EX-99.1 2 psgmdaq2fy15.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 PSG MD&A Q2 FY15
 





 




Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
For the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014

Dated January 14, 2015
















TABLE OF CONTENTS









INTRODUCTION

This management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) dated January 14, 2015 of Performance Sports Group Ltd. (the "Company", "PSG", "we", "us", or "our") is intended to assist the readers in understanding the Company, its business environment, strategies, performance, and risk factors. It should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, including the related notes, for the three and six months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013, and our audited annual consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2014 and 2013. Financial data has been prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the audited annual consolidated financial statements, and related MD&A, are available on the Company’s website at www.performancesportsgroup.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into our MD&A.

The Company's common shares are dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "PSG".

As of November 30, 2014, the Company directly or indirectly owns all of the equity interests in each of Bauer Hockey, Inc., Bauer Hockey Corp., Easton Baseball / Softball Corp., Easton Baseball / Softball Inc., Performance Lacrosse Group Inc. (formerly Bauer Performance Lacrosse Inc.), Performance Lacrosse Group Corp. (formerly Bauer Performance Lacrosse Corp.), Bauer Performance Sports Uniforms Corp., Bauer Performance Sports Uniforms Inc., BPS Diamond Sports Corp., and BPS Diamond Sports Inc. The Company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is referred to as the "Company", "we", "us", or "our".

All references to "Fiscal 2015" and “Fiscal 2014” are to the Company’s fiscal year ending May 31, 2015 and fiscal year ended May 31, 2014, respectively. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “$” and “dollars” in this MD&A mean U.S. dollars. Any references to market share data and market size are based on wholesale revenues unless otherwise indicated.

Certain measures used in this MD&A do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. When used, these measures are defined in such terms as to allow the reconciliation to the closest IFRS measure. It is unlikely that these measures could be compared to similar measures presented by other companies. See “Financial Performance” and “Non-IFRS Financial Measures.”

Forward-looking statements are included in this MD&A. See "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to these statements. For a description of the assumptions relating to market and industry data statements included in this MD&A, see the "Market and Industry Data" section. For a detailed description of risk factors associated with the Company, refer to the “Risk Factors” section of this MD&A and the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated August 27, 2014, available on the Company’s website at www.performancesportsgroup.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Please refer to the “Glossary of Terms” section for a list of defined terms used herein but not otherwise defined.

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
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SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2015 HIGHLIGHTS
($ in millions, except per share and ratio information)
 
 
 
Change 2015
RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
Q2 Fiscal 2015

Q2 Fiscal 2014

vs. 2014
Revenues

$172.3


$117.1

47.1%
Gross profit

$55.9


$38.0

47.4%
Adjusted Gross Profit (1)

$62.2


$39.6

57.1%
Adjusted Gross Profit % (1)
36.1
%
33.8
%
2.3%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$24.2


$13.9

74.1%
Net income

$1.0


$3.4

(71.5)%
Adjusted Net Income (1)

$11.2


$7.5

49.3%
 
 
 
 
PER SHARE ($) - DILUTED
 
 
 
Diluted EPS

$0.02


$0.09

(77.8)%
Adjusted EPS (1)

$0.24


$0.20

20.0%
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL RATIOS
 
 
 
Leverage Ratio
3.62

2.67

35.6%

(1)
Represents a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definitions and reconciliations to reported results, see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

All comparisons are to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year unless otherwise stated.

Fiscal Q2 2015 Financial Highlights vs. Year-Ago Quarter

Revenues up 47.1% to a record $172.3 million (up 50.5% in constant currency)
Hockey revenues up 8.5% to a record $113.4 million (up 12.2% in constant currency)
Adjusted Gross Profit up 57.1% to $62.2 million with Adjusted Gross Profit margin up 230 basis points to 36.1%
Adjusted EBITDA up 74.1% to $24.2 million (up 100% in constant currency)
Adjusted Net Income up 49.3% to $11.2 million or $0.24 per share

Fiscal Q2 2015 Financial Results

Revenues in the fiscal second quarter of 2015 increased 47.1% to $172.3 million compared to $117.1 million in the same year-ago quarter. On a constant currency basis, revenues were up 50.5%. The increase was due to the addition of revenues generated by Easton Baseball/Softball and strong growth in ice hockey equipment, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange. Excluding the results of Easton Baseball/Softball, as well as the impact from foreign exchange, revenues grew organically by 10.2%.

Adjusted Gross Profit in the second quarter increased 57.1% to $62.2 million compared to $39.6 million in the year-ago quarter. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted Gross Profit increased 230 basis points to 36.1% compared to 33.8% in the year-ago quarter. The increase in Adjusted Gross Profit margin was primarily driven by the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball as well as improvements in production costs for uniforms, partially offset by the unfavorable impact from foreign exchange.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter increased 43.8% to $39.3 million compared to $27.3 million in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball, costs related to the temporary lacrosse helmet decertification, and higher sales and marketing costs. As a percentage of revenues and excluding acquisition-related charges and share-based payment expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 20 basis points to 20.3% compared to 20.5% in the year-ago quarter.

Research and development expenses in the second quarter increased 44.6% to $6.1 million compared to $4.2 million in the year-ago quarter due to continued focus on product development and the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball. As a percentage of revenues, research and development expenses decreased 10 basis points to 3.5% compared to 3.6% in the year-ago quarter.


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Adjusted EBITDA increased 74.1% to $24.2 million compared to $13.9 million in the year-ago quarter. This increase was primarily due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball and growth in hockey, partially offset by the unfavorable impact from foreign exchange. Without the impact of currency fluctuations, Adjusted EBITDA grew 100% to $27.7 million.

Adjusted Net Income in the second quarter increased 49.3% to $11.2 million or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $7.5 million or $0.20 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter.

On November 30, 2014, working capital was $362.4 million compared to $222.2 million on November 30, 2013, primarily due to the acquisition of Easton Baseball/Softball and investment in apparel. Excluding the acquisition, working capital was $280.8 million as of November 30, 2014, an increase of 26.4% versus the year-ago quarter.

Total debt was $422.8 million at November 30, 2014 compared to $152.4 million at November 30, 2013. The Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Company’s credit agreements, stood at 3.62x as of November 30, 2014 compared to 2.67x one year ago. The increase reflects the Company’s financing of the acquisition of Easton Baseball/Softball.

Six Month Fiscal 2015 Financial Results

Revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2015 increased 36.3% to $369.4 million compared to $271.1 million in the same year-ago period. On a constant currency basis, revenues were up 39.4%. Excluding the results of Easton Baseball/Softball, as well as the impact from foreign exchange, revenues grew organically by 10.4%.

Adjusted Gross Profit in the first six months increased 34.1% to $135.6 million compared to $101.1 million in the year-ago period. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted Gross Profit was 36.7% compared to 37.3% in the same year-ago period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 41.4% to $75.4 million compared to $53.3 million in the same period a year ago. As a percentage of revenues and excluding acquisition-related charges and share-based payment expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses were 18.0% compared to 17.4% in the first six months of fiscal 2014.

Research and development expenses increased by 42.2% to $11.9 million compared to $8.4 million in the year-ago period. As a percentage of revenues, research and development expenses were 3.2% compared to 3.1% in the first six months of fiscal 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 26.4% to $64.1 million compared to $50.7 million in the year-ago period.

Adjusted Net Income in the first six months of fiscal 2015 increased 10.1% to $33.8 million or $0.74 per diluted share, compared to $30.7 million or $0.83 per diluted share in the year-ago period. The decrease in Adjusted EPS was almost entirely driven by the additional shares outstanding as a result of the underwritten public offering completed on June 25, 2014.

For further detail on our financial measures, please refer to the “Financial Performance” section.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

PSG is a fast growing sports equipment and apparel company. We design, develop, manufacture and sell performance sports equipment, apparel, and accessories for ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball, and soccer. Our model is simple. We combine authentic brands and sport-specific employee expertise with our platform strengths, particularly our high performing R&D and game changing product creation processes, to grow our overall revenue, market share and profitability annually. We strive to grow our revenues each year faster than the total market for each of our sports and to grow our profitability faster than revenues. We have the most recognized and strongest brands in ice hockey, roller hockey, baseball, and softball, and hold top market share positions in these sports, with an expanding presence in the fast growing lacrosse market. Our products are marketed under the BAUER, CASCADE, COMBAT, EASTON, INARIA, MISSION, and MAVERIK brand names and are sold by sales representatives and independent distributors throughout the world. Our brands have a rich history of innovation, authenticity and market leadership, with the BAUER and EASTON brands dating back to 1927 and 1922, respectively.

BAUER is the most recognized and strongest brand in ice hockey with an estimated 54% overall worldwide market share. MISSION is the leading brand in roller hockey with an estimated 55% market share. EASTON is one of the most iconic diamond sports brands with the #1 market share in North America, estimated at 28%. In the lacrosse category, our MAVERIK and CASCADE brands combined have an estimated 26% market share. Our market leadership within each sport extends across multiple product categories through a full product suite that provides high performance equipment and apparel for players of all ages and abilities.


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We have achieved our leadership position and growth profile in ice hockey, roller hockey and lacrosse by leveraging our world-class performance sports platform, and are using this platform to expand our performance equipment and apparel categories in diamond sports with our COMBAT brand and the addition of the EASTON baseball and softball brand in April 2014. Additionally, with the Inaria Acquisition in October 2012, the Company greatly expanded its capabilities to provide team apparel along with its high performing sports equipment, establishing the Company as a “one-stop shop” for teams and associations across all of our sports.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has two reportable operating segments: (i) Hockey and (ii) Baseball/Softball. The remaining operating segments do not meet the criteria for a reportable segment and are included in Other Sports. The Hockey segment includes the BAUER and MISSION brands. The Baseball/Softball segment includes the EASTON and COMBAT brands. Other Sports includes the Lacrosse and Soccer operating segments, which includes the MAVERIK, CASCADE, and INARIA brands. The Hockey segment sales channels include: (i) direct sales to retailers in North America and the Nordic countries, (ii) distributors throughout the rest of the world (principally, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia), and (iii) direct sales to teams. The Baseball/Softball segment sales channels primarily include retailers and distributors in North America. The Other Sports segment sales channels primarily include retailers and distributors in North America, and direct sales to teams and sports associations.

These operating segments were determined based on the management structure established in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2014 and the financial information, among other factors, reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") to assess segment performance. The Company is currently in the process of further modifying its management structure and transforming its internal financial reporting to support the Company’s operations and additional segment information, beyond revenues, will be provided as this process is completed. These changes are modifying how information is used by the CODM to allocate resources and assess performance.

For further detail on our operating segments, please refer to the “Segment Results” section and the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and six months ended November 30, 2014 and 2013.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

The following provides an overview of the sports equipment and apparel markets we serve.

Sporting Goods Industries

We design, develop, manufacture and sell performance sports equipment and related apparel for ice hockey and roller hockey, baseball and softball, lacrosse, and soccer. We operate in the global sporting goods industry with a primary focus on North America and Europe. We believe this global industry is growing, including in the United States where from 2009 to 2013, manufacturers’ wholesale sales of sporting goods increased from $48.3 billion in 2009 to $55.0 billion in 2013, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3%.

The growing sporting goods-focused retail channel reflects resilient qualities with stable performance through the recent global economic downturn and continued broad market size growth. According to IBISWorld Inc., retail sales of United States sporting goods stores, including specialty retailers such as Total Hockey, Lacrosse Unlimited and Baseball Express, and ‘‘big box’’ retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority, were estimated to be $42.3 billion in 2013 and are forecasted to grow at a 2.3% compound annual growth rate to reach $47.5 billion by 2018. Specialty retail is the main retail outlet for our market and accounts for the majority of our sales. We also sell to ‘‘big box’’ retailers, which are exhibiting growth and expansion.

Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey Participation Rates and Demographics

Ice hockey is a team sport played in over 80 countries by more than an estimated six million people. While ice hockey is played around the world, the largest and most significant markets for ice hockey are Canada, the United States and a number of European countries, including the Nordic countries (principally, Sweden and Finland), Central European countries (principally, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Slovakia) and Eastern European countries (principally, Russia).

Global registered hockey participation has grown, on average, 2% annually over the last eight years, and according to a 2014 report by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association ("SFIA"), ice hockey participation in the United States experienced a 5.1%

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
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average annual increase from 2008 to 2013. We believe that the global industry is currently growing at an annual rate in the low-to-mid single digits. Growth rates in Eastern European countries (principally, Russia) and women’s hockey have exceeded that of the global average.

Ice Hockey Equipment and Related Apparel Industry

The global ice hockey equipment and related apparel industry has significant barriers to entry and is stable in certain regions and growing in others, such as the United States, Eastern Europe and Russia. Ice hockey equipment and related apparel sales are driven primarily by global ice hockey participation rates (registered and unregistered). Other drivers of equipment sales include demand creation efforts, the introduction of innovative products, a shorter product replacement cycle, general macroeconomic conditions, and the level of consumer discretionary spending. Management estimates that the global ice hockey equipment market (which excludes related apparel, such as performance apparel, team jerseys and socks) totaled approximately $650 million in calendar 2013. Skates and sticks are the largest contributors to equipment sales, accounting for an estimated 60% of industry sales in calendar 2013, according to management estimates.

Management estimates that over 85% of the ice hockey equipment market is attributable to three major competitors: Bauer Hockey, Reebok (which owns both the REEBOK and CCM brands) and Easton Hockey (which utilizes the EASTON brand under a trademark license from the Company), each of whom offers consumers a full range of products (skates, sticks and full protective equipment). The remaining equipment market is highly fragmented among many smaller equipment manufacturers offering specific products, catering to niche segments within the broader market. These competitors include, but are not limited to, WARRIOR, GRAF, VAUGHN, and SHER-WOOD/TPS.

The following table shows our estimated ranking of the three major competitors referenced above, in total and by major product category:
Company
Total Market
Skates
Sticks
Helmets
Protective
Goalie
BAUER
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#2
Reebok/CCM
#2
#2
#2
#2
#2
#1
Easton Hockey
#3
#3
#3
#3
#3
n/a

Management estimates that the global ice hockey-related apparel market for calendar 2013 (which includes such items as performance apparel, team jerseys and socks) was approximately $390 million in size, and is growing at an annual rate which we believe exceeds that of the ice hockey equipment market. Included in the ice hockey-related apparel market is licensed apparel, which represents approximately one-third of the market. The related apparel market is more fragmented than the equipment market and includes a variety of larger and smaller participants. We expect consolidation in this market to occur in the coming years, in a manner similar to what has occurred in the ice hockey equipment industry.

Roller Hockey

Roller Hockey Participation Rates and Demographics

Roller hockey is a team sport played principally in the United States, particularly in warmer regions such as California. According to a 2014 SFIA report, roller hockey participation in the United States experienced a 3.4% decrease from 2008 to 2013.

Roller Hockey Equipment and Related Apparel Industry

The roller hockey equipment and related apparel industry shares similar characteristics to the ice hockey equipment and related apparel industry given the similarity of the sports. Management estimates that the wholesale roller hockey equipment market generated approximately $20 million in sales in calendar 2013. Through our Company's MISSION and BAUER brands, we hold the number one and two market share positions in the roller hockey equipment market, respectively, and have a substantial lead over our primary competitors, including Reebok, Tour and a few competitors in niche categories such as wheels and accessories.

Street Hockey

Street Hockey Participation Rates and Demographics

Street hockey is a team sport played throughout the world, primarily in the largest ice hockey markets. According to management estimates and industry sources, there are approximately 93,000 registered players in Canada, approximately 48,000 registered

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players in the United States, and approximately 50,000 registered players in the rest of the world. Youth players represent approximately 50% of the registered participants. Management believes that registered participation represents only a small portion of the overall consumer base for street hockey products and that unregistered participants far exceed the registered participants.

