Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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 JULY 31, 2010

OR

 

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

Commission file number 000-51217

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   20-1920798
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3333 BEVERLY ROAD, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS   60179
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (847) 286-2500

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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    x             No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes    x             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    ¨   Smaller reporting company    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes    ¨             No    x

As of August 13, 2010, the registrant had 110,648,210 common shares, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

      Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the 13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

   1
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010

   2
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

   3
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

   4
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   5

Item 2.

  

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

   18

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   35

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   36

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   37

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   37

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   38


Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

      13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except per share data    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

REVENUES

        

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 10,458      $ 10,551      $ 20,504      $ 20,606   
                                

COSTS AND EXPENSES

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     7,635        7,756        14,851        14,938   

Selling and administrative

     2,606        2,630        5,161        5,203   

Depreciation and amortization

     221        228        442        454   

Gain on sales of assets

     (9     (5     (53     (59
                                

Total costs and expenses

     10,453        10,609        20,401        20,536   
                                

Operating income (loss)

     5        (58     103        70   

Interest expense

     (69     (63     (136     (122

Interest and investment income

     6        14        21        19   

Other income (loss)

     5        (31     (9     (47
                                

Loss before income taxes

     (53     (138     (21     (80

Income tax benefit

     19        52        4        28   
                                

Net loss

     (34     (86     (17     (52

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (5     (8     (6     (16
                                

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (39   $ (94   $ (23   $ (68
                                

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

        

Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (0.35   $ (0.79   $ (0.20   $ (0.57

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     112.6        119.1        113.6        120.0   

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     (Unaudited)     
millions    July 31,
2010
   August 1,
2009
   January  30,
2010

ASSETS

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,193    $ 1,189    $ 1,689

Restricted cash

     6      103      11

Accounts receivable

     754      896      652

Merchandise inventories

     9,430      9,377      8,705

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     350      390      351

Deferred income taxes

     28      32      30
                    

Total current assets

     11,761      11,987      11,438

Property and equipment, net

     7,485      7,867      7,709

Goodwill

     1,392      1,392      1,392

Trade names and other intangible assets

     3,173      3,244      3,208

Other assets

     1,022      1,270      1,061
                    

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 24,833    $ 25,760    $ 24,808
                    

LIABILITIES

        

Current liabilities

        

Short-term borrowings

   $ 1,218    $ 1,015    $ 325

Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     590      283      482

Merchandise payables

     3,673      3,361      3,335

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     3,049      3,088      3,098

Unearned revenues

     997      1,029      1,012

Other taxes

     551      468      534
                    

Total current liabilities

     10,078      9,244      8,786

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     1,378      1,941      1,698

Pension and post-retirement benefits

     2,172      2,045      2,271

Other long-term liabilities

     2,586      2,883      2,618
                    

Total Liabilities

     16,214      16,113      15,373
                    

EQUITY

        

Total Equity

     8,619      9,647      9,435
                    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 24,833    $ 25,760    $ 24,808
                    

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     26 Weeks Ended  
millions    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net loss

   $ (17   $ (52

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     442        454   

Gain on sales of assets

     (53     (59

Pension and post-retirement plan contributions

     (122     (96

Settlement of Canadian dollar hedges

     25        —     

Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions and dispositions):

    

Merchandise inventories

     (695     (486

Merchandise payables

     321        307   

Deferred income taxes

     45        32   

Income and other taxes

     (119     (98

Mark-to-market adjustments and settlements on Sears Canada U.S. dollar option contracts

     5        59   

Other operating assets

     23        45   

Other operating liabilities

     (45     (178
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (190     (72
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from sales of property and investments

     16        10   

Decrease in investments and restricted cash

     9        61   

Purchases of property and equipment

     (168     (122
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (143     (51
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Repayments of long-term debt

     (228     (302

Increase in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less

     893        573   

Debt issuance costs

     —          (81

Additional purchase of noncontrolling interest

     (560     (7

Sears Canada dividend paid to minority shareholders

     (34     —     

Purchase of treasury stock

     (273     (134
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (202     49   
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     39        90   
                

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (496     16   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     1,689        1,173   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 1,193      $ 1,189   
                

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DATA:

    

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

   $ 126      $ 120   

Cash interest paid

     91        85   

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(Unaudited)

 

    Equity Attributable to Holdings’ Shareholders              
millions   Number
of

Shares
    Common
Stock
  Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total  

Balance at January 31, 2009

  122      $ 1   $ 10,441      $ 4,562      $ (5,012   $ (612   $ 319      $ 9,699   

Comprehensive income (loss)

               

Net income (loss)

  —          —       —          (68     —          —          16        (52

Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax

  —          —       —          —          —          19        —          19   

Cumulative translation adjustment

  —          —       —          —          —          79        42        121   
                     

Total Comprehensive Income

                  88   

Sears Canada shares purchased

  —          —       (2     —          —          —          (5     (7

Shares repurchased

  (3     —       —          —          (134     —          —          (134

Other

  —          —       35        —          (31     (3       1   
                                                           

Balance at August 1, 2009

  119      $ 1   $ 10,474      $ 4,494      $ (5,177   $ (517   $ 372      $ 9,647   
                                                           

Balance at January 30, 2010

  115      $ 1   $ 10,465      $ 4,797      $ (5,446   $ (721   $ 339      $ 9,435   

Comprehensive income (loss)

               

Net income (loss)

  —          —       —          (23     —          —          6        (17

Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax

  —          —       —          —          —          25        —          25   

Deferred loss on derivatives

  —          —       —          —          —          (12     —          (12

Cumulative translation adjustment

  —          —       —          —          —          41        13        54   
                     

Total Comprehensive Income

                  50   

Stock awards

  —          —       (3     —          3        —          —          —     

Sears Canada shares purchased

  —          —       (269     —          —          (76     (215     (560

Sears Canada dividend paid to minority shareholders

  —          —       —          —          —          —          (34     (34

Shares repurchased

  (4     —       —          —          (273     —          —          (273

Other

  —          —       —          —          2        —          (1     1   
                                                           

Balance at July 31, 2010

  111      $ 1   $ 10,193      $ 4,774      $ (5,714   $ (743   $ 108      $ 8,619   
                                                           

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) is the parent company of Kmart Holding Corporation (“Kmart”) and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (“Sears”). Holdings was formed as a Delaware corporation in 2004 in connection with the merger of Kmart and Sears (the “Merger”), which was completed on March 24, 2005. We are a broadline retailer with 2,206 full-line and 1,335 specialty retail stores in the United States, operating through Kmart and Sears, and 438 full-line and specialty retail stores in Canada operating through Sears Canada Inc. (“Sears Canada”), a 90%-owned subsidiary.

These interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The retail business is seasonal in nature, and we generate a high proportion of our revenues and operating cash flows during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, which includes the holiday season. These interim financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.

NOTE 2 – BORROWINGS

Total borrowings were as follows:

 

millions    July 31,
2010
   August 1,
2009
   January 30,
2010

Short-term borrowings:

        

Unsecured commercial paper

   $ 396    $ 20    $ 206

Secured borrowings

     822      995      119

Long-term debt, including current portion:

        

Notes and debentures outstanding

     1,352      1,560      1,545

Capitalized lease obligations

     616      664      635
                    

Total borrowings

   $ 3,186    $ 3,239    $ 2,505
                    

The fair value of long-term debt was $1.4 billion at July 31, 2010, $1.3 billion at August 1, 2009 and $1.4 billion at January 30, 2010. The fair value of our debt was estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities.

Unsecured Commercial Paper

We borrow through the commercial paper markets. At July 31, 2010, we had outstanding commercial paper borrowings of $396 million, of which $250 million were held by ESL Investments, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “ESL”), including $118 million held by Edward S. Lampert. See Note 14 for further discussion of these borrowings.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Credit Agreement

During the second quarter of 2009, we extended the maturity date of our credit agreement (“Original Credit Agreement”) by entering into an amended credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) which has an expiration date of June 22, 2012. The Amended Credit Agreement is an asset based revolving credit facility under which Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. (“SRAC”) and Kmart Corporation are the borrowers.

The Amended Credit Agreement provided for a bifurcation of the then existing $4.1 billion credit facility into a $2.4 billion tranche with a maturity date of June 22, 2012, bearing an interest rate of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 4.00%, with a LIBOR floor of 1.75%, and a $1.7 billion tranche which matured on March 24, 2010, bearing an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.875%. The bifurcation into the Extended Tranche provides Holdings and its subsidiaries more than adequate liquidity for standby letters of credit and working capital needs. The Amended Credit Agreement also gives us the flexibility, subject to certain terms and conditions, to increase the size of the credit facility or add a term loan tranche to the Amended Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion. It imposes various requirements, including a requirement that, if availability under the credit facility is beneath a certain threshold, the fixed charge ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0, a cash dominion requirement if excess availability on the revolver falls below designated levels, and limitations on our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends and share repurchases. In connection with the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company agreed to limit the amount of cash accumulated when borrowings are outstanding under the credit facility. The Amended Credit Agreement has a $1.5 billion letter of credit sub-limit, is secured by a first lien on most of our domestic inventory and credit card and pharmacy receivables, and determines availability pursuant to a borrowing base formula.

At July 31, 2010, we had $822 million of borrowings and $638 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. Our availability under the agreement, given total outstanding borrowings and letters of credit of $1.5 billion, was $981 million at July 31, 2010. The majority of the letters of credit outstanding are used to provide collateral for our insurance programs.

Orchard Supply Hardware LLC (“OSH LLC”) Credit Agreement

In November 2005, OSH LLC entered into a five-year, $130 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “OSH LLC Facility”), which includes a $25 million letter of credit sublimit. The OSH LLC Facility was amended and extended in January 2010 and, as a result, available capacity was bifurcated into a $100 million tranche maturing December 2013 and a $20 million tranche maturing December 2011. The OSH LLC Facility continues to have a $25 million letter of credit sublimit. The OSH LLC Facility is available for OSH LLC’s general corporate purposes and is secured by a first lien on substantially all of OSH LLC’s non-real estate assets. Availability under the OSH LLC Facility is determined pursuant to a borrowing base formula based on inventory and account and credit card receivables, subject to certain limitations. As of July 31, 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding under the OSH LLC Facility and $9 million in outstanding letters of credit.

