UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

Commission file number 0-20797

 

 

RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas		74-1733016
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

555 I.H. 35 South Suite 500
New Braunfels, Texas 78130

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(830) 626-5200

(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   ý         No   o

 

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

 

Indicated below is the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of May 11, 2004.

 

 

 

RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Item 1.  Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003
	Consolidated Statements of Operations - For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
	Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
	Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
	Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
	Item 2.  Change in Securities and Use of Proceeds
	Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
	Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
	Item 5.  Other Information
	Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES

 

2

 

RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

MARCH 31, 2004 AND DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

(In Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Amounts)

 

		March 31, 2004			December 31, 2003
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	27,520		$	34,389
Accounts receivable, net		27,199			24,492
Inventories		153,948			137,423
Prepaid expenses and other		1,373			1,122
Assets held for sale		8,946			8,824
Deferred income taxes		2,811			2,863
Total current assets		221,797			209,113
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		117,737			114,477
OTHER ASSETS, net		43,470			43,288
Total assets		$	383,004		$	366,878
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floor plan notes payable		$	125,522		$	108,235
Current maturities of long-term debt		22,851			23,767
Advances outstanding under lines of credit		17,516			17,732
Trade accounts payable		18,426			16,170
Accrued expenses		23,692			29,096
Total current liabilities		208,007			195,000
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities		66,271			66,261
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, net		17,474			16,911
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; 1,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding in 2002 and 2003		—			—
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 14,042,304 shares outstanding in 2003 and 14,121,516 outstanding in 2004		141			140
Additional paid-in capital		39,727			39,337
Retained earnings		51,384			49,229
Total shareholders’ equity		91,252			88,706
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	383,004		$	366,878

 

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

 

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RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2004			2003
REVENUES:
New and used truck sales		$	146,268		$	91,218
Parts and service		67,005			54,711
Construction equipment sales		7,543			5,657
Lease and rental		6,671			6,124
Finance and insurance		1,723			1,368
Other		674			538
Total revenues		229,884			159,616
COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD		188,473			125,442
GROSS PROFIT		41,411			34,174
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE		34,594			29,089
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION		2,196			2,190
OPERATING INCOME		4,621			2,895
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET		1,547			1,548
GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS		430			108
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		3,504			1,455
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		1,402			582
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS		2,102			873
GAIN (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET		53			(547		)
NET INCOME		$	2,155		$	326
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC
Income from continuing operations		$	.15		$	.06
Net income		$	.15		$	.02
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED
Income from continuing operations		$	.13		$	.06
Net income		$	.13		$	.02
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		14,122			14,004
Diluted		15,996			14,309

 

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

 

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RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2004			2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Income from continuing operations		$	2,102		$	873
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations		53			(547		)
Depreciation and amortization		3,849			3,819
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment		(457		)	980
Provision for deferred income tax expense		615			(286		)
Change in accounts receivable, net		(2,707		)	2,519
Change in inventories		(16,617		)	12,076
Change in prepaid expenses and other, net		(251		)	222
Change in trade accounts payable		2,256			(3,390		)
Change in accrued expenses		(5,404		)	(6,018		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(16,561		)	10,248
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(9,698		)	(4,153		)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment		3,043			849
Business acquisitions		0			(4,446		)
Change in other assets		(200		)	133
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(6,855		)	(7,617		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term debt		11,710			2,665
Principal payments on long-term debt		(12,616		)	(4,555		)
Payments draws on lines of credit, net		(216		)	(3,266		)
Draws (payments) on floor plan notes payable, net		17,287			(6,050		)
Issuance of shares relating to employee stock options		391			0
Debt issuance costs		(9		)	(7		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		16,547			(11,213		)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(6,869		)	(8,582		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		34,389			24,763
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period		$	27,520		$	16,181
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for-
Interest		$	1,733		$	2,182
Income taxes		$	1,184		$	—

 

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

 

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RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1 – Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Rush Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  All adjustments have been made to the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements, which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s operating results.  All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  It is recommended that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.  Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or the full fiscal year.  Certain prior year balances have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

 

2 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”), addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets and supersedes APB Opinion No. 17, “Intangible Assets.”  SFAS 142 addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination) should be accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition.  SFAS 142 also addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements.  The provisions of SFAS 142 became effective January 1, 2002.  SFAS 142 is required to be applied at the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year and to be applied to all goodwill and other intangible assets recognized in its financial statements at that date.  SFAS 142 requires, in lieu of amortization, an annual impairment  review of goodwill.  Impairment losses for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets that arise due to the initial application of SFAS 142 are to be reported as resulting from a change in accounting principle.  The Company performs its annual review during the fourth quarter of each year and, therefore, did not record an impairment charge related to goodwill during the first quarter of 2004.  However, the Company is exposed to the possibility that changes in market conditions could result in significant impairment charges in the future, thus resulting in a potential increase in earnings volatility.