Street Hockey Equipment Industry

The street hockey equipment industry shares similar characteristics to the ice hockey equipment and related apparel industry given the similarity of the sports. Management estimates that the wholesale street hockey equipment market generated approximately $25 million in sales in calendar 2013. The Company has not yet entered the street hockey market but intends to do so in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2015.

Baseball and Softball

Baseball and Softball Participation Rates and Demographics

Baseball and softball are team sports played principally in the United States, Japan, certain other Asian countries (such as South Korea) and Latin America. Global baseball/softball participation is estimated to be approximately 65 million, according to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (“WBSC”). Baseball is experiencing growth in participation globally and remains one of the most popular team sports by participation in the United States, second only to basketball, according to SFIA. A 2014 SFIA report found that baseball/softball participation in the United States experienced a 3.7% average annual decrease from 2008 to 2013. While participation for baseball and slow-pitch softball in the United States has declined in recent years, the market continues to grow as innovation, particularly in bats, has driven rising prices.

Baseball and Softball Equipment and Related Apparel Industry

Management estimates that in calendar 2013, the North American and global baseball and softball equipment and related apparel (excluding uniforms) wholesale markets were approximately $600 million and $1 billion in size, respectively, one-third of which is attributable to bat sales. Management estimates that the global wholesale baseball/softball-related apparel market for 2013 (which includes uniforms) was approximately $300 million in size. With 65 million participants globally we believe the enthusiast base in these sports will experience continued growth, driven by increasing popularity of travel ball, club baseball and softball, and more frequent play.

The baseball and softball equipment market is fragmented and is currently led by five major players: our EASTON brand, Hillerich & Bradsby-owned LOUISVILLE SLUGGER, Jarden-owned Rawlings Sporting Goods, Amer Sports-owned Wilson Sporting Goods and Mizuno Corp. Similar to our Easton baseball and softball business ("Easton Baseball/Softball"), our major competitors offer a full line of baseball and softball products and varying degrees of related apparel. In total, we compete with over a dozen brands in the baseball and softball equipment market including, in addition to those above, Amer Sports-owned DEMARINI, MARUCCI, Jarden-owned MIKEN and WORTH, and NOKONA, ZETT and SSK.

The following table shows our estimated ranking in North America of the five major competitors referenced above, in total and by major product category:
Company
Total Market
Bats
Batting Helmets
Catcher Protective
Equipment Bags
Batting Gloves
Apparel
Accessories
Ball Gloves
Easton
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#3
#2
#3
#6
Rawlings
#3
#3
#2
#2
#5
n/a
#1
#5
#1
Mizuno
#4
n/a
#3
#3
n/a
#4
#3
n/a
#2
Hillerich & Bradsby
#5
#4
n/a
n/a
#4
n/a
n/a
n/a
#4
Wilson
#2
#2
n/a
#4
#3
#5
#7
n/a
#3


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Lacrosse

Lacrosse Participation Rates and Demographics

Lacrosse is a team sport played principally in the United States and Canada. According to U.S. Lacrosse, lacrosse has been one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States, with participation growing at 10.8% from 2008 to 2013 on an average annual basis, with over 750,000 registered players in the United States in calendar 2013. In Canada, we estimate that there are currently 150,000 participants. The drivers of this growth include: (i) the establishment and popularity of the National Lacrosse League ("NLL") and Major League Lacrosse ("MLL"), (ii) the rapid expansion of high school and youth programs, (iii) emerging growth outside of key lacrosse markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, (iv) enhanced funding and popularity of the NCAA lacrosse programs, and (v) increased visibility of the sport in media and advertising.

Approximately 93% of lacrosse participants in the United States are under the age of 20, with 54% of participants in the youth (15 and under) category and 39% of participants in the high school category. Similar to ice hockey, the high representation of youth in the sport provides the industry with a more frequent product replacement cycle as players outgrow their equipment.

Lacrosse Equipment and Related Apparel Industry

Management estimates that in calendar 2013, the United States lacrosse equipment wholesale market was approximately $110 million in size while the Canadian market was estimated to be approximately $10 million in size. Management estimates that the lacrosse market will continue to grow in the range of high single digits to low double digits for the next several years. The lacrosse equipment market is made up of four primary equipment categories: sticks (shafts and heads), gloves, helmets and protective equipment. Representing approximately 35% of calendar 2013 industry-wide United States sales, sticks currently make up the largest segment of the lacrosse equipment market. Helmets currently make up approximately 25% of calendar 2013 industry-wide United States sales. Management estimates that the lacrosse apparel market in North America for calendar 2013 was approximately $30 million in size.

The North American lacrosse equipment and related apparel market is a high growth, emerging sports equipment market underpinned by strong growth in participation rates. The lacrosse equipment market is currently led by six major brands: New Balance-owned WARRIOR and BRINE, our MAVERIK and CASCADE brands, STX, and Jarden-owned DEBEER (women’s only). The Company’s three major competitors all offer full lines of lacrosse equipment products, while Cascade’s product offering is primarily focused on helmets.

Team and Other Apparel

Team apparel and uniforms make up a large and growing market characterized by high fragmentation and competition, which provides significant competitive advantages to companies that can offer one-stop shopping for high quality products and a unified look (equipment and apparel) under authentic brands. Most of our major competitors in the sports markets that we address offer related apparel to varying degrees but since the Inaria Acquisition, we are able to offer teams, associations and clubs one-stop access for our high performing equipment and all segments of apparel: team, performance and lifestyle.

We currently offer all segments of apparel under the BAUER brand in hockey. We have recently launched MAVERIK-branded uniforms in lacrosse and will be looking to expand our apparel presence in lacrosse in the future. We expect to expand our apparel presence in baseball/softball using the strength of the EASTON and COMBAT brands to grow this category in the future.

We participate in the soccer uniform market through our INARIA brand, which offers a wide variety of soccer apparel, including uniforms, as well as related accessories. As the most popular and widely played sport in the world, global soccer participation is estimated to be approximately 265 million, according to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (“FIFA”). In 2011, similar reports estimated that there were nearly one million registered soccer players in Canada and more than 4.5 million registered players in the United States. A 2014 SFIA report found soccer (indoor and outdoor) participation in the United States to be relatively flat on an average annual basis over the last five years. The Canadian and United States soccer uniform market is estimated to be in excess of $300 million, including both registered and recreational players.


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RECENT EVENTS

Bauer Hockey to Open First-Ever Retail Experiences

On January 8, 2015, Bauer Hockey announced that it will open its first-ever "Own The Moment" retail experiences beginning this summer. A transformative and historic initiative for Bauer Hockey, the premium "Own The Moment" retail experiences will elevate the BAUER brand, deliver an unmatched consumer educational experience and serve as the ultimate BAUER brand and product showcase.

Bauer Hockey expects to open its first "Own The Moment" retail experience in the Boston suburb of Burlington, Massachusetts, in late Summer 2015 and its second location in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area in the Fall 2015. Future phases are currently expected to include the opening of an additional six to eight "Own The Moment" retail experiences over the next several years in key hockey markets across the U.S. and Canada. The Company expects its retail operations to grow its overall business and be profitable in the next 18-24 months.

Built to inform and inspire hockey players, each "Own The Moment" retail experience will have expertly trained associates to guide each consumer through a "fit, learn and experience" process. The process includes understanding the player's needs, a customized fit based on the athlete's style of play and the opportunity to try-before-you-buy on an indoor ice rink that will be housed inside the "Own The Moment" retail experience. The "Own The Moment" in-store fitting protocol and experience will be personalized for the entire hockey community, including players of all ages and abilities.

Every "Own The Moment" retail experience will have dedicated areas for each product category as well as specific areas to easily educate new-to-hockey families and welcome them to the sport. Each "Own The Moment" retail experience will host several events and initiatives for players, parents and the overall hockey community.

Equipped with advanced fitting protocols and unique in-store educational tools, Bauer Hockey plans to continually test various retail strategies and share the findings with its authorized retail partners throughout the world to improve the consumer experience at every retail destination and further elevate the BAUER brand.

Lacrosse Helmet Decertification

On November 24, 2014, the Company announced that the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (“NOCSAE”) notified Performance Lacrosse Group Inc. (“Cascade”) that the CASCADE R model lacrosse helmet no longer complies with NOCSAE standards and that Cascade’s certification of compliance on that helmet model is invalid. NOCSAE concurrently notified the various sports governing bodies, which require that lacrosse helmets used in league play under their jurisdiction be certified to NOCSAE standards.

The CASCADE R helmet launched in June 2013 and approximately 110,000 units have been sold into the market. On a pro forma basis giving effect to PSG’s acquisition of Easton Baseball/Softball in April 2014, total lacrosse revenues represent less than 5% of the Company’s overall revenues.

Although the R model helmet had received passing test results at two of the three independent laboratories approved by NOCSAE for helmet testing and certification, NOCSAE questioned the manner of testing and the adequacy of certain quality assurance/quality control (“QA/QC”) procedures which NOCSAE asserted were required to support manufacturer certification to the helmet standard. In order to satisfactorily resolve the decertification issue, Cascade and NOCSAE reached agreement on a modification to existing R model helmets that met NOCSAE requirements for recertification of these helmets. NOCSAE and Cascade announced this resolution on December 12, 2014. Cascade immediately implemented the modification program with an extensive outreach, including direct contact to consumers. On December 16, 2014, Cascade began accepting decertified R helmets at its Liverpool, New York factory and started processing modified, recertified helmets for return to consumers. The program is free of charge for consumers and retailers, including related shipping costs. After completion of certification testing and a third-party audit, NOCSAE, on December 24, 2014, approved Cascade’s shipment of newly manufactured R helmets, in addition to the modified R helmets.

In connection with the decertification of the R helmet, NOCSAE suspended Cascade’s license to use the NOCSAE logo on all other lacrosse helmet models until such time as Cascade demonstrates to NOCSAE that its testing results for these helmets support manufacturer certification to the NOCSAE standard. Cascade is in the process of reviewing such testing results with NOCSAE and currently anticipates that NOCSAE will reinstate its license to use the NOCSAE logo on other lacrosse helmet models upon demonstration of satisfactory test results.

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In connection with the decertification of the R helmet, the Company and Cascade have been served with two putative class action lawsuits (one filed in Pennsylvania and the other filed in Connecticut) on behalf of purchasers of CASCADE R helmet models, in each case with allegations and claims arising in connection with NOCSAE’s decertification of the R helmet. The Company and Cascade will vigorously defend each of these lawsuits.

Cascade has also received a letter from the New York Attorney General’s Office noting that NOCSAE had voided the certification of the CASCADE R helmet and requesting certain information concerning the helmet. Cascade is cooperating with the Attorney General’s inquiry.

In addition, the Company received a letter from the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) noting that the CASCADE R helmet had lost NOCSAE certification and requesting certain information concerning the helmet. The Company is cooperating with the CPSC’s inquiry.

The Company estimated the amount of the total liability incurred as of November 30, 2014 and has expensed $2.5 million in the second fiscal quarter. These costs do not include the financial impact of reduced sales and volumes resulting from the decertification. Based upon experience to date, the Company has estimated that total expenses will amount to between $3.0 and $4.0 million before taxes.

See “Risk Factors”.

Competition Bureau Inquiry

On November 13, 2014, Bauer Hockey announced that it reached a settlement to resolve an inquiry by Canada's Competition Bureau (the "Bureau") regarding certain aspects of its advertising for the BAUER RE-AKT Helmet, a model that represented less than five percent of overall hockey helmet unit sales in Canada.

Given its disagreement with Bauer Hockey as to the adequacy of its testing, the Bureau requested that Bauer Hockey remove or modify certain existing performance claims in Canada regarding the RE-AKT helmet. In addition, Bauer Hockey agreed to donate $500,000 in retail value worth of sports equipment to a Canadian charity over the course of five years.

Bauer Hockey has devoted significant resources into researching, developing and testing its helmets and the RE-AKT helmet meets all Canadian Standards Association and Hockey Equipment Certification Council ("HECC") standards. The Bureau, however, concluded that the testing commissioned and conducted by Bauer Hockey as a basis for certain performance claims related to the RE-AKT hockey helmet did not meet the standard of an "adequate and proper test," as required by Canada's Competition Act. A relevant consideration for the Bureau in its evaluation of Bauer Hockey's testing of its RE-AKT helmet was the absence of an established injury threshold for concussions. The Bureau did not conclude that Bauer Hockey's advertisements were false or misleading.

Bauer Hockey disagrees with the Bureau's conclusions regarding the testing conducted by and on behalf of Bauer Hockey and hopes that the Bureau's inquiry and conclusion raises awareness for the need to enhance current standardized testing protocols for helmets.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Key Performance Indicators

Key performance indicators which we use to manage our business and evaluate our financial results and operating performance include revenues, gross profit, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, research and development (“R&D”) expenses, net income, diluted earnings per share, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income/Loss, and Adjusted EPS. We evaluate our performance on these metrics by comparing our actual results to management budgets, forecasts, and prior period results on a reported and constant dollar basis. Adjusted Net Income/Loss, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit are non-IFRS measures that we use to assess the operating performance of the business. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for the definition and reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income/Loss, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit used and presented by the Company to the most directly comparable IFRS measures.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
9


Factors Affecting our Performance

Seasonality

Our business demonstrates substantial seasonality, although this seasonality has been reduced as a result of the acquisition of Easton Baseball/Softball and the assets formerly used in Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s lacrosse business (the “Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition”) from Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. (now named BRG Sports, Inc.).

Generally, our highest sales volumes for hockey occur during the first quarter of our fiscal year. Our next highest sales volumes for hockey occur during the second quarter of our fiscal year. Our lowest sales volumes for hockey occur during the third quarter of our fiscal year. In ice hockey, we have three sub-brands of products — VAPOR, SUPREME and NEXUS. In certain fiscal years, we launch new products under more than one sub-brand. The launch timing of our products may change in future periods.

In baseball/softball, our highest sales volumes for EASTON and COMBAT products occur in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. The seasonality of our baseball/softball businesses will substantially reduce the seasonality of our overall business as compared to prior to the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition.

In lacrosse, our highest sales volumes for MAVERIK and CASCADE products occur in the second and third fiscal quarters.

The shipment of INARIA soccer products occurs substantially in the first and fourth fiscal quarters. We expect our team apparel revenues, including uniforms for ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse and other team sports, to align with the underlying sports’ selling seasons as we expand our team apparel offering.

Revenues

We generate revenues from the sale of performance sports equipment and related apparel and accessories. We offer various cooperative marketing incentive programs to assist our sales channels with the marketing and selling of our products. These costs are recorded as a reduction of revenues.

Our current sales channels include (i) retailers in North America and the Nordic countries, (ii) distributors throughout the rest of the world (principally, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia), and (iii) direct sales to teams. Based on the regional mix, our revenues are generated in multiple currencies. For revenues, we are exposed to fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, the euro, the Swedish krona, Norwegian krona and Danish krona.

The following table highlights revenues for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended
Period Over Period Growth Rate
Six Months Ended
Period Over Period Growth Rate
(millions of U.S. dollars,
November 30,
November 30,
except for percentages)
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
 
(3) 
(1) 
 
(3) 
(2) 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America

$146.6


$91.8

59.7
%

$293.8


$200.6

46.5
%
Rest of world
25.7

25.3

1.6
%
75.6

70.5

7.2
%
Total Revenues

$172.3


$117.1

47.1
%

$369.4


$271.1

36.3
%

(1)Three month period ended November 30, 2014 vs. three month period ended November 30, 2013.
(2)Six month period ended November 30, 2014 vs. six month period ended November 30, 2013.
(3)The three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013 did not include Easton Baseball/Softball.

