Edgar Filing: ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO /DE/

10-Q

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 August 1, 2015



¨	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 1-12107

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware	31-1469076
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio	43054
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (614) 283-6500

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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. x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). x 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	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	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 x No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Class A Common Stock		Outstanding at September 4, 2015
$.01 Par Value		68,982,160 Shares

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



	Page No.
Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income	3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	18

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	36

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	37

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	38

Item 1A. Risk Factors	38

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	38

Item 6. Exhibits	39

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(Thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014			August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014
NET SALES	$	817,756		$	890,605		$	1,527,178		$	1,713,033
Cost of goods sold	307,894			337,649			605,767			648,418
GROSS PROFIT	509,862			552,956			921,411			1,064,615
Stores and distribution expense	389,193			426,301			780,831			843,872
Marketing, general and administrative expense	119,846			111,033			227,379			234,614
Restructuring charge (benefit)	—			419			(1,598		)	6,052
Asset impairment	—			—			6,133			—
Other operating income, net	(1,139		)	(4,290		)	(3,099		)	(7,910		)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	1,962			19,493			(88,235		)	(12,013		)
Interest expense, net	4,567			2,020			9,206			4,017
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE TAXES	(2,605		)	17,473			(97,441		)	(16,030		)
Tax (benefit) expense	(3,217		)	4,596			(34,807		)	(5,236		)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	612			12,877			(62,634		)	(10,794		)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,422			—			1,422			—
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.	$	(810	)	$	12,877		$	(64,056	)	$	(10,794	)

NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.:
BASIC	$	(0.01	)	$	0.18		$	(0.92	)	$	(0.15	)
DILUTED	$	(0.01	)	$	0.17		$	(0.92	)	$	(0.15	)

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC	69,713			72,436			69,612			73,459
DILUTED	69,713			73,756			69,612			73,459

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE	$	0.20		$	0.20		$	0.40		$	0.40

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(9,856	)	$	(11,292	)	$	(9,871	)	$	3,574
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax	(2,916		)	5,403			(8,336		)	2,274
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(12,772		)	(5,889		)	(18,207		)	5,848
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME	(12,160		)	6,988			(80,841		)	(4,946		)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,422			—			1,422			—
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.	$	(13,582	)	$	6,988		$	(82,263	)	$	(4,946	)

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Thousands, except par value amounts)



	(unaudited)
	August 1, 2015			January 31, 2015
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and equivalents	$	408,311		$	520,708
Receivables	72,477			52,910
Inventories, net	478,618			460,794
Deferred income taxes, net	40,724			13,986
Other current assets	103,012			116,574
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	1,103,142			1,164,972
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET	947,053			967,001
OTHER ASSETS	372,006			373,194
TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,422,201		$	2,505,167
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	199,412		$	141,685
Accrued expenses	299,301			282,736
Short-term portion of deferred lease credits	25,304			26,629
Income taxes payable	3,094			32,804
Short-term portion of borrowings, net	2,017			2,102
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	529,128			485,956
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term portion of deferred lease credits	98,943			106,393
Long-term portion of borrowings, net	289,834			291,310
Leasehold financing obligations	48,381			50,521
Other liabilities	169,968			181,286
TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	607,126			629,510
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Class A Common Stock - $0.01 par value: 150,000 shares authorized and 103,300 shares issued at each of August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015	1,033			1,033
Paid-in capital	422,756			434,137
Retained earnings	2,458,325			2,550,673
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(101,787		)	(83,580		)
Treasury stock, at average cost: 33,700 and 33,948 shares at August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015, respectively	(1,495,802		)	(1,512,562		)
TOTAL ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	1,284,525			1,389,701
Noncontrolling interest	1,422			—
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	1,285,947			1,389,701
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	2,422,201		$	2,505,167

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$	(62,634	)	$	(10,794	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	108,359			118,762
Asset impairment	6,133			—
Loss on disposal	4,447			2,340
Amortization of deferred lease credits	(14,624		)	(21,053		)
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(34,745		)	(15,027		)
Share-based compensation	14,083			11,470
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(18,560		)	(19,729		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	47,433			(28,245		)
Lessor construction allowances	2,105			2,753
Income taxes	(35,556		)	(49,769		)
Other assets	(16,529		)	(1,540		)
Other liabilities	(20,665		)	(13,498		)
NET CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(20,753		)	(24,330		)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	(69,121		)	(80,853		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	11,109			—
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(58,012		)	(80,853		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of treasury stock	—			(210,000		)
Repayments of borrowings	(1,500		)	(7,500		)
Proceeds from borrowings	—			60,000
Other financing activities	(1,053		)	225
Dividends paid	(27,785		)	(29,221		)
NET CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(30,338		)	(186,496		)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH	(3,294		)	2,303
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS:	(112,397		)	(289,376		)
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period	520,708			600,116
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	408,311		$	310,740
SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Change in accrual for construction in progress	$	26,030		$	(1,931	)
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	$	7,740		$	1,819
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$	41,419		$	61,285

