SEC Filing | Xcel Brands, Inc.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

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

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File Number: 001-37527

XCEL BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		76-0307819
(State or Other Jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)		Identification No.)

	1333 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018
	(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(347) 727-2474

(Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer ¨

Smaller reporting company x

Emerging growth company x

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. ¨

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of May 7, 2018, there were 18,259,262 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of the issuer outstanding.

XCEL BRANDS, INC.

INDEX

		Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements	3

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	3

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	4

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5

	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	25

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	25

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION		26

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	26

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	26

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	26

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	26

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	26

Item 5.	Other Information	26

Item 6.	Exhibits	26

	Signatures	27

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Xcel Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
	(Unaudited)			(Note 1)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,896		$	10,185
Accounts receivable, net		9,328			8,528
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		658			592
Total current assets		18,882			19,305
Property and equipment, net		3,290			2,376
Trademarks and other intangibles, net		109,837			110,120
Restricted cash		1,509			1,509
Other assets		1,696			1,708
Total non-current assets		116,332			115,713

Total Assets	$	135,214		$	135,018

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	1,553		$	1,260
Accrued payroll		2,253			2,270
Deferred revenue		24			16
Current portion of long-term debt		5,475			5,459
Current portion of long-term debt, contingent obligations		100			100
Total current liabilities		9,405			9,105
Long-Term Liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current portion		17,696			19,389
Deferred tax liabilities, net		6,801			6,375
Other long-term liabilities		2,420			2,455
Total long-term liabilities		26,917			28,219
Total Liabilities		36,322			37,324

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding		-			-
Common stock, $.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and 18,367,149 and 18,318,961 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively		18			18
Paid-in capital		99,695			98,997
Accumulated deficit		(821	)		(1,321	)
Total Stockholders' Equity		98,892			97,694

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	135,214		$	135,018

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Xcel Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2018		2017

Net licensing revenue	$	8,481	$	8,430
Sales		285		-
Total revenue		8,766		8,430
Cost of goods sold (sales)		180		-
Net revenue		8,586		8,430

Operating costs and expenses
Salaries, benefits and employment taxes		4,425		4,367
Other design and marketing costs		738		871
Other selling, general and administrative expenses		1,293		1,280
Stock-based compensation		507		1,083
Depreciation and amortization		411		394
Total operating costs and expenses		7,374		7,995

Operating income		1,212		435

Interest and finance expense
Interest expense - term debt		248		328
Other interest and finance charges		38		50
Total interest and finance expense		286		378

Income before income taxes		926		57

Income tax provision		426		456

Net income (loss)	$	500	$	(399	)

Basic net income (loss) per share	$	0.03	$	(0.02	)

Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	0.03	$	(0.02	)

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		18,333,912		18,674,943
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		18,716,802		18,674,973

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Xcel Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017

Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	500		$	(399	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense		411			394
Amortization of deferred finance costs		44			50
Stock-based compensation		507			1,083
Amortization of note discount		10			9
Deferred income tax provision		426			456
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(800	)		(1,737	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(59	)		(83	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities		557			(647	)
Deferred revenue		8			(159	)
Other liabilities		(35	)		21
Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities		1,569			(1,012	)

Cash flows from investing activities
Cost to acquire intangible assets		-			(18	)
Purchase of property and equipment		(1,043	)		(135	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,043	)		(153	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Shares repurchased including vested restricted stock in exchange for withholding taxes		(90	)		(795	)
Payment of deferred finance costs		-			(7	)
Payment of long-term debt		(1,725	)		(1,959	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,815	)		(2,761	)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,289	)		(3,926	)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period		11,694			15,636

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	10,405		$	11,710

Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,896		$	10,201
Restricted cash		1,509			1,509
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	10,405		$	11,710

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$	8		$	110
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	276		$	370

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Nature of Operations, Background, and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 (which has been derived from audited financial statements) and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared following the same policies and procedures used in the preparation of the audited consolidated financial statements and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Xcel Brands, Inc. (“Xcel”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The results of operations for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or for any future interim periods. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018.

The Company is a consumer products company. It is engaged in the design, production, licensing, marketing, and direct-to-consumer sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, jewelry, home goods, and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. The Company has developed a Fast-to-Market capability driven by its proprietary integrated technology platform. Currently, the Company’s brand portfolio consists of the Isaac Mizrahi brand (the "Isaac Mizrahi Brand"), the Judith Ripka brand (the “Ripka Brand”), the H by Halston and H Halston brands (collectively, the “H Halston Brands”), the C Wonder brand (the “C Wonder Brand”), and the Highline Collective brand

The Company licenses its brands to third parties, provides certain design, production, and marketing and distribution services, and generates licensing, design, and service fee revenues through contractual arrangements with manufacturers and retailers. This includes licensing its own brands for promotion and distribution through a ubiquitous-channel retail sales strategy, which includes distribution through interactive television, the internet, and traditional brick-and-mortar retail channels.

Commencing this quarter, the Company separately presents in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations sales and cost of goods sold relating to its jewelry wholesale and e-commerce operations. We had no ending inventory as of March 31, 2018 as all inventory is currently on consignment from our suppliers.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition and affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services, or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, and supersedes the current revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is the recognition of revenue when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, requires greater use of judgment and estimates than under the current guidance. In August 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date (“ASU 2015-14”), which deferred the implementation of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Under such deferral, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 became effective for us on January 1, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 under the modified retrospective adoption method effective January 1, 2018, by applying the new guidance only to contracts that were not completed at the date of initial application. The Company’s evaluation of the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements included the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance and the evaluation of applicable revenue contracts. The Company performed an extensive analysis of its existing contracts with customers and its revenue recognition policies and determined that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not result in material differences from the Company’s prior revenue recognition policies. In addition, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not result in material differences in the amount of revenue recognized in the current quarter when compared to the amount of revenue that would have been recognized in the current quarter under the old guidance. The Company recognizes revenue continuously over time as it satisfies its continuous obligation of granting access to its licensed intellectual properties, which are deemed symbolic intellectual properties under the new revenue guidance. Payments are typically due after sales have occurred and have been reported by the licensees or, whereas applicable, in accordance with minimum guaranteed payments provisions. The timing of performance obligations is typically consistent with the timing of payments, however there may be differences if contracts provide for advances or significant escalations of contractually guaranteed minimum payments. There were no such differences that would have a material impact on our balance sheet at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017. In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 606-10-55-65, the Company recognizes revenue at the later of when (1) the subsequent sale or usage occurs or (2) the performance obligation to which some or all of the sales- or usage-based royalty has been allocated is satisfied (in whole or in part). More specifically, the Company separately identifies:

