10-Q 1 cab-2013q1x10q.htm 10-Q CAB-2013 Q1 - 10Q


 

 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 March 30, 2013
OR
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 1-32227

CABELA'S INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
20-0486586
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One Cabela Drive, Sidney, Nebraska
 
69160
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(308) 254-5505
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x                                                                                                          Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)                                 Smaller reporting company o

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

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 70,429,411 shares as of April 22, 2013


1



CABELA'S INCORPORATED

FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 30, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
 
 
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 

2



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands Except Earnings Per Share)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
Revenue:
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
711,713


$
535,277

Financial Services revenue
85,772


83,455

Other revenue
5,012


4,772

Total revenue
802,497


623,504

Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
Merchandise costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
458,627

 
350,720

Cost of other revenue
68

 
39

Total cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
458,695

 
350,759

Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses
264,687

 
226,169

 
 
 
 
Operating income
79,115

 
46,576

 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(5,356
)
 
(4,504
)
Other non-operating income, net
1,539

 
1,401

 
 
 
 
Income before provision for income taxes
75,298

 
43,473

Provision for income taxes
25,451

 
14,647

Net income
$
49,847

 
$
28,826

 
 
 
 
Earnings per basic share
$
0.71

 
$
0.42

Earnings per diluted share
$
0.70

 
$
0.40

 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
70,157,744

 
69,454,225

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
71,372,824

 
71,287,155


Refer to notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
49,847

 
$
28,826

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on economic development bonds, net of taxes of $402 and $930
685

 
1,727

Cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $0 and $64
1

 
119

Foreign currency translation adjustments
(246
)
 
53

Total other comprehensive income
440

 
1,899

Comprehensive income
$
50,287

 
$
30,725


Refer to notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



4


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Par Values)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
363,747

 
$
288,750

 
$
157,216

Restricted cash of the Trust
19,401

 
17,292

 
18,499

Accounts receivable, net
26,826

 
46,081

 
21,974

Credit card loans (includes restricted credit card loans of the Trust of $3,375,103, $3,523,133, and $2,955,274), net of allowance for loan losses of $64,700, $65,600, and $67,050
3,334,619

 
3,497,472

 
2,908,411

Inventories
613,065

 
552,575

 
539,410

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
147,782

 
132,694

 
142,270

Income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes
46,954

 
54,164

 
43,791

Total current assets
4,552,394

 
4,589,028

 
3,831,571

Property and equipment, net
1,074,169

 
1,021,656

 
894,946

Land held for sale
18,707

 
23,448

 
38,415

Economic development bonds
84,463

 
85,041

 
88,715

Other assets
30,504

 
28,990

 
27,754

Total assets
$
5,760,237

 
$
5,748,163

 
$
4,881,401

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, including unpresented checks of $41,442, $28,928, and $14,599
$
388,286

 
$
285,039

 
$
257,051

Gift instrument, credit card rewards, and loyalty rewards programs
248,902

 
262,653

 
214,314

Accrued expenses
126,899

 
180,906

 
95,814

Time deposits
355,722

 
367,350

 
173,233

Current maturities of secured variable funding obligations of the Trust

 
325,000

 
190,000

Current maturities of long-term debt
8,406

 
8,402

 
8,391

Total current liabilities
1,128,215

 
1,429,350

 
938,803

Long-term time deposits
613,645

 
680,668

 
844,992

Secured long-term obligations of the Trust, less current maturities
2,154,750

 
1,827,500

 
1,402,500

Long-term debt, less current maturities
319,923

 
328,133

 
331,852

Deferred income taxes
14,669

 
10,571

 
30,069

Other long-term liabilities
100,395

 
95,962

 
97,692

 
 
 
 
 
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized – 10,000,000 shares; Issued – none

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value:
 
 
 
 
 
Class A Voting, Authorized – 245,000,000 shares;
 
 
 
 
 
Issued – 70,545,558, 70,545,558, and 70,354,968 shares;
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding – 70,494,063, 70,053,144, and 70,354,968 shares
705

 
705

 
703

Additional paid-in capital
338,465

 
351,161

 
338,420

Retained earnings
1,086,274

 
1,036,427

 
891,740

Accumulated other comprehensive income
5,982

 
5,542

 
4,630

Treasury stock, at cost – 51,495, 492,414, and no shares
(2,786
)
 
(17,856
)
 

Total stockholders’ equity
1,428,640

 
1,375,979

 
1,235,493

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,760,237

 
$
5,748,163

 
$
4,881,401

Refer to notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
49,847

 
$
28,826

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
21,092

 
18,448

Stock-based compensation
3,493

 
3,255

Deferred income taxes
2,527

 
4,990

Provision for loan losses
12,775

 
6,646

Other, net
(1,880
)
 
(876
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
19,012

 
28,735

Credit card loans originated from internal operations, net
58,972

 
58,514

Inventories
(60,490
)
 
(44,582
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(15,356
)
 
3,097

Land held for sale
1,533

 
(22
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
31,308

 
(59,849
)
Gift instrument, credit card rewards, and loyalty rewards programs
(13,751
)
 
(13,100
)
Other long-term liabilities
5,051

 
(138
)
Income taxes receivable/payable
8,379

 
(40,365
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
122,512

 
(6,421
)
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Property and equipment additions
(64,984
)
 
(39,574
)
Proceeds from maturity of economic development bonds
1,665

 
505

Change in restricted cash of the Trust, net
(2,109
)
 
(185
)
Change in credit card loans originated externally, net
91,106

 
120,592

Other investing changes, net
(108
)
 
488

Net cash provided by investing activities
25,570

 
81,826

 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Change in unpresented checks net of bank balance
12,514

 
(4,525
)
Change in time deposits, net
(78,651
)
 
35,912

Borrowings on secured obligations of the Trust
907,250

 
1,190,000

Repayments on secured obligations of the Trust
(905,000
)
 
(1,460,000
)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing
67,732

 
64,789

Repayments on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing
(67,772
)
 
(61,167
)
Payments on long-term debt
(8,206
)
 
(8,203
)
Exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan issuances, net
(128
)
 
20,277

Excess tax benefits from exercise of employee stock options
3,084

 
49

Purchase of treasury stock
(3,906
)
 

Other financing changes, net
(2
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
(73,085
)
 
(222,868
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
74,997

 
(147,463
)
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period
288,750

 
304,679

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period
$
363,747

 
$
157,216

Refer to notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock
Shares
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, beginning of 2012
69,641,818

 
$
696

 
$
334,925

 
$
862,914

 
$
2,731

 
$
(19,950
)
 
$
1,181,316

Net income

 

 

 
28,826

 

 

 
28,826

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
1,899

 

 
1,899

Stock-based compensation

 

 
3,126

 

 

 

 
3,126

Exercise of employee stock options and tax withholdings on share-based payment awards
713,150

 
7

 
320

 

 

 
19,950

 
20,277

Excess tax benefit on employee stock option exercises

 

 
49

 

 

 

 
49

BALANCE, at March 31, 2012
70,354,968

 
$
703

 
$
338,420

 
$
891,740

 
$
4,630

 
$

 
$
1,235,493

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

BALANCE, beginning of 2013
70,545,558

 
$
705

 
$
351,161

 
$
1,036,427

 
$
5,542

 
$
(17,856
)
 
$
1,375,979

Net income

 

 

 
49,847

 

 

 
49,847

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
440

 

 
440

Common stock repurchased

 

 

 

 

 
(3,906
)
 
(3,906
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
3,324

 

 

 

 
3,324

Exercise of employee stock options and tax withholdings on share-based payment awards

 

 
(19,104
)
 

 

 
18,976

 
(128
)
Excess tax benefit on employee stock option exercises

 

 
3,084

 

 

 

 
3,084

BALANCE, at March 30, 2013
70,545,558

 
$
705

 
$
338,465

 
$
1,086,274

 
$
5,982

 
$
(2,786
)
 
$
1,428,640

Refer to notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 



7


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)



1.    MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIONS    
 
Principles of Consolidation – The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared by management of Cabela's Incorporated and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Cabela's,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2012, was derived from the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. All other condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein are unaudited and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to summarize fairly our financial position and results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods presented. All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cabela's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, World's Foremost Bank ("WFB," "Financial Services segment," or "Cabela's CLUB"), is the primary beneficiary of the Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust and related entities (collectively referred to as the “Trust”) under the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topics 810, Consolidations, and 860, Transfers and Servicing. Accordingly, the Trust has been consolidated for all reporting periods in this report. As the servicer and the holder of retained interests in the Trust, WFB has the powers to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Trust's economic performance and the right to receive significant benefits or obligations to absorb significant losses of the Trust.
Because of the seasonal nature of the Company's operations, results of operations of any single reporting period should not be considered as indicative of results for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents of the Financial Services segment were $281,705, $91,365, and $96,504, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively. Due to regulatory restrictions on WFB, the Company cannot use WFB's cash for non-banking operations.

Reporting Periods – Unless otherwise stated, the fiscal periods referred to in the notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements are the 13 weeks ended March 30, 2013 (“three months ended March 30, 2013”), the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2012 (“three months ended March 31, 2012”), and the 52 weeks ended December 29, 2012 ("year ended 2012"). WFB follows a calendar fiscal period and, accordingly, the respective three month periods ended on March 31, 2013 and 2012, and the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2012.
2.    CABELA'S MASTER CREDIT CARD TRUST    

The Financial Services segment utilizes the Trust for the purpose of routinely selling and securitizing credit card loans and issuing beneficial interest to investors. The Trust issues variable funding facilities and long-term notes each of which has an undivided interest in the assets of the Trust. The Financial Services segment must retain a minimum 20 day average of 5% of the loans in the securitization trust which ranks pari passu with the investors' interests in the securitized trusts.  In addition, the Financial Services segment owns notes issued by the Trust from some of the securitizations, which in certain cases may be subordinated to other notes issued.  The consolidated assets of the Trust are subject to credit, payment, and interest rate risks on the transferred credit card loans. The secured borrowings contain legal isolation requirements which would protect the assets pledged as collateral for the securitization investors as well as protect Cabela's and WFB from any liability from default on the notes.


8


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


To protect investors, the securitization structures include certain features that could result in earlier-than-expected repayment of the securities, which could cause the Financial Services segment to sustain a loss of one or more of its retained interests and could prompt the need to seek alternative sources of funding. The primary investor protection feature relates to the availability and adequacy of cash flows in the securitized pool of loans to meet contractual requirements, the insufficiency of which triggers early repayment of the securities. The Financial Services segment refers to this as the early amortization feature.  Investors are allocated cash flows derived from activities related to the accounts comprising the securitized pool of loans, the amounts of which reflect finance charges collected, certain fee assessments collected, allocations of interchange, and recoveries on charged-off accounts.  These cash flows are considered to be restricted under the governing documents to pay interest to investors, servicing fees, and to absorb the investor's share of charge-offs occurring within the securitized pool of loans. Any cash flows remaining in excess of these requirements are reported to investors as excess spread.  An excess spread of less than zero percent for a contractually specified period, generally a three-month average, would trigger an early amortization event. Such an event could result in the Financial Services segment incurring losses related to its retained interests. In addition, if the retained interest in the loans of the Financial Services segment falls below the 5% minimum 20 day average and the Financial Services segment fails to add new accounts to the securitized pool of loans, an early amortization event would be triggered.  The investors have no recourse to the other assets of the Financial Services segment for failure of debtors to pay other than for breaches of certain customary representations, warranties, and covenants. These representations, warranties, covenants, and the related indemnities do not protect the Trust or third party investors against credit-related losses on the loans.
 
Another feature, which is applicable to the notes issued from the Trust, is one in which excess cash flows generated by the transferred loans are held at the Trust for the benefit of the investors. This cash reserve account funding is triggered when the three-month average excess spread rate of the Trust decreases to below 4.50% or 5.50% (depending on the series) with increasing funding requirements as excess spread levels decline below preset levels or as contractually required by the governing documents. Similar to early amortization, this feature also is designed to protect the investors' interests from loss thus making the cash restricted.  Upon scheduled maturity or early amortization of a securitization, the Financial Services segment is required to remit principal payments received on the securitized pool of loans to the Trust which are restricted for the repayment of the investors' principal note. Credit card loans performed within established guidelines and no events which could trigger an early amortization occurred during the three months ended March 30, 2013, the year ended December 29, 2012, and the three months ended March 31, 2012.  
 
The following table presents the components of the consolidated assets and liabilities of the Trust at the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Consolidated assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted credit card loans, net of allowance of $64,440, $65,090, and $66,800
$
3,310,663

 
$
3,458,043

 
$
2,888,474

Restricted cash
19,401

 
17,292

 
18,499

Total
$
3,330,064

 
$
3,475,335

 
$
2,906,973

 
 
 
 
 
 

Consolidated liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 

     Secured variable funding obligations
$

 
$
325,000

 
$
190,000

Secured long-term obligations
2,154,750

 
1,827,500

 
1,402,500

Interest due to third party investors
1,978

 
1,424

 
1,433

Total
$
2,156,728

 
$
2,153,924

 
$
1,593,933



9


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


3.    CREDIT CARD LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES    
 
The Financial Services segment grants individual credit card loans to its customers and is diversified in its lending with borrowers throughout the United States. Credit card loans are reported at their principal amounts outstanding less the allowance for loan losses and deferred credit card origination costs. As part of collection efforts, a credit card loan may be closed and placed on non-accrual or restructured in a fixed payment plan prior to charge-off. The fixed payment plans consist of a lower interest rate, reduced minimum payment, and elimination of fees. Loans on fixed payment plans include loans in which the customer has engaged a consumer credit counseling agency to assist them in managing their debt. Customers who miss two consecutive payments once placed on a payment plan or non-accrual will resume accruing interest at the rate they had accrued at before they were placed on a plan. Interest and fees are accrued in accordance with the terms of the applicable cardholder agreements on credit card loans until the date of charge-off unless placed on non-accrual. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to principal. The Financial Services segment does not record any liabilities for off-balance sheet risk of unfunded commitments through the origination of unsecured credit card loans.

The direct credit card account origination costs associated with costs of successful credit card originations incurred in transactions with independent third parties, and certain other costs incurred in connection with credit card approvals, are deferred credit card origination costs included in credit card loans and are amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 months. Other account solicitation costs, including printing, list processing, and postage are expensed as solicitation occurs.

The following table reflects the composition of the credit card loans at the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted credit card loans of the Trust (restricted for repayment of secured borrowings of the Trust)
$
3,375,103

 
$
3,523,133

 
$
2,955,274

Unrestricted credit card loans
19,006

 
34,356

 
16,022

Total credit card loans
3,394,109

 
3,557,489

 
2,971,296

Allowance for loan losses
(64,700
)
 
(65,600
)
 
(67,050
)
Deferred credit card origination costs
5,210

 
5,583

 
4,165

Credit card loans, net
$
3,334,619

 
$
3,497,472

 
$
2,908,411

Allowance for Loan Losses:
The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable losses inherent in the credit card loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is established through a charge to the provision for loan losses and is regularly evaluated by management for adequacy. Loans on a payment plan or non-accrual are segmented from the rest of the credit card loan portfolio into a restructured credit card loan segment before establishing an allowance for loan losses as these loans have a higher probability of loss. Management estimates losses inherent in the credit card loans segment and restructured credit card loans segment based on a model which tracks historical loss experience on delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, death, and charge-offs, net of estimated recoveries. The Financial Services segment uses a migration analysis and historical bankruptcy and death rates to estimate the likelihood that a credit card loan will progress through the various stages of delinquency and to charge-off. This analysis estimates the gross amount of principal that will be charged off over the next 12 months, net of recoveries. This estimate is used to derive an estimated allowance for loan losses. In addition to these methods of measurement, management also considers other factors such as general economic and business conditions affecting key lending areas, credit concentration, changes in origination and portfolio management, and credit quality trends. Since the evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these factors is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, the measurement of the overall allowance is subject to estimation risk, and the amount of actual losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts.


