UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended JANUARY 31, 2004 [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition Period from ____________ to ____________ Commission File Number: 001-12951 THE BUCKLE, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) NEBRASKA 47-0366193 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 2407 WEST 24TH STREET, KEARNEY, NEBRASKA 68845-4915 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (308) 236-8491 SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: TITLE OF CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED -------------- ----------------------------------------- Common Stock, $.01 par value New York Stock Exchange SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE Indicate 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 [X] No [ ] Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K [ ]. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [X] No [ ] The aggregate market value (based on the closing price of the New York Stock Exchange) of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $212,248,685.40 on March 26, 2004. For purposes of this response, executive officers and directors are deemed to be the affiliates of the Registrant and the holdings by non-affiliates was computed as 7,553,334 shares. The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock, as of March 26, 2004, was 21,550,980. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement dated April 15, 2004 for Registrant's 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 28, 2004 are incorporated by reference in Part III. 1 EXPLANATORY NOTE This Amendment No. 1 to The Buckle, Inc.'s (the "Company") Annual Report on Form 10-K/A ("Form 10-K/A") is being filed in order to correct the previously issued historical financial statements as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 14, 2004 (the "Original Filing"). The corrections are to properly account for landlord construction allowances in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.13, "Accounting for Leases" and Financial Accounting Standards Board Technical Bulletin No. 88-1, "Issues Relating to Accounting for Leases"; and rent holidays in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Technical Bulletin No. 85-3, "Accounting for Operating Leases with Scheduled Rent Increases." See Note B: "Restatement and Reclassification of Financial Statements" under Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K/A for additional discussion and a summary of the effect of these changes on the Company's financial statements as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003 and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002. This Form 10-K/A amends and restates only Items 6, 7, 8 and 9A of Part II and Item 15 of Part IV of the Original Filing to reflect the effects of this restatement of our financial statements for the period presented or as deemed necessary in connection with the completion of restated financial statements. The remaining Items contained within this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A consist of all other Items originally contained on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004. These remaining Items are not amended hereby, but are included for the convenience of the reader. Except for the forgoing amended information, this Form 10-K/A continues to describe conditions as of the date of the Original Filing, and we have not updated the disclosures contained herein to reflect events that occurred at a later date. In connection with the preparation of this Form 10-K/A, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to reclassify certain store operating liabilities to/from gift certificates redeemable and employee compensation. Accordingly, we have revised the classification to report these changes on the balance sheets as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003. The Company has also made corresponding adjustments to the statements of cash flows for the periods ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002, to reflect these reclassifications. See Note B: "Restatement and Reclassification of Financial Statements" under Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K/A for additional discussion on the effects of the change in classification. 2 THE BUCKLE, INC. FORM 10-K/A JANUARY 31, 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ---- PART I Item 1. Business 4 Item 2. Properties 13 Item 3. Legal Proceedings 14 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 14 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 14 Item 6. Selected Financial Data 15 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 23 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 24 Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 40 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 40 Item 9B. Other Information 41 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 41 Item 11. Executive Compensation 41 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 41 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 41 Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 42 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules 42 3 PART I ITEM 1 - BUSINESS The Buckle, Inc. (the "Company") is a retailer of medium to better-priced casual apparel, footwear and accessories for fashion conscious young men and women. As of January 31, 2004, the Company operated 316 retail stores in 38 states throughout the central United States, as well as in the northwest, southeast and southwestern states under the names "Buckle" and "The Buckle." The Company markets a wide selection of mostly brand name casual apparel including denims, other casual bottoms, tops, sportswear, outerwear, accessories and footwear. The Company emphasizes personalized attention to its customers and provides customer services such as free alterations, free gift-wrapping, easy layaways, The Buckle private label credit card and a frequent shopper program. Most stores are located in regional, high-traffic shopping malls, and this is the Company's strategy for future expansion. All of the Company's central office functions, including purchasing, pricing, advertising and distribution, are controlled from its headquarters and distribution center in Kearney, Nebraska. Incorporated in Nebraska in 1948, the Company commenced business under the name Mills Clothing, Inc., a conventional men's clothing store with only one location. In 1967, a second store, under the trade name Brass Buckle, was purchased. In the early 1970s, the store image changed to that of a jeans store with a wide selection of denims and shirts. The first branch store was opened in Columbus, Nebraska, in 1976. In 1977, the Company began selling young women's apparel as well, and opened its first mall store. The Company has experienced significant growth over the past ten years, growing from 131 stores at the start of 1994 to 316 stores by the close of fiscal 2003. The Company changed its corporate name to The Buckle, Inc. on April 23, 1991. All references herein to fiscal 2003 refer to the 52-week period ended January 31, 2004. Fiscal 2002 refers to the 52-week period ended February 1, 2003 and fiscal 2001 refers to the 52-week period ended February 2, 2002. The Company's principal executive offices and distribution center are located at 2407 West 24th Street, Kearney, Nebraska 68845. The Company's telephone number is (308) 236-8491. The Company publishes its corporate website at www.buckle.com. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company's annual reports on Form 10-K, along with all other reports and amendments filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, are publicly available free of charge on the Investor Information section of the Company's website at www.buckle.com as soon as reasonable practicable after the Company files such materials with, or furnishes them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's corporate governance policies, ethics code and Board of Directors' committee charters are also posted within this section of the website. The information on the Company's website is not part of this or any other report The Buckle, Inc. files with, or furnishes to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING The Company's marketing and merchandising strategy is designed to create customer loyalty by offering a wide selection of key brand name merchandise and providing a broad range of value-added services. The Company believes it provides a unique specialty apparel store with merchandise designed to appeal to the fashion conscious 12- to 24-year old. The merchandise mix includes denims, slacks/casual bottoms, tops, sportswear, outerwear, accessories and footwear. Denim is a significant contributor to total sales (36.2% of fiscal 2003 net sales) and is a key to the Company's merchandising concept. The Company believes it attracts customers with a selection of key brands and a wide variety of fits, finishes and styles in denim. Shirts and tops are also significant contributors to the total sales (32.1% of fiscal 2003 net sales). The Company strives to provide a continually changing selection of the latest casual fashions. 4 The percentage of net sales over the past three fiscal years of the Company's major product lines are set forth in the following table. Percentage of Net Sales ----------------------- Fiscal 2003 Fiscal 2002 Fiscal 2001 ----------- ----------- ----------- Denims 36.2 % 32.8 % 28.8 % Tops (including sweaters) 32.1 32.0 33.5 Accessories 11.4 11.3 11.0 Footwear 8.9 11.4 11.8 Sportswear/Fashions 4.5 4.8 5.7 Casual bottoms 3.8 3.7 5.0 Outerwear 2.9 3.7 2.9 Other 0.2 0.3 1.3 ----- ----- ----- Total 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % ===== ===== ===== Brand name merchandise accounted for more than 80% of the Company's sales volume during fiscal 2003. The remaining balance is comprised of private label merchandise that is manufactured to the Company's specifications. The Company's merchandisers continually work with manufacturers and vendors to produce brand name merchandise that they believe is unique in color and style. While the brands offered by the Company change to meet current customer preferences, the Company currently offers brands such as Lucky Brand Dungarees, Silver, Fossil, Billabong, Ecko, Quiksilver/Roxy and Hurley. The Company believes brand name merchandise will continue to constitute the majority of sales. Management believes the Company provides a unique store setting by maintaining a high level of customer service and by offering a wide selection of fashionable, quality merchandise at good values. The Company believes that it is essential to create an enjoyable shopping atmosphere and, in order to fulfill this mission, we must provide highly motivated employees who give personal attention to customers. Each salesperson is educated to help create a complete look for the customer by helping them find the best fits and showing merchandise as coordinating outfits. The Company also incorporates specialized services such as free alterations, free gift wrapping, layaways, a frequent shopper card, the Buckle private label credit card and a special order system which allows stores to obtain specifically requested merchandise from other Company stores. Customers are encouraged to use the Company's layaway plan, which allows customers to make a partial payment on merchandise that is then held by the store until the balance is paid. For the past three fiscal years, an average of approximately five percent of net sales have been made on a layaway basis. Merchandising and pricing decisions are made centrally; however, the Company's distribution system allows for variation in the mix of merchandise distributed to each store. This allows individual store inventories to be tailored to reflect differences in customer buying patterns at various locations. In addition, to assure a continually fresh, new look in its stores, the Company ships new merchandise daily to most stores, including varying styles and colors that differ from prior merchandise. The Company also has a transfer program that shifts specific merchandise to locations where it is selling best. This distribution and transfer system helps to maintain customer satisfaction by providing in-stock popular items and reducing the need to mark down slow-moving merchandise at a particular location. The Company believes the reduced markdowns justify the incremental costs of distribution associated with the transfer system. The Company does not hold storewide off-price sales at anytime. During fiscal 2002, the Company unveiled a totally new store design and corporate logo. The company worked with a national design firm to review architectural elements, including all wall systems, lighting, finishes and fixtures. The new design has been very positively received by guests, landlords and management. The last prior update to the store look was in fiscal 1997. New materials include: wood flooring, enhanced graphic elements, corrugated metals and Icon brand elements. Accessory and shoe fixtures were developed and rolled out to all stores in fiscal 2002. The Company opened the first new prototype stores in the summer of 2002 with all subsequent remodels and new stores featuring the new design. At the end of fiscal 2003, a total of 47 stores had the new look - 24 new stores and 23 remodeled locations. Management believes the basic overall store architectural design presents a unique atmosphere in which the store's architectural elements, including feature display walls, provide a backdrop, creating a strong visual presentation for the customer. Special care is taken to provide a comfortable environment to which customers can relate. 5 MARKETING AND ADVERTISING In fiscal 2003, the Company spent $4.3 million or 1.0% of net sales on advertising, promotions and in-store point of sale materials. In-store seasonal sign kits, promotional signage, image brochures and catalogs are used to enhance merchandising presentations and the stores' image. Promotions such as sweepstakes, gift with purchase offers and special events are designed to create an enjoyable shopping experience for Buckle guests. Magazine advertising in leading teen publications is used during key seasons to introduce new merchandise, build awareness and brand the Buckle's image. The Buckle partners with key vendors on magazine opportunities and special promotions to extend its marketing reach. Radio advertising continues as a media source used to support special events and promotions such as sweepstakes, grand openings and end-of-season sales in approximately 75% of the Company's markets. In 2002, along with the new store concept, the Company rolled out a new logo to create a stronger brand identity for the Buckle. The new logo includes a B-Icon element and signature red color. All marketing materials and supplies were redesigned to translate the new brand identity throughout the Company including the retail stores, online and corporate communication. The Company offers programs to strengthen relationships with loyal guests. The Company continues to support a frequent shopper program (the Buckle Primo Card), a rewards program designed to build customer loyalty. Private label credit card marketing is another avenue for marketing to loyal guests. The Company extends exclusive benefits to active Buckle Cardholders such as coupons and other special targeted mailings. In 2003, the Buckle continued its B-Rewards, an exclusive rewards program for Buckle Cardholders. Qualifying Cardholders are mailed B-Rewards merchandise certificates at the end of each Rewards program inviting them back into the store at the start of the next season. The Buckle Card marketing program is partially funded by WFNNB, a third-party bank that owns the Buckle Card accounts. The Company publishes a corporate web site at www.buckle.com. The Company's web site serves as a second retail touch-point for cross-channel marketing, reaching a growing online audience. Buckle.com is an eCommerce enabled channel with an interactive, entertaining, informative and brand building environment where visitors can get the latest Buckle fashion information with special features including an online denim guide, "look" suggestions and style boutiques. The Company has an opt-in online database and sends periodic and targeted e-mail campaigns to notify members of the latest store promotions and product offerings. Online guests can shop, enter sweepstakes, fill out a wish list, find out about career opportunities, and read the latest Buckle financial news. The Buckle Online Store was launched April 26, 1999 as a marketing tool, to extend the Company's brand beyond the physical locations. Offering a growing selection of the merchandise inventory online, the Company presents the online store as a "taste test" in new markets as well as a cross-channel tool in existing markets, which means guests can shop both in the brick and mortar stores and via the online store. STORE OPERATIONS The Company has an Executive Vice President of Sales, a Vice President of Sales, 18 district managers and 56 area managers. Eleven of the district managers and all of the area managers also serve as manager of their home base store. Each store has one manager, one or two assistant managers, one to three additional full-time salespeople and up to 20 part-time salespeople. Most stores have peak levels of staff during the back-to-school and Christmas seasons. Almost every location also employs a seamstress. The Company places great importance on educating quality personnel. Along with sharing career opportunities with Buckle employees, the Company recruits interns and management trainees from college campuses. A majority of the Company's store managers, all of its Area and District managers and most of its upper level management are former salespeople, including the President and CEO, Dennis H. Nelson and Chairman, Daniel J. Hirschfeld. Recognizing talent and promoting managers from within allows the Company to build a strong foundation for management. Store managers receive compensation in the form of a base salary and incentive bonuses. District and area managers also receive added incentives based upon the performance of stores in their district/area. Store managers perform sales training of new employees at the store level. Salespeople displaying particular talent are generally assigned to stores operated by district managers for training as a store manager. 