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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 31, 2003 or
[ ] 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: 0-9061
ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter
CALIFORNIA 95-2412961
(State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
6060 SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD
VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91411-2501
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
818 786-2525
(Registrant'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 is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No X
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock
as of September 22, 2003 was 24,825,082.
Page 1
ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
AUGUST 31, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Part I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the 3
Three Months Ended August 31, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at 4
August 31, 2003 (Unaudited) and May 31, 2003
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 5
Three Months Ended August 31, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 6
(Unaudited)
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of 12
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 18
About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 18
Part II: OTHER INFORMATION 19
SIGNATURES 20
Page 2
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------
Item 1. Financial Statements
ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) (000 omitted except per share data)
Three Months Ended
August 31,
2003 2002
---------- ----------
Revenues:
Rentals and leases $ 16,681 $ 23,189
Sales of equipment
and other revenues 6,016 7,876
---------- ----------
Total revenues 22,697 31,065
---------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Depreciation of rental
and lease equipment 8,061 12,054
Costs of revenues other
than depreciation
of rental and lease equipment 3,765 4,960
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 7,824 10,438
---------- ----------
Total operating expenses 19,650 27,452
---------- ----------
Operating profit 3,047 3,613
Interest and investment
income, net 421 579
---------- ----------
Income before income taxes 3,468 4,192
Income taxes 1,342 1,591
---------- ----------
Net income $ 2,126 $ 2,601
========== ==========
Earnings per share:
Basic $0.09 $0.10
Diluted $0.09 $0.10
Shares used in per
share calculation:
Basic 24,823 24,791
Diluted 24,864 24,848
See accompanying notes to
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Page 3
ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)(000 omitted)
ASSETS
August 31, May 31,
2003 2003
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 148,384 $ 151,448
Marketable securities 20,000 10,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $1,203 and $1,106 7,165 6,874
Rental and lease equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $163,294 and $165,334 86,348 87,344
Other property, net of accumulated depreciation and
amortization of $11,249 and $10,997 16,228 16,409
Other 4,148 5,025
---------- ----------
$ 282,273 $ 277,100
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 8,799 $ 6,332
Accrued expenses 13,701 13,248
Deferred revenue 1,994 1,833
Deferred income taxes 3,112 3,179
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 27,606 24,592
---------- ----------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock 16,056 16,023
Retained earnings 238,611 236,485
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 254,667 252,508
---------- ----------
$ 282,273 $ 277,100
========== ==========
See accompanying notes to
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Page 4
ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (000 omitted)
Three Months Ended
August 31,
2003 2002
---------- ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 2,126 $ 2,601
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 8,316 12,528
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 199 217
Gain on sale of rental and lease equipment (2,167) (1,823)
Deferred income taxes (67) 15
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (490) 1,682
Other assets 877 69
Accounts payable (50) 577
Accrued expenses 453 597
Deferred revenue 161 (249)
---------- ----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 9,358 16,214
---------- ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of rental and lease equipment 5,392 6,354
Payments for purchase of rental and lease equipment (7,775) (7,275)
Purchases of marketable securities (10,000) 0
Payments for purchase of other property (72) (42)
---------- ----------
Net cash used in investing activities (12,455) (963)
---------- ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 33 93
---------- ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 33 93
---------- ----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (3,064) 15,344
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 151,448 115,623
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 148,384 $ 130,967
========== ==========
See accompanying notes to
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Page 5
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(U.S. dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 1: Basis of Presentation
The interim financial statements included herein have been
prepared by Electro Rent Corporation without audit, pursuant to
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). The interim financial statements include
the accounts of Electro Rent Corporation and its wholly owned
subsidiaries, Genstar Rental Electronics, Inc., and ER
International, Inc. (collectively, the "Company") as consolidated
with the elimination of all intercompany transactions. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America
have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and
regulations. Nevertheless, the Company believes that the
disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not
misleading. These financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company's latest Annual Report as found
on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments,
including normal recurring adjustments necessary to present
fairly the financial position of the Company with respect to the
interim financial statements and the results of its operations
for the interim period ended August 31, 2003, have been included.