 

3 – Discontinued Operations

 

On November 12, 2002, the Company announced that it would sell its Michigan John Deere construction equipment stores as a result of continuing deterioration in the Michigan construction equipment market, and its location in regards to the Company’s other operations and plans for future expansion.  The sale of the Michigan construction equipment stores was substantially complete at December 31, 2002.  Prior to the sale, Michigan construction equipment stores were part of the Company’s Construction Equipment segment.  The Construction Equipment segment has been restated for all periods presented to exclude the Michigan stores.

 

On November 12, 2002, the Company also announced its decision to discontinue its Retail segment, which operated three farm and ranch retail stores in Seguin, Hockley and Denton, Texas.  The Retail segment did not fit into our long-term plans of growing our core heavy-duty truck and construction equipment businesses.  The Denton store was closed in December 2002, the Hockley store began liquidating inventory during November 2002 and completed the liquidation on March 9, 2003. The Company continues to actively market the sale of the Seguin store and expects to sell it prior to December 31, 2004.  As a result of these actions, the Retail segment is no longer reported as a separate business segment.

 

6

 

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”) effective January 1, 2002.  Accordingly, the results of these businesses are reported as discontinued operations in the Company’s unaudited consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented, and excluded from business segment information.  Similarly, certain assets of these businesses have been separately identified in the consolidated balance sheet as being held for sale.  The Company is attempting to complete the sale of these assets by December 31, 2004.  Depreciation and amortization expense are no longer being recorded with respect to the assets of these businesses in accordance with SFAS 144.  These assets are recorded at estimated fair value less cost to sell at March 31, 2004.  Changes in the estimated fair value will be recorded in future periods as determined.

 

Net sales and earnings (loss) before income taxes related to the discontinued businesses were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2004			2003
Michigan Construction Equipment Stores
Net Sales		$	—		$	251
(Loss) before income taxes:
Results of operations from discontinued operations		—			—
(Loss) before income taxes		—			—
Income tax benefit (expense)		—			—
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	—		$	—
Retail Segment Stores (D&D)
Net Sales		$	3,695		$	6,801
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Results of operations from discontinued operations		89			(912		)
Income (loss) before income taxes		89			(912		)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(36		)	365
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		$	53		$	(547	)

 

The major classes of assets of the discontinued operations classified as held for sale and included in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet were as follows (in thousands):

 

		March 31, 2004			December 31, 2003
Inventories		$	2,588		$	2,496
Property and equipment, net		6,358			6,328
Assets held for sale		$	8,946		$	8,824

 

4 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is contingently liable to finance companies for certain notes initiated on behalf of such finance companies related to the sale of trucks and construction equipment.  The majority of finance contracts are sold without recourse to the Company.  The Company’s liability related to finance contracts sold with recourse is generally limited to 5% to 20% of the outstanding amount of each note initiated on the behalf of the finance company.  The Company provides an allowance for repossession losses and early repayment penalties.

 

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  The Company believes it is unlikely that the final outcome of any of the claims or proceedings to which the Company is

 

7

 

a party would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations; however, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for the fiscal period in which such resolution occurred.

 

5 – Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2004			2003
Numerator:
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share- Net income available to common shareholders		$	2,155,000		$	326,000
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share, adjusted weighted average shares outstanding		14,121,516			14,004,088
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee and Director stock options		1,874,478			305,135
Denominator for diluted earnings per share, adjusted weighted average shares outstanding		15,995,994			14,309,223
Basic earnings per common share		$	.15		$	.02
Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents		$	.13		$	.02

 

6 – Stock Options

 

In October 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), was issued.  SFAS 123 defines a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock options or similar equity instruments and encourages all entities to adopt that method of accounting for all of their employee stock compensation plans.  Under the fair value based method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period of the award, which is usually the vesting period.  However, SFAS 123 also allows entities to continue to measure compensation costs for employee stock compensation plans using the intrinsic value method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”).  Because the Company has elected to continue to follow APB 25, SFAS 123 requires disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share as if the new fair value accounting method were adopted.

 

8

 

If the Company had adopted the fair value accounting method under SFAS 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2004			2003
Income from continuing operations
As reported		$	2,102		$	873
Pro forma		1,913			658
Basic earnings per share-
As reported		$	0.15		$	0.06
Pro forma		0.14			0.05
Diluted earnings per share-
As reported		$	0.13		$	0.06
Pro forma		0.12			0.05
Net income
As reported		$	2,155		$	326
Pro forma		1,966			109
Basic earnings per share-
As reported		$	0.15		$	0.02
Pro forma		0.14			0.01
Diluted earnings per share-
As reported		$	0.13		$	0.02
Pro forma		0.12			0.01

 

The fair value of these options was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, employees of the Company exercised stock options granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.  The Company issued 39,606 shares of Class A Common Stock and 39,606 shares of Class B Common Stock upon exercise of the employee stock options.

 

7 – Segment Information

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS 131”).  This statement requires that public business enterprises report certain information about operating segments in complete sets of financial statements of the enterprise and in condensed financial statements of interim periods issued to shareholders.  It also requires that public business enterprises report certain information about their products and services, the geographic areas in which they operate, and their major customers.

