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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

X

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 29, 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 0-17955

SEARS DC CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware
(State of Incorporation)

36-3533346
( I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

3711 Kennett Pike, Greenville, Delaware
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

19807
(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 434-3100

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [ ] No [ X ]

As of April 30, 2003, Registrant had 1,000 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which were held by Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

None


 

 

SEARS DC CORP.
Index To Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003

Part I - Financial Information 

Page

   

 
 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 
   

 
  Statements of Income (unaudited) - 13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003
and March 30, 2002
 1

   

Statements of Financial Position - March 29, 2003 (unaudited), March 30, 2002 (unaudited) and December 28, 2002

 2
   

Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - 13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002

3

   

 
   

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

4

 

 

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

 5

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

5

 

 

Item 4.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

6

   

 

Part II - Other Information

   

 
 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

   

 
   

None.

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

7

   

 
   

 

 

SEARS DC CORP.
Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item I. Financial Statements

13 Weeks Ended


thousands

March 29,

March 30,

2003


2002


Revenues

   Earnings on notes of Sears

$

1,216

$

1,750

Expenses

   Interest and related expenses

1,201

1,732

   Operating expenses

9


9


   Total expenses

1,210

1,741

 

Income before income taxes

6

9

Income taxes

2


3


Net Income

$
==

4
=======

$
==

6
=======

See notes to financial statements.

1


 

 

SEARS DC CORP.
Statements of Financial Position

 

(Unaudited)


     

thousands, except share data

March 29,

March 30,

Dec. 28,

 

2003


 

2002


 

2002


Assets

   Notes of Sears

$

60,559

$

82,473

$

59,344

   Deferred Debt Issuance Costs

155


179


160


   Total assets

$
=

60,714
=========

$
=

82,652
=========

$
=

59,504
========

Liabilities

   Medium-term notes

$

52,800

$

73,875

$

52,800

   Interest payable and other liabilities

2,450


3,329


1,244


   Total liabilities

55,250

77,204

54,044

Stockholder's Equity

   Common stock par value $1.00 per share, 1,000 shares
      authorized and outstanding

1

1

1

   Capital in excess of par value

7

7

7

   Retained income

5,456


5,440


5,452


   Total stockholder's equity

5,464


5,448


5,460


   Total liabilities and stockholder's equity

$
=

60,714
=========

$
=

82,652
=========

$
=

59,504
========

See accompanying notes.

2


 

SEARS DC CORP.
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

13 Weeks Ended


thousands

March 29,

March 30,

2003


2002


             

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

           

Net income

$

4

$

6

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
   operating activities:

Net change in deferred debt issuance costs and interest
   payable and other liabilities

 

1,211


   

1,485


 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,215


   

1,491


 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

           

(Increase) decrease in notes of Sears

 

(1,215)


   

2,159


 

   Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(1,215)


   

2,159


 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

           

Repayment of Medium-term notes

--


(3,650)


   Net cash used in financing activities

 

--


   

(3,650)


 

           

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

--

   

--

 

           

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

--


   

--


 

           

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

--
=========

   

--
========

 

           

See accompanying notes.

             

3


 

SEARS DC CORP.
Notes To Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

 

Notes to Financial Statements
(thousands)

 

Sears DC Corp. ("SDC" or the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co. ("Sears"), was formed to borrow in domestic and foreign debt markets and lend the proceeds of such borrowings to Sears and certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of Sears in exchange for their unsecured notes. The only outstanding debt of SDC is two series of medium-term notes. SDC does not plan to issue additional debt.

Under an agreement between SDC and Sears, the interest rate paid by Sears on its unsecured notes is designed to produce earnings sufficient to cover SDC's fixed charges at least 1.005 times. Required payments of principal and interest to SDC under the Sears borrowing agreement are intended to be sufficient to allow SDC to make timely payments of principal and interest to the holders of its securities.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. The significant accounting policies used in the presentation of these financial statements are consistent with the summary of significant accounting policies set forth in SDC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002, and these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes found therein. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The medium-term notes are not redeemable by SDC except in the event of a significant decline in Discover Card receivables of Sears former subsidiary, Dean Witter, which is now a part of Morgan Stanley. SDC's borrowings include the following:

 

March 29,
2003


 

March 30,
2002


 

 

8.55% to 9.26% Medium-Term Notes due 2003 through 2012

 

$ 52,800
==========

 

$ 73,875
============

At March 29, 2003, medium-term note maturities for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

2003 . . . . . . . . . . .

$

9,000

2004 . . . . . . . . . . .

--

2005 . . . . . . . . . . .

--

2006 . . . . . . . . . . .

--

2007 . . . . . . . . . . .

--

Thereafter . . . . . . . .

43,800


$
==

52,800
======

4


 

SEARS DC CORP.
13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 And March 30, 2002

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

(amounts in millions)

FINANCIAL CONDITION

SDC invests funds in promissory notes of Sears, which pay interest sufficient to cover SDC's fixed charges at least 1.005 times.

