MOVADO GROUP INC (MOV) FY 2025 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
RESTATEMENT OF PREVIOUSLY ISSUED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company has restated our previously issued Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to the "Explanatory Note" preceding Item 1, Business, for background on the restatement, the fiscal periods impacted, control considerations and other information.
In addition, we have restated certain previously reported financial information at January 31, 2024 and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2024 and January 31, 2023 in this Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including but not limited to information within the Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources.
See Note 1A - Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information related to the restatement, including descriptions of the misstatements and the impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
GENERAL
Net Sales
The Company operates and manages its business in two principal business segments: Watch and Accessory Brands and Company Stores. The Company also operates in two geographic locations: United States and International.
The Company divides its watch and accessory business into two principal categories: the owned brands category and the licensed brands category. The owned brands category consists of the Movado®, Concord®, EBEL®, Olivia Burton® and MVMT® brands. Products in the licensed brands category include the following brands manufactured and distributed under license agreements with the respective brand owners: Coach®, Tommy Hilfiger®, Hugo Boss®, Lacoste® and Calvin Klein®.
The primary factors that influence annual sales are general economic conditions in the Company’s U.S. and international markets, new product introductions, the level and effectiveness of advertising and marketing expenditures and product pricing decisions.
57.4% of the Company’s total sales are from international markets (see Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and therefore reported sales made in those markets are affected by foreign exchange rates. The Company’s international sales are primarily billed in local currencies (predominantly Euros, British Pounds and Swiss Francs) and translated to U.S. dollars at average exchange rates for financial reporting purposes. The Company reduces its exposure to exchange rate risk through a hedging program.
The Company divides its business into two major geographic locations: United States operations, and International, which includes the results of all other non-U.S. Company operations. The allocation of geographic revenue is based upon the location of the customer. The Company’s International operations in Europe, the Americas (excluding the United States), Asia and the Middle East account for 31.0%, 9.9%, 8.9% and 7.6%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales for fiscal 2025. A vast majority of the Company’s tangible International assets are owned by the Company’s Swiss and Hong Kong subsidiaries.
The Company’s business is seasonal. There are two major selling seasons in the Company’s markets: the spring season, which includes school graduations and several holidays and, most importantly, the Christmas and holiday season. Major selling seasons in certain international markets center on significant local holidays that occur in late winter or early spring. The Company’s net sales historically have been higher during the second half of the fiscal year. The second half of each fiscal year accounted for 55.4% and 54.2% of the Company’s net sales for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The Company’s retail operations consist of 52 retail outlet locations in the United States and four locations in Canada.
The significant factors that influence annual sales volumes in the Company’s retail operations are similar to those that influence U.S. wholesale sales. In addition, most of the Company’s retail outlet locations are near vacation destinations and, therefore, the seasonality of these stores is driven by the peak tourist seasons associated with these locations.
Gross Margins
The Company’s overall gross margins are primarily affected by four major factors: channel and product sales mix, product pricing strategy, manufacturing costs and fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, in particular the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the Swiss Franc, British Pound and the Euro. Gross margins for the Company may not be comparable to those of other companies, since some companies include all the costs related to their distribution networks in cost of sales whereas the Company does not include
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the costs associated with its warehousing and distribution facilities nor the occupancy costs for the Company Stores segment in the cost of sales line item. Those costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Gross margins vary among the brands included in the Company’s portfolio and also among watch models within each brand. Watches in the Company’s owned brands category generally earn higher gross margin percentages than watches in the licensed brands category. The difference in gross margin percentages within the licensed brands category is primarily due to the impact of royalty payments made on the licensed brands. Gross margins in the Company’s e-commerce business generally earn higher gross margin percentages than those of the traditional wholesale business. Gross margins in the Company’s outlet business are affected by the mix of product sold and may exceed those of the wholesale business since the Company earns margins on its outlet store sales from manufacture to point of sale to the consumer.
All of the Company’s brands compete with a number of other brands not only on styling but also on wholesale and retail price. The Company’s ability to improve margins through price increases is therefore, to some extent, constrained by competitors’ actions.
Cost of sales of the Company’s products consists primarily of costs for raw materials, component costs, royalties, depreciation, amortization, assembly costs, shipping to customers, import duties, design costs and unit overhead costs associated with the Company’s supply chain operations predominately in Switzerland and Asia. The Company’s supply chain operations consist of logistics management of assembly operations and product sourcing predominately in Switzerland and Asia and minor assembly in Switzerland. Through productivity improvement efforts, the Company has controlled the level of overhead costs and maintained flexibility in its cost structure by outsourcing a significant portion of its component and assembly requirements.
Since a significant amount of the Company’s product costs are incurred in Swiss Francs, fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/Swiss Franc exchange rate can impact the Company’s cost of goods sold and, therefore, its gross margins. The Company reduces its exposure to the Swiss Franc exchange rate risk through a hedging program. Under the hedging program, the Company manages most of its foreign currency exposures on a consolidated basis, which allows it to net certain exposures and take advantage of natural offsets. In the event these exposures do not offset, the Company has the ability to hedge its Swiss Franc purchases using a combination of forward contracts and purchased currency options. The Company’s hedging program mitigated the impact of the exchange rate fluctuations on product costs and gross margins for fiscal years 2025 and 2024.
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
The Company’s SG&A expenses consist primarily of marketing, selling, distribution, general and administrative expenses.
