__________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 11-K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Mark One) (X) Annual Report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (No fee required, effective October 7, 1996) For Year Ended: January 31, 1998 ( ) Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (No fee required) For the transition period from ___________________ to __________________ Commission File Number: 333-27813 A. Full title of plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below: Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office: Saks Incorporated 750 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211 _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURES The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Saks Fith Avenue Retirement Savings Plan ______________________________ (Name of Plan) Dated: June 29, 1999 By: /s/ Douglas E. Coltharp _________________________ Douglas E. Coltharp Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description of Document Page 23 Consent of Independent Accountants Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Table of Contents Page Report of Independent Accountants 1 Financial Statements: Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information, as of December 31, 1998 2 Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information, as of December 31, 1997 3 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information, for the year ended December 31, 1998 4 Notes to Financial Statements 5-12 Supplemental Schedules: *Item 27a - Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes as of December 31, 1998 13 *Item 27d - Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the year ended December 31, 1998 14-15 *Refers to item number in Form 5500 (Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan)for the plan year ended September 30, 1998. REPORT of INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Plan Asset Committee of the Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan: In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for plan benefits of the Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the year ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. Our audit of the Plan's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1998, was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules, as listed on the accompanying index, are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements, but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan's management. The fund information in the statement of net assets available for benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to present the net assets available for benefits and changes in net assets available for benefits of each fund. The supplemental schedules and fund information have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998, and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule of reportable transactions that accompanies the Plan's financial statements does not disclose the historical cost of certain plan investments sold during the plan year. Disclosure of this information is required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Birmingham, Alabama June 25, 1999 Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information as of December 31, 1998 Asset Asset Interest U.S. Participant Asset Manager- Manager - Income Equity Loan Balanced Magellan Manager Growth Income Fund Index Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ASSETS Participant directed investments in accounts established by Fidelity Management Trust Company, at fair value $54,010,239 $36,284,449 $10,397,212 $35,396,506 $8,748,543 $14,022,977 $3,281,614 Receivables: Participant loans $6,827,516 Contributions 86,351 92,878 34,573 127,683 21,483 43,416 12,502 Other (57,018) 31,644 2,829 55,263 766 3,432 1,184 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total assets 54,039,572 36,408,971 6,827,516 10,434,614 35,579,452 8,770,792 14,069,825 3,295,300 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- LIABILITIES Administrative expenses payable (3,746) 5,506 5,126 3,721 2,773 2,018 3,442 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Net assets available for benefits $54,043,318 $36,403,465 $6,827,516 $10,429,488 $35,575,731 $8,768,019 $14,067,807 $3,291,858 ========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== =========== ========== Saks PIMCO Low Incorporated Growth Total Priced Stock & Income OverseasReturn Bond Stock Fund Contrafund Fund Fund Fund Fund Total -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ASSETS Participant directed investments in acc- ounts established by Fidelity Management Trust Company, at fair value $851,341 $4,587,479 $7,675,398 $1,392,478 $431,348 $263,502 $177,343,086 Receivables: Participant loans 6,827,516 Contributions 10,541 37,551 72,501 16,044 7,910 8,903 572,336 Other (3,680) 10,484 5,221 9,817 (4,977) 289 55,254 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- Total assets 858,202 4,635,514 7,753,120 1,418,339 434,281 272,694 184,798,192 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- LIABILITIES Administrative expenses payable 101 1,108 6,806 148 947 105 28,055 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- Net assets available for benefits $858,101 $4,634,406 $7,746,314 $1,418,191 $433,334 $272,589 $184,770,137 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= ======== ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information as of December 31, 1997 Asset Interest U.S. Participant Asset Manager- Income Equity Loan Balanced Magellan Manager Growth Fund Index Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund --------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- --------- ---------- ASSETS Participant directed investments in acc- ounts established by Fidelity Management Trust Company, at fair value $50,707,104 $27,507,535 $8,042,212 $24,152,973 $8,158,574 $11,635,824 Receivables: Participant loans $5,878,480 Contributions 105,476 47,465 24,588 58,508 19,664 30,823 Other 24,499 9,134 2,510 9,720 2,589 4,006 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets 50,837,079 27,564,134 5,878,480 8,069,310 24,221,201 8,180,827 11,670,653 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- LIABILITIES Administrative expenses payable 28,268 4,771 3,543 3,116 2,815 2,608 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets available for benefits $50,808,811 $27,559,363 $5,878,480 $8,065,767 $24,218,085 $8,178,012 $11,668,045 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Asset Saks Manager-Incorporated Growth & Income Stock Income Overseas Fund Fund Contrafund Fund Fund Total ASSETS -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- ---------- Participant directed investments in acc- ounts established by Fidelity Management Trust Company, at fair value $2,666,316 $362,982 $2,224,323 $3,037,373 $753,889 $139,249,105 Receivables: Participant loans 5,878,480 Contributions 11,658 1,996 10,313 14,159 4,335 328,985 Other 1,253 60 1,328 1,092 276 56,467 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets 2,679,227 365,038 2,235,964 3,052,624 758,500 145,513,037 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- LIABILITIES Administrative expeneses payable 2,597 31 488 2,277 86 50,600 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets available for benefits $2,676,630 $365,007 $2,235,476 $3,050,347 $758,414 $145,462,437 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information as of December 31, 1998 Asset Asset Interest U.S. Participant Asset Manager Manager Income Equitity Loan Balanced Magellan Manager Growth Income Fund Index Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Additions to net assets attributed to: Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments $7,210,450 $710,081 $7,014,179 $(340,933) $199,943 $29,297 Interest income $3,183,861 705,197 990,165 1,582,926 1,589,061 1,942,335 260,315 Dividend income 112,957 24,073 115,799 31,613 47,307 10,948 Participant contri- butions 4,257,738 3,502,613 1,339,354 4,172,362 956,883 1,875,552 559,483 Employer contri- butions 704,093 547,326 215,849 679,650 165,321 304,956 90,776 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- --------- ---------- ------- 8,145,692 12,078,543 3,279,522 13,564,916 2,401,945 4,370,093 950,819 Deductions from net assets attributed to: Benefit and with- drawal payments 4,867,905 2,471,424 $390,313 636,538 1,735,025 788,840 852,012 140,639 Administrative expenses 155,515 31,078 28,509 19,592 16,965 13,921 19,751 ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------- -------- 3,122,272 9,576,041 (390,313) 2,614,475 11,810,299 1,596,140 3,504,160 790,429 Interfund transfers, net 112,235 (731,939) 1,339,349 (250,754) (452,653) (1,006,133) (1,104,398) (175,201) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- --------- Net increase 3,234,507 8,844,102 949,036 2,363,721 11,357,646 590,007 2,399,762 615,228 Net assets available for benefits, be- ginning of year 50,808,811 27,559,363 5,878,480 8,065,767 24,218,085 8,178,012 11,668,045 2,676,630 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- Net assets available for benefits, end of year $54,043,318 $36,403,465 $6,827,516 $10,429,488 $35,575,731 $8,768,019 $14,067,807 $3,291,858 =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== =========== ========== Saks PIMCO Low Incorporated Growth & Total Priced Stock Income Overseas Return Bond Stock Fund Contrafund Fund Fund Fund Fund Total ------- --------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- Additions to net assets attributed to: Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments $138,947 $586,037 $993,013 $81,573 $(13,023) $11,474 $16,621,038 Interest income 336,931 344,025 26,706 22,604 6,238 10,990,364 Dividend income 3,244 18,727 32,226 6,718 2,058 2,142 407,812 Participant contri- butions 287,298 1,065,814 1,891,244 461,576 164,216 168,670 20,702,803 Employer contri- butions 46,868 157,652 297,252 74,216 22,449 26,815 3,333,223 ------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- 476,357 2,165,161 3,557,760 650,789 198,304 215,339 52,055,240 Deductions from net assets attributed to: Benefit and withdrawal payments 30,257 225,042 190,485 86,458 1,802 2,907 12,419,647 Administrative expenses 413 5,343 32,249 696 3,053 808 327,893 ------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- 445,687 1,934,776 3,335,026 563,635 193,449 211,624 39,307,700 Interfund transfers, net 47,407 464,154 1,360,941 96,142 239,885 60,965 ------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- Net increase 493,094 2,398,930 4,695,967 659,777 433,334 272,589 39,307,700 Net assets available for