-balance sheet financing or unconsolidated special-purpose entities.

 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company’s primary market risk exposure relates to foreign currency exchange risk.  A significant portion of the Company’s purchases are denominated in Swiss francs.  The Company reduces its exposure to the Swiss franc exchange rate risk through a hedging program.  Under the hedging program, the Company manages most of its foreign currency exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows it to net certain exposures and take advantage of natural offsets.  In the event these exposures do not offset, the Company uses various derivative financial instruments to further reduce the net exposures to currency fluctuations, predominately forward and option contracts.  When entered into, the Company designates and documents these derivative instruments as a cash flow hedge of a specific underlying exposure, and sets forth the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and documented as a cash flow hedge, and which are highly effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying transaction affects earnings, and then are later reclassified into earnings in the same account as the hedged transaction.  The earnings impact is partially offset by the effects of currency movements on the underlying hedged transactions.  If the Company does not engage in a hedging program, any change in the Swiss franc to local currency would have an equal effect on the Company’s cost of sales.

The Company uses forward exchange contracts to offset its exposure to certain foreign currency receivables and liabilities.  These forward contracts are not designated as qualified hedges and, therefore, changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized into earnings, thereby offsetting the current earnings effect of the related foreign currency receivables and liabilities.

As of October 31, 2010, the Company’s entire net forward contracts hedging portfolio consisted of 50.0 million Swiss francs equivalent for various expiry dates ranging through April 26, 2011 compared to a portfolio of 56.0 million Swiss francs equivalent for various expiry dates ranging through March 23, 2010 as of October 31, 2009.  If the Company were to settle its Swiss franc forward contracts at October 31, 2010, the net result would be a gain of $1.7 million, net of tax of $1.0 million.  The Company had no Swiss franc option contracts related to cash flow hedges as of October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively.

The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the hedging of the Company’s Swiss franc denominated investment in its wholly-owned Swiss subsidiaries using purchase options under certain limitations. These hedges are treated as net investment hedges under the relevant accounting guidance regarding derivative instruments.  As of October 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company did not hold a purchased option hedge portfolio related to net investment hedging.

Commodity Risk

The Company’s exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices is primarily related to gold used in the manufacturing of the Company’s watches.  Under its hedging program, the Company can purchase various commodity derivative instruments, primarily future contracts.  These derivatives are documented as qualified cash flow hedges, and gains and losses on these derivative instruments are first reflected in other comprehensive income, and later reclassified into earnings, partially offset by the effects of gold market price changes on the underlying actual gold purchases.  The Company did not hold any futures contracts in its gold hedge portfolio related to cash flow hedges as of October 31, 2010 and 2009, thus any changes in the gold price will have an equal effect on the Company’s cost of sales.
 

 
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Debt and Interest Rate Risk

The Company has certain debt agreements with variable interest rates, which are based on LIBOR plus a fixed additional interest rate.  The Company does not hedge these interest rate risks.  The Company also has certain debt agreements with fixed interest rates.  The differences between the market based interest rates at October 31, 2010, and the fixed rates were unfavorable.  The Company believes that a 1% change in interest rates would affect the Company’s net income by approximately $0.1 million.  For additional information concerning potential changes to future interest obligations, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources.”


 
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level.  However, it should be noted that a control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met and may not prevent all errors or instances of fraud.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended October 31, 2010, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.



 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                  Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in pending legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business.  Although the outcome of such matters cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s general counsel and management believe that the final outcome of currently pending legal proceedings, individually or in aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A.                 Risk Factors

As of October 31, 2010, there have been no material changes to any of the risk factors previously reported in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.

Item 2.                 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On April 15, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized repurchase up to one million shares of the Company’s Common Stock.  Under this authorization, the Company has the option to repurchase shares over time, with the amount and timing of repurchases depending on market conditions and corporate needs.  The Company entered into a Rule 10b5-1 plan to facilitate repurchases of its shares under this authorization.  A Rule 10b5-1 plan permits a company to repurchase shares at times when it might otherwise be prevented from doing so, provided the plan is adopted when the company is not aware of material non-public information.  The Company may suspend or discontinue the repurchase of stock at any time.  Under this share repurchase program, the Company had repurchased a total of 937,360 shares of Common Stock in the open market during the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2009 at a total cost of approximately $19.5 million or $20.79 per share.  During the nine months ended October 31, 2010, the Company has not repurchased shares of Common Stock under the share repurchase program.

An aggregate of 4,949 shares have been repurchased during the nine months ended October 31, 2010 as a result of the surrender of shares in connection with the vesting of certain restricted stock awards.  At the election of an employee, shares having an aggregate value on the vesting date equal to the employee’s withholding tax obligation may be surrendered to the Company.


 


 
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The following table summarizes information about the Company’s purchases for the period ended October 31, 2010 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Issuer Repurchase of Equity Securities
 
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
   
Average Price Paid Per Share
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
February 1, 2010 - February 28, 2010
    2,701     $ 11.68       -       62,640  
March 1,  2010 - March 31, 2010
    -       -       -       62,640  
April 1, 2010 - April 30, 2010
    -       -       -       62,640  
May 1, 2010 – May 31, 2010
    2,218       12.41       -       62,640  
June 1, 2010 – June 30, 2010
    -       -       -       62,640  
July 1, 2010 – July 31, 2010
    -       -       -       62,640  
August 1, 2010 – August 31, 2010
    -       -       -       62,640  
September 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010
    -       -       -       62,640  
October 1, 2010 – October 31, 2010
    30       10.80       -       62,640  
Total
    4,949     $ 12.00       -       62,640  

 
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 Item 6.                      Exhibits

31.1  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.









 
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SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                     MOVADO GROUP, INC.
                                                           (Registrant)

Dated:      December 2, 2010
By:
/s/ Sallie A. DeMarsilis
   
Sallie A. DeMarsilis
   
Senior Vice President,
   
Chief Financial Officer and
   
Principal Accounting Officer
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     























 
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