UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

 

x

 

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

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended November 29, 2008

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

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

 

 

 

For the transition period from          to          

 

Commission File Number: 1-9595

 

 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

 

41-0907483

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

7601 Penn Avenue South

 

 

Richfield, Minnesota

 

55423

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(612) 291-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, 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 o

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

 

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

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  o  No  o

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, $.10 Par Value — 413,429,000 shares outstanding as of November 29, 2008.

 

 

 



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 2008

 

INDEX

 

Part I — Financial Information

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a)

Condensed consolidated balance sheets as of November 29, 2008; March 1, 2008; and December 1, 2007

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b)

Consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c)

Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended November 29, 2008

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d)

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e)

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

48

 

 

 

 

 

Part II — Other Information

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

49

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

50

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

51

 

2



 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.               CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

569

 

$

1,438

 

$

1,319

 

Short-term investments

 

25

 

64

 

295

 

Receivables

 

2,638

 

549

 

739

 

Merchandise inventories

 

8,207

 

4,708

 

7,451

 

Other current assets

 

879

 

583

 

673

 

Total current assets

 

12,318

 

7,342

 

10,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

7,513

 

5,608

 

5,498

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

3,245

 

2,302

 

2,238

 

Net property and equipment

 

4,268

 

3,306

 

3,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOODWILL

 

2,414

 

1,088

 

1,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRADENAMES

 

182

 

97

 

96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

 

435

 

605

 

230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

1,030

 

320

 

325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

20,647

 

$

12,758

 

$

15,474

 

 

NOTE:  The consolidated balance sheet as of March 1, 2008, has been condensed from the audited consolidated financial statements.

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

8,219

 

$

4,297

 

$

7,597

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

468

 

531

 

471

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

410

 

373

 

339

 

Accrued liabilities

 

1,749

 

975

 

1,337

 

Accrued income taxes

 

148

 

404

 

146

 

Short-term debt

 

2,153

 

156

 

326

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

48

 

33

 

20

 

Total current liabilities

 

13,195

 

6,769

 

10,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

1,093

 

838

 

811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

1,125

 

627

 

642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

674

 

40

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized — 400,000 shares; Issued and outstanding — none

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized — 1.0 billion shares; Issued and outstanding — 413,429,000, 410,578,000 and 419,484,000 shares, respectively

 

41

 

41

 

42

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

172

 

8

 

74

 

Prepaid stock repurchase

 

 

 

(200

)

Retained earnings

 

4,202

 

3,933

 

3,320

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

145

 

502

 

510

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

4,560

 

4,484

 

3,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

20,647

 

$

12,758

 

$

15,474

 

 

NOTE:  The consolidated balance sheet as of March 1, 2008, has been condensed from the audited consolidated financial statements.

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Revenue

 

$

11,500

 

$

9,928

 

$

30,291

 

$

26,605

 

Cost of goods sold

 

8,639

 

7,591

 

22,916

 

20,237

 

Gross profit

 

2,861

 

2,337

 

7,375

 

6,368

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,587

 

1,986

 

6,485

 

5,350

 

Operating income

 

274

 

351

 

890

 

1,018

 

Other (expense) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

(3

)

32

 

27

 

98

 

Investment impairment

 

(111

)

 

(111

)

 

Interest expense

 

(35

)

(23

)

(69

)

(53

)

Earnings before income tax expense, minority interests and equity in income (loss) of affiliates

 

125

 

360

 

737

 

1,063

 

Income tax expense

 

68

 

129

 

296

 

386

 

Minority interests

 

(11

)

(1

)

(13

)

(4

)

Equity in income (loss) of affiliates

 

6

 

(2

)

5

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

52

 

$

228

 

$

433

 

$

670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.55

 

$

1.05

 

$

1.50

 

Diluted

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

412.9

 

418.7

 

412.1

 

447.2

 

Diluted

 

422.6

 

430.8

 

422.7

 

459.5

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 2008

 

($ and shares in millions)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Common
Shares

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Total

 

Balances at March 1, 2008

 

411

 

$

41

 

$

8

 

$

3,933

 

$

502

 

$

4,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings, nine months ended November 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

433

 

 

433

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

(383

)

(383

)

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities (net of tax of $3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

(4

)

Reclassification adjustment for impairment loss on available-for-sale security included in net earnings (net of tax of $6)

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

30

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

82

 

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

 

1

 

 

48

 

 

 

48

 

Stock options exercised

 

1

 

 

30

 

 

 

30

 

Tax benefit from stock options exercised and employee stock purchase plan

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Common stock dividends, $0.40 per share

 

 

 

 

(164

)

 

(164

)

Balances at November 29, 2008

 

413

 

$

41

 

$

172

 

$

4,202

 

$

145

 

$

4,560

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

($ in millions)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

433

 

$

670

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to total cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

520

 

419

 

Investment impairment charge

 

111

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

82

 

84

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(66

)

2

 

Amortization of long-lived assets

 

42

 

1

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(5

)

(17

)

Other, net

 

16

 

(3

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(1,032

)

(177

)

Merchandise inventories

 

(3,210

)

(3,295

)

Other assets

 

(117

)

11

 

Accounts payable

 

3,285

 

3,498

 

Other liabilities

 

152

 

176

 

Accrued income taxes

 

(291

)

(123

)

Total cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(80

)

1,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment, net of $160 and $89 non-cash capital expenditures in the nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007

 

(927

)

(584

)

Purchases of investments

 

(95

)

(5,147

)

Sales of investments

 

255

 

7,734

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(2,167

)

(89

)

Change in restricted assets

 

(17

)

(13

)

Other, net

 

(18

)

2

 

Total cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(2,969

)

1,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of debt

 

4,314

 

4,288

 

Repayments of debt

 

(2,082

)

(3,986

)

Dividends paid

 

(165

)

(148

)

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan and for the exercise of stock options

 

78

 

110

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

5

 

17

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(3,461

)

Other, net

 

(9

)

41

 

Total cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

2,141

 

(3,139

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

 

39

 

104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(869

)

114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

1,438

 

1,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

569

 

$

1,319

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

1.                         Basis of Presentation

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the use of the terms “Best Buy,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements refers to Best Buy Co., Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation as prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. All adjustments were comprised of normal recurring adjustments, except as noted in these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Historically, we have realized more of our revenue and earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter, which includes the majority of the holiday shopping season in the U.S. and Canada, than in any other fiscal quarter. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. The interim financial statements and the related notes in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008.

 

We consolidate the financial results of our China and Europe operations on a two-month lag.  In addition, we plan to reflect our Mexico and Turkey businesses on a two-month lag.  There was no significant intervening event that would have materially affected our consolidated financial statements had it been recorded during the three months ended November 29, 2008.

 

Reclassifications

 

To maintain consistency and comparability, we reclassified certain prior-year amounts to conform to the current-year presentation as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008. To conform our consolidated statement of cash flows to the current-year presentation, we reclassified to purchases of investments, $385, and to sales of investments, $407, for the nine months ended December 1, 2007, which were previously reported in change in restricted assets within cash provided by investing activities.

 

These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported consolidated operating income, net earnings, cash flows from investing activities or shareholders’ equity.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement). FSP APB 14-1 clarifies that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon either mandatory or optional conversion (including partial cash settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt issued with Stock Purchase Warrants. Additionally, FSP APB 14-1 specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not believe our adoption of FSP APB 14-1 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 will have an impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This standard is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that

 

8



 

are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for non-governmental entities. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We do not expect SFAS No. 162 to have a material impact on the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand the effect these instruments and activities have on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 161 beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations (“141R”). SFAS No. 141R significantly changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, preacquisition contingencies, transaction costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS No. 141R, changes in an acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 141R beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, which will change our accounting treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS No. 160 changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method significantly changes the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 160 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Companies are not allowed to adopt SFAS No. 159 on a retrospective basis unless they choose early adoption. We adopted SFAS No. 159 on March 2, 2008, and did not elect the fair value option for eligible items that existed at the date of adoption.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of information used in fair value measurements, and requires new disclosures of assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on their level in the hierarchy. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSPs No. 157-1 and No. 157-2, which, respectively, removed leasing transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157 and deferred for one year the effective date for SFAS No. 157 as it applies to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities. On March 2, 2008, we adopted, on a prospective basis, the SFAS No. 157 definition of fair value and became subject to the new disclosure requirements (excluding FSP 157-2) with respect to our fair value measurements of (a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in our financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial assets and liabilities.  Our adoption did not impact our consolidated financial position or results of operations.  The additional disclosures required by SFAS No. 157 are included in Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.

 

The deferral provided by FSP No. 157-2 applies to such items as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) and nonfinancial long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment.  We are evaluating the impact FSP No. 157-2

 

9



 

will have on our nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, which are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

 

2.                        Acquisitions

 

Napster

 

On September 14, 2008, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Napster, Inc. (“Napster”).  The transaction was consummated on October 25, 2008.  The effective acquisition date for accounting purposes was the close of business October 31, 2008, the end of Napster’s October month-end. We acquired Napster for $120 (or $99 net of cash acquired), pursuant to a cash tender offer whereby all issued and outstanding shares of Napster common stock, and all stock purchase rights associated with such shares, were acquired by us at a price of $2.65 per share. Of the $120 purchase price, $4 represented our ownership interest in Napster common shares prior to the date of the Merger Agreement.

 

We entered into this transaction as we believe Napster has one of the most comprehensive and easy-to-use digital music offerings in the industry.  The amount we paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired was to obtain Napster’s capabilities and digital subscriber base to reach new customers with an enhanced experience for exploring and selecting music and other digital entertainment products over an increasing array of devices, such as bundling the sale of hardware with digital services.  We believe the combined capabilities of our two companies will allow us to build stronger relationships with customers and expand the number of subscribers.

 

We have consolidated Napster in our financial results as part of our Domestic segment from the date of acquisition. We accounted for the acquisition pursuant to SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, using the purchase method. Accordingly, we recorded the net assets acquired at their estimated fair values and allocated the purchase price on a preliminary basis using information currently available.  The allocation of the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities will be finalized no later than the third quarter of fiscal 2010, as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations, liabilities assumed and revisions of preliminary estimates of fair values made at the date of acquisition.  None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

 

The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

21

 

Short term investments

 

28

 

Receivables

 

3

 

Other current assets

 

2

 

Property and equipment

 

9

 

Goodwill

 

43

 

Tradenames

 

13

 

Customer relationships

 

3

 

Equity and other investments

 

3

 

Other assets

 

37

 

Total assets

 

162

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

(3

)

Other current liabilities

 

(39

)

Total liabilities

 

(42

)

 

 

 

 

Purchase price allocated to assets and liabilities acquired

 

$

120

 

 

Best Buy Europe

 

On May 7, 2008, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC (“CPW”). All conditions to closing were satisfied, and the transaction was consummated on June 30, 2008.  The effective acquisition date for accounting purposes was the close of business on June 28, 2008, the end of CPW’s fiscal first quarter.  Under the terms of the SPA, CPW contributed certain assets and liabilities into a newly-formed company registered in England and Wales, Best Buy Europe Distributions Limited, formerly Best Buy International Limited (“Best Buy Europe”), in exchange for all of the ordinary shares of Best Buy Europe, and our wholly-owned subsidiary,

 

10



 

Best Buy Distributions Limited, purchased 50% of such ordinary shares of Best Buy Europe from CPW for an aggregate purchase price of $2,167.  In addition to the purchase price paid to CPW, we incurred $29 of transactions costs for an aggregate purchase price of $2,196.  We funded the payment of the purchase price and related transactions costs with cash-on-hand, through additional borrowings available under our existing credit facilities and with proceeds from a $500 note offering sold on June 24, 2008, in a private placement.

 

The assets and liabilities contributed to Best Buy Europe by CPW included CPW’s retail and distribution business, consisting of retail stores, related mobile airtime reselling operations and device insurance operations; its fixed line telecommunications businesses in Spain and Switzerland; its facilities management business, under which it bills and manages the customers of network operators in the U.K.; its dealer business, under which it acts as a wholesale distributor of handsets and airtime vouchers; and its economic interests in existing commercial arrangements with Best Buy (Best Buy Mobile in the U.S. and the Geek Squad joint venture in the U.K. and Spain).

 

The amount we paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired was primarily for (i) the expected future cash flows derived from the existing business and infrastructure contributed to Best Buy Europe by CPW, which included over 2,400 retail stores, (ii) immediate access to the European market with a management team that is experienced in both retailing and wireless service technologies in this marketplace, and (iii) the expected synergies our management believes this new venture will generate, which include benefits from joint purchasing, sourcing and merchandising.  In addition, Best Buy and CPW plan to introduce new product and service offerings in the retail stores contributed to Best Buy Europe by CPW and launch large-format Best Buy-branded stores and Web sites in the European market beginning in fiscal 2010.

