Table of Contents




 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

ýQuarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended February 2, 20181, 2019

oTransition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period fromto

THE TORO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-8649 41-0580470
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)Incorporation or Organization) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420
Telephone Number: (952) 888-8801
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ý  No  o

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


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


The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 2, 2018February 27, 2019 was 106,020,302.106,110,375.
 

THE TORO COMPANY
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
  Page Number
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
 



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Net sales $548,246
 $515,839
 $602,956
 $548,246
Cost of sales 344,007
 322,359
 387,339
 344,007
Gross profit 204,239
 193,480
 215,617
 204,239
Selling, general and administrative expense 137,317
 132,910
 145,563
 137,317
Operating earnings 66,922
 60,570
 70,054
 66,922
Interest expense (4,818) (4,883) (4,742) (4,818)
Other income, net 4,281
 3,866
 4,708
 4,281
Earnings before income taxes 66,385
 59,553
 70,020
 66,385
Provision for income taxes 43,781
 14,563
 10,480
 43,781
Net earnings $22,604
 $44,990
 $59,540
 $22,604
        
Basic net earnings per share of common stock $0.21
 $0.41
 $0.56
 $0.21
        
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock $0.21
 $0.41
 $0.55
 $0.21
        
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding — Basic 107,225
 108,627
 106,258
 107,225
        
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding — Diluted 109,855
 110,774
 107,781
 109,855


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands) 
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Net earnings $22,604
 $44,990
 $59,540
 $22,604
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:    
    
Foreign currency translation adjustments 10,872
 117
 3,431
 10,872
Derivative instruments, net of tax of $(579) and $285, respectively (2,779) 221
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 8,093
 338
Derivative instruments, net of tax of $(1,352) and $(579), respectively (4,009) (2,779)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (578) 8,093
Comprehensive income $30,697
 $45,328
 $58,962
 $30,697


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 October 31,
2017
 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 October 31, 2018
ASSETS  
  
  
  
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents $219,730
 $158,893
 $310,256
 $249,965
 $219,730
 $289,124
Receivables, net 198,736
 183,850
 183,073
 225,528
 198,736
 193,178
Inventories, net 439,343
 402,103
 328,992
 416,650
 439,343
 358,259
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 43,039
 36,470
 37,565
 41,789
 43,039
 54,076
Total current assets 900,848
 781,316
 859,886
 933,932
 900,848
 894,637
            
Property, plant and equipment, gross 883,462
 855,826
 885,614
 950,640
 883,462
 928,981
Less accumulated depreciation 649,014
 628,909
 650,384
 671,370
 649,014
 657,522
Property, plant and equipment, net 234,448
 226,917
 235,230
 279,270
 234,448
 271,459
            
Deferred income taxes 44,752
 56,864
 64,083
 39,589
 44,752
 38,252
Goodwill 205,954
 201,246
 205,029
 227,091
 205,954
 225,290
Other intangible assets, net 102,366
 110,782
 103,743
 104,017
 102,366
 105,649
Other assets 28,438
 25,788
 25,816
 38,915
 28,438
 35,697
Total assets $1,516,806
 $1,402,913
 $1,493,787
 $1,622,814
 $1,516,806
 $1,570,984
            
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
  
  
  
  
  
Current portion of long-term debt $13,000
 $22,960
 $26,258
 $
 $13,000
 $
Accounts payable 266,586
 232,440
 211,752
 281,526
 266,586
 256,575
Accrued liabilities 292,903
 263,724
 283,786
 283,452
 292,903
 276,060
Total current liabilities 572,489
 519,124
 521,796
 564,978
 572,489
 532,635
            
Long-term debt, less current portion 302,465
 315,314
 305,629
 312,551
 302,465
 312,549
Deferred revenue 24,731
 25,172
 24,761
Deferred income taxes 1,839
 
 1,726
 1,410
 1,839
 1,397
Other long-term liabilities 34,501
 30,267
 22,783
 49,478
 59,232
 55,487
            
Stockholders’ equity:  
  
  
  
  
  
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000,000 voting and 850,000 non-voting shares, none issued and outstanding 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 175,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 106,434,655 shares as of February 2, 2018, 107,575,440 shares as of February 3, 2017, and 106,882,972 shares as of October 31, 2017 106,435
 107,575
 106,883
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 175,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 105,746,538 shares as of February 1, 2019, 106,434,655 shares as of February 2, 2018, and 105,600,652 shares as of October 31, 2018 105,747
 106,435
 105,601
Retained earnings 490,373
 443,559
 534,329
 613,165
 490,373
 587,252
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (16,027) (38,098) (24,120) (24,515) (16,027) (23,937)
Total stockholders’ equity 580,781
 513,036
 617,092
 694,397
 580,781
 668,916
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,516,806
 $1,402,913
 $1,493,787
 $1,622,814
 $1,516,806
 $1,570,984


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:  
  
  
  
Net earnings $22,604
 $44,990
 $59,540
 $22,604
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
  
  
Non-cash income from finance affiliate (2,192) (1,943) (2,429) (2,192)
Contributions to finance affiliate, net (252) (98) (459) (252)
Provision for depreciation and amortization 15,226
 16,516
 15,583
 15,226
Stock-based compensation expense 3,124
 3,618
 3,924
 3,124
Deferred income taxes 19,682
 393
 (1,225) 19,682
Other (26) (98) 
 (26)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:  
  
  
  
Receivables, net (12,989) (19,380) (31,331) (12,989)
Inventories, net (107,017) (90,560) (52,380) (107,017)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (2,588) (4,272) 8,119
 (2,588)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities 72,523
 66,128
 26,643
 72,523
Net cash provided by operating activities 8,095
 15,294
 25,985
 8,095
        
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
  
  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (10,784) (11,620) (14,180) (10,784)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired 
 (23,882)
Proceeds from asset disposals 3
 
Investment in unconsolidated entities (150) 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (12,498) 
Net cash used in investing activities (10,784) (35,502) (26,825) (10,784)
        
Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
  
  
Payments on long-term debt (18,017) (12,702) 
 (18,017)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 4,436
 3,128
 7,569
 4,436
Payments of withholding taxes for stock awards (3,077) (2,716) (1,872) (3,077)
Purchases of Toro common stock (50,066) (65,002) (20,043) (50,066)
Dividends paid on Toro common stock (21,425) (18,994) (23,923) (21,425)
Net cash used in financing activities (88,149) (96,286) (38,269) (88,149)
        
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 312
 1,832
 (50) 312
        
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (90,526) (114,662) (39,159) (90,526)
Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the fiscal period 310,256
 273,555
 289,124
 310,256
Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the fiscal period $219,730
 $158,893
 $249,965
 $219,730


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
  Common
Stock
 Retained
Earnings
 Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
 Total Stockholders'
Equity
Balance as of October 31, 2018 $105,601
 $587,252
 $(23,937) $668,916
Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.225 per share 
 (23,923) 
 (23,923)
Issuance of 537,786 shares for stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested 538
 5,627
 
 6,165
Stock-based compensation expense 
 3,924
 
 3,924
Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust 
 1,404
 
 1,404
Purchase of 391,900 shares of common stock (392) (21,523) 
 (21,915)
Cumulative transition adjustment due to the adoption of ASU 2014-09 
 864
 
 864
Other comprehensive loss 
 
 (578) (578)
Net earnings 
 59,540
 
 59,540
Balance as of February 1, 2019 $105,747
 $613,165
 $(24,515) $694,397
         
Balance as of October 31, 2017 $106,883
 $534,329
 $(24,120) $617,092
Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.20 per share 
 (21,425) 
 (21,425)
Issuance of 506,991 shares for stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested 507
 2,492
 
 2,999
Stock-based compensation expense 
 3,124
 
 3,124
Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust 
 1,437
 
 1,437
Purchase of 955,308 shares of common stock (955) (52,188) 
 (53,143)
Other comprehensive income 
 
 8,093
 8,093
Net earnings 
 22,604
 
 22,604
Balance as of February 2, 2018 $106,435
 $490,373
 $(16,027) $580,781

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
February 2, 20181, 2019
 
Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”("GAAP") for complete financial statements. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “company,” “Toro,” “we,” “our”"company," "Toro," "we," "our," or “us”"us" refer to The Toro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


In the opinion of management, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the company's financial position, resultsConsolidated Financial Position, Results of operations,Operations, and cash flowsCash Flows for the periods presented. Since the company’s business is seasonal, operating results for the three months ended February 2, 20181, 2019 cannot be annualized to determine the expected results for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2018.2019.


The company’s fiscal year ends on October 31, and quarterly results are reported based on three-month periods that generally end on the Friday closest to the quarter end. For comparative purposes, however, the company’s second and third quarters always include exactly 13 weeks of results so that the quarter end date for these two quarters is not necessarily the Friday closest to the calendar month end.


For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.2018. The policies described in that report are used for preparing quarterly reports.

Accounting Policies

In preparing the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures, including disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, sales promotion and incentive accruals, incentive compensation accruals, income tax accruals, inventory valuation, warranty reserves, earn-out liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and post-retirement accruals, self-insurance accruals, useful lives for tangible and definite-lived intangible assets, and future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments at the time they are made.made and are generally derived from management's understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, historical experience, and actuarial valuations. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, including the current economic environment. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual amounts could differ significantly from those estimated at the time the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared. Changes in those estimates will be reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods.

United States Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the United States ("U.S.") enacted Public Law No. 115-97 (“Tax Act”), originally introduced as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to significantly modify the Internal Revenue Code. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent, created a territorial tax system with an exemption for foreign dividends, and imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on a U.S. company's historical undistributed earnings and profits of foreign affiliates. The tax rate change is effective January 1, 2018, resulting in a blended statutory tax rate of 23.3 percent for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Among other provisions, the Tax Act also increased expensing for certain business assets, created new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings, adopted limitations on business interest expense deductions, repealed deductions for income attributable to domestic production activities, and added other anti-base erosion rules. The effective dates for the provisions set forth in the Tax Act vary as to when the provisions will apply to the company.

In response to the Tax Act, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") provided guidance by issuing Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”). SAB 118 allows companies to record provisional amounts during a measurement period with respect to the impacts of the Tax Act for which the accounting requirements under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740 are not complete, but a reasonable estimate has been determined. The measurement period under SAB 118 ends when

a company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information that was needed in order to complete the accounting requirements under ASC Topic 740, but cannot exceed one year.

As of the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the company has not completed the accounting for the effects of the Tax Act. However, the company has estimated the impacts of the Tax Act in its annual effective tax rate, and has recorded provisional amounts for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities and the deemed repatriation tax.

While we have recorded provisional amounts for the items expected to most significantly impact our financial statements this year, our evaluation is not complete and, accordingly, we have not yet reached a final conclusion on the overall impacts of the Tax Act. The company needs additional time to obtain, prepare, and analyze information related to the applicable provisions of the Tax Act. The actual impact of the Tax Act may differ from the provisional amounts, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions the company has made, guidance that may be issued, and changes in the company's structure or business model.


New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted


In July 2015,May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards UpdateUpdates ("ASU") No. 2015-11, Inventory2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers that updates the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 330): Simplifying606), which deferred the Measurementeffective date of Inventory. This amended guidance changesthis standard by one year. The company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective November 1, 2018, during the measurement principlefirst quarter of fiscal 2019, using the modified retrospective method of adoption, which was applied to all contracts for inventorywhich the company's performance obligations were not completed as of October 31, 2018. In adopting ASU 2014-09, the company elected the following allowable exemptions or practical expedients:

Portfolio approach practical expedient relative to the estimation of variable consideration.

Shipping and handling practical expedient to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related good transfers as fulfillment activities.
Costs of obtaining a contract practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset is one year or less.
Immaterial goods or services practical expedient to not assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer.
Sales taxes practical expedient to exclude sales taxes and other similar taxes from the lowertransaction price.
Exemption to not disclose the unfulfilled performance obligation balance for contracts with an original length of costone year or marketless.

Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09, the company recognized an immaterial transition adjustment within the company's fiscal 2019 beginning retained earnings balance on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the cumulative effect of the change in accounting standard. Results for reporting periods beginning after November 1, 2018 are presented under the guidelines of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, while prior reporting period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not materially impact the amount of revenue recognized or any other financial statement line item as of and for the three months ended February 1, 2019. Additionally, the company identified and implemented the appropriate changes to its business processes, information systems, and internal controls to support the preparation of financial information, which did not materially affect the company's internal controls over financial reporting. Refer to Note 14, Revenue, for the additional disclosures required under ASC 606.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which provides guidance on the types of changes to the lowerterms or conditions of cost or net realizable value.share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The amended guidance was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this guidance2019 and did not have ana material impact on the company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends the hedge accounting recognition, presentation, and effectiveness assessment requirements in ASC Topic 815. The company elected to early adopt this amended guidance using a modified retrospective basis effective November 1, 2017 ("adoption date"). In accordance with the transition provisions of ASU 2017-12, the company is required to eliminate the separate measurement of ineffectiveness for its cash flow hedging instruments existing as of the adoption date through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings to eliminate prior period ineffectiveness amounts recognized in earnings as no such amounts existed within the company’s previously issued Consolidated Financial Statements.

The impact of the early adoption resulted in the following:

��The company no longer separately measures and recognizes hedge ineffectiveness within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Rather, the company recognizes the entire change in the fair value of highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness in other comprehensive income within accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts recorded in AOCL will subsequently be reclassified to net earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings within the same line item as the underlying exposure when the underlying hedged transaction affects net earnings.
The company no longer recognizes amounts of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness (“excluded components”) within other income, net, but instead, on a prospective basis, recognizes and presents excluded components within the same line item in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as the underlying exposure.
The company elected to not change its policy on accounting for excluded components and will continue to recognize changes in the fair value of excluded components currently in net earnings under the mark-to-market approach.