Cost of Goods Sold

Our cost of goods sold is comprised primarily of: (i) the cost of finished goods, materials and components purchased from our suppliers, manufacturing labour and overhead costs in our manufacturing facilities; (ii) inventory provisions and write-offs; and (iii) warranty costs and supply chain-related costs, such as freight and tariff costs and warehousing. Our warranty costs result from a general warranty policy providing coverage against manufacturing defects. Warranties range from 30 days to one year from the date sold to the consumer, depending on the type of product. Our warranty costs are primarily driven by sales of composite ice hockey sticks and baseball bats. Amortization associated with certain acquired intangible assets, such as purchased

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
10


technology and customer relationships, is also included in cost of goods sold. We also include charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair market value adjustment to inventory associated with certain acquired inventories.

We source the majority of our products in China and Thailand and agree to buy such products in U.S. dollars. Therefore, our cost of goods sold is impacted by the fluctuations of the Chinese renminbi and the Thai baht against the U.S. dollar and the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against other Asian currencies, such as the Taiwanese new dollar. We do not currently hedge our exposure to fluctuations in the value of the Chinese renminbi and the Thai baht and other Asian currencies to the U.S. dollar. Instead, we enter into supplier agreements ranging from six to twelve months with respect to the U.S. dollar cost of our Asian-sourced finished goods. See also “Outlook” section.

As the Company generates significant revenues in Canadian dollars, yet purchases the majority of its inventory in U.S. dollars, we use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge part of our exposure to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar. The resulting realized gain/loss on derivatives is reported in Finance Costs/Income and is an economic offset to the cost of goods sold recorded in Gross Profit.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Our SG&A expenses consist primarily of costs relating to our sales and marketing activities, including salaries, commissions and related personnel costs, customer order management and support activities, advertising, trade shows, and other promotional activities. Our marketing expenses include promotional costs for launching new products, advertising, and athlete endorsement costs. Our administrative expenses consist of costs relating to information systems, legal and finance functions, professional fees, insurance, and other corporate expenses. We also include share-based payment expense, costs related to share offerings, and acquisition costs, including rebranding and integration costs, in SG&A expenses. We expect our SG&A expenses to increase as a result of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition and as we continue to grow our business, but we expect these expenses as a percentage of revenues to remain similar to our historical range.

Research and Development Expenses

R&D expenses consist primarily of salaries and related consulting expenses for technical personnel, contracts with leading research facilities, as well as materials and consumables used in product development. To date, no development costs have been capitalized. We incur most of our R&D expenses in Canada and are eligible to receive Scientific Research and Experimental Development investment tax credits for certain eligible expenditures. R&D expenses are net of investment tax credits. We currently expect our R&D expenses to grow as a result of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition and as we focus on enhancing and expanding our product lines.

Finance Costs/Income

Finance costs consist of interest expense, fair value losses on financial assets, impairment losses recognized on financial assets (other than trade receivables), losses on derivative instruments, and losses related to foreign exchange revaluation on recorded assets and liabilities.

Finance income consists of interest income on bank balances and past due customer accounts, fair value gains on financial assets, gains on derivative instruments, and gains related to foreign exchange revaluation on recorded assets and liabilities.

Interest expense is derived from the financing activities of the Company. In the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2014, the Company's former credit facilities consisted of a $130.0 million Amended Term Loan, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars and a $145.0 million Amended Revolving Loan, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars, the availability of which was subject to meeting certain borrowing base requirements. In the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2015, the Credit Facilities consist of a $450 million New Term Loan, denominated in U.S. dollars, of which approximately $119.5 million was repaid from the net proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering in the United States and public offering in Canada (“U.S. IPO”) of 8,161,291 common shares (including the exercise in full of the over-allotment option) at a price to the public of $15.50 per share, completed on June 25, 2014, and a $200 million New ABL Facility, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars, the availability of which is subject to meeting certain borrowing base requirements. Please see the “Indebtedness” section for a more detailed discussion of the Credit Facilities.

Interest income primarily reflects interest charged to our customers on past due receivable balances.

The Company is exposed to global market risks, including the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, and uses derivatives to attempt to manage financial exposures that occur during the normal course of business. The

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
11


Company’s hedging strategy can employ foreign exchange swaps, interest rate contracts, and foreign currency forwards as economic hedges, which are recorded on the consolidated statements of financial position at fair value. The Company primarily uses foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the effect of changes in currency exchange rates on its product costs (see “Financial Performance - Factors Affecting Our Performance - Cost of Goods Sold”). The resulting realized gain/loss on derivatives reported in finance costs/income are an economic offset to the cost of goods sold that are recorded in the Company's Gross Profit. The Company has not elected hedge accounting; therefore, the changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized as unrealized gains and losses through profit or loss each reporting period.

The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in equity. Transaction gains and losses generated by the effect of foreign exchange on recorded assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different from the functional currency of the applicable entity are recorded in finance costs/income in the period in which they occur. Balances on the statements of financial position are converted at the month-end foreign exchange rates or at historical exchange rates, and all profit and loss transactions are recognized at monthly average rates.

The majority of our transactions are processed in Canadian dollars, euros, Swedish kronas and U.S. dollars.

Impact of Foreign Exchange

In this MD&A, we provide the impact of foreign exchange on our various financial measures. These amounts reflect the impact of translating the current period results at the monthly foreign exchange rates of the prior year period, and the effect of changes in the value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar on our cost of goods purchased for sale outside of the United States including the related realized gains/losses on derivatives described above. The reported foreign exchange impact does not include the impact of fluctuations in Asian currencies against the U.S. dollar and their related effect on our Asian-sourced finished goods, or the gains/losses generated from revaluing non-functional currency assets and liabilities. See Factors Affecting Our Performance - Cost of Goods Sold and Finance Costs/Income for more detailed descriptions of these foreign exchange impacts.

The following table summarizes the change in the reported U.S. dollars versus constant currency U.S. dollars for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
November 30, 2014
November 30, 2014
 
Reported
Constant Currency
Impact of Foreign Exchange
Reported
Constant Currency
Impact of Foreign Exchange
Revenues
$172.3
$176.3
($4.0)
$369.4
$377.9
($8.5)
Gross profit
$55.9
$60.0
($4.1)
$119.9
$128.2
($8.3)
Selling, general & administrative
$39.3
$40.0
($0.7)
$75.4
$76.5
($1.1)
Research & development
$6.1
$6.2
($0.1)
$11.9
$12.1
($0.2)
Net income (loss)
$1.0
$3.6
($2.6)
$12.3
$17.3
($5.0)
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$24.2
$27.7
($3.5)
$64.1
$70.6
($6.5)

(1)
Represents a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definitions and reconciliations to reported results, see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

The following table summarizes the average of the monthly exchange rates used to translate profit or loss transactions for the periods indicated, as reported by the Wall Street Journal:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
November 30,
 
November 30,
 
 
2014
2013
% Change
2014
2013
% Change
CAD / USD
1.101
1.037
(6.2)%
1.092
1.034
(5.6)%
EUR / USD
0.768
0.745
(3.1)%
0.750
0.755
0.7%
SEK / USD
7.056
6.475
(9.0)%
6.865
6.542
(4.9)%

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
12



Income Taxes

The Company is subject to cash taxes in the United States, Canada and Europe for federal, state, and provincial income taxes, as applicable. The Company utilizes its tax loss carry forwards, tax credits and other tax assets, as available, to offset its taxable income.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
13


Results of Operations

The selected consolidated financial information set out below for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 has been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related notes.
 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
(millions of U.S. dollars, except for
November 30,
November 30,
November 30,
November 30,
percentages and per share amounts)
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
Revenues

$172.3


$117.1


$369.4


$271.1

Cost of goods sold
116.4

79.1

249.5

173.4

Gross profit

$55.9


$38.0


$119.9


$97.7

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Selling, general & administrative
39.3

27.3

75.4

53.3

Research & development
6.1

4.2

11.9

8.4

Operating income (loss)

$10.5


$6.5


$32.6


$36.0

Finance costs (income)
7.9

1.5

14.5

0.7

Income tax expense (benefit)
1.6

1.6

5.8

10.6

Net income (loss)

$1.0


$3.4


$12.3


$24.7

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$0.02

$0.10

$0.29

$0.70

Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$0.02

$0.09

$0.27

$0.67

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Gross Profit (1)

$62.2


$39.6


$135.6


$101.1

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$24.2


$13.9


$64.1


$50.7

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (1)

$11.2


$7.5


$33.8


$30.7

Adjusted EPS (1)

$0.24


$0.20


$0.74


$0.83

 
 
 
 
 
Total assets

$871.2


$425.7


$871.2


$425.7

Total long‑term liabilities

$326.3


$150.9


$326.3


$150.9

 
 
 
 
 
As a percentage of revenues:
 
 
 
 
Revenues
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
Cost of goods sold
67.6
%
67.5
%
67.5
%
64.0
%
Gross profit
32.5
%
32.5
%
32.5
%
36.0
%
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Selling, general & administrative
22.8
%
23.3
%
20.4
%
19.7
%
Research & development
3.5
%
3.6
%
3.2
%
3.1
%
Operating income (loss)
6.1
%
5.6
%
8.8
%
13.3
%
Finance costs (income)
4.6
%
1.3
%
3.9
%
0.3
%
Income tax expense (benefit)
0.9
%
1.4
%
1.6
%
3.9
%
Net income (loss)
0.6
%
2.9
%
3.3
%
9.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Gross Profit (1)
36.1
%
33.8
%
36.7
%
37.3
%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
14.0
%
11.9
%
17.4
%
18.7
%
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (1)
6.5
%
6.4
%
9.1
%
11.3
%

(1)
Represents a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definitions and reconciliations to reported results, see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
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Three months ended November 30, 2014 compared to three months ended November 30, 2013

Revenues

Revenues in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $55.2 million, or 47.1%, to $172.3 million due to the addition of $47.3 million of Easton Baseball/Softball revenues and 8.5% growth in hockey revenues, partially offset by a 9.0% decline in lacrosse revenues due to the temporary suspension of shipments of lacrosse helmets as a result of the NOCSAE decertification in November 2014. Overall revenues in North America grew by 59.7%, primarily as a result of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, and increased by 1.6% in the rest of the world.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, revenues increased by 50.5%, and excluding the impact of foreign exchange and the impact of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, revenues increased by 10.2%. The translation impact of foreign exchange in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our reported revenues by $4.0 million compared to the prior year.

For further detail on our revenues, please refer to the “Segment Results” section.

Gross Profit

Gross profit in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $18.0 million, or 47.4%, to $55.9 million driven by higher revenues, partially offset by higher purchase accounting related amortization and non-cash charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value adjustment of inventories related to the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, and an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange.

As a percentage of revenues, gross profit stayed consistent at 32.5% for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 and the three month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by an unfavourable impact from foreign exchange and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, offset by the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball (including the aforementioned purchase accounting related amortization and non-cash charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value adjustment of inventories) and a favorable impact from improvements in production costs for uniforms. The impact of foreign exchange in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased gross profit by $4.1 million compared to the prior year. See “Financial Performance - Factors Affecting our Performance - Cost of Goods Sold” and the “Outlook” section of the MD&A for more detail on our product costs.

Adjusted Gross Profit

Adjusted Gross Profit in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $22.6 million, or 57.1%, to $62.2 million. Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage of revenues increased to 36.1% for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 from 33.8% for the three month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the factors described above, except for the purchase accounting impacts and fair value adjustments to inventory which are removed from Adjusted Gross Profit. Please see the Adjusted Gross Profit table for the reconciliation of gross profit to Adjusted Gross Profit in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $12.0 million, or 43.8%, to $39.3 million, due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball, higher sales and marketing costs, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification. Excluding the impact of acquisition-related costs, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, our SG&A expenses increased by $10.9 million, or 45.2%, to $34.9 million driven by the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball SG&A and higher sales and marketing costs.

As a percentage of revenues, our SG&A expenses (including acquisition-related charges, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification) decreased to 22.8% for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 from 23.3% of revenues for the three month period ended November 30, 2013. Excluding acquisition-related charges, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased slightly to 20.3% for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 from 20.5% of revenues for the three month period ended November 30, 2013. The translation impact of foreign exchange for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our reported SG&A expenses by $0.7 million compared to prior year.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
15


Research and Development Expenses

R&D expenses in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $1.9 million, or 44.6% to $6.1 million, due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball and our continued focus on product development efforts. As a percentage of revenues, our R&D expenses were consistent at 3.5% for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 compared to 3.6% for the three month period ended November 30, 2013. The translation impact of foreign exchange for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased reported R&D expenses by $0.1 million compared to prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $10.3 million, or 74.1%, to $24.2 million from $13.9 million due to higher Adjusted Gross Profit, partially offset by higher R&D and SG&A expenses. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted EBITDA increased to 14.0% for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 from 11.9% for the three month period ended November 30, 2013 primarily due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball, the impact of which was partially offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange. The impact of foreign exchange for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased Adjusted EBITDA by $3.5 million compared to prior year. Please see the Adjusted EBITDA table for the reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

Finance Costs/Income

Finance costs in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $6.5 million from $1.4 million to $7.9 million due to an unfavourable change in the foreign exchange (gains) and losses of $5.5 million and higher interest expense of $3.0 million driven by the new debt issued to fund the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition. These items were partially offset by a favorable change in the unrealized (gain)/loss on derivatives of $1.9 million.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 was $1.6 million, unchanged from the prior year quarter. Current tax expense for the period was $1.1 million and deferred tax expense was $0.5 million. The Company’s effective tax rate was 62.6% compared to 31.3% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in the effective tax rate was due to the mix of net taxable income between Canada and the U.S. (a higher tax rate jurisdiction) and a lower tax benefit for share-based payment expense.

Net Income

Net income in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased by $2.5 million, or 71.5%, to $1.0 million from net income of $3.4 million in the three month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the operating results described above in the Adjusted EBITDA section and a favorable change in the unrealized (gain)/loss on derivatives, which were more than offset by an unfavourable change in the foreign exchange (gain)/loss, higher interest expense, costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, and a higher tax rate. The impact of foreign exchange for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our net income by $2.6 million compared to the prior year.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $3.7 million, or 49.3%, to $11.2 million from $7.5 million in the three month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the operating results reflected in the Adjusted EBITDA section which was partially offset by higher interest expense resulting from the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, a higher tax rate, and an unfavourable impact from realized foreign exchange (gains) and losses. Adjusted Net Income/Loss removes unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses, acquisition-related charges, share-based payment expense, and other one-time or non-cash expenses. Please see the Adjusted Net Income/Loss table in “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted EPS.

Six months ended November 30, 2014 compared to six months ended November 30, 2013

Revenues

Revenues in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $98.3 million, or 36.3%, to $369.4 million due to the addition of $78.7 million of Easton Baseball/Softball revenues, 8.4% growth in hockey revenues, partially offset by a 5.1% decline in lacrosse revenues due to the temporary suspension of shipments of lacrosse helmets as a result of the NOCSAE decertification

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
16


in November 2014. Overall revenues in North America grew by 46.5%, primarily as a result of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, and increased by 7.2% in the rest of the world.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, revenues increased by 39.4%, and excluding the impact of foreign exchange and the impact of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, revenues increased by 10.4%. The translation impact of foreign exchange in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our reported revenues by $8.5 million compared to the prior year.

For further detail on our revenues, please refer to the “Segment Results” section.

