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 December 1, 2007

 

OR

 

o

 

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

 

For the transition period from               to                 

 

Commission File Number: 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, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer 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 —419,484,000 shares outstanding as of December 1, 2007.

 

 



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 1, 2007

 

INDEX

 

Part I —Financial Information

3

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a)

Condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b)

Consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c)

Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended December 1, 2007

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d)

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e)

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

40

 

 

 

 

 

Part II — Other Information

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

42

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

43

 

2



 

PART I —FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

 

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

March 3,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,319

 

$

1,205

 

$

1,208

 

Short-term investments

 

295

 

2,588

 

1,802

 

Receivables

 

739

 

548

 

1,115

 

Merchandise inventories

 

7,451

 

4,028

 

6,084

 

Other current assets

 

673

 

712

 

759

 

Total current assets

 

10,477

 

9,081

 

10,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

5,498

 

4,904

 

5,427

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

2,238

 

1,966

 

2,456

 

Net property and equipment

 

3,260

 

2,938

 

2,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOODWILL

 

1,086

 

919

 

991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRADENAMES

 

96

 

81

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

 

230

 

338

 

335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

325

 

213

 

336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

15,474

 

$

13,570

 

$

15,684

 

 

NOTE:  The consolidated balance sheet as of March 3, 2007, 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)

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

March 3,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

7,597

 

$

3,934

 

$

6,332

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

471

 

496

 

429

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

339

 

332

 

301

 

Accrued liabilities

 

1,337

 

990

 

1,613

 

Accrued income taxes

 

146

 

489

 

318

 

Short-term debt

 

326

 

41

 

40

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

20

 

19

 

419

 

Total current liabilities

 

10,236

 

6,301

 

9,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

811

 

443

 

405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

642

 

590

 

191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

39

 

35

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized — 1.5 billion shares; Issued and outstanding — 419,484,000, 480,655,000 and 481,927,000 shares, respectively

 

42

 

48

 

48

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

74

 

430

 

481

 

Prepaid stock repurchase

 

(200

)

 

 

Retained earnings

 

3,320

 

5,507

 

4,793

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

510

 

216

 

280

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

3,746

 

6,201

 

5,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

15,474

 

$

13,570

 

$

15,684

 

 

NOTE:  The consolidated balance sheet as of March 3, 2007, 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

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Revenue

 

$

9,928

 

$

8,473

 

$

26,605

 

$

23,035

 

Cost of goods sold

 

7,591

 

6,478

 

20,237

 

17,373

 

Gross profit

 

2,337

 

1,995

 

6,368

 

5,662

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,986

 

1,799

 

5,350

 

4,799

 

Operating income

 

351

 

196

 

1,018

 

863

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

32

 

31

 

98

 

91

 

Interest expense

 

(23

)

(7

)

(53

)

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates

 

360

 

220

 

1,063

 

931

 

Income tax expense

 

129

 

70

 

386

 

317

 

Minority interest

 

(1

)

 

(4

)

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

(2

)

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

228

 

$

150

 

$

670

 

$

614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.50

 

$

1.27

 

Diluted

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.47

 

$

1.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

.10

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

418.7

 

481.0

 

447.2

 

482.5

 

Diluted

 

430.8

 

495.8

 

459.5

 

497.4

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 1, 2007

 

($ and shares in millions)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Common
Shares

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Prepaid
Stock
Repurchase

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Total

 

Balances at March 3, 2007

 

481

 

$

48

 

$

430

 

$

 

$

5,507

 

$

216

 

$

6,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings, nine months ended December 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

670

 

 

670

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

282

 

282

 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

12

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (Note 5)

 

 

 

 

 

(13

)

 

(13

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

 

84

 

Stock options exercised

 

2

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

59

 

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

 

1

 

 

51

 

 

 

 

51

 

Tax benefit from stock options exercised and employee stock purchase plan

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

9

 

Payment for accelerated share repurchase program

 

 

 

 

(3,000

)

 

 

(3,000

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

(65

)

(6

)

(559

)

2,800

 

(2,696

)

 

(461

)

Common stock dividends, $0.33 per share

 

 

 

 

 

(148

)

 

(148

)

Balances at December 1, 2007

 

419

 

$

42

 

$

74

 

$

(200

)

$

3,320

 

$

510

 

$

3,746

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



 

BEST BUY CO., INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

($ in millions)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

670

 

$

614

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to total cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

419

 

369

 

Stock-based compensation

 

84

 

87

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2

 

(29

)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(17

)

(46

)

Other, net

 

(2

37

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(177

(641

)

Merchandise inventories

 

(3,295

)

(2,597

)

Other assets

 

11

 

(54

)

Accounts payable

 

3,498

 

2,595

 

Other liabilities

 

176

 

252

 

Accrued income taxes

 

(123

)

(324

)

Total cash provided by operating activities

 

1,246

 

263

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment, net of $89 and $93 non-cash capital expenditures in the nine months ended December 1, 2007 and November 25, 2006, respectively

 

(584

)

(520

)

Purchases of investments

 

(4,762

)

(1,910

)

Sales of investments

 

7,327

 

3,341

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(89

)

(421

)

Change in restricted assets

 

9

 

(32

)

Other, net

 

2

 

8

 

Total cash provided by investing activities

 

1,903

 

466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(3,461

)

(484

)

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

 

110

 

191

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

17

 

46

 

Dividends paid

 

(148

)

(125

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

4,288

 

70

 

Repayments of debt

 

(3,986

)

(62

)

Other, net

 

41

 

87

 

Total cash used in financing activities

 

(3,139

)

(277

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

 

104

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

114

 

460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

1,205

 

748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

1,319

 

$

1,208

 

 

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 the following 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 U.S. 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. The timing of new store openings, costs associated with the development of new businesses, as well as general economic conditions may also affect our future quarterly results. Consequently, interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements and the related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007.

 

Consistent with China’s statutory requirements, our China operations’ fiscal year ends on December 31. Therefore, we have elected to consolidate our China financial results 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 fiscal quarter.

 

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 3, 2007. In addition, to conform to the current-year presentation, we reclassified:

 

·                  to the International segment, $3 and $6 of selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) support costs for the three and nine months ended November 25, 2006, respectively, which were previously reported as part of the Domestic segment in Note 9, Segments;

 

·                  to short-term debt, $40 of liabilities at November 25, 2006, which was previously reported in current portion of long-term debt on our condensed consolidated balance sheet;

 

·                  to equity and other investments, $20 and $15 of investments at March 3, 2007 and November 25, 2006, respectively, which were previously reported in other assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets; and

 

·                  to other, net, $25 for the nine months ended November 25, 2006, which was previously reported in asset impairment charges on our consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

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

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations. 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

 

8



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

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.   This standard 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 or 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 will adopt SFAS No. 159 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157, as originally issued, was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. However, on December 14, 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS157-b, which deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities. We will adopt SFAS No. 157 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

2.                         Acquisitions

 

Speakeasy, Inc.

 

On May 1, 2007, we acquired Speakeasy, Inc. (“Speakeasy”) for $103 in cash, or $89 net of cash acquired, including transaction costs and the repayment of $5 of Speakeasy’s debt. We acquired Speakeasy, an independent U.S. broadband voice, data and IT services provider, to strengthen our portfolio of technology solutions. We accounted for the acquisition using the purchase method in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. Accordingly, we recorded the net assets at their estimated fair values, and included operating results in our Domestic segment from the date of acquisition. We allocated the purchase price on a preliminary basis using information currently available. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired will be finalized no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2009, as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations, liabilities assumed and revisions of preliminary estimates of fair values made at the date of purchase. The premium we paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired was primarily for the expected synergies we believe Speakeasy will generate by providing new technology solutions for our existing and future customers, as well as to obtain Speakeasy’s skilled, established workforce. None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

 

The preliminary purchase price allocation, net of cash acquired, was as follows:

 

Receivables

 

$

8

 

Property and equipment

 

8

 

Other assets

 

21

 

Tradename

 

6

 

Goodwill

 

76

 

Current liabilities

 

(30

)

Total

 

$

89

 

 

9



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co., Ltd.

