GameStop Corp. (GME) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto. Statements regarding future economic performance, management’s plans and objectives, and any statements concerning assumptions related to the foregoing contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations constitute forward-looking statements. Certain factors, which may cause actual results to vary materially from these forward-looking statements, accompany such statements or appear elsewhere in this Form 10-K, including the disclosures under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
In Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we provide a detailed analysis for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. For a comparison of our results of operations for fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, see “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023, as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023.
OVERVIEW
GameStop Corp. (“GameStop,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation established in 1996, is a leading specialty retailer offering games and entertainment products through its thousands of stores and ecommerce platforms.
BUSINESS PRIORITIES
GameStop is following a strategic plan to fully leverage its unique position and brand recognition in gaming through a new phase of transformation. Our strategic plan is designed to optimize our core business and achieve profitability.
GameStop is actively focused on the below objectives:
•Establish Omnichannel Retail Excellence. We aim to be the leading destination for games and entertainment products through our stores and ecommerce platforms. To accomplish this, we are taking steps to ensure we are a fast and convenient solution for our customers. This includes increased product availability across all channels, faster fulfillment through ship from store offerings, and a further improved customer service experience.
•Achieve Profitability. During fiscal 2023, we continued to optimize our cost structure to align with our current and anticipated future needs. We will continue to focus on cost containment as we look to operate with increased efficiency.
•Leverage Brand Equity to Support Growth. GameStop has many strengths and assets, including strong household brand recognition and a significant store network.
We believe these efforts are important aspects of our continued business to enable long-term value creation for our shareholders.
As part of our efforts to achieve sustained profitability, we continue to evaluate our portfolio of assets to validate their strategic and financial fit and to eliminate redundancies. During fiscal 2023, we exited our operations in Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria. While we expect our cost containment efforts to yield reductions in SG&A expenses in the long term, we have incurred and may continue to incur non-recurring costs related to these efforts in the short term.
Investments
On December 5, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a new investment policy (the “Investment Policy”). Subsequently, on March 21, 2024, the Board of Directors unanimously authorized revisions to the Investment Policy to codify the role of certain members of the Board of Directors in overseeing the Company’s investments. In accordance with the revised Investment Policy, the Board of Directors has delegated authority to manage the Company’s portfolio of securities investments to an Investment Committee consisting of the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Cohen, and two independent members of the Board of Directors, together with such personnel and advisors as the Investment Committee may choose. The Company’s investments must conform to guidelines set forth in the revised Investment Policy or be approved by either the Investment Committee, by unanimous vote, or the full Board of Directors, by majority vote. Additionally, the Investment Committee may recommend to the Board of Directors further modifications to the Investment Policy from time to time.
The Investment Committee will direct the investment activity of the Company in public and private markets pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors. Depending on certain market conditions and various risk factors, Mr. Cohen or other members of the Investment Committee, each in their personal capacity or through affiliated investment vehicles, may at times invest in the same securities in which the Company invests. The Board anticipates that such investments will align the interests of the Company with the interests of related parties because it places the personal resources of such
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directors at risk in substantially the same manner as resources of the Company in connection with investment decisions made by the Investment Committee on behalf of the Company.
STORE COUNT INFORMATION
The following table presents the number of stores by segment as of the end of fiscal 2023 compared to the end of fiscal 2022.