Gross Profit

Gross profit in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $22.2 million, or 22.7%, to $119.9 million driven by higher revenues, partially offset by higher purchase accounting related amortization and non-cash charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value adjustment of inventories related to the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, and an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange.

As a percentage of revenues, gross profit decreased to 32.5% for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 from 36.0% in the six month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by an unfavourable impact from foreign exchange and product mix in ice hockey equipment as a result of higher sales of composite sticks and team equipment which have lower margins than other ice hockey equipment categories, costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, partially offset by the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball (including the aforementioned purchase accounting related amortization and non-cash charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value adjustment of inventories) and a favorable impact from improvements in production costs for uniforms. The impact of foreign exchange in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased gross profit by $8.3 million compared to the prior year. See “Financial Performance - Factors Affecting our Performance - Cost of Goods Sold” and the “Outlook” section of the MD&A for more detail on our product costs.

Adjusted Gross Profit

Adjusted Gross Profit in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $34.5 million, or 34.1%, to $135.6 million. Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage of revenues decreased to 36.7% for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 from 37.3% for the six month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the factors described above, except for the purchase accounting impacts and fair value adjustments to inventory which are removed from Adjusted Gross Profit. Please see the Adjusted Gross Profit table for the reconciliation of gross profit to Adjusted Gross Profit in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $22.1 million, or 41.4%, to $75.4 million, due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball, higher share-based payment expense, higher sales and marketing costs, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification. Excluding the impact of acquisition-related costs, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, our SG&A expenses increased by $19.2 million, or 40.7%, to $66.5 million driven by the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball SG&A and higher sales and marketing costs.

As a percentage of revenues, our SG&A expenses (including acquisition-related charges, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification) increased to 20.4% for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 from 19.7% of revenues for the six month period ended November 30, 2013. Excluding acquisition-related charges, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense, and costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification, SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 18.0% for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 from 17.4% of revenues for the six month period ended November 30, 2013. The translation impact of foreign exchange for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our reported SG&A expenses by $1.1 million compared to prior year.

Research and Development Expenses

R&D expenses in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $3.5 million, or 42.2%, to $11.9 million due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball and our continued focus on product development efforts. As a percentage of revenues, our R&D expenses increased to 3.2% for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 from 3.1% for the six month period ended November 30, 2013. The translation impact of foreign exchange for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our reported R&D expenses by $0.2 million compared to prior year.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
17


Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $13.4 million, or 26.4%, to $64.1 million from $50.7 million due to higher Adjusted Gross Profit and a favourable change in the realized gain on derivatives, which are included in finance income, partially offset by higher R&D and SG&A expenses. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted EBITDA decreased to 17.4% for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 from 18.7% for the six month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange. The impact of foreign exchange for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased Adjusted EBITDA by $6.5 million compared to prior year. Please see the Adjusted EBITDA table for the reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

Finance Costs/Income

Finance costs in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $13.8 million from $0.7 million to $14.5 million due to an unfavourable change in the foreign exchange (gains) and losses of $8.1 million and higher interest expense of $6.4 million driven by the new debt issued to fund the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition. These items were partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in the realized gain on derivatives.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased by $4.8 million from $10.6 million to $5.8 million. Current tax expense for the period was $5.1 million and deferred tax expense was $0.7 million. The Company’s effective tax rate was 32.1% compared to 30.0% for the same period in the prior year. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the mix of net taxable income between Canada and the U.S. (a higher tax rate jurisdiction).

Net Income

Net income in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased by $12.4 million, or 50.3%, to $12.3 million from net income of $24.7 million in the six month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the operating results described above in the Adjusted EBITDA section, which were more than offset by the unfavourable change in the foreign exchange (gain)/loss, higher acquisition-related charges, higher interest expense, and higher share-based payment expense. The impact of foreign exchange for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased our net income by $5.0 million compared to the prior year.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income in the six month period ended November 30, 2014, increased by $3.1 million, or 10.1%, to $33.8 million from $30.7 million in the six month period ended November 30, 2013 driven by the operating results reflected in the Adjusted EBITDA section which were partially offset by higher interest expense resulting from the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition and an unfavourable impact from realized foreign exchange (gains) and losses. Adjusted Net Income/Loss removes unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses, acquisition-related charges, share-based payment expense, and other one-time or non-cash expenses. Please see the Adjusted Net Income/Loss table in “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted EPS.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
18


The following table summarizes the unaudited quarterly financial results and major operating statistics for the Company for the last eight quarters:
(millions of U.S. dollars, except for percentages and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
November
30,
2014
August
31,
2014
May
31,
2014
February
28,
2014
November
30,
2013
August
31,
2013
May
31,
2013
February
28,
2013
Revenues

$172.3


$197.1


$112.9


$62.2


$117.1


$154.0


$86.7


$54.9

Cost of goods sold
116.4

133.2

75.1

43.4

79.1

94.3

52.9

40.2

Gross profit

$55.9


$63.9


$37.8


$18.8


$38.0


$59.7


$33.8


$14.7

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general & administrative
39.3

36.1

27.4

24.5

27.3

26.0

23.4

19.4

Research & development
6.1

5.8

5.3

4.7

4.2

4.1

4.6

4.0

Operating income (loss)

$10.5


$22.0


$5.1


($10.4
)

$6.5


$29.6


$5.8


($8.7
)
Finance costs (income)
7.9

6.6

5.6

(3.4
)
1.5

(0.7
)
0.6

(3.8
)
Other expense (income)


0.2

0.1



(1.2
)
0.1

Income tax expense (benefit)
1.6

4.1

(1.0
)
(2.2
)
1.6

9.0

0.3

(2.1
)
Net income (loss)

$1.0


$11.3


$0.3


($4.9
)

$3.4


$21.3


$6.1


($2.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share

$0.02


$0.27


$0.01


($0.14
)

$0.10


$0.61


$0.18


($0.08
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$0.02


$0.26


$0.01


($0.14
)

$0.09


$0.57


$0.17


($0.08
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Gross Profit (1)

$62.2


$73.4


$43.8


$19.8


$39.6


$61.5


$35.9


$16.4

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$24.2


$39.9


$21.3


($3.0
)

$13.9


$36.9


$14.0


($3.8
)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (1)

$11.2


$22.6


$10.8


($4.2
)

$7.5


$23.1


$9.7


($4.2
)
Adjusted EPS (1)

$0.24


$0.51


$0.29


($0.11
)

$0.20


$0.63


$0.26


($0.11
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As a percentage of revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
 %
100.0
 %
100.0
%
100.0
 %
100.0
 %
100.0
 %
Cost of goods sold
67.6
%
67.6
%
66.5
 %
69.8
 %
67.5
%
61.2
 %
61.0
 %
73.2
 %
Gross profit
32.5
%
32.4
%
33.5
 %
30.2
 %
32.5
%
38.8
 %
39.0
 %
26.8
 %
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general & administrative
22.8
%
18.3
%
24.3
 %
39.4
 %
23.3
%
16.9
 %
27.0
 %
35.3
 %
Research & development
3.5
%
3.0
%
4.7
 %
7.6
 %
3.6
%
2.7
 %
5.3
 %
7.3
 %
Operating income (loss)
6.1
%
11.2
%
4.5
 %
(16.7
)%
5.6
%
19.2
 %
6.7
 %
(15.8
)%
Finance costs (income)
4.6
%
3.3
%
5.0
 %
(5.5
)%
1.3
%
(0.5
)%
0.7
 %
(6.9
)%
Other expense (income)
0.0
%
0.0
%
0.2
 %
0.2
 %
0.0
%
0.0
 %
(1.4
)%
0.2
 %
Income tax expense (benefit)
0.9
%
2.1
%
(0.9
)%
(3.5
)%
1.4
%
5.8
 %
0.3
 %
(3.8
)%
Net income (loss)
0.6
%
5.7
%
0.3
 %
(7.9
)%
2.9
%
13.8
 %
7.0
 %
(5.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Gross Profit (1)
36.1
%
37.2
%
38.8
 %
31.8
 %
33.8
%
39.9
 %
41.4
 %
29.9
 %
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
14.0
%
20.2
%
18.9
 %
(4.8
)%
11.9
%
24.0
 %
16.1
 %
(6.9
)%
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (1)
6.5
%
11.5
%
9.6
 %
(6.8
)%
6.4
%
15.0
 %
11.2
 %
(7.7
)%

(1)
Represents a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definitions and reconciliations to reported results, see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
19


SEGMENT RESULTS

The following table provides revenue by segment for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
Period Over Period Growth Rate
Six Months Ended
Period Over Period Growth Rate
(millions of U.S. dollars,
November 30,
November 30,
except for percentages)
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
 
 
(1) 
 
 
(2) 
Hockey

$113.4


$104.5

8.5
 %

$273.8


$252.5

8.4
 %
Baseball/Softball
49.2

2.1

> 100.0%

81.6

3.8

> 100.0%

Other Sports
9.7

10.5

(7.6
)%
14.0

14.8

(5.4
)%
Total Revenues

$172.3


$117.1

47.1
 %

$369.4


$271.1

36.3
 %

(1)Three month period ended November 30, 2014 vs. three month period ended November 30, 2013.
(2)Six month period ended November 30, 2014 vs. six month period ended November 30, 2013.

Three months ended November 30, 2014 compared to three months ended November 30, 2013

Hockey revenues in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $8.9 million, or 8.5%, driven by growth in most equipment categories and continued strong growth in apparel. Excluding the unfavourable impact from foreign exchange, the increase was driven by 18.7% growth in skates due to the timing of customer orders placed for the second fiscal quarter as compared to the first fiscal quarter of the prior year, 21.8% growth in helmets and facial driven by the RE-AKT 100 helmet launch in August 2014, 32.4% growth in gloves due to increased sales in the retail team market, 29.8% growth in underprotective resulting from the two family launch of VAPOR and NEXUS as compared to the SUPREME family launch in the prior year, 30.8% growth in apparel driven by the strong demand for the new performance apparel products utilizing the new 37.5™ fabric technology, and 2.4% growth in composite sticks. Partially offsetting this growth was a 5.9% decline in goalie revenues driven by the timing of product launches, a slight decline in roller hockey revenues, and the unfavourable impact from foreign exchange. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, Hockey revenues increased 12.2%.

Baseball/Softball revenues in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $47.1 million, from $2.1 million to $49.2 million due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball.

Revenues in our Other Sports segment in the three month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased by $0.8 million, or 7.6%, to $9.7 million due to a decrease in lacrosse sales of 9.0% driven by a temporary suspension of shipments of lacrosse helmets as a result of the NOCSAE decertification in November 2014, partially offset by strong demand for the new MAVERIK line of products which include the OPTIK and TANK heads and a new line of shafts that launched this year.

Six months ended November 30, 2014 compared to six months ended November 30, 2013

Hockey revenues in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $21.3 million, or 8.4%, driven by growth in all ice hockey equipment categories and strong growth in apparel. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, the increase was driven by 12.5% growth in composite sticks due to the success of the new NEXUS and SUPREME product launches, 13.7% growth in helmets and facial due to the new RE-AKT 100 helmet launch, 13.7% growth in underprotective, 14.4% growth in gloves, 18.1% growth in accessories due to continued demand for replacement steel, 4.3% growth in skates, and slight increases in goalie and roller hockey revenues. Apparel revenues grew by 36.4% driven by strong growth in all apparel categories which includes performance apparel, uniforms, off-ice team apparel, lifestyle apparel, and bags. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, Hockey revenues increased 11.7%.

Baseball/Softball revenues in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 increased by $77.8 million, from $3.8 million to $81.6 million due to the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
20


Revenues in our Other Sports segment in the six month period ended November 30, 2014 decreased by $0.8 million, or 5.4%, to $14.0 million due to a decrease in lacrosse sales of 5.1% driven by the temporary suspension of shipments of lacrosse helmets as a result of the NOCSAE decertification in November, partially offset by strong demand for the new MAVERIK line of products which include the OPTIK and TANK heads and a new line of shafts that launched this year.

OUTLOOK

Forward-looking statements are included in this MD&A, including this “Outlook” section. See "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to these statements. For a description of the risks relating to the Company, refer to the “Risk Factors” section of this MD&A and the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated August 27, 2014, available on the Company’s website at www.performancesportsgroup.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Our objective is to grow our revenues each year faster than the total market for each of our sports. Our visibility into our future revenues varies for each sport based on the factors described below. We believe that we are currently well positioned to deliver on this stated objective for Fiscal 2015.

Our Company's revenues are generated from: (i) booking orders, which are typically received several months in advance of the actual delivery date or range of delivery dates, (ii) repeat orders, which are for at-once delivery, and (iii) other orders. The seasonality of our business and the manner in which we solicit orders could create quarterly variations in the percentage of our revenues that are comprised of booking orders. Although our booking orders give us some visibility into our future financial performance, there may not be a direct relationship between our booking orders and our future financial performance given several factors, among which are: (i) the timing of order placement compared to historical patterns, (ii) our ability to service demand for our product, (iii) the willingness of our customers to commit to purchasing our product, and (iv) the actual sell-through of our products at retail driving changes in repeat orders. As a result, there can be no assurances that our booking orders will translate into realized sales. Historical disclosure regarding our hockey booking orders was intended to provide visibility into the demand for our products by our customers. We have limited visibility to orders other than booking orders. Booking orders for our current hockey season, spanning our second and third fiscal quarters, exceeded our expectations. We are currently receiving booking orders for our upcoming hockey season, spanning our fourth and first fiscal quarters. We expect these booking orders to result in lower growth than the previous back-to-hockey season as a result of the launch of only one family of many equipment categories (VAPOR) compared to two families (SUPREME and NEXUS) in the prior year's launch, the current economic climate in Russia, and the continued devaluation of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar. Booking orders and initial sell-in for Easton Baseball/Softball, including the launch of the revolutionary new MAKO TORQ bat, continue to exceed our expectations. Our lacrosse bookings for this season were in line with our expectations driven by the launch of new innovative MAVERIK products including the OPTIK and TANK heads, a new line of shafts, and the M3 line of protective products.

CASCADE branded lacrosse helmet sales are primarily custom orders with a 48-hour turnaround time, so the visibility to these orders is limited. Our lacrosse helmet revenues will be unfavourably impacted in the third fiscal quarter as a result of the temporary suspension of shipments from our Liverpool, New York factory as a result of the NOCSAE decertification in November 2014. In addition, the normal 48-hour turnaround time for custom orders will not be completely achievable for some period of time. Despite reduced production at the Liverpool, New York factory in Fiscal 2015 due to the lacrosse helmet decertification, management currently believes that our helmet revenues and market share will return to normal levels of demand and growth in the near future. We believe that the market will experience lower overall demand this season as some teams and players may not purchase new helmets as a result of the R model helmet decertification, however we cannot be certain how much demand will be reduced, and how much of this demand will be recovered in the later months of the lacrosse selling season. As a result of our efforts to resolve this issue, we have received positive feedback from consumers, retailers and coaches, and we believe this experience will strengthen both the CASCADE brand and our overall lacrosse business moving forward. See "Risk Factors".

Our team apparel orders, including uniforms for ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, soccer and other team sports, are typically fulfilled within a 30 to 60 day turnaround time, so the visibility to customer orders in advance is limited. Our Hockey team apparel orders were extremely strong for our first and second fiscal quarters, and we expect continued growth from this category in next year's selling season. Team apparel and uniforms are an important part of our growth in baseball/softball and lacrosse, and we anticipate that these products will be drivers of our revenue growth in these sports in future fiscal years. Orders for our INARIA soccer team apparel will occur later this fiscal year for delivery in our fourth fiscal quarter and the first quarter of Fiscal 2016.