Marketing expenditures are based principally on overall strategic considerations relative to maintaining or increasing market share in markets that management considers to be crucial to the Company’s continued success as well as on general economic conditions in the various markets around the world in which the Company sells its products. Marketing expenses include salaries, various forms of media advertising, digital advertising (including social media), customer acquisition costs and co-operative advertising with customers and distributors and other point of sale marketing and promotional spending.
Selling expenses consist primarily of salaries, sales commissions, sales force travel and related expenses, credit card fees, depreciation and amortization, expenses associated with the Company’s customer conferences and industry trade shows and operating costs incurred in connection with the Company’s retail business. Sales commissions vary with overall sales levels. Retail selling expenses consist primarily of payroll related and store occupancy costs.
Distribution expenses consist primarily of costs of running distribution centers and customer service and include salaries, rental and other occupancy costs, security, depreciation and amortization of furniture and leasehold improvements and shipping supplies.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other employee compensation including performance-based compensation, employee benefit plan costs, office rent, management information systems costs, professional fees, bad debts, depreciation and amortization of furniture, computer software, leasehold improvements, amortization of finite lived intangible assets, patent and trademark expenses and various other general corporate expenses.
Other Non-Operating Income, net
Other non-operating income, net consist primarily of interest income and the non-service components of the Company's Swiss pension plan. In addition, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment related to an equity investment in a consumer products company that sold its business and assets in which the Company expects to receive little or no return on its investment.
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Interest Expense
To the extent it borrows, the Company records interest expense on its revolving credit facility. Additionally, interest expense includes the amortization of deferred financing costs, and unused commitment fees associated with the Company’s revolving credit facility.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes as prescribed under the Accounting Standards Codification guidance for Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”). ASC Topic 740 requires the Company to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and those significant policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The preparation of these financial statements and the application of certain critical accounting policies require management to make judgments based on estimates and assumptions that affect the information reported. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to sales discounts and markdowns, product returns, bad debt, inventories, income taxes, warranty obligations, useful lives of property, plant and equipment, impairments of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources on historical experience, contractual commitments and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management believes the following are the critical accounting policies requiring significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition
In the wholesale channel, revenue is recognized and recorded when a contract is in place, obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied and control is transferred to the customer. Such revenue is measured as the ultimate amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods including variable consideration. The Company has determined that transfer of control passes to the wholesale customer upon shipment or upon receipt depending on the agreement with the customer and shipping terms. Control passes to outlet store customers at the time of sale and to substantially all e-commerce customers upon shipment. Factors considered in the transfer of control include the right to payment, transfer of legal title, physical possession and customer acceptance of the goods and whether the significant risks and rewards for the goods belong with the customer. The Company records estimates of variable consideration, which includes sales returns, markdowns, volume-based programs and sales and cash discount allowances as a reduction of revenue in the same period that the sales are recorded. These estimates are based upon the expected value method considering all reasonably available information including historical analysis, customer agreements and/or currently known factors that arise in the normal course of business. Returns, discounts and allowances have historically been within the Company’s expectations and the provisions established. The future provisional rates may differ from those experienced in the past. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on the Company's revenue-producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value added taxes, are excluded from net sales.
Intangibles
Intangible assets consist primarily of trade names, customer relationships and trademarks. In accordance with applicable guidance, the Company estimates and records the fair value of purchased intangible assets at the time of their acquisition. The fair values of these intangible assets are estimated at the time of acquisition based on independent third-party appraisals. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives, which range from three to ten years, and are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying values may not be fully recoverable. The Company determined that there was no impairment in fiscal 2025, fiscal 2024 or in fiscal 2023.
Inventories
The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average cost method. The Company performs reviews of its on-hand inventory to determine amounts, if any, of inventory that is deemed discontinued, excess, or unsaleable. Inventory classified as discontinued, together with the related component parts that can be assembled into saleable finished goods, is sold primarily through the Company’s retail outlet locations. The Company retains adequate levels of component parts to facilitate both the manufacturing of its watches as well as the after-sales service of its watches for an extended period of time after the
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discontinuance of the manufacturing of such watches. The adjustment to reduce the value of component parts below their cost to their net realizable value is based on the timing of when a component part is no longer associated with a watch that is being manufactured as well as the significant assumption related to the anticipated utilization of component parts for after-sales service.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews the estimated useful lives of its depreciable assets based on factors including historical experience, the expected beneficial service period of the asset, the quality and durability of the asset and the Company’s maintenance policy including periodic upgrades. Changes in useful lives are made on a prospective basis unless factors indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable and an impairment is necessary.
The Company performs an impairment review of its long-lived assets once events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. When such a determination has been made, management compares the carrying value of the asset groups with their estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If it is determined that an impairment has occurred, the fair value of the asset group is determined and compared to its carrying value. The excess of the carrying value over the fair value, if any, is recognized as a loss during that period. The impairment is calculated as the difference between asset carrying values and their estimated fair values. No impairment charge was recorded in fiscal 2025, fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2023.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which requires that certain assumptions be made to calculate the fair value of each option at the grant date. The expected life of stock option grants is determined using historical data and represents the time period during which the stock option is expected to be outstanding until it is exercised. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury note interest rate in effect on the date of grant for the expected life of the stock option. The expected stock price volatility is derived from historical volatility and calculated based on the estimated term structure of the stock option grant. The expected dividend yield is calculated using the Company’s expected average of annualized dividend yields and applied over the expected term of the option. Management monitors stock option exercises and employee termination patterns to estimate forfeitures rates within the valuation model. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes.