Certain reclassifications may have been made to prior year
amounts to conform to the 2003 presentation. The results of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of
results for the full year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note 2: Stock-Based Compensation
At August 31, 2003, the Company had four stock option plans,
which are described more fully in Note 10 in the Company's 2003
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company accounts for stock
options using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of
Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25 and provides
proforma net income and proforma earnings per share disclosures
for employee stock option grants as if the fair-value-based
method, defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, had
been applied. Had the Company determined compensation cost based
on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under
SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income would have been reduced to
the pro forma amounts indicated below for the three months ended
August 31:
Page 6
2003 2002
-------- --------
Net income, as reported $2,126 $2,601
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
compensation
expense determined under the fair value
based method for all awards, net of
related
tax effects (247) (233)
-------- --------
Proforma net income $1,879 $2,368
======== ========
Basic income per share, as reported $0.09 $0.10
Proforma basic income per share $0.08 $0.10
Diluted income per share, as reported $0.09 $0.10
Proforma diluted income per share $0.08 $0.10
Note 3: Impairment of Assets
The carrying value of equipment held for rental and lease is
assessed quarterly and/or when factors indicating an impairment
are present. The Company recognizes impairment losses on
equipment held for rental and lease when the expected future
undiscounted cash flows are less than the asset's carrying value,
in which case the asset is written down to its estimated fair
value.
Note 4: Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
The Company had accounts payable related to acquired equipment
totaling $8,760 and $6,243 as of August 31, 2003 and May 31,
2003, respectively, and $6,174 and $6,626 as of August 31, 2002
and May 31, 2002, respectively, which will be paid in the
following period.
Note 5: Capital Leases
The Company has certain customer leases providing bargain
purchase options, which are accounted for as sales-type leases.
The Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets at August 31,
2003 and 2002 include investment in sales-type leases of $1,045
and $1,149, net of deferred interest of $57 and $65, in "other
assets." Interest income is recognized over the life of the
lease using the effective interest method.
Note 6: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 146,
"Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal
Activities." SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost
associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when
the liability is incurred. SFAS 146 eliminates the definition
and requirement for recognition of exit costs in Emerging Issues
Task Force Issue No. 94-3 where a liability for an exit is
recognized at the date of an entity's commitment to an exit plan.
This statement is effective for exit or disposal activities
initiated after December 31, 2002. Adoption of SFAS 146 did not
have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
Page 7
In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation ("FIN") No.
45, "Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for
Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees and Indebtedness of
Others, an interpretation of SFAS Nos. 5, 57 and 107", and
rescission of FIN No. 34, "Disclosure of Indirect Guarantees of
Indebtedness of Others." FIN No. 45 elaborates on the
disclosures to be made by the guarantor in its interim and annual
financial statements about its obligations under certain
guarantees that it has issued. It also requires that a guarantor
recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the
fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee.
The initial recognition and measurement provisions of the
interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to
guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, while the
provisions of the disclosure requirements are effective for
financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after
December 15, 2002. Adoption of such interpretation did not have
a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for
Stock-based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 123." SFAS No. 148 provides
alternative methods of transition for entities that voluntarily
change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-
based employee compensation, and it also amends the disclosure
provisions of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosure about
the effects of an entity's accounting policy decisions with
respect to stock-based employee compensation in both annual and
interim reporting. The amendments are effective for fiscal years
ending after December 15, 2002. The Company adopted the
disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 148 on March 1, 2003.
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of
Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."
SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and
reporting for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." The provisions of
SFAS No. 149 are effective for contracts entered into or modified
after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated
after June 30, 2003. Adoption of such interpretation did not have
a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for
Certain Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and
Equity," which establishes standards for how an issuer classifies
and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics
of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 requires that an
issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope,
which may have previously been reported as equity, as a liability
(or an asset in some circumstances). This statement is effective
for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31,
2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first
interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, except for
mandatory redeemable financial instruments of nonpublic
companies. Adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a significant
impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Page 8
Note 7: Restructuring Charge
Due to the prolonged downturn in our industry, in May 2003 the
Company restructured our business as part of its continuing
program to create efficiencies within our operations. In the
quarter ended May 31, 2003, the Company recorded restructuring
charges of $821 in selling, general and administrative expenses,
which included the following:
Reducing the Company's workforce by approximately 27
employees, mainly in the Duluth, Georgia, warehouse and
sales office, resulting in a severance charge of
approximately $220. Approximately $113 was paid in May 2003,
and the remainder was paid in the first quarter of fiscal
2004.
