UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C.  20549 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2016
 or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number 001-34956
CONN'S, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
06-1672840
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
 
 
4055 Technology Forest Blvd, Suite 210, The Woodlands, TX
 
77381
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (936) 230-5899
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  ý   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ý   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
 
Accelerated filer
o
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  o   No ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of September 1, 2016
Class
 
Outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
30,778,299



CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q
FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page No.
PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
PART II.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes our trademarks such as "Conn's," "Conn's HomePlus," "YES Money," "YE$ Money," and our logos, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are the property of Conn's, Inc. This report also contains trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references to "Conn's," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to the consolidated business operations of Conn's, Inc., its consolidated VIEs, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.



PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
 
July 31,
2016
 
January 31,
2016
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
15,535

 
$
12,254

Restricted cash (all held by VIEs)
70,981

 
64,151

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowances (includes balances for VIEs of $499,385 and $390,150, respectively)
733,718

 
743,931

Other accounts receivable
82,924

 
95,404

Inventories
191,642

 
201,969

Income taxes recoverable
19,700

 
10,774

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
16,482

 
20,092

Total current assets
1,130,982

 
1,148,575

Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowances (includes balances for VIEs of $276,967 and $331,254, respectively)
586,870

 
631,645

Long-term restricted cash (all held by VIEs)
25,002

 
14,425

Property and equipment, net
174,815

 
151,483

Deferred income taxes
70,919

 
70,219

Other assets
8,590

 
8,953

Total assets
$
1,997,178

 
$
2,025,300

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Current maturities of capital lease obligations
$
761

 
$
799

Accounts payable
117,628

 
86,797

Accrued compensation and related expenses
12,140

 
9,337

Accrued expenses
34,363

 
30,037

Income taxes payable
1,692

 
2,823

Deferred revenues and other credits
19,701

 
16,332

Total current liabilities
186,285

 
146,125

Deferred rent
88,452

 
74,559

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (includes balances of VIEs of $662,011 and $699,515, respectively)
1,181,948

 
1,248,879

Other long-term liabilities
20,853

 
17,456

Total liabilities
1,477,538

 
1,487,019

Commitments and contingencies
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding)

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 30,775 and 30,630 shares issued, respectively)
308

 
306

Additional paid-in capital
88,239

 
85,209

Retained earnings
431,093

 
452,766

Total stockholders' equity
519,640

 
538,281

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,997,178

 
$
2,025,300

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product sales
$
299,723

 
$
293,739

 
$
586,213

 
$
565,365

Repair service agreement commissions
28,310

 
27,756

 
56,495

 
51,552

Service revenues
3,966

 
3,451

 
7,833

 
6,508

Total net sales
331,999

 
324,946

 
650,541

 
623,425

Finance charges and other revenues
66,158

 
71,104

 
136,729

 
137,701

Total revenues
398,157

 
396,050

 
787,270

 
761,126

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
208,869

 
202,461

 
413,335

 
389,594

Selling, general and administrative expenses
119,846

 
104,832

 
233,093

 
200,507

Provision for bad debts
60,196

 
51,646

 
118,414

 
99,189

Charges and credits
2,895

 
1,013

 
3,421

 
1,632

Total costs and expenses
391,806

 
359,952

 
768,263

 
690,922

Operating income
6,351

 
36,098

 
19,007

 
70,204

Interest expense
24,138

 
10,055

 
50,034

 
19,483

Income (loss) before income taxes
(17,787
)
 
26,043

 
(31,027
)
 
50,721

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(5,863
)
 
9,505

 
(9,354
)
 
18,506

Net income (loss)
$
(11,924
)
 
$
16,538

 
$
(21,673
)
 
$
32,215

Earnings (loss) per share:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.39
)
 
$
0.45

 
$
(0.71
)
 
$
0.88

Diluted
$
(0.39
)
 
$
0.45

 
$
(0.71
)
 
$
0.87

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
30,731

 
36,466

 
30,696

 
36,416

Diluted
30,731

 
37,042

 
30,696

 
36,967

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(21,673
)
 
$
32,215

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation
13,773

 
10,579

Impairments of long-lived assets
1,385

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs
13,812

 
1,666

Provision for bad debts and uncollectible interest
133,084

 
116,217

Stock-based compensation expense
2,886

 
1,805

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
(1
)
 
(474
)
Charges, net of credits, for store and facility closures

 
425

Deferred income taxes
(700
)
 
(10,346
)
Gain on sale of property and equipment
(180
)
 
(517
)
Tenant improvement allowances received from landlords
18,860

 
7,212

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Customer accounts receivable
(78,096
)
 
(183,881
)
Other accounts receivable
5,751

 
(7,580
)
Inventories
10,327

 
(14,509
)
Other assets
(1,213
)
 
201

Accounts payable
28,831

 
23,658

Accrued expenses
6,782

 
507

Income taxes
(10,489
)
 
10,086

Deferred rent, revenues and other credits
8,759

 
(710
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
131,898

 
(13,446
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchase of property and equipment
(32,020
)
 
(29,656
)
Proceeds from sale of property
686

 
35

Net cash used in investing activities
(31,334
)
 
(29,621
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes
493,540

 

Payments on asset-backed notes
(537,819
)
 

Changes in restricted cash balances
(17,406
)
 

Borrowings from revolving credit facility
405,378

 
220,246

Payments on revolving credit facility
(435,085
)
 
(184,450
)
Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees
(6,089
)
 

Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans
618

 
1,688

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
1

 
474

Other
(421
)
 
(246
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(97,283
)
 
37,712

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
3,281

 
(5,355
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
12,254

 
12,223

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
15,535

 
$
6,868

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Capital lease asset additions and related obligations
$

 
$
1,720

Property and equipment purchases not yet paid
$
6,476

 
$
3,406

Supplemental cash flow data:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
$
38,403

 
$
17,838

Cash income taxes paid, net
$
1,816

 
$
18,330

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Business. Conn's is a leading specialty retailer that offers a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to a proprietary credit solution for its core credit constrained consumers. We operate an integrated and scalable business through our retail stores and website. Our complementary product offerings include furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products from leading global brands across a wide range of price points. Our credit offering provides financing solutions to a large, under-served population of credit constrained consumers who typically have limited banking options.
We operate two reportable segments: retail and credit. Our retail stores bear the "Conn's" or "Conn's HomePlus" name with all of our stores providing the same products and services to a common customer group. Our stores follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations. Our retail business and credit business are operated independently from each other. The credit segment is dedicated to providing short- and medium-term financing for our retail customers. The retail segment is not involved in credit approval decisions. Our management evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating results of the retail and credit segments.
Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements of Conn's, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the VIEs (as defined below), have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, we do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. The balance sheet at January 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 , filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 29, 2016 .
Variable Interest Entities. In September 2015, we securitized $1.4 billion of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2015 VIE"). The 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes at a face amount of $1.12 billion secured by the transferred portfolio balance, which resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $1.08 billion , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility, to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock and Senior Notes, and for other general corporate purposes.
In March 2016, we securitized $705.1 million of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a new bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2016 VIE" or together with the 2015 VIE, the "VIEs"). The 2016 VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $493.5 million secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $478.0 million , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2016 VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.
We currently hold the residual equity of the VIEs as well as a third class of asset-backed notes of the 2016 VIE, of which we may elect to retain all or a portion of these interests if that is determined to be in our best economic interest. In addition, we retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios. We determined that we have a variable interest in both VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary because (i) our servicing responsibilities for the securitized portfolios give us the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIEs, and (ii) our variable interest in the VIEs gives us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns that could potentially be significant. As a result, so long as we hold all or a significant portion of the residual equity of the VIEs and the third class of asset-backed notes of the 2016 VIE, we will consolidate the VIEs within our financial statements. If we sell all or a significant portion of our interest, we will assess if the transaction achieves sale treatment for accounting purposes, which may result in deconsolidation of one or both of the VIEs. There is no assurance that we will complete a sale of all or a portion of our interest in the VIEs, and there is no assurance we will achieve sale treatment. As a result, we have determined that the securitized portfolios do not meet the criteria for treatment as an asset held for sale, which would require recording at the lower of cost, net of allowances, or fair value. We have not made an adjustment to the customer accounts receivable balance as a result of the transaction or in anticipation of any gain or loss that may occur should a sale of our interest in the VIEs be completed.

4

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Conn's, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the VIEs. Conn's, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.
Accounting Policies. The complete summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The allowance for doubtful accounts, allowances for no-interest option credit programs, and deferred interest are particularly sensitive given the size of our customer portfolio balance. During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , we revised our methods for calculating these estimates and recorded the following adjustments as a result of changes to our estimates:
Allowance for doubtful accounts – We adjusted our allowances for doubtful accounts in two respects in connection with changes in estimates to our sales tax recovery for charged-off accounts. First, we revised our estimate of the amount of sales tax recovery for previously charged-off accounts that we expect to claim with particular taxing jurisdictions, based on updated financial information. We reduced our sales tax receivable by $3.9 million , which resulted in higher net charge-offs and an increase to our provision for bad debts. Second, we updated our estimate of the amount of sales tax recovery associated with expected charge-offs over the next twelve months in estimating our allowance for doubtful accounts and recorded an additional allowance of $1.1 million with an increase in our provision for bad debts.
Allowances for no-interest option credit programs – We revised our estimate of the interest income to be waived for customers that we expect will comply with our no-interest option credit programs based on specific customer loan information rather than information from pooled loans by origination. We recorded an increase in the allowance for no-interest option credit programs of $4.7 million with a corresponding decrease in interest income and fees.
Deferred interest – We revised our estimate of the timing of the benefit we recognize to interest income related to our assumptions regarding future prepayments based on our historical experience of the timing of expected prepayments over the remaining life of pooled loans. We changed our estimate to consider a greater number of pools based on origination terms and recorded an increase in deferred interest of $3.5 million with a corresponding decrease in interest income and fees.
Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the potential dilutive effects of any stock-based awards, which is calculated using the treasury-stock method. The following table sets forth the shares outstanding used for the earnings per share calculations:
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic
30,731

 
36,466

 
30,696

 
36,416

Dilutive effect of stock based awards

 
576

 

 
551

Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted
30,731

 
37,042

 
30,696

 
36,967

For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the weighted average number of shares from stock based awards not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect was approximately 1.3 million and 69,000 shares, respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the weighted average number of shares from stock based awards not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect was approximately 1.0 million and 0.2 million shares, respectively.
Restricted Cash. The restricted cash balance as of July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 includes $71.0 million and $64.2 million , respectively, of cash we collected as servicer on the securitized receivables that was remitted to the VIEs and $ 25.0 million and $14.4 million , respectively, of cash held by the VIEs as additional collateral for the asset-backed notes.

