UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended November 3, 2007

 

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the transition period from                   to

 

Commission file number 001-09338

 


 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

75-1943604

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. employer

incorporation or organization)

 

identification number)

 

8000 Bent Branch Drive

Irving, Texas 75063

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(972) 409-1300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer x

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Title

 

Shares Outstanding as of 
December 14, 2007

Common Stock, par value $.10 per share

 

118,451,736

 

 



 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 

 

Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

3

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 3, 2007, February 3, 2007, and October 28, 2006 (unaudited)

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter and nine months ended November 3, 2007 and October 28, 2006 (unaudited)

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended November 3, 2007 and October 28, 2006 (unaudited)

5

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

6

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

27

 

 

Part II—OTHER INFORMATION

28

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

28

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

29

Signatures

 

 

30

 

2



 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

November 3, 
2007

 

February 3, 
2007

 

October 28, 
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

56,676

 

$

30,098

 

$

315,249

 

Merchandise inventories

 

1,035,129

 

847,529

 

978,901

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

72,794

 

54,435

 

52,425

 

Deferred income taxes

 

35,594

 

35,216

 

36,946

 

Income tax receivable

 

79,186

 

32,902

 

 

Total current assets

 

1,279,379

 

1,000,180

 

1,383,521

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

1,153,596

 

1,122,948

 

1,108,575

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(708,861

)

(674,275

)

(661,611

)

 

 

444,735

 

448,673

 

446,964

 

Goodwill

 

115,839

 

115,839

 

115,839

 

Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $17,257 at November 3, 2007 and $4,537 at February 3, 2007

 

106,438

 

120,193

 

 

Other assets

 

7,526

 

8,117

 

24,119

 

 

 

229,803

 

244,149

 

139,958

 

Total assets

 

$

1,953,917

 

$

1,693,002

 

$

1,970,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

281,811

 

$

214,470

 

$

244,981

 

Accrued interest

 

44,748

 

34,551

 

90

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

290,142

 

255,880

 

277,635

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

7,331

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

444,693

 

229,765

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,061,394

 

741,997

 

522,706

 

Long-term debt

 

3,736,460

 

3,728,745

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

16,361

 

29,139

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

81,307

 

68,444

 

90,586

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

3,834,128

 

3,826,328

 

90,586

 

 

 

4,895,522

 

4,568,325

 

613,292

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, $0.10 par value, 220,000,000 shares authorized;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

118,451,736 shares issued and outstanding at November 3, 2007;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

117,973,396 shares issued and outstanding at February 3, 2007;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

350,000,000 shares authorized and 136,313,415 shares issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and 133,547,015 shares outstanding at October 28, 2006

 

11,845

 

11,797

 

13,631

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

11,233

 

 

485,727

 

Retained (deficit) earnings

 

(2,979,550

)

(2,893,918

)

943,769

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

14,867

 

6,798

 

8,151

 

Treasury Stock (none at November 3, 2007 and February 3, 2007;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,766,400 shares at October 28, 2006)

 

 

 

(94,127

)

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

(2,941,605

)

(2,875,323

)

1,357,151

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

$

1,953,917

 

$

1,693,002

 

$

1,970,443

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

940,222

 

$

896,080

 

$

2,577,294

 

$

2,496,825

 

Cost of sales and occupancy expense

 

594,920

 

576,705

 

1,613,182

 

1,582,966

 

Gross profit

 

345,302

 

319,375

 

964,112

 

913,859

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

262,496

 

255,352

 

761,405

 

726,070

 

Exit costs for concept businesses

 

6,983

 

 

6,983

 

 

Transaction expenses

 

7,834

 

8,532

 

29,086

 

21,730

 

Related party expenses

 

5,897

 

 

16,562

 

 

Store pre-opening costs

 

2,964

 

1,684

 

5,932

 

4,642

 

Operating income

 

59,128

 

53,807

 

144,144

 

161,417

 

Interest expense

 

94,770

 

225

 

285,330

 

649

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(6,112

)

(2,716

)

(10,643

)

(13,207

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(29,530

)

56,298

 

(130,543

)

173,975

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(11,434

)

21,253

 

(45,898

)

65,676

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(18,096

)

$

35,045

 

$

(84,645

)

$

108,299

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(84,645

)

$

108,299

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

93,668

 

85,059

 

Share-based compensation

 

4,166

 

15,557

 

Tax benefits from stock options exercised

 

 

(20,740

)

Exit costs for concept businesses

 

6,983

 

 

Deferred financing costs amortization

 

12,720

 

 

Other

 

(882

)

226

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise inventories

 

(187,601

)

(194,978

)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

99

 

(9,166

)

Deferred income taxes and other

 

(13,905

)

(8,423

)

Accounts payable

 

55,771

 

29,342

 

Accrued interest

 

10,196

 

20

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

37,916

 

13,334

 

Income taxes payable

 

(52,214

)

(2,471

)

Other long-term liabilities

 

37,911

 

2,984

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(79,817

)

19,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(85,913

)

(107,665

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(85,913

)

(107,665

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings on asset-based revolving credit facility

 

792,786

 

 

Payments on asset-based revolving credit facility

 

(577,860

)

 

Repayments on senior secured term loan facility

 

(17,625

)

 

Equity investment of Management

 

8,055

 

 

Cash dividends paid to stockholders

 

 

(42,563

)

Repurchase of old Common Stock

 

 

(66,182

)

Repurchase of new Common Stock

 

(940

)

 

Proceeds from stock options exercised

 

 

35,608

 

Tax benefits from stock options exercised

 

 

20,740

 

Proceeds from issuance of old Common Stock and other

 

 

1,804

 

Payment of capital leases

 

(6,551

)

 

Change in cash overdraft

 

(5,557

)

2,015

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

192,308

 

(48,578

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents

 

26,578

 

(137,200

)

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

 

30,098

 

452,449

 

Cash and equivalents at end of period

 

$

56,676

 

$

315,249

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Quarter and Nine Months Ended November 3, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Michaels Stores, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. All expressions of “us,” “we,” “our,” and all similar expressions are references to Michaels Stores, Inc. and our consolidated, wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and other items, as disclosed) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Because of the seasonal nature of our business, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

 

The balance sheet at February 3, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.

 

All references herein to “fiscal 2007” relate to the 52 weeks ending February 2, 2008 and all references to “fiscal 2006” relate to the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007. In addition, all references herein to “the third quarter of fiscal 2007” relate to the 13 weeks ended November 3, 2007 and all references to “the third quarter of fiscal 2006” relate to the 13 weeks ended October 28, 2006.  Finally, all references to “the nine months ended November 3, 2007” relate to the 39 weeks ended November 3, 2007, and “the nine months ended October 28, 2006” relate to the 39 weeks ended October 28, 2006.