In addition to stock options, the Company may also grant stock awards to employees and directors. The stock awards are generally in the form of time-vesting restricted stock unit awards (pursuant to which unrestricted shares of Common Stock are issued to the grantee when the award vests) or performance-based awards (under which vesting occurs only if one or more predetermined financial goals are achieved within the relevant performance period); both are subject to the participant’s continued employment (or board service) with the Company through such vesting date. Stock awards generally are cliff-vested after three years from the date of grant (one year in the case of directors’ awards). The fair value of stock awards is generally equal to the closing price of the Company’s publicly-traded common stock on the grant date.
Compensation expense for all awards is accrued based on the estimated number of instruments for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered. This estimate is reflected in the period the stock option and stock awards are either granted or canceled. Expense related to stock options and stock awards compensation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting term and only if the performance condition is probable of being achieved.
Income Taxes
The Company, under ASC Topic 740, follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax laws and tax rates, in each jurisdiction where the Company operates, and applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In addition, the amounts of any future tax benefits are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent such benefits are not expected to be realized on a more-likely-than-not basis. The Company calculates estimated income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense along with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for both book and tax purposes.
The Company follows guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement standard for the financial statement recognition and measurement of an income tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This
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guidance also provides guidance for de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transitions.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND INITIATIVES
Tariffs
Most of the bands used in the production of the Company’s traditional watches, as well as most of the Company’s jewelry, are made in China and have been subject to a U.S. special 7.5% tariff since February 2020. In March and April 2025, the Trump Administration announced a series of additional special tariffs, some of which have been temporarily paused. The additional such special tariffs already in effect as of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K include tariffs of 10% on all or substantially all products imported by the Company, and a 145% tariff on substantially all products of Chinese origin. Together with the special tariffs applicable to Chinese products implemented in 2018, the special tariffs on Chinese products implemented in 2025 have increased the total U.S. special tariff on Chinese packaging materials to 170% and on Chinese watch bands and jewelry to 152.5%. In addition, the special 10% tariff applicable to all other countries applies to substantially all other products imported by the Company, including all Swiss watches as well as all watch heads (i.e., the entirety of a watch other than the watch band) produced in the Far East (which generally have Japanese movements and are therefore considered products of Japan for U.S. customs purposes). These actions are expected to increase the Company’s cost of sales. If the additional special tariffs that went into effect in March and April 2025 had been in effect during fiscal 2025, cost of sales would have been approximately $25 million to $30 million higher than the $300.2 million reported, assuming all else remained unchanged. However, the Company is developing plans to lessen the impact of these tariffs, including select price increases at the wholesale and retail levels, as well as possible operational changes that could result in a change in the country of origin for certain of the Company's products. In addition, in April 2025, the Trump Administration announced a series of so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries with which the U.S. has a trade deficit, including special incremental tariffs of 32% on Swiss goods and 24% on Japanese goods. On April 9, 2025, the Trump Administration announced a 90-day pause in the implementation of these “reciprocal” tariffs (other than the reciprocal tariffs on China, discussed above). However, if these additional “reciprocal” tariffs go into effect, the Company will incur substantial additional increases in its cost of sales and sales volumes into the U.S. would likely decline.
Cost-Savings Initiative
During fiscal year 2025, in light of the ongoing challenging consumer-spending environment, the Company committed to a cost-savings initiative to reduce operating expenses through headcount reductions, bringing them more in line with sales. As a result of this initiative, the Company recorded $4.6 million in accruals for severance and employee-related charges and early lease termination charges of which $1.3 million was paid related to severance and employee related charges during fiscal year 2025, with the balance expected to be paid during fiscal year 2026. The Company expects go-forward annual savings from the cost-savings initiatives of approximately $10.0 million.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into law by President Biden. Among other things, the IR Act implemented a 1% excise tax on the fair market stock repurchases by covered corporations, a 15% minimum tax based on adjusted financial statement income of certain large corporations, and several tax incentives to promote clean energy. Although the Company is continuing to evaluate the IR Act and its potential impact on future periods, to date, the IR Act has not had a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ("OECD") has issued Pillar Two model rules implementing a new global minimum tax of 15%, which was intended to be effective on January 1, 2024. While several countries have adopted and enacted changes to their legislation in response to Pillar Two, in January 2025, the President of the United States issued an executive order announcing the United States’ opposition to aspects of these rules. The Company's revenue currently does not meet the minimum requirements that were set by OECD inclusive framework and rules. Although the Company will continue to evaluate and monitor the enactments of Pillar Two, to the extent that Pillar Two becomes applicable, the Company does not expect a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the results of operations for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 along with a discussion of the changes in financial condition during fiscal 2025. The fiscal year 2024 and 2023 amounts reflect the restatements described in Note 1A - Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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The following are net sales by business segment and geographic location (in thousands):
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| (As Restated) | |||||||
| Watch and Accessory Brands: | |||||||
| United States | $ | 186,523 | $ | 191,266 | |||
| International | 369,863 | 369,188 | |||||
| Total Watch and Accessory Brands | 556,386 | 560,454 | |||||
| Company Stores | |||||||
| United States | 92,009 | 98,990 | |||||
| International | 4,983 | 4,945 | |||||
| Total Company Stores | 96,992 | 103,935 | |||||
| Net sales | $ | 653,378 | $ | 664,389 |
The following are net sales by category (in thousands):
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| (As Restated) | |||||||
| Watch and Accessory Brands: | |||||||
| Owned brands category | $ | 183,622 | $ | 198,612 | |||
| Licensed brands category | 365,216 | 354,099 | |||||
| After-sales service and all other | 7,548 | 7,743 | |||||
| Total Watch and Accessory Brands | 556,386 | 560,454 | |||||
| Company Stores | 96,992 | 103,935 | |||||
| Consolidated total | $ | 653,378 | $ | 664,389 |
The following table presents the Company’s results of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal years indicated:
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| (As Restated) | ||||||||
| Net sales | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
| Gross margin | 54.0 | % | 54.8 | % | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 51.0 | % | 47.5 | % | ||||
| Operating income | 3.1 | % | 7.3 | % | ||||
| Other income, net | 1.1 | % | 0.9 | % | ||||
| Interest expense | 0.1 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.1 | % | 1.8 | % | ||||
| Noncontrolling interests | 0.1 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||
| Net income attributable to Movado Group, Inc. | 2.8 | % | 6.2 | % |
Fiscal 2025 Compared to Fiscal 2024 (As Restated)
Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2025 were $653.4 million, representing an $11.0 million or 1.7% decrease from the prior year. Both of the Company's operating segments experienced net sales declines. For fiscal 2025, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacted net sales by $1.4 million when compared to the prior year. Excluding this $1.4 million impact, net sales would have decreased by 1.5% as compared to the prior year.
