SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

Commission file number 0-21630

ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.

1480 South Hohokam Drive

(602) 337-3700

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No o

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Table of Contents

PART I- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003
(in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2004

INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORTING

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements for Action Performance Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries have been prepared without audit by independent auditors pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In our opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods included herein have been made. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

We account for stock-based compensation plans under APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related interpretations, under which no compensation expense has been recognized, as all options have been granted with an exercise price equal to or exceeding the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options generally vest ratably over three years. Options granted to independent directors generally vest immediately upon grant.

Had compensation costs been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123), utilizing the assumptions detailed below and amortizing the resulting fair value of stock options granted over the respective vesting period of the options, the net income and per share amounts would have been the following pro forma amounts for the periods ended June 30 (in thousands, except per share data):

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For SFAS 123, we estimated the fair value of each option grant as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing method with the following assumptions for the periods ended June 30:

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2003, FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46). In December 2003, FASB issued a revised interpretation of FIN 46 (FIN 46-R), which supercedes FIN 46 and clarifies and expands current accounting guidance for variable interest entities (VIEs). Adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46-R had no effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We have interests in an unconsolidated partnership, which remain unconsolidated under FIN No. 46.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Reportable segments are based on divisions operating geographically, domestic and abroad, and specializing in either die-cast or apparel and memorabilia. The domestic die-cast operations are based in the Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California areas. The domestic apparel and memorabilia operation is based in Charlotte, North Carolina with a mass-market retail distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia and warehouse and distribution facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina, Baraboo, Wisconsin, and Los Angeles, California. Trackside operations are included in the domestic apparel and memorabilia segment. The foreign die-cast operation is based in Aachen, Germany.

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on segment operating income (loss). The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those used in the consolidated financial statements. Domestic licensing costs and certain management costs are not allocated to the domestic operating segments and are included in corporate and other. Intangible licenses are included in corporate and other assets. Each domestic segment is allocated royalty expense based on the incremental royalty due on that segment’s net sales. Domestic royalty guarantees advanced and unearned are allocated as an expense of the domestic segments. Financial information for the reportable segments follows (in thousands):

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(a)

Domestic die-cast identifiable assets include the Winner’s Circle trademark, purchased from Hasbro in May 2001. As additional consideration for the trademark purchase, we pay 1.5% or 3% of certain Winner’s Circle product net sales to Hasbro, quarterly, through May 2006. The additional consideration is added to the cost of the trademark quarterly. Domestic die-cast identifiable assets also include Funline trademarks.

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In 2004, we made an election for federal income tax purposes, which resulted in a revision of the Funline preliminary purchase price allocation to establish deferred tax liabilities of $11.0 million. Also during 2004, we accrued $1.7 million as additional consideration payable under the earn-out provisions of the Funline acquisition agreement and reduced liabilities established in the preliminary purchase price allocation by $3.6 million. The additional consideration and preliminary purchase price allocation revisions were allocated to the Funline trademarks.

(b)		During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Jeff Hamilton trademark was decreased by $1.0 million when an accrual for expected contingent consideration was reversed.
(c)		Corporate and other identifiable assets includes $49.1 million in cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2004, and $45.4 million in cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2003.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (EPS)

Reconciliations of the numerators and denominators in the EPS computations for net income for the periods ended June 30 follows (in thousands):

The impact of options and warrants outstanding for the purchase of 2.0 million and 1.2 million shares of common stock, at an average price of $25.83 and $30.36, were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, because to do so would be antidilutive. The impact of options and warrants outstanding for the purchase of 1.9 million and 1.2 million shares of common stock, at an average price of $25.97 and $30.16 were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, because to do so would be antidilutive. The options and warrants had exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, but could potentially dilute EPS in the future. The impacts of outstanding 4¾% convertible subordinated notes were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 because to do so also would be antidilutive. The notes could potentially dilute EPS in the future.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We are not currently a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements and do not anticipate being a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements in the future.