NOTE 3 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We primarily use derivatives as a risk management tool to decrease our exposure to fluctuations in the foreign currency market. We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our net investment in Sears Canada. Further, Sears Canada is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates due to inventory purchase contracts denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

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Table of Contents

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Earnings Effects of Derivatives on the Statements of Operations

For derivatives that were designated as hedges of our net investment in Sears Canada, we assess effectiveness based on changes in forward currency exchange rates. Changes in spot rates on the derivatives are recorded in the currency translation adjustments line in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and will remain there until we substantially liquidate or sell our holdings in Sears Canada.

Changes in the fair value of any derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recorded in earnings each period. Sears Canada mitigates the risk of currency fluctuations on offshore merchandise purchases denominated in U.S. currency by purchasing U.S. dollar denominated option contracts for a portion of its expected requirements. Since Holdings’ functional currency is the U.S. dollar, we are not directly exposed to the risk of exchange rate changes due to Sears Canada’s merchandise purchases, and therefore we do not account for these instruments as a hedge of our foreign currency exposure risk.

Sears Canada Hedges of Merchandise Purchases

As of July 31, 2010, Sears Canada had entered into foreign currency option contracts with a total notional value of $429 million. As discussed previously, these option contracts are used to hedge Sears Canada’s purchase of inventory under U.S. dollar denominated contracts. We record mark-to-market adjustments based on the total notional value of these outstanding option contracts at the end of each quarter. We recorded mark-to-market assets related to these foreign currency option contracts of $3 million at July 31, 2010, $15 million at August 1, 2009 and $9 million at January 30, 2010.

We record the earnings impact of mark-to-market and settlement adjustments for foreign currency option contracts in other income (loss) at the end of each quarter. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement gains of $8 million and mark-to-market and settlement losses of $7 million for these contracts in other income (loss) for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement losses on these contracts of $43 million and $66 million in other income (loss) for the 13- and 26- week periods ended August 1, 2009, respectively.

Sears Canada’s above noted foreign currency options contracts were entered into as a hedge of merchandise purchase contracts denominated in U.S. currency. We also record mark-to-market adjustments for that portion of the merchandise purchase contracts which are considered to be embedded derivatives under relevant accounting rules at the end of each quarter. We recorded assets of $1 million and $10 million at July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, related to these embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives had a fair value of zero at January 30, 2010.

We record the earnings impact of mark-to-market and settlement adjustments related to the embedded derivative in the merchandise purchase contracts in other income (loss) at the end of each quarter. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement losses of $3 million and $2 million for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively. We recorded mark-to-market and settlement gains of $10 million and $15 million for the 13- and 26- week periods ended August 1, 2009, respectively.

At July 31, 2010, we had mark-to-market assets of $1 million and $3 million related to the embedded derivative and option contracts, respectively. At August 1, 2009, we had mark-to-market assets of $10 million and $15 million related to the embedded derivative and option contracts, respectively. We recorded total mark-to-market and settlement gains of $5 million and total mark-to-market and settlement losses of $9 million in other income (loss) for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively. We recorded total mark-to-market and

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

settlement losses of $33 million and $51million in other income (loss) for the 13- and 26- week periods ended August 1, 2009, respectively. See Note 4 for further information regarding fair value of these option and merchandise purchase contracts and the respective balance sheet classifications as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010.

Hedges of Net Investment in Sears Canada

As of July 31, 2010, we had a series of foreign currency forward contracts outstanding with a total Canadian notional value of $729 million and with a weighted-average remaining life of 0.4 years. These contracts were designated and qualified as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of our net investment in Sears Canada. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value of the forward contracts as of July 31, 2010 of $7 million was recorded as a liability on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The decline in fair value of $22 million related to these forward contracts, net of tax, was recorded as a component of other comprehensive income for the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010.

We settled certain foreign currency forward contracts during the second quarter of 2010 and received a net amount of $25 million relative to these contract settlements. As hedge accounting was applied to such contracts, an offsetting amount was recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

Certain of our currency forward contracts require collateral be posted in the event our liability under such contracts reaches a predetermined threshold. Cash collateral posted under these contracts is recorded as part of our accounts receivable balance. We had $2 million of cash collateral posted under these contracts as of July 31, 2010. We had an asset related to these contracts of $15 million recorded as of January 30, 2010. We had no such foreign currency forward contracts outstanding as of August 1, 2009.

Counterparty Credit Risk

We actively manage the risk of nonpayment by our derivative counterparties by limiting our exposure to individual counterparties based on credit ratings, value at risk and maturities. The counterparties to these instruments are major financial institutions with credit ratings of single-A or better as of July 31, 2010.

NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

We determine fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels:

Level 1 inputs – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.

Level 2 inputs – inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.

Level 3 inputs – unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, merchandise payables, short-term borrowings and accrued liabilities are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Sears Canada invests its cash in short-term treasury bills and bank term deposits, which are marked to fair value at the end of each quarter. The fair value of our debt is disclosed in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table provides the fair value measurement amounts for other financial assets and liabilities recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010:

 

millions    Total Fair Value
Amounts at
July 31, 2010
    Level 1    Level 2     Level 3

Cash equivalents(1)

   $ 691      $ 691    $ —        $ —  

Restricted cash(2)

     6        6      —          —  

Foreign currency derivative assets(3)

     4        —        4        —  

Foreign currency derivative liabilities(4)

     (7     —        (7     —  
                             

Total

   $ 694      $ 697    $ (3   $ —  
                             
millions    Total Fair Value
Amounts at
August 1, 2009
    Level 1    Level 2     Level 3

Cash equivalents(1)

   $ 721      $ 721    $ —        $ —  

Restricted cash(2)

     103        103      —          —  

Short-term investments(3)

     16        —        16        —  

Foreign currency derivative assets(3)

     25        —        25        —  
                             

Total

   $ 865      $ 824    $ 41      $ —  
                             
millions    Total Fair Value
Amounts at
January 30, 2010
    Level 1    Level 2     Level 3

Cash equivalents(1)

   $ 1,291      $ 1,291    $ —        $ —  

Restricted cash(2)

     11        11      —          —  

Foreign currency derivative assets(3)

     24        —        24        —  
                             

Total

   $ 1,326      $ 1,302    $ 24      $ —  
                             

 

(1) Included within Cash and cash equivalents in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) Included within Restricted cash in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(3) Included within Prepaid expenses and other current assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(4) Included within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Short-term investments are typically valued at the closing price in the principal active market as of the last business day of the quarter. Short-term investments at August 1, 2009 included $16 million on deposit with The Reserve Primary Fund, a money market fund that temporarily restricted withdrawals while it liquidated its holdings to generate cash to distribute. The fair value of this investment was determined by using estimates based on the values of similar assets and information obtained from The Reserve Primary Fund.

The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the over-the-counter market are determined using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including interest rates, prices and indices to generate

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

pricing and volatility factors. The predominance of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services. Our derivative instruments are valued using Level 2 measurements.

NOTE 5 – SEARS CANADA

Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we increased our controlling interest in Sears Canada to 90%, from 73%, by acquiring approximately 19 million additional common shares. We paid a total of $560 million for the additional shares and accounted for the acquisition of additional interest in Sears Canada as an equity transaction in accordance with accounting standards applicable to noncontrolling interests. Accordingly, we reclassified an accumulated other comprehensive loss from noncontrolling interest to controlling interest in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity at July 31, 2010.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we acquired approximately 0.5 million of Sears Canada’s common shares in open market transactions. We paid a total of $7 million for the additional shares and accounted for the acquisition of additional interest in Sears Canada as an equity transaction in accordance with accounting standards on noncontrolling interests.

Dividends

On May 18, 2010, Sears Canada announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $3.50 Canadian per common share, or approximately $377 million Canadian, which was paid on June 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2010. Accordingly, Holdings received dividends of $318 million and minority shareholders in Sears Canada received dividends of $34 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

NOTE 6 – STORE CLOSINGS

In accordance with accounting standards governing costs associated with exit or disposal activities, expenses related to future rent payments for which the Company no longer intends to receive any economic benefit are accrued for when the Company ceases to use the leased space. During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, we closed 7 stores we previously announced would close and recorded a charge of $6 million for the related lease obligations. During the second quarter of 2009, we closed 24 stores we previously announced would close during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, as well as other small support locations throughout the U.S. We recorded a charge of $28 million for future rent payments in the second quarter of 2009 when we vacated the retail space at these locations.

We made the decision to close 28 underperforming stores during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. These closings included 22 stores in our Kmart segment and 6 stores in our Sears segment. We recorded charges related to these store closings of $33 million in the second quarter of 2009. The charges included $17 million of inventory markdowns recorded in cost of sales and $16 million recorded in selling and administrative expenses for store closing and severance costs. We did not make a decision to close any stores during the second quarter of 2010.

Total store closing charges recorded during the first half of fiscal 2010 were $9 million, of which $2 million was recorded in cost of sales for inventory markdowns and $7 million was recorded in selling and administrative

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

expenses for store closing, severance and lease costs. Total store closing charges recorded during the first half of fiscal 2009 were $78 million, of which $17 million was recorded in cost of sales for inventory markdowns and $61 million was recorded in selling and administrative expenses for store closing, severance and lease costs.

NOTE 7 – EQUITY

Share Repurchase Program

During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, we repurchased common shares at a total cost of $272 million and $273 million, respectively, under our share repurchase program. Our repurchases for the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010 were made at average prices of $75.57 and $75.61 per share, respectively. During the first half of fiscal 2010, we repurchased a total of 3.6 million shares. As of July 31, 2010, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $309 million of common shares under the share repurchase program. The share repurchases may be implemented using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, the purchase of call options, the sale of put options or otherwise, or by any combination of such methods. Timing will be dependent on prevailing market conditions, alternative uses of capital and other factors.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table displays the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

millions    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    January 30,
2010
 

Pension and postretirement adjustments (net of tax of $(468), $(312) and $(451), respectively)

   $ (713   $ (470   $ (686

Cumulative unrealized derivative gain (net of tax of $(2), $— and $6, respectively)

     (3     —          9   

Currency translation adjustments (net of tax of $(20), $(31) and $(29), respectively)

     (27     (47     (44
                        

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (743   $ (517   $ (721
                        

Pension and postretirement adjustments relate to the net actuarial gain or loss on our pension and postretirement plans recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests at July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010 was $43 million, $56 million and $132 million, respectively.