Watch and Accessory Brands Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2025 in the Watch and Accessory Brands segment were $556.4 million, below the prior year by $4.1 million, or 0.7%. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to unfavorable sales mix, mainly in the United States locations, and the negative
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impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by an increase in online retail in the United States locations and increased volumes resulting from higher demand in the Company's wholesale customers, mainly in the International locations.
United States Watch and Accessory Brands Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2025 in the United States locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment were $186.5 million, below the prior year by $4.8 million, or 2.5%, resulting primarily from unfavorable sales mix, partially offset by an increase in online retail. The net sales recorded in the owned brands category decreased $11.2 million, or 7.7%, partially offset by an increase in net sales recorded in the licensed brand category of $6.8 million, or 16.0%.
International Watch and Accessory Brands Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2025 in the International locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment were $369.9 million, above the prior year by $0.7 million, or 0.2%, which included fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that negatively impacted net sales by $1.4 million when compared to the prior year. The increase in net sales was primarily due to increased volumes resulting from higher demand in the Company's wholesale customers, partially offset by the negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The net sales decrease recorded in the owned brands category was $3.8 million, or 7.1%, due to net sales decreases in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas (excluding the United States), partially offset by an increase in Asia. The net sales increase in the licensed brands category was $4.3 million, or 1.4%, primarily due to net sales increases in Asia and the Americas (excluding the United States), partially offset by net sales decreases in the Middle East and Europe.
Company Stores Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2025 in the Company Stores segment were $97.0 million, $6.9 million or 6.7% below the prior year. The net sales decrease was primarily due to unfavorable sales mix in the Company stores, partially offset by an increase in sales from the Company's online outlet store at www.movadocompanystore.com and a new store opening. As of January 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company operated 56 and 55 retail outlet locations, respectively.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for fiscal 2025 was $353.1 million or 54.0% of net sales as compared to $364.2 million or 54.8% of net sales in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit of $11.1 million was due to lower net sales combined with a lower gross margin percentage. The decrease in the gross margin percentage of approximately 80 basis points for fiscal 2025 reflected an unfavorable impact of sales mix of approximately 50 basis points, the decreased leveraging of certain fixed costs as a result of lower sales of approximately 30 basis points and a negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates of approximately 10 basis points, partially offset by decreased shipping costs of approximately 10 basis points.
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses for fiscal 2025 were $333.1 million, representing an increase from the prior year of $17.4 million, or 5.5%. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the following factors: higher marketing expenses of $17.2 million, a $2.5 million provision for professional fees related to the internal investigation of allegations of misconduct within the Dubai branch of the Company's Swiss subsidiary that resulted in a restatement of previously issued financial statements, an increase in payroll related expenses of $2.1 million (which included severance and payroll related costs of $4.1 million related to the cost-savings initiative discussed above under “Recent Developments and Initiatives”) and an increase in credit card and platform fees of $0.7 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $2.8 million, a decrease in the reduction of accruals for donations and doubtful accounts of $1.8 million and a decrease of $0.5 million in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets being fully amortized. For the year ended January 31, 2025, fluctuations in foreign currency rates related to the foreign subsidiaries favorably impacted SG&A expenses by $1.5 million when compared to the prior year.
Watch and Accessory Brands Operating Income
For fiscal 2025, the Company recorded operating income of $7.7 million in the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which includes $30.0 million of unallocated corporate expenses as well as $67.0 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s supply chain operations. For fiscal 2024, the Company recorded operating income of $31.3 million in the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which included $30.8 million of unallocated corporate expenses as well as $71.5 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s supply chain operations. The decrease in operating income was the result of a decrease in gross profit of $6.6 million combined with higher SG&A expenses of $17.0 million when compared to the prior year. The decrease in gross profit was the result of lower net sales combined with a lower gross margin percentage primarily due to an unfavorable impact of sales mix, the decreased leveraging of certain fixed costs as a result of lower sales and a negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by decreased shipping costs. The increase in SG&A expenses of $17.0 million was primarily due to the following factors: higher marketing expenses of $16.9 million, a $2.5 million provision for professional fees related to the internal investigation of allegations of
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misconduct within the Dubai branch of the Company's Swiss subsidiary that resulted in a restatement of previously issued financial statements, an increase in payroll related expenses of $1.8 million (which included severance and payroll related costs of $4.1 million related to the cost-savings initiative) and an increase in credit card and platform fees of $0.7 million. These increases in SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $2.8 million, a decrease in the reduction of accruals for donations and doubtful accounts of $1.8 million and a decrease of $0.5 million in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets being fully amortized.
