10-Q 1 brc-20190131x10q.htm 10-Q
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended January 31, 2019
OR

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

For the Transition Period from to
Commission File Number 1-14959

BRADY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin |  | 39-0178960
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6555 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |  | 53223
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)

(414) 358-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 |  | þ | Accelerated filer |  | ¨ | Emerging growth company |  | ¨
Non-accelerated filer |  | ¨ | Smaller reporting company |  | ¨ |  |  |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. |  | ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of February 18, 2019, there were 49,125,192 outstanding shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and 3,538,628 shares of Class B Voting Common Stock. The Class B Voting Common Stock, all of which is held by affiliates of the Registrant, is the only voting stock.

Table of Contents
FORM 10-Q
BRADY CORPORATION
INDEX

| Page
PART I. Financial Information | 3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings | 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | 5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | 6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition | 21
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 28
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 28
PART II. Other Information | 29
Item 6. Exhibits | 29
Signatures | 30

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)

| January 31, 2019 |  | July 31, 2018
| (Unaudited) |  |
ASSETS |  |  |
Current assets: |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 202,209 |  |  | $ | 181,427 |
Accounts receivable—net | 161,981 |  |  | 161,282 |
Inventories | 118,519 |  |  | 113,071 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 18,973 |  |  | 15,559 |
Total current assets | 501,682 |  |  | 471,339 |
Property, plant and equipment—net | 99,378 |  |  | 97,945 |
Goodwill | 417,240 |  |  | 419,815 |
Other intangible assets | 39,652 |  |  | 42,588 |
Deferred income taxes | 7,076 |  |  | 7,582 |
Other | 18,312 |  |  | 17,662 |
Total | $ | 1,083,340 |  |  | $ | 1,056,931 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  |  |
Current liabilities: |  |  |
Accounts payable | $ | 60,504 |  |  | $ | 66,538 |
Wages and amounts withheld from employees | 41,510 |  |  | 67,619 |
Taxes, other than income taxes | 7,145 |  |  | 8,318 |
Accrued income taxes | 4,426 |  |  | 3,885 |
Other current liabilities | 50,103 |  |  | 44,567 |
Total current liabilities | 163,688 |  |  | 190,927 |
Long-term obligations | 51,610 |  |  | 52,618 |
Other liabilities | 64,661 |  |  | 61,274 |
Total liabilities | 279,959 |  |  | 304,819 |
Stockholders’ equity: |  |  |
Class A nonvoting common stock—Issued 51,261,487 shares, and outstanding 49,101,192 and 48,393,617 shares, respectively | 513 |  |  | 513 |
Class B voting common stock—Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares | 35 |  |  | 35 |
Additional paid-in capital | 328,978 |  |  | 325,631 |
Retained earnings | 588,918 |  |  | 553,454 |
Treasury stock—2,160,295 and 2,867,870 shares, respectively, of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost | (54,498 | ) |  | (71,120 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (60,565 | ) |  | (56,401 | )
Total stockholders’ equity | 803,381 |  |  | 752,112 |
Total | $ | 1,083,340 |  |  | $ | 1,056,931 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts, Unaudited)

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Net sales | $ | 282,426 |  |  | $ | 287,780 |  |  | $ | 575,622 |  |  | $ | 577,931 |
Cost of products sold | 142,616 |  |  | 144,088 |  |  | 289,273 |  |  | 288,174 |
Gross margin | 139,810 |  |  | 143,692 |  |  | 286,349 |  |  | 289,757 |
Operating expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Research and development | 11,074 |  |  | 11,314 |  |  | 22,400 |  |  | 21,834 |
Selling, general and administrative | 92,706 |  |  | 97,582 |  |  | 187,297 |  |  | 197,716 |
Total operating expenses | 103,780 |  |  | 108,896 |  |  | 209,697 |  |  | 219,550 |
Operating income | 36,030 |  |  | 34,796 |  |  | 76,652 |  |  | 70,207 |
Other income (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment and other income | 1,377 |  |  | 1,056 |  |  | 1,360 |  |  | 1,272 |
Interest expense | (717 | ) |  | (829 | ) |  | (1,429 | ) |  | (1,692 | )
Earnings before income taxes | 36,690 |  |  | 35,023 |  |  | 76,583 |  |  | 69,787 |
Income tax expense | 7,463 |  |  | 30,750 |  |  | 16,719 |  |  | 39,678 |
Net earnings | $ | 29,227 |  |  | $ | 4,273 |  |  | $ | 59,864 |  |  | $ | 30,109 |
Net earnings per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.56 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.14 |  |  | $ | 0.58 |
Diluted | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.13 |  |  | $ | 0.57 |
Dividends | $ | 0.21 |  |  | $ | 0.21 |  |  | $ | 0.43 |  |  | $ | 0.42 |
Net earnings per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.56 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.13 |  |  | $ | 0.57 |
Diluted | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.11 |  |  | $ | 0.56 |
Dividends | $ | 0.21 |  |  | $ | 0.21 |  |  | $ | 0.41 |  |  | $ | 0.40 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | 52,532 |  |  | 51,698 |  |  | 52,366 |  |  | 51,569 |
Diluted | 53,206 |  |  | 52,719 |  |  | 53,082 |  |  | 52,551 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Net earnings | $ | 29,227 |  |  | $ | 4,273 |  |  | $ | 59,864 |  |  | $ | 30,109 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 5,486 |  |  | 15,841 |  |  | (3,304 | ) |  | 9,284 |
Cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | 537 |  |  | (304 | ) |  | 157 |  |  | (537 | )
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net earnings | (240 | ) |  | 158 |  |  | (287 | ) |  | 182 |
| 297 |  |  | (146 | ) |  | (130 | ) |  | (355 | )
Pension and other post-retirement benefits: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | (169 | ) |  | 592 |  |  | (169 | ) |  | 592 |
Actuarial gain amortization | (144 | ) |  | (141 | ) |  | (299 | ) |  | (271 | )
| (313 | ) |  | 451 |  |  | (468 | ) |  | 321 |
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax | 5,470 |  |  | 16,146 |  |  | (3,902 | ) |  | 9,250 |
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | 196 |  |  | 827 |  |  | (262 | ) |  | 342 |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 5,666 |  |  | 16,973 |  |  | (4,164 | ) |  | 9,592 |
Comprehensive income | $ | 34,893 |  |  | $ | 21,246 |  |  | $ | 55,700 |  |  | $ | 39,701 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

| Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Operating activities: |  |  |
Net earnings | $ | 59,864 |  |  | $ | 30,109 |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 11,909 |  |  | 12,840 |
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense | 7,805 |  |  | 5,897 |
Deferred income taxes | 4,423 |  |  | 26,028 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |  |  |
Accounts receivable | 2,562 |  |  | (10,945 | )
Inventories | (6,602 | ) |  | (4,150 | )
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (2,310 | ) |  | (3,153 | )
Accounts payable and other liabilities | (34,055 | ) |  | (12,695 | )
Income taxes | 592 |  |  | (1,471 | )
Net cash provided by operating activities | 44,188 |  |  | 42,460 |
Investing activities: |  |  |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (12,127 | ) |  | (8,469 | )
Other | (452 | ) |  | (729 | )
Net cash used in investing activities | (12,579 | ) |  | (9,198 | )
Financing activities: |  |  |
Payment of dividends | (22,263 | ) |  | (21,373 | )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 17,317 |  |  | 9,948 |
Proceeds from borrowing on credit facilities | 5,737 |  |  | 17,439 |
Repayment of borrowing on credit facilities | (5,688 | ) |  | (57,314 | )
Other | (5,154 | ) |  | (2,342 | )
Net cash used in financing activities | (10,051 | ) |  | (53,642 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (776 | ) |  | 1,763 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 20,782 |  |  | (18,617 | )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 181,427 |  |  | 133,944 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 202,209 |  |  | $ | 115,327 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Six Months Ended January 31, 2019
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
NOTE A — Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company," "Brady," "we," or "our") without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, the foregoing statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of January 31, 2019 and July 31, 2018, its results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, and cash flows for the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2018, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from the estimates.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2018.
NOTE B — New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-12 "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which simplifies and reduces the complexity of the hedge accounting requirements and better aligns an entity's financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The guidance is effective for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance will require a modified retrospective adoption approach to existing hedging relationships as of the adoption date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment," which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The new guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods thereafter; however, early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company has not adopted this guidance, which will only impact the Company's consolidated financial statements if there is a future impairment of goodwill.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which replaces the current lease accounting standards. The update requires, among other items, lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from most leases on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The ASU allows for either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company expects the new lease standard to increase its total assets and liabilities; however, it is evaluating the magnitude of the impact on its consolidated financial statements. The Company has formed a team to implement the new lease standard, implemented a third-party software program to track and store its leases, has accumulated data pertaining to its global lease obligations, and is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("Topic 606"), which eliminates the transaction and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance and replaced it with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition. The new guidance requires revenue recognition when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer, replacing the existing guidance which requires revenue recognition when the risks and rewards transfer to the customer. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 (and related updates) effective August 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method to apply this guidance to all contracts at the date of initial application. Results for reporting periods beginning after August 1, 2018 are
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presented under Topic 606, while comparative prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be presented under accounting standards in effect in those periods.
The results of applying Topic 606 were not material to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, business processes, controls, or systems. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of August 1, 2018, which resulted in a decrease to retained earnings of $2,137, net of tax. The adjustment was primarily due to a change in timing of when revenue and the related costs for certain extended service-type warranties are recognized, as required per Topic 606.
Refer to Note C "Revenue Recognition" for additional information and required disclosures under the new standard.
NOTE C — Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenues are primarily from the sale of identification solutions and workplace safety products that are shipped and billed to customers. All revenue is from contracts with customers and is included in "Net sales" on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. The Company considers the purchase orders, which in some cases are governed by master sales or distributor agreements, to be its contracts with customers. For each contract, the Company considers the commitment to transfer products, each of which is distinct, to be its identified performance obligations.
Timing
The majority of the Company's revenue is earned and recognized at a point in time through ship-and-bill performance obligations, when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery to the customer, depending on freight terms. To determine when control has transferred, the Company considers if there is a present right to payment; and if legal title, physical possession, and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset has transferred to the customer. Once a product has shipped or has been delivered, the customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the asset.
Measurement
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of product, which is generally the price stated in the contract specific for each item sold, adjusted for the value of expected returns, discounts, rebates, or other allowances offered to the Company's customers as a reduction of the transaction price. Certain discounts and price assurances are fixed and known at the time of sale. Expected returns and other allowances are variable and are estimated using the expected value method based upon historical experience. Rebates offered to customers are retrospective and typically defined in the master sales or distributor agreements, and therefore are recorded using the most likely amount method based on the terms of the contract. Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved.
Payment Terms
While the Company’s standard payment terms are net 30 days, the specific payment terms and conditions in its customer contracts vary. In some cases, customers pay for their goods at time of shipment or upon delivery; in other cases, after appropriate credit evaluation, an open credit line is granted and payment is due in arrears. Contracts with payment in arrears are recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as accounts receivable.
Warranties
The Company offers standard warranty coverage on substantially all products that it sells, and accounts for this standard warranty coverage as an assurance warranty. As such, no transaction price is allocated to the standard warranty, and the Company records a liability for product warranty obligations at the time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty experience.
The Company also sells extended warranty coverage for certain products, which it accounts for as service warranties. In most cases, the extended service warranty is included with the purchase of the product. In applying Topic 606, the Company considers the extended service warranty to be a separate performance obligation in the contract and allocates a portion of the transaction price to the service warranty based on the estimated stand-alone selling price. Under Topic 606, the extended warranty transaction price is initially recorded as deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet and recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the service warranty period. The deferred revenue is considered a contract liability as the Company has a right to payment at the time the product with the related extended service warranty is shipped or delivered and therefore, payment is received in advance of the Company's performance. The balance of contract liabilities as of January 31, 2019, was $2,758. This also represents the amount of unsatisfied performance obligations related to contracts that extend beyond one year. Of this amount, the Company
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expects to recognize 22% as revenue by the end of fiscal 2019, an additional 34% by the end of fiscal 2020, and the balance thereafter. Upon adoption of Topic 606, at the beginning of fiscal 2019, the contract liability balance was $2,796. The current portion of contract liabilities and the non-current portion are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities," respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet. During the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, the Company recognized revenue of $314 and $622, respectively, that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period, which was from the amortization of extended service warranties.
Practical Expedients
With the exception of the performance obligations related to the extended service warranties, the Company's contracts have an original expected duration of one year or less. As a result, the Company has elected to use the practical expedient to not disclose its remaining performance obligations for contracts that have an original expected length of one year or less.
The Company applied the portfolio approach to its ship-and-bill contracts that have similar characteristics as it reasonably expects that the effects on the financial statements of applying this guidance to the portfolio of contracts would not differ materially from applying this guidance to the individual contracts within the portfolio.
As the Company’s product sale contracts and standard payment terms have a duration of less than one year, it uses the practical expedient applicable to such contracts and does not consider the time value of money.
Sales, use, value-add and other similar taxes assessed by governmental authorities and collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.
The Company accounts for shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related products transfers to the customer as fulfillment activities and are therefore recognized as revenue at time of shipping.
The Company expenses incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract (e.g., sales commissions) when incurred because the amortization period is generally twelve months or less. Contract costs are expensed in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
Refer to Note H, "Segment Information," for the Company's disaggregated revenue disclosure.
NOTE D — Additional Balance Sheet Information
Inventories
Inventories as of January 31, 2019, and July 31, 2018, consisted of the following:

| January 31, 2019 |  | July 31, 2018
Finished products | $ | 76,571 |  |  | $ | 73,133 |
Work-in-process | 21,245 |  |  | 19,903 |
Raw materials and supplies | 20,703 |  |  | 20,035 |
Total inventories | $ | 118,519 |  |  | $ | 113,071 |