 

Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  These reclassifications consist primarily of transaction expenses on the statements of operations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. FIN 48 requires that a company recognize in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. We adopted FIN 48 as of the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal 2007 with no material impact to our consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet, stockholders’ equity, or statement of cash flows.

 

Upon adoption, we elected to record any interest and penalties associated with audits as a component of income tax expense. The Company identified its federal tax return, Canadian tax return, and its state tax returns in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas as “major” tax jurisdictions.  The periods subject to examination for our federal returns are 2002 to present, 2000 to present for our Canadian returns, and 2003 to present for all “major” state returns except for California, North Carolina, and Texas.  These states are subject to examination as follows:   California from 1999 to present, North Carolina from 2001 to present, and Texas from 2002 to present.

 

6



 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans, which requires an entity to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  It also requires an entity to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end balance sheet.  As we have no publicly traded equity securities (due to the Merger as described in Note 2 below), FAS 158 is effective for us at the end of fiscal 2007, with early adoption permitted.  We plan to adopt FAS 158 at the end of fiscal 2007, with no material impact expected on our consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet, stockholders’ equity, or statement of cash flows.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which permits companies to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value (at specified measurement dates) that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Any unrealized gains or losses applicable to those items measured at fair value shall be reported in earnings. The decision to apply fair value shall generally be made on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable, and is applied only to an entire instrument. The provisions of FAS 159 will be effective for us as of the beginning of fiscal 2008, with early adoption permitted.

 

Note 2.  Merger Transaction

 

On October 31, 2006, substantially all of the Common Stock of Michaels Stores, Inc. was acquired through a merger transaction (the “Merger”) by affiliates of two private investment firms, Bain Capital Partners, LLC and The Blackstone Group (collectively, together with their applicable affiliates, the “Sponsors”), with certain shares retained by affiliates of Highfields Capital Partners (a then-existing shareholder of Michaels Stores, Inc.). As a result of the Merger, Michaels Holdings LLC, an entity controlled by the Sponsors, owns approximately 93% of our outstanding Common Stock, which is no longer publicly traded. We accounted for the Merger as a leveraged recapitalization whereby the historical book value of the assets and liabilities of Michaels were maintained with no push down accounting required.

 

The Merger consideration paid to then-existing equity holders was approximately $5.8 billion, with fees and expenses totaling an additional $239.7 million. The purchase price was funded by:

 

·Aggregate cash equity contribution by the Sponsors of approximately $1.7 billion;

·Retention of certain shares held by affiliates of Highfields Capital Partners totaling $110.0 million;

·The issuance of the following debt (See Note 4 for further information concerning our issuance of debt):

 

·$750.0 million of 10% Senior Notes due 2014;

·$400.0 million of 113¤8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016;

·$250.0 million of 13% Subordinated Discount Notes due 2016 (with an accreted value at maturity of $469.4 million);

·$2.4 billion Senior secured term loan facility; and

·$400.0 million of borrowings under our Asset-based revolving credit facility; and

 

·Our available cash as of the date of the Merger.

 

The Merger occurred simultaneously with the closing of the financing and equity transactions described above as well as the termination of our previous $300 million senior unsecured credit facility with Bank of America, N.A.

 

7



 

We capitalized $124.7 million of costs related to our issuance of various debt instruments.  We amortize the deferred financing costs over the lives of the respective debt agreements (which range from five to ten years) and record the amortization to interest expense. Amortization of the deferred financing costs was $4.2 million and $12.7 million for the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007, respectively.

 

Transaction expenses for the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007 relate primarily to compensation arrangements associated with the change in control.

 

Note 3.  Share-Based Compensation

 

On February 15, 2007, our stockholders and Board of Directors approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (“2006 Plan”), which provides for the grant of share-based awards exercisable for up to 14.2 million shares of Common Stock.  The table below sets forth a summary of stock option activity for the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007.  As of November 3, 2007, there are 0.1 million shares of restricted stock outstanding and share-based awards exercisable for up to 2.6 million shares of Common Stock remain available for grant.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

11,355

 

 

Grants

 

397

 

13,398

 

Cancellations

 

(284

)

(1,930

)

Outstanding at November 3, 2007

 

11,468

 

11,468

 

 

Generally, awards granted under the 2006 Plan vest ratably over five years and expire eight years from the grant date. The exercise prices of the awards issued during the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007 ranged, depending upon the tranche in which issued, from $15 per share to $52.50 per share. The fair value of the awards, for purposes of calculating compensation expense, was determined after considering various factors, and using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model. Share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007 was $1.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

 

All share-based awards outstanding immediately prior to the Merger were settled on the Merger date. There were no share-based awards outstanding as of February 3, 2007.

 

8



 

Note 4.  Debt

 

Our outstanding debt is detailed in the table below.  We had no debt outstanding as of October 28, 2006. We were in compliance with the terms and conditions of all debt agreements for all periods presented.

 

 

 

November 3, 2007

 

February 3, 2007

 

Interest Rate

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior notes

 

$

750,000

 

$

750,000

 

10.000

%

Senior subordinated notes

 

400,000

 

400,000

 

11.375

%

Subordinated discount notes.

 

283,960

 

258,620

 

13.000

%

Senior secured term loan

 

2,326,500

 

2,344,125

 

Variable

 

Asset-based revolving credit facility

 

420,693

 

205,765

 

Variable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

4,181,153

 

3,958,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less current portion

 

444,693

 

229,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

$

3,736,460

 

$

3,728,745

 

 

 

 

Asset-based revolving credit facility

 

The Asset-based revolving credit facility provides senior secured financing of up to $1.0 billion, subject to a borrowing base described below. As of November 3, 2007, the borrowing base was $958.6 million with $509.4 million of unused availability.

 

The borrowing base equals the sum of (i) 90% of eligible credit card receivables and debit card receivables; (ii) between 85% and 90% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory and of eligible letters of credit; (iii) a percentage of eligible in-transit inventory, less certain reserves; and (iv) the sum of an additional 10% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory and of eligible letters of credit plus an additional 5% of eligible credit card receivables and debit card receivables, up to a maximum amount of $100.0 million.

 

Senior secured term loan facility

 

Borrowings under the Senior secured term loan facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the prime rate of Deutsche Bank and (2) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate, subject to certain adjustments, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin at November 3, 2007 was 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings, subject to downward adjustment based on the leverage and ratings thresholds set forth in the Senior secured term loan facility agreement.