| January 28, 2023 | Openings | Disposals | February 3, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2,949 | 35 | (69) | 2,915 | ||||||
| Canada | 216 | — | (13) | 203 | ||||||
| Australia | 419 | 4 | (19) | 404 | ||||||
| Europe | 829 | 4 | (186) | 647 | ||||||
| Total Stores | 4,413 | 43 | (287) | 4,169 |
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents certain statement of operations items (in millions) and as a percentage of net sales:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Percent of Net Sales | Amount | Percent of Net Sales | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 5,272.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,927.2 | 100.0 | % | $ | (654.4) | (11.0) | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 3,978.6 | 75.5 | 4,555.1 | 76.9 | (576.5) | (12.7) | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,294.2 | 24.5 | 1,372.1 | 23.1 | (77.9) | (5.7) | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 1,323.9 | 25.1 | 1,681.0 | 28.4 | (357.1) | (21.2) | |||||||||||||||
| Asset impairments | 4.8 | 0.1 | 2.7 | — | 2.1 | 77.8 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (34.5) | (0.7) | (311.6) | (5.3) | 277.1 | 88.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income, net | (49.5) | (0.9) | (9.5) | (0.2) | (40.0) | (421.1) | |||||||||||||||
| Other loss, net | 1.9 | — | — | — | 1.9 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 13.1 | 0.2 | (302.1) | (5.1) | 315.2 | NM(1) | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense, net | 6.4 | 0.1 | 11.0 | 0.2 | (4.6) | (41.8) | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 6.7 | 0.1 | % | $ | (313.1) | (5.3) | % | $ | 319.8 | NM(1) |
(1) “NM” is data that is not meaningful.
Net Sales
The following table presents net sales by significant product category:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales | Percent of Net Sales | Net Sales | Percent of Net Sales | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Hardware and accessories | $ | 2,996.8 | 56.8 | % | $ | 3,140.0 | 53.0 | % | $ | (143.2) | (4.6) | % | |||||||||
| Software | 1,522.0 | 28.9 | 1,822.6 | 30.7 | (300.6) | (16.5) | |||||||||||||||
| Collectibles | 754.0 | 14.3 | 964.6 | 16.3 | (210.6) | (21.8) | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 5,272.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,927.2 | 100.0 | % | $ | (654.4) | (11.0) | % |
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The following table presents net sales by reportable segment:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales | Percent of Net Sales | Net Sales | Percent of Net Sales | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3,429.4 | 65.1 | % | $ | 4,093.0 | 69.1 | % | $ | (663.6) | (16.2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Canada | 292.5 | 5.5 | 344.1 | 5.8 | (51.6) | (15.0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Australia | 522.5 | 9.9 | 588.7 | 9.9 | (66.2) | (11.2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 1,028.4 | 19.5 | 901.4 | 15.2 | 127.0 | 14.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 5,272.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,927.2 | 100.0 | % | $ | (654.4) | (11.0) | % |
During fiscal 2023, total net sales decreased 11.0% compared to the prior year, with net sales in our United States, Canada and Australia segments decreasing by 16.2%, 15.0% and 11.2%, respectively, compared to the prior year, and net sales in our Europe segment increasing by 14.1% compared to the prior year. The decrease in consolidated net sales in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to a $300.6 million or 16.5%, decline in the sales of software, a $210.6 million or 21.8%, decline in the sales of collectibles, and a $191.1 million or 11.8%, decline in the sales of video game accessories, partially offset by a $47.9 million or 3.2%, increase in the sales of new hardware driven in part by decreased supply constraints in our Europe segment in the current year.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased $77.9 million or 5.7%, in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year, and gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 24.5% in fiscal 2023 compared to 23.1% in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit is primarily attributable to the decrease in net sales, as further outlined in the net sales commentary, partially offset by a $83.5 million or 42.2%, decrease in freight expenses resulting from a decline in net sales and added cost optimizations.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses decreased $357.1 million or 21.2%, in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year, and SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased to 25.1%, in fiscal 2023, compared to 28.4% the prior year. The decline in SG&A expenses in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year is primarily attributable to a $316.3 million reduction in labor-related costs, consulting services costs, and marketing expenses, driven by our continued focus on cost reduction efforts. SG&A expenses also declined in fiscal 2023 due to a one-time digital asset impairment of $33.7 million recognized in fiscal 2022. Store related costs decreased $12.3 million in the current year in connection with store closures, primarily in our European segment.
Asset Impairments
Asset impairments related to store-level assets increased $2.1 million or 77.8%, in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year. During fiscal 2023, we recognized asset impairment charges of $4.8 million compared to asset impairment charges of $2.7 million in fiscal 2022. See Item 8, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 9, "Asset Impairments," for additional information related to the impact of impairment charges by segment.