 

On June 8, 2006, we acquired a 75% interest in Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co., Ltd. (“Five Star”) for $184, including a working capital injection of $122 and transaction costs. Five Star is an appliance and consumer electronics retailer and had 131 stores located in eight of China’s 34 provinces on the date of acquisition. We made the investment in Five Star to further our international growth plans, to increase our knowledge of Chinese customers and to obtain an immediate retail presence in China. We accounted for the acquisition using the purchase method in accordance with SFAS No. 141. Accordingly, we recorded the net assets at their estimated fair values, and included operating results in our International segment from the date of acquisition. We allocated the purchase price on a preliminary basis using information then available. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired was finalized in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. There was no significant adjustment to the preliminary purchase price allocation. None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

 

The final purchase price allocation, net of cash acquired, was as follows:

 

Restricted cash

 

$

204

 

Merchandise inventories

 

109

 

Property and equipment

 

78

 

Other assets

 

78

 

Tradename

 

21

 

Goodwill

 

24

 

Accounts payable

 

(368

)

Other current liabilities

 

(35

)

Debt

 

(64

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(1

)

Minority interests1

 

(33

)

Total

 

$

13

 

 

1   The minority interests’ proportionate ownership of assets and liabilities were recorded at historical carrying values.

 

3.                         Investments

 

Investments were comprised of the following:

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

March 3,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

$

295

 

$

2,588

 

$

1,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

$

 

$

 

$

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and other investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

$

 

$

318

 

$

320

 

Marketable equity securities

 

214

 

4

 

5

 

Other investments

 

16

 

16

 

10

 

Total equity and other investments

 

$

230

 

$

338

 

$

335

 

 

Debt Securities

 

Short-term and long-term investments in debt securities are comprised of auction-rate securities, variable-rate demand notes, asset-backed securities, municipal debt securities, and commercial paper. In accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and based on our ability to market and to sell these instruments, we classify auction-rate securities, variable-rate demand notes and other investments in debt securities as available-for-sale and carry them at fair value. Auction-rate securities and variable-rate demand notes are similar to short-term debt instruments because their interest rates are reset periodically. Investments in these securities can be sold for cash on the auction date. We classify auction-rate securities and variable-rate demand notes as short-term or long-term investments based on the reset dates.

 

10



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

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. We seek to preserve principal and minimize exposure to interest-rate fluctuations by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk.

 

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

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

March 3, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

 

 

Amortized
Principal
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate

 

Amortized
Principal
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate

 

Amortized
Principal
Amount

 

Weighted-
Average
Interest
Rate

 

Short-term investments (less than one year)

 

$

295

 

6.91

%

$

2,588

 

5.68

%

$

1,802

 

5.69

%

Long-term investments (one to three years)

 

 

N/A

 

318

 

5.68

%

320

 

5.58

%

Total

 

$

295

 

 

 

$

2,906

 

 

 

$

2,122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction-rate securities, variable-rate demand notes, and asset-backed securities

 

$

208

 

 

 

$

66

 

 

 

$

57

 

 

 

Municipal debt securities

 

 

 

 

2,840

 

 

 

2,065

 

 

 

Commercial paper

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

295

 

 

 

$

2,906

 

 

 

$

2,122

 

 

 

 

The carrying values of our investments in debt securities are at fair value at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006.  Due to the rapid turnover of our portfolio and the highly liquid nature of these investments, there were no significant unrealized holding gains or losses. Realized gains and losses are included in investment income and other in the consolidated statements of earnings and were not significant for any period presented. The decrease in the balance of investments in debt securities compared with the balances at March 3, 2007, and at November 25, 2006, was due to the liquidation of a substantial portion of our investments portfolio to repay our bridge loan facility and to fund our accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) program. See Note 4, Credit Facilities, for further information on the bridge loan facility, and Note 7, Common Stock Repurchases, for further information on the ASR program.

 

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. All unrealized holding gains and losses are reflected net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

 

The carrying values of our investments in marketable equity securities at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006, were $214, $4 and $5, respectively. The increase in marketable equity securities since March 3, 2007, was primarily due to our investment in The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC (“CPW”), Europe’s leading independent retailer of mobile phones and services. 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 outstanding shares.

 

Net unrealized (loss)/gain, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income were $11, $(1) and $12 at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006, respectively.

 

Other Investments

 

We also have investments that are accounted for on either the cost method or the equity method that we include in equity and other investments and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate carrying values of these investments at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006, were $16, $16 and $33, respectively.  The decrease in other investments included in other current assets from November 25, 2006 to March 3, 2007, was due to the sale of our investment in Golf Galaxy, Inc. (“Golf Galaxy”) in February 2007. At November 25, 2006, the carrying value of our investment in Golf Galaxy was $23.

 

11



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

4.                         Credit Facilities

 

On June 26, 2007, we entered into a $3,000 bridge loan facility with Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. (the “Bridge Facility”), concurrently with the execution of agreements to purchase $3,000 of shares of our common stock in the aggregate pursuant to our ASR program.  See Note 7, Common Stock Repurchases, for further information on the ASR program.  We initially borrowed $2,500 under the Bridge Facility and used $500 of our existing cash and investments to fund the ASR program.  Effective July 11, 2007, we reduced the amount we could borrow under the Bridge Facility to $2,500.

 

Effective July 2, 2007, we terminated our previous $200 revolving credit facility that was scheduled to expire on December 22, 2009.

 

On September 19, 2007, we entered into a $2,500 five-year unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JP Morgan”), as administrative agent, and a syndicate of banks (the “Lenders”). The 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 Lenders providing an incremental credit commitment.  The Credit Agreement includes a $300 letter of credit sub-limit and a $200 foreign currency sub-limit. The Credit Agreement terminates in September 2012.

 

Interest rates under the 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 applicable LIBOR margin. A facility fee is assessed on the commitment amount. Both the LIBOR margin and the facility fee are based upon our 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 Credit Agreement is guaranteed by specified 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 Credit Agreement also contains covenants that require us to maintain a maximum quarterly cash flow leverage ratio and a minimum quarterly interest coverage ratio. The Credit Agreement contains customary default provisions including, but not limited to, failure to pay interest or principal when due and failure to comply with covenants.

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Credit Agreement, we borrowed $1,350 under the Credit Agreement and used $1,150 of the proceeds to repay the outstanding balance on the Bridge Facility. Accordingly, the Bridge Facility was terminated effective September 19, 2007. The remaining $200 borrowed under the Credit Agreement was used for general corporate purposes. At December 1, 2007, $275 was outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

 

5.                         Income Taxes

 

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, effective March 4, 2007. FIN No. 48 provides guidance regarding the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure in the financial statements of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, including the decision whether to file in a particular jurisdiction. The adoption of FIN No. 48 resulted in the reclassification of $196 of tax liabilities from current to long-term and a $13 increase in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a reduction to the March 4, 2007, retained earnings balance.

 

At March 4, 2007, our total liability for unrecognized tax benefits, after the adoption of FIN No. 48, was $196, of which $84 represented tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $240 at December 1, 2007, of which $100 represents tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate.

 

We accrue interest and penalties in income tax expense in our consolidated statements of earnings. At March 4, 2007, we had accrued interest and penalties of $30, of which $16, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate.  Our liability for accrued interest was $42 at December 1, 2007, of which $23 represents tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate.

 

12



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, as well as income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal 2003. In April 2007, the Internal Revenue Service completed its examination of our U.S. federal income tax returns for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004, and resolution of the issues pertaining to those years is expected in fiscal 2009. However, we do not expect that the resolution of these issues will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

6.                         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

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings, basic

 

$

228

 

$

150

 

$

670

 

$

614

 

Adjustment for assumed dilution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on convertible debentures, net of tax

 

2

 

2

 

5

 

5

 

Net earnings, diluted

 

$

230

 

$

152

 

$

675

 

$

619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

418.7

 

481.0

 

447.2

 

482.5

 

Effect of potentially dilutive securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares from assumed conversion of convertible debentures

 

8.8

 

8.8

 

8.8

 

8.8

 

Stock options and other

 

3.3

 

6.0

 

3.5

 

6.1

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution

 

430.8

 

495.8

 

459.5

 

497.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.50

 

$

1.27

 

Diluted

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.47

 

$

1.24

 

 

The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded stock options to purchase 10.0 million and 4.3 million shares of common stock for the three months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006, respectively, and 10.0 million and 4.6 million shares of common stock for the nine months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006, respectively. These amounts were excluded because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock for the periods presented and, therefore, their effect would be antidilutive (i.e., including such options would result in higher earnings per share).