 

As mentioned previously, the Company announced in November 2002 its decision to sell its John Deere construction equipment stores in Michigan, and discontinue its farm and ranch retail operations.  In connection with this decision, financial information related to the Company’s construction equipment operations in Michigan will not be included in the Construction Equipment segment below, and the Retail Segment will no longer be presented as a separate operating segment.  Following is a brief description of the activities of each of the Company’s business segments.

 

The Company has two reportable segments:  the Heavy-Duty Truck segment and the Construction Equipment segment. The Heavy-Duty Truck segment operates a regional network of truck centers that provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks, aftermarket parts, service and body shop facilities, and a wide array of financial services, including the financing of new and used truck purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals. The Construction Equipment segment operates a full-service John Deere dealership that serves the Houston, Texas metropolitan area

 

9

 

and other surrounding areas.  Dealership operations include the retail sale of new and used equipment, aftermarket parts and service facilities, equipment rentals, and the financing of new and used equipment.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.  The Company evaluates performance based on income before income taxes not including extraordinary items.

 

The Company accounts for inter-segment sales and transfers at current market prices as if the sales or transfers were to third parties.  There were no material inter-segment sales during the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services.  They are managed separately because each business unit requires different technology and marketing strategies.  Business units were maintained through expansion and acquisitions.  Assets held for sale related to discontinued operations are included in the Heavy-Duty Truck segment.  The following table contains summarized information about reportable segment profit or loss and segment assets for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

		Heavy-Duty Truck Segment			Construction Equipment Segment			All Other			Totals
Three months ended March 31, 2004
Revenues from external customers		$	217,712		$	10,454		$	1,718		$	229,884
Segment income from continuing operations before taxes		3,004			473			27			3,504
Segment assets		357,550			15,157			10,297			383,004
Three months ended March 31, 2003
Revenues from external customers		$	149,465		$	8,588		$	1,563		$	159,616
Segment income from continuing operations before taxes		1,263			104			88			1,455
Segment assets		285,329			19,271			9,009			313,609

 

Revenues from segments below the reportable quantitative thresholds are attributable to the Company’s tire company, insurance company, and hunting lease operation.  None of these segments have ever met any of the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments.

 

8 – Other New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”), and in December 2003 issued a revised interpretation (“FIN 46R”).  FIN 46 and FIN 46R address the accounting for, and disclosure of, investments in variable interest entities.  The Company  has adopted FIN 46 and FIN 46R and they did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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

 

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Specifically, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management of the Company for future operations are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management.  When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar import, as they relate to the Company or its subsidiaries or Company management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the current view of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, competitive factors, general economic conditions, cyclicality, economic conditions in the new and used truck and equipment markets, customer relations, relationships with vendors, the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, distribution networks, product introductions and acceptance, technological change, changes in industry practices, onetime events and other factors described herein and in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-03346) and in the Company’s annual, quarterly and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, “cautionary statements”).  Although the Company believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Based upon changing conditions, should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, or intended.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the applicable cautionary statements.  The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

 

The following comments should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

General

 

Rush Enterprises, Inc. was incorporated in Texas in 1965 and currently consists of two reportable segments: the Heavy Duty Truck segment and the Construction Equipment segment.

 

The Heavy Duty Truck segment operates a regional network of 37 truck centers that provide an integrated one-stop source for the trucking needs of its customers, including: retail sales of new Peterbilt and used heavy-duty trucks; after-market parts, service and body shop facilities; and a wide array of financial services, including the financing of new and used truck purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals.  The Company’s truck centers are strategically located in high truck traffic areas in Texas, California, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and Alabama.  At the leading supplier of trucks manufactured by Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR, Inc., we accounted for approximately 20.3% of all new Class 8 Peterbilt truck sales in 2003, and are the sole authorized vendor for new Peterbilt trucks and replacement parts in our market areas.  The Company was named Peterbilt Dealer of the Year for North America for the 1993-1994 and 2000-2001 years.  The criteria used to determine the recipients of this award include, among others, image, customer satisfaction, sales activity and profitability.

 

Since commencing operations as a John Deere dealer in 1997, we had grown to operate six Rush Equipment Centers located in Texas and Michigan.  As previously reported, we sold our five Michigan construction equipment stores during 2002.  Our Rush Equipment Center in Houston, Texas will continue to provide a full line of construction equipment for light to medium sized applications. Our primary products include the following: John Deere backhoe loaders, hydraulic excavators, crawler-dozers and four-wheel drive loaders.  Dealership operations include the retail sale of new and used construction equipment, aftermarket parts and service facilities, equipment rentals, and the financing of new and used construction equipment.

 

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Since acquiring D & D Farm and Ranch Supermarket, Inc. in 1998, the Company had grown to operate three Rush Retail Centers located in the greater San Antonio, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas areas.  D&D, a one-stop shopping center for farm and ranch supplies, sells inventory which includes hardware, lawn and garden tools and machines, tack, veterinary supplies, fencing, livestock feed, guards, gates, chutes and trailers, saddles, boots, designer western wear, jewelry and many other farm and ranch supplies. D&D is currently being operated as a discontinued operation pending disposal.