10


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


Credit card loans that have been modified through a fixed payment plan or placed on non-accrual are considered impaired and are collectively evaluated for impairment. The Financial Services segment charges off credit card loans and restructured credit card loans on a daily basis after an account becomes at a minimum 130 days contractually delinquent. Accounts relating to cardholder bankruptcies, cardholder deaths, and fraudulent transactions are charged off earlier. The Financial Services segment recognizes charged-off cardholder fees and accrued interest receivable in interest and fee income that is included in Financial Services revenue.
The following table reflects the activity in the allowance for loan losses by credit card segment for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30, 2013

March 31, 2012
 
Credit Card Loans
 
Restructured Credit Card Loans
 
Total Credit Card Loans
 
Credit Card Loans
 
Restructured Credit Card Loans
 
Total Credit Card Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
42,600

 
$
23,000

 
$
65,600

 
$
44,350

 
$
29,000

 
$
73,350

Provision for loan losses
12,688

 
87

 
12,775

 
6,200

 
446

 
6,646

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
(15,008
)
 
(3,292
)
 
(18,300
)
 
(14,188
)
 
(3,824
)
 
(18,012
)
Recoveries
3,420

 
1,205

 
4,625

 
3,688

 
1,378

 
5,066

Net charge-offs
(11,588
)
 
(2,087
)
 
(13,675
)
 
(10,500
)
 
(2,446
)
 
(12,946
)
Balance, end of period
$
43,700

 
$
21,000

 
$
64,700

 
$
40,050

 
$
27,000

 
$
67,050

Credit Quality Indicators, Delinquent, and Non-Accrual Loans:

The Financial Services segment segregates the loan portfolio into loans that have been restructured and other credit card loans in order to facilitate the estimation of the losses inherent in the portfolio as of the reporting date. The Financial Services segment uses the scores of Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”), a widely-used tool for assessing an individual's credit rating, as the primary credit quality indicator. The FICO score is an indicator of quality, with the risk of loss increasing as an individual's FICO score decreases.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Financial Services segment incorporated a newer version of FICO that utilizes the same factors as the previous scoring model, but is more sensitive to utilization of available credit, delinquencies considered serious and frequent, and maintenance of various types of credit. The credit card loans segment was disaggregated into the classes as reflected in the tables below based upon the loan's current FICO score. The Financial Services segment performed an analysis of the new FICO scores and the previous FICO scores to determine the proper FICO score cuts for each loan class in order to maintain comparability of credit risk to prior periods. As a result of this analysis, as of June 30, 2012, the classes were changed from:
679 and below to 691 and below,
680 - 749 to 692 - 758, and
750 and above to 759 and above.

The Financial Services segment considers a loan to be delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the payment due date. The aging method is based on the number of completed billing cycles during which a customer has failed to make a required payment.


11


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


The table below provides information on non-accrual, past due, and restructured credit card loans by class using the respective quarter FICO score at the periods ended:
March 30, 2013:
FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment
Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
 
 
691 and Below
692 - 758
759 and Above
Total
Credit card loan status:
 
Current
$
468,960

$
1,116,527

$
1,706,368

$
42,705

$
3,334,560

1 to 29 days past due
14,556

9,253

8,700

3,754

36,263

30 to 59 days past due
6,198

991

202

1,683

9,074

60 or more days past due
11,001

151

14

3,046

14,212

Total past due
31,755

10,395

8,916

8,483

59,549

Total credit card loans
$
500,715

$
1,126,922

$
1,715,284

$
51,188

$
3,394,109

 
 
 
 
 
 
90 days or more past due and still accruing
$
5,862

$
22

$
4

$
1,370

$
7,258

Non-accrual



6,052

6,052

December 29, 2012:
FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment
Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
 
 
691 and Below
 692 - 758
759 and Above
Total
Credit card loan status:
 
Current
$
453,894

$
1,134,840

$
1,856,587

$
44,193

$
3,489,514

1 to 29 days past due
17,901

11,558

10,094

4,304

43,857

30 to 59 days past due
6,060

1,004

203

1,811

9,078

60 or more days past due
11,416

189

43

3,392

15,040

Total past due
35,377

12,751

10,340

9,507

67,975

Total credit card loans
$
489,271

$
1,147,591

$
1,866,927

$
53,700

$
3,557,489

 
 
 
 
 
 
90 days or more past due and still accruing
$
6,118

$
38

$
4

$
1,481

$
7,641

Non-accrual



5,985

5,985

 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012:
FICO Score of Credit Card Loans Segment
Restructured Credit Card Loans Segment (1)
 
 
679 and Below
 680 - 749
750 and Above
Total
Credit card loan status:
 
Current
$
394,639

$
991,599

$
1,478,091

$
52,632

$
2,916,961

1 to 29 days past due
12,656

8,134

6,882

4,246

31,918

30 to 59 days past due
5,217

1,099

374

2,236

8,926

60 or more days past due
9,277

205

109

3,900

13,491

Total past due
27,150

9,438

7,365

10,382

54,335

Total credit card loans
$
421,789

$
1,001,037

$
1,485,456

$
63,014

$
2,971,296

 
 
 
 
 

90 days or more past due and still accruing
$
4,960

$
29

$
5

$
1,581

$
6,575

Non-accrual



6,554

6,554

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Specific allowance for loan losses of $21,000, $23,000, and $27,000, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively, are included in allowance for loan losses.

12


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)



4.     SECURITIES    
 
Economic development bonds, which are all classified as available-for-sale, consisted of the following at the periods ended:     
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
 
 
Fair
 
 
 
 
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 30, 2013
$
72,880

 
$
11,765

 
$
(182
)
 
$
84,463

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 29, 2012
$
75,545

 
$
10,496

 
$

 
$
85,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012
$
81,376

 
$
7,339

 
$

 
$
88,715

The carrying value and fair value of these securities classified by estimated maturity based on expected future cash flows at March 30, 2013, were as follows:
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ending December 28, 2013
$
2,061

 
$
2,461

For the fiscal years ending:
 
 
 
2014
2,243

 
2,714

2015
2,072

 
2,581

2016
2,924

 
3,543

2017
2,764

 
3,347

2018 - 2022
20,894

 
24,459

2023 and thereafter
39,922

 
45,358

 
$
72,880

 
$
84,463

Interest earned on the securities totaled $1,036 and $1,378 in the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, respectively. There were no realized gains or losses on these securities in the three months ended March 30, 2013, or March 31, 2012.



13


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


5.    BORROWINGS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES SEGMENT    
     
The obligations of the Trust are secured borrowings backed by restricted credit card loans. The following table presents, as of the periods presented, a summary of the secured fixed and variable rate long-term obligations of the Trust, the expected maturity dates, and the respective weighted average interest rates.
Series
 
Expected
Maturity Date
 
Fixed Rate Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
Variable Rate Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
Total Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 30, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series 2010-I
 
January 2015
 
$

 
%
 
$
255,000

 
1.65
%
 
$
255,000

 
1.65
%
Series 2010-II
 
September 2015
 
127,500

 
2.29

 
85,000

 
0.90

 
212,500

 
1.74

Series 2011-II
 
June 2016
 
155,000

 
2.39

 
100,000

 
0.80

 
255,000

 
1.77

Series 2011-IV
 
October 2016
 
165,000

 
1.90

 
90,000

 
0.75

 
255,000

 
1.50

Series 2012-I
 
February 2017
 
275,000

 
1.63

 
150,000

 
0.73

 
425,000

 
1.31

Series 2012-II
 
June 2017
 
300,000

 
1.45

 
125,000

 
0.68

 
425,000

 
1.22

Series 2013-I
 
February 2023
 
327,250

 
2.71

 

 

 
327,250

 
2.71

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total secured obligations

 
1,349,750

 
 

 
805,000

 
 

 
2,154,750

 
 

Less: current maturities
 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

Secured long-term obligations of the Trust, less current maturities
 
$
1,349,750

 
 

 
$
805,000

 
 

 
$
2,154,750

 
 


Series
 
Expected
Maturity Date
 
Fixed Rate Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
Variable Rate Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
Total Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 29, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series 2010-I
 
January 2015
 
$

 
%
 
$
255,000

 
1.66
%
 
$
255,000

 
1.66
%
Series 2010-II
 
September 2015
 
127,500

 
2.29

 
85,000

 
0.91

 
212,500

 
1.74

Series 2011-II
 
June 2016
 
155,000

 
2.39

 
100,000

 
0.81

 
255,000

 
1.77

Series 2011-IV
 
October 2016
 
165,000

 
1.90

 
90,000

 
0.76

 
255,000

 
1.50

Series 2012-I
 
February 2017
 
275,000

 
1.63

 
150,000

 
0.74

 
425,000

 
1.32

Series 2012-II
 
June 2017
 
300,000

 
1.45

 
125,000

 
0.69

 
425,000

 
1.23

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total secured obligations

 
1,022,500

 
 

 
805,000

 
 

 
1,827,500

 
 

Less: current maturities
 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

Secured long-term obligations of the Trust, less current maturities
 
$
1,022,500

 
 

 
$
805,000

 
 

 
$
1,827,500

 
 


14


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


Series
 
Expected
Maturity Date
 
Fixed Rate Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
Variable Rate Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
Total Obligations
 
Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series 2010-I
 
January 2015
 
$

 
%
 
$
255,000

 
1.69
%
 
$
255,000

 
1.69
%
Series 2010-II
 
September 2015
 
127,500

 
2.29

 
85,000

 
0.94

 
212,500

 
1.75

Series 2011-II
 
June 2016
 
155,000

 
2.39

 
100,000

 
0.84

 
255,000

 
1.78

Series 2011-IV
 
October 2016
 
165,000

 
1.90

 
90,000

 
0.79

 
255,000

 
1.51

Series 2012-I
 
February 2017
 
275,000

 
1.63

 
150,000

 
0.80

 
425,000

 
1.34

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total secured obligations
 
 
722,500

 
 

 
680,000

 
 

 
1,402,500

 
 

Less: current maturities
 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

Secured long-term obligations of the Trust, less current maturities
 
$
722,500

 
 

 
$
680,000

 
 

 
$
1,402,500

 
 

The Trust also issues variable funding facilities which are considered secured borrowings backed by restricted credit card loans. The Trust early renewed one variable funding facility in the amount of $300,000 on March 26, 2013, extending the commitment for an additional two years. At March 30, 2013, the Trust had three variable funding facilities with $875,000 in available capacity and with no amounts outstanding.  The variable funding facilities are scheduled to mature in September 2014, March 2015, and March 2016. Each of these variable funding facilities includes an option to renew. Variable rate note interest is priced at a benchmark rate, London Interbank Offered Rate, or commercial paper rate, plus a spread, which ranges from 0.50% to 0.85%.  The variable rate notes provide for a fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.40% on the unused portion of the facilities.  During the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, the daily average balance outstanding on these notes was $91,444 and $357,802, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.77% and 0.79%, respectively.

On March 7, 2013, the Trust sold $385,000 of asset-backed notes, Series 2013-I. This securitization transaction included the issuance of $327,250 of Class A notes and three subordinated classes of notes in the aggregate principal amount of $57,750. The Financial Services segment retained each of the subordinated classes of notes which were eliminated in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Each class of notes issued in this securitization transaction has an expected life of approximately ten years and a contractual maturity of approximately thirteen years. This securitization transaction was used to fund the growth in restricted credit card loans.

The Financial Services segment has unsecured federal funds purchase agreements with two financial institutions.  The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $85,000. There were no amounts outstanding at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, or March 31, 2012.  During the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, the daily average balance outstanding was $27 and $1,386, respectively, with a weighted average rate of 0.75% for both periods.


15


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


6.     LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES
 
Long-term debt, including revolving credit facilities and capital leases, consisted of the following at the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured notes due 2016 with interest at 5.99%
$
215,000

 
$
215,000

 
$
215,000

Unsecured senior notes due 2017 with interest at 6.08%
60,000

 
60,000

 
60,000

Unsecured senior notes due 2014-2018 with interest at 7.20%
40,714

 
48,857

 
48,857

Unsecured revolving credit facility of Canada operations

 

 
3,524

Capital lease obligations payable through 2036
12,615

 
12,678

 
12,862

Total debt
328,329

 
336,535

 
340,243

Less current portion of debt
(8,406
)
 
(8,402
)
 
(8,391
)
Long-term debt, less current maturities
$
319,923

 
$
328,133

 
$
331,852

 
The Company has a credit agreement providing for a $415,000 revolving credit facility that expires on November 2, 2016. No amounts were outstanding under our credit agreement at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012. The unsecured $415,000 revolving credit facility permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $100,000 and swing line loans up to $20,000. This credit facility may be increased to $500,000 subject to certain terms and conditions.
During the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, the daily average principal balance outstanding on the lines of credit was $1,621 and $1,276, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate was 1.45% and 1.62%, respectively. Letters of credit and standby letters of credit totaling $24,694 and $15,944 were outstanding at March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, respectively. The daily average outstanding amount of total letters of credit during the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, was $16,469 and $9,473, respectively.

The Company also had a credit agreement for its operations in Canada providing for a $15,000 Canadian ("CAD") unsecured revolving credit facility through June 30, 2013. This credit agreement was terminated January 31, 2013. There was $3,524 outstanding at March 31, 2012.

At March 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the credit agreements and unsecured notes. At March 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenant requirements of its $415,000 credit agreement with a fixed charge coverage ratio of 10.10 to 1 (minimum requirement is 2.00 to 1), a leverage ratio of 0.84 to 1 (requirement is no more than 3.00 to 1), and a consolidated net worth that was $433,013 in excess of the minimum. We anticipate that we will continue to be in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements and unsecured notes through at least the next 12 months.



16


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


7.     INCOME TAXES    
 
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate was as follows for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
Statutory federal rate
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
1.4

 
1.6

Other nondeductible items
0.1

 
0.9

Tax exempt interest income
(0.4
)
 
(0.6
)
Rate differential on foreign income
(2.3
)
 
(3.9
)
Change in unrecognized tax benefits
0.4

 
0.6

Other, net
(0.4
)
 
0.1

 
33.8
 %
 
33.7
 %
The balance of unrecognized tax benefits, classified as other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, totaled $40,968, $39,252, and $38,528, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively. The changes comparing the respective periods were due primarily to our assessments of uncertain tax positions related to prior period tax positions. The Company paid $53,418 in prior periods as deposits for federal taxes related to prior period uncertain tax positions. The deposits are classified as a current asset netted within income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Because existing tax positions will continue to generate increased liabilities for the Company for unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months, and since the Company is routinely under audit by various taxing authorities, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change during the next 12 months. However, the Company does not expect the change, if any, to have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations within the next 12 months.
As of March 30, 2013, cash and cash equivalents held by the Company's foreign subsidiaries totaled $54,114. The Company's intent is to permanently reinvest a portion of these funds outside the United States for capital expansion and to repatriate a portion of these funds. Based on the Company's current projected capital needs and the current amount of cash and cash equivalents held by its foreign subsidiaries, the Company does not anticipate incurring any material tax costs beyond its accrued tax position in connection with any repatriation, but it may be required to accrue for unanticipated additional tax costs in the future if the Company's expectations or the amount of cash held by its foreign subsidiaries change.