(i)

Contracts for which, based on experience, royalties are expected to exceed any applicable minimum guaranteed payments, and to which an output-based measure of progress based on the “right to invoice” practical expedient is applied because the royalties due for each period correlate directly with the value to the customer of the Company’s performance in each period (this approach is identified as “View A” by the FASB Revenue Recognition Transition Resource Group, “TRG”); and

(ii)

Contracts for which revenue is recognized based on minimum guaranteed payments using an appropriate measure of progress, in which minimum guaranteed payments are straight-lined over the term of the contract and recognized ratably based on the passage of time, and to which the royalty recognition constraint to the sales-based royalties in excess of minimum guaranteed is applied and such sales-based royalties are recognized to distinct period only when the minimum guaranteed is exceeded on a cumulative basis (this approach is identified as “View C” by the FASB Revenue Recognition Transition Resource Group, “TRG”).

The Company does not typically perform by transferring goods or services to customers before the customer pays consideration or before payment is due, thus the implementation of ASU 2014-09 did not result in the identification of contract assets in accordance with ASC 606-10-45-3. The Company’s unconditional right to receive consideration based on the terms and conditions of licensing contracts is presented as accounts receivable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance. The Company typically does not receive consideration in advance of performance and, consequently, amounts of contract liabilities as defined by ASC 606-10-45-2 were not material as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The Company does not disclose the amount attributable to unsatisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations for variable revenue contracts (identified under “View A” above) in accordance with the optional exemption allowed for under ASC 606. The company did not have any revenue recognized in the reporting period from performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in previous periods. Remaining minimum guaranteed payments for active contracts as of March 31, 2018 are expected to be recognized ratably in accordance with the straight-line criterion over the remaining term of each contract based on the passage of time and through January 2022.

Although the new revenue standard did not result in a material impact on the Company’s ongoing results of operations, the Company did implement changes to its processes and methodologies related to revenue recognition. These included the development of new policies and/or modification of existing policies based on the five-step model provided in the new revenue standard, new training, ongoing contract review requirements, and gathering of information provided for disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), which provides guidance and clarification regarding the presentation and classification on the statement of cash flows for eight specific cash flow issues. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2018 and the adoption did not have an effect on its consolidated financial statements.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”), which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 effective January 1, 2018 and the adoption did not have an effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Other Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The core principle of ASU 2016-02 is that an entity should recognize on its balance sheet assets and liabilities arising from a lease. In accordance with that principle, ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying leased asset for the lease term. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will depend on the lease classification as a finance or operating lease. This new accounting guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (i.e., calendar years beginning on January 1, 2019), including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Trademarks and Other Intangibles

Trademarks and other intangibles, net consist of the following:

		March 31, 2018
($ in thousands)	Weighted- Average Amortization Period	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Trademarks (indefinite-lived)	n/a	$	96,707	$	-	$	96,707
Trademarks (definite-lived)	15 years		15,463		2,747		12,716
Non-compete agreement	7 years		561		261		300
Copyrights and other intellectual property	10 years		190		76		114
Total		$	112,921	$	3,084	$	109,837

		December 31, 2017
($ in thousands)	Weighted- Average Amortization Period	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Trademarks (indefinite-lived)	n/a	$	96,707	$	-	$	96,707
Trademarks (definite-lived)	15 years		15,463		2,490		12,973
Non-compete agreement	7 years		561		240		321
Copyrights and other intellectual property	10 years		190		71		119
Total		$	112,921	$	2,801	$	110,120

Amortization expense for intangible assets was approximately $283,000 for both the quarter ended March 31, 2018 (the “Current Quarter”) and March 31, 2017 (the “Prior Year Quarter”).

The trademarks related to the Isaac Mizrahi Brand, the Ripka Brand, and the H Halston Brands have been determined to have indefinite useful lives and, accordingly, no amortization has been recorded for these assets.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Significant Contracts

QVC Agreements

Under the Company’s agreements with QVC, QVC is required to pay the Company fees based primarily on a percentage of its net sales of Isaac Mizrahi, Ripka, H Halston, and C Wonder branded merchandise. QVC royalty revenue represents a significant portion of the Company’s total revenues. Net revenues from QVC totaled $6.79 million and $7.23 million for the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter, respectively, representing approximately 79% and 86% of the Company’s net revenues, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company had receivables from QVC of $6.86 million and $5.47 million, respectively, representing approximately 74% and 64% of the Company’s total receivables, respectively.

On April 28, 2017, the Company and QVC entered into an amendment to terminate the C Wonder QVC Agreement effective May 1, 2017 and commence a sell-off period. During the sell-off period, QVC remained obligated to pay royalties to the Company through January 31, 2018, and QVC retains exclusive rights with respect to C Wonder branded products for interactive television, excluding certain permitted international entities, through May 1, 2018.

Debt

The Company’s net carrying amount of debt was comprised of the following:

($ in thousands)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Xcel Term Loan	$	18,500		$	19,500
Unamortized deferred finance costs related to term loan		(307	)		(346	)
IM Seller Note		1,475			2,201
Ripka Seller Notes		553			543
Contingent obligation - JR Seller		200			200
Contingent obligation - CW Seller		2,850			2,850
Total		23,271			24,948
Current portion (i)		5,575			5,559
Long-term debt	$	17,696		$	19,389

(i)

The current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2018 consists of (a) $4.0 million related to the Xcel Term Loan, (b) $1.48 million related to the IM Seller Note, and (c) $100,000 related to the contingent obligation – JR Seller.

Xcel Term Loan

On February 26, 2016, Xcel and its wholly owned subsidiaries, IM Brands, LLC, JR Licensing, LLC, H Licensing, LLC, C Wonder Licensing, LLC, Xcel Design Group, LLC, IMNY Retail Management, LLC, and IMNY E-Store, USA, LLC (each a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”), as Guarantors, entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with BHI as agent, and the financial institutions party thereto as lenders (the “Lenders”). The Loan Agreement amended and restated the IM Term Loan, the JR Term Loan, and the H Term Loan. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, Xcel assumed the obligations of each of IM Brands, LLC, JR Licensing, LLC, and H Licensing, LLC under the respective term loans with BHI in the aggregate principal amount of $27,875,000 (the loan under the Loan Agreement is referred to as the “Xcel Term Loan”).