 

On May 10, 2007, we amended the Senior secured term loan facility to reduce the applicable margin to 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. The amendment also provides that if there is a repricing transaction that reduces the interest rate margins prior to May 10, 2008, then each lender will receive a fee equal to 1.00% of the principal amounts of loans that are repriced. Finally, the amendment eliminated the requirement that we maintain a specified consolidated secured debt ratio.

 

9



 

Note 5.  Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

Our comprehensive (loss) income is as follows:

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(18,096

)

$

35,045

 

$

(84,645

)

$

108,299

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative loss

 

(2,241

)

 

(2,133

)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment and other

 

5,688

 

240

 

10,202

 

562

 

Comprehensive (loss) income.

 

$

(14,649

)

$

35,285

 

$

(76,576

)

$

108,861

 

 

Note 6.  Derivative instruments

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the US and Canadian dollars, as the functional currency of our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian dollar.  To mitigate the effects of currency fluctuations, during the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we executed a foreign currency cash flow hedge. To facilitate cash flow hedge accounting, the objective is to hedge payments for forecasted purchases of intercompany inventory by our Canadian subsidiary denominated in US dollars.  The term of this cash flow hedge extends through fiscal 2007.

 

To achieve our objective and to minimize the risk of ineffectiveness, the notional values represent a portion of our Canadian subsidiary’s forecasted intercompany purchases.  Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in Other income. For the three and nine month periods ended November 3, 2007, the ineffective portion of the hedge was recorded as a loss of $1.5 million.

 

For the portion of the hedge that is effective, the change in fair value of that hedge will initially be recorded in Other comprehensive income.  As the underlying inventory is sold to our customers, amounts will be reclassified from Other comprehensive income to Cost of sales and occupancy expense in the statement of operations.  The change in fair value of the hedge for the three and nine month periods ended November 3, 2007, were recorded as losses of $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

 

The table below provides the remaining quarterly notional values and the average CAD/USD exchange rate associated with the hedge (dollars in thousands).

 

Period

 

CAD Amount

 

USD Amount

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter 4, 2007

 

$

19,940

 

$

19,000

 

1.049

 

 

Note 7.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Reference is made to the action described under “Part I. Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Employee Class Action Claims – Clark Claim” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006.  In that action, on November 14, 2007, the court granted final approval of the settlement.  The settlement had no material impact on our statement of operations, balance sheet, or statement of cash flows for any period presented.

 

Reference is made to the description of the potential Section 16 liability issues under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings — Governmental Inquiries and Related Matters — Non-U.S. Trust Inquiry” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006.  The tolling agreement with the Wylys expired on October 5, 2007. On October 4, 2007, our Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders not to further pursue the potential Section 16 liability.

 

We are involved in ongoing legal and regulatory proceedings. Other than the updates described in the preceding paragraphs, there were no material changes to our disclosures of commitments and contingencies from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 5, 2007 and August 4, 2007.

 

10



 

Note 8.  Segments

 

We consider our Michaels, Aaron Brothers, Recollections stores and our Star Decorators Wholesale operations to be our operating segments for purposes of determining reportable segments based on the criteria of SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. We determined that our Michaels and Aaron Brothers operating segments have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria set forth in paragraph 17 of SFAS No. 131. With regard to our Aaron Brothers operating segment, we determined that it did not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate disclosure set forth in SFAS No. 131. We also determined that individually, and in the aggregate, the Recollections stores and Star Decorators Wholesale operations were immaterial for segment reporting purposes. Therefore, we combine all operating segments into one reporting segment.

 

Subsequent to the Merger, our chief operating decision makers evaluate historical operating performance, plan and forecast future periods’ operating performance and base incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel on earnings before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). A reconciliation of income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change to EBITDA is presented below. Segment income for the three and nine months ended October 28, 2006 was restated to conform to current year presentation.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3, 2007

 

October 28, 2006

 

November 3, 2007

 

October 28, 2006

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$

(29,530

)

$

56,298

 

$

(130,543

)

$

173,975

 

Interest expense

 

94,770

 

225

 

285,330

 

649

 

Interest income

 

(298

)

(2,690

)

(700

)

(9,605

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

31,617

 

28,439

 

93,668

 

85,059

 

EBITDA

 

$

96,559

 

$

82,272

 

$

247,755

 

$

250,078

 

 

Our sales and assets by country are as follows:

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Quarter ended November 3, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

862,368

 

$

1,850,036

 

Canada

 

77,854

 

103,881

 

Consolidated Total

 

$

940,222

 

$

1,953,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter ended October 28, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

830,223

 

$

1,877,051

 

Canada

 

65,857

 

93,392

 

Consolidated Total

 

$

896,080

 

$

1,970,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended November 3, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

2,380,196

 

$

1,850,036

 

Canada

 

197,098

 

103,881

 

Consolidated Total

 

$

2,577,294

 

$

1,953,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months ended October 28, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

2,326,538

 

$

1,877,051

 

Canada

 

170,287

 

93,392

 

Consolidated Total

 

$

2,496,825

 

$

1,970,443

 

 

11



 

Note 9.  Related Party Transactions

 

We pay annual management fees to the Sponsors in the amount of $12.0 million and an annual management fee to Highfields Capital Management LP in the amount of $1.0 million. During the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007, we recognized $3.5 million and $10.3 million, respectively, of expense related to annual management fees and related expenses.

 

As previously disclosed in our fiscal 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we amortize over a two-year period Separation Agreements with each of Charles J. Wyly, Jr. and Sam Wyly, who were executive officers and directors of the Company prior to the Merger. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007 was $0.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, The Blackstone Group acquired a majority ownership stake in an external vendor we utilize to count our store inventory. Expenses associated with this vendor during the three and nine months ended November 3, 2007 were approximately $1.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

 

During the nine months ended November 3, 2007, officers of Michaels Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries were offered the opportunity to purchase shares of our Common Stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we sold 289,334 shares, or approximately $4.3 million, of our Common Stock at a price of $15 per share to certain officers. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we sold 251,672 shares, or approximately $3.8 million, of our Common Stock at a price of $15 per share to certain officers.  Also, during the three and nine month periods ended November 3, 2007, we repurchased 13,333 shares and 62,666 shares, respectively, of our Common Stock at $15 per share from officers who are no longer with the Company.