 

In February 2003, the Company acquired the common stock of Orange County Truck and Trailers, Inc. (“Orange County”), a Peterbilt dealer in central Florida.  The acquisition provided Rush with the exclusive right to sell Peterbilt trucks and parts in Central Florida from locations in Orlando, Haines City, and Tampa, Florida.  The transaction was valued at approximately $5.4 million, with the purchase price paid in cash.

 

In April 2003, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Peterbilt of Mobile, Inc., which consisted of a Peterbilt dealership in Mobile, Alabama. Peterbilt of Mobile, Inc.’s primary line of business is the sale of new Peterbilt Class 8 trucks, used heavy-duty trucks, parts and service.  The transaction was valued at approximately $1.4 million, with the purchase price paid in cash.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.  The Company believes the following accounting policies, which are described in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value.  Cost is determined by specific identification for new and used truck and construction equipment inventory and by the first-in, first-out method for tires, parts and accessories.  An allowance is provided when it is anticipated that cost will exceed net realizable value.

 

Other Assets

 

Other assets consist primarily of goodwill related to acquisitions and other intangible assets.  As stated in Note 2, SFAS 142 provides that goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives will not be amortized, but instead must be tested at least annually for impairment, and intangible assets that have finite useful lives should continue to be amortized over their useful lives.  SFAS 142 also provides specific guidance for testing goodwill and other nonamortized intangible assets for impairment.  SFAS 142 requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions in order to allocate goodwill to reporting units and to determine the fair value of a reporting unit’s net assets and liabilities, including, among other things, an assessment of market condition, projected cash flows, interest rates and growth rates, which could significantly impact the reported value of goodwill and other intangible assets.  SFAS 142 requires, in lieu of amortization, an annual impairment review of goodwill.  The Company performs its annual review during the fourth quarter of each year and, therefore, did not record an impairment charge related to goodwill during the first quarter of 2004.  Furthermore, SFAS 142 exposes the Company to the possibility that changes in market conditions could result in significant impairment charges in the future, thus resulting in a potential increase in earnings volatility.

 

12

 

Revenue Recognition Policies

 

Income on the sale of a unit (a vehicle or piece of construction equipment) is recognized when the Company and customer execute a purchase contract, delivery has occurred and there are no significant uncertainties related to financing or collectibility.  Finance income related to the sale of a unit is recognized over the period of the respective finance contract, based on the effective interest rate method, if the finance contract is retained by the Company.  During 2003 and 2004, no finance contracts were retained for any significant length of time by the Company but were generally sold to finance companies concurrent with the sale of the related unit.  The majority of finance contracts are sold without recourse.  The Company’s liability related to finance contracts sold with recourse is generally limited to 5% to 20% of the outstanding amount of each note initiated on behalf of the finance company.  The Company arranges financing for customers through various financial institutions and receives a commission from the lender equal to the difference between the interest rates charged to customers over the predetermined interest rates set by the financing institution.

 

The Company also receives commissions from the sale of various insurance products and extended service contracts.  Revenue is recognized by the Company upon the sale of such finance and insurance contracts to various finance and insurance companies, net of a provision for estimated repossession losses and interest charge backs.  The Company is not the obligor under any of these contracts.  In the case of finance contracts, a customer may prepay, or fail to pay, thereby terminating the contract.  If the customer terminates a retail finance contract or  insurance product prior to scheduled maturity, a portion of the fees associated with the termination may be charged back to the Company based on the relevant terms of the contracts.  Such estimate of ultimate charge back exposure is based on the Company’s historical charge back expense arising from similar contracts, including the impact of refinance and default rates on retail finance contracts and cancellation rates on other insurance products.  The actual amount of historical charge backs has not been significantly different than the Company’s estimates.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis includes the Company’s historical results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain financial data as a percentage of total revenues:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2004		2003
New and used truck sales		63.6	%	57.2	%
Parts and service		29.2		34.3
Construction equipment sales		3.3		3.5
Lease and rental		2.9		3.8
Finance and insurance		0.7		0.9
Other		0.3		0.3
Total revenues		100.0		100.0
Cost of products sold		82.0		78.6
Gross profit		18.0		21.4
Selling, general and administrative		15.0		18.2
Depreciation and amortization		1.0		1.4
Operating income		2.0		1.8
Interest expense, net		0.7		1.0
Gain (loss) on sale		0.2		0.1
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		1.5		0.9
Provision for income taxes		0.6		0.4
Income from continuing operations		0.9		0.5
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net		0.0		(0.3	)
Net Income		0.9	%	0.2	%

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

 

Revenues

 

Revenues increased $70.3 million, or 44.0%, from $159.6 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $229.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. Sales of new and used trucks increased $55.1 million, or 60.4%, from $91.2 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $146.3 million in the first quarter of 2004.