In addition, certain provisions in the amended guidance require modification to existing disclosure requirements on a prospective basis. Refer to Note 12, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, for disclosures relating to the company's derivative instruments and hedging activities.


Note 2 — AcquisitionAcquisitions


Northeastern U.S. Distribution Company

Effective January 1, 2017,November 30, 2018, during the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2019, the company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the outstanding sharesassets of, Regnerbau Calw GmbH ("Perrot"),and assumed certain liabilities for, a privately held manufacturer of professional irrigation equipment. The addition of these products broadened and strengthened the company's irrigation solutions for the sport, agricultural, and industrial markets. The acquisition was funded with existing foreign cash and cash equivalents.Northeastern U.S. distribution company. The purchase price of this acquisition was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of their fair value, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. This acquisition was immaterial based on the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Additional purchase accounting disclosures have been omitted given the immateriality of this acquisition in relation to the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations.



L.T. Rich Products, Inc.

Effective March 19, 2018, during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of, and assumed certain liabilities for, L.T. Rich Products, Inc., a manufacturer of professional zero-turn spreader/sprayers, aerators, and snow and ice management equipment. The addition of these products broadens and strengthens the company’s Professional segment solutions for landscape contractors and grounds professionals. The purchase price of this acquisition was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of their fair value, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. This acquisition was immaterial based on the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Additional purchase accounting disclosures have been omitted given the immateriality of this acquisition in relation to the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Note 3 — Investment in Joint Venture


In fiscal 2009, the company and TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. (“TCFIF”("TCFIF"), a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, established Red Iron Acceptance, LLC (“("Red Iron”Iron"), a joint venture in the form of a Delaware limited liability company that primarily provides inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of the company’s products in the United States.U.S. On November 29, 2016, during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the company entered into amended agreements for its Red Iron joint venture with TCFIF. As a result, the amended term of Red Iron will continue until October 31, 2024, subject to two-year extensions thereafter. Either the company or TCFIF may elect not to extend the amended term, or any subsequent term, by giving one-year written notice to the other party.


The company owns 45 percent of Red Iron and TCFIF owns 55 percent of Red Iron. The company accounts for its investment in Red Iron under the equity method of accounting. The company and TCFIF each contributed a specified amount of the estimated

cash required to enable Red Iron to purchase the company’s inventory financing receivables and to provide financial support for Red Iron’s inventory financing programs. Red Iron borrows the remaining requisite estimated cash utilizing a $550 million secured revolving credit facility established under a credit agreement between Red Iron and TCFIF. The company’s total investment in Red Iron as of February 2, 20181, 2019 was $23.1$25.4 million. The company has not guaranteed the outstanding indebtedness of Red Iron.


The company has agreed to repurchase products repossessed by Red Iron and the TCFIF Canadian affiliate, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7.5 million in a calendar year. Under the repurchase agreement between Red Iron and the company, Red Iron provides financing for certain dealers and distributors. These transactions are structured as an advance in the form of a payment by Red Iron to the company on behalf of a distributor or dealer with respect to invoices financed by Red Iron. These payments extinguish the obligation of the dealer or distributor to make payment to the company under the terms of the applicable invoice.


Under separate agreements between Red Iron and the dealers and distributors, Red Iron provides loans to the dealers and distributors for the advances paid by Red Iron to the company. The net amount of receivables financed for dealers and distributors under this arrangement for the three months ended February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2018 were $428.8 million and February 3, 2017 were $386.3 million, and $375.0 million, respectively.

As of January 31, 2018,2019, Red Iron’s total assets were $463.1$501.7 million and total liabilities were $411.8$445.2 million.


Note 4 — Inventories


Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”("LIFO") method for a majority of the company's inventories and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”("FIFO") method for all other inventories. The company establishes a reserve for excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory that is equal to the difference between the cost and estimated net realizable value for that inventory. These reserves are based on a review and comparison of current inventory levels to the planned production, as well as planned and historical sales of the inventory.


Inventories were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 October 31, 2018
Raw materials and work in process $124,458
 $114,150
 $115,280
Finished goods and service parts 364,393
 391,994
 315,179
Total FIFO value 488,851
 506,144
 430,459
Less: adjustment to LIFO value 72,201
 66,801
 72,200
Total inventories, net $416,650
 $439,343
 $358,259
(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 October 31, 2017
Raw materials and work in process $114,150
 $107,170
 $100,077
Finished goods and service parts 391,994
 353,290
 295,716
Total FIFO value 506,144
 460,460
 395,793
Less: adjustment to LIFO value 66,801
 58,357
 66,801
Total inventories, net $439,343
 $402,103
 $328,992

 
Note 5 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the first three months of fiscal 20182019 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) Professional Residential Other Total
Balance as of October 31, 2018 $214,827
 $10,463
 $
 $225,290
Goodwill acquired 
 
 1,534
 1,534
Translation adjustments 215
 52
 
 267
Balance as of February 1, 2019 $215,042
 $10,515
 $1,534
 $227,091

(Dollars in thousands) Professional Segment Residential Segment Total
Balance as of October 31, 2017 $194,464
 $10,565
 $205,029
Translation adjustments 793
 132
 925
Balance as of February 2, 2018 $195,257
 $10,697
 $205,954


The components of other intangible assets as of February 2, 20181, 2019 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Weighted-Average Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net
Patents $15,193
 $(11,775) $3,418
 9.9 $18,255
 $(12,524) $5,731
Non-compete agreements 6,924
 (6,807) 117
 5.5 6,891
 (6,794) 97
Customer-related 87,742
 (20,160) 67,582
 18.5 89,702
 (24,929) 64,773
Developed technology 30,370
 (27,549) 2,821
 7.6 31,079
 (28,774) 2,305
Trade names 2,384
 (1,689) 695
 5.0 2,319
 (1,850) 469
Other 800
 (800) 
 1.0 800
 (800) 
Total amortizable 143,413
 (68,780) 74,633
 14.2 149,046
 (75,671) 73,375
Non-amortizable - trade names 27,733
 
 27,733
 30,642
 
 30,642
Total other intangible assets, net $171,146
 $(68,780) $102,366
 $179,688
 $(75,671) $104,017


The components of other intangible assets as of October 31, 20172018 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) Weighted-Average Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net
Patents 9.9 $18,235
 $(12,297) $5,938
Non-compete agreements 5.5 6,872
 (6,771) 101
Customer-related 18.5 89,622
 (23,653) 65,969
Developed technology 7.6 31,029
 (28,471) 2,558
Trade names 5.0 2,307
 (1,805) 502
Other 1.0 800
 (800) 
Total amortizable 14.3 148,865
 (73,797) 75,068
Non-amortizable - trade names   30,581
 
 30,581
Total other intangible assets, net   $179,446
 $(73,797) $105,649

(Dollars in thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net
Patents $15,162
 $(11,599) $3,563
Non-compete agreements 6,896
 (6,775) 121
Customer-related 87,461
 (18,940) 68,521
Developed technology 30,212
 (26,939) 3,273
Trade names 2,330
 (1,637) 693
Other 800
 (800) 
Total amortizable 142,861
 (66,690) 76,171
Non-amortizable - trade names 27,572
 
 27,572
Total other intangible assets, net $170,433
 $(66,690) $103,743


Amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 was $1.8 million and $1.9 million, compared to $2.4 million for the same period last fiscal year.respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 20182019 and succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 20182019 (remainder), $4.8 million; fiscal 2019, $5.8$5.0 million; fiscal 2020, $5.3$6.2 million; fiscal 2021, $4.9$5.7 million; fiscal 2022, $4.7$5.6 million; fiscal 2023, $4.7$5.2 million; fiscal 2024, $4.9 million; and after fiscal 2023, $44.42024, $40.8 million.

Note 6 — Stockholders’ Equity


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss


Components of AOCL,accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"), net of tax, arewere as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 October 31, 2018
Foreign currency translation adjustments $26,280
 $10,162
 $29,711
Pension and post-retirement benefits 561
 2,281
 561
Cash flow derivative instruments (2,326) 3,584
 (6,335)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $24,515
 $16,027
 $23,937

(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 October 31, 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments $10,162
 $31,177
 $21,303
Pension and post-retirement benefits 2,281
 6,495
 2,012
Cash flow hedging derivative instruments 3,584
 426
 805
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $16,027
 $38,098
 $24,120



The components and activity of AOCL for the first three months of fiscal 2019 and 2018 arewere as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments Total
Balance as of October 31, 2018 $29,711
 $561
 $(6,335) $23,937
Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications (3,431) 
 5,490
 2,059
Amounts reclassified from AOCL 
 
 (1,481) (1,481)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss (3,431) 
 4,009
 578
Balance as of February 1, 2019 $26,280
 $561
 $(2,326) $24,515
         
(Dollars in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments Total
Balance as of October 31, 2017 $21,303
 $2,012
 $805
 $24,120
Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications (11,141) 269
 3,612
 (7,260)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL 
 
 (833) (833)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss (11,141) 269
 2,779
 (8,093)
Balance as of February 2, 2018 $10,162
 $2,281
 $3,584
 $16,027

(Dollars in thousands) 
Foreign 
Currency Translation Adjustments
 Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments Total
Balance as of October 31, 2017 $21,303
 $2,012
 $805
 $24,120
Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications (11,141) 269
 3,612
 (7,260)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL 
 
 (833) (833)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss (11,141) 269
 2,779
 (8,093)
Balance as of February 2, 2018 $10,162
 $2,281
 $3,584
 $16,027


The components and activity of AOCL for the first three months of fiscal 2017 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) 
Foreign 
Currency Translation Adjustments
 Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments Total
Balance as of October 31, 2016 $31,430
 $6,359
 $647
 $38,436
Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications (253) 136
 102
 (15)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL 
 
 (323) (323)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss (253) 136
 (221) (338)
Balance as of February 3, 2017 $31,177
 $6,495
 $426
 $38,098

For additional information on the components reclassified from AOCL to the respective line items inwithin net earnings for the company's cash flow hedging derivative instruments, refer to Note 12, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.


Note 7 — Stock-Based Compensation


The compensation costs related to stock-based awards were as follows:
  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Stock option awards $1,835
 $1,175
Restricted stock units 693
 1,005
Performance share awards 804
 414
Unrestricted common stock awards 592
 530
Total compensation cost for stock-based awards $3,924
 $3,124

(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017
Stock option awards $1,175
 $1,392
Restricted stock units 1,005
 576
Performance share awards 414
 1,112
Unrestricted common stock awards 530
 538
Total compensation cost for stock-based awards $3,124
 $3,618


During the first quarter of fiscal years 2019 and 2018, 10,090 and 2017, 8,388 and 11,412 shares, respectively, of fully vested unrestricted common stock awards were granted to certain members of the company's Board of Directors as a component of their compensation for their service on the boardBoard of Directors and are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.


Stock Option Awards


Under The Toro Company Amended and Restated 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2010 plan”"2010 plan"), stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. Options are generally granted to executive officers, other employees, and non-employee members of the company’s Board of Directors on an annual basis in the first quarter of the company’s fiscal year. Options generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. Other options granted to certain employees vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant and have a ten-year term. Compensation expensecost equal to the grant date fair value is generally recognized for these awards over the vesting period. Stock options granted to executive officers and other employees are subject to accelerated expensing if the option holder meets the retirement definition set forth in the 2010 plan.

In that case, the fair value of the options is expensed in the fiscal year of grant because generally the option holder must be employed after

as of the last dayend of the fiscal year in which the stock options are granted in order for the options to continue to vest following retirement. Similarly, if a non-employee director has served on the company’s Board of Directors for ten full fiscal years or more, the awards vest immediately upon retirement, and therefore, the fair value of the options granted is fully expensed on the date of the grant.


The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation method with the assumptions noted in the table below. The expected life is a significant assumption as it determines the period for which the risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility, and dividend yield must be applied. The expected life is the average length of time in which executive officers, other employees, and non-employee directors are expected to exercise their stock options, which is primarily based on historical exercise experience. The company groups executive officers and non-employee directors for valuation purposes based on similar historical exercise behavior. Expected stock price volatilities are based on the daily movement of the company’s common stock over the most recent historical period equivalent to the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life at the time of grant. Dividend yield is estimated over the expected life based on the company’s historical cash dividends paid, expected future cash dividends and dividend yield, and expected changes in the company’s stock price.


The following table below illustrates the weighted-average valuation assumptions for options granted in the following fiscal periods:
  Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2018
Expected life of option in years 6.31 6.05
Expected stock price volatility 19.84% 20.60%
Risk-free interest rate 2.77% 2.21%
Expected dividend yield 1.18% 0.97%
Per share weighted-average fair value at date of grant $12.81 $14.29

  Fiscal 2018 Fiscal 2017
Expected life of option in years 6.05 6.02
Expected stock price volatility 20.60% 22.15%
Risk-free interest rate 2.21% 2.03%
Expected dividend yield 0.97% 1.01%
Per share weighted-average fair value at date of grant $14.29 $12.55


Performance Share Awards


Under the 2010 Plan,plan, the company grants performance share awards to executive officers and other employees under which they are entitled to receive shares of the company’s common stock contingent on the achievement of performance goals of the company and businesses of the company, which are generally measured over a three-year period. The number of shares of common stock a participant receives will be increased (up to 200 percent of target levels) or reduced (down to zero) based on the level of achievement of performance goals and will vest at the end of a three-year period. Performance share awards are generally granted on an annual basis in the first quarter of the company’s fiscal year. Compensation expensecost is recognized for these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the per share fair value as of the date of grant and the probability of achieving each performance goal. The per share weighted-average fair value of performance share awards granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and 2018 was $59.58 and 2017 was $65.40, and $54.52, respectively.