 

We have consolidated Best Buy Europe in our financial results as part of our International segment from the date of acquisition. We consolidate the financial results of Best Buy Europe on a two-month lag to align with CPW’s quarterly reporting periods. We intend to disclose any significant intervening events related to Best Buy Europe that occur in our fiscal quarters and materially affect our consolidated financial statements.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the U.S. dollar strengthened relative to the British pound, which is the functional currency of Best Buy Europe.  The balance sheet of Best Buy Europe included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at November 29, 2008, was translated using the exchange rate in effect two months prior to November 29, 2008.  If the balance sheet had been translated using the exchange rate in effect at November 29, 2008, the impact would have been to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $766 and $327, respectively.

 

We accounted for the acquisition pursuant to SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, using the purchase method. Accordingly, we recorded the net assets acquired at their estimated fair values and allocated the purchase price on a preliminary basis using information currently available.  The allocation of the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities will be finalized no later than the second quarter of fiscal 2010, as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations, liabilities assumed and revisions of preliminary estimates of fair values made at the date of purchase.  None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

 

The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

125

 

Restricted cash

 

112

 

Receivables

 

1,186

 

Merchandise inventories

 

533

 

Other current assets

 

123

 

Property and equipment

 

548

 

Goodwill

 

1,501

 

Tradenames

 

94

 

Customer relationships

 

484

 

Other assets

 

149

 

Total assets

 

4,855

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

(800

)

Other current liabilities

 

(738

)

Short-term debt

 

(299

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(153

)

Total liabilities

 

(1,990

)

 

 

 

 

Minority interest1

 

(669

)

 

 

 

 

Purchase price allocated to assets and liabilities acquired

 

$

2,196

 

 

11



 

1                      We acquired a 50% interest in the net assets of Best Buy Europe and are consolidating the financial results of Best Buy Europe as part of the International segment from the date of acquisition. We recorded the fair value adjustments only in respect of the 50% of net assets acquired, with the remaining 50% of the net assets of Best Buy Europe being consolidated and recorded at their historical cost basis.  This also resulted in an initial $669 minority interest being reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheet in respect of the 50% owned by CPW.

 

The valuation of the identifiable intangible assets acquired was based on management’s estimates, currently available information and reasonable and supportable assumptions.  The allocation was generally based on the fair value of these assets using income and market approaches. The amortizable intangible assets are being amortized using a straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives. The following table summarizes the identified intangible asset categories and their respective weighted average amortization periods:

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization Period
(in years)

 

Fair Value

 

Customer relationships

 

6.8

 

$

484

 

Tradenames

 

4.2

 

94

 

Total

 

6.4

 

$

578

 

 

We recorded an estimate for costs to terminate certain activities associated with Best Buy Europe operations in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 95-3, Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination. A restructuring accrual of $19 has been recorded and reflects the accrued restructuring costs incurred at the date of acquisition, primarily for store closure costs and agreement termination fees, which are expected to be utilized primarily in fiscal 2010. The restructuring accrual was not utilized in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Our interest in Best Buy Europe is separate from our investment in the common stock of CPW, as discussed in Note 3, Investments.

 

Pro Forma Financial Results

 

Our pro forma condensed consolidated financial results of operations are presented in the following table as if the acquisitions described above had been completed at the beginning of each period presented:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

November 29,

 

December 1,

 

November 29,

 

December 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Pro forma revenue

 

$

11,518

 

$

11,470

 

$

33,260

 

$

31,031

 

Pro forma net earnings

 

60

 

214

 

411

 

598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.51

 

$

1.00

 

$

1.34

 

Diluted

 

0.14

 

0.50

 

0.98

 

1.31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

412.9

 

418.7

 

412.1

 

447.2

 

Diluted

 

422.6

 

430.8

 

422.7

 

459.5

 

 

These pro forma condensed consolidated financial results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and include certain adjustments, such as increased interest expense on acquisition debt, foregone interest income and amortization related to acquired customer relationships and tradenames. They have not been adjusted for the effect of costs or synergies that would have been expected to result from the integration of these acquisitions or for costs that are not expected to recur as a result of the acquisitions. The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred at the beginning of each period presented, or of future results of the consolidated entities.

 

12



 

3.                        Investments

 

Investments were comprised of the following:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market fund

 

$

25

 

$

 

$

 

Debt securities

 

 

64

 

295

 

Total short-term investments

 

$

25

 

$

64

 

$

295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and other investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

$

339

 

$

417

 

$

 

Marketable equity securities

 

49

 

172

 

214

 

Other investments

 

47

 

16

 

16

 

Total equity and other investments

 

$

435

 

$

605

 

$

230

 

 

Money Market Fund

 

We have $25 invested in one money market fund, The Reserve International Liquidity Fund, Ltd. (the “RILF”).  On September 15, 2008, we issued a redemption request for the entire $25. On September 17, 2008, we received a letter from the RILF stating that we would receive par for our investment.  At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the RILF has not yet honored our redemption request and, accordingly, we have reclassified the $25 from cash equivalents to short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheet at November 29, 2008.  We have determined that fair value approximates par for this investment.

 

Debt Securities

 

The following table presents the fair values, related weighted-average interest rates (taxable equivalent), maturities and major security types for our investments in debt securities:

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

March 1, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate

 

Fair
Value

 

Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate

 

Fair
Value

 

Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate

 

Short-term investments

 

$

 

N/A

 

$

64

 

4.94

%

$

295

 

6.91

%

Long-term investments

 

339

 

3.61

%

417

 

7.60

%

 

N/A

 

Total

 

$

339

 

 

 

$

481

 

 

 

$

295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction-rate securities

 

$

339

 

 

 

$

417

 

 

 

$

208

 

 

 

Commercial paper

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

Total

 

$

339

 

 

 

$

481

 

 

 

$

295

 

 

 

 

In accordance with our investment policy, we place our investments in debt securities with issuers who have high-quality credit and limit the amount of investment exposure to any one issuer. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal and maintain a desired level of liquidity to meet working capital needs. We seek to preserve principal and minimize exposure to interest-rate fluctuations by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk.

 

Short-term and long-term investments are comprised of auction-rate securities (“ARS”) and commercial paper. We classify investments in ARS and other investments in debt securities as available-for-sale and carry them at fair value. ARS are intended to behave like short-term debt instruments because their interest rates are reset periodically through an auction process, most commonly at intervals of 7, 28 and 35 days. The same auction process has historically provided a means by which we may rollover the investment or sell these securities at par in order to provide us with liquidity as needed.

 

Our ARS portfolio consisted of the following at November 29, 2008, and March 1, 2008:

 

13



 

Description

 

Nature of collateral or guarantee

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

Student loan bonds

 

Student loans guaranteed 95% to 100% by the U.S. government

 

$

296

 

$

297

 

Municipal revenue bonds

 

96% and 89% insured by AAA/Aaa-rated bond insurers at November 29, 2008, and March 1, 2008, respectively

 

28

 

97

 

Auction preferred securities

 

Underlying investments of closed-end funds

 

15

 

23

 

Total par value (includes accrued interest)

 

 

 

$

339

 

$

417

 

 

At November 29, 2008, our ARS portfolio was 96% AAA/Aaa-rated and 4% was below AAA/Aaa-rated.

 

In mid-February 2008, auctions began to fail due to insufficient buyers, as the amount of securities submitted for sale in auctions exceeded the aggregate amount of the bids.  For each failed auction, the interest rate on the security moves to a maximum rate specified for each security, and generally resets at a level higher than specified short-term interest rate benchmarks.  At November 29, 2008, our entire ARS portfolio, consisting of 57 investments in ARS, was subject to failed auctions; however, we had sold at par $82 in ARS during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Subsequent to November 29, 2008, and through January 5, 2009, we sold $6 in ARS at par and held $330 (par value) at January 5, 2009.  To date, we have collected all interest due on our ARS and expect to continue to do so in the future.

 

As a result of the persistent failed auctions, and the uncertainty of when these investments could be liquidated at par, we have classified all of our investments in ARS as non-current assets within equity and other investments in our consolidated balance sheet at November 29, 2008. The investment principal associated with failed auctions will not be accessible until successful auctions occur, a buyer is found outside of the auction process, the issuers establish a different form of financing to replace these securities, or final payments come due according to the contractual maturities of the debt issues, which range from 8 to 40 years. We believe that issuers and financial markets are exploring alternatives that may improve liquidity, although it is not yet clear when or if such efforts will be successful. We intend to hold our ARS until we can recover the full principal amount through one of the means described above, and have the ability to do so based on our other sources of liquidity.

 

We evaluated our entire ARS portfolio for temporary or other-than-temporary impairment at November 29, 2008, based primarily on the methodology described in Note 4, Fair Value Measurements. As a result of this review, we determined that the fair value of our ARS portfolio at November 29, 2008, approximates par value, and accordingly, we have not recorded any impairment. The estimated fair values could change significantly based on future market conditions. We will continue to assess the fair value of our ARS for substantive changes in relevant market conditions, changes in our financial condition or other changes that may alter our estimates described above. We may be required to record an unrealized holding loss or an impairment charge to earnings if we determine that our investment portfolio has incurred a decline in fair value that is temporary or other-than-temporary, respectively.

 

Of our ARS portfolio, $90 was marketed and sold by UBS AG and its affiliates (collectively, “UBS”). On October 29, 2008, we accepted a settlement with UBS pursuant to which UBS issued to us Series C-2 Auction Rate Securities Rights (the “ARS Rights”). The ARS Rights provide us the right to receive the par value of our UBS-brokered ARS plus accrued but unpaid interest. The settlement provides that we may require UBS to purchase our UBS-brokered ARS at par value at any time between June 30, 2010 and July 2, 2012. The ARS Rights are not transferable, tradable or marginable, and will not be listed or quoted on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network.

 

As part of the settlement, UBS Bank USA or an affiliate (collectively, “UBS Bank”) agreed to establish a revolving credit line in an amount up to 100% of the par value of the UBS-brokered ARS that we pledge as collateral, subject to us entering into a credit agreement with UBS Bank (see Note 6, Debt).

 

There were no unrealized holding gains or losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at November 29, 2008; March 1, 2008; and December 1, 2007, related to our investments in debt securities.

 

14



 

Marketable Equity Securities

 

We also invest in marketable equity securities and classify them as available-for-sale. Investments in marketable equity securities are included in equity and other investments in our consolidated balance sheets, and are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices.

 

Our investments in marketable equity securities were as follows:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock of CPW

 

$

47

 

$

160

 

$

198

 

Other

 

2

 

12

 

16

 

Total

 

$

49

 

$

172

 

$

214

 

 

We review all investments for other-than-temporary impairment at least quarterly or as indicators of impairment exist.  Indicators of impairment include the duration and severity of the decline in fair value as well as the intent and ability to hold the investment to allow for a recovery in the market value of the investment.  In addition, we consider qualitative factors that include, but are not limited to: (i) the financial condition and business plans of the investee including its future earnings potential, (ii) the investee’s credit rating, and (iii) the current and expected market and industry conditions in which the investee operates.  If a decline in the fair value of an investment is deemed by management to be other-than-temporary, we write down the cost basis of the investment to fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in net earnings.  Such a determination is dependent on the facts and circumstances relating to each investment.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we purchased in the open market 26.1 million shares of CPW common stock for $183, representing nearly 3% of CPW’s then outstanding shares.  In accordance with the policy and process discussed above, we reviewed our investment in CPW and determined, based on specific facts and circumstances, that it had incurred an other-than-temporary impairment at November 29, 2008.  Accordingly, at November 29, 2008, we recorded a $111 impairment charge on our investment in CPW common stock, which is reflected within investment impairment in our consolidated statement of earnings, to reflect the market price of £1.175 per share for CPW’s stock at November 29, 2008.  Consequently, there was no temporary impairment recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity related to this investment at November 29, 2008.  The remaining change in the carrying value of this investment of $25 from the original $183 cost basis was recognized as cumulative translation adjustment as our investment in CPW common stock was made by one of our Canadian subsidiaries.

 

All unrealized holding gains or losses related to our investments in marketable equity securities are reflected net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Net unrealized gain (loss), net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income was $1, $(25) and $11 at November 29, 2008; March 1, 2008; and December 1, 2007, respectively.

 

4.                         Fair Value Measurements

 

As discussed in Note 1, we adopted SFAS No. 157, subject to the deferral provisions of FSP No. 157-2, on March 2, 2008. This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy prescribed by SFAS No. 157 contains three levels as follows:

 

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

 

15



 

Level 2 — Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:

 

·                  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

·                  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets;

·                  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

·                  Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.