 

Unit sales of new Class 8 trucks increased 56.8%, from 637 units in the first quarter of 2003 to 999 units in the first quarter of 2004.  The increase in Class 8 unit sales is being driven by the industry’s need to replace aging equipment after three consecutive years of U.S. truck sales lagging behind the normal replacement cycle.  The Company’s average sales price per Class 8 truck increased by 2.3% in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003.  Based on consensus estimates from truck and original equipment manufacturers, the Company believes that the deliveries of Class 8 trucks will increase from 145,000 in 2003 to approximately 186,000 in 2004.  In 2003, the Company retained a 2.5% share of the Class 8 truck sales market in the U.S.  The Company expects to maintain this share in 2004, which would result in the sale of approximately 4,600 Class 8 trucks based on the number of deliveries estimated by truck and original equipment manufacturers.

 

Unit sales of new medium-duty trucks increased 116.6%, from 151 units in the first quarter of 2003 to 327 units in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company has made a concerted effort to improve its medium-duty truck sales by adding experienced medium-duty sales personnel and introducing new medium-duty franchises in the Class 4 through 6 truck markets to complement its existing Peterbilt medium-duty line, that consists primarily of Class 7 trucks.  Class 4 through 6 truck sales accounted for 68% of our total medium-duty truck sales in 2004 compared to 25% in 2003.  The average sales price for Class 4 through 6 trucks during the first quarter of 2004 was $42,700 compared to $67,700 for the Peterbilt medium-duty model, resulting in a decrease of the average sales price for all medium-duty trucks by 22.4% in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003.  Overall, new medium-duty truck sales revenue increased approximately $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003.  In 2004, the Company expects to continue to add medium-duty franchises to certain dealerships and increase its medium-duty sales and market share compared to 2003.

 

Unit sales of used trucks increased 49.3%, from 519 units in the first quarter of 2003 to 775 units in the first quarter of 2004.  Used truck average revenue per unit increased by 0.8%.  Historically, used truck demand is consistent with new truck demand.  The Company expects used truck demand to remain high, however, sales will depend on the availability of used trucks.

 

Parts and service sales increased $12.3 million, or 22.5%, from $54.7 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $67.0 million in the first quarter of 2004.  Same store parts and service sales increased approximately $11.0 million, or 20.7%, in the first quarter of 2004 compared to the first quarter of 2003.  This exceeded management’s expectations that consider business development combined with price increases for parts and labor.  The majority of the increase in parts and service sales is due to extension of our business hours and expansion of capacity by adding service bays and technicians to certain locations.   The remaining increase was attributable to new store additions.

 

Sales of new and used construction equipment increased $1.8 million, or 31.6%, from $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2004.  This increase outpaced the overall industry increase in unit sales for the Houston, Texas construction equipment market of 17% during the first quarter of 2004.  The Company’s market share in the Houston area was 17.9% in the first quarter of 2004 compared to 14.3% in the first quarter of 2003.

 

Lease and rental revenues increased $0.6 million, or 9.8%, from $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2004.  This increase is due to additional leasing and rental units placed in service subsequent to the first quarter of 2003, and is consistent with the Company’s expectations for lease and rental revenue for 2004.

 

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Finance and insurance revenues increased $0.3 million, or 21.4%, from $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company expects finance and insurance revenues to continue to increase as demand for new and used trucks increases.  Finance and insurance revenues have limited direct costs and, therefore, contribute a disproportionate share of operating profits.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit increased $7.2 million, or 21.1%, from $34.2 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $41.4 million in the first quarter of 2004.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 21.4% in the first quarter of 2003 to 18.0% in the first quarter of 2004.  This decrease is primarily a result of a change in our product mix.  Truck sales, a lower margin revenue item, increased as a percent of total revenue from 57.1% in the first quarter of 2003 to 63.6% in the first quarter of 2004.  Parts and service revenue, a higher margin revenue item, decreased as a percent of total revenue from 34.3% in the first quarter of 2003 to 29.1% in the first quarter of 2004.

 

Gross margins on Class 8 truck sales, exclusive of manufacturer incentives, were down from 4.5% in the first quarter of 2003 to 4.0% in the first quarter of 2004.  The decrease is a result of the Company accepting smaller margins on several first time purchases by fleet customers.  Given the increasing demand for Class 8 trucks coupled with the expected increase in purchases from owner operators that historically have rendered higher gross margins than fleet sales, the Company expects gross margins from Class 8 truck sales to strengthen in the remainder of  2004 and to exceed those achieved in 2003.

 

Gross margins, exclusive of manufacturer incentives, on medium-duty truck sales decreased from 4.8% in the first quarter of 2003 to 4.6% in the first quarter of 2004, once again primarily due to the change in our product mix.  Gross margins on Class 4 through 6 truck models were approximately 3.0% in the first quarter of 2004 compared to a gross margin of 6.7% of the Peterbilt medium-duty model.  Class 4 through 6 models accounted for 222 units in the first quarter of 2004 compared to 38 units in the first quarter of 2003.  Sales of Class 4 through 6 models will continue to grow significantly as a percentage of total medium-duty sales.  As a result, the Company expects the 2004 gross margin to approximate the 4.6% achieved during the first quarter of 2004.