Interest Income, Net
During fiscal 2023, we recognized net interest income of $49.5 million compared to net interest income of $9.5 million in fiscal 2022. The impact is primarily attributable to interest income increasing as a result of higher returns on invested cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.
Income Tax Expense, Net
We recognized income tax expense of $6.4 million in fiscal 2023, compared to income tax expense of $11.0 million in fiscal 2022. We recognized an effective tax rate of 48.9% in fiscal 2023 compared to an effective tax rate of (3.6)% in fiscal 2022. This decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to the settlement of positions with certain taxing authorities and reductions in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the lapse of applicable statute of limitations. See Item 8, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 15, "Income Taxes," for additional information.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
| February 3, 2024 | January 28, 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 921.7 | $ | 1,139.0 | |||
| Marketable securities | 277.6 | 251.6 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 1,199.3 | $ | 1,390.6 |
Sources of Liquidity; Uses of Capital
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash from operations, cash on hand, and borrowings from the capital markets, which include our revolving credit facilities. As of February 3, 2024, we had total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand of $921.7 million, marketable securities of $277.6 million, and an additional $475.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facilities.
Our cash and cash equivalents are carried at fair value and consist primarily of U.S. government bonds and notes, money market funds, cash deposits with commercial banks, and highly rated direct short-term instruments that mature in 90 days or less.
Our marketable securities are also carried at fair value and include investments in certain highly-rated short-term government notes, government bills, and time deposits. Our marketable securities have a maturity date of greater than 90 days but less than one year. As of February 3, 2024, the investment portfolios' aggregate balance was $280.2 million, of which $277.6 million are recognized in marketable securities and $2.6 million are recognized in cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate and consider certain strategic operating alternatives, including divestitures, restructuring or dissolution of unprofitable business segments, uses for our excess cash, as well as equity and debt financing alternatives that we believe may enhance stockholder value. The nature, amount and timing of any strategic operational change, or financing transactions that we might pursue will depend on a variety of factors, including, as of the applicable time, our available cash and liquidity and operating performance; our commitments and obligations; our capital requirements; limitations imposed under our credit arrangements; and overall market conditions.
On December 5, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a new Investment Policy. Subsequently, on March 21, 2024, the
Board of Directors amended the new Investment Policy. See "Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Investments” for more information. Gains and losses on marketable securities may fluctuate significantly from period to period in the future and could have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations. However, the amount of gain or loss on marketable securities for any given period may have no predictive value and variations in amount from period to period may have no analytical value.
Some of our vendors have requested and may continue to request credit support collateral for our inventory purchase obligations and the levels of such collateral will depend on a variety of factors, including our inventory purchase levels, available payment terms for inventories, availability of borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, favorable credit terms and costs of providing collateral.
In fiscal 2021, six separate unsecured term loans held by our French subsidiary, Micromania SAS, for a total of €40.0 million were extended for five years. As of February 3, 2024, $28.5 million remains outstanding.
In November 2021, we entered into a credit agreement for a secured asset-based credit facility comprised of a $500 million revolving line of credit which matures in November 2026 ("2026 Revolver"). The 2026 Revolver includes a $50 million swing loan revolving sub-facility, a $50 million Canadian revolving sub-facility, and a $250 million letter of credit sublimit.
As of February 3, 2024, based on our borrowing base and amounts reserved for outstanding letters of credit, total availability under the 2026 Revolver was $475.7 million, with no outstanding borrowings. As of February 3, 2024, outstanding standby letters of credit were $5.1 million.
On March 22, 2024, the Company delivered an irrevocable notice pursuant to the 2026 Revolver that reduces the $500 million revolving line of credit to $250 million. The 2026 Revolver will continue to include a $50 million swing loan sub-facility, a $50M Canadian sub-facility and a $250 million letter of credit sublimit. After giving effect to this notice, availability under the 2026 Revolver would have been $225.7 million as of February 3, 2024.
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Separate from the 2026 Revolver, we maintain uncommitted facilities with certain lenders that provide for the issuance of letters of credit and bank guarantees, at times supported by cash collateral. As of February 3, 2024, we had outstanding letters of credit and other bank guarantees in the amount of $10.1 million outside of the 2026 Revolver, of which $8.8 million were supported by cash collateral and are included in restricted cash.