 

Note 10.  Exit Costs for Concept Businesses

 

On October 16, 2007, we announced plans to align resources around our core retail chains, Michaels stores and Aaron Brothers. As a result, we will be discontinuing our concept businesses, Recollections and Star Decorators’ Wholesale (“Star”). We anticipate closing 11 Recollections and three of the four Star locations by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, we performed impairment analyses for these stores. Based on estimated future cash flows, an impairment loss for property and equipment of $6.1 million was recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Also, $0.9 million of related severance and termination costs were recorded during the same period. All of these exit costs are reflected in a separate line item on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

At the time the stores are closed, we expect to incur approximately $4.4 million of additional pre-tax charges related to remaining lease obligations. This amount may change if actual results materially differ from certain estimates inherent in our calculations.

 

Note 11.   Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

All of the Company’s obligations under the Senior notes, Senior subordinated notes, Subordinated discount notes, Senior secured term loan, and Asset-based revolving credit facility are guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries. The following condensed consolidating financial information represents the financial information of Michaels Stores, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary guarantors, prepared on the equity basis of accounting.  The information is presented in accordance with the requirements of Rule 3-10 under the SEC’s Regulation S-X.  The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations, cash flows, or financial position had the subsidiary guarantors operated as independent entities.

 

12



 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

 

 

 

November 3, 2007

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

39,878

 

$

16,798

 

$

 

$

56,676

 

Merchandise inventories

 

764,442

 

270,687

 

 

1,035,129

 

Intercompany receivables

 

 

274,735

 

(274,735

)

 

Other

 

167,189

 

20,385

 

 

187,574

 

Total current assets

 

971,509

 

582,605

 

(274,735

)

$

1,279,379

 

Property and equipment, net

 

315,073

 

129,662

 

 

444,735

 

Goodwill, net

 

94,290

 

21,549

 

 

115,839

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

319,551

 

 

(319,551

)

 

Other assets

 

98,091

 

15,873

 

 

 

113,964

 

Total assets

 

$

1,798,514

 

$

749,689

 

$

(594,286

)

$

1,953,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

40,251

 

$

241,560

 

$

 

$

281,811

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

171,616

 

163,274

 

 

334,890

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

444,693

 

 

 

444,693

 

Intercompany payable

 

274,735

 

 

(274,735

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

931,295

 

404,834

 

(274,735

)

1,061,394

 

Long-term debt

 

3,736,460

 

 

 

3,736,460

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

72,364

 

25,304

 

 

97,668

 

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

(2,941,605

)

319,551

 

(319,551

)

(2,941,605

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

$

1,798,514

 

$

749,689

 

$

(594,286

)

$

1,953,917

 

 

14



 

 

 

October 28, 2006

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

285,925

 

$

29,324

 

$

 

$

315,249

 

Merchandise inventories

 

736,079

 

242,822

 

 

978,901

 

Intercompany receivables

 

 

110,045

 

(110,045

)

 

Other

 

49,778

 

39,593

 

 

89,371

 

Total current assets

 

1,071,782

 

421,784

 

(110,045

)

1,383,521

 

Property and equipment, net

 

330,015

 

116,949

 

 

446,964

 

Goodwill, net

 

94,290

 

21,549

 

 

115,839

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

285,151

 

 

(285,151

)

 

Other assets

 

5,584

 

18,535

 

 

 

24,119

 

Total assets

 

$

1,786,822

 

$

578,817

 

$

(395,196

)

$

1,970,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

53,181

 

$

191,800

 

$

 

$

244,981

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

207,890

 

69,835

 

 

277,725

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

Intercompany payable

 

110,045

 

 

(110,045

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

371,116

 

261,635

 

(110,045

)

522,706

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

58,555

 

32,031

 

 

90,586

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,357,151

 

285,151

 

(285,151

)

1,357,151

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,786,822

 

$

578,817

 

$

(395,196

)

$

1,970,443

 

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

 

 

 

Quarter Ended November 3, 2007

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

823,860

 

$

587,772

 

$

(471,410

)

$

940,222

 

Cost of sales and occupancy expense

 

559,244

 

507,086

 

(471,410

)

594,920

 

Gross profit

 

264,616

 

80,686

 

 

345,302

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

230,129

 

32,367

 

 

262,496

 

Exit costs for concept businesses

 

6,983

 

 

 

6,983

 

Transaction expenses

 

7,834

 

 

 

7,834

 

Related party expenses

 

5,897

 

 

 

5,897

 

Store pre-opening costs

 

2,697

 

267

 

 

2,964

 

Operating income

 

11,076

 

48,052

 

 

59,128

 

Interest expense

 

94,748

 

22

 

 

94,770

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(1,039

)

(5,073

)

 

(6,112

)

Intercompany charges (income)

 

24,379

 

(24,379

)

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

77,482

 

 

(77,482

)

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(29,530

)

77,482

 

(77,482

)

(29,530

)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(11,434

)

30,001

 

(30,001

)

(11,434

)

Net (loss) income

 

$

(18,096

)

$

47,481

 

$

(47,481

)

$

(18,096

)

 

15



 

 

 

Nine Months Ended November 3, 2007

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

2,259,464

 

$

1,401,267

 

$

(1,083,437

)

$

2,577,294

 

Cost of sales and occupancy expense

 

1,536,637

 

1,159,982

 

(1,083,437

)

1,613,182

 

Gross profit

 

722,827

 

241,285

 

 

964,112

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

666,714

 

94,691

 

 

761,405

 

Exit costs for concept businesses

 

6,983

 

 

 

6,983

 

Transaction expenses

 

29,086

 

 

 

29,086

 

Related party expenses

 

16,562

 

 

 

16,562

 

Store pre-opening costs

 

5,224

 

708

 

 

5,932

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(1,742

)

145,886

 

 

144,144

 

Interest expense

 

285,270

 

60

 

 

285,330

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(1,072

)

(9,571

)

 

(10,643

)

Intercompany charges (income)

 

58,086

 

(58,086

)

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

213,483

 

 

(213,483

)

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(130,543

)

213,483

 

(213,483

)

(130,543

)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(45,898

)

75,061

 

(75,061

)

(45,898

)

Net (loss) income

 

$

(84,645

)

$

138,422

 

$

(138,422

)

$

(84,645

)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended October 28, 2006

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

789,983

 

$

514,840

 

$

(408,743

)

$

896,080

 

Cost of sales and occupancy expense

 

546,795

 

438,653

 

(408,743

)

576,705

 

Gross profit

 

243,188

 

76,187

 

 

319,375

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

226,079

 

29,273

 

 

255,352

 

Transaction expenses

 

8,532

 

 

 

8,532

 

Store pre-opening costs

 

1,552

 

132

 

 

1,684

 

Operating income

 

7,025

 

46,782

 

 

53,807

 

Interest expense

 

215

 

10

 

 

225

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(2,088

)

(628

)

 

(2,716

 

Intercompany charges (income)

 

20,279

 

(20,279

)

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

67,679

 