 

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment.  These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

 

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.  In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability. The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at November 29, 2008, according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values.

 

 

 

Fair Value at

 

Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market fund

 

$

25

 

$

 

$

25

 

$

 

Other current assets (restricted assets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury bills

 

60

 

60

 

 

 

Equity and other investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

339

 

 

 

339

 

Marketable equity securities

 

49

 

49

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets that fund deferred compensation

 

67

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred compensation

 

59

 

59

 

 

 

 

The following tables provide a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

 

 

Debt securities-
Auction-rate securities only

 

 

 

Student
loan bonds

 

Municipal
revenue bonds

 

Auction
preferred
securities

 

Total

 

Balances at August 30, 2008

 

$

295

 

$

44

 

$

15

 

$

354

 

Realized gain (loss) included in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) included in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases, sales and settlements, net

 

(1

)

(16

)

 

(17

)

Interest accrued (received), net

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at November 29, 2008

 

$

296

 

$

28

 

$

15

 

$

339

 

 

16



 

 

 

Debt securities-
Auction-rate securities only

 

 

 

Student loan
 bonds

 

Municipal
 revenue bonds

 

Auction
preferred
securities

 

Total

 

Balances at March 1, 2008

 

$

297

 

$

97

 

$

23

 

$

417

 

Realized gain (loss) included in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) included in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases, sales and settlements, net

 

(2

)

(69

)

(8)

 

(79

)

Interest accrued (received), net

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at November 29, 2008

 

$

296

 

$

28

 

$

15

 

$

339

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

 

Money Market Fund. The fair value of our money market fund investment was classified as Level 2.  As described in Note 3, Investments, the fund is not trading on a regular basis and we have been unable to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

 

U.S. Treasury Bills. The fair value of our U.S. Treasury notes was classified as Level 1 as they trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

 

Auction Rate Securities. Our investments in auction-rate securities were classified as Level 3 as quoted prices were unavailable due to events described in Note 3, Investments.  Due to limited market information, we utilized a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to derive an estimate of fair value at November 29, 2008.  The assumptions used in preparing the DCF model included estimates with respect to the amount and timing of future interest and principal payments, forward projections of the interest rate benchmarks, the probability of full repayment of the principal considering the credit quality and guarantees in place, and the rate of return required by investors to own such securities given the current liquidity risk associated with auction-rate securities.

 

Marketable Equity Securities. Our marketable equity securities were measured at fair value using quoted market prices.  They were classified as Level 1 as they trade in an active market for which closing stock prices are readily available.

 

Deferred Compensation. Our deferred compensation liabilities and the assets that fund our deferred compensation consist of investments in mutual funds. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these mutual funds trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

 

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

 

During the nine months ended November 29, 2008, we had no significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value (as defined in SFAS No. 157) on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. The effective date of SFAS No. 157 was deferred under FSP No. 157-2.  SFAS No. 157 relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, but are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. This deferral applies to such items as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) or nonfinancial long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the measurements of fair value affected by the deferral under FSP No. 157-2 related to nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized as a result of the acquisitions discussed in Note 2, Acquisitions.

 

5.                         Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and tradenames by segment were as follows in the nine months ended November 29, 2008:

 

17



 

 

 

Goodwill

 

Tradenames

 

 

 

Domestic

 

International

 

Total

 

Domestic

 

International

 

Total

 

Balances at March 1, 2008

 

$

450

 

$

638

 

$

1,088

 

$

23

 

$

74

 

$

97

 

Acquisitions

 

43

 

1,501

 

1,544

 

13

 

94

 

107

 

Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

(6

)

Changes resulting from tax adjustment 1

 

 

19

 

19

 

 

 

 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates

 

 

(237

)

(237

)

 

(16

)

(16

)

Balances at November 29, 2008

 

$

493

 

$

1,921

 

$

2,414

 

$

36

 

$

146

 

$

182

 

 

1              Adjustment related to the resolution of certain tax matters associated with our acquisition of Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co. in fiscal 2007.

 

The following table provides the gross carrying amount and related accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

March 1, 2008

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Tradenames

 

$

87

 

$

(6

)

$

 

$

 

Customer relationships

 

457

 

(37

)

6

 

(1

)

Total

 

$

544

 

$

(43

)

$

6

 

$

(1

)

 

Total amortization expense for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2008 was $41 and $42, respectively.  The estimated future amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets during the remainder of fiscal 2009 and for the next five years is as follows:

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

Remainder of fiscal 2009

 

$

 25

2010

 

100

2011

 

100

2012

 

75

2013

 

52

2014

 

47

 

6.                         Debt

 

Short-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 and 2008 credit agreements

 

$

1,733

 

$

120

 

$

275

 

ARS revolving credit line

 

19

 

 

 

Europe revolving credit facility

 

358

 

 

 

Canada revolving demand facility

 

 

 

 

China revolving demand facilities

 

43

 

36

 

51

 

Total short-term debt

 

$

2,153

 

$

156

 

$

326

 

 

2007 and 2008 Credit Agreements

 

On September 19, 2007, we entered into a $2,500 five-year unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “2007 Credit Agreement”), as amended, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent, and a syndication of banks (collectively, the “2007 Lenders”). The 2007 Credit Agreement permits borrowings up to $2,500, which may be increased up to $3,000 at our option and upon the consent of JPMorgan and each of the 2007 Lenders providing an

 

18



 

incremental credit commitment. The 2007 Credit Agreement includes a $300 letter of credit sub-limit and a $200 foreign currency sub-limit. The 2007 Credit Agreement expires in September 2012.

 

Interest rates under the 2007 Credit Agreement are variable and are determined at our option at: (i) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or JPMorgan’s prime rate, or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable LIBOR margin. A facility fee is assessed on the commitment amount. Both the LIBOR margin and the facility fee are based upon our then current senior unsecured debt rating. The LIBOR margin ranges from 0.32% to 0.60%, and the facility fee ranges from 0.08% to 0.15%.

 

The 2007 Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and contains customary affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants restrict or prohibit our ability to incur certain types or amounts of indebtedness, incur liens on certain assets, make material changes to our corporate structure or the nature of our business, dispose of material assets, allow non-material subsidiaries to make guarantees, engage in a change in control transaction, or engage in certain transactions with our affiliates. The 2007 Credit Agreement also contains covenants that require us to maintain a maximum quarterly cash flow leverage ratio and a minimum quarterly interest coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all such covenants at November 29, 2008.

 

On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”) filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.  A subsidiary of Lehman, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“Lehman CPI”), is one of the lenders under the 2007 Credit Agreement who represents a commitment of $180.  Lehman CPI has declined requests for funding under our 2007 Credit Agreement, and it is not certain whether another lender might assume its commitment.  As a result, our borrowing base of $2,500 has been effectively reduced by $180.

 

On November 7, 2008, we entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “2008 Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndication of banks (collectively, the “2008 Lenders”). The 2008 Credit Agreement expired on December 17, 2008, and permitted borrowings up to $150. The 2008 Lenders and/or their affiliates are lenders under our 2007 Credit Agreement.  We were not permitted to borrow under the 2008 Credit Agreement unless all amounts available under the 2007 Credit Agreement were borrowed and outstanding.  We did not borrow under the 2008 Credit Agreement during its term.

 

ARS Revolving Credit Line

 

As disclosed in Note 3, Investments, we entered into an agreement with UBS (the “UBS Credit Agreement”) for a $90 revolving credit line that is secured by the $90 par value of our UBS-brokered ARS.  Interest rates under the UBS Credit Agreement are variable based on the weighted-average rate of interest we earn on our UBS-brokered ARS. The UBS Credit Agreement will terminate at the time UBS buys back our UBS-brokered ARS pursuant to the settlement agreement described in Note 3, Investments, which will be no later than July 2, 2012.  If we sell any of the UBS-brokered ARS at par during the term of the UBS Credit Agreement, the amount available to us will be reduced accordingly.

 

Europe Revolving Credit Facility

 

We have a revolving credit facility available to our Europe operations, of which $876 (or £475) was available to us at November 29, 2008.  The facility is among Best Buy Europe, Best Buy Co., Inc. and CPW as the lender. Best Buy Co., Inc. is named as the guarantor under the facility agreement, limited to 50% of the amount outstanding. The facility terminates in March 2013.  Borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.75%.  The facility contains one financial covenant that requires us to maintain a minimum net debt to EBITDA ratio, to be computed semi-annually beginning March 31, 2009.

 

Canada Revolving Demand Facility

 

We have a revolving demand facility available to our Canada operations, of which $81 was available to us at November 29, 2008. There is no set expiration date for the facility. Of the $81 available, $41 reflected a seasonal increase under the facility available only through December 31, 2008, though it was not utilized. All borrowings under this facility are made available at the sole discretion of the lender and are payable on demand. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at rates specified in the credit agreement. Borrowings are secured by a guarantee of Best Buy Co., Inc.

 

19



 

China Revolving Demand Facilities

 

We have revolving demand facilities available to our China operations, of which $78 was available to us at November 29, 2008. The facilities are renewed annually with the respective banks. All borrowings under these facilities bear interest at rates specified in the credit agreements, are made available at the sole discretion of the respective lender and are payable on demand.  Certain borrowings are secured by a guarantee of Best Buy Co., Inc.

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible subordinated debentures

 

$

402

 

$

402

 

$

402

 

6.75% notes

 

500

 

 

 

Financing lease obligations

 

204

 

197

 

196

 

Capital lease obligations

 

54

 

51

 

54

 

Other debt

 

13

 

10

 

10

 

Total long-term debt

 

1,173

 

660

 

662

 

Less: current portion

 

(48

)

(33

)

(20

)

Total long-term debt, less current portion

 

$

1,125

 

$

627

 

$

642

 

 

6.75% Notes

 

On June 24, 2008, we sold $500 principal amount of notes due July 15, 2013 (the “Notes”). The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.75% per year, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2009.  The interest payable on the Notes is subject to adjustment if either Moody’s Investor Services or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services downgrades to below investment grade the rating assigned to the Notes.  Net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were $496, after an initial issuance discount of approximately $1 and other transaction costs.

 

We may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and an applicable make-whole amount as described in the indenture relating to the Notes.

 

In October 2008, we filed a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to permit either the exchange of the Notes for registered notes having terms substantially identical to the Notes (except that the registered notes will not be subject to additional interest provisions or restrictions on ownership or transfer) or, in the alternative, the registered resale of the Notes. The registration statement was declared effective on December 15, 2008.

 

The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our North American subsidiaries to incur debt secured by liens, enter into sale and lease-back transactions and, in the case of such subsidiaries, incur debt.

 

7.                        Income Taxes

 

Our effective tax rates were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Effective tax rate

 

54.6

%

35.6

%

40.2

%

36.3

%

 

The increase for our effective tax rate (“ETR”) in the three and nine months ended November 29, 2008, as compared to the prior year periods was primarily due to the $111 other-than-temporary impairment charge discussed in Note 3, Investments, related to our investment in CPW common stock.  The impact of the investment impairment for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2008, was to increase our ETR by 18.1% and 3.2%, respectively.  The investment is owned by one of our Canadian subsidiaries and, under Canadian tax law, only 50% of capital gains and losses may be included in taxable income. However, the carryforward period for taxable losses is indefinite. We did

 

20



 

not record a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset related to the impairment charge as we believe we have tax planning strategies available if a capital loss is recognized in the future.

 

8.                         Earnings per Share

 

Our basic earnings per share calculation is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Our diluted earnings per share calculation is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued. Potentially dilutive shares of common stock include stock options, nonvested share awards and shares issuable under our employee stock purchase plan, as well as common shares that would have resulted from the assumed conversion of our convertible debentures. Since the potentially dilutive shares related to the convertible debentures are included in the calculation, the related interest expense, net of tax, is added back to net earnings, as the interest would not have been paid if the convertible debentures had been converted to common stock. Nonvested market-based awards and nonvested performance-based awards are included in the average diluted shares outstanding each period if established market or performance criteria have been met at the end of the respective periods.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings, basic

 

$

52

 

$

228

 

$

433

 

$

670

 

Adjustment for assumed dilution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on convertible debentures, net of tax

 

2

 

2

 

5

 

5

 

Net earnings, diluted

 

$

54

 

$

230

 

$

438

 

$

675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

412.9

 

418.7

 

412.1

 

447.2

 

Effect of potentially dilutive securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares from assumed conversion of convertible debentures

 

 8.8

 

8.8

 

 8.8

 

8.8

 

Stock options and other

 

0.9

 

3.3

 

1.8

 

3.5

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution

 

422.6

 

430.8

 

422.7

 

459.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.55

 

$

1.05

 

$

1.50

 

Diluted

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.47

 

 

The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded options to purchase 29.2 million and 10.0 million shares of our common stock for the three months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007, respectively, and 23.6 million and 10.0 million shares of our common stock for the nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007, respectively. These amounts were excluded as the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock for the periods presented and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive (i.e., including such options would result in higher earnings per share).