17


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


8.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company leases various buildings, computer and other equipment, and storage space under operating leases which expire on various dates through January 2037. Rent expense on these leases as well as other month to month rentals was $3,392 and $2,542 in the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, respectively.

The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments under operating leases at March 30, 2013:
For the nine months ending December 28, 2013
 
$
9,081

For the fiscal years ending:
 
 
2014
 
12,187

2015
 
12,369

2016
 
12,050

2017
 
11,721

Thereafter
 
165,272

 
 
$
222,680

The Company leases certain retail store locations. Some of these leases include tenant allowances that are amortized over the life of the lease. In the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Company received $4,200 in tenant allowances. No tenant allowances were received in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The Company expects to receive $750 in tenant allowances under leases during the remainder of 2013. Certain leases require the Company to pay contingent rental amounts based on a percentage of sales, in addition to real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other operating expenses associated with the leased premises. These leases have terms which include renewal options ranging from 10 to 70 years.    
 
The Company has entered into real estate purchase, construction, and/or economic incentive agreements for various new retail store site locations. At March 30, 2013, the Company had total estimated cash commitments of approximately $197,400 outstanding for projected expenditures connected with the development, construction, and completion of new retail stores. This does not include any amounts for contractual obligations associated with retail store locations where the Company is in the process of certain negotiations.
Under various grant programs, state or local governments provide funding for certain costs associated with developing and opening a new retail store. The Company generally receives grant funding in exchange for commitments, such as assurance of agreed employment and wage levels at the retail store or that the retail store will remain open, made by the Company to the state or local government providing the funding. The commitments typically phase out over approximately five to 10 years. If the Company failed to maintain the commitments during the applicable period, the funds received may have to be repaid or other adverse consequences may arise, which could affect the Company's cash flows and profitability. At March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, the total amount of grant funding subject to a specific contractual remedy was $6,999, $7,257, and $9,868, respectively. No grant funding was received in the three months ended March 30, 2013.

The Company operates an open account document instructions program, which provides for Cabela's-issued letters of credit. The Company had obligations to pay participating vendors $62,079, $55,455, and $47,377, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively.


18


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


The Financial Services segment enters into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business through the origination of unsecured credit card loans. Unsecured credit card accounts are commitments to extend credit and totaled $21,325,000, $20,976,000, and $20,514,000, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively. These commitments are in addition to any current outstanding balances of a cardholder. Unsecured credit card loans involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The principal amounts of these instruments reflect the Financial Services segment's maximum related exposure. The Financial Services segment has not experienced and does not anticipate that all customers will exercise the entire available line of credit at any given point in time. The Financial Services segment has the right to reduce or cancel the available lines of credit at any time.

Proposed Settlement of Visa Litigation – In June 2005, a number of entities, each purporting to represent a class of retail merchants, sued Visa and several member banks, and other credit card associations, alleging, among other things, that Visa and its member banks have violated United States antitrust laws by conspiring to fix the level of interchange fees. On July 13, 2012, the parties to this litigation announced that they had entered into a memorandum of understanding, which subject to certain conditions, including court approval, obligates the parties to enter into a settlement agreement to resolve the claims brought by the class members. On November 9, 2012, the settlement received preliminary court approval. The court has scheduled a September 12, 2013, hearing for final approval of the settlement. The settlement agreement requires, among other things, (i) the distribution to class merchants of an amount equal to 10 basis points of default interchange across all credit rate categories for a period of eight consecutive months, which otherwise would have been paid to issuers like WFB, (ii) Visa to change its rules to allow merchants to charge a surcharge on credit card transactions subject to a cap, and (iii) Visa to meet with merchant buying groups that seek to negotiate interchange rates collectively. To date, WFB has not been named as a defendant in any credit card industry lawsuits. Management believes that the 10 basis point reduction of default interchange across all credit rate categories for a period of eight consecutive months would result in a reduction of interchange income of approximately $12,500 in the Financial Services segment. Therefore, a liability of $12,500 was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to accrue for such proposed settlement and was outstanding in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 30, 2013, and December 29, 2012.

Litigation and Claims – The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These actions include commercial, intellectual property, employment, regulatory, and product liability claims. Some of these actions involve complex factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. The activities of WFB are subject to complex federal and state laws and regulations. WFB's regulators are authorized to impose penalties for violations of these laws and regulations and, in some cases, to order WFB to pay restitution. The Company cannot predict with assurance the outcome of the actions brought against it. Accordingly, adverse developments, settlements, or resolutions may occur and have a material effect on the Company's results of operations for the period in which such development, settlement, or resolution occurs. However, the Company does not believe that the outcome of any current legal proceeding would have a material effect on its results of operations, cash flows, or financial position taken as a whole.

On January 6, 2011, the Company received a Commissioner's charge from the Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") alleging that the Company has discriminated against non-Whites on the basis of their race and national origin in recruitment and hiring. The Company is disputing these allegations, and the EEOC currently is in the early stages of its investigation. At the present time, the Company is unable to form a judgment regarding a favorable or unfavorable outcome regarding this matter or the potential range of loss in the event of an unfavorable outcome.


19


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


9.     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS        

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $3,493 and $3,255 in the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, respectively. Compensation expense related to the Company's stock-based payment awards is recognized in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. At March 30, 2013, the total unrecognized deferred stock-based compensation balance for all equity awards issued, net of expected forfeitures, was $22,138, net of tax, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years.

Option Awards. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, there were 207,595 non-qualified stock options granted to employees under the Cabela's Incorporated 2004 Stock Plan ("2004 Plan") at an exercise price of $50.91 per share. These options have an eight-year term and vest over four years. In addition, during the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Company issued 64,000 premium-priced non-qualified stock options to its President and Chief Executive Officer under the 2004 Plan at an exercise price of $58.55 (which was equal to 115% of the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 1, 2013). The premium-priced non-qualified stock options vest in three equal annual installments beginning on March 2, 2017, and expire on March 2, 2021. At March 30, 2013, there were 3,590,555 awards outstanding and 1,293,730 additional shares authorized and available for grant under the 2004 Plan.

During the three months ended March 30, 2013, there were 210,899 options exercised. To the extent available, the Company will issue its treasury shares for the exercise of stock options before issuing new shares. The aggregate intrinsic value of awards exercised was $8,104 and $36,349 during the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, respectively. Based on the Company's closing stock price of $60.78 at March 30, 2013, the total number of in-the-money awards exercisable as of March 30, 2013, was 2,206,416.

Nonvested Stock and Stock Unit Awards. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Company issued 344,345 units of nonvested stock under the 2004 Plan to employees at a weighted average fair value of $50.90 per unit. These nonvested stock units vest evenly over four years on the grant date anniversary based on the passage of time. On March 2, 2013, the Company also issued 55,400 units of performance-based restricted stock units under the 2004 Plan to certain executives at a fair value of $50.91 per unit. These performance-based restricted stock units will begin vesting in four equal annual installments on March 2, 2014, if the performance criteria is achieved.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan is 1,835,000. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, there were 15,512 shares issued. At March 30, 2013, there were 648,070 shares authorized and available for issuance.

20


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)



10.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
 
Retained Earnings - The most significant restrictions on the payment of dividends are contained within the covenants under the Company's revolving credit and unsecured senior notes purchase agreements. Also, Nebraska banking laws govern the amount of dividends that WFB can pay to Cabela's. At March 30, 2013, the Company had unrestricted retained earnings of $180,529 available for dividends. However, the Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock, and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related taxes, are as follows for the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated net unrealized holding gains on economic development bonds
$
7,508

 
$
6,823

 
$
4,771

Accumulated net unrealized holding gain (loss) on derivatives

 
(1
)
 
(19
)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
(1,526
)
 
(1,280
)
 
(122
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
$
5,982

 
$
5,542

 
$
4,630


Treasury Stock - The Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program on August 23, 2011, that provides for share repurchases on an ongoing basis to offset dilution resulting from equity awards under the Company's current or future equity compensation plans. On February 14, 2013, the Company announced its intent to repurchase up to 750,000 shares of its common stock in open market transactions through February 2014 pursuant to this share repurchase program. As of March 30, 2013, 72,200 shares were repurchased.

The following table reconciles the share activity relating to the Company's treasury stock for the periods presented.
 
 
Three Months Ended
Number of treasury shares:
 
March 30, 2013
 
March 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
492,414

 
800,935

Purchase of treasury stock
 
72,200

 

Treasury shares issued on exercise of stock options and share-based payment awards
 
(513,119
)
 
(800,935
)
Balance, end of period
 
51,495

 



21


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


11.     EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The following table reconciles the number of shares utilized in the earnings per share calculations for the periods presented.
 
 
Three Months Ended
Weighted average number of shares:
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares – basic
 
70,157,744

 
69,454,225

Effect of incremental dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Stock options, nonvested stock units, and employee stock purchase plans
 
1,215,080

 
1,832,930

Common shares – diluted
 
71,372,824

 
71,287,155

Stock options outstanding and nonvested stock units issued considered anti-dilutive excluded from calculation
 

 
293,540

12.     SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
The following table sets forth non-cash financing and investing activities and other cash flow information for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
 
 
 
Accrued property and equipment additions (1)
$
28,516

 
$
14,041

 
 
 
 
Other cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid (2)
$
17,358

 
$
22,752

Income taxes, net of refunds
$
8,851

 
$
42,543

 
 
 
 
(1)
Accrued property and equipment additions are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in the period they are paid.
(2)
Includes interest from the Financial Services segment totaling $13,344 and $14,055, respectively.



22


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


13.     SEGMENT REPORTING
 
The Company has three reportable segments: Retail, Direct, and Financial Services. The Retail segment sells products and services through the Company's retail stores. The Direct segment sells products through our e-commerce websites (Cabelas.com and Cabelas.ca) and direct mail catalogs. The Financial Services segment issues co-branded credit cards. For the Retail segment, operating costs consist primarily of labor, advertising, depreciation, and occupancy costs of retail stores. For the Direct segment, operating costs consist primarily of direct marketing costs (catalog and e-commerce advertising costs) and order processing costs. For the Financial Services segment, operating costs consist primarily of advertising and promotion, license fees, third party services for processing credit card transactions, salaries, and other general and administrative costs.
 
Revenues included in Corporate Overhead and Other are primarily made up of amounts received from outfitter services, real estate rental income, land sales, and fees earned through the Company's travel business and other complementary business services. Corporate Overhead and Other expenses include unallocated shared-service costs, operations of various ancillary subsidiaries such as real estate development and travel, and segment eliminations. Unallocated shared-service costs include receiving, distribution, and storage costs of inventory, merchandising, and quality assurance costs, as well as corporate headquarters occupancy costs.

Segment assets are those directly used in or clearly allocable to an operating segment’s operations. For the Retail segment, assets include inventory in the retail stores, land, buildings, fixtures, and leasehold improvements. For the Direct segment, assets primarily include deferred catalog costs and fixed assets. Goodwill totaling $3,455, $3,535, and $3,516, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively, was included in the Retail segment. The change in the carrying value of goodwill between periods is due to foreign currency translation adjustments. Assets for the Financial Services segment include cash, credit card loans, restricted cash, receivables, fixtures, and other assets. Cash and cash equivalents of the Financial Services segment were $281,705, $91,365, and $96,504, at March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively. Assets for the Corporate Overhead and Other segment include corporate headquarters and facilities, merchandise distribution inventory, shared technology infrastructure and related information technology systems, corporate cash and cash equivalents, economic development bonds, prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes, and other corporate long-lived assets. Depreciation, amortization, and property and equipment expenditures are recognized in each respective segment. Intercompany revenue between segments was eliminated in consolidation.

Under an Intercompany Agreement effective January 1, 2012, the Financial Services segment pays to the Retail and Direct business segments a fixed license fee equal to 70 basis points on all originated charge volume of the Cabela's CLUB Visa credit card portfolio. In addition, among other items, the agreement requires the Financial Services segment to reimburse the Retail and Direct segments for certain operating and promotional costs.
    


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

23


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables for the periods presented:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Overhead and Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Services
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
Direct
 
 
 
Total
Three Months Ended March 30, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
 
$
486,555

 
$
225,158

 
$

 
$

 
$
711,713

Non-merchandise revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Services
 

 

 
85,772

 

 
85,772

Other
 
194

 

 

 
4,818

 
5,012

Total revenue
 
$
486,749

 
$
225,158

 
$
85,772

 
$
4,818

 
$
802,497

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
84,678

 
$
44,897

 
$
24,101

 
$
(74,561
)
 
$
79,115

As a percentage of revenue
 
17.4
%
 
19.9
%
 
28.1
%
 
N/A

 
9.9
%
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
12,353

 
$
1,888

 
$
374

 
$
6,477

 
$
21,092

Assets
 
1,110,761

 
153,407

 
3,760,562

 
735,507

 
5,760,237

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
 
$
345,082

 
$
190,195

 
$

 
$

 
$
535,277

Non-merchandise revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Services
 

 

 
83,455

 

 
83,455

Other
 
249

 

 

 
4,523

 
4,772

Total Revenue
 
$
345,331

 
$
190,195

 
$
83,455

 
$
4,523

 
$
623,504

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
44,227

 
$
34,174

 
$
29,002

 
$
(60,827
)
 
$
46,576

As a percentage of revenue
 
12.8
%
 
18.0
%
 
34.8
%
 
N/A

 
7.5
%
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
10,806

 
$
1,803

 
$
243

 
$
5,596

 
$
18,448

Assets
 
928,531

 
145,846

 
3,139,581

 
667,443

 
4,881,401



24


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


The components and amounts of total revenue for the Financial Services segment were as follows for the periods presented.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fee income
 
$
81,249

 
$
73,108

Interest expense
 
(13,851
)
 
(13,891
)
Provision for loan losses
 
(12,775
)
 
(6,646
)
Net interest income, net of provision for loan losses
 
54,623

 
52,571

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
 
Interchange income
 
77,630

 
68,427

Other non-interest income
 
1,283

 
4,039

Total non-interest income
 
78,913

 
72,466

Less: Customer rewards costs
 
(47,764
)
 
(41,582
)
Financial Services revenue
 
$
85,772

 
$
83,455

The following table sets forth the percentage of the Company's merchandise revenue contributed by major product categories for our Retail and Direct segments and in total for the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
Direct
 
Total
Three Months Ended:
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product Category:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hunting Equipment
60.2
%
 
51.5
%
 
47.7
%
 
35.0
%
 
56.3
%
 
45.8
%
General Outdoors
22.5

 
29.4

 
27.2

 
35.5

 
24.0

 
31.5

Clothing and Footwear
17.3

 
19.1

 
25.1

 
29.5

 
19.7

 
22.7

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

25


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


14.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS        

Fair value represents the estimated price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. In determining fair value of financial instruments, the Company uses various methods, including discounted cash flow projections based on available market interest rates and data, and management estimates of future cash payments. Judgment is required in interpreting certain market data to develop the estimates of fair value and, accordingly, any changes in assumptions or methods may affect the fair value estimates. Financial instrument assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted market prices.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs corroborated by little, if any, market data.

Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing significant inputs that are primarily unobservable from objective sources. At March 30, 2013, the Company's financial instruments carried on our condensed consolidated balance sheets subject to fair value measurements consisted of economic development bonds and were classified as Level 3 for valuation purposes. For the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, there were no transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2, or 3.
The table below presents changes in fair value of the economic development bonds measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the periods presented:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
85,041

 
$
86,563

Total gains or losses:
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings - realized
 

 

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized
 
1,087

 
2,657

Valuation adjustments
 

 

Purchases, issuances, and settlements:
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 

 

Issuances
 

 

Settlements
 
(1,665
)
 
(505
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
84,463

 
$
88,715

Fair values of the Company's economic development bonds were estimated using discounted cash flow projection estimates. These estimates are based on available market interest rates and the estimated amounts and timing of expected future payments to be received from municipalities under tax development zones, which the Company considers to be unobservable inputs (Level 3). These fair values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering these bonds for sale or through early redemption, or any related income tax impact. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale economic development bonds below cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings. At March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, none of the bonds with a fair value below carrying value were deemed to have other than a temporary impairment.     

26


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


On a quarterly basis, we perform various procedures to analyze the amounts and timing of projected cash flows to be received from our economic development bonds. We revalue each economic development bond using discounted cash flow models based on available market interest rates (Level 2 inputs) and management estimates, including the estimated amounts and timing of expected future tax payments (Level 3 inputs) to be received by the municipalities under tax increment financing districts. Projected cash flows are derived from sales and property taxes. Based on our analysis, in those instances where the expected cash flows are insufficient to recover the current carrying value of the bond, we adjust the carrying value of the individual bonds to their revised estimated fair value. The governmental entity from which the Company purchases the bonds is not liable for repayment of principal and interest on the bonds to the extent that the associated taxes are insufficient to fund principal and interest amounts under the bonds. Should sufficient tax revenue not be generated by the subject properties, the Company may not receive all anticipated payments and thus will be unable to realize the full carrying values of the economic development bonds, which result in a corresponding decrease to deferred grant income.
Long-lived assets other than goodwill and other intangible assets, which generally are tested separately for impairment on an annual basis, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The calculation for an impairment loss compares the carrying value of the asset to that asset's estimated fair value, which may be based on estimated future discounted cash flows or unobservable market prices. We recognize an impairment loss if the asset's carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. Frequently our impairment loss calculations contain multiple uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting cash flows under different scenarios. We have consistently applied our accounting methodologies that we use to assess impairment loss. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to losses that could be material.
The Company evaluates the recoverability of property and equipment, land held for sale, goodwill and intangibles whenever indicators of impairment exist using significant unobservable inputs. This evaluation included existing store locations and future retail store sites. No impairment losses were recognized during the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, gift instruments (including credit card and loyalty rewards programs), accrued expenses, and income taxes payable included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value given the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The secured variable funding obligations of the Trust, which include variable rates of interest that adjust daily, can fluctuate daily based on the short-term operational needs of the Financial Services segment with advances and pay downs at par value. Therefore, the carrying value of the secured variable funding obligations of the Trust approximates fair value.
The table below presents the estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at the periods indicated. The fair values of all financial instruments listed below were estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing observable inputs (Level 2).
 
March 30, 2013
 
December 29, 2012
 
March 31, 2012
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit card loans, net
$
3,334,619

 
$
3,334,619

 
$
3,497,472

 
$
3,497,472

 
$
2,908,411

 
$
2,908,411

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time deposits
969,367

 
1,032,132

 
1,048,018

 
1,086,411

 
1,018,225

 
1,061,475

Secured long-term obligations of the Trust
2,154,750

 
2,094,968

 
1,827,500

 
1,807,083

 
1,402,500

 
1,356,205

Long-term debt
328,329

 
361,648

 
336,535

 
373,120

 
340,243

 
339,630


27


CABELA'S INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


Credit Card Loans. Credit card loans are originated with variable rates of interest that adjust with changing market interest rates so the carrying value of the credit card loans, including the carrying value of deferred credit card origination costs, less the allowance for loan losses, approximates fair value. This valuation does not include the value that relates to estimated cash flows generated from new loans over the life of the cardholder relationship. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value of the credit card loans does not represent the underlying value of the established cardholder relationship.
Time Deposits. Time deposits are pooled in homogeneous groups, and the future cash flows of those groups are discounted using current market rates offered for similar products for purposes of estimating fair value. For all periods presented, we have consistently applied our discounting methodologies to estimated future cash flows in determining estimated fair value for time deposits.
Secured Long-Term Obligations of the Trust. The estimated fair value of secured long-term obligations of the Trust is based on future cash flows associated with each type of debt discounted using current borrowing rates for similar types of debt of comparable maturity. For all periods presented, we have consistently applied our discounting methodologies to estimated future cash flows in determining estimated fair value for secured long-term obligations of the Trust.
Long-Term Debt. The estimated fair value of long-term debt is based on future cash flows associated with each type of debt discounted using current borrowing rates for similar types of debt of comparable maturity. For all periods presented, we have consistently applied our discounting methodologies to estimated future cash flows in determining estimated fair value for long-term debt.
15.    ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Effective February 5, 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which adds additional disclosure requirements relating to the reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  This ASU was effective for the first quarter of 2013 for the Company. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Company did not have any reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income.


28


Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
This report contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of future events, taking into account the information currently available to us.  All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.  The words “believe,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “seek,” “plan,” and similar statements are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance, or financial condition to differ materially from the expectations of future results, performance, or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
the state of the economy and the level of discretionary consumer spending, including changes in consumer preferences and demographic trends;
adverse changes in the capital and credit markets or the availability of capital and credit;
our ability to successfully execute our omni-channel strategy;
increasing competition in the outdoor sporting goods industry and for credit card products and reward programs;
the cost of our products, including increases in fuel prices;
the availability of our products due to political or financial instability in countries where the goods we sell are manufactured;
supply and delivery shortages or interruptions, and other interruptions or disruptions to our systems, processes, or controls, caused by system changes or other factors;
increased or adverse government regulations, including regulations relating to firearms and ammunition;
our ability to protect our brand, intellectual property, and reputation;
the outcome of litigation, administrative, and/or regulatory matters (including a Commissioner's charge we received from the Chair of the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") in January 2011);
our ability to manage credit, liquidity, interest rate, operational, legal, regulatory capital, and compliance risks;
our ability to increase credit card receivables while managing credit quality;
our ability to securitize our credit card receivables at acceptable rates or access the deposits market at acceptable rates;
the impact of legislation, regulation, and supervisory regulatory actions in the financial services industry, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Reform Act"); and
other risks, relevant factors, and uncertainties identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (including the information set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012), which filings are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements.  Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report.  Other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, as filed with the SEC, and our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our critical accounting policies and use of estimates utilized in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 30, 2013, remain unchanged from December 29, 2012.


29


Cabela's®
 
We are a leading specialty retailer, and the world's largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise.  We provide a quality service to our customers who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle by supplying outdoor products through our multi-channel retail business consisting of our Retail and Direct segments. Our Retail business segment currently consists of 44 stores, including an Outpost store that we opened in Saginaw, Michigan, on February 14, 2013, our second Outpost store, and the three next-generation stores that we opened in 2013:

Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, 2013;
Grandville, Michigan, on March 21, 2013; and
Louisville, Kentucky, on April 11, 2013.

We have 41 stores located in the United States and three in Canada with total retail square footage now at 5.4 million square feet, an increase of 5.8% from the end of 2012.

Our Direct business segment is comprised of our highly acclaimed Internet website and supplemented by our catalog distributions as a selling and marketing tool. World's Foremost Bank ("WFB," "Financial Services segment," or "Cabela's CLUB") also plays an integral role in supporting our merchandising business.  The Financial Services segment, comprised of our credit card services, reinforces our strong brand and strengthens our customer loyalty through our credit card loyalty programs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Overview
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands Except Earnings Per Diluted Share)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
$
486,749

 
$
345,331

 
$
141,418

 
41.0
%
Direct
225,158

 
190,195

 
34,963

 
18.4

Total
711,907

 
535,526

 
176,381

 
32.9

Financial Services
85,772

 
83,455

 
2,317

 
2.8

Other revenue
4,818

 
4,523

 
295

 
6.5

Total revenue
$
802,497

 
$
623,504

 
$
178,993

 
28.7

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating income
$
79,115

 
$
46,576

 
$
32,539

 
69.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
49,847

 
$
28,826

 
$
21,021

 
72.9

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Earnings per diluted share
$
0.70

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.30

 
75.0


Revenues in the three months ended March 30, 2013, totaled $802 million, an increase of $179 million, or 28.7%, over the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Total merchandise sales increased $176 million, or 32.9%, comparing the three month periods due to increases of $62 million in revenue from new retail stores and $79 million, or 24.0%, in comparable store sales, led by an increase in the hunting equipment product category. These increases were complemented by an increase of $35 million in Direct revenue, due primarily to increases in the hunting equipment product category.

Financial Services revenue increased $2 million, or 2.8%, in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. This increase was primarily due to increases in interest income and interchange income, partially offset by higher customer reward costs due to growth in the number of active accounts and average balance per account. Provision for loan losses increased as a result of a release of the allowance for loan losses in the prior quarter due to an improving trend in the quality of our credit card portfolio.


30


Operating income increased $33 million, or 69.9%, in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, and operating income as a percentage of revenue increased 240 basis points over the same period. The increases in total operating income and total operating income as a percentage of total revenue were primarily due to increases in revenue from all three business segments as well as an increase in our merchandise gross profit. These improvements were partially offset by higher consolidated operating expenses. Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increases in comparable and new store costs and related support areas. However, expressed as a percentage of total revenue, selling, distribution, and administrative expenses decreased 330 basis points to 33.0% in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Our vision is to be the best omni-channel retail company in the world by creating intense customer loyalty for our outdoor brand. This loyalty will be created through two pillars of excellence: highly engaged outfitters and shareholders who support our short and long term goals. We will focus on these areas to achieve our new vision:

Intensify Customer Loyalty. We will deepen our customer relationships, aggressively serve current and developing market segments, and increase our innovation in Cabela's products and services.
Grow Profitably and Sustainably. Through sustaining and adapting our culture, we will continuously seek ways to improve profitability and increase revenue in all business segments.
Enhance Technology Capability. We will implement a strategic technology road map, streamline our systems, and accelerate customer-facing technologies.
Simplify Our Business. As we focus on our priorities, we will align our goals to foster collaboration and streamline cross-functional processes.
Improve Marketing Effectiveness. We will optimize all marketing channels and expand our digital and e-commerce capabilities while continuing to strengthen the Cabela's brand.

Improvements in these areas have led to an increase in our return on invested capital, an important measure of how effectively we have deployed capital in our operations in generating cash flows. Increases in our return on invested capital, on an after-tax basis, indicate improvements in our use of capital, thereby creating value in our Company.

We offer our customers integrated opportunities to access and use our retail store, Internet, and catalog channels. Our in-store pick-up program allows customers to order products through our catalogs, Internet site, and store kiosks and have them delivered to the retail store of their choice without incurring shipping costs, thereby helping to increase foot traffic in our stores. Conversely, our expanding retail stores introduce customers to our Internet and catalog channels. We are capitalizing on our omni-channel model by building on the strengths of each channel, primarily through improvements in our merchandise planning system. This system, along with our replenishment system, allows us to identify the correct product mix in each of our retail stores, maintain the proper inventory levels to satisfy customer demand in both our Retail and Direct business channels, and improve our distribution efficiencies.

We continue to work with vendors to negotiate the best prices on products and to manage inventory levels, as well as to ensure vendors deliver all products and services as expected. Our efforts continue in detailed pre-season planning, in-season monitoring of sales, and management of inventory to focus product assortments on our core customer base. As a result, our merchandise gross margin as a percentage of merchandise revenue increased 110 basis points to 35.6% in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to 34.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2012. This increase was primarily attributable to improved in-season and pre-season merchandise inventory planning, improvements in vendor collaboration, an ongoing focus on private label products, and improvements in price optimization to ensure we are pricing correctly in the marketplace. The increase in our merchandise gross profit as a percentage of merchandise sales was partially offset by an adverse product mix shift due to increased sales of firearms and ammunition, which carry a lower margin.

We have improved our retail store merchandising processes, information technology systems, and distribution and logistics capabilities.  We have also improved our visual merchandising within the stores and coordinated merchandise at our stores by adding more regional product assortments.  To enhance customer service at our retail stores, we have increased our staff of outfitters and have continued our management training and mentoring programs for our retail store managers.
Comparing Retail segment results for the three months ended March 30, 2013, to March 31, 2012:
operating income increased $40 million, or 91.5%,
operating income as a percentage of Retail segment revenue increased 460 basis points to 17.4%, and
comparable store sales increased 24.0%.


31


As mentioned, our Retail business segment currently consists of 44 stores, including the three next-generation stores that we opened in 2013 and an Outpost store that we opened in Saginaw, Michigan, on February 14, 2013. We now have 41 stores located in the United States and three in Canada with total retail square footage now at 5.4 million square feet, an increase of 5.8% from the end of 2012. The new store formats are more productive and generate higher returns which will help to increase our return on invested capital.

We have also announced plans to open additional retail stores as follows:
in 2013, four next-generation stores located in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Thornton, Colorado; Lone Tree, Colorado; and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; as well as two Outpost stores located in Waco, Texas; and Kalispell, Montana; and
in 2014, seven next-generation stores located in Christiana, Delaware; Greenville, South Carolina; Anchorage, Alaska; Woodbury, Minnesota; Bristol, Virginia; Tualatin, Oregon; and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

We will be relocating our existing 44,000 square foot Winnipeg, Manitoba, store in the second quarter of 2013 to a more desirable location and increasing the size to 70,000 square feet. Looking to the end of 2013, we expect to increase retail square footage up to 13% over 2012, as well as generate an increased profit per square foot compared to the legacy store base, with the planned openings of these next-generation and Outpost stores.

We are focusing on improving our customers' digital shopping experiences on Cabelas.com and via mobile devices. Our marketing focus continues to be on developing a seamless omni-channel experience for our customers regardless of their transaction channel. Our digital transformation continues with efforts around enhancing our Internet website to support the Direct business. The amount of traffic coming through mobile devices is growing significantly.  As a result, we continue to utilize best-in-class technology to improve our customers' digital shopping experience and build on the advances we have made to capitalize on the variety of ways customers are shopping at Cabela's today.  We have seen early successes in our social marketing initiatives and now have over 2.4 million fans on Facebook.  Our omni-channel marketing efforts are resulting in increases in new customers, as well as customer engagement across multiple channels with a consistent experience across all channels. Our goal is to create a digital presence that mirrors our customers' in-store shopping experience.

In 2012 and continuing in the first quarter of 2013, we realized improvements in Internet traffic, growth in multi-channel customers, and very early progress in our print-to-digital transformation. We have developed a multi-year approach to reverse the down trend in our Direct segment and transform our legacy catalog business into an omni-channel enterprise supporting transformation to digital, e-commerce, and mobile while optimizing the customer experience with our growing retail footprint. We are in the very early stages of this effort. Near term efforts have been focusing on our print-to-digital transformation and testing targeted shipping offers. Also in January 2013, we opened an office in Westminster, Colorado, to attract high-quality talent to improve our website, social media, and mobile applications.