 

(67,679

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

56,298

 

67,679

 

(67,679

)

56,298

 

Provision for income taxes

 

21,253

 

25,549

 

(25,549

)

21,253

 

Net income

 

$

35,045

 

$

42,130

 

$

(42,130

)

$

35,045

 

 

16



 

 

 

Nine Months Ended October 28, 2006

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

2,199,282

 

1,260,642

 

$

(963,099

)

$

2,496,825

 

Cost of sales and occupancy expense

 

1,509,836

 

1,036,229

 

(963,099

)

1,582,966

 

Gross profit

 

689,446

 

224,413

 

 

913,859

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

642,757

 

83,313

 

 

726,070

 

Transaction expenses

 

21,730

 

 

 

21,730

 

Related party expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Store pre-opening costs

 

4,015

 

627

 

 

4,642

 

Operating income

 

20,944

 

140,473

 

 

161,417

 

Interest expense

 

623

 

26

 

 

649

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(11,560

)

(1,647

)

 

(13,207

)

Intercompany charges (income)

 

59,273

 

(59,273

)

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

201,367

 

 

(201,367

)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

173,975

 

201,367

 

(201,367

)

173,975

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

65,676

 

76,016

 

(76,016

)

65,676

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

108,299

 

$

125,351

 

$

(125,351

)

$

108,299

 

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended November 3, 2007

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(123,352

)

$

149,785

 

$

(106,250

)

$

(79,817

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(55,693

)

(30,220

)

 

(85,913

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt

 

197,301

 

 

 

197,301

 

Intercompany dividends

 

 

(106,250

)

106,250

 

 

Other financing activities

 

(4,957

)

(36

)

 

(4,993

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

192,344

 

(106,286

)

106,250

 

192,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and equivalents

 

13,299

 

13,279

 

 

26,578

 

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

 

26,579

 

3,519

 

 

30,098

 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

 

$

39,878

 

$

16,798

 

$

 

$

56,676

 

 

17



 

 

 

Nine Months Ended October 28, 2006

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

30,927

 

$

118,082

 

$

(129,966

)

$

19,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(83,467

)

(24,198

)

 

(107,665

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid to stockholders

 

(42,563

)

 

 

(42,563

)

Intercompany dividends

 

 

(129,966

)

129,966

 

 

Repurchase of old Common Stock

 

(66,182

)

 

 

(66,182

)

Other financing activities

 

39,426

 

20,741

 

 

60,167

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(69,319

)

(109,225

)

129,966

 

(48,578

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and equivalents

 

(121,859

)

(15,341

)

 

(137,200

)

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

 

407,783

 

44,666

 

 

452,449

 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

 

$

285,924

 

$

29,325

 

$

 

$

315,249

 

 

18



 

 

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

 

All expressions of “us,” “we,” “our,” and all similar expressions are references to Michaels Stores, Inc. and its consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following discussion, as well as other portions of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Any statements contained herein (including, but not limited to, statements to the effect that Michaels or its management “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “expects,” “believes,” and other similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007. Specific examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our forecasts of financial performance, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. Our actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:

 

·                  our ability to anticipate and/or react to changes in customer demand and preferences for products and supplies used in creative activities and the related potential impact to merchandise inventories in categories that represent a significant portion of our business;

 

·                  the effectiveness of, or unexpected consumer responses to, our promotional programs;

 

·                  our ability to mitigate any continued declines in newspaper subscription rates, which affect the frequency in which our customers receive our circular advertisements;

 

·                  changes in consumer confidence resulting in a reduction in consumer spending on items perceived to be discretionary;

 

·                  the execution and management of our store growth, including new concepts, the impact of new competitor stores in locations near our existing stores, and the availability of acceptable real estate locations for new store openings;

 

·                  our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including management and senior executives, to successfully execute our operating plans;

 

·                  financial difficulties of any of our key vendors or suppliers;

 

·                  possible product recalls and product liability claims;

 

·                  delays in the receipt of merchandise ordered from suppliers due to delays in connection with either the manufacture or shipment of such merchandise;

 

·                  transportation delays (including dock strikes, other work stoppages, and shortages of truck drivers) and increases in transportation costs due to fuel surcharges and transportation regulations;

 

·                  restrictive actions by foreign governments or changes in United States or foreign laws and regulations affecting imports or domestic distribution;

 

·                  significant changes in tariffs or duties levied on imports which may limit the availability of certain merchandise from our foreign suppliers;

 

·                  significant fluctuations in exchange rates;

 

·                  changes in political, economic, and social conditions;

 

19



 

·                  the design and implementation of new management information systems as well as the maintenance and enhancement of existing systems, particularly in light of our continued store growth and the addition of new concepts;

 

·                  the identification and implementation of enhancements to our supply chain to enable us to distribute additional SKUs through our distribution centers;

 

·                  the effective optimization and maintenance of our perpetual inventory and automated replenishment systems and related impacts to inventory levels;

 

·                  our ability to maintain the security of electronic and other confidential information;

 

·                  the seasonality of the retail business;

 

·                  unusual weather conditions;

 

·                  significant increases in inflation or commodity prices, such as petroleum, natural gas, electricity, steel, and paper, which may adversely affect our costs, including cost of merchandise;

 

·                  our ability to remain competitive in the areas of merchandise quality, price, breadth of selection, customer service, and convenience;

 

·                  our substantial leverage, which could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry, and expose us to interest rate risk to the extent of our variable rate debt;

 

·                  our ability to service the interest and principal payments of our debt (including our Senior Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes, and Subordinated Discount Notes (the “Notes”)) or to repurchase the Notes upon a change in control;

 

·                  restrictions contained in our various debt agreements that limit our flexibility in operating our business, including compliance with the covenants contained therein;

 

·                  significant fluctuations in interest rates;

 

·                  our ability to address any conflict between the interests of our controlling stockholders and our creditors; and

 

·                  other factors as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 (particularly in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”).

 

We intend these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

 

20



 

General

 

All references herein to “fiscal 2007” relate to the 52 weeks ending February 2, 2008 and all references to “fiscal 2006” relate to the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007. In addition, all references herein to “the third quarter of fiscal 2007” relate to the 13 weeks ended November 3, 2007 and all references to “the third quarter of fiscal 2006” relate to the 13 weeks ended October 28, 2006.  Finally, all references to “the nine months ended November 3, 2007” relate to the 39 weeks ended November 3, 2007, and “the nine months ended October 28, 2006” relate to the 39 weeks ended October 28, 2006, respectively.