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), through its subsidiaries (collectively, A&F and its subsidiaries are referred to as “Abercrombie & Fitch” or the “Company”), is a specialty retailer of branded apparel and accessories. The Company operates stores in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and direct-to-consumer operations in North America, Europe and Asia that service its brands throughout the world.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the historical financial statements of, and transactions applicable to, the Company and reflect its assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows. The Company has a 49% equity interest in Hollister Fashion LLC, a United Arab Emirates joint operation with Majid al Futtaim Fashion L.L.C. ("MAF") which meets the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company has the ability to significantly influence the business and is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Accordingly, the Company has consolidated the operating results, assets and liabilities of the VIE, with MAF's portion of net income presented as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ("NCI") in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income and the equity owned by MAF presented as NCI in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company began presenting income attributable to NCI in the second quarter of Fiscal 2015. Income attributable to NCI of $1.4 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2015 includes $1.1 million related to prior periods' operating results.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. All references herein to “Fiscal 2015” and “Fiscal 2014” represent the 52-week fiscal years ending on January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015, respectively.

Interim Financial Statements

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of August 1, 2015 and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2014 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2015. The January 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary to state fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be anticipated for Fiscal 2015.

The thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 1, 2014 include the correction of certain errors relating to prior years. The impact of amounts recorded out-of-period resulted in a decrease in income tax benefit of $1.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 2015 and an increase in net income attributable to non-controlling interest of $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015, respectively. The impact of amounts recorded out-of-period resulted in a decrease in pre-tax income of $1.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2014, and an increase in pre-tax loss of $2.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014. The Company does not believe these corrections were material to any current or prior interim or annual periods that were affected.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of August 1, 2015 and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 included herein have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and the report of such firm follows the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) for their report on the condensed consolidated financial statements because their report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

Contingencies

The Company is a defendant in lawsuits and other adversary proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred, and the Company establishes reserves for the outcome of litigation where losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. The Company’s assessment of the current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts with respect to legal matters pending against the Company or determinations by judges, juries, administrative agencies or other finders of fact that are not in accordance with the Company’s evaluation of claims. Actual liabilities may exceed the amounts reserved, and there can be no assurance that final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. There are certain claims and legal proceedings pending against the Company for which accruals have not been established.

In the second quarter of Fiscal 2015, the Company accrued approximately $15.8 million for certain proposed legal settlement charges.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that could affect the Company's financial statements:



Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Standard adopted
ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs	This standard amends ASC 835, Interest—Imputation of Interest. The amendment provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of debt issuance costs as a direct reduction of a liability when associated with a liability.	February 1, 2015	The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Standards not yet adopted
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers	This standard supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)." The new ASC guidance requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.	February 4, 2018	The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard.
ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period	This standard amends ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The amendment provides guidance on the treatment of share-based payment awards with a specific performance target, requiring that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition.	January 31, 2016	The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis	These amendments provide guidance which change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities.	January 29, 2017	The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory	This standard amends ASC 330, Inventory. This amendment applies to inventory measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. Under this amendment, inventory should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.	January 29, 2017	The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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2. NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE

Net (loss) income per basic and diluted share is computed based on the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock.

Weighted-average shares outstanding and anti-dilutive shares:



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014		August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014
Shares of common stock issued	103,300		103,300		103,300		103,300
Treasury shares	(33,587	)	(30,864	)	(33,688	)	(29,841	)
Weighted-average — basic shares	69,713		72,436		69,612		73,459
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards	—		1,320		—		—
Weighted-average — diluted shares	69,713		73,756		69,612		73,459
Anti-dilutive shares ⁽¹⁾	12,258		5,662		12,258		11,403


⁽¹⁾	Reflects the total number of shares related to outstanding share-based compensation awards that have been excluded from the computation of net (loss) income per diluted share because the impact would have been anti-dilutive.

3. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company issues stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units, including those with service, performance and market vesting conditions. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $7.2 million and $14.1 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015, respectively, and $6.1 million and $11.5 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014, respectively. The Company also recognized tax benefits related to share-based compensation of $2.5 million and $4.8 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015, respectively, and $2.3 million and $4.3 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014, respectively.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015:



	Number of Underlying Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at January 31, 2015	328,100		$	64.64
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited or expired	(19,500	)	65.87
Outstanding at August 1, 2015	308,600		$	64.56	$	—	2.2
Stock options exercisable at August 1, 2015	308,600		$	64.56	$	—	2.2

The Company did not grant any stock options during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 or August 2, 2014. No stock options were exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised was insignificant during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014.

As of August 1, 2015, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to currently outstanding stock options.