Closing of the Duluth, Georgia, warehouse, which reduced the
Company's facilities from a total of approximately 435,000
square feet to approximately 399,000 square feet. Property
and equipment that was disposed of or removed from
operations resulted in a charge of $31 and consisted
primarily of leasehold improvements, equipment and furniture
and fixtures. In addition, we incurred a charge of $570
associated with the lease related to the closed facility,
which represents the fair value of the liability determined
based on the remaining lease rentals, reduced by estimated
sublease rentals. Amounts accrued (net of estimated sublease
proceeds) related to the facility closure will be paid over
the remaining lease term through May 2005.
Remaining Cash Remaining
Liability Payments Liability
Balances Balances
as of as of
May 31, August 31,
2003 2003
-------- -------- --------
Severance $107 $(107) $ 0
Lease commitments 570 (86) 484
-------- -------- --------
$677 $(193) $484
======== ======== ========
Page 9
Note 8: Segment Reporting
SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information," establishes annual and interim reporting
standards for an enterprise's operating segments and related
disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas and
major customers. Under SFAS No. 131, the Company's operations
are treated as one operating segment because discrete financial
information is not available for its product groups and the
economic characteristics of the product groups are similar.
Although the Company has no reportable segments, it has two
groups of similar products: test and measurement (T&M) and data
products (DP) equipment. The Company's equipment pool, based on
acquisition cost, comprised $193,419 of T&M equipment and $56,223
of DP equipment at August 31, 2003, and $194,433 of T&M equipment
and $58,245 of DP equipment at May 31, 2003.
Revenues for these product groups were as follows for the three
months ended August 31:
T&M DP Total
2003
Rentals and leases $11,618 $5,063 $16,681
Sales of equipment and other
Revenues 5,284 732 6,016
-------- -------- --------
$16,902 $5,795 $22,697
======== ======== ========
2002
Rentals and leases $15,233 $7,956 $23,189
Sales of equipment and other
Revenues 6,366 1,510 7,876
-------- -------- --------
$21,599 $9,466 $31,065
======== ======== ========
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues
during the first three months of fiscal 2003 and 2002. In
addition, total foreign country customers and operations
accounted for no more than 10% of the Company's revenues and long-
lived assets for the same periods.
Note 9: Computation of Earnings Per Share
Following is a reconciliation of the denominator used in the
computation of basic and diluted EPS for the quarters ended
August 31:
Page 10
2003 2002
-------- --------
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per 24,823 24,791
share-weighted average
common shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive-options 41 57
-------- --------
24,864 24,848
======== ========
Net income $2,126 $ 2,601
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.09 $ 0.10
Diluted $ 0.09 $ 0.10
Note 10: Commitments and Contingencies
The Company leases certain facilities under various operating
leases. Most of the lease agreements provide the Company with the
option of renewing its lease at the end of the initial lease
term, at the fair rental value, for periods of up to five years.
In most cases, management expects that in the normal course of
business facility leases will be renewed or replaced by other
leases.
The Company is subject to legal proceedings and business disputes
involving ordinary and routine claims. The ultimate legal and
financial liability with respect to such matters cannot be
estimated with certainty and requires the use of estimates in
recording liabilities for potential litigation settlements.
Estimates for losses from litigation are made after consultation
with outside counsel. If estimates of potential losses increase
or the related facts and circumstances change in the future, the
Company may be required to record either more or less litigation
expense. It is management's opinion that none of the open matters
at May 31, 2003 will have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition or operations.
Page 11
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion addresses the financial condition of the
Company as of August 31, 2003 and the results of operations for
the three month period ended August 31, 2003. This discussion
should be read in conjunction with the Management's Discussion
and Analysis section included in the Company's 2003 Annual Report
on Form 10-K (pages 5-11) to which the reader is directed for
additional information.