JOINT VENTURE

We have an investment in a joint venture, Action-McFarlane LLC. The joint venture distributes action figurines based on NASCAR driver likenesses. All of the figurines are manufactured by third parties. Our investment in the LLC, included in other long-term assets, was $0.5 million at June 30, 2004, and earnings on the investment in the LLC, included in other income, were $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, and $1.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004.

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DEBT AND FINANCING

On June 30, 2004, we entered into an amended loan and security agreement with our bank. The amended agreement increased available borrowings from $35.0 million to $75.0 million. The agreement is comprised of a $63.3 million, four-year revolving credit facility, which is subject to a borrowing base calculation, a four-year term loan of $1.7 million (Term Loan A) and a three-year term loan of $10.0 million (Term Loan B). We received $11.7 million of cash upon issuance of the term loans on June 30, 2004. As the term loans are repaid, the available revolving credit facility will increase by an equivalent amount, subject to the borrowing base calculation. The agreement provides for issuance of up to $30.0 million of letters of credit, to the extent not utilized for borrowings. Repayment of borrowings under this facility is secured by a first lien on substantially all of our assets. We are required to meet certain financial tests related to minimum tangible net worth and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with those covenants at June 30, 2004.

The revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%-2.50% or prime plus 0.00% - 0.25%, and the term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% - 3.50% or prime plus 0.00% - 1.25%, depending on our fixed coverage ratio, as defined. We pay a commitment fee of 0.375% of the average unused revolving credit facility and a fee of 1.0% of the average undrawn letters of credit.

As of June 30, 2004, 4¾% convertible subordinated notes with a face value of $29.9 million remained outstanding. On August 2, 2004, we redeemed the notes at a price of 100.68%. The notes were classified as current maturities of long-term debt at June 30, 2004. We funded the redemption with cash on hand, revolving credit facility borrowings and the term loans under the loan and security agreement. The subordinated notes were convertible, at the option of the holders, into shares of common stock at the initial conversion price of $48.20 per share, subject to adjustments in certain events and would have matured on April 1, 2005.

The aggregate future maturities of the 4¾% convertible subordinated notes, term loans under the loan and security agreement and other long-term debt at June 30, 2004, follow (in thousands):

The schedule above reflects the commitment at June 30, 2004, to redeem the subordinated notes on August 2, 2004. Term Loan B under the loan and security agreement is subject to annual mandatory prepayments of 50% of excess cash flows as defined by the agreement. Only scheduled payments for this three-year loan are reflected above.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to certain lawsuits and asserted and unasserted claims. We believe that the resolution of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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In April 2004, we filed a complaint for declaratory judgment in the state of North Carolina, county of Cabarrus against New Hampshire Speedway, Inc. (NHS) to settle a dispute regarding trackside payments between the parties, and requested that the court rule as a matter of law that NHS be precluded from asserting any claims against us. Subsequently, in May 2004, Action was served with a lawsuit filed by NHS in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire claiming we underpaid certain trackside expenses. We intend to seek a stay or dismissal on the New Hampshire action and resolve whatever dispute may still exist in the North Carolina case. We do not believe that the resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2003, we settled a lawsuit, with Dover International Speedway, filed in October 2003 against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware for $0.9 million.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

We are the leading designer and marketer of licensed motorsports products related to NASCAR, including die-cast scaled replicas of motorsports vehicles, apparel, and memorabilia. We currently have exclusive license agreements with many of the most recognized names in NASCAR. We also design and sell products relating to other motorsports, including racing sanctioned by the NHRA, Formula One, the IRL, IROC, and the World of Outlaws. In Germany, we merchandise Formula One and high-end auto manufacturer die-cast replica vehicles. We work closely with drivers, team owners, track operators, and sponsors to design and merchandise our products. Third parties manufacture all of the replica motorsports vehicles and most apparel and memorabilia, generally utilizing our designs, tools, and dies. We retain ownership and control over designs and tooling and have close working relationships with our third-party manufacturers to help assure product quality.