 

9.                         Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income is computed as net earnings plus certain other items that are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity. In addition to net earnings, the components of comprehensive income include foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale investments. Foreign currency translation adjustments do not include a provision for income tax expense when earnings from foreign operations are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. Comprehensive (loss) income was ($197) and $346 for the three months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007, respectively, and $76 and $964 for the nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007, respectively.

 

21



 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Foreign currency translation

 

$

144

 

$

527

 

$

499

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

 

1

 

(25

)

11

 

Total

 

$

145

 

$

502

 

$

510

 

 

10.                   Segments

 

We operate two reportable segments: Domestic and International. The Domestic segment is comprised of all store, call center and online operations within the U.S. and its territories. The International segment is comprised of all store and online operations outside the U.S. and its territories. We evaluate our segments on an operating income basis, and we do not calculate a stand-alone tax provision for each segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008.

 

Revenue by reportable segment was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Domestic

 

$

8,196

 

$

8,206

 

$

23,782

 

$

22,144

 

International

 

3,304

 

1,722

 

6,509

 

4,461

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,500

 

$

9,928

 

$

30,291

 

$

26,605

 

 

Operating income by reportable segment and the reconciliation to earnings before income tax expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 29,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Domestic

 

$

283

 

$

329

 

$

875

 

$

957

 

International

 

(9

22

 

15

 

61

 

Total operating income

 

274

 

351

 

890

 

1,018

 

Other (expense) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

(3

32

 

27

 

98

 

Investment impairment

 

(111

)

 

(111

)

 

Interest expense

 

(35

)

(23

)

(69

)

(53

)

Earnings before income tax expense, minority interests and equity in income (loss) of affiliates

 

$

125

 

$

360

 

$

737

 

$

1,063

 

 

Assets by reportable segment were as follows:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Domestic

 

$

12,741

 

$

8,194

 

$

11,237

 

International

 

7,906

 

4,564

 

4,237

 

Total assets

 

$

20,647

 

$

12,758

 

$

15,474

 

 

Goodwill by reportable segment was as follows:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Domestic

 

$

493

 

$

450

 

$

452

 

International

 

1,921

 

638

 

634

 

Total goodwill

 

$

2,414

 

$

1,088

 

$

1,086

 

 

22



 

Tradenames by reportable segment were as follows:

 

 

 

November 29,
2008

 

March 1,
2008

 

December 1,
2007

 

Domestic

 

$

36

 

$

23

 

$

23

 

International

 

146

 

74

 

73

 

Total tradenames

 

$

182

 

$

97

 

$

96

 

 

11.                   Contingencies

 

We are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of conducting business. We believe the amounts provided in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in consideration of the probable and estimable liabilities. The resolution of those proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

12.                   Subsequent Event

 

   On December 15, 2008, we announced a voluntary separation package available to nearly all of our corporate employees in order to reduce future corporate expenses.  Employees had until January 5, 2009 to accept the package, but have the option to revoke their acceptance until January 16, 2009. Based on the employees who accepted the offer at January 5, 2009, we estimate the cost related to these termination benefits will be approximately $60, which will be recognized in our fiscal fourth quarter.  This estimate is limited to the cost of the voluntary separation package and excludes the cost of future involuntary workforce reductions, if any.

 

13.                Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

Our convertible debentures, due in 2022, are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guaranteed by our wholly-owned indirect subsidiary Best Buy Stores, L.P. Investments in subsidiaries of Best Buy Stores, L.P., which have not guaranteed the convertible debentures, are accounted for under the equity method. We reclassified certain prior-year amounts as described in Note 1, Basis of Presentation, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The aggregate principal balance and carrying amount of our convertible debentures was $402 at November 29, 2008.

 

The convertible debentures may be converted into shares of our common stock by us at anytime or at the option of the holders if certain criteria are met, as described in Note 4, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008. At November 29, 2008, the debentures were not convertible at the option of the holders.

 

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. We allocate income taxes in accordance with our tax allocation agreement. U.S. affiliates receive no tax benefit for taxable losses, but are allocated taxes at the required effective income tax rate if they have taxable income.

 

The following tables present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of November 29, 2008; March 1, 2008; and December 1, 2007; condensed consolidating statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007; and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007:

 

23



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At November 29, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

59

 

$

201

 

$

309

 

$

 

$

569

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

25

 

 

25

 

Receivables

 

6

 

1,022

 

1,610

 

 

2,638

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

6,445

 

2,370

 

(608

)

8,207

 

Other current assets

 

24

 

163

 

704

 

(12

)

879

 

Intercompany receivable

 

 

 

8,886

 

(8,886

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

835

 

 

 

(835

)

 

Total current assets

 

924

 

7,831

 

13,904

 

(10,341

)

12,318

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

221

 

2,285

 

1,762

 

 

4,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

6

 

2,408

 

 

2,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames

 

 

 

182

 

 

182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and Other Investments

 

332

 

 

103

 

 

435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

102

 

17

 

911

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Subsidiaries

 

9,483

 

271

 

1,415

 

(11,169

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

11,062

 

$

10,410

 

$

20,685

 

$

(21,510

)

$

20,647

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

 

$

 

$

8,219

 

$

 

$

8,219

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

 

410

 

58

 

 

468

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

198

 

212

 

 

410

 

Accrued liabilities

 

26

 

680

 

1,055

 

(12

)

1,749

 

Accrued income taxes

 

148

 

 

 

 

148

 

Short-term debt

 

1,752

 

 

401

 

 

2,153

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

2

 

22

 

24

 

 

48

 

Intercompany payable

 

2,919

 

5,967

 

 

(8,886

)

 

Intercompany note payable

 

 

500

 

335

 

(835

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

4,847

 

7,777

 

10,304

 

(9,733

)

13,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

66

 

1,059

 

240

 

(272

)

1,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt

 

905

 

159

 

61

 

 

1,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interests

 

 

 

674

 

 

674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

5,244

 

1,415

 

9,406

 

(11,505

)

4,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

11,062

 

$

10,410

 

$

20,685

 

$

(21,510

)

$

20,647

 

 

24



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At March 1, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

171

 

$

70

 

$

1,197

 

$

 

$

1,438

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

64

 

 

64

 

Receivables

 

3

 

340

 

206

 

 

549

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

5,293

 

1,172

 

(1,757

)

4,708

 

Other current assets

 

2

 

206

 

425

 

(50

)

583

 

Intercompany receivable

 

 

 

7,097

 

(7,097

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

500

 

 

3

 

(503

)

 

Total current assets

 

676

 

5,909

 

10,164

 

(9,407

)

7,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

225

 

2,030

 

1,051

 

 

3,306

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

6

 

1,082

 

 

1,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames

 

 

 

97

 

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and Other Investments

 

278

 

2

 

325

 

 

605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

104

 

11

 

205

 

 

320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Subsidiaries

 

9,108

 

280

 

1,358

 

(10,746

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

10,391

 

$

8,238

 

$

14,282

 

$

(20,153

)

$

12,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,297

 

$

 

$

4,297

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

 

471

 

60

 

 

531

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

200

 

173

 

 

373

 

Accrued liabilities

 

7

 

499

 

519

 

(50

)

975

 

Accrued income taxes

 

404

 

 

 

 

404

 

Short-term debt

 

120

 

 

36

 

 

156

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

2

 

16

 

15

 

 

33

 

Intercompany payable

 

3,016

 

4,081

 

 

(7,097

)

 

Intercompany note payable

 

3

 

500

 

 

(503

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

3,552

 

5,767

 

5,100

 

(7,650

)

6,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

110

 

970

 

189

 

(431

)

838

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt

 

405

 

143

 

79

 

 

627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interests

 

 

 

40

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

6,324

 

1,358

 

8,874

 

(12,072

)

4,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

10,391

 

$

8,238

 

$

14,282

 

$

(20,153

)

$

12,758

 

 

25



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At December 1, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

282

 

$

76

 

$

961

 

$

 

$

1,319

 

Short-term investments

 

201

 

 

94

 

 

295

 

Receivables

 

2

 

483

 

254

 

 

739

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

5,960

 

1,882

 

(391

)

7,451

 

Other current assets

 

3

 

136

 

545

 

(11

)

673

 

Intercompany receivable

 

 

 

8,026

 

(8,026

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

500

 

 

 

(500

)

 

Total current assets

 

988

 

6,655

 

11,762

 

(8,928

)

10,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

234

 

2,050

 

976

 

 

3,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

6

 

1,080

 

 

1,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames

 

 

 

96

 

 

96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and Other Investments

 

19

 

3

 

212

 

(4

)

230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

35

 

59

 

231

 

 

325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Subsidiaries

 

7,346

 

265

 

1,346

 

(8,957

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

8,622

 

$

9,038

 

$

15,703

 

$

(17,889

)

$

15,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

 

$

 

$

7,597

 

$

 

$

7,597

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

 

418

 

53

 

 

471

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

219

 

120

 

 

339

 

Accrued liabilities

 

130

 

653

 

562

 

(8

)

1,337

 

Accrued income taxes

 

146

 

 

 

 

146

 

Short-term debt

 

275

 

 

51

 

 

326

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

2

 

13

 

5

 

 

20

 

Intercompany payable

 

3,206

 

4,820

 

 

(8,026

)

 

Intercompany note payable

 

 

500

 

 

(500

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

3,759

 

6,623

 

8,388

 

(8,534

)

10,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

115

 

895

 

150

 

(349

)

811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt

 

406

 

174

 

62

 

 

642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interests

 

 

 

39

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

4,342

 

1,346

 

7,064

 

(9,006

)

3,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

8,622

 

$

9,038

 

$

15,703

 

$

(17,889

)

$

15,474

 

 

26



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

Three Months Ended November 29, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenue

 

$

4

 

$

7,597

 

$

14,714

 

$

(10,815

)

$

11,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

6,155

 

13,109

 

(10,625

)

8,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

4

 

1,442

 

1,605

 

(190

)

2,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

38

 

1,381

 

1,171

 

(3

)

2,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(34

)

61

 

434

 

(187

)

274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

14

 

 

(6

)

(11

)

(3

)

Investment impairment

 

 

 

(111

)

 

(111

)

Interest expense

 

(25

)

(8

)

(13

)

11

 

(35

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

(45

)

53

 

304

 

(187

)

125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

338

 

(12

)

20

 

(346

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense (benefit), minority interests and equity in income of affiliates

 

293

 

41

 

324

 

(533

)

125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

54

 

33

 

(19

)

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

(11

)

 

(11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in income of affiliates

 

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

239

 

$

8

 

$

338

 

$

(533

)

$

52

 

 

27



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

Nine Months Ended November 29, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenue

 

$

12

 

$

22,104

 

$

32,475

 

$

(24,300

)

$

30,291

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

17,982

 

30,468

 

(25,534

)

22,916

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

12

 

4,122

 

2,007

 

1,234

 

7,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

112

 

3,945

 

2,425

 

3

 

6,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(100

)

177

 

(418

)

1,231

 

890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

41

 

 

17

 

(31

)

27

 

Investment impairment

 

 

 

(111

)

 

(111

)

Interest expense

 

(46

)

(26

)

(28

)

31

 

(69

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before equity in (loss) earnings of subsidiaries

 

(105

)

151

 

(540

)

1,231

 

737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in (loss) earnings of subsidiaries

 

(464

)

(29

)

79

 

414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before income tax expense (benefit), minority interests and equity in income of affiliates

 

(569

)

122

 

(461

)

1,645

 

737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

229

 

72

 

(5

)

 

296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

(13

)

 

(13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in income of affiliates

 

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(798

)

$

50

 

$

(464

)

$

1,645

 

$

433

 

 

28



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

Three Months Ended December 1, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenue

 

$

4

 

$

7,629

 

$

12,148

 

$

(9,853

)

$

9,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

6,247

 

11,038

 

(9,694

)

7,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

4

 

1,382

 

1,110

 

(159

)

2,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

35

 

1,328

 

613

 

10

 

1,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(31

)

54

 

497

 

(169

)

351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

26

 

(1

)

22

 

(15

)

32

 

Interest expense

 

(17

)

(11

)

(9

)

14

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

(22

)

42

 

510

 

(170

)

360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

375

 

(3

)

29

 

(401

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax (benefit) expense, minority interests and equity in loss of affiliates

 

353

 

39

 

539

 

