Fossil Group (FOSL) Risk Factors

We are required, at least annually, or as facts and circumstances warrant, to test trade names to determine if impairment has occurred. We are also required to test property plant and equipment and other long lived assets for impairment as facts and circumstances warrant. Impairment may result from any number of factors, including adverse changes in assumptions used for valuation purposes, such as actual or projected net sales, growth rates, profitability or discount rates, or other variables. If the testing indicates that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge. Should the value of trade names, property plant and equipment and other long lived assets become impaired, it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our earnings are exposed to interest rate risk associated with borrowings under the Revolving Facility. The terms of the Revolving Facility provide for interest on borrowings at a floating rate that is tied to SOFR. SOFR tends to fluctuate based on multiple facts, including general short-term interest rates, rates set by the U.S. Federal Reserve, and other central banks and general economic conditions. We have not hedged our interest rate exposure with respect to our floating rate debt. During fiscal year 2023, our average interest rate on borrowings under the Revolving Facility was 6.5%. If interest rates increase, so will our interest costs, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.00% per annum. If interest rates decrease, the interest rate on the Senior Notes would not change, and we would not be able to obtain the benefit of reduced interest rates unless we refinanced the Senior Notes. This could put us at a competitive disadvantage to other companies that have floating rate debt. We may not be able to refinance the Senior Notes on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any redemption of the Senior Notes prior to November 30, 2025 would trigger a redemption premium. Prior to November 30, 2024, the redemption price would be $25.50 for each $25.00 of Senior Notes, and from November 30, 2024 until November 29, 2025, the redemption price would be $25.25 for each $25.00 of Senior Notes. In addition, any refinancing could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants.

Our ability to obtain financings and trade credit and the terms of any financings or trade credit is, in part, dependent on the credit ratings assigned to our debt by independent credit rating agencies. We cannot provide assurance that any of our current ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. A ratings downgrade could adversely impact our ability to access financings or trade credit and increase our borrowing costs.

The terms of the Revolving Facility contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. However, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Accordingly, we could incur significant additional secured indebtedness in the future under the Revolving Facility and significant additional secured and unsecured indebtedness under other debt instruments permitted by the Revolving Facility. As of December 30, 2023, our Revolving Facility provided for unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Facility of up to $64.0 million. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund operations and planned capital expenditures and other investments in our business will depend on our ability to generate cash from our operations in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, we used $59.5 million of cash flows in our operations. In the future, our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and future sources of capital under the Revolving Facility or otherwise may not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt service obligations and to fund our other liquidity needs. If we complete an acquisition, our debt service requirements could increase. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional equity, reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances or restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness. The Revolving Facility restricts our ability to take such actions, and in some cases imposes limitations on the use of proceeds that we might receive from such actions. We may not be able to consummate asset sales or other transactions at prices and on terms that we believe are commercially reasonable, or at all, and any proceeds that we do receive may not be available for, or adequate to meet, any debt service obligations then due. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our debt service obligations. The maximum amount that we are permitted to borrow at any time under the Revolving Facility is limited by a borrowing base that is recalculated monthly or, in some circumstances, more frequently. If the borrowing base declines or is reduced by the administrative agent to an amount below the then-outstanding amount of loans under the Revolving Facility, we are required to prepay the outstanding loans under the Revolving Facility in an amount that will result in the aggregate amount of outstanding loans being less than the amount of the borrowing base. We may not have sufficient funds to make any such prepayments. We will need to repay, refinance or restructure all of our debt obligations on or before their respective maturity dates. The maturity date of the Revolving Facility is November 8, 2027, but if the Company has any indebtedness in an amount in excess of $35.0 million that matures prior to November 8, 2027, the maturity date of the Revolving Facility will be the 91st day prior to the maturity date of such other indebtedness. The maturity date of the Company's $150.0 million of Senior Notes is November 30, 2026. If the Senior Notes are not repaid or refinanced to a later maturity date in a manner that reduces the balance due on November 30, 2026 to $35.0 million or less, the maturity date of the Revolving Facility will be August 31, 2026. We may not be able to repay, refinance or restructure any of our indebtedness, including the Revolving Facility, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants. The occurrence of certain specified change of control events would cause an event of default under the Revolving Facility. In such event, we may not be able to repay, refinance or restructure the Revolving Facility, or obtain a waiver of such event of default, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we cannot meet our debt service obligations or repay, refinance or restructure our debt obligations on or before their respective maturity dates, or are otherwise in default under our debt agreements, the holders of our debt may accelerate any debt that is not yet due, demand payment of our debt, and, to the extent such debt is secured, foreclose on the assets securing that debt. In any such event, we may not have sufficient assets to repay all of our debt, and the interests of our equity holders and other stakeholders may be materially adversely affected.

The Revolving Facility provides that the lenders thereunder may extend revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $225.0 million at any time outstanding, subject to the borrowing base availability limitations. As of December 31, 2023, we had $62.1 million outstanding under the Revolving Facility. The covenants under the Revolving Facility allow us to incur additional indebtedness from other sources in certain circumstances. On November 8, 2021, we sold $150 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.00% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and the Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries (excluding any amounts owed by such subsidiaries to us). The base indenture and first supplemental indenture that govern the Senior Notes contain customary events of default and cure provisions. If an event of default (other than an event of default of the type described in the following sentence) occurs and is continuing with respect to the Senior Notes, the trustee may, and at the direction of the registered holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes shall, declare the principal of all Senior Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs, the principal of all Senior Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice by the trustee or any holder of the Senior Notes. A portion of our cash flow will be required to pay interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness, and we may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or borrow additional funds under our Revolving Facility or otherwise, to enable us to meet our debt service obligations and fund our other liquidity needs. Our level of indebtedness could have other important consequences, including the following: - it limits our ability to borrow money or sell stock to fund our working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and debt service requirements;- it may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and future business opportunities;- we are more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;- it may make us more vulnerable to a downturn in our business or the economy;- it may increase our cost of borrowing and;- there would be a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition if we were unable to service our indebtedness or obtain additional financing as needed.