5

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Customer accounts receivable.  Customer accounts receivable reported in the consolidated balance sheet includes total receivables managed, including those transferred to the VIEs and those receivables not transferred to the VIEs. Customer accounts receivable are originated at the time of sale and delivery of the various products and services. Based on contractual terms, we record the amount of principal and accrued interest on customer receivables that is expected to be collected within the next twelve months in current assets with the remaining balance in long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Customer receivables are considered delinquent if a payment has not been received on the scheduled due date. Accounts that are delinquent more than 209 days as of the end of a month are charged-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts and interest accrued subsequent to the last payment is reversed and charged against the allowance for uncollectible interest.
In an effort to mitigate losses on our accounts receivable, we may make loan modifications to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. In our role as servicer, we may also make modifications to loans held by the VIEs. The loan modifications are intended to maximize net cash flow after expenses and avoid the need to repossess collateral or exercise legal remedies available to us. We may extend or "re-age" a portion of our customer accounts, which involve modifying the payment terms to defer a portion of the cash payments due. Our re-aging of customer accounts does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer and typically does not reduce the monthly contractual payments. To a much lesser extent, we may provide the customer the ability to re-age their obligation by refinancing the account, which does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer but does reduce the monthly contractual payments and extends the term. We consider accounts that have been re-aged in excess of three months or refinanced as Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDR" or "Restructured Accounts"). 
Allowance for doubtful accounts. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts, including estimated uncollectible interest, to cover probable and estimable losses on our customer accounts receivable resulting from the failure of customers to make contractual payments. Our customer portfolio balance consists of a large number of relatively small, homogeneous accounts. None of our accounts are large enough to warrant individual evaluation for impairment.
We record an allowance for doubtful accounts for our non-TDR customer accounts receivable that we expect to charge-off over the next twelve months based on our historical cash collection and net loss experience. In addition to pre-charge-off cash collections and charge-off information, estimates of post-charge-off recoveries, including cash payments from customers, amounts realized from the repossession of the products financed, sales tax recoveries from taxing jurisdictions, and payments received under credit insurance policies are also considered.
We determine allowances for those accounts that are TDR based on the discounted present value of cash flows expected to be collected over the life of those accounts. The excess of the carrying amount over the discounted cash flow amount is recorded as an allowance for loss on those accounts.
Interest income on customer accounts receivable.   Interest income is accrued using the interest method for installment contracts and is reflected in finance charges and other revenues. Typically, interest income is accrued until the customer account is paid off or charged-off, and we provide an allowance for estimated uncollectible interest. Interest income on installment contracts with our customers is based on the rule of 78s. In order to convert the interest income recognized to the interest method, we have recorded the excess earnings of rule of 78s over the interest method as deferred revenue on our balance sheets. Our calculation of interest income also includes an estimate of the benefit from future prepayments based on our historical experience of the timing of expected prepayments over the remaining life of pooled loans. At July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , there were $8.9 million and $5.2 million , respectively, of deferred interest included in deferred revenues and other credits and other long-term liabilities. The deferred interest will ultimately be brought into income as the accounts pay off or charge-off.
We offer 12-month, no-interest finance programs. If the customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment or does not repay the principal in full by the end of the no-interest program period (grace periods are provided), the account does not qualify for the no-interest provision and none of the interest earned is waived. Interest income is recognized based on estimated accrued interest earned to date on all 12-month, no-interest finance programs with an offsetting reserve for those customers expected to satisfy the requirements of the program based on our historical experience.
We previously offered 18- and 24-month equal-payment, no-interest finance programs to certain higher credit quality borrowers, which were discounted to their present value at origination, resulting in a reduction in sales and customer receivables, and the discount amount is amortized into finance charges and other revenues over the term of the contract. If a customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment (grace periods are provided), the account begins accruing interest based on the contract rate from the date of the last payment made.
We recognize interest income on TDR accounts using the interest income method, which requires reporting interest income equal to the increase in the net carrying amount of the loan attributable to the passage of time. Cash proceeds and other adjustments are applied to the net carrying amount such that it equals the present value of expected future cash flows.
We typically only place accounts in non-accrual status when legally required. Payments received on non-accrual loans will be applied to principal and reduce the amount of the loan. Interest accrual is resumed on those accounts once a legally-mandated settlement arrangement is reached or other payment arrangements are made with the customer. At July 31, 2016 and January 31,

6

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


2016 , customer receivables carried in non-accrual status were $24.4 million and $20.6 million , respectively. At July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , customer receivables that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaled $104.7 million and $115.1 million , respectively.
Income Taxes. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 , we utilized the estimated annual effective tax rate in determining income tax expense rather than the actual effective tax rate (discrete method), which we used for the three months ended April 30, 2016, based on our updated estimated fiscal 2017 pre-tax income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized using defined hierarchical levels related to subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair value measurements as follows:  
Level 1 – Quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Pricing inputs not quoted in active markets but either directly or indirectly observable
Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing that have little or no transparency with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of customer accounts receivables, determined using a Level 3 discounted cash flow analysis, approximates their carrying amount. The fair value of our revolving credit facility approximates carrying value based on the current borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements. At July 31, 2016 , the fair value of our Senior Notes, which was determined using Level 1 inputs, was $175.9 million as compared to the carrying value of $227.0 million , excluding the impact of the related discount. At July 31, 2016 , the fair value of the VIE's Class A Notes and Class B Notes, which were determined using Level 2 inputs based on inactive trading activity, approximates their carrying value.
Reclassifications.  Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. On the consolidated balance sheets, as of January 31, 2016 , we reclassified cash held by the VIEs as additional collateral for the asset-backed notes out of current restricted cash and separately presented as long-term restricted cash. These reclassifications did not impact consolidated operating income or net income.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which provides a single comprehensive accounting standard for revenue recognition for contracts with customers and supersedes current guidance. Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09, entities are required to recognize revenue using the following comprehensive model: (1) identify contracts with customers, (2) identify the performance obligations in contracts, (3) determine transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (5) recognize revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of Effective Date , which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and allows early adoption on a limited basis. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and will result in retrospective application, either in the form of recasting all prior periods presented or a cumulative adjustment to equity in the period of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will change how lessees account for leases. For most leases, a liability will be recorded on the balance sheet based on the present value of future lease obligations with a corresponding right-of-use asset. Primarily for those leases currently classified by us as operating leases, we will recognize a single lease cost on a straight line basis based on the combined amortization of the lease obligation and the right-of-use asset. Other leases will be required to be accounted for as financing arrangements similar to how we currently account for capital leases. On transition, we will recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which modifies the accounting for excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with share-based payments, the accounting for forfeitures, and the classification of certain items on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 eliminates the requirement to recognize excess tax benefits in additional paid-in capital ("APIC"), and the requirement to evaluate tax deficiencies for APIC or income tax expense classification, and provides for these benefits or deficiencies to be recorded as an income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. With these changes, tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments will be classified as operating activities as opposed to financing, as currently presented. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.

7

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses . ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, and earlier adoption is permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. We are currently assessing the impact the new standard will have on our financial statements.
2.     Charges and Credits
Charges and credits consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Store and facility closure costs
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
425

Impairments from disposals
1,385

 

 
1,385

 

Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation
135

 
1,013

 
589

 
1,207

Employee severance
1,213

 

 
1,213

 

Executive management transition costs
162

 

 
234

 

 
$
2,895

 
$
1,013

 
$
3,421

 
$
1,632

During the three and six months ended July 31, 2016 , we had costs associated with impairments from disposals, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, charges for severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for one store we relocated prior to the end of its useful life and incurred costs for a terminated store project prior to starting construction. During the three and six months ended July 31, 2015 , we had costs associated with legal and professional fees related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and our securities-related litigation. During the six months ended July 31, 2015 , we also had charges related to the closing of under-performing retail locations.
3.     Finance Charges and Other Revenues  
Finance charges and other revenues consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest income and fees
$
54,502

 
$
57,383

 
$
115,123

 
$
112,802

Insurance commissions
11,219

 
13,062

 
20,675

 
24,091

Other revenues
437

 
659

 
931

 
808

 
$
66,158

 
$
71,104

 
$
136,729

 
$
137,701

Interest income and fees and insurance commissions are derived from the credit segment operations, whereas other revenues are derived from the retail segment operations. During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , we decreased interest income and fees by $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates to our allowance for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , interest income and fees was reduced by provisions for uncollectible interest of $10.2 million and $8.9 million , respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , interest income and fees was reduced by provisions for uncollectible interest of $20.2 million and $17.4 million , respectively. For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount included in interest income and fees related to TDR accounts was $4.2 million and $3.3 million , respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount included in interest income and fees related to TDR accounts was $8.3 million and $6.5 million , respectively.

8

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


4.         Customer Accounts Receivable
Customer accounts receivable consisted of the following:
 
Total Outstanding Balance
 
Customer Accounts Receivable
 
60 Days Past Due (1)
 
Re-aged (1)
(in thousands)
July 31,
2016
 
January 31,
2016
 
July 31,
2016
 
January 31,
2016
 
July 31,
2016
 
January 31,
2016
Customer accounts receivable
$
1,415,728

 
$
1,470,205

 
$
115,316

 
$
127,400

 
$
108,242

 
$
112,221

Restructured accounts
128,611

 
117,651

 
33,558

 
30,323

 
128,611

 
117,651

Total customer portfolio balance
1,544,339

 
1,587,856

 
$
148,874

 
$
157,723

 
$
236,853

 
$
229,872

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
(201,176
)
 
(190,990
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowances for no-interest option credit programs
(22,575
)
 
(21,290
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total customer accounts receivable, net
1,320,588

 
1,375,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net
(733,718
)
 
(743,931
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net
$
586,870

 
$
631,645

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitized receivables held by the VIE
$
922,994

 
$
870,684

 
$
129,466

 
$
135,800

 
$
216,215

 
$
204,594

Receivables not held by the VIE
621,345

 
717,172

 
19,408

 
21,923

 
20,638

 
25,278

Total customer portfolio balance
$
1,544,339

 
$
1,587,856

 
$
148,874

 
$
157,723

 
$
236,853

 
$
229,872

(1)
Due to the fact that an account can become past due after having been re-aged, accounts could be represented as both past due and re-aged. As of July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , the amounts included within both past due and re-aged were $58.1 million and $55.2 million , respectively. As of July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016 , the total customer portfolio balance past due one day or greater was $381.3 million and $387.3 million , respectively. These amounts include the 60 days past due balances shown.
The following presents the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts and uncollectible interest for customer receivables: 
 
Six Months Ended July 31, 2016
 
Six Months Ended July 31, 2015
(in thousands)
Customer
Accounts
Receivable
 
 
Restructured
Accounts
 
 
 
Total
 
Customer
Accounts
Receivable
 
 
Restructured
Accounts
 
 
 
Total
Allowance at beginning of period
$
149,226

 
$
41,764

 
$
190,990

 
$
118,786

 
$
28,196

 
$
146,982

Provision (1)
108,333

 
29,768

 
138,101

 
91,821

 
24,396

 
116,217

Principal charge-offs (2)
(91,261
)
 
(20,969
)
 
(112,230
)
 
(71,280
)
 
(14,190
)
 
(85,470
)
Interest charge-offs
(15,384
)
 
(3,544
)
 
(18,928
)
 
(13,056
)
 
(2,599
)
 
(15,655
)
Recoveries (2)
2,636

 
607

 
3,243

 
1,881

 
375

 
2,256

Allowance at end of period
$
153,550

 
$
47,626

 
$
201,176

 
$
128,152

 
$
36,178

 
$
164,330

Average total customer portfolio balance
$
1,428,396

 
$
123,451

 
$
1,551,847

 
$
1,297,951

 
$
95,652

 
$
1,393,603

(1)
Includes provision for uncollectible interest, which is included in finance charges and other revenues.
(2)
Charge-offs include the principal amount of losses (excluding accrued and unpaid interest). Recoveries include principal collections of previously charged-off balances. Net charge-offs are calculated as the net of principal charge-offs and recoveries. During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , we increased provision for bad debts by $5.0 million as a result of changes in estimates as it relates to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

9

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


5.     Accrual for Store Closures  
We have closed or relocated retail locations that did not perform at a level we expect for mature store locations. Certain of the closed or relocated stores had noncancelable lease agreements, resulting in the accrual of the present value of the remaining lease payments and estimated related occupancy obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Adjustments to these projections for changes in estimated marketing times and sublease rates, as well as other revisions, are made to the obligation as further information related to the actual terms and costs become available.
The following table presents detail of the activity in the accrual for store closures:
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,866

 
$
2,556

Accrual for additional closures

 
318

Adjustments
23

 
(32
)
Cash payments, net of sublease income
(339
)
 
(698
)
Balance at end of period
1,550

 
2,144

Current portion, included in accrued expenses
(643
)
 
(640
)
Long-term portion, included in other long-term liabilities
$
907

 
$
1,504

6.     Debt and Capital Lease Obligations  
Debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
July 31,
2016
 
January 31,
2016
Revolving credit facility
$
299,500

 
$
329,207

Senior Notes
227,000

 
227,000

2015-A Class A Notes
195,518

 
551,383

2015-A Class B Notes
165,900

 
165,900

2016-A Class A Notes
241,077

 

2016-A Class B Notes
70,510

 

Capital lease obligations
2,065

 
2,488

Total debt and capital lease obligations
1,201,570

 
1,275,978

Less:
 
 
 
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs
(18,861
)
 
(26,300
)
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
(761
)
 