Comparing Direct segment results for the three months ended March 30, 2013, to March 31, 2012:
revenue increased $35 million, or 18.4%,
operating income increased $11 million, or 31.4%, and
operating income as a percentage of Direct segment revenue increased 190 basis points to 19.9%.

Cabela's CLUB continues to manage credit card delinquencies and charge-offs below industry average by adhering to our conservative underwriting criteria and active account management. Comparing Cabela's CLUB results for the three months ended March 30, 2013, to March 31, 2012:

net charge-offs as a percentage of average credit card loans decreased to 1.86%, down 14 basis points,
the average balance of our credit card loans increased to $3.3 billion, or 12.8%, and
our number of average active accounts increased 10.2% to 1.6 million, and the average balance per active account increased 2.3%.

During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Financial Services segment issued $62 million in certificates of deposit, early renewed its $300 million variable funding facility, extending the commitment for an additional two years, and completed a $385 million term securitization.



32


Current Business Environment        

Worldwide Credit Markets and Macroeconomic Environment - We believe that improvements in the United States economy led to a lower level of delinquencies and a decrease in charge-off rates comparing the three months ended March 30, 2013, to the three months ended March 31, 2012. We expect our charge-off rates and delinquency levels to remain below industry averages. The Financial Services segment continues to monitor developments in the securitization and certificates of deposit markets to ensure adequate access to liquidity.

Developments in Legislation and Regulation - In late 2012 and into 2013, there has been significant discussion regarding potential gun control legislation, primarily aimed at modern sporting rifles, certain semiautomatic pistols, and high capacity magazines. For example, the States of Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, and New York have recently enacted or passed legislation that prohibits the sale of certain high capacity magazines and, in some cases, the sale of certain firearms. In January 2013, legislation was introduced in the United States Senate that would, if enacted, prohibit the sale of certain modern sporting rifles, certain semiautomatic pistols, and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. We do not expect the recently enacted or passed state legislation to have a significant impact on our business. Any new federal legislation that prohibits the sale of certain modern sporting rifles, semiautomatic pistols, or ammunition could negatively impact our hunting equipment sales. Our mix of modern sporting rifles, semiautomatic pistols, and ammunition most likely to be impacted by any legislative changes is a small percentage of our total hunting equipment sales. We expect demand for firearms, ammunition, and accessories to remain strong as gun control continues to be a legislative focus.
On June 7, 2012, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and the other federal banking agencies announced they are seeking comment on proposed rules that would revise and replace the agencies' current capital rules. Among other things, the proposed rules would revise the agencies' prompt corrective action framework by introducing a common equity tier 1 capital requirement and a higher minimum tier 1 capital requirement. In addition, the proposed rules include a supplementary leverage ratio for depository institutions subject to the advanced approaches capital rules. It is not clear how the final rules will differ from the proposed rules, if at all, or the impact of the final rules on WFB and its ability to comply with a new common equity tier 1 capital requirement and a higher minimum tier 1 capital requirement.    

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Reform Act") was signed into law in July 2010 and has made extensive changes to the laws regulating financial services firms and credit rating agencies and requires significant rule-making. In addition, the Reform Act along with the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (the "CARD Act") mandated multiple studies which could result in additional legislative or regulatory action.

The Reform Act imposes a moratorium on the approval of applications for FDIC insurance for an industrial bank, credit card bank, or trust bank that is owned by a commercial firm. Furthermore, the FDIC must, under most circumstances, disapprove any change in control that would result in direct or indirect control by a commercial firm of a credit card bank, such as WFB. For purposes of this provision, a company is a “commercial firm” if its consolidated annual gross revenues from activities that are financial in nature and, if applicable, from the ownership or control of one or more insured depository institutions, in the aggregate, represent less than 15% of its consolidated annual gross revenues. The Reform Act does not, however, eliminate the exception from the definition of “bank” under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) for credit card banks, such as WFB. As directed by the Reform Act, the United States Government Accountability Office released a report on January 20, 2012, that examines the potential implications of eliminating certain exceptions under the BHCA, including the exception for credit card banks. It is unclear whether this report will lead to any additional legislative or regulatory action. If the credit card bank exception were eliminated or modified, we may be required to divest our ownership of WFB unless we were willing and able to become a bank holding company under the BHCA. Any such required divestiture may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The Reform Act established the new independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “Bureau”) which has broad rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority over consumer products, including credit cards. The Bureau has extensive rulemaking authority and enforcement authority, and WFB is subject to the Bureau's regulation. While the Bureau will not examine WFB, it will receive information from the FDIC, WFB's primary federal regulator. The Bureau is specifically authorized to issue rules identifying as unlawful acts or practices it defines as “unfair, deceptive or abusive acts” in connection with any transaction with a consumer or in connection with a consumer financial product or service. It is uncertain what rules will be adopted by the Bureau, how such rules will be enforced, and whether or not such rules will require WFB to modify existing practices or procedures.

33


In 2012, the Bureau, acting in conjunction with the FDIC and other agencies, announced its first high-profile enforcement actions against credit card issuers for deceptive marketing and other illegal practices related to the advertising of ancillary products, collection practices, and other matters.  By these recent public enforcement actions, the Bureau and the FDIC have signaled a heightened scrutiny of credit card issuers.  We anticipate increased activity by regulators in pursuing consumer protection claims going forward.
The Reform Act will also affect a number of significant changes relating to asset-backed securities, including additional oversight and regulation of credit rating agencies and additional reporting and disclosure requirements. The changes resulting from the Reform Act or any rules or regulations adopted by the Bureau may impact our profitability, require changes to certain of the Financial Services segment's business practices, impose upon the Financial Services segment more stringent capital, liquidity, and leverage ratio requirements, increase FDIC deposit insurance premiums, or otherwise adversely affect the Financial Services segment's business. These changes may also require the Financial Services segment to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes.

Several rules and regulations have recently been proposed or adopted that may substantially affect issuers of asset-backed securities.
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”) was signed into law on April 5, 2012, and will implement extensive changes to the laws regulating private offerings of securities, including Rule 144A private offerings such as the private offerings of asset-backed securities of the Cabela's Master Credit Card Trust and related entities (collectively referred to as the “Trust”) that WFB sponsors. On August 29, 2012, the SEC issued proposed regulations to amend Rule 144A to provide that securities may be offered pursuant to Rule 144A by means of general solicitation or general advertising, including to persons other than qualified institutional buyers, so long as the issuer reasonably believes that each ultimate purchaser is a qualified institutional buyer. The impact that the JOBS Act will have on the securitization market and the Financial Services segment is unclear at this time.

On October 11, 2011, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, the FDIC, and the SEC issued proposed regulations implementing certain provisions under the Reform Act limiting proprietary trading and sponsorship or investment in hedge funds and private equity funds (the "Volcker Rule"). The proposed regulations are complex and have been the subject of extensive comment. As proposed, these regulations may apply to us and could limit our ability to engage in the types of transactions covered by the Volcker Rule and may impose potentially burdensome compliance, monitoring, and reporting obligations. There remains considerable uncertainty regarding whether the final regulations implementing the Volcker Rule will differ from the proposed regulations and the effect of any final regulations on our Retail and Direct businesses and the business of the Financial Services segment and its ability and willingness to sponsor securitization transactions in the future.

On September 19, 2011, the SEC proposed a new rule under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to implement certain provisions of the Reform Act. Under the proposed rule, an underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, or sponsor of an asset-backed security, or any affiliate of any such person, shall not at any time within one year after the first closing of the sale of the asset-backed security engage in any transaction that would involve or result in any material conflict of interest with respect to any investor in a transaction arising out of such activity. The proposed rule would exempt certain risk mitigating hedging activities, liquidity commitments, and bona fide market-making activity. It is not clear how the final rule will differ from the proposed rule, if at all. The final rule's impact on the securitization market and the Financial Services segment is also unclear at this time.    

The Trust is structured to qualify for the exemption from the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) provided by Investment Company Act Rule 3a-7. On August 31, 2011, the SEC issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding possible amendments to Investment Company Act Rule 3a-7. At this time, it is uncertain what form the related proposed and final rules will take, whether the Trust would continue to be eligible to rely on the exemption provided by Investment Company Act Rule 3a-7, and whether the Trust would qualify for any other Investment Company Act exemption.

34


On July 26, 2011, the SEC re-proposed certain rules for asset-backed securities offerings (“SEC Regulation AB II”) which were originally proposed by the SEC on April 7, 2010. If adopted, SEC Regulation AB II would substantially change the disclosure, reporting, and offering process for private offerings of asset-backed securities that rely on the Rule 144A safe harbor, including the Trust's private offerings of asset-backed securities. As currently proposed, SEC Regulation AB II would, among other things, alter the safe harbor standards for private placements of asset-backed securities imposing informational requirements similar to those applicable to registered public offerings. The final form that SEC Regulation AB II may take is uncertain at this time, but it may impact the Financial Services segment's ability and/or desire to sponsor securitization transactions in the future.
On March 29, 2011, pursuant to the provisions of the Reform Act, the SEC, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and certain other federal agencies issued proposed regulations requiring securitization sponsors to retain an economic interest in assets that they securitize. Subject to certain exceptions, the proposed regulations would generally require the sponsor of a securitization transaction to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the securitized assets and would provide securitization sponsors with a number of options for satisfying this requirement. Each of these options would require the sponsor to provide certain disclosures to investors a reasonable time prior to sale and upon request to the SEC and the sponsor's applicable federal banking regulator. In addition, the sponsor would be subject to certain prohibitions on hedging, transferring, or financing the retained credit risk. If adopted, the proposed regulations will likely affect most types of private securitization transactions, including those sponsored by the Financial Services segment. It is not clear how the final regulations will differ from the proposed regulations, if at all, or the impact of the final regulations on the Financial Services segment and its ability and willingness to continue to rely on the securitization market for funding.
On January 20, 2011, under provisions of the Reform Act, the SEC adopted rules that require issuers of asset-backed securities to disclose demand, repurchase, and replacement information through the periodic filing of a new form with the SEC. One of these rules, Rule 17g-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires rating agencies to disclose in any report accompanying a credit rating for an asset-backed security the representations, warranties, and enforcement mechanisms available to investors and how they differ from those in similar securities. Also pursuant to the provisions of the Reform Act, on January 20, 2011, the SEC issued rules that require issuers of asset-backed securities to make publicly available the findings and conclusions of any third-party due diligence report obtained by the issuer.

Proposed Settlement of Visa Litigation - In June 2005, a number of entities, each purporting to represent a class of retail merchants, sued Visa and several member banks, and other credit card associations, alleging, among other things, that Visa and its member banks have violated United States antitrust laws by conspiring to fix the level of interchange fees. On July 13, 2012, the parties to this litigation announced that they had entered into a memorandum of understanding, which subject to certain conditions, including court approval, obligates the parties to enter into a settlement agreement to resolve the claims brought by the class members. On November 9, 2012, the settlement received preliminary court approval. The court has scheduled a September 12, 2013, hearing for final approval of the settlement. The settlement agreement requires, among other things, (i) the distribution to class merchants of an amount equal to 10 basis points of default interchange across all credit rate categories for a period of eight consecutive months, which otherwise would have been paid to issuers like WFB, (ii) Visa to change its rules to allow merchants to charge a surcharge on credit card transactions subject to a cap, and (iii) Visa to meet with merchant buying groups that seek to negotiate interchange rates collectively. To date, WFB has not been named as a defendant in any credit card industry lawsuits. Management believes that the 10 basis point reduction of default interchange across all credit rate categories for a period of eight consecutive months would result in a reduction of interchange income of approximately $12.5 million in the Financial Services segment. Therefore, a liability of $12.5 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to accrue for such proposed settlement and was outstanding in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 30, 2013, and December 29, 2012.

35


Operations Review
 
 The three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012, each consisted of 13 weeks. Our operating results expressed as a percentage of revenue were as follows for the periods presented.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
 
100.00
 %
 
100.00
 %
Cost of revenue
 
57.16

 
56.26

Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
 
42.84

 
43.74

Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses
 
32.98

 
36.27

Operating income
 
9.86

 
7.47

Other income (expense):
 
 

 
 

Interest expense, net
 
(0.67
)
 
(0.72
)
Other income, net
 
0.19

 
0.22

Total other income (expense), net
 
(0.48
)
 
(0.50
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
9.38

 
6.97

Provision for income taxes
 
3.17

 
2.35

Net income
 
6.21
 %
 
4.62
 %


36



Results of Operations - Three Months Ended March 30, 2013, Compared to March 31, 2012

Revenues

Retail revenue includes sales realized and customer services performed at our retail stores, sales from orders placed through our retail store Internet kiosks, and sales from customers utilizing our in-store pick-up program. Direct revenue includes Internet and call center (catalog) sales from orders placed through our website, over the phone, and by mail where the merchandise is shipped to non-retail store locations. Financial Services revenue is comprised of interest and fee income, interchange income, other non-interest income, interest expense, provision for loan losses, and customer rewards costs from our credit card operations. Other revenue sources include fees for our hunting and fishing outfitter services, fees for our full-service travel agency business, real estate rental income and land sales, and other complementary business services.
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
 
%
 
 
%
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
$
486,749

 
60.6
%
 
$
345,331

 
55.4
%
 
$
141,418

 
41.0
%
Direct
225,158

 
28.1

 
190,195

 
30.5

 
34,963

 
18.4

Financial Services
85,772

 
10.7

 
83,455

 
13.4

 
2,317

 
2.8

Other
4,818

 
0.6

 
4,523

 
0.7

 
295

 
6.5

 
$
802,497

 
100.0
%
 
$
623,504

 
100.0
%
 
$
178,993

 
28.7


Product Sales Mix - The following table sets forth the percentage of our merchandise revenue contributed by major product categories for our Retail and Direct segments and in total for the three months ended March 30, 2013, and March 31, 2012.
 
Retail
 
Direct
 
Total
Product Category:
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hunting Equipment
60.2
%
 
51.5
%
 
47.7
%
 
35.0
%
 
56.3
%
 
45.8
%
General Outdoors
22.5

 
29.4

 
27.2

 
35.5

 
24.0

 
31.5

Clothing and Footwear
17.3

 
19.1

 
25.1

 
29.5

 
19.7

 
22.7

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Retail Revenue - Retail revenue increased $141 million, or 41.0%, in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase of $62 million in revenue from the addition of new retail stores comparing the respective periods and an increase in comparable store sales of $79 million. Retail revenue growth was led by an increase in the hunting equipment product category.
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable stores sales
$
409,238

 
$
330,020

 
$
79,218

 
24.0
%
 

37


Direct Revenue - Direct revenue increased $35 million, or 18.4%, in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. Direct revenue growth was led by an increase in the hunting equipment product category and from our omni-channel marketing initiatives and print-to-digital transformation.

