Quarterly Report (10-q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: DECEMBER 31, 2017

-OR-

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

Commission File No. 1-33145

SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		36-2257936
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3001 Colorado Boulevard
Denton, Texas		76210
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (940) 898-7500

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

As of February 2, 2018, there were 125,102,746 shares of the issuer’s common stock outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements	6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations	26
Item 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	33
Item 4. Controls And Procedures	33

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	34
Item 1a. Risk Factors	34
Item 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities And Use Of Proceeds	34
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	34
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	34
Item 5. Other Information	34
Item 6. Exhibits	35

In this Quarterly Report, references to “the Company,” “Sally Beauty,” “our company,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.

cautionary notice regarding forward-looking statements

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the documents incorporated by reference herein which are not purely historical facts or which depend upon future events may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions may also identify such forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as such statements speak only as of the date they were made. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to:

•

anticipating and effectively responding to changes in consumer and professional stylist preferences and buying trends in a timely manner;

•

the success of our strategic initiatives, including our store refresh program and increased marketing efforts, to enhance the customer experience, attract new customers, drive brand awareness and improve customer loyalty;

•

our ability to efficiently manage and control our costs and the success of our cost control plans, including our recently implemented restructuring plans;

•

our ability to implement our restructuring plans in various jurisdictions;

•

our ability to manage the effects of our cost-reduction plans on our employees and other operations costs;

•

charges related to the restructuring plans;

•

possible changes in the size and components of the expected costs and charges associated with the restructuring plans;

•

our ability to realize the anticipated cost savings from the restructuring plans within the anticipated time frame, if at all;

•

the highly competitive nature of, and the increasing consolidation of, the beauty products distribution industry;

•

the timing and acceptance of new product introductions;

•

shifts in the mix of products sold during any period;

•

potential fluctuation in our same store sales and quarterly financial performance;

•

our dependence upon manufacturers who may be unwilling or unable to continue to supply products to us;

•

our dependence upon manufacturers who have developed or could develop their own distribution businesses which compete directly with ours;

•

the possibility of material interruptions in the supply of products by our third‑party manufacturers or distributors or increases in the prices of the products we purchase from our third‑party manufacturers or distributors;

•

products sold by us being found to be defective in labeling or content;

•

compliance with current laws and regulations or becoming subject to additional or more stringent laws and regulations;

•

the success of our e-commerce businesses;

•

diversion of professional products sold by Beauty Systems Group to mass retailers or other unauthorized resellers;

•

the operational and financial performance of our Armstrong McCall, L.P. franchise‑based business, which we refer to as Armstrong McCall;

•

successfully identifying acquisition candidates and successfully completing desirable acquisitions;

•

integrating acquired businesses;

•

the success of our initiatives to expand into new geographies;

•

the success of our existing stores, and our ability to increase sales at existing stores;

•

opening and operating new stores profitably;

•

the volume of traffic to our stores;

•

the impact of the general economic conditions upon our business;

•

the challenges of conducting business outside the United States;

•

the impact of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and related or other disruptive events in the United Kingdom, the European Union or other geographies in which we conduct business;

•

rising labor and rental costs;

•

protecting our intellectual property rights, particularly our trademarks;

•

the risk that our products may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others;

•

successfully updating and integrating our information technology systems;

•

disruption in our information technology systems;

•

a significant data security breach, including misappropriation of our customers’, employees’ or suppliers’ confidential information, and the potential costs related thereto;

•

the negative impact on our reputation and loss of confidence of our customers, suppliers and others arising from a significant data security breach;

•

the costs and diversion of management’s attention required to investigate and remediate a data security breach and to continuously upgrade our information technology security systems to address evolving cyber-security threats;

•

the ultimate determination of the extent or scope of the potential liabilities relating to our past or any future data security incidents;

•

our ability to attract and retain highly skilled management and other personnel;

•

severe weather, natural disasters or acts of violence or terrorism;

•

the preparedness of our accounting and other management systems to meet financial reporting and other requirements and the upgrade of our existing financial reporting system;

•

being a holding company, with no operations of our own, and depending on our subsidiaries for our liquidity needs;

•

our ability to execute and implement our share repurchase program;

•

our substantial indebtedness;

•

the possibility that we may incur substantial additional debt, including secured debt, in the future;

•

restrictions and limitations in the agreements and instruments governing our debt;

•

generating the significant amount of cash needed to service all of our debt and refinancing all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtaining additional financing;

•

changes in interest rates increasing the cost of servicing or refinancing our debt; and

•

the costs and effects of litigation.

The events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Our quarterly financial results and other important information are available by calling our Investor Relations Department at (940) 297-3877.

We maintain a website at www.sallybeautyholdings.com where investors and other interested parties may obtain, free of charge, press releases and other information as well as gain access to our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information contained on this website should not be considered to be a part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC.

PART I — FINANCI AL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

The following consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, and the consolidated statements of earnings, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are those of Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except par value data)

	December 31, 2017			September 30, 2017
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	79,312		$	63,759
Trade accounts receivable, net		49,580			46,986
Accounts receivable, other		47,378			45,255
Inventory		941,146			930,855
Other current assets		46,259			55,223
Total current assets		1,163,675			1,142,078
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $563,001 at December 31, 2017 and $546,061 at September 30, 2017		306,421			313,717
Goodwill		544,418			537,791
Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $124,818 at December 31, 2017 and $121,550 at September 30, 2017		77,740			80,305
Other assets		21,067			25,116
Total assets	$	2,113,321		$	2,099,007
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	104,900		$	96,082
Accounts payable		306,270			307,752
Accrued liabilities		166,501			166,527
Income taxes payable		12,331			2,233
Total current liabilities		590,002			572,594
Long-term debt		1,771,299			1,771,853
Other liabilities		31,147			20,140
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		63,508			98,036
Total liabilities		2,455,956			2,462,623
Stockholders’ deficit:
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 500,000 shares; 126,166 and 129,710 shares issued and 125,799 and 129,585 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively		1,258			1,296
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 50,000 shares; none issued		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		—			—
Accumulated deficit		(260,999	)		(283,076	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(82,894	)		(81,836	)
Total stockholders’ deficit		(342,635	)		(363,616	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	2,113,321		$	2,099,007

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2017		2016
Net sales	$	994,964	$	999,609
Cost of goods sold		508,335		507,901
Gross profit		486,629		491,708
Selling, general and administrative expenses		371,286		374,251
Restructuring charges		5,210		—
Operating earnings		110,133		117,457
Interest expense		24,016		26,799
Earnings before provision for income taxes		86,117		90,658
Provision for income taxes		2,853		34,832
Net earnings	$	83,264	$	55,826
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.65	$	0.39
Diluted	$	0.65	$	0.39
Weighted average shares:
Basic		127,784		143,631
Diluted		128,645		144,860

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2017			2016
Net earnings	$	83,264		$	55,826
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		(255	)		(18,668	)
Interest rate caps:
Changes in fair value		(1,130	)		—
Income taxes related to changes in fair value		327			—
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(1,058	)		(18,668	)
Total comprehensive income	$	82,206		$	37,158