benefits, be- ginning of year 365,007 2,235,476 3,050,347 758,414 145,462,437 ------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------- Net assets available for benefits, end of year $858,101$4,634,406 $7,746,314$1,418,191 $433,334 $272,589$184,770,137 =================== ============================== ====================== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements 1. Description of the Plan The following brief description of the Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan") is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description. General - The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees of the Saks Fifth Avenue division of Saks Incorporated and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). Investment Options - Investment options may be changed, added or deleted from the Plan at the election of the Plan Asset Committee (the "Committee"). During 1998, two additional options were added to the Plan: the PIMCO Total Return Bond Fund and the Low-Priced Stock Fund. On September 17, 1998, the former parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue merged with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Proffitt's, Inc. In connection with the merger, Proffitt's, Inc. changed its corporate name to Saks Incorporated. Accordingly, all shares of Saks Fifth Avenue stock held by the Plan in the Saks Fifth Avenue Stock Fund were converted to Saks Incorporated common stock during the current year. Participants may elect to invest their contributions in any one or a combination of the following investment options: the Interest Income Fund, the U.S. Equity Index Fund, the Balanced Fund, the Magellan Fund, the Asset Manager Fund, the Asset Manager-Growth Fund, the Asset Manager-Income Fund, the Saks Incorporated Stock Fund, the Contrafund, the Growth & Income Fund, the Overseas Fund, the PIMCO Total Return Bond Fund, and the Low-Priced Stock Fund. The Interest Income Fund is invested in individual guaranteed investment contracts ("GICs"), an open-end commingled pool of investment contracts (Managed Income Portfolio II), individual asset-backed investment contracts and short-term investments. The U.S. Equity Index Fund is invested primarily in equity securities in a wide range of companies. The Balanced Fund is invested in a diversified portfolio of fixed income and equity securities. The Magellan Fund invests in equity securities, and securities convertible to equity. The Asset Manager, Asset Manager-Growth, and Asset Manager-Income Funds all invest, to differing degrees, in domestic and foreign equities, fixed income and short-term instruments. The Saks Incorporated Stock Fund invests in Saks Incorporated common stock and is measured in units of participation rather than in shares of Saks Incorporated common stock. The Contrafund and the Low-Priced Stock Fund are growth funds that invest mainly in equity securities of companies where value is not fully recognized by the public. The Growth & Income Fund is invested in equity securities that combine current income and capital appreciation. The Overseas Fund is invested primarily in the equity securities of companies whose principal activities are outside of the United States. The PIMCO Total Return Bond Fund invests in various types of bonds, including U.S. Government, corporate, mortgage, and foreign. Plan Administrator and Trustee - The Plan is sponsored by the Company and administered on a day-to-day basis by the plan administrator, who was appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company, was established to oversee the investment of plan assets. The Fidelity Management Trust Company ("the Trustee") was appointed by the Committee and acts as Trustee, recordkeeper and investment manager of the Plan at the direction of the Committee. Eligibility - Generally, an employee, subject to certain exceptions, may elect to participate in the Plan after completing 12 months of employment, during which time he or she has at least 1,000 hours of service and has attained age 21. Contributions - Participants may elect for regular payroll deductions, ranging from 1% to a maximum of 16% of compensation, as defined, to be contributed to the Plan on a before- or after-tax basis, or both. No participant shall be permitted to elect before-tax contributions under the Plan during any calendar year in excess of the amount prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") ($10,000 for 1998). Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or contribution plans ("rollover contributions") provided such contributions meet the requirements of the Plan document. Company matching contributions must comply with applicable provisions of the Code and are remitted to the Trustee after each pay period. During 1997, the Company's matching contribution rate was 25% of the first 6% of compensation contributed to the Plan by a participant. Effective April 1, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors increased the matching rate to 28% of the first 6% of compensation contributed to the plan by a participant. Matching contribution rates for plan years 1999 and 2000 will be 31% and 33% of the first 6% of compensation contributed to the plan by a participant, respectively. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, contributions receivable consisted of participant contributions of $480,292 and $282,482, respectively, and a Company matching contribution of $92,044 and $46,503, respectively. Participant Accounts - Participants may elect to invest in one or more of the thirteen investment options in 1% increments. The contribution rate, investment mix and contribution allocation can be changed by the participant on any business day. Transfers of existing investments between funds is also permissible upon election. The net investment gain or loss for each of the investment funds is allocated daily to each participant's elective and matching accounts in the proportion which each account bears to the total of each corresponding fund. Payment of Benefits - Generally, a participant is entitled to his or her daily total account balance coincident with or immediately following age 65. Additionally, a participant is entitled to the full value of his or her account as of the valuation date coincident with or immediately following disability. Upon the death of a participant, the beneficiary will receive the full value of his or her account as of the valuation date coincident with or immediately following the date of death. Benefits are recorded when paid. Vesting - The Company matching account vests according to the following schedule: Years of Vesting Service Percent Vested -------------------------- ---------------- Less than 2 years 0% 2 but less than 3 25% 3 but less than 4 50% 4 but less than 5 75% 5 years or more 100% Employee contributions, including rollover contributions, are always fully vested. Forfeitures - Participants who terminate employment, but have not become fully vested, forfeit the unvested balances in their accounts. In accordance with the Plan document, the forfeiture amount is applied toward Company matching contributions. Forfeitures aggregated $153,377 for the year ended December 31, 1998. Withdrawals - A participant may withdraw all or a portion of the value of his or her after-tax contribution account or rollover account. The withdrawal may not be more frequent than once every three months. Upon attaining age 59-1/2, a participant may withdraw all or a portion of his or her vested account balances. Additionally, a participant may withdraw from his or her before-tax contribution account and Company matching account, to the extent vested, for financial hardship. Generally, these hardship withdrawals must be for at least $500 and may not be more frequent than once every three months. Participant contributions to the Plan will be suspended for 12 months after making a hardship withdrawal. Loans - A participant may borrow from the vested portion of his or her account. The minimum amount of any loan is $1,000. The maximum amount of a loan is equal to the lesser of $50,000, or 50% of the vested value of his or her account less any other outstanding loans. Only two loans are permitted at a time. Loans are collateralized by the balance in the participant's account. Interest rates are determined by the plan administrator. For the year ended December 31, 1998, interest rates were determined to be the prime rate as of the first day of the month the loan is initiated, plus 1%. Generally, the repayment period is not less than six months or more than five years, except that a loan to purchase a primary residence may have a term exceeding five years. Administrative Expenses - Expenses incurred with respect to the administration of the Plan are paid from the assets of the Plan to the extent allowed under ERISA. To the extent such expenses are not paid by the Plan, they are paid by the Company. 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation - The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Risks and Uncertainties - The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, mutual funds and other investment securities. Generally all investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect participants' account balances, and the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits. Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Valuation of Investments and Income Recognition - investments in guaranteed investment contracts are stated at contract value, which approximates fair value, as reported by the Trustee. The average yield for the Interest Income Fund was 5.98% and 6.11% for 1998 and 1997, respectively. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the crediting interest rates of the investment contracts ranged from 5.10% to 8.03% and 5.16% to 8.03%, respectively. Generally, contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest at the contract rate, less funds used to purchase annuities, withdrawals made pursuant to contract terms and administration expenses charged by the companies entering into the contracts with the Plan. Investments in the Trustee's Magellan, Balanced, U.S. Equity Index, Asset Manager, Asset Manager-Growth, Asset Manager-Income, Contrafund, Growth and Income, Overseas, PIMCO Total Return Bond, and Low-Priced Stock Funds are listed on an exchange and valued at the latest quoted market prices. Investments in the Company's own stock are valued at the latest quoted market prices. Short-term investments are reflected at original cost. Accreted discount on investments is included in interest income. The value of investments at original cost plus the amount of accreted discount approximates fair value. Loans to participants are valued at cost which approximates fair value. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Plan presents in the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits, with fund information, the net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of its investments, which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments. Participants are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the Trustee or nonperformance by the companies in which the investments are placed. Set forth below are the major categories of investments at December 31, 1998 and 1997: 1998 1997 ----------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Per Per Unit Shares Fair Unit Share Fair Shares Value Value (a) Shares Value Value (a) -------- -------- -------- ------- -------- -------- Interest Income Fund $54,010,239 $1.00 $54,010,239(b) 50,707,104 $1.00 50,707,104(b) U.S. Equity Index fund 825,397 43.96 36,284,449(b) 786,379 34.98 27,507,535(b) Balanced Fund 635,526 16.36 10,397,212(b) 526,667 15.27 8,042,212(b) Magellan Fund 292,969 120.82 35,396,506(b) 253,521 95.27 24,152,973(b) Asset Manager Fund 503,079 17.39 8,748,543 444,609 18.35 8,158,574(b) Asset Manager-Growth Fund 750,695 18.68 14,022,977(b) 629,644 18.48 11,635,824(b) Asset Manager-Income Fund 266,365 12.32 3,281,614 218,909 12.18 2,666,316 Saks Incorporated Stock Fund (c) 92,437 9.21 851,341 48,919 7.42 362,982 Contrafund 80,780 56.79 4,587,479 47,701 46.63 2,224,323 Growth & Income Fund 167,439 45.84 7,675,398 79,721 38.10 3,037,373 Overseas Fund 38,701 35.98 1,392,478 23,168 33 753,889 PIMCO Total Return Bond Fund 40,925 10.54 431,348 Low-Priced Stock Fund 11,532 22.85 263,502 ---------- ---------- Total at fair market value $177,343,086 $139,249,105 ============ ============ Total at cost $147,424,453 $122,342,595 ============ ============ (a) Reported at contract value with respect to GICs. (b) Investments which represent more than 5% of net assets available for benefits. (c) The Saks Incorporated Stock Fund is measured in "Units" of participation rather than in shares of Saks Incorporated common stock. 3. Guaranteed Investment Contracts At December 31, 1998 and 1997, investments in GICs consisted of the following: 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- Guaranteed investment contracts: Combined Insurance (contract #CG-1040) maturing on September 30, 1999, bearing interest at 6.22% $3,770,253 $3,549,476 Lincoln National (contract #GA 09596) maturing on September 29, 1999, bearing interest at 5.16% 3,494,686 3,494,686 New York Life (contract #GA 30372) maturing on March 31, 1999, bearing interest at 6.14% 4,852,968 4,572,233 Ohio National Life Insurance Company (contract #GA 5723) maturing on March 31, 1999, bearing interest at 6.08% 2,663,810 2,511,134 Peoples Security Life (contract #BDA00562FR-00) maturing on September 30, 1998, bearing interest at 6.10% 3,540,488 Principal Mutual (contract #41517701) maturing on September 30, 1999, bearing interest at 8.03% 2,762,899 2,557,529 Sun Life of Canada (contract #S-0854-G) maturing on September 30, 1999, bearing interest at 5.80% 3,456,864 3,267,357 Protective Life (contract #GA-1195) maturing on September 30, 1998, bearing interest at 6.08% 2,780,478 ------------ ----------- Total guaranteed investment contracts $21,001,480 $26,273,381 Interest rates stated in connection with the GICs are net of the annual rate charged for administrative expenses. 4. Short-Term Investments At December 31, 1998 and 1997, short-term investments consisted of the following: 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- Short-term investments: Fidelity STIF (Cash Portfolio) open maturity, bearing interest at 5.10% and 5.63% in 1998 and 1997, respectively $1,484,578 $1,472,506 Deutsche Bank ABS (DISCV932A/SAKS1) maturing on January 15, 1999 and 1998, bearing interest at 7.21% 1,040,726 2,467,293 Deutsche Bank ABS (CCT916/SAKS2) maturing on May 7 1997, bearing interest at 7.20% 2,287,227 Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II (633 GCSF) open maturity, bearing interest at 6.13% in 1998 and 1997 23,237,638 10,904,856 Monumental Life ABS (BDA00201TR-02) maturing on February 16, 1999 and February 18, 1998, bearing interest at 5.97% 2,473,261 2,481,729 Monumental Life ABS (BDA00201TR-04) maturing on January 15, 1999 and 1998, bearing interest at 5.97% 2,392,039 2,383,189 Monumental Life ABS (BDA00201TR-05) maturing on February 17, 1999 and February 16, 1998, bearing interest at 5.69% 2,380,517 2,436,923 ---------- ----------- Total short-term investments $33,008,759 $24,433,723 5. Plan Termination Although it has not expressed any intention to terminate the Plan, the Company has the right to do so at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of the termination of the Plan, the account balances of participants shall be nonforfeitable. 6. Form 5500 Any differences existing between the Form 5500 and the numbers included in this report relate to accruals reflected in the financial statements and amounts allocated to withdrawing participants on the Form 5500 for benefit claims that were processed and approved for payment before December 31, 1998, but that had not yet been paid. 7. Tax Status On September 22, 1995, the Company received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service as to the qualified tax-exempt status of the Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code. This status exempts the Plan from Federal income taxes. The plan administrator believes that the Plan continues to qualify and operate in compliance with applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. 