U.S. Watch and Accessory Brands Operating Loss
In the United States locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment, for the twelve months ended January 31, 2025, the Company recorded an operating loss of $40.1 million which includes unallocated corporate expenses of $30.0 million. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2024 the Company recorded an operating loss of $30.0 million in the United States locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which included unallocated corporate expenses of $30.8 million. The increase in operating loss was the result of an increase in gross profit of $2.0 million, offset by an increase in SG&A expenses of $12.1 million when compared to the prior year. The increase in gross profit of $2.0 million was the result of a higher gross margin percentage primarily due to the favorable impact of sales mix and decreased shipping costs, partially offset by decreased leveraging of certain fixed costs as a result of lower sales. The increase in SG&A expenses of $12.1 million was primarily due to the following factors: higher marketing expenses of $11.7 million, a $2.5 million provision for professional fees related to the internal investigation of allegations of misconduct within the Dubai branch of the Company's Swiss subsidiary that resulted in a restatement of previously issued financial statements, an increase in credit card and platform fees of $0.7 million, while payroll related expenses remained flat (but included severance and payroll related costs of $1.9 million related to the cost-savings initiative). These increases in SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $2.4 million and a decrease in the reduction of accruals for donations and doubtful accounts of $2.0 million.
International Watch and Accessory Brands Operating Income
In the International locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment, for the twelve months ended January 31, 2025, the Company recorded operating income of $47.8 million which includes $67.0 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s International supply chain operations. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2024, the Company recorded operating income of $61.3 million in the International locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which included $71.5 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s supply chain operations. The decrease in operating income was the result of lower gross profit of $8.7 million combined with higher SG&A expenses of $4.8 million when compared to the prior year. The decrease in gross profit of $8.7 million was the result of a lower gross margin percentage primarily due to the unfavorable impact of sales mix and a negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by decreased shipping costs. The increase in SG&A expenses of $4.8 million was primarily due to the following factors: higher marketing expenses of $5.2 million and an increase in payroll related expenses of $1.8 million (which included severance and payroll related costs of $2.2 million related to the cost-savings initiative). These increases in SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets being fully amortized and a decrease in professional fees of $0.4 million.
Company Stores Operating Income
The Company recorded operating income of $12.3 million and $17.2 million in the Company Stores segment for fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in operating income of $4.9 million was primarily related to a decrease in gross profit of $4.4 million, mainly due to lower net sales combined with a lower gross margin percentage, and higher SG&A expenses of $0.5 million primarily due to an increase in payroll related expenses of $0.3 million and higher marketing expenses of $0.3 million. As of January 31, 2025, and 2024, the Company Stores segment operated 56 and 55 retail outlet locations, respectively.
Other Non-Operating Income
The Company recorded other income, net of $7.1 million primarily due to interest income for the twelve months ended January 31, 2025.
For the twelve months ended January 31, 2024, the Company recorded other income, net of $6.0 million primarily due to interest income, partially offset by a $0.5 million impairment related to an equity investment in a consumer products company that sold its business and assets in a transaction that yielded little return for equity holders.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $0.5 million primarily due to the payment of unused commitment fees for both fiscal 2025 and 2024. There were no borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility during fiscal 2025 and 2024.
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Income Taxes
The Company recorded an income tax provision of $7.4 million and $11.8 million for fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 2025 was 27.9% and differed from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to the tax consequences of a foreign currency gain related to an extraordinary intercompany dividend and an increase in valuation allowances against certain foreign losses, partially offset by foreign profits being taxed in lower taxing jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2024 was 21.8% and differed from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to foreign profits being taxed in lower taxing jurisdictions, partially offset by cross-border tax effects and U.S. state and local taxes, net of the federal benefit.
Net Income Attributable to Movado Group, Inc.
The Company recorded net income attributable to Movado Group, Inc. of $18.4 million and $41.3 million for fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Fiscal 2024 (As Restated) Compared to Fiscal 2023 (As Restated)
The following are net sales by business segment and geographic location (in thousands):
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| (As Restated) | (As Restated) | ||||||
| Watch and Accessory Brands: | |||||||
| United States | $ | 191,266 | $ | 227,268 | |||
| International | 369,188 | 405,382 | |||||
| Total Watch and Accessory Brands | 560,454 | 632,650 | |||||
| Company Stores | |||||||
| United States | 98,990 | 106,645 | |||||
| International | 4,945 | 4,914 | |||||
| Total Company Stores | 103,935 | 111,559 | |||||
| Net sales | $ | 664,389 | $ | 744,209 |
The following are net sales by category (in thousands):
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| (As Restated) | (As Restated) | ||||||
| Watch and Accessory Brands: | |||||||
| Owned brands category | $ | 198,612 | $ | 230,277 | |||
| Licensed brands category | 354,099 | 391,867 | |||||
| After-sales service and all other | 7,743 | 10,506 | |||||
| Total Watch and Accessory Brands | 560,454 | 632,650 | |||||
| Company Stores | 103,935 | 111,559 | |||||
| Consolidated total | $ | 664,389 | $ | 744,209 |
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The following table presents the Company’s results of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal years indicated:
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (As Restated) | (As Restated) | |||||||
| Net sales | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
| Gross margin | 54.8 | % | 57.7 | % | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 47.5 | % | 42.1 | % | ||||
| Operating income | 7.3 | % | 15.5 | % | ||||
| Other income, net | 0.9 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||
| Interest expense | 0.1 | % | 0.1 | % | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.8 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||
| Noncontrolling interests | 0.1 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||
| Net income attributable to Movado Group, Inc. | 6.2 | % | 12.1 | % |
Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2024 were $664.4 million, representing a $79.8 million or 10.7% decrease from the prior year. This decrease is attributable to the Watch and Accessory Brands segment and, to a lesser extent, the Company Stores segment. For fiscal 2024, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates positively impacted net sales by $8.6 million when compared to the prior year. Excluding this $8.6 million impact, net sales would have decreased by 11.9% as compared to the prior year.