General
The Company generates revenues through the rental, lease and sale
of electronic equipment, primarily test and measurement (T&M) and
personal computer-related (DP) equipment. In the first quarter
of fiscal 2004, 70% of rental and lease revenues was derived from
T&M equipment. This percentage has been increasing over the last
four years as a result of a steady erosion of DP rental and lease
revenues related to declines in product purchase prices and unit
volume. Rental revenues comprised 73% of rental and lease
revenue, which percentage has been increasing over the last four
years due to a concurrent and significant decline in personal
computer leasing activity. The Company's customers are primarily
large and mid-sized corporations in various market segments. The
Company's major market segments include telecommunications,
aerospace and defense, manufacturing and consulting.
The Company's profitability is primarily a function of the volume
and pricing of rental, lease and sales transactions, and
utilization of the equipment pool. Significant changes in the
purchase or disposal price of equipment or interest rates can
also have a significant effect on the Company's profitability,
depending on the ability of the Company to adjust rental and
lease rates and sales prices for these changes. The Company's
business requires significant expenditures for equipment and,
consequently, requires substantial liquidity to finance such
expenditures.
After four years of steady declines, demand for rental equipment
was modestly higher in the first three months of fiscal 2004 than
in the preceding three months, reflecting a pick up in the global
economy. However, rental rates and lease rates remained very
competitive. Overall utilization for the Company's equipment
pool, based on acquisition cost, increased from 53.7% at August
31, 2002, to 56.9% at August 31, 2003, which primarily reflects
the Company's continued liquidation and write-off of under-
performing assets. During the same period, monthly rental rates
declined by 14.0% and monthly lease rates declined by 12.2%.
We believe that demand for rental electronic equipment should
improve if the U.S. economy continues to recover. Also,
increased defense spending on advanced weapons and intelligence
systems should benefit the Company. Until these events drive
revenues higher, the Company will strive to operate the business
efficiently at the current activity level.
Page 12
Results of Operations
Comparison of Three Months Ended August 31, 2003 and 2002
Revenues
Total revenues for the three months ended August 31, 2003
decreased $8.4 million, or 26.9%, to $22.7 million compared to
$31.1 million in the same period in the prior year. The decline
in total revenues was due to a decrease in rental and lease
revenues of 28.1%, and a decrease in sales of equipment and other
revenues of 23.6%.
Rental and lease revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2004
were $16.7 million, a 28.1% decline from the same period in the
prior year. This decrease was the result of lower demand in the
Company's major market segments, stemming from the global
economic slowdown, and excess equipment on the market which is
available for customers to purchase. Additionally, DP rental
revenue continued to be negatively impacted by eroding purchase
prices of new personal computers and competition.
Sales of equipment and other revenues were $6.0 million in the
first quarter of fiscal 2004, a decrease of 23.6% as compared to
the first quarter of fiscal 2003. This decrease reflects lower
demand and the Company's smaller rental and lease equipment pool.
Operating Expenses
Depreciation of rental and lease equipment decreased from $12.1
million, or 52.0% of rental and lease revenues, in the first
quarter of fiscal 2003, to $8.1 million, or 48.3% of rental and
lease revenues, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. These
declines reflect the Company's continued liquidation and write-
down of under-performing assets.
Costs of revenues other than depreciation decreased 24.1% from
$5.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 to $3.8 million
in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Costs of revenues other
than depreciation primarily includes the cost of equipment sales,
which decreased from 71.3% of equipment sales in the first
quarter of fiscal 2003 to 59.8% of equipment sales in the first
quarter of fiscal 2004. This cost ratio decrease reflects the
liquidation of more fully-depreciated equipment in the first
quarter of fiscal 2004.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.6
million, or 24.9%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 as
compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2003. These expenses as
a percentage of total revenues increased from 33.6% in the first
quarter of fiscal 2003 to 34.5% in the first quarter of fiscal
2004. This percentage increase is the result of decreasing
revenue, as discussed above, outpacing the decrease in SG&A
expenses. Employees currently total 294, a 26.9% decline from
the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2003.