We have structured our operations to enable us to service higher levels of sales with limited increases in operating expenses and capital investments. The principal elements of this operating structure include the following:

•		Our exclusive licenses allow us to exert a high degree of control over product pricing.
•		Manufacturing costs are largely fixed due to outsourcing under fixed-price contracts.
•		Royalties are paid generally as a percentage of net sales.
•		Due to our agreements with distributors and QVC, incremental volume does not proportionately increase our operating expenses.
•		Research and development is limited to basic design and engineering.
•		Capital expenditures are principally limited to tooling for die-cast.
•		Functions, such as manufacturing and others outside of our core skills, are generally outsourced.

Revenue

We derive revenue primarily from the sale of our licensed motorsports products. The popularity and performance of drivers and teams under license, the popularity of motorsports in general and NASCAR in particular, the general demand for licensed sports merchandise, and our ability to design, produce, and distribute our products in a timely manner influence the level of our net sales.

We distribute our products through a broad range of channels, including a network of wholesale distributors, leading mass-market retailers, mobile trackside stores, QVC, and our collectors’ club catalog. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title passes to the customer, the fee is fixed or determinable, and

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collection is probable. Most distributor sales are recognized when product is shipped to a distributor because title to the product passes to the distributors at shipment. Sales to mass-market retailers are recognized when title to product passes to the retailer, either at time of shipment to the retailer or receipt by the retailer. Under terms of our consignment agreement with QVC, collectors’ club catalog sales are recognized when title passes to QVC, which occurs when QVC ships product to the consumer. We recognize trackside sales when the consumer purchases product at the point of sale. A portion of the product sold through television programming is consignment product, for which sales are recognized when title passes to QVC, which occurs when QVC ships the product to the consumer. Internet and other sales are generally recognized when delivered to the consumer.

Net sales include sales net of estimated sales returns, discounts, advertising and other allowances. Advertising allowances are amounts paid primarily to mass merchant retailers in connection with promoting and selling our product. These amounts are recorded as a reduction from sales when revenue is recognized.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes product cost, shipping and freight forwarding costs paid to third parties, depreciation of tooling and dies, royalties to third party licensors, product testing and sample expense, and fees paid to QVC for shipping and handling. We incur costs to screen-print or embroider certain inventory, which are also included in cost of sales, although most of our product is procured in its finished state. Substantial portions of our die-cast products are manufactured under an exclusive agreement with Early Light, a third-party manufacturer in China. We obtain substantially all of our apparel and memorabilia products on a purchase order basis from several third-party manufacturers and suppliers.

Most of the components of our cost of sales are variable in nature. However, certain factors do affect our gross margin, including the following:

•		product mix,
•		our ability to price our product appropriately,
•		the effect of amortizing the fixed cost components of cost of sales, primarily depreciation of tooling and dies, over varying levels of net sales,
•		the type of freight charges, and
•		additional charges related to lower than minimum order quantities and cancellation of specific purchase orders.

Gross Margin

Our gross margins may not be comparable to those of other entities, since some entities include all handling and warehousing costs in cost of sales and others exclude a portion of them from gross margin, including them instead in line items such as selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits, use and occupancy expenses, creative services costs, advertising and promotion costs, sponsorship costs, and other general and administrative expenses. Included are the salaries, benefits and other costs of our procurement, receiving, and warehouse personnel. Selling, general, and administrative expenses include internal handling costs, incurred to store, move, and prepare the products for shipment, of approximately $1.6 million and $1.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, and $4.5 million and $4.0 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The majority of these costs are fixed and, as a result, incremental sales volume generally results in a decline in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales.

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Seasonality

Because the auto-racing season is concentrated between the months of February and November, the second and third calendar quarters of each year (our third and fourth fiscal quarters) are historically characterized by higher sales.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. During preparation of these financial statements, we are required to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, royalties, contingencies, and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The following critical accounting policies require us to make significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We determine the adequacy of this allowance by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history, and current economic conditions. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. Our accounts receivable are written off against the allowance once the account is deemed to be uncollectible. This typically occurs once we have exhausted all efforts to collect the account, which includes collection attempts by company employees and outside collection agencies.