 

Gross margins on used truck sales decreased from 7.2% in the first quarter of 2003 to 7.0% in the first quarter of 2004, primarily due to the mix of wholesale versus retail used truck sales.  The Company experienced higher than normal used truck wholesale transactions related to the trade-in units from first time new truck fleet customers.  While the Company does not expect to purchase as many used trucks from first time new truck fleet customers in the remainder of 2004, the current challenge is procuring quality used trucks at an acceptable price, in a market where supply is exceeding demand.  The Company believes it will be able to continue to achieve its historical 7% to 8% margins in the used truck sales market for the remainder of 2004.

 

Gross margins from the Company’s parts, service and body shop operations decreased from 37.8% in the first quarter of 2003 to 36.1% in the first quarter of 2004.  There are various reasons for this decrease, including nonproprietary parts sales becoming a larger percentage of the Company’s overall parts sales and competitive pricing pressures from providers of nonproprietary parts. Historically, gross margins on nonproprietary parts are approximately 40 to 50% lower than gross margins on proprietary parts.  Additionally, the Company has increased preventative maintenance services that are provided at lower margins than traditional repair work, and has selectively provided discounted labor rates to garner additional sales both at our dealership locations and at off-site locations.  Gross profit dollars for the parts, service and body shop departments increased from $19.4 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $22.9 million in the first quarter of 2004.

 

Gross margins on new and used construction equipment sales increased from 9.6% in the first quarter of 2003 to 11.7% in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company expects 2004 gross margins to remain in a range of 9.5% to 11.0%, depending on the product mix, and for overall gross profit growth to be directly correlated to sales growth.

 

Gross profit generated from lease and rental sales increased from approximately 25.2% in the first quarter of 2003 to 26.4% in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company’s policy is to aggressively depreciate its lease and rental fleet. This policy results in the Company realizing small operating profits while the unit is in service and a corresponding larger gain on sale when the unit is sold at the end of the lease term.  The Company expects to maintain these gross margins through the remainder of 2004 and for overall gross profit growth to be directly correlated to increases in lease and rental sales.

 

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The increase in finance and insurance revenues and other income, as described above, has limited direct costs and, therefore, contributes a disproportionate share of gross profit.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.5 million, or 18.9%, from $29.1 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $34.6 million in the first quarter of 2004. Approximately $1.3 million of 2004 SG&A expenses are directly related to the acquisition of Orange County and Peterbilt of Mobile, Inc., with the remainder related to increased salary expense, increased expense related to facility expansion and increased commissions corresponding to the increase in sales and gross profit.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased from 18.2% in the first quarter of 2003 to 15.0% in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company’s management continually monitors SG&A expenses.

 

Interest Expense

 

Net interest expense remained flat at $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004.

 

Gain on Sale of Assets

 

Gain on sale of assets increased $0.3 million, from $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2004.  The gain in 2004 is primarily related to the replacement of fixed assets used in the operation of the business and the sale of real estate holdings.

 

Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes increased $2.0 million, or 133.3%, from $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2004.

 

Income Taxes from Continuing Operations

 

Income taxes from continuing operations increased $0.8 million, or 133.3%, from $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company has provided for taxes at a 40% effective rate.

 

Gain (loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of Income Taxes

 

Loss from discontinued operations net of income taxes decreased from approximately ($547,000) in the first quarter of 2003 to a gain of approximately $53,000 in the first quarter of 2004.  The loss recorded during 2003 is equal to net operating results of D&D, and included costs of $983,000 related to the liquidation of the Hockley store.  The gain recorded during 2004 includes net operating results of D&D of approximately $53,000.  The Company expects to sell D&D by December 31, 2004.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s short-term cash needs are primarily for working capital, including inventory requirements, expansion of existing facilities and acquisitions of new facilities. These short-term cash needs have historically been financed with retention of profits and borrowings under credit facilities available to the Company.

 

At March 31, 2004, the Company had working capital of approximately $13.8 million, including $27.5 million in cash, $27.2 million in accounts receivable, $153.9 million in inventories, $8.9 million in assets held for sale, $1.4 million in prepaid expenses and other, and $2.8 million in deferred income taxes, offset by $125.5 million outstanding under floor plan notes payable, $22.9 million in current maturities of long-term debt, $17.5 million in advances outstanding under lines of credit, $18.4 million of trade accounts payable and $23.7 million in accrued expenses. The aggregate maximum borrowing limits under working capital lines of credit with its primary truck lender are approximately $13.5 million. Advances outstanding under this line of credit at March 31, 2004 were $13.5 million, leaving no funds available for future borrowings.  The Company has four separate secured lines

 

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of credit that provide for an aggregate maximum borrowing of $18.4 million.  Advances outstanding under these secured lines of credit in aggregate were $7.0 million, leaving $11.4 million available for future borrowings as of March 31, 2004.