On February 24, 2017, Xcel and BHI amended the terms of the Loan Agreement (the “Amended Loan Agreement”). Under this amendment, principal payments for the year ending December 31, 2017 were increased by a total of $1,000,000, principal payments for the year ending December 31, 2021 were decreased by $1,000,000, and the minimum EBITDA (as defined in the Amended Loan Agreement) requirement for the year ended December 31, 2016 was eliminated. There were no changes to the total principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, or other terms of the Loan Agreement. Management assessed and determined that this amendment represented a debt modification and, accordingly, no gain or loss was recorded.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

On June 15, 2017, Xcel and BHI entered into a second amendment to the Amended Loan Agreement. Under this amendment, principal payments for the year ending December 31, 2017 were increased by a total of $750,000, principal payments for the year ending December 31, 2021 were decreased by $750,000, the minimum EBITDA (as defined in the Second Amendment to the Amended Loan Agreement) requirement for the year ending December 31, 2017 was changed from $9,000,000 to $7,000,000, and the minimum EBITDA requirements for the years ending December 31, 2018 and 2019 were changed from $9,000,000 to $8,000,000. There were no changes to the total principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, or other terms of the Loan Agreement. Management assessed and determined that this amendment represented a debt modification and, accordingly, no gain or loss was recorded. The current effective interest rate on the Amended Loan Agreement is equal to approximately 6.05%.

The Xcel Term Loan matures on January 1, 2021. Principal on the Xcel Term Loan is payable in quarterly installments on each of January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. As of March 31, 2018, the aggregate remaining scheduled annual principal payments under the Second Amendment to the Loan Agreement were as follows:

($ in thousands) Year Ending December 31,	Amount of Principal Payment
2018 (April 1 through December 31)	$	3,000
2019		4,000
2020		4,000
2021		7,500
Total	$	18,500

Commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, the Company is required to repay a portion of the Xcel Term Loan in an amount equal to 10% of the excess cash flow for the fiscal year; provided that no early termination fee shall be payable with respect to any such payment (the “Excess Cash Flow Principal Payment”). Excess cash flow means, for any period, cash flow from operations (before certain permitted distributions) less (i) capital expenditures not made through the incurrence of indebtedness, (ii) all cash interest and principal and taxes paid or payable during such period, and (iii) all dividends declared and paid during such period to equity holders of any credit party treated as a disregarded entity for tax purposes.

Under the Amendment to the Loan Agreement, the Company has the right to prepay the Xcel Term Loan, provided that any prepayment of less than all of the outstanding balance shall be applied to the remaining amounts due in inverse order of maturity. If the Xcel Term Loan is prepaid on or prior to the third anniversary of the closing date (including as a result of an event of default), the Company shall pay an early termination fee equal to the principal amount outstanding under the Xcel Term Loan on the date of prepayment, multiplied by: (i) two percent (2.00%) if the Xcel Term Loan is prepaid on or after the closing date and on or before the second anniversary of the closing date; or (ii) one percent (1.00%) if the Xcel Term Loan is prepaid after the second anniversary of the closing date and on or before the third anniversary of the closing date.

Xcel’s obligations under the Amended Loan Agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantors and secured by all of the assets of Xcel and the Guarantors (as well as any subsidiary formed or acquired that becomes a credit party to the Amended Loan Agreement) and, subject to certain limitations contained in the Amended Loan Agreement, equity interests of the Guarantors (as well as any subsidiary formed or acquired that becomes a credit party to the Amended Loan Agreement).

The Amended Loan Agreement contains customary covenants, including reporting requirements, trademark preservation, and the following financial covenants of the Company (on a consolidated basis with the Guarantors and any subsidiaries subsequently formed or acquired that become a credit party under the Amended Loan Agreement):

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

net worth (as defined in the Amended Loan Agreement) of at least $90,000,000 at the end of each fiscal quarter ending on June 30 and December 31 of each fiscal year;

liquid assets of at least $5,000,000, until such time as the ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA (as defined in the Amended Loan Agreement) is less than 1.00 to 1.00 and, in which event, liquid assets must be at least $3,000,000;

a fixed charge ratio of at least 1.20 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter ended June 30 and December 31 for the twelve fiscal month period ending on such date;

capital expenditures shall not exceed (i) $1,700,000 for the year ending December 31, 2018 and (ii) $700,000 for any fiscal year thereafter; and

EBITDA (as defined in the Amended Loan Agreement) of not less than $8,000,000 for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2018 and 2019, and not less of $9,000,000 for the following fiscal years.

The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants as of March 31, 2018.

Interest on the Xcel Term Loan accrues at a fixed rate of 5.1% per annum and is payable on each day on which the scheduled principal payments are required to be made. For the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter, the Company incurred interest expense on its senior term loan debt with BHI of approximately $236,000 and $308,000, respectively.

IM Seller Note

On September 29, 2011, as part of the consideration for the purchase of the Isaac Mizrahi Business, the Company issued to IM Ready-Made, LLC (“IM Ready”) a promissory note in the principal amount of $7,377,000 (as amended, the “IM Seller Note”). The stated interest rate of the IM Seller Note was 0.25% per annum. Management determined that this rate was below the Company’s expected borrowing rate, which was then estimated at 9.25% per annum. Therefore, the Company discounted the IM Seller Note by $1,740,000 using a 9.0% imputed annual interest rate, resulting in an initial value of $5,637,000. In addition, on September 29, 2011, the Company prepaid $123,000 of interest on the IM Seller Note. The imputed interest amount was amortized over the term of the IM Seller Note and recorded as other interest and finance expense on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

On December 24, 2013, the IM Seller Note was amended to (1) revise the maturity date to September 30, 2016, (2) revise the date to which the maturity date may be extended to September 30, 2018, (3) provide the Company with a prepayment right with its common stock, subject to remitting in cash certain required cash payments and a minimum common stock price of $4.50 per share, and (4) require interim scheduled payments.

On September 19, 2016, the IM Seller Note was further amended and restated to (1) revise the maturity date to March 31, 2019, (2) require six semi-annual principal and interest installment payments of $750,000, commencing on September 30, 2016 and ending on March 31, 2019, (3) revise the stated interest rate to 2.236% per annum, (4) allow for optional prepayments at any time at the Company’s discretion without premium or penalty, and (5) require that all payments of principal and interest be made in cash. Management assessed and determined that this amendment represented a debt modification and, accordingly, no gain or loss was recorded.