As a result of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, we expect the seasonality of our revenues and profitability to be reduced compared to our historical seasonality. Traditionally, the highest sales volumes for EASTON products occur in our third and fourth fiscal quarters, with the third fiscal quarter being the most significant. In Fiscal 2015 however, we experienced an earlier load-

Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
21


in of new products (particularly the MAKO and MAKO TORQ bats) from some of our larger retailers, resulting in a shift of some demand from the third and fourth fiscal quarters into the first and second fiscal quarters. As a result of this, we currently believe that for Fiscal 2015 EASTON will generate the highest sales volumes in the second and third fiscal quarters, with the third fiscal quarter remaining the most significant.

Our gross profit margins are susceptible to change due to higher or lower product costs, the mix of sales between product categories or different price points, fluctuations in our non-U.S. dollar revenue currencies, as well as other factors. During Fiscal 2014 and the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2015, our gross profit margins were unfavorably impacted by a weaker Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. Should this continue, our gross profit margins will be further unfavourably impacted. The Company mitigates this risk with economic hedges, the benefit of which is recorded in finance costs/income. We currently expect continued increases in our cost of goods sold due to, among other factors, unfavorable fluctuations in certain Asian currencies and the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, and increases in labour rates at our Asian vendors. As a result of the recent decline in crude oil prices, we are currently working with our raw material and freight vendors in an attempt to realize potential cost reductions that may offset these other inflationary pressures. Also, to help mitigate this cost inflation, we intend to continue our cost reduction and supply chain initiatives as well as evaluate alternative strategies as needed. Current initiatives include working with our manufacturing partners to develop lower cost materials and to assemble products more efficiently. We also currently intend to continue our investment in R&D, and review our internal and external distribution structure to lower costs and improve services. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, we expect our margins to improve versus prior year in future quarters as a result of a more favorable product mix in our hockey business, the addition of Easton Baseball/Softball revenues, and our profitability enhancement initiatives announced in October 2014.

Our operating expenses can fluctuate due to increased investments in personnel, marketing and product development programs, and other functional initiatives. As a result of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, and our dual listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, we expect certain public company and other functional costs to increase over historical levels. Also, over time, we expect to increase the investment in R&D for Baseball/Softball.

Our objective is to also grow profitability faster than revenues. Despite significant currency-driven headwinds in Fiscal 2015, we believe this is an achievable goal.

The Company will open its first-ever Bauer Hockey retail experiences beginning this summer, early Fiscal 2016. The Company expects its retail operations to grow its hockey business and for those retail operations be profitable in the next 18-24 months.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

We believe that ongoing operations and associated cash flows, in addition to our cash resources and New ABL Facility (defined herein), provide sufficient liquidity to support our business operations for at least the next 12 months. Furthermore, as of November 30, 2014, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $14.2 million and had availability of $91.7 million under the New ABL Facility, which provides further flexibility to meet any unanticipated cash requirements due to changes in working capital commitments or liquidity risks associated with financial instruments. Such changes may arise from, among other things, the seasonality of our business (see the “Financial Performance - Factors Affecting our Performance - Seasonality” and “Outlook” sections), the failure of one or more customers to pay their obligations (see the “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market and Other Financial Risks - Credit Risk” section) or from losses incurred on derivative instruments, such as foreign exchange swaps, interest rate contracts, and foreign currency forwards (see the “Financial Performance - Factors Affecting our Performance - Finance Costs/Income” section).


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
22


The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing and financing activities:
 
Six Months Ended
 
November 30,
 
November 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars)
2014
 
2013
Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities

($2.8
)
 

$19.9

Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities
(4.2
)
 
(2.7
)
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities
14.6

 
(17.9
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) / increase in cash
7.3

 
(0.8
)
 
 
 
 
Beginning cash
6.9

 
4.5

Ending cash

$14.2

 

$3.7


Net Cash From (Used In) Operating Activities

Our largest source of operating cash flows is cash collections from the sale of inventory. Our primary cash outflows from operating activities are inventory purchases, personnel related expenses, occupancy costs, payment of interest and payment of taxes. Net cash used in operating activities for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 was $2.8 million, a decrease of $22.7 million compared to net cash from operating activities of $19.9 million for the six month period ended November 30, 2013, primarily driven by the following:
$29.9 million lower source of cash from inventory due to increasing inventory needs required to support future revenue growth, including the effect of Easton Baseball/Softball whose seasonality requires higher Fiscal Q2 inventory to support their peak selling season in the third fiscal quarter;
$5.0 million higher cash outflow related to interest paid;
$2.4 million higher cash outflow related to income taxes paid, net of income tax refunds received; partially offset by
$6.8 million higher source of cash as a result of higher cash earnings;
$6.0 million higher source of cash from accounts payable related to the timing of payments for inventory purchases; and
$3.3 million lower use of cash from accounts receivable due to an increase in payments received for receivables, which partially offset the increase in receivables driven by our revenue growth.

Net Cash From (Used In) Investing Activities

Our cash outflows from investing activities are primarily for acquisitions and the purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Net cash used in investing activities for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 was $4.2 million, an increase of $1.5 million compared to net cash used of $2.7 million for the six month period ended November 30, 2013, primarily due to the following:
$2.2 million of higher cash outflow related to the purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets; partially offset by
$0.7 million cash received due to the finalization of the working capital adjustment related to the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition.

Net Cash From (Used In) Financing Activities

Our cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of proceeds from and repayment of debt, proceeds from the issuance of Common Shares and share issuances under stock option plans. Net cash from financing activities for the six month period ended November 30, 2014 was $14.6 million, an increase of $32.5 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $17.9 million for the six month period ended November 30, 2013, primarily due to the following:
$117.0 million of net cash inflow related to net proceeds of the U.S. IPO offset by an increase of $114.8 million in net cash outflow related to repayment of debt;
an increase of $31.8 million of net cash inflow related to the net movement in revolving debt to support our working capital requirements; and
a decrease of $1.4 million of net cash inflow related to stock option exercises.


Performance Sports Group Ltd. Q2 Fiscal 2015
 
23


INDEBTEDNESS

Credit Facilities

Concurrently with the closing of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, the Company entered into the New Term Loan Facility (as defined herein) and the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the New ABL Facility (as defined herein). The New Term Loan Facility and the New ABL Facility (referred to herein together as the ‘‘Credit Facilities’’) replaced the Company’s existing credit facilities.

As of November 30, 2014, $330.5 million was drawn under the New Term Loan Facility and $106.9 million was drawn under the New ABL Facility. Following completion of the U.S. IPO on June 25, 2014, the Company used the net proceeds of the U.S. IPO and repaid approximately $119.5 million under the New Term Loan Facility. The repayment was first applied against the outstanding amortization payments and as such no further amortization payments are due for the life of the facility.

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Credit Facilities, which summary is not intended to be complete. For a complete description, and the full text of their provisions, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

New Term Loan Facility

Concurrently with the closing of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, the Company entered into an amortizing term credit facility in the principal amount of $450 million U.S. dollars by and among the Company, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, Bank of America, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as joint lead arrangers, Bank of America, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and RBC Capital Markets, as bookrunners, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and RBC Capital Markets, as syndication agents, and the lenders party thereto from time to time (the ‘‘New Term Loan Facility’’). The New Term Loan Facility matures on April 15, 2021. The New Term Loan Facility contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for credit facilities of this nature.

The New Term Loan Facility may be prepaid at any time in whole or in part without premium or penalty, upon written notice, at the option of the Company, other than (i) reimbursement of the New Term Loan Facility lenders for any funding losses and redeployment costs (but not loss of margin) resulting from prepayments of LIBOR advances in certain circumstances, and (ii) a 1% soft-call premium for certain voluntarily prepayments (not including the approximately $119.5 million repayment from the net proceeds of the U.S. IPO) made during the six month period following the closing of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition. Any amounts prepaid under the New Term Loan Facility may not be reborrowed. In certain circumstances, the Company is permitted to add one or more incremental term loan facilities under the New Term Loan Facility. As well, in certain circumstances and from time to time, the Company is permitted to refinance loans or incremental term loans under the New Term Loan Facility, in whole or in part.

Interest Rates

The interest rates per annum applicable to the New Term Loan Facility equal the sum of (a) the applicable margin percentage (as described below), plus, at the Company’s option, (b) either (x) LIBOR, subject to a 1% floor or (y) the U.S. base rate (each as determined in accordance with the terms of the New Term Loan Facility). The applicable margin is 3.50% per annum in the case of LIBOR advances and 2.50% per annum in the case of U.S. base rate advances. The Company’s $119.5 million repayment from the net proceeds of the U.S. IPO activated the Leverage Step-Down Trigger (as defined in the New Term Loan Facility). Effective July 1, 2014, the applicable margin is 3.00% per annum in the case of LIBOR advances and 2.00% per annum in the case of U.S. base rate advances for so long as the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the New Term Loan Facility) remains less than 4.25:1.00.

Guarantees and Security

The obligations of the Company under the New Term Loan Facility are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company, including each of the existing and future direct and indirect wholly-owned material Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the ‘‘Term Loan Guarantors’’). The New Term Loan Facility is secured by a perfected first priority security interest (subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions) in: (a) all present and future shares of capital stock of each present and future subsidiary of the Company (subject to certain exceptions); (b) all present and future debt owed to the Company or any Term Loan Guarantor; and (c) all present and future property and assets, real and personal (other than assets constituting ABL Priority Collateral (as defined herein)) of the Company and each Term Loan Guarantor, and all proceeds and products of the property

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and assets described above (collectively, the ‘‘Term Priority Collateral’’). The New Term Loan Facility is further secured by a perfected second priority security interest in the ABL Priority Collateral (as defined herein), subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions.

New ABL Facility

Concurrently with the closing of the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a revolving, non-amortizing asset-based credit facility in an amount equal to the lesser of $200 million U.S. dollars (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) and the Borrowing Base (as defined herein) by and among Bauer Hockey Corp. and its Canadian subsidiaries from time to time party thereto, as Canadian borrowers (collectively, the ‘‘Canadian ABL Borrowers’’), Bauer Hockey, Inc. and its U.S. subsidiaries from time to time party thereto, as U.S. borrowers (collectively, the ‘‘U.S. ABL Borrowers’’, and collectively with the Canadian ABL Borrowers, the ‘‘ABL Borrowers’’), the Company as parent, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and an affiliate of RBC Dominion Securities Inc., as syndication agents, Bank of America, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as joint lead arrangers, Bank of America, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and RBC Capital Markets, as bookrunners, and the various lenders party thereto (the ‘‘New ABL Facility’’). The ABL Borrowers are permitted under the New ABL Facility to solicit the lenders to provide additional revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75 million U.S. dollars (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof). The New ABL Facility matures on April 15, 2019 and may be drawn in U.S. dollars by the U.S. ABL Borrowers and either U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars by the Canadian ABL Borrowers, as LIBOR loans, CDOR loans, U.S. base rate loans, Canadian prime rate loans, as applicable, or letters of credit or swingline loans (with a sublimit of up to $25 million U.S. dollars available for letters of credit and up to $20 million U.S. dollars for swingline loans (or, in each case, the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof)), each as determined in accordance with the terms of the New ABL Facility. The New ABL Facility contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default customary for credit facilities of this nature.

Under the New ABL Facility, the ABL Borrowers were permitted to draw up to $25 million U.S. dollars (or the Canadian dollar equivalent thereof) to partially finance the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition and drew approximately $22 million in connection therewith. The ABL Borrowers are permitted to use the undrawn amount under the New ABL Facility from time to time for ordinary course working capital and for general corporate purposes. Voluntary reductions of the unutilized portion of the New ABL Facility commitments and voluntary prepayments under the New ABL Facility are permitted at any time, without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of the Lenders’ redeployment costs in the case of prepayments of LIBOR advances in certain circumstances. Voluntary prepayments under the New ABL Facility may be reborrowed.

Borrowing Base

The borrowing base (the ‘‘Borrowing Base’’) under the New ABL Facility for the interim period up until the 90th day following the Closing Date (subject to extension at the discretion of the Agent) is deemed to be the greater of $100 million or as calculated by adding the net book value of (a) Accounts of the Borrowers, multiplied by the advance rate of 50%, plus (b) the net book value of Inventory of the Borrowers located in the United States or Canada multiplied by the advance rate of 45%.

After the interim period the Borrowing Base equals the sum of the Canadian Borrowing Base (as defined herein) and the U.S. Borrowing Base (as defined herein).

The ‘‘Canadian Borrowing Base’’ means, subject to customary reserves and eligibility criteria, the sum of: (a) 85% of the Canadian ABL Borrowers’ eligible accounts receivable; plus (b) the lesser of (x) 70% of the cost (valued on a first in, first out basis) of the Canadian ABL Borrowers’ eligible inventory, or (y) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of the Canadian ABL Borrowers’ eligible inventory.

The ‘‘U.S. Borrowing Base’’ means, subject to customary reserves and eligibility criteria, the sum of: (a) 85% of the U.S. ABL Borrowers’ eligible accounts receivable; plus (b) the lesser of (x) 70% of the cost (valued on a first in, first out basis) of the U.S. ABL Borrowers’ eligible inventory, or (y) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of the U.S. ABL Borrowers’ eligible inventory.


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Interest Rates and Fees

At the option of the ABL Borrowers, until August 31, 2014, the interest rates under the New ABL Facility were (i) LIBOR or CDOR, as applicable, plus 1.75% per annum or (ii) the U.S. base rate or Canadian prime rate, as applicable, plus 0.75% per annum. Following August 31, 2014, interest rate margins under the New ABL Facility are determined with reference to the following grid, based on the average availability, as a percentage of the aggregate commitments, during the immediately preceding quarter:
Average Availability (% of Line Cap)
Interest Rate Margin for LIBOR/CDOR Rate Loans
 
Interest Rate Margin for U.S. Base Rate/Canadian Prime Rate Loans
Equal to or greater than 66%
1.50%
 
0.50%
Less than 66% but equal to or greater than 33%
1.75%
 
0.75%
Less than 33%
2.00%
 
1.00%

The ABL Borrowers may elect interest periods of one, two, three or six months (or 12 months if agreed to by all the Lenders) for LIBOR or CDOR loans.

A per annum fee equal to the interest rate margin for LIBOR or CDOR loans under the New ABL Facility will accrue on the average daily amount of the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit, payable in arrears on the first day of each quarter. In addition, the ABL Borrowers shall pay (a) a fronting fee equal to 0.125% on the average daily amount of the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit, and (b) customary issuance and administration fees.

The ABL Borrowers will initially pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the New ABL Facility. From and after August 31, 2014, the commitment fee is to be determined by reference to the following grid based on the average utilization of the commitments under the New ABL Facility during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter:
Average Usage (% of commitments)
Commitment Fee %
Less than 50%
0.375%
Equal to or greater than 50%
0.25%

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a payment event of default, the outstanding amounts under the New ABL Facility are subject to an additional 2% per annum of default interest.

The interest rate on the Credit Facilities for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 ranged from 1.90% to 4.00% and 1.90% to 4.50%, respectively. As of November 30, 2014, there are five letters of credit totaling $1.5 million outstanding under the New ABL Facility.

Credit Ratings

The following information relating to the Company’s credit ratings is provided as it relates to the Company’s financing costs and liquidity. Specifically, credit ratings affect the Company’s ability to obtain short-term and long-term financing and the cost of such financing. A negative change in the Company's ratings outlook or any downgrade in the Company's current credit ratings by its rating agencies could adversely affect the Company’s cost of financing and its access to sources of liquidity and capital. In addition, changes in credit ratings may affect the Company’s ability to, and the associated costs of, entering into normal course derivative transactions for risk management activities, and the ability of the Company to engage in certain collateralized business activities on a cost effective basis depends on the Company maintaining competitive credit ratings.

