|
Equity
|
12 Months Ended |
|---|---|
|
Jul. 28, 2012
|
|
| Equity | 18. Equity
Capital Stock
The Company’s capital stock consists of one class of common stock and one class of preferred stock. There are 360 million shares of common stock authorized to be issued and 100 thousand shares of preferred stock authorized to be issued. There are no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock Split
In April 2012, the Company effected a two-for-one common stock split (“stock split”) to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2012. The stock split was effectuated through a 100% stock dividend and entitled each stockholder of record to receive one additional share of common stock for each share of common stock they owned. As such, approximately 77.0 million shares outstanding immediately prior to the stock split were converted into 153.9 million shares after the stock split. The Company recorded an increase in common stock of $0.8 million and corresponding decrease in additional-paid-in-capital as a result of the stock split. In addition, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and other restricted equity awards has been adjusted to reflect the stock split. All common share and per common share data, except par value per share, presented in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes has been adjusted to reflect the stock split.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In Fiscal 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program (the “2010 Stock Repurchase Program”). The program was then expanded in Fiscal 2011 to cover an additional $100 million of authorized purchases. Under the 2010 Stock Repurchase Program, purchases of shares of common stock may be made at the Company’s discretion from time to time, subject to overall business and market conditions.
In Fiscal 2012, 2.7 million shares of common stock were repurchased by the Company at an aggregate cost of $37.2 million under its repurchase program. In Fiscal 2011, 5.0 million shares of common stock were repurchased by the Company at an aggregate cost of $72.9 million under its repurchase program. In Fiscal 2010, 3.1 million shares of common stock were repurchased by the Company at an aggregate cost of $37.9 million. Repurchased shares normally are retired and treated as authorized but unissued shares.
The remaining availability under the 2010 Stock Repurchase Program was approximately $89.9 million at July 28, 2012.
Dividends
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its common stock. However, payment of dividends is within the discretion and are payable when declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. Additionally, payments of dividends are limited by the Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement as described in the Note 14, “Revolving Credit Agreement.”
The Ascena Reorganization
Effective January 1, 2011, Ascena became the successor reporting company to The Dress Barn, Inc. pursuant to an internal corporate reorganization (the “Ascena Reorganization”). As part of the reorganization, each of The Dress Barn, Inc., Maurices Incorporated and Tween Brands, which operate under the dressbarn, maurices and Justice brands, respectively, became wholly owned subsidiaries of a new holding company named Ascena Retail Group, Inc. The Dress Barn, Inc.’s shareholders became stockholders of Ascena on a one-for-one basis, holding the same number of shares and same ownership percentages after the reorganization as they held immediately prior to the reorganization.
The reorganization was effectuated through the conversion of 78.9 million shares of The Dress Barn, Inc.’s common stock (with a par value of $0.05 per share) into an equal number of shares of Ascena common stock (with a par value of $0.01 per share). The conversion resulted in a decrease in the par value of common stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet during the second quarter of Fiscal 2011 with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in-capital. The Ascena Reorganization was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control; therefore, there was no revaluation of The Dress Barn, Inc.’s consolidated assets and liabilities, and the Company continues to use the historical cost basis method of accounting. |