The maximum amount that we are permitted to borrow at any time under the Revolving Facility is limited by a borrowing base that is recalculated monthly or, in some circumstances, more frequently. The borrowing base is a function of, among other things, our eligible accounts receivable, inventory and certain intellectual property. As a result, our access to credit under the Revolving Facility fluctuates depending on the value of the borrowing base eligible assets as of any measurement date. Because our business is seasonal and generates higher net sales and accounts receivable in the third and fourth quarters, our borrowing base is also seasonal and is typically lower during our second and third quarters, which can adversely affect our liquidity during these quarters. In addition, the administrative agent under the Revolving Facility has the discretionary right to impose reserves or to determine that certain assets are not eligible for inclusion in our borrowing base. The administrative agent's discretionary changes could materially reduce the maximum amount that we are able to borrow at any one time under the Revolving Facility. Our accounts receivable, inventory and intellectual property are pledged to secure our obligations under the Revolving Facility and cannot be used as collateral for any other financings unless we refinance or terminate the Revolving Facility. These limitations on our ability to borrow under the Revolving Facility or another financing may adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial position.

On September 26, 2019, the Company and Fossil Partners L.P., as the U.S. borrowers, and Fossil Group Europe GmbH, Fossil Asia Pacific Limited, Fossil (Europe) GmbH, Fossil (UK) Limited and Fossil Canada Inc., as the non-U.S. borrowers, certain other subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto designated as borrowers, and certain subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto as guarantors, entered into a secured asset-based revolving credit agreement (the "Revolving Facility") with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan AG, as French collateral agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers, and Citizens Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and each of the lenders from time to time party thereto. The Revolving Facility imposes, and future financing agreements are likely to impose, affirmative and negative covenants that restrict our activities. These restrictions limit or prohibit our ability to, among other things: - incur additional indebtedness or issue certain types of stock;- pay dividends or make other distributions, repurchase or redeem our stock;- make certain investments;- prepay, redeem, or repurchase certain debt;- sell assets and issue capital stock of our restricted subsidiaries;- incur liens;- enter into agreements restricting our restricted subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends, make loans to other related entities or restrict the ability to incur liens;- enter into transactions with affiliates; and - consolidate or merge. These restrictions on our ability to operate our business, along with restrictions that may be contained in agreements evidencing or governing future indebtedness, could seriously harm our business and our ability to grow in accordance with our growth strategy by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of merger and acquisition and other corporate opportunities. In addition, the limitations imposed by financing agreements on our ability to incur additional debt and liens might significantly impair our ability to obtain other financing. As a result of these restrictions, we may be: - limited in how we conduct our business;- unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to operate during general economic or business downturns; or - unable to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The Revolving Facility also requires us to maintain a specified financial ratio in certain circumstances. The Revolving Facility contains a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant if our Availability (as defined in the Revolving Facility) falls below a certain threshold. See Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" under the heading "Sources of Liquidity" for an additional discussion of the financial covenants contained in the Revolving Facility. Various risks, uncertainties and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with any of the covenants in our existing or future financing agreements, which could result in a default under those agreements and under other agreements containing cross-default provisions. A default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity of the debt under these agreements. Under these circumstances, we might not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all of our obligations. We cannot know for certain that we will be granted waivers or amendments to these agreements if for any reason we are unable to comply with these agreements or that we will be able to refinance our debt on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, an event of default under the Revolving Facility would permit the lenders to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under the Revolving Facility and to accelerate the maturity of all outstanding loans under the Revolving Facility. Furthermore, the Revolving Facility is secured by liens on our assets. If we were unable to repay the amounts due and payable under our Revolving Facility, the applicable lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. The Revolving Facility provides the administrative agent considerable discretion to impose reserves and to determine that certain assets are not eligible for inclusion in our borrowing base, which could materially reduce the maximum amount that we are able to borrow at any one time under the Revolving Facility. The administrative agent has imposed reserves previously and may impose reserves in the future. There can be no assurance that the administrative agent under the Revolving Facility will not take such actions. If they do so, the resulting impact of such actions could materially and adversely impair our ability to meet our other obligations as they become due, among other matters.

As of December 30, 2023, $104.4 million, or approximately 89% of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries. While we intend to use some of the cash held outside the U.S. to fund our international operations, when we encounter a significant need for liquidity in the U.S. or other location that we cannot fulfill through other internal or external sources, our liquidity requirements could necessitate transfers of existing cash balances between our subsidiaries or to the U.S. Some of our subsidiaries are located in jurisdictions that require foreign government approval before a cash repatriation can occur. If we are unable to transfer existing cash balances in such a situation, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Our ability to grow our sales is dependent on the successful implementation of our business strategy. This includes diversification and innovation of our product offerings, driving our core brands and improving our omni-channel and digital capabilities. If we are not successful in the expansion or development of our product offerings, our new products are not profitable or do not generate sales comparable to those of our existing businesses, we are unable to achieve our digital transformation goals or our restructuring and savings initiative does not achieve our desired results, our results of operations could be negatively impacted. We also operate FOSSIL brand stores and other watch stores globally to further strengthen our brand image. As of December 30, 2023, we operated 302 stores worldwide. The costs associated with leasehold improvements to current stores and the costs associated with opening new stores and closing low performing stores, particularly those stores that have seen a significant reduction in traffic, could materially increase our costs of operation and result in impairment charges.