 

7.                         Common Stock Repurchases

 

On June 26, 2007, our Board of Directors (“Board”) authorized a new $5,500 share repurchase program. The new program has no stated expiration date. The new program terminated and replaced our prior $1,500 share repurchase program authorized by our Board in June 2006. The June 2006 share repurchase program terminated and replaced our

 

13



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

prior $1,500 share repurchase program authorized by our Board in April 2005.

 

Open Market Repurchases

 

The following table presents open market share repurchases (shares in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Total number of shares repurchased

 

 

0.5

 

9.8

 

9.5

 

Total cost of shares repurchased

 

$

 

$

22

 

$

461

 

$

484

 

 

In the nine months ended December 1, 2007, we purchased and retired 9.8 million shares at a cost of $461 under our June 2006 share repurchase program. We made no open market purchases during the three months ended December 1, 2007, under our June 2007 share repurchase program.

 

In the three and nine months ended November 25, 2006, we purchased and retired 0.5 million and 3.3 million shares, respectively, at a cost of $22 and $152, under our June 2006 share repurchase program. We also purchased and retired 6.2 million shares at a cost of $332 under our April 2005 share repurchase program during the period from February 26, 2006, through June 21, 2006. Retired shares constitute authorized but unissued shares.

 

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

 

In accordance with our June 2007 share repurchase program, on June 26, 2007, we entered into an ASR program authorized by our Board. The ASR program consists of two agreements to purchase shares of our common stock from Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman”) for an aggregate purchase price of $3,000. Goldman borrowed the shares that were delivered to us as described below, and is expected to purchase sufficient shares of our common stock in the open market to return to lenders over the terms of the agreements. The ASR program is scheduled to conclude in February 2008, although in certain circumstances the termination date may be modified. The actual number of shares repurchased will be determined at the completion of the ASR program. We do not expect to make significant additional share repurchases prior to the conclusion of the ASR program. Repurchased shares have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.

 

Collared ASR

 

Under the first agreement (the “Collared ASR”), the number of shares to be repurchased is based generally on the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock during the term of the Collared ASR, subject to collar provisions that established minimum and maximum numbers of shares based on the VWAP of our common stock over the specified hedge period. On July 2, 2007, we paid $2,000 to Goldman in exchange for an initial delivery of 28.3 million shares to us on July 2-6, 2007, under the terms of the Collared ASR.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Collared ASR, the hedge period for determining the minimum and maximum numbers of shares to be purchased ended on July 24, 2007. The minimum has been set at 38.7 million shares and the maximum has been set at 44.8 million shares. Goldman delivered 10.4 million additional shares to us on July 27, 2007. Accordingly, we have received a total of 38.7 million shares from Goldman at December 1, 2007, equivalent to the minimum number of shares to be delivered under the terms of the Collared ASR. At the conclusion of the Collared ASR, we may receive additional shares based on the VWAP of our common stock during the agreement term, up to the maximum 44.8 million shares.

 

Uncollared ASR

 

Under the second agreement (the “Uncollared ASR”), the number of shares to be repurchased is based generally on the VWAP of our common stock during the term of the Uncollared ASR. On July 2, 2007, we paid $1,000 to Goldman under the terms of the Uncollared ASR in exchange for an initial delivery of 17.0 million shares to us on July 30-31, 2007, subject to a 20%, or $200, holdback. At the conclusion of the Uncollared ASR, we may receive additional shares, or we may be required to pay additional cash or shares (at our option), based on the VWAP of our common stock during the agreement term. At December 1, 2007, the $200 holdback was shown on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as prepaid stock repurchase in shareholders’ equity.

 

14



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

The following table presents share repurchases under the ASR program (shares in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended

 

Nine Months
Ended

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

December 1,
2007

 

Collared ASR

 

 

 

 

 

Shares received

 

 

38.7

 

Payments made

 

$

 

$

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncollared ASR

 

 

 

 

 

Shares received

 

 

17.0

 

Payments made

 

$

 

$

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shares received

 

 

55.7

 

Total payments made

 

$

 

$

3,000

 

 

           Note: The ASR program is scheduled to conclude in February 2008, although in certain circumstances the termination date may be modified. The actual number of shares repurchased will be determined at the completion of the ASR program.

 

8.                         Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income is computed as net earnings plus other items that are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity. In addition to net earnings, the components of comprehensive income are foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale marketable equity securities. 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 U.S. Comprehensive income was $346 and $123 in the three months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006, respectively, and $964 and $633 in the nine months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006, respectively.

 

9.                         Segments

 

We operate two reportable segments: Domestic and International. The Domestic segment is comprised of all U.S. store, call center and online operations. The International segment is comprised of all store, call center and online operations outside the U.S. We have included Speakeasy, which we acquired on May 1, 2007, in the Domestic segment. Our segments are evaluated on an operating income basis, and a stand-alone tax provision is not calculated for each segment. To conform to the current-year presentation, we reclassified to the International segment $3 and $6 of SG&A support costs for the three and nine months ended November 25, 2006, respectively, which were reported as part of the Domestic segment in fiscal 2007. The other 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 3, 2007.

 

Revenue by reportable segment was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,

2006

 

Domestic

 

$

8,206

 

$

7,164

 

$

22,144

 

$

19,947

 

International

 

1,722

 

1,309

 

4,461

 

3,088

 

Total revenue

 

$

9,928

 

$

8,473

 

$

26,605

 

$

23,035

 

 

15



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

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

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

December 1,
2007

 

November 25,

2006

 

Domestic

 

$

329

 

$

189

 

$

957

 

$

853

 

International

 

22

 

7

 

61

 

10

 

Total operating income

 

351

 

196

 

1,018

 

863

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

32

 

31

 

98

 

91

 

Interest expense

 

(23

)

(7

)

(53

)

(23

)

Earnings before income tax expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates

 

$

360

 

$

220

 

$

1,063

 

$

931

 

 

Assets by reportable segment were as follows:

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

March 3,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Domestic

 

$

11,237

 

$

10,614

 

$

12,302

 

International

 

4,237

 

2,956

 

3,382

 

Total assets

 

$

15,474

 

$

13,570

 

$

15,684

 

 

Goodwill by reportable segment was as follows:

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

March 3,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Domestic

 

$

452

 

$

375

 

$

383

 

International

 

634

 

544

 

608

 

Total goodwill

 

$

1,086

 

$

919

 

$

991

 

 

The changes in the Domestic goodwill balance since March 3, 2007, and November 25, 2006, were due primarily to the acquisition of Speakeasy. The increase in the International goodwill balance since November 25, 2006, was due primarily to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by the finalization of Five Star’s purchase price allocation. The increase in the International goodwill balance since March 3, 2007 was due primarily to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Tradenames by reportable segment were as follows:

 

 

 

December 1,
2007

 

March 3,
2007

 

November 25,
2006

 

Domestic

 

$

23

 

$

17

 

$

17

 

International

 

73

 

64

 

66

 

Total tradenames

 

$

96

 

$

81

 

$

83

 

 

Tradenames included in our balance sheets were comprised of indefinite-lived intangible assets related to our Pacific Sales and Speakeasy tradenames, which are included in the Domestic segment, and to our Future Shop and Five Star tradenames, which are included in the International segment.

 

10.                   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 consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

16



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

 

11.                Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

Our convertible debentures, which mature in 2022, are 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 December 1, 2007.

 

The debentures may be converted into shares of our common stock if certain criteria are met. These criteria are described in Note 5, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007. During a portion of the nine months ended November 25, 2006, our closing stock price exceeded the specified stock price for more than 20 trading days in a 30-trading-day period. Therefore, debenture holders had the option to convert their debentures into shares of our common stock. However, no debenture was so converted. Due to changes in the price of our common stock, the debentures were no longer convertible at November 25, 2006.