Cash Flows
The following table presents a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | (203.7) | $ | 108.2 | $ | (311.9) | |||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (33.2) | (222.7) | 189.5 | ||||||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (11.6) | (7.9) | (3.7) | ||||||||
| Exchange rate effect on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (8.6) | (1.5) | (7.1) | ||||||||
| Decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (257.1) | $ | (123.9) | $ | (133.2) |
Operating Activities
In fiscal 2023, cash flows provided by operating activities were an outflow of $203.7 million, compared with an inflow of $108.2 million in fiscal 2022.
Cash used in operating activities during fiscal 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and the impact of our net income. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities was primarily due to the timing of payments for merchandise inventory as a result of an additional week in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022.
Cash provided by operating activities during fiscal 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in merchandise inventory levels and the collection of $176.0 million in tax refunds, partially offset by the impact of our net loss. The decrease in merchandise inventory was due to improved inventory management, including a more disciplined purchasing strategy, more advantageous product mix ahead of the fiscal 2022 holiday season, and an improvement in supply chain constraints.
Investing activities
In fiscal 2023, cash flows used in investing activities were an outflow of $33.2 million compared to an outflow of $222.7 million in fiscal 2022.
Cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2023 was primarily due to purchases of marketable securities, ongoing technological investments, and store-related capital expenditures, partially offset by proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities, and proceeds from the sale of property and equipment in our Europe segment.
Cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2022 was primarily due to purchases of marketable securities and investments in technology and supply chain efficiencies, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of digital assets.
Financing activities
In fiscal 2023, cash flows used in financing activities were an outflow of $11.6 million compared to an outflow of $7.9 million in fiscal 2022.
Cash used in financing activities during fiscal 2023 and 2022 was attributable to the repayments on our government-guaranteed low interest French term loans due October 2022 through October 2026 and the settlement of stock-based awards.
Share Repurchases
On March 4, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization allowing us to repurchase up to $300.0 million of our Class A Common Stock. The authorization has no expiration date.
We did not repurchase shares during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021. As of February 3, 2024, we have $101.3 million remaining under the repurchase authorization.
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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of February 3, 2024 other than those disclosed in Item 8, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 16, "Commitments and Contingencies".
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing these financial statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used by us could have a significant impact on our financial results, and actual results could differ from those estimates. Our senior management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies, as well as the significant accounting policies disclosed in Item 8, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reporting of transactions and events, and the estimates these policies involve our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.
Valuation of Merchandise Inventories
Our merchandise inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market generally using the average cost method. Under the average cost method, as new product is received from vendors, its current cost is added to the existing cost of product on-hand and this amount is re-averaged over the cumulative units. Pre-owned gaming systems traded in by customers are recorded as inventory at the amount of the store credit given to the customer. In valuing inventory, we are required to make assumptions regarding the necessity of reserves required to value potentially obsolete or over-valued items at the lower of cost or market. We consider quantities on hand, recent sales, potential price protections and returns to vendors, among other factors, when making these assumptions.
Our ability to gauge these factors is dependent upon our ability to forecast customer demand and to provide a well-balanced merchandise assortment. Any inability to forecast customer demand properly could lead to increased costs associated with write-downs of inventory to reflect volumes or pricing of inventory which we believe represents the net realizable value. A 10% change in our obsolescence reserve percentage at February 3, 2024 would have affected net earnings by approximately $2.9 million in fiscal 2023.
Customer Liabilities
Our GameStop Pro® rewards program allows paid members to earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for rewards that include discounts or coupons. We allocate the transaction price between the product and loyalty points earned based on the relative stand-alone selling prices and expected point redemption. The portion allocated to the loyalty points is initially recorded as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized as revenue upon redemption or expiration. The two primary estimates utilized to record the deferred revenue for loyalty points earned by members are the estimated retail price per point and estimated amount of points that will never be redeemed, which is a concept known in the retail industry as "breakage." Additionally, we sell gift cards to our customers in our retail stores, through our website and through selected third parties. At the point of sale, a liability is established for the value of the gift card. We recognize revenue from gift cards when the card is redeemed by the customer and recognize estimated breakage on gift cards in proportion to historical redemption patterns.