(799
)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
1,181,948

 
$
1,248,879

Senior Notes. On July 1, 2014, we issued $250.0 million of unsecured Senior Notes due July 2022 bearing interest at 7.250% , pursuant to an indenture dated July 1, 2014 (the "Indenture") among Conn's, Inc., its subsidiary guarantors (the "Guarantors") and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. During the year ended January 31, 2016, we repurchased $23.0 million of face value of the Senior Notes for $22.9 million . The effective interest rate of the Senior Notes after giving effect to offering fees and debt discount is 7.7% .
The Indenture, as amended, restricts the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' ability to: (i) incur indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock ("restricted payments"); (iii) prepay, redeem or repurchase debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes; (iv) make loans and certain investments; (v) sell assets; (vi) incur liens; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. Specifically, limitations for restricted payments are triggered only if one or more of the following occurred: (1) a default were to exist under the indenture, (2) if we could not satisfy a debt incurrence test, and (3) if the aggregate amount of restricted payments would exceed an amount tied to the consolidated net income. These limitations, however, are subject to two exceptions: (1) an exception that permits the payment of up to $375.0 million in restricted payments, and (2) an exception that permits restricted payments regardless of dollar amount so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the dividends and other restricted payments, we would have a leverage ratio, as defined under the

10

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Indenture, less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 . Thus, as of July 31, 2016 , $190.2 million would have been free from the dividend restriction. However, as a result of the revolving credit facility dividend restrictions, which are further described below, no amount was available for dividends. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated investment grade by either of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and no default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and we will cease to be subject to such covenants during such period.
Events of default under the Indenture include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default in the payment of other debt due at maturity or upon acceleration for default in an amount exceeding $25.0 million , as well as in the event a judgment is entered against us in excess of $25.0 million that is not discharged, bonded or insured.
Asset-backed Notes. In September 2015, the 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $952.1 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.565% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class A Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 6.8% .
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $165.9 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.500% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class B Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 12.8% .
The 2015-A Class A Notes and 2015-A Class B Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2015-A Class A Notes and 2015-A Class B Notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2015 VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.
In March 2016, the 2016 VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2016 VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $423.0 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.680% and mature on April 16, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class A Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 6.8% .
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $70.5 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.960% and mature on August 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class B Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 9.8% .
The 2016-A Class A Notes and 2016-A Class B Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of a third class of asset-backed notes issued by the 2016 VIE ("2016-A Class C Notes") and the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2016-A Class A Notes and 2016-A Class B Notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2016 VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.
Revolving Credit Facility. On October 30, 2015, Conn's, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Borrowers") entered into the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with a syndicate of banks that provides for an $810.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") under which availability is subject to a borrowing base. The revolving credit facility matures on October 30, 2018.
On February 16, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a first amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:
Excluding non-cash deferred amortization of debt related transaction costs from interest coverage ratio; and
Extending from 6 months to 18 months the time frame subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent covenant will be determined.

11

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


On May 18, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a second amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:
Amending the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, so long as the borrowing base reduction discussed below is in effect, to:
Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.0 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 through the first quarter of fiscal 2018; and
Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.25 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.
Modifying the conditions for repurchases of the Company's common stock, including the addition of a requirement to achieve a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.5 x for two consecutive quarters; and
Reducing the borrowing base by $15.0 million beginning on May 31, 2016, reducing the borrowing base by $10.0 million for any month beginning with July 31, 2017 so long as the interest coverage ratio is at least 1.25 x, and no borrowing base reduction at any time the interest coverage ratio is at least 2.0 x for two consecutive quarters.
As of July 31, 2016 , loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). Pursuant to the second amendment, the margins increased by 25 basis points subsequent to July 31, 2016 . The alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., the federal funds rate plus 0.5% , or LIBOR for a 30-day interest period plus 1.0% . The effective interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility after giving effect to offering fees is 5.5% . We also pay an unused fee on the portion of the commitments that are available for future borrowings or letters of credit at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, depending on the outstanding balance and letters of credit of the revolving credit facility.
The revolving credit facility provides funding based on a borrowing base calculation that includes customer accounts receivable and inventory, and provides for a $40.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit to support obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The obligations under the revolving credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of the Company, excluding the assets of the VIEs. As of July 31, 2016 , we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $97.7 million under our revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $5.3 million . We also had $407.5 million that may become available under our revolving credit facility if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and our total eligible inventory balances.
The revolving credit facility places restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens on assets, make distributions on equity interests, dispose of assets, make loans, pay other indebtedness, engage in mergers, and other matters. The revolving credit facility restricts our ability to make dividends and distributions unless no event of default exists and a liquidity test is satisfied. Subsidiaries of the Company may make dividends and distributions to the Company and other obligors under the revolving credit facility without restriction. As of July 31, 2016 , under the revolving credit facility, as amended, no amount was available for dividends. The revolving credit facility contains customary default provisions, which, if triggered, could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
Debt covenants. We were in compliance with our debt covenants, as amended, at July 31, 2016 . A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our revolving credit facility, as amended, compared to our actual compliance status at July 31, 2016 is presented below: 
 
Actual
 
Required
Minimum/
Maximum
Interest Coverage Ratio must equal or exceed minimum
1.03:1.00
 
1.00:1.00
Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
2.63:1.00
 
4.00:1.00
ABS Excluded Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
1.52:1.00
 
2.00:1.00
Cash Recovery Percent must exceed stated amount
4.77%
 
4.50%
Capital Expenditures, net, must not exceed maximum
$26.0 million
 
$75.0 million

12

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


All capitalized terms in the above table are defined by the revolving credit facility, as amended, and may or may not agree directly with the financial statement captions in this document. Compliance with the covenants is calculated quarterly, except for the Cash Recovery Percent, which is calculated monthly on a trailing three-month basis, and Capital Expenditures, which is calculated for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The revolving credit facility provides for 18 months subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent will be determined based on the portfolio of contracts subject to the (i) securitization facilities; and (ii) a lien under the revolving credit facility.
7.     Contingencies
Securities Class Action Litigation. We and one of our current and one of our former executive officers are defendants in a consolidated securities class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the "Court"), In re Conn's Inc. Securities Litigation, Cause No. 14-CV-00548 (the "Consolidated Securities Action"). The Consolidated Securities Action started as three separate purported securities class action lawsuits filed between March 5, 2014 and May 5, 2014, which were combined into the Consolidated Securities Action on June 3, 2014. The plaintiffs in the Consolidated Securities Action allege that the defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material adverse facts about our business, operations, and prospects. They allege violations of sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seek to certify a class of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Conn's common stock and/or call options, or sold/wrote Conn's put options between April 3, 2013 and December 9, 2014. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought.
On June 30, 2015, the Court held a hearing on the defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiffs' complaint. At the hearing, the Court dismissed Brian Taylor, a former executive officer, and certain other aspects of the complaint. The Court ordered the plaintiffs to further amend their complaint in accordance with its ruling, and the plaintiffs filed their Fourth Consolidated Amended Complaint on July 21, 2015. The remaining defendants filed a motion to dismiss on August 28, 2015. The briefing on the defendants' motion to dismiss was fully briefed and the Court held a hearing on defendants' motion over the course of two days, on March 25 and 29, 2016. On May 6, 2016, the Court granted in part and denied in part defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiffs' complaint. Thereafter, the defendants filed a motion requesting the Court's decision be certified for interlocutory appeal to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which the Court denied on June 13, 2016. On June 24, 2016, the defendant’s filed their answer to the Consolidated Securities Action, denying liability and raising numerous affirmative defenses to the claims asserted against them. 
The parties have negotiated a scheduling order, which has not yet been entered by the Court, and discovery is proceeding.
The defendants intend to vigorously defend against all of these claims. It is not possible at this time to predict the timing or outcome of any of this litigation, and we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss from these claims.
Derivative Litigation. On December 1, 2014, an alleged shareholder, purportedly on behalf of the Company, filed a derivative shareholder lawsuit against us and certain of our current and former directors and executive officers in the Court, captioned as Robert Hack, derivatively on behalf of Conn's, Inc., v. Theodore M. Wright (former executive officer and former director), Bob L. Martin, Jon E.M. Jacoby (former director), Kelly M. Malson, Douglas H. Martin, David Schofman, Scott L. Thompson (former director), Brian Taylor (former executive officer) and Michael J. Poppe and Conn's, Inc., Case No. 4:14-cv-03442 (the "Original Derivative Action"). The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, gross mismanagement, and insider trading based on substantially similar factual allegations as those asserted in the Consolidated Securities Action. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages against these persons and does not request any damages from us. Setting forth substantially similar claims against the same defendants, on February 25, 2015, an additional federal derivative action, captioned 95250 Canada LTEE, derivatively on Behalf of Conn's, Inc. v. Wright et al., Cause No. 4:15-cv-00521, was filed in the Court, which has been consolidated with the Original Derivative Action.
The Court previously approved a stipulation among the parties to stay the action pending resolution of the motion to dismiss in the Consolidated Securities Action. The parties are currently discussing next steps in the litigation process.
Another derivative action was filed on January 27, 2015, captioned as Richard A. Dohn v. Wright, et al., Cause No. 2015-04405, filed in the 281 st Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas. This action makes substantially similar allegations to the Original Derivative Action against the same defendants. On July 28, 2016, the court entered an order extending the stay for an additional 90 days (until October 26, 2016). On May 19, 2016, an alleged shareholder, purportedly on behalf of the Company, filed a lawsuit against us and certain of our current and former directors and executive officers in the 55 th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas, captioned as Robert J. Casey II, derivatively on behalf of Conn's, Inc., v. Theodore M. Wright (former executive officer and former director), Michael J. Poppe, Brian Taylor (former executive officer), Bob L. Martin, Jon E.M. Jacoby (former director), Kelly M. Malson, Douglas H. Martin, David Schofman, Scott L. Thompson (former director) and William E. Saunders Jr., and Conn's, Inc., Cause No. 2016-33135. The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment based on substantially similar factual allegations as those asserted in the Original Derivative Action. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought.

13

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


None of the plaintiffs in any of the derivative actions made a demand on our Board of Directors prior to filing their respective lawsuits. The defendants in the derivative actions intend to vigorously defend against these claims. We cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss from these claims.
Regulatory Matters. We are continuing to cooperate with the SEC's investigation, which began on or around November 2014, which generally relates to our underwriting policies and bad debt provisions.  The investigation is a non-public, fact-finding inquiry, and the SEC has stated that the investigation does not mean that any violations of law have occurred.
In addition, we are involved in other routine litigation and claims incidental to our business from time to time which, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As required, we accrue estimates of the probable costs for the resolution of these matters. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. However, the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and changes in facts and circumstances could impact our estimate of reserves for litigation.
8.     Variable Interest Entities
The VIEs have issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the VIEs. Under the terms of the securitization transactions, the customer receivable principal and interest payment cash flows will go first to the servicer and the holders of issued notes, and then to us as the holder of the 2016-A Class C Notes and residual equities. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios and are receiving a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, will retain all credit insurance income together with certain recoveries related to credit insurance and repair service agreements on charge-offs of the securitized receivables, which will continue to be reflected as a reduction of net charge-offs on a consolidated basis for as long as we consolidate the VIEs. The following presents the assets and liabilities held by the VIEs and that are included in our consolidated balance sheet (for legal purposes, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs will remain distinct from Conn's, Inc.): 
(in thousands)
July 31,
2016
 
January 31,
2016
Assets:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
$
95,983

 
$
78,576

Due from Conn's, Inc.
4,226

 
3,405

Customer accounts receivable:
 
 
 
Customer accounts receivable
803,815

 
763,278

Restructured accounts
119,179

 
107,406

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
(131,719
)
 
(136,325
)
Allowances for no-interest option credit programs
(14,923
)
 
(12,955
)
Total customer accounts receivable, net
776,352

 
721,404

Total assets
$
876,561

 
$
803,385

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued interest
$
1,693

 
$
1,636

Deferred interest income
5,387

 
3,042

Long-term debt:
 
 
 
2015-A Class A Notes
195,518

 
551,383

2015-A Class B Notes
165,900

 
165,900

2016-A Class A Notes
241,077

 

2016-A Class B Notes
70,510

 

 
673,005

 
717,283

Less unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs
(10,994
)
 
(17,768
)
Total long-term debt
662,011

 
699,515

Total liabilities
$
669,091

 
$
704,193

The assets of the VIEs serve as collateral for the obligations of the VIEs. The holders of the Class A Notes and Class B Notes have no recourse to assets outside of the VIEs.