Inventory

We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Royalties

Our license agreements generally require payments of royalties to drivers, sponsors, teams, and other parties. Contracts generally provide for royalties to be calculated as a specified percentage of sales. Some contracts, however, provide for guaranteed minimum royalty payments. Royalties payable calculated using the contract percentage rates are recognized as cost of sales when the related sales are recognized. To the extent we project that royalties payable under a contract, calculated using the contract percentage rate, will be lower than guaranteed minimums during the guarantee period, we recognize additional cost of sales over the guarantee period, generally a calendar year. Guarantees advanced under the license agreements are carried as prepaid royalties until earned by the third party, or considered to be unrecoverable. We evaluate prepaid royalties regularly and expense prepaid royalties to cost of sales to the extent projected to be unrecoverable through sales.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

We evaluate goodwill and other intangibles for impairment annually, and when impairment indicators arise, in accordance with SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. For goodwill, we first compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, additional tests would be used to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. We

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use a present value technique to measure reporting unit fair value. If the carrying amount of any other intangible asset exceeds its fair value, we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between fair value and the carrying amount. We have not recognized any impairment losses to date. If events occur and circumstances change, causing the fair value of a reporting unit to fall below its carrying amount, impairment losses may be recognized in the future.

Deferred Tax Assets

We estimate our actual current tax exposure together with the temporary differences that have resulted from the differing treatment of items dictated by generally accepted accounting principles versus U.S. and German tax laws. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. If we were to believe the recovery was less than likely, we would establish a valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset and charge the amount as an income tax expense in the period in which such a determination was made.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for employee stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations (APB No. 25). Common stock options issued under our plans generally do not result in compensation expense because the exercise price of the stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Were we required to record compensation expense for these options, the charge to earnings might be significant (See Shareholders’ Equity Note).

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage of total revenue represented by certain expense and revenue items for the periods ended June 30:

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The following table sets forth net sales by channel of distribution and net sales from the operations of acquired businesses for the periods ended June 30 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004, Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

Net sales increased to $92.2 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2004, from $87.5 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding $6.5 million in revenues from Funline operations, acquired in September 2003, net sales declined $1.8 million, or 2.1%, from the prior year quarter. Domestic die-cast sales, excluding the $6.5 million Funline revenues, decreased $5.9 million, or 14.7%, from the prior year quarter. The decrease in domestic die-cast sales resulted, in part, from timing issues surrounding the finalization of promotion approvals, which led to reduced die-cast order quantities for individual programs and delayed our ability to produce and ship motorsports die-cast, and cautious orders by both wholesale distributors and mass retailers for motorsports die-cast. Foreign die-cast sales increased $0.5 million, or 6.0%, from the prior quarter. Domestic apparel and memorabilia segment sales, exclusive of trackside, increased $1.3 million, or 5.3%, from the prior year quarter. Trackside sales increased $2.1 million in the third quarter compared to the prior year quarter, to $16.7 million, primarily because the Texas race ($3.0 million revenue) occurred in our third quarter in 2004 rather than our second quarter as in 2003. Revenues are expected to increase in the fourth quarter of 2004 over the third quarter of 2004 due in part to seasonal mass retail shipments.

The 3.3% decline in gross profit, to 32.1% of net sales in the third quarter of 2004 from 35.4% in the 2003 third quarter, was impacted by the changes in segment gross margins as follows:

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The domestic die-cast decline in gross margin of 5.1% was comprised of the following:

Domestic die-cast gross margins improved in the third quarter, which improvement is expected to continue as a result of price increases which went in to effect in the third quarter of 2004 and product cost reductions. The 2.4% decline in foreign die-cast gross margins was the result of higher tooling charges as a percent of revenue, in part as a result of changes in the euro-to-dollar exchange rate.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $21.7 million, or 23.5% of net sales, in the quarter ended June 30, 2004, compared to $20.3 million, or 23.2% of net sales, in the prior year quarter. Excluding the operating expenses of Funline, acquired in September 2003, expenses in the 2004 third quarter were $19.3 million, which was $1.0 million lower than the prior year period due to decreases in promotion and advertising expenses and legal costs.