The two primary estimates utilized to record the balance sheet liability for loyalty points earned by members are the estimated redemption rate and the estimated weighted-average retail price per point redeemed. We use historical redemption rates experienced under our loyalty program as a basis for estimating the ultimate redemption rate of points earned. We estimate breakage of loyalty points and unredeemed gift cards based on historical redemption rates. The weighted-average retail price per point redeemed is based on our most recent actual loyalty point redemptions and is adjusted as appropriate for recent changes in redemption values, including the mix of rewards redeemed. Our estimate of the amount and timing of gift card redemptions is based primarily on historical transaction experience.
We continually evaluate our methodology and assumptions based on developments in redemption patterns, retail price per point redeemed and other factors. Changes in the ultimate redemption rate and weighted-average retail price per point redeemed have the effect of either increasing or decreasing the deferred revenue balance through current period revenue by an amount estimated to cover the retail value of all points previously earned but not yet redeemed by loyalty program members as of the end of the reporting period. A 10% change in our customer loyalty program redemption rate or a 10% change in our weighted-average retail value per point redeemed at February 3, 2024, in each case, would have affected
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net earnings by approximately $1.7 million in fiscal 2023. A 10% change in our gift card breakage rate at February 3, 2024 would have affected net earnings by approximately $10.9 million in fiscal 2023.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes utilizing an asset and liability approach, and deferred taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effect of differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. As a result of our operations in many foreign countries, our global tax rate is derived from a combination of applicable tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which we operate.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD"), supported by 140 of their member countries, have agreed to implement a minimum 15% tax rate on certain multinational enterprises and have released model guidance. This global minimum tax, known as the Pillar Two framework, will become effective across various countries starting in 2024, as each country works to enact legislation influenced by the OECD Pillar Two rules. While the Company does not expect the adoption of the Pillar Two framework to have a material impact on its effective tax rate, the Company continues to evaluate additional guidance released by the OECD, along with the pending and adopted legislation in each of the countries in which we operate.
Additionally, a valuation allowance is recorded against a deferred tax asset if it is not more likely than not that the asset will be realized. We assess the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. Several factors are considered in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets, including the remaining years available for carry forward, the tax laws for the applicable jurisdictions, the future profitability of the specific business units, and tax planning strategies. Based on our analysis, we have determined that it is more likely than not that some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our valuation allowances decreased to $355.2 million as of February 3, 2024, primarily due to the reduction of deferred tax assets resulting from the wind-down of our operations in Ireland, utilization of deferred tax assets, and the settlement of a U.S. federal tax audit. See Item 8, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 15, "Income Taxes," for additional information.
We maintain accruals for uncertain tax positions until examination of the tax year is completed by the taxing authority, available review periods expire, or additional facts and circumstances cause us to change our assessment of the appropriate accrual amount. Our liability for uncertain tax positions was $6.8 million as of February 3, 2024. Considerable management judgment is necessary to assess the inherent uncertainties related to the interpretations of complex tax laws, regulations and taxing authority rulings, as well as to the expiration of statutes of limitations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We base our estimate of an annual effective tax rate at any given point in time on a calculated mix of the tax rates applicable to our operations and to estimates of the amount of income to be derived in any given jurisdiction. We file our tax returns based on our understanding of the appropriate tax rules and regulations. However, complexities in the tax rules and our operations, as well as positions taken publicly by the taxing authorities, may lead us to conclude that accruals for uncertain tax positions are required.
Our judgments and estimates concerning uncertain tax positions may change as a result of evaluation of new information, such as the outcome of tax audits or changes to or further interpretations of tax laws and regulations. Our judgments and estimates concerning realizability of deferred tax assets could change if any of the evaluation factors change. If such changes take place, there is a risk that our effective tax rate could increase or decrease in any period, impacting our net earnings.
RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Item 8, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3, "New Accounting Pronouncements," for recent accounting standards and pronouncements.