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Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Fiscal Quarter Ended January 31, 2005

 

Commission File Number 0-12788

 


 

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

IOWA   42-0935283

State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

ONE CONVENIENCE BOULEVARD, ANKENY, IOWA

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

50021

(Zip Code)

 

(515) 965-6100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

NONE

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    YES  x    NO  ¨

 

As of March 3, 2005, the registrant had outstanding 50,173,712 shares of Common Stock, no par value.

 



Table of Contents

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.

 

INDEX

 

     Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Consolidated Financial Statements.     
     Consolidated condensed balance sheets - January 31, 2005 and April 30, 2004    3
     Consolidated condensed statements of income - three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004    5
     Consolidated condensed statements of cash flows - nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004    6
     Notes to consolidated condensed financial statements    8

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.    11

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk.    21

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    22
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings.    23

Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.    23
SIGNATURE    26

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     January 31,
2005


   April 30,
2004


ASSETS

           

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 29,235    45,887

Receivables

     6,127    5,751

Inventories

     83,311    77,895

Prepaid expenses

     5,917    6,392

Income tax receivable

     12,844    10,882
    

  

Total current assets

     137,434    146,807
    

  

Other assets

     1,683    1,154

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation January 31, 2005, $443,355 April 30, 2004, $409,969

     712,248    686,625
    

  
     $ 851,365    834,586
    

  

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     January 31,
2005


   April 30,
2004


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

           

Current liabilities:

           

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 34,869    28,345

Accounts payable

     76,821    83,388

Accrued expenses

     38,566    34,107
    

  

Total current liabilities

     150,256    145,840
    

  

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

     127,253    144,158

Deferred income taxes

     104,330    99,159

Deferred compensation

     5,950    5,635
    

  

Total liabilities

     387,789    394,792
    

  

Shareholders’ equity

           

Preferred stock, no par value

     —      —  

Common stock, no par value

     46,291    44,155

Retained earnings

     417,285    395,639
    

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     463,576    439,794
    

  
     $ 851,365    834,586
    

  

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
January 31,


    Nine Months Ended
January 31,


     2005

   2004

    2005

   2004

Net sales

   $ 662,561    545,326     2,114,069    1,766,184

Franchise revenue

     232    394     862    1,360
    

  

 
  
       662,793    545,720     2,114,931    1,767,544
    

  

 
  

Cost of goods sold

     553,196    449,292     1,764,512    1,438,166

Operating expenses

     89,664    76,273     257,708    231,530

Depreciation and amortization

     13,269    12,460     38,835    36,942

Interest, net

     2,812    2,989     8,183    9,290
    

  

 
  
       658,941    541,014     2,069,238    1,715,928
    

  

 
  

Income before income taxes

     3,852    4,706     45,693    51,616

Federal and state income taxes (benefit)

     1,386    (1,135 )   16,282    15,988
    

  

 
  

Net income

   $ 2,466    5,841     29,411    35,628
    

  

 
  

Earnings per common share

                      

Basic

   $ .05    .12     .59    .71
    

  

 
  

Diluted

   $ .05    .12     .59    .71
    

  

 
  

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

     Nine Months Ended
January 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash flows from operations:

              

Net income

   $ 29,411     35,628  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

              

Depreciation and amortization

     38,835     36,942  

Net loss on property and equipment

     9,290     918  

Deferred income taxes

     5,171     8,250  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

              

Receivables

     (376 )   315  

Inventories

     (5,416 )   (8,017 )

Prepaid expenses

     475     (293 )

Accounts payable

     (6,567 )   8,655  

Accrued expenses

     4,459     (3,860 )

Income taxes

     (1,494 )   (6,316 )

Other, net

     (214 )   539  
    


 

Net cash provided by operations

     73,574     72,761  
    


 

Cash flows from investing:

              

Purchase of property and equipment

     (68,101 )   (58,364 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     1,550     2,820  
    


 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (66,551 )   (55,544 )
    


 

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

(Continued)

 

     Nine Months Ended
January 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash flows from financing:

              

Payments of long-term debt

     (17,578 )   (10,108 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,668     3,295  

Payments of cash dividends

     (7,765 )   (4,729 )
    


 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (23,675 )   (11,542 )
    


 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (16,652 )   5,675  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     45,887     40,544  
    