Interest expense of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, was $0.1 million lower than the prior year period, primarily as a result of convertible subordinated note repurchases after March 31, 2003.

Foreign currency losses were $0.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2004, versus a foreign currency gain of $0.8 million in the prior year quarter. Changes in the euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rate resulted in $0.4 million in translation losses in the 2004 third quarter compared to $0.8 million in translation gains in the prior year quarter. These gains and losses resulted from translation of German advances payable, which are denominated in U.S. dollars. In 2004, these translation losses were offset by a gain of $0.2 million on a forward exchange contract.

The effective tax rate of 38.5% in the third fiscal quarter reflects current expectations for the effective tax rate for fiscal 2004 and is approximately the same effective tax rate for the prior year quarter.

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004, Compared with Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003

Net sales decreased to $247.0 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2004, from $263.6 million in the prior year period. Excluding $30.1 million in revenues from Funline operations, acquired in September 2003, net sales in the nine months declined $46.7 million, or 17.8%, from the prior year period. Domestic die-cast sales, excluding the $30.1 million Funline revenues, decreased $41.0 million, or 35.6%, from the prior year period while foreign die-cast sales increased $1.6 million, or 6.4%, from the prior period. The decrease in domestic die-cast sales resulted, in part, from timing issues surrounding the finalization of sponsor relationships and promotion approval, compounded by cautious orders by both wholesale distributors and mass retailers for motorsports die-cast. These factors led to reduced die-cast order quantities for individual programs and delayed our ability to produce and ship motorsports die-cast. Domestic apparel and memorabilia segment sales, exclusive of trackside, decreased $6.2 million, or 7.3%, in the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the prior year period. Apparel and memorabilia revenues were down due to reduced mass retail apparel orders, and reduced wholesale apparel and Jeff Hamilton Collection jacket demand. Trackside sales decreased 3.9% in the first nine months of 2004, compared to the prior year period, to $33.6 million.

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The 6.6% decline in gross profit, to 28.6% of net sales in the first nine months of 2004 from 35.2% in the prior year period, was impacted by the changes in segment gross margins as follows:

The domestic die-cast decline in gross margin of 9.9% was comprised of the following:

Domestic die-cast gross margins improved in the third quarter, which improvement is expected to continue as a result of price increases which went in to effect in the third quarter of 2004 and product cost reductions. The decline in domestic apparel and memorabilia gross margins of 2.5% was the result of higher estimated royalty reserves. The 2.4% decline in foreign die-cast gross margins was principally the result of higher tooling charges as a percent of revenue, in part as a result of changes in the euro-to-dollar exchange rate.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $62.0 million, or 25.1% of net sales, in the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $56.7 million, or 21.5% of net sales, in the prior year period. Selling, general, and administrative expenses included the $0.9 million settlement of litigation with Dover International Speedway in the first quarter of 2004. Excluding this settlement charge and the operating expenses of Funline, acquired in September 2003, expenses in the first nine months of 2004 were $56.1 million, which was $0.6 million lower than the prior year period due to decreased legal costs.

Interest expense of $1.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, was $0.4 million lower than the prior year period, primarily as a result of the convertible subordinated note repurchases after March 31, 2003.

Foreign currency gains were $0.4 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2004, versus a foreign currency gain of $3.1 million in the prior year period. Changes in the euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rate resulted in translation gains of $0.5 million in the 2004 nine months and $3.1 million in the 2003 nine months. These gains resulted from translation of German advances payable, which are denominated in U.S. dollars. In 2004, these translation gains were offset by losses of $0.1 million on forward exchange contracts.