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Stock Appreciation Rights

The following table summarizes stock appreciation rights activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015:



	Number of Underlying Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at January 31, 2015	8,953,675		$	40.28
Granted	662,258		22.43
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited or expired	(78,225	)	43.31
Outstanding at August 1, 2015	9,537,708		$	39.02	$	—	2.6
Stock appreciation rights exercisable at August 1, 2015	8,345,009		$	40.32	$	—	1.7
Stock appreciation rights expected to become exercisable in the future as of August 1, 2015	1,044,928		$	29.92	$	—	9.1

The Company estimates the fair value of stock appreciation rights using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for stock appreciation rights granted during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014, were as follows:



	Executive Officers						All Other Associates
	August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014			August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014
Grant date market price	$	22.46		$	37.85		$	22.39		$	38.62
Exercise price	$	22.46		$	38.44		$	22.39		$	38.62
Fair value	$	9.11		$	14.04		$	7.99		$	13.58
Assumptions:
Price volatility	49		%	50		%	49		%	50		%
Expected term (years)	6.1			4.9			4.4			4.1
Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%	1.6		%	1.2		%	1.4		%
Dividend yield	1.7		%	2.0		%	1.7		%	1.9		%

Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights is recognized on a straight-line basis over the awards’ requisite service period, net of forfeitures. As of August 1, 2015, there was $10.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock appreciation rights. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 18 months.

No stock appreciation rights were exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015. The total intrinsic value of stock appreciation rights exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014 was $1.5 million. The grant date fair value of stock appreciation rights that vested during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 was $4.2 million and $7.2 million, respectively.

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Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes activity for restricted stock units for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015:



	Service-based Restricted Stock Units				Performance-based Restricted Stock Units				Market-based Restricted Stock Units
	Number of Underlying Shares		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Underlying Shares		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Underlying Shares	Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at January 31, 2015	1,566,272		$	37.81	205,420		$	32.05	36,374	$	40.13
Granted ⁽¹⁾	966,618		20.70		113,331		20.10		113,337	19.04
Adjustments for performance achievement	—		—		(28,250	)	36.14		—	—
Vested	(394,804	)	42.82		(48,668	)	38.24		—	—
Forfeited	(110,900	)	36.29		(7,125	)	36.21		—	—
Unvested at August 1, 2015	2,027,186		$	28.77	234,708		$	24.38	149,711	$	24.16


⁽¹⁾	Includes 226,668 shares at 100% of their target vesting amount related to grants of restricted stock units with performance vesting conditions.

Fair value of both service-based and performance-based restricted stock units is calculated using the market price of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant reduced for anticipated dividend payments on unvested shares. In determining fair value, the Company does not take into account performance-based vesting requirements. Performance-based vesting requirements are taken into account in determining the number of awards expected to vest. For market-based restricted stock units, fair value is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation with the number of shares that ultimately vest dependent on the Company's total stockholder return measured against the total stockholder return of a select group of peer companies over a three-year period. For an award with performance-based or market-based vesting requirements, the number of shares that ultimately vest can vary from 0% to 200% of target depending on the level of achievement of performance criteria.

Service-based restricted stock units are expensed on a straight-line basis over the total requisite service period, net of forfeitures. Performance-based restricted stock units subject to graded vesting are expensed on an accelerated attribution basis, net of forfeitures. Market-based restricted stock units without graded vesting features are expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, net of forfeitures.

As of August 1, 2015, there was $37.0 million, $2.2 million and $2.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to service-based, performance-based and market-based restricted stock units, respectively. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 15 months, 14 months and 15 months for service-based, performance-based and market-based restricted stock units, respectively.

Additional information pertaining to restricted stock units for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 follows:



(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014
Service-based restricted stock units:
Total grant date fair value of awards granted	$	20,009	$	19,630
Total grant date fair value of awards vested	16,906		15,841

Performance-based restricted stock units:
Total grant date fair value of awards granted	$	2,278	$	4,470
Total grant date fair value of awards vested	1,861		515

Market-based restricted stock units:
Total grant date fair value of awards granted	$	2,158	$	3,576
Total grant date fair value of awards vested	—		—

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The weighted-average assumptions used for market-based restricted stock units used in the Monte Carlo simulation during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 were as follows:



	August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014
Grant date market price	$	22.46		$	38.50
Fair value	$	19.04		$	46.86
Assumptions:
Price volatility	45		%	50		%
Expected term (years)	2.8			2.8
Risk-free interest rate	0.9		%	0.8		%
Dividend yield	3.5		%	2.1		%
Average volatility of peer companies	34.0		%	37.3		%
Average correlation coefficient of peer companies	0.3288			0.3786

4. INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories, net consisted of:



(in thousands)	August 1, 2015			January 31, 2015
Inventories	$	519,209		$	484,865
Less: lower of cost or market reserve	(25,675		)	(12,707		)
Less: shrink reserve	(14,916		)	(11,364		)
Inventories, net	$	478,618		$	460,794

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market on a weighted-average cost basis. The Company reduces the carrying value of inventory through a lower of cost or market adjustment, the impact of which is reflected in cost of goods sold on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. This adjustment is based on management's judgment regarding future demand and market conditions, composition and the aging of the inventory, and analysis of historical experience.

Additionally, as part of inventory valuation, inventory shrinkage estimates based on historical trends from actual physical inventories are made each period that reduce the inventory value for lost or stolen items. The Company performs physical inventories on a periodic basis and adjusts the shrink reserve accordingly.

5. FAIR VALUE

Fair value is 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 inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized based on a three-level hierarchy. The three levels of inputs to measure fair value are as follows:


•	Level 1—inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities that are available in active markets that the Company can access at the measurement date.