(571

)

360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(45

)

13

 

161

 

 

129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

 

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

398

 

$

26

 

$

375

 

$

(571

)

$

228

 

 

29



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

Nine Months Ended December 1, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenue

 

$

12

 

$

20,671

 

$

28,178

 

$

(22,256

)

$

26,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

16,900

 

25,458

 

(22,121

)

20,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

12

 

3,771

 

2,720

 

(135

)

6,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

108

 

3,593

 

1,630

 

19

 

5,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(96

)

178

 

1,090

 

(154

)

1,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

87

 

(1

)

50

 

(38

)

98

 

Interest expense

 

(38

)

(31

)

(22

)

38

 

(53

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

(47

)

146

 

1,118

 

(154

)

1,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries

 

870

 

(23

)

94

 

(941

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax (benefit) expense, minority interests and equity in loss of affiliates

 

823

 

123

 

1,212

 

(1,095

)

1,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(1

)

52

 

335

 

 

386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

(4

)

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

 

 

(3

)

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

824

 

$

71

 

$

870

 

$

(1,095

)

$

670

 

 

30



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended November 29, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Total cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(1,725

)

$

(1,218

)

$

2,863

 

$

 

$

(80

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

 

(514

)

(413

)

 

(927

)

Purchases of investments

 

(40

)

 

(55

)

 

(95

)

Sales of investments

 

84

 

 

171

 

 

255

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

(2,167

)

 

(2,167

)

Change in restricted assets

 

 

 

(17

)

 

(17

)

Other, net

 

 

(9

)

(9

)

 

(18

)

Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

44

 

(523

)

(2,490

)

 

(2,969

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of debt

 

3,340

 

20

 

954

 

 

4,314

 

Repayments of debt

 

(1,210

)

(15

)

(857

)

 

(2,082

)

Dividends paid

 

(165

)

 

 

 

(165

)

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan and for the exercise of stock options

 

78

 

 

 

 

78

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

5

 

 

 

 

5

 

Other, net

 

 

 

(9

)

 

(9

)

Change in intercompany receivable/payable

 

(479

)

1,867

 

(1,388

)

 

 

Total cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

1,569

 

1,872

 

(1,300

)

 

2,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

39

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(112

)

131

 

(888

)

 

(869

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

171

 

70

 

1,197

 

 

1,438

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

59

 

$

201

 

$

309

 

$

 

$

569

 

 

31



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended December 1, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Total cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(146

)

$

(2,030

)

$

3,422

 

$

 

$

1,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

 

(386

)

(198

)

 

(584

)

Purchases of investments

 

(4,491

)

 

(656

)

 

(5,147

)

Sales of investments

 

7,325

 

 

409

 

 

7,734

 

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

(89

)

 

(89

)

Change in restricted assets

 

17

 

 

(30

)

 

(13

)

Other, net

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

2,851

 

(384

)

(564

)

 

1,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of debt

 

4,170

 

31

 

87

 

 

4,288

 

Repayments of debt

 

(3,896

)

(7

)

(83

)

 

(3,986

)

Dividends paid

 

(148

)

 

 

 

(148

)

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan and for the exercise of stock options

 

110

 

 

 

 

110

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

17

 

 

 

 

17

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(3,461

)

 

 

 

(3,461

)

Other, net

 

 

 

41

 

 

41

 

Change in intercompany receivable/payable

 

550

 

2,389

 

(2,939

)

 

 

Total cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(2,658

)

2,413

 

(2,894

)

 

(3,139

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

104

 

 

104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

47

 

(1

)

68

 

 

114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

235

 

77

 

893

 

 

1,205

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

282

 

$

76

 

$

961

 

$

 

$

1,319

 

 

32



 

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

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the use of the terms “Best Buy”, “we”, “us” and “our” in the following refers to Best Buy Co., Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in seven sections:

 

·                  Overview

·                  Results of Operations

·                  Liquidity and Capital Resources

·                  Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

·                  Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

·                  New Accounting Standards

·                  Outlook

 

We consolidate the financial results of our China and Europe operations on a two-month lag.  In addition, we plan to reflect our Mexico and Turkey businesses on a two-month lag.  Consistent with such consolidation, the financial and non-financial information presented in our MD&A relative to these operations is also presented on a two-month lag. No significant intervening event occurred that would have materially affected our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or other factors had it been recorded during the three months ended November 29, 2008.

 

Our MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008, as well as our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other publicly available information.

 

Overview

 

We are a specialty retailer of consumer electronics, home office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. We operate two reportable segments: Domestic and International. The Domestic segment is comprised of all store, call center and online operations within the U.S. and its territories. The International segment is comprised of all store and online operations outside the U.S. and its territories. For additional information regarding our business segments, see Note 10, Segments, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Our business, like that of many U.S. retailers, is seasonal. Historically, we have realized more of our revenue and earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter, which includes the majority of the holiday shopping season in the U.S., Canada and Europe, than in any other fiscal quarter. The timing of new store openings, costs associated with restructuring or asset impairments, if any, as well as general economic conditions may also affect our future quarterly results.

 

Throughout this MD&A, we refer to comparable store sales.  Comparable store sales is a measure commonly used in the retail industry, which indicates the performance of our existing stores by measuring the growth in sales for such stores for a particular period over the corresponding period in the prior year.  Our comparable store sales is comprised of revenue at stores, call centers and Web sites operating for at least 14 full months, as well as remodeled and expanded locations. Relocated stores are excluded from the comparable store sales calculation until at least 14 full months after reopening. Acquired stores are included in the comparable store sales calculation beginning with the first full quarter following the first anniversary of the date of the acquisition. The portion of our calculation of the comparable store sales percentage change attributable to our International segment excludes the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The method of calculating comparable store sales varies across the retail industry. As a result, our method of calculating comparable store sales may not be the same as other retailers’ methods.

 

Financial Reporting Changes

 

To maintain consistency and comparability, we reclassified certain prior-year amounts to conform to the current-year presentation as described in Note 1, Basis of Presentation, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

33



 

Acquisitions

 

On October 25, 2008, we completed our acquisition of Napster Inc. (“Napster”) for $120 million, or $99 million net of cash acquired.  Napster is an online provider of digital music downloads.  Napster was consolidated into our Domestic segment from the date of acquisition.  The premium we paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired was to obtain Napster’s capabilities and digital subscriber base to reach new customers with an enhanced experience for exploring and selecting music and other digital entertainment products over an increasing array of devices, such as bundling the sale of hardware with digital services.  We believe the combined capabilities of our two companies will allow us to build stronger relationships with customers and expand the number of subscribers.

 

On June 30, 2008, we acquired a 50% stake in Best Buy Europe Distributions Limited (“Best Buy Europe”) for $2.2 billion, or $2.1 billion net of cash acquired.  Best Buy Europe is our venture with The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC (“CPW”) comprised of CPW’s former retail and distribution business, comprising all 2,400 stores, web and direct business, insurance operations and airtime reselling business.  CPW is Europe’s largest mobile phone retailer.  The transaction also includes CPW’s economic interest in Best Buy Mobile in the U.S. and the Geek Squad in the U.K. and Spain.  We made the investment in Best Buy Europe to further our international growth plans and obtain an immediate retail presence in Europe.

 

Best Buy Europe’s operations contributed revenue of $1.7 billion to our consolidated financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. At November 29, 2008, Best Buy Europe operated 2,430 stores located throughout Europe.

 

Highlights

 

·                  Net earnings in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $52 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared with $228 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the same period one year ago.

 

·                  Revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 16% to $11.5 billion, compared with $9.9 billion in the same period one year ago, driven primarily by the acquisition of Best Buy Europe and the net addition of 181 new stores in the past 12 months.  The revenue increase was partially offset by a 5.3% comparable store sales decline and unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

·                  Our gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased to 24.9% of revenue, compared with 23.5% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The increase was driven primarily by the inclusion Best Buy Europe, which has a normally higher gross profit rate, as well as an improved gross profit rate in our Domestic segment driven by rate improvements in televisions, computing and digital imaging and increased sales of higher-margin mobile phones.  The increase was partially offset by increased sales of lower-margin notebook computers.

 

·                  Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was 22.5% of revenue, compared with 20.0% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The increase was due primarily to the inclusion of Best Buy Europe, which has a normally higher SG&A expense rate, deleverage of payroll and overhead on lower sales, increased labor to support Best Buy Mobile growth, various store projects and continued expansion of our international businesses.  Partially offsetting the increase was lower incentive compensation and reduced advertising.

 

·                  In accordance with our policy for evaluating investments for other-than-temporary impairment, we determined, based on specific facts and circumstances, that our investment in the common stock of CPW had incurred an other-than-temporary impairment at November 29, 2008.  Accordingly, we recorded a $111 million other-than-temporary non-cash impairment charge on the investment during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Results of Operations

 

Consolidated Performance Summary

 

The following table presents unaudited selected consolidated financial data ($ in millions, except per share amounts):

 

34



 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Revenue

 

$

11,500

 

$

9,928

 

$

30,291

 

$

26,605

 

Revenue % gain

 

16

%

17

%

14

%

15

%

Comparable store sales % (decline) gain

 

(5.3

)%

6.7

%

0.6

%

4.6

%

Gross profit as % of revenue

 

24.9

%

23.5

%

24.3

%

23.9

%

SG&A as % of revenue

 

22.5

%

20.0

%

21.4

%

20.1

%

Operating income

 

$

274

 

$

351

 

$

890

 

$

1,018

 

Operating income as % of revenue

 

2.4

%

3.5

%

2.9

%

3.8

%

Net earnings

 

$

52

 

$

228

 

$

433

 

$

670

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.47

 

 

Net earnings were $52 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with $228 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, net earnings were $433 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, compared with $670 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, in the same period one year ago.

 

In both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, the decrease in net earnings reflects an increase in our SG&A expense rate, an investment impairment charge, and an increase in other expenses, partially offset by an increase in revenue and an increase in our gross profit rate.

 

Revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 16% to $11.5 billion, compared with $9.9 billion in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, revenue increased 14% to $30.3 billion, compared with $26.6 billion in the same period one year ago. In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe, which contributed $1.7 billion of revenue in the fiscal third quarter, revenue declined modestly.  The net addition of 181 new stores in the past 12 months was more than offset by the comparable store sales decline and the unfavorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  For the first nine months of fiscal 2009, excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe, which contributed $1.7 billion of revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the net addition of new stores in the past 12 months accounted for approximately nine-tenths of the revenue increase. The remainder of the revenue increase was primarily due to a modest comparable store sales gain as well as the favorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates during the first half of fiscal 2009.

 

The following table presents consolidated revenue mix percentages and comparable store sales percentage changes by revenue category in the third quarter of fiscal 2009:

 

 

 

Revenue Mix Summary

 

Comparable Store Sales Summary

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Consumer electronics

 

33

%

41

%

(11.8

)%

2.4

%

Home office

 

38

%

28

%

8.9

%

6.5

%

Entertainment software

 

16

%

19

%

(11.4

)%

23.1

%

Appliances

 

5

%

6

%

(11.0

)%

(1.8

)%

Services

 

8

%

6

%

1.5

%

5.6

%

Other

 

<1

%

<1

%

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total

 

100

%

100

%

(5.3

)%

6.7

%

 

Our comparable store sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased 5.3%, reflecting a decrease in customer traffic and an unfavorable calendar shift within our Domestic segment, as the quarter had seven fewer post-Thanksgiving shopping days than the prior year’s period.  Partially offsetting the decline in traffic was an increase in the average ticket as our revenue mix continued to shift toward large-ticket items, such as notebook computers and mobile phones.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, our largest comparable store sales declines were in digital cameras, projection and tube televisions, appliances, DVDs, CDs and MP3 players. These declines were partially offset by comparable store sales growth in notebook computers and mobile phones.

 

Our gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by 1.4% of revenue to 24.9% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our gross profit rate increased from 23.9% of revenue to 24.3% of revenue. The gross profit rate increase in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due to an increase in both our Domestic and International segments’ gross profit rates.  The acquisition of Best Buy Europe increased our gross profit rate by 1.1% of revenue and 0.4% of revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively.  For further discussion of each segment’s gross profit rate changes, see the Segment Performance Summary for Domestic and International below.