The effective tax rate of 38.6% in the nine months ended June 30, 2004, reflects current expectations for the effective tax rate for fiscal 2004 and is approximately the same effective tax rate for the prior year period.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working capital decreased $18.3 million to $95.3 million at June 30, 2004, from $113.6 million at September 30, 2003. Cash increased $4.0 million to $53.5 million at June 30, 2004, from $49.5 million at September 30, 2003. Cash increased as a result of decreases in accounts receivable ($20.5 million) and long-term borrowings ($11.7 million). This increase in cash was offset by reductions in cash for net property and equipment expenditures ($20.2 million), payments for acquisitions of businesses and intangibles ($2.9 million), increases in inventory ($15.8 million), dividends to common and minority interest shareholders ($4.2 million), increases in other current assets, and decreases in other current liabilities.

Days sales outstanding, calculated on quarterly sales, were 49.0 days as of June 30, 2004, compared to 60.6 days as of September 30, 2003, and 52.1 days at June 30, 2003. Days sales outstanding improved from June 30, 2003, although Funline’s days sales outstanding was 59.1 days at June 30, 2004.

Inventories at June 30, 2004, increased $16.8 million over amounts at September 30, 2003. Of this increase, $6.5 million was attributable to Funline due to inventory requirements for the mass retailers, $2.6 million was due to in-transit inventories, and a $2.3 million increase in Jeff Hamilton Collection jacket inventories.

Except for Funline and collector’s catalog club die-cast, we generally produce domestic and foreign die-cast based upon orders received from customers. The timing of receiving orders is directly related to the timing of the completion of product program approvals and is not necessarily indicative of product demand or future sales. We produce Funline die-cast for inventory based on customer-projected orders. We receive Funline customer orders weekly, which are fulfilled in the following week. We record as backlog orders received from customers, which for Funline, is limited to the weekly orders.

Apparel and memorabilia product, except Trevco product, is generally ordered from inventory. Trevco is a seasonal business in which orders are received in our second and third fiscal quarters and shipped in our third and fourth fiscal quarters.

Domestic and foreign die-cast, including Funline product, backlog was $56 million and $54 million at June 30, 2004 and 2003. Apparel and memorabilia backlog was $33 million and $26 million at June 30, 2004 and 2003. Backlog on any date in a given year is not necessarily indicative of future sales.

Capital expenditures related principally to ongoing investments in tooling and building additions in Aachen, Germany, were $20.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, and included $6.3 million applicable to foreign operations and $6.4 million for Funline capital expenditures, which included $1.6 million of tooling existing at the acquisition date that was acquired from one of Funline’s contract manufacturers. Capital expenditures for 2004 are expected to total $26 million.

During the first quarter of 2004, the results of Funline’s operations were sufficient to meet earn-out targets established in the Funline acquisition agreement. As a result, we issued 28 thousand shares of our common stock with a value of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2004 and paid $1.2 million as additional consideration in the second quarter. The additional consideration increased the amount recorded for the Funline trademarks.

On June 30, 2004, we entered into an amended loan and security agreement with our bank. The amended agreement increased available borrowings from $35.0 million to $75.0 million. The agreement is comprised of a $63.3 million, four-year revolving credit facility, which is subject to a borrowing base calculation, a four-year term loan of $1.7 million (Term Loan A) and a three-year term loan of $10.0 million (Term Loan B). We received $11.7 million of cash upon issuance of the term loans on June 30, 2004. As the term loans are repaid, the available revolving credit facility will increase by an equivalent amount, subject to the borrowing base calculation. The agreement provides for issuance of up to $30.0 million of letters of credit, to the extent not utilized for borrowings. Repayment of borrowings under this facility is secured by a first lien on substantially all of our assets. We are required to meet certain financial tests related to minimum tangible net worth and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with those covenants at June 30, 2004. Outstanding letters of credit totaled $12.4 million at June 30, 2004.

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The revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%-2.50% or prime plus 0.00% - 0.25%, and the term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.00% - 3.50% or prime plus 0.00% - 1.25%, depending on our fixed coverage ratio, as defined. We pay a commitment fee of 0.375% of the average unused revolving credit facility and a fee of 1.0% of the average undrawn letters of credit.