•	Level 2—inputs are other than quoted market prices included within Level 1 that are observable for assets or liabilities, directly or indirectly.


•	Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable.

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The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy. The three levels of the hierarchy and the distribution within it of the Company’s assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, were as follows:



	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of August 1, 2015
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS:
Money market funds	$	56,459	$	—	$	—	$	56,459
Derivative financial instruments	—		4,099		—		4,099
Total assets measured at fair value	$	56,459	$	4,099	$	—	$	60,558
LIABILITIES:
Derivative financial instruments	—		676		—		676
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	676	$	—	$	676



	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of January 31, 2015
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS:
Money market funds	$	122,047	$	—	$	—	$	122,047
Derivative financial instruments	—		10,293		—		10,293
Total assets measured at fair value	$	122,047	$	10,293	$	—	$	132,340
LIABILITIES:
Derivative financial instruments	—		—		—		—
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

The level 2 assets and liabilities consist of derivative financial instruments, primarily forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The fair value of forward foreign currency exchange contracts is determined by using quoted market prices of the same or similar instruments, adjusted for counterparty risk.

Disclosures of Fair Value of Other Assets and Liabilities:

The Company’s borrowings under the Company's credit facilities are carried at historical cost in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For disclosure purposes, the Company estimated the fair value of borrowings outstanding using discounted cash flow analysis based on market rates obtained from independent third parties for similar types of debt. The inputs used to value the borrowings outstanding are considered to be Level 2 instruments.

The carrying amount and fair value of the Company's term loan facility were as follows:



(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		January 31, 2015
Gross borrowings outstanding, carrying amount	$	297,750	$	299,250
Gross borrowings outstanding, fair value	292,539		295,135

No borrowings were outstanding under the Company's senior secured revolving credit facility as of August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015, respectively.

6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of:



(in thousands)	August 1, 2015			January 31, 2015
Property and equipment, at cost	$	2,802,562		$	2,797,250
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,855,509		)	(1,830,249		)
Property and equipment, net	$	947,053		$	967,001

Long-lived assets, primarily comprised of property and equipment, are tested periodically for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Factors used in the evaluation include, but are not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results, and projected cash flows.

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Fair value of the Company's store-related assets is determined at the individual store level, primarily using a discounted cash flow model that utilizes Level 3 inputs. The estimation of future cash flows from operating activities requires significant estimates of factors that include future sales, gross margin performance and operating expenses. In instances where the discounted cash flow analysis indicated a negative value at the store level, the market exit price based on historical experience, and other comparable market data where applicable, was used to determine the fair value by asset type.

In certain lease arrangements, the Company is involved in the construction of the building. If it is determined that the Company has substantially all of the risks of ownership during construction of the leased property and therefore is deemed to be the owner of the construction project, the Company records an asset for the amount of the total project costs, including the portion funded by the landlord, and an amount related to the value attributed to the pre-existing leased building in Property and Equipment, Net, and a corresponding financing obligation in Leasehold Financing Obligations, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Once construction is complete, if it is determined that the asset does not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting treatment, the Company continues to amortize the obligation over the lease term and depreciates the asset over its useful life. The Company had $38.5 million and $40.1 million of construction project assets in Property and Equipment, Net at August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015, respectively.

7. INCOME TAXES

The Company's quarterly tax provision, and the quarterly estimate of the annual effective tax rate, is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in the pre-tax jurisdictional mix of earnings, changes in how the Company does business including entering into new businesses or geographies, foreign currency gains (losses), changes in law, regulations, and administrative practices, relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized, and the impact of discrete items. The impact of these items on the effective tax rate will be greater at lower levels of pre-tax income (loss).

The effective tax rates for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 were 123.4% and 35.7%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014 were 26.3% and 32.7%.

8. DERIVATIVES

The Company is exposed to risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and uses derivatives, primarily forward contracts, to manage the financial impacts of these exposures. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation and does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

In order to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be considered highly effective at offsetting changes in either the hedged item’s cash flows or fair value. Additionally, the hedge relationship must be documented to include the risk management objective and strategy, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the risk exposure, and how hedge effectiveness will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The extent to which a hedging instrument has been, and is expected to continue to be, effective at offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows is assessed and documented at least quarterly. Any hedge ineffectiveness is reported in current period earnings and hedge accounting is discontinued if it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective.

For derivatives that either do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges, all changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (“OCI”) and recognized in earnings when the hedged cash flows affect earnings. The ineffective portion of the derivative gain or loss, as well as changes in the fair value of the derivative’s time value is recognized in current period earnings. The effectiveness of the hedge is assessed based on changes in the fair value attributable to changes in spot prices. The changes in the fair value of the derivative contract related to the changes in the difference between the spot price and the forward price are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are also recognized in current period earnings. If the cash flow hedge relationship is terminated, the derivative gains or losses that are deferred in OCI will be recognized in earnings when the hedged cash flows occur. However, for cash flow hedges that are terminated because the forecasted transaction is not expected to occur in the original specified time period, or a two-month period thereafter, the derivative gains or losses are immediately recognized in earnings.