 

The following table sets forth certain of our unaudited operating data (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Michaels stores:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail stores open at beginning of period

 

937

 

905

 

920

 

885

 

Retail stores opened during the period

 

23

 

15

 

43

 

39

 

Retail stores opened (relocations) during the period

 

4

 

2

 

11

 

7

 

Retail stores closed during the period

 

 

(1

)

(3

)

(5

)

Retail stores closed (relocations) during the period

 

(4

)

(2

)

(11

)

(7

)

Retail stores open at end of period

 

960

 

919

 

960

 

919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aaron Brothers stores:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail stores open at beginning of period

 

167

 

165

 

166

 

166

 

Retail stores opened during the period

 

 

 

2

 

 

Retail stores closed during the period

 

 

 

(1

)

(1

)

Retail stores open at end of period

 

167

 

165

 

167

 

165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recollections stores:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail stores open at beginning of period

 

11

 

11

 

11

 

11

 

Retail stores opened during the period

 

 

 

 

 

Retail stores open at end of period

 

11

 

11

 

11

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Decorators Wholesale stores:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale stores open at beginning of period

 

4

 

4

 

4

 

4

 

Wholesale stores opened during the period

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale stores open at end of period

 

4

 

4

 

4

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total store count at end of period

 

1,142

 

1,099

 

1,142

 

1,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average inventory per Michaels store (1)

 

$1,020

 

$1,005

 

$1,020

 

$1,005

 

Comparable store sales increase (decrease) (2)

 

1.9

%

3.3

%

0.8

%

0.1

%

 


(1)                 Average inventory per Michaels store calculation excludes our Aaron Brothers, Recollections, and Star Decorators Wholesale stores.

 

(2)                 Comparable store sales increase represents the increase in net sales for stores open the same number of months in the indicated period and the comparable period of the previous year, including stores that were relocated or expanded during either period. A store is deemed to become comparable in its 14th month of operation in order to eliminate grand opening sales distortions. A store temporarily closed more than 2 weeks due to a catastrophic event is not considered comparable during the month it closed. If a store is closed longer than 2 weeks but less than 2 months, it becomes comparable in the month in which it reopens, subject to a mid-month convention. A store closed longer than 2 months becomes comparable in its 14th month of operation after its reopening.

 

21



 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to net sales of each line item of our unaudited consolidated statements of operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the following discussion and with our consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, contained herein.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of sales and occupancy expense

 

63.3

 

64.4

 

62.6

 

63.4

 

Gross profit

 

36.7

 

35.6

 

37.4

 

36.6

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

27.9

 

28.5

 

29.5

 

29.1

 

Exit costs for concept businesses

 

0.7

 

 

0.3

 

 

Transaction expenses

 

0.8

 

0.9

 

1.1

 

0.8

 

Related party expenses

 

0.6

 

 

0.6

 

 

Store pre-opening costs

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Operating income

 

6.4

 

6.0

 

5.7

 

6.5

 

Interest expense

 

10.1

 

 

11.1

 

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(0.7

)

(0.3

)

(0.4

)

(0.5

)

(Loss) Income before income taxes

 

(3.0

)

6.3

 

(5.0

)

7.0

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(1.2

)

2.4

 

(1.8

)

2.7

 

Net (loss) income

 

(1.8

)%

3.9

%

(3.2

)%

4.3

%

 

Quarter Ended November 3, 2007 Compared to the Quarter Ended October 28, 2006

 

Net Sales—Net sales increased for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 by $44.1 million, or 4.9%, over the third quarter of fiscal 2006. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we operated 960 Michaels, 167 Aaron Brothers, 11 Recollections, and four Star Decorators Wholesale stores. Results for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 include sales from 47 Michaels and three Aaron Brothers stores that were opened during the 12-month period ended November 3, 2007. Non-comparable sales increased $27.2 million and comparable store sales increased 1.9%, or $16.9 million.

 

Comparable store sales increased 1.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2006, reflecting increases in the average ticket and custom framing deliveries of 2.5% and 0.3%, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in customer transactions of 0.9%. A favorable currency translation, due to the stronger Canadian dollar, contributed approximately 0.8% to the average ticket increase for the quarter.

 

We continue to develop a fully integrated pricing and promotion strategy and may refine our existing strategy in future periods. A significant component of our pricing and promotion strategy involves changes in the breadth and depth of our promotional programs. As a result, our historical trends may not be indicative of future results.

 

Cost of Sales and Occupancy Expense—Cost of sales and occupancy expense increased $18.2 million primarily due to increases in the store base. Cost of sales and occupancy expense, as a percentage of net sales, decreased approximately 110 basis points in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2006.  Merchandise margins improved 50 basis points from a reduction in breadth and depth of promotional programs in addition to continued benefits from ongoing product sourcing initiatives. As previously noted, we may make changes to our pricing and promotion strategy that may affect our merchandise margins in future periods. As a result, historical trends may not be indicative of future results. Occupancy costs, as a percentage of sales, decreased approximately 60 basis points due to lower remodel expenses and a decrease in utility costs.

 

Selling, General, and Administrative Expense—Selling, general, and administrative expense was $262.5 million, or 27.9% of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to $255.4 million, or 28.5% of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The $7.1 million expense increase was primarily due to an increase in the store base.

 

22



 

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general, and administrative expense decreased approximately 60 basis points, primarily due to a reduction in certain professional fees.

 

Exit Costs for Concept Businesses— The exit costs of $7.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 represent costs incurred as a result of the decision to exit the Star and Recollections concept businesses. Based on impairment analyses performed in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the property and equipment for both of these businesses were impaired, resulting in an asset impairment charge of $6.1 million.  Severance and termination costs of $0.9 million were also recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Transaction Expenses—Transaction expenses incurred during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 relate primarily to bonus arrangements associated with the change in control that are ratably recognized for a period of one year following the Merger date, as well as other compensation expenses arising from change in control agreements.  Transaction expenses incurred during the third quarter of fiscal 2006 primarily relate to legal and investment advisory expenses associated with our strategic alternatives process and the Merger announced on October 31, 2006.

 

Related Party Expenses—Related party expenses were $5.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and consisted primarily of $3.5 million of management fees and associated expenses paid to our Sponsors and Highfields. Also included in related party expenses are $1.7 million of fees related to an inventory-count service vendor we utilize, in which The Blackstone Group acquired a majority ownership stake during the first quarter of fiscal 2007, as well as $0.7 million of amortization expense related to the Separation Agreements as more fully described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Operating Income—Operating income increased from $53.8 million, or 6.0% of sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 to $59.1 million, or 6.4% of sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Interest Expense—Interest expense increased from $0.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 to $94.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as a result of debt issued during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 to finance the Merger. We expect to incur a substantial amount of interest expense in future quarters as a result of our outstanding debt.