Financial Services Revenue -  The following table sets forth the components of Financial Services revenue for the three months ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fee income
$
81,249

 
$
73,108

 
$
8,141

 
11.1
 %
Interest expense
(13,851
)
 
(13,891
)
 
(40
)
 
(0.3
)
Provision for loan losses
(12,775
)
 
(6,646
)
 
6,129

 
92.2

Net interest income, net of provision for loan losses
54,623

 
52,571

 
2,052

 
3.9

Non-interest income:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interchange income
77,630

 
68,427

 
9,203

 
13.4

Other non-interest income
1,283

 
4,039

 
(2,756
)
 
(68.2
)
Total non-interest income
78,913

 
72,466

 
6,447

 
8.9

Less: Customer rewards costs
(47,764
)
 
(41,582
)
 
6,182

 
14.9

Financial Services revenue
$
85,772

 
$
83,455

 
$
2,317

 
2.8


Financial Services revenue increased $2 million, or 2.8%, for the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in interest and fee income of $8 million was due to an increase in credit card loans, partially offset by lower LIBOR rates. The increase in the provision for loan losses is a result of a release of the allowance for loan losses in the prior quarter due to an improving trend in the quality of our credit card portfolio. We continue to experience favorable trends, however, at a normalized pace. The increases in interchange income of $9 million and customer rewards costs of $6 million were due to an increase in credit card purchases.

The following table sets forth the components of Financial Services revenue as a percentage of average total credit card loans, including any accrued interest and fees, for the three months ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
Interest and fee income
9.7
 %
 
10.0
 %
Interest expense
(1.7
)
 
(2.0
)
Provision for loan losses
(1.5
)
 
(0.8
)
Interchange income
9.3

 
9.2

Other non-interest income
0.2

 
0.4

Customer rewards costs
(5.7
)
 
(5.6
)
Financial Services revenue
10.3
 %
 
11.2
 %
 

38


Key statistics reflecting the performance of Cabela's CLUB are shown in the following chart for the three months ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in Thousands Except Average Balance per Account )
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average balance of credit card loans (1)
$
3,346,588

 
$
2,967,556

 
$
379,032

 
12.8
%
Average number of active credit card accounts
1,633,551

 
1,482,452

 
151,099

 
10.2

Average balance per active credit card account (1)
$
2,049

 
$
2,002

 
$
47

 
2.3

Net charge-offs on credit card loans (1)
$
15,585

 
$
14,846

 
$
739

 
5.0

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average
   credit card loans (1)
1.86
%
 
2.00
%
 
(0.14
)%
 
 

(1) Includes accrued interest and fees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The average balance of credit card loans increased to $3.3 billion, or 12.8%, for the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, due to an increase in the number of active accounts and the average balance per account.  The average number of active accounts increased to 1.6 million, or 10.2%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, due to our successful marketing efforts in new account acquisitions. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average credit card loans decreased to 1.86% for the three months ended March 30, 2013, down 14 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, due to improvements in bankruptcies, delinquencies, and delinquency roll-rates. See “Asset Quality of Cabela's CLUB” in this report for additional information on trends in delinquencies and non-accrual loans and analysis of our allowance for loan losses.

Other Revenue

Other revenue was $5 million in both the three months ended March 30, 2013, and the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Merchandise Gross Profit        
 
Comparisons and analysis of our gross profit on merchandising revenue are presented below for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
711,713

 
$
535,277

 
$
176,436

 
33.0
%
Merchandise gross profit
253,086

 
184,557

 
68,529

 
37.1

Merchandise gross profit as a percentage
   of merchandise sales
35.6
%
 
34.5
%
 
1.1
%
 
 

 Merchandise Gross Profit - Our merchandise gross profit increased $69 million, or 37.1%, to $253 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in our merchandise gross profit was primarily due to firearms and ammunition, as well as continued improvements in vendor collaboration, an ongoing focus on private label products, and further advancements in price optimization.     

Our merchandise gross profit as a percentage of merchandise sales increased 110 basis points in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, primarily due to continued improvements in pre-season and in-season inventory management and vendor collaboration. The increase in our merchandise gross profit as a percentage of merchandise sales was partially offset by an adverse product mix shift due to increased sales of firearms and ammunition, which carry a lower margin.    


39


Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses        

Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses include all operating expenses related to our retail stores, Internet website, distribution centers, product procurement, Cabela's CLUB credit card operations, and overhead costs, including: advertising and marketing, catalog costs, employee compensation and benefits, occupancy costs, information systems processing, and depreciation and amortization. Comparisons and analysis of our selling, distribution, and administrative expenses are presented below for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses
$
264,687

 
$
226,169

 
$
38,518

 
17.0
%
SD&A expenses as a percentage of total revenue
33.0
%
 
36.3
%
 
(3.3
)%
 
 

Retail store pre-opening costs
$
5,678

 
$
3,998

 
$
1,680

 
42.0

 
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses increased $39 million, or 17.0%, in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. However, expressed as a percentage of total revenue, selling, distribution, and administrative expenses decreased 330 basis points to 33.0% in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. The most significant factors contributing to the changes in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in these respective periods included:

an increase of $26 million in employee compensation, benefits, and contract labor primarily due to the opening of new retail stores and increases in staff for other retail stores, merchandising and distribution centers, credit card growth support, and general corporate overhead support;
an increase of $4 million in building costs and depreciation primarily related to the operations and maintenance of our new and existing retail stores as well as corporate offices;
an increase of $2 million in professional fees; and,
an increase of $1 million in software-related expenses primarily to support operational growth.

Significant changes in our consolidated selling, distribution, and administrative expenses related to specific business segments included the following:

Retail Segment:
An increase of $14 million in employee compensation, benefits, and contract labor primarily due to the opening of new retail stores and increases in staff for other retail stores and merchandising teams.
An increase of $2 million in building costs primarily related to the operations and maintenance of our new and existing retail stores.
An increase of $1 million in advertising and promotional costs related to new and existing retail stores.

Direct Segment:
A net decrease of $1 million in advertising and direct marketing costs primarily due to a managed reduction in catalog page count partially offset by increases in Internet related expenses due to our expanded use of digital marketing channels and enhancements to our website.
An increase of $2 million in employee compensation, benefits, and contract labor.
An increase of $1 million in professional fees.

Financial Services Segment:
An increase of $1 million in professional fees.


40


Corporate Overhead, Distribution Centers, and Other:
An increase of $10 million in employee compensation, benefits, and contract labor in general corporate and the distribution centers to support operational growth.
An increase of $2 million in building costs primarily related to updates to our corporate offices.
An increase of $1 million in software-related expenses primarily to support operational growth.

Operating Income

Operating income is revenue less cost of revenue and selling, distribution, and administrative expenses.  Operating income for our merchandise business segments excludes costs associated with operating expenses of distribution centers, procurement activities, and other corporate overhead costs.

Comparisons and analysis of operating income are presented below for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating income
$
79,115

 
$
46,576

 
$
32,539

 
69.9
 %
Total operating income as a percentage of total revenue
9.9
%
 
7.5
%
 
2.4
 %
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income by business segment:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Retail
$
84,678

 
$
44,227

 
$
40,451

 
91.5

Direct
44,897

 
34,174

 
10,723

 
31.4

Financial Services
24,101

 
29,002

 
(4,901
)
 
(16.9
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Retail
17.4
%
 
12.8
%
 
4.6
 %
 
 

Direct
19.9

 
18.0

 
1.9

 
 

Financial Services
28.1

 
34.8

 
(6.7
)
 
 

 
Operating income increased $33 million, or 69.9%, in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, and operating income as a percentage of revenue increased 240 basis points to 9.9% in the three months ended March 30, 2013. The increases in total operating income and total operating income as a percentage of total revenue were primarily due to increases in revenue from all business segments as well as an increase in our merchandise gross profit. These improvements were partially offset by higher consolidated operating expenses. Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increases in comparable and new store costs and related support areas.

Under an Intercompany Agreement effective January 1, 2012, the Financial Services segment pays to the Retail and Direct business segments a fixed license fee equal to 70 basis points on all originated charge volume of the Cabela's CLUB Visa credit card portfolio. In addition, among other items, the agreement requires the Financial Services segment to reimburse the Retail and Direct segments for certain operating and promotional costs. Fees paid under the Intercompany Agreement by the Financial Services segment to these two segments increased $6 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012; a $6 million increase to the Retail segment and no change to the Direct segment.

Interest (Expense) Income, Net
 
Interest expense, net of interest income, was $5 million in both the three months ended March 30, 2013, and the three months ended March 31, 2012. Interest expense is accrued on our revolving credit facilities and long-term debt as well as on unrecognized tax benefits.


41


Other Non-Operating Income, Net

Other non-operating income was $2 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to $1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012.  This income is primarily from interest earned on our economic development bonds.

Provision for Income Taxes
 
Our effective tax rate was 33.8% for the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to 33.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2012.  The effective tax rates for both periods differed from our statutory rate primarily due to the mix of taxable income between the United States and foreign tax jurisdictions.


Asset Quality of Cabela's CLUB
 
Delinquencies and Non-Accrual
 
We consider the entire balance of an account, including any accrued interest and fees, delinquent if the minimum payment is not received by the payment due date. Our aging method is based on the number of completed billing cycles during which a customer has failed to make a required payment. As part of collection efforts, a credit card loan may be closed and placed on non-accrual or restructured in a fixed payment plan prior to charge off. Our fixed payment plans consist of a lower interest rate, reduced minimum payment, and elimination of fees.  Loans on fixed payment plans include loans in which the customer has engaged a consumer credit counseling agency to assist them in managing their debt. Non-accrual loans with two consecutive missed payments will resume accruing interest at the rate they had accrued at before they were placed on non-accrual. Payments received on non-accrual loans will be applied to principal and reduce the amount of the loan.

The quality of our credit card loan portfolio at any time reflects, among other factors: 1) the creditworthiness of cardholders, 2) general economic conditions, 3) the success of our account management and collection activities, and 4) the life-cycle stage of the portfolio.  During periods of economic weakness, delinquencies and net charge-offs are more likely to increase. We have mitigated periods of economic weakness by selecting a customer base that is very creditworthy.  We use the scores of Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”), a widely-used tool for assessing an individual's credit rating, as the primary credit quality indicator. During the second quarter of 2012, the Financial Services segment incorporated a newer version of FICO that utilizes the same factors as the previous scoring model, but is more sensitive to utilization of available credit, delinquencies considered serious and frequent, and maintenance of various types of credit. The newer version FICO score resulted in a slightly higher median score of our credit cardholders, which was 793 at March 30, 2013, and at December 29, 2012, compared to 786 at March 31, 2012.

The following table reports delinquencies, including any delinquent non-accrual and restructured credit card loans, as a percentage of our credit card loans, including any accrued interest and fees, in a manner consistent with our monthly external reporting at the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Number of days delinquent:
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than 30 days
0.73
%
 
0.72
%
 
0.80
%
Greater than 60 days
0.45

 
0.46

 
0.49

Greater than 90 days
0.24

 
0.24

 
0.26

 
      

42



The table below shows delinquent, non-accrual, and restructured loans as a percentage of our credit card loans, including any accrued interest and fees, at the periods ended:    
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
Number of days delinquent and still accruing (1):
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than 30 days
0.59
%
 
0.57
%
 
0.59
%
Greater than 60 days
0.36

 
0.36

 
0.35

Greater than 90 days
0.19

 
0.19

 
0.19

(1) Excludes non-accrual and restructured loans which are presented below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accrual
0.18

 
0.17

 
0.22

Restructured
1.33

 
1.35

 
1.90

 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Charge-offs

The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable losses inherent in the credit card loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is established through a charge to the provision for loan losses and is regularly evaluated by management for adequacy. Loans on a payment plan or non-accrual are segmented from the rest of the credit card loan portfolio into a restructured credit card loan segment before establishing an allowance for loan losses as these loans have a higher probability of loss. Management estimates losses inherent in the credit card loans segment and restructured credit card loans segment based on a model which tracks historical loss experience on delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, death, and charge-offs, net of estimated recoveries. The Financial Services segment uses a migration analysis and historical bankruptcy and death rates to estimate the likelihood that a credit card loan will progress through the various stages of delinquency and to charge-off. This analysis estimates the gross amount of principal that will be charged off over the next twelve months, net of recoveries. This estimate is used to derive an estimated allowance for loan losses. In addition to these methods of measurement, management also considers other factors such as general economic and business conditions affecting key lending areas, credit concentration, changes in origination and portfolio management, and credit quality trends. Since the evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these factors is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, the measurement of the overall allowance is subject to estimation risk, and the amount of actual losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts.
 
Charge-offs consist of the uncollectible principal, interest, and fees on a customer's account.  Recoveries are the amounts collected on previously charged-off accounts.  Most bankcard issuers charge off accounts at 180 days. We charge off credit card loans on a daily basis after an account becomes at a minimum 130 days contractually delinquent to allow us to manage the collection process more efficiently. Accounts relating to cardholder bankruptcies, cardholder deaths, and fraudulent transactions are charged off earlier.  The Financial Services segment records charged-off cardholder fees and accrued interest receivable directly against interest and fee income included in Financial Services revenue.


43


The following table shows the activity in our allowance for loan losses and charge off activity for the periods presented:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
65,600

 
$
73,350

Provision for loan losses
 
12,775

 
6,646

 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
 
(18,300
)
 
(18,012
)
Recoveries
 
4,625

 
5,066

Net charge-offs
 
(13,675
)
 
(12,946
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
64,700

 
$
67,050

 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs on credit card loans
 
$
(13,675
)
 
$
(12,946
)
Charge-offs of accrued interest and fees (recorded as a reduction in interest and fee income)
 
(1,910
)
 
(1,900
)
Total net charge-offs including accrued interest and fees
 
$
(15,585
)
 
$
(14,846
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs including accrued interest and fees as a percentage of average credit card loans
 
1.86
%
 
2.00
%
 
For the three months ended March 30, 2013, net charge-offs as a percentage of average credit card loans decreased to 1.86%, down 14 basis points compared to 2.00% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. We believe our charge-off levels remain well below industry averages.  Our net charge-off rates and allowance for loan losses have decreased due to improved outlooks in the quality of our credit card portfolio evidenced by lower delinquencies and delinquency roll-rates and favorable charge-off trends.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview

Our Retail and Direct segments and our Financial Services segment have significantly differing liquidity and capital needs. We believe that we will have sufficient capital available from cash on hand, our revolving credit facility, and other borrowing sources to fund our cash requirements and near-term growth plans for at least the next 12 months. We continually evaluate the credit markets for certificates of deposit and securitizations to determine the most cost effective source of funds for the Financial Services segment. At March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, cash on a consolidated basis totaled $364 million, $289 million, and $157 million, respectively, of which $282 million, $91 million, and $97 million, respectively, was cash at the Financial Services segment which will be utilized to meet this segment's liquidity requirements. 
As of March 30, 2013, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $24 million.  Our intent is to permanently reinvest a portion of these funds outside the United States for capital expansion and to repatriate a portion of these funds. Based on our current projected capital needs and the current amount of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries, we do not anticipate incurring any material tax costs beyond our accrued tax position in connection with any repatriation, but we may be required to accrue for unanticipated additional tax costs in the future if our expectations or the amount of cash held by our foreign subsidiaries change.

On October 11, 2011, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, the FDIC, and the SEC issued proposed regulations implementing certain provisions under the Reform Act limiting proprietary trading and sponsorship or investment in hedge funds and private equity funds (the "Volcker Rule"). The proposed regulations are complex and have been the subject of extensive comment. As proposed, these regulations may apply to us and could limit our ability to engage in the types of transactions covered by the Volcker Rule and may impose potentially burdensome compliance, monitoring, and reporting obligations. There remains considerable uncertainty regarding whether the final regulations implementing the Volcker Rule will differ from the proposed regulations and the effect of any final regulations on our Retail and Direct businesses and the business of the Financial Services segment and its ability and willingness to sponsor securitization transactions in the future.