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	83,264		$	55,826
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		27,090			26,839
Share-based compensation expense		3,111			3,814
Amortization of deferred financing costs		921			789
Deferred income taxes		(31,350	)		3,000
Changes in (exclusive of effects of acquisitions):
Trade accounts receivable		(2,427	)		2,181
Accounts receivable, other		(2,008	)		1,727
Inventory		(8,055	)		(9,358	)
Other current assets		9,105			12,255
Other assets		(290	)		(592	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		3,764			(19,375	)
Income taxes payable		10,069			13,151
Other liabilities		11,010			(463	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		104,204			89,794
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for property and equipment, net		(22,499	)		(28,008	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(9,175	)		—
Net cash used by investing activities		(31,674	)		(28,008	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		126,505			58,500
Repayments of long-term debt		(119,067	)		(58,674	)
Payments for common stock repurchased		(64,612	)		(67,183	)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options		275			14,280
Net cash used by financing activities		(56,899	)		(53,077	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(78	)		(921	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		15,553			7,788
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		63,759			86,622
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	79,312		$	94,410
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	$	36,331		$	51,451
Income taxes paid	$	3,607		$	3,882
Capital expenditures incurred but not paid	$	2,486		$	1,672

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Sally Beauty” or “the Company” or “we”) sell professional beauty supplies through its Sally Beauty Supply (“SBS”) retail stores located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Chile and Peru. Additionally, we distribute professional beauty products to salons and salon professionals through our Beauty Systems Group (“BSG”) store operations and a commissioned direct sales force that calls on salons primarily in the U.S. and Canada, and to franchises in the southern and southwestern regions of the U.S. and in Mexico through the operations of its subsidiary Armstrong McCall. A significant number of our products are also available through a number of SBS and BSG-operated websites. Certain beauty products sold by BSG and Armstrong McCall are sold under exclusive territory agreements with the third-party manufacturers.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and which are necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, and our consolidated results of operations, consolidated comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein have been prepared on a going concern basis of accounting. Each quarter, management evaluates, based on relevant conditions and events, our ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year from the date our financial statements are issued. Based on management’s assessment, we have concluded that substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern does not exist as of the date the condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein were issued.

Certain amounts for the prior fiscal periods have been reclassified to conform to the current fiscal period presentation, in connection with the retroactive adoption of two new accounting pronouncements in the current interim period. Please see Note 3 below for additional information.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

We adhere to the same accounting policies in the preparation of our interim consolidated financial statements as we do in the preparation of our full-year consolidated financial statements. As permitted under GAAP, interim accounting for certain expenses, including income taxes, is based on full-year assumptions. For interim financial reporting purposes, income taxes are recorded based upon estimated annual effective income tax rates.

3. Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Changes

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Income Taxes , which requires that deferred tax assets, net of related valuation allowances, and deferred tax liabilities be reported as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. We adopted the new standard retrospectively effective October 1, 2017. Accordingly, the adoption of ASU No. 2015-17 resulted in a decrease in current deferred income tax assets of $28.4 million, a decrease in current deferred income tax liabilities, included in accrued liabilities, of $2.0 million, a net increase in noncurrent deferred income tax assets, included in other assets, of $4.3 million and a net decrease in noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities of $22.1 million in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which amended several aspects of how share-based compensation is recorded and reported on the financial statements. For example, the new guidance will require that all the income tax effect related to share-based payments be recorded in income tax expense. We adopted these amendments effective October 1, 2017. In connection with this accounting change, we have elected to recognize share-based

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

compensation award forfeitures when they occur. Pr ior to the change, we recognized forfeitures based on the estimated number of awards expected to vest. As allowed, we elected to adopt retrospectively the amendment requiring that excess tax benefits (shortfalls) be reported in cash flows from operating ac tivities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of the amendments contained in ASU No. 2016-09 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which will supersede Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. A core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should measure revenue in connection with its sale of goods and services to a customer based on the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for each of those goods and services. The new standard must be adopted using either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. For public companies, this amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We have not yet selected a transition method. We have not yet adopted this accounting pronouncement and we do not believe, based on our assessment, that adoption will have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial position. We are currently assessing the disclosure requirements contained in the new standard and anticipate being compliant with the additional disclosures about our revenue recognition practices required by the new standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases , which will require most leases to be reported on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. Under the new guidance, the lease liability must be measured initially based on the present value of future lease payments, subject to certain conditions. The right-of-use asset must be measured initially based on the amount of the liability, plus certain initial direct costs. The new guidance further requires that leases be classified at inception as either (a) operating leases or (b) finance leases. For operating leases, periodic expense will generally be flat (straight-line) throughout the life of the lease. For finance leases, periodic expense will decline (similar to capital leases under prior rules) over the life of the lease. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition method. For public companies, this standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We have not yet adopted this accounting pronouncement. We have completed a preliminary assessment of the potential impact of adopting ASU No. 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2017, adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 would have resulted in recognition of a right-of-use asset in the estimated amount of approximately $600.0 million and a lease liability for a similar amount in our consolidated balance sheet. We do not believe adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 will have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows. The amount of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability we ultimately recognize may materially differ from this preliminary estimate, including as a result of future organic growth in our business and potential acquisitions.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities , which is intended to better align an entity’s risk management activities and its financial reporting for hedging relationships. ASU No. 2017-12 will change both the designation and measurement guidance for a qualifying hedging relationship and the presentation of the impact of the hedging relationship on the entity’s financial statements. In addition, ASU No. 2017-12 contains targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness and eliminates the requirement for an entity to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. For public companies, these amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We have not yet adopted the accounting pronouncement and do not believe, based on our preliminary assessment, that adoption will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

4. Fair Value Measurements

Our financial instruments consist of cash equivalents, if any, trade and other accounts receivable, accounts payable, derivative instruments, including foreign exchange contracts and interest rate caps, and debt. The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, if any, trade and other accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

We measure on a recurring basis and disclose the fair value of our financial instruments under the provisions of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement , as amended (“ASC 820”). We define “fair value” as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for measuring fair value. This valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Consistent with this hierarchy, we categorized our financial assets and liabilities as follows (in thousands):

	As of December 31, 2017
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Foreign exchange contracts	$	572	$	—	$	572	$	—
Interest rate caps		4,048		—		4,048		—
Total assets	$	4,620	$	—	$	4,620	$	—
Liabilities
Long-term debt	$	1,893,765	$	946,300	$	947,465	$	—
Foreign exchange contracts		—		—		—		—
Total liabilities	$	1,893,765	$	946,300	$	947,465	$	—

	As of September 30, 2017
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Foreign exchange contracts	$	779	$	—	$	779	$	—
Interest rate caps		5,178		—		5,178		—
Total assets	$	5,957	$	—	$	5,957	$	—
Liabilities
Long-term debt	$	1,919,930	$	973,750	$	946,180	$	—
Foreign exchange contracts		207		—		207		—
Total liabilities	$	1,920,137	$	973,750	$	946,387	$	—

Long-term debt, including current maturities and borrowings under the asset-based senior secured loan facility (the “ABL facility”), if any, is carried in our consolidated financial statements at amortized cost of $1,895.0 million at December 31, 2017 and $1,887.4 million at September 30, 2017, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $18.8 million at December 31, 2017 and $19.4 million at September 30, 2017. Our senior notes are valued for purposes of the disclosure above using unadjusted quoted market prices for such debt securities. Our term loan B is generally valued for purposes of the disclosure above using quoted market prices for similar debt securities in active markets. Other long-term debt (consisting primarily of borrowings under the ABL facility, if any, and capital lease obligations) is generally valued for purposes of the disclosure above using widely accepted valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow analyses, using observable inputs, such as market interest rates.