 

Other Income—Other income increased from $2.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 to $6.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of a favorable comparison of foreign currency gains.

 

(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes—The effective tax rate was 38.7% and 37.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. As a result of our low income base, our effective rate is highly sensitive to changes caused by permanent differences (i.e. differences between book income and tax income that will not be reversed in future periods); therefore, we are unable to predict our effective tax rate for fiscal 2007.

 

Net (Loss) Income—As a result of the above, we reported a net loss of $18.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared to net income of $35.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

Nine Months Ended November 3, 2007 Compared to the Nine Months Ended October 28, 2006

 

Net Sales—Net sales increased in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 by $80.5 million, or 3.2%, over the first nine months of fiscal 2006.  Sales at our new stores (net of closures) opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2005 provided incremental revenue of $61.4 million. For the same period, comparable store sales increased 0.8% in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006, reflecting an increase in the average ticket of 3.3%, partially offset by declines in customer transactions of 2.3% and custom framing deliveries of 0.2%.  The fluctuation in the exchange rates between the US and Canadian dollars contributed 30 basis points to the average ticket increase.

 

Cost of Sales and Occupancy Expense—Cost of sales and occupancy expense increased by $30.2 million, or 1.9%, due to increased occupancy expenses and the number of stores we operate, partially offset by a decrease in costs related to store remodels and the merchandise margin expansion as described below.

 

Cost of sales and occupancy expense, as a percentage of net sales, decreased approximately 80 basis points through the first nine months of fiscal 2007 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2006. This decrease was driven by expansion of merchandise margin, resulting from a reduction in breadth and depth of promotional programs as well as continued benefits from ongoing sourcing initiatives.  Partially offsetting the merchandise margin expansion was a 30 basis point increase in store occupancy costs primarily due to inflationary cost increases and a deleveraging of expenses on the 0.8% comparable sales increase.

 

23



 

Selling, General, and Administrative Expense—Selling, general, and administrative expense was $761.4 million, or 29.5% of net sales, for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 compared to $726.1 million, or 29.1% of net sales, in the first nine months of fiscal 2006. The $35.3 million expense increase was primarily due to an increase in the number of stores we operate compared to last year, and expenses resulting from our strategic initiatives. These strategic initiatives include our pricing and promotion strategy, consumer insight research, and product sourcing, which are more fully described in our Fiscal 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general, and administrative expense increased approximately 40 basis points, comprised primarily of an increase in costs related to our strategic initiatives.

 

Exit Costs for Concept Businesses - The exit costs of $7.0 million in fiscal 2007 represent costs incurred as a result of the decision to exit the Star and Recollections concept businesses. Based on impairment analyses performed in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the property and equipment for both of these businesses were impaired, resulting in an asset impairment charge of $6.1 million.  Severance and termination costs of $0.9 million were also recognized in fiscal 2007.

 

Transaction Expenses — Transaction expenses incurred during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 relate primarily to bonus arrangements associated with the change in control that are ratably recognized for a period of one year following the Merger date, as well as other compensation expenses arising from change in control agreements.  Transaction expenses incurred during the first nine months of fiscal 2006 primarily relate to legal and investment advisory expenses associated with our strategic alternatives process.

 

Related Party Expenses—Related party expenses were $16.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 and consisted primarily of $10.3 million of management fees and associated expenses paid to our Sponsors and Highfields. Also included in related party expenses are $4.0 million of fees related to an inventory-count service vendor we utilize, in which The Blackstone Group acquired a majority ownership stake during the first quarter of fiscal 2007, as well as $2.3 million of amortization expense related to the Separation Agreements as more fully described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Operating Income—Operating income decreased from $161.4 million, or 6.5% of sales, in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 to $144.1 million, or 5.7% of sales, in the first nine months of fiscal 2007.

 

Interest Expense—Interest expense increased $284.7 million in the nine months ended November 3, 2007 compared to the nine months ended October 28, 2006. This increase was due to the debt issued associated with the Merger.

 

Other Income—Other income of $10.6 million was $2.6 million lower than last year primarily due to an $8.9 million decline in interest income offset by an increase in foreign currency gains of $9.9 million higher than last year.  In addition, we recorded a favorable legal settlement of $3.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2006.

 

(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes—The effective tax rate was 35.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 and 37.8% for the first nine months of fiscal 2006. As a result of our low income base, our effective rate is highly sensitive to changes caused by permanent differences; therefore, we are unable to predict our effective tax rate for fiscal 2007.

 

Net (Loss) Income—As a result of the above, our net loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 was $84.6 million as compared to net income of $108.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2006.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We require cash principally for day-to-day operations and to finance capital investments, supply initial inventory for new stores, replenish inventory for existing stores, service our outstanding debt, and seasonal working capital needs. In recent years prior to the Merger, we financed our operations, new store openings, old Common Stock repurchases, dividend payments, and other capital investments with cash from operations and proceeds from stock option exercises. We expect that our available cash, cash flow generated from operating activities, and funds available under our Asset-based revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund planned capital expenditures, working capital requirements, debt repayments, debt service requirements, and future growth throughout fiscal 2007.

 

Our cash and equivalents increased $26.6 million, or 88.4%, from $30.1 million at the end of fiscal 2006 to $56.7 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Compared to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2006, cash and equivalents decreased $258.6 million, or 82.0%, as existing cash at the Merger date was used to help finance the Merger.

 

24



 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

 

Cash flow used in operating activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 was $79.8 million compared to cash provided by operating activities of $19.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2006. The $98.8 million change was primarily due to lower net income and a higher income tax receivable balance, partially offset by increased leverage on our inventory and accounts payable balances.

 

Inventories per Michaels store (including supporting distribution centers) increased 1.5% from October 28, 2006 to November 3, 2007. We expect inventories per Michaels store at the end of fiscal 2007 to be flat to higher by approximately 2% as compared to the end of fiscal 2006.

 

Cash Flow used in Investing Activities

 

Cash flow used in investing activities was primarily the result of the following capital expenditure activities:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 3,

 

October 28,

 

 

 

2007 (1)

 

2006 (2)

 

 

 

(In thousands )

 

New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened

 

$

22,628

 

$

25,800

 

Existing stores

 

25,889

 

42,440

 

Distribution system expansion

 

14,377

 

12,371

 

Information systems

 

21,552

 

23,726

 

Corporate and other

 

1,467

 

3,328

 

 

 

$

85,913

 

$

107,665

 

 


(1)

In the first nine months of fiscal 2007, we incurred capital expenditures related to the opening of 43 Michaels and 2 Aaron Brothers stores in addition to the relocation of 11 Michaels stores.