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is presented net of accumulated depreciation in the amount of $276,000 and $280,778 as of January 31, 2019, and July 31, 2018, respectively.
NOTE E — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended January 31, 2019, were as follows:

| IDS |  | WPS |  | Total
Balance as of July 31, 2018 | $ | 385,524 |  |  | $ | 34,291 |  |  | $ | 419,815 |
Translation adjustments | (2,178 | ) |  | (397 | ) |  | (2,575 | )
Balance as of January 31, 2019 | $ | 383,346 |  |  | $ | 33,894 |  |  | $ | 417,240 |

Goodwill is presented net of accumulated impairment losses, with the most recent impairment charge being incurred in fiscal 2015.
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Other intangible assets include patents, trademarks, and customer relationships with finite lives being amortized in accordance with the accounting guidance for other intangible assets. The Company also has unamortized indefinite-lived trademarks that are classified as other intangible assets. The net book value of these assets was as follows:

| January 31, 2019 |  | July 31, 2018
| Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years) |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net Book Value |  | Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years) |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net Book Value
Amortized other intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Patents | 5 |  | $ | 1,448 |  |  | $ | (1,195 | ) |  | $ | 253 |  |  | 5 |  | $ | 1,448 |  |  | $ | (942 | ) |  | $ | 506 |
Trademarks and other | 10 |  | 2,467 |  |  | (2,398 | ) |  | 69 |  |  | 9 |  | 4,497 |  |  | (4,395 | ) |  | 102 |
Customer relationships | 8 |  | 48,465 |  |  | (28,607 | ) |  | 19,858 |  |  | 9 |  | 55,999 |  |  | (33,535 | ) |  | 22,464 |
Unamortized other intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trademarks | N/A |  | 19,472 |  |  | — |  |  | 19,472 |  |  | N/A |  | 19,516 |  |  | — |  |  | 19,516 |
Total |  |  | $ | 71,852 |  |  | $ | (32,200 | ) |  | $ | 39,652 |  |  |  |  | $ | 81,460 |  |  | $ | (38,872 | ) |  | $ | 42,588 |

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $1,434 and $1,617 for the three months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $2,870 and $3,310 for the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The amortization over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $5,717, $5,191, $5,151, $5,006 and $2,025 for the fiscal years ending July 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
NOTE F — Other Comprehensive Loss
Other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges and net investment hedges, and the unamortized gain on post-retirement plans, net of their related tax effects.
The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the six months ended January 31, 2019:

| Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges |  | Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans |  | Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2018 | $ | 863 |  |  | $ | 3,302 |  |  | $ | (60,566 | ) |  | $ | (56,401 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification | 47 |  |  | (169 | ) |  | (3,528 | ) |  | (3,650 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | (215 | ) |  | (299 | ) |  | — |  |  | (514 | )
Ending balance, January 31, 2019 | $ | 695 |  |  | $ | 2,834 |  |  | $ | (64,094 | ) |  | $ | (60,565 | )

The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of January 31, 2019, compared to July 31, 2018, was primarily due to the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the six-month period. The foreign currency translation adjustments column in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation, including foreign currency translation on long-term intercompany notes and net investment hedges, net of tax. Of the total $514 in amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, the $215 gain on cash flow hedges was reclassified into cost of products sold, and the $299 gain on post-retirement plans was reclassified into investment and other income on the condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the six months ended January 31, 2019.
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the six months ended January 31, 2018, were as follows:

| Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges |  | Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans |  | Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2017 | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | 2,620 |  |  | $ | (47,411 | ) |  | $ | (44,682 | )
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification | (598 | ) |  | 382 |  |  | 9,953 |  |  | 9,737 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | 126 |  |  | (271 | ) |  | — |  |  | (145 | )
Ending balance, January 31, 2018 | $ | (363 | ) |  | $ | 2,731 |  |  | $ | (37,458 | ) |  | $ | (35,090 | )

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The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of January 31, 2018, compared to July 31, 2017, was primarily due to the appreciation of certain other currencies against the U.S. dollar during the six-month period. The foreign currency translation adjustments column in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation, including foreign currency translation on long-term intercompany notes and net investment hedges, net of tax. Of the total $145 in amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, the $126 loss on cash flow hedges was reclassified into cost of products sold, and the $271 gain on post-retirement plans was reclassified into selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the six months ended January 31, 2018.
The following table illustrates the income tax benefit (expense) on the components of other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash flow hedges | $ | 61 |  |  | $ | 78 |  |  | $ | (38 | ) |  | $ | (117 | )
Pension and other post-retirement benefits | — |  |  | (209 | ) |  | — |  |  | (209 | )
Other income tax adjustments and currency translation | 135 |  |  | 958 |  |  | (224 | ) |  | 668 |
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 196 |  |  | $ | 827 |  |  | $ | (262 | ) |  | $ | 342 |

NOTE G — Net Earnings per Common Share
Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Earnings (Numerator for basic and diluted Class A Nonvoting Common Share) | $ | 29,227 |  |  | $ | 4,273 |  |  | $ | 59,864 |  |  | $ | 30,109 |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferential dividends | — |  |  | — |  |  | (815 | ) |  | (799 | )
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options | — |  |  | — |  |  | (13 | ) |  | (16 | )
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per Class B Voting Common Share | $ | 29,227 |  |  | $ | 4,273 |  |  | $ | 59,036 |  |  | $ | 29,294 |
Denominator: (in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Denominator for basic earnings per share for both Class A and Class B | 52,532 |  |  | 51,698 |  |  | 52,366 |  |  | 51,569 |
Plus: Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units | 674 |  |  | 1,021 |  |  | 716 |  |  | 982 |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share for both Class A and Class B | 53,206 |  |  | 52,719 |  |  | 53,082 |  |  | 52,551 |
Net earnings per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.56 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.14 |  |  | $ | 0.58 |
Diluted | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.13 |  |  | $ | 0.57 |
Net earnings per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.56 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.13 |  |  | $ | 0.57 |
Diluted | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 0.08 |  |  | $ | 1.11 |  |  | $ | 0.56 |

Options to purchase 272,922 and 705,069 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the three months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and 476,412 and 721,100 shares for the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted net earnings per share because the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE H — Segment Information
The Company is organized and managed on a global basis within three operating segments, Identification Solutions, Workplace Safety, and People Identification ("People ID"), which aggregate into two reportable segments that are organized around
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businesses with consistent products and services: IDS and WPS. The Identification Solutions and People ID operating segments aggregate into the IDS reporting segment, while the WPS reporting segment is comprised solely of the Workplace Safety operating segment. The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit and customer sales. Interest expense, investment and other income, income taxes, and certain corporate administrative expenses are excluded when evaluating segment performance.
Net sales by segment and geographic region for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Net sales: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Americas | $ | 138,324 |  |  | $ | 133,805 |  |  | $ | 284,114 |  |  | $ | 273,209 |
Europe | 47,282 |  |  | 49,245 |  |  | 96,110 |  |  | 96,376 |
Asia | 23,599 |  |  | 23,382 |  |  | 47,080 |  |  | 46,552 |
Total | $ | 209,205 |  |  | $ | 206,432 |  |  | $ | 427,304 |  |  | $ | 416,137 |
Workplace Safety |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Americas | $ | 24,332 |  |  | $ | 26,470 |  |  | $ | 49,083 |  |  | $ | 52,957 |
Europe | 37,788 |  |  | 43,657 |  |  | 75,444 |  |  | 85,041 |
Australia | 11,101 |  |  | 11,221 |  |  | 23,791 |  |  | 23,796 |
Total | $ | 73,221 |  |  | $ | 81,348 |  |  | $ | 148,318 |  |  | $ | 161,794 |
Total Company |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Americas | $ | 162,656 |  |  | $ | 160,275 |  |  | $ | 333,197 |  |  | $ | 326,166 |
Europe | 85,070 |  |  | 92,902 |  |  | 171,554 |  |  | 181,417 |
Asia-Pacific | 34,700 |  |  | 34,603 |  |  | 70,871 |  |  | 70,348 |
Total | $ | 282,426 |  |  | $ | 287,780 |  |  | $ | 575,622 |  |  | $ | 577,931 |