Additional Treasury Shares related to Kmart Bankruptcy Resolution

On May 6, 2003, Kmart Corporation (the “Predecessor Company”), a predecessor operating company of Kmart, emerged from reorganization proceedings under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws pursuant to the terms of a plan of reorganization (the “Plan of Reorganization”). The Predecessor Company is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Kmart and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. As part of the Plan of Reorganization, 31.9 million shares of the Kmart common stock were issued to satisfy the pre-petition claims of unsecured Class 5 creditors. During the second quarter of 2010, we received and recorded as treasury stock 628,513 of these shares which were returned as unclaimed.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 8 – BENEFIT PLANS

Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Plans

We provide benefits to certain associates who are eligible under various defined benefit pension plans, contributory defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans, primarily retiree medical benefits. The following table summarizes the components of total net periodic benefit expense for our retirement plans, which is determined in part by using the fair value of plan assets as the market related value of plan assets:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

Components of net periodic expense:

        

Benefits earned during the period

   $ 3      $ 4      $ 6      $ 8   

Interest costs

     107        105        208        209   

Expected return on plan assets

     (92     (72     (180     (143

Amortization of experience gains/losses

     23        16        42        31   
                                

Net periodic expense

   $ 41      $ 53      $ 76      $ 105   
                                

Contributions

During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, we made total contributions of $61 million and $122 million, respectively, to our pension and post-retirement plans. During the 13- and 26- week periods ended August 1, 2009, we made total contributions of $44 million and $96 million, respectively, to our pension and post-retirement plans. We anticipate making aggregate contributions to our domestic and Canadian defined benefit plans of approximately $187 million over the remainder of fiscal 2010.

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES

At July 31, 2010, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $307 million. Of this amount, $115 million would, if recognized, impact our effective tax rate, with the remaining amount being comprised of unrecognized tax benefits related to gross temporary differences or any other indirect benefits. During the 13- and 26- week periods ended July 31, 2010, gross unrecognized tax benefits were reduced by $3 million. We expect that our unrecognized tax benefits could decrease up to $137 million over the next 12 months for federal and state settlements and for federal and state tax positions related to prior business dispositions due to both the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain jurisdictions, as well as expected related settlements.

We classify interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and interest income on tax overpayments as components of income tax expense. At July 31, 2010, the total amount of interest and penalties recognized on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $79 million ($51 million net of federal benefit). The total amount of net interest expense recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the 13- and 26-week periods ended July 31, 2010 was $2 million (net of federal tax benefit) and $5 million (net of federal tax benefit), respectively.

We file income tax returns in the United States, as well as various foreign jurisdictions. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently auditing the Holdings’ federal income tax returns for the fiscal years 2006 and 2007. The IRS has completed its examination of Sears’ federal income tax returns for the fiscal years 2002 – 2005 and Holdings’ federal income tax return for the fiscal year 2005. We have resolved with the IRS all matters arising from these exams. In addition, Holdings and Sears are under examination by various state, local and foreign income tax jurisdictions for the fiscal years 2001 – 2008, and Kmart is under examination by such jurisdictions for the fiscal years 2003 – 2008.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

At July 31, 2010, we had Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards from the Predecessor Company of approximately $269 million generating deferred tax assets of approximately $94 million. Such NOL carryforwards are no longer subject to an annual section 382 limitation. The federal NOL carryforwards will expire in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2028. We also have credit carryforwards of $156 million, which will expire between 2015 and 2029.

At the end of fiscal 2009, we had a state NOL deferred tax asset of $212 million and a valuation allowance of $131 million. In the first half of fiscal 2010, there were no adjustments to the state NOL deferred tax asset and valuation allowance. The state NOLs will predominantly expire between 2017 and 2029.

NOTE 10 – SUMMARY OF SEGMENT DATA

We have three reportable segments: Kmart, Sears Domestic and Sears Canada. These reportable segment classifications are based on our business formats, which are utilized by our chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resource allocation and to assess performance. Each of these segments derives its revenues from the sale of merchandise and related services to customers, primarily in the United States and Canada. We evaluate segment financial performance based on operating income, as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

     For the 13 Weeks Ended  
     July 31, 2010  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,630      $ 5,674      $ 1,154      $ 10,458   
                                

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,746        4,084        805        7,635   

Selling and administrative

     830        1,503        273        2,606   

Depreciation and amortization

     36        160        25        221   

Gain on sales of assets

     (1     (8     —          (9
                                

Total costs and expenses

     3,611        5,739        1,103        10,453   
                                

Operating income (loss)

   $ 19      $ (65   $ 51      $ 5   
                                

Total assets

   $ 6,026      $ 15,667      $ 3,140      $ 24,833   
                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 18      $ 46      $ 9      $ 73   
                                
     For the 13 Weeks Ended  
     August 1, 2009  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,756      $ 5,701      $ 1,094      $ 10,551   
                                

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,927        4,082        747        7,756   

Selling and administrative

     845        1,532        253        2,630   

Depreciation and amortization

     36        167        25        228   

Gain on sales of assets

     (1     (3     (1     (5
                                

Total costs and expenses

     3,807        5,778        1,024        10,609   
                                

Operating income (loss)

   $ (51   $ (77   $ 70      $ (58
                                

Total assets

   $ 6,135      $ 16,143      $ 3,482      $ 25,760   
                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 12      $ 21      $ 13      $ 46   
                                

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the 26 Weeks Ended  
     July 31, 2010  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 7,213      $ 11,109      $ 2,182      $ 20,504   
                                

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     5,457        7,873        1,521        14,851   

Selling and administrative

     1,612        3,011        538        5,161   

Depreciation and amortization

     72        320        50        442   

Gain on sales of assets

     (6     (47     —          (53
                                

Total costs and expenses

     7,135        11,157        2,109        20,401   
                                

Operating income (loss)

   $ 78      $ (48   $ 73      $ 103   
                                

Total assets

   $ 6,026      $ 15,667      $ 3,140      $ 24,833   
                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 63      $ 85      $ 20      $ 168   
                                
     For the 26 Weeks Ended  
     August 1, 2009  
millions    Kmart     Sears
Domestic
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 7,349      $ 11,273      $ 1,984      $ 20,606   
                                

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     5,662        7,907        1,369        14,938   

Selling and administrative

     1,659        3,060        484        5,203   

Depreciation and amortization

     72        333        49        454   

Gain on sales of assets

     (10     (4     (45     (59
                                

Total costs and expenses

     7,383        11,296        1,857        20,536   
                                

Operating income (loss)

   $ (34   $ (23   $ 127      $ 70   
                                

Total assets

   $ 6,135      $ 16,143      $ 3,482      $ 25,760   
                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 39      $ 56      $ 27      $ 122   
                                

NOTE 11 – SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Other long-term liabilities as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010 consisted of the following:

 

millions    July 31,
2010
   August 1,
2009
   January  30,
2010

Unearned revenues

   $ 811    $ 856    $ 829

Self-insurance reserves

     812      850      801

Other

     963      1,177      988
                    

Total

   $ 2,586    $ 2,883    $ 2,618
                    

NOTE 12 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Maurice Levie, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., et al. – Following the announcement of the Merger on November 17, 2004, a lawsuit was filed in the United States

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

District Court for the Northern District of Illinois relating to the transaction. This suit asserts claims under the federal securities laws on behalf of a class of former Sears’ stockholders against Sears, Alan J. Lacy, Edward S. Lampert and ESL Partners, L.P. for allegedly failing to make timely disclosure of merger discussions during the period September 9 through November 16, 2004, and seeks damages. On July 17, 2007, the Court granted in part and denied in part plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, certifying a class of Sears’ stockholders who sold shares of Sears’ stock between September 9, 2004 and November 16, 2004, excluding short sellers who covered their positions during the class period. On December 18, 2009, the Court entered an order granting defendants’ motions for summary judgment. Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal on January 15, 2010. In their opening appellate brief, plaintiffs withdrew their appeal from the portion of the Court’s Order granting summary judgment to Sears and Mr. Lacy and the Appellate Court subsequently dismissed the appeal as to Sears and Mr. Lacy. Plaintiffs then entered into an agreement with ESL Partners and Mr. Lampert to settle their remaining appeal. Plaintiffs, ESL Partners and Mr. Lampert will seek approval of the settlement from the Court. The proposed settlement does not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

Robert F. Booth Trust, derivatively v. William C. Crowley, et al. – In August 2009, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against current and former directors William C. Crowley, Edward S. Lampert, Steven T. Mnuchin, Richard C. Perry, Ann N. Reese, Kevin B. Rollins, Emily Scott and Thomas Tisch, and nominally Sears Holdings Corporation. Plaintiff alleged that by nominating for re-election to the Sears Holdings Corporation board Mr. Crowley and Ms. Reese while they were also members of the boards of AutoNation, Inc. (Crowley), AutoZone, Inc. (Crowley), and Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (Reese), defendants violated Section 8 of the Clayton Act prohibiting “interlocking directorships” and breached their fiduciary duty to the Company. Plaintiff sought injunctive relief and recovery of its costs, including reasonable attorney fees. The parties have settled the matter and the Court has preliminarily approved the settlement. Administration of the settlement is ongoing. In agreeing to the settlement, defendants did not admit any wrongdoing and denied committing any violation of law. Defendants agreed to the settlement solely to eliminate the uncertainties, burden and expense of further protracted litigation. The settlement does not have a material adverse effect on our annual results of operations, financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

We are a defendant in several lawsuits containing class-action allegations in which the plaintiffs are current and former hourly and salaried associates who allege various wage and hour violations and unlawful termination practices. The complaints generally seek unspecified monetary damages, injunctive relief, or both. Further, certain of these proceedings are in jurisdictions with reputations for aggressive application of laws and procedures against corporate defendants.