Credit ratings are intended to provide investors with an independent measure of credit quality of any issue of securities. The credit ratings assigned by the rating agencies are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the securities nor do the ratings comment on market price or suitability for a particular investor. Any rating may not remain in effect for any given period of time or may be revised or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

On March 18, 2014, the Company received a corporate credit rating of “B+” (with a “Stable” outlook) from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”). The Company obtained the rating in connection with its New Term Loan Facility, but the rating is for the Company as a whole and is not limited to the New Term Loan Facility or any one class of securities of the Company. The “B+” corporate credit rating reflects S&P’s assessment of the Company’s “aggressive” financial risk profile and “weak” business risk profile. The “Stable” outlook reflects S&P’s view that the Company will sustain adequate liquidity and continue to increase sales

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and EBITDA, resulting in maintenance of adjusted debt-to-EBITDA below 5x by Fiscal 2015. Concurrently, S&P assigned a “B+” issue-level rating to the Company’s New Term Loan Facility and a “4” recovery rating to the New Term Loan Facility. A “4” recovery rating to the New Term Loan Facility indicates average (30% to 50%) recovery in the event of a payment default. On June 10, 2014 S&P indicated that the Company’s announcement that it will raise $110 million of equity in a public offering will not change the Company’s corporate credit rating or issue-level rating. The U.S. IPO was completed on June 25, 2014. For more information on the rating method used by S&P, please visit S&P’s website at www.standardandpoors.com

On March 18, 2014, Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) assigned an initial corporate family rating of “B1” and a “B1-PD” probability of default for the Company. Concurrently, Moody’s also assigned a “B2” credit rating to the New Term Loan Facility with a “speculative grade” liquidity rating of “SGL” 2. Moody’s also assigned a “Stable” outlook. The “Stable” outlook reflects Moody’s view that the Company will steadily reduce leverage through a combination of debt repayments and modest earnings growth. The “Stable” outlook also reflects Moody's expectation that the Company will integrate Easton Baseball/Softball without significant disruptions. On June 11, 2014 Moody’s indicated that the Company’s announcement that it will raise $110 million of equity via a public offering was credit positive but does not affect its “B1” rating or “Stable” outlook rating. The U.S. IPO was completed on June 25, 2014. For more information on the rating method used by Moody’s, please visit Moody’s website at www.moodys.com.

Former Credit Facilities

Prior to the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, the Company’s former credit facilities consisted of a (i) $130.0 million term loan, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars, and (ii) $145.0 million revolving loan, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars.

The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the former credit facilities is equal to an applicable margin percentage, plus, at the Borrowers’ option depending on the currency of borrowing, (i) the U.S. base rate/Canadian base rate, or (ii) LIBOR/Bankers Acceptance rate. The applicable margin percentages are subject to adjustment based upon the Company’s Leverage Ratio (as defined under the former credit facilities) as follows:
Leverage Ratio
Base Rate/Canadian Base Rate Margin
 
LIBOR/BA Rate Margin
 
Unused Commitment Fees
Equal to or greater than 3.00:1.00
1.25%
 
2.50%
 
0.50%
Equal to or greater than 2.50:1.00 but less than 3.00:1.00
1.00%
 
2.55%
 
0.45%
Equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00 but less than 2.50:1.00
0.75%
 
2.00%
 
0.40%
Less than 2.00:1.00
0.50%
 
1.75%
 
0.35%

Leverage Ratio

The Amended Credit Facility and the Credit Facilities define Leverage Ratio as Net Indebtedness divided by EBITDA. Net Indebtedness includes such items as the Company’s term loan, capital lease obligations, subordinated indebtedness, and average revolving loans for the last 12 months as of the reporting date, less the average amount of cash for the last 12 months as of the reporting date. EBITDA is defined in both the Amended Credit Facility and Credit Facilities. The following table depicts the Company’s Leverage Ratio:
 
As of
As of
As of
As of
As of
 
November 30,
August 31,
May 31,
February 28,
November 30,
 
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Leverage Ratio
3.62
3.61
4.78
2.51
2.67

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

In the three month period ended November 30, 2014 and the three month period ended November 30, 2013, we incurred capital expenditures of $2.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively. In the six month period ended November 30, 2014 and the six month period ended November 30, 2013, we incurred capital expenditures of $4.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively. As a percentage of revenues, our capital expenditures for the trailing twelve months ended November 30, 2014 were 1.5% of revenues compared to 2.0% of revenues for the trailing twelve months ended November 30, 2013. The capital investments were incurred for

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information systems to assist in streamlining our growing organization, tooling, R&D, and investments in retail marketing assets. The year-over-year increase is driven by higher information systems, tooling and retail marketing asset investments as compared to the prior year. Our ordinary course of operations requires minimal capital expenditures for equipment given that we manufacture most of our products through our manufacturing partners. Going forward, to support our growth and key business initiatives, we currently anticipate moderately higher levels of capital expenditures and investment.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes our material contractual obligations as of November 30, 2014:

(millions of U.S. dollars)
Total
Less Than 1 Year
1 - 3 Years
3 - 5 Years
More Than 5 Years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Operating lease obligations (1)

$36.8


$8.4


$8.1


$4.6


$15.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Endorsement contracts (2)
13.6

6.7

5.0

0.8

1.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Long-term borrowings: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 Revolving loan
106.9

106.9




 Term loan due 2021
330.5




330.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Inventory purchases (4)
87.6

87.6




 
 
 
 
 
 
 Non-inventory purchases (4)
10.9

5.2

1.5

2.5

1.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total

$586.3


$214.8


$14.6


$7.9


$349.0


(1)
Future lease obligations are not recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited). The operating lease obligations for buildings and equipment expire at various dates through the fiscal year ended May 31, 2030. Certain of the leases contain renewal clauses for the extension of the lease for one or more renewal periods. Capital lease obligations are immaterial to the Company's financial statements.
(2)
The amounts listed for endorsement contracts represent approximate amounts of base compensation and minimum guaranteed royalty fees the Company is obligated to pay athletes, sports teams, and other endorsers of the Company’s products. Actual payments under some contracts may be higher than the amounts listed as these contracts provide for bonuses to be paid to the endorsers based upon certain achievements and/or royalties on product sales in future periods. Actual payments under some contracts may also be lower as these contracts include provisions for reduced payments if certain performance criteria are not met. In addition to the cash payments, the Company is obligated to furnish the endorsers with products for their use. It is not possible to determine how much the Company will spend on this product on an annual basis as the contracts do not stipulate a specific amount of cash to be spent on the product. The amount of product provided to the endorsers will depend on many factors including general playing conditions, the number of sporting events in which they participate, and the Company’s decisions regarding product and marketing initiatives. In addition, the costs to design, develop, source, and purchase the products furnished to the endorsers are incurred over a period of time and are not necessarily tracked separately from similar costs incurred for products sold to customers.
(3)
Amounts represent principal payments on outstanding debt. For more information, please refer to the "Indebtedness" section and the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and six months ended November 30, 2014.
(4)
Inventory and non-inventory purchase obligations include various commitments in the ordinary course of business that would include the purchase of goods or services that are not recognized in our unaudited condensed consolidated interim statements.


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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We enter into agreements with our manufacturing partners on tooling requirements for our manufactured products. These agreements form an important part of the Company's supply chain strategy and cash flow management. The following table summarizes our vendor tooling commitments as of November 30, 2014 and for Fiscal 2015:

(millions of U.S. dollars)
 
 
 
 
Vendor
Tooling acquisition value
Cost paid
Owed amounts as of November 30, 2014
Open purchase orders amortization value
Outstanding liability Fiscal 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Supplier A

$6.4


$4.5


$1.9


$0.3


$1.6

 Supplier B
5.9

4.8

1.1

0.1

1.0

 Supplier C
1.2

0.6

0.6

0.1

0.5

 Supplier D
0.6

0.5

0.1


0.1

 Supplier E
0.5

0.2

0.3


0.3

 Supplier F
0.2

0.1

0.1


0.1

 Supplier G
0.1

0.1




 Supplier H
0.1

0.1




 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total

$15.0


$10.9


$4.1


$0.5


$3.6


CONTINGENCIES

In connection with the Business Purchase from Nike, a subsidiary of Kohlberg Sports Group Inc. ("KSGI") agreed to pay additional consideration to Nike in future periods based upon the attainment of a qualifying exit event. As of November 30, 2014, the maximum potential future consideration pursuant to such arrangements, to be resolved on or before the eighth anniversary of April 16, 2008, is $10.0 million. As a condition to the acquisition in connection with the IPO, the Existing Holders entered into a reimbursement agreement with the Company pursuant to which each such Existing Holder has agreed to reimburse the Company, on a pro rata basis, in the event that the Company or any of its subsidiaries are obligated to make such a payment to Nike.

The Company previously entered into employment agreements with the former owners of Inaria in connection with the closing of the Inaria Acquisition. Included in the employment agreements are yearly performance bonuses payable in the event Inaria achieves gross profit targets in the period one to four years following the closing. These amounts will be accrued over the required service period. As of November 30, 2014, the potential undiscounted amount of the future payments that the Company could be required to make is between $0 and $2.0 million Canadian dollars.

In addition to the matters above, during the ordinary course of its business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings involving contractual and employment relationships, product liability claims, trademark rights and a variety of other matters. The Company does not believe there are any pending legal proceedings that will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

QUANTITIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET AND OTHER FINANCIAL RISKS

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign currency risk is the risk we incur due to fluctuating foreign exchange rates impacting our results of operations. We are exposed to foreign exchange rate risk driven by the fluctuations against the U.S. dollar of the currencies in which we collect our revenues: the Canadian dollar, euro, Swedish krona, Norwegian krona, and Danish krona. Our exposure also relates to debt held in Canadian dollars and purchases of goods and services in foreign currencies. While we purchase a majority of our products in U.S. dollars, we are exposed to cost variability due to fluctuations against the U.S. dollar of certain foreign currencies, primarily: the Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Taiwanese new dollar and Thai baht. We continuously monitor foreign exchange risk and have entered into various arrangements to mitigate our foreign currency risk.


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Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its Credit Facilities, as the rates are based on an index rate. The New Term Loan Facility is subject to a 1% floor when choosing the LIBOR rate. The Company actively monitors its risk and will enter into agreements to minimize risk accordingly.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is when the counterparty to a financial instrument or a customer fails to meet its contractual obligations, resulting in a financial loss to the Company. The counterparties to all derivative transactions are major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings. However, this does not eliminate the Company’s exposure to credit risk with these institutions. This credit risk is generally limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts should any of these counterparties fail to perform as contracted. To manage this risk, the Company has established strict counterparty credit guidelines that are continually monitored and reported to senior management according to specified guidelines.

We sell to a diverse customer base over a global geographic area. We evaluate collectability of specific customers’ receivables based on a variety of factors including currency risk, geopolitical risk, payment history, customer stability, and other economic factors. Collectability of receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis by management and the allowance for doubtful accounts is adjusted as required. Account balances are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts when we determine that it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. We believe that the geographic diversity of the customer base, combined with our established credit approval practices and ongoing monitoring of customer balances, mitigates the counterparty risk.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations. We continually monitor our actual and projected cash flows. We believe our cash flows generated from operations combined with our New ABL Facility provide sufficient funding to meet our obligations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amount of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The judgments and estimates are reviewed on an ongoing basis and estimates are revised and updated accordingly. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Significant areas requiring the use of judgment in application of accounting policies, assumptions, and estimates include fair value determination of assets and liabilities in connection with business combinations, fair valuation of financial instruments, impairment of non-financial assets, valuation allowances for receivables and inventory, amortization periods, provisions, employee benefits, share-based payment transactions, and income taxes.

We believe our critical accounting estimates are those related to acquisitions, valuation of derivatives, share-based payments, warranties, retirement benefit obligations, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, and impairment of non-financial assets. We consider these accounting estimates critical because they are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results, and they require us to make judgments and estimates about inherently uncertain matters.

Acquisitions

The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination is estimated based on information available at the date of the acquisition. The estimate of fair value of the acquired intangible assets (including goodwill), property, plant and equipment, and other assets, and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, as well as the useful lives of the acquired intangible assets and property, plant and equipment is based on assumptions. The measurement is largely based on projected cash flows, discount rates and market conditions at the date of acquisition.

Valuation of derivatives

In the valuation of the Company’s outstanding derivatives, foreign currency forward contracts and foreign exchange swaps, the fair value is based on current foreign exchange rates at each reporting date. Since the Company recognizes the fair value of these financial instruments on the consolidated statements of financial position and records changes in fair value in the current period earnings, these estimates will have a direct impact on the Company’s net income or loss for the period.


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Share-based payments

Accounting for the grant date fair value of stock option awards and the number of awards that are expected to vest is based on a number of assumptions and estimates, including the risk-free interest rate, expected share volatility, expected dividend yield, estimated forfeiture rates, and expected term. The calculation of the grant date fair value requires the input of highly subjective assumptions and changes in subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.

Warranties

Estimated future warranty costs are accrued and charged to cost of goods sold in the period in which revenues are recognized from the sale of goods. The recognized amount of future warranty costs is based on management’s best information and judgment and is based in part upon the Company’s historical experience. An increase in the provision for warranty costs, with a corresponding charge to earnings, is recorded in the period in which management estimates that additional warranty obligations are likely.

Retirement benefit obligations

Accounting for the costs of the defined benefit obligations is based on actuarial valuations. The present value of the defined benefit obligation recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position and the net financing charge recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income is dependent on current market interest rates of high quality, fixed rate debt securities. Other key assumptions within this calculation are based on market conditions or estimates of future events, including mortality rates. Since the determination of the costs and obligations associated with employee future benefits requires the use of various assumptions, there is measurement uncertainty inherent in the actuarial valuation process.

Depreciation and amortization

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions when determining the depreciation and amortization methods and rates, and residual values of equipment and intangible assets. Useful lives are based on historical experience with similar assets as well as anticipation of future events, which may impact their life, such as changes in technology. Management reviews amortization methods, rates, and residual values annually and adjusts amortization accordingly on a prospective basis.

Income taxes

The measurement of income taxes payable and deferred income tax assets and liabilities requires management to make judgments in the interpretation and application of the relevant tax laws. The actual amount of income taxes only becomes final upon filing and acceptance of the tax return by the relevant authorities, which occurs subsequent to the issuance of the financial statements. Judgments are also made by management to determine the likelihood of whether deferred income tax assets at the end of the reporting period will be realized from future taxable earnings.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Management exercises judgment in assessing whether there are indications that an asset may be impaired. In determining the recoverable amount of assets, in the absence of quoted market prices, impairment tests are based on estimates of discounted cash flow projections and other relevant assumptions. The assumptions used in the estimated discounted cash flow projections involve estimates and assumptions regarding discount rates, royalty rates, and long-term terminal growth rates. Differences in estimates could affect whether goodwill or intangible assets are in fact impaired and the dollar amount of that impairment.

STANDARDS ADOPTED

The following standards and amendments to existing standards have been adopted by the Company on June 1, 2014:

Financial Instruments: Presentation

The IASB issued amendments to IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation (“IAS 32”). IAS 32 applies to the classification of financial instruments, from the perspective of the issuer, into financial assets, financial liabilities and equity instruments; and the right for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities. A right to offset may be currently available or it may be contingent on a future event. An entity must have a legally enforceable right of set-off. The adoption of the amendments to IAS 32 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.


