The obligations under the Credit Facilities are secured on a senior basis by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company, The Men’s Wearhouse and its U.S. subsidiaries and, in the case of the ABL Facility, Moores The Suit People. The Credit Facilities and the related guarantees and security interests granted thereunder are senior secured obligations of, and will rank equally with all present and future senior indebtedness of the Company, the co-borrowers and the respective guarantors.
The Senior Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis by Tailored Brands, Inc. and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries. The Senior Notes and the related guarantees are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and the guarantors, respectively, and will rank equally with all of the Company's and each guarantor's present and future senior indebtedness. The Senior Notes will mature in July 2022. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable in January and July of each year.
Cash Flow Activities
Operating activities — Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.3 million and $198.0 million for the first six months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The $164.7 million decrease was driven by lower net earnings, after adjusting for certain non-cash items primarily related to last year’s extinguishment of debt, an increase in inventories, and fluctuations in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities primarily due to timing. The increase in inventories was primarily driven by higher levels of raw materials, including fabric in support of basic, replenishment product.
Investing activities — Net cash used in investing activities was $39.1 million and $6.9 million for the first six months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The $32.2 million increase was primarily driven by $17.8 million of net proceeds from the divestiture of MW Cleaners and an increase in capital expenditures resulting from projects that shifted from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2019.
Financing activities — Net cash used in financing activities was $29.6 million and $224.1 million for the first six months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The $194.5 million decrease primarily reflects the impact of a reduction in debt repayments this year compared to last year.
Dividends — Cash dividends paid were $18.8 million and $18.7 million for the first six months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. During each of the quarters ended August 3, 2019 and August 4, 2018, we declared quarterly dividends of $0.18 per share.
Share repurchase program — In March 2013, the Board approved a share repurchase program for our common stock. At August 3, 2019, the remaining balance available under the Board's authorization was $48.0 million. During the first six months of 2019 and 2018, no shares were repurchased in open market transactions under the Board's authorization.
Capital allocation policy update — After extensive review, on September 11, 2019, the Company announced its Board approved an update to the Company’s capital allocation policy. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2019, our quarterly cash dividend will be suspended and redeployed for accelerated debt reduction and share repurchases. Suspending the quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share is expected to make available approximately $36.5 million on an annualized basis.
Future Sources and Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash are to finance working capital requirements of our operations and to repay our indebtedness. In addition, we will use cash to fund capital expenditures, income taxes, operating leases, share repurchases and various other commitments and obligations, as they arise.
During the first six months of 2019, we borrowed and repaid amounts under our ABL Facility with the maximum borrowing outstanding at any point in time totaling $100.0 million.
Although we have not provided a full year outlook for capital expenditures in fiscal 2019, we continue to expect a moderate increase in capital expenditures compared to fiscal 2018. Capital expenditures will include costs for store refreshes and other enhancements of our store fleet, investments in technology, and investment in other corporate assets.
Additionally, market conditions may produce attractive opportunities for us to make acquisitions. Any such acquisitions may be undertaken as an alternative to opening new stores. We may use cash on hand, together with cash flow from operations, borrowings under our Credit Facilities and issuances of debt or equity securities, to take advantage of any acquisition opportunities.