Restricted Stock Unit Awards


Under the 2010 plan, restricted stock unit awards are generally granted to certain employees that are not executive officers. Occasionally, restricted stock unit awards may be granted, including to executive officers, in connection with hiring, mid-year promotions, leadership transition, or retention. Restricted stock unit awards generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period, or vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant. Such awards may have performance-based rather than time-based vesting requirements. Compensation expensecost equal to the grant date fair value, which is equal to the closing price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the restricted stock unit awards, is recognized for these awards over the vesting period. The per share weighted-average fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted during the first three months of fiscal 2019 and 2018 was $58.53 and 2017 was $65.93, and $56.67, respectively.



Note 8 — Per Share Data


Reconciliations of basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding are as follows:
  Three Months Ended
(Shares in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Basic  
  
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock 106,216
 107,173
Assumed issuance of contingent shares 42
 52
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares 106,258
 107,225
     
Diluted  
  
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares 106,258
 107,225
Effect of dilutive securities 1,523
 2,630
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock, assumed issuance of contingent shares, and effect of dilutive securities 107,781
 109,855

  Three Months Ended
(Shares in thousands) February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
Basic  
  
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock 107,173
 108,585
Assumed issuance of contingent shares 52
 42
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares 107,225
 108,627
Diluted  
  
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares 107,225
 108,627
Effect of dilutive securities 2,630
 2,147
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock, assumed issuance of contingent shares, and effect of dilutive securities 109,855
 110,774


Incremental shares from options and restricted stock units are computed under the treasury stock method. Options to purchase 305,911786,262 and 317,757305,911 shares of common stock during the first three months of fiscal 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively, were excluded from diluted net earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.


Note 9 — Segment Data


The presentation of segment information reflectscompany's businesses are organized, managed, and internally grouped into segments based on similarities in products and services. Segment selection is based on the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating and investment decisions and assessing performance. On this basis, theThe company has determined it has threenine operating segments and has aggregated certain of those operating segments into two reportable business segments: Professional Residential, and Distribution.Residential. The Distribution segment, which consistsaggregation of athe company's operating segments is based on the operating segments having the following similarities: economic characteristics, types of products and services, types of production processes, type or class of customers, and method of distribution. The company's remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. These Other activities consist of the company's wholly-owned domestic distributorship, has been combined withdistribution companies, the company’scompany's corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses that is shown as “Other” in the following tables due to the insignificance of the segment.expenses.


The following tables present the summarized financial information concerning the company’s reportable segments:
(Dollars in thousands)        
Three Months Ended February 1, 2019 Professional Residential Other Total
Net sales $455,006
 $145,158
 $2,792
 $602,956
Intersegment gross sales 13,609
 99
 (13,708) 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 87,978
 13,072
 (31,030) 70,020
Total assets $959,768
 $235,520
 $427,526
 $1,622,814
        
(Dollars in thousands)                
Three Months Ended February 2, 2018 Professional Residential Other Total Professional Residential Other Total
Net sales $403,669
 $142,507
 $2,070
 $548,246
 $403,669
 $142,507
 $2,070
 $548,246
Intersegment gross sales 6,458
 56
 (6,514) 
 6,458
 56
 (6,514) 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 75,912
 15,713
 (25,240) 66,385
 75,912
 15,713
 (25,240) 66,385
Total assets $904,597
 $249,845
 $362,364
 $1,516,806
 $904,597
 $249,845
 $362,364
 $1,516,806
(Dollars in thousands)        
Three Months Ended February 3, 2017 Professional Residential Other Total
Net sales $371,809
 $140,390
 $3,640
 $515,839
Intersegment gross sales 4,556
 74
 (4,630) 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 68,166
 16,558
 (25,171) 59,553
Total assets $854,384
 $243,145
 $305,384
 $1,402,913


The following table presents the details of the Other segment operating loss before income taxes:taxes for the company's Other activities:
  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Corporate expenses $(28,314) $(24,401)
Interest expense (4,742) (4,818)
Other income 2,026
 3,979
Total operating loss $(31,030) $(25,240)

  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
Corporate expenses $(24,401) $(23,961)
Interest expense (4,818) (4,883)
Other income 3,979
 3,673
Total Other segment operating loss $(25,240) $(25,171)


Note 10 — Contingencies — Litigation


The company is party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Such matters are generally subject to uncertainties and to outcomes that are not predictable with assurance and that may not be known for extended periods of time. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive, as well as compensatory, damages arising out of the use of the company’s products. Although the company is self-insured to some extent, the company maintains insurance against certain product liability losses. The company is also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean up and other costs and damages. The company is also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in which it is asserting or defending against patent infringement claims. To prevent possible infringement of the company’s patents by others, the company periodically reviews competitors’ products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others’ patents, the company regularly reviews certain patents issued by the United StatesU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices. Management believes these activities help minimize its risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. The company is currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where it is asserting and defending against claims of patent infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process.


The company records a liability in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for costs related to claims, including future legal costs, settlements and judgments, where the company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred. In the opinion of management, the amount of liability, if any, with respect to these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not materially affect its Consolidated Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows.


Note 11 — Warranty Guarantees


The company’s products are warranted to provide assurance that the product will function as expected and to ensure customer confidence in design, workmanship, and overall quality. Warranty coverage is generally provided for specified periods of time and on select products’ hours of usage, and generally covers parts, labor, and other expenses for non-maintenance repairs. Warranty coverage generally does not cover operator abuse or improper use. An authorized company distributor or dealer must perform warranty work. Distributors and dealers submit claims for warranty reimbursement and are credited for the cost of repairs, labor, and other expenses as long as the repairs meet the company's prescribed standards. Warranty expense is accrued at the time of sale based on the estimated number of products under warranty, historical average costs incurred to service warranty claims, the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim, and other minor factors. Special warranty reserves are also accrued for major rework campaigns. Service support outside of the warranty period is provided by authorized distributors and dealers at the customer's expense. TheIn addition to the standard warranties offered by the company on its products, the company also sells separately priced extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the original warranty period expires. For additional information on the contract liabilities associated with the company's separately priced extended warranties, refer to Note 14, Revenue.



The changes in accrued warranties were as follows:
  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Beginning balance $76,214
 $74,155
Warranty provisions 10,556
 10,570
Warranty claims (10,815) (9,840)
Changes in estimates 790
 
Ending balance $76,745
 $74,885

  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
Beginning balance $74,155
 $72,158
Warranty provisions 10,570
 9,615
Warranty claims (9,840) (9,794)
Changes in estimates 
 594
Ending balance $74,885
 $72,573


Note 12 — Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities


Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives


The company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales to third party customers, sales and loans to wholly owned foreign subsidiaries, foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. The company’s primary currency exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, as well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro.


To reduce its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, the company actively manages the exposure of its foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into various derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, authorized under company policies that place controls on these hedging activities, with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions. The company’s policy does not allow the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The company has also made an accounting policy election to use the portfolio exception with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments, and to measure the fair value of a portfolio of financial assets and financial liabilities on the basis of the net open risk position with each counterparty.


The company’s hedging activities primarily involve the use of forward currency contracts to hedge most foreign currency transactions, including forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The company may also utilize forward currency contracts or cross currency swaps to offset intercompany loan exposures. The company uses derivative instruments only in an attempt to limit underlying exposure from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and to minimize earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Decisions on whether to use such derivative instruments are primarily based on the amount of exposure to the currency involved and an assessment of the near-term market value for each currency.


The company recognizes all derivative instruments at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedging instrument.


Cash Flow Hedging Instruments


The company formally documents relationships between cash flow hedging instruments and the related hedged transactions, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking cash flow hedging instruments. This process includes linking all cash flow hedging instruments to the forecasted transactions, such as sales to third parties, foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. At the cash flow hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, the company formally assesses whether the cash flow hedging instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged transactions and whether those cash flow hedging instruments may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods.


Changes in the fair values of the spot rate component of outstanding, highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in other comprehensive income within AOCL on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently reclassified to net earnings within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings during the same period in which the cash flows of the underlying hedged transaction affect net earnings. Changes in the fair values of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized immediately in net earnings under the mark-to-market approach. The classification of gains or losses recognized on cash flow hedging instruments and excluded components within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings is the same as that of the underlying exposure. Results of cash flow

hedging instruments, and the related excluded components, of sales and foreign plant operations are recorded in net sales and cost

of sales, respectively. The maximum amount of time the company hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted trade sales and purchases is two years. Results of cash flow hedges of intercompany loans are recorded in other income, net as an offset to the remeasurement of the foreign loan balance.


When it is determined that a derivative instrument is not, or has ceased to be, highly effective as a cash flow hedge, the company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. The gain or loss on the dedesignated derivative instrument remains in AOCL and is reclassified to net earnings within the same Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings line item as the underlying exposure when the forecasted transaction affects net earnings. When the company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting because it is no longer probable, but it is still reasonably possible that the forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally expected period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument remains in AOCL and is reclassified to net earnings within the same Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings line item as the underlying exposure when the forecasted transaction affects net earnings. However, if it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gains and losses that were in AOCL are immediately recognized in net earnings within other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. In all situations in which cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative instrument remains outstanding, the company carries the derivative instrument at its fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, recognizing future changes in the fair value within other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.


As of February 2, 2018,1, 2019, the notional amount outstanding of forward contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $81.5$255.9 million.


Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments


The company also enters into foreign currency contracts that include forward currency contracts to mitigate the remeasurement of specific assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of hedges of recorded balance sheet positions, such as cash, receivables, payables, intercompany notes, and other various contractual claims to pay or receive foreign currencies other than the functional currency, are recognized immediately in other income, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position.


The following table presents the fair value and location of the company’s derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 October 31, 2018
Derivative assets:  
  
  
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:  
  
  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $4,333
 $974
 $8,596
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:      
Prepaid expenses and other current assets      
Forward currency contracts 1,503
 180
 2,305
Total assets $5,836
 $1,154
 $10,901
Derivative liabilities:      
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:      
Accrued liabilities      
Forward currency contracts $30
 $5,411
 $
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:      
Accrued liabilities      
Forward currency contracts 3
 2,678
 13
Total liabilities $33
 $8,089
 $13

(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 October 31, 2017
Derivative assets:  
  
  
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments  
  
  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $974
 $1,552
 $1,014
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments      
Prepaid expenses and other current assets      
Forward currency contracts 180
 795
 27
Total assets $1,154
 $2,347
 $1,041
Derivative liabilities:      
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments      
Accrued liabilities      
Forward currency contracts $5,411
 $1,363
 $1,563
Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments      
Accrued liabilities      
Forward currency contracts 2,678
 141
 703
Total liabilities $8,089
 $1,504
 $2,266



The company entered into an International Swap Dealers Association ("ISDA") Master Agreement with each counterparty that permits the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective contracts. The ISDA Master Agreement is an industry standardized

contract that governs all derivative contracts entered into between the company and the respective counterparty. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable or receivable for contracts due on the same date or in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions. The company records the fair value of its derivative instruments at the net amount in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


The following table shows the effects of the master netting arrangements on the fair value of the company’s derivative contractsinstruments that are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 October 31, 2018
Derivative assets:      
Forward currency contracts:      
Gross amounts of recognized assets $5,837
 $1,154
 $10,901
Gross liabilities offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (1) 
 
Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets $5,836
 $1,154
 $10,901
Derivative liabilities:      
Forward currency contracts:      
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities $(33) $(8,089) $(13)
Gross assets offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets 
 
 
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets $(33) $(8,089) $(13)

(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 October 31, 2017
Derivative assets:      
Forward currency contracts      
Gross amounts of recognized assets $1,154
 $2,347
 $1,055
Gross liabilities offset in the balance sheets 
 
 (14)
Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets $1,154
 $2,347
 $1,041
Derivative liabilities:      
Forward currency contracts      
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities $(8,089) $(1,614) $(2,266)
Gross assets offset in the balance sheets 
 110
 
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets $(8,089) $(1,504) $(2,266)


The following table presents the impact and location of the amounts reclassified from AOCL into net earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the impact of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the company's derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments for the three months ended February 2, 20181, 2019 and February 3, 2017:2, 2018:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings Loss Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments        
Forward currency contracts        
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:        
Forward currency contracts:        
Net sales $(1,011) $439
 $(2,678) $(372) $1,238
 $(1,011) $(3,481) $(2,678)
Cost of sales 178
 (762) (101) (152) 243
 178
 (528) (101)
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments $(833) $(323) $(2,779) $(524) $1,481
 $(833) $(4,009) $(2,779)


For the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 and fiscal 2017,2018, the company did not discontinue cash flow hedge accounting on any forward currency contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments. As of February 2, 2018,1, 2019, the company expects to reclassify approximately $4.9$2.1 million of lossesgains from AOCL to earnings during the next twelve months.


The following table presentstables present the impact and location of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the company’s derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments and the related components excluded from effectiveness testing:
 Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
 February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
(Dollars in thousands) Net Sales Cost of Sales Other Income, Net Net Sales Cost of Sales Other Income, Net
(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
 Net Sales Cost of Sales Other Income, Net Net Sales Cost of Sales Other Income, Net
Total Consolidated Statements of Earnings income (expense) amounts in which the effects of cash flow hedging instruments are recorded $548,246
 $(344,007) $4,281
 $515,839
 $(322,359) $3,866
 $602,956
 $(387,339) $4,708
 $548,246
 $(344,007) $4,281
Gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:                        
Forward currency contracts            
Forward currency contracts:            
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCL into earnings (1,011) 178
 
 439
 (762) 
 1,238
 243
 
 (1,011) 178
 
Gain (loss) on components excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value $(21) $(25) $
 $
 $
 $397
 $1,223
 $62
 $
 $(21) $(25) $


The following table presents the impact and location of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the company’s derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Loss on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments    
Forward currency contracts:    
Other income, net $(1,063) $(1,816)
Total loss on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments $(1,063) $(1,816)

  Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments    
Forward currency contracts    
Other income, net $(1,816) $1,144
Total gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments $(1,816) $1,144


Note 13 — Fair Value Measurements


The company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three levels based on the assumptions (inputs) used in valuing the asset or liability. Estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the accounting guidance for fair value measurements. The framework defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures. The framework discusses valuation techniques such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flows), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The framework utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.