 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the quarter

   $ 29,235     46,219  
    


 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION  
     Nine Months Ended
January 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash paid during the year for

              

Interest, net of amount capitalized

   $ 10,126     10,945  

Income taxes

     11,583     14,163  

Noncash investing and financing activities

              

Property and equipment acquired through installment purchases or capitalized lease obligations

     7,197     1,195  

Noncash operating and financing activities

              

Increase in common stock and increase in income taxes receivable due to tax benefits related to nonqualified stock options

     468     504  

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

1. The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts and transactions of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2. The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. Although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these interim consolidated condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent audited financial statements and notes thereto. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of January 31, 2005, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, and changes in cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004. Certain reclassifications were made to balances for the prior year to conform to current year presentation.

 

3. The Company recognizes retail sales of gasoline, grocery and general merchandise, and prepared food at the time of the sale to the customer. Wholesale sales to franchisees are recognized at the time of delivery to the franchise location. Franchise fees, license fees from franchisees, and rent for franchise signage and facades are recognized monthly when billed to the franchisees. Other maintenance services and transportation charges are recognized at the time the service is provided. Vendor rebates in the form of rack display allowances are treated as a reduction in cost of sales and are recognized incrementally over the period covered by the applicable rebate agreement. Vendor rebates in the form of billbacks are treated as a reduction in inventory cost and are recognized at the time the product is sold.

 

4. The Company accounts for environmental contamination costs in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 90-8, Capitalization of Costs to Treat Environmental Contamination. EITF No. 90-8 allows these costs to be capitalized if the costs extend the life of the asset or if the costs mitigate or prevent environmental contamination that has yet to occur. The Company also offsets these capitalized costs by any refunds received under the reimbursement programs described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein.

 

5.

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its incentive stock option plan; accordingly, the financial statements recognize no compensation cost

 

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for stock options. The Company has elected the pro forma disclosure option of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Pro forma net earnings and pro forma net earnings per common share have been provided as if SFAS No. 123 were adopted for all stock-based compensation plans. Had the Company determined compensation cost of its stock options based on the fair value at the grant date under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts shown in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
January 31,


   Nine Months Ended
January 31,


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

Net income, as reported

   $ 2,466    5,841    29,411    35,628

Deducted amount

                     

Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined by fair-value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     66    51    236    153

Pro forma net income

   $ 2,400    5,790    29,175    35,475

Basic earnings per share

                     

As reported

   $ .05    .12    .59    .71

Pro forma

   $ .05    .12    .58    .71

Diluted earnings per share

                     

As reported

   $ .05    .12    .59    .71

Pro forma

   $ .05    .12    .58    .71

 

The weighted average fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 was $4.36 and $3.98 per share, respectively, on the date of grant. Fair value was calculated using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: for the quarter ended July 31, 2004 - expected dividend yield of 0.95%, risk-free interest rate of 3.8%, estimated volatility of 24%, and an expected life of 5.8 years; for the quarter ended July 31, 2003 - expected dividend yield of 0.89%, risk-free interest rate of 3.9%, estimated volatility of 24%, and an expected life of 5.8 years. There were no stock options granted during the second or third quarters of 2005 and 2004. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of options granted is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting periods.

 

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6. Computations for basic and diluted earnings per common share are presented below (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months Ended

January 31,


  

Nine Months Ended

January 31,


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

Basic earnings per share

                     

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

     50,151,862    49,925,479    50,091,751    49,833,068
    

  
  
  

Net income

   $ 2,466    5,841    29,411    35,628
    

  
  
  

Basic earnings per common share

   $ .05    .12    .59    .71
    

  
  
  

Diluted earnings per share

                     

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

     50,151,862    49,925,479    50,091,751    49,833,068

Shares applicable to stock options

     199,110    225,303    178,559    161,478
    

  
  
  
       50,350,972    50,150,782    50,270,310    49,994,546
    

  
  
  

Net income

   $ 2,466    5,841    29,411    35,628
    

  
  
  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ .05    .12    .59    .71
    

  
  
  

 

 

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7. Long-lived assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company recorded approximately $7,913 in impairment charges during the 9 months ended, January 31, 2005, $7,013 of which pertains to a group of 36 stores that management has decided in the fourth quarter to sell. The remaining $900 pertains to impairment provisions for real estate, buildings and equipment for certain underperforming and closed locations. The Company values the locations addressed above based on their expected resale value. The impairment charges are a component of operating expenses.