 

35



 

Our SG&A expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by 2.5% of revenue to 22.5% of revenue.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our SG&A expense rate increased from 20.1% of revenue to 21.4% of revenue.  The SG&A expense rate increase in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due to increases in our Domestic and International segments’ SG&A expense rates.  The acquisition of Best Buy Europe increased our SG&A expense rate by 1.6% of revenue and 0.6% of revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively.  For further discussion of each segment’s SG&A expense rate changes, see the Segment Performance Summary for Domestic and International below.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Our investment (loss) income and other in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased to ($3) million, compared with $32 million in the same period one year ago.  Our investment income and other in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 decreased to $27 million, compared with $98 million in the same period one year ago.  In both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, the lower investment (loss) income and other was due primarily to lower average cash and investments balances related to $3.5 billion of share repurchases made in the prior fiscal year, as well as our acquisition of Best Buy Europe in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  In addition, lower interest rates also contributed to the lower investment (loss) income and other in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009.

 

Our interest expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by $12 million to $35 million, compared with $23 million in the same period one year ago.  The increase was due primarily to higher debt balances, partially offset by the benefit of lower interest rates.  Our interest expense in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 increased $16 million to $69 million, compared with $53 million in the same period one year ago. The increase was due primarily to higher debt balances in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, partially offset by the benefit of lower interest rates.

 

Investment Impairment

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we purchased in the open market 26.1 million shares of CPW common stock for $183 million, representing nearly 3% of CPW’s then outstanding shares.  In accordance with our policy for evaluating investments for other-than-temporary impairment, we determined, based on specific facts and circumstances, that our investment in CPW had incurred an other-than-temporary impairment at November 29, 2008.  Accordingly, we recorded a $111 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on the investment in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rates in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were 54.6% and 40.2%, respectively, up from 35.6% and 36.3%, respectively, in the corresponding periods of fiscal 2008.  The increase in our effective income tax rate in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to the other-than-temporary impairment of our investment in the common stock of CPW, which increased our effective tax rate by 18.1% and 3.2%, respectively.  The investment is owned by one of our Canadian subsidiaries; and under Canadian tax law, only 50% of capital gains and losses may be included in taxable income.

 

Segment Performance Summary

 

Domestic

 

The following table presents unaudited selected financial data for the Domestic segment ($ in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Revenue

 

$

8,196

 

$

8,206

 

$

23,782

 

$

22,144

 

Revenue % gain

 

0

%

15

%

7

%

11

%

Comparable stores sales % (decline) gain

 

(6.3

)%

6.1

%

0.5

%

3.3

%

Gross profit as % of revenue

 

24.4

%

24.2

%

24.6

%

24.6

%

SG&A as % of revenue

 

20.9

%

20.2

%

20.9

%

20.3

%

Operating income

 

$

283

 

$

329

 

$

875

 

$

957

 

Operating income as % of revenue

 

3.5

%

4.0

%

3.7

%

4.3

%

 

The following table reconciles Domestic stores open at the beginning and end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009:

 

36



 

 

 

Total Stores at
Beginning of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2009

 

Stores
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2009

 

U.S. Best Buy

 

973

 

37

 

 

1,010

 

Magnolia Audio Video

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Pacific Sales

 

22

 

7

 

 

29

 

Best Buy Mobile

 

21

 

18

 

 

39

 

U.S. Geek Squad

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Total

 

1,036

 

62

 

 

1,098

 

 

Note: Four U.S. Best Buy stores in the Domestic segment were relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. No other store in the Domestic segment was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

The following table reconciles Domestic stores open at the beginning and end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008:

 

 

 

Total Stores at
Beginning of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2008

 

Stores
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2008

 

U.S. Best Buy

 

872

 

45

 

 

917

 

Magnolia Audio Video

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Pacific Sales

 

15

 

2

 

 

17

 

Best Buy Mobile

 

5

 

2

 

 

7

 

U.S. Geek Squad

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Total

 

912

 

49

 

 

961

 

 

Note: Three U.S. Best Buy stores in the Domestic segment were relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. No other store in the Domestic segment was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Our Domestic segment’s operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $283 million, or 3.5% of revenue, compared with $329 million, or 4.0% of revenue, in the same period one year ago.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our Domestic segment’s operating income was $875 million, or 3.7% of revenue, compared with $957 million, or 4.3% of revenue, in the same period one year ago.  The decrease in our Domestic segment’s operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 reflected an increase in our SG&A expense rate, partially offset by an increase in our gross profit rate.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the decrease in our Domestic segment’s operating income reflected an increase in our SG&A expense rate, partially offset by an increase in revenue.

 

Our Domestic segment’s revenue was unchanged at $8.2 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared with the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our Domestic segment’s revenue increased 7% to $23.8 billion, compared with $22.1 billion in the same period one year ago.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the net addition of 137 new stores in the past 12 months was offset by a comparable store sales decline of 6.3%.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the net addition of new stores accounted for nine-tenths of the increase, with the remainder of the revenue increase attributable to the 0.5% comparable store sales gain and the acquisitions of Speakeasy and Napster.

 

The following table presents revenue mix percentages and comparable store sales percentage changes for the Domestic segment by revenue category in the third quarter of fiscal 2009:

 

 

 

Revenue Mix Summary

 

Comparable Store Sales Summary

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Consumer electronics

 

39

%

42

%

(13.7

)%

1.7

%

Home office

 

32

%

27

%

11.1

%

8.0

%

Entertainment software

 

19

%

20

%

(12.4

)%

20.9

%

Appliances

 

4

%

5

%

(21.0

)%

(6.7

)%

Services

 

6

%

6

%

1.3

%

4.5

%

Other

 

<1

%

<1

%

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total

 

100

%

100

%

(6.3

)%

6.1

%

 

37



 

Our Domestic segment’s comparable store sales decline in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 reflected a decrease in customer traffic and an unfavorable calendar shift, as the quarter had seven fewer post-Thanksgiving shopping days than the prior year’s period.  Partially offsetting the decline in traffic was an increase in the average ticket as our revenue mix continued to shift toward large-ticket items, such as notebook computers and mobile phones.  The products having the largest effect on our Domestic segment’s comparable store sales decline in the fiscal third quarter were digital cameras, projection and tube televisions, appliances, DVDs, CDs and MP3 players. Declines in the sales of these product categories were partially offset by comparable store sales gains in notebook computers and mobile phones.

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, our Domestic segment’s consumer electronics revenue category posted a 13.7% comparable store sales decline. The consumer electronics comparable store sales decline was driven primarily by decreases in digital cameras, projection and tube televisions and MP3 players.  Our home office revenue category posted an 11.1% comparable store sales gain, driven primarily by continued gains in notebook computers and mobile phones, the latter due to the roll-out of our Best Buy Mobile store-within-a-store locations.  The entertainment software revenue category posted a 12.4% comparable store sales decline, driven primarily by declines in the sales of DVDs and CDs as well as video gaming.  Our appliances revenue category recorded a 21.0% decline in comparable store sales driven primarily by a decrease in the sales of major appliances, reflecting a continued industry-wide decline.  Our services revenue category recorded a 1.3% comparable store sales gain due primarily to increased repair and warranty revenue.

 

Our Domestic segment’s gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by 0.2% of revenue to 24.4% of revenue. In the first nine months of both fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s gross profit rate was 24.6% of revenue. In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the increase was due primarily to margin rate improvements in televisions, computing and digital imaging and increased sales of higher-margin products within our mobile phone category, partially offset by a shift in our revenue mix to sales of lower-margin products within our notebook computers product category.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, the decrease from the shift in our revenue mix to lower-margin products such as notebook computers and video gaming hardware was offset by margin rate improvements in televisions and computing as well as mix improvements from the sales of higher-margin mobile phones.

 

Our Domestic segment’s SG&A expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by 0.7% of revenue to 20.9% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our Domestic segment’s SG&A rate was 20.9% of revenue, compared with 20.3% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The increase in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to the deleveraging of payroll and overhead on lower comparable store sales; increased spending on investments, including the roll-out and staffing of the Best Buy Mobile store-within-a-store experience; store projects such as resets of GPS, computing and video gaming selling space and information technology enhancements to our point-of-sale systems; and increased expenses for consulting services company-wide.  However, the SG&A expense rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 benefited from lower incentive compensation as a result of lower profitability as well as reduced advertising.

 

International

 

The following table presents unaudited selected financial data for the International segment ($ in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Revenue

 

$

3,304

 

$

1,722

 

$

6,509

 

$

4,461

 

Revenue % gain

 

92

%

32

%

46

%

44

%

Comparable stores sales % gain

 

0.3

%

9.3

%

1.2

%

12.3

%

Gross profit as % of revenue

 

26.1

%

20.6

%

23.5

%

20.6

%

SG&A as % of revenue

 

26.4

%

19.3

%

23.3

%

19.2

%

Operating (loss)/income

 

$

(9

)

$

22

 

$

15

 

$

61

 

Operating (loss)/income as % of revenue

 

(0.3

)%

1.3

%

0.2

%

1.4

%

 

38



 

The following table reconciles International stores open at the beginning and end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009:

 

 

 

Total Stores at
Beginning of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2009

 

Stores
Acquired

 

Stores
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2009

 

Future Shop

 

133

 

 

6

 

(1

)

138

 

Canada Best Buy

 

52

 

 

5

 

 

57

 

Canada Best Buy Mobile

 

0

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

Five Star

 

161

 

 

1

 

(1

)

161

 

China Best Buy

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

2

 

Best Buy Europe

 

0

 

2,415

 

45

 

(30

)

2,430

 

Total

 

347

 

2,415

 

61

 

(32

)

2,791

 

 

Note: Three Future Shop stores were relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  No other store in the International segment was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

The following table reconciles International stores open at the beginning and end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008:

 

 

 

Total Stores at
Beginning of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2008

 

Stores
Acquired

 

Stores
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2008

 

Future Shop

 

126

 

 

5

 

 

131

 

Canada Best Buy

 

48

 

 

3

 

 

51

 

Canada Best Buy Mobile

 

0

 

 

 

 

0

 

Five Star

 

142

 

 

8

 

(1

)

149

 

China Best Buy

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Best Buy Europe

 

0

 

 

 

 

0

 

Total

 

317

 

 

16

 

(1

)

332

 

 

Note: One Future Shop store was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.  No other store in the International segment was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Our International segment’s operating loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $(9) million, or (0.3)% of revenue, compared with operating income of $22 million, or 1.3% of revenue, in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our International segment’s operating income was $15 million, or 0.2% or revenue, compared with $61 million, or 1.4% of revenue, in the same period one year ago. In both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, the International segment’s decrease in operating income resulted primarily from an increase in the SG&A expense rate, partially offset by a higher gross profit rate and an increase in revenue.

 

Our International segment’s revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 92% to $3.3 billion, compared with $1.7 billion for the same period one year ago.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our International segment’s revenue increased 46% to $6.5 billion, compared with $4.5 billion in the same period one year ago.  Excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe, which had revenues of $1.7 billion for the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2009, and the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, our International segment’s revenue increased approximately 5% and 7% in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively, compared with the same period one year ago.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe and the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the net addition of 29 new stores accounted for nine-tenths of the increase in revenue, and a 0.3% comparable store sales gain accounted for the remainder of the increase.  The slight increase in comparable store sales was the result of an 8.2% gain in comparable store sales in China, partially offset by a 1.8% comparable store sales decline in Canada.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, excluding the effect of the acquisition of Best Buy Europe and the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the net addition of new stores accounted for nine-tenths of the revenue increase, and a 1.2% comparable store sales gain accounted for the remainder.

 

39



 

The following table presents revenue mix percentages and comparable store sales percentage changes for the International segment by revenue category in the third quarter of fiscal 2009:

 

 

 

Revenue Mix Summary

 

Comparable Store Sales Summary

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Consumer electronics

 

18

%

37

%

(0.3

)%

6.6

%

Home office

 

54

%

31

%

(1.4

)%

1.0

%

Entertainment software

 

6

%

14

%

(2.7

)%

40.0

%

Appliances

 

8

%

13

%

7.4

%

11.3

%

Services

 

14

%

5

%

3.0

%

11.9

%

Other

 

<1

%

<1

%

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total

 

100

%

100

%

0.3

%

9.3

%

 

Note: International revenue mix changed significantly in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 with the acquisition of Best Buy Europe.  Based on revenues, Best Buy Europe comprises 50% of the International segment.  The majority of Best Buy Europe’s business is the sale of mobile phones and acting as an agent to sell mobile voice and data service plans, which are included in our home office revenue category.  In addition, Best Buy Europe offers mobile phone insurance and other mobile and fixed line telecom services, which are included in our services revenue category.  As a result, the International segment’s home office and services revenue categories have increased substantially, resulting in a lower mix percentage within our consumer electronics, entertainment software and appliances revenue categories.

 

Our International segment’s comparable store sales gain in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 reflected gains in the sales of appliances, flat panel televisions and mobile phones, partially offset by declines in the sales of projection and tube televisions, computer monitors and MP3 players.