Recurring Fair Value Measurements


The company's derivative instruments consist of forward currency contracts that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of forward currency contracts is determined based on observable market transactions of forward currency prices and spot currency rates as of the reporting date. There were no transfers between the levels forof the company's recurring fair value measurementshierarchy during the three months ended February 2, 20181, 2019 and February 3, 2017,2, 2018, or the twelve months ended October 31, 2017.2018.


The following tables present, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of February 1, 2019, February 2, 2018, February 3, 2017, and October 31, 2017,2018, according to the valuation technique utilized to determine their fair values:
(Dollars in thousands)   Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:   Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
February 2, 2018 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
February 1, 2019 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $1,154
 $
 $1,154
 $
 $5,836
 $
 $5,836
 $
Total assets $1,154
 $
 $1,154
 $
 $5,836
 $
 $5,836
 $
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $8,089
 $
 $8,089
 $
 $33
 $
 $33
 $
Total liabilities $8,089
 $
 $8,089
 $
 $33
 $
 $33
 $
(Dollars in thousands)   Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:   Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
February 3, 2017 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
February 2, 2018 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $2,347
 $
 $2,347
 $
 $1,154
 $
 $1,154
 $
Total assets $2,347
 $
 $2,347
 $
 $1,154
 $
 $1,154
 $
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $1,504
 $
 $1,504
 $
 $8,089
 $
 $8,089
 $
Total liabilities $1,504
 $
 $1,504
 $
 $8,089
 $
 $8,089
 $
(Dollars in thousands)   Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
October 31, 2018 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $10,901
 $
 $10,901
 $
Total assets $10,901
 $
 $10,901
 $
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $13
 $
 $13
 $
Total liabilities $13
 $
 $13
 $

(Dollars in thousands)   Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
October 31, 2017 Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $1,041
 $
 $1,041
 $
Total assets $1,041
 $
 $1,041
 $
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
Forward currency contracts $2,266
 $
 $2,266
 $
Total liabilities $2,266
 $
 $2,266
 $


NonrecurringNon-recurring Fair Value Measurements


The company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurringnon-recurring basis. Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which arewould generally be recorded at fair value as a result of an impairment charge. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of acquisitions are measured at fair value.


Other Fair Value MeasurementsDisclosures


The carrying values of the company's short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt, when applicable, approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.


Note 14 — Revenue

The company enters into contracts with its customers for the sale of products or rendering of services in the ordinary course of business. A contract with commercial substance exists at the time the company receives and accepts a purchase order under a sales contract with a customer. The company recognizes revenue when, or as, performance obligations under the terms of a contract with its customer are satisfied, which occurs with the transfer of control of product or services. Control is typically transferred to the customer at the time a product is shipped, or in the case of certain agreements, when a product is delivered or as services are rendered. Revenue is recognized based on the transaction price, which is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring a product or rendering services pursuant to the terms of the contract with a customer. The amount of consideration the company receives and the revenue the company recognizes varies with changes in sales promotions and incentives offered to customers, as well as anticipated product returns. A provision is made at the time revenue is recognized as a reduction of the transaction price for expected product returns, rebates, floor plan costs, and other sales promotion and incentive expenses. If a contract contains more than one performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price of the respective promised good or service. The company does not recognize revenue in situations where collectability from the customer is not probable, and defers the recognition of revenue until collection is probable or payment is received and performance obligations are satisfied.

Freight and shipping revenue billed to customers concurrent with revenue producing activities is included within revenue and the cost for freight and shipping is recognized as an expense within cost of sales when control has transferred to the customer. Shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related products is transferred are treated as a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service, and therefore, are not considered a performance obligation. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes the company collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract for which the performance obligations will be satisfied within the next twelve months are expensed as incurred. Incidental items, including goods or services, that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense when incurred. Additionally, the company has elected not to disclose the balance of unfulfilled performance obligations for contracts with a contractual term of twelve months or less.

The following tables disaggregate our reportable segment net sales by major product type and geographic market:
Three Months Ended February 1, 2019 Professional Residential Other Total
Revenue by product type:  
  
  
  
Equipment $387,550
 $133,510
 $1,969
 $523,029
Irrigation 67,456
 11,648
 823
 79,927
Total net sales $455,006
 $145,158
 $2,792
 $602,956
         
Revenue by geographic market:        
United States $348,104
 $110,515
 $2,792
 $461,411
Foreign Countries 106,902
 34,643
 
 141,545
Total net sales $455,006
 $145,158
 $2,792
 $602,956
         
Three Months Ended February 2, 2018 Professional Residential Other Total
Revenue by product type:  
  
  
  
Equipment $328,642
 $129,307
 $1,268
 $459,217
Irrigation 75,027
 13,200
 802
 89,029
Total net sales $403,669
 $142,507
 $2,070
 $548,246
         
Revenue by geographic market:        
United States $295,690
 $103,696
 $2,070
 $401,456
Foreign Countries 107,979
 38,811
 
 146,790
Total net sales $403,669
 $142,507
 $2,070
 $548,246


Product Revenue

The company's product revenues are generated through sales of manufactured equipment and irrigation products, including related replacement parts and accessories. For the majority of the company's products, control is transferred and revenue is recognized when the product is shipped from the company's manufacturing facility or distribution center to the company's customers, which primarily consist of distributors, dealers, and mass retailers. In certain situations, the company transfers control and recognizes revenue when delivery to the customer has occurred. Additionally, the company ships some of its products to a key retailer's distribution centers on a consignment basis. The company retains control of its products stored at the key retailer's distribution centers. As the company's products are removed from the distribution centers by the key retailer and shipped to the key retailer's stores, control is transferred from the company to the key retailer. At that time, the company invoices the key retailer and recognizes revenue for these consignment transactions. The company does not offer a right of return for products shipped to the key retailer's stores from the distribution centers.

When product sales are financed by the company's joint venture, Red Iron, the transactions are structured as an advance in the form of a payment by Red Iron to the company on behalf of a customer with respect to invoices financed by Red Iron. These payments extinguish the obligation of the customer to make payment to the company under the terms of the applicable invoice. Under a separate agreement between Red Iron and the customer, Red Iron provides a loan to the customer for the advances paid by Red Iron to the company. The company's sales of product to customers that do not elect to finance purchases through Red Iron are generally on open account with terms that generally approximate 30 to 120 days and the resulting receivables are included within receivables, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Product revenue is recognized based on the transaction price, which is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring control of a product to a customer. When determining the transaction price, the company estimates variable consideration by applying the portfolio approach practical expedient under ASC 606. The primary sources of variable consideration for the company are rebate programs, volume incentive programs, floor plan and retail financing programs, cash discounts, and product returns. These sales promotions and incentives are recorded as a reduction to revenue at the time of the initial sale. The company estimates variable consideration related to equipment and irrigation products sold under its sales promotion and incentive programs using the expected value method, which is based on sales terms with customers, historical experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and known changes in relevant trends. There are no material instances where variable consideration is constrained and not recorded at the initial time of sale. Additionally, the company may offer to its customers the right to return eligible equipment and irrigation products, replacement parts, and accessories. Returns are recorded as a reduction to revenue based on anticipated sales returns estimated from sales terms, historical experience, and trend analysis. The company records obligations for returns within accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the right-of-return asset in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The refund liability and right-of-return asset are remeasured for changes in the estimate at each reporting date with a corresponding adjustment to net sales and cost of sales within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Service Revenue

In certain cases, the company renders service contracts to customers, which typically range from 12 to 36 months. The company receives payment at the inception of the service contract and recognizes revenue over the term of the agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the service contract.

Warranty Revenue

In addition to the standard warranties offered by the company on its equipment and irrigation products intended to provide assurance that the product will function as expected, the company also sells separately priced extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the standard warranty period expires, which typically range from 12 to 24 months. The company receives payment at the inception of the separately priced extended warranty contract and recognizes revenue over the term of the agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the separately priced extended warranty contract.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities relate to deferred revenue recognized for payments received at contract inception in advance of the company's performance under the contract and generally relates to the sale of separately priced extended warranty and service contracts. The company recognizes revenue over the term of the agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the separately priced extended warranty and service contracts. As of February 1, 2019 and October 31, 2018, $14.6 million and $14.0 million, respectively, of unearned revenue associated with outstanding separately priced

extended warranty and service contracts was reported within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the three months ended February 1, 2019, the company recognized $1.6 million of the October 31, 2018 unearned revenue balance within net sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The company expects to recognize approximately $4.2 million of the October 31, 2018 unearned amount within net sales throughout the remainder of fiscal 2019, $4.4 million in fiscal 2020, and $3.8 million thereafter.

Note 1415 — Subsequent Events


On February 14, 2019, the company entered into a definitive merger agreement ("merger agreement") with The Charles Machine Works, Inc. ("CMW"), a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and sells a range of products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, utility loaders, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the company has agreed to pay $700 million in cash ("merger consideration"), subject to certain working capital, net debt, and other adjustments as set forth in the merger agreement. The company plans to fund the merger consideration and transaction expenses with cash on hand and debt, including borrowings from the company's unsecured senior revolving credit facility and/or other potential additional financing arrangements that the company may pursue. On March 1, 2019, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR Act"), with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the merger. The closing of the merger remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement, including regulatory approval by the German Federal Cartel Office. The company expects the transaction to close prior to the end of the company's fiscal third quarter.

The company has evaluated all additional subsequent events and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“("MD&A”&A") is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the comparisons presented in this MD&A refer to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Our MD&A is presented in as follows:


Company Overview
Results of Operations
Business Segments
Financial Position
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Forward-Looking Information


We have provided non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this report that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. This MD&A contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, consisting of adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted net earnings per diluted share, and an adjusted effective tax rate as measures of our operating performance. Management believes these measures may be useful in performing meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results, to understand the performance of our ongoing operations, and how management views the business. Reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A. These measures, however, should not be construed as an alternative to any other measure of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.


This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.2018. This discussion contains various “Forward-Looking Statements”"Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and we refer readers to the section titled “Forward-Looking Information”"Forward-Looking Information" located at the end of Part I, Item 2 of this report for more information.


COMPANY OVERVIEW


The Toro Company is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing professional turf maintenance equipment and services, turf irrigation systems, landscaping equipment and lighting products, snow and ice management products, agricultural irrigation systems, rental and specialty construction equipment, and residential yard and snow thrower products. We sell our products worldwide through a network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users). We classify our operations into three reportable business segments: Professional, Residential, and Distribution. Our Distribution segment, which consists of our wholly owned domestic distributorship, has been combined with our corporate activities and elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses and is presented as “Other."

We strive to provide innovative, well-built, and dependable products supported by an extensive service network. A significant portion of our net sales has historically been, and we expect will continue to be, attributable to new and enhanced products. We define new products as those introduced in the current and previous two fiscal years.


We classify our operations into two reportable business segments: Professional and Residential. Our remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. These Other activities consist of earnings (loss) from our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses.

On February 14, 2019, we entered into a definitive merger agreement ("merger agreement") with The Charles Machine Works, Inc. ("CMW"), a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and sells a range of products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, utility loaders, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, we have agreed to pay $700 million in cash ("merger consideration"), subject to certain working capital, net debt, and other adjustments as set forth in the merger agreement. We plan to fund the merger consideration and transaction expenses with cash on hand and debt, including borrowings from our unsecured senior revolving credit facility and/or other potential additional financing arrangements that we may pursue. On March 1, 2019, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR Act"), with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the merger. The closing of the merger remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement, including regulatory approval by the German Federal Cartel Office. We expect the transaction to close prior to the end of our fiscal third quarter.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


United States Tax ReformOverview


On December 22, 2017,For the United Statesfirst quarter of fiscal 2019, our net sales increased 10.0 percent, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Professional segment net sales increased 12.7 percent for the first quarter comparison, primarily due to strong channel demand and successful new product introductions for our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers and golf and grounds equipment, meaningful price increases across our product lines, increased shipments of our snow and ice management products, and sales of new products as a result of our acquisition of L.T. Rich Products, Inc. ("U.S."L.T. Rich") enacted Public Law No. 115-97 (“Tax Act”), originally introduced as. The Professional segment net sales increase was partially offset by reduced shipments of our ag-irrigation and irrigation products. Residential segment net sales increased 1.9 percent for the first quarter comparison, mainly due to meaningful price increases across our product lines, strong retail demand for our snow products, and increased shipments of walk power mowers driven by strong channel demand ahead of our key selling season. The Residential segment net sales increase was partially offset by reduced shipments of our portable power products and Pope-branded irrigation products primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions in key regions and decreased sales of zero-turn riding mowers primarily due to timing of shipments compared to the prior fiscal year comparative period.

Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were $59.5 million compared to $22.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase was primarily due to the one-time charges related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to significantly modify the Internal Revenue Code. The ("Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent, created a territorial tax system with an exemption for foreign dividends, and imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on a U.S. company's historical undistributed earnings and profits of foreign affiliates. The tax rate change was effective January 1, 2018, resulting in a blended statutory tax rate of 23.3 percent for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Among other provisions, the Tax Act also increased expensing for certain business assets, created new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings, adopted limitations on business interest expense deductions, repealed deductions for income attributable to domestic production activities, and added other anti-base erosion rules. The effective dates for the provisions set forth in the Tax Act vary as to when the provisions will apply to Toro.