Watch and Accessory Brands Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2024 in the Watch and Accessory Brands segment were $560.5 million, below the prior year by $72.2 million, or 11.4%. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to decreased volumes resulting from lower demand in the Company's wholesale customers in both the United States and International locations and a decrease in online retail, partially offset by the positive impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
United States Watch and Accessory Brands Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2024 in the United States locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment were $191.3 million, below the prior year by $36.0 million, or 15.8%, resulting primarily from decreased volumes due to lower demand in the Company's wholesale customers in both the owned and licensed brand categories and a decrease in online retail. The net sales recorded in the owned brands category decreased $27.2 million, or 15.8%, and net sales recorded in the licensed brand category decreased $8.7 million, or 17.1%.
International Watch and Accessory Brands Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2024 in the International locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment were $369.2 million, below the prior year by $36.2 million, or 8.9%, which included fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that positively impacted net sales by $8.6 million when compared to the prior year. The decrease in net sales was in both the owned and licensed brand categories primarily due to decreased volumes resulting from lower demand in the Company's wholesale customers and a decrease in online retail, partially offset by the positive impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The net sales decrease recorded in the owned brands category was $4.5 million, or 7.7%, primarily due to net sales decreases in Europe, the Americas (excluding the United States) and the Middle East, partially offset by a net sales increase in Asia. The net sales decrease in the licensed brands category was $29.1 million, or 8.5%, primarily due to net sales decreases in Europe and the Americas (excluding the United States), partially offset by net sales increases in the Middle East and Asia.
Company Stores Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2024 in the Company Stores segment were $103.9 million, $7.6 million or 6.8% below the prior year. The net sales decrease was primarily due to sales mix in the Company stores and a decrease in sales from the Company's online outlet store at www.movadocompanystore.com, partially offset by new store openings. As of January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company operated 55 retail outlet locations.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for fiscal 2024 was $364.2 million or 54.8% of net sales as compared to $429.1 million or 57.7% of net sales in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit of $64.9 million was primarily due to lower net sales combined with a lower gross margin percentage.
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The decrease in the gross margin percentage of approximately 290 basis points for fiscal 2024 reflected an unfavorable impact of sales mix of approximately 210 basis points, the decreased leveraging of higher fixed costs over lower sales of approximately 90 basis points and a negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates of approximately 30 basis points, partially offset by decreased shipping costs of approximately 40 basis points.
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses for fiscal 2024 were $315.7 million, representing an increase from the prior year of $2.1 million, or 0.7%. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the following factors: an increase in payroll related expenses of $11.0 million; higher marketing expenses of $1.4 million; and an increase in travel and entertainment expenses of $1.1 million. These increases in SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease in performance-based compensation of $10.9 million and a decrease in professional service fees of $0.4 million. For the year ended January 31, 2024, fluctuations in foreign currency rates related to the foreign subsidiaries unfavorably impacted SG&A expenses by $3.7 million when compared to the prior year.
Watch and Accessory Brands Operating Income
For fiscal 2024, the Company recorded operating income of $31.3 million in the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which includes $30.8 million of unallocated corporate expenses as well as $71.5 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s supply chain operations. For fiscal 2023, the Company recorded operating income of $90.3 million in the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which included $37.0 million of unallocated corporate expenses as well as $81.0 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s supply chain operations. The decrease in operating income was the result of a decrease in gross profit of $57.5 million combined with higher SG&A expenses of $1.5 million when compared to the prior year. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of lower net sales combined with a lower gross margin percentage primarily due to an unfavorable impact of sales mix, the decreased leveraging of higher fixed costs over lower sales and a negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by lower shipping costs. The increase in SG&A expenses of $1.5 million was primarily due to the following factors: an increase in payroll related expenses of $9.8 million; higher marketing expenses of $1.5 million; and an increase in travel and entertainment expenses of $1.1 million. Increased SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease in performance-based compensation of $10.8 million.
U.S. Watch and Accessory Brands Operating Loss
In the United States locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment, for the twelve months ended January 31, 2024, the Company recorded an operating loss of $30.0 million which includes unallocated corporate expenses of $30.8 million. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2023 the Company recorded an operating loss of $3.0 million in the United States locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which included unallocated corporate expenses of $37.0 million. The increase in operating loss was the result of lower gross profit of $29.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in SG&A expenses of $2.9 million when compared to the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit of $29.9 million was primarily the result of lower net sales, combined with a lower gross margin percentage primarily due to an unfavorable impact of sales mix, the decreased leveraging of higher fixed costs over lower sales, partially offset by lower shipping costs. The decrease in SG&A expenses of $2.9 million was primarily due to a decrease in performance-based compensation of $8.1 million. This decrease in SG&A expenses was partially offset by an increase in payroll related expenses of $5.5 million and an increase in travel and entertainment expenses of $0.6 million.
