UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
450 Fifth Street NW
Washington, D.C. 29549

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):     November 17, 2017     

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: 

  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) 

  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a‑12) 

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) 

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth 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. ¨

Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 16, 2017, The Cato Corporation issued a press release regarding its financial results for the third quarter ending October 28, 2017.  A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 – Press Release issued November 16, 2017.

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.

                                                                                    THE CATO CORPORATION

The CATO Corporation

                                           NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                        CEO Approval ________

For Further Information Contact:

            John R. Howe

            Executive Vice President

            Chief Financial Officer

            704-551-7315

Charlotte, NC (November 16, 2017) – The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today reported net income of $2.7 million for the third quarter ended October 28, 2017, compared to net income of $8.3 million for the third quarter ended October 29, 2016.  Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter were $0.11, compared to $0.30 last year.  Sales for the third quarter ended October 28, 2017 were $188.4 million, a 9% decrease from sales of $207.0 million for the third quarter ended October 29, 2016.  Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 9%.

“Consistent with our previous releases, pressure on merchandise margins and profitability persist as we continue to work through our merchandise missteps,” stated John Cato, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.  “The negative sales trends are below our expectations and, consequently, we continue to expect our full year earnings to be significantly below last year.”

For the nine months ended October 28, 2017, the Company earned net income of $24.0 million, compared to net income of $60.0 million for the nine months ended October 29, 2016.  Earnings per diluted share were $0.93 compared to $2.17 last year.  Sales for the nine months ended October 28, 2017 were $631.0 million, a decrease of 13% from sales of $729.2 million for the nine months ended October 29, 2016.  Year-to-date same-store sales decreased 14%.

For the quarter, the gross margin rate decreased to 33.9% of sales from 35.5% last year, primarily due to lower merchandise margins and deleveraging of occupancy expenses.  The SG&A rate for the quarter increased to 33.0% from 32.8% last year primarily due to deleveraging of expenses offset by cost savings initiatives implemented in the third quarter.  Income tax for the quarter was a benefit of $2.8 million compared to a benefit of $4.9 million last year.  The company ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $218.6 million.

Year-to-date, the gross margin rate decreased to 34.8% of sales from 38.7% the prior year primarily due to lower merchandise margins and deleveraging of expenses.  The year-to-date SG&A rate was 30.1% versus 28.3% last year primarily due to deleveraging of expenses partially offset by cost savings initiatives.  Income tax for the year was a benefit of $0.3 million compared to an expense of $11.5 million last year.

The Company has opened six new stores during 2017, down from our original plan of 13 stores and expects to close 26 stores versus our original plan of 19 stores.  Additionally, two stores have been relocated.  As of October 28, 2017, the Company operated 1,370 stores in 33 states, compared to 1,372 stores in 33 states as of October 29, 2016.

The Cato Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of value-priced fashion apparel and accessories operating three concepts, “Cato”, “Versona” and “It’s Fashion”.  The Company’s Cato stores offer exclusive merchandise with fashion and quality comparable to mall specialty stores at low prices every day.  The Company also offers exclusive merchandise found in its Cato stores at www.catofashions.com.  Versona is a unique fashion destination offering apparel and accessories including jewelry, handbags and shoes at exceptional prices every day.  Select Versona merchandise can also be found at www.shopversona.com.  It’s Fashion offers fashion with a focus on the latest trendy styles for the entire family at low prices every day.

Statements in this press release not historical in nature including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expected or estimated operational and financial results are considered “forward-looking” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: any actual or perceived deterioration in the conditions that drive consumer confidence and spending, including, but not limited to, levels of unemployment, fuel, energy and food costs, wage rates, tax rates, home values, consumer net worth and the availability of credit; uncertainties regarding the impact of any governmental responses to the foregoing conditions; competitive factors and pricing pressures; our ability to predict and respond to rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer demands; adverse weather or similar conditions that may affect our sales or operations; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand, including the ability to liquidate excess inventory at anticipated margins; and other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and in other reports the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from time to time.  The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that the projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. The Company is not responsible for any changes made to this press release by wire or Internet services.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 28, 2017 AND OCTOBER 29, 2016

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)