The Company uses derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, to hedge the foreign currency exposure associated with forecasted foreign-currency-denominated inter-company inventory sales to foreign subsidiaries and the related settlement of the foreign-currency-denominated inter-company receivables. Fluctuations in exchange rates will either increase or decrease the Company’s inter-company equivalent cash flows and affect the Company’s U.S. Dollar earnings.

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Gains or losses on the foreign currency exchange forward contracts that are used to hedge these exposures are expected to partially offset this variability. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon settlement date. These forward contracts typically have a maximum term of twelve months. The sale of the inventory to the Company’s customers will result in the reclassification of related derivative gains and losses that are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ("AOCL"). Substantially all of the unrealized gains or losses related to designated cash flow hedges as of August 1, 2015 will be recognized in cost of goods sold over the next twelve months.

The Company presents its derivative assets and derivative liabilities at their gross fair values on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, our master netting and other similar arrangements allow net settlements under certain conditions.

As of August 1, 2015, the Company had outstanding the following foreign currency exchange forward contracts that were entered into to hedge either a portion, or all, of forecasted foreign-currency-denominated intercompany inventory sales, the resulting settlement of the foreign-currency-denominated intercompany accounts receivable, or both:



(in thousands)	Notional Amount⁽¹⁾
Euro	$	98,666
British Pound	$	22,590
Canadian Dollar	$	13,502


⁽¹⁾	Amounts are reported in U.S. Dollar equivalent as of August 1, 2015.

The Company also uses foreign currency exchange forward contracts to hedge certain foreign-currency-denominated net monetary assets/liabilities. Examples of monetary assets/liabilities include cash balances, receivables and payables. Fluctuations in exchange rates result in transaction gains/(losses) being recorded in earnings as U.S. GAAP requires that monetary assets/liabilities be remeasured at the spot exchange rate at quarter-end or upon settlement. The Company has chosen not to apply hedge accounting to these instruments because there are no differences in the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument and the hedged item.

As of August 1, 2015, the Company had no outstanding foreign currency forward contracts that were entered into to hedge foreign-currency-denominated net monetary assets/liabilities.

The location and amounts of derivative fair values on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015 were as follows:



	Asset Derivatives					Liability Derivatives
(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	August 1, 2015		January 31, 2015		Balance Sheet Location	August 1, 2015		January 31, 2015
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts	Other current assets	$	4,099	$	10,283	Other liabilities	$	676	$	—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts	Other current assets	$	—	$	10	Other liabilities	$	—	$	—
Total	Other current assets	$	4,099	$	10,293	Other liabilities	$	676	$	—

Refer to Note 5, “FAIR VALUE,” for further discussion of the determination of the fair value of derivatives.

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The location and amounts of derivative gains and losses for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income were as follows:

Thirteen Weeks Ended

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

August 1, 2015

August 2, 2014

August 1, 2015

August 2, 2014

(in thousands)

Location

Gain/(Loss)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Foreign currency exchange forward contracts

Other operating income, net

264

459

424

(229

)



	Effective Portion											Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing
	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative Contracts (a)					Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings (b)					Location of Gain Recognized in Earnings on Derivative Contracts	Amount of Gain Recognized in Earnings on Derivative Contracts (c)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014				August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014				August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts	$	2,167	$	3,888		Cost of goods sold	$	4,839	$	(1,922	)	Other operating income, net	$	204	$	167

	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014				August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014				August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts	$	2,386	$	(1,136	)	Cost of goods sold	$	10,875	$	(3,355	)	Other operating income, net	$	239	$	170


(a)	The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.


(b)	The amount represents the reclassification from AOCL into earnings when the hedged item affects earnings, which is when merchandise is sold to the Company’s customers.


(c)	The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in the difference between the spot price and forward price that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and, therefore, recognized in earnings.

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9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 was as follows:



	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 1, 2015
(in thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Total
Beginning balance at May 2, 2015	$	7,680		$	(96,695	)	$	(89,015	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	2,167			(9,856		)	(7,689		)
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	(4,839		)	—			(4,839		)
Tax effect on other comprehensive (loss) income	(244		)	—			(244		)
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, net of taxes	(2,916		)	(9,856		)	(12,772		)
Ending balance at August 1, 2015	$	4,764		$	(106,551	)	$	(101,787	)



	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 2015
(in thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Total
Beginning balance at January 31, 2015	$	13,100		$	(96,680	)	$	(83,580	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	2,386			(9,871		)	(7,485		)
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	(10,875		)	—			(10,875		)
Tax effect on other comprehensive (loss) income	153			—			153
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, net of taxes	(8,336		)	(9,871		)	(18,207		)
Ending balance at August 1, 2015	$	4,764		$	(106,551	)	$	(101,787	)


⁽¹⁾	For the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015, a loss was reclassified from other comprehensive (loss) income to the cost of goods sold line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

The activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014 was as follows:



	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2014
(in thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Total
Beginning balance at May 3, 2014	$	(5,295	)	$	(3,885	)	$	(9,180	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	3,888			(11,292		)	(7,404		)
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽²⁾	1,922			—			1,922
Tax effect on other comprehensive (loss) income	(407		)	—			(407		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of taxes	5,403			(11,292		)	(5,889		)
Ending balance at August 2, 2014	$	108		$	(15,177	)	$	(15,069	)



	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2014
(in thousands)	Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Total
Beginning balance at February 1, 2014	$	(2,166	)	$	(18,751	)	$	(20,917	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(1,136		)	3,574			2,438
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽²⁾	3,355			—			3,355
Tax effect on other comprehensive (loss) income	55			—			55
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments, net of taxes	2,274			3,574			5,848
Ending balance at August 2, 2014	$	108		$	(15,177	)	$	(15,069	)


⁽²⁾	For the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2014, the gain was reclassified from other comprehensive (loss) income to the cost of goods sold line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

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10. GILLY HICKS RESTRUCTURING

On November 1, 2013, A&F’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s 24 stand-alone Gilly Hicks stores. The Company substantially completed the store closures as planned by the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2014. As a result of exiting the Gilly Hicks branded stores, approximately $88.3 million of cumulative pre-tax charges have been incurred to date, including a benefit of $1.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015, primarily related to better than expected lease exit terms. During Fiscal 2015, the Company's liability related to the Gilly Hicks restructuring decreased from approximately $6.0 million to approximately $2.9 million as of August 1, 2015 as a result of lease termination benefits and cash payments applied against the liability.

11. SEGMENT REPORTING

During the first quarter of Fiscal 2015, the Company substantially completed its transition to a branded organizational structure. In conjunction with the change, the Company determined its brand-based operating segments to be Abercrombie, which includes the Company's Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands, and Hollister. These operating segments have similar economic characteristics, class of consumers, products, and production and distribution methods, and have been aggregated into one reportable segment.

The following table provides the Company's net sales by operating segment for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014.



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014		August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014
Abercrombie	$	380,615	$	420,506	$	720,367	$	806,785
Hollister	437,141		464,579		806,727		886,212
Other ⁽¹⁾	—		5,520		84		20,036
Total	$	817,756	$	890,605	$	1,527,178	$	1,713,033


⁽¹⁾	Represents net sales from the Company's Gilly Hicks operations. See Note 10, "GILLY HICKS RESTRUCTURING," for additional information on the Company's exit from Gilly Hicks branded stores.

The following table provides the Company’s net sales by geographic area for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014.



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014		August 1, 2015		August 2, 2014
United States	$	514,526	$	546,245	$	963,415	$	1,050,641
Europe	200,150		248,396		366,234		484,010
Other	103,080		95,964		197,529		178,382
Total	$	817,756	$	890,605	$	1,527,178	$	1,713,033

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and

Stockholders of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.:

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. as of August 1, 2015, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 30, 2015, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Columbus, Ohio

September 10, 2015

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ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

BUSINESS SUMMARY

The Company is a specialty retailer that operates stores in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and direct-to-consumer operations in North America, Europe and Asia that service its brands throughout the world. The Company sells casual sportswear apparel, including knit tops and woven shirts, graphic t-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, and outerwear; personal care products; and accessories for men, women and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids and Hollister brands.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are designated in the consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2015” represent the 52-week fiscal year that will end on January 30, 2016, and to “Fiscal 2014” represent the 52-week fiscal year that ended January 31, 2015.

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2015, net sales decreased 8% to $817.8 million from $890.6 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2014. The gross profit rate for the second quarter of Fiscal 2015 was 62.3% compared to 62.1% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2014. Operating income was $2.0 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2015 compared to $19.5 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2014. Net loss and net loss per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. was $0.8 million and $0.01, respectively, for the second quarter of Fiscal 2015, compared to net income and net income per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of $12.9 million and $0.17, respectively, for the second quarter of Fiscal 2014.

For the Fiscal 2015 year-to-date period, net sales decreased 11% to $1.527 billion from $1.713 billion for the comparable period of Fiscal 2014. The gross profit rate for the Fiscal 2015 year-to-date period was 60.3% compared to 62.1% for the comparable period of Fiscal 2014. Operating loss was $88.2 million for the Fiscal 2015 year-to-date period compared to an operating loss of $12.0 million for the comparable period of Fiscal 2014. Net loss and net loss per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. was $64.1 million and $0.92, respectively, for the Fiscal 2015 year-to-date period, compared to net loss and net loss per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of $10.8 million and $0.15, respectively, for the comparable period of Fiscal 2014.

Excluding certain items for the second quarter of Fiscal 2015, adjusted non-GAAP gross profit rate was 62.0%, operating income was $16.5 million and net loss and net loss per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. was $8.6 million and $0.12 million, respectively, compared to adjusted non-GAAP gross profit rate of 62.1%, operating income of $21.9 million, and net income and net income per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of $14.1 million and $0.19, respectively, for the second quarter of Fiscal 2014. Excluding certain items for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2015, adjusted non-GAAP gross profit rate was 61.9%, operating loss was $35.6 million and net loss and net loss per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. was $28.6 million and $0.41, respectively, for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2015, compared to adjusted non-GAAP gross profit rate of 62.1, operating income of $6.0 million and net loss and net loss per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. of $28.6 million and $0.41, respectively, for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2014.