 

The Company has a commitment for construction of a new dealership for our Mobile, Alabama location.  The estimated cost of the construction is $2.6 million.  Construction is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2005.  The Company has no other material commitments for capital expenditures as of March 31, 2004.  However, the Company will continue to purchase vehicles that are necessary to operate its leasing and rental division.  Furthermore, management will continue to authorize capital expenditures for new buildings and expansion of facilities based on market opportunities.  Additional capital expenditures are expected for the routine maintenance of fixed assets.

 

For the first three months of 2004, operating activities resulted in net cash used in operations of approximately $16.6 million.  Income from continuing operations of $2.1 million, coupled with the provision for depreciation and amortization of $3.8 million offset cash used in operations which was primarily due to increases in inventory of $16.6 million, and accounts receivable of $2.7 million coupled with a decrease of accounts payable and accrued expenses of $3.1 million.  The Company has increased truck inventory in the first quarter of 2004 in preparation for the increase in demand.

 

During the first three months of 2004, the Company used $6.9 million in investing activities. This consisted primarily of  purchases of property and equipment of $9.7 million offset by proceeds from the sale of property, and equipment of $3.0 million.  Approximately $6.2 million was for the replacement of the corporate aircraft, $1.5 million for routine maintenance, and $1.0 million for the purchase of leasing trucks.  The remaining amount was used for purchasing dealership property and remodeling existing dealerships.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of 2004 amounted to $16.5 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to proceeds from notes payable of $11.7 million and net draws of floor plan notes payable of $17.3 million, offset by principal payments on notes payable of $12.6 million.  The increase in floor plan notes payable is directly related to the increase in truck inventory.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s truck purchases from PACCAR are made on terms requiring payment within 15 days or less from the date the trucks are shipped from the factory. The Company finances substantially all of the purchase price of its new truck inventory, and 75% of the loan value of its used truck inventory, under a floor plan arrangement with GMAC under which GMAC pays PACCAR directly with respect to new trucks. The Company makes monthly interest payments to GMAC on the amount financed, but is not required to commence loan principal repayments prior to the sale of new vehicles for a period of 12 months or for a period of three months for used vehicles. On March 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $119.8 million outstanding under its floor plan financing arrangement with GMAC. GMAC permits the Company to earn interest on overnight funds deposited by the Company with GMAC at the prime rate less 0.90%. The Company is permitted to earn interest on overnight funds of up to 10.0% of the amount borrowed under its floor plan financing arrangement with GMAC.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s new construction equipment purchases are financed by John Deere and Citicapital.  The Company finances substantially all of the purchase price of its new equipment inventory under its floor plan facilities.  The agreement with John Deere provides an interest free financing period after which time the amount financed is required to be paid in full.  When construction equipment is sold prior to the expiration of the interest free period, the Company is required to repay the principal within approximately ten days of the sale.  If the equipment financed by John Deere is not sold within the interest free period, it is transferred to the Citicapital floor plan arrangement. The Company makes principal payments for sold inventory to Citicapital on the 15^th day of each month.  Used and rental equipment is financed to a maximum book value under a floor plan arrangement with Citicapital.  The Company makes monthly interest payments on the amount financed and is required to commence loan principal repayments on rental equipment as book value reduces.  Principal payments for sold used equipment are made on the 15^th day of each month following the sale.  The loans are collateralized by a lien on the equipment.  The Company’s floor plan agreements limit the aggregate amount of borrowings based on the book value of new and used equipment units.  As of March 31, 2004, the Company’s floor plan arrangement with Citicapital permits the financing of up to $10.5 million in construction equipment.  On March 31, 2004, the Company had $1.6 million outstanding under its floor plan financing arrangements with John Deere and $4.1 million outstanding under its floor plan financing arrangement with Citicapital.

 

17

 

Backlog

 

On March 31, 2004, the Company’s backlog of truck orders was approximately $250.0 million as compared to a backlog of truck orders of approximately $75.0 million on March 31, 2003. The Company includes confirmed orders in its backlog.  It currently takes between 60 days and six months for the Company to receive delivery from PACCAR once an order is placed. The Company expects to fill all of the current backlog of truck orders by the end of 2004. The Company sells approximately 70% of its new heavy-duty trucks by customer special order, with the remainder sold out of inventory. Orders from a number of the Company’s major fleet customers are included in the Company’s backlog as of March 31, 2004.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company’s heavy-duty truck business is moderately seasonal. Seasonal effects on new truck sales related to the seasonal purchasing patterns of any single customer type are mitigated by the Company’s diverse customer base, including small and large fleets, governments, corporations and owner operators. However, truck parts and service operations historically have experienced higher volumes of sales in the second and third quarters.

 

Seasonal effects in the construction equipment business are primarily driven by the weather. Seasonal effects on construction equipment sales related to the seasonal purchasing patterns of any single customer type are mitigated by the Company’s diverse customer base that includes contractors for both residential and commercial construction, utility companies, federal, state and local government agencies, and various petrochemical, industrial and material supply type businesses that require construction equipment in their daily operations.