In response to the Tax Act, the SEC provided guidance by issuing Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”Act"). SAB 118 allows companies to record provisional amounts incurred during a measurement period with respect to the impacts of the Tax Act for which the accounting requirements under ASC Topic 740 are not complete, but a reasonable estimate has been determined. The measurement period under SAB 118 ends when a company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information that was needed in order to complete the accounting requirements under ASC Topic 740, but cannot exceed one year.

As of the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we have not completed the accounting for the effects of the Tax Act. However, we have estimated the impacts of the Tax Act in its annual effective tax rate, and have recorded provisional amounts for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities and the deemed repatriation tax.

While we have recorded provisional amounts for the items expected to most significantly impact our financial statements this year, our evaluation is not complete and, accordingly, we have not yet reached a final conclusion on the overall impacts of the Tax Act. We need additional time to obtain, prepare, and analyze information related to the applicable provisions of the Tax Act. The actual impact of the Tax Act may differ from the provisional amounts, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made, guidance that may be issued, and changes in our structure or business model. Please reference the sections below titled "Provision for income taxes" and "Net earnings" within this MD&A for further information regarding the impacts of the Tax Act on us2018. Adjusted net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

2019 were $55.2 million compared to $52.1 million for the prior year comparative period, an increase of 5.8 percent. Our adjusted net earnings growth for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was primarily attributable to strong sales growth, leveraging our selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses over higher sales volumes, and lower direct marketing expense, partially offset by incremental acquisition-related expenses. Reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.

Overview

For the first quarter of fiscal 2018, our net sales increased 6.3 percent, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Professional segment net sales increased 8.6 percent for the first quarter comparison, primarily due to strong channel demand for our landscape contractor zero-turn radius riding mowers ahead of our key selling season, continued growth in our golf and grounds business, increased shipments of our rental and specialty construction equipment due to continued strong retail demand, and increased shipments of our ag-irrigation products due to favorable weather conditions. These Professional segment increases were partially offset by lower shipments of our snow and ice management products due to lower than average snowfall in key customer markets. Residential segment net sales were up 1.5 percent for the first quarter comparison, mainly due to channel demand for our zero-turn radius mowers in preparation for our key selling season ahead, partially offset by lower residential snow product and service part sales which were impacted by below average snowfall early in the season, paired with below average snow events in the Midwest.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates resulted in an increase of our net sales of approximately $3.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Due to the one-time impacts of the Tax Act, the reported first quarter of fiscal 2018 net earnings were $22.6 million, which was lower than the comparable fiscal 2017 reported net earnings of $45.0 million. Adjusted first quarter of fiscal 2018 net earnings were $52.1 million, compared to adjusted net earnings of $40.1 million in the comparable 2017 period, an increase of 30.0 percent. The adjusted net earnings growth for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was primarily attributable to increased sales while leveraging selling, general, and administrative expenses ("SG&A"). Lower gross margin partially offset the adjusted net earnings growth, due primarily to higher commodity costs and unfavorable product mix within our segments, partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.


We increased our cash dividend for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 by 14.312.5 percent to $0.20$0.225 per share compared to the $0.175$0.20 per share cash dividend paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2018.


Inventory levels increased $37.2decreased $22.7 million, or 9.35.2 percent, as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2018 mainly2019, primarily due to lower finished goods inventory driven by higher planned sales for our upcoming key selling seasonacross the Professional and Residential segments, the benefit of inventory management initiatives, and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. These inventory decreases were partially offset by higher work in process inventory mainly due to inclement weather resulting in production downtime and incremental inventory for our acquisition of L.T. Rich. Accounts receivable increased $14.9$26.8 million, or 8.113.5 percent, largelyprimarily due to highertiming of sales volumeacross the Professional and Residential segments, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. As of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2018,2019, field inventory levels were higher for both the Professional and Residential segmentsprimarily due to higher Professional segment field inventory for our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers and golf and grounds equipment driven by strong anticipatedchannel demand as we move into ourin anticipation of the upcoming spring selling season, partially offset by lower Residential segment snow product inventory driven by strong retail demand due to higher snowfall totals in key selling season.regions.



Three-Year Employee Initiative - "Vision 2020"


Our current multi-year employee initiative, "Vision 2020", which began with our 2018 fiscal year, focuses on driving profitable growth with an emphasis on innovation and serving our customers, which we believe will generate further momentum for the organization. Through our Vision 2020 initiative, we have set specific internal goals intended to help us drive organic revenue and operating earnings growth.


Organic Revenue Growth


We intend to pursue strategic growth of our existing businesses and product categories with an organic revenue goal to achieve at least five percent or more of organic revenue growth in each of the three fiscal years of this initiative. For purposes of this goal, we define organic revenue growth as the increase in net sales, less net sales from acquisitions that occurred in the current fiscal year.


Operating Earnings


Additionally, as part of our new Vision 2020 initiative growth goals, we have set an operating earnings goal to increase operating earnings as a percentage of net sales to 15.5 percent or higher by the end of fiscal 2020.


Net Sales


Worldwide consolidated net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 were $548.2$603.0 million, up 6.310.0 percent compared to $515.8$548.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2018. The net sales increase for the quarter comparison was primarily due to strong channel demand forand successful new product introductions of landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers and golf and grounds equipment, meaningful price increases across our product lines, increased shipments of our Residential and Professional segmentsnow and Residential segment zero-turn radius ridingice management products, increased shipments of walk power mowers driven by strong channel demand ahead of our key selling season, and sales growth in our golf and grounds business, increased shipmentsof new products as a result of our rental and specialty construction equipment due to continued strong retail demand, and increased shipmentsacquisition of our ag-irrigation products due to favorable weather conditions.L.T. Rich Products, Inc. The net sales increase was partially offset by lower sales of our Professional segmentag-irrigation products, reduced shipments of our portable power products and Residential segment snow and ice managementPope-branded irrigation products primarily due to lower than average snowfall and snow eventsunfavorable weather conditions in key customer markets.regions, decreased sales of zero-turn riding mowers primarily due to timing of shipments compared to the prior fiscal year comparative period, and decreased sales of our irrigation products.


Net sales in international markets increaseddecreased by 11.83.6 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2018,2019. The net sales decrease for the quarter comparison was mainly due to lower sales of our ag-irrigation products, reduced shipments of our Pope-branded irrigation products primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions, decreased shipments of our Residential and Professional segment zero-turn riding mowers, and decreased sales of our Hayter-branded walk power mowers. The net sales decrease was partially offset by increased shipments of walk power mowers and snow product driven by strong channel demand and favorable weather conditions throughout Europe, as well as increased shipments of our Professional segment and Residential segment zero-turn radius riding mowers, growth of our golf and grounds business, and sales of Perrot-branded irrigation products. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates positively impactedresulted in a decrease of our international net sales byof approximately $3.3$2.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.2019.


The following table summarizes the major operating costs and other income as a percentage of net sales:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales (62.7) (62.5) (64.2) (62.7)
Gross profit 37.3
 37.5
 35.8
 37.3
Selling, general and administrative expense (25.1) (25.8) (24.2) (25.1)
Operating earnings 12.2
 11.7
 11.6
 12.2
Interest expense (0.9) (0.9) (0.8) (0.9)
Other income, net 0.8
 0.7
 0.8
 0.8
Provision for income taxes (8.0) (2.8) (1.7) (8.0)
Net earnings 4.1% 8.7% 9.9% 4.1%


Gross Profit


As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 was 37.335.8 percent, down 20a decrease of 150 basis points when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2018. This decrease was primarily due to higherthe unfavorable impact of commodity costscost increases and tariff-related expenses on purchased raw materials and component parts, the unfavorable accounting impact associated with our acquisition of a Northeastern U.S. distribution company, and unfavorable product mix within our segments,the Professional segment, partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.improved net price realization driven by price increases across our product lines, as well as productivity initiatives.



Selling, General, and Administrative Expense


SG&A expense increased $4.4$8.2 million, or 3.36.0 percent, for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2019. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expense decreased 7090 basis points to 25.1 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.2019. The decrease as a percentage of net sales for the first quarter comparison was primarily due to the leveraging of expenses over higher sales volume.volume and decreased direct marketing expense, partially offset by incremental acquisition-related costs and increased engineering expense for new product development.


Interest Expense


Interest expense decreased by 1.6 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 decreased by 1.3 percent.2019.


Other Income, Net


Other income, net for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 increased by $0.4 million or 10.7 percent when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017. This2018. The increase was driven mainly byprimarily due to higher interest income on marketable securities and higher earnings from our equity investment in Red Iron, partially offset by lower gains realized on foreign currency exchange rate losses.fluctuations.


Provision for Income Taxes


The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 was 66.015.0 percent compared to 24.566.0 percent in the first quarter of 2017.2018. The first quarter of fiscal 2018decrease in the effective tax rate was significantly impacted byfor the enactment of the Tax Act. This increasequarter comparison was driven by the provisionalsignificant impact of the Tax Act on the effective tax rate for fiscal 2018, due to the one-time remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which resulted in a non-cash discrete tax charge of $20.5 million, and the provisionalone-time calculation of the deemed repatriation tax, which resulted in a discrete tax charge of $12.6 million, payable over eight years.

The unfavorable impactadjusted effective tax rate for the first quarter of these one-time chargesfiscal 2019 was partially offset by21.2 percent, compared to an adjusted effective tax rate of 21.5 percent in the same period last year. The adjusted effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 excludes a benefit of $4.9$4.4 million resulting fromfor the reduction in the federal corporateexcess tax rate.deduction for share-based compensation. The adjusted effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was 21.5 percent, compared to an adjusted effective tax rate of 32.7 percent in the same period last year. The adjusted effective tax rate excludes one-time charges associated with the Tax Act of $33.1 million and a benefit of $3.6 million for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation. Reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.


Net Earnings


Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 were $22.6$59.5 million, or $0.21$0.55 per diluted share, compared to $45.0$22.6 million, or $0.41$0.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2018. The increase in net earnings for the quarter comparison was driven by the significant impact of the Tax Act on net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 net earnings were significantly impacted by the enactment of the Tax Act.2018. As previously mentioned, the impact from the enactment of the Tax Actact for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was driven by the provisionalone-time remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which resulted in a non-cash discrete tax charge of $20.5 million, and the provisionalone-time calculation of the deemed repatriation tax, which resulted in a discrete tax charge of $12.6 million, payable over eight years. The unfavorable impact of these one-time charges for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was partially offset by a benefit of $4.9 million resulting from the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate.

Adjusted net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 were $52.1$55.2 million, or $0.48$0.51 per diluted share, compared to $40.1$52.1 million, or $0.37$0.48 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2018, an increase of 30.0 percent.6.3 percent per diluted share. The primary factors contributing to the adjusted net earnings increase for the first quarter comparison included strong sales growth, leveraging our SG&A expenses over higher sales volumes, and lower direct marketing expense, partially offset by incremental acquisition-related expenses. The first quarter of fiscal 2019 adjusted net earnings excludes a benefit of $4.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation. The first quarter of fiscal 2018 adjusted net earnings excludes one-time charges associated with the Tax Act of $33.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share and a benefit of $3.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation. Thecompensation and one-time charges associated with the Tax Act of $33.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.

In addition, as a result of reduced shares outstanding from repurchases of our common stock, first quarter of fiscal 20172019 net earnings per diluted share and adjusted net earnings excludes a benefit of $4.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation.were benefited by approximately $0.01 per diluted share. Reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.



BUSINESS SEGMENTS


We operate in threetwo reportable business segments: Professional Residential, and Distribution. Our Distribution segment, which consists of our wholly-owned domestic distributorship, has been combined with our corporate activities and elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses that is shown as “Other” in the following tables. OperatingResidential. Segment earnings for our Professional and Residential segments are defined as operating earnings from operations plus other income, net. Our remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. Operating loss for “Other”our Other activities includes operating earnings (loss), from our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, corporate activities, other income, net, and interest expense. Corporate activities include general corporate expenditures (finance, human resources, legal, information services, public relations, and similar activities) and other unallocated corporate assets and liabilities, such as corporate facilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities.



The following table summarizes net sales byfor our reportable business segment:segments and Other activities:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 $ Change % Change February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 $ Change % Change
Professional $403,669
 $371,809
 $31,860
 8.6 % $455,006
 $403,669
 $51,337
 12.7 %
Residential 142,507
 140,390
 2,117
 1.5
 145,158
 142,507
 2,651
 1.9
Other 2,070
 3,640
 (1,570) (43.1) 2,792
 2,070
 722
 34.9
Total net sales* $548,246
 $515,839
 $32,407
 6.3 % $602,956
 $548,246
 $54,710
 10.0 %
                
*Includes international net sales of: $146,790
 $131,242
 $15,548
 11.8 % $141,545
 $146,790
 $(5,245) (3.6)%


The following table summarizes segment earnings for our reportable business segment earningssegments and operating (loss) before income taxes:for our Other activities:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) February 2, 2018 February 3, 2017 $ Change % Change February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 $ Change % Change
Professional $75,912
 $68,166
 $7,746
 11.4 % $87,978
 $75,912
 $12,066
 15.9 %
Residential 15,713
 16,558
 (845) (5.1) 13,072
 15,713
 (2,641) (16.8)
Other (25,240) (25,171) (69) (0.3) (31,030) (25,240) (5,790) (22.9)
Total earnings before income taxes $66,385
 $59,553
 $6,832
 11.5 %
Total segment earnings $70,020
 $66,385
 $3,635
 5.5 %


Professional Segment


Segment Net Sales


Worldwide net sales for our Professional segment inincreased 12.7 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 8.6 percent. This2019. The Professional segment net sales increase for the first quarter comparison was primarily due to strong channel demand for our landscape contractor zero-turn radius riding mowers ahead of our key selling season, continued growth in ourand golf and grounds business withequipment in anticipation of in anticipation of the upcoming spring selling season; meaningful price increases across our product lines; successful new product introductions for our diesel-powered Exmark® Lazer ZTM and Toro® Z Master® zero-turn riding mowers, Outcross® turf tractor, and Dingo® TXL 2000; increased shipments of our Reelmaster®BOSS® snow and Greensmaster® series mowers, increased shipmentsice management products, and sales of new products as a result of our rental and specialty construction equipment due to continued strong retail demand, and increased shipmentsacquisition of our ag-irrigation products due to favorable weather conditions when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017.L.T. Rich. The Professional segment net sales increase was partially offset by lowerreduced shipments of our snowag-irrigation and ice management products due to lower than average snowfall in key customer markets.irrigation products.