 

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Income taxes are allocated 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 at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006; condensed consolidating statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006; and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended December 1, 2007, and November 25, 2006:

 

17



 

$ 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

 

 

18



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At March 3, 2007

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

235

 

$

77

 

$

893

 

$

 

$

1,205

 

Short-term investments

 

2,582

 

 

6

 

 

2,588

 

Receivables

 

33

 

363

 

152

 

 

548

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

3,465

 

960

 

(397

)

4,028

 

Other current assets

 

20

 

202

 

596

 

(106

)

712

 

Intercompany receivable

 

 

 

4,891

 

(4,891

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

500

 

 

 

(500

)

 

Total current assets

 

3,370

 

4,107

 

7,498

 

(5,894

)

9,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

239

 

1,898

 

804

 

(3

)

2,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

6

 

913

 

 

919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames

 

 

 

81

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and Other Investments

 

325

 

4

 

9

 

 

338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

84

 

259

 

5

 

(135

)

213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Subsidiaries

 

6,099

 

162

 

1,293

 

(7,554

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

10,117

 

$

6,436

 

$

10,603

 

$

(13,586

)

$

13,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,934

 

$

 

$

3,934

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

 

452

 

44

 

 

496

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

198

 

134

 

 

332

 

Accrued liabilities

 

7

 

564

 

544

 

(125

)

990

 

Accrued income taxes

 

484

 

5

 

 

 

489

 

Short-term debt

 

 

 

41

 

 

41

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

2

 

12

 

5

 

 

19

 

Intercompany payable

 

2,460

 

2,431

 

 

(4,891

)

 

Intercompany note payable

 

 

500

 

 

(500

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

2,953

 

4,162

 

4,702

 

(5,516

)

6,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

219

 

849

 

102

 

(727

)

443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt

 

407

 

132

 

51

 

 

590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interests

 

 

 

35

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

6,538

 

1,293

 

5,713

 

(7,343

)

6,201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

10,117

 

$

6,436

 

$

10,603

 

$

(13,586

)

$

13,570

 

 

19



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

At November 25, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

229

 

$

190

 

$

789

 

$

 

$

1,208

 

Short-term investments

 

1,796

 

 

6

 

 

1,802

 

Receivables

 

26

 

940

 

149

 

 

1,115

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

4,879

 

1,439

 

(234

)

6,084

 

Other current assets

 

35

 

121

 

644

 

(41

)

759

 

Intercompany receivable

 

 

 

5,912

 

(5,912

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

500

 

 

 

(500

)

 

Total current assets

 

2,586

 

6,130

 

8,939

 

(6,687

)

10,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

240

 

1,939

 

795

 

(3

)

2,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

6

 

985

 

 

991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tradenames

 

 

 

83

 

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and Other Investments

 

325

 

4

 

6

 

 

335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

80

 

255

 

145

 

(144

)

336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Subsidiaries

 

5,383

 

166

 

1,389

 

(6,938

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

8,614

 

$

8,500

 

$

12,342

 

$

(13,772

)

$

15,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,332

 

$

 

$

6,332

 

Unredeemed gift card liabilities

 

 

390

 

39

 

 

429

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

177

 

124

 

 

301

 

Accrued liabilities

 

305

 

653

 

693

 

(38

)

1,613

 

Accrued income taxes

 

312

 

6

 

 

 

318

 

Short-term debt

 

 

 

40

 

 

40

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

404

 

11

 

4

 

 

419

 

Intercompany payable

 

1,469

 

4,443

 

 

(5,912

)

 

Intercompany note payable

 

 

500

 

 

(500

)

 

Total current liabilities

 

2,490

 

6,180

 

7,232

 

(6,450

)

9,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

234

 

800

 

24

 

(653

)

405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt

 

5

 

131

 

55

 

 

191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interests

 

 

 

34

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

5,885

 

1,389

 

4,997

 

(6,669

)

5,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

8,614

 

$

8,500

 

$

12,342

 

$

(13,772

)

$

15,684

 

 

20



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

For the 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 expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates

 

353

 

39

 

539

 

(571

)

360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(45

)

13

 

161

 

 

129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

 

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

398

 

$

26

 

$

375

 

$

(571

)

$

228

 

 

21



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

For the 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 expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates

 

823

 

123

 

1,212

 

(1,095

)

1,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(1

52

 

335

 

 

386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

(4

)

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

 

 

(3

)

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

824

 

$

71

 

$

870

 

$

(1,095

)

$

670

 

 

22



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

For the Three Months Ended November 25, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenue

 

$

4

 

$

6,732

 

$

9,698

 

$

(7,961

)

$

8,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

5,426

 

9,054

 

(8,002

)

6,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

4

 

1,306

 

644

 

41

 

1,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

37

 

1,234

 

533

 

(5

)

1,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(33

)

72

 

111

 

46

 

196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

24

 

 

10

 

(3

)

31

 

Interest expense

 

(3

)

(4

)

(3

)

3

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

(12

)

68

 

118

 

46

 

220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

187

 

11

 

57

 

(255

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates

 

175

 

79

 

175

 

(209

)

220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

3

 

22

 

45

 

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

172

 

$

57

 

$

130

 

$

(209

)

$

150

 

 

23



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings

For the Nine Months Ended November 25, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenue

 

$

13

 

$

18,814

 

$

22,928

 

$

(18,720

)

$

23,035

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

15,332

 

21,072

 

(19,031

)

17,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

13

 

3,482

 

1,856

 

311

 

5,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

126

 

3,304

 

1,384

 

(15

)

4,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(113

)

178

 

472

 

326

 

863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income and other

 

74

 

 

30

 

(13

)

91

 

Interest expense

 

(9

)

(13

)

(14

)

13

 

(23

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings before equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

(48

)

165

 

488

 

326

 

931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

544

 

6

 

113

 

(663

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense, minority interest and equity in loss of affiliates

 

496

 

171

 

601

 

(337

)

931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

89

 

58

 

170

 

 

317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

407

 

$

113

 

$

431

 

$

(337

)

$

614

 

 

24



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

For the 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

)

 

(271

)

 

(4,762

)

Sales of investments

 

7,325

 

 

2

 

 

7,327

 

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

(89

)

 

(89

)

Change in restricted assets

 

17

 

 

(8

 

9

 

Other, net

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

2,851

 

(384

)

(564

)

 

1,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(3,461

)

 

 

 

(3,461

)

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

 

Dividends paid

 

(148

)

 

 

 

(148

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

4,170

 

31

 

87

 

 

4,288

 

Repayments of debt

 

(3,896

)

(7

(83

)

 

(3,986

)

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

 

 

25



 

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended November 25, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Best Buy
Co., Inc.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiary

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Total cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

$

(429

)

$

(1,779

)

$

2,471

 

$

 

$

263

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

 

(358

)

(162

)

 

(520

)

Purchases of investments

 

(1,910

)

 

 

 

(1,910

)

Sales of investments

 

3,180

 

 

161

 

 

3,341

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

(421

)

 

(421

)

Change in restricted assets

 

 

 

(32

)

 

(32

)

Other, net

 

 

2

 

6

 

 

8

 

Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,270

 

(356

)

(448

)

 

466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(484

)

 

 

 

(484

)

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

 

191

 

 

 

 

191

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

46

 

 

 

 

46

 

Dividends paid

 

(125

)

 

 

 

(125

)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

 

36

 

34

 

 

70

 

Repayments of debt

 

(2

)

 

(60

)

 

(62

)

Other, net

 

 

 

87

 

 

87

 

Change in intercompany receivable/payable

 

(248

)

2,210

 

(1,962

 

 

Total cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(622

)

2,246

 

(1,901

 

(277

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

8

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

219

 

111

 

130

 

 

460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

10

 

79

 

659

 

 

748

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

229

 

$

190

 

$

789

 

$

 

$

1,208

 

 

26



 

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 operations on a two-month lag.  Consistent with such consolidation, the financial and non-financial information presented in our MD&A relative to our China operations is also presented on a two-month lag. No significant intervening event occurred in our China operations that would have materially affected our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or other factors had it been recorded during the fiscal quarter.

 

Our MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007, 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 U.S. store, call center and online operations. The International segment is comprised of all store, call center and online operations outside the U.S. For additional information regarding our business segments, see Note 9, 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. and Canada, than in any other fiscal quarter. The timing of new store openings, costs associated with the development of new businesses, as well as general economic conditions may also affect our future quarterly results. Consequently, interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year.