As of March 31, 2018, the aggregate remaining annual principal payments under the IM Seller Note were as follows:

($ in thousands) Year Ending December 31,	Amount of Principal Payment
2018 (April 1 through December 31)	$	733
2019		742
Total	$	1,475

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

For the Current Quarter and the Prior Year Quarter, the Company incurred interest expense of approximately $12,000 and $20,000, respectively under the IM Seller Note.

Ripka Seller Notes

As of March 31, 2018, the remaining discounted balance, non-interest bearing note relating to the acquisition of the Ripka Brand (the “Ripka Seller Notes”) was approximately $553,000. An aggregate $600,000 principal amount of the Ripka Seller Notes is due at maturity (April 1, 2019).

For the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter, the Company incurred interest expense of approximately $10,000 and $9,000, respectively, under the Ripka Seller Notes, which consisted solely of amortization of the discount on the Ripka Seller Notes.

Contingent Obligation – JR Seller (Ripka Earn-Out)

The Ripka Earn-Out is $200,000 and is payable in equal cash payments on each of May 15, 2018 and 2019. Each payment of the remaining $200,000 under the earn-out is contingent upon the Ripka Brand achieving at least $6,000,000 of net royalty income from QVC during each of the 12-month periods ending on March 31, 2018 and 2019. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the remaining expected value (which approximates fair value) of the Ripka Earn-Out of $0.2 million is recorded as long-term debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, of which $0.1 million is presented in the current portion of long-term debt.

Contingent Obligations – CW Seller (C Wonder Earn-Out)

In connection with the purchase of the C Wonder Brand, the Company agreed to pay the seller additional consideration (the “C Wonder Earn-Out”), which would be payable, if at all, in cash or shares of common stock of the Company, at the Company’s sole discretion, after June 30, 2019, with a value based on the royalties related directly to the assets the Company acquired pursuant to the purchase agreement. The value of the earn-out shall be calculated as the positive amount, if any, of (i) two times (A) the maximum net royalties as calculated for any single twelve month period commencing on July 1 and ending on June 30 between the closing date and June 30, 2019 (each, a “Royalty Target Year”) less (B) $4,000,000, plus (ii) two times the maximum royalty determined based on a percentage of retail and wholesale sales of C Wonder branded products by the Company as calculated for any single Royalty Target Year. The C Wonder Earn-Out of $2.85 million is recorded as long-term debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, based on the probability of the C Wonder Brand achieving certain net royalty income targets within the earn-out periods and then calculating the present value of the weighted average payment amount. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 480, the C Wonder Earn-Out obligation is classified as a liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets because of the variable number of shares payable under the agreement.

As of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, total contingent obligations were $3.05 million.

Stockholders’ Equity

2011 Equity Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), is designed and utilized to enable the Company to provide its employees, officers, directors, consultants, and others whose past, present, and/or potential contributions to the Company have been, are, or will be important to the success of the Company, an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. A total of 13,000,000 shares of common stock are eligible for issuance under the Plan. The Plan provides for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards: stock options, restricted stock, deferred stock, stock appreciation rights, and other stock-based awards. The Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors, or, at the Board’s discretion, a committee of the Board.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” by recognizing the fair value of stock-based compensation as an operating expense over the service period of the award or term of the corresponding contract, as applicable.

The fair value of options and warrants is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The valuation determined by the Black-Scholes option pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate for the expected life at the time of grant, volatility is based on the average long-term implied volatilities of peer companies, and expected life is based on the estimated average of the life of options and warrants using the simplified method. The Company utilizes the simplified method to determine the expected life of the options and warrants due to insufficient exercise activity during recent years as a basis from which to estimate future exercise patterns. The expected dividend assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts.

Restricted stock awards are valued using the fair value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant.

The Company accounts for non-employee awards in accordance with ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees”.

For stock option awards for which vesting is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance targets, the timing and amount of compensation expense recognized is based upon the Company’s projections and estimates of the relevant performance metric(s).

Forfeitures are accounted for as a reduction of compensation cost in the period when such forfeitures occur.

Stock Options

Options granted under the Plan expire at various times – either five, seven, or ten years from the date of grant, depending on the particular grant.

On March 30, 2018, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock to a certain key employee. The exercise price of the options is $5.50 per share, and all options vested immediately on the date of grant.

The fair values of the options granted during the Current Quarter were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

Expected Volatility	20.91	%
Expected Dividend Yield	0	%
Expected Life (Term)	2.50 years
Risk-Free Interest Rate	2.33	%

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

A summary of the Company’s stock options activity for the Current Quarter is as follows:

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2018		3,468,833		$	5.38		4.14	$	-
Granted		50,000			5.50
Canceled		-			-
Exercised		-			-
Expired/Forfeited		(20,499	)		5.80
Outstanding at March 31, 2018, and expected to vest		3,498,334		$	5.38		3.91	$	-
Exercisable at March 31, 2018		1,726,422		$	5.64		3.19	$	-

Compensation expense related to stock options for the Current Quarter and the Prior Year Quarter was approximately $280,000 and $302,000, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options at March 31, 2018 amounts to approximately $1,576,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.06 years.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for non-vested options for the Current Quarter:

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at January 1, 2018		2,613,497		$	1.23
Granted		50,000			5.50
Vested		(874,419	)		5.41
Forfeited or Canceled		(17,166	)		5.80
Balance at March 31, 2018		1,771,912		$	5.12

Warrants

Warrants granted under the Plan expire at various times – either five, seven, or ten years from the date of grant, depending on the particular grant.

A summary of the Company’s warrants activity for the Current Quarter is as follows:

	Number of Warrants		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding and exercisable at January 1, 2018		1,891,743	$	6.81		1.92	$	-
Granted		-		-
Canceled		-		-
Exercised		-		-
Expired/Forfeited		-		-
Outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2018		1,891,743	$	6.81		1.67	$	-

No compensation expense related to warrants was recognized in the Current Quarter or Prior Year Quarter.

Restricted Stock

On March 14, 2018, the company issued an aggregate of 90,209 shares of stock to non-executive employees, which vested immediately.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the Current Quarter is as follows:

	Number of Restricted Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2018		2,143,088		$	5.35
Granted		90,209			3.35
Canceled		-			-
Vested		(201,209	)		4.21
Expired/Forfeited		-			-
Outstanding at March 31, 2018		2,032,088		$	5.37

Compensation expense related to restricted stock grants for the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter was approximately $227,000 and $781,000, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock grants at March 31, 2018 amounts to approximately $546,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.17 years.