14

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


9.      Segment Reporting  
Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables: 
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2016
 
Three Months Ended July 31, 2015
(in thousands)
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
 
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture and mattress
$
105,562

 
$

 
$
105,562

 
$
98,882

 
$

 
$
98,882

Home appliance
101,359

 

 
101,359

 
97,260

 

 
97,260

Consumer electronic
65,735

 

 
65,735

 
69,682

 

 
69,682

Home office
21,701

 

 
21,701

 
22,940

 

 
22,940

Other
5,366

 

 
5,366

 
4,975

 

 
4,975

Product sales
299,723

 

 
299,723

 
293,739

 

 
293,739

Repair service agreement commissions
28,310

 

 
28,310

 
27,756

 

 
27,756

Service revenues
3,966

 

 
3,966

 
3,451

 

 
3,451

Total net sales
331,999

 

 
331,999

 
324,946

 

 
324,946

Finance charges and other revenues
437

 
65,721

 
66,158

 
659

 
70,445

 
71,104

Total revenues
332,436

 
65,721

 
398,157

 
325,605

 
70,445

 
396,050

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold
208,869

 

 
208,869

 
202,461

 

 
202,461

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
84,838

 
35,008

 
119,846

 
76,683

 
28,149

 
104,832

Provision for bad debts
127

 
60,069

 
60,196

 
324

 
51,322

 
51,646

Charges and credits
2,895

 

 
2,895

 
1,013

 

 
1,013

Total costs and expense
296,729

 
95,077

 
391,806

 
280,481

 
79,471

 
359,952

Operating income (loss)
35,707

 
(29,356
)
 
6,351

 
45,124

 
(9,026
)
 
36,098

Interest expense

 
24,138

 
24,138

 

 
10,055

 
10,055

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
35,707

 
$
(53,494
)
 
$
(17,787
)
 
$
45,124

 
$
(19,081
)
 
$
26,043

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

15

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 
Six Months Ended July 31, 2016
 
Six Months Ended July 31, 2015
(in thousands)
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
 
Retail
 
Credit
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture and mattress
$
210,868

 
$

 
$
210,868

 
$
188,384

 
$

 
$
188,384

Home appliance
189,263

 

 
189,263

 
181,362

 

 
181,362

Consumer electronic
131,600

 

 
131,600

 
141,112

 

 
141,112

Home office
44,174

 

 
44,174

 
44,925

 

 
44,925

Other
10,308

 

 
10,308

 
9,582

 

 
9,582

Product sales
586,213

 

 
586,213

 
565,365

 

 
565,365

Repair service agreement commissions
56,495

 

 
56,495

 
51,552

 

 
51,552

Service revenues
7,833

 

 
7,833

 
6,508

 

 
6,508

Total net sales
650,541

 

 
650,541

 
623,425

 

 
623,425

Finance charges and other revenues
931

 
135,798

 
136,729

 
808

 
136,893

 
137,701

Total revenues
651,472

 
135,798

 
787,270

 
624,233

 
136,893

 
761,126

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold
413,335

 

 
413,335

 
389,594

 

 
389,594

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
164,821

 
68,272

 
233,093

 
144,910

 
55,597

 
200,507

Provision for bad debts
525

 
117,889

 
118,414

 
393

 
98,796

 
99,189

Charges and credits
3,421

 

 
3,421

 
1,632

 

 
1,632

Total costs and expense
582,102

 
186,161

 
768,263

 
536,529

 
154,393

 
690,922

Operating income (loss)
69,370

 
(50,363
)
 
19,007

 
87,704

 
(17,500
)
 
70,204

Interest expense

 
50,034

 
50,034

 

 
19,483

 
19,483

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
69,370

 
$
(100,397
)
 
$
(31,027
)
 
$
87,704

 
$
(36,983
)
 
$
50,721

(1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated overhead expenses and a charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses it incurs related to occupancy, personnel, advertising and other direct costs of the retail segment that benefit the credit operations by sourcing credit customers and collecting payments. The reimbursement received by the retail segment from the credit segment is estimated using an annual rate of 2.5% times the average portfolio balance for each applicable period. For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $6.5 million and $3.4 million , respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $12.2 million and $6.9 million , respectively. For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $9.6 million and $8.9 million , respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $19.4 million and $17.4 million , respectively.

16

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


10.
Guarantor Financial Information  
Conn's, Inc. is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. The Senior Notes, which were issued by Conn's, Inc., are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors. The direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conn's, Inc. that are not Guarantors are the VIE and minor subsidiaries. Prior to transferring the securitized customer receivables to the 2015 VIE in September 2015, the only direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conn's, Inc. that were not Guarantors were minor subsidiaries. There are no restrictions under the Indenture on the ability of any of the Guarantors to transfer funds to Conn's, Inc. in the form of loans, advances or dividends, except as provided by applicable law. The following financial information presents the condensed consolidated balance sheet, statement of operations, and statement of cash flows for Conn's, Inc. (the issuer of the Senior Notes), the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Non-guarantor Subsidiaries, together with certain eliminations.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2016 .
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
15,535

 
$

 
$

 
$
15,535

Restricted cash

 

 
70,981

 

 
70,981

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

 
234,333

 
499,385

 

 
733,718

Other accounts receivable

 
82,924

 

 

 
82,924

Inventories

 
191,642

 

 

 
191,642

Other current assets
19,700

 
16,482

 
4,226

 
(4,226
)
 
36,182

Total current assets
19,700

 
540,916

 
574,592

 
(4,226
)
 
1,130,982

Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
648,840

 
203,244

 

 
(852,084
)
 

Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

 
309,903

 
276,967

 

 
586,870

Long-term restricted cash

 

 
25,002

 

 
25,002

Property and equipment, net

 
174,815

 

 

 
174,815

Deferred income taxes
70,919

 

 

 

 
70,919

Other assets

 
8,590

 

 

 
8,590

Total assets
$
739,459

 
$
1,237,468

 
$
876,561

 
$
(856,310
)
 
$
1,997,178

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
$

 
$
761

 
$

 
$

 
$
761

Accounts payable

 
117,628

 

 

 
117,628

Accrued expenses
686

 
44,124

 
1,693

 

 
46,503

Other current liabilities

 
17,963

 
3,430

 

 
21,393

Total current liabilities
686

 
180,476

 
5,123

 

 
186,285

Deferred rent

 
88,452

 

 

 
88,452

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
219,133

 
300,804

 
662,011

 

 
1,181,948

Other long-term liabilities

 
18,896

 
1,957

 

 
20,853

Total liabilities
219,819

 
588,628

 
669,091

 

 
1,477,538

Total stockholders' equity
519,640

 
648,840

 
207,470

 
(856,310
)
 
519,640

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
739,459

 
$
1,237,468

 
$
876,561

 
$
(856,310
)
 
$
1,997,178


17

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2016 .
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
12,254

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,254

Restricted cash

 

 
64,151

 

 
64,151

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

 
353,781

 
390,150

 

 
743,931

Other accounts receivable

 
95,404

 

 

 
95,404

Inventories

 
201,969

 

 

 
201,969

Other current assets
10,774

 
20,092

 
3,405

 
(3,405
)
 
30,866

Total current assets
10,774

 
683,500

 
457,706

 
(3,405
)
 
1,148,575

Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
676,492

 
95,787

 

 
(772,279
)
 

Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowance

 
300,391

 
331,254

 

 
631,645

Long-term restricted cash

 

 
14,425

 

 
14,425

Property and equipment, net

 
151,483

 

 

 
151,483

Deferred income taxes
70,219

 

 

 

 
70,219

Other assets

 
8,953

 

 

 
8,953

Total assets
$
757,485

 
$
1,240,114

 
$
803,385

 
$
(775,684
)
 
$
2,025,300

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
$

 
$
799

 
$

 
$

 
$
799

Accounts payable

 
86,797

 

 

 
86,797

Accrued expenses
736

 
37,002

 
1,636

 

 
39,374

Other current liabilities

 
17,510

 
1,645

 

 
19,155

Total current liabilities
736

 
142,108

 
3,281

 

 
146,125

Deferred rent

 
74,559

 

 

 
74,559

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
218,468

 
330,896

 
699,515

 

 
1,248,879

Other long-term liabilities

 
16,059

 
1,397

 

 
17,456

Total liabilities
219,204

 
563,622

 
704,193

 

 
1,487,019

Total stockholders' equity
538,281

 
676,492

 
99,192

 
(775,684
)
 
538,281

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
757,485

 
$
1,240,114

 
$
803,385

 
$
(775,684
)
 
$
2,025,300


18

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended July 31, 2016 .
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net sales
$

 
$
331,999

 
$

 
$

 
$
331,999

Finance charges and other revenues

 
33,062

 
33,096

 

 
66,158

Servicing fee revenue

 
13,176

 

 
(13,176
)
 

Total revenues

 
378,237

 
33,096

 
(13,176
)
 
398,157

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold

 
208,869

 

 

 
208,869

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
119,846

 
13,176

 
(13,176
)
 
119,846

Provision for bad debts

 
20,830

 
39,366

 

 
60,196

Charges and credits

 
2,895

 

 

 
2,895

Total costs and expenses

 
352,440

 
52,542

 
(13,176
)
 
391,806

Operating income

 
25,797

 
(19,446
)
 

 
6,351

Loss (income) from consolidated subsidiaries
9,066

 
23,293

 

 
(32,359
)
 

Interest expense
4,397

 
3,352

 
16,389

 

 
24,138

Income (loss) before income taxes
(13,463
)
 
(848
)
 
(35,835
)
 
32,359

 
(17,787
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(1,539
)
 
8,218

 
(12,542
)
 

 
(5,863
)
Net income (loss)
$
(11,924
)
 
$
(9,066
)
 
$
(23,293
)
 
$
32,359

 
$
(11,924
)
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended July 31, 2016 .
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net sales
$

 
$
650,541

 
$

 
$

 
$
650,541

Finance charges and other revenues

 
63,234

 
73,495

 

 
136,729

Servicing fee revenue

 
30,311

 

 
(30,311
)
 

Total revenues

 
744,086

 
73,495

 
(30,311
)
 
787,270

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of goods sold

 
413,335

 

 

 
413,335

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
233,093

 
30,311

 
(30,311
)
 
233,093

Provision for bad debts

 
56,412

 
62,002

 

 
118,414

Charges and credits

 
3,421

 

 

 
3,421

Total costs and expenses

 
706,261

 
92,313

 
(30,311
)
 
768,263

Operating income

 
37,825

 
(18,818
)
 

 
19,007

Loss (income) from consolidated subsidiaries
15,925

 
34,703

 

 
(50,628
)
 

Interest expense
8,843

 
6,620

 
34,571

 

 
50,034

Income (loss) before income taxes
(24,768
)
 
(3,498
)
 
(53,389
)
 
50,628

 
(31,027
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(3,095
)
 
12,427

 
(18,686
)
 

 
(9,354
)
Net income (loss)
$
(21,673
)
 
$
(15,925
)
 
$
(34,703
)
 
$
50,628

 
$
(21,673
)



19

CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended July 31, 2016 .
(in thousands)
Conn's, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(29,362
)
 
$
(383,378
)
 
$
544,638

 
$

 
$
131,898

Cash flows from investing activities:
  

 
  

 
  

 
  

 
  

Purchase of customer accounts receivables

 

 
(478,080
)
 
478,080

 

Sale of customer accounts receivables

 
478,080

 

 
(478,080
)
 

Purchase of property and equipment

 
(32,020
)
 

 

 
(32,020
)
Proceeds from sales of property

 
686

 

 

 
686

Net change in intercompany
28,743

 


 


 
(28,743
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
28,743

 
446,746

 
(478,080
)
 
(28,743
)
 
(31,334
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes

 

 
493,540

 

 
493,540

Payments on asset-backed notes

 

 
(537,819
)
 

 
(537,819
)
Changes in restricted cash balances

 

 
(17,406
)
 

 
(17,406
)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility

 
405,378

 

 

 
405,378

Payments on revolving credit facility

 
(435,085
)
 

 

 
(435,085
)
Payment of debt issuance costs and amendment fees

 
(1,216
)
 
(4,873
)
 

 
(6,089
)
Proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans
618

 

 

 