 

Acquisition

 

On May 1, 2007, we acquired Speakeasy, Inc. (“Speakeasy”) for $103 million in cash, or $89 million net of cash acquired, including transaction costs and the repayment of $5 million of Speakeasy’s debt. We acquired Speakeasy, an independent U.S. broadband voice, data and IT services provider, to strengthen our portfolio of technology solutions. Speakeasy, which recorded calendar 2006 revenue of approximately $80 million, is not expected to have a significant impact on our net earnings in fiscal 2008. The premium we paid, in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired, for Speakeasy was primarily for the synergies we believe Speakeasy will generate by providing new technology solutions for our existing and future customers, as well as for Speakeasy’s skilled, established workforce.

 

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.

 

27



 

Highlights

 

·                  Net earnings in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were $228 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared with $150 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the same period one year ago.

 

·                  Revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 17% to $9.9 billion, compared with $8.5 billion in the same period one year ago, driven by the net addition of 127 new stores in the past 12 months, a comparable store sales gain of 6.7% and favorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The comparable store sales gain was due to an increase in the average transaction amount and a favorable calendar shift, which added one extra week of post-Thanksgiving revenue. The benefit of the calendar shift to the comparable store sales gain was approximately 2.5 percentage points.

 

·                  Our gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was unchanged from the same period a year ago at 23.5% of revenue. The gross profit rate benefited from lower promotional costs and a more rational U.S. retail environment in the consumer electronics and home-office revenue categories compared with last year. Offsetting these benefits was a continued shift in the revenue mix, including higher revenue from lower-margin products.

 

·                  Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased to 20.0% of revenue, compared with 21.2% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The decrease was due primarily to SG&A rate improvements in our segments stemming from expense leverage on increased revenue as well as productivity gains.

 

·                  Our effective income tax rate increased to 35.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared with 31.6% in the same period one year ago, due primarily to the absence of the favorable resolution of certain tax matters that occurred in the prior fiscal year, an increase in foreign income that is taxable in the U.S. and lower income from tax-advantaged short-term investments.

 

·                  Based on our results through the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we announced on December 18, 2007, that our earnings in fiscal 2008 were projected to be in the range of $3.10 to $3.20 per diluted share, compared with our prior guidance for annual earnings in the top half of the range of $3.00 to $3.15.  For additional information about our annual earnings guidance, see Outlook below.

 

Results of Operations

 

Consolidated Performance Summary

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Revenue

 

$

9,928

 

$

8,473

 

$

26,605

 

$

23,035

 

Revenue % gain

 

17

%

16

%

15

%

14

%

Comparable store sales % gain1

 

6.7

%

4.8

%

4.6

%

4.4

%

Gross profit as % of revenue

 

23.5

%

23.5

%

23.9

%

24.6

%

SG&A as % of revenue

 

20.0

%

21.2

%

20.1

%

20.8

%

Operating income

 

$

351

 

$

196

 

$

1,018

 

$

863

 

Operating income as % of revenue

 

3.5

%

2.3

%

3.8

%

3.7

%

Net earnings

 

$

228

 

$

150

 

$

670

 

$

614

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.47

 

$

1.24

 

 

1   Comprised of revenue at stores 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 calculation of the comparable store sales percentage change 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.

 

Net earnings were $228 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared with $150 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, net earnings were $670 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, compared with $614 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, in the same period one year ago. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the increase in net earnings reflected revenue growth, resulting primarily from new store openings and a comparable store sales gain, an unchanged gross profit rate and an improved SG&A expense rate.  These factors

 

28



 

were partially offset by a higher effective income tax rate and a decrease in other income.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the increase in net earnings reflected revenue growth, resulting primarily from new store openings and a comparable store sales gain, and an improved SG&A expense rate.  These factors were partially offset by a decrease in our gross profit rate, a higher effective income tax rate and a decrease in other income.

 

Revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 17% to $9.9 billion, compared with $8.5 billion in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, revenue increased 15% to $26.6 billion, compared with $23.0 billion in the same period one year ago. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the net addition of 127 new stores in the past 12 months accounted for approximately one-half of the revenue increase; the comparable store sales gain accounted for approximately one-third of the revenue increase; the favorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates accounted for approximately one-tenth; and the remainder of the increase was due to the acquisition of Speakeasy.  For the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the net addition of 127 new stores in the past 12 months accounted for approximately four-tenths of the revenue increase; the comparable store sales gain accounted for nearly three-tenths of the revenue increase; the acquisitions of Five Star and Speakeasy accounted for approximately two-tenths of the revenue increase; and the remainder of the increase was due to the favorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

The following table presents consolidated revenue mix percentages and comparable store sales percentage changes by revenue category in the third quarter of fiscal 2008:

 

 

 

Revenue Mix Summary

 

Comparable Store Sales Summary1

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Consumer electronics

 

41

%

43

%

2.4

%

9.0

%

Home-office

 

28

%

27

%

6.5

%

(0.3

)%

Entertainment software

 

19

%

17

%

23.1

%

3.5

%

Appliances

 

6

%

7

%

(1.8

)%

(4.1

)%

Services2

 

6

%

6

%

5.6

%

9.0

%

Other3

 

<1

%

<1

%

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total

 

100

%

100

%

6.7

%

4.8

%

 

1   Comprised of revenue at stores 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 calculation of the comparable store sales percentage change 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.

 

2   Services consists primarily of commissions from the sale of extended service contracts; revenue from computer-related services; product repair revenue; and delivery and installation revenue derived from home theater, mobile audio and appliances.

 

3   Other includes revenue, such as fees received from cardholder account activations, that is recognized over time, resulting in revenue recognition that is not indicative of sales activity in the current period. Other also includes gift card breakage. These revenue types are excluded from our comparable store sales calculation. Finally, other includes revenue from the sale of products that are not related to our core offerings. For these reasons, we do not provide a comparable store sales metric for this revenue category.

 

Our comparable store sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 6.7%, reflecting a higher average transaction amount, which was driven by continued growth in the sales of higher-priced products, including notebook computers and flat-panel televisions, and a favorable calendar shift, which added one extra week of post-Thanksgiving revenue.  We estimate that approximately 2.5 percentage points of our fiscal third-quarter comparable store sales gain was attributable to the calendar shift.  Also contributing to the fiscal third-quarter comparable store sales gain was an increase in online purchases, as we continued to add features and capabilities to our Web sites, including the launch of a Spanish-language version of BestBuy.com and the ability for our loyalty program members to redeem Reward Zone certificates online. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the products having the largest positive effect on our comparable store sales gain were in video gaming hardware and software, flat-panel televisions, notebook computers, and navigation products. Growth in the sales of these products was partially offset by comparable store sales declines in tube and projection televisions, DVDs and CDs.

 

Our gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was unchanged from the same period a year ago at 23.5% of revenue.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our gross profit rate decreased from 24.6% of revenue to 23.9% of revenue. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our flat gross profit rate was due primarily to an improvement in our Domestic segment’s gross profit rate offset by the gross profit rate decline in our International segment.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our gross profit rate decline resulted primarily from rate declines in both of our segments.  The composition change, due to the faster

 

29



 

growth of our lower-margin International segment, also contributed to the nine-month period decline.  For further discussion of each segment’s gross profit rate changes, see the Segment Performance Summary for Domestic and International below.

 

Our SG&A expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased by 1.2% of revenue to 20.0% of revenue.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our SG&A expense rate decreased by 0.7% of revenue to 20.1% of revenue.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our SG&A expense rate decline was primarily due to improvements in our segments’ SG&A expense rates.  The composition change, due to the faster growth of our lower-cost International segment, also contributed to the decrease in the third quarter. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our SG&A expense rate decline resulted primarily from the SG&A expense rate declines in both our segments.  The faster growth of our International segment also contributed to the nine-month period decrease.  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 income and other in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased to $32 million, compared with $31 million in the same period one year ago.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, investment income and other increased to $98 million, compared with $91 million in the same period one year ago.  The change in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 was due to an $8 million gain on the sale of an equity investment, which was partially offset by the impact of lower average cash and investment balances, due to our ongoing, accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) program.