 

Cyclicality

 

The Company’s business, as well as the entire retail heavy-duty truck industry, is dependent on a number of factors relating to general economic conditions, including fuel prices, interest rate fluctuations, economic recessions, government regulation and customer business cycles. In addition, unit sales of new trucks have historically been subject to substantial cyclical variation based on such general economic conditions. According to R.L. Polk, industry-wide domestic retail sales of Class 8 trucks resulted in approximately 145,000 new Class 8 truck registrations in 2003.  The industry forecasts heavy-duty new truck sales to increase to approximately 186,000 units during 2004.  The Company believes that its geographic expansion, concentration on high margin parts and service operations, and diversity of its customer base will reduce the overall impact to the Company resulting from general economic conditions and cyclical trends affecting the heavy-duty truck industry.  However, the Company’s operations will be affected by any general economic conditions or cyclical trends, either positive or negative, affecting the heavy-duty truck industry.

 

Environmental Standards and Other Governmental Regulations

 

Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, including laws and regulations designed to protect the environment and to regulate the discharge of materials into the environment.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated that heavy-duty engine manufacturers meet new, stricter emissions guidelines, regarding nitrous oxides, for all engines built subsequent to January 1, 2007.  Historically, the industry has experienced an accelerated demand for trucks in the months preceding the effective date of the change in EPA guidelines, followed by a short-term decrease in demand in the months subsequent to the change. The Company does not expect the change in emission guidelines to have an affect on its 2004 results from operations.  The Company believes it is too early to determine how the change in emission guidelines will affect its results from operations subsequent to 2004.

 

Termination of Dealership Agreements Upon a Change of Control

 

A substantial percentage of our revenues is derived from sales of Peterbilt trucks and John Deere products. Therefore, our business is highly dependent on the PACCAR and John Deere dealership agreements, which authorize us to sell Peterbilt and John Deere products in our market areas.  Our dealership agreements with PACCAR are terminable by PACCAR in the event the aggregate voting power of Mr. Rush and his family decreases below 30% with respect to the election of directors.  The John Deere dealership agreement would

 

18

 

similarly be terminable by John Deere if the aggregate voting power of Mr. Rush and his family were to decrease below 25%.  As of March 31, 2004, Mr. Rush and his family owned 2,759,524 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,759,524 shares of Class B Common Stock, or approximately 39.3% of the Company’s outstanding voting power.  The Company has no control over the transfer or disposition  by Mr. Rush or by Mr. Rush’s estate of his Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.  If Mr. Rush were to sell his Class B Common Stock or bequest his Class B Common Stock to nonfamily members or if Mr. Rush’s estate were required to liquidate his shares of Class B Common Stock to pay estate taxes or otherwise, the change of control provisions of the dealership agreements described above would be triggered and could cause the Company to lose its critical right to sell Peterbilt and John Deere products.  Any loss of rights under the Company’s dealership agreements would have a severely adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

The Company believes that the relatively moderate rates of inflation over the last few years have not had a significant impact on revenues or profitability.  The Company does not expect inflation to have any near-term material effects on the sale of our products and services.  However, there can be no assurance  that there will be no such effect in the future.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company due to adverse changes in financial market prices, including interest rate risk, and other relevant market rate or price risks.

 

The Company is exposed to some market risk through interest rates, related to its floor plan borrowing arrangements, variable rate debt and discount rates related to finance sales.  Floor plan borrowings are based on the prime rate of interest and are used to meet working capital needs.  As of March 31, 2004, the Company had floor plan borrowings of approximately $125.5 million.  Assuming an increase in the prime rate of interest of 100 basis points, interest expense could increase by $1.25 million.  The interest rate variability on all other debt would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.  The Company provides all customer financing opportunities to various finance providers.  The Company receives all finance charges, in excess of a negotiated discount rate, from the finance providers within 30 days.  The negotiated discount rate is variable, thus subject to interest rate fluctuations.  This interest rate risk is mitigated by the Company’s ability to pass discount rate increases to customers through higher financing rates.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2004 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

20

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we are involved in certain litigation arising out of our operations in the ordinary course of business.  We maintain liability insurance, including product liability coverage, in amounts deemed adequate by management.  To date, aggregate costs to us for claims, including product liability actions, have not been material.  However, an uninsured or partially insured claim, or claim for which indemnification is not available, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  We believe that there are no other claims or litigation pending the outcome of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the fiscal period in which such resolution occurred.

 

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION 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
3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).
3.2		Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit of the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-03346 on Form S-1 filed April 10, 1996).
*31.1		Certification of CEO pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2		Certification of CFO pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32.1		Certification of CEO 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 CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

*filed herewith
b)  Reports on Form 8-K
	The Company filed a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on April 20, 2004 reporting its results for the first quarter of 2004.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

		RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
Date:	May 14, 2004	By:		/S/ W. MARVIN RUSH
		Name:		W. Marvin Rush
		Title:		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
				(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	May 14, 2004	By:		/S/ MARTIN A. NAEGELIN, JR.
		Name:		Martin A. Naegelin, Jr.
		Title:		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
				(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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