We are subject to various other legal and governmental proceedings, many involving litigation incidental to our businesses. Some matters contain class action allegations, environmental and asbestos exposure allegations and other consumer-based claims, each of which may seek compensatory, punitive or treble damage claims (potentially in large amounts), as well as other types of relief.

In accordance with accounting standards regarding loss contingencies, we accrue an undiscounted liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated and we do not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. Because litigation outcomes are inherently unpredictable, these assessments often involve a series of complex assessments by management about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. While the consequences of certain unresolved proceedings are not presently determinable, an adverse outcome from certain

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

matters could have a material adverse effect on our earnings in any given reporting period. However, in the opinion of our management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance and reserves, the ultimate liability is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

NOTE 13 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to improve disclosures about fair value measurements. The update amends existing accounting rules regarding fair value measurements and disclosures to add new requirements for disclosures related to transfers into and out of investment Levels 1 and 2, and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 investment measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation, as well as inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The update is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. As this update only relates to financial statement disclosures, it did not have an impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See Note 4 for further discussion regarding our fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities.

NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE

Our Board of Directors has delegated authority to direct investment of our surplus cash to Edward S. Lampert, subject to various limitations that have been or may be from time to time adopted by the Board of Directors and/or the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lampert is Chairman of our Board of Directors and Finance Committee and is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ESL. Neither Mr. Lampert nor ESL will receive compensation for any such investment activities undertaken on our behalf. ESL beneficially owned 59% of our outstanding common stock as of July 31, 2010.

Further, to clarify the expectations that the Board of Directors has with respect to the investment of our surplus cash, the Board has renounced, in accordance with Delaware law, any interest or expectancy of the Company associated with any investment opportunities in securities that may come to the attention of Mr. Lampert or any employee, officer, director or advisor to ESL and its affiliated investment entities who also serves as an officer or director of the Company (each, a “Covered Party”) other than (a) investment opportunities that come to such Covered Party’s attention directly and exclusively in such Covered Party’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of the Company, (b) control investments in companies in the mass merchandising, retailing, commercial appliance distribution, product protection agreements, residential and commercial product installation and repair services and automotive repair and maintenance industries and (c) investment opportunities in companies or assets with a significant role in our retailing business, including investment in real estate currently leased by the Company or in suppliers for which the Company is a substantial customer representing over 10% of such companies’ revenues, but excluding investments of ESL as of May 23, 2005.

Holdings, through its subsidiaries, engages in commercial transactions with AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone”) in the ordinary course of business. In the first half of fiscal 2010, we paid AutoZone approximately $13 million for automotive parts, accessories and other services. ESL and its affiliates, including Mr. Lampert, collectively own approximately 36% of the outstanding common stock of AutoZone (based on information disclosed in the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC by ESL on July 26, 2010), and William C. Crowley, currently our Executive

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, serves as a director of AutoZone. As previously reported, Mr. Crowley intends to resign as an officer of the Company pursuant to the preliminarily approved settlement in the consolidated shareholder derivative lawsuits proceeding under the caption Robert F. Booth Trust v. William C. Crowley. See Note 12 for additional information concerning this matter.

In fiscal 2009, the Audit Committee reviewed and pre-approved sales of commercial paper issued by Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. (an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings) to ESL, including Edward S. Lampert, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. As of July 31, 2010, ESL and its affiliates held $250 million in principal amount of 30-day unsecured commercial paper issued by Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. under its commercial paper program, which includes $118 million held by Edward S. Lampert. The commercial paper held by ESL and its affiliates bears interest at a rate of 1.9% per annum, and the commercial paper purchases were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including the interest rate, as terms prevailing for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not present features unfavorable to the Company.

Holdings employs certain employees of ESL. Mr. Crowley serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of ESL and our Senior Vice President of Real Estate is also employed by ESL.

 

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13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2010.

OVERVIEW OF HOLDINGS

Holdings, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, was formed in connection with the March 24, 2005 Merger of these two companies. We are a broadline retailer with 2,206 full-line and 1,335 specialty retail stores in the United States, operating through Kmart and Sears, and 438 full-line and specialty retail stores in Canada operating through Sears Canada Inc. (“Sears Canada”), a 90%-owned subsidiary. We conduct our operations in three business segments: Kmart, Sears Domestic and Sears Canada. The nature of operations conducted within each of these segments is discussed within the “Business Segments” section of Part I, Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2010.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except per share data    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

REVENUES

        

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 10,458      $ 10,551      $ 20,504      $ 20,606   
                                

COSTS AND EXPENSES

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     7,635        7,756        14,851        14,938   

Gross margin dollars

     2,823        2,795        5,653        5,668   

Gross margin rate

     27.0     26.5     27.6     27.5

Selling and administrative

     2,606        2,630        5,161        5,203   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     24.9     24.9     25.2     25.2

Depreciation and amortization

     221        228        442        454   

Gain on sales of assets

     (9     (5     (53     (59
                                

Total costs and expenses

     10,453        10,609        20,401        20,536   
                                

Operating income (loss)

     5        (58     103        70   

Interest expense

     (69     (63     (136     (122

Interest and investment income

     6        14        21        19   

Other income (loss)

     5        (31     (9     (47
                                

Loss before income taxes

     (53     (138     (21     (80

Income tax benefit

     19        52        4        28   
                                

Net loss

     (34     (86     (17     (52

Income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (5     (8     (6     (16
                                

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (39   $ (94   $ (23   $ (68
                                

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS’ SHAREHOLDERS

        

Diluted loss per share

   $ (0.35   $ (0.79   $ (0.20   $ (0.57

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     112.6        119.1        113.6        120.0   

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

References to comparable store sales amounts within the following discussion include sales for all stores operating for a period of at least 12 full months, including remodeled and expanded stores, but excluding store relocations and format changes.

Net Loss Attributable to Holdings’ Shareholders and Loss per Share Summary

We recorded a net loss attributable to Holdings’ shareholders for the second quarter of $39 million, or $0. 35 loss per diluted share, in 2010 and $94 million, or $0.79 loss per diluted share, in 2009. We recorded a net loss attributable to Holdings’ shareholders for the first half of $23 million, or $0.20 loss per diluted share, in 2010 and $68 million, or $0.57 loss per diluted share, in 2009.

In addition to our net loss determined in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP measures in assessing our operating performance. We believe GAAP measures “As Adjusted” serve as appropriate measures to be used in evaluating the performance of our business and we adjust incentive compensation metrics for our executive management team for these same items. Furthermore, we believe our use of GAAP measures “As Adjusted,” including Diluted Loss per Share “As Adjusted,” provides an appropriate measure to use in assessing our performance across periods, given that this measure provides an adjustment for certain significant items, the magnitude of which may vary significantly from period to period and, thereby, have a disproportionate effect on the earnings we report for a given period. Accordingly, we consider the aggregate impact of these items, along with reported results, in reviewing and evaluating our financial performance. However, we do not, and do not recommend that you solely use GAAP measures “As Adjusted” to assess our financial performance or to formulate investment decisions, as the measures may exclude a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items. The following tables set forth results of operations on a GAAP and “As Adjusted” basis, as well as the impact each significant item had on specific income and expense amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009.

 

     13 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010  
millions, except per share data    GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-
Market
Losses
    As
Adjusted
 

Selling and administrative impact

   $ 2,606      $ (31   $ (6   $ —        $ 2,569   

Operating income impact

     5        31        6        —          42   

Other income impact

     5        —          —          (8     (3

Income tax benefit impact

     19        (12     (2     2        7   

Noncontrolling interest impact

     (5     —          —          1        (4

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

     (39     19        4        (5     (21

Diluted loss per share impact

   $ (0.35   $ 0.17      $ 0.04      $ (0.05   $ (0.19

 

     13 Weeks Ended August 1, 2009  
millions, except per share data    GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-
Market
Losses
    As
Adjusted
 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact

   $ 7,756      $ —        $ (17   $ —        $ 7,739   

Selling and administrative impact

     2,630        (42     (44     —          2,544   

Operating (loss) impact

     (58     42        61        —          45   

Other loss impact

     (31     —          —          22        (9

Income tax benefit impact

     52        (16     (23     (6     7   

Noncontrolling interest impact

     (8     —          —          (6     (14

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

     (94     26        38        10        (20

Diluted loss per share impact

   $ (0.79   $ 0.22      $ 0.32      $ 0.08      $ (0.17

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

     26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010  
millions, except per share data    GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-
Market
Losses
    Gain on
Sales of
Real Estate
    As
Adjusted
 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact

   $ 14,851      $ —        $ (2   $ —        $ —        $ 14,849   

Selling and administrative impact

     5,161        (57     (7     —          —          5,097   

Gain on sales of assets impact

     (53     —          —          —          35        (18

Operating income impact

     103        57        9        —          (35     134   

Other loss impact

     (9     —          —          2        —          (7

Income tax benefit impact

     4        (21     (3     (1     13        (8

Noncontrolling interest impact

     (6     —          —          —          —          (6

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

     (23     36        6        1        (22     (2

Diluted loss per share impact

   $ (0.20   $ 0.32      $ 0.06      $ 0.01      $ (0.20   $ (0.01
     26 Weeks Ended August 1, 2009  
millions, except per share data    GAAP     Domestic
Pension
Expense
    Closed Store
Reserve and
Severance
    Mark-to-
Market
Losses
    Gain on
Sales of
Real Estate
    As
Adjusted
 

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy impact

   $ 14,938      $ —        $ (17   $ —        $ —        $ 14,921   

Selling and administrative impact

     5,203        (84     (61     —          —          5,058   

Gain on sales of assets impact

     (59     —          —          —          44        (15

Operating income impact

     70        84        78        —          (44     188   

Other loss impact

     (47     —          —          36        —          (11

Income tax benefit impact

     28        (29     (26     (9     11        (25

Noncontrolling interest impact

     (16     —          (2     (10     12        (16

After tax and noncontrolling interest impact

     (68     55        50        17        (21     33   

Diluted loss per share impact

   $ (0.57   $ 0.46      $ 0.41      $ 0.14      $ (0.17   $ 0.27   

As we previously reported, the Company has a legacy pension obligation for past service performed by Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co. associates. The annual pension expense included in our financial statements related to these legacy domestic pension plans was relatively minimal in past years. However, due to the severe decline in the capital markets that occurred in the latter part of 2008, our annual domestic pension expense increased to $170 million in 2009 and is expected to be approximately $120 million in fiscal 2010.