 

Additionally, interest expense in the fiscal third quarter increased to $23 million, compared with $7 million in the prior year’s period.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, interest expense increased to $53 million, compared with $23 million in the same period one year ago.  The change in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 was due to borrowing related to the ASR program.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective income tax rates in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were 35.6% and 36.3%, respectively, up from 31.6% and 34.1%, in the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007. The increase in the effective income tax rate for the fiscal third quarter was due primarily to the absence of the favorable resolution of certain tax matters that occurred in the prior fiscal year period, an increase in foreign income that is taxable in the U.S. and lower tax-exempt interest income. The increase in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to an increase in foreign income that is taxable in the U.S., lower tax-exempt interest income and an increase in local income taxes.

 

Segment Performance Summary

 

Domestic

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Revenue

 

$

8,206

 

$

7,164

 

$

22,144

 

$

19,947

 

Revenue % gain

 

15

%

11

%

11

%

11

%

Comparable stores sales % gain1

 

6.1

%

3.6

%

3.3

%

3.7

%

Gross profit as % of revenue

 

24.2

%

24.0

%

24.6

%

25.0

%

SG&A as % of revenue2

 

20.2

%

21.4

%

20.3

%

20.7

%

Operating income2

 

$

329

 

$

189

 

$

957

 

$

853

 

Operating income as % of revenue2

 

4.0

%

2.6

%

4.3

%

4.3

%

 

1   Comprised of revenue at stores 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 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.

 

2   Prior-year amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current-year presentation, which allocates to the International segment certain SG&A support costs, which were reported as part of the Domestic segment in fiscal 2007.

 

30



 

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

 

U.S. Geek Squad

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Total

 

907

 

47

 

 

954

 

 

Note: Three U.S. Best Buy stores 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.

 

The following table reconciles Domestic stores open at the beginning and end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007:

 

 

 

Total Stores at
Beginning of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2007

 

Stores
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2007

 

U.S. Best Buy

 

771

 

41

 

 

812

 

Magnolia Audio Video

 

20

 

 

 

20

 

Pacific Sales

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

U.S. Geek Squad

 

12

 

 

 

12

 

Total

 

817

 

41

 

 

858

 

 

Note: Nine U.S. Best Buy stores were relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. No other store in the Domestic segment was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Our Domestic segment’s operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was $329 million, or 4.0% of revenue, compared with $189 million, or 2.6% of revenue, in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s operating income increased to $957 million, or 4.3% of revenue, compared with $853 million, or 4.3% of revenue, in the same period one year ago. Our Domestic segment’s operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 reflected revenue gains, including the net addition of 96 new stores in the past 12 months and a 6.1% comparable store sales increase, and improvements in both our SG&A expense and gross profit rates. Our Domestic segment’s operating income in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 reflected revenue gains, including the net addition of new stores in the past 12 months and a 3.3% comparable store sales increase, and an improvement in the SG&A expense rate, partially offset by a decrease in the gross profit rate.

 

Our Domestic segment’s revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 15% to $8.2 billion, compared with $7.2 billion in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s revenue increased 11% to $22.1 billion, compared with $19.9 billion in the same period one year ago. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the net addition of 96 new stores in the past 12 months accounted for almost three-fifths of the revenue increase and the 6.1% comparable store sales gain accounted for slightly more than two-fifths of the revenue increase.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the net addition of 96 new stores in the past 12 months accounted for almost seven-tenths of the revenue increase and the 3.3% comparable store sales gain accounted for nearly three-tenths of the revenue increase. The remainder of the increase was due primarily to the acquisition of Speakeasy and non-comparable store sales growth at Pacific Sales.

 

31



 

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 2008:

 

 

 

Revenue Mix Summary

 

Comparable Store Sales Summary1

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Consumer electronics

 

42

%

44

%

1.7

%

7.7

%

Home-office

 

27

%

26

%

8.0

%

(2.1

)%

Entertainment software

 

20

%

18

%

20.9

%

2.6

%

Appliances

 

5

%

6

%

(6.7

)%

(4.9

)%

Services2

 

6

%

6

%

4.5

%

7.9

%

Other3

 

<1

%

<1

%

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total

 

100

%

100

%

6.1

%

3.6

%

 

1   Comprised of revenue at stores 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 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.

 

2   Services consists primarily of commissions from the sale of extended service contracts; revenue from computer-related services; product repair revenue; and delivery and installation revenue derived from home theater, mobile audio and appliances.

 

3   Other includes revenue, such as fees received from cardholder account activations, that is recognized over time, resulting in revenue recognition that is not indicative of sales activity in the current period. Other also includes gift card breakage. These revenue types are excluded from our comparable store sales calculation. Finally, other includes revenue from the sale of products that are not related to our core offerings. For these reasons, we do not provide a comparable store sales metric for this revenue category.

 

Our Domestic segment’s comparable store sales gain in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 reflected an increase in the average transaction amount, which was driven by the continued growth in the sales of higher-priced products, including notebook computers and flat-panel televisions, and the impact of the favorable calendar shift. The products having the largest positive effect on our Domestic segment’s comparable store sales gain in the fiscal third quarter were gaming hardware and software, notebook computers, flat-panel televisions and navigation products. Growth in the sales of these products was partially offset by comparable store sales declines in tube and projection televisions, DVDs and CDs.

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s consumer electronics revenue category recorded a 1.7% comparable store sales gain due primarily to gains in the sales of flat-panel televisions and navigation products, partially offset by declines in the sales of tube and projection televisions. Our home-office revenue category posted an 8.0% comparable store sales gain resulting primarily from a sales gain in notebook computers, partially offset by a decline in the sales of desktop computers. The entertainment software revenue category posted a 20.9% comparable store sales gain due primarily to an increase in the sales of video gaming hardware and software, partially offset by expected declines in the sales of CDs and DVDs. Our appliances revenue category recorded a 6.7% comparable store sales decrease resulting primarily from a decline in the sales of major appliances. Our services revenue category recorded a 4.5% comparable store sales gain due primarily to increases in the sales of both computer and home theater services, partially offset by an expected decline in sales of extended service contracts.

 

Our Domestic segment’s gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased by 0.2% of revenue to 24.2% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s gross profit rate was 24.6% of revenue, compared with 25.0% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The increase in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to lower promotional costs and a more rational U.S. retail environment in the consumer electronics and home-office revenue categories, partially offset by increased sales of lower-margin products, such as video gaming hardware and software and notebook computers.  The decrease in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to increased sales of lower-margin products, such as video gaming hardware and software and notebook computers. The decrease in our gross profit rate in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was offset by a benefit of 0.1% of revenue due to the conclusion of our previous credit card agreement with a third-party bank.

 

Our Domestic segment’s SG&A expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased by 1.2% of revenue to 20.2% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s SG&A expense rate was 20.3% of revenue, compared with 20.7% of revenue in the same period one year ago. In the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008, our Domestic segment’s SG&A expense rate improvements were primarily due to expense leverage on higher revenue and productivity gains driven by store operating model improvements.  The absence of reorganization expense in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year also contributed to our Domestic segment’s SG&A expense rate improvement.

 

32



 

International

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Revenue

 

$

1,722

 

$

1,309

 

$

4,461

 

$

3,088

 

Revenue % gain

 

32

%

51

%

44

%

40

%

Comparable stores sales % gain1

 

9.3

%

13.7

%

12.3

%

10.4

%

Gross profit as % of revenue

 

20.6

%

21.0

%

20.6

%

22.0

%

SG&A as % of revenue2

 

19.3

%

20.4

%

19.2

%

21.6

%

Operating income2

 

$

22

 

$

7

 

$

61

 

$

10

 

Operating income as % of revenue2

 

1.3

%

0.5

%

1.4

%

0.3

%

 

1   Comprised of revenue at stores 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 calculation of the comparable store sales percentage change 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.

 

2   Prior-year amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current-year presentation, which allocates to the International segment certain SG&A support costs, which were reported as part of the Domestic segment in fiscal 2007.

 

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
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2008

 

Future Shop

 

126

 

5

 

 

131

 

Canada Best Buy

 

48

 

3

 

 

51

 

Five Star

 

142

 

8

 

(1

)

149

 

China Best Buy

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

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.