5. Accumulated Stockholders’ Deficit

In August 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of its common stock over an approximate four-year period expiring on September 30, 2021 (the “2017 Share Repurchase Program”) and terminated our similar share repurchase program approved by our Board in 2014 (the “2014 Share Repurchase Program”). During the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we repurchased and subsequently retired approximately 3.8 million and 2.5 million shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $64.5 million and $67.0 million under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program and the 2014 Share Repurchase Program, respectively. We reduced common stock and additional paid-in capital, in the aggregate, by these amounts. However, as required by GAAP, to the extent that share repurchase amounts exceeded the balance of additional paid-in capital prior to our recording of such repurchases, we recorded the excess in accumulated deficit. We funded these share repurchases with cash from operations and borrowings under the ABL facility.

The change in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) was as follows (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Interest Rate Caps			Total
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	(80,752	)	$	(1,084	)	$	(81,836	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification, net of tax		(255	)		(803	)		(1,058	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(81,007	)	$	(1,887	)	$	(82,894	)

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

6. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2017		2016
Net earnings	$	83,264	$	55,826
Weighted average basic shares		127,784		143,631
Dilutive securities:
Stock option and stock award programs		861		1,229
Weighted average diluted shares		128,645		144,860
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.65	$	0.39
Diluted	$	0.65	$	0.39

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, options to purchase 5,802,107 shares and 2,457,972 shares, respectively, of our common stock were outstanding but not included in our computations of diluted earnings per share, because these options were anti-dilutive. An anti-dilutive option is an option that is: (a) out-of-the-money (an option with an exercise price which is greater than the average price per share of our common stock during the period), and (b) in-the-money (an option with an exercise price which is less than the average price per share of our common stock during the period) for which the sum of assumed proceeds, including any unrecognized compensation expense related to such option, exceeds the average price per share for the period.

7. Share-Based Payments

Performance-Based Awards

The following table presents a summary of the activity for our performance unit awards assuming 100% payout:

Performance Unit Awards	Number of Shares (in Thousands)			Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Vesting Term (in Years)
Unvested at September 30, 2017		197		$	24.50		1.5
Granted		215			17.42
Vested		—			—
Forfeited		(6	)		24.55
Unvested at December 31, 2017		406		$	20.76		2.0

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Service-Based Awards

The following table presents a summary of the activity for our stock option awards:

	Number of Outstanding Options (in Thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2017		5,211		$	24.12		5.6	$	3,867
Granted		1,122			17.42
Exercised		(26	)		10.52
Forfeited or expired		(145	)		24.73
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		6,162		$	22.94		6.1	$	4,732
Exercisable at December 31, 2017		3,658		$	23.61		4.6	$	3,229

The following table presents a summary of the activity for our Restricted Stock Awards:

Restricted Stock Awards	Number of Shares (in Thousands)			Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Vesting Term (in Years)
Unvested at September 30, 2017		125		$	26.00		1.3
Granted		264			17.42
Vested		(23	)		24.18
Forfeited		—			—
Unvested at December 31, 2017		366		$	19.94		2.7

The following table presents a summary of the activity for our Restricted Stock Units:

Restricted Stock Units	Number of Shares (in Thousands)			Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Vesting Term (in Years)
Unvested at September 30, 2017		—		$	—		—
Granted		72			17.42
Vested		—			—
Forfeited		(7	)		17.42
Unvested at December 31, 2017		65		$	17.42		0.7

8. Commitments and Contingencies

During the fiscal year 2014, we disclosed that we had experienced a data security incident (the “2014 data security incident”). During the fiscal year 2015, we disclosed that we had experienced a second data security incident (the “2015 data security incident” and, together with the 2014 data security incident, the “data security incidents”). The costs that we have incurred to date in connection with the data security incidents include assessments by payment card networks, professional advisory fees and legal fees relating to investigating and remediating the data security incidents. In April 2017, we entered into agreements pursuant to which all existing claims and assessments by certain payment card networks were settled. We cannot provide any assurances regarding whether assessments by other payment card networks will be received.

We expect to incur additional costs and expenses related to the data security incidents in the future. These costs and expenses may result from potential additional liabilities to other payment card networks, governmental or third party investigations, proceedings or litigation and legal and other fees necessary to defend against any potential liabilities or claims, and further investigatory and

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

remediation costs. While we do not anticipate these additional costs and expenses or liabilities would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results, these additional c osts and expenses could be significant.

9. Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt

Our debt outstanding at December 31, 2017 was not materially different from that at September 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, we have $381.3 million available for borrowing under the ABL facility, including the Canadian sub-facility. At December 31, 2017, we are in compliance with the agreements and instruments governing our debt, including our financial covenants.

10. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we did not purchase or hold any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Designated Cash Flow Hedges

In July 2017, we purchased two interest rate caps with an initial aggregate notional amount of $550 million (the “interest rate caps”). The interest rate caps expire on June 30, 2023 and are designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

Non-designated Cash Flow Hedges

At December 31, 2017, we held foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $100.6 million based upon exchange rates at December 31, 2017. These derivative instruments expire at various dates though September 30, 2018.

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

	Asset Derivatives					Liability Derivatives
	Classification	December 31, 2017		September 30, 2017		Classification	December 31, 2017		September 30, 2017
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate caps	Other current assets	$	4,048	$	5,178	N/A	$	—	$	—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		572		779	Accrued liabilities		—		207
		$	4,620	$	5,957		$	—	$	207

The effect of our derivative financial instruments on our consolidated statements of earnings was not material for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

11. Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted comprehensive amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“U.S. Tax Reform”). Among other things, U.S. Tax Reform (a) reduces the federal statutory tax rate for corporate taxpayers, (b) provides for a deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings by U.S. taxpayers and makes other fundamental changes on how foreign earnings will be taxed by the U.S. and (c) otherwise modifies corporate tax rules in significant ways. In accordance with ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes , entities must revalue their deferred income taxes considering the new tax rates and recognize any impact of the deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings on their financial statements based on the enacted tax law.

In December 2017, the SEC provided guidance allowing registrants to record provisional amounts, during a specified measurement period, when the necessary information is not available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to account for the impact of U.S. Tax Reform. Accordingly, we have reported the revaluation of deferred income taxes and the impact of the deemed repatriation on our consolidated financial statements based on provisional amounts. Specifically, in the three months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized a provisional income tax benefit of $33.6 million in connection with the revaluation of our deferred income tax assets and

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

liabilities, and a provision al income tax charge of $11. 4 million for federal and state income taxes , including $10.4 million payable beyond one year, related to accumulated but undistributed ear nings of our foreign operations.