13-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 13-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

Total revenues decreased $93 million to $10.5 billion for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, as compared to total revenues of $10.6 billion for the quarter ended August 1, 2009. The decline in total revenue for the quarter was primarily a result of a 2.2% decrease in domestic comparable store sales and the effect of having fewer Kmart and Sears Full-line stores in operation, partially offset by an increase of $96 million due to changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate.

The domestic comparable store sales decrease included declines of 1.4% at Kmart and 2.8% at Sears Domestic. Kmart’s quarterly decrease in comparable store sales was primarily driven by the food and consumables

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

category, partially offset by increases in apparel, including footwear, and toys. Decreases in sales for the quarter at Sears Domestic were primarily driven by the power lawn and garden, tools, and consumer electronics categories. Sears Domestic’s home appliance category registered a low single digit comparable store sales increase for the quarter due to increases in sales of refrigeration and seasonal air movement products.

Gross Margin

For the quarter, we generated gross margin of $2.8 billion, which is $28 million more than last year. Gross margin dollars this year include an increase of $31 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on gross margin at Sears Canada and last year included a $17 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings. Gross margin remained relatively flat with last year, primarily due to an increase in gross margin rate at Kmart, which offset the slight decline in sales. Kmart’s gross margin rate increased 230 basis points mainly due to reduced markdowns on apparel. The increase in Kmart’s gross margin rate was partially offset by a decrease in gross margin rate of 40 basis points at Sears Domestic, primarily due to reduced margins in home services, and 150 basis points at Sears Canada.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, our selling and administrative expenses decreased $24 million as compared to the second quarter in fiscal 2009. Selling and administrative expenses in 2010 include an increase of $22 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates at Sears Canada, as well as domestic pension plan expense of $31 million and store closing costs and severance of $6 million. Selling and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2009 were impacted by domestic pension plan expense of $42 million and store closing costs and severance of $44 million. Selling and administrative expenses declined mainly as the result of the decline in store closing and pension expenses and a $14 million reduction in insurance expense, partially offset by incremental expenses of $43 million related to our continued investment in our multi-channel capabilities and launch of our Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Our selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues (“selling and administrative expense rate”) remained flat at 24.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to 2009.

Operating Income / Loss

We reported operating income for the quarter of $5 million in fiscal 2010 and an operating loss of $58 million in fiscal 2009. The increase in our operating income was primarily the result of the reduction in expense items noted above. Holdings’ operating income for the second quarter of 2010 includes above-noted expenses of $37 million related to domestic pension plans and store closings and severance. Our operating loss for the second quarter of 2009 included above-noted expenses of $103 million related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance.

Interest and Investment Income

For the quarter, we earned $6 million in interest and investment income in fiscal 2010 and $14 million in fiscal 2009. The decrease in interest and investment income in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 is related to a pre-tax dividend of $5 million received in connection with our investment in Sears Mexico during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. We received such a dividend from Sears Mexico during the first quarter of 2010.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

Other Loss

Other loss is primarily comprised of mark-to-market and settlement losses on Sears Canada hedge transactions (see Notes 3 and 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding these transactions). Total net mark-to-market and settlement gains of $5 million were recorded on these transactions in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Total net mark-to-market and settlement losses of $33 million were recorded on these transactions in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

26-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the first half of fiscal 2010, total revenues decreased $102 million, or 0.5%, to $20.5 billion, as compared to the first half of fiscal 2009. The decline in total revenue for the first half was primarily a result of the effect of having fewer Kmart and Sears Full-line stores in operation, as well as a 0.4% decrease in domestic comparable store sales, partially offset by an increase of $290 million due to changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate.

The domestic comparable store sales decrease includes a decrease at Sears Domestic of 0.8%, partially offset by an increase at Kmart of 0.1%. Decreases in sales for the first half of 2010 at Sears Domestic were primarily driven by decreases across most major categories, partially offset by an increase in the home appliance category. The Kmart increase in comparable store sales was primarily driven by increases in apparel, including jewelry and footwear, as well as the home and toys categories, partially offset by a decline in the food and consumables category.

Gross Margin

For the first half of the year, we generated gross margin of $5.7 billion in fiscal 2010 and 2009. Current year gross margin dollars include an increase of $90 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on gross margin at Sears Canada and charges of $2 million for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the first half of fiscal 2010. Gross margin for 2009 included a $17 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings. Gross margin remained relatively flat with last year, primarily due to an increase in gross margin rate at Kmart, which offset our decline in sales. Kmart’s gross margin rate increased 130 basis points mainly due to reduced markdowns on apparel. The increase in Kmart’s gross margin rate was partially offset by a decrease in gross margin rate of 80 basis points at Sears Domestic, due primarily to reduced margins in home services, and 70 basis points at Sears Canada.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of fiscal 2010, our selling and administrative expenses decreased $42 million as compared to the first half in fiscal 2009. Selling and administrative expenses for 2010 include an increase of $71 million related to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates at Sears Canada, as well as domestic pension plan expense of $57 million and store closing costs and severance of $7 million. Selling and administrative expenses for 2009 were impacted by domestic pension plan expense of $84 million and store closing costs and severance of $61 million. Selling and administrative expenses declined mainly as the result of the decline in store closing and pension expenses, as well as a $25 million reduction in insurance expense and a $20 million reduction in payroll and benefits expense. These reductions were partially offset by incremental expenses of $79 million related to our continued investment in our multi-channel capabilities and launch of our Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Our selling and administrative expense rate remained flat at 25.2% for the first half of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first half of fiscal 2009.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

Gains on Sales of Assets

We recorded total gains on sales of assets for the first half of $53 million in fiscal 2010 and $59 million in fiscal 2009. Gains on sales of assets for the first half in each of fiscal 2010 and 2009 were impacted by the recognition of previously deferred gains on sales of assets.

We sold a Sears Auto Center in October 2006, at which time we leased back the property for a period of time. Given the terms of the contract, for accounting purposes, the excess of proceeds received over the carrying value of the associated property was deferred. We closed our operations at this location during the first quarter of 2010 and, as a result, recognized a gain of $35 million on this sale at that time.

Sears Canada sold its headquarters office building and adjacent land in Toronto, Ontario in August 2007. Sears Canada leased back the property under a leaseback agreement through March 2009, at which time it finished its relocation of all head office operations to previously underutilized space in the Toronto Eaton Centre, Ontario. Given the terms of the leaseback, for accounting purposes, the excess of proceeds received over the carrying value of the associated property was deferred. The resulting gain of $44 million was recognized when Sears Canada vacated this property in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

Operating Income / Loss

For the first half of fiscal 2010, we reported operating income of $103 million, as compared to $70 million for the first half of fiscal 2009. The increase in our operating income was primarily the result of a decrease in selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by a decline in gross margin dollars. Holdings’ operating income for the first half of 2010 includes above-noted expenses of $66 million related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance, as well as a gain on sale of assets of $35 million. Our operating income for the first half of 2009 included above-noted expenses of $162 million related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance, as well as a gain on sale of assets at Sears Canada of $44 million.

Other Loss

Other loss is primarily comprised of mark-to-market and settlement losses on Sears Canada hedge transactions (see Notes 3 and 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding these transactions). Total net mark-to-market and settlement losses of $9 million were recorded on these transactions in the first half of fiscal 2010. Total net mark-to-market and settlement losses of $51 million were recorded on these transactions in the first half of fiscal 2009.

SEGMENT OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our business segment results is organized into three reportable segments: Kmart, Sears Domestic and Sears Canada.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

Kmart

Kmart results and key statistics were as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except number of stores    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,630      $ 3,756      $ 7,213      $ 7,349   
                                

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,746        2,927        5,457        5,662   

Gross margin dollars

     884        829        1,756        1,687   

Gross margin rate

     24.4     22.1     24.3     23.0

Selling and administrative

     830        845        1,612        1,659   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     22.9     22.5     22.3     22.6

Depreciation and amortization

     36        36        72        72   

Gain on sales of assets

     (1     (1     (6     (10
                                

Total costs and expenses

     3,611        3,807        7,135        7,383   
                                

Operating income (loss)

   $ 19      $ (51   $ 78      $ (34
                                

Number of stores

         1,309        1,352   

13-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 13-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the quarter, Kmart’s total sales decreased by $126 million, while comparable store sales decreased 1.4%. The decline in revenue is mainly due to the impact of Kmart having fewer stores in operation during the second quarter of fiscal 2010. The 1.4% decrease in comparable store sales was primarily driven by the food and consumables category, partially offset by increases in apparel, including footwear, and toys.

Gross Margin

For the quarter, Kmart generated $884 million in gross margin in fiscal 2010 and $829 million in fiscal 2009. Gross margin for 2009 included a $14 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings. The increase in Kmart’s gross margin is primarily due to an increase in its gross margin rate of 230 basis points. Kmart’s gross margin rate for the quarter was 24.4% in fiscal 2010 and 22.1% in fiscal 2009 and increased primarily as a result of reduced markdowns on apparel.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, Kmart’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $15 million as compared to the second quarter in fiscal 2009. Selling and administrative expenses include store closing costs and severance of $3 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2009. The decline in selling and administrative expenses primarily reflects a reduction in store closing expenses, as well as a decline in payroll and benefits expense of $8 million, partially offset by incremental expenses of $7 million related to our continued investment in our multi-channel capabilities and launch of the Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Kmart’s selling and administrative expense rate for the quarter was 22.9% in fiscal 2010 and 22.5% in fiscal 2009, and increased in 2010 primarily as a result of Kmart’s decline in revenues.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

Operating Income / Loss

For the quarter, Kmart recorded operating income of $19 million in 2010, as compared to an operating loss of $51 million in fiscal 2009. The increase in Kmart’s operating income was primarily the result of increased gross margin dollars, driven by an increase in gross margin rate, as well as a decrease in selling and administrative expenses. Kmart’s operating income for the second quarter of 2010 includes expenses of $3 million related to store closing costs and severance. Kmart’s operating income for the second quarter of 2009 included expenses of $30 million related to store closing costs and severance.