The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measures presented above, and under "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS," are useful to investors as they provide the ability to measure the Company’s operating performance and compare it against that of prior periods excluding certain items which affect the comparability of our financial information. See "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS," for additional discussion on non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures is included in the table below.

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The table below reconcile GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014.



	August 1, 2015
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	GAAP			Excluded Items⁽¹⁾			Non-GAAP
Thirteen Weeks Ended
Gross profit	$	509,862		$	(2,621	)	$	507,241
Operating income	1,962			14,526			16,488
Net (loss) income attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	(810		)	9,407			8,597
Net (loss) income per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	$	(0.01	)	$	0.13		$	0.12

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
Gross profit	$	921,411		$	24,240		$	945,651
Operating (loss) income	(88,235		)	52,380			(35,855		)
Net (loss) income attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	(64,056		)	35,479			(28,577		)
Net (loss) income per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	$	(0.92	)	$	0.51		$	(0.41	)



	August 2, 2014
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	GAAP			Excluded Items⁽¹⁾		Non-GAAP
Thirteen Weeks Ended
Gross profit	$	552,956		$	—	$	552,956
Operating income	19,493			2,383		21,876
Net income attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	12,877			1,185		14,062
Net income per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	$	0.17		$	0.02	$	0.19

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
Gross profit	$	1,064,615		$	—	$	1,064,615
Operating (loss) income	(12,013		)	17,981		5,968
Net (loss) income attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	(10,794		)	11,877		1,083
Net (loss) income per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.	$	(0.15	)	$	0.16	$	0.01


⁽¹⁾	Refer to "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" for details on excluded items.

As of August 1, 2015, the Company had $408.3 million in cash and equivalents, and $297.8 million in gross borrowings outstanding under its term loan facility. Net cash used for operating activities was $20.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015. The Company also used cash of $69.1 million for capital expenditures and $27.8 million to pay dividends during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015.

Due to the seasonal nature of the retail apparel industry, the results of operations for any current period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year. The seasonality of the Company’s operations may also lead to significant fluctuations in certain asset and liability accounts.

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CURRENT TRENDS AND OUTLOOK

The Company's second quarter Fiscal 2015 results reflect sequential improvement in the comparable sales trend, stabilized gross margins and continued operating expense reductions. Many of the initiatives we are undertaking to improve our business are still in their early stages, and while it will take some time to realize the full impact of these changes, we expect further improvement in our performance as we move forward.

Our ongoing efforts to turn around the business will be focused on:


•	putting the customer at the center of everything we do;


•	defining a clear position for our brands;


•	delivering a compelling and differentiated assortment;


•	optimizing our brand reach domestically and internationally and optimizing our performance in each channel;


•	continuing to improve our efficiency and reduce expense; and,


•	ensuring we are organized to succeed.

With regard to our outlook for the second half of Fiscal 2015 we expect:


•	continued headwind from foreign currency exchange rates;


•	further comparable sales trend improvements skewed towards the fourth quarter;


•	gross margin rate to be approximately flat compared to last year, but up on a constant currency basis;


•	operating expense dollars to be approximately flat compared to last year after absorbing the effect of restoration of incentive compensation provisions, which will skew towards the third quarter, but excluding effects from changes in comparable sales; and,


•	a weighted average diluted share count of approximately 70 million shares excluding the effect of potential share buybacks.

Over time, we expect the tax rate will return to the mid-to-upper 30s; however, the tax rate may be elevated as it remains highly sensitive to earnings mix, particularly at lower levels of pre-tax income (loss).

Excluded from our outlook for the rest of the year are potential charges related to impairment and store closings and other potential charges related to our strategic initiatives. We also continue to target capital expenditures for the full year of approximately $150 million.

With regard to real estate plans for the full year, we plan to open 15 full-price stores in the key international growth markets of China, Japan and the Middle East and 6 full-price stores in North America. We also plan to open 10 new outlet stores in the U.S. In addition, we continue to expect to close approximately 60 stores in the U.S. during 2015 through natural lease expirations.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

REPORTING AND USE OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP MEASURES

The Company's reported results are presented in accordance with GAAP. The reported cost of goods sold, stores and distribution expense, marketing, general and administrative expense, operating income (loss), tax expense (benefit), net income (loss) and net income (loss) per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014 reflect certain items affecting the comparability of our financial information. This financial information is also presented on a non-GAAP basis for the periods presented to exclude the impact of these items.

The Company believes that non-GAAP measures are useful to investors as they provide the ability to assess the Company's operating performance and compare it against that of prior periods excluding certain items which affect the comparability of our financial information. These non-GAAP measures should not be used as alternatives to cost of goods sold, stores and distribution expense, marketing, general and administrative expense, operating income (loss), tax expense (benefit), and net income (loss) and net income (loss) per diluted share attributable to Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and are also not intended to be indicators of ongoing operating performance of the Company or to supersede or replace the Company's GAAP reported results.