OperatingSegment Earnings


Operating earnings for the Professional segment inearnings for the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 increased by 11.415.9 percent compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2018 and increased to 19.3 percent from 18.8 percent when expressed as a percentage of net sales increased to 18.8 percent from 18.3 percent.for the quarter comparison. As a percentage of net sales, the operatingProfessional segment earnings increase was primarily due to leveraging SG&A expense over higher sales volume butand lower direct marketing expense, as Professional segment gross margin was impacted by lower gross margins. The lower gross margins were mainlydown due to higherthe unfavorable impact of commodity costs, tariff-related expenses on purchased components and unfavorable segmentraw materials, and product mix, partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.meaningful price increases across our product lines, as well as productivity initiatives.


Residential Segment


Segment Net Sales


Worldwide net sales for our Residential segment infor the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 increased 1.5 percent compared to the prior fiscal year period. This increase was primarily due to channel demand for our zero-turn radius mowers ahead of our key selling season, partially offset by lower residential snow product and service part sales, which were impacted by below average snowfall early in the season, paired with below average snow events in the Midwest.

Operating Earnings

Operating earnings for the Residential segment in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 decreased 5.11.9 percent compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2018. The Residential segment net sales increase for the first quarter comparison was primarily driven by meaningful price increases across our product lines, strong retail demand for our snow products, and increased shipments of walk power mowers driven by strong channel demand ahead of our key selling season. The Residential segment net sales increase was partially offset by reduced shipments of our portable power products and Pope-branded irrigation products primarily due to unfavorable weather conditions in key regions and decreased sales of zero-turn riding mowers primarily due to timing of shipments compared to the prior fiscal year comparative period.

Segment Earnings

Residential segment earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased 16.8 percent compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2018, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 11.09.0 percent from 11.811.0 percent. As a percentage of net sales, the operatingResidential segment earnings decrease was primarilymainly driven by decreased gross margin due to higher SG&A expense, driven by higher warranty expense due to

product mix and higher marketing expense, in addition to lower gross margins. Gross margins decreased mainly due to higherthe unfavorable impact of commodity costs and unfavorable segment product mix,tariff-related expenses on purchased components and raw materials, partially offset by favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.meaningful price increases across our product lines, productivity initiatives, and lower SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales driven by lower advertising, administrative, and warranty costs.


Other SegmentActivities


Other Net Sales


Net sales for theour Other segmentactivities include sales from our wholly owned domestic distribution companycompanies less sales from the Professional and Residential segments to the distribution company. Thecompanies. Net sales for our Other segment net salesactivities in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 decreased2019 increased by $1.6$0.7 million, mainly due to strong Professional segmentincreased sales toof our golf and grounds equipment through our wholly owned domestic distribution company that are eliminated in our other segment.companies.


Other Operating Loss


OperatingThe operating loss for theour Other segment decreased $0.1activities increased $5.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018,2019, primarily due to the unfavorable accounting impact associated with our acquisition of a Northeastern U.S. distribution company, higher corporate expense, incremental acquisition-related costs, and lower gains realized on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, partially offset by higher interest income on marketable securities.securities, and higher earnings for our equity investment in Red Iron.

FINANCIAL POSITION


Working Capital


Our strategy continues to place emphasis on improving asset utilization with a focus on reducing the amount of working capital in the supply chain, adjusting production plans, and maintaining or improving order replenishment and service levels to end users. Our average net working capital as a percentage of net sales for the twelve months ended February 2, 2018, was 13.8 percent compared to 15.1 percent for the twelve months ended February 3, 2017.end-users. We calculate our average net working capital as average net accounts receivable plus average net inventory, less average accounts payable for a twelve month period as percentage of net sales for a rolling twelve month period. Our average net sales.working capital as a percentage of net sales was 13.5 percent and 13.8 percent for the twelve months ended February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2018, respectively.


Inventory levels were up $37.2down $22.7 million, or 9.35.2 percent, as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 compared to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017, mainly2018, primarily due to lower finished goods inventory driven by higher planned sales for our upcoming key selling seasonacross the Professional and Residential segments, the benefit of inventory management initiatives, and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.rates, partially offset by higher work in process inventory mainly due to inclement weather resulting in production downtime and incremental inventory for our acquisition of L.T. Rich. Accounts receivable as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 20182019 increased $14.9$26.8 million, or 8.113.5 percent, compared to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2018, primarily due to highertiming of sales volumeacross the Professional and Residential segments near quarter end, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Our average days sales outstanding for receivables decreasedimproved to 30.129.8 days, based on sales for the last twelve months ended February 2, 2018,1, 2019, compared to 30.830.1 days for the twelve months ended February 3, 2017.2, 2018. In addition, accounts payable increased $34.1$14.9 million, or 14.75.6 percent, as of the end of our first quarter of fiscal 20182019 compared to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2018, mainly due to negotiating more favorable payment terms with suppliers as a component of our working capital initiatives.


Cash Flow


Cash provided by operating activities for the first three months of fiscal 2018 decreased $7.22019 increased $17.9 million compared to the first three months of fiscal 2017, driven2018, primarily due to higher net earnings and benefits of inventory management initiatives, partially offset by changes ina lower year-over-year benefit of extending accounts payable terms with suppliers as a component of our working capital mainly cash used for purchases of inventory.initiatives. Cash used in investing activities decreased $24.7increased $16.0 million during the first three months of fiscal 20182019 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2017,2018, primarily due to cash utilized for the acquisition of Perrot that closed duringa Northeastern U.S. distribution company and increased capital spending driven by the first quarterexpansion and renovation of fiscal 2017.our Tomah, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. Cash used in financing activities for the first three months of fiscal 20182019 decreased $8.1$49.9 million compared to the first three months of fiscal 2017,2018, mainly due to less cash utilized for common stock repurchases and long-term debt repayments, partially offset by higher payments on long-term debt and increased common stock dividends paid.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


Our businesses are seasonally working capital intensive and require funding for purchases of raw materials used in production, replacement parts inventory, payroll and other administrative costs, capital expenditures, establishment of new facilities, expansion and renovation of existing facilities, as well as for financing receivables from customers that are not financed with Red Iron. Our accounts receivable balances historically increase between January and April as a result of typically higher sales volumes and extended payment terms made available to our customers, and typically decrease between May and December when payments are received. We believe that the funds available through existing, and potential future, financing arrangements and forecasted cash flows will be sufficient to provide the necessary capital resources for our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures, investments, debt repayments, quarterly cash dividend payments, and common stock repurchases, and our pending acquisition of CMW for at least the next twelve months. We plan to fund the merger consideration and transaction expenses related to our pending acquisition of CMW with cash on hand and debt, including borrowings from our unsecured senior revolving credit facility and/or other potential additional financing arrangements that we may pursue. As of February 2, 2018,1, 2019, cash and short-term investments held by our foreign subsidiaries were approximately $154.6$107.5 million.



Seasonal cash requirements are financed from operations, cash on hand, and with short-term financing arrangements, includingborrowings under our $150.0$600.0 million unsecured senior five-year revolving credit facility that expires in October 2019.June 2023, as applicable. Included in our $150.0$600.0 million revolving credit facility is a $20.0$10.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit and a $20.0$30.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. At our election, and with the approval of the named borrowers on the revolving credit facility and the election of the lenders to fund such increase, the aggregate maximum principal amount available under the facility may be increased by an amount up to $100.0$300.0 million. Funds are available under the revolving credit facility for working capital, capital expenditures, and other lawful corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and common stock repurchases. Interest expense on thisrepurchases, subject in each case to compliance with certain financial covenants described below.

Loans under the revolving credit line is determinedfacility (other than swingline loans) bear interest at a variable rate generally based on a LIBOR or an alternative variable rate (or other rates quoted bybased on the Administrative Agent,highest of the Bank of America N.A.) plusprime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread that is calculated based on the better of the leverage ratio (as measured quarterly and defined inas the ratio of (a) total indebtedness to (b) consolidated earnings before interest and taxes plus depreciation and amortization expense) and debt rating of Toro. Swingline loans under the revolving credit agreement. In addition, our non-U.S. operations maintain short-term lines of credit in the aggregate amount of approximately $9.7 million. These facilitiesfacility bear interest at various rates dependinga rate determined by the swingline lender or an alternative variable rate based on the rates in their respective countrieshighest of operation. As of February 2, 2018 and February 3, 2017, we had no outstanding short-term debt under these lines of credit. As of February 2, 2018, we had $8.6 million of outstanding letters of credit and $151.1 million of unutilized availability under our credit agreements.

Additionally, as of February 2, 2018, we had $315.5 million outstanding in long-term debt that includes $100.0 million of 7.8 percent debentures due June 15, 2027, $123.8 million of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037, a $94.3 million term loan, and partially offsetting debt issuance costs and deferred charges of $2.6 million related to our outstanding long-term debt. The term loan bears interest based on a LIBOR rate (or other rates quoted by the Administrative Agent, Bank of America N.A.) plusprime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread definedthat is calculated based on the better of the leverage ratio and debt rating of Toro. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. Our debt rating for long-term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt was unchanged during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and has remained unchanged subsequent to the announcement of our pending acquisition of CMW, by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group at BBB and by Moody's Investors Service at Baa3. If our debt rating falls below investment grade and/or our leverage ratio rises above 1.50, the basis point spread we currently pay on outstanding debt under the revolving credit facility would increase. However, the credit agreement. The term loan cancommitment could not be repaid in part or in full at any time without penalty, but in any event must be paid in fullcanceled by October 2019.the banks based solely on a ratings downgrade.


Our revolving and term loan credit facility contains standard covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”)leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit loans and investments, disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, transactions with affiliates, restricted payments, contingent obligations, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Under the revolving credit facility, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our debt to EBITDAleverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.25,3.5 (or, at our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of

February 2, 2018,1, 2019, we were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases. We were in compliance with all covenants related to ourthe credit agreement for our revolving credit facility as of February 2, 2018,1, 2019, and we expect to be in compliance with all covenants during the remainder of fiscal 2018.2019. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by this credit agreement following the applicable cure period, the banks could terminate their commitments unless we could negotiate a covenant waiver from the banks. In addition, our long-term senior notes, debentures, term loan, and any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility could become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our short-term debtborrowings under our credit agreement. If

As of February 1, 2019, we had $312.6 million outstanding in long-term debt that includes $100.0 million of 7.8 percent debentures due June 15, 2027, $123.9 million of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037, and $91.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit rating falls below investment grade and/orfacility. The February 1, 2019 long-term debt amounts were partially offset by debt issuance costs and deferred charges of $2.3 million related to our averageoutstanding long-term debt. As of February 2, 2018, we had $315.5 million outstanding in long-term debt that includes $100.0 million of 7.8 percent debentures due June 15, 2027, $123.8 million of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037, and a $94.3 million term loan. The February 2, 2018 long-term debt amounts were partially offset by debt issuance costs and deferred charges of $2.6 million related to EBITDA ratio rises above 1.50,our outstanding long-term debt. As of February 2, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility that was in place at that time. Our revolving credit facility is classified as long-term debt within our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have the basis point spread over LIBOR (or other rates quoted byability to extend the Administrative Agent, Bankoutstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility for the full-term of America, N.A.)the facility and we currently payintend to keep the balance outstanding for at least twelve months. However, our current intention to keep the balance of our revolving credit facility outstanding for at least the next twelve months would be changed as a result of the closing of our pending acquisition of CMW, as we would then intend to place a renewed focus on debt repayment, including amounts outstanding debt under the revolving credit agreement would increase. However,facility. In addition to the $91.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit commitment could not be canceled byfacility as of February 1, 2019, we had $1.5 million outstanding under the banks based solely on a ratings downgrade. Our debt ratingsublimit for long-term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt was unchanged duringstandby letters of credit and $507.5 million of unutilized availability under our revolving credit facility as of February 1, 2019. Further, our domestic and non-U.S. operations maintain import letters of credit in the first quarteraggregate amount of fiscal 2018 by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group at BBB and by Moody’s Investors Service at Baa3.approximately $13.7 million. As of February 1, 2019, we had $3.5 million of outstanding letters of credit.


Cash Dividends


Our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.225 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 that was paid on January 9, 2019. This was an increase of 12.5 percent over our cash dividend of $0.20 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 that was paid on January 10, 2018. This was an increase of 14.3 percent over our cash dividend of $0.175 per share for

Share Repurchases

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2019, we continued to repurchase shares of our common stock in the open market, thereby reducing our total shares outstanding. As a result of the pending acquisition of CMW, we expect to curtail repurchasing shares of our common stock throughout the remainder of fiscal 2019.


Customer Financing Arrangements and Contractual Obligations


Our Red Iron joint venture with TCFIF provides inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of our products in the U.S. that enables them to carry representative inventories of our products. Some independent international dealers continue to finance their products with a third party finance company. This third party financing company purchased $8.7$7.8 million of receivables from us during the first three months of fiscal 2018.2019. As of February 2, 2018, $12.91, 2019, $11.9 million of receivables financed by a third party financing company, excluding Red Iron, were outstanding. SeeOur customer financing arrangements and contractual obligations are described in further detail within our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details regarding our customer financing10-K. There have been no material changes to such arrangements and contractual obligations.obligations, other than our merger agreement with CMW and agreements with investment banking partners and other service providers in connection with such transaction.