Page 13
Interest and Investment Income
Net interest and investment income of $421 for the first quarter
of fiscal 2004 was 27.3% lower than $579 recorded in the first
quarter of the prior year. Despite increased investments in
money market instruments and marketable securities in the current
period as compared to the prior year, interest and investment
income declined because interest rates were lower in the current
year.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate was 38.7% for the first quarter of fiscal
2004 as compared to 38.0% for the same period in the prior year,
reflecting a slight increase in taxes accrued for various states
and foreign jurisdictions. This tax rate differs from the U.S.
statutory rate primarily due to state and local taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, the Company's primary capital requirements have
been purchases of rental and lease equipment and debt service.
However, because of the decline in equipment purchases related to
the business slowdown over the last four years, the Company has
had no bank borrowings since the third quarter of fiscal 2001.
The Company purchases equipment throughout each year to replace
equipment, that has been sold, and to maintain adequate levels of
rental equipment to meet existing and new customer demands. The
rental and leasing market for personal computers has declined
over the last four years, and the T&M market began declining in
the last quarter of fiscal 2001. However, during the first three
months of fiscal 2004 the Company experienced a modest increase
in overall rental activity over the previous three month period.
Accordingly, during the first three months of fiscal 2004, the
Company made modest purchases of equipment in order to support
some areas of potential growth for both T&M and DP equipment, and
to keep the Company's equipment pool technologically up-to-date.
Cash and cash equivalents are likely to continue to accumulate,
however the rate at which cash accumulates compared to the past
couple of years could slow down for a few reasons. If demand for
rental and lease equipment continues to pick up and equipment
sales remain low, the Company is likely to further increase its
equipment purchases to support its rental business.
Additionally, the Company could decide to buy back additional
shares of its common stock, pay a dividend, finance another
acquisition, or pursue other opportunities. The Company has
invested its growing cash balance in U.S. government money market
funds and other instruments with maturities of less than 90 days.
During fiscal year 2001, the Company's Board of Directors
authorized management to implement a limited stock repurchase
program in the amount of 1,500,000 shares. As of August 31,
2003, the Company had bought back 318,000 common shares for $3.0
million, or $9.37 per share. The only shares repurchased since
fiscal 2001 have been in connection with the stock-for-stock
exercise of employee options. Shares acquired are retired.
Page 14
Since the Company began accumulating significant cash balances in
fiscal 2001, the Company's Board of Directors has continuously
reviewed investment alternatives. The Company is currently
conducting a thorough review of its opportunities for growing the
business, including what financial resources would be required to
accomplish its goals. During fiscal 2004 the Company expects to
be in a position to make a judgment as to the best uses for its
cash.
During the three months ended August 31, 2003 and 2002 net cash
provided by operating activities was $9.4 million and $16.2
million, respectively. The decrease in fiscal 2004 results
primarily from the decline in net income, lower depreciation and
amortization expense, and changes in accounts receivable and
accounts payable.
During the three months ended August 31, 2003 net cash used in
investing activities was $12.5 million, compared to $1.0 million
in the same period of the prior year. This increase is mostly
attributable to the purchase of marketable securities.
During the first three months of fiscal 2004 and 2003 net cash
flows from financing activities were not significant.
The Company has a $10.0 million revolving line of credit with a
bank, subject to certain restrictions, to meet equipment
acquisition needs as well as working capital and general
corporate requirements. The Company had no borrowings
outstanding at August 31, 2003.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. On a regular basis, management reviews these estimates
including those related to asset lives and depreciation methods,
impairment of long-lived assets including intangibles, allowance
for doubtful accounts, and contingencies and litigation. These
estimates are based on management's historical experience and on
various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates
under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes,
however, that the estimates, including those for the above-listed
items, are reasonable.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies
affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the
preparation of the Company's financial statements:
Page 15
Asset lives and depreciation methods: The Company's primary
business involves the purchase and subsequent rental and leasing
of long-lived electronic equipment. Management has chosen asset
lives that it believes correspond to the economic life of the
related asset. Management has chosen depreciation methods that it
believes matches the benefit to the Company from the asset with
the associated costs. These judgments have been made based on
management's expertise in each equipment type that the Company
carries. If the asset life and depreciation method chosen do not
reduce the book value of the asset to at least the estimated
future cash flows from the asset to the Company, the Company
would be required to record an impairment.