6 The Company has established a comprehensive program stressing the prevention and control of shrinkage losses. Steps taken to reduce shrinkage include monitoring cash refunds, voids, inappropriate discounts, employee sales and returns-to-vendor. The Company also has electronic article surveillance systems in approximately 99% of the Company's stores as well as surveillance camera systems in approximately 74% of the stores. As a result, the Company achieved a merchandise shrinkage rate of 0.6% of net sales for fiscal 2003, 0.6% of net sales for fiscal 2002 and 0.7% for fiscal year 2001. The average store is approximately 4,900 square feet (of which the Company estimates an average of approximately 80% is selling space), and stores range in size from 2,600 square feet to 8,475 square feet. PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION The Company has an experienced buying team. The buying team includes the President, the Vice President of Women's Merchandising, one women's merchandiser, two men's merchandisers and six buyers. The top four members of this buying team combined, have over 100 years of experience with the Company. The experience and leadership within the buying team contributes significantly to the Company's success by enabling the buying team to react quickly to changes in fashion and by providing extensive knowledge of sources for branded and private label goods. The Company purchases products from manufacturers within the United States and from some foreign manufacturers. The Company's merchandising team monitors U.S. fashion centers (in New York and on the West Coast) and shops high fashion stores to adapt new ideas to the Buckle. The Company continually monitors fabric selection, quality and delivery schedules. The Company has not experienced any material difficulties with merchandise manufactured in foreign countries. The Company does not have long-term or exclusive contracts with any brand name manufacturer or supplier. The Company does have a long term relationship with an agent in Hong Kong for the manufacture of The Buckle, Inc.'s private label merchandise. An agreement with this company was entered into on November 28, 1994, for orders placed subsequent to that date. In fiscal 2003, Lucky Brand Dungarees made up 24.3% of the Company's net sales. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of the Company's sales. Other current significant vendors include Silver, Fossil, Ecko, Mavi, Billabong, Quiksilver/Roxy and Hurley. The Company continually strives to offer brands that are currently popular with its customers and, therefore, the Company's suppliers and purchases from specific vendors may vary significantly from year to year. The Buckle stores generally carry the same merchandise, with quantity and seasonal variations based upon historical sales data, climate and perceived local customer interest. The Company uses a centralized receiving and distribution center located within the corporate headquarters building in Kearney, Nebraska. Merchandise is received daily in Kearney where it is sorted, tagged with bar-coded tickets (unless the vendor UPC code can be used or the merchandise is pre-ticketed), and packaged for distribution to individual stores primarily via United Parcel Service. The Company's goal is to ship the majority of its merchandise out to the stores within one to two business days of receipt. This system allows stores to receive new merchandise almost every day, creating excitement within each store and providing customers with a good reason to shop often. When available, the Company uses merchandise "pre-packs" to expedite the movement of product through the distribution center. The Company is currently looking into a building expansion that would allow further growth in office space as well as additional space for our supplies department and the online store. Our distribution center should allow for handling of up to 450 stores. The Company has developed an effective computerized system for tracking merchandise from the time it is checked in at the Company's distribution center until it arrives at the stores and is sold to a customer. The system's function is to insure that store shipments are delivered accurately and promptly, to account for inventory and to assist in allocating merchandise among stores. Management can track, on a daily basis, which merchandise is selling at specific locations and directs transfers of merchandise from one store to another as necessary. This allows stores to carry a reduced inventory while at the same time satisfying customer demands. To reduce inter-store shipping costs and provide more timely restocking of in-season merchandise, the Company warehouses a portion of initial shipments for later distribution. Sales reports are then used to replenish, on a basis of one to three times each week, those stores that are experiencing the greatest success selling specific styles, colors and sizes of merchandise. This system is also designed to prevent an over-crowded look in the stores at the beginning of a season. 7 STORE LOCATIONS AND EXPANSION STRATEGIES As of April 1, 2004, the Company operated 318 stores in 38 states, including 2 stores opened in fiscal 2004. The existing stores are in 4 downtown locations, 11 strip centers, 7 lifestyle centers and 296 shopping malls. The Company anticipates opening approximately 10 additional new stores in fiscal 2004. All new stores for fiscal 2004 are expected to be located in higher traffic shopping malls except for two which are expected to be located in lifestyle centers. The following table lists the location of existing stores as of April 1, 2004. Location of Stores State Number of Stores State Number of Stores ----------- ---------------- -------------- ---------------- Alabama 5 Nebraska 16 Arizona 6 Nevada 1 Arkansas 5 New Mexico 4 California 10 North Carolina 7 Colorado 12 North Dakota 3 Florida 3 Ohio 12 Georgia 3 Oklahoma 13 Idaho 5 Oregon 2 Illinois 16 Pennsylvania 4 Indiana 12 South Carolina 1 Iowa 19 South Dakota 3 Kansas 16 Tennessee 8 Kentucky 6 Texas 33 Louisiana 7 Utah 9 Michigan 18 Virginia 2 Minnesota 11 Washington 7 Mississippi 5 West Virginia 2 Missouri 13 Wisconsin 13 Montana 5 Wyoming 1 --- Total 318 === The Buckle has grown significantly over the past ten years, with the number of stores increasing from 131 at the beginning of 1994 to 316 at the end of fiscal 2003. The Company's plan is to continue expansion by developing the geographic region it currently serves and by expanding into contiguous markets. The Company intends to open new stores only when management believes there is a reasonable expectation of satisfactory results. The following table sets forth information regarding store openings and closings since the beginning of fiscal 1994 to the end of fiscal 2003: Total Number of Stores Per Year Fiscal Open at start Opened in Closed in Year of year Current Year Current Year Total ------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ----- 1994 131 16 - 147 1995 147 17 - 164 1996 164 17 - 181 1997 181 19 1 199 1998 199 24 1 222 1999 222 27 1 248 2000 248 28 2 274 2001 274 24 3 295 2002 295 11 2 304 2003 304 16 4 316 8 The Company's criteria used when considering a particular location for expansion include: 1. Market area, including proximity to existing markets to capitalize on name recognition; 2. Trade area population (number, average age, and college population); 3. Economic vitality of market area; 4. Mall location, anchor tenants, tenant mix, average sales per square foot; 5. Available location within a mall, square footage, storefront width, and facility of using the current store design; 6. Availability of suitable management personnel for the market; 7. Cost of rent, including minimum rent, common area and extra charges; 8. Estimated construction costs, including landlord charge backs and tenant allowances. The Company generally seeks sites of 4,000 to 5,000 square feet for its stores. The projected cost of opening a store with the new design is approximately $710,000, including construction costs of approximately $560,000 (prior to any construction allowance received) and inventory costs of approximately $150,000, net of accounts payable. The Company anticipates opening approximately 12 new stores during fiscal 2004 and completing the remodeling of approximately 8 existing stores. Remodels range from partial to full, with construction costs for a full remodel being nearly the same as for a new store. Of the stores scheduled for remodeling during fiscal 2004, it is estimated that each will receive full remodeling. The Company has budgeted a total of $22.0 million (before estimated construction allowances from landlords of $3.1 million) for new store construction, remodeling, technology upgrades and improvements at the corporate headquarters during fiscal 2004. The Company plans to expand in 2004 by opening stores in existing markets. New store openings are generally scheduled to coincide with the increased customer traffic of the Easter, back-to-school or Christmas holiday shopping seasons. The Company believes that, given the time required for training personnel, staffing a store and developing adequate district and regional managers, its current management infrastructure is sufficient to support its currently planned rate of growth. The Company's ability to expand in the future will depend, in part, on general business conditions, the ability to find suitable malls with acceptable sites on satisfactory terms, the availability of financing and the readiness of trained store managers. There can be no assurance that the Company's expansion plans will be fulfilled in whole or in part, or that leases under negotiation for planned new sites will be obtained on terms favorable to the Company. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS The Company's management information systems (MIS) and electronic data processing systems (EDP) consist of a full range of retail, financial and merchandising systems, including purchasing, inventory distribution and control, sales reporting, accounts payable and merchandise management. The system includes PC based point-of-sale (POS) registers equipped with bar code readers in each store. These registers are polled nightly by the central computer (IBM AS/400) using a virtual private network for collection of comprehensive data, including complete item-level sales information, employee time clocking, merchandise transfers and receipts, special orders, supply orders and returns-to-vendor. In conjunction with the nightly polling, the central computer sends the PC server messages from various departments at the Company headquarters and price changes for the price lookup (PLU) file maintained within the POS registers. Each weekday morning, the Company initiates an electronic "sweep" of the individual store bank accounts to the Company's primary concentration account. This allows the Company to meet its obligations with a minimum of borrowing and to invest excess cash on a timely basis. Management monitors the performance of each of its stores on a continual basis. Daily information is used to evaluate inventory, determine markdowns, analyze profitability and assist management in the scheduling and compensation of employees. Additionally, reports are generated verifying daily bank deposit information against recorded sales, identifying transactions rung at prices that differ from the PLU file, and listing selected "exception" transactions (e.g. 9 refunds, cash paid-outs, discounts). These reports are used to help assure consistency among the stores and to help prevent losses due to error or dishonesty. The PLU system allows management to control merchandise pricing centrally, permitting faster and more accurate processing of sales at the store and the monitoring of specific inventory items to confirm that centralized pricing decisions are carried out in each of the stores. Management is able to direct all price changes, including promotional, clearance and markdowns on a central basis and estimate the financial impact of such changes. The virtual private network for communication with the stores also supports the Company's intranet site. The intranet allows stores to view various types of information from the corporate office, including timely information from the advertising, merchandising and benefits departments. Stores can also perform product searches with pictures on the intranet and request employee numbers for new teammates. The Company is committed to ongoing review of the MIS and EDP systems to provide productive, timely information and effective controls. This review includes testing of new products and systems to assure that the Company is aware of technological developments. Most important, continual feedback is sought from every level of the Company to assure that information provided is pertinent to all aspects of the Company's operations. EMPLOYEES As of January 31, 2004, the Company had approximately 5,800 employees - approximately 1,046 of whom were full-time. The Company has an experienced management team and substantially all of the management team, from store managers through senior management, commenced work for the Company on the sales floor. The Company experiences high turnover of store and distribution center employees, primarily due to having a significant number of part-time employees. However, the Company has not experienced significant difficulty in hiring qualified personnel. Of the total employees, approximately 300 are employed at the corporate headquarters and in the distribution center. None of the Company's employees are represented by a union. Management believes that employee relations are good. The Company provides medical, dental, life insurance and long-term disability plans, as well as a 401(k) and a section 125 cafeteria plan for eligible employees. An employee must be at least 20 years of age and work a minimum of 1,000 hours during the plan year to be eligible for the 401(k) plan. To be eligible for the plans, other than the 401(k) Plan, an employee must have worked for the Company for 90 days or more, and his or her normal workweek must be 35 hours or more. As of January 31, 2004, 867 employees participated in the medical plan, 877 in the dental plan, 848 in the life insurance plan, 822 in the long-term disability plan and 332 in the cafeteria plan. With respect to the medical, dental and life insurance plans, the Company pays 80% to 100% of the employee's expected premium cost plus 20% to 100% of the expected cost of dependent coverage under the health plan. The exact percentage is based upon the employee's term of employment and job classification within the Company. In addition, all employees receive discounts on company merchandise. COMPETITION The men's and women's apparel industries are highly competitive with fashion, selection, quality, price, location, store environment and service being the principal competitive factors. While the Company believes that it is able to compete favorably with other merchandisers, including department stores and specialty retailers, with respect to each of these factors, the Company believes it competes mainly on the basis of customer service and merchandise selection. In the men's merchandise areas, the Company competes with specialty retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Hollister, Hot Topic, Gap and Pacific Sunwear. The men's market also competes with certain department stores, such as Dillards, Federated stores, May Company stores, Saks and other local or regional department stores and specialty retailers, as well as with mail order and internet merchandisers. In the women's merchandise area, the Company competes with specialty retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Express, Aeropostale, Hollister, Gap, Maurices, Pacific Sunwear, Wet Seal and Vanity. The women's sales also compete with department stores, such as Dillards, Federated stores, May Company stores, Saks and certain local or regional department stores and specialty retailers, as well as with mail order and internet merchandisers. Many of the Company's competitors are considerably larger and have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully 10 with them in the future. Furthermore, while the Company believes it competes effectively for favorable site locations and lease terms, competition for prime locations within a mall is intense. TRADEMARKS "BUCKLE", "BKLE", "RECLAIM", "BKE", "THE BUCKLE" and "GIMMICK" are federally registered trademarks of the Company. The Company believes the strength of its trademarks is of considerable value to its business, and its trademarks are important to its marketing efforts. The Company intends to protect and promote its trademarks as management deems appropriate. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY The Executive Officers of the Company are listed below, together with brief accounts of their experience and certain other information. DANIEL J. HIRSCHFELD, AGE 62. Mr. Hirschfeld is Chairman of the Board of the Company. He has served as Chairman of the Board since April 19, 1991. Prior to that time, Mr. Hirschfeld served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hirschfeld has been involved in all aspects of the Company's business, including the development of the Company's management information systems. DENNIS H. NELSON, AGE 54. Mr. Nelson is President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. He has held the titles of President and Director since April 19, 1991. Mr. Nelson was elected Chief Executive Officer on March 17, 1997. Mr. Nelson began his career with the Company in 1970 as a part-time salesman while he was attending Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska - Kearney). While attending college, he became involved in merchandising and sales supervision for the Company. Upon graduation from college in 1973, Mr. Nelson became a full-time employee of the Company and he has worked in all phases of the Company's operations since that date. Prior to his election as President and Chief Operating Officer on April 19, 1991, Mr. Nelson performed all of the functions normally associated with those positions. KAREN B. RHOADS, AGE 45. Ms. Rhoads is the Vice-President - Finance, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a Director of the Company. Ms. Rhoads was elected a Director on April 19, 1991. She worked in the corporate offices during college and later worked part-time on the sales floor. Ms. Rhoads practiced as a CPA for 6 1/2 years, during which time she began working on tax and accounting matters for the Company as a client. She has been employed with the Company since November 1987. JAMES E. SHADA, AGE 48. Mr. Shada is Executive Vice President - Sales and a Director of the Company. He was elected Executive Vice President on May 31, 2001 and served as Vice President of Sales from April 19, 1991 until such date. Mr. Shada was elected Director of the Company on May 30, 2002. He began employment with the Company in November of 1978 as a salesperson. Between 1979 and 1985, he managed and opened new stores for the Company, and in 1985 Mr. Shada became the Company's sales manager. He is also involved in site selection and development and education of personnel as store managers and as area and district managers. BRETT P. MILKIE, AGE 44. Mr. Milkie is Vice President-Leasing. He was elected Vice President-Leasing on May 30, 1996. Mr. Milkie was a leasing agent for a national retail mall developer for 6 years prior to joining the company in January 1992 as director of leasing. KARI SMITH, AGE 40. Ms. Smith is Vice President - Sales. She has held this position since May 31, 2001. Ms. Smith joined the Company May 16, 1978 as a part-time salesperson. Later she became store manager in Great Bend, KS and then began working with other stores as an area manager. Ms. Smith has continued to develop her involvement with the sales management executive team, helping with manager meetings and new store manager development, as well as providing support for store managers, area managers and district managers. PATRICIA WHISLER, AGE 47. Ms. Whisler is Vice President of Women's Merchandising. She has held this position since May 31, 2001. Ms. Whisler joined the Company in February 1976 as a part-time salesperson and later became manager of a Buckle store before returning to the corporate office in 1983 to work as part of the growing merchandising team. 11 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND RISK FACTORS Certain statements herein, including anticipated store openings, trends in or expectations regarding The Buckle, Inc.'s revenue and net earnings growth, comparable store sales growth, cash flow requirements and capital expenditures, all constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in product mix, changes in fashion trends and/or pricing, competitive factors, general economic conditions, economic conditions in the retail apparel industry, successful execution of internal performance and expansion plans and other risks detailed herein and in The Buckle, Inc.'s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. Users should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. The Company is under no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The following are material risk factors. MERCHANDISING/FASHION SENSITIVITY. The Company's success is largely dependent upon its ability to gauge the fashion tastes of its customers and to provide merchandise that satisfies customer demand in a timely manner. The Company's failure to anticipate, identify or react appropriately and timely to the changes in fashion trends would reduce the Company's net sales and profitability. Misjudgments or unanticipated fashion changes could have a negative impact on the Company's image with its customers which would also reduce the Company's net sales and profitability. PRIVATE LABEL MERCHANDISE. Sales from private label merchandise accounted for approximately 18% and 11% of the net sales for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002, respectively. The Company may increase or decrease the percentage of net sales in private label merchandise in the future. The Company's private label products generally earn a higher margin than branded product, thus reductions in the private label mix would decrease the Company's merchandise margin and as a result, reduce net earnings. FLUCTUATIONS IN COMPARABLE STORE NET SALES RESULTS. The Company's comparable store net sales results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. A variety of factors affect comparable sales results, including changes in fashion trends, changes in the Company's merchandise mix, calendar shifts of holiday periods, actions by competitors, weather conditions and general economic conditions. The Company's comparable store net sales results for a particular period in the future may decrease. As a result of these or other factors, the Company's future comparable sales could decrease, reducing overall net sales and profitability. These reductions could also cause the market price of the Company's common stock to decline. EXPANSION AND MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH. The Buckle, Inc.'s continued growth depends on its ability to open and operate stores on a profitable basis and management's ability to manage planned expansion. During fiscal 2004, the Company plans to open 12 new stores. This expansion is dependent upon factors such as the ability to locate and obtain favorable store sites, negotiate acceptable lease terms, obtain necessary merchandise and hire and train qualified management and other employees. There may be factors outside of the Company's control that affect the ability to expand, including general economic conditions. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve its planned expansion or that such expansion will be profitable. If the Company fails to manage its store growth there would be less growth in the Company's net sales from new stores and less growth in profitability. If the Company opened unprofitable store locations, there could be a reduction in net earnings, even with the resulting growth in the Company's sales revenues. RELIANCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The continued success of the Buckle, Inc. is dependent to a significant degree on the continued service of key personnel, including senior management. The loss of a member of senior management could create additional expense in covering their position as well as cause a reduction in net sales, thus causing a reduction in net earnings. The Company's success in the future will also be dependent upon the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. The Company's failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could reduce the number of new stores the Company could open in a year which would cause net sales to decline, could create additional operating expenses, and reduce overall profitability for the Company. 12 DEPENDENCE ON A SINGLE DISTRIBUTION FACILITY. The distribution function for all of the Company's stores is handled from a single facility in Kearney, Nebraska. Any significant interruption in the operation of the distribution facility due to natural disasters, system failures or other unforeseen causes would impede the distribution of merchandise to the stores, causing a decline in store inventory, reduce store sales and reduce company profitability. There can be no assurance that the current facilities will be adequate to support the Company's future growth. RELIANCE ON FOREIGN SOURCES OF PRODUCTION. The Company purchases a portion of its private label merchandise directly in foreign markets. In addition, some of the Company's domestic vendors manufacture goods overseas. The Company does not have any long-term merchandise supply contracts and its imports are subject to existing or potential duties, tariffs and quotas. The Company faces a variety of risks associated with doing business overseas including competition for facilities and quotas, political instability, possible new legislation relating to imports that could limit the quantity of merchandise that may be imported, imposition of duties, taxes and other charges on imports and local business practice and political issues which may result in adverse publicity. The Company's inability to rely on foreign sources of production due to these or other causes could reduce the amount of inventory the Company is able to purchase, hold up the timing on the receipt of new merchandise, and reduce merchandise margins if comparable inventory is purchased from branded sources. Any or all of these changes would cause a decrease in the Company's net sales and also in net earnings. The Company cautions that the risk factors described above could cause actual results to vary materially from those anticipated from any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Management cannot assess the impact of each factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to vary from those contained in forward-looking statements. ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES All of the store locations operated by the Company are leased facilities. Most of the Company's stores have lease terms of approximately ten years and generally do not contain renewal options. In the past, the Company has not experienced problems renewing its leases, although no assurance can be given that the Company can renew existing leases on favorable terms. The Company seeks to negotiate extensions on leases for stores undergoing remodeling to provide terms of approximately ten years after completion of remodeling. Consent of the landlord generally is required to remodel or change the name under which the Company does business. The Company has not experienced problems in obtaining such consent in the past. Most leases provide for a fixed minimum rental plus an additional rental cost based upon a set percentage of sales beyond a specified breakpoint, plus common area and other charges. The current terms of the Company's leases, including automatic renewal options, expire on or before January 31st of each of the following years: Number of expiring Year leases -------------- ------------------ 2005 49 2006 34 2007 27 2008 23 2009 24 2010 44 2011 38 2012 and later 79 --- Total 318 === The corporate headquarters and distribution center for the Company operate within a facility purchased by the Company in 1988, and located in Kearney, NE. The building provides approximately 179,000 square feet of space with over 70% of the area being allocated for the distribution and returns-to-vendor departments. During fiscal 2000, the Company purchased a 40,000 square foot building with warehouse and office space near the corporate headquarters, which has given the Company flexibility in its growth. The Company also acquired a 50-year lease, with favorable lease terms, on the land the building is built upon. 13 ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. As of the date of this form, the Company was not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company. ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. PART II ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUERS PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BKE. Prior to the Company's initial public offering on May 6, 1992, there was no public market for the Company's common stock. During the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the Company's first ever cash dividend of 10 cent per share to be paid quarterly, with the initial dividend payment on October 27, 2003 and the second quarterly dividend payment on January 27, 2004. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company repurchased 70,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $21.46 per share. The shares were purchased pursuant to a stock buy-back plan authorized by the Board of Directors on December 27, 2000. The number of record holders of the Company's common stock as of March 26, 2004 was 375. Based upon information from the principal market makers, the Company believes there are more than 3,000 beneficial owners. The closing price of the Company's common stock on March 26, 2004 was $28.10. Additional information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information on page 32 of the Company's 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders under the caption "Stock Prices by Quarter" which is attached to this Form 10-K/A. The remainder of the information required by this item appears in the Notes to Financial Statements under Footnote J "Stock-Based Compensation" on pages 35 and 36. 14 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA In thousands, except earnings per share and store operating data The following selected financial data are derived from the financial statements of The Buckle, Inc. (the "Company") and have been restated to reflect adjustment to the original Form 10-K that are further discussed in Note B: "Restatement of Financial Statements" under Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of the Form 10-K/A. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the section "Certain Additional Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and the Company's financial statements and notes thereto. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Dollar Amounts in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal Years Ended -------------------------------------------------------------------- January 31, February 1, February 2, February 3, January 29, 2004 (e) 2003 (e) 2002 (e) 2001 (a,e) 2000 (e) ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- INCOME STATEMENT DATA Net sales $422,820 $401,060 $387,638 $393,247 $375,526 Cost of sales (including buying, distribution and occupancy costs) 280,004 269,516 259,994 262,534 243,592 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Gross profit 142,816 131,544 127,644 130,713 131,934 Selling expenses 79,668 74,754 69,786 69,635 64,876 General and administrative expenses 15,045 10,979 10,939 10,365 11,004 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income from operations 48,103 45,811 46,919 50,713 56,054 Other income, net 4,688 4,698 4,820 3,860 3,367 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting 52,791 50,509 51,739 54,573 59,421 Provision for income taxes 19,112 18,434 19,097 20,022 22,110 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting 33,679 32,075 32,642 34,551 37,311 Cumulative effect of change in accounting, net of taxes (b) - - - (270) - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income $ 33,679 $ 32,075 $ 32,642 $ 34,281 $ 37,311 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Basic income per share $ 1.60 $ 1.52 $ 1.57 $ 1.67 $ 1.71 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Diluted income per share $ 1.56 $ 1.47 $ 1.51 $ 1.60 $ 1.63 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Dividends per share (c) $ 0.20 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== SELECTED OPERATING DATA Stores open at end of period 316 304 295 274 248 Average sales per square foot, (gross sq. ft.) $ 274 $ 274 $ 279 $ 309 $ 334 Average sales per store (000's) $ 1,350 $ 1,334 $ 1,352 $ 1,482 $ 1,581 Comparable store sales change(d) 1.1% -0.5% -6.2% -6.0% 0.9% BALANCE SHEET DATA Working capital $180,678 $144,540 $145,629 $116,283 $ 86,118 Long-term investments $ 52,647 $ 54,548 $ 32,556 $ 20,688 $ 21,542 Total assets $356,222 $318,011 $282,871 $245,437 $210,714 Long-term debt - - - - - Stockholders' equity $293,845 $261,027 $230,046 $190,630 $159,521 15 (a) consists of 53 weeks (b) In fiscal 2000, the Company changed its method of revenue recognition for layaway sales in accordance with the guidance and interpretations provided by the SEC's SAB No. 101, Revenue Recognition. (c) The Company declared and paid its first ever quarterly cash dividends of $.10 per share in both the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003. Cash dividends of $.10 per share were paid in all four quarters of fiscal 2004. (d) Stores are deemed to be comparable stores if they were open in the prior year on the first day of the fiscal period being presented and were open for the full fiscal period in both the current and prior year. Stores which have been remodeled, expanded and/or relocated, but would otherwise be included as comparable stores, are not excluded from the comparable store sales calculation. (e) Financial statements have been restated to reflect adjustments to properly account for tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays and straight-line rent in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as discussed in Note B to Financial Statements. ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and notes thereto of the Company included in this Form 10-K/A. The following is management's discussion and analysis of certain significant factors which have affected the Company's financial condition and results of operations during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements. RESTATEMENT AND RECLASSIFICATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS On February 7, 2005, the Office of the Chief Accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a letter to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants expressing its views regarding certain operating lease-related accounting issues and their application under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). In light of this letter, the Company's management initiated a review of its lease accounting and determined that its then current method of accounting for leasehold improvements funded by landlord incentives or allowances under operating leases (tenant improvement allowances) and its then current method of accounting for rent holidays were not in accordance with GAAP. As a result, the Company restated its financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002 in this report. The Company had historically accounted for tenant improvement allowances as reductions to the related leasehold improvement asset on the balance sheets and as capital expenditures in investing activities on the statements of cash flows. Management determined that Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Technical Bulletin No. 88-1, Issues Relating to Accounting for Leases, requires these allowances to be recorded as deferred rent liabilities on the balance sheets and as a component of operating activities on the statements of cash flows. For leases initiated in fiscal 2000 and forward, the Company recognized rent holiday periods on a straight-line basis over the lease term commencing with the opening date of the retail stores. The store opening date coincided with the commencement of business operations, which corresponds to the intended use of the property. Management re-evaluated FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-3, Accounting for Operating Leases with Scheduled Rent Increases, and determined that the lease term should commence on the date the Company takes possession of the leased space for construction purposes, which is generally approximately three months prior to a store opening date. Excluding tax impacts, the correction of this accounting, and other adjustments to straight-line rent expense, requires the Company to record additional deferred rent on the balance sheets, as well as, to correct rent expense in "Cost of Sales" on the statements of income for each of the three years in the period January 31, 2004. The cumulative effect of these accounting changes is a reduction to retained earnings of $3.4 million as of the beginning of fiscal 2001 and decreases to earnings of $0.1 million, $0 million and $0.2 million for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. See Note B to the financial statements for a summary of the effects of these changes on the Company's balance sheets as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, as well as, on the Company's statements of income and cash flows for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001. The accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis gives effect to these corrections. 16 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW Company management considers the following items to be key performance indicators in evaluating Company performance. Comparable Store Sales - Stores are deemed to be comparable stores if they were open in the prior year on the first day of the fiscal period being measured. Management considers comparable store sales to be an important indicator of current company performance, helping provide positive operating leverage for certain fixed costs when results are positive. Negative comparable store sales results could reduce net sales and have a negative impact on operating leverage and reduce net earnings. Net Merchandise Margins - Management evaluates the components of merchandise margin including initial markup and the amount of markdowns during a period. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups or any significant increase in the Company's use of markdowns, could have an adverse effect on the Company's gross margin and results of operations. Operating Margin - Operating margin is a good indicator for Management of the Company's success. Operating margin can be positively or negatively affected by comparable store sales, merchandise margins, occupancy costs and the Company's ability to control operating costs. Cash Flow and Liquidity (working capital) - Management reviews current cash and short-term investments along with cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities to determine the Company's short-term cash needs for operations and expansion. The Company believes that existing cash and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund current and long-term anticipated capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the next several years. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth certain financial data expressed as a percentage of net sales and the percentage change in the dollar amount of such items compared to the prior period. Percentage of Net Sales For Fiscal Years Ended Percentage Increase (Decrease) January 31, February 1, February 2, Fiscal Year 2004 2003 2002 2002 to 2003 2001 to 2002 ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ INCOME STATEMENT DATA Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 5.4% 3.5% Cost of sales (including buying, distribution and occupancy costs) 66.2% 67.2% 67.1% 3.9% 3.7% ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- Gross profit 33.8% 32.8% 32.9% 8.6% 3.1% Selling expenses 18.8% 18.7% 18.0% 6.6% 7.1% General and administrative expenses 3.6% 2.7% 2.8% 37.0% 0.4% ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- Income from operations 11.4% 11.4% 12.1% 5.0% -2.4% Other income 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% -0.2% -2.5% ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- Income before income taxes 12.5% 12.6% 13.3% 4.5% -2.4% Provision for income taxes 4.5% 4.6% 4.9% 3.7% -3.5% ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- Net income 8.0% 8.0% 8.4% 5.0% -1.7% ===== ===== ===== ==== ==== FISCAL 2003 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2002 Net sales increased from $401.1 million in fiscal 2002 to $422.8 million in fiscal 2003, a 5.4% increase. Comparable store sales increased by $4.4 million, or 1.1% for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2004 compared to the same 52-week period in the prior year. The Company had 1.0% sales growth in fiscal 2003 that was attributable to the inclusion of a full year of operating results in fiscal 2003 for stores opened in fiscal 2002 and 3.3% growth from the opening of 16 new stores in fiscal 2003. 17 The Company's average retail price per piece of merchandise decreased $0.72 per piece, approximately 2%, in fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002. This $0.72 decrease in the average price per piece was primarily attributable to the following changes (with their corresponding effect on the overall average price per piece): a decrease in footwear price points of approximately 20% (-$0.80), a 7% decrease in knit shirt price points (-$0.58), a 7% decrease in sweater price points (-$0.08), a 7% decrease in outerwear price points ($0.08) and a change in the merchandise mix (-$0.05). These decreases were partially offset by increased price points for denims ($.52), woven shirts ($.12), casual pants ($0.11), accessories ($0.08) and active sportswear ($0.05). These changes are primarily a reflection of merchandise shifts in terms of brands; product styles, fabrics, details and finishes; and the mix of branded versus private label. Average sales per square foot for fiscal 2003 were $274, which was even with the prior fiscal year. Gross profit after buying, distribution and occupancy costs increased $11.3 million in fiscal 2003 to $142.8 million, an 8.6% increase. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased from 32.8% in fiscal 2002 to 33.8% in fiscal 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to an improvement in actual merchandise margins of over 1%, as a percentage of the Company's net sales for the fiscal year; achieved through fewer markdowns, timely sell-throughs on new product and an increase in sales of private label merchandise, which achieves a higher margin. This improvement was partially offset by slightly higher occupancy costs, up 0.27% as a percentage of net sales, as the company has continued to expand into more expensive markets. Merchandise shrinkage remained the same at 0.6% of net sales for both fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002. Selling expenses increased from $74.8 million for fiscal 2002 to $79.7 million for fiscal 2003, a 6.6% increase. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 18.7% for fiscal 2002 to 18.8% for fiscal 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to higher incentive bonuses for store managers due to increased net profits, an increase of 0.14% as a percentage of net sales, and higher bankcard fees as a result of an increase in rates charged by VISA/Mastercard and an increase in the percentage of net sales tendered via charge cards compared to the prior year, an increase of 0.07% as a percentage of net sales. These increases were partially offset by slight reductions in spending for in-store point-of-sale advertising (-0.06%, as a percentage of net sales), store visit and meeting travel (-0.11%, as a percentage of net sales) and selling supplies (-0.02%, as a percentage of net sales), during fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002. General and administrative expenses increased from $11.0 million in fiscal 2002 to $15.0 million in fiscal 2003, a 37.0% increase. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense increased from 2.7% for fiscal 2002 to 3.6% for fiscal 2003. The increase in general and administrative expense, as a percentage of net sales, resulted primarily from recording compensation expense related to restricted stock grants during fiscal 2003, from recognizing a larger loss on the disposal of abandoned assets for remodeled stores in fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002 and from recognizing a gain on the sale of a corporate aircraft during fiscal 2002. The restricted stock compensation of $1.6 million recorded in fiscal 2003 accounted for 0.4% of the increase, as a percentage of net sales, the increase in the loss on abandoned assets accounted for 0.08% of the increase and the prior year gain on the sale a corporate aircraft accounted for 0.09% of the increase. As a result of the above changes, the Company's income from operations increased $2.3 million to $48.1 million for fiscal 2003, a 5.0% increase compared to fiscal 2002. Income from operations was 11.4% as a percentage of net sales in both fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2003. Other income for fiscal 2003 decreased 0.2% from fiscal 2002 to $4.7 million. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in interest income, as interest rates continued to be lower in fiscal 2003 compared with fiscal 2002; although balances in cash and investments were higher during fiscal 2003 than they were during the prior fiscal year. Income tax expense as a percentage of pre-tax income was 36.2% in fiscal 2003 compared to 36.5% in fiscal 2002, bringing net income to $33.7 million for fiscal 2003 versus $32.1 million for fiscal 2002, an increase of 5.0%. The change in the Company's effective income tax rate resulted primarily from state income tax planning. FISCAL 2002 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2001 Net sales increased from $387.6 million in fiscal 2001 to $401.1 million in fiscal 2002, a 3.5% increase. Comparable store sales decreased by $2.0 million, or 0.5% for the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2003 compared to the same 52-week period in the prior year. The Company had 1.9% sales growth in fiscal 2002 that was attributable to the inclusion of a full year of operating results in fiscal 2002 for stores opened in fiscal 2001 and 2.1% from the opening of 11 new stores in fiscal 2002. 18 The Company's average retail price per piece of merchandise decreased $0.30 per piece in fiscal 2002 compared to fiscal 2001, primarily due to 22.4% lower price points in footwear, as well as, from a decline in footwear sales as a percentage of net sales. Other categories with price point decreases were sweaters and accessories. These decreases were partially offset by increased price points for denims, casual pants, knit shirts, outerwear and active sportswear. Average sales per square foot decreased 1.8% from $279 to $274. Gross profit after buying, distribution and occupancy costs increased $3.9 million in fiscal 2002 to $131.5 million, a 3.1% increase. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased from 32.9% in fiscal 2001 to 32.8% in fiscal 2002. The decrease was primarily attributable to higher occupancy costs, which increased 0.68% as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal year and higher distribution costs. These increased costs were partially offset by an improvement in the actual merchandise margins of 0.57%, as a percentage of net sales. Gross margin was also impacted by the decrease in merchandise shrinkage which fell to 0.6% in fiscal 2002 compared to 0.7% in fiscal 2001. Selling expenses increased from $69.8 million for fiscal 2001 to $74.8 million for fiscal 2002, a 7.1% increase. Selling expenses as a percent of net sales increased from 18.0% for fiscal 2001 to 18.7% for fiscal 2002. The increase was primarily attributable to higher payroll expense, up 0.43% as a percentage of net sales, higher advertising expenses, up 0.14% as a percentage of net sales, and higher travel expenses, up 0.10% as a percentage of net sales. These higher costs were partially due to a decline in leverage provided by comparable store sales. General and administrative expenses increased from $10.9 million in fiscal 2001 to $11.0 million in fiscal 2002, a 0.4% increase. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense decreased from 2.8% for fiscal 2001 to 2.7% for fiscal 2002. Decreases in general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, resulted primarily from a gain on sales of assets which reduced the general and administrative expense by 0.14%, as a percentage of net sales, plus slight decreases in bonus expense and general supplies expense. These changes were partially offset by increased personal property tax expense for the year. As a result of the above changes, the Company's income from operations decreased $1.1 million to $45.8 million for fiscal 2002, a 2.4% decrease compared to fiscal 2001. Income from operations was 11.4% as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2002 compared to 12.1% in fiscal 2001. Other income for fiscal 2002 decreased 2.5% from fiscal 2001 to $4.7 million. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in income received from state tax incentive programs, partially offset by an increase in interest income compared to fiscal 2001. Income tax expense as a percentage of pre-tax income was 36.5% in fiscal 2002 compared to 36.9% in fiscal 2001, bringing net income to $32.1 million for fiscal 2002 versus $32.6 million for fiscal 2001, a decrease of 1.7%. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's primary ongoing cash requirements are for inventory, payroll, dividend payments, new store expansion, and remodeling. Historically, the Company's primary source of working capital has been cash flow from operations. The Company declared and paid its first ever quarterly cash dividends of $.10 per share in both the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003. The Company plans to continue its quarterly dividends during fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001 the Company's cash flow from operations was $57.9 million, $45.5 million and $48.7 million, respectively. During fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company also used cash for repurchasing shares of the Company's common stock. In fiscal 2003, the Company purchased 152,300 shares at a cost of $2.9 million. The Company purchased 119,125 shares in fiscal 2002 at a cost of $2.0 million and 79,200 shares in fiscal 2001 at a cost of $1.3 million. The Company has available an unsecured line of credit of $17.5 million with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. for operating needs and letters of credit. The note provides that outstanding letters of credit cannot exceed $10 million. Borrowing under the line of credit note provides for interest to be paid at a rate equal to the prime rate established by the Bank. As of January 31, 2004, the Company's working capital was $180.7 million, including $120.0 million of cash and cash equivalents. The Company has, from time to time, borrowed against these lines of credit during periods of peak inventory build-up. There were immaterial borrowings during fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001. The Company had no bank borrowings as of January 31, 2004. 19 During fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company invested $19.4 million, $18.6 million and $15.5 million, respectively, in new store construction, store renovation and upgrading store technology. The Company also spent $0.8 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million, in fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, in capital expenditures for the corporate headquarters and distribution facility. In the third quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company purchased a used Citation X aircraft and sold its Citation III aircraft at a net additional cost of $9.1 million. During fiscal 2004, the Company anticipates completing approximately 20 store construction projects, including approximately 12 new stores and approximately 8 stores to be remodeled and/or relocated. As of March 2004, leases for eight new stores have been signed, and leases for seven additional locations are under negotiation; however, exact new store openings, remodels and relocations may vary from those anticipated. The average cost of opening a new store during fiscal 2003 was approximately $710,000, including construction costs of approximately $560,000 and inventory costs of approximately $150,000, net of payables. Management estimates that total capital expenditures during fiscal 2004 will be approximately $25.1 million before estimated landlord allowances of $3.1 million. The Company believes that existing cash and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund current and long-term anticipated capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the next several years. The Company has had a consistent record of generating positive cash flows each year, does not currently have plans for any merger or acquisition, and has fairly consistent plans for new store expansion and remodels. Based upon past results and current plans, management does not anticipate any large swings in the Company's need for cash in the upcoming years. However, future conditions may reduce the availability of funds based upon factors such as a decrease in demand for the Company's product, change in product mix, competitive factors and general economic conditions as well as other risks and uncertainties which would reduce the Company's sales, net profitability, and cash flows. Also, the Company's acceleration in store openings and/or remodels, or the Company entering into a merger, acquisition, or other financial related transaction, could reduce the amount of cash available for further capital expenditures and working capital requirements. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are based upon The Buckle, Inc.'s financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires that management make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the financial statement date, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates its estimates. Management bases its estimates on past experience and on various other factors that are thought to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company's certain critical accounting policies are listed below. 1. Revenue Recognition. Sales are recorded upon the purchase of merchandise by customers. The Company accounts for layaway sales in accordance with SAB No. 101, recognizing revenue from sales made under its layaway program upon delivery of the merchandise to the customer. Revenue is not recorded when gift cards and gift certificates are sold, but rather when a card is redeemed for merchandise. A current liability is recorded at the time of card purchases. The Company establishes a current liability for estimated merchandise returns based upon historical average sales return percentage, applying the percentage using the assumption that merchandise returns will occur within nine days following the sale. Customer returns could potentially exceed historical average and returns may occur after the time period reserved for, thus reducing future net sales results and potentially reducing future net earnings. The accrued liability for reserve for sales returns was $258,000 and $250,000 at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. 2. Inventory. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method that approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Management makes adjustments to inventory and cost of goods - sold based upon estimates to reserve for merchandise obsolescence and markdowns that could affect market value, based on assumptions using calculations applied to current inventory levels by department within each of four different markdown levels. Management also reviews the levels of inventory in each markdown group versus the estimated future demand for such product and the current market conditions. Such judgments could vary significantly from actual results, either favorably or unfavorably, due to fluctuation in future economic conditions, industry trends, consumer demand and the competitive retail environment. Such changes in market conditions could negatively impact the sale of markdown inventory causing further markdowns, or inventory obsolescence, 20 resulting in increased cost of goods sold from write-offs, and reducing the Company's net earnings. The liability recorded as a reserve for markdowns and/or obsolescence was $2.5 million and $2.2 million as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. We are not aware of any events, conditions or changes in demand or price that would indicate to us that our inventory valuation may be materially inaccurate at this time. 3. Income Taxes. Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current fiscal year. The Company records a deferred tax asset and liability for expected future tax consequences resulting from temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company considers future taxable income and ongoing tax planning in assessing the value of its deferred tax assets. If the Company determines that it is more than likely that these assets will not be realized, the Company would reduce the value of these assets to their expected realizable value, thereby decreasing net income. Estimating the value of these assets is based upon the Company's judgment. If the Company subsequently determined that the deferred tax assets, which had been written down, would be realized in the future, such value would be increased. Adjustment would be made to increase net income in the period such determination was made. 4. Operating Leases. The Company leases retail stores under operating leases. Most lease agreements contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and/or contingent rent provisions. For purposes of recognizing lease incentives and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, the Company uses the date of initial possession to begin amortization, which is generally when the Company enters the space and begins to make improvements in preparation of intended use. For tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays, the Company records a deferred rent liability in "Deferred rent liability" on the balance sheets and amortizes the deferred rent over the terms of the leases as reductions to rent expense on the statements of earnings. For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy, the Company records minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases on the statements of income. Certain leases provide for contingent rents, which are determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of specified levels. The Company records a contingent rent liability on the balance sheets and the corresponding rent expense when specified levels have been achieved. If the Company subsequently determined the lease term to vary from that used in calculations of straight-line rent expense, there could be additional expense to be recorded, thus reducing the Company's earnings for the period of correction. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS As referenced in the tables below, the Company has contractual obligations and commercial commitments that may affect the financial condition of the Company. Based on management's review of the terms and conditions of its contractual obligations and commercial commitments, there is no known trend, demand, commitment, event or uncertainty that is reasonably likely to occur which would have a material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations or cash flows. In addition, the commercial obligations and commitments made by the Company are customary transactions, which are similar to those of other comparable retail companies. The following tables identify the material obligations and commitments as of January 31, 2004: Payments Due by Period -------------------------------------------------------- Contractual obligations Less than After 5 (dollar amounts in thousands) Total 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years years ----------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ------- Long term debt $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Purchase Obligations $ 1,137 $ 1,137 $ - $ - $ - Deferred Compensation $ 1,467 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,467 Operating leases $ 213,984 $ 29,783 $ 58,269 $ 49,825 $76,107 Total contractual obligations $ 216,588 $ 30,920 $ 58,269 $ 49,825 $77,574 21 Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period ----------------------------------------------------------------- Other Commercial Commitments (dollar Total Amounts Less than amounts in thousands) Committed 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years After 5 years ---------------------------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- Lines of credit $ 17,500 $ 17,500 $ - $ - $ - Total commercial commitments $ 17,500 $ 17,500 $ - $ - $ - The Company did not have any contingent liability for landlord allowances as of January 31, 2004. The Company has available an unsecured line of credit of $17.5 million of which $10 million is available for letters of credit. Certain merchandise purchase orders require that the Company open letters of credit. When the Company takes possession of the merchandise, it releases payment on the letters of credit. Amounts of outstanding letters of credit, reported in the notes included in the Company's 2003 Annual Report, reflect the open letters of credit on merchandise ordered, but not yet received or funded. The Company believes it has sufficient credit available to open letters of credit for merchandise purchases. SEASONALITY AND INFLATION The Company's business is seasonal, with the holiday season (from approximately November 15 to December 30) and the back-to-school season (from approximately July 15 to September 1) historically contributing the greatest volume of net sales. For fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Christmas and back-to-school seasons accounted for an average of approximately 40% of the Company's fiscal year net sales. Although the operations of the Company are influenced by general economic conditions, the Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on the results of operations during the past three fiscal years. Quarterly results may vary significantly depending on a variety of factors including the timing and amount of sales and costs associated with the opening of new stores, the timing and level of markdowns, the timing of store closings, the remodeling of existing stores, competitive factors and general economic conditions. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, was issued in May 2003. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). Many of those instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement concludes the first phase of the Board's redeliberations of the Exposure Draft, Accounting for Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Liabilities, Equity, or Both. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a significant impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 must be applied for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 22 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Information in this report, other than historical information, may be considered to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "1995 Act"). Such statements are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the 1995 Act. In connection with these safe-harbor provisions, this management's discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's current views and estimates of future economic conditions, company performance and financial results. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors that could cause future results to differ materially. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in product mix, changes in fashion trends, competitive factors and general economic conditions, economic conditions in the retail apparel industry, and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business and the retail industry in general. Any changes in these factors could result in significantly different results for the Company. The Company further cautions that the forward-looking information contained herein is not exhaustive or exclusive. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, which may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company. ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK To the extent that we borrow under our line of credit facility, we would be exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. As of January 31, 2004, no borrowings were outstanding under our line of credit facility. We are not a party to any derivative financial instruments. Additionally, we are exposed to market risk related to interest rate risk on the short- and long-term investments of excess cash in short- and long-term investment grade interest-bearing securities. If there are changes in interest rates, those changes would affect the investment income we earn on those investments. For each one-quarter of a percent decline in the interest/dividend rate earned on cash and investments, the Company's net income would decrease approximately $0.01 per share. This amount could vary based upon the number of shares of the Company's stock outstanding and the level of cash and investments held by the Company. We have certain investments that generate interest income. These investments have carrying values that are subject to interest rate changes that could impact our earnings to the extent that we did not hold the investments to maturity. If there are changes in interest rates, those changes would also affect the investment income we earn on our investments. For each one-quarter of a percent decline in the interest/dividend rate earned on cash and investments (approximately a 10% change in the rate earned), the Company's net income would decrease approximately $260,000. This amount could vary based upon the number of shares of the Company's stock outstanding and the level of cash and investments held by the Company. 