44


Retail and Direct Segments – The primary cash requirements of our merchandising business relate to capital for new retail stores, purchases of inventory, investments in our management information systems and infrastructure, and general working capital needs. We historically have met these requirements with cash generated from our merchandising business operations, borrowing under our revolving credit facility, and issuing debt and equity securities.
The cash flow we generate from our merchandising business is seasonal, with our peak cash requirements for inventory occurring from April through November. While we have consistently generated overall positive annual cash flow from our operating activities, other sources of liquidity are required by our merchandising business during these peak cash use periods. These sources historically have included short-term borrowings under our revolving credit facility and access to debt markets. While we generally have been able to manage our cash needs during peak periods, if any disruption occurred to our funding sources, or if we underestimated our cash needs, we would be unable to purchase inventory and otherwise conduct our merchandising business to its maximum effectiveness, which could result in reduced revenue and profits.

Our $415 million revolving credit facility expires on November 2, 2016, and permits the issuance of letters of credit up to $100 million and swing line loans up to $20 million. This credit facility may be increased to $500 million subject to certain terms and conditions. Advances under the credit facility will be used for the Company's general business purposes, including working capital support.
Our unsecured $415 million revolving credit facility and unsecured senior notes contain certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of minimum debt coverage, a fixed charge coverage ratio, a leverage ratio, and a minimum consolidated net worth standard. In the event that we failed to comply with these covenants, a default would trigger and all principal and outstanding interest would immediately be due and payable. At March 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements and unsecured notes. We anticipate that we will continue to be in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements and unsecured notes through at least the next 12 months.

We announced on February 14, 2013, that we intend to repurchase up to 750,000 shares of our outstanding common stock in open market transactions through February 2014 pursuant to our share repurchase program. The share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any outstanding shares of our common stock, and the program may be limited or terminated at any time. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, we repurchased 72,200 shares of our common stock at a cost of $4 million. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, we issued 513,119 shares of our common stock related to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of stock awards.

Financial Services Segment – The primary cash requirements of the Financial Services segment relate to the financing of credit card loans.  These cash requirements will increase if our credit card originations increase or if our cardholders' balances or spending increase. The Financial Services segment sources operating funds in the ordinary course of business through various financing activities, which include funding obtained from securitization transactions, obtaining brokered and non-brokered certificates of deposit, borrowing under its federal funds purchase agreements, and generating cash from operations. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Financial Services segment issued $62 million in certificates of deposit, early renewed its $300 million variable funding facility, extending the commitment for an additional two years, and completed a $385 million term securitization that will mature in February 2023. For the remaining nine months of 2013, the Financial Services segment intends to issue additional certificates of deposit. We believe that these liquidity sources are sufficient to fund the Financial Services segment's foreseeable cash requirements and near-term growth plans.

WFB is prohibited by regulations from lending money to Cabela's or other affiliates. WFB is subject to capital requirements imposed by Nebraska banking law and the Visa U.S.A., Inc. membership rules, and its ability to pay dividends is also limited by Nebraska and Federal banking law.  If there are any disruptions in the credit markets, the Financial Services segment, like many other financial institutions, may increase its funding from certificates of deposit which may result in increased competition in the deposits market with fewer funds available or at unattractive rates.  Our ability to issue certificates of deposit is reliant on our current regulatory capital levels.  WFB is classified as a “well capitalized” bank, the highest category under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  If WFB were to be classified as an “adequately capitalized” bank, which is the next level category down from "well capitalized," we would be required to obtain a waiver from the FDIC in order to continue to issue certificates of deposit.  We will invest additional capital in the Financial Services segment, if necessary, in order for WFB to continue to meet the minimum requirements for the "well capitalized" classification under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. In addition to the non-brokered certificates of deposit market to fund growth and maturing securitizations, we have access to the brokered certificates of deposit market through multiple financial institutions for liquidity and funding purposes.


45


On June 7, 2012, the FDIC and the other federal banking agencies announced they are seeking comment on proposed rules that would revise and replace the agencies' current capital rules.  Among other things, the proposed rules would revise the agencies' prompt corrective action framework by introducing a common equity tier 1 capital requirement and a higher minimum tier 1 capital requirement.  In addition, the proposed rules include a supplementary leverage ratio for depository institutions subject to the advanced approaches capital rules. It is not clear how the final rules will differ from the proposed rules, if at all, or the impact of the final rules on WFB and its ability to comply with a new common equity tier 1 capital requirement and a higher minimum tier 1 capital requirement.

The ability of the Financial Services segment to engage in securitization transactions on favorable terms or at all could be adversely affected by disruptions in the capital markets or other events, which could materially affect our business and cause the Financial Services segment to lose an important source of capital.  The Reform Act, which was signed into law in July 2010, will also affect a number of significant changes relating to asset-backed securities, including additional oversight and regulation of credit rating agencies and additional reporting and disclosure requirements. In December 2012, the Staff of the Division of Markets and Trading of the SEC issued its Report to Congress on Assigned Credit Ratings (the “Report”) pursuant to the provisions of the Reform Act.  In the Report, the Staff analyzed the manner in which credit rating agencies are currently compensated in connection with the issuance of credit ratings of asset-backed securities and various alternative compensation structures.  It is unclear if or when Congress or the SEC will take any further legislative or regulatory action in response to the issues considered in the Report.  If any further legislative or regulatory action is taken in response to these issues, the ability and willingness of WFB to continue to rely on the securitization market for funding could be adversely affected. The changes resulting from the Reform Act may impact our profitability, require changes to certain Financial Services segment business practices, impose upon the Financial Services segment more stringent capital, liquidity, and leverage ratio requirements, increase FDIC deposit insurance premiums, or otherwise adversely affect the Financial Services segment's business. These changes may also require the Financial Services segment to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes. On September 27, 2010, the FDIC approved a final rule that, subject to certain conditions, preserved the safe-harbor treatment for legal isolation of transferred assets applicable to certain grandfathered revolving trusts and master trusts that had issued at least one series of asset-backed securities as of such date, which we believe included the Trust. The final rule imposes significant new conditions on the availability of the safe-harbor with respect to securitizations that are not grandfathered.
In addition, several rules and regulations have recently been proposed or adopted that may substantially affect issuers of asset-backed securities. On September 19, 2011, the SEC proposed a new rule under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to implement certain provisions of the Reform Act. Under the proposed rule, an underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, or sponsor of an asset-backed security, or any affiliate of any such person, shall not at any time within one year after the first closing of the sale of the asset-backed security engage in any transaction that would involve or result in any material conflict of interest with respect to any investor in a transaction arising out of such activity. The proposed rule would exempt certain risk-mitigating hedging activities, liquidity commitments, and bona fide market-making activity. It is not clear how the final rule will differ from the proposed rule, if at all. The final rule's impact on the securitization market and the Financial Services segment is also unclear at this time.
The JOBS Act was signed into law on April 5, 2012, and will implement extensive changes to the laws regulating private offerings of securities, including Rule 144A private offerings such as the private offerings of asset-backed securities of the Trust that WFB sponsors. On August 29, 2012, the SEC issued proposed regulations to amend Rule 144A to provide that securities may be offered pursuant to Rule 144A by means of general solicitation or general advertising, including to persons other than qualified institutional buyers, so long as the issuer reasonably believes that each ultimate purchaser is a qualified institutional buyer. The impact that the JOBS Act will have on the securitization market and the Financial Services segment is unclear at this time.

The Trust is structured to qualify for the exemption from the Investment Company Act provided by Investment Company Act Rule 3a-7. On August 31, 2011, the SEC issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding possible amendments to Investment Company Act Rule 3a-7. At this time, it is uncertain what form the related proposed and final rules will take, whether the Trust would continue to be eligible to rely on the exemption provided by Investment Company Act Rule 3a-7, and whether the Trust would qualify for any other Investment Company Act exemption.


46


On July 26, 2011, the SEC re-proposed certain rules for asset-backed securities offerings ("SEC Regulation AB II") which were originally proposed by the SEC on April 7, 2010. If adopted, SEC Regulation AB II would substantially change the disclosure, reporting, and offering process for private offerings of asset-backed securities that rely on the Rule 144A safe harbor, including the Trust's private offerings of asset-backed securities. As currently proposed, SEC Regulation AB II would, among other things, alter the safe harbor standards for private placements of asset-backed securities imposing informational requirements similar to those applicable to registered public offerings. The final form that SEC Regulation AB II may take is uncertain at this time, but it may impact the Financial Services segment's ability and/or desire to sponsor securitization transactions in the future.

On March 29, 2011, pursuant to the provisions of the Reform Act, the SEC, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and certain other federal agencies issued proposed regulations requiring securitization sponsors to retain an economic interest in assets that they securitize. Subject to certain exceptions, the proposed regulations would generally require the sponsor of a securitization transaction to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the securitized assets and would provide securitization sponsors with a number of options for satisfying this requirement. Each of these options would require the sponsor to provide certain disclosures to investors a reasonable time prior to sale and upon request to the SEC and the sponsor's applicable federal banking regulator. In addition, the sponsor would be subject to certain prohibitions on hedging, transferring, or financing the retained credit risk. If adopted, the proposed regulations will likely affect most types of private securitization transactions, including those sponsored by the Financial Services segment. It is not clear how the final regulations will differ from the proposed regulations, if at all, or the impact of the final regulations on the Financial Services segment and its ability and willingness to continue to rely on the securitization market for funding.

On January 20, 2011, under provisions of the Reform Act, the SEC adopted rules that require issuers of asset-backed securities to disclose demand, repurchase, and replacement information through the periodic filing of a new form with the SEC. One of these rules requires rating agencies to disclose in any report accompanying a credit rating for an asset-backed security the representations, warranties, and enforcement mechanisms available to investors and how they differ from those in similar securities. Also pursuant to the provisions of the Reform Act, on January 20, 2011, the SEC issued rules that require issuers of registered asset-backed securities to perform a review of the assets underlying the securities and to publicly disclose information relating to the review. These rules also require issuers of asset-backed securities to make publicly available the findings and conclusions of any third-party due diligence report obtained by the issuer. It remains to be seen whether and to what extent the January 20, 2011, rules or any other final rules adopted by the SEC will impact the Financial Services segment and its ability and willingness to continue to rely on the securitization market for funding.

Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities
 
The following table presents changes in our cash and cash equivalents for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
122,512

 
$
(6,421
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
25,570

 
81,826

Net cash used in financing activities
(73,085
)
 
(222,868
)


47


2013 versus 2012

Operating Activities - Cash from operating activities increased $129 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. Comparing the respective periods, we had an increase of $91 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a net decrease of $46 million in income taxes receivable/payable and deferred income taxes, and $21 million in cash generated from operations. Partially offsetting these increases in cash from operations were decreases relating to inventories of $15 million and an increase of $28 million in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses. Inventories increased $60 million at March 30, 2013, to $613 million, compared to December 29, 2012, while inventories increased $45 million at March 31, 2012, compared to fiscal year end 2011, a net change of $15 million. The increase in inventories in 2013 is primarily due to the addition of new retail stores.
 
Investing Activities - Cash provided by investing activities decreased $56 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. Cash paid for property and equipment additions totaled $65 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013 compared to $40 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. At March 30, 2013, we estimated total capital expenditures for the development, construction, and completion of retail stores to approximate $197 million through the next 12 months. We expect to fund these estimated capital expenditures with funds from operations. In addition, cash flows from credit card loans originated externally decreased $29 million compared to the respective period a year ago.

Financing Activities - Cash used in financing activities decreased $150 million in the three months ended March 30, 2013, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Comparing the respective periods, this net change was primarily due to increases in net borrowings on secured obligations of the Trust by the Financial Services segment of $272 million and $17 million in unrepresented checks. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in time deposits, which the Financial Services segment utilizes to fund its credit card operations, of $115 million comparing the respective periods and a decrease of $21 million in stock-related activity.

The following table presents the borrowing activities of our merchandising business and the Financial Services segment for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 Borrowings (repayments) on revolving credit facilities and inventory financing, net
$
(40
)
 
$
3,622

 Secured borrowings (repayments) of the Trust, net
2,250

 
(270,000
)
 Repayments of long-term debt
(8,206
)
 
(8,203
)
 Total
$
(5,996
)
 
$
(274,581
)
    
The following table summarizes our availability under the Company's debt and credit facilities, excluding the facilities of the Financial Services segment, at the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
March 31,
2012
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 Amounts available for borrowing under credit facilities (1)
$
415,000

 
$
430,000

 Principal amounts outstanding

 
(3,524
)
 Outstanding letters of credit and standby letters of credit
(24,694
)
 
(15,944
)
 Remaining borrowing capacity, excluding the Financial Services segment facilities
$
390,306

 
$
410,532

 
 
 
 
(1)
Consists of our revolving credit facility of $415 million for both periods and, for March 31, 2012, the $15 million CAD credit facility for our operations in Canada.


48


The Financial Services segment also has total borrowing availability of $85 million under its agreements to borrow federal funds.  At March 30, 2013, the entire $85 million of borrowing capacity was available.
 
Our $415 million unsecured credit agreement requires us to comply with certain financial and other customary covenants, including:

a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined) of no less than 2.00 to 1 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters (as defined);
a leverage ratio (as defined) of no more than 3.00 to 1 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter; and
a minimum consolidated net worth standard (as defined).
 
In addition, our unsecured senior notes contain various covenants and restrictions that are usual and customary for transactions of this type. Also, the debt agreements contain cross default provisions to other outstanding credit facilities. In the event that we failed to comply with these covenants, a default would trigger and all principal and outstanding interest would immediately be due and payable. At March 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements and unsecured notes. We anticipate that we will continue to be in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements and unsecured notes through the next 12 months.
  
Our $15 million CAD unsecured revolving credit facility, set to expire June 30, 2013, was terminated January 31, 2013.  

Economic Development Bonds and Grants

Economic Development Bonds - Economic development bonds are related to the Company's government economic assistance arrangements relating to the construction of new retail stores or retail development. State or local governments may sell economic development bonds primarily to provide funding for the construction and equipping of our retail stores. In the past, we have primarily been the sole purchaser of these bonds. While purchasing these bonds involves an initial cash outlay by us in connection with a new store or property, some or all of these costs can be recaptured through the repayments of the bonds. The payments of principal and interest on the bonds are typically tied to sales, property, or lodging taxes generated from the store and, in some cases, from businesses in the surrounding area, over periods which range between 15 and 30 years. Some of our bonds may be repurchased for par value by the governmental entity prior to the maturity date of the bonds. The governmental entity from which we purchase the bonds is not otherwise liable for repayment of principal and interest on the bonds to the extent that the associated taxes are insufficient to pay the bonds. If sufficient tax revenue is not generated by the subject properties, we will not receive scheduled payments and will be unable to realize the full value of the bonds carried on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. At March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, economic development bonds totaled $84 million, $85 million, and $89 million, respectively.