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Levies

In May 2013, International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations Committee Interpretation 21, Levies ("IFRIC 21") was issued. IFRIC 21 provides guidance on when to recognize a liability to pay a levy imposed by a government that is accounted for in accordance with IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. The adoption did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements.

Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets

The IASB issued amendments to IAS 36, Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets (“IAS 36”). IAS 36 clarifies the IASB’s original intention to require the disclosure of the recoverable amount of impaired assets as well as additional disclosures about the measurement of the recoverable amount of impaired assets. The adoption of the amendments to IAS 36 did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements.

FUTURE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Financial Instruments

The IASB issued IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”). IFRS 9 (2009) introduces new requirements for the classification and measurement of financial assets. Under IFRS 9 (2009), financial assets are classified and measured based on the business model in which they are held and the characteristics of their contractual cash flows. IFRS 9 (2010) introduces additional changes relating to financial liabilities. The IASB currently has an active project to make limited amendments to the classification and measurement requirements of IFRS 9 and add new requirements to address the impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. IFRS 9 (2013) introduces new requirements for hedge accounting that align hedge accounting more closely with risk management. The requirements also establish a more principles-based approach to hedge accounting and address inconsistencies and weaknesses in the hedge accounting model in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 would be annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and is to be applied retrospectively with the exception of the general hedging phase which is applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of, and when to adopt, IFRS 9.

Annual Improvements to IFRS 2010 – 2012 and 2011 – 2013 Cycles

In December 2013, the IASB issued narrow-scope amendments to a total of nine standards as part of its annual improvements process. Amendments were made to clarify items including the definition of vesting conditions in IFRS 2, Share-based Payment, disclosures on the aggregation of operating segments in IFRS 8, Operating Segments, measurement of short-term receivables and payables under IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement, definition of related party in IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures and other amendments. Special transitional requirements have been set for certain of these amendments. Most amendments will apply prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014, and earlier application is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential impact of the amendments.

Employee Benefits

In November 2013, the IASB published amendments to IAS 19, Employee Benefits (“IAS 19”). These amendments are to be applied retrospectively. IAS 19 requires an entity to consider contributions from employees or third parties when accounting for defined benefit plans, and requires such contributions that are linked to service to be attributed to periods of service as a negative benefit. The amendments to IAS 19 provide simplified accounting in certain situations. If the amount of contribution is independent of the number of years of service, an entity is permitted to recognize such contributions as a reduction in the service costs in the period in which the service is rendered, instead of allocating the contributions to the period’s service. The effective date for these amendments is annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential impact of the amendments.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”). The objective of this standard is to provide a five-step approach to revenue recognition that includes identifying contracts with customers, identifying performance obligations, determining transaction prices, allocating transaction prices to performance obligations and recognizing revenue when performance obligations are satisfied. The standard also expands current disclosure requirements. IFRS 15 is effective for

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annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and earlier application is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential impact of IFRS 15.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

This MD&A makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures. These non-IFRS measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. When used, these measures are defined in such terms as to allow the reconciliation to the closest IFRS measure. These measures are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the Company’s results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analyses of the Company’s financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS measures, such as Adjusted Net Income/Loss, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit, to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. We also use non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, prepare annual operating budgets, and to assess our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditure, and working capital requirements.

The definition and reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income/Loss, and Adjusted EPS used and presented by the Company to the most directly comparable IFRS measures follows below.

Adjusted Gross Profit

Adjusted Gross Profit is defined as gross profit plus the following expenses which are part of cost of goods sold: (i) amortization and depreciation of intangible assets, (ii) charges to cost of goods sold resulting from fair market value adjustments to inventory and other assets as a result of business acquisitions, (iii) reserves established to dispose of obsolete inventory acquired from acquisitions, and (iv) other one-time or non-cash items. We use Adjusted Gross Profit as a key performance measure to assess our core gross profit and as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of our cost of goods sold.

The table below provides the reconciliation of gross profit to Adjusted Gross Profit:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
November 30,
November 30,
 
2014
2013
2014
2013
(millions of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit

$55.9


$38.0


$119.9


$97.7

Amortization & depreciation of acquired assets (1)
3.6

0.9

6.8

1.8

Inventory step-up / step-down & reserves (2)
0.9

0.5

7.1

0.9

Other (3)
1.8

0.2

1.8

0.7

Adjusted Gross Profit

$62.2


$39.6


$135.6


$101.1


(1)
Upon completion of the Business Purchase from Nike in 2008, the Maverik Lacrosse Acquisition in 2010, the Cascade Acquisition in June 2012, the Inaria Acquisition in October 2012, the Combat Acquisition in May 2013, and the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition in April 2014, the Company capitalized acquired intangible assets and other assets at fair market value. These assets are amortized or depreciated, as appropriate, over their useful life and we recognize the amortization and depreciation as a non-cash cost of goods sold.
(2)
Upon completion of the Inaria, Combat Sports and Easton Baseball/Softball acquisitions, the Company adjusted Inaria’s, Combat Sports' and Easton Baseball/Softball's inventories to fair market value. Included in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, are charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair market value adjustment to inventory. This line also includes inventory reserves established to dispose of INARIA branded inventory in the three and six months ended November 30, 2013.
(3)
Other represents the impact of costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification for the three and six months ended November 30, 2014. For the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013, other represents the impact of the Canadian Tariff Reduction.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted for income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, losses related to amendments to the credit facilities, gain or loss on disposal of fixed assets, net interest expense, deferred financing fees, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, and realized and unrealized gains/losses related to foreign exchange revaluation, and

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before restructuring and other one-time or non-cash charges associated with acquisitions, other one time or non-cash items, pre-IPO sponsor fees, costs related to share offerings, as well as share-based payment expenses. We use Adjusted EBITDA as the key metric in assessing our business performance when we compare results to budgets, forecasts and prior years. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance and cash flow, and provides useful information to investors because it highlights trends in the business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures, and eliminates items that have less bearing on operating performance and cash flow. It is an alternative to measure business performance to net income and operating income, and management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a better measure of cash flow generation than, for example, cash flow from operations, particularly because it removes cash flow fluctuations caused by extraordinary changes in working capital. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management in the assessment of business performance and used by our Board of Directors as well as our lenders in assessing management’s performance. It is also the key metric in determining payments under incentive compensation plans.

The table below provides the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
November 30,
November 30,
 
2014
2013
2014
2013
(millions of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

$1.0


$3.4


$12.3


$24.7

Income tax expense (benefit)
1.6

1.6

5.8

10.6

Depreciation & amortization
5.4

2.2

10.4

4.4

Interest expense, net
4.0

1.3

8.6

3.0

Deferred financing fees
0.6

0.4

1.3

0.7

Unrealized (gain)/loss on derivative instruments, net (1)
(0.6
)
1.3

0.9

0.7

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss (1)
5.1

(0.4
)
7.1

(1.0
)
EBITDA

$17.1


$9.8


$46.4


$43.1

 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition Related Charges:
 
 
 
 
Inventory step-up / step-down & reserves (2)
0.9

0.5

7.1

0.9

Rebranding / integration costs (3)
1.1

0.5

3.5

1.9

Acquisition costs (4)
0.9

1.2

1.0

1.8

Subtotal

$2.9


$2.2


$11.6


$4.6

 
 
 
 
 
Costs related to share offerings (5)

0.4

0.1

0.4

 
 
 
 
 
Share-based payment expense
1.7

1.3

3.5

1.9

 
 
 
 
 
Other(6)
2.5

0.2

2.5

0.7

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA

$24.2


$13.9


$64.1


$50.7


(1)
The unrealized gain/loss on derivatives is the change in fair market value of the foreign exchange swaps, foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate contracts. The Company has not elected hedge accounting and therefore the changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized through profit or loss each reporting period. The foreign exchange gain/loss is the realized and unrealized gains and losses generated by the effect of foreign exchange on recorded assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different from the functional currency of the applicable entity, and is recorded in finance costs (income), as applicable, in the period incurred.
(2)
Upon completion of the Inaria, Combat Sports and Easton Baseball/Softball acquisitions, the Company adjusted Inaria’s, Combat Sports’ and Easton Baseball/Softball's inventories to fair market value. Included in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, are charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair market value adjustment to inventory.
(3)
The rebranding / integration costs for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 are associated with the integration of the Inaria, Combat Sports and Easton Baseball/Softball acquisitions. The rebranding / integration costs for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013 are associated with the integration of the Cascade, Inaria and Combat Sports acquisitions.
(4)
Acquisition-related transaction costs include legal, audit, and other consulting costs. The three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 include costs related to the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition and costs related to reviewing corporate opportunities. Acquisition-related transaction costs in the three and six month period ended November 30, 2013 include costs related to the Combat Acquisition and costs related to reviewing corporate opportunities.

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(5)
The costs related to share offerings include legal, audit, and other consulting costs incurred as part of the Kohlberg Offerings.
(6)
Other represents the impact of costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification for the three and six months ended November 30, 2014. For the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013, other represents the impact of the Canadian Tariff Reduction.

Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted EPS

Adjusted Net Income/Loss is defined as net income adjusted for all unrealized gains/losses related to derivative instruments and unrealized gains/losses related to foreign exchange revaluation, non-cash or incremental charges associated with acquisitions, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets for acquisitions since the IPO, costs related to share offerings, share-based payment expense and other non-cash or one-time items. Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted Net Income/Loss divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding. We use Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted EPS as key metrics for assessing our operational business performance and to assist with the planning and forecasting for the future operating results of the underlying business of the Company. We believe Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted EPS are useful information to investors because they highlight trends in the business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures.

The table below provides the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income/Loss and to Adjusted EPS:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
November 30,
November 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars,
2014
2013
2014
2013
except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

$1.0


$3.4


$12.3


$24.7

 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange loss / (gain) (1)
3.7

1.5

6.8

0.3

Costs related to share offerings

0.4

0.1

0.4

Acquisition-related charges (2)
6.2

2.8

18.0

5.9

Share-based payment expense
1.7

1.3

3.5

1.9

Other (3)
2.5

0.2

2.5

0.7

 
 
 
 
 
Tax impact on above items
(3.9
)
(2.1
)
(9.4
)
(3.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

$11.2


$7.5


$33.8


$30.7

 
 
 
 
 
Average diluted shares outstanding
46,659,728

37,292,366

45,459,179

36,887,031

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EPS
$0.24

$0.20

$0.74

$0.83


(1)
The foreign exchange loss/gain represents the unrealized gain/loss on derivatives and the unrealized portion of the foreign exchange gain/loss from the Adjusted EBITDA table. The unrealized portion of the foreign exchange gain/loss in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 was a loss of $4.4 million and $5.9 million, respectively. The unrealized portion of the foreign exchange gain/loss in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013 was a loss of $0.2 million and a gain of $0.4 million, respectively.
(2)
Acquisition-related charges include rebranding / integration costs, and legal, audit, and other consulting costs associated with acquisition transactions. In the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014, these charges relate to the Inaria, Combat Sports and Easton Baseball/Softball acquisitions and costs related to reviewing corporate opportunities. In the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013 these charges relate to the Cascade, Inaria and Combat Sports acquisitions and costs related to reviewing corporate opportunities. The charges also include amortization and depreciation of intangible assets and other assets in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 of $3.3 million and $6.4 million, respectively, and in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013 of $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, and charges to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair market value adjustment to inventory in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014 of $0.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively, and in the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013 of $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. This line also includes inventory reserves established to dispose of INARIA branded inventory in the three and six months ended November 30, 2013.
(3)
Other represents the impact of costs related to the lacrosse helmet decertification for the three and six months ended November 30, 2014. For the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2013, other represents the impact of the Canadian Tariff Reduction.


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CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three month period ended November 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this MD&A about our current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals, or achievements, or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. The words “may”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “trends”, “indicates”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “likely” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Discussions containing forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, under the ‘‘Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 Highlights’’, ‘‘Recent Events’’, and ‘‘Outlook’’ sections. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct.

Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements, future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors: inability to maintain and enhance brands, inability to introduce new and innovative products or enter into new markets on the anticipated timeline, intense competition in the sporting equipment and apparel industries, inability to introduce technical innovation, inability to own, enforce, defend and protect intellectual property rights worldwide, inability to ensure third-party suppliers will meet quality and regulatory standards, infringement of intellectual property rights of others, inability to successfully implement our strategic initiatives, including our profitability improvement initiative, inability to successfully open and operate "Own The Moment" retail experiences and to meet current profitability expectations, inability to successfully design products that satisfy the standards established by testing and athletic governing bodies, inability to adequately address the concerns and issues related to NOCSAE's decertification and suspension of our license, diminution of the goodwill associated with the EASTON and MAKO brands caused by licensed users or unauthorized users, inability to translate booking orders into realized sales, change in the mix or timing of orders placed by customers, seasonal fluctuations in the demand for our products resulting from adverse weather or other conditions, decrease in ice hockey, baseball and softball, roller hockey or lacrosse participation rates, adverse publicity related to or reduced popularity of the National Hockey League (‘‘NHL’’), Major League Baseball (‘‘MLB’’) or other professional or amateur leagues in sports in which our products are used, reliance on third-party suppliers and manufacturers, disruption of distribution chain or loss of significant customers or suppliers, imposition of new trade restrictions or existing trade restrictions becoming more burdensome, consolidation of our customer base (and the resulting possibility of lower gross margins due to negotiated lower prices), change in the sales mix towards larger customers, cost of raw materials, shipping costs and other cost pressures, risks associated with doing business abroad, inability to expand into international market segments, inability to accurately forecast demand for products, insufficient sell through of our products at retail, inventory shrinkage or excess inventory, product liability claims, product recalls, and license decertifications, changes in compliance standards of testing and athletic governing bodies, risks associated with our third-party suppliers and manufacturers failing to manufacture products that comply with all applicable laws and regulations, inability to source merchandise profitably in the event new trade restrictions are imposed or existing trade restrictions become more burdensome, departure of senior executives or other key personnel, including senior management of Easton Baseball/Softball, litigation, including certain class action lawsuits, employment or union-related disputes, disruption of information technology systems, potential environmental liabilities, restrictive covenants in the Credit Facilities, unanticipated levels of indebtedness, inability to generate sufficient cash to service all the Company’s indebtedness, inability to successfully integrate new acquisitions, such as Easton Baseball/Softball, inability to realize growth opportunities or cost synergies that are anticipated to result from new acquisitions, such as the Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition, inability to grow revenues each year faster than the total market for each of our sports, ability to forecast revenue growth for each of our sports, undisclosed liabilities acquired pursuant to recent acquisitions, significant transaction and related costs in connection with the integration of Easton Baseball/Softball, inability to continue making strategic acquisitions, possibility that judgments may be enforced against us, inability to grow market share, volatility in the market price for Common Shares, possibility that we may be declared a passive foreign investment company (‘‘PFIC’’) for United States tax purposes, possibility that we may need additional capital in the future, assertion that the acquisition of the Bauer business at the time of the IPO was an inversion transaction, conversions and potential future sales of Common Shares or Proportionate Voting Shares, our current intention not to pay cash dividends, conflicts of interests among investors, fluctuations in the value of certain foreign currencies, including the Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, euro, Swedish krona, Taiwanese new dollar and Thai baht in relation to the U.S. dollar, inability to manage foreign exchange

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derivative instruments, general adverse economic and market conditions, changes in consumer preferences and the difficulty in anticipating or forecasting those changes, changes in government regulations, including tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities, inability of counterparties and customers to meet their financial obligations, and natural disasters, as well as the factors identified in the “Risk Factors” section of this MD&A and the Company's Annual Information Form dated August 27, 2014 and the "Risk Factors" section of this MD&A. Such factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect us; however, these factors should be considered carefully.