23 ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA THE BUCKLE, INC. BALANCE SHEETS (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1, 2004 2003 (As Restated, (As Restated, see Note B) see Note B) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 119,976 $ 92,976 Investments (Note C) 23,346 15,450 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $181 and $217, respectively 3,585 1,390 Inventory 61,156 60,041 Prepaid expenses and other assets (Note F) 9,083 7,934 --------- -------- Total current assets 217,146 177,791 --------- -------- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Note D): 169,453 155,612 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (85,550) (75,195) --------- -------- 83,903 80,417 --------- -------- LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS (Note C) 52,647 54,548 OTHER ASSETS (Notes F and G) 2,526 5,255 --------- -------- $ 356,222 $318,011 ========= ======== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 14,207 $ 13,318 Accrued employee compensation 11,890 10,326 Accrued store operating expenses 3,833 3,162 Gift certificates redeemable 3,778 3,478 Income taxes payable 2,760 2,966 --------- -------- Total current liabilities 36,468 33,250 DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Note I) 1,467 946 DEFERRED RENT LIABILITY 24,442 22,788 --------- -------- Total liabilities 62,377 56,984 --------- -------- COMMITMENTS (Notes E and H) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note J): Common stock, authorized 100,000,000 shares of $.01 par value; issued and outstanding; 21,484,316 and 21,045,404 shares, respectively 215 210 Additional paid-in capital 24,245 18,089 Retained earnings 272,125 242,728 Unearned compensation - restricted stock (2,740) - --------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 293,845 261,027 --------- -------- $ 356,222 $318,011 ========= ======== See notes to financial statements. 24 THE BUCKLE, INC. STATEMENTS OF INCOME (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) FISCAL YEARS ENDED --------------------------------------------- JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1, FEBRUARY 2, 2004 2003 2002 (As Restated, (As Restated, (As Restated, see Note B) see Note B) see Note B) SALES, Net of returns and allowances of $32,364, $31,826 and $28,278, respectively $ 422,820 $ 401,060 $ 387,638 COST OF SALES (Including buying, distribution and occupancy costs) 280,004 269,516 259,994 --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 142,816 131,544 127,644 --------- --------- --------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Selling 79,668 74,754 69,786 General and administrative 15,045 10,979 10,939 --------- --------- --------- 94,713 85,733 80,725 --------- --------- --------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 48,103 45,811 46,919 OTHER INCOME, Net 4,688 4,698 4,820 --------- --------- --------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 52,791 50,509 51,739 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Note F) 19,112 18,434 19,097 --------- --------- --------- NET INCOME $ 33,679 $ 32,075 $ 32,642 ========= ========= ========= EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note K): Basic $ 1.60 $ 1.52 $ 1.57 ========= ========= ========= Diluted $ 1.56 $ 1.47 $ 1.51 ========= ========= ========= See notes to financial statements. 25 THE BUCKLE, INC. STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) ACCUMULATED OTHER ADDITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED UNEARNED INCOME COMPREHENSIVE STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS COMPENSATION (LOSS) TOTAL INCOME BALANCE, Feb. 4, 2001 (previously reported) $ 204 $ 13,006 $ 181,447 $ (620) $ 29 $194,066 Prior year adjustment (see Note B) - - (3,436) - - (3,436) ----- -------- ---------- --------- ---- -------- BALANCE, Feb. 4, 2001(As Restated, 204 13,006 178,011 (620) 29 190,630 see Note B) Comprehensive income: Net income (As Restated, see Note B) - - 32,642 - - 32,642 $ 32,642 Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $24 - - - - (41) (41) (41) --------- Total comprehensive income (As $ 32,601 ========= Restated, see Note B) Common stock (869,272 shares) issued on exercise of stock options 9 3,900 - - - 3,909 Amortization of restricted stock issuance - - - 126 - 126 Forfeited restricted stock (53,191 shares) (1) (1,113) - 368 - (746) Common stock (79,200 shares) purchased and retired (1) (1,280) - - - (1,281) Tax benefit related to exercise of employee stock options - 4,807 - - - 4,807 ----- -------- ---------- --------- ---- -------- BALANCE, February 2, 2002 (As Restated, 211 19,320 210,653 (126) (12) 230,046 see Note B) Comprehensive income: Net income (As Restated, see Note B) - - 32,075 - - 32,075 $ 32,075 Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of taxes of-$7 - - - - 12 12 12 --------- Total comprehensive income (As $ 32,087 ========= Restated, see Note B) Common stock (48,991 shares) issued on exercise of stock options - 574 - - - 574 Amortization of restricted stock issuance - - - 126 - 126 Common stock (119,125 shares) purchased and retired (1) (1,987) - - - (1,988) Tax benefit related to exercise of employee stock options - 182 - - - 182 ----- -------- ---------- --------- ---- -------- BALANCE, February 1, 2003 (As Restated, 210 18,089 242,728 - - 261,027 see Note B) Comprehensive income: Net income (As Restated, see Note B) - - 33,679 - - 33,679 $ 33,679 ========= Dividends paid on common stock, $.10 per share - - (4,282) - - (4,282) Common stock (421,485 shares) issued on exercise of stock options 4 2,505 - - - 2,509 Restricted stock grants (169,840 shares) 2 4,373 - (4,375) - - Amortization of restricted stock grant - - - 1,635 - 1,635 Common stock (152,300 shares) purchased and retired (1) (2,907) - - - (2,908) Tax benefit related to exercise of employee stock options - 2,185 - - - 2,185 ----- -------- ---------- --------- ---- -------- BALANCE, January 31, 2004 (As Restated, $ 215 $ 24,245 $ 272,125 $ (2,740) $ - $293,845 see Note B) ===== ======== ========== ========= ==== ======== 26 THE BUCKLE, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) FISCAL YEARS ENDED --------------------------------------------- JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1, FEBRUARY 2, 2004 2003 2002 (As Restated, (As Restated, (As Restated, see Note B) see Note B) see Note B) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 33,679 $ 32,075 $ 32,642 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities: Depreciation 15,956 14,869 14,176 Amortization of unearned compensation - restricted stock 1,635 126 126 Forfeiture of restricted stock - - (746) Deferred taxes 1,813 (174) (622) Tax benefit from employee stock option exercises 2,185 182 4,807 Loss (gain) on disposal of assets 773 (53) 545 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (2,195) 631 47 Inventory (1,115) (5,744) 95 Prepaid expenses (256) (552) (459) Accounts payable 889 2,185 (2,570) Accrued employee compensation 1,564 (199) (998) Accrued store operating expenses 671 (383) (103) Gift certificates redeemable 300 432 431 Long-term liabilities and deferred compensation 2,175 554 3,750 Income taxes payable (206) 1,569 (2,493) -------- -------- -------- Net cash flows from operating activities 57,868 45,518 48,628 -------- -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property and equipment (20,237) (28,328) (15,955) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 22 3,049 4 (Increase) decrease in other assets 23 (54) (324) Purchase of investments (40,117) (50,135) (22,055) Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 34,122 22,425 19,834 -------- -------- -------- Net cash flows from investing activities (26,187) (53,043) (18,496) -------- -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 2,509 574 3,909 Purchases of common stock (2,908) (1,988) (1,281) Payment of dividends (4,282) - - -------- -------- -------- Net cash flows from financing activities (4,681) (1,414) 2,628 -------- -------- -------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 27,000 (8,939) 32,760 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of year 92,976 101,915 69,155 -------- -------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of year $119,976 $ 92,976 $101,915 ======== ======== ======== See notes to financial statements. 27 THE BUCKLE, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004, FEBRUARY 1, 2003 AND FEBRUARY 2, 2002 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS ARE IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES FISCAL YEAR - The Buckle, Inc. (the Company) has its fiscal year end on the Saturday nearest January 31. All references in these financial statements to fiscal years are to the calendar year in which the fiscal year begins. Fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001 represent the 52-week periods ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002, respectively. NATURE OF OPERATIONS - The Company is a retailer of medium to better priced casual apparel, footwear and accessories for fashion conscious young men and women operating 316 stores located in 38 states throughout the central, northwestern and southern regions of the United States, as of January 31, 2004. During fiscal 2003, the Company opened sixteen new stores, substantially renovated sixteen stores and closed four stores. During fiscal 2002, the Company opened eleven new stores, substantially renovated eight stores, and closed two stores. During fiscal 2001, the Company opened twenty-four new stores, substantially renovated eight stores and closed three stores. REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company operates on a cash and carry basis, so revenue is recognized at the time of sale. Merchandise returns are estimated and accrued at the end of the period. The reserve for merchandise returns was $258 and $250 as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. The Company accounts for layaway sales in accordance with SAB No. 101, recognizing revenue from sales made under its layaway program upon delivery of the merchandise to the customer. The Company has several sales incentives that it offers customers including a frequent shopper punch card, B-Rewards gift certificates, and occasional sweepstakes and gifts with purchase offers. The frequent shopper punch card is recognized as cost of goods sold at the time of the redemption, using the actual amount tendered. The B-Rewards incentives are recorded as a liability and as a selling expense at the time the gift certificates are issued to the customers. Sweepstake prizes are recorded as cost of goods sold (if it is a merchandise giveaway) or as a selling expense at the time the prize is redeemed by the customer, using actual costs incurred, and gifts with purchase are recorded as a cost of goods sold at the time of the purchase and gift redemption, using the actual cost of the gifted item. The Company records the sale of gift cards and gift certificates as a current liability and recognizes a sale when a customer redeems the gift card or gift certificate. The amount of the gift card and gift certificate liability is determined using the outstanding balances from the prior three years of issuance. The Company recognizes a current liability for the downpayment made when merchandise is placed on layaway, and recognizes layaways as a sale at the time the customer makes final payment and picks up the merchandise. INVESTMENTS - The Company accounts for investments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity (net of the effect of income taxes), using the specific identification method, until they are sold. Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings using the specific identification method. INVENTORIES - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on the average cost method. Management records a reserve for merchandise obsolescence and markdowns for inventory on-hand as of year-end, based on assumptions using calculations applied to current inventory levels by department within each of four different markdown levels. Management also reviews the levels of inventory in each markdown group versus the estimated future demand for such product and the current market conditions. The liability recorded as a reserve for markdowns and/or obsolescence was $2,500 and $2,200 as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. The amount of net write-off charged (credited) to cost of goods sold, resulting 28 from changes in the Markdown Reserve balance, was $323, $163 and $(410), for fiscal years 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION - Property and equipment are stated on the basis of historical cost. Depreciation is provided using a combination of accelerated and straight-line methods based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. The majority of the property and equipment have useful lives of five to ten years with the exception of buildings, which have estimated useful lives of 31.5 to 39 years. CASH EQUIVALENTS - For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. PRE-OPENING EXPENSES - Costs related to opening new stores are expensed as incurred. ADVERTISING COSTS - Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to $4,304, $4,404 and $3,706 for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. HEALTH CARE COSTS - The Company is self-funded for health and dental claims up to $80,000 per individual per plan year. This plan covers eligible employees, and management makes estimates at period end to record a reserve for future claims based upon the prior year's average claims for a 60-day period. The accrued liability for reserve for healthcare was $275 and $230 at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. OPERATING LEASES - The Company leases retail stores under operating leases. Most lease agreements contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and/or contingent rent provisions. For purposes of recognizing lease incentives and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, the Company uses the date of initial possession to begin accruing rent expense, which is generally when the Company enters the space and begins to make improvements in preparation of intended use. For tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays, the Company records a deferred rent liability in "Deferred rent liability" on the balance sheets and amortizes the deferred rent over the terms of the leases as reductions to rent expense on the statements of earnings. For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy, the Company records minimum rental payments on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases. Certain leases provide for contingent rents, which are determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of specified levels. The Company records a contingent rent liability on the balance sheets and the corresponding rent expense when specified levels have been achieved or are reasonably probable to be achieved. OTHER INCOME - The Company's other income is derived from primarily from interest and dividends on cash and investments but also includes miscellaneous other sources of income including commissions on corporate travel, unredeemed gift cards and gift certificates, gift card service fees, recycling cardboard and other immaterial reimbursements. The amount of other income generated from interest and dividends on cash and investments was $4,046 and $4,167 for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002, respectively. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - The Company has several stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note I. The Company accounts for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Compensation cost related to stock-based compensation was $1,635, $126 and $126 for the fiscal years ended 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. 29 The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation. FISCAL YEAR --------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 Net income, as reported $ 33,679 $ 32,075 $ 32,642 Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects 1,037 80 80 Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects (3,740) (4,117) (3,706) -------- -------- -------- Pro forma net income $ 30,976 $ 28,038 $ 29,016 ======== ======== ======== Earnings per share: Basic - as reported $ 1.60 $ 1.52 $ 1.57 ======== ======== ======== Basic - pro forma $ 1.47 $ 1.33 $ 1.40 ======== ======== ======== Diluted - as reported $ 1.56 $ 1.47 $ 1.51 ======== ======== ======== Diluted - pro forma $ 1.43 $ 1.29 $ 1.34 ======== ======== ======== FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND CREDIT RISK CONCENTRATIONS - Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, are primarily cash, investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its investments primarily in tax-free municipal bonds or U.S. Treasury securities with short-term maturities, and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one entity. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the nature of the Company's receivables; which include employee receivables, which can be offset against future compensation. The Company's financial instruments have a fair value approximating the carrying value. EARNINGS PER SHARE - Basic earnings per share data are based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share data are based on the weighted average outstanding common shares and the effect of all dilutive potential common shares, including stock options. USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. Unrealized gains and losses on the Company's available-for-sale securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are separately included as a component of stockholders' equity, net of related income taxes. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS- SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, was issued in May 2003. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). Many of those instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement concludes the first phase of the Board's redeliberations of the Exposure Draft, Accounting for Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Liabilities, Equity, or Both. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning 30 after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a significant impact on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company. In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 must be applied for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain reclassifications have been made to the balance sheets to consistently report current classifications of assets and liabilities. B. RESTATEMENT AND RECLASSIFICATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS On February 7, 2005, the Office of the Chief Accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a letter to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants expressing its views regarding certain operating lease-related accounting issues and their application under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). In light of this letter, the Company's management initiated a review of its lease accounting and determined that its then current method of accounting for leasehold improvements funded by landlord incentives or allowances under operating leases (tenant improvement allowances) and its then current method of accounting for rent holidays were not in accordance with GAAP. While such amounts are not material to any prior period, management determined to restate prior periods due to the size of the correction which would have been required in fiscal 2004. As a result, the Company restated its financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002. The Company had historically accounted for tenant improvement allowances as reductions to the related leasehold improvement asset on the balance sheets and capital expenditures in investing activities on the statements of cash flows. Management determined that Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Technical Bulletin No. 88-1, Issues Relating to Accounting for Leases, requires these allowances to be recorded as deferred rent liabilities on the balance sheets and as a component of operating activities on the statements of cash flows. For leases initiated in fiscal 2000 and forward, the Company recognized rent holiday periods on a straight-line basis over the lease term commencing with the opening date of the retail stores. The store opening date coincided with the commencement of business operations, which corresponds to the intended use of the property. Management re-evaluated FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-3, Accounting for Operating Leases with Scheduled Rent Increases, and determined that the lease term should commence on the date the Company takes possession of the leased space for construction purposes, which is generally 3 months prior to a store opening date. Excluding tax impacts, the correction of this accounting, and other adjustments to straight-line rent expense, required the Company to record additional deferred rent on the balance sheets, as well as, to correct rent expense in "Cost of Sales" on the statements of income for each of the three years in the period January 31, 2004. The cumulative effect of these accounting changes is a reduction to retained earnings of $3.4 million as of the beginning of fiscal 2001 and decreases to earnings of $0.1 million, $0 million and $0.2 million for the fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Following is a summary of the effects of these changes on the Company's balance sheets as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, as well as, the effects of these changes on the Company's statements of income for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001. 31 Balance Sheets --------------------------------------------------- As previously Reclass- reported ifications Adjustments As restated ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- January 31, 2004 Prepaid expenses and other assets $ 9,563 $ - $ (480) $ 9,083 Property and equipment, net 66,300 - 17,603 83,903 Other assets 1,307 - 1,219 2,526 Accrued employee compensation 12,171 (281) - 11,890 Accrued store operating expenses 5,127 (395) (899) 3,833 Gift certificates redeemable 3,102 676 - 3,778 Deferred rent liability - - 24,442 24,442 Deferred tax liability 1,490 - (1,490) - Retained earnings 275,836 - (3,711) 272,125 February 1, 2003 Prepaid expenses and other assets $ 8,277 $ - $ (343) $ 7,934 Property and equipment, net 64,606 - 15,811 80,417 Other assets 2,512 - 2,743 5,255 Accrued employee compensation 10,556 (230) - 10,326 Accrued store operating expenses 4,487 (393) (932) 3,162 Gift certificates redeemable 2,855 623 - 3,478 Deferred rent liability - - 22,788 22,788 Retained earnings 246,373 - (3,645) 242,728 Certain reclassifications have been made to accrued employee compensation, accrued store operating expenses and gift certificates redeemable to provide a more accurate reporting of gift certificates redeemable from layaway returns and the reserve account for health insurance claims, as shown above, to more consistently report such liabilities on the balance sheets of the Company. Statements of Income -------------------------------------- As previously reported Adjustments As restated ---------- ----------- ----------- Fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 Cost of sales $ 279,901 $ 103 $ 280,004 Income from operations 48,206 (103) 48,103 Income before income taxes 52,894 (103) 52,791 Provision for income taxes 19,149 (37) 19,112 Net income 33,745 (66) 33,679 Earnings per share - basic $ 1.60 $ - $ 1.60 Earnings per share - diluted $ 1.56 $ - $ 1.56 32 Statements of Income -------------------------------------- As previously reported Adjustments As restated ---------- ----------- ----------- Fiscal year ended February 1, 2003 Cost of sales $269,533 $ (17) $269,516 Income from operations 45,794 17 45,811 Income before income taxes 50,492 17 50,509 Provision for income taxes 18,428 6 18,434 Net income 32,064 11 32,075 Earnings per share - basic $ 1.52 $ - $ 1.52 Earnings per share - diluted $ 1.47 $ - $ 1.47 Fiscal year ended February 2, 2002 Cost of sales $259,645 $ 349 $259,994 Income from operations 47,268 (349) 46,919 Income before income taxes 52,088 (349) 51,739 Provision for income taxes 19,226 (129) 19,097 Net income 32,862 (220) 32,642 Earnings per share - basic $ 1.59 $ (0.02) $ 1.57 Earnings per share - diluted $ 1.52 $ (0.01) $ 1.51 As previously reported Adjustments As restated ---------- ----------- ----------- Fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 Net cash flows from operating activities $ 52,987 $ 4,881 $ 57,868 Net cash flows from investing activities (21,306) (4,881) (26,187) Fiscal year ended February 1, 2003 Net cash flows from operating activities $ 42,831 $ 2,687 $ 45,518 Net cash flows from investing activities (50,356) (2,687) (53,043) Fiscal year ended February 2, 2002 Net cash flows from operating activities $ 43,432 $ 5,196 $ 48,628 Net cash flows from investing activities (13,300) (5,196) (18,496) C. INVESTMENTS The following is a summary of investments as of January 31, 2004: GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE Held-to-Maturity Securities: State and municipal bonds $64,974 $1,029 $ (69) $65,934 U.S. corporate bonds 2,552 19 (7) 2,564 U.S. treasuries 7,000 6 (24) 6,982 ------- ------ ------ ------- $74,526 $1,054 $ (100) $75,480 ======= ====== ====== ======= Trading Securities: Mutual funds $ 1,207 $ 260 $ - $ 1,467 ======= ====== ====== ======== 33 The following is a summary of investments as of February 1, 2003: GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE Held-to-Maturity Securities: State and municipal bonds $ 64,499 $ 1,145 $ (291) $ 65,353 U.S. corporate bonds 2,353 - (19) 2,334 U.S. treasuries 2,200 5 - 2,205 -------- ------- ------ --------- $ 69,052 $ 1,150 $ (310) $ 69,892 ======== ======= ====== ========= Trading Securities: Mutual funds $ 1,397 $ - $ (451) $ 946 ======== ======= ====== ========= Trading securities have been classified in long-term investments. These trading securities are held in a Rabbi Trust and are intended to fund the Company's deferred compensation plan (See Note I). The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at January 31, 2004 is as follows: AMORTIZED FAIR COST VALUE 2004 $ 23,346 $ 23,417 2005 16,773 17,006 2006 14,034 14,232 2007 8,858 8,987 2008 5,097 5,224 Thereafter 6,418 6,614 -------- -------- $ 74,526 $ 75,480 ======== ======== At January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, held to maturity investments of $51,180 and $53,602 are classified in long-term investments. D. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT A summary of the cost of property and equipment follows: JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1, 2004 2003 Land $ 917 $ 917 Building and improvements 8,908 8,449 Office equipment 3,120 3,373 Transportation equipment 15,778 15,629 Leasehold improvements 76,062 66,924 Furniture and fixtures 58,254 52,596 Shipping/receiving equipment 4,231 4,218 Screenprinting equipment 102 102 Construction-in-progress 2,081 3,404 -------- -------- $169,453 $155,612 ======== ======== 34 E. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS The Company has available an unsecured line of credit of $17.5 million of which $10 million is available for letter of credits. Borrowings under the line of credit and letter of credit provide for interest to be paid at a rate equal to the prime rate as set by the Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. index on the date of the borrowings. There were no bank borrowings at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003. There were immaterial bank borrowings during fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001. The Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $799 and $1,650 at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. F. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consists of: FISCAL YEAR ---------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 Current: Federal $14,414 $15,718 $16,400 State 2,885 2,890 3,319 Deferred 1,813 (174) (622) ------- ------- ------- Total $19,112 $18,434 $19,097 ======= ======= ======= Total tax expense for the year varies from the amount which would be provided by applying the statutory income tax rate to earnings before income taxes. The primary reasons for this difference (expressed as a percent of pre-tax income) are as follows: FISCAL YEAR --------------------- 2003 2002 2001 Statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% State income tax effect 3.9 3.9 4.3 Tax exempt interest income (2.8) (2.6) (2.5) Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 ---- ---- ---- Effective tax rate 36.2% 36.5% 36.9% ==== ==== ==== Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following: JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1, 2004 2003 Deferred tax assets (liabilities): Inventory $ 1,620 $ 1,336 Stock-based compensation 1,108 666 Accrued compensation 806 574 Accrued store operating costs 82 80 Unrealized (gain) loss on trading securities (98) 169 Capital loss carryforward on trading securities 145 - Gift certificates redeemable 90 99 Allowance for doubtful accounts 68 81 Straight-line rent 2,561 2,620 Deferred rent liability 6,775 6,099 Property and equipment (8,876) (5,630) ------- ------- $ 4,281 $ 6,094 ======= ======= At January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively, the net current deferred tax assets of $3,061 and $2,168 are classified in prepaid expenses and other assets and the net non-current deferred tax assets of $1,220 and $3,926 are classified in other assets at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively. Cash paid for income taxes was $15,527, $17,662 and $17,449 in fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. 35 G. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Included in other assets is a note receivable of $855 and $825 at January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, respectively, from a life insurance trust fund controlled by the Company's Chairman. The note was created over three years when the Company paid life insurance premiums of $200,000 each year for the Chairman on a personal policy. The note accrues interest at 5% of the principal balance per year and is to be paid from the life insurance proceeds. The note is secured by a life insurance policy on the Chairman. H. LEASE COMMITMENTS The Company conducts its operations in leased facilities under numerous noncancellable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2015. Most of the Company's stores have lease terms of approximately ten years and generally do not contain renewal options. Most lease agreements contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays, lease premiums, rent escalation clauses and/or rent provisions. For purposes of recognizing incentives, premiums and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, the Company uses the date of initial possession to begin expensing rent, which is generally when the Company enters the space and begins to make improvements in preparation of intended use. Operating lease base rental expense for fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $29,897, $27,611 and $25,650, respectively. Most of the rental payments are based on a minimum annual rental plus a percentage of sales in excess of a specified amount. Percentage rents for fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $403, $656 and $821, respectively. Total future minimum rental commitments under these operating leases are as follows: FISCAL YEAR 2004 $ 29,783 2005 30,246 2006 28,023 2007 25,562 2008 24,263 Thereafter 76,107 --------- Total minimum Payments required $ 213,984 ========= I. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Company has a 401(k) profit sharing plan covering all eligible employees who desire to participate. Contributions to the plan are based upon the amount of the employees' deferrals and the employer's matching formula. The Company may contribute to the plan at its discretion. The total expense under the profit sharing plan was $567, $600 and $561 for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Buckle, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan covers the Company's executive officers. The plan is funded by participant contributions and a specified annual Company matching contribution not to exceed 6% of the participant's compensation. The Company's contributions were $56, $66 and $65 for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. J. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company has several stock option plans that provide for granting of options to purchase common stock to designated employees, officers and directors. The options may be in the form of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options, and are granted at fair market value on the date of grant. The options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. The Company currently has three stock option plans which allow for granting of stock options to employees and directors. A total of 3,000,000 shares of common stock are authorized for grants under such plans as of January 31, 2004. At January 31, 2004, 375,636 shares of common stock were available for grant under the various option plans of which 182,150 shares were available to executive officers of the Company. 