The $52.8 in outstanding medium-term notes as of March 29, 2003 are generally not redeemable prior to their stated maturity. One exception is in the event of a significant decline in Discover Card receivables of Sears former subsidiary, Dean Witter, which is now a part of Morgan Stanley.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Medium-term notes outstanding were $52.8 and $73.9 as of March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002, respectively. Revenues decreased 30.5% to $1.2 in 2003 from $1.8 in 2002. The revenue decrease is due to lower levels of interest-earning assets in 2003. The decrease in the amount of medium-term notes outstanding led to interest and related expenses decreasing 30.7% to $1.2 in 2003 from $1.7 in 2002. Earnings covered fixed charges 1.005 times for the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements made in this Report on Form 10-Q are "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions about a variety of factors, including the ability of Sears to perform under the agreements described herein and general economic conditions (such as interest rates). While SDC believes that these assumptions are reasonable, SDC cautions that it is impossible to predict the impact of certain facts that could cause actual results to differ from expected results. SDC intends the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time first made and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

(amounts in millions)

SDC's outstanding debt securities are subject to interest rate risk. All debt securities are considered non-trading. At March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002, 100% of SDC's portfolio was fixed rate. For the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2003 and March 30, 2002, the carrying value of SDC's debt was $52.8 and $73.9, respectively.

For the period ended March 29, 2003, average interest rates by year of maturity were:

2003

8.58%

2004

--  

2005

-- 

2006

-- 

2007

-- 

Thereafter

9.15%

5


 

SEARS DC CORP.
13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 And March 30, 2002

Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company's management, including Larry R. Raymond, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Keith E. Trost, Vice President and Treasurer (principal financial officer), have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's "disclosure controls and procedures," as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within 90 days of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, since the date the controls were evaluated.

6


 

SEARS DC CORP.
13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 And March 30, 2002

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

     

   

(a)

Exhibits.

     

     

An Exhibit Index has been filed as part of this Report on Page E-1.

     

   

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K.

     

     

None

7


 

SEARS DC CORP.
13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 And March 30, 2002

 

SIGNATURE

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

   

Sears DC Corp.
(Registrant)

May 09, 2003

By:

/s/ William K. Phelan
   Vice President and Controller

 

   (Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting
     Officer of Registrant)

   

8


SEARS DC CORP.

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Larry R. Raymond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears DC Corp., certify that:

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sears DC Corp.

  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 officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

  1. designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 quarterly report is being prepared;

  2. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

  3. presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

  1. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
  1. all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

  2. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and;

  1. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: May 09, 2003
By: /s/ Larry R. Raymond
Larry R. Raymond
President and Chief Executive Officer

9


SEARS DC CORP.

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Keith E. Trost, Vice President and Treasurer of Sears DC Corp., certify that:

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sears DC Corp.

  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 officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

  1. designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 quarterly report is being prepared;

  2. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

  3. presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

  1. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
  1. all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

  2. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and;

  1. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: May 09, 2003
By: /s/ Keith E. Trost
Keith E. Trost
Vice President and Treasurer

10


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

SEARS DC CORP.
13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2003 And March 30, 2002

 

Exhibit No.

 

3(a)

Certificate of Incorporation of Discover Credit Corp. dated January 9, 1987 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10 of the Registrant *).

 

 

3(b)

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Discover Credit Corp. dated April 9, 1987 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10 of the Registrant*).

 

 

3(c)

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated May 21, 1993 to change the name of Discover Credit Corp. to Sears DC Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996*).

 

 

3(d)

By-laws of Sears DC Corp. as amended to February 6, 1996 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995*).

 

 

4

Registrant hereby agrees to furnish the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, with the instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant.

 

 

99(a)

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**

 

99(b)

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**

 

_____________________
* Sec File No. 0-17955
** Filed herewith

E-1


 

SEARS DC CORP.
EXHIBIT 99(a)

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The undersigned, Larry R. Raymond, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears DC Corp. (the "Company"), has executed this certification in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 2003 (the "Report").

The undersigned hereby certifies that:

  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.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certification as of the 9th day of May, 2003.

/s/ Larry R. Raymond

Larry R. Raymond
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Sears DC Corp. and will be retained by  Sears DC Corp. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

E-2


 

SEARS DC CORP.
EXHIBIT 99(b)

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The undersigned, Keith E. Trost, Vice President and Treasurer of Sears DC Corp. (the "Company"), has executed this certification in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 2003 (the "Report").

The undersigned hereby certifies that:

  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.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certification as of the 9th day of May, 2003.

/s/ Keith E. Trost

Keith E. Trost
Vice President and Treasurer

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Sears DC Corp. and will be retained by Sears DC Corp. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

E-3