8. Related Party Transactions Certain Plan investments represent shares in mutual funds or a short term investment fund managed by Fidelity Management Trust Company, the Trustee, which is, therefore, a party-in-interest. Fees paid by the Plan to the Trustee for the investment-management and record-keeping services amounted to $327,893 in 1998. The amount owed by the Plan to the Trustee at December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $28,055 and $50,600, respectively. Supplemental Schedules Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Item 27a - Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes as of December 31, 1998 c. Description of Investment Including Maturity b. Identity Of Issuer, Borrower, Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par, Or e. Curent a. Lessor, Or Similar Party Marturity Value d. Cost (2) Value - --- -------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ----------- --------- (1) Fidelity Magellan Fund Mutual Fund $25,291,056 $35,396,506(3) (1) Fidelity U.S. Equity Index Fund Mutual Fund 21,598,557 36,284,449(3) (1) Fidelity Balanced Fund Mutual Fund 9,032,381 10,397,212(3) (1) Fidelity Asset Manager Fund Mutual Fund 8,340,967 8,748,543 (1) Fidelity Asset Manager-Growth Fund Mutual Fund 12,677,126 14,022,977(3) (1) Fidelity Asset Manager - Income Fund Mutual Fund 3,122,258 3,281,614 (1) Saks Incorporated Common Stock Fund Unitized Stock Fund 777,819 851,341 (1) Fidelity Contrafund Mutual Fund 4,013,194 4,587,479 (1) Fidelity Growth & Income Fund Mutual Fund 6,543,972 7,675,398 (1) Fidelity Overseas Fund Mutual Fund 1,321,691 1,392,478 (1) Fidelity PIMCO Total Return Bond Fund Mutual Fund 443,415 431,348 (1) Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund Mutual Fund 251,778 263,502 ----------- ----------- Total Fidelity Mutual Funds 93,414,214 123,332,847 ----------- ----------- Combined Insurance #CG-1040 Guaranteed investment contract, matures September 30, 1999 and bears interest at 6.22% 3,770,253 3,770,253 Lincoln National #GR6021 Guaranteed investment contract, matures September 29, 1999 and bears interest at 5.16% 3,494,686 3,494,686 New York Life #GA30372 Guaranteed investment contract, matures March 31, 1999 and bears interest at 6.14% 4,852,968 4,852,968 Ohio National Life #GA5723 Guaranteed investment contract, matures March 31, 1999 and bears interest at 6.08% 2,663,810 2,663,810 Principal Mutual #41517701 Guaranteed investment contract, matures September 30, 1999 and bears interest at 8.03% 2,762,899 2,762,899 Sun Life of Canada #S-0854-G Guaranteed investment contract, matures September 30, 1999 and bears interest at 5.80% 3,456,864 3,456,864 ----------- ----------- Total guaranteed investment contracts 21,001,480 21,001,480 ----------- ----------- Various Short-Term Investments 33,008,759 33,008,759 ----------- ----------- Total investments $147,424,453 $177,343,086 ============= ============= Loans to participants: Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan participant loans $6,827,516 $6,827,516 ============= ============= (1) These assets held for investment purposes are held with a party-in- interest. (2) GICs are stated at contact value. Generally, the contract value and cost of the GICs represent contributions made under the contract, plus interest at the contract rate, less funds used to purchase annuities, withdrawals made pursuant to contract terms and administrative expenses charged by the companies entering into the contracts with the Plan. (3) Represents 5% or more of the net assets available for plan benefits. Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Item 27d - Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the year ended December 31, 1998 I. Single transactions exceeding 5% of assets. NONE II. Series of transactions involving property other than securities. NONE III. Series of transactions of same issue exceeding 5% of assets. Schedule Attached NOTE - Information required in columns e, f, and h is not applicable. IV. Transactions in conjunction with same person involved in reportable single transactions. NONE Saks Fifth Avenue Retirement Savings Plan Item 27d (III) - Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the year ended December 31, 1998 c. Purchases d. Sales a. Identity Of b. Description ---------------------------------------- g. Cost of i. Net Gain Party Involved Of Asset Price Number Price Number Asset (Loss) - ------------------------ -------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ----------- --------- Fidelity Magellan Fund Mutual Fund $9,739,168 251 $5,509,815 246 * * Fidelity Asset Manager- Growth Fund Mutual Fund $4,790,480 240 $2,603,270 232 * * U.S. Equity Index Fund Mutual Fund $8,852,043 252 $7,285,580 249 * * Fidelity FMTC Institutional Money Market Fund Money Market Fund $25,301,502 236 $25,393,820 254 $25,393,820 $0 Fidelity IPL Comingled Pool Money Market Fund $12,609,672 236 $1,072,000 254 $1,072,000 $0 * The historical cost of investments cannot be determined as the information is not available from the ordinary business records maintained by Fidelity Management Trust Company.