36 The Company granted 75,000 shares of restricted common stock in December 1997 with an aggregate market value of $1,550 at fiscal 1997 year end. Unearned compensation equivalent to the market value of the shares at the date of grant was charged to stockholders' equity. Such unearned compensation was amortized into compensation expense over a five year period. The shares fully vested in December 2002. Due to officers terminating their employment with the Company in 2001 prior to the vesting of the restricted common stock awarded pursuant to this plan, unearned compensation was reduced $368 and compensation expense was reduced $325 in fiscal 2001 for previously amortized compensation expense. During fiscal year 2003, the Company granted 169,840 shares of restricted common stock upon approval of the Board of Directors. These grants resulted in $1,635 of compensation expense during fiscal 2003. These shares will vest January 29, 2005 and the remaining unearned compensation expense will be amortized into compensation expense during fiscal 2004. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year under the SFAS No. 123 methodology was $15.74, $15.68 and $13.76 per option for fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The fair value of options granted under the Plans was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Sholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: 2003 2002 2001 Risk-free interest rate 4.25 % 4.50 % 5.00 % Dividend yield 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % Expected volatility 64.0 % 62.0 % 54.0 % Expected life (years) 7.0 years 7.0 years 7.0 years A summary of the Company's stock-based compensation activity related to stock options for the last three fiscal years is as follows: 2003 2002 2001 ---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE NUMBER PRICE NUMBER PRICE NUMBER PRICE Outstanding - beginning of year 3,867,377 $ 16.10 3,407,135 $ 15.29 4,421,641 $ 13.54 Granted 508,250 16.88 546,870 20.62 447,040 19.73 Expired/terminated (452,090) 11.07 (37,637) 22.41 (592,274) 21.36 Exercised (421,485) 5.96 (48,991) 11.72 (869,272) 4.50 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Outstanding - end of year 3,502,052 $ 17.92 3,867,377 $ 16.10 3,407,135 $ 15.29 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= There were 1,682,784, 2,371,042 and 2,011,127 options exercisable at January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002, respectively. 37 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of January 31, 2004: OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE -------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- WEIGHTED AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE RANGE OF NUMBER CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING LIFE PRICE EXERCISABLE PRICE $ 4.583 $ 5.413 107,325 1.02 years $ 4.59 107,325 $ 4.59 6.167 6.333 257,550 1.96 6.33 257,550 6.33 8.500 9.292 369,313 3.01 9.23 369,313 9.23 11.645 17.010 762,010 7.68 16.51 63,359 16.37 17.188 23.950 1,633,314 6.18 20.87 798,447 21.29 26.750 34.083 372,540 4.81 28.36 86,790 33.67 --------- ----- ------ --------- ------- 3,502,052 5.56 $17.92 1,682,784 $ 15.74 ========= ===== ====== ========= ======= K. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table provides a reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands except per share amounts): 2003 2002 2001 ----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------------ WEIGHTED PER WEIGHTED PER WEIGHTED PER AVERAGE SHARE AVERAGE SHARE AVERAGE SHARE INCOME SHARES AMOUNT INCOME SHARES AMOUNT INCOME SHARES AMOUNT BASIC EPS Net income $33,679 21,094 $ 1.60 $32,075 21,119 $ 1.52 $32,642 20,733 $ 1.57 EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES Stock options - 530 (0.04) - 693 (0.05) - 853 (0.06) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------ -------- DILUTED EPS $33,679 21,624 $ 1.56 $32,075 21,812 $ 1.47 $32,642 21,586 $ 1.51 ======= ======= ======= ======= ====== ======= ======= ====== ======== Options to purchase 787,965, 1,122,094 and 1,403,250 shares of common stock in fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options would be considered anti-dilutive. L. SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company is a retailer of medium to better priced casual apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company operates 316 stores located in 38 states throughout the central, northwestern and southern regions of the United States at January 31, 2004. The Company operates their business as one reportable industry segment. The following is information regarding the Company's major product lines and is stated as a percentage of the Company's net sales: M. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Summarized quarterly financial information for fiscal 2003 and 2002 are as follows: 38 QUARTER ----------------------------------------- FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH FISCAL 2003 Net sales $ 81,713 $ 85,683 $121,325 $134,099 Gross profit, as previously reported $ 22,869 $ 24,598 $ 43,645 $ 51,807 Gross profit (as restated, see Note B) $ 22,844 $ 24,572 $ 43,619 $ 51,781 Net income, as previously reported $ 2,991 $ 3,592 $ 12,183 $ 14,980 Net income (as restated, see Note B) $ 2,974 $ 3,575 $ 12,167 $ 14,963 Basic income per share, as previously reported $ 0.14 $ 0.17 $ 0.57 $ 0.71 Basic income per share (as restated, see Note B) $ 0.14 $ 0.17 $ 0.57 $ 0.71 Diluted income per share, as previously reported $ 0.14 $ 0.17 $ 0.56 $ 0.69 Diluted income per share (as restated, see Note B) $ 0.14 $ 0.17 $ 0.56 $ 0.69 QUARTER ----------------------------------------- FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH FISCAL 2002 Net sales $ 79,855 $ 83,516 $114,436 $123,253 Gross profit, as previously reported $ 23,116 $ 23,810 $ 40,238 $ 44,363 Gross profit (as restated, see Note B) $ 23,121 $ 23,814 $ 40,242 $ 44,367 Net income, as previously reported $ 4,298 $ 4,069 $ 11,264 $ 12,433 Net income (as restated, see Note B) $ 4,301 $ 4,072 $ 11,267 $ 12,435 Basic income per share, as previously reported $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.53 $ 0.59 Basic income per share (as restated, see Note B) $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.53 $ 0.59 Diluted income per share, as previously reported $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.52 $ 0.57 Diluted income per share (as restated, see Note B) $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.52 $ 0.57 Basic and diluted shares outstanding are computed independently for each of the quarters presented and, therefore, may not sum to the totals for the year. 39 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The Buckle, Inc. Kearney, Nebraska We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The Buckle, Inc. (the Company), as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, and the related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Buckle, Inc. as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As discussed in Note B, the accompanying financial statements have been restated. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Omaha, Nebraska March 4, 2004 (April 18, 2005, as to the effects of the restatement described in Note B.) ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. ITEM 9A - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that materially affected or are reasonable likely to materially affect internal control over financial reporting. However, on March 3, 2005, Company management announced that, in light of the views expressed by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 7, 2005, the Company's management reviewed its lease-related accounting policies and determined its then-current method of accounting for leasehold improvements funded by landlord allowances under operating leases (tenant improvement allowances), accounting for rent holidays and straight-line rent appeared to be incorrect. Based upon the definition of "material weakness" in the Public Accounting Oversight Board's Auditing Standards No. 2, an Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction With an Audit of Financial Statements, restatement of financial statements in prior filings with the SEC is a strong indicator of the existence of a "material weakness" in design or operation of internal control over financial reporting. Based on that, management concluded that a material weakness existed in the Company's internal control over financial reporting, and disclosed this to the Audit Committee and to the independent registered public accountants. 40 The Company also carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15 (e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Based upon that evaluation, which included the matters discussed above, the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, in ensuring that material information relating to The Buckle, Inc. required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. The Company has remediated the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting and the ineffectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures by conducting a review of its accounting related to leases, establishing new lease-related accounting policies and correcting its method of accounting for tenant allowances, rent holidays and straight-line rent. ITEM 9B - OTHER INFORMATION None. PART III ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The information required by this item appears under the captions "Executive Officers of the Company" appearing on pages 10 of this report, and "Election of Directors" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2004 Annual Shareholders' Meeting and is incorporated by reference. ITEM 11- EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required by this item appears under the following captions in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2004 Annual Shareholders' Meeting and is incorporated by reference: "Executive Compensation and Other Information," "Directors Compensation" (included under the "Election of Directors" section), and "Report of the Audit Committee," including sub-captions "Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year," "Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values," "Employment Agreements," and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation." ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The information required by this item appears under the captions "Election of Directors" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2004 Annual Shareholders' Meeting and in the Notes to Financial Statements under Footnote J on pages 36 and 37 of this report. ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The information required by this item appears under the caption "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2004 Annual Shareholders' Meeting and is incorporated by reference. 41 ITEM 14 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES Information regarding the fees billed by our independent auditor and the nature of services comprising the fees for each of the two most recent fiscal years is set forth under the caption "Ratification of Independent Accountants" in the Company's Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV ITEM 15 - EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES (a) (1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS This report 10-K/A contains the following on pages 24 through 39: Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2004, and February 1, 2003 Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 Notes to Financial Statements for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (a) (2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is presented in the financial statements or notes thereto. This schedule is on page 44. (b) EXHIBITS See index to exhibits on pages 45 and 46. 42 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. THE BUCKLE, INC. Date: April 18, 2005 By: /s/ DENNIS H. NELSON ------------------------------------- Dennis H. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer Date: April 18, 2005 By: /s/ KAREN B. RHOADS ------------------------------------- Karen B. Rhoads, Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 18th day of April, 2005. /s/ DANIEL J. HIRSCHFELD ---------------------------------------------- ________________________________ Daniel J. Hirschfeld Bill L. Fairfield Chairman of the Board and Director Director /s/ DENNIS H. NELSON ---------------------------------------------- ________________________________ Dennis H. Nelson Ralph M. Tysdal President and Chief Executive Officer Director and Director /s/ KAREN B. RHOADS ---------------------------------------------- ________________________________ Karen B. Rhoads Bruce L. Hoberman Vice President of Finance and Director Chief Financial Officer and Director /s/ JAMES E. SHADA ---------------------------------------------- ________________________________ James E. Shada David A. Roehr Executive Vice President of Sales and Director Director /s/ ROBERT E. CAMPBELL /s/ WILLIAM D. ORR ---------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- Robert E. Campbell William D. Orr Director Director 43 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM BOARD OF DIRECTORS THE BUCKLE, INC. We have audited the financial statements of The Buckle, Inc., ("the Company") as of January 31, 2004 and February 1, 2003, and for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004, and have issued our report thereon dated March 4, 2004 (April 18, 2005 as to the effects of the restatement described in Note B); such financial statements and report are included in your 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of The Buckle, Inc., listed in Item 15(a)(2). This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Omaha, Nebraska April 18, 2005 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES Allowance for Doubtful Accounts ----------------- Balance, February 3, 2001 $ 250,000 Amounts charged to costs and expenses 816,276 Write-off of uncollectible accounts (816,276) ------------ Balance, February 2, 2002 250,000 Amounts charged to costs and expenses 856,309 Write-off of uncollectible accounts (889,309) ------------ Balance, February 1, 2003 217,000 Amounts charged to costs and expenses 769,383 Write-off of uncollectible accounts (805,383) ------------ Balance, January 31, 2004 $ 181,000 ============ 44 INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBITS PAGE NUMBER OR INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO (3) Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. (3.1) Articles of Incorporation Exhibit 3.1 to Form S-1 of The Buckle, Inc. as amended No. 33-46294 (3.1.1) Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of The Buckle, Inc. (3.2) By-Laws of The Buckle, Inc. Exhibit 3.2 to Form S-1 No. 33-46294 (4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures (4.1) See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Registrant defining rights of holders of Common Stock of the registrant (4.2) Form of stock certificate for Common Stock Exhibit 4.1 to Form S-1 No. 33-46294 (9) Not applicable (10) Material Contracts (10.1) 1991 Stock Incentive Plan Exhibit 10.1 to Form S-1 No. 33-46294 (10.2) 1991 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan Exhibit 10.2 to Form S-1 No. 33-46294 (10.3) Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan and Exhibit 10.3 to Form S-1 Agreement With Dennis Nelson No. 33-46294 (10.4) Acknowledgment for Dennis H. Nelson dated April 5, 2004 (10.5) Acknowledgment for James E. Shada dated April 5, 2004 (10.6) Acknowledgment for Brett P. Milkie dated April 5, 2004 (10.7) Acknowledgment for Patricia K. Whisler dated April 5, 2004 (10.8) Acknowledgment for Kari G. Smith dated April 5, 2004 (10.10) Cash or Deferred Profit Sharing Plan Exhibit 10.10 to Form S-1 No. 33-46294 (10.10.1) Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (10.11) Revolving Line of Credit Note dated August 1, 2003 between The Buckle, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. for a $17.5 million line of credit 45 (10.12) Credit Agreement dated August 1, 2003 between The Buckle, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, regarding $17.5 million line of credit for working capital and letters of credit. (10.17) 1993 Director Stock Option Plan Exhibit A to Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting to be held May 26, 1993 (10.23) 1997 Executive Stock Option Plan Exhibit B to Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting to be held May 28, 1998 (10.24) 1998 Restricted Stock Plan Exhibit C to Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting to be held May 28, 1998 (10.27) 2003 Management Incentive Plan Exhibit A to Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting to be held May 29, 2003 (12) Not applicable (13) 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders (18) Not applicable (19) Not applicable (22) Not applicable (23) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (25) Not applicable (28) Not applicable (31a) Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (31b) Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (32) Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 46