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, our International segment’s consumer electronics revenue category posted a 0.3% comparable store sales decline resulting primarily from comparable store sales declines in projection and tube televisions and MP3 players, partially offset by a gain in the sale of flat panel televisions.  The home office revenue category posted a 1.4% comparable store sales decline due primarily to declines in the sales of computer monitors and printers, partially offset by increases in the sales of mobile phones and notebook computers.  The entertainment software revenue category recorded a 2.7% comparable store sales decline due to an expected decline in the sales of CDs and DVDs.  Our appliances revenue category recorded a 7.4% comparable store sales gain resulting primarily from increases in the sales of appliances in China.  Our services revenue category posted a 3.0% comparable store sales increase.

 

Our International segment’s gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by 5.5% of revenue to 26.1% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our International segment’s gross profit rate was 23.5% of revenue, an improvement from 20.6% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The acquisition of Best Buy Europe increased our International segment’s gross profit rate by 5.3% of revenue and 2.5% of revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively.  In both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe, the gross profit rate increase was primarily driven by improved promotional control and other gross profit optimization initiatives in China, as well as the stabilization of the gross profit rate in Canada.

 

Our International segment’s SG&A expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by 7.1% of revenue to 26.4% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, our International segment’s SG&A expense rate was 23.3% of revenue, compared with 19.2% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The acquisition of Best Buy Europe increased our International segment’s SG&A expense rate by 6.0% of revenue and 3.1% of revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe, the increase in the International segment’s SG&A expense rate was primarily driven by inflationary pressures on rent and other operating costs in China; Canada’s deleveraging of payroll and overhead costs due to comparable store sales declines; and planned investments in China, Mexico and Turkey for future store expansion and new store start-up and in IT infrastructure.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2009, excluding the acquisition of Best Buy Europe, the increase in the International segment’s SG&A expense rate was primarily driven by planned investments in China, Mexico and Turkey for future store expansion and new store start-up; inflationary pressures on rent and other operating costs in China; and information technology and customer analytic investments to support our international growth with Canada maintaining a stable SG&A expense rate.

 

40



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Summary

 

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments balances ($ in millions):

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

March 1, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

569

 

$

1,438

 

$

1,319

 

Short-term investments

 

25

 

64

 

295

 

Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

594

 

$

1,502

 

$

1,614

 

 

The decrease in the balance of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments compared with the end of fiscal 2008 and the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to the liquidation of a substantial portion of our investment portfolio to fund, in part, our acquisition of Best Buy Europe.

 

Our current ratio, calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities, was 0.9 at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with 1.1 at the end of fiscal 2008 and 1.0 at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008.  The decrease in our current ratio compared with the end of fiscal 2008 and the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to decreases in our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and increases in accounts payable and short-term debt, partially offset by increases in receivables and merchandise inventories. The decreases in our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and increases in short-term debt were due primarily to the liquidation of a substantial portion of our investment portfolio to fund the acquisition of Best Buy Europe.  The increases in receivables, merchandise inventories and accounts payable were primarily driven by the acquisition of Best Buy Europe and the opening of new stores.

 

Our debt-to-capitalization ratio, which represents the ratio of total debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, to total capitalization (total debt plus total shareholders’ equity), increased to 42% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with 15% at the end of fiscal 2008 and 21% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008. We view our debt-to-capitalization ratio as an important indicator of our creditworthiness. The increase compared with the end of fiscal 2008 and the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was driven primarily by increased borrowings in connection with our acquisition of Best Buy Europe and to meet normal working capital needs.

 

Our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio, which includes capitalized operating lease obligations in its calculation, was 71% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, compared with 60% at the end of fiscal 2008 and 64% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The increase compared with the end of fiscal 2008 and the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was driven primarily by increased borrowings in connection with our acquisition of Best Buy Europe.

 

Our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and is not in accordance with, or preferable to, the ratio determined pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). However, we have included this information as we believe that our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio contributes to an understanding of our operations and provides meaningful additional information about our ability to service our long-term debt and other fixed obligations and to fund our future growth. In addition, we believe our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio is relevant because it enables investors to compare our indebtedness to that of retailers who own, rather than lease, their stores. Our decision to own or lease real estate is based on an assessment of the owner’s desire to own or to lease the location, our financial liquidity, our capital structure, our desire to own or to lease the location, and the alternative that we believe results in the highest return to our shareholders.

 

The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio is our debt-to-capitalization ratio. Our debt-to-capitalization ratio excludes capitalized operating lease obligations in both the numerator and the denominator.  The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in the calculation of our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratios for the dates indicated ($ in millions):

 

41



 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

March 1, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Debt (including current portion)

 

$

3,326

 

$

816

 

$

988

 

Capitalized operating lease obligations (8 times rental expense)1

 

7,890

 

5,902

 

5,667

 

Total debt (including capitalized operating lease obligations)

 

$

11,216

 

$

6,718

 

$

6,655

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt (including current portion)

 

$

3,326

 

$

816

 

$

988

 

Capitalized operating lease obligations (8 times rental expense)1

 

7,890

 

5,902

 

5,667

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

4,560

 

4,484

 

3,746

 

Adjusted capitalization

 

$

15,776

 

$

11,202

 

$

10,401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt-to-capitalization ratio

 

42

%

15

%

21

%

Adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio (including capitalized operating lease obligations)

 

71

%

60

%

64

%

 

1                   The multiple of eight times rental expense used to calculate our capitalized operating lease obligations total is the multiple used for the retail sector by one of the nationally recognized credit rating agencies that rate our creditworthiness.

 

Our liquidity is affected by restricted cash balances that are pledged as collateral or restricted to use for vendor payables, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and customer warranty and insurance programs. Restricted cash and cash equivalents, which is included in other current assets, totaled $438 million, $309 million and $383 million at November 29, 2008; March 1, 2008; and December 1, 2007, respectively.  The increases in restricted cash compared with the end of fiscal 2008 and the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were due primarily to $103 million of restricted cash acquired from Best Buy Europe.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the first nine months of the current and prior fiscal years ($ in millions):

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

November 29, 2008

 

December 1, 2007

 

Total cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

(80

)

$

1,246

 

Investing activities

 

(2,969

)

1,903

 

Financing activities

 

2,141

 

(3,139

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

39

 

104

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

(869

)

$

114

 

 

Note: See consolidated statements of cash flows included in Item 1, Consolidated Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

Cash used in operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 totaled $80 million, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $1,246 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The decrease in cash provided by operations was due primarily to a decrease in net earnings and changes in receivables, accounts payable and income taxes.  The decrease in cash provided by receivables was due primarily to the impact of the calendar shift of Thanksgiving to the last week of November in the current fiscal year, which delayed collection of $572 million in credit card sales until after November 29, 2008.  The increase in cash used for accounts payable and income taxes was due primarily to the shift in vendor receipts to early in the fiscal third quarter and the timing of tax payments, respectively.

 

Cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $3.0 billion, compared with cash provided by investing activities of $1.9 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The change was due primarily to a decrease in the net sales of investments of $2.4 billion and an increase in cash used to acquire businesses.  We invested $2.2 billion, net of cash acquired, to acquire Best Buy Europe and Napster in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, as compared to $89 million for the acquisition of Speakeasy in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.  In addition, our capital expenditures increased by $343 million to $927 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, as compared to capital expenditures of $584 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008.

 

42



 

Cash provided by financing activities was $2.1 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, compared with cash used in financing activities of $3.1 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily the result of a decrease in repurchases of common stock and an increase in net borrowings. During the first nine months of fiscal 2009, we made no repurchases of our common stock, compared with $3.5 billion in purchases of our common stock during the first nine months of fiscal 2008.  Additionally, net borrowings were $2.2 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2009, compared with $302 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008.

 

Share Repurchases and Dividends

 

For the three months ended November 29, 2008, and December 1, 2007, we made no share repurchases.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we paid our regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share, or $58 million in the aggregate.  During the same period one year ago, we paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common share, or $55 million in the aggregate.  As announced on June 25, 2008, our Board increased our regular quarterly cash dividend by 8%, to $0.14 per common share.

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

Funds generated by operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents, and our credit facilities continue to be our most significant sources of liquidity.  We believe our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to sustain operations, including restructuring costs, and to finance anticipated expansion plans and strategic initiatives for the remainder of fiscal 2009.  However, in the event our liquidity is insufficient, we may be required to limit our future expansion plans or we may not be able to pursue promising business opportunities.  There can be no assurance that we will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that we will be able to maintain our ability to borrow under our existing credit facilities or obtain additional financing, if necessary, on terms consistent with our existing credit facilities.

 

We have a $2.5 billion five-year unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”), with a syndicate of banks, of which $1.7 billion was outstanding at November 29, 2008. The Credit Agreement permits borrowings up to $2.5 billion, and may be increased up to $3.0 billion at our option upon the consent of the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement and each of the banks providing an incremental credit commitment. The Credit Agreement has a $300 million letter of credit sub-limit and a $200 million foreign currency sub-limit. The Credit Agreement terminates in September 2012.  We were in compliance with our financial covenants at November 29, 2008. At January 5, 2009, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Credit Agreement.

 

On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”) filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.  A subsidiary of Lehman, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“Lehman CPI”) is one of the lenders under the Credit Agreement who represents a commitment of $180 million.  Lehman CPI has declined requests for funding under our Credit Agreement, and it is not certain whether another lender might assume its commitment.  As a result, our borrowing base of $2.5 billion has been effectively reduced by $180 million.

 

On November 7, 2008, we entered into a unsecured revolving credit agreement for an additional $150 million that expired unused on December 17, 2008.  For additional information regarding both credit agreements refer to Note 6, Debt, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information.

 

We have $1.0 billion available under secured and unsecured revolving demand and credit facilities related to our International segment operations, of which $401 million was outstanding at November 29, 2008.

 

At November 29, 2008, we had $339 million of auction-rate securities (“ARS”), which are recorded at par on our consolidated balance sheet, as we believe par approximates fair value.  The majority of our ARS portfolio is AAA/Aaa-rated and collateralized by student loans, which are guaranteed 95% to 100% by the U.S. government. See Note 3, Investments, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information. Due to the auction failures that began in mid-February 2008, we have been unable to liquidate many of our ARS. The investment principal associated with failed auctions will not be accessible until successful auctions occur, a buyer is found outside of the auction process, the issuers establish a different form of financing to replace these securities, or final payments come due according to the contractual maturities of the debt issues, which range from 8 to 40 years. We intend to hold our ARS until we can recover the full principal amount through one of the means described above, and have the ability to do so based on

 

43



 

our other sources of liquidity. On October 29, 2008, we accepted a settlement with UBS AG and its affiliates (collectively, “UBS”) pursuant to which UBS will issue to us Series C-2 Auction Rate Securities Rights (the “ARS Rights”). The ARS Rights provide us the right to receive the par value of our UBS-brokered ARS plus accrued but unpaid interest. The settlement provides that we may require UBS to purchase our UBS-brokered ARS at par value at any time between June 30, 2010 and July 2, 2012. As part of the settlement, we entered into a credit agreement which allows us to borrow up to $90 million from UBS Bank USA or an affiliate, which is secured by the $90 million par value of our UBS-brokered ARS.  At November 29, 2008, we had $19 million outstanding under this credit agreement.

 

Our credit ratings and outlooks at January 5, 2009, are summarized below.  Moody’s rating is consistent with the rating and outlook reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008.  On November 17, 2008, Fitch reaffirmed our BBB+ rating, but assigned a negative outlook because of significant declines in our comparable store sales.  On November 19, 2008, Standard & Poor’s downgraded our rating to BBB- and assigned a stable outlook due to the current weak economic environment in the U.S. This downgrade has not impacted our borrowing costs.

 

Rating Agency

 

Rating

 

Outlook

 

Fitch

 

BBB+

 

Negative

 

Moody’s

 

Baa2

 

Stable

 

Standard & Poor’s

 

BBB-

 

Stable

 

 

Factors that can affect our credit ratings include changes in our operating performance, the economic environment, conditions in the retail and consumer electronics industries, our financial position, and changes in our business strategy. We are not aware of any reasonable circumstances under which our credit ratings would be significantly downgraded. If a downgrade were to occur, it could adversely impact, among other things, our future borrowing costs, access to capital markets, vendor financing terms and future new-store occupancy costs. In addition, the conversion rights of the holders of our convertible debentures could be accelerated if our credit ratings were to be downgraded.

 

Debt and Capital

 

At November 29, 2008, we had debt outstanding under our various credit agreements of $2.2 billion, an increase from $156 million at March 1, 2008, due primarily to increased borrowings in connection with our acquisition of Best Buy Europe and for normal working capital needs. See Note 6, Debt, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

 

Our liquidity is not dependent on the use of off-balance sheet financing arrangements other than in connection with our operating leases.