Impairment of long-lived assets: On a regular basis, management
reviews the carrying value of its rental and leasing equipment
and intangible assets to determine if the carrying value of the
assets may not be recoverable due to current and forecasted
economic conditions. This requires management to make estimates
related to future undiscounted cash flows from the assets. If
these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future,
management may be required to record additional impairment
charges.
Allowance for doubtful accounts: The Company maintains allowances
for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the
inability of customers to make rental and lease payments. These
estimates are primarily based on the amount of time that has
lapsed since payments were due, as well as specific knowledge
related to the individual customer orders and the ability of one
or more of customers to make the required payments. If the
financial condition of the Company's customers deteriorates,
additional allowances could be required that would reduce income.
Conversely, if the financial condition of the customers improves
or if legal remedies to collect past due amounts are more
successful than expected, the allowance for doubtful accounts may
need to be reduced and income would be increased.
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SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for the historical statements and discussions contained in
this Form 10-Q, statements contained in this Form 10-Q constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking
statements reflect the current views of the Company's management
with respect to future events and financial performance; however,
you should not put undue reliance on these statements. All
plans, projections, and future estimates are forward-looking
statements, which in some, but not all, cases, are identified by
words such as "anticipate," "believes," "expects," "intends,"
"future," and other similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, not
all of which are disclosed in this Form 10-Q. Although the
Company believes its management's assumptions are reasonable, it
is likely that at least some of these assumptions will not come
true. Accordingly, the Company's actual results will probably
differ from the outcomes contained in any forward-looking
statement, and those differences could be material. Factors that
could cause or contribute to these differences include, among
others, those risks and uncertainties discussed under the
sections contained in this Form 10-Q entitled "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," and in "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
About Market Risk Related to Interest Rates and Foreign Currency
Exchange Rates," as well as in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2003 including the "Risk
Factors" attached as Exhibit 99 to that document, the Company's
Proxy Statement for its 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Should one or more of the risks discussed in any of
those documents, or any other risks, materialize, or should one
or more of the Company's underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
the Company's actual results may vary materially from those
anticipated, estimated, expected or projected. In light of the
risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any
forward-looking information will in fact prove to be correct. We
do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking
statements.
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Item 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk And Risk Related to Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
We manage our investment portfolio in accordance with our
Investment Policy. The primary objectives of our Investment
Policy are to preserve principal, maintain a high degree of
liquidity to meet operating needs, and obtain competitive returns
subject to prevailing market conditions. Investments are made
primarily in government and non-government money market funds and
high-grade securities, while avoiding concentration in anything
other than U.S. government securities and subject to appropriate
diversification. These investments are subject to risk of
default, changes in credit rating and changes in market value.
These investments are also subject to interest rate risk and will
decrease in value if market interest rates increase. However,
due to the conservative nature of our investments and relatively
short effective maturities of debt instruments, interest rate
risk is mitigated. Our Investment Policy specifies credit
quality standards for our investments and limits the amount of
exposure from any single issue, issuer or type of investment. We
do not own derivative financial instruments in our investment
portfolio.
The Company is subject to risks associated with foreign currency
rate fluctuations to the extent of financing arrangements for
rented and leased equipment denominated in Canadian dollars. The
Company has determined that hedging of these assets is not cost
effective and instead attempts to minimize its risks due to
currency and exchange rate fluctuations through working capital
management. The Company does not believe that any foreseeable
change in currency rates would materially or adversely affect its
financial position or results of operations.
Item 4: Controls And Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Within the 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Company
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of the Company's management, including the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of
the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation,
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are
effective in timely alerting them to material information
relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries)
required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC filings.
(b) Changes in internal controls
There were no significant changes in the Company's internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation
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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The exhibits filed as part of this Form 10-Q are:
Exhibit # Description
- --------- -----------
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief
Executive Officer
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief
Financial Officer
32.1 Section 1350 Certification by Principal Executive
Officer
32.2 Section 1350 Certification by Chief Financial Officer
(b) Current Reports on Form 8-K
The Company furnished to the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K,
dated as of August 11, 2003, to disclose the issuance of a press
release by the Company. The purpose of such press release was to
report the Company's fiscal 2003 earnings.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized.
ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION
DATED: October 1, 2003
/s/ Craig R. Jones
Craig R. Jones
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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