Shares Available Under the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan

At March 31, 2018, there were 5,344,957 shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan.

Shares Reserved for Issuance

At March 31, 2018, there were 10,735,034 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to unexercised warrants and stock options, or available for issuance under the Plan.

Dividends

The Company has not paid any dividends to date.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period, including stock options and warrants, using the treasury stock method. Diluted EPS excludes all potentially dilutive shares of common stock if their effect is anti-dilutive.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Basic		18,333,912		18,674,943
Effect of exercise of warrants		364,130		-
Effect of exercise of stock options		18,760		-
Diluted		18,716,802		18,674,943

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

As a result of the net loss presented for the Prior Year Quarter, the Company calculated diluted earnings per share using basic weighted-average shares outstanding for such period, as utilizing diluted shares would be anti-dilutive to loss per share.

The computation of diluted EPS excludes the common stock equivalents of the following potentially dilutive securities because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive:

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2018

2017

Stock options and warrants

4,849,834

5,195,743

Income Tax

The effective income tax rate for the Current Quarter and the Prior Year Quarter was approximately 46% and 800%, respectively, resulting in an income tax provision of $426,000 and $456,000, respectively.

In the Current Quarter the federal statutory rate differs from the effective tax rate primarily due to state taxes and recurring permanent differences, which increased the effective tax rate by approximately 11% and 8%, respectively. The effective tax rate was also attributable to the tax impact from the vesting of restricted shares of common stock, which was treated as a discrete item for tax purposes. This item increased the effective rate by 6%.

In the Prior Year Quarter, the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the tax impact from the vesting of restricted shares of common stock, which was treated as a discrete item for tax purposes. This item increased the effective rate by 737% for Prior Year Quarter. The effective tax rate was also attributable to recurring permanent differences. Based on the amount of income before income taxes compared to the recurring permanent differences, the effective rate increased by 29% for the Prior Year Quarter.

On December 22, 2017 the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Job Act ("TCJA"). The purpose of SAB No. 118 was to address any uncertainty or diversity of view in applying ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes in the reporting period in which the TCJA was enacted. SAB No. 118 addresses situations where the accounting is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the TJCA upon issuance of a company’s financial statements for the reporting period that includes the enactment date. SAB No. 118 allows for a provisional amount to be recorded if it is a reasonable estimate of the impact of the TCJA. Additionally, SAB No. 118 allows for a measurement period to finalize the impacts of the TCJA, not to extend beyond one year from the date of enactment. The Company’s accounting for the certain elements of the TCJA was incomplete as of the period ended December 31, 2017, and remains incomplete as of March 31, 2018. However, the Company was able to make reasonable estimates of the effects and, therefore, recorded provisional estimates for these items at December 31, 2017. There have been no changes to the provisional estimates recorded as of December 31, 2017 during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Related Party Transactions

Benjamin Malka

Concurrent with the acquisition of the H Halston Brand on December 22, 2014, the Company and The H Company IP, LLC (“HIP”) entered into a license agreement (the “HIP License Agreement”), which was subsequently amended September 1, 2015. Benjamin Malka, a director of the Company, is a 25% equity holder of HIP’s parent company, House of Halston LLC (“HOH”), and is Chief Executive Officer of HOH. The HIP license agreement provides for royalty payments including guaranteed minimum royalties to be paid to the Company during the initial term that expires on December 31, 2019.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

On September 1, 2015, the Company entered into a license agreement with Lord and Taylor, LLC (the “L&T License”) and simultaneously amended the HIP License Agreement eliminating HIP’s minimum guaranteed royalty obligations, provided the L&T License is in effect. In addition, the Company entered into a sublicense agreement with HIP (the “HIP Sublicense Agreement”), obligating the Company to pay HIP a fee on an annual basis the greater of (i) 50% of royalties received under the L&T License from H Halston products or (ii) guaranteed minimum royalties. Provided that Lord & Taylor, LLC is paying the Company at least $1,000,000 per quarter under the L&T License, the remaining contractually required guaranteed minimum royalties are equal to $0.75 million, $1.5 million, and $1.75 million for the twelve months ending January 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively.

On December 12, 2016, the Company entered into another license agreement for the H Halston Brand with Dillard’s Inc and affiliates (the “Dillard’s License”, and together with the L&T License, the “DRT Licenses”).

We are negotiating proposed new arrangements and are operating under those terms as an at-will license as set forth below:

The HIP Trademark Usage and Royalty Participation Agreement, which has an initial term that expires on December 31, 2020 unless sooner terminated or renewed. We shall pay to HIP: (i) 50% of the excess H Halston Royalty paid to us under the DRT Licenses and any other third party licenses that we may enter into; (ii) 25% of the excess developed brand royalty paid to us for the Highline Collective Brand under the DRT Licenses, and 20% of the excess developed brand royalty paid to us for any subsequent developed brand under the DRT Licenses, and (iii) 10% of the excess private label brand royalty paid to us under the DRT Licenses and during the first term only of the DRT Licenses. Additionally, we have the right, but not the obligation, at any time after January 31, 2023, to terminate the obligations under points (ii) and (iii) above by paying to HIP an amount equal to four times the sum of the developed brand credits and private label credits for the contract year ending on January 31, 2023 (the "Buy Out Payment''). The Buy-Out Payment may be payable by us and at our sole discretion either (a) in cash, or (b) in a number of common shares of Xcel calculated based on the amount of the Buy-Out Payment divided by the average closing price for common shares of Xcel on a national exchange for the preceding five trading days, subject to a minimum price for common shares of Xcel of $7.00 per common share. Once effective, it will terminate and replace the HIP Sublicense Agreement.

A license and supply agreement with the Halston Operating Company, LLC (“HOC”), a subsidiary of HOH, with an initial term of January 31, 2022, subject to renewal. Under the HOC at-will license and supply agreement, HOC shall provide licensed products for sale to pre-approved retailers, including HBC and Dillard’s, and shall also be responsible for overseeing the visual merchandising and in-store retail environments for such approved retailers, as well as be responsible for training and oversight of any retail staff responsible for selling the licensed products within HBC and Dillard’s, as reasonably agreed upon between HOC and HBC and Dillard’s. The HOC at-will license and supply agreement provides for, among other things, design fees of $1.2 million for the period from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, subsequent design fees of $2.4 million for the contractual yearly periods ending on January 31, 2019, and on December 31, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, and sales-based royalties on the categories of products licensed under the agreement and the contractual year of payment. Once effective, it will terminate and replace the HIP License Agreement.