International Watch and Accessory Brands Operating Income
In the International locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment, for the twelve months ended January 31, 2024, the Company recorded operating income of $61.3 million which includes $71.5 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s International supply chain operations. For the twelve months ended January 31, 2023 the Company recorded operating income of $93.3 million in the International locations of the Watch and Accessory Brands segment which included $81.0 million of certain intercompany profits related to the Company’s supply chain operations. The decrease in operating income was the result of lower gross profit of $27.6 million combined with higher SG&A expenses of $4.4 million. The decrease in gross profit of $27.6 million was primarily the result of lower net sales, combined with a lower gross margin percentage primarily due to an unfavorable impact of sales mix, the decreased leveraging of higher fixed costs over lower sales and a negative impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by lower shipping costs. The increase in SG&A expenses of $4.4 million was primarily due to the following factors: an increase in payroll related expenses of $4.3 million; higher marketing expenses of $1.5 million; and an increase in travel and entertainment expenses of $0.5 million. These increases in SG&A expenses were partially offset by a decrease in performance-based compensation of $2.7 million.
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Company Stores Operating Income
The Company recorded operating income of $17.2 million and $25.3 million in the Company Stores segment for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in operating income of $8.1 million was primarily related to a decrease in gross profit of $7.5 million, mainly due to lower net sales combined with a lower gross margin percentage, and higher SG&A expenses of $0.6 million, reflecting a $1.2 million increase in payroll related expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in professional service fees. As of both January 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company Stores segment operated 55 retail outlet locations.
Other Non-Operating Income
For the twelve months ended January 31, 2024, the Company recorded other income, net of $6.0 million primarily due to interest income, partially offset by a $0.5 million impairment related to an equity investment in a consumer products company that sold its business and assets in which the Company expects to receive little or no return on its investment.
For the twelve months ended January 31, 2023, the Company recorded other income of $2.1 million primarily due to interest income.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $0.5 million primarily due to the payment of unused commitment fees for fiscal 2024 and 2023. There were no borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility during fiscal 2024 and 2023.
Income Taxes
The Company recorded an income tax provision of $11.8 million and $24.3 million for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 2024 was 21.8% and differed from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to foreign profits being taxed in lower taxing jurisdictions, partially offset by cross-border tax effects and U.S. state and local taxes, net of the federal benefit. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 20.7% and differed from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to foreign profits being taxed in lower taxing jurisdictions and the release of certain foreign valuation allowances, partially offset by U.S. state and local taxes, net of the federal benefit.
Net Income Attributable to Movado Group, Inc.
The Company recorded net income attributable to Movado Group, Inc. of $41.3 million and $90.4 million for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At January 31, 2025 and January 31, 2024, the Company had $208.5 million and $262.1 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents. Of this total, $83.3 million and $176.1 million, respectively, consisted of cash and cash equivalents at the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.
The Company believes that based on the Company’s current expectations, cash flows from operations and its credit lines and cash on-hand, the Company has adequate funds to support its operating, capital and debt service requirements and expects to maintain compliance with its debt covenants for the next twelve months subsequent to the issuance of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
At January 31, 2025 the Company had working capital of $377.0 million as compared to $419.9 million at January 31, 2024. The decrease in working capital was primarily the result of a decrease in cash and an increase in accrued liabilities, partially offset by an increase in trade receivables and a decrease in income taxes payable. The Company defines working capital as the difference between current assets and current liabilities.
The Company had $1.5 million of cash used in operating activities for fiscal 2025 as compared to $76.8 million of cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2024. Cash used in operating activities for fiscal 2025 included $19.2 million of net income, adjusted for non-cash items of $18.9 million. Cash used in operating activities primarily included tax related net payments of $12.4 million, $11.6 million increase in trade receivables due to timing of receipts and changes in sales mix and increase in inventories of $11.7 million based on timing of receipts and sales. Cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2024 included net income of $42.2 million, positively adjusted by $24.6 million related to non-cash items. Cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2024 included a $35.7 million decrease in investment in inventories primarily due to timing of receipts to align with sales levels, partially offset by a change in payments related to income taxes of $17.6 million primarily due to timing and a decrease in accrued payroll and benefits of $9.9 million primarily as a result of payments of fiscal year 2023 performance-based compensation.
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Cash used in investing was $13.7 million for fiscal 2025 as compared to $11.5 million for fiscal 2024. The cash used in fiscal 2025 was primarily related to capital expenditures of $8.0 million mainly due to expenditures for computer software, shop-in-shops and leasehold improvements and $5.7 million of long-term investments. Cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2024 included $8.2 million of capital expenditures and $3.1 million of long-term investments.
The Company expects that capital expenditures in fiscal 2026 will be approximately $10.0 million as compared to $8.0 million in fiscal 2025. The capital spending will be primarily for projects in the ordinary course of business including facilities improvements, shop-in-shops, website development, computer hardware and software and tooling costs. The Company has the ability to manage its capital expenditures on discretionary projects.