Segment profit for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Segment profit: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | $ | 37,857 |  |  | $ | 34,088 |  |  | $ | 79,419 |  |  | $ | 69,925 |
Workplace Safety | 4,661 |  |  | 7,055 |  |  | 10,202 |  |  | 13,500 |
Total Company | $ | 42,518 |  |  | $ | 41,143 |  |  | $ | 89,621 |  |  | $ | 83,425 |

The following is a reconciliation of segment profit to earnings before income taxes for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Total profit from reportable segments | $ | 42,518 |  |  | $ | 41,143 |  |  | $ | 89,621 |  |  | $ | 83,425 |
Unallocated amounts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Administrative costs | (6,488 | ) |  | (6,347 | ) |  | (12,969 | ) |  | (13,218 | )
Investment and other income | 1,377 |  |  | 1,056 |  |  | 1,360 |  |  | 1,272 |
Interest expense | (717 | ) |  | (829 | ) |  | (1,429 | ) |  | (1,692 | )
Earnings before income taxes | $ | 36,690 |  |  | $ | 35,023 |  |  | $ | 76,583 |  |  | $ | 69,787 |

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NOTE I – Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), or restricted and unrestricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees and non-employee directors. Certain awards may be subject to pre-established performance goals.
The options issued under the plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest over a three-year service period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Options issued under the plan, referred to herein as “service-based” stock options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant.
Restricted and unrestricted shares and RSUs issued under the plan have a grant date fair value equal to the average of the high and low trading price of the stock at the date of grant. Shares issued under the plan are referred to herein as either "service-based" or "performance-based" restricted shares and RSUs. The service-based RSUs granted under the plan generally vest over a three-year service period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. The performance-based RSUs granted under the plan generally vest at the end of a three-year service period provided specified financial performance metrics are met.
As of January 31, 2019, the Company has reserved 2,392,904 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options, RSUs, and restricted shares and 3,679,698 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain for future issuance of stock options, RSUs, and restricted and unrestricted shares under the plan. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under the plan.
The Company recognizes the compensation cost of all share-based awards at the time it is deemed probable the award will vest. This cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. If it is determined that it is unlikely the award will vest, the expense recognized to date for the award is reversed in the period in which this is evident and the remaining expense is not recorded. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company during the three months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $3,603 ($3,150 net of taxes) and $2,153 ($1,614 net of taxes), respectively. Expense recognized during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $7,805 ($6,896 net of taxes) and $5,897 ($4,423 net of taxes), respectively.
As of January 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-based compensation awards was $13,910 pre-tax, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.
The Company has estimated the grant date fair value of its service-based stock option awards granted during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table:

|  | Six months ended January 31,
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Expected term (in years) |  | 6.20 |  |  | 6.07 |
Expected volatility |  | 25.83 | % |  | 26.52 | %
Expected dividend yield |  | 2.71 | % |  | 2.72 | %
Risk-free interest rate |  | 3.01 | % |  | 1.96 | %
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date |  | $ | 43.96 |  |  | $ | 36.85 |
Weighted-average exercise price |  | $ | 43.96 |  |  | $ | 36.85 |
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period |  | $ | 9.70 |  |  | $ | 7.96 |

The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option.
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A summary of stock option activity under the Company’s share-based compensation plans for the six months ended January 31, 2019, is presented below:

Options |  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Exercise Price |  | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term |  | Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2018 |  | 2,504,633 |  | $ | 28.23 |  |  |  |  |
New grants |  | 276,238 |  | 43.96 |  |  |  |  |
Exercised |  | (799,529) |  | 27.32 |  |  |  |  |
Forfeited or expired |  | (24,809) |  | 37.37 |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding at January 31, 2019 |  | 1,956,533 |  | $ | 30.71 |  |  | 6.7 |  | $ | 26,750 |
Exercisable at January 31, 2019 |  | 1,378,591 |  | $ | 26.87 |  |  | 5.7 |  | $ | 24,141 |

There were 1,378,591 and 1,962,475 options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $26.87 and $26.61 at January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, based upon the average market price at the time of exercise during the period, was $13,394 and $2,935, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $2,849 and $3,004, respectively.
The cash received from the exercise of options during the three months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $5,179 and $6,699, respectively. The cash received from the exercise of options during the six months ended January 31, 2019, and 2018 was $17,317 and $9,948, respectively. The tax benefit on options exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $993 and $512, respectively. The tax benefit on options exercised during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $3,349 and $895, respectively.
The following table summarizes the RSU activity under the Company's share-based compensation plans for the six months ended January 31, 2019:

Service-Based RSUs |  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2018 |  | 342,856 |  |  | $ | 29.05 |
New grants |  | 78,254 |  |  | 44.00 |
Vested |  | (118,921 | ) |  | 28.12 |
Forfeited |  | (24,228 | ) |  | 30.53 |
Outstanding at January 31, 2019 |  | 277,961 |  |  | $ | 33.52 |

The service-based RSUs granted during the six months ended January 31, 2018, had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $36.68 per share. The total fair value of service-based RSUs vested during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, was $5,125 and $5,002, respectively.

Performance-Based RSUs |  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2018 |  | 108,097 |  |  | $ | 32.57 |
New grants |  | 50,313 |  |  | 50.70 |
Vested |  | — |  |  | — |
Forfeited |  | — |  |  | — |
Outstanding at January 31, 2019 |  | 158,410 |  |  | $ | 38.33 |

The performance-based RSUs granted during the six months ended January 31, 2018, had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $33.12 per share. The aggregate intrinsic value of unvested service-based and performance-based RSUs outstanding at January 31, 2019, and expected to vest was $19,510.
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NOTE J — Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair market value are classified in one of the following categories:
Level 1 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that are accessible as of the reporting date.
Level 2 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on other significant pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on significant unobservable pricing inputs to the extent little or no market data is available, which result in the use of management's own assumptions.
The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2019 and July 31, 2018, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values.