 

Other than our issuance of the $500 million principal amount of notes in June 2008 and our assumption of $299 million of Best Buy Europe debt outstanding upon acquisition, there has been no material change in our contractual obligations other than in the ordinary course of business since the end of fiscal 2008. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008, for additional information regarding our off-balance-sheet arrangements and contractual obligations.

 

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008. We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008. There has been no significant change in our significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since the end of fiscal 2008.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement). FSP APB 14-1 clarifies that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon either mandatory or optional conversion (including partial cash settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt issued with Stock Purchase Warrants. Additionally, FSP APB 14-1 specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the

 

44



 

entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not believe our adoption of FSP APB 14-1 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 will have an impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This standard is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for non-governmental entities. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We do not expect SFAS No. 162 to have a material impact on the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand the effect these instruments and activities have on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 161 beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations (“141R”). SFAS No. 141R significantly changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, preacquisition contingencies, transaction costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS No. 141R, changes in an acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 141R beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, which will change our accounting treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS No. 160 changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. This new consolidation method significantly changes the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will adopt SFAS No. 160 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Companies are not allowed to adopt SFAS No. 159 on a retrospective basis unless they choose early adoption. We adopted SFAS No. 159 on March 2, 2008, and did not elect the fair value option for eligible items that existed at the date of adoption.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of information used in fair value measurements, and requires new disclosures of assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on their level in the hierarchy. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSPs No. 157-1 and No. 157-2, which, respectively, removed leasing transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157 and deferred for one year the effective date for SFAS No. 157 as it applies to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities. On March 2, 2008, we adopted, on a prospective basis, the SFAS No. 157 definition of fair value and became subject to the new disclosure requirements (excluding FSP 157-2) with respect to our fair value measurements of (a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in our financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial assets and liabilities.  Our adoption did not impact our

 

45



 

consolidated financial position or results of operations.  The additional disclosures required by SFAS No. 157 are included in Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.

 

The deferral provided by FSP No. 157-2 applies to such items as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) and nonfinancial long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment.  We are evaluating the impact FSP No. 157-2 will have on our nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, which are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

 

Outlook

 

On January 9, 2009, we plan to issue a news release regarding our revenue for the fiscal month of December and for the 10 months ended January 3, 2009.  We expect to comment in the news release on our outlook for all of fiscal 2009, based on our 10-month results.  We will post the news release on our Web site at www.BestBuy.com — select the “For Our Investors” link and then the “News Releases” link.

 

Our policy is to update our annual earnings guidance if we are reasonably confident that annual results are expected to change materially. Consistent with the practices of a majority of our peer group of companies, we plan to discontinue discussing our outlook within our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, effective with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2009. We intend to continue to provide and update our annual guidance in our quarterly earnings releases, and through additional releases if warranted by material changes in our expected annual results. We furnish all such releases as exhibits to Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

 

Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), provide a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their companies. With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements and may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” “plan,” “project,” “outlook,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such statements reflect our current view with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. A variety of factors could cause our future results to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements. Readers should review Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008, our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2008, and our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on December 4, 2008, for a description of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, general economic conditions, acquisitions and development of new businesses, divestitures, product availability, sales volumes, pricing actions and promotional activities of our competitors, profit margins, weather, changes in law or regulations, foreign currency fluctuation, availability of suitable real estate locations, our ability to react to a disaster recovery situation, and the impact of labor markets and new product introductions on our overall profitability, among other things, could cause our future results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statement.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

In addition to the risks inherent in our operations, we are exposed to certain market risks, including adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

We have market risk arising from changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to our International segment operations.  On a limited basis, we are using forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Our Canada and Europe businesses enter into the contracts primarily to hedge U.S. dollar

 

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merchandise inventory payables. The contracts typically have terms of less than ninety days, and we do not apply hedge accounting to them. The aggregate notional amount of our forward foreign exchange contracts outstanding was $165 million at November 29, 2008. The mark-to-market adjustment related to these contracts was a charge of less than $1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Since July 2008, the U.S. dollar has been generally stronger relative to the currencies of the foreign countries in which we operate.  The overall strength of the U.S. dollar had a negative impact on our International segment’s revenue and net earnings because the foreign denominations translated into fewer U.S. dollars.

 

It is not possible to determine the exact impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes; however, the effect on reported revenue and net earnings can be estimated.  We estimate that the overall strength of the U.S. dollar had an unfavorable impact on revenue of approximately $167 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  In addition, we estimate that such strength had an unfavorable impact of approximately $18 million on our net earnings in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Since August 2008, the U.S. dollar has strengthened relative to the British pound, which is the functional currency of Best Buy Europe.  The balance sheet of Best Buy Europe included in our consolidated balance sheet at November 29, 2008, was translated using the exchange rate in effect two months prior to November 29, 2008, as Best Buy Europe is reported on a two-month lag.  If the balance sheet had been translated using the exchange rate in effect at November 29, 2008, the impact would have been to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $766 million and $327 million, respectively.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Short-term and long-term debt

 

At November 29, 2008, our short-term and long-term debt was comprised primarily of credit facilities and convertible debentures. We do not manage the interest rate risk on our debt through the use of derivative instruments.

 

Our credit facilities are not subject to material interest rate risk. The credit facilities’ interest rates may be reset due to fluctuations in a market-based index, such as the federal funds rate, LIBOR, or the base rate or prime rate of our lenders. A hypothetical 100-basis-point change in the interest rates of our credit facilities would change our annual pre-tax earnings by $22 million.

 

Our convertible debentures are not subject to material interest rate risk. The interest rate on our debentures may be reset but not more than 100-basis-points higher than the current rates. If the interest rate on the debentures at November 29, 2008, were to be reset 100-basis-points higher, our annual pre-tax earnings would decrease by $4 million.

 

Short-term and long-term investments

 

At November 29, 2008, our short-term and long-term investments were comprised primarily of debt securities, specifically auction-rate securities.  Our investments are not subject to material interest rate risk. A hypothetical 100-basis-point change in the interest rate would change our annual pre-tax earnings by $4 million. We do not currently manage interest rate risk on our investments through the use of derivative instruments.

 

Other Market Risks

 

Investments in auction-rate securities

 

At November 29, 2008, we held $339 million (par value) in investments in auction-rate securities (“ARS”) and concluded that no impairment exists on these securities.  Given current conditions in the ARS market as described in Note 3, Investments, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we may incur temporary unrealized losses or other-than-temporary realized losses in the future if market conditions persist and we are unable to recover the cost of our ARS investments.  A hypothetical 100-basis-point loss from the par value of these investments would result in a $3 million impairment.

 

Insurance relationships

 

We have various commercial insurance relationships with AIG Commercial Insurance Group, Inc. (“AIG CI”), a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), including our sale of extended service contracts on behalf of AIG CI.  AIG CI has publicly stated as recently as December 29, 2008, that it is in an exceptionally strong financial position and maintains

 

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an investment portfolio that is conservative relative to its peers, with policyholder interests protected by state regulators and plans to continue to underwrite policies.  Accordingly, we anticipate that we will continue to be able to sell extended service contracts on behalf of AIG CI, as well as maintain our other insurance relationships with AIG CI.  We have no reason to believe that the current financial condition of AIG will have a material adverse effect on AIG CI.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We have established a Disclosure Committee, consisting of certain members of management, to assist in this evaluation. The Disclosure Committee meets on a regular quarterly basis, and as needed.

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), at November 29, 2008. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at November 29, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There was no change in internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended November 29, 2008, that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

We acquired Best Buy Europe during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. We are not yet required to evaluate, and have not fully evaluated, changes in Best Buy Europe’s internal control over financial reporting and, therefore, any material changes in internal control over financial reporting that may result from this acquisition have not been disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We intend to disclose all material changes in internal control over financial reporting resulting from this acquisition prior to or in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending February 27, 2010, in which report we will be required for the first time to include Best Buy Europe in our annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

(c)  Stock Repurchases

 

The following table presents the total number of shares of our common stock that we purchased during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the average price paid per share, the number of shares that were purchased as part of a publicly announced repurchase program, and the approximate dollar value of shares that still could have been purchased at the end of the applicable fiscal period, pursuant to our June 2007 $5.5 billion share repurchase program:

 

Fiscal Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
1

 

Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
1

 

August 31, 2008, through October 4, 2008

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,500,000,000

 

October 5, 2008, through November 1, 2008

 

 

 

 

2,500,000,000

 

November 2, 2008, through November 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

2,500,000,000

 

Total Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter

 

 

 

 

2,500,000,000

 

 

1                   “Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs” reflects our $5.5 billion share repurchase program announced on June 27, 2007, less $3.0 billion purchased in fiscal 2008.  There is no stated expiration date for the June 2007 share repurchase program.

 

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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Beginning in fiscal 2006, we engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as our independent registered public accounting firm with respect to our financial statements.  In September 2008, Deloitte advised us that they believed an advisory partner on Deloitte’s audit engagement team had entered into trades involving our securities on multiple occasions during the period of Deloitte’s engagement. SEC rules require that we file annual financial statements that are audited by an independent registered public accounting firm. SEC rules also provide that when a partner serving in a capacity such as that of this advisory partner has an investment in securities of an audit client the audit firm is not considered independent with respect to that client.

 

This individual had served as the advisory partner on the audit engagement team from the commencement of Deloitte’s engagement in fiscal 2006 until September 2008.  The advisory partner is no longer an active partner at Deloitte.  The audit partner heading the audit engagement team had responsibility for all substantive issues with respect to the planning, scope and conduct of Deloitte’s audit of our company, while the former advisory partner was responsible for client relationship management, industry matters and service assessment.

 

The former advisory partner attended some, but not all, audit committee meetings.  At these meetings, he reviewed with the committee reports of the annual inspection of Deloitte conducted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board as well as Deloitte’s annual client service assessments.  The former advisory partner also met occasionally with members of management or our audit committee.  His role was to advise on industry matters and to maintain the relationship between Deloitte and us.  He did not review substantive audit matters with management or the committee.  The former advisory partner attended our annual meetings of shareholders as one of the Deloitte representatives attending those meetings.  Neither the former advisory partner nor any other Deloitte representative spoke at any of these shareholder meetings and no questions were asked of Deloitte.

 

Deloitte reported to us the results of its investigation of the involvement of the former advisory partner in actual audit matters, including review of its audit-related files and logs and interviews of other members of the audit engagement team.  Deloitte also reported to us the steps taken in its investigation and its conclusions and provided supporting materials to us. At the direction of our audit committee, we also conducted an investigation into the extent of any involvement of the former advisory partner in actual audit matters.  We retained outside counsel to direct and assist in this investigation. Internal counsel conducted interviews with members and certain former members of our senior management and audit committee that had contact with the former advisory partner, including our chief financial officer and our chief accounting officer.  Outside and internal counsel reviewed summaries of the interviews and related documentation, including the minutes of all of our Board of Directors and Board committee meetings in which the former advisory partner participated, our electronic records and communications identified as pertaining to the former advisory partner, and supporting materials provided by Deloitte.

 

Following these investigations, Deloitte and our management advised our audit committee that no evidence was discovered that indicated that the former advisory partner had any substantive responsibility for or role in the conduct of the audit.  Deloitte delivered a letter to our audit committee stating that, despite the trades in our securities by their former advisory partner and the resulting violation of the SEC’s independence rules, the former advisory partner had not exercised any influence over the conduct of the audit or its conclusions with respect to the audit or accounting consultations, that the objectivity of the persons responsible for the actual conduct of the audit had not been affected by the former advisory partner’s actions, and that Deloitte’s independence was not impaired.

 

Based on the foregoing and our audit committee’s understanding of the application of the relevant SEC rules, our audit committee accepted Deloitte’s conclusion and letter regarding its independence and unanimously concluded that, based on all of the facts and circumstances known to the audit committee, Deloitte’s independence was not impaired with respect to any of our financial statements covering periods during which the former advisory partner was a member of Deloitte’s audit engagement team, including the current fiscal period. Deloitte and we have reported our respective conclusions regarding this matter to the SEC.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

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

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

Date: January 8, 2009

By:

/s/ BRADBURY H. ANDERSON

 

 

Bradbury H. Anderson

 

 

Vice Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
(duly authorized officer)

 

 

 

Date: January 8, 2009

By:

/s/ JAMES L. MUEHLBAUER

 

 

James L. Muehlbauer

 

 

Executive Vice President — Finance
and Chief Financial Officer
(duly authorized and principal financial
officer)

 

 

 

Date: January 8, 2009

By:

/s/ SUSAN S. GRAFTON

 

 

Susan S. Grafton

 

 

Vice President, Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer
(duly authorized and chief accounting
officer)

 

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