26-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the first half of fiscal 2010, Kmart’s total sales decreased by $136 million, while comparable store sales increased 0.1%. The decline in revenue is mainly due to the impact of Kmart having fewer stores in operation during the first half of fiscal 2010. The 0.1% increase in comparable store sales partially offset the impact of having fewer stores in operation and was driven primarily by increases in apparel, including jewelry and footwear, as well as the home and toys categories, partially offset by a decline in the food and consumables category.

Gross Margin

For the first half of the year, Kmart generated $1.8 million in gross margin in fiscal 2010 and $1.7 billion in fiscal 2009. Kmart’s gross margin includes charges of $1 million for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings announced during the first half of 2010. Gross margin for 2009 includes a $14 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings. The increase in Kmart’s gross margin is primarily due to an increase in its gross margin rate of 130 basis points. Kmart’s gross margin rate for the first half of the year was 24.3% in fiscal 2010 and 23.0% in fiscal 2009 and increased primarily as a result of reduced markdowns on apparel.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of the year, Kmart’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $47 million as compared to the first half in fiscal 2009. Selling and administrative expenses were impacted by store closing costs and severance of $3 million in 2010 and $20 million in 2009. The decline in selling and administrative expenses primarily reflects a reduction in payroll and benefits expense of $25 million, as well as the decline in store closing expenses, partially offset by incremental expenses of $10 million related to our continued investment in our multi-channel capabilities and launch of the Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Kmart’s selling and administrative expense rate for the first half of the year was 22.3% in fiscal 2010 and 22.6% in fiscal 2009, and decreased primarily as a result of the above noted expense reductions.

Operating Income / Loss

For the first half of fiscal 2010, Kmart recorded operating income of $78 million, as compared to an operating loss of $34 million for the first half of fiscal 2009. The increase in Kmart’s operating income was primarily the result of increased gross margin dollars, driven by an increase in gross margin rate, as well as a decrease in selling and administrative expenses. Kmart’s operating income for the half includes expenses related to store closing costs and severance of $4 million in 2010 and $34 million in 2009.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

Sears Domestic

Sears Domestic results and key statistics were as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except number of stores    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 5,674      $ 5,701      $ 11,109      $ 11,273   
                                

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     4,084        4,082        7,873        7,907   

Gross margin dollars

     1,590        1,619        3,236        3,366   

Gross margin rate

     28.0     28.4     29.1     29.9

Selling and administrative

     1,503        1,532        3,011        3,060   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     26.5     26.9     27.1     27.1

Depreciation and amortization

     160        167        320        333   

Gain on sales of assets

     (8     (3     (47     (4
                                

Total costs and expenses

     5,739        5,778        11,157        11,296   
                                

Operating loss

   $ (65   $ (77   $ (48   $ (23
                                

Number of :

        

Full-line Stores(1)

         897        915   

Specialty Stores

         1,335        1,282   
                    

Total Domestic Sears Stores

         2,232        2,197   

 

(1)

The period ended July 31, 2010 includes 842 Full-line stores and 55 Sears Essentials/Grand stores;

     The period ended August 1, 2009 includes 852 Full-line stores and 63 Sears Essentials/Grand stores

13-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 13-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the quarter, Sears Domestic’s total sales decreased by $27 million, while comparable store sales decreased 2.8%. The decline in revenue is mainly due to a decline in comparable store sales and the impact of having fewer Sears Full-line stores in operation, partially offset by an increase related to previously deferred revenue in the first quarter from undelivered sales. The 2.8% decrease in comparable store sales was driven by decreases in the power lawn and garden, tools, and consumer electronics categories, partially offset by a slight increase in the appliance category due to increases in sales of refrigeration and seasonal air movement products. As noted in the first quarter, the Company sold a significant amount of appliances at the end of April as a result of our participation in the Cash for Appliances Program. Since the appliances were not physically delivered until the second quarter, the revenue was deferred and recognized in the second quarter.

Gross Margin

For the quarter, Sears Domestic generated $1.6 billion in gross margin dollars in 2010 and 2009. The decrease of $29 million was mainly a result of a decline in Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the second quarter of 2010. Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the second quarter was 28.0% in 2010 and 28.4% in 2009. The decline of 40 basis points is primarily due to reduced margins in home services. Gross margin for fiscal 2009 included a $3 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $29 million. Selling and administrative expenses include domestic pension plan expense of $31 million in 2010 and $42 million in 2009 and store closing costs and severance of $3 million in 2010 and $28 million in 2009. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses is mainly due to the decline in store closing and pension expenses, as well as a $14 million reduction in insurance expense, partially offset by incremental expenses of $36 million related to our continued investment in our multi-channel capabilities and launch of the Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expense rate for the quarter was 26.5% in fiscal 2010 and 26.9% in fiscal 2009, and decreased primarily due to the above noted expense reductions.

Operating Loss

For the quarter, Sears Domestic reported an operating loss of $65 million in fiscal 2010 and $77 million in fiscal 2009. Sears Domestic’s operating loss for the second quarter includes expenses related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance of $34 million in 2010 and $73 million in 2009.

26-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic’s total sales decreased by $164 million to $11.1 billion, while comparable store sales decreased 0.8%. The decline in revenue is mainly due to the decrease in comparable store sales, as well as the impact of having fewer Sears Full-line stores in operation. The 0.8% decrease in comparable store sales was driven by decreases across most major categories, partially offset by an increase in the home appliance category.

Gross Margin

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic generated $3.2 billion in gross margin dollars in 2010 and $3.4 billion in 2009. The decrease of $130 million includes charges of $1 million taken to markdown inventory in connection with store closings and was mainly a result of a decline in Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the first half of 2010. Gross margin for the first half of fiscal 2009 includes a $3 million charge for markdowns recorded in connection with store closings. Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate during the first half of the year was 29.1% in 2010 and 29.9% in 2009. The decline of 80 basis points is primarily due to reduced margins in home services.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expenses decreased $49 million. Selling and administrative expenses include domestic pension plan expense of $57 million in 2010 and $84 million in 2009 and store closing costs and severance of $4 million in 2010 and $33 million in 2009. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses includes the decline in store closing and pension expenses, as well as a $25 million reduction in insurance expense, partially offset by incremental expenses of $69 million related to our continued investment in our multi-channel capabilities and launch of the Shop Your Way Rewards program.

Sears Domestic’s selling and administrative expense rate for the first half of the year remained flat at 27.1% in fiscal 2010 as compared to 2009.

 

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Gains on Sales of Assets

Sears Domestic recorded total gains on sales of assets for the first half of the year of $47 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2009. The increase in gains on sales of assets in fiscal 2010 is due to the recognition of a previously deferred gain from the October 2006 sale of one of our Sears Auto Centers. At the time of the sale, we leased back the property for a period of time. Given the terms of the contract, for accounting purposes, the excess of proceeds received over the carrying value of the associated property was deferred. We closed our operations at this location during the first quarter of 2010 and, as a result, recognized a gain of $35 million on this sale at that time.

Operating Loss

For the first half of the year, Sears Domestic reported an operating loss of $48 million in fiscal 2010 and $23 million in fiscal 2009. The increase in Sears Domestic’s operating loss was primarily the result of a decline in sales and gross margin rate, partially offset by reductions in selling and administrative expenses and an increase in gains on sales of assets. Sears Domestic’s operating loss for the first half includes expenses related to domestic pension plans and store closing costs and severance of $62 million in 2010 and $120 million in 2009.

Sears Canada

Sears Canada, a consolidated, 90%-owned subsidiary of Sears, conducts similar retail operations as Sears Domestic. Sears Canada results and key statistics were as follows:

 

      13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except number of stores    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
    July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 1,154      $ 1,094      $ 2,182      $ 1,984   
                                

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     805        747        1,521        1,369   

Gross margin dollars

     349        347        661        615   

Gross margin rate

     30.2     31.7     30.3     31.0

Selling and administrative

     273        253        538        484   

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     23.7     23.1     24.7     24.4

Depreciation and amortization

     25        25        50        49   

Gain on sales of assets

     —          (1     —          (45
                                

Total costs and expenses

     1,103        1,024        2,109        1,857   
                                

Operating income

   $ 51      $ 70      $ 73      $ 127   
                                

Number of :

        

Full-line Stores

         122        122   

Specialty Stores

         316        267   
                    

Total Sears Canada Stores

         438        389   

13-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 13-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues

Sears Canada’s total revenues increased 5.5% for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, as compared to the same period last year. The increase in total revenues of $60 million includes a $96 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during the quarter. On a Canadian dollar basis, revenues decreased by $36 million, reflecting

 

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lower comparable store sales in the appliances and apparel categories, partially offset by an increase in the home category. We believe the decline in comparable store sales is mainly the result of a continued tightening in consumer discretionary spending resulting from falling consumer confidence levels, as well as increased cross-border shopping due to the effect of a strong Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar.

Gross Margin

Total gross margin dollars for the second quarter increased $2 million in 2010 and includes a $31 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during the quarter. Gross margin decreased $29 million on a Canadian dollar basis as a result of a decline in gross margin rate. For the quarter, Sears Canada’s gross margin rate decreased 150 basis points to 30.2%, from 31.7% in 2009, primarily as a result of an increase in clearance markdowns.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the second quarter of fiscal 2010, Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expenses increased $20 million, and include an increase of $22 million due to the impact of exchange rates. On a Canadian dollar basis, selling and administrative expenses decreased by $2 million primarily due to a reduction in payroll and benefits expense, partially offset by an increase in advertising expenditures. Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expense rate for the quarter was 23.7% in 2010 and 23.1% in 2009, and increased primarily as a result of lower expense leverage given lower overall sales on a Canadian dollar basis.