 
618

Net change in intercompany

 
(28,743
)
 


 
28,743

 

Other
1

 
(421
)
 

 

 
(420
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
619

 
(60,087
)
 
(66,558
)
 
28,743

 
(97,283
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 
3,281

 

 

 
3,281

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 
12,254

 

 

 
12,254

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$

 
$
15,535

 
$

 
$

 
$
15,535


20


ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  
Forward-Looking Statements  
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. We can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct, and actual results may differ materially. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: general economic conditions impacting our customers or potential customers; our ability to execute periodic securitizations of future originated customer loans including the sale of any remaining residual equity on favorable terms; our ability to continue existing customer financing programs or to offer new customer financing programs; changes in the delinquency status of our credit portfolio; unfavorable developments in ongoing litigation; increased regulatory oversight; higher than anticipated net charge-offs in the credit portfolio; the success of our planned opening of new stores; technological and market developments and sales trends for our major product offerings; our ability to protect against cyber-attacks or data security breaches and to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees; our ability to fund its operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from our revolving credit facility, and proceeds from accessing debt or equity markets; the ability to continue the repurchase program; and other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 and other reports filed with the SEC. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
The Company makes available in the investor relations section of its website at ir.conns.com updated monthly reports to the holders of its asset-backed notes. This information reflects the performance of the securitized portfolio only, in contrast to the financial statements contained herein, which reflect the performance of all of the Company's outstanding receivables, including those originated subsequent to those included in the securitized portfolio. The website and the information contained on our website is not incorporated in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or any other document filed with the SEC.
Overview
We encourage you to read this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.
Executive Summary
Total revenues increased to $398.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2016 , compared to $396.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2015 . The increase in retail revenue was primarily driven by new store growth, partially offset by a decrease in same store sales of 5.1% . Excluding the impact of our April 2015 decision to exit video game products, digital cameras, and certain tablets, same store sales for the quarter decreased 4.6% . Slower sales growth was also impacted by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in credit revenue was due to a yield rate of 14.0% , 210 basis points lower than a year ago, which included the negative impact of adjustments of $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates for amounts of allowances for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest, partially offset by growth in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio of 8.7% . Excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, yield was up 10 basis points to the prior year period.
Retail gross margin for the three months ended July 31, 2016 was 37.1% , a decrease of 60 basis points versus the 37.7% reported in the comparable quarter last year. The decrease in retail gross margin was driven by the impact softer sales have on our fixed warehouse and delivery costs, partially offset by the favorable shift in product mix towards the furniture and mattress category.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the three months ended July 31, 2016 was $119.8 million , an increase of $15.0 million , or 14.3% , over the same prior year period. The SG&A increase in the retail segment was primarily due to higher new store occupancy, advertising and compensation. The increase in SG&A for the credit segment was driven by the additional investments in credit personnel to improve long-term credit performance. Total SG&A was also impacted by investments we are making in IT and other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives.

21


Provision for bad debts for the three months ended July 31, 2016 was $60.2 million , an increase of $8.6 million from the same prior year period. The increase was impacted by the following:
During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , provision for bad debts increased by $5.0 million as a result of changes in estimates as it relates to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts (excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, provision for bad debts as a percent of average portfolio balance was down 20 basis points to the prior year period);
An 8.7% increase in the average receivable portfolio balance resulting from new store openings over the past 12 months; and
The balance of customer receivables accounted for as troubled debt restructurings increased to $128.6 million , or 8.3% of the total portfolio balance, driving $1.9 million of additional provision for bad debts.
Interest expense increased to $24.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2016 , compared to $10.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2015 , reflecting the increase in outstanding debt and an increase in our effective interest rate due to the asset-backed notes issued by our consolidated VIEs.
Net loss for the three months ended July 31, 2016 was $11.9 million , or $0.39 loss per diluted share, which included the pre-tax impact of changes in estimates of $13.2 million , or $0.29 per diluted share, and net pre-tax charges of $2.9 million , or $0.06 per diluted share, primarily from impairments from disposals of two real estate assets, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, charges for severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. This compares to net income for the three months ended July 31, 2015 of $16.5 million , or $0.45 earnings per diluted share, which included net pre-tax charges of $1.0 million , or $0.02 per diluted share, primarily related to legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation.
Company Initiatives
We are positioning ourselves to execute long-term growth strategies and reduce risk while enhancing shareholder value. As a result, we expect fiscal 2017 to be a transitional year as we work on improving the performance of our credit operation while moderating our retail growth plan. Our plans include:
Completing implementation of an updated underwriting strategy and continuing to review and modify our underwriting analysis and standards to improve the overall quality of our credit portfolio by quickly adapting to changes in consumer behavior, the regulatory environment, and portfolio performance;
Targeting the implementation of our new direct consumer loan program, at a higher interest rate of up to 30%, across all Texas locations by the end of this fiscal year, followed by the implementation of the program in other states with similar regulatory frameworks;
In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we recently increased our rates to 29.99% .
During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we made changes to our no-interest programs to improve returns on capital that should increase the yield on our portfolio over the next few quarters, including reducing the availability of short-term no-interest programs to higher risk customers and moving all long-term no-interest programs to a third-party;
Focusing on further improvement of execution within our collection operations to reduce delinquency rates and future charge-offs;
Focusing on quality, branded products to improve operating performance;
Reducing warehouse and delivery costs;
Optimizing our product offering; and
During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , we opened nine new stores in Alabama (1), Louisiana (2), Mississippi (1), Nevada (1), North Carolina (1), South Carolina (1) and Tennessee (2), and we plan to open one additional new store for a total of 10 new stores for fiscal 2017, compared to 15 stores in fiscal 2016.
Outlook
The broad appeal of the Conn's store to our geographically diverse core demographic, the historical unit economics and current retail real estate market conditions provide substantial opportunity to expand towards a national retail platform. There are many markets in the United States with similar demographic characteristics to our current successful store base. We plan to continue to improve our operating results by leveraging our existing infrastructure and seeking to continually optimize the efficiency of our marketing, merchandising, sourcing, distribution and credit operations. As we penetrate new and existing markets, we expect to increase our purchase volumes, achieve distribution efficiencies and strengthen our relationships with our key vendors. We also expect our increased store base and higher net sales to further leverage our existing corporate and regional infrastructure.

22


Results of Operations 
The following tables present certain financial and other information, on a consolidated and segment basis: 
Consolidated:
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net sales
$
331,999

 
$
324,946

 
$
7,053

 
$
650,541

 
$
623,425

 
$
27,116

Finance charges and other revenues
66,158

 
71,104

 
(4,946
)
 
136,729

 
137,701

 
(972
)
Total revenues
398,157

 
396,050

 
2,107

 
787,270

 
761,126

 
26,144

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cost of goods sold
208,869

 
202,461

 
6,408

 
413,335

 
389,594

 
23,741

Selling, general and administrative expenses
119,846

 
104,832

 
15,014

 
233,093

 
200,507

 
32,586

Provision for bad debts
60,196

 
51,646

 
8,550

 
118,414

 
99,189

 
19,225

Charges and credits
2,895

 
1,013

 
1,882

 
3,421

 
1,632

 
1,789

Total costs and expenses
391,806

 
359,952

 
31,854

 
768,263

 
690,922

 
77,341

Operating income
6,351

 
36,098

 
(29,747
)
 
19,007

 
70,204

 
(51,197
)
Interest expense
24,138

 
10,055

 
14,083

 
50,034

 
19,483

 
30,551

Income (loss) before income taxes
(17,787
)
 
26,043

 
(43,830
)
 
(31,027
)
 
50,721

 
(81,748
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(5,863
)
 
9,505

 
(15,368
)
 
(9,354
)
 
18,506

 
(27,860
)
Net income (loss)
$
(11,924
)
 
$
16,538

 
$
(28,462
)
 
$
(21,673
)
 
$
32,215

 
$
(53,888
)
Retail Segment:
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Revenues:











Product sales
$
299,723

 
$
293,739

 
$
5,984

 
$
586,213

 
$
565,365

 
$
20,848

Repair service agreement commissions
28,310

 
27,756

 
554

 
56,495

 
51,552

 
4,943

Service revenues
3,966

 
3,451

 
515

 
7,833

 
6,508

 
1,325

Total net sales
331,999

 
324,946

 
7,053

 
650,541

 
623,425

 
27,116

Other revenues
437

 
659

 
(222
)
 
931

 
808

 
123

Total revenues
332,436

 
325,605

 
6,831

 
651,472

 
624,233

 
27,239

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Cost of goods sold
208,869

 
202,461

 
6,408

 
413,335

 
389,594

 
23,741

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
84,838

 
76,683

 
8,155

 
164,821

 
144,910

 
19,911

Provision for bad debts
127

 
324

 
(197
)
 
525

 
393

 
132

Charges and credits
2,895

 
1,013

 
1,882

 
3,421

 
1,632

 
1,789

Total costs and expenses
296,729

 
280,481

 
16,248

 
582,102

 
536,529

 
45,573

Operating income
$
35,707

 
$
45,124

 
$
(9,417
)
 
$
69,370

 
$
87,704

 
$
(18,334
)
Number of stores:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
108

 
91

 
 
 
103

 
90

 
 
Open
4

 
4

 
 
 
9

 
7

 
 
Closed

 

 
 
 

 
(2
)
 
 
End of period
112

 
95

 
 
 
112

 
95

 
 

23


Credit Segment:
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance charges and other revenues
$
65,721

 
$
70,445

 
$
(4,724
)
 
$
135,798

 
$
136,893

 
$
(1,095
)
Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (1)
35,008

 
28,149

 
6,859

 
68,272

 
55,597

 
12,675

Provision for bad debts
60,069

 
51,322

 
8,747

 
117,889

 
98,796

 
19,093

Total cost and expenses
95,077

 
79,471

 
15,606

 
186,161

 
154,393

 
31,768

Operating loss
(29,356
)
 
(9,026
)
 
(20,330
)
 
(50,363
)
 
(17,500
)
 
(32,863
)
Interest expense
24,138

 
10,055

 
14,083

 
50,034

 
19,483

 
30,551

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes
$
(53,494
)
 
$
(19,081
)
 
$
(34,413
)
 
$
(100,397
)
 
$
(36,983
)
 
$
(63,414
)
(1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated overhead expenses and a charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses it incurs related to occupancy, personnel, advertising and other direct costs of the retail segment that benefit the credit operations by sourcing credit customers and collecting payments. The reimbursement received by the retail segment from the credit segment is estimated using an annual rate of 2.5% times the average portfolio balance for each applicable period. For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $6.5 million and $3.4 million , respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of overhead allocated to each segment was $12.2 million and $6.9 million , respectively. For the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $9.6 million and $8.9 million , respectively. For the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of reimbursements made to the retail segment by the credit segment were $19.4 million and $17.4 million , respectively.