For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, our U.S. federal statutory tax rate will be 24.5% and, for fiscal years after that, 21.0%. Among the factors that could affect the accuracy of our provisional amounts is uncertainty about the statutory tax rate applicable to our deferred income tax assets and liabilities, since the actual rate will be dependent on the timing of realization or settlement of such assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2017, we estimated the dates when such realization or settlement would occur. The actual dates when such realization or settlement occurs may be significantly different from our estimates, which could result in the ultimate revaluation of our deferred income taxes to be different from our provisional amounts. In addition, there is uncertainty about the impact of expected Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance intended to interpret the most complex provisions of U.S. Tax Reform. Our liability for federal and state income taxes applicable to undistributed earnings of our foreign operations may be materially different from our provisional amount as a result of such future IRS guidance and interpretation and in connection with estimates related to the amount of undistributed foreign earnings and cash balances.

We are currently assessing the potential additional impact of U.S. Tax Reform on our business and consolidated financial statements, and expect to complete such assessment on or before September 30, 2018.

The difference between our U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective income tax rate is summarized below:

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	24.5	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.2
Effect of foreign operations	0.8
Deferred tax revaluation	(39.1)
Deemed repatriation tax	13.3
Other, net	0.6
Effective tax rate	3.3	%

12. Business Segments

Our business is organized into two operating and reporting segments: (i) SBS, a domestic and international chain of retail stores and a consumer-facing e-commerce website that offers professional beauty supplies to both salon professionals and retail customers in North America, Puerto Rico, and parts of Europe and South America and (ii) BSG, including its franchise-based business Armstrong McCall, a full service distributor of beauty products and supplies that offers professional beauty products directly to salons and salon professionals through its professional-only stores, e-commerce websites and its own sales force in partially exclusive geographical territories in North America.

The accounting policies of both of our reportable segments are the same as described in the summary of significant accounting policies contained in Note 2 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Sales between segments, which are eliminated in consolidation, were not material during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Segment data for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 i s as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
Net sales:
SBS	$	585,574		$	589,859
BSG		409,390			409,750
Total	$	994,964		$	999,609
Earnings before provision for income taxes:
Segment operating earnings:
SBS	$	86,594		$	92,526
BSG		64,565			63,600
Segment operating earnings		151,159			156,126
Unallocated expenses		(35,816	)		(38,669	)
Restructuring charges		(5,210	)		—
Consolidated operating earnings		110,133			117,457
Interest expense		(24,016	)		(26,799	)
Earnings before provision for income taxes	$	86,117		$	90,658

13. Parent, Issuers, Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

The following consolidating financial information presents the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, the related condensed consolidating statements of earnings and comprehensive income and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 of: (i) Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., or the “Parent;” (ii) Sally Holdings and Sally Capital Inc. (iii) the guarantor subsidiaries; (iv) the non-guarantor subsidiaries; (v) elimination entries necessary for consolidation purposes; and (vi) Sally Beauty on a condensed consolidated basis.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method for purposes of the consolidating presentation. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. Separate financial statements and other disclosures with respect to the subsidiary guarantors have not been provided because we believe the following information is sufficient since the guarantor subsidiaries are 100% indirectly owned by the Parent and all guarantees are full and unconditional.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2017

(In thousands)

	Parent			Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc.		Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Eliminations			Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	10	$	31,839		$	47,463	$	—		$	79,312
Trade and other accounts receivable, net		—			—		64,152			32,806		—			96,958
Due from affiliates		—			—		2,360,280			—		(2,360,280	)		—
Inventory		—			—		714,682			226,464		—			941,146
Other current assets		1,280			817		27,856			16,306		—			46,259
Property and equipment, net		11			—		225,891			80,519		—			306,421
Investment in subsidiaries		1,195,373			3,820,552		374,002			—		(5,389,927	)		—
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		—			—		465,755			156,403		—			622,158
Other assets		1,050			7,171		(7,852	)		20,698		—			21,067
Total assets	$	1,197,714		$	3,828,550	$	4,256,605		$	580,659	$	(7,750,207	)	$	2,113,321
Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
Accounts payable	$	36		$	—	$	234,878		$	71,356	$	—		$	306,270
Due to affiliates		1,519,033			750,442		—			90,805		(2,360,280	)		—
Accrued liabilities		362			6,170		125,852			34,117		—			166,501
Income taxes payable		10,566			1,678		—			87		—			12,331
Long-term debt		—			1,874,887		4			1,308		—			1,876,199
Other liabilities		10,371			—		17,027			3,749		—			31,147
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		(19	)		—		58,292			5,235		—			63,508
Total liabilities		1,540,349			2,633,177		436,053			206,657		(2,360,280	)		2,455,956
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(342,635	)		1,195,373		3,820,552			374,002		(5,389,927	)		(342,635	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity	$	1,197,714		$	3,828,550	$	4,256,605		$	580,659	$	(7,750,207	)	$	2,113,321

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Balan ce Sheet

September 30, 2017

(In thousands)

	Parent			Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc.		Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating Eliminations			Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	10	$	22,090		$	41,659	$	—		$	63,759
Trade and other accounts receivable, net		200			—		59,992			32,049		—			92,241
Due from affiliates		—			—		2,289,371			—		(2,289,371	)		—
Inventory		—			—		709,890			220,965		—			930,855
Other current assets		11,763			813		26,144			16,503		—			55,223
Property and equipment, net		12			—		230,069			83,636		—			313,717
Investment in subsidiaries		1,110,891			3,717,999		386,681			—		(5,215,571	)		—
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		—			—		468,118			149,978		—			618,096
Other assets		1,538			8,116		(7,837	)		23,299		—			25,116
Total assets	$	1,124,404		$	3,726,938	$	4,184,518		$	568,089	$	(7,504,942	)	$	2,099,007
Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
Accounts payable	$	251		$	4	$	243,818		$	63,679	$	—		$	307,752
Due to affiliates		1,487,484			727,856		—			74,031		(2,289,371	)		—
Accrued liabilities		285			20,108		113,628			32,506		—			166,527
Income taxes payable		—			1,624		—			609		—			2,233
Long-term debt		—			1,866,455		1			1,479		—			1,867,935
Other liabilities		—			—		16,008			4,132		—			20,140
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		—			—		93,064			4,972		—			98,036
Total liabilities		1,488,020			2,616,047		466,519			181,408		(2,289,371	)		2,462,623
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(363,616	)		1,110,891		3,717,999			386,681		(5,215,571	)		(363,616	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity	$	1,124,404		$	3,726,938	$	4,184,518		$	568,089	$	(7,504,942	)	$	2,099,007

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended December 31, 2017

(In thousands)