 

 

(2)

In the first nine months of fiscal 2006, we incurred capital expenditures related to the opening of 39 Michaels stores and the relocation of 7 Michaels stores.

 

Cash Flow provided by Financing Activities

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, cash provided by financing activities was a result of incremental borrowings against our asset-based revolving credit facility. Prior to the Merger, proceeds from the exercise of outstanding stock options served as a source of cash for us. Proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $35.6 million for the nine-month period ended October 28, 2006. During the first nine months of fiscal 2006, we repurchased $66.2 million of old Common Stock and paid dividends of $42.6 million. As a result of the Merger, we do not expect any material repurchases of our Common Stock and we do not expect that stock option exercise proceeds will serve as a material future source of cash, so long as our equity is not listed on a public exchange.

 

Debt

 

To finance the completion of the Merger, we issued 10% Senior Notes due 2014, 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016, and 13% Subordinated Discount Notes due 2016. We also executed an asset-based revolving credit facility as well as a senior secured term loan facility. Borrowings under our Asset-based revolving credit facility are influenced by a number of factors as more fully described below.

 

Asset-based revolving credit facility

 

The Asset-based revolving credit facility provides senior secured financing of up to $1.0 billion, subject to a borrowing base. As of November 3, 2007, the borrowing base was $958.6 million with $509.4 million of unused availability.

 

The borrowing base equals the sum of (i) 90% of eligible credit card receivables and debit card receivables; (ii) between 85% and 90% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory and of eligible letters of credit; (iii) a percentage of eligible in-transit inventory, less certain reserves; and (iv) the sum of an additional 10% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory and of eligible letters of credit plus an additional 5% of eligible credit card receivables and debit card receivables, up to a maximum amount of $100.0 million.

 

25



 

Senior secured term loan facility

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, borrowings under the Senior secured term loan facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the prime rate of Deutsche Bank and (2) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate, subject to certain adjustments, in each case plus an applicable margin. During the first quarter of 2007, the applicable margin was 1.75% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.75% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. During most of the second quarter of 2007 and all of the third quarter of 2007, the applicable margin was 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings, subject to downward adjustment based on the leverage and ratings thresholds set forth in the Senior secured term loan facility agreement.

 

On May 10, 2007, we amended the Senior secured term loan facility to reduce the applicable margin to 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. The amendment also provides that if there is a repricing transaction that reduces the interest rate margins prior to May 10, 2008, then each lender will receive a fee equal to 1.00% of the principal amounts of loans that are repriced. Finally, the amendment eliminated the requirement that we maintain a specified consolidated secured debt ratio.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. FIN 48 requires that a company recognize in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. We adopted FIN 48 as of the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal 2007 with no material impact to our consolidated operations statement, balance sheet, stockholders’ equity, or statement of cash flows.

 

Upon adoption, we elected to record any interest and penalties associated with audits as a component of income tax expense. The Company identified its federal tax return, Canadian tax return, and its state tax returns in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas as “major” tax jurisdictions.  The periods subject to examination for our federal return are 2002 to present, 2000 to present for our Canadian return, and 2003 to present for all major state returns except for California, North Carolina, and Texas.  These states are subject to examination as follows:   California from 1999 to present, North Carolina from 2001 to present, and Texas from 2002 to present.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans, which requires an entity to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  It also requires an entity to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end balance sheet.  As we have no publicly traded equity securities, FAS 158 is effective for us at the end of fiscal 2007, with early adoption permitted.  We plan to adopt FAS 158 at the end of fiscal 2007, with no material impact expected on our consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet, stockholders’ equity, or statement of cash flows.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which permits companies to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value (at specified measurement dates) that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Any unrealized gains or losses applicable to those items measured at fair value shall be reported in earnings. The decision to apply fair value shall generally be made on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable, and is applied only to an entire instrument. The provisions of FAS 159 will be effective for us as of the beginning for fiscal 2008, with early adoption permitted.

 

26



 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the US and Canadian dollars, as the functional currency of our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian dollar.  To mitigate the effects of currency fluctuations, during the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we executed a foreign currency cash flow hedge. To facilitate cash flow hedge accounting, the objective is to hedge payments for forecasted purchases of intercompany inventory by our Canadian subsidiary denominated in US dollars.  The term of this cash flow hedge extends through fiscal 2007.

 

To achieve our objective and to minimize the risk of ineffectiveness, the notional values represent a portion of our Canadian subsidiary’s forecasted intercompany purchases.  Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in Other income. For the three and nine month periods ended November 3, 2007, the ineffective portion of the hedge was recorded as a loss of $1.5 million.

 

For the portion of the hedge that is effective, the change in fair value of that hedge will initially be recorded in Other comprehensive income.  As the underlying inventory is sold to our customers, amounts will be reclassified from Other comprehensive income to Cost of sales and occupancy expense in the statement of operations.  The change in fair value of the hedge for the three and nine month periods ended November 3, 2007, were recorded as losses of $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

 

The table below provides the remaining quarterly notional values and the average CAD/USD exchange rate associated with the hedge (dollars in thousands).

 

Period

 

CAD Amount

 

USD Amount

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter 4, 2007

 

$

19,940

 

$

19,000

 

1.049

 

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Such controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in our reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, to allow timely disclosure decisions. We note that the design of any system of controls is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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MICHAELS STORES, INC.

Part II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

 

Reference is made to the action described under “Part I. Item 3. Legal Proceedings – Employee Class Action Claims – Clark Claim” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006.  In that action, on November 14, 2007, the court granted final approval of the settlement.  The settlement had no material impact on our statement of operations, balance sheet, or statement of cash flows for any period presented.

 

Reference is made to the description of the potential Section 16 liability issues under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings — Governmental Inquiries and Related Matters — Non-U.S. Trust Inquiry” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006.  The tolling agreement with the Wylys expired on October 5, 2007. On October 4, 2007, our Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders not to further pursue the potential Section 16 liability.

 

We are involved in ongoing legal and regulatory proceedings. Other than the updates described in the preceding paragraphs, there were no material changes to our disclosures of commitments and contingencies from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2006 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 5, 2007 and August 4, 2007.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits.

 

(a) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

31.1

 

Certifications of Brian C. Cornell pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certifications of Jeffrey N. Boyer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

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MICHAELS STORES, INC.

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

MICHAELS STORES, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey N. Boyer

 

 

 

Jeffrey N. Boyer

 

 

President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

Dated: December 18, 2007

 

 

 

30



 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certifications of Brian C. Cornell pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certifications of Jeffrey N. Boyer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

31