Three months ended July 31, 2016 compared to three months ended July 31, 2015
Revenues
The following table provides an analysis of retail net sales by product category in each period, including repair service agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales:
 
Three Months Ended July 31,
 
 
 
%
 
Same store
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
% of Total
 
2015
 
% of Total
 
Change
 
Change
 
% change
Furniture and mattress
$
105,562

 
31.8
%
 
$
98,882

 
30.4
%
 
$
6,680

 
6.8
 %
 
(3.5
)%
Home appliance
101,359

 
30.5

 
97,260

 
29.9

 
4,099

 
4.2

 
(2.3
)
Consumer electronic
65,735

 
19.8

 
69,682

 
21.5

 
(3,947
)
 
(5.7
)
 
(11.6
)
Home office
21,701

 
6.6

 
22,940

 
7.1

 
(1,239
)
 
(5.4
)
 
(9.6
)
Other
5,366

 
1.6

 
4,975

 
1.5

 
391

 
7.9

 
(1.8
)
Product sales
299,723

 
90.3

 
293,739

 
90.4

 
5,984

 
2.0

 
(5.5
)
Repair service agreement commissions
28,310

 
8.5

 
27,756

 
8.5

 
554

 
2.0

 
(2.4
)
Service revenues
3,966

 
1.2

 
3,451

 
1.1

 
515

 
14.9

 
 

Total net sales
$
331,999

 
100.0
%
 
$
324,946

 
100.0
%
 
$
7,053

 
2.2
 %
 
(5.1
)%
Excluding the impact of our April 2015 decision to exit video game products, digital cameras, and certain tablets, same store sales for the quarter decreased 4.6% . Slower sales growth was impacted by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The following provides a summary of the performance of our product categories during the quarter compared to the prior year period:
Furniture unit volume increased 4.8%, and average selling price increased 4.5%;
Mattress unit volume increased 4.3%, partially offset by a 3.2% decrease in average selling price;
Home appliance unit volume increased 5.2% with average selling price flat. Total sales for refrigeration increased 7.1%, laundry increased 3.9%, and cooking was flat;

24


Consumer electronic unit volume decreased 10.1%, partially offset by a 5.1% increase in average selling price. Television sales decreased 4.0% as unit volume decreased 11.6%, partially offset by an 8.5% increase in average selling price. Excluding the impact from exiting video game products and digital cameras, consumer electronics same store sales decreased 10.4%;
Home office unit volume decreased 9.7%, partially offset by a 5.4% increase in average selling price. Excluding the impact from exiting certain tablets, home office same store sales decreased 7.6%; and
The increase in repair service agreement commissions was driven by increased retail sales partially offset by lower retrospective commissions.
The following table provides the change of the components of finance charges and other revenues:
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
54,502

 
$
57,383

 
$
(2,881
)
Insurance commissions
11,219

 
13,062

 
(1,843
)
Other revenues
437

 
659

 
(222
)
Finance charges and other revenues
$
66,158

 
$
71,104

 
$
(4,946
)
The decrease in interest income and fees was due to a yield rate of 14.0% , 210 basis points lower than the prior year period, which included the negative impact of adjustments of $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates of amounts for allowances for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest, partially offset by growth in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio of 8.7% . Excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, yield was up 10 basis points to the prior year period. Insurance commissions decreased over the prior year period primarily due to the decline in the number of loans with insurance products. Insurance commissions were also impacted by the growth of sales in states that have lower premium requirements.
The following table provides key portfolio performance information: 
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
54,502

 
$
57,383

 
$
(2,881
)
Net charge-offs
(55,192
)
 
(41,564
)
 
(13,628
)
Interest expense
(24,138
)
 
(10,055
)
 
(14,083
)
Net portfolio yield
$
(24,828
)
 
$
5,764

 
$
(30,592
)
Average portfolio balance
$
1,540,224

 
$
1,417,100

 
$
123,124

Interest income and fees yield (annualized)
14.0
%
 
16.1
%
 
 
Net charge-off % (annualized)
14.3
%
 
11.7
%
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold and Retail Gross Margin
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Cost of goods sold
$
208,869

 
$
202,461

 
$
6,408

Retail gross margin
37.1
%
 
37.7
%
 
 

The decrease in retail gross margin was driven by the impact softer sales have on our fixed warehouse and delivery costs, partially offset by the favorable shift in product mix towards the furniture and mattress category.

25


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
84,838

 
$
76,683

 
$
8,155

Credit segment
35,008

 
28,149

 
6,859

Selling, general and administrative expenses - Consolidated
$
119,846

 
$
104,832

 
$
15,014

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues
30.1
%
 
26.5
%
 
 

The increase in SG&A for the retail segment was primarily due to higher new store occupancy, advertising and compensation, which resulted in an increase as a percent of segment revenues of 190 basis points as compared to the prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the credit segment was driven by the additional investments in credit personnel to improve long-term credit performance. As a percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized), SG&A for the credit segment in the current period increased 120 basis points as compared to the prior year period. Total SG&A was also impacted by investments we are making in IT and other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives.
Provision for Bad Debts
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Provision for bad debts:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
127

 
$
324

 
$
(197
)
Credit segment
60,069

 
51,322

 
8,747

Provision for bad debts - Consolidated
$
60,196

 
$
51,646

 
$
8,550

Provision for bad debts - Credit segment, as a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)
15.6
%
 
14.5
%
 
 

The year-over-year increase in the credit segment provision for bad debts was impacted by the following:
During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , provision for bad debts increased by $5.0 million as a result of changes in estimates as it relates to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts (excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, provision for bad debts as a percent of average portfolio balance was down 20 basis points to the prior year period);
An 8.7% increase in the average receivable portfolio balance resulting from new store openings over the past 12 months; and
The balance of customer receivables accounted for as troubled debt restructurings increased to $128.6 million , or 8.3% of the total portfolio balance, driving $1.9 million of additional provision for bad debts.
Charges and Credits
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Impairments from disposals
$
1,385

 
$

 
$
1,385

Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation
135

 
1,013

 
(878
)
Employee severance
1,213

 

 
1,213

Executive management transition costs
162

 

 
162

 
$
2,895

 
$
1,013

 
$
1,882

During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , we had costs associated with impairments from disposals of two real estate assets, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, charges for severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for one store

26


we relocated prior to the end of its useful life and incurred costs for a terminated store project prior to starting construction. During the three months ended July 31, 2015 , we had costs associated with legal and professional fees related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and our securities-related litigation.
Interest Expense
For the three months ended July 31, 2016 , net interest expense increased by $14.1 million from the prior year comparative period primarily reflecting the increase in outstanding debt and an increase in our effective interest rate due to the asset-backed notes issued by our consolidated VIEs.
Provision for Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
(5,863
)
 
$
9,505

 
$
(15,368
)
Effective tax rate
33.0
%
 
36.5
%
 
 

The decrease in the income tax rate for the three months ended July 31, 2016 was impacted by tax expense from state taxes offsetting the federal income tax benefit.
Six months ended July 31, 2016 compared to six months ended July 31, 2015
Revenues
The following table provides an analysis of retail net sales by product category in each period, including repair service agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales:
 
Six Months Ended July 31,
 
 
 
%
 
Same store
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
% of Total
 
2015
 
% of Total
 
Change
 
Change
 
% change
Furniture and mattress
$
210,868

 
32.4
%
 
$
188,384

 
30.2
%
 
$
22,484

 
11.9
 %
 
0.7
 %
Home appliance
189,263

 
29.1

 
181,362

 
29.1

 
7,901

 
4.4

 
(2.8
)
Consumer electronic
131,600

 
20.2

 
141,112

 
22.6

 
(9,512
)
 
(6.7
)
 
(12.4
)
Home office
44,174

 
6.8

 
44,925

 
7.2

 
(751
)
 
(1.7
)
 
(6.6
)
Other
10,308

 
1.6

 
9,582

 
1.5

 
726

 
7.6

 
(0.7
)
Product sales
586,213

 
90.1

 
565,365

 
90.6

 
20,848

 
3.7

 
(4.3
)
Repair service agreement commissions
56,495

 
8.7

 
51,552

 
8.3

 
4,943

 
9.6

 
0.1

Service revenues
7,833

 
1.2

 
6,508

 
1.1

 
1,325

 
20.4

 
 
Total net sales
$
650,541

 
100.0
%
 
$
623,425

 
100.0
%
 
$
27,116

 
4.3
 %
 
(3.8
)%
Excluding the impact of our April 2015 decision to exit video game products, digital cameras, and certain tablets, same store sales for the six months ended July 31, 2016 decreased 2.5% . Slower sales growth was also impacted by underwriting changes made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The following provides a summary of the performance of our product categories during the quarter compared to the prior year period:
Furniture unit volume increased 12.8%, and average selling price increased 1.1%;
Mattress unit volume increased 12.7%, partially offset by a 4.1% decrease in average selling price;
Home appliance unit volume increased 5.3% with average selling price flat. Total sales for refrigeration increased 7.0%, laundry increased 3.3%, and cooking increased 4.0%;
Consumer electronic unit volume decreased 10.3%, partially offset by a 4.5% increase in average selling price. Television sales decreased 2.8% as unit volume decreased 9.9%, partially offset by an 7.9% increase in average selling price. Excluding the impact from exiting video game products and digital cameras, consumer electronics same store sales decreased 9.1%;
Home office unit volume decreased 8.5%, partially offset by a 8.1% increase in average selling price. Excluding the impact from exiting certain tablets, home office same store sales decreased 2.6%; and
The increase in repair service agreement commissions was driven by increased retail sales.

27


The following table provides the change of the components of finance charges and other revenues:
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
115,123

 
$
112,802

 
$
2,321

Insurance commissions
20,675

 
24,091

 
(3,416
)
Other revenues
931

 
808

 
123

Finance charges and other revenues
$
136,729

 
$
137,701

 
$
(972
)
Interest income and fees of the credit segment increased over the prior year primarily driven by a 11.4% increase in the average balance of the portfolio, partially offset by a yield rate of 14.9% , 140 basis points lower than the prior year period, which included the negative impact of adjustments of $8.2 million as a result of changes in estimates of amounts for allowances for no-interest option credit programs and deferred interest resulting. Excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, yield was down 30 basis points compared to the prior year period. Insurance commissions decreased over the prior year period primarily due to the decline in the number of loans with insurance products and due to the decline in retrospective commissions on insurance agreements as a result of higher charge-offs. Insurance commissions were also impacted by the growth of sales in states that have lower premium requirements.
The following table provides key portfolio performance information: 
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest income and fees
$
115,123

 
$
112,802

 
$
2,321

Net charge-offs
(108,987
)
 
(83,214
)
 
(25,773
)
Interest expense
(50,034
)
 
(19,483
)
 
(30,551
)
Net portfolio yield
$
(43,898
)
 
$
10,105

 
$
(54,003
)
Average portfolio balance
$
1,551,847

 
$
1,393,603

 
158,244

Interest income and fee yield % (annualized)
14.9
%
 
16.3
%
 
 
Net charge-off % (annualized)
14.0
%
 
11.9
%
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold and Retail Gross Margin
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Cost of goods sold
$
413,335

 
$
389,594

 
$
23,741

Retail gross margin
36.5
%
 
37.5
%
 
 

The decrease in retail gross margin was driven by the impact softer sales have on our fixed warehouse and delivery costs and higher inventory shrink, partially offset by the favorable shift in product mix towards the furniture and mattress category.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
164,821

 
$
144,910

 
$
19,911

Credit segment
68,272

 
55,597

 
12,675

Selling, general and administrative expenses - Consolidated
$
233,093

 
$
200,507

 
$
32,586

As a percent of total revenues
29.6
%
 
26.3
%
 
 


28


The increase in SG&A for the retail segment was primarily due to higher new store occupancy, advertising and compensation, which resulted in an increase as a percent of segment revenues of 210 basis points as compared to the prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the credit segment was driven by the additional investments in credit personnel to improve long-term credit performance. As a percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized), SG&A for the credit segment in the current period increased 80 basis points as compared to the prior year period. Total SG&A was also impacted by investments we are making in IT and other personnel to support long-term performance improvement initiatives.
Provision for Bad Debts
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Provision for bad debts:
 
 
 
 
 
Retail segment
$
525

 
$
393

 
$
132

Credit segment
117,889

 
98,796

 
19,093

Provision for bad debts - Consolidated
$
118,414

 
$
99,189

 
$
19,225

Provision for bad debts - Credit segment, as a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)
15.2
%
 
14.2
%
 
 

The year-over-year increase in the credit segment provision for bad debts was impacted by the following:
During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , provision for bad debts increased by $5.0 million as a result of changes in estimates as it relates to sales tax recovery on previously charged-off accounts (excluding the impact of the changes in estimates, provision for bad debts as a percent of average portfolio balance was up 40 basis points to the prior year period);
An 11.4% increase in the average receivable portfolio balance resulting from new store openings over the past 12 months; and
The balance of customer receivables accounted for as troubled debt restructurings increased to $128.6 million , or 8.3% of the total portfolio balance, driving $3.4 million of additional provision for bad debts.
Charges and Credits
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Store and facility closure costs
$

 
$
425

 
$
(425
)
Impairments from disposals
1,385

 

 
1,385

Legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation
589

 
1,207

 
(618
)
Employee severance
1,213

 

 
1,213

Executive management transition costs
234

 

 
234

 
$
3,421

 
$
1,632

 
$
1,789

During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , we had costs associated with impairments from disposals of two real estate assets, legal and professional fees related to our securities-related litigation, charges for severance and transition costs due to changes in the executive management team. The impairments from disposals included the write-off of leasehold improvements for one store we relocated prior to the end of its useful life and incurred costs for a terminated store project prior to starting construction. During the six months ended July 31, 2015 , we had charges related to the closing of under-performing retail locations and costs associated with legal and professional fees related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and our securities-related litigation.
Interest Expense
For the six months ended July 31, 2016 , net interest expense increased by $30.6 million from the prior year comparative period primarily reflecting the increase in outstanding debt and an increase in our effective interest rate due to the asset-backed notes issued by our consolidated VIEs.