HOH has also entered into an arrangement with another licensee of the Company to supply Halston-branded apparel for the subsequent sale of such product to end customers. Under the Company’s separate pre-existing licensing agreements in place with the aforementioned other licensee and with HIP as described above, the Company earns royalties on the sales of such Halston-branded products.

In addition, the Company and HOC entered into an arrangement whereby HOC pays the Company a license fee for branded products related to categories not included in the HOC license and supply agreement.

XCEL BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

The Company recorded approximately $0.6 million and $0 of revenue from HOC for the Current Quarter and the Prior Year Quarter. The Company had a receivable balance of approximately $0.9 million and $0.8 million due from HOC as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

In addition, the Company recorded $0 and $9,000 of HIP fees (as a reduction to net revenue) for the Current Quarter and the Prior Year quarter, respectively.

In March 2018, the Company had a prepaid balance of $0.2 million to HIP to be applied against future fees due to HIP, which is recorded as a prepaid in non-current assets as of March 31, 2018.

9. Facility Exit Costs

In June 2016, the Company relocated its corporate offices and operations from 475 Tenth Avenue in New York City to 1333 Broadway in New York City. In connection with the exit from its former office location, the Company recognized a liability at the exit and cease-use date for the remaining lease obligation associated with 475 Tenth Avenue, based on the remaining contractual lease payments less estimated sublease rentals, discounted to present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. The Company recorded a net non-cash charge of approximately $648,000 associated with the recognition of this liability in the second quarter of 2016.

The remaining balance of the exit cost liability related to the former office space was approximately $599,000 as of March 31, 2018, of which $219,000 was recorded in other current liabilities and $380,000 was recorded in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The balance of this liability will be paid out over a period of approximately 3.9 years, through February 2022.

A summary of the activity related to the exit cost liability for the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter is as follows:

($ in thousands)	2018			2017
Balance as of January 1,	$	624		$	783
Cash payments, net		(29	)		(26	)
Adjustment to liability (revision to estimated cash flows)		-			(25	)
Accretion		4			5
Balance as of March 31,	$	599		$	737

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this report are forward-looking statements that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks are detailed in the Risk Section of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “appear,” “suggest,” “goal,” “potential,” “predicts,” “seek,” “will,” “confident,” “project,” “provide,” “plan,” “likely,” “future,” “ongoing,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “guidance,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Overview

Xcel Brands, Inc. (“Xcel,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a consumer products company. We are engaged in the design, production, licensing, marketing, and direct-to-consumer sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, jewelry, home goods, and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. We have developed a Fast-to-Market capability driven by our proprietary integrated technology platform. Currently, our brand portfolio consists of the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, H Halston, C Wonder, and the Highline Collective brands. Our in-house designers and marketing executives work with our licensees to help design, promote, and elevate each brand within their respective distribution channels. We license our own brands for promotion and distribution through a ubiquitous-channel retail sales strategy, which includes promotion through interactive television, internet, and traditional brick-and-mortar retail channels.

Our objective is to build a diversified portfolio of lifestyle consumer brands through organic growth and the strategic acquisition of new brands. To achieve growth under our brands, we are focused on three primary strategies:

licensing our brands for distribution through interactive television (i.e. QVC, The Shopping Channel) whereby we design, manage production, merchandise the shows, and manage the on-air talent;

licensing our brands to manufacturers and retailers for promotion and distribution through e-commerce, social commerce, and traditional brick-and mortar retail channels whereby we provide certain design services and, in certain cases, manage supply and merchandising; and

entering into strategic supply agreements directly with overseas factories for distribution to our retail partners and through our own direct-to-consumer e-commerce sites.

We believe that Xcel offers a unique value proposition to its licensees and customers for the following reasons:

our management team, including our officers’ and directors’ historical track records and relationships within the industry;

our Fast-to-Market supply chain and integrated technology platform enables us to design and distribute trend-right product;

our operating strategy of licensing brands with significant media presence and driving sales through our ubiquitous-channel retail sales strategy; and

our ability to provide retail licensees with design and Fast-to-Market vertical production capabilities.

We license our brands to third parties, provide certain design, production, marketing and distribution services, and generate licensing, design, and service fee revenues through contractual arrangements with manufacturers and retailers. This includes licensing our own brands for promotion and distribution through a ubiquitous-channel retail sales strategy, which includes distribution through interactive television, the internet, and traditional brick-and-mortar retail channels. We believe that this strategy distinguishes us from other consumer product wholesale companies and brand management companies that rely primarily on their licensees for design, production, and distribution, and enables us to leverage the media reach of our interactive television partners, including through television, digital, and social media, to drive sales of products under our brands across distribution channels.

Our vision is intended to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social as one. By leveraging digital and social media content across all distribution channels, we seek to drive customer (follower) engagement and generate retail sales across our brands. Our strong relationships with leading retailers and interactive television companies and cable networks enable us to reach consumers in over 400 million homes worldwide and hundreds of millions of social media followers.

We believe our service-fee based Fast-to-Market production platform provides significant competitive advantages compared with traditional wholesale apparel companies that design, manufacture, and distribute products. We focus on our core competencies of design, integrated technologies, Fast-to-Market production, marketing, and brand development, while outsourcing manufacturing and the related inventory ownership to best-in-class licensees, manufacturers, and retailers. We believe that we offer 360 degrees of service for a comprehensive solution for our retail partners that addresses many of the challenges facing the retail industry today. We believe our platform is highly scalable due to our business model’s low overhead and working capital requirements, coupled with minimum guaranteed income levels through our multi-year licensing contracts. Additionally, we believe we can quickly integrate additional brands into our platform leveraging our design, production, and marketing capabilities, and distribution relationships.