Operating Income

Sears Canada’s operating income decreased $19 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. The decrease in operating income includes a $7 million benefit due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and primarily reflects the above noted declines, on a Canadian dollar basis, in sales and gross margin, partially offset by a decrease in selling and administrative expenses.

26-week period ended July 31, 2010 compared to the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009

Total Revenues

Sears Canada’s total revenues increased 10.0% for the first half of fiscal 2010, as compared to the same period last year. The increase in total revenues of $198 million includes a $290 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during the first half of fiscal 2010. On a Canadian dollar basis, revenues decreased by $92 million, reflecting lower comparable stores sales in the appliances and apparel categories. We believe the decline in comparable store sales is mainly the result of a continued tightening in consumer discretionary spending resulting from falling consumer confidence levels, as well as increased cross-border shopping due to the effect of a strong Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar.

Gross Margin

Total gross margin dollars for the first half of fiscal 2010 increased $46 million and include a $90 million increase due to the impact of exchange rates during this period. Gross margin decreased $44 million on a Canadian dollar basis as a result of a decline in gross margin rate. For the first half of fiscal 2010, Sears Canada’s gross margin rate decreased 70 basis points to 30.3%, from 31.0% in 2009, primarily as a result of an increase in clearance markdowns.

 

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Selling and Administrative Expenses

For the first half of fiscal 2010, Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expenses increased $54 million, and include an increase of $71 million due to the impact of exchange rates. On a Canadian dollar basis, selling and administrative expenses decreased by $17 million primarily due to a reduction in payroll and benefits expense, partially offset by an increase in advertising expenditures. Selling and administrative expenses for the first half of 2009 included severance expense of $8 million. Sears Canada’s selling and administrative expense rate for the first half of the year was 24.7% in 2010 and 24.4% in 2009, and increased primarily as a result of lower expense leverage given lower overall sales on a Canadian dollar basis.

Gains on Sales of Assets

Sears Canada recorded total gains on sales of assets for the first half of fiscal 2009 of $45 million. Sears Canada did not record any gains on sales of assets in the first half of fiscal 2010. Sears Canada recorded gains on sales of assets in the first half of fiscal 2009 due to the recognition of a previously deferred gain from the sale of its headquarters office building, and adjacent land, in Toronto, Ontario in August 2007. Sears Canada leased back the property under a leaseback agreement through March 2009, at which time it finished its relocation of all head office operations to previously underutilized space in the Toronto Eaton Centre, Ontario. Given the terms of the leaseback, for accounting purposes, the excess of proceeds received over the carrying value of the associated property was deferred. The resulting gain of $44 million was recognized when Sears Canada vacated this property in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

Operating Income

Sears Canada’s operating income decreased $54 million in the first half of fiscal 2010. The decrease in operating income includes a $21 million increase due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and primarily reflects the above noted declines, on a Canadian dollar basis, in sales, gross margin and gains on sales of assets, partially offset by a decrease in selling and administrative expenses.

ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash Balances

Our cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Our cash balances as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010 are detailed in the following table.

 

millions    July 31,
2010
   August 1,
2009
   January  30,
2010

Domestic

        

Cash and equivalents

   $ 305    $ 276    $ 221

Cash posted as collateral

     10      12      9

Credit card deposits in transit

     187      180      168
                    

Total domestic cash and cash equivalents

     502      468      398

Sears Canada

     691      721      1,291
                    

Total cash and cash equivalents

     1,193      1,189      1,689

Restricted cash

     6      103      11
                    

Total cash balances

   $ 1,199    $ 1,292    $ 1,700
                    

 

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We had total cash balances of $1.2 billion at July 31, 2010, $1.3 billion at August 1, 2009 and $1.7 billion at January 30, 2010. Primary uses of cash during the first half of fiscal 2010 include $560 million for the purchase of additional interest in Sears Canada, $273 million for share repurchases, repayments of long-term debt of $228 million, capital expenditures of $168 million, and contributions to our pension and post-retirement benefit plans of $122 million. These uses of cash were funded in part by an increase in short-term borrowings of $893 million.

At various times, we have posted cash collateral for certain outstanding letters of credit and self-insurance programs. Such cash collateral is classified within cash and cash equivalents given we have the ability to substitute letters of credit at any time for this cash collateral and it is therefore readily available to us.

Credit card deposits in transit include deposits in-transit from banks for payments related to third-party credit card and debit card transactions.

Restricted cash consists of certain Sears Canada cash accounts, which have been pledged as collateral for letters of credit obligations issued under its offshore merchandise purchasing program and with counterparties related to outstanding derivative contracts, as well as funds held in trust in accordance with regulatory requirements governing advance ticket sales related to Sears Canada’s travel business.

Our August 1, 2009 cash balances exclude $16 million on deposit with The Reserve Primary Fund, a money market fund that temporarily restricted withdrawals while it liquidated its holdings to generate cash to distribute. As a result, we reclassified this amount from cash to the prepaid expenses and other current assets line within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 1, 2009.

We classify outstanding checks within other current liabilities and reduce cash and cash equivalents when these checks clear the bank on which they were drawn. Outstanding checks were $91 million, $203 million and $116 million as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010, respectively.

Operating Activities

During the first half of fiscal 2010, Holdings used $190 million of cash in its operations compared to $72 million used in first half of fiscal 2009. Our primary source of operating cash flows is the sale of goods and services to customers, while the primary use of cash in operations is the purchase of merchandise inventories. We used more cash in operations in the first half of fiscal 2010 than the first half last year mainly as a result of increased working capital requirements, partially offset by a reduction in our net loss.

Merchandise inventories were $9.4 billion at July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009. Merchandise payables were $3.7 billion at July 31, 2010 and $3.4 billion as of August 1, 2009. Domestic inventories were $8.6 billion at July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009. Inventory levels at Sears Canada increased $13 million as a result of changes in the Canadian foreign exchange rate. On a Canadian dollar basis, inventory at Sears Canada declined by $26 million.

We use a combination of third-party insurance and self-insurance for our insurable risks. In the second quarter of 2009, we paid $70 million to purchase insurance coverage for certain of our workers’ compensation risks from fiscal 2006 and years prior. The insurance allowed us to limit our risk for these workers’ compensation matters, although we are not indemnified from liability for these matters. Accordingly, the payment was recorded as a deposit. This transaction also allowed us to reduce the amount of letters of credit used as collateral for our insurance programs by $115 million. The premium payment associated with this transaction is reported as cash used in operating activities.

 

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Investing Activities

For the first half of fiscal 2010, we used $168 million of cash for capital expenditures compared to $122 million used during the first half of fiscal 2009. In the first half of 2009, we received $61 million of cash from investments, which reflects cash received from The Reserve Primary Fund of $22 million, as well as changes in restricted cash requirements at Sears Canada.

Financing Activities

During the 26-week period ended July 31, 2010, we repurchased 3.6 million of our common shares at a total cost of $273 million under our share repurchase program. As of July 31, 2010, we had $309 million of remaining authorization under our common share repurchase program. The share repurchase program, authorized by our Board of Directors, has no stated expiration date and share repurchases may be implemented using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, the purchase of call options, the sale of put options or otherwise, or by any combination of such methods. During the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009, we repurchased 2.7 million of our common shares at a total cost of $134 million under our share repurchase program.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we increased our controlling interest in Sears Canada to 90%, from 73%, by acquiring approximately 19 million common shares. We paid a total of $560 million for the additional shares and accounted for the acquisition of additional interest in Sears Canada as an equity transaction in accordance with accounting standards on noncontrolling interests.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Sears Canada announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $3.50 Canadian per common share, or approximately $377 million Canadian. The dividend was paid during the second quarter of 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2010. Accordingly, Sears Canada paid $34 million to minority shareholders during the second quarter of 2010 in connection with the dividend.

During the first half of fiscal 2010, we made repayments on long-term debt of $228 million. We borrowed $703 million under our Amended Credit Agreement during the first half of 2010 to meet seasonal working capital needs while, at the same time, continuing to invest in our businesses, repurchase our stock, make payments on our term debt and complete our acquisition of additional noncontrolling interest in Sears Canada. As a result, we had $822 million in secured line of credit borrowings outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement at July 31, 2010. The entire $822 million in Amended Credit Agreement borrowings have been classified within short-term borrowings on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2010, as we expect to repay the entire amount within the next twelve months.

Total short-term borrowings at July 31, 2010 of $1.2 billion were $203 million higher than our level of borrowings at August 1, 2009. While we increased our total amount of short-term borrowings in the second quarter of 2010, we also altered the mix of our funding to include more borrowings in the commercial paper market, increasing our borrowings from this source to $396 million. The increased level of funding from commercial paper reduced our total borrowing costs and contributed to lower usage of our revolving credit facility during the second quarter of 2010.

 

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Our outstanding borrowings as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010 were as follows:

 

millions    July 31,
2010
   August 1,
2009
   January 30,
2010

Short-term borrowings:

        

Unsecured commercial paper

   $ 396    $ 20    $ 206

Secured borrowings

     822      995      119

Long-term debt, including current portion:

        

Notes and debentures outstanding

     1,352      1,560      1,545

Capitalized lease obligations

     616      664      635
                    

Total borrowings

   $ 3,186    $ 3,239    $ 2,505
                    

Liquidity

Our primary need for liquidity is to fund seasonal working capital requirements of our retail businesses, capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. We believe that these needs will be adequately funded by our operating cash flows, credit terms from vendors, current balances in cash and cash equivalents and borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. While we expect to use these facilities as our primary funding source, we may also access the public debt markets on an opportunistic basis. Additionally, we may from time to time consider selective strategic transactions to create value and improve performance, which may include acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, joint ventures and partnerships. Transactions of these types may result in material proceeds or cash outlays. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 for additional information regarding our sources of liquidity.