29


Provision for Income Taxes
 
Six Months Ended 
 July 31,
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
(9,354
)
 
$
18,506

 
$
(27,860
)
Effective tax rate
30.1
%
 
36.5
%
 
 

The decrease in the income tax rate for the six months ended July 31, 2016 was impacted by tax expense from state taxes offsetting the federal income tax benefit.
Customer Receivable Portfolio
We provide in-house financing to individual consumers on a short-term basis (maximum initial contractual term is 32 months) for the purchase of durable products for the home. A significant portion of our customer credit portfolio is due from customers that are considered higher-risk, subprime borrowers. Our financing is executed using an installment contract, which requires a fixed monthly payment over a fixed term. We maintain a secured interest in the product financed. If a payment is delayed, missed or paid only in part, the account becomes delinquent. Our collection personnel attempt to contact a customer once their account becomes delinquent. Our loan contracts generally provide for interest at the maximum rate allowed by the respective regulations in the states in which we operate, which generally range between 18% and 21% . We are working to fully implement our new direct loan program across all Texas locations by the end of this fiscal year. The state of Texas represents approximately 70% of our recent originations, which under our current offering has a maximum equivalent interest rate of approximately 21%, compared to 30% under our new direct loan program. Additionally, we are working through the regulatory framework to raise our interest rates in certain other states that represent 14% of our originations. In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we recently increased our rates to 29.99% .
We offer 12-month, no-interest finance programs. If the customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment or does not repay the principal in full by the end of the no-interest program period (grace periods are provided), the account does not qualify for the no-interest provision and none of the interest earned is waived. We previously offered 18- and 24-month equal-payment, no-interest finance programs to certain higher credit quality borrowers, which were discounted to their present value at origination, resulting in a reduction in sales and customer receivables, and the discount amount is amortized into finance charges and other revenues over the term of the contract. If a customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment (grace periods are provided), the account begins accruing interest based on the contract rate from the date of the last payment made.
We regularly extend or "re-age" a portion of our delinquent customer accounts as a part of our normal collection procedures to protect our investment. Generally, extensions are granted to customers who have experienced a financial difficulty (such as the temporary loss of employment), which was subsequently resolved and the customer indicates a willingness and ability to resume making monthly payments. Re-ages are not granted to debtors who demonstrate a lack of intent or ability to service the obligation or have reached our limits for account re-aging. These re-ages involve modifying the payment terms to defer a portion of the cash payments currently required of the debtor to help the debtor improve his or her financial condition and eventually be able to pay us. Our re-aging of customer accounts does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer and typically does not reduce the monthly contractual payments. We may also charge the customer an extension fee, which approximates the interest owed for the time period the contract was past due. To a much lesser extent, we may provide the customer the ability to re-age their obligation by refinancing the account, which does not change the interest rate or the total amount due from the customer but does reduce the monthly contractual payments and extends the term. Under these options, as with extensions, the customer must resolve the reason for delinquency and show a willingness and ability to resume making contractual monthly payments.

30


The following tables present, for comparison purposes, information about our managed portfolio (information reflects on a combined basis the securitized receivables transferred to the VIEs and receivables not transferred to the VIEs): 
 
As of July 31,

2016
 
2015
Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances (1)
595

 
596

Average outstanding customer balance
$
2,365

 
$
2,366

Balances 60+ days past due as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance (2)
9.6
%
 
9.2
%
Re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance (2)
15.3
%
 
13.0
%
Account balances re-aged more than six months (in thousands)
$
69,415

 
$
52,688

Allowance for bad debts as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance
13.0
%
 
11.3
%
Percent of total customer portfolio balance represented by no-interest option receivables
33.3
%
 
36.1
%

Three Months Ended 
 July 31,

Six Months Ended 
 July 31,

2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Total applications processed
334,854

 
311,995

 
649,232

 
604,597

Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed (1)
611

 
617

 
610

 
617

Percent of total applications approved and utilized
35.4
%
 
44.9
%
 
36.1
%
 
44.6
%
Average down payment
3.3
%
 
3.3
%
 
3.6
%
 
3.7
%
Average income of credit customer at origination
$
41,500

 
$
40,600

 
$
40,900

 
$
40,500

Percent of retail sales paid for by:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

In-house financing, including down payment received
71.8
%
 
82.5
%
 
73.6
%
 
83.9
%
Third-party financing
17.2
%
 
7.0
%
 
14.9
%
 
4.9
%
Third-party rent-to-own option
4.9
%
 
4.1
%
 
5.1
%
 
4.6
%

93.9
%
 
93.6
%
 
93.6
%
 
93.4
%
(1)
Credit scores exclude non-scored accounts.
(2)
Accounts that become delinquent after being re-aged are included in both the delinquency and re-aged amounts.
Our customer portfolio balance and related allowance for uncollectible accounts are segregated between customer accounts receivable and restructured accounts. Customer accounts receivable include all accounts for which payment term has not been cumulatively extended over 90 days or refinanced. Restructured accounts includes all accounts for which payment term has been re-aged in excess of three months or refinanced.
For customer accounts receivable (excluding restructured accounts), the allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of the outstanding portfolio balance rose from 9.5% as of July 31, 2015 to 10.8% as of July 31, 2016 . The percentage of non-restructured accounts greater than 60 days past due increased 30 basis points over the prior year period to 8.1% as of July 31, 2016 . We expect delinquency levels and charge-offs to remain elevated over the short-term. The increase in delinquency and changes in expectations for customer performance and cash recoveries on charged-off accounts are reflected in our projection models, resulting in an increase in the level of losses we expect to realize over the next twelve months.
For restructured accounts, the allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of the portfolio balance was 35.6% as of July 31, 2015 as compared to 37.0% as of July 31, 2016 . This 140 basis point increase reflects the impact of higher delinquency rates and charge-offs from a year ago.
The percent of bad debt charge-offs, net of recoveries, to average portfolio balance was 11.7% for the three months ended July 31, 2015 compared to 14.3% for the three months ended July 31, 2016 . The increase was primarily due to the higher level of delinquency experienced over the past twelve months and included an adjustment of $3.9 million based on a revised estimate of the amount of sales tax recovery from previously charged-off accounts that we expect to claim with particular taxing jurisdictions, which resulted in an 110 basis point negative impact.
As of July 31, 2016 and 2015 , balances under no-interest programs included within customer receivables were $513.9 million and $524.1 million , respectively. We recently shifted our18- and 24-month no-interest programs to a third-party and removed 12-month no-interest program eligibility for certain higher risk customers. As a result, a decline in the proportion of accounts financed under no-interest programs is likely to result in an increase in the overall yield recognized.

31


Liquidity and Capital Resources  
We require liquidity and capital resources to finance our operations and future growth as we add new stores and markets to our operations, which in turn requires additional working capital for increased customer receivables and inventory. We generally finance our operations primarily through a combination of cash flow generated from operations, the use of our revolving credit facility, and periodic securitizations of originated customer receivables.
In September 2015, we securitized $1.4 billion of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2015 VIE"). The 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes at a face amount of $1.12 billion secured by the transferred portfolio balance, which resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $1.08 billion , net of transaction costs and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility, to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock and Senior Notes, and for other general corporate purposes.
In March 2016, we securitized $705.1 million of customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to a new bankruptcy-remote variable-interest entity (the "2016 VIE" or together with the 2015 VIE, the "VIEs"). The 2016 VIE issued two classes of asset-backed notes at a total face amount of $493.5 million secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables. This resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $478.0 million , net of transaction costs and reserves. The net proceeds were used to pay down the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.
Under the terms of the securitization transactions, the customer receivable principal and interest payment cash flows will go first to the servicer and the holders of the securitization notes, and then to the residual equity holder. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolios and are receiving monthly fees of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized receivables. We currently hold all of the residual equity for the VIEs and hold the third class of asset-backed notes of the 2016 VIE. In addition, we, rather than the VIEs, will retain all credit insurance income together with certain recoveries related to credit insurance and repair service agreements on charged-offs of the securitized receivables, which will continue to be reflected as a reduction of net charge-offs on a consolidated basis for as long as we consolidate the VIEs.
We are working to fully implement our new direct loan program across all Texas locations by the end of this fiscal year. The state of Texas represents approximately 70% of our recent originations, which under our current offering has a maximum equivalent interest rate of approximately 21%, compared to 30% under our new direct loan program. Additionally, we are working through the regulatory framework to raise our interest rates in certain other states that represent 14% of our originations. In states where regulations do not generally limit the interest rate charged, we recently increased our rates to 29.99% . These efforts are expected enhance the profitability of our credit segment.
We believe, based on our current projections, that we have sufficient sources of liquidity to fund our operations, store expansion and updating activities, and capital programs for at least the next twelve months.
Operating cash flow activities.   During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , net cash provided by operating activities was $131.9 million as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $13.4 million during the prior-year period. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by the lower growth rate in our customer portfolio balance, working capital improvements, and an increase in the amount of tenant improvement allowances received, partially offset by the decrease in net income when adjusted for non-cash activity, including the increases in provision for bad debts and uncollectible interest and amortization of debt issuance costs and the change in deferred income taxes.
Investing cash flow activities. During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , net cash used in investing activities was $31.3 million as compared to $29.6 million during the prior-year period. Purchases of property and equipment increased year-over-year related to the timing of construction activities for new stores, as well as store remodels and relocations.
Financing cash flow activities. During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , net cash used in financing activities was $97.3 million as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $37.7 million during the prior-year period. During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , the 2016 VIE issued asset-backed notes resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $478.0 million, net of transaction costs and reserves. The net proceeds were used to pay down the revolving credit facility. Also during the six months ended July 31, 2016 , we made payments of $537.8 million on asset-backed notes from proceeds received on the securitized receivables. During the six months ended July 31, 2015 , financing activities were primarily limited to the use of the revolving credit facility. 
Senior Notes. On July 1, 2014, we issued $250.0 million of unsecured Senior Notes due July 2022 bearing interest at 7.250% , pursuant to an indenture dated July 1, 2014 (the "Indenture") among Conn's, Inc., its subsidiary guarantors (the "Guarantors") and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. During the year ended January 31, 2016, we repurchased $23.0 million of face value of the Senior Notes for $22.9 million. The effective interest rate of the Senior Notes after giving effect to offering fees and debt discount is 7.7% .

32


The Indenture, as amended, restricts the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' ability to: (i) incur indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock ("restricted payments"); (iii) prepay, redeem or repurchase debt that is junior in right of payment to the notes; (iv) make loans and certain investments; (v) sell assets; (vi) incur liens; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (viii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. Specifically, limitations for restricted payments are triggered only if one or more of the following occurred: (1) a default were to exist under the indenture, (2) if we could not satisfy a debt incurrence test, and (3) if the aggregate amount of restricted payments would exceed an amount tied to the consolidated net income. These limitations, however, are subject to two exceptions: (1) an exception that permits the payment of up to $375.0 million in restricted payments, and (2) an exception that permits restricted payments regardless of dollar amount so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the dividends and other restricted payments, we would have a leverage ratio, as defined under the Indenture, less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00. Thus, as of July 31, 2016 , $190.2 million would have been free from the dividend restriction. However, as a result of the revolving credit facility dividend restrictions, which are further described below, no amount was available for dividends. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated investment grade by either of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and no default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and we will cease to be subject to such covenants during such period.
Events of default under the Indenture include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default in the payment of other debt due at maturity or upon acceleration for default in an amount exceeding $25.0 million , as well as in the event a judgment is entered against us in excess of $25.0 million that is not discharged, bonded or insured.
Asset-backed Notes. In September 2015, the 2015 VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2015 VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $952.1 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.565% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class A Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 6.8% .
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2015-A ("2015-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $165.9 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.500% and mature on September 15, 2020. The effective interest rate of the 2015-A Class B Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 12.8% .
The 2015-A Class A Notes and 2015-A Class B Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2015-A Class A Notes and 2015-A Class B Notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2015 VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.
In March 2016, the 2016 VIE issued asset-backed notes secured by the transferred customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by the 2016 VIE. The asset-backed notes consist of the following securities:
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class A Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $423.0 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.680% and mature on April 16, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class A Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 6.8% .
Asset-backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class B, Series 2016-A ("2016-A Class B Notes") in aggregate principal amount of $70.5 million that bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.960% and mature on August 15, 2018. The effective interest rate of the 2016-A Class B Notes after giving effect to offering fees is 9.8% .
The 2016-A Class A Notes and 2016-A Class B Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If an event of default were to occur under the indenture that governs the notes, the payment of the outstanding amounts would be accelerated, in which event the cash proceeds of the receivables that otherwise might be released to us as the holder of a third class of asset-backed notes issued by the 2016 VIE ("2016-A Class C Notes") and the residual equity would instead be directed entirely toward repayment of the 2016-A Class A Notes and 2016-A Class B Notes. The holders of the notes have no recourse to assets outside of the 2016 VIE. Events of default include, but are not limited to, failure to make required payments on the notes or specified bankruptcy-related events.
Revolving Credit Facility. On October 30, 2015, Conn's, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Borrowers") entered into the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with a syndicate of banks that provides for an $810.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") under which availability is subject to a borrowing base. The revolving credit facility matures on October 30, 2018.