The purpose of the forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of management’s expectations regarding the Company’s financial performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made herein. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are made as of January 14, 2015, and we have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

We have obtained the market and industry data presented in this MD&A from a combination of: (i) internal company surveys and commissioned reports, (ii) third-party information, including from independent industry publications and reports, such as the SFIA, (iii) publicly available sport participation surveys from national sport organizations or governing bodies, including Hockey Canada, the IIHF, USA Hockey, US Lacrosse, USA Baseball, and FIFA, and (iv) the estimates of the Company’s management team. As there are limited sources that report on ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball and softball equipment and related apparel markets, including soccer apparel, much of the industry and market data presented in this MD&A is based on internally generated management estimates by the Company, including estimates based on extrapolations from third-party surveys of ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball equipment and related apparel markets, including soccer apparel, as well as publicly available sport participation surveys. While we believe our internal surveys, third-party information, publicly available sport participation surveys and estimates of our management are reliable, we have not verified them, nor have they been verified by any independent sources. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this MD&A, such data involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors, including those factors discussed under “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”. References to market share data and market size in this MD&A are based on wholesale net revenues unless otherwise indicated.

To the extent market and industry data contained in this MD&A is referenced as a “management estimate” or qualified by phrases such as “we believe” or comparable words or phrases, we have internally generated such data by using a variety of methodologies. With respect to unregistered ice hockey player participation, we have relied on a combination of available external sources and assumed registered-to-unregistered player ratios in the major ice hockey markets. With respect to market size and market share data, we have relied on our internal sales figures and have estimated the sales figures of our competitors using the following data: (i) sales data supplied by major suppliers who participate in voluntary surveys, (ii) cross-references to participation rates and estimates of equipment replacement rates by consumers, (iii) available public reports from competitors (such as Easton Hockey and Reebok), largely to confirm industry trends, and (iv) retail surveys. Certain market and industry data estimated by us are based on, or take into account, assumptions made by us in light of our experience of historical trends, current conditions, as well as other factors. Although we believe such assumptions to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions are entirely accurate or correct. The purpose of using internal estimates is to provide the reader with important information concerning the industries in which we compete and our relative performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers should not place undue reliance on internal estimates made herein. The internal estimates contained in this MD&A are expressly qualified by this paragraph.

RISK FACTORS

For a detailed description of risk factors associated with the Company, refer to the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated August 27, 2014. Other than as described below, the Company is not aware of any other significant changes to the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed at that time.

We may not be successful in designing and manufacturing products that satisfy the standards established by testing and athletic governing bodies, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our success depends on, among other things, the value and reputation of our brands. Negative publicity regarding any of our brands or products, including in connection with the decertification of the CASCADE R model lacrosse helmet and the suspension of our license to use the NOCSAE logo on our other CASCADE helmets, could adversely affect PSG’s reputation and sales. There

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can be no assurance that our products will continue to satisfy, and future products will satisfy, the standards established by testing and athletic governing bodies, that our in-house testing equipment will produce the same results as the equipment used by the applicable testing bodies, athletic organizations and governing bodies or that existing standards or testing protocols will not be interpreted and altered in ways or at times that adversely affect our brands and the sales of our products. Any failure to comply with applicable standards or resolve identified issues with applicable governing bodies could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Our products also expose us to warranty claims and product liability claims, class action lawsuits and regulatory investigations, in the event that products designed, manufactured or sold by us actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected, or the use of those products results, or is alleged to result, in personal injury, death or property damage.

We may not be able to adequately address the concerns and issues related to NOCSAE’s suspension of our license to use the NOSCAE logo on lacrosse helmet models, other than the CASCADE R model, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We face ongoing costs and expenses associated with the modification of the CASCADE R model lacrosse helmet and related steps undertaken to meet NOCSAE certification standards and address consumer returns, exchanges, warranty claims, class action lawsuits and regulatory investigations. Furthermore, our results of operation could be materially harmed if we experience or become aware of additional products being decertified or in the event NOCSAE declines to fully reinstate our license to use the NOCSAE logo on our other lacrosse helmet models and we are unable to resume production of such models. Such product issues can harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers, particularly if those issues cause consumers to question the safety or reliability of our products.
We may not be able to successfully open and operate "Own The Moment" retail experiences, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our ability to successfully open and operate "Own The Moment" retail experiences as and when contemplated (see the "Recent Events" and "Outlook" sections) depends on many factors, including, among others, our ability to identify and secure suitable locations; negotiate acceptable lease terms; hire, train and retain store personnel with the appropriate expertise; immerse new store personnel into our corporate culture; stock sufficient inventory levels; and successfully integrate new stores into our existing company operations and information technology systems.

Our new "Own The Moment" retail experiences will also generally be subject to the risks associated with operating in a retail environment, including, among others, the following: risks associated with leasing real estate as our "Own The Moment" retail experiences are, and will be, leased; changing customer demographics, which may result in the planned locations of our "Own The Moment" retail experiences becoming less attractive; social or economic conditions where our "Own The Moment" retail experiences are expected to be located could decline in the future, thus resulting in potentially reduced sales at those locations; intense competition in the retail hockey equipment industry with the industry being fragmented with respect to product level and brand selection, price points, physical store formats, customer experience and service and location being the principal competitive factors; changing customer demands, shopping patterns or preferences with customers having a number of shopping alternatives, including eCommerce shopping alternatives; potential breaches of customer, employee or company data, which could attract a substantial amount of media attention, damage our customer relationships and reputation and result in lost sales, potential fines or lawsuits; and extreme or unseasonable weather conditions in the areas in which our "Own The Moment" retail experiences are expected to be located.

Furthermore, failure to design, integrate and/or execute our plans for our new "Own The Moment" retail experiences may result in, among other things, incremental financial expenditures, loss of capital investment, divergence of management time and resources, potential disruption or impact on our relationship with existing retail partners and negative customer experiences and related impressions with our brand.

Our strategic initiatives are subject to numerous assumptions and factors, many of which are outside our control, and there are no assurances that such initiatives will be realized or on the anticipated timeline

In order to operate our business, achieve our goals and remain competitive, the Company continuously seeks to identify and devise, invest in, implement and pursue strategic, business, technological and other important initiatives. These initiatives, including activities relating to their development and implementation, may be adversely impacted by a wide range of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such factors include those relating to foreign exchange rates, labor issues or wage increases, liquidity, competition, cost of raw materials and commodities, unanticipated expenses, economic conditions (including inflationary risk), the performance of third parties (including suppliers), the implementation and integration of such initiatives into the Company’s other activities and processes as well as the adoption and acceptance of these initiatives by the Company’s customers, suppliers, employees and personnel.

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In October 2014, the Company launched a profitability improvement initiative aimed at securing increased efficiency, product cost reductions, inventory quality improvements and improvements in the overall effectiveness of the Company’s supply chain, with the goal of realizing approximately $30 million of increased profitability within five years (excluding certain non-recurring costs or one-time costs that may be required to implement some of these initiatives). Despite the Company’s plans and objectives, the Company may not be able to successfully achieve its target goal within the five year time period or fully realize the underlying objectives of its profitability improvement initiative, including those which seek to decrease costs, improve service levels throughout the Company’s supply chain or promote efficiencies.

The Company’s profitability improvement initiative is based on current market conditions and reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses, beliefs and opinions of Management, including, but not limited to certain macro-economic factors, such as currency rates, as well as labor, raw material and other input costs remaining at or near current levels, which Management believes to be relevant as of the date hereof, but are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that the Company’s assumptions, estimates, analyses, beliefs and opinions may not be correct and that the Company’s expectations, goals and initiatives will not be achieved.

A delay or failure to sufficiently and successfully identify and devise, invest in or implement any of the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the profitability improvement initiative, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate its business, achieve its goals and remain competitive and could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information relating to the Company, including continuous disclosure documents, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

COMMON SHARE TRADING INFORMATION

The Company’s Common Shares are dual listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the stock symbol “PSG”. As of January 14, 2015, the Company had the equivalent of 44,571,836 Common Shares issued and outstanding (42,852,836 Common Shares and 1,719 Proportionate Voting Shares), assuming the conversion of the Proportionate Voting Shares issued to Common Shares on the basis of 1,000 Common Shares for one Proportionate Voting Share. Assuming exercise of all outstanding stock options, there would be the equivalent of 51,153,468 Common Shares issued and outstanding (assuming conversion) on a fully diluted basis as of January 14, 2015.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Adjusted EBITDA” has the meaning set out under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

“Adjusted EPS” has the meaning set out under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

Adjusted Gross Profit” has the meaning set out under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

“Adjusted Net Income/Loss” has the meaning set out under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”.

Amended Credit Facility” means the amended senior secured credit facility entered into by the Borrowers with a syndicate of financial institutions, dated June 29, 2012 and comprised of (i) the Amended Term Loan, and (ii) the Amended Revolving Loan, which have subsequently been replaced by the Credit Facilities.

Amended Revolving Loan” means the $145.0 million revolving loan, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars, which together with the Amended Term Loan comprises the Amended Credit Facility, which has subsequently been replaced by the New ABL Facility.

Amended Term Loan” means the $130.0 million term loan, denominated in both Canadian and U.S. dollars, which together with the Amended Revolving Loan comprises the Amended Credit Facility, which has subsequently been replaced by the New Term Loan Facility.

Bauer Business” means the business as currently carried on by Bauer Hockey Corp., Bauer Hockey, Inc. and their respective subsidiaries, consisting of, among other things, the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of performance sports products for ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball, and related apparel, including soccer apparel.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of Performance Sports Group Ltd.

“Borrowers” means, collectively, Bauer Hockey Corp. and Bauer Hockey, Inc.

“Bureau” means Canada's Competition Bureau.

Business Purchase from Nike” means the purchase of the Bauer Business by the Existing Holders from Nike on April 16, 2008.

Canadian ABL Borrowers” means, collectively, Bauer Hockey Corp. and its Canadian subsidiaries.

“Canadian Tariff Reduction” means the reduction of import tariffs on certain hockey equipment effective as of April 1, 2013.

“Cascade” means Cascade Helmets Holdings, Inc., which as a result of the Lacrosse Entities Reorganization completed on December 31, 2012, merged with the Company’s other lacrosse subsidiaries and holding entities.

“Cascade Acquisition” means the acquisition of Cascade completed on June 29, 2012.

“CODM” means Chief Operating Decision Maker.

“Combat Sports” means the Combat Sports business.

“Combat Acquisition” means the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Combat Sports completed on May 3, 2013.

Common Shares” means the common shares of the Company.

“Company” means Performance Sports Group Ltd., formerly Bauer Performance Sports Ltd.

“CPSC” means the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“Credit Facilities” means the New Term Loan Facility and the New ABL Facility entered into by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries on April 15, 2014.

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“Credit Facility” means the amended and restated senior secured credit facility entered into by the Borrowers with a syndicate of financial institutions, dated March 10, 2011, and comprised of (i) the Term Loan and (ii) the Revolving Loan, which have subsequently been replaced by the Amended Credit Facility.

“Easton” means Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.

“Easton Baseball/Softball” means the Easton baseball and softball business and the assets formerly used in Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s (now named BRG Sports, Inc.) lacrosse business.

Easton Baseball/Softball Acquisition” means the acquisition of Easton Baseball/Softball.

Existing Holders” means the former security holders of KSGI who sold KSGI and its subsidiaries to the Company on March 10, 2011 pursuant to the acquisition agreement dated March 3, 2011.

“FIFA” means the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football).

“Fiscal 2014” means the Company’s fiscal year ended May 31, 2014.

“Fiscal 2015” means the Company’s fiscal year ending May 31, 2015.

“Fiscal 2016” means the Company’s fiscal year ending May 31, 2016.

gross profit margin” means gross profit divided by revenues.

“HECC” means the Hockey Equipment Certification Council.

“Hockey Canada” means the Canadian Hockey Association.

“IAS” means the International Accounting Standards.

“IAS 1” means IAS 1, Financial Statement Presentation.

“IAS 19” means IAS 19, Employee Benefits.

“IAS 32” means IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation.

“IAS 36“ means IAS 36, Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets

“IASB” means the International Accounting Standards Board.

“IFRIC 21” means International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations Committee Interpretation 21, Levies.

“IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards.

“IFRS 9” means IFRS 9, Financial Instruments.

“IFRS 10” means IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements.

“IFRS 12” means IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities.

“IFRS 13” means IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurements.

“IFRS 15“ means IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

“IIHF” means the International Ice Hockey Federation.

“Inaria” means Inaria International, Inc.


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“Inaria Acquisition” means the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Inaria completed on October 16, 2012.

“IPO” means the initial public offering of Common Shares of the Company in Canada completed on March 10, 2011.

Kohlberg Funds” means, collectively, Kohlberg TE Investors VI, LP, Kohlberg Investors VI, LP, Kohlberg Partners VI, LP, and KOCO Investors VI, LP, each of which are Existing Holders and funds managed by Kohlberg Management VI, LLC.

Kohlberg Offerings” means the secondary offerings of Common Shares completed by the Kohlberg Funds on October 17, 2012, February 6, 2013 and November 1, 2013.

“KSGI” means Kohlberg Sports Group Inc.

‘‘Lacrosse Entities Reorganization’’ means the reorganization of the Company’s lacrosse operating entities and holding bodies, including Cascade Helmets Holdings, Inc. and Maverik Lacrosse LLC, which was completed on December 31, 2012.

‘‘Lacrosse helmet decertification’’ means the decertification of the CASCADE R helmet in November 2014.

“MLB” means Major League Baseball.

“MLL” means Major League Lacrosse.

“Maverik” means Maverik Lacrosse LLC, which as a result of the Lacrosse Entities Reorganization completed on December 31, 2012, merged with the Company’s other lacrosse subsidiaries and holding entities.

Maverik Lacrosse Acquisition” means the acquisition of Maverik in June 2010.

“MD&A” means this management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2014.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services.

“NCAA” means the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“New ABL Facility” means the revolving, non-amortizing asset-based credit facility entered into by the Canadian ABL Borrowers and the U.S. ABL Borrowers with a syndicate of financial institutions, dated April 15, 2014.

“New Term Loan Facility” means the amortizing term credit facility entered into by and among the Company with a syndicate of financial institutions, dated April 15, 2014.

NHL” means the National Hockey League.

Nike” means NIKE, Inc., including its affiliates, as applicable.

“NLL” means the National Lacrosse League.

“NOCSAE” means the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.

“PLG” means Performance Lacrosse Group Inc.

Proportionate Voting Shares” means the proportionate voting shares of the Company.

“Purchase Agreement” means the definitive asset purchase agreement entered into on February 13, 2014 with BRG Sports, Inc. to acquire substantially all of the assets and assume certain liabilities relating to Easton Baseball/Softball.

“R&D” means research and development.

Reebok” means Reebok International Ltd., a subsidiary of Adidas AG.


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“Revolving Loan” means the $100.0 million revolving loan, denominated in both Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars, which together with the Term Loan comprised the former Credit Facility.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

“SFIA” means the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.

“SG&A” means selling, general and administrative.

“Term Loan” means the $100.0 million term loan, denominated in both Canadian and U.S. dollars, which together with the Revolving Loan comprised the former Credit Facility.

“USA Hockey” means USA Hockey, Inc.

“U.S. ABL Borrowers” means, collectively, Bauer Hockey, Inc. and its U.S. subsidiaries.

“U.S. IPO” means the underwritten public offering of Common Shares in the United States and Canada completed on June 25, 2014.

U.S. Lacrosse” means US Lacrosse, Inc.

WBSC” means the World Baseball Softball Confederation.


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