	Parent			Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Eliminations			Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	796,532		$	198,432		$	—		$	994,964
Related party sales		—			—			446			—			(446	)		—
Cost of products sold and distribution expenses		—			—			403,810			104,971			(446	)		508,335
Gross profit		—			—			393,168			93,461			—			486,629
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,606			179			284,467			84,034			—			371,286
Restructuring charges		—			—			5,210			—			—			5,210
Operating earnings (loss)		(2,606	)		(179	)		103,491			9,427			—			110,133
Interest expense		—			24,014			—			2			—			24,016
Earnings (loss) before provision for income taxes		(2,606	)		(24,193	)		103,491			9,425			—			86,117
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(251	)		(6,925	)		(7,915	)		17,944			—			2,853
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		85,619			102,887			(8,519	)		—			(179,987	)		—
Net earnings (loss)		83,264			85,619			102,887			(8,519	)		(179,987	)		83,264
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		—			(803	)		—			(255	)		—			(1,058	)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	83,264		$	84,816		$	102,887		$	(8,774	)	$	(179,987	)	$	82,206

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating State ment of Earnings and Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended December 31, 2016

(In thousands)

	Parent			Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Eliminations			Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	816,051	$	183,558		$	—		$	999,609
Related party sales		—			—			748		—			(748	)		—
Cost of products sold and distribution expenses		—			—			411,323		97,326			(748	)		507,901
Gross profit		—			—			405,476		86,232			—			491,708
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,549			137			296,724		74,841			—			374,251
Operating earnings (loss)		(2,549	)		(137	)		108,752		11,391			—			117,457
Interest expense		—			26,749			—		50			—			26,799
Earnings (loss) before provision for income taxes		(2,549	)		(26,886	)		108,752		11,341			—			90,658
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(990	)		(10,443	)		41,998		4,267			—			34,832
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		57,385			73,828			7,074		—			(138,287	)		—
Net earnings		55,826			57,385			73,828		7,074			(138,287	)		55,826
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		—			—			—		(18,668	)		—			(18,668	)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	55,826		$	57,385		$	73,828	$	(11,594	)	$	(138,287	)	$	37,158

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidat ing Statement of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended December 31, 2017

(In thousands)

	Parent			Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Eliminations			Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	32,788		$	(30,211	)	$	100,319		$	1,308		$	—		$	104,204
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for property and equipment, net		—			—			(19,664	)		(2,835	)		—			(22,499	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			—			—			(9,175	)		—			(9,175	)
Due from affiliates		—			—			(70,909	)		—			70,909			—
Net cash used by investing activities		—			—			(90,573	)		(12,010	)		70,909			(31,674	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			126,500			5			—			—			126,505
Repayments of long-term debt		—			(118,875	)		(2	)		(190	)		—			(119,067	)
Repurchases of common stock		(64,612	)		—			—			—			—			(64,612	)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options		275			—			—			—			—			275
Due to affiliates		31,549			22,586			—			16,774			(70,909	)		—
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities		(32,788	)		30,211			3			16,584			(70,909	)		(56,899	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(78	)		—			(78	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		—			—			9,749			5,804			—			15,553
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		—			10			22,090			41,659			—			63,759
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	10		$	31,839		$	47,463		$	—		$	79,312

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended December 31, 2016

(In thousands)

	Parent			Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Eliminations			Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	27,303		$	(41,347	)	$	104,449		$	(611	)	$	—		$	89,794
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for property and equipment, net		—			—			(20,883	)		(7,125	)		—			(28,008	)
Due from affiliates		—			—			(68,741	)		—			68,741			—
Net cash used by investing activities		—			—			(89,624	)		(7,125	)		68,741			(28,008	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			58,500			—			—			—			58,500
Repayments of long-term debt		—			(58,500	)		(4	)		(170	)		—			(58,674	)
Repurchases of common stock		(67,183	)		—			—			—			—			(67,183	)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options		14,280			—			—			—			—			14,280
Due to affiliates		25,600			31,418			—			11,723			(68,741	)		—
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities		(27,303	)		31,418			(4	)		11,553			(68,741	)		(53,077	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			(921	)		—			(921	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		—			(9,929	)		14,821			2,896			—			7,788
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		—			28,372			22,368			35,882			—			86,622
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	18,443		$	37,189		$	38,778		$	—		$	94,410

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1 4 . Restructuring Plan s

2017 Restructuring Plan

In January 2017, our Board of Directors approved a comprehensive restructuring plan (the “2017 Restructuring Plan”) for our businesses that included a number of organizational efficiency initiatives and other cost reduction opportunities. The 2017 Restructuring Plan comprised the closure of four administrative offices in the U.S. and Canada, reductions in both salaried and hourly workforce and certain other cost reduction activities. At September 30, 2017, the initiatives contemplated by the 2017 Restructuring Plan were substantially completed.

The liability related to the 2017 Restructuring Plan, which is included in accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, is as follows (in thousands):

Restructuring Activity	Liability at September 30, 2017		Expenses		Expenses Paid or Otherwise Settled		Adjustments		Liability at December 31, 2017
Workforce reductions	$	1,860	$	—	$	1,072	$	—	$	788
Facility closures		1,747		—		781		—		966
Other		235		—		235		—		—
Total	$	3,842	$	—	$	2,088	$	—	$	1,754

2018 Restructuring Plan

In November 2017, our Board approved a restructuring plan (the “2018 Restructuring Plan”) focused primarily on significantly improving the profitability of our international businesses, with particular focus on our European operations. We estimate that we will incur total aggregate charges of approximately $13 million to $14 million related primarily to potential employee separation costs. We anticipate substantially completing the 2018 Restructuring Plan in the fiscal year 2018.

The liability related to the 2018 Restructuring Plan, which is included in accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, is as follows (in thousands):

Restructuring Activity	Liability at September 30, 2017		Expenses		Expenses Paid or Otherwise Settled		Adjustments		Liability at December 31, 2017
Workforce reductions	$	—	$	4,260	$	3,376	$	—	$	884
Other		—		950		328		—		622
Total	$	—	$	5,210	$	3,704	$	—	$	1,506

Expenses incurred in the three months ended December 31, 2017 represent costs incurred by SBS ($4.5 million) and corporate ($0.7 million).

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This section discusses management’s view of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Sally Beauty. This section should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, including the Risk Factors section, and information contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, including the interim condensed consolidated financial statements and condensed notes to those financial statements. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section may contain forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” included at the beginning of this Quarterly Report for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these forward-looking statements that could cause results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements.

The results of operations for any interim period may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for any future interim period or the entire fiscal year.

Highlights for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2017:

•

Consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2017, decreased $4.6 million, or 0.5%, to $995.0 million, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016;

•

Consolidated net sales from company-operated stores that have been open for 14 months or longer, which we refer to as same store sales, decreased 2.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to an increase of 0.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2016;

•

Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased $5.1 million, or 1.0%, to $486.6 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. Gross margin decreased 30 basis points to 48.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016;

•

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we incurred approximately $5.2 million in expenses, including severance and related expenses of $4.3 million and other costs of $0.9 million, in connection with the 2018 Restructuring Plan announced in November 2017;

•

Consolidated operating earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased $7.3 million, or 6.2%, to $110.1 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. Operating margin decreased 70 basis points to 11.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016;

•

Consolidated net earnings increased $27.4 million, or 49.1%, to $83.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. As a percentage of net sales, net earnings increased 280 basis points to 8.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017;

•

In December 2017, the United States enacted comprehensive amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“U.S. Tax Reform”). In connection therewith, we recorded a net provisional benefit of approximately $22.2 million and our U.S. federal statutory tax rate decreased to 24.5%;

•

Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2017, were $0.65, compared to $0.39 for the three months ended December 31, 2016;

•

Cash provided by operations was $104.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $89.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016;

•

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we repurchased and subsequently retired approximately 3.8 million shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $64.5 million; and

•

In December 2017, we acquired certain assets and business operations of H. Chalut Ltee, a 21-store professional-only distributor of beauty supplies operating in Quebec, Canada, for approximately $8.8 million.