Debt Ratings

The ratings of our domestic debt securities as of July 31, 2010 appear in the table below:

 

     Moody’s
Investors Service
   Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services
   Fitch Ratings

Unsecured long-term debt

   Ba3    BB-    BB

Unsecured commercial paper

   NP    B-2    B

Credit Agreement

During the second quarter of 2009, we extended the maturity date of our credit agreement (“Original Credit Agreement”) by entering into an amended credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) which has an expiration date of June 22, 2012. The Amended Credit Agreement is an asset based revolving credit facility under which SRAC and Kmart Corporation are the borrowers.

The Amended Credit Agreement provided for a bifurcation of the then existing $4.1 billion credit facility into a $2.4 billion tranche with a maturity date of June 22, 2012, bearing an interest rate of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 4.00%, with a LIBOR floor of 1.75%, and a $1.7 billion tranche which matured on March 24, 2010, bearing an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.875%. The bifurcation into the Extended Tranche provides Holdings and its subsidiaries more than adequate liquidity for standby letters of credit and working capital needs. The Amended Credit Agreement also gives us the flexibility, subject to certain terms and conditions, to increase the size of the credit facility or add a term loan tranche to the Amended Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion. It imposes various requirements, including a requirement that, if availability under the credit facility is beneath a certain threshold, the fixed charge ratio as of the last day of any

 

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fiscal quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0, a cash dominion requirement if excess availability on the revolver falls below designated levels, and limitations on our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends and share repurchases. In connection with the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company agreed to limit the amount of cash accumulated when borrowings are outstanding under the credit facility. The Amended Credit Agreement has a $1.5 billion letter of credit sub-limit, is secured by a first lien on most of our domestic inventory and credit card and pharmacy receivables, and determines availability pursuant to a borrowing base formula.

At July 31, 2010, we had $822 million of borrowings and $638 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. Our availability under the agreement, given total outstanding borrowings and letters of credit of $1.5 billion, was $981 million at July 31, 2010. The majority of the letters of credit outstanding are used to provide collateral for our insurance programs.

Orchard Supply Hardware LLC (“OSH LLC”) Credit Agreement

In November 2005, OSH LLC entered into a five-year, $130 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “OSH LLC Facility”), which includes a $25 million letter of credit sublimit. The OSH LLC Facility was amended and extended in January 2010 and, as a result, available capacity was bifurcated into a $100 million tranche maturing December 2013 and a $20 million tranche maturing December 2011. The OSH LLC Facility continues to have a $25 million letter of credit sublimit. The OSH LLC Facility is available for OSH LLC’s general corporate purposes and is secured by a first lien on substantially all of OSH LLC’s non-real estate assets. Availability under the OSH LLC Facility is determined pursuant to a borrowing base formula based on inventory and account and credit card receivables, subject to certain limitations. As of July 31, 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding under the OSH LLC Facility and $9 million in outstanding letters of credit.

Domestic Pension Plan Funding

In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, we disclosed that we expected our contributions to our domestic pension plans to increase to approximately $275 million in 2010 and then to $535 million in 2011, due primarily to the severe decline in capital markets that occurred in the latter part of 2008 and U.S. government legislation regarding pension-funding requirements. During the second quarter of 2010, the U.S. government passed legislation which provided relief for pension funding requirements. As a result, we now expect our contributions to our domestic pension plans will be approximately $340 million in 2011, though the ultimate amount of pension contributions could be affected by further changes in the applicable regulations, financial markets and investment performance of the plans.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” Note 13 – “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other public announcements by us contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements preceded or followed by, or that otherwise include, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,”

 

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“forecast,” “is likely to” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Holdings’ management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: our ability to offer merchandise and services that our customers want, including our proprietary brand products; our ability to successfully implement initiatives to improve inventory management and other capabilities; competitive conditions in the retail and related services industries; worldwide economic conditions and business uncertainty, the availability of consumer and commercial credit, changes in consumer confidence, tastes, preferences and spending, and changes in vendor relationship; the impact of seasonal buying patterns, including seasonal fluctuations due to weather conditions, which are difficult to forecast with certainty; our dependence on sources outside the United States for significant amounts of our merchandise; our extensive reliance on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business; our reliance on third parties to provide us with services in connection with the administration of certain aspects of our business; impairment charges for goodwill and intangible assets or fixed-asset impairment for long-lived assets; our ability to attract, motivate and retain key executives and other associates; the outcome of pending and/or future legal proceedings, including product liability claims and proceedings with respect to which the parties have reached a preliminary settlement; and the timing and amount of required pension plan funding.

Certain of these and other factors are discussed in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sears Holdings Corporation for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, which may be accessed through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

While we believe that our forecasts and assumptions are reasonable, we caution that actual results may differ materially. We intend the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time made and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We face market risk exposure in the form of interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. These market risks arise from our derivative financial instruments and debt obligations.

Interest Rate Risk

We manage interest rate risk through the use of fixed and variable-rate funding and interest rate derivatives. As of July 31, 2010, we had interest rate derivatives with a notional amount of $120 million, nominal fair value and a weighted average remaining life of 0.4 years. All debt securities and interest-rate derivative instruments are considered non-trading. As of July 31, 2010, 48% of our debt portfolio was variable rate. Based on the size of this variable rate debt portfolio at July 31, 2010, which totaled approximately $1.5 billion, an immediate 100 basis point change in interest rates would have affected annual pretax funding costs by $15 million. These estimates do not take into account the effect on income resulting from invested cash or the returns on assets being funded. These estimates also assume that the variable rate funding portfolio remains constant for an annual period and that the interest rate change occurs at the beginning of the period.

Foreign Currency Risk

As of July 31, 2010, we had a series of foreign currency forward contracts outstanding, totaling $729 million Canadian notional value and with a weighted average remaining life of 0.4 years, designed to hedge our net investment in Sears Canada against adverse changes in exchange rates. The aggregate fair value of the forward

 

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contracts as of July 31, 2010 was a loss of $7 million. A hypothetical 1% adverse movement in the level of the Canadian exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar as of July 31, 2010, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a loss in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts of approximately $7 million as of July 31, 2010. Certain of our currency forward contracts require collateral be posted in the event our liability under such contracts reaches a predetermined threshold. Cash collateral posted under these contracts is recorded as part of our accounts receivable balance. We had $2 million of cash collateral posted under these contracts as of July 31, 2010.

Sears Canada mitigates the risk of currency fluctuations on offshore merchandise purchases denominated in U.S. currency by purchasing U.S. dollar denominated option contracts for a portion of its expected requirements. As of July 31, 2010, these contracts had a notional value of approximately $429 million and a weighted average remaining life of 0.5 years. We recorded an asset for the aggregate fair value of the option contracts as of July 31, 2010 of $3 million. A hypothetical 1% adverse movement in the level of the Canadian exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar as of July 31, 2010, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a liability for the aggregate fair value of these contracts of approximately $1 million as of July 31, 2010, a decrease of $4 million.

Counterparties

We actively manage the risk of nonpayment by our derivative counterparties by limiting our exposure to individual counterparties based on credit ratings, value at risk and maturities. The counterparties to these instruments are major financial institutions with credit ratings of single-A or better. In certain cases, counterparty risk is also managed through the use of collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officers, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officers concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In addition, based on that evaluation, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting have occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” Note 12 – “Legal Proceedings,” for information regarding legal proceedings, which information is incorporated herein by this reference.

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

The following table provides information about shares of common stock we acquired during the second quarter of fiscal 2010. During the 13 weeks ended July 31, 2010, we repurchased 3.6 million of our common shares at a total cost of $272 million under our common share repurchase program. As of July 31, 2010, we had $309 million of remaining authorization under the program.

 

     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program(2)
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
for
Publicly
Announced
Program
   Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May

Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program

May 2, 2010 to May 29, 2010

   705,893    $ 87.30    705,893    $ 87.30   

May 30, 2010 to July 3, 2010

   2,543,167      74.23    2,541,288      74.23   

July 4, 2010 to July 31, 2010

   975,948      21.89    345,962      61.42   
                              

Total

   4,225,008    $ 64.32    3,593,143    $ 75.57    $ 309,000,000
                              

 

(1)

Includes 3,352 shares acquired from associates to meet withholding tax requirements from the vesting of restricted stock. In addition, we received and recorded as treasury stock 628,513 unclaimed shares, which had been previously issued to satisfy the pre-petition claims of unsecured Class 5 creditors (see Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information). These shares were acquired during the quarter as follows:

 

May 2, 2010 to May 29, 2010

   —  

May 30, 2010 to July 3, 2010

   1,879

July 4, 2010 to July 31, 2010

   629,986
    

Total

   631,865

 

( 2)

Our common share repurchase program was initially announced on September 14, 2005 with a total authorization by our Board of Directors of up to $500 million. Subsequently, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $500 million of common stock on each of October 14, 2005, April 5, 2006 and September 12, 2006, $1.0 billion of common stock on July 10, 2007, $1.5 billion of common stock on August 13, 2007, and $500 million of common stock on each of May 29, 2008, December 2, 2008 and December 17, 2009 for a total authorization since inception of the program of $6.0 billion. The program has no stated expiration date.

Our Amended Credit Agreement imposes various requirements, including a requirement that, if availability under the credit facility is beneath a certain threshold, the fixed charge ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter be not less than 1.0 to 1.0, a cash dominion requirement if excess availability on the revolver falls below designated levels, and limitations on our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends and share repurchases. In connection with the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company agreed to limit the amount of cash accumulated when borrowings are outstanding under the credit facility.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits.

An Exhibit Index has been filed as part of this Report on Page E-1.

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

SIGNATURE

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

 

   

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Registrant)

August 20, 2010     By   /S/    WILLIAM K. PHELAN        
     

William K. Phelan

Senior Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer and duly

authorized officer of Registrant)

 

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

        3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 24, 2005, filed on March 24, 2005 (File No. 000-51217)).
        3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 2, 2009, filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 000-51217)).
    *31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    *31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    *32   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
**101   The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2010, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the 13 and 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of July 31, 2010, August 1, 2009 and January 30, 2010; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) for the 26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), tagged as blocks of text.

 

* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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