Inflation


We are subject to the effects of inflation, deflation, and changing prices. In the first three months of fiscal 2018,2019, the average cost of commodities and components purchased were higher compared to the average cost of commodities and components purchased in the first three months of fiscal 2017.2018. We intendstrategically work to continue to closely followmitigate the impact of inflation on the cost of commodities and components that affect our product lines, andlines; however, we anticipate that the average cost for some commodities and components towill be higher for the remainder of fiscal 2018,2019, as compared to fiscal 2017.2018. Historically, we have mitigated, and we currently expect that we would mitigate, any commodity and component cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilization ofutilizing Lean methods, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, and increasing prices on some of our products, all as appropriate.



NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


We have provided non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the most directly comparable financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies.


The following table provides reconciliationsa reconciliation of financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, as well as adjusted non-GAAP financial measures.measures, for the three month periods ended February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2018. We believe these measures may be useful in performing meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results, to understand the performance of our ongoing operations, and how management views the business.
The following is a reconciliation of our net earnings, diluted earnings per share ("EPS"), and effective tax rate to our adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted EPS, and adjusted effective tax rate:
(Dollars in thousands) Net Earnings Diluted EPS Effective Tax Rate Net Earnings Diluted EPS Effective Tax Rate
Three Months Ended February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 February 2,
2018
 February 3,
2017
 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018 February 1, 2019 February 2, 2018
As Reported - GAAP $22,604
 $44,990
 $0.21
 $0.41
 66.0 % 24.5% $59,540
 $22,604
 $0.55
 $0.21
 15.0% 66.0 %
Impacts of tax reform1:
            
Net deferred tax asset revaluation2
 20,513
 
 0.19
 
 (30.9)% %
Deemed repatriation tax3
 12,600
 
 0.11
 
 (19.0)% %
Benefit of the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation4
 (3,576) (4,868) (0.03) (0.04) 5.4 % 8.2%
Impacts of tax reform:            
Net deferred tax asset revaluation1
 
 20,513
 
 0.19
 % (30.9)%
Deemed repatriation tax2
 
 12,600
 
 0.11
 % (19.0)%
Benefit of the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation3
 (4,361) (3,576) (0.04) (0.03) 6.2% 5.4 %
As Adjusted - Non-GAAP $52,141
 $40,122
 $0.48
 $0.37
 21.5 % 32.7% $55,179
 $52,141
 $0.51
 $0.48
 21.2% 21.5 %


1 
The actual impact of the U.S. tax reform may differ from our estimates, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made, guidance that may be issued, and changes in our structure or business model.

2
Signed into law on December 22, 2017, the Tax Act, reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent, effective January 1, 2018, resulting in a blended U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 23.3 percent for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. This reduction in rate requiresrequired the remeasurementre-measurement of ourthe company's net deferred taxes as of the date of enactment, which resulted in a non-cash charge of $20.5 million.million during the three month period ended February 2, 2018.


32  
The Tax Act imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on ourthe company's historical undistributed earnings and profits of foreign affiliates, which resulted in a one-time charge of $12.6 million as ofduring the three month period ended February 2, 2018, payable over eight years.


43 
In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Stock-based Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting,, which requires that any excess tax deduction for share-based compensation be immediately recorded within income tax expense. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, weWe recorded a discrete tax benefitbenefits of $4.4 million and $3.6 million as an excess tax deductiondeductions for share-based compensation. The Tax Act reducedcompensation during the U.S. federal corporate tax rate which reduced the tax benefit related to share-based compensation by $1.6 million as ofthree month periods ended February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2018.
2018, respectively.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES


There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.2018. Refer to Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Part II, Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 20172018 for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.


New Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted


In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers that updates the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which deferred the effective date of this standard by one year. We expect to adopt this guidance on November 1, 2018, as required, based on the new effective date. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have elected to use a cumulative effect transition method for adoption of the amended guidance. We expect to adopt this guidance on November 1, 2018, as required, based on the new effective date. We are currently assessing our contracts with customers and developing related financial disclosures in order to evaluate the impact of the amended guidance on our existing revenue recognition policies, procedures, and internal controls. The majority of our revenue arrangements generally consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods or services. While we have not identified any material differences in the amount and timing of revenue recognition related to ASU 2014-09, our evaluation is not complete and, accordingly, we have not yet reached a conclusion on the overall impacts of adopting ASU 2014-09.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which, among other things, requires lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet. The standard requires the recognition of leaseright-of-use assets ("ROU assets") and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous U.S. GAAP. The standard also requires a greater level of quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the nature of the entity’s leasing activities than were previously required under U.S. GAAP. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842):Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which provides an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluatingevaluate existing or expired land easements under the amended lease guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 (Leases), which provides narrow amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new lease standard. Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides an alternative transition method that

permits an entity to use the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 as the date of initial application through the recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption. Consequently, an entity's reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with current GAAP under ASC Topic 840, Leases. ASU No. 2016-02, as augmented by ASU No. 2018-01, ASU No. 2018-10, and ASU No. 2018-11 (the "amended guidance"), will become effective for usthe company commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Entities are required

In order to useidentify and evaluate the impact of the amended guidance on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, business processes, internal controls, and information systems, the company has established a modified retrospective approach,cross-functional project management team. This cross-functional project management team is tasked with early adoption permitted. We are currentlyevaluating the potential implications of the amended guidance, including compiling and analyzing existing explicit lease agreements, reviewing contractual agreements for embedded leases, determining the revised guidance, assessing ourdiscount rate to be used in valuing ROU assets and lease liabilities under new and existing leases, and relatedassessing the changes to the company's accounting policies, business processes, internal controls, and information systems that may be necessary to comply with the provisions and all applicable financial statement disclosures required by the amended guidance. At this point in the company's evaluation process, the company has compiled and analyzed existing explicit lease agreements, completed its initial assessment of its business and system requirements, and has selected its third-party lease accounting software solution. The company is in the process of implementing its third-party lease accounting software solution, assessing the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017,to its internal control environment; evaluating the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifyingimpact of the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amended guidance on its accounting policies, business processes and procedures, and information systems; and, where applicable, reviewing contractual agreements for embedded leases.

The company will become effective for us commencing inadopt the amended guidance on November 1, 2019, the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We2020, under the alternative cumulative effect transition method. Upon adoption, the company will recognize ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities for its operating lease agreements within its Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the company's evaluation of the amended guidance and related implementation activities are currently evaluatingongoing and incomplete, based on the results of the company's evaluation process to date, the company believes the adoption of the amended guidance may have a material impact of this new standard on ourthe company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017,Statements, business processes, internal controls, and information systems. However, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scopecompany does not believe the adoption of Modification Accounting, which provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing inhave a material impact on the first quartercompany's Consolidated Statements of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impactEarnings and Consolidated Statements of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.Cash Flows.


In FebruaryJune 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement2018-07, Compensation - Reporting Comprehensive IncomeStock Compensation (Topic 220)718): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeImprovements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which providesexpands the scope of ASC Topic 718 to include share-based payments granted to nonemployees in exchange for the reclassification of the stranded tax effect of remeasuring deferred tax balances related to items within accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to retained earnings resulting from the Tax Act. The amendment also includes disclosure requirements regardinggoods or services used or consumed in an entity's accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI.own operations and supersedes the guidance in ASC Topic 505-50. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted but not prior to adopting ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.


In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans (Topic 715), which modifies the disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

We believe that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements from the FASB that we have not noted above, will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or do not apply to our operations.



FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION


This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“("Securities Act”Act"), and Section 21E under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“("Exchange Act”Act"), and that are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. In addition, we or others on our behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or web casts open to the public, in press releases or reports, on our web sites or otherwise. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations of future events, and often can be identified in this report and elsewhere by using words such as “expect,” “strive,” “looking"expect," "strive," "looking ahead,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “goal,” “optimistic,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “possible,” “may,” “likely,” “intend,” “can,” “seek,” “potential,” “pro" "outlook," "guidance," "forecast," "goal," "optimistic," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "estimate," "project," "believe," "should," "could," "will," "would," "possible," "may," "likely," "intend," "can," "seek," "potential," "pro forma," or the negative thereof and similar expressions or future dates. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our future performance, including our anticipated operating results, liquidity requirements, and financial condition; our business strategies and goals; the pending acquisition of CMW; and the effect of laws, rules, policies, regulations, tax reform, new accounting pronouncements, and outstanding litigation on our business and future performance.


Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. The following are some of the factors known to us that could cause our actual results to differ materially from what we have anticipated in our forward-looking statements:


Adverse economic conditions and outlook in the United States and in other countries in which we conduct business could adversely affect our net sales and earnings, which include but are not limited to recessionary conditions; slow or negative economic growth rates; the impact of U.S. federal debt, state debt and sovereign debt defaults and austerity measures by certain European countries; slow down or reductions in levels of golf course development, renovation, and improvement; golf course closures; reduced levels of home ownership, construction, and sales; home foreclosures; negative consumer confidence; reduced consumer spending levels; increased unemployment rates; prolonged high unemployment rates; higher commodity and component costs and fuel prices; inflationary or deflationary pressures; reduced credit availability or unfavorable credit terms for our distributors, dealers, and end-user customers; higher short-term, mortgage, and other interest rates; and general economic and political conditions and expectations.
Weather conditions, including unfavorable weather conditions exacerbated by global climate changes or otherwise, may reduce demand for some of our products and adversely affect our net sales and operating results, or may affect the timing of demand for some of our products and may adversely affect net sales and operating results in subsequent periods.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have in the past affected our operating results and could continue to result in declines in our net sales and net earnings.
Increases in the cost, or disruption in the availability, of raw materials, components, parts and accessories containing various commodities that we purchase, such as steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, linerboard, copper, lead, rubber, engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, electric motors, and other commodities and components, and increases in our other costs of doing business, such as transportation costs or increased tariffs, duties or other charges as a result of changes to U.S. or international trade policies or agreements may adversely affecthave in the past affected our profit margins and businesses and could continue to result in declines in our profit margins and businesses.
Our Professional segment net sales are dependent upon certain factors, including golf course revenues and the amount of investment in golf course renovations and improvements; the level of new golf course development and golf course closures; the extent to which property owners outsource their lawn care and snow and ice removal activities; residential and commercial construction activity; continued acceptance of, and demand for, ag-irrigation solutions; the timing and occurrence of winter weather conditions; demand for our products in the rental and specialty construction markets; availability of cash or credit to Professional segment customers on acceptable terms to finance new product purchases; and the amount of government revenues, budget, and spending levels for grounds maintenance equipment.
Our Residential segment net sales are dependent upon consumers buying our products at dealers, mass retailers, and home centers, such as The Home Depot, Inc.; the amount of product placement at mass retailers and home centers; consumer confidence and spending levels; changing buying patterns of customers; and the impact of significant sales or promotional events.
Our financial performance, including our profit margins and net earnings, can be impacted depending on the mix of products we sell during a given period, as our Professional segment products generally have higher profit margins than our Residential segment products. Similarly, within each segment, if we experience lower sales of products that generally carry higher profit margins, our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings, could be negatively impacted.
We intend to grow our business in part through acquisitions, including our pending acquisition of CMW, and alliances, strong customer relations, and new joint ventures and partnerships, which could be risky and harm our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results, particularly if we are not able to successfully integrate such acquisitions and

alliances, joint ventures, and partnerships.

If previous or future acquisitions do not produce the expected results or integration into our operations takes more time than expected, our business could be harmed. We cannot guarantee previous or future acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures or partnerships will in fact produce any benefits.
Our ability to manage our inventory levels to meet our customers' demand for our products is important for our business. If we underestimate or overestimate demand for our products and do not maintain appropriate inventory levels, our net sales and/or working capital could be negatively impacted.
Our business and operating results are subject to the inventory management decisions of our distribution channel customers. Any adjustments in the carrying amount of inventories by our distribution channel customers may impact our inventory management and working capital goals as well as operating results.
Changes in the composition of, financial viability of, and/or the relationships with, our distribution channel customers could negatively impact our business and operating results.
We face intense competition in all of our product lines with numerous manufacturers, including from some competitors that have larger operations and financial resources than us. We may not be able to compete effectively against competitors’ actions, which could harm our business and operating results.
A significant percentage of our consolidated net sales is generated outside of the United States, and we intend to continue to expand our international operations. Our international operations also require significant management attention and financial resources; expose us to difficulties presented by international economic, political, legal, regulatory, accounting, and business factors, including implications of withdrawal by the U.S. from, or revision to, international trade agreements, foreign trade or other policy changes between the U.S. and other countries, weakened international economic conditions, or the United Kingdom’s process for exiting the European Union; and may not be successful or produce desired levels of net sales. In addition, a portion of our international net sales are financed by third parties. The termination of our agreements with these third parties, any material change to the terms of our agreements with these third parties or in the availability or terms of credit offered to our international customers by these third parties, or any delay in securing replacement credit sources, could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
If we are unable to continue to enhance existing products, as well as develop and market new products, that respond to customer needs and preferences and achieve market acceptance, including by incorporating new or emerging technologies that may become preferred by our customers, we may experience a decrease in demand for our products, and our net sales could be adversely affected.
Any disruption, including as a result of natural or man-made disasters, climate change-related events, work slowdowns, strikes, or other events, at any of our facilities or in our manufacturing or other operations, or those of our distribution channel customers or suppliers, or our inability to cost-effectively expand existing facilities, open and manage new facilities, and/or move production between manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our production labor needs fluctuate throughout the year and any failure by us to hire and/or retain a production labor force to adequately staff our manufacturing operations, or by our production labor force to adequately and safely perform their jobs could adversely affect our business, operating results, and reputation.
Management information systems are critical to our business. If our information systems or information security practices, or those of our business partners or third party service providers, fail to adequately perform and/or protect sensitive or confidential information, or if we, our business partners, or third party service providers experience an interruption in, or breach of, the operation of such systems or practices, including by theft, loss or damage from unauthorized access, security breaches, natural or man-made disasters, cyber attacks, computer viruses, malware, phishing, denial of service attacks, power loss or other disruptive events, our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.
Our reliance upon patents, trademark laws, and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient to protect our intellectual property from others who may sell similar products. Our products may infringe the proprietary rights of others.
Our business, properties, and products are subject to governmental regulationpolicies and regulations with which compliance may require us to incur expenses or modify our products or operations and non-compliance may result in harm to our reputation and/or expose us to penalties. Governmental regulationpolicies and regulations may also adversely affect the demand for some of our products and our operating results. In addition, changes in laws, policies, and regulations in the U.S. or other countries in which we conduct business also may adversely affect our financial results, including as a result of, (i) taxation and tax policy changes, tax rate changes, new tax laws, new or revised tax law interpretations or guidance, including as a result of the Tax Act, (ii) changes to, or adoption of new, healthcare laws or regulations, or (iii) changes to U.S. or international policies or trade agreements that could result in additional duties or other charges on raw materials, components, parts or accessories we import.
Changes in accounting standards or assumptions in applying accounting policies could adversely affect our financial statements, including our financial results and financial condition.
Climate change legislation, regulations, or accords may adversely impact our operations.