Overview

Description of Business

We operate primarily through two reportable segments: Sally Beauty Supply (“SBS”) and Beauty Systems Group (“BSG”). We believe we are the largest open-line distributor of professional beauty supplies in the U.S. based on store count. As of December 31, 2017, through SBS and BSG, we had 4,993 company-operated stores and supplied 184 franchised stores in North America and select South American and European countries. Within BSG, we also have one of the largest networks of distributor sales consultants for professional beauty products in North America. We offer a wide variety of leading third-party branded and exclusive-label professional beauty supplies, including hair color products, hair care products, styling tools, skin and nail care products and other

beauty items. SBS targets retail consumers and salon professionals, while BSG exclusively targets salons and salon professionals. Neither the sales nor the product assortment for SBS or BSG are generally seasonal in nature.

Restructuring Plans

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized restructuring charges of approximately $5.2 million in connection with the 2018 Restructuring Plan, including severance and related expenses of approximately $4.3 million and expenses related to other cost-reduction initiatives of $0.9 million. We anticipate substantially completing the 2018 Restructuring Plan in fiscal year 2018. We expect to realize annualized pre-tax benefits in the range of $12 million to $14 million from the 2018 Restructuring Plan, with an estimated benefit of approximately $8 million realized in fiscal year 2018. See Note 14 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for more information about our restructuring plans.

U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted comprehensive amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“U.S. Tax Reform”). See Note 11 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for more information about the impact of the US. Tax Reform on our financial statements.

Data Security Incidents

As previously disclosed, we experienced a data security incident during fiscal year 2014 and a second data security incident during fiscal year 2015 (together, the “data security incidents”). In the fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we incurred $14.6 million and $5.6 million, respectively, of expenses in connection with the data security incidents. In the fiscal year 2017, we settled prior assessments by two payment card networks for $9.3 million. We expect to incur additional costs and expenses related to the data security incidents in future periods. These costs and expenses may result from potential additional liabilities to other payment card networks, governmental or third party investigations, proceedings or litigation and legal and other fees necessary to defend against any potential liabilities or claims, and further investigatory and remediation costs. As of December 31, 2017, the scope of these additional costs and expenses, or a range thereof, beyond amounts management has determined to be probable, cannot be reasonably estimated and, while we do not anticipate these additional costs and expenses or liabilities would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results, these additional costs and expenses could be significant.

Key Operating Metrics

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning key measures we rely on to evaluate our operating performance (dollars in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			Increase (Decrease)
Net sales:
SBS	$	585,574		$	589,859		$	(4,285	)	(0.7	)%
BSG		409,390			409,750			(360	)	(0.1	)%
Consolidated	$	994,964		$	999,609		$	(4,645	)	(0.5	)%

Gross profit:
SBS	$	319,785		$	324,183		$	(4,398	)	(1.4	)%
BSG		166,844			167,525			(681	)	(0.4	)%
Consolidated	$	486,629		$	491,708		$	(5,079	)	(1.0	)%

Segment gross margin:
SBS		54.6	%		55.0	%	(40) bps
BSG		40.8	%		40.9	%	(10) bps
Consolidated		48.9	%		49.2	%	(30) bps

Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	371,286		$	374,251		$	(2,965	)	(0.8	)%
Restructuring charges	$	5,210		$	—		$	5,210		100.0	%

Operating earnings:
Segment operating earnings:
SBS	$	86,594		$	92,526		$	(5,932	)	(6.4	)%
BSG		64,565			63,600			965		1.5	%
Segment operating earnings		151,159			156,126			(4,967	)	(3.2	)%
Unallocated expenses and restructuring charges (a)		(41,026	)		(38,669	)		2,357		6.1	%
Consolidated operating earnings	$	110,133		$	117,457		$	(7,324	)	(6.2	)%

Segment operating margin:
SBS		14.8	%		15.7	%	(90) bps
BSG		15.8	%		15.5	%	30 bps
Consolidated		11.1	%		11.8	%	(70) bps

Number of stores at end-of-period (including franchises):
SBS		3,787			3,815			(28	)	(0.7	)%
BSG		1,390			1,340			50		3.7	%
Consolidated		5,177			5,155			22		0.4	%
Same store sales growth (decline) (b)
SBS		(2.6	)%		(0.6	)%	(200) bps
BSG		(1.3	)%		2.6	%	(390) bps
Consolidated		(2.2	)%		0.4	%	(260) bps

(a)	Unallocated expenses consist of corporate and shared costs and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings. Restructuring charges relate to the 2018 Restructuring Plan announced in November 2017.

( b )

For the purpose of calculating our same store sales metrics, we compare the current period sales for stores open for 14 months or longer as of the last day of a month with the sales for these stores for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Our same store sales are calculated in constant dollars and include internet-based sales (which are not material for each of the periods presented) and the effect of store expansions, if applicable, but do not generally include the sales from stores that have been relocated until 14 months after the relocation. The sales from stores acquired are excluded from our same store sales calculation until 14 months after the acquisition.

Results of Operations

The Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2016

Net Sales

Consolidated . Consolidated net sales decreased $4.6 million, or 0.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. Consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2017, are inclusive of a positive impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $11.8 million, or 1.2% of consolidated net sales.

Sally Beauty Supply . Net sales for SBS decreased $4.3 million, or 0.7%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. Net sales for SBS for the three months ended December 31, 2017, are inclusive of a positive impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates of approximately $10.3 million, or 1.7% of the segment’s net sales.

In the SBS segment, sales of company-operated stores that have been open for 14 months or longer decreased approximately $5.1 million and net sales from stores that have been open for less than 14 months decreased approximately $1.8 million. Net sales from other sales channels, which include catalog and internet sales of our Sinelco Group subsidiaries and incremental sales from businesses acquired in the preceding 12 months, increased $2.6 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016.

The decrease in SBS’s net sales reflects lower unit volume, including as a result of lower customer traffic primarily in the U.S., partially offset by the positive impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and an increase in average unit prices, resulting primarily from selective price increases in certain geographical areas of the U.S. and a change in product mix (to higher-priced products) resulting from shifts in customer preferences.

Beauty Systems Group . Net sales for BSG decreased $0.4 million, or 0.1%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. BSG’s net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2017, are inclusive of a positive impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates of approximately $1.5 million, or 0.4% of the segment’s net sales.

In the BSG segment, sales by our distributor sales consultants decreased approximately $2.6 million compared to three months ended December 31, 2016, while sales from stores that have been open for less than 14 months increased approximately $1.9 million. Net sales from other BSG sales channels, which include sales of company-operated stores that have been open for 14 months or longer, sales to our franchisees and incremental sales from businesses acquired in the preceding 12 months, in the aggregate increased approximately $0.3 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016.