Summary of Operating Results

The three months ended March 31, 2018 (the “Current Quarter”) compared with the three months ended March 31, 2017 (the “Prior Year Quarter”)

Total Revenues

Current Quarter total revenues increased approximately $0.34 million to $8.77 million from $8.43 million for the Prior Year Quarter. Our net licensing revenue showed an increase of $0.05 million, which was primarily due to higher net revenues from our wholesale and department store business of approximately $0.52 million, primarily driven by an increase in the number of retail stores our brands are sold in since our launch of H Halston and IMNYC at Dillard’s in March and September 2017, respectively, and expanding into more product categories for our Fast-to-Market production platform in our department store business. This increase was partially offset primarily by lower revenues associated with the termination and transition of the C Wonder Brand from QVC, whose sell-off period terminated in January 2018. Additionally, our jewelry wholesale and ecommerce business contributed $0.29 million to the overall increase in net total revenues in the Current Year Quarter. Net revenue for our jewelry wholesale and ecommerce business was $0.11 million and $0 in the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter, respectively.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses decreased approximately $0.63 million to $7.37 million for the Current Quarter from approximately $8.00 million in the Prior Year Quarter. This decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a net decrease in total compensation, including stock-based compensation, of approximately $0.52 million and (ii) a decrease in other design and marketing costs of approximately $0.13 million primarily attributable to lower expenses in our department store business compared to the Prior Year Quarter.

Interest and Finance Expense

Interest and finance expense for the Current Quarter decreased by approximately $0.09 million to $0.29 million, compared with $0.38 million in the Prior Year Quarter. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower interest expense of $0.08 million on our term debt due to a lower principal balance.

Income Tax Provision

The effective income tax rate for the Prior Year Quarter was approximately 800% resulting in a $0.46 million income tax provision. During the Prior Year Quarter, the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the tax impact from the vesting of restricted shares of common stock, which was treated as a discrete item for tax purposes. This item increased the effective rate by 737%. The effective tax rate was also attributable to recurring permanent differences. Based on the amount of income before income taxes compared to the recurring permanent differences, the effective rate increased by 29%.

Net Income (Loss)

We had net income of $0.50 million for the Current Quarter, compared to a net loss of $0.40 million for the Prior Year Quarter.

Non-GAAP Net Income, Non-GAAP Diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA

We had non-GAAP net income of $1.44 million, or $0.08 per diluted share (“non-GAAP diluted EPS”) for the Current Quarter, compared with non-GAAP net income of $1.15 million, or non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.06 for the Prior Year Quarter. Non-GAAP net income is a non-GAAP unaudited term, which we define as net income (loss), exclusive of stock-based compensation, non-cash interest and finance expense from discounted debt related to acquired assets, and deferred tax provision. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted EPS measures do not include the tax effect of the aforementioned adjusting items, due to the nature of these items and the Company’s tax strategy.

We had Adjusted EBITDA of $2.16 million for the Current Quarter, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $1.94 million for the Prior Year Quarter. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP unaudited measure, which we define as net income before stock-based compensation, interest and finance expense, income taxes, other state and local franchise taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

Management uses non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA as measures of operating performance to assist in comparing performance from period to period on a consistent basis and to identify business trends relating to the Company's results of operations. Management believes non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA are also useful because these measures adjust for certain costs and other events that management believes are not representative of our core business operating results, and thus these non-GAAP measures provide supplemental information to assist investors in evaluating the Company’s financial results.

Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, earnings per share, or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Given that non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures not deemed to be in accordance with GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, our non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including companies in our industry, because other companies may calculate non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA in a different manner than we calculate these measures.

In evaluating non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may or may not incur expenses similar to some of the adjustments in this report. Our presentation of non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA does not imply that our future results will be unaffected by these expenses or any unusual or non-recurring items. When evaluating our performance, you should consider non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including our net income and other GAAP results, and not rely on any single financial measure.

The following table is a reconciliation of net income (loss) (our most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP) to non-GAAP net income:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2018		2017
Net income (loss)	$	500	$	(399	)
Non-cash interest and finance expense		10		9
Stock-based compensation		507		1,083
Deferred income tax provision		426		456
Non-GAAP net income	$	1,443	$	1,149

The following table is a reconciliation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (our most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP) to non-GAAP diluted EPS:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.03	$	(0.02	)
Non-cash interest and finance expense		0.00		0.00
Stock-based compensation		0.03		0.06
Deferred income tax provision		0.02		0.02
Non-GAAP diluted EPS	$	0.08	$	0.06
Non-GAAP weighted average diluted shares		18,716,802		19,042,018

The following table is a reconciliation of basic weighted average shares outstanding (presented in accordance with GAAP) to non-GAAP weighted average diluted shares:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Basic weighted average shares		18,333,912		18,674,943
Effect of exercising warrants		364,130		364,430
Effect of exercising stock options		18,760		2,645
Non-GAAP weighted average diluted shares		18,716,802		19,042,018

The following table is a reconciliation of net income (loss) (our most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2018		2017
Net income (loss)	$	500	$	(399	)
Depreciation and amortization		411		394
Interest and finance expense		286		378
Income tax provision		426		456
State and local franchise taxes		33		29
Stock-based compensation		507		1,083
Adjusted EBITDA	$	2,163	$	1,941

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Our principal capital requirements have been to fund working capital needs, acquire new brands, and to a lesser extent, capital expenditures. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents were $8.90 million and $10.19 million, respectively.

Restricted cash at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of (i) $1.11 million of cash deposited with Bank Hapoalim B.M. (“BHI”) as collateral for an irrevocable standby letter of credit associated with the lease of our current corporate office and operating facilities at 1333 Broadway, New York City, and (ii) $0.40 million of cash held as a security deposit for the sublease of our former corporate offices at 475 Tenth Avenue, New York City by us to a third-party subtenant.

We expect that existing cash and operating cash flows will be adequate to meet our operating needs, debt service obligations (including debt service under the Amendment to the Loan Agreement), and capital expenditure needs, for at least the twelve months subsequent to the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We are dependent on our licensees for substantially all of our revenues, and there is no assurance that the licensees will perform as projected. Our business operating model does not require significant capital expenditures.

Our contingent obligation related to the C Wonder Brand (see Note 4, Debt in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) is payable in stock or cash, at the Company’s discretion. Payment of this obligation in stock would not affect our liquidity.

Changes in Working Capital

Our working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was $9.48 million and $10.20 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Commentary on the components of our cash flows for the Current Quarter as compared with the Prior Year Quarter is set forth below. Working capital for the Current Quarter was impacted by a $1 million investment in capital expenditures for our department store business.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $1.57 million in the Current Quarter, compared with net cash used in operating activities of approximately $1.01 million in the Prior Year Quarter.