As of June 30, 2004, 4¾% convertible subordinated notes with a face value of $29.9 million remained outstanding. On August 2, 2004, we redeemed the notes at a price of 100.68%. We funded the redemption with cash on hand, revolving credit facility borrowings, and the term loans under the loan and security agreement. The subordinated notes were convertible, at the option of the holders, into shares of common stock at the initial conversion price of $48.20 per share, subject to adjustments in certain events and would have matured on April 1, 2005.

Based on our current forecast, and historical results, we believe that we have adequate credit availability and cash flow from operations to fund our operating needs, including the requirements of our new Funline subsidiary, for the foreseeable future. We do not currently anticipate a change in our capital structure or the use of off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

A summary of dividends paid on common stock since September 30, 2003, follows (in thousands, except per share data):

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Aggregate future minimum payments due contractually under royalty agreement guarantees, personal service agreements, long-term debt, noncancellable operating leases, commercial letters of credit, and other unconditional purchase obligations are as follows as of June 30, 2004 (in thousands):

In addition to the scheduled interest payments above, we will pay interest on amounts outstanding under our loan and security agreement. The schedule also reflects the commitment at June 30, 2004, to redeem the subordinated notes on August 2, 2004. Unconditional purchase obligations at June 30, 2004, were approximately $0.6 million for property and equipment and $12.4 million of outstanding letters of credit. Term Loan B under the loan and security agreement is subject to annual mandatory prepayments of 50% of excess cash flows as defined by the agreement. Scheduled payments for this three-year loan are reflected above.

We have also committed to make payments in connection with a license renewal totaling $10 million, payable $5 million in July 2004 and $5 million in January 2006.

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In certain sublease arrangements, we remain the primary obligor under the terms of the original lease agreements. Commitments under these subleases expire as follows (in thousands):

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding business strategies, business, and the industry in which we operate. These forward-looking statements are based primarily on our expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including those set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There has been no significant change in our exposure to market risk since year-end. The risk is limited to interest rate risk associated with our credit instruments and foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with operations in Germany.

The functional currency for our foreign operation is the euro. As such, changes in exchange rates between the euro and the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our future earnings. Given the level of income we currently derive from our foreign operations, we consider this exposure to be minimal.

During part of the year we used a derivative as part of our risk management strategy related to a portion of our exposure to currency fluctuations on intercompany advances to our German subsidiary, denominated in dollars, for which the euro exchange rate gain or loss is included in operations. These advances totaled $15.0 million at June 30, 2004. We had entered into foreign currency forward contracts designed to partially offset the effect changes in the euro exchange rate have on earnings related to these advances. These forward contracts did not qualify for hedge accounting and were recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value were recorded each period in foreign currency gains (losses). We realized $0.2 million of losses in May 2004 on a contract, which settled at maturity.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We have evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2004. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that we record, process, summarize, and report information required to be disclosed by us in our quarterly reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. During the quarterly period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

Not applicable

ITEM 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

ITEM 4. Submissions of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable

ITEM 5. Other Information

Not applicable

ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

Exhibits

10.73		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2004, by and among Action Performance Companies, Inc and certain subsidiaries and affiliates, as guarantors, and Bank One, NA.
10.74		Pledge and Security Agreement, dated June 30, 2004, by and among Action Performance Companies, Inc and certain subsidiaries and affiliates, as guarantors, and Bank One, NA.
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K

We filed a current report on Form 8-K, dated May 3, 2004, reporting that we issued a press release announcing our second quarter ended March 31, 2004, results.

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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, thereunto duly authorized.

ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

10.73		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2004, by and among Action Performance Companies, Inc and certain subsidiaries and affiliates, as guarantors, and Bank One, NA.
10.74		Pledge and Security Agreement, dated June 30, 2004, by and among Action Performance Companies, Inc and certain subsidiaries and affiliates, as guarantors, and Bank One, NA.
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002