The decrease in BSG’s net sales is primarily the result of a decrease in unit volume (notwithstanding the impact of incremental sales from 46 company-operated stores opened or acquired during the last 12 months), partially offset by an increase in average unit prices (resulting primarily from the introduction of certain third-party brands with higher average unit prices in the preceding 12 months).

Gross Profit

Consolidated . Consolidated gross profit decreased $5.1 million, or 1.0%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, due principally to lower net sales and lower gross margins in both reportable segments, as more fully described below. Consolidated gross margin decreased 30 basis points to 48.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 49.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Sally Beauty Supply . SBS’s gross profit decreased $4.4 million, or 1.4%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, principally as a result of lower net sales and a lower gross margin. SBS’s gross margin decreased 40 basis points to 54.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 55.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2016. This decrease reflects a change in geographic sales mix, as a result of lower-margin non-U.S. sales making up a greater portion of total segment sales and the net impact of prior year price increases offset by selective price reductions in the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Beauty Systems Group . BSG’s gross profit decreased $0.7 million, or 0.4%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, principally as a result of lower net sales and lower gross margin. BSG’s gross margin decreased 10 basis points to 40.8% for of the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 40.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of higher distribution, shipping and handling expenses.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Consolidated . Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.0 million, or 0.8%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of cost-reduction initiatives, as discussed below. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 37.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 37.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Sally Beauty Supply . SBS’s selling and general and administrative expenses increased $ 1.5 million, or 0. 7 %, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. This increase reflects higher compensation and compensation-related expenses of $2.8 million (including the impact of wage increases for sales staff at e xisting stores), higher rent expense of $1.4 million and higher depreciation of $0.8 million resulting from capital expenditures mainly in connection with store refreshes and information technology upgrades made in the prior 12 months. These increases were partially offset by lower advertising expense of $2.0 million and a reduction of estimated casualty losses of $1.3 million in connection with natural disasters that occurred in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year 2017.

Beauty Systems Group . BSG’s selling and general and administrative expenses decreased $1.6 million, or 1.6%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of cost-reduction initiatives, partially offset by the incremental operating expenses associated with 46 net additional company-operated stores (including 21 stores acquired in December 2017).

Unallocated Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Unallocated selling, general and administrative expenses, which represent certain corporate costs (such as payroll, share-based compensation, employee benefits and travel expense for corporate staff, certain professional fees and corporate governance expenses) that have not been charged to our reporting segments, decreased $2.9 million, or 7.4%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. This decrease reflects lower corporate compensation and compensation-related expenses of $1.7 million and lower share-based compensation expenses of $0.7 million.

Restructuring Charges

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we incurred restructuring charges of approximately $5.2 million in connection with the 2018 Restructuring Plan, including $4.3 million in severance and related expenses and other costs of $0.9 million. See Note 14 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for more information about our restructuring plans.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $2.8 million to $24.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily from our redemption of certain senior notes in July 2017 with the proceeds from a new term loan B with lower interest rates. The decrease was offset in part by incremental interest expense of $0.7 million in connection with borrowings under the ABL facility. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for additional information.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $2.9 million and $34.8 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 3.3% and 38.4%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due primarily to the impact of U.S. Tax Reform. More specifically, in connection therewith, we recognized a provisional income tax benefit of $33.6 million resulting from the revaluation of our deferred income tax assets and liabilities and a provisional income tax charge of $11.4 million for federal and state income taxes applicable to accumulated but undistributed earnings of our foreign operations. See Note 11 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for more information about the impact of U.S. Tax Reform on our financial statements.

Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Share

As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net earnings increased $27.4 million, or 49.1%, to $83.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $55.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $0.65 compared to $0.39 for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We broadly define liquidity as our ability to generate sufficient cash, from internal and external sources, to meet our contractual obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate debt and equity financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financial objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist of current or potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives and meeting debt service commitments.

We are highly leveraged and a substantial portion of our liquidity needs will arise from debt service on our outstanding indebtedness and from funding the costs of operations, working capital, capital expenditures and share repurchases. Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) increased $4.2 million, to $573.7 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $569.5 million at September 30, 2017, resulting primarily from increases in cash and cash equivalents and inventory, partially offset by a decrease in other current

assets and an increase in income taxes payable . As a holding company, Sally Beauty depends on its subsidiaries, including Sally Holdings, to distribute funds to it so that it may pay its obligations and expenses. The ability of Sally Beauty’s subsidiaries to make such distributions will be subject to th eir operating results, cash requirements and financial condition and their compliance with relevant laws, and covenants and financial ratios related to their existing or future indebtedness, including covenants restricting Sally Holdings’ ability to pay di vidends to Sally Beauty. If, as a consequence of these limitations, the Company cannot receive sufficient distributions from its subsidiaries, it may not be able to meet its obligations to fund general corporate expenses.

The Company may from time to time repurchase or otherwise retire or refinance its debt (through its subsidiaries or otherwise) and take other steps to reduce or refinance its debt. These actions may include open market repurchases of its notes or other retirements of outstanding debt. The amount of debt that may be repurchased, or refinanced or otherwise retired, if any, will be determined in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on market conditions, trading levels of the Company’s debt from time to time, the Company’s cash position and other considerations.

At December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents were $79.3 million. Based upon the current level of operations and anticipated growth, we anticipate that existing cash balances (excluding certain amounts permanently invested in connection with foreign operations), funds expected to be generated by operations and funds available under the ABL facility will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements, fund share repurchases and potential acquisitions, and finance anticipated capital expenditures, including information technology upgrades and store openings, over the next 12 months.

We utilize our ABL facility for the issuance of letters of credit, for certain working capital and liquidity needs and to manage normal fluctuations in our operational cash flow. In that regard, we may from time to time draw funds under the ABL facility for general corporate purposes including funding of capital expenditures, acquisitions, interest payments due on our indebtedness and share repurchases. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, total borrowings outstanding have ranged from $77.5 million up to $133.0 million and the average daily balance outstanding was $100.5 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the weighted average interest rate on our borrowings under the ABL facility was 3.0%. The amounts drawn are generally paid down with cash provided by our operating activities. As of December 31, 2017, Sally Holdings had $381.3 million available for borrowings under the ABL facility, subject to borrowing base limitations, as reduced by outstanding letters of credit.

We are a holding company and do not have any material assets or operations other than ownership of equity interests in our subsidiaries. The agreements and instruments governing the debt of Sally Holdings and its subsidiaries contain material limitations on their ability to pay dividends and other restricted payments to us which, in turn, constitute material limitations on our ability to pay dividends and other payments to our stockholders.

Share Repurchase Programs

During the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we repurchased and subsequently retired approximately 3.8 million shares and 2.5 million shares of our common stock under Board approved share repurchase programs at an aggregate cost of $64.5 million and $67.0 million, respectively. We funded these share repurchases with existing cash balances, cash from operations and borrowings under the ABL facility. As of December 31, 2017, we had authorization of approximately $935.5 million of additional potential share repurchases remaining under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. Future share repurchases of our common stock are expected to be funded with existing cash balances, funds generated by operations and funds available under the ABL facility.