Cash used in financing activities was $35.4 million for fiscal 2025 as compared to $57.6 million for fiscal 2024. The cash used in fiscal 2025 included $31.1 million in dividends paid, $2.6 million in stock repurchased in the open market, $1.2 million of shares repurchased as a result of the surrender of shares by employees in connection with the vesting of certain stock awards and $0.6 million paid for the distribution of noncontrolling interest earnings. Cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2024 included $53.1 million in dividends paid, which included a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, $3.1 million in stock repurchased in the open market and $1.4 million paid for the distribution of noncontrolling interest earnings.
The Company and its U.S. and Swiss subsidiaries (collectively, the "Borrowers") are parties to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement originally dated October 12, 2018 (as subsequently amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”). The Credit Agreement provides for a $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) and has a maturity date of October 28, 2026. The Facility includes a $15.0 million letter of credit subfacility, a $25.0 million swingline subfacility and a $75.0 million sublimit for borrowings by the Swiss Borrower, with provisions for uncommitted increases to the Facility of up to $50.0 million in the aggregate subject to customary terms and conditions. The Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants binding on the Company and its subsidiaries that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including, but not limited to, restrictions and limitations on the incurrence of debt and liens, dispositions of assets, capital expenditures, dividends and other payments in respect of equity interests, the making of loans and equity investments, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, and transactions with affiliates (in each case, subject to various exceptions).
The borrowings under the Facility are joint and several obligations of the Borrowers and are also cross-guaranteed by each Borrower, except that the Swiss Borrower is not liable for, nor does it guarantee, the obligations of the U.S. Borrowers. In addition, the Borrowers' obligations under the Facility are secured by first priority liens, subject to permitted liens, on substantially all of the U.S. Borrowers' assets other than certain excluded assets. The Swiss Borrower does not provide collateral to secure the obligations under the Facility.
As of both January 31, 2025, and January 31, 2024, there were no amounts of loans outstanding under the Facility. Availability under the Facility was reduced by the aggregate amount of letters of credit outstanding, issued in connection with retail and operating facility leases to various landlords and for Canadian payroll to the Royal Bank of Canada, totaling approximately $0.3 million at both January 31, 2025, and January 31, 2024. At January 31, 2025, the letters of credit have expiration dates through June 2, 2025. As of both January 31, 2025, and January 31, 2024, availability under the Facility was $99.7 million. For additional information regarding the Facility, see Note 8 – Debt and Lines of Credit to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company had weighted average borrowings under the Facility of zero during both fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, respectively.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at rates generally based on either the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or a specified base rate, as selected periodically by the Company. The SOFR-based loans bear interest at SOFR plus a spread ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% per annum and the base rate loans bear interest at the base rate plus a spread ranging from 0% to 0.75% per annum, with the spread in each case being based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of both January 31, 2025, and 2024, the Company’s spreads were 1.00% over SOFR and 0% over the base rate.
The Company's Swiss subsidiary maintains unsecured lines of credit with a Swiss bank that are subject to repayment upon demand. As of January 31, 2025, and 2024, these lines of credit totaled 6.5 million Swiss Francs for both periods, with a dollar equivalent of $7.1 million and $7.5 million, respectively. As of January 31, 2025, and 2024, there were no borrowings against these lines. As of January 31, 2025, and 2024, two European banks had guaranteed obligations to third parties on behalf of two of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in the dollar equivalent of $1.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in various foreign currencies, of which $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, was a restricted deposit as it relates to lease agreements.
Cash paid for interest, including unused commitments fees, was $0.3 million during both fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively.
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From time to time, the Company may make minority investments in growth companies in the consumer products sector and other sectors relevant to its business, including certain of the Company's suppliers and customers, as well as in venture capital funds that invest in companies in media, entertainment, information technology and technology-related fields and in digital assets. During fiscal 2022, the Company committed to invest up to $21.5 million in such investments. The Company funded approximately $8.4 million of these commitments through fiscal 2024 and an additional $5.7 million during fiscal 2025 and may be called upon to satisfy capital calls in respect of the remaining $7.5 million in such commitments at any time during a period generally ending ten years after the first capital call in respect of a given commitment. One consumer products company in which the Company made an equity investment in fiscal year 2022 sold its business and assets in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 in a transaction that yielded little return for equity holders. As a result, the Company fully impaired its $0.5 million investment in this entity in fiscal 2024.
During fiscal 2025, the Company has declared and paid a total of four separate cash dividends of $0.35 per share aggregating to $31.1 million. During fiscal 2024, the Company declared and paid four separate cash dividends of $0.35 per share and a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share aggregating to $53.1 million. Although the Company currently expects to continue to declare cash dividends in the future, the decision of whether to declare any future cash dividend, including the amount of any such dividend and the establishment of record and payment dates, will be determined, in each quarter, by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion.
On November 23, 2021, the Board approved a share repurchase program under which the Company was authorized to purchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding common stock through November 23, 2024, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors. On December 5, 2024, the Board approved a new share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to purchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding common stock through December 5, 2027, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors. These repurchases may be made through open market purchases, repurchase plans, block trades or otherwise. During fiscal 2025, the Company repurchased a total of 120,000 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $2.6 million, or an average of $21.90 per share. During fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased a total of 111,722 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $3.1 million, or an average of $27.89 per share. At January 31, 2025, all $50.0 million remains available for purchase under the Company's December 5, 2024 repurchase program.
The Company has various contractual obligations as part of its ordinary course of business. The Company's obligations include operating lease obligations (see Note 12- Leases), licensing agreements (see Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies), purchase obligations (see Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies) and transition tax obligation (see Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies).
Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements which may impact the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in future reporting periods.