| Inputs Considered As |  |  |  |
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Fair Values |  | Balance Sheet Classifications
January 31, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trading securities | $ | 14,882 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 14,882 |  |  | Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts | — |  |  | 749 |  |  | 749 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total Assets | $ | 14,882 |  |  | $ | 749 |  |  | $ | 15,631 |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | — |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | Other current liabilities
Total Liabilities | $ | — |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  |
July 31, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trading securities | $ | 14,383 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 14,383 |  |  | Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts | — |  |  | 1,077 |  |  | 1,077 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total Assets | $ | 14,383 |  |  | $ | 1,077 |  |  | $ | 15,460 |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | Other current liabilities
Total Liabilities | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  |

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Trading securities: The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Foreign exchange contracts: The Company’s foreign exchange contracts were classified as Level 2 as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models that use observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. See Note K, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for additional information.
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value hierarchy levels outlined above during the six months ended January 31, 2019. In addition, the Company had no significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition during the six months ended January 31, 2019.
The Company’s financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosures above, include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities. The fair values of these financial instruments approximated carrying values because of their short-term nature.
The estimated fair value of the Company’s short-term and long-term debt obligations based on the quoted market prices for similar issues and on the current rates offered for debt of similar maturities was $53,847 and $55,707 at January 31, 2019 and July 31, 2018, respectively, as compared to the carrying value of $51,610 and $52,618 at January 31, 2019 and July 31, 2018, respectively.
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NOTE K — Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts. As of January 31, 2019 and July 31, 2018, the notional amount of outstanding forward exchange contracts was $17,010 and $32,667, respectively.
The Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward exchange contracts. Main exposures are related to transactions denominated in the Euro, Canadian dollar, and Mexican peso. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions.
Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Gains or losses on the derivative related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. As of January 31, 2019 and 2018, unrealized gains of $887 and losses of $856 have been included in OCI, respectively. Balances are reclassified from OCI to earnings when the hedged transactions impact earnings. For the three months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company reclassified gains of $240 and losses of$158 from OCI into earnings, respectively. For the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company reclassified gains of $287 and losses of $182 from OCI into earnings, respectively. At January 31, 2019, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts totaled $13,623, including contracts to sell Euros and Canadian dollars, and contracts to buy Mexican pesos.
Net Investment Hedges
As of April 30, 2017, €45 million of Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes were designated as net investment hedges to hedge portions of the Company's net investment in European operations. The Company’s foreign denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices.
Non-Designated Hedges
The Company recognized losses of $10 and $43 for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, and losses of $2 and gains of $20 for the three and six months ended January 31, 2018, respectively, in “Investment and other income” on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings related to non-designated hedges.
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Fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

| Asset Derivatives |  | Liability Derivatives
| January 31, 2019 |  | July 31, 2018 |  | January 31, 2019 |  | July 31, 2018
| Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 743 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 1,076 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | — |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | — |
Net investment hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency denominated debt | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | — |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | — |  |  | Long term obligations |  | 51,647 |  |  | Long term obligations |  | 52,668 |
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 743 |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,076 |  |  |  |  | $ | 51,647 |  |  |  |  | $ | 52,668 |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 6 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 1 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | 17 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | 3 |
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  |  |  | $ | 3 |

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NOTE L – Stockholders' Equity
The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of stockholders' equity for the three months ended January 31, 2019:

|  | Common Stock |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Treasury Stock |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  | Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at October 31, 2018 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 326,182 |  |  | $ | 570,858 |  |  | $ | (58,414 | ) |  | $ | (66,231 | ) |  | $ | 772,943 |
Net earnings |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 29,227 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 29,227 |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,666 |  |  | 5,666 |
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan |  | — |  |  | (162 | ) |  | — |  |  | 5,235 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,073 |
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions |  | — |  |  | 118 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 118 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  | — |  |  | 2,840 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,840 |
Purchase of shares of Class A Common Stock |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,319 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,319 | )
Cash dividends on Common Stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Class A — $0.21 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10,415 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10,415 | )
Class B — $0.21 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (752 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (752 | )
Balances at January 31, 2019 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 328,978 |  |  | $ | 588,918 |  |  | $ | (54,498 | ) |  | $ | (60,565 | ) |  | $ | 803,381 |

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of stockholders' equity for the six months ended January 31, 2019:

|  | Common Stock |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Treasury Stock |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  | Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at July 31, 2018 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 325,631 |  |  | $ | 553,454 |  |  | $ | (71,120 | ) |  | $ | (56,401 | ) |  | $ | 752,112 |
Net earnings |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 59,864 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 59,864 |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4,164 | ) |  | (4,164 | )
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan |  | — |  |  | (4,667 | ) |  | — |  |  | 19,804 |  |  | — |  |  | 15,137 |
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions |  | — |  |  | 209 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 209 |
Stock-based compensation expense (Note I) |  | — |  |  | 7,805 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7,805 |
Purchase of shares of Class A Common Stock |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3,182 | ) |  | — |  |  | (3,182 | )
Cumulative adjustment for ASU 2014-09, net of tax (Note B) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2,137 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2,137 | )
Cash dividends on Common Stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Class A — $0.43 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (20,818 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (20,818 | )
Class B — $0.41 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,445 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,445 | )
Balances at January 31, 2019 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 328,978 |  |  | $ | 588,918 |  |  | $ | (54,498 | ) |  | $ | (60,565 | ) |  | $ | 803,381 |

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The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of stockholders' equity for the three months ended January 31, 2018:

|  | Common Stock |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Treasury Stock |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  | Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at October 31, 2017 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 322,657 |  |  | $ | 522,334 |  |  | $ | (80,806 | ) |  | $ | (52,062 | ) |  | $ | 712,671 |
Net earnings |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,273 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,273 |
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 16,972 |  |  | 16,972 |
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan |  | — |  |  | 878 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,716 |  |  | — |  |  | 6,594 |
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions |  | — |  |  | 45 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 45 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  | — |  |  | 2,153 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,153 |
Cash dividends on Common Stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Class A — $0.21 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10,004 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10,004 | )
Class B — $0.21 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (731 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (731 | )
Balances at January 31, 2018 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 325,733 |  |  | $ | 515,872 |  |  | $ | (75,090 | ) |  | $ | (35,090 | ) |  | $ | 731,973 |

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of stockholders' equity for the six months ended January 31, 2018:

|  | Common Stock |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Treasury Stock |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  | Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances at July 31, 2017 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 322,608 |  |  | $ | 507,136 |  |  | $ | (85,470 | ) |  | $ | (44,682 | ) |  | $ | 700,140 |
Net earnings |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 30,109 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 30,109 |
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9,592 |  |  | 9,592 |
Issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under stock plan |  | — |  |  | (2,985 | ) |  | — |  |  | 10,802 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,817 |
Tax benefit and withholdings from deferred compensation distributions |  | — |  |  | 213 |  |  | — |  |  | (422 | ) |  | — |  |  | (209 | )
Stock-based compensation expense (Note I) |  | — |  |  | 5,897 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,897 |
Cash dividends on Common Stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Class A — $0.42 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (19,967 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (19,967 | )
Class B — $0.40 per share |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,406 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,406 | )
Balances at January 31, 2018 |  | $ | 548 |  |  | $ | 325,733 |  |  | $ | 515,872 |  |  | $ | (75,090 | ) |  | $ | (35,090 | ) |  | $ | 731,973 |