Costs of complying with the various environmental laws related to our ownership and/or lease of real property, such as clean-up costs and liabilities that may be associated with certain hazardous waste disposal activities, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Legislative enactments could impact the competitive landscape within our markets and affect demand for our products.
We operate in many different jurisdictions and we could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws. The continued expansion of our international operations could increase the risk of violations of these laws in the future.
We are subject to product quality issues, product liability claims, and other litigation from time to time that could adversely affect our business, reputation, operating results, or financial condition.
If we are unable to retain our executive officers or other key employees, attract and retain other qualified personnel, or successfully implement executive officer, key employee or other qualified personnel transitions, we may not be able to meet strategic objectives and our business could suffer.
As a result of our Red Iron joint venture, we are dependent upon the joint venture to provide competitive inventory financing programs to certain distributors and dealers of our products. Any material change in the availability or terms of credit offered to our customers by the joint venture, challenges or delays in transferring new distributors and dealers from any business we might acquire to this financing platform, any termination or disruption of our joint venture relationship or any delay in securing replacement credit sources could adversely affect our net sales and operating results.
The terms of our credit arrangements and the indentures governing our senior notes and debentures could limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of business opportunities, and respond to changing business, market, and economic conditions. Additionally, we are subject to counterparty risk in our credit arrangements. If we are unable to comply with the terms of our credit arrangements and indentures, especially the financial covenants, our credit arrangements could be terminated and our senior notes, debentures, term loan, and any amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility could become due and payable.
We are expanding and renovating our corporate and other facilities and could experience disruptions to our operations in connection with such efforts.
We may not achieve our projected financial information or other business initiatives, such as the goals of our "Vision 2020" initiative, in the time periods that we anticipate, or at all, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.


For more information regarding these and other uncertainties and factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from what we have anticipated in our forward-looking statements or otherwise could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results, see our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”"Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report.


All forward-looking statements included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement which speaks only as of the date made and to recognize that forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described above, the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,”"Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report, as well as others that we may consider immaterial or do not anticipate at this time. The foregoing risks and uncertainties are not exclusive and further information concerning the company and our businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect our financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time. We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect actual results, events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date any forward-looking statement is made, or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements. We advise you, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our future Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission.


ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


We are exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity costs. We are also exposed to equity market risk pertaining to the trading price of our common stock. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in our earnings and cash flows. There have been no material changes to the market risk information regarding interest rate risk and equity market risk included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.2018. Refer to Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 for a complete discussion of our market risk. Refer below for further discussion on foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity cost risk.

Additionally, refer to Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, within our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 for a complete discussion of our market risk.



Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk


We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales to third party customers, sales and loans to wholly owned foreign subsidiaries, foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. Our primary foreign currency exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, and the Romanian New Leu against the Euro, includingEuro. We may also experience foreign currency exchange rate exposure as a result of the volatility and uncertainty that may arise as a result of the United Kingdom’s process for exiting the European Union. Because our products are manufactured or sourced primarily from the United States and Mexico, a stronger U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a negative impact on our results from operations, while a weaker U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a positive effect.


To reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, we actively manage the exposure of our foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into various derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, authorized under company policies that place controls on these hedging activities, with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions. Our policy does not allow the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Decisions on whether to use such derivative instruments are primarily based on the amount of exposure to the currency involved and an assessment of the near-term market value for each currency. Our worldwide foreign currency exchange rate exposures are reviewed monthly. The gains and losses on our derivative instruments offset changes in values of the related exposures. Therefore, changes in the values of our derivative instruments are highly correlated with changes in the market values of underlying hedged items both at inception and over the life of the derivative instrument.

Changes in the fair values of the spot rate component of outstanding, highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in other comprehensive income within accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently reclassified to net earnings within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings during the same period in which the cash flows of the underlying hedged transaction affect net earnings. Certain derivative instruments we hold do not meet the cash flow hedge accounting criteria or have components that are excluded from cash flow hedge accounting; therefore, changes in their fair value are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings within the same line item as that of the underlying exposure. For additional information regarding our derivative instruments, see Note 12 in our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements under the heading "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


The foreign currency exchange contracts in the table below have maturity dates in fiscal 20182019 through fiscal 2019.2021. All items are non-trading and stated in U.S. dollars. Certain derivative instruments we hold do not meetAs of February 1, 2019, the cash flow hedge accounting criteria; therefore, changes in their fair value are recorded in other income, net.

The average contracted rate, notional amount, pre-taxand the gain at fair value of outstanding derivative instruments in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"), and fair value impact of derivative instruments in other income, net, as of, and for the fiscal period ended, February 2, 2018 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands, except average contracted rate) Average Contracted Rate Notional Amount Pre-Tax Gain (Loss) in AOCL Fair Value Impact Gain (Loss)
Buy US dollar/Sell Australian dollar 0.7744
 $34,023.4
 $(722.3) $(909.7)
Buy US dollar/Sell Canadian dollar 1.3003
 7,267.5
 (424.9) (17.0)
Buy US dollar/Sell Euro 1.1839
 74,110.6
 (3,251.5) (1,704.2)
Buy US dollar/Sell British pound 1.3475
 31,328.4
 (1,104.9) (926.1)
Buy Mexican peso/Sell US dollar 21.5331
 $8,436.8
 $663.1
 $722.2
(Dollars in thousands, except average contracted rate) Average Contracted Rate Notional Amount Gain at Fair Value
Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Australian dollar 0.7408
 $101,633.5
 $1,658.6
Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Canadian dollar 1.3035
 30,809.7
 78.6
Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Euro 1.2095
 145,130.1
 3,340.1
Buy U.S. dollar/Sell British pound 1.3475
 57,913.8
 661.3
Buy Mexican peso/Sell U.S. dollar 20.4994
 $1,883.0
 $64.4


Our net investment in foreign subsidiaries translated into U.S. dollars is not hedged. Any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive lossAOCL in stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and would not impact net earnings.

Commodity Cost Risk


SomeMost of the raw materials used in our products are exposed to commodity cost changes. Our primary commodity cost exposures are with steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, and linerboard. In addition, we are a purchaser of components and parts containing various commodities, including steel, aluminum, copper, lead, rubber, and others that are integrated into our end products. We generally purchase commodities and components based upon market prices that are established with vendors as part of the purchase process and generally attempt to obtain firm pricing from most of our suppliers for volumes consistent with planned production. To the extent that commodity costs increase and we do not have firm pricing from our suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, we may experience a decline in our gross margins to the extent we are not able to increase selling prices of our products or obtain manufacturing efficiencies to offset increases in commodity costs. Additionally, we enter into fixed-price contracts for future purchases of natural gas in the normal course of operations as a means to manage natural gas price risks. Further information regarding changing costs of commodities is presented in Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in the section titled “Inflation.”"Inflation."


ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, we recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and we are required to apply our judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible internal controls. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our first quarter ended February 2, 20181, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


We are a party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive, as well as compensatory, damages arising out of the use of our products. Although we are self-insured to some extent, we maintain insurance against certain product liability losses. We are also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean-up, and other costs and damages. We are also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in the ordinary course of business. To prevent possible infringement of our patents by others, we periodically review competitors’ products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others’ patents, we regularly review certain patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices. We believe these activities help us minimize our risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. We are currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where we are asserting and defending against claims of patent infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process.


For a description of our material legal proceedings, see Note 10 in our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements under the heading “Contingencies"Contingencies - Litigation”Litigation" included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated into this Part II. Item 1 by reference.


ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS


We are affected by risks specific to us as well as factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market. The significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results or could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results or other expectations, including those expressed in any forward-looking statement made in this report, are described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (Item 1A. Risk Factors). There has been no material change in those risk factors.factors, with the exception of the addition of the following risk factor:

Our pending acquisition of The Charles Machine Works, Inc. involves a number of risks, the occurrence of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.

On February 14, 2019, we entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire The Charles Machine Works, Inc. (“CMW”). The acquisition involves certain risks, the occurrence of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results, including:
delays in completing the acquisition within the expected time period and the risk that the merger may not be completed at all;
diversion of management's attention to complete the acquisition and integrate CMW’s operations thereafter;
disruption to our existing operations and plans or inability to effectively manage our expanded operations after the closing of the acquisition;
failure, difficulties or delays in securing, integrating and assimilating information, financial systems, internal controls, operations, manufacturing processes and products, or the distribution channel for CMW’s businesses and product lines;
potential loss of key CMW employees, suppliers, customers, distributors, or dealers or other adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, customers, distributors, and dealers;
adverse impact on overall profitability if our expanded operations do not achieve the growth prospects, net sales, earnings, cost or revenue synergies, or other financial results projected in our valuation models, or delays in the realization thereof;
reallocation of amounts of capital from our other strategic initiatives;
as we intend to finance the acquisition and related transaction expenses with new debt, the expected increase in our leverage and debt service requirements could restrict our ability to access additional capital when needed or to pursue other important elements of our business strategy;
inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities, unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition, and despite the existence of representations, warranties and indemnities in the merger agreement and a representation and warranty insurance policy, an inability to recover or manage such liabilities and costs;
incorrect estimates made in the accounting for the acquisition or the potential future write-off of significant amounts of goodwill, intangible assets and/or other tangible assets if the CMW business does not perform in the future as expected; and
other factors mentioned in our recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.



ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our common stock purchased by the company during each of the three fiscal months in our first quarter ended February 2, 2018:1, 2019:
Period 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased1,2
 Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) 
Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1
 
Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1
November 1, 2017 through December 1, 2017 293,499
 $62.54
 293,499
 4,688,379
December 2, 2017 through December 29, 2017 188,016
 65.07
 188,016
 4,500,363
December 30, 2017 through February 2, 2018 294,199
 66.55
 292,619
 4,207,744
Total 775,714
 $64.68
 774,134
  
Period 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased1,2,3
 Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) 
Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1,2
 
Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1,2
November 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 
 $
 
 2,402,014
December 1, 2018 through December 28, 2018 269,386
 55.68
 269,386
 7,132,628
December 29, 2018 through February 1, 2019 92,361
 55.81
 90,372
 7,042,256
Total 361,747
 $55.71
 359,758
  


1  
On December 3, 2015, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 8,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock in open-market or in privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the company’s Board of Directors at any time. The company repurchased 774,134359,758 shares during the period indicated above under this program and 4,207,7442,042,256 shares remained available to repurchase under this program as of February 2, 2018.1, 2019.


2 
On December 4, 2018, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock in open-market or privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the company’s Board of Directors at any time. No shares were repurchased under this program during the time period indicated above.

3
Includes 1,5801,989 units (shares) of the company’s common stock purchased in open-market transactions at an average price of $66.00$58.13 per share on behalf of a rabbi trust formed to pay benefit obligations of the company to participants in deferred compensation plans. These 1,5801,989 shares were not repurchased under the company’s repurchase programprograms described in footnotefootnotes 1 and 2 above.


ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

As previously announced on February 15, 2019, the company entered into a definitive merger agreement ("merger agreement") with The Charles Machine Works, Inc., a privately held Oklahoma corporation, on February 14, 2019. On March 1, 2019, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the merger. The closing of the merger remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement, including regulatory approval by the German Federal Cartel Office.


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
(a)Exhibit No.Description
   
 2.1
3.1 and 4.1
   
 3.2 and 4.2
   
 3.3 and 4.3
   
 4.4Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997, between Registrant and First National Trust Association, as Trustee, relating to The Toro Company’s 7.80% Debentures due June 15, 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 1997, Commission File No. 1-8649). (Filed on paper - hyperlink is not required pursuant to Rule 105 of Regulation S-T)
   
 4.5
   
 4.6
   
 4.7
   
 31.1
   
 31.2
   
 32
   
 101
The following financial information from The Toro Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 2, 2018,1, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2018,6, 2019, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three-month periods ended February 2, 20181, 2019 and February 3, 2017,2, 2018, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three-month periods ended February 2, 20181, 2019 and February 3, 2017,2, 2018, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 1, 2019, February 2, 2018, February 3, 2017, and October 31, 2017,2018, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2018, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three-month periods ended February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2018, and February 3, 2017, and (v)(vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (filed herewith).


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


THE TORO COMPANY
(Registrant)


Date: March 7, 20186, 2019By:/s/ Renee J. Peterson
  Renee J. Peterson
  Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
  (duly authorized officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer)




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