33


On February 16, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a first amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:
Excluding non-cash deferred amortization of debt related transaction costs from interest coverage ratio; and
Extending from 6 months to 18 months the time frame subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent covenant will be determined.
On May 18, 2016, the Borrowers entered into a second amendment to the revolving credit facility, which resulted in various changes, including:
Amending the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, so long as the borrowing base reduction discussed below is in effect, to:
Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.0 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 through the first quarter of fiscal 2018; and
Reduce the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant to 1.25 x for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 through the third quarter of fiscal 2019.
Modifying the conditions for repurchases of the Company's common stock, including the addition of a requirement to achieve a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.5 x for two consecutive quarters; and
Reducing the borrowing base by $15.0 million beginning on May 31, 2016, reducing the borrowing base by $10.0 million for any month beginning with July 31, 2017 so long as the interest coverage ratio is at least 1.25 x, and no borrowing base reduction at any time the interest coverage ratio is at least 2.0 x for two consecutive quarters.
As of July 31, 2016 , loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). Pursuant to the second amendment, the margins increased by 25 basis points subsequent to July 31, 2016 . The alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., the federal funds rate plus 0.5% , or LIBOR for a 30-day interest period plus 1.0% . The effective interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility after giving effect to offering fees is 5.5% . We also pay an unused fee on the portion of the commitments that are available for future borrowings or letters of credit at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, depending on the outstanding balance and letters of credit of the revolving credit facility.
The revolving credit facility provides funding based on a borrowing base calculation that includes customer accounts receivable and inventory, and provides for a $40.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit to support obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The obligations under the revolving credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of the Company, excluding the assets of the VIEs. As of July 31, 2016 , we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $97.7 million under our revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $5.3 million . We also had $407.5 million that may become available under our revolving credit facility if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and our total eligible inventory balances.
The revolving credit facility places restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens on assets, make distributions on equity interests, dispose of assets, make loans, pay other indebtedness, engage in mergers, and other matters. The revolving credit facility restricts our ability to make dividends and distributions unless no event of default exists and a liquidity test is satisfied. Subsidiaries of the Company may make dividends and distributions to the Company and other obligors under the revolving credit facility without restriction. As of July 31, 2016 , under the revolving credit facility, as amended, no amount was available for dividends. The revolving credit facility contains customary default provisions, which, if triggered, could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

34


Debt covenants. We were in compliance with our debt covenants, as amended, at July 31, 2016 . A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our revolving credit facility, as amended, compared to our actual compliance status at July 31, 2016 is presented below: 
 
Actual
 
Required
Minimum/
Maximum
Interest Coverage Ratio must equal or exceed minimum
1.03:1.00
 
1.00:1.00
Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
2.63:1.00
 
4.00:1.00
ABS Excluded Leverage Ratio must not exceed maximum
1.52:1.00
 
2.00:1.00
Cash Recovery Percent must exceed stated amount
4.77%
 
4.50%
Capital Expenditures, net, must not exceed maximum
$26.0 million
 
$75.0 million
All capitalized terms in the above table are defined by the revolving credit facility, as amended, and may or may not agree directly with the financial statement captions in this document. Compliance with the covenants is calculated quarterly, except for the Cash Recovery Percent, which is calculated monthly on a trailing three-month basis, and Capital Expenditures, which is calculated for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The revolving credit facility provides for 18 months subsequent to the closing of a securitization transaction in which the Cash Recovery Percent will be determined based on the portfolio of contracts subject to the (i) securitization facilities; and (ii) a lien under the revolving credit facility.
Capital expenditures.  We lease the majority of our stores under operating leases, and our plans for future store locations include primarily operating leases, but do not exclude store ownership. Our capital expenditures for future new store projects should primarily be for our tenant improvements to the property leased (including any new distribution centers and cross-dock facilities), the cost of which is estimated to be between $1.0 million and $1.5 million per store (before tenant improvement allowances), and for our existing store remodels, estimated to range between $0.5 million and $1.0 million per store remodel, depending on store size. In the event we purchase existing properties, our capital expenditures will depend on the particular property and whether it is improved when purchased. We are continuously reviewing new relationship and funding sources and alternatives for new stores, which may include "sale-leaseback" or direct "purchase-lease" programs, as well as other funding sources for our purchase and construction of those projects. If we are successful in these relationship developments, our direct cash needs should include only our capital expenditures for tenant improvements to leased properties and our remodel programs for existing stores, but could include full ownership. During the six months ended July 31, 2016 , we opened nine new stores and we plan to open one additional new stores for a total of 10 new stores for fiscal 2017. Our anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal year 2017 are between $37.0 million and $42.0 million , which does not take into account any potential proceeds from the sale of owned real estate.
Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities and Other Contractual Obligations
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.
The following table presents a summary of our minimum contractual commitments and obligations as of July 31, 2016
 
 
 
Payments due by period
(in thousands)
Total
 
Less Than 1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
More Than
5   Years
Debt, including estimated interest payments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility (1)
$
325,531

 
$
11,573

 
$
313,958

 
$

 
$

Senior Notes
325,024

 
16,458

 
32,915

 
32,915

 
242,736

2015-A Class A Notes (2)
232,344

 
8,925

 
17,851

 
205,568

 

2015-A Class B Notes (2)
224,401

 
14,102

 
28,203

 
182,096

 

2016-A Class A Notes (3)
260,365

 
11,282

 
249,083

 

 

2016-A Class B Notes (3)
83,405

 
6,318

 
77,087

 

 

Capital lease obligations
2,340

 
902

 
1,438

 

 

Operating leases:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Real estate
470,593

 
27,617

 
112,894

 
107,650

 
222,432

Equipment
3,755

 
2,039

 
1,645

 
71

 

Contractual commitments (4)
106,525

 
105,116

 
1,409

 

 

Total
$
2,034,283

 
$
204,332

 
$
836,483

 
$
528,300

 
$
465,168


35


(1)
Estimated interest payments are based on the outstanding balance and the interest rate in effect as of July 31, 2016 .
(2)
The payments due by period for 2015-A Class A Notes and 2015-A Class B Notes were based on the maturity date of September 15, 2020 at their respective fixed annual interest rate. Actual principal and interest payments will be provided based on the proceeds from the securitized customer accounts receivables.
(3)
The payments due by period for 2016-A Class A Notes and 2016-A Class B Notes were based on the maturity date of April 16, 2018 and August 15, 2018, respectively, at their respective fixed annual interest rate. Actual principal and interest payments will be provided based on the proceeds from the securitized customer accounts receivables.
(4)
Contractual commitments primarily includes commitments to purchase inventory of $93.0 million and capital expenditures of $4.5 million , with the remaining relating to commitments for advertising and other services. The timing of the payments is subject to change based upon actual receipt and the terms of payment with the vendor.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates  
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Certain accounting policies are considered "critical accounting policies" because they are particularly dependent on estimates made by us about matters that are inherently uncertain and could have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. As a result, actual results could differ because of the use of estimates. The description of critical accounting policies is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016 .
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The information related to recent accounting pronouncements as set forth in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.5% to 3.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base) or the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% per annum (depending on quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base). Pursuant to the second amendment to the revolving credit facility, the margins increased by 25 basis points subsequent to July 31, 2016 . The alternate base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., the federal funds rate plus 0.5% , or LIBOR for a 30-day interest period plus 1.0% . Accordingly, changes in our quarterly average net availability under the borrowing base and LIBOR or the alternate base rate will affect the interest rate on, and therefore our costs under, the revolving credit facility. As of July 31, 2016 , the balance outstanding under our revolving credit facility was $299.5 million . A 100 basis point increase in interest rates on the revolving credit facility would increase our borrowing costs by $3.0 million over a 12-month period, based on the balance outstanding at July 31, 2016 .
For additional information regarding quantitative and qualitative market risks, as updated by the preceding paragraphs, see Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016
ITEM 4.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 
Based on management's evaluation (with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO")), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 
For the quarter ended July 31, 2016 , there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION 
ITEM 1.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 
The information set forth in Note 7, Contingencies , of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference. 

36


ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS  
As of the date of the filing, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2016 .
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the three months ended July 31, 2016 , we did not engage in any share repurchase activity under our share repurchase program.
On September 9, 2015, we announced that the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board of Directors") authorized a repurchase program of up to an aggregate of $75.0 million of (i) shares of the Company's outstanding common stock; (ii) the Senior Notes; or (iii) a combination thereof. On November 2, 2015, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized an additional $100.0 million towards the repurchase program for purchase of shares of the Company's outstanding common stock, Senior Notes, or a combination thereof.  During fiscal 2016, we purchased 5.9 million shares of common stock, using $151.6 million of the $175.0 million repurchase authorization. Additionally, we utilized $22.9 million of the repurchase authorization to acquire $23.0 million of face value of our senior notes. As a result of the second amendment to our revolving credit facility executed on May 18, 2016, we must achieve a 2.5x minimum interest coverage ratio for two consecutive quarters before we will be permitted to make any further stock repurchases.
ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
None. 
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 
Not applicable.
ITEM 5.  
OTHER INFORMATION
None. 
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS 
The exhibits required pursuant to Item 6 of Form 10-Q are listed in the Exhibit Index filed herewith, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

37


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
 
CONN'S, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
September 8, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Lee A. Wright
 
 
 
Lee A. Wright
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized to sign this report on behalf of the registrant)
 



EXHIBIT INDEX  
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Document
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003)
3.1.1
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. dated June 3, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004)
3.1.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. dated May 30, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2012 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2012)
3.1.3
 
Certificate of Correction to the Certificate of Amendment to Conn's, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation (as corrected December 31, 2013) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.3 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2014 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2014)
3.1.4
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. as filed on May 29, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.4 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2014 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2014)
3.1.5
 
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2014)
3.1.6
 
Certificate of Elimination of Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Conn's Inc., dated September 10, 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2015)
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Conn's, Inc. effective as of December 3, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Conn's, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2013 (File No. 001-34956) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2013)
4.1
 
Specimen of certificate for shares of Conn's, Inc.'s common stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2003)
10.1
 
Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated May 18, 2016, by and among the Conn’s, Inc., as parent and guarantor, Conn Appliances, Inc., Conn Credit I, LP and Conn Credit Corporation, Inc., as borrowers, certain banks and financial institutions named therein, as lenders, and Bank of America N.A., in its capacity as agent for lenders (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2016)
10.2
 
Offer of employment from the Company to Lee A. Wright, dated as of May 31, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2016)
10.3
 
Executive Severance Agreement by and between the Company and Lee A. Wright, dated as of May 31, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Conn's, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34956) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2016)
10.4
 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-based and Performance-based Vesting) under the Conn’s, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
10.5
 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-based) under the Conn’s, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer)
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer)
101
 
The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2016, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the consolidated balance sheets at July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, (ii) the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, (iii) the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015 and (iv) the notes to consolidated financial statements

39
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