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STORE ACTIVITY

Store count and gross square footage by brand for the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014, respectively, were as follows:



Store activity	Abercrombie⁽¹⁾		Hollister⁽²⁾		Total
U.S. stores
May 2, 2015	354		432		786
New	1		—		1
Closed	(1	)	(3	)	(4	)
August 1, 2015	354		429		783
Gross square feet at August 1, 2015 (in thousands)	2,728		2,955		5,683

International stores
May 2, 2015	33		137		170
New	1		2		3
Closed	—		(2	)	(2	)
August 1, 2015	34		137		171
Gross square feet at August 1, 2015 (in thousands)	571		1,182		1,753
Total stores	388		566		954
Total gross square feet at August 1, 2015 (in thousands)	3,299		4,137		7,436

Store activity	Abercrombie⁽¹⁾		Hollister		Total
U.S. stores
May 3, 2014	379		456		835
New	1		—		1
Closed	(3	)	(2	)	(5	)
August 2, 2014	377		454		831
Gross square feet at August 2, 2014 (in thousands)	2,885		3,133		6,018

International stores
May 3, 2014	25		129		154
New	2		2		4
Closed	—		—		—
August 2, 2014	27		131		158
Gross square feet at August 2, 2014 (in thousands)	519		1,146		1,665
Total stores	404		585		989
Total gross square feet at August 2, 2014 (in thousands)	3,404		4,279		7,683


⁽¹⁾	Includes Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. Prior period store counts have been restated to combine abercrombie kids carveouts with Abercrombie & Fitch stores into one store. The change reduced total stores by eight stores as of May 3, 2014 and August 2, 2014.


⁽²⁾	Excludes franchises.

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Store count and gross square footage by brand for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2015 and August 2, 2014, respectively, were as follows:



Store activity	Abercrombie⁽¹⁾		Hollister⁽²⁾		Total
U.S. stores
January 31, 2015	361		433		794
New	4		—		4
Closed	(11	)	(4	)	(15	)
August 1, 2015	354		429		783
Gross square feet at August 1, 2015 (in thousands)	2,728		2,955		5,683

International stores
January 31, 2015	32		135		167
New	2		4		6
Closed	—		(2	)	(2	)
August 1, 2015	34		137		171
Gross square feet at August 1, 2015 (in thousands)	571		1,182		1,753
Total stores	388		566		954
Total gross square feet at August 1, 2015 (in thousands)	3,299		4,137		7,436

Store activity	Abercrombie⁽¹⁾		Hollister		Total
U.S. stores
February 1, 2014	381		458		839
New	1		1		2
Closed	(5	)	(5	)	(10	)
August 2, 2014	377		454		831
Gross square feet at August 2, 2014 (in thousands)	2,878		3,132		6,010

International stores
February 1, 2014	24		129		153
New	3		2		5
Closed	—		—		—
August 2, 2014	27		131		158
Gross square feet at August 2, 2014 (in thousands)	519		1,146		1,665
Total stores	404		585		989
Total gross square feet at August 2, 2014 (in thousands)	3,397		4,278		7,675


⁽¹⁾	Includes Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. Prior period store counts have been restated to combine abercrombie kids carveouts with Abercrombie & Fitch stores into one store. The change reduced total stores by eight stores as of January 31, 2015 and August 2, 2015, and by six stores as of February 1, 2014.


⁽²⁾	Excludes franchises.

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Net Sales



	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014
(in thousands)	Net Sales		Change in Comparable Sales⁽¹⁾	Net Sales		Change in Comparable Sales⁽¹⁾	Net Sales $ Change			Net Sales % Change
Abercrombie⁽²⁾	$	380,615	(7)%	$	420,506	(1)%	$	(39,891	)	(9)%
Hollister	437,141		(1)%	464,579		(10)%	(27,438		)	(6)%
Other⁽³⁾	—			5,520			(5,520		)	(100)%
Total net sales	$	817,756	(4)%	$	890,605	(7)%	$	(72,849	)	(8)%

U.S.	$	514,526	(4)%	$	546,245	(5)%	$	(31,719	)	(6)%
International	303,230		(4)%	344,360		(9)%	(41,130		)	(12)%
Total net sales	$	817,756	(4)%	$	890,605	(7)%	$	(72,849	)	(8)%



	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2015			August 2, 2014
(in thousands)	Net Sales		Change in Comparable Sales⁽¹⁾	Net Sales		Change in Comparable Sales⁽¹⁾	Net Sales $ Change			Net Sales % Change
Abercrombie⁽²⁾	$	720,367	(8)%	$	806,785	(1)%	$	(86,418	)	(11)%
Hollister	806,727		(4)%	886,212		(9)%	(79,485		)	(9)%
Other⁽³⁾	84			20,036			(19,952		)	(100)%
Total net sales	$	1,527,178	(6)%	$	1,713,033	(6)%	$	(185,855	)	(11)%

U.S.	$	963,415	(6)%	$	1,050,641	(5)%	$	(87,226	)	(8)%
International	563,763		(6)%	662,392		(7)%	(98,629		)