NOTE M — Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, were 20.3% and 21.8%, respectively. The Company expects its ongoing annual effective income tax rate to be in the mid-20 percent range based on its current global business mix. The effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, were lower than the expected income tax rate due to the favorable settlement of a foreign income tax matter, partially offset by an increase in the valuation allowance against foreign tax credit carryforwards.
The effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended January 31, 2018, were 87.8% and 56.9%, respectively. The income tax rates were significantly impacted by the recognition of additional tax expense of $21,060 primarily due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Reform Act") passed in December 2017.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued rules that allowed for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Reform Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. Provisional adjustments were recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2018. No significant adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded during the year ended July 31, 2018, have been recognized for the six months ended January 31, 2019. For
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further discussion on the impact of the Tax Reform Act, refer to Note 5 “Income Taxes” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2018.
NOTE N — Subsequent Events
On February 19, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock of $0.2125 per share payable on April 30, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 9, 2019.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Overview
Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The IDS segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance and innovative identification and healthcare products. The WPS segment provides workplace safety and compliance products, half of which are internally manufactured and half of which are externally sourced.
The long-term sales growth and profitability of our segments will depend not only on improved demand in end markets and the overall economic environment, but also on our ability to continuously improve operational excellence, focus on the customer, develop and market innovative new products, and to advance our digital capabilities. In our Identification Solutions ("ID Solutions" or "IDS") business, our strategy for growth includes an increased focus on certain industries and products, a focus on improving the customer buying experience, and increasing investment in research and development ("R&D") to develop new products. In our Workplace Safety ("WPS") business, our strategy for growth includes a focus on workplace safety critical industries, innovative new product offerings, compliance expertise, and improving our digital capabilities.
The following are key initiatives supporting the strategy in fiscal 2019:

• | Enhancing our innovation development process and the speed to deliver high-value, innovative products in alignment with our target markets.

• | Driving operational excellence and providing our customers with the highest level of customer service.

• | Executing sustainable efficiency gains within our selling, general, and administrative structures as well as throughout our global operations by making investments in equipment and machinery to drive automation.

• | Expanding and enhancing our digital presence.

• | Growing through focused sales and marketing actions in selected vertical markets and strategic accounts.

• | Enhancing our global employee development process to attract and retain key talent.

Results of Operations
A comparison of results of operating income for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, is as follows:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 |  | % Sales |  | 2018 |  | % Sales |  | 2019 |  | % Sales |  | 2018 |  | % Sales
Net sales | $ | 282,426 |  |  |  |  | $ | 287,780 |  |  |  |  | $ | 575,622 |  |  |  |  | $ | 577,931 |  |  |
Gross margin | 139,810 |  |  | 49.5 | % |  | 143,692 |  |  | 49.9 | % |  | 286,349 |  |  | 49.7 | % |  | 289,757 |  |  | 50.1 | %
Operating expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Research and development | 11,074 |  |  | 3.9 | % |  | 11,314 |  |  | 3.9 | % |  | 22,400 |  |  | 3.9 | % |  | 21,834 |  |  | 3.8 | %
Selling, general and administrative | 92,706 |  |  | 32.8 | % |  | 97,582 |  |  | 33.9 | % |  | 187,297 |  |  | 32.5 | % |  | 197,716 |  |  | 34.2 | %
Total operating expenses | 103,780 |  |  | 36.7 | % |  | 108,896 |  |  | 37.8 | % |  | 209,697 |  |  | 36.4 | % |  | 219,550 |  |  | 38.0 | %
Operating income | $ | 36,030 |  |  | 12.8 | % |  | $ | 34,796 |  |  | 12.1 | % |  | $ | 76,652 |  |  | 13.3 | % |  | $ | 70,207 |  |  | 12.1 | %

References in this Form 10-Q to “organic sales” refer to sales calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and divestitures. The Company's organic sales disclosures exclude the effects of foreign currency translation as foreign currency translation is subject to volatility that can obscure underlying business trends. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure of organic sales is meaningful to investors as it provides them with useful information to aid in identifying underlying sales trends in the Company's businesses and facilitating comparisons of sales performance with prior periods. All analytical commentary regarding the change in sales when compared to prior periods within the forthcoming sections are in reference to organic sales.
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Sales for the three months ended January 31, 2019, decreased 1.9% to $282.4 million, compared to $287.8 million in the same period of the prior year. The decrease in sales consisted of organic sales growth of 2.3%, more than offset by a negative currency impact of 2.6% and divestiture impact of 1.6%. Organic sales grew 3.6% in the IDS segment and declined 0.9% in the WPS segment during the three months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same period in the prior year. The IDS segment realized sales growth in the Product ID, Safety and Facility ID, and Wire ID product lines, partially offset by a decline in the Healthcare ID product line compared to the prior year. The WPS segment realized growth in digital channel sales offset by a decline in traditional catalog channel sales when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Sales for the six months ended January 31, 2019, decreased 0.4% to $575.6 million, compared to $577.9 million in the same period of the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 3.5%, more than offset by a negative currency impact of 2.2% and divestiture impact of 1.7%. Organic sales grew 4.6% in the IDS segment and 0.6% in the WPS segment during the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same period in the prior year. The IDS segment realized sales growth in the Product ID, Safety and Facility ID, and Wire ID product lines, partially offset by a decline in the Healthcare ID product line compared to the prior year. The WPS segment realized growth in digital channel sales and remained essentially flat in traditional catalog channel sales when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Gross margin decreased 2.7% to $139.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and 1.2% to $286.3 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $143.7 million and $289.8 million in the same periods of the prior year, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin decreased to 49.5% for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and 49.7% for the six months ended January 31, 2019, from 49.9% and 50.1% in the same periods of the prior year, respectively. The decreases in gross margin as a percentage of net sales were primarily due to increased input costs such as freight and personnel costs which were partially mitigated by our on-going efforts to streamline manufacturing processes and drive operational efficiencies, including increased automation in our manufacturing facilities.
R&D expenses for the three months ended January 31, 2019, decreased 2.1% to $11.1 million, compared to $11.3 million in the same period of the prior year, and increased 2.6% to $22.4 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $21.8 million in the same period of the prior year. The decrease in the three-month period was due to the timing of expenditures on ongoing projects. The increase in the six-month period was due to a planned increase in investments in the development of new products, including increased investments in new software and printer updates within the IDS segment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") include selling and administrative costs directly attributed to the IDS and WPS segments, as well as certain other corporate administrative expenses including finance, information technology, human resources, and other administrative expenses. SG&A decreased 5.0% to $92.7 million for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and 5.3% to $187.3 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $97.6 million and $197.7 million in the same periods of the prior year, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 32.8% for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and 32.5% for the six months ended January 31, 2019, from 33.9% and 34.2% in the same periods of the prior year, respectively. Slightly less than half of the decreases in both the three and six-month periods were due to a favorable impact of foreign currency translation, and the remainder of the decreases were due to the impact of the sale of a business in the prior year and ongoing efficiency activities throughout our SG&A functions.
Operating income increased 3.5% to $36.0 million for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and 9.2% to $76.7 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $34.8 million and $70.2 million in the same periods of the prior year, respectively. The increases in both the three and six-month periods were primarily due to increased organic sales and segment profit within our IDS business.
OPERATING INCOME TO NET EARNINGS