On a quarterly basis, we perform various procedures to analyze the amounts and timing of projected cash flows to be received from our economic development bonds. We revalue each economic development bond using discounted cash flow models based on available market interest rates (Level 2 inputs) and management estimates, including the estimated amounts and timing of expected future tax payments (Level 3 inputs) to be received by the municipalities under tax increment financing districts. Projected cash flows are derived from sales and property taxes. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, fourth quarter sales are significant to projecting future cash flows under the economic development bonds. We evaluate the impact of bond payments that have been received since the most recent quarterly evaluation, including those subsequent to the end of the quarter. Typically, bond payments are received twice annually. The payments received around the end of the fourth quarter provide us with additional facts for our fourth quarter projections. We make inquiries of local governments and/or economic development authorities for information on any anticipated third-party development, specifically on land owned by the Company, but also on land not owned by the Company in the tax increment financing development district, and to assess any current and potential development where cash flows under the bonds may be impacted by additional development and the anticipated development is material to the estimated and recorded carrying value based on projected cash flows. We make revisions to the cash flow estimates of each bond based on the information obtained. In those instances where the expected cash flows are insufficient to recover the current carrying value of the bond, we adjust the carrying value of the individual bonds to their revised estimated fair value. The governmental entity from which the Company purchases the bonds is not liable for repayment of principal and interest on the bonds to the extent that the associated taxes are insufficient to fund principal and interest amounts under the bonds. Should sufficient tax revenue not be generated by the subject properties, the Company may not receive all anticipated payments and thus will be unable to realize the full carrying values of the economic development bonds, which result in a corresponding decrease to deferred grant income.


49


Grants - We generally have received grant funding in exchange for commitments made by us to the state or local government providing the funding. The commitments, such as assurance of agreed employment and wage levels at our retail stores or that the retail store will remain open, typically phase out over approximately five to ten years. If we fail to maintain the commitments during the applicable period, the funds we received may have to be repaid or other adverse consequences may arise, which could affect our cash flows and profitability.  At March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, the total amount of grant funding subject to specific contractual remedies was $7 million, $7 million, and $10 million, respectively.

Securitization of Credit Card Loans
 
The Financial Services segment historically has funded most of its growth in credit card loans through an asset securitization program. The Financial Services segment utilizes the Trust for the purpose of routinely selling and securitizing credit card loans and issuing beneficial interest to investors. The Trust issues variable funding facilities and long-term notes each of which has an undivided interest in the assets of the Trust. The Financial Services segment must retain a minimum 20 day average of 5% of the loans in the securitization trust which ranks pari passu with the investors' interests in the securitization trusts.  In addition, the Financial Services segment owns notes issued by the Trust from some of the securitizations, which in some cases may be subordinated to other notes issued.  The Financial Services segment's retained interests are eliminated upon consolidation of the Trust. The consolidated assets of the Trust are subject to credit, payment, and interest rate risks on the transferred credit card loans.  The credit card loans of the Trust are restricted for the repayment of the secured borrowings of the Trust.

To protect investors, the securitization structures include certain features that could result in earlier-than-expected repayment of the securities, which could cause the Financial Services segment to sustain a loss of one or more of its retained interests and could prompt the need to seek alternative sources of funding. The primary investor protection feature relates to the availability and adequacy of cash flows in the securitized pool of loans to meet contractual requirements, the insufficiency of which triggers early repayment of the securities. The Financial Services segment refers to this as the “early amortization” feature.  Investors are allocated cash flows derived from activities related to the accounts comprising the securitized pool of loans, the amounts of which reflect finance charges collected, certain fee assessments collected, allocations of interchange, and recoveries on charged off accounts.  These cash flows are considered to be restricted under the governing documents to pay interest to investors, servicing fees, and to absorb the investor's share of charge-offs occurring within the securitized pool of loans. Any cash flows remaining in excess of these requirements are reported to investors as excess spread.  An excess spread of less than zero percent for a contractually specified period, generally a three-month average, would trigger an early amortization event. Such an event could result in the Financial Services segment incurring losses related to its retained interests. In addition, if the retained interest in the loans of the Financial Services segment falls below the 5% minimum 20 day average and the Financial Services segment fails to add new accounts to the securitized pool of loans, an early amortization event would be triggered.  The investors have no recourse to the Financial Services segment's other assets for failure of debtors to pay other than for breaches of certain customary representations, warranties, and covenants. These representations, warranties, covenants, and the related indemnities do not protect the Trust or third party investors against credit-related losses on the loans.   
 
Another feature, which is applicable to the notes issued from the Trust, is one in which excess cash flows generated by the transferred loans are held at the Trust for the benefit of the investors. This cash reserve account funding is triggered when the three-month average excess spread rate of the Trust decreases to below 4.50% or 5.50% (depending on the series) with increasing funding requirements as excess spread levels decline below preset levels or as contractually required by the governing documents. Similar to early amortization, this feature also is designed to protect the investors' interests from loss thus making the cash restricted.  Upon scheduled maturity or early amortization of a securitization, the Financial Services segment is required to remit principal payments received on the securitized pool of loans to the Trust which are restricted for the repayment of the investors' principal note.


50


The total amounts and maturities for our credit card securitizations as of March 30, 2013, were as follows:
Series
 
Type
 
Total
Available Capacity
 
Third Party Investor Available Capacity
 
Third Party Investor Outstanding
 
Interest
Rate
 
Expected
Maturity
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010-I
 
Term
 
$
45,000

 
$

 
$

 
Fixed
 
January 2015
2010-I
 
Term
 
255,000

 
255,000

 
255,000

 
Floating
 
January 2015
2010-II
 
Term
 
165,000

 
127,500

 
127,500

 
Fixed
 
September 2015
2010-II
 
Term
 
85,000

 
85,000

 
85,000

 
Floating
 
September 2015
2011-II
 
Term
 
200,000

 
155,000

 
155,000

 
Fixed
 
June 2016
2011-II
 
Term
 
100,000

 
100,000

 
100,000

 
Floating
 
June 2016
2011-IV
 
Term
 
210,000

 
165,000

 
165,000

 
Fixed
 
October 2016
2011-IV
 
Term
 
90,000

 
90,000

 
90,000

 
Floating
 
October 2016
2012-I
 
Term
 
350,000

 
275,000

 
275,000

 
Fixed
 
February 2017
2012-I
 
Term
 
150,000

 
150,000

 
150,000

 
Floating
 
February 2017
2012-II
 
Term
 
375,000

 
300,000

 
300,000

 
Fixed
 
June 2017
2012-II
 
Term
 
125,000

 
125,000

 
125,000

 
Floating
 
June 2017
2013-I
 
Term
 
385,000

 
327,250

 
327,250

 
Fixed
 
February 2023
Total term
 
 
 
2,535,000

 
2,154,750

 
2,154,750

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
2008-III
 
Variable Funding
260,115

 
225,000

 

 
Floating
 
March 2015
2011-I
 
Variable Funding
352,941

 
300,000

 

 
Floating
 
March 2016
2011-III
 
Variable Funding
411,765

 
350,000

 

 
Floating
 
September 2014
Total variable
 
 
 
1,024,821

 
875,000

 

 
 
 
 
Total available
 
$
3,559,821

 
$
3,029,750

 
$
2,154,750

 
 
 
 

We have been, and will continue to be, particularly reliant on funding from securitization transactions for the Financial Services segment. A failure to renew existing facilities or to add additional capacity on favorable terms as it becomes necessary could increase our financing costs and potentially limit our ability to grow the business of the Financial Services segment. Unfavorable conditions in the asset-backed securities markets generally, including the unavailability of commercial bank liquidity support or credit enhancements, could have a similar effect. During the three months ended March 30, 2013, the Financial Services segment issued $62 million in certificates of deposit, early renewed its $300 million variable funding facility, extending the commitment for an additional two years, and completed a $385 million term securitization that will mature in February 2023. We believe that these liquidity sources are sufficient to fund the Financial Services segment's foreseeable cash requirements, including certificate of deposit maturities, and near-term growth plans.

Furthermore, the securitized credit card loans of the Financial Services segment could experience poor performance, including increased delinquencies and credit losses, lower payment rates, or a decrease in excess spreads below certain thresholds. This could result in a downgrade or withdrawal of the ratings on the outstanding securities issued in the Financial Services segment's securitization transactions, cause early amortization of these securities, or result in higher required credit enhancement levels.  Credit card loans performed within established guidelines and no events which could trigger an early amortization occurred during the three months ended March 30, 2013, the year ended December 29, 2012, and the three months ended March 31, 2012.  
 

51


Certificates of Deposit

The Financial Services segment utilizes brokered and non-brokered certificates of deposit to partially finance its operating activities that are issued in minimum amounts of one hundred thousand dollars in various maturities.  At March 30, 2013, the Financial Services segment had $969 million of certificates of deposit outstanding with maturities ranging from April 2013 to March 2023 and with a weighted average effective annual fixed rate of 2.28%. This outstanding balance compares to $1.0 billion at both December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, with weighted average effective annual fixed rates of 2.22% and 2.37%, respectively.

Impact of Inflation
 
 We do not believe that our operating results have been materially affected by inflation during the preceding three years. We cannot assure, however, that our operating results will not be adversely affected by inflation in the future.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments
 
In the normal course of business, we enter into various contractual obligations that may require future cash payments. For a description of our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 29, 2012, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2012, under “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments.”
 
 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Operating Leases - We lease various items of office equipment and buildings.  Rent expense for these operating leases is recorded in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
Credit Card Limits - The Financial Services segment bears off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its business. One form of this risk is through the Financial Services segment's commitment to extend credit to cardholders up to the maximum amount of their credit limits. The aggregate of such potential funding requirements totaled $21 billion above existing balances at the end of March 30, 2013. These funding obligations are not included on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.  While the Financial Services segment has not experienced, and does not anticipate that it will experience, a significant draw down of unfunded credit lines by its cardholders, such an event would create a cash need at the Financial Services segment which likely could not be met by our available cash and funding sources. The Financial Services segment has the right to reduce or cancel these available lines of credit at any time.

Seasonality
 
Our business is seasonal in nature and interim results may not be indicative of results for the full year. Due to buying patterns around the holidays and the opening of hunting seasons, our merchandise revenue is traditionally higher in the third and fourth quarters than in the first and second quarters, and we typically earn a disproportionate share of our operating income in the fourth quarter.  Because of our retail store expansion, and fixed costs associated with retail stores, our quarterly operating income may be further impacted by these seasonal fluctuations. We anticipate our sales will continue to be seasonal in nature.
 


52


Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk through the operations of the Financial Services segment, and, to a lesser extent, through our merchandising operations. We also are exposed to foreign currency risk through our merchandising operations.
 
 Financial Services Segment Interest Rate Risk
 
Interest rate risk refers to changes in earnings due to interest rate changes. To the extent that interest income collected on credit card loans and interest expense on certificates of deposit and secured borrowings do not respond equally to changes in interest rates, or that rates do not change uniformly, earnings could be affected. The variable rate credit card loans are indexed to the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and the credit card portfolio is segmented into risk-based pricing tiers each with a different interest margin. Variable rate secured borrowings are indexed to LIBOR-based rates of interest and are periodically repriced.  Certificates of deposit and fixed rate secured borrowings are priced at the current prevailing market rate at the time of issuance. We manage and mitigate our interest rate sensitivity through several techniques, including managing the maturity, repricing, and mix of fixed and variable assets and liabilities by issuing fixed rate secured borrowings or certificates of deposit and by indexing the customer rates to the same index as our secured borrowings.

The table below shows the mix of our credit card account balances as a percentage of total balances outstanding at the periods ended:
 
March 30,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
March 31,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances carrying an interest rate based upon various interest rate indices
64.7
%
 
62.3
%
 
64.5
%
Balances carrying an interest rate of 7.99% or 9.99%
4.5

 
4.2

 
4.0

Balances carrying a promotional interest rate of 0.00%
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.2

Balances not carrying interest because the previous month balance was paid in full
30.7

 
33.3

 
31.3

 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
Charges on the credit cards issued by the Financial Services segment were priced at a margin over various defined lending rates.  No interest is charged if the account is paid in full within 25 days of the billing cycle, which represented 30.7% of total balances outstanding at March 30, 2013.  Some of the zero percentage promotion expenses are passed through to the merchandise vendors for each specific promotion offered.  
 
Management has performed several interest rate risk analyses to measure the effects of the timing of the repricing of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities. Based on these analyses, we believe that an immediate decrease of 50 basis points, or 0.5%, in LIBOR interest charged to customers and on our cost of funds would cause a pre-tax decrease to earnings of $3 million for the Financial Services segment over the next 12 months.
 
Merchandising Business Interest Rate Risk
 
The interest payable on our line of credit is based on variable interest rates and therefore affected by changes in market interest rates. If interest rates on existing variable rate debt increased 1.0%, our interest expense and results from operations and cash flows would not be materially affected.

Foreign Currency Risk
 
We purchase a significant amount of inventory from vendors outside of the United States in transactions that are primarily U. S. dollar transactions. A small percentage of our international purchase transactions are in currencies other than the U. S. dollar. Any currency risks related to these transactions are immaterial to us. A decline in the relative value of the U. S. dollar to other foreign currencies could, however, lead to increased merchandise costs. For our retail operations in Canada, we intend to fund all transactions in Canadian dollars and utilize cash held by our foreign subsidiaries to fund such operations.



53


Item 4.
Controls and Procedures        
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within specified time periods. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In connection with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated, with the participation of our management, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on management's evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 30, 2013.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 30, 2013, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

54


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.

We are party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These actions include commercial, intellectual property, employment (including the Commissioner's charge referenced in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors - Legal proceedings may increase our costs and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012), regulatory, and product liability claims. Some of these actions involve complex factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. The activities of World's Foremost Bank ("WFB") are subject to complex federal and state laws and regulations. WFB's regulators are authorized to impose penalties for violations of these laws and regulations and, in some cases, to order WFB to pay restitution. We cannot predict with assurance the outcome of the actions brought against us. Accordingly, adverse developments, settlements, or resolutions may occur and have a material effect on our results of operations for the period in which such development, settlement, or resolution occurs. However, we do not believe that the outcome of any current legal proceeding would have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows, or financial position taken as a whole.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.    

On August 23, 2011, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program that provides for share repurchases on an ongoing basis to offset dilution resulting from equity awards under the Company's current or future equity compensation plans. As a result, the Company announced on February 14, 2013, that it would repurchase up to 750,000 shares of its common stock in open market transactions through February 2014. The share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any outstanding shares of our common stock, and the program may be limited or terminated at any time.
   
The following table shows the stock repurchase activity of the Company for each of the three fiscal months in the first fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2013:        
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 30, 2012 through January 26, 2013

 
$

 

 

January 27 through March 2, 2013

 

 

 
750,000

March 3 through March 30, 2013
72,200

 
54.11

 
72,200

 
677,800

Total
72,200

 
$
54.11

 
72,200

 
 


Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information.
Not applicable.



55


Item 6.
Exhibits.

(a)           Exhibits.
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
First Amendment to Richard N. Cabela Executive Employment Agreement dated as of April 3, 2013, between Cabela's Incorporated and Richard N. Cabela
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
Furnished with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
*
As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



56


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.

 
 
CABELA'S INCORPORATED
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
April 25, 2013
By:
/s/ Thomas L. Millner
 
 
 
Thomas L. Millner
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
April 25, 2013
By:
/s/ Ralph W. Castner
 
 
 
Ralph W. Castner
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



57


Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
First Amendment to Richard N. Cabela Executive Employment Agreement dated as of April 3, 2013, between Cabela's Incorporated and Richard N. Cabela
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
Furnished with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
Submitted electronically with this report.
* As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



58