 

The following table reconciles International stores open at the beginning and end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007:

 

 

 

Total Stores at
Beginning of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2007

 

Stores
Opened

 

Stores
Closed

 

Total Stores at
End of
Third Quarter
Fiscal 2007

 

Future Shop

 

119

 

2

 

 

121

 

Canada Best Buy

 

44

 

3

 

 

47

 

Five Star

 

131

 

5

 

(3

)

133

 

Total

 

294

 

10

 

(3

)

301

 

 

Note: Three Future Shop stores and three Five Star stores were relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.  No other store in the International segment was relocated during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Our International segment’s operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was $22 million, or 1.3% of revenue, compared with $7 million, or 0.5% of revenue, in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our International segment’s operating income increased to $61 million, or 1.4% of revenue, compared with $10 million, or 0.3% of revenue, in the same period one year ago. In both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008, our International segment operating income reflected revenue gains, including the net addition of 31 new stores in the past 12 months and comparable store sales increases, and improvements in our SG&A expense rates partially offset by declines in our gross profit rates.

 

33



 

Our International segment’s revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 32% to $1.7 billion, compared with $1.3 billion in the same period one year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our International segment’s revenue increased 44% to $4.5 billion, compared with $3.1 billion in the same period one year ago. Excluding the favorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, our International segment’s revenue increased approximately 17% and 34% in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2008, respectively, compared with the same periods one year ago. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, excluding the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the 9.3% comparable store sales gain accounted for just under three-fifths of the revenue increase and the net addition of 31 new stores in Canada and China accounted for the remainder. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, excluding the favorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, the non-comparable store sales generated from the acquisition of Five Star accounted for slightly more than one-half of the revenue increase; the 12.3% comparable store sales gain accounted for approximately two-fifths of the revenue increase; and the net addition of new stores accounted for the remainder.

 

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 2008:

 

 

 

Revenue Mix Summary

 

Comparable Store Sales Summary1

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Consumer electronics

 

37

%

38

%

6.6

%

19.1

%

Home-office

 

31

%

32

%

1.0

%

9.2

%

Entertainment software

 

14

%

12

%

40.0

%

12.8

%

Appliances

 

13

%

13

%

11.3

%

4.1

%

Services2

 

5

%

5

%

11.9

%

17.9

%

Other3

 

<1

%

<1

%

n/a

 

n/a

 

Total

 

100

%

100

%

9.3

%

13.7

%

 

1   Comprised of revenue at stores 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 calculation of the comparable store sales percentage change 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.

 

2   Services consists primarily of commissions from the sale of extended service contracts; revenue from computer-related services; product repair revenue; and delivery and installation revenue derived from home theater, mobile audio and appliances.

 

3   Other includes gift card breakage, which is excluded from our calculation of comparable store sales. Other also includes revenue associated with Canada’s private label credit card program and revenue from the sale of products that are not related to our core offerings. For these reasons, we do not provide a comparable store sales metric for this revenue category.

 

Our International segment’s comparable store sales gain in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 reflected an increase in the average transaction amount, which was driven by continued growth in the sales of higher-priced products. The products having the largest positive effect on our International segment’s comparable store sales gain in the fiscal third quarter were video gaming hardware and software, flat-panel televisions, notebook computers and navigation products. Growth in the sales of these products was partially offset by comparable store sales declines in projection and tube televisions, printers and CDs.

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our International segment’s consumer electronics revenue category posted a 6.6% comparable store sales gain resulting primarily from gains in the sales of flat-panel televisions, navigation products and digital cameras, partially offset by declines in the sales of tube and projection televisions and MP3 players. The home-office revenue category posted a 1.0% comparable store sales gain, which resulted from comparable store sales gains in notebook and desktop computers, partially offset by a decline in the sales of phones, printers and monitors. The entertainment software revenue category recorded a 40.0% comparable store sales gain reflecting an increase in the sales of video gaming hardware and software, partially offset by an expected decline in the sales of CDs. Our appliances revenue category recorded an 11.3% comparable store sales gain resulting primarily from increases in the sales of appliances in our Five Star operations, where appliances represent a larger percentage of the sales and whose results are included in the comparable store sales figures for the first time. Our services revenue category posted an 11.9% comparable store sales gain due primarily to an increase in revenue from our product repair business.

 

Our International segment’s gross profit rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased by 0.4% of revenue to 20.6% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our International segment’s gross profit rate was 20.6% of revenue, compared with 22.0% of revenue in the same period one year ago. The decrease in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was due

 

34



 

primarily to gross profit rate declines in both our Canada and China operations resulting from increased sales of lower-margin products.  The growth of our lower-margin China operations also contributed to the decline for the quarter. The decrease in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to the inclusion of our Five Star operations, which was acquired in June 2006 and carries a significantly lower gross profit rate than our Canada operations, and reduced our International segment’s gross profit rate by approximately 1.2% of revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. In addition, increased sales of lower-margin products in both our Canada and China operations also contributed to the decline in our International segment’s gross profit rate in the first nine months of fiscal 2008.

 

Our International segment’s SG&A expense rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased by 1.1% of revenue to 19.3% of revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, our International segment’s SG&A expense rate was 19.2% of revenue, compared with 21.6% of revenue in the same period one year ago.  In the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008, our International segment’s SG&A expense rate improvements were primarily due to the leveraging effect of strong revenue growth and continued focus on SG&A expense control in our Canada operations. The growth of our lower-cost China operations also contributed to the decline for the fiscal third quarter.  Our Five Star operations, which carries a significantly lower SG&A expense rate than our Canada operations, reduced our International segment’s SG&A expense rate by approximately 1.1% of revenue in the first nine months of fiscal 2008.  These decreases were partially offset, in both the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2008, by increased costs associated with investments in China infrastructure, the development of the International support team and preparations for launching stores in Mexico and Turkey.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Summary

 

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments balances at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006 ($ in millions):

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

March 3, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,319

 

$

1,205

 

$

1,208

 

Short-term investments

 

295

 

2,588

 

1,802

 

Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

1,614

 

$

3,793

 

$

3,010

 

 

Note: See condensed consolidated balance sheets included in Item 1, Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

We ended the third quarter of fiscal 2008 with $1,614 million of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared with $3,793 million at the end of fiscal 2007 and $3,010 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. At December 1, 2007, we had short-term investments, comprised primarily of auction-rate securities, variable-rate demand notes, and asset-backed securities, totaling $295 million. See Note 3, Investments, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a summary of our short-term investments at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006. The decrease in the balance of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments compared with the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was due primarily to the liquidation of a substantial portion of our investment portfolio to repay debt and to fund our ASR program. See Note 4, Credit Facilities, and Note 7, Common Stock Repurchases, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

 

Our current ratio, calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities, was 1.0 at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared with 1.4 at the end of fiscal 2007 and 1.2 at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The decrease in our current ratio compared with the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was due primarily to a decrease in our short-term investments and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which more than offset an increase in merchandise inventories. The decrease in our short-term investments was due primarily to the liquidation of a substantial portion of our investment portfolio to repay debt and to fund our ASR program. The increase in accounts payable and merchandise inventories was primarily driven by purposeful investments in high-demand products prior to the peak holiday shopping season, the opening of new stores in the past 12 months and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our debt-to-capitalization ratio, which represents the ratio of total debt, including the current portion, to total capitalization (total debt plus total shareholders’ equity), increased to 21% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared with 10% at the end of fiscal 2007 and 10% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The increase was driven primarily by the impact of our share repurchases, which has increased debt and decreased our shareholders’ equity. We view our debt-to-capitalization ratio as an important indicator of our creditworthiness.

 

35



 

Our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio, which includes capitalized operating lease obligations in its calculation, was 64% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared with 49% at the end of fiscal 2007 and 51% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The increase was driven primarily by increased borrowings and decreased shareholders’ equity in connection with our ASR program.

 

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 U.S. (“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 our financial liquidity, our capital structure, our desire to own or to lease the location, the owner’s desire to own or to lease the location and the alternative that 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 the denominators used in the calculation of our adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratios at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the end of fiscal 2007, and the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2007 ($ in millions):

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

March 3, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Debt (including current portion)

 

$

988

 

$

650

 

$

650

 

Capitalized operating lease obligations (8 times rental expense) 1

 

5,667

 

5,401

 

5,211

 

Adjusted debt (including capitalized operating lease obligations)

 

$

6,655

 

$

6,051

 

$

5,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt (including current portion)

 

$

988

 

$

650

 

$

650

 

Capitalized operating lease obligations (8 times rental expense) 1

 

5,667

 

5,401

 

5,211

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

3,746

 

6,201

 

5,602

 

Adjusted capitalization

 

$

10,401

 

$

12,252

 

$

11,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt-to-capitalization ratio

 

21

%

10

%

10

%

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

 

64

%

49

%

51

%

 

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 and investment balances that are pledged as collateral or restricted to use for vendor payables, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and warranty programs. Restricted cash and investments in debt securities, which are included in other current assets, totaled $383 million, $382 million and $414 million at December 1, 2007; March 3, 2007; and November 25, 2006, respectively.