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 |  | % Sales |  | 2018 |  | % Sales |  | 2019 |  | % Sales |  | 2018 |  | % Sales
Operating income | $ | 36,030 |  |  | 12.8 | % |  | $ | 34,796 |  |  | 12.1 | % |  | $ | 76,652 |  |  | 13.3 | % |  | $ | 70,207 |  |  | 12.1 | %
Other income (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment and other income | 1,377 |  |  | 0.5 | % |  | 1,056 |  |  | 0.4 | % |  | 1,360 |  |  | 0.2 | % |  | 1,272 |  |  | 0.2 | %
Interest expense | (717 | ) |  | (0.3 | )% |  | (829 | ) |  | (0.3 | )% |  | (1,429 | ) |  | (0.2 | )% |  | (1,692 | ) |  | (0.3 | )%
Earnings before income tax | 36,690 |  |  | 13.0 | % |  | 35,023 |  |  | 12.2 | % |  | 76,583 |  |  | 13.3 | % |  | 69,787 |  |  | 12.1 | %
Income tax expense | 7,463 |  |  | 2.6 | % |  | 30,750 |  |  | 10.7 | % |  | 16,719 |  |  | 2.9 | % |  | 39,678 |  |  | 6.9 | %
Net earnings | $ | 29,227 |  |  | 10.3 | % |  | $ | 4,273 |  |  | 1.5 | % |  | $ | 59,864 |  |  | 10.4 | % |  | $ | 30,109 |  |  | 5.2 | %

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Investment and other income was $1.4 million for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to investment and other income of $1.1 million and $1.3 million in the same periods of the prior year, respectively. The increases in both the three and six-month periods were primarily due to an increase in investment income partially offset by a reduction in the market value of securities held in deferred compensation plans when compared to the same periods in the prior year.
Interest expense decreased to $0.7 million from $0.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and decreased to $1.4 million from $1.7 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. For both the three and six-month periods, the decreases in interest expense were due to the Company's declining principal balances under its outstanding debt agreements.
The Company’s income tax rate was 20.3% for the three months ended January 31, 2019, compared to 87.8% for the same period in the prior year. The income tax rate was 21.8% for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to 56.9% for the same period of the prior year. The decreases in the income tax rates were primarily due to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act during the prior period which resulted in $21.1 million of additional tax expense in the three and six-month periods ended January 31, 2018. Refer to Note M - Income Taxes for additional details regarding income taxes.
Business Segment Operating Results
The Company is organized and managed on a global basis within three operating segments, Identification Solutions, Workplace Safety, and People Identification ("People ID"), which aggregate into two reportable segments that are organized around businesses with consistent products and services: IDS and WPS. The Identification Solutions and People ID operating segments aggregate into the IDS reporting segment, while the WPS reporting segment is comprised solely of the Workplace Safety operating segment. The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit and customer sales. Interest expense, investment and other income, income tax expense, and certain corporate administrative expenses are excluded when evaluating segment performance.
The following is a summary of segment information for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, and 2018:

| Three months ended January 31, |  | Six months ended January 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Organic | 3.6 | % |  | 4.7 | % |  | 4.6 | % |  | 3.8 | %
Currency | (2.3 | )% |  | 3.4 | % |  | (1.9 | )% |  | 2.3 | %
Total | 1.3 | % |  | 8.1 | % |  | 2.7 | % |  | 6.1 | %
Workplace Safety |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Organic | (0.9 | )% |  | (0.5 | )% |  | 0.6 | % |  | (1.0 | )%
Currency | (3.3 | )% |  | 6.1 | % |  | (2.9 | )% |  | 4.7 | %
Divestitures | (5.8 | )% |  | — | % |  | (6.0 | )% |  | — | %
Total | (10.0 | )% |  | 5.6 | % |  | (8.3 | )% |  | 3.7 | %
Total Company |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Organic | 2.3 | % |  | 3.2 | % |  | 3.5 | % |  | 2.4 | %
Currency | (2.6 | )% |  | 4.2 | % |  | (2.2 | )% |  | 3.0 | %
Divestitures | (1.6 | )% |  | — | % |  | (1.7 | )% |  | — | %
Total | (1.9 | )% |  | 7.4 | % |  | (0.4 | )% |  | 5.4 | %
SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF NET SALES |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | 18.1 | % |  | 16.5 | % |  | 18.6 | % |  | 16.8 | %
Workplace Safety | 6.4 | % |  | 8.7 | % |  | 6.9 | % |  | 8.3 | %
Total | 15.1 | % |  | 14.3 | % |  | 15.6 | % |  | 14.4 | %

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ID Solutions
IDS sales increased 1.3% and 2.7% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales increased 3.6% and 4.6% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Foreign currency translation decreased sales by 2.3% and 1.9% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year.
Organic sales in the Americas grew in the mid-single digits for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales growth in the IDS Americas region for the three and six-month periods was driven by the Safety and Facility ID, Wire ID, and Product ID product lines, partially offset by a decline in the Healthcare ID product line. Organic sales grew in the mid-single digits in both the United States and the rest of the Americas for the three and six-month periods; in particular, increased printer and consumables sales throughout the region was a primary driver of the organic sales growth.
Organic sales in Europe grew in the low-single and mid-single digits for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The IDS Europe region realized organic sales growth in the Safety and Facility ID, Wire ID, and Product ID product lines for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales growth was led by businesses based in emerging geographies for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, and supplemented by businesses based in Western Europe for the six-month period.
Organic sales in Asia grew in the mid-single digits for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The IDS Asia region realized organic sales growth in the Product ID, Wire ID, and Safety and Facility ID product lines for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales in both the three and six-month periods were led by our businesses outside of China. Within China, organic sales grew in the low-single digits for both the three and six-month periods.
Segment profit increased to $37.9 million and $79.4 million for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to $34.1 million and $69.9 million in the same periods in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, segment profit increased to 18.1% and 18.6% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, from 16.5% and 16.8% in the same periods of the prior year. The increases in segment profit for both the three and six-month periods were driven by increased organic sales and efficiency gains throughout SG&A.
Workplace Safety
WPS sales decreased 10.0% and 8.3% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Organic sales declined 0.9% and increased 0.6% in the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Foreign currency translation decreased sales by 3.3% and 2.9% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The divestiture of a business resulted in decreased sales of 5.8% and 6.0% for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Digital channel sales realized low-single digit growth for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, when compared to the same periods in the prior year. Traditional catalog channel sales declined in the low-single digits and remained essentially flat for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, when compared to the same periods in the prior year.
The WPS business in Europe realized low-single digit organic sales growth for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The organic sales growth in the six-month period was driven primarily by businesses in France, the U.K., and Germany due to improvements in website functionality, growth in new customers, and key account management. Businesses in France primarily drove the growth in the three-month period. WPS Europe experienced nearly 12% growth in digital channel sales and traditional catalog sales remained essentially flat during the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year.
Organic sales in the Americas decreased in the high-single digits for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Traditional catalog channel sales declined in the mid-single digits for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. These declines were primarily in the U.S. due to lower response rates to catalog promotions. WPS Americas continued to experience the negative impact of the digital platform implemented in the prior year. As a result of this decrease in digital sales for both the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year, the Company transitioned to a new digital platform toward the end of the three months ended January 31, 2019.
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Organic sales in Australia grew in the mid-single and high-single digits in both the digital and traditional catalog channel for the three and six months ended January 31, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The Australian business is growing its customer base, and its diversified product offering continues to expand into additional target markets such as commercial and industrial construction.
Segment profit decreased to $4.7 million from $7.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and to $10.2 million from $13.5 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, segment profit decreased to 6.4% from 8.7% for the three months ended January 31, 2019, and to 6.9% from 8.3% for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decreases in segment profit were due to increased costs incurred to transition to a new digital platform during the current three-month period, as well as the divestiture of a business in the prior period, foreign currency translation, and the decrease in sales volumes in the North American business.
Financial Condition
Cash and cash equivalents increased $20.8 million and decreased $18.6 million during the six months ended January 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The significant changes were as follows:

| Six months ended January 31,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Net cash flow provided by (used in): |  |  |
Operating activities | $ | 44,188 |  |  | $ | 42,460 |
Investing activities | (12,579 | ) |  | (9,198 | )
Financing activities | (10,051 | ) |  | (53,642 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (776 | ) |  | 1,763 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20,782 |  |  | $ | (18,617 | )

Net cash provided by operating activities was $44.2 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $42.5 million in the same period of the prior year. The change was driven by an increase in net earnings adjusted for non-cash items, which was partially offset by an increase in cash used by working capital in support of growth when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Net cash used in investing activities was $12.6 million for the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $9.2 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash used in investing activities was driven by an increase in capital expenditures for the purchase of manufacturing equipment and facility upgrades primarily in the U.S.-based businesses.
Net cash used in financing activities was $10.1 million during the six months ended January 31, 2019, compared to $53.6 million in the same period of the prior year. The change was primarily due to a decrease of $39.9 million in net credit facility repayments and an increase of $7.4 million in proceeds from stock option exercises when compared to the same period in the prior year.
On May 13, 2010, the Company completed a private placement of €75.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. The €75.0 million of senior notes consisted of €30.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.71% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, which were repaid during fiscal 2017, and €45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.24% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, due May 13, 2020, with interest payable on the notes semiannually. This private placement was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.
On September 25, 2015, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an unsecured $300 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of six banks. At the Company's option, and subject to certain conditions, the available amount under the revolving loan agreement may be increased from $300 million to $450 million. As of January 31, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding on the credit facility, and the maximum outstanding balance during the six months ended January 31, 2019, was $5.7 million. The Company also had letters of credit outstanding under the loan agreement of $3.0 million as of January 31, 2019, and there was $297.0 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased to $447.0 million at the Company's option, subject to certain conditions. The revolving loan agreement has a final maturity date of September 25, 2020. As such, the borrowing is included in "Long-term obligations" on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s debt agreements require it to maintain certain financial covenants, including a ratio of debt to the trailing 12 months EBITDA, as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.25 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio) and the trailing 12 months
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EBITDA to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of January 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants, with the leverage ratio, as defined by the agreements, equal to 0.3 to 1.0 and the interest expense coverage ratio equal to 66.6 to 1.0.
The Company's cash balances are generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world. At January 31, 2019, approximately 62% of the Company's cash and cash equivalents were held outside the United States. The Company's growth has historically been funded by a combination of cash provided by operating activities and debt financing. The Company believes that its cash flow from operating activities and its borrowing capacity are sufficient to fund its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, common stock repurchases, scheduled debt repayments, and dividend payments for the next 12 months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have material off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company is not aware of factors that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity trends, other than the risk factors described in this and other Company filings. However, the following additional information is provided to assist those reviewing the Company’s financial statements.
Operating Leases - The leases generally are entered into for investments in facilities such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses and office space, computer equipment and Company vehicles.
Purchase Commitments - The Company has purchase commitments for materials, supplies, services, and property, plant and equipment as part of the ordinary conduct of its business. In the aggregate, such commitments are not in excess of current market prices and are not material to the financial position of the Company. Due to the proprietary nature of many of the Company’s materials and processes, certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early termination. The Company does not believe a material amount of penalties will be incurred under these contracts based upon historical experience and current expectations.
Other Contractual Obligations - The Company does not have material financial guarantees or other contractual commitments that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.
The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from:

• | Brady's ability to compete effectively or to successfully execute our strategy

• | Brady's ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet customer demands

• | Difficulties in protecting our sites, networks, and systems against security breaches

• | Decreased demand for the Company's products

• | Brady's ability to retain large customers

• | Extensive regulations by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self regulatory entities

• | Risks associated with the loss of key employees

• | Divestitures, contingent liabilities from divestitures and the failure to identify, integrate, and grow acquired companies

• | Litigation, including product liability claims

• | Brady's ability to execute facility consolidations and maintain acceptable operational service metrics

• | Foreign currency fluctuations

• | The impact of the U.S. Tax Reform Act and any other changes in tax legislation and tax rates

• | Potential write-offs of Brady's substantial intangible assets

• | Differing interests of voting and non-voting shareholders

• | Brady's ability to meet certain financial covenants required by our debt agreements

• | Numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of Brady's Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2018.

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These uncertainties may cause Brady's actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Refer to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2018. There has been no material change in this information since July 31, 2018.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Brady Corporation maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
There were no significant changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company has a share repurchase program for the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The plan may be implemented by purchasing shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company's stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. On February 16, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of 2,000,000 shares. The Company repurchased 32,771 shares at an average price of $40.24 per share during the three months ended January 31, 2019. As of January 31, 2019, there were 1,879,218 shares authorized to purchase in connection with this share repurchase program.
The following table provides information with respect to the purchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock during the three months ended January 31, 2019:

Period |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased |  | Average Price paid per share |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans |  | Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
November 1, 2018 - November 30, 2018 |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,911,989 |
December 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018 |  | 32,771 |  |  | 40.24 |  |  | 32,771 |  |  | 1,879,218 |
January 1, 2019 - January 31, 2019 |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,879,218 |
Total |  | 32,771 |  |  | $ | 40.24 |  |  | 32,771 |  |  | 1,879,218 |

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) | Exhibits

31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of J. Michael Nauman
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Aaron J. Pearce
32.1 | Section 1350 Certification of J. Michael Nauman
32.2 | Section 1350 Certification of Aaron J. Pearce
101 | Interactive Data File

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

|  |  |  |  |  | BRADY CORPORATION
Date: February 21, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  | /s/ J. MICHAEL NAUMAN
|  |  |  |  |  | J. Michael Nauman
|  |  |  |  |  | President and Chief Executive Officer
|  |  |  |  |  | (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 21, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  | /s/ AARON J. PEARCE
|  |  |  |  |  | Aaron J. Pearce
|  |  |  |  |  | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|  |  |  |  |  | (Principal Financial Officer)

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