The Current Quarter cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the combination of net income of $0.50 million plus non-cash expenses of approximately $1.40 million and net change in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $(0.33) million. Non-cash net expenses mainly consisted of $0.51 million of stock-based compensation, $0.43 million of deferred income tax provision, $0.41 million of depreciation and amortization, and non-cash interest and other finance costs of $0.05 million. The net change in operating assets and liabilities includes a net increase in accounts receivable of $0.80 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.06 million, an increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $0.56 million, all primarily due to timing of collections and payments, and a decrease in other liabilities of $0.03 million attributable to accrued rent.

The Prior Year Quarter cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the combination of a net loss of $(0.40) million and the net change in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $(2.60) million, partially offset by non-cash expenses of approximately $1.99 million. Non-cash expenses mainly consisted of $1.08 million of stock-based compensation, $0.39 million of depreciation and amortization, $0.06 million of amortization of debt discount and deferred finance costs, and approximately $0.46 million of deferred income tax provision. The net change in operating assets and liabilities includes an increase in accounts receivable of $1.74 million, primarily attributable to the increase in revenues from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the Prior Year Quarter, and a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $0.65 million, largely due to bonus payouts.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the Current Quarter was approximately $1.04 million, compared with approximately $0.15 million in the Prior Year Quarter. Cash used in investing activities for both the Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter was primarily attributable to capital expenditures.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the Current Quarter was approximately $1.82 million, primarily attributable to payments on our senior term debt obligation of $1.00 million, payment on our IM Seller Note obligation of approximately $0.73 million, and shares repurchased related to vested restricted stock in exchange for withholding taxes of $0.09 million.

Net cash used in financing activities for the Prior Year Quarter was approximately $2.76 million, primarily attributable to payments on our senior term debt obligation of $1.25 million, payment on our IM Seller Note obligation of $0.71 million, and shares repurchased including vested restricted stock in exchange for withholding taxes of $0.80 million.

Other Factors

We continue to seek to expand and diversify the types of licensed products being produced under our brands. We plan to continue to diversify the distribution channels within which licensed products are sold, in an effort to reduce dependence on any particular retailer, consumer, or market sector within each of our brands. The Mizrahi brand, H Halston brand, and C Wonder brand have a core business in fashion apparel and accessories. The Ripka brand historically has been focused on fine jewelry, which we believe helps diversify our industry focus while at the same time complements, expands on, and grows our overall business relationship with QVC.

In May 2017, we entered into an agreement with QVC to terminate our interactive television license agreement for the C Wonder brand, under which QVC remained obligated to pay royalties to us through January 2018, and QVC will retain exclusive rights with respect to C Wonder branded products for interactive television, excluding certain permitted international entities, through May 2018. We have licensed several categories for C Wonder and expect to launch C Wonder in Asia later this year. In addition, we are pursuing new domestic distribution channels and intend to enter into new contractual agreements for the C Wonder brand.

In April 2016, we brought the IMNYC Isaac Mizrahi, H Halston, and Highline Collective brands to Lord & Taylor and Hudson’s Bay department stores through our Fast-to-Market production platform, “virtual vertical”. We launched the H Halston brand at Dillard’s department stores through our Fast-to-Market production platform in March 2017, and launched the IMNYC brand at Dillard’s in September 2017. We also intend to seek new opportunities, including expansion through interactive television, our “virtual vertical” production platform, additional domestic and international licensing arrangements, and acquiring additional brands.

Our success, however, will still remain largely dependent on our ability to build and maintain our brands’ awareness and contract with and retain key licensees, as well as our licensees’ ability to accurately predict upcoming fashion and design trends within their respective customer bases and fulfill the product requirements of their particular retail channels within the global marketplace. Unanticipated changes in consumer fashion preferences and purchasing patterns, slowdowns in the U.S. economy, changes in the prices of supplies, consolidation of retail establishments, and other factors noted in “Risk Factors” could adversely affect our licensees’ ability to meet and/or exceed their contractual commitments to us and thereby adversely affect our future operating results.

Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that the relatively moderate rates of inflation experienced over the past two years in the United States, where we primarily compete, have had a significant effect on revenues or profitability. If there were an adverse change in the rate of inflation by less than 10%, the expected effect on net income and cash flows would be immaterial.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to exercise judgment. We exercise considerable judgment with respect to establishing sound accounting policies and in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, our recognition of revenues and expenses, and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial statements. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an on-going basis. We base our estimates and judgments on a variety of factors, including our historical experience, knowledge of our business and industry, and current and expected economic conditions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We periodically re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions with respect to these judgments and modify our approach when circumstances indicate that modifications are necessary. While we believe that the factors we evaluate provide us with a meaningful basis for establishing and applying sound accounting policies, we cannot guarantee that the results will always be accurate. Because the determination of these estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results could differ from such estimates.

Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2018, for a discussion of our critical accounting policies. During the Three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no material changes to these policies.

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

A. EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES:

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of March 31, 2018, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on, and as of the date of such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018 such that the information required to be disclosed in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

B. CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING:

There have not been any significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, from time to time we become involved in legal claims and litigation. In the opinion of management, based on consultations with legal counsel, the disposition of litigation currently pending against us is unlikely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

We operate in a highly competitive industry that involves numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could impact our operations. The risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

There were no sales of unregistered or registered securities during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The following table provides information with respect to shares of common stock we repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2018:

Period

Total Number of

Shares
Purchased

Average
Price per
Share

Total Number of Shares

Purchased as
Part of a Publicly Announced
Plan or Program

March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 (i)

43,638

3.25

(i)

The shares were exchanged from employees and directors in connection with the income tax withholding obligations on behalf of such employees and directors from the vesting of stock grants.

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (CEO)

31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (CFO)

32.1 Section 1350 Certification (CEO)

32.2 Section 1350 Certification (CFO)

101.INS XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 15, 2018	By:	/s/ Robert W. D’Loren
		Name: Robert W. D’Loren
		Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

	By:	/s/ James Haran
		Name: James Haran
		Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert W. D’Loren certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of Xcel Brands, Inc. (the “Company”).

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

May 15, 2018	By:	/s/ Robert W. D’Loren
		Name: Robert W. D’Loren
		Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, James Haran certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of Xcel Brands, Inc. (the “Company”).

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

May 15, 2018	By:	/s/ James Haran
		Name: James Haran
		Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Xcel Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert W. D’Loren certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 15, 2018	By:	/s/ Robert W. D’Loren
		Name: Robert W. D’Loren
		Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Xcel Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, James Haran, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

May 15, 2018	By:	/s/ James Haran
		Name: James Haran
		Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President