 

Cash Flows

 

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

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 1, 2007

 

November 25, 2006

 

Total cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

1,246

 

$

263

 

Investing activities

 

1,903

 

466

 

Financing activities

 

(3,139

)

(277

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

104

 

8

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

114

 

$

460

 

 

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

 

36



 

Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $1,246 million, compared with $263 million in the same period one year ago. The change was due primarily to an increase in cash provided in connection with changes in operating assets and liabilities. The changes in operating assets and liabilities were due primarily to changes in accounts payable and other liabilities, merchandise inventories and receivables. The decrease in cash used for accounts payable and other liabilities was due primarily to the timing of vendor payments. The increase in cash used for merchandise inventories was due primarily to investments in key inventory categories and new stores added in the past 12 months.  The increase in cash provided by changes in receivables was due primarily to the impact of the favorable calendar shift, which allowed collection of approximately $400 million in credit card sales from the weekend following Thanksgiving in the current fiscal year.  We do not anticipate the improvement in the fiscal third quarter’s receivables to carry over into the fourth quarter.

 

Cash provided by investing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $1,903 million, compared with $466 million in the same period one year ago. The change was due primarily to an increase in the net sales of investments and a decrease in cash used in acquisition activities. We liquidated a substantial portion of our investment portfolio in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 in order to repay debt incurred to fund our ASR program. We acquired Speakeasy for $89 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. We acquired Pacific Sales and Five Star in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2007, respectively, for a combined total of $421 million.

 

The net increase in cash provided by investing activities was partially offset by $183 million of cash used in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to purchase a minority interest in The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC (“CPW”). We made this strategic investment to strengthen our business relationship with CPW, with whom we have agreements to expand Best Buy Mobile in the U.S., and to launch Geek Squad home computing support services in Europe. Moderately higher capital expenditures during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared with the same period one year ago also partially offset the increase in cash provided by investing activities.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $3,139 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008, compared with $277 million in the same period one year ago. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of an increase in repurchases of common stock. During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we repurchased $3,461 million of our common stock, compared with $484 million during the same period one year ago. This increase was partially offset by the net issuance of debt. Cash flows from the net issuance of debt during the first nine months of fiscal 2007 were not significant.

 

Share Repurchases and Dividends

 

In the three months ended December 1, 2007, we made no open market purchases under our June 2007 share repurchase program. In the three months ended November 25, 2006, we purchased and retired 0.5 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $22 million under our June 2006 share repurchase program.  In the nine months ended December 1, 2007, we purchased and retired 9.8 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $461 million under our June 2006 share repurchase program. We also purchased and retired 55.7 million shares of our common stock through the ASR program under our June 2007 share repurchase program.  The final cost of these shares will be determined at the conclusion of the ASR program.  In the nine months ended November 25, 2006, we purchased and retired 9.5 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $484 million under our June 2006 and April 2005 share repurchase programs. Retired shares constitute authorized but unissued shares.  For additional information regarding our share repurchases, see Note 7, Common Stock Repurchases, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we paid our regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common share, or $55 million in the aggregate. In the same period one year ago, we paid our then regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, or $47 million in the aggregate.

 

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 funds generated from the expected results of operations and available cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to finance anticipated expansion plans and strategic initiatives for the remainder of fiscal 2008. In addition, our credit facilities are available for additional working capital needs and investment opportunities. There can be no assurance, however, 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 credit facilities.

 

37



 

We have inventory financing programs totaling $240 million, through which certain vendors receive payments from a designated finance company for amounts we owe to them. We have $108 million in both secured and unsecured revolving demand facilities related to our International segment operations, of which $103 million is available from February through July, and $108 million is available from August through January of each year.

 

On September 19, 2007, we entered into a $2.5 billion five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The Credit Agreement permits borrowings up to $2.5 billion, and may be increased up to $3.0 billion at our option and 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. For additional information regarding the Credit Agreement, see Note 4, Credit Facilities, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Our credit ratings and outlooks at January 9, 2008, are summarized below and are consistent with the ratings and outlooks reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007:

 

Rating Agency

 

Rating

 

Outlook

 

Fitch

 

BBB+

 

Stable

 

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 (which includes our debt load), and changes in our business strategy. We do not currently foresee 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.

 

See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007, for additional information regarding our sources of liquidity.

 

Debt and Capital

 

The increase in the amount of debt outstanding at December 1, 2007, compared with the end of fiscal 2007, was due to debt incurred to fund our ASR program. The Credit Agreement had $275 million outstanding at December 1, 2007.

 

See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007, for additional information regarding our debt and capital.

 

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.

 

With the exception of the Credit Agreement, there has been no material change in our contractual obligations other than in the ordinary course of business since the end of fiscal 2007. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007, 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 3, 2007. 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 3, 2007. There has been no significant change in our significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since the end of fiscal 2007.

 

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New Accounting Standards

 

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations. 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.   This standard 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 or 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 will adopt SFAS No. 159 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157, as originally issued, was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. However, on December 14, 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS157-b, which deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities. We will adopt SFAS No. 157 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Outlook

 

On January 11, 2008, we plan to issue a news release regarding our revenue for the fiscal month of December and 10 months ended January 5, 2008.  We expect to comment in the news release on our outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2008.  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.

 

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 3, 2007, 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,

 

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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.  We do not manage our foreign currency exchange rate risk through the use of any financial or derivative instruments, forward contracts or hedging activities.

 

During calendar 2007, the U.S. dollar has been generally weaker throughout the year relative to the currencies of the foreign countries in which we operate.  The overall weakness of the U.S. dollar had a positive impact on our International segment’s revenue and net earnings because the foreign denominations translated into more 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 weakness of the U.S. dollar had a favorable impact on revenue of approximately $188 million and $277 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008, respectively.  In addition, we estimate that such weakness had a favorable impact of approximately $5 million on net earnings in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Short-term and long-term debt

 

At December 1, 2007, 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 $3 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 December 1, 2007, were to be reset 100 basis points higher, our annual pre-tax earnings would decrease by $4 million.

 

Short-term investments

 

At December 1, 2007, our short-term investments were comprised primarily of debt securities.  Our short-term 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 $3 million. We do not currently manage interest rate risk on our short-term investments through the use of derivative instruments.

 

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 Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Enterprise Chief Financial Officer (Interim) (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.

 

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Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Enterprise Chief Financial Officer (Interim), 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 December 1, 2007. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Enterprise Chief Financial Officer (Interim) concluded that, at December 1, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There was no change in internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 1, 2007, that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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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 purchased during the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the average price paid per share, the number of shares that were purchased as part of a publicly announced share repurchase program, and the approximate dollar value of shares that still could have been purchased for the fiscal quarter ended December 1, 2007:

 

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

 

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

 

September 2, 2007, through October 6, 2007

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,500,000,000

 

October 7, 2007, through November 3, 2007

 

 

 

 

2,500,000,000

 

November 4, 2007, through December 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

2,500,000,000

 

Total fiscal 2008 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 the $3.0 billion already purchased under the ASR program.  There is no stated expiration date for the June 2007 share repurchase program.

 

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 Enterprise Chief Financial Officer (Interim) 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 Enterprise Chief Financial Officer (Interim) 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 10, 2008

By:

/s/ BRADBURY H. ANDERSON

 

 

Bradbury H. Anderson

 

 

Vice Chairman
 and Chief Executive Officer
(duly authorized officer)

 

 

 

Date: January 10, 2008

By:

/s/ JAMES L. MUEHLBAUER

 

 

James L. Muehlbauer

 

 

Enterprise Chief Financial Officer (Interim)
(duly authorized and principal financial
officer)

 

 

 

Date: January 10, 2008

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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