Historical Cash Flows

Historically, our primary source of cash has been funds provided by operating activities and, when necessary, borrowings under our ABL facility. The primary uses of cash have been for share repurchases, capital expenditures, repayments and servicing of long-term debt and acquisitions.

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased $14.4 million to $104.2 million, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, mainly due to net changes in the components of working capital of $9.9 million and a favorable impact of $9.8 million on our provision for income taxes resulting primarily from a lower U.S. federal statutory tax rate, partially offset by a decrease in earnings before provision for income taxes. As a result of U.S. Tax Reform, our U.S. federal statutory tax rate will be 24.5% for fiscal year 2018.

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities

Net cash used by investing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased $3.7 million to $31.7 million, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016. This increase reflects cash used for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, in the three months ended December 31, 2017 of $9.2 million, partially offset by lower capital expenditures of $5.5 million related primarily

to SBS store openings and lower investments in information technology upgrades in the three months ended December 31, 2017 , compared to three months ended December 31, 2016 , as information technology upgrade projects were completed .

Net Cash Used by Financing Activities

Net cash used by financing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased $3.8 million to $56.9 million, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, due primarily to a decrease in proceeds from exercises of stock options of $14.0 million. This decrease was partially offset by higher net debt proceeds, primarily from borrowings under the ABL facility, and by a decrease in cash paid for share repurchases of $2.6 million.

U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, U.S. Tax Reform was signed into law. U.S. Tax Reform, among other things, (a) reduces the federal statutory tax rate for corporate taxpayers, (b) provides for a deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings by U.S. taxpayers and makes other fundamental changes on how foreign earnings will be taxed by the U.S. and (c) otherwise modifies corporate tax rules in significant ways. We are currently assessing the potential additional impact of U.S. Tax Reform on our business and liquidity.

Long-Term Debt

At December 31, 2017, we had borrowings of $99.0 million outstanding under our ABL facility. In addition, we had $950.0 million of senior notes outstanding and a term loan B with an outstanding principal balance of $848.6 million. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources - Long-term Debt ” and Note 12 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 for more information about our debt obligations.

We are currently in compliance with the agreements and instruments governing our debt, including our financial covenants. Our ability to comply with these covenants in future periods will depend on our ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to economic conditions and to financial, market and competitive factors, many of which are beyond our control. Further, our ability to comply with these covenants in future periods will also depend substantially on the pricing of our products, our success at implementing cost-reduction initiatives and our ability to successfully implement our overall business strategy.

Capital Requirements

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, capital expenditures were approximately $16.6 million, including amounts incurred but not paid at December 31, 2017 (approximately $2.5 million).

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of our business in any of our contractual obligations since September 30, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

At December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, we had no off-balance sheet financing arrangements other than operating leases incurred in the ordinary course of our business, and outstanding letters of credit related to inventory purchases and self-insurance programs.

Inflation

We do not believe inflation has had a material effect on our results of operations. However, during the past few years, we have experienced and an increase in labor and real estate costs in the U.S. Employee compensation and rent expenses represent our two most significant operating expense categories. A material increase in labor or real estate costs in the future, particularly for an extended period of time, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates. We believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable. We consider accounting policies to be critical when they require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made and when different estimates that our management reasonably could have used have a material effect on the presentation of our financial condition, changes in financial condition or results of operations.

Our critical accounting estimates, as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 , include the valuation of inventory, vendor rebates and concessions, retention of risk, income taxes, assessment of long-lived assets and intangible assets for imp airment and share-based payments. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates or assumptions since September 30, 2017 .

Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 – “Financial Statements” in Part I – Financial Information.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a multinational corporation, we are subject to certain market risks including foreign currency fluctuations, interest rates and government actions. There have been no material changes to our market risks from September 30, 2017. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 for more information.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Controls Evaluation and Related CEO and CFO Certifications. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017. The controls evaluation was conducted by our Disclosure Committee, comprised of senior representatives from our finance, accounting, internal audit, and legal departments under the supervision of our CEO and CFO.

Certifications of our CEO and our CFO, which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act, are attached as exhibits to this report. This “Controls and Procedures” section includes the information concerning the controls evaluation referred to in the certifications and it should be read in conjunction with the certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. A system of controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Because of the limitations in all such systems, no evaluation can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Furthermore, the design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how unlikely. Because of these inherent limitations in a cost-effective system of controls and procedures, misstatements or omissions due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Scope of the Controls Evaluation. The evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures included a review of their objectives and design, our implementation of the controls and procedures and the effect of the controls and procedures on the information generated for use in this report. In the course of the evaluation, we sought to identify whether we had any data errors, control problems or acts of fraud and to confirm that appropriate corrective action, including process improvements, was being undertaken if needed. This type of evaluation is performed on a quarterly basis so that conclusions concerning the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures can be reported in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Many of the components of our disclosure controls and procedures are also evaluated by our internal audit department, by our legal department and by personnel in our finance organization. The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor our disclosure controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and to maintain them as dynamic systems that change as conditions warrant.

Conclusions regarding Disclosure Controls. Based on the required evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, we maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During our most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHE R INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved, from time to time, in various claims and lawsuits incidental to the conduct of our business in the ordinary course. We carry insurance coverage in such amounts in excess of our self-insured retention as we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances and that may or may not cover any or all of our liabilities in respect of these matters. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

We are subject to a number of U.S., federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as the laws and regulations applicable in each foreign country or jurisdiction in which we do business. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, the composition, packaging, labeling and safety of the products we sell, the methods we use to sell these products and the methods we use to import these products. We believe that we are in material compliance with such laws and regulations, although no assurance can be provided that this will remain true going forward.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors contained in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in such Annual Report. The risks described in such Annual Report and herein are not the only risks facing our company.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales o f Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

The following table provides information about the Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2017:

Fiscal Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)(2)		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1 through October 31, 2017		869,116	$	18.14		869,116	$	984,238,464
November 1 through November 30, 2017		2,060,928		16.13		2,060,928		950,994,895
December 1 through December 31, 2017		917,519		16.87		917,519		935,520,250
Total this quarter		3,847,563	$	16.76		3,847,563	$	935,520,250

(1)	The table above does not include 7,403 shares of the Company’s common stock surrendered by grantees during the three months ended December 31, 2017 to satisfy tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of equity-based awards under the Company’s share-based compensation plans.

(2)	In August 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our common stock over an approximate four-year period expiring on September 30, 2021.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

Item 6. E xhibits

Exhibit No.		Description

3.1		Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., dated January 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2014

3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., dated April 26, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2017

10.1		Separation Agreement dated January 26, 2018 between Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. and Matthew O. Haltom, which is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2018

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Christian A. Brickman*

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Donald T. Grimes*

32.1		Section 1350 Certification of Christian A. Brickman*

32.2		Section 1350 Certification of Donald T. Grimes*

101		The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

* Included herewith

SIGNA TURES

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.

		SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS, INC.
		(Registrant)

Date: February 8, 2018

	By:	/s/ Donald T. Grimes
		Donald T. Grimes
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer
		For the Registrant and as its Principal Financial Officer