 

8. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations are affected by a variety of factors and business influences, certain of which are described in the Cautionary Statement Relating to Forward-Looking Statements filed as Exhibit 99 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004. These interim consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with that Cautionary Statement.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Dollars in Thousands).

 

Overview

 

Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (“Casey’s”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (Casey’s, together with its subsidiaries, are referred to herein as the “Company”), operate convenience stores under the name “Casey’s General Store” in nine Midwestern states, primarily Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. All stores offer gasoline for sale on a self-serve basis and carry a broad selection of food (including freshly prepared foods such as pizza, donuts and sandwiches), beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty aids, automotive products and other non-food items. On January 31, 2005, there were a total of 1,368 Casey’s General Stores in operation, of which 1,343 were owned by the Company and 25 stores were operated by franchisees. A typical store is generally not profitable for its first year of operation due to start-up costs and will usually attain representative levels of sales and profits during its first three to five years of operation.

 

The Company derives its revenue primarily from the retail sale of gasoline and the products offered in Company stores. The Company also generates a small amount of its revenues from the Company’s franchisees and from the wholesale sale of certain grocery and general merchandise items and gasoline to franchised stores.

 

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Approximately 62% of all Casey’s General Stores are located in areas with populations of fewer than 5,000 persons, while approximately 11% of all stores are located in communities with populations exceeding 20,000 persons. The Company operates a central warehouse, the Casey’s Distribution Center, adjacent to its Corporate Headquarters facility in Ankeny, Iowa, through which it supplies grocery and general merchandise items to Company and franchised stores.

 

At January 31, 2005, the Company owned the land at 1,292 locations and the buildings at 1,305 locations, and leased the land at 51 locations and the buildings at 38 locations. Due to the insignificant number of leases, management feels that any changes in the lease accounting rules will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company recorded approximately $7,913 in impairment charges during the 9 months ended, January 31, 2005, $7,013 of which pertains to a group of 36 stores that management has decided in the fourth quarter to sell. The remaining $900 pertains to impairment provisions for real estate, buildings and equipment for certain underperforming and closed locations. The company values the locations addressed above based on their expected resale value. The impairment charges are a component of operating expenses.

 

Three Months Ended January 31, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended January 31, 2004 (Dollars and Amounts in Thousands)

 

     Gasoline

    Grocery & other
merchandise


    Prepared food
& fountain


    Other

    Total

 
Three months ended 1/31/05                               

Sales

   441,467     167,016     49,565     4,513     662,561  

Gross profit

   25,785     52,122     30,290     1,168     109,365  

Margin

   5.8 %   31.2 %   61.1 %   25.8 %   16.5 %

Gasoline Gallons

   252,750                          
Three months ended 1/31/04                               

Sales

   343,008     152,954     43,863     5,501     545,326  

Gross profit

   21,792     47,170     26,465     607     96,034  

Margin

   6.4 %   30.8 %   60.3 %   11 %   17.6 %

Gasoline Gallons

   240,637                          

 

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Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 increased by $117,235 (21.5%) over the comparable period in fiscal 2004. Retail gasoline sales increased by $98,459 (28.7%) as the number of gallons sold increased by 12,113 (5%) while the average retail price per gallon increased 22.5%. During this same period, retail sales of grocery and general merchandise and prepared foods increased by $19,764 (10%) due to the addition of 29 new Company Stores and a greater number of stores in operation for at least three years.

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was 83.5% for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, compared to 82.4% for the comparable period in the prior year. The gross profit margins on retail gasoline sales decreased (to 5.8%) during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 from the third quarter of the prior year (6.4%) while the gross profit margin per gallon increased (to $.1020) from the comparable period in the prior year ($.0906). The gross profits on retail sales of grocery and general merchandise increased (to 31.2%) from the comparable period in the prior year (30.8%), primarily due to strategic price increases on selective products. These increases, however, were partially offset by the reduction in vendor rebates. The gross profit margin on prepared food and fountain increased (to 61.1%) from the comparable period in the prior year (60.3%) also due primarily to strategic price increases on selective products.

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were 13.5% for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 compared to 14% for the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was caused primarily by an increase in the average retail price per gallon of gasoline sold. Operating expenses increased 17.6% in the third quarter of 2005 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to a pretax impairment charge of $7,013 recognized on 36 underperforming stores, a 47.1% increase in bank fees resulting from customers’ greater use of credit cards to purchase more expensive gasoline, and the larger number of corporate stores. The Company has decided based upon a strategic assessment completed by management in the fourth quarter to sell the underperforming stores.

 

Income tax expense increased $2,521 due primarily to a one-time tax benefit of approximately $2,500 received in the comparable period in fiscal 2004.

 

Net income decreased by $3,375 (57.8%). The decrease in net income was attributable primarily to the increase in operating expenses and income taxes. This result was partially offset by the increase in the gross profit margin on inside sales and the gross profit margin per gallon of gasoline sold.

 

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Nine Months Ended January 31, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended January 31, 2004 (Dollars and Amounts in Thousands)

 

     Gasoline

    Grocery & other
merchandise


    Prepared food
& fountain


    Other

    Total

 
Nine months ended 1/31/05                               

Sales

   1,391,731     551,237     155,484     15,617     2,114,069  

Gross profit

   82,052     171,401     93,392     2,712     349,557  

Margin

   5.9 %   31.1 %   60.1 %   17.4 %   16.5 %
Gasoline Gallons    775,614                          
Nine months ended 1/31/04                               

Sales

   1,090,792     517,052     138,692     19,648     1,766,184  

Gross profit

   77,326     163,230     85,074     2,388     328,018  

Margin

   7.1 %   31.6 %   61.3 %   12.2 %   18.6 %
Gasoline Gallons    751,793                          

 

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 increased by $347,885 (19.7%) over the comparable period in fiscal 2004. Retail gasoline sales increased by $300,939 (27.6%) as the number of gallons sold increased by 23,821 (3.2%) while the average retail price per gallon increased 23.7%. During this same period, retail sales of grocery and general merchandise and prepared foods increased by $50,977 (7.8%) due to the addition of 29 new Company stores and a greater number of stores in operation for at least three years.

 

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was 83.5% for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 compared to 81.4% for the comparable period in the prior year. This result occurred because the gross profit margins on retail gasoline sales decreased (to 5.9%) during the first nine months of fiscal 2005 from the comparable period in the prior year (7.1%) while the gross profit margin per gallon increased (to $.1058) from the comparable period in the prior year ($.1029). The gross profits on retail sales of grocery and general merchandise decreased (to 31.1%) from the comparable period in the prior year (31.6%), primarily due to the reduction in vendor rebates. The gross profit margin on prepared food and fountain decreased (to 60.1%) from the comparable period in the prior year (61.3%) primarily due to higher wholesale cheese prices during the period.

 

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Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were 12.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 2005 compared to 13.1% for the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was caused primarily by an increase in the average retail price per gallon of gasoline sold. Operating expenses increased 11.3% in the first nine months of 2005 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to a pretax impairment charge of $7,013 recognized on 36 underperforming stores, a 34.6% increase in bank fees resulting from customers’ greater use of credit cards to purchase more expensive gasoline, and the larger number of corporate stores.

 

Income tax expense increased $294 (1.8%), due primarily to a one-time tax benefit of approximately $2,500 received in the comparable period in fiscal 2004. Management anticipates the effective tax rate in fiscal 2006 to remain comparable to the effective tax rate in fiscal 2005.

 

Net income decreased by $6,217 (17.4%). The decrease in net income was attributable primarily to the decrease in the gross profit margins on retail sales of grocery and general merchandise and prepared food and fountain, an increase in operating expenses, and the increase in income tax expense.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective judgments, often because of the need to estimate the effects of inherently uncertain factors.

 

Inventory. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Gasoline inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Merchandise inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, applied to inventory values determined by the retail inventory method (RIM) for store inventories and the FIFO method for warehouse inventories. RIM is an averaging method widely used in the retail industry because of its practicality.

 

Under RIM, inventory valuations are at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to sales. Inherent in the RIM calculations are certain management judgments and estimates, which could affect the ending inventory valuation at cost and the resulting gross margins.

 

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Long-lived Assets. The Company periodically monitors under-performing stores for an indication that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, including goodwill where applicable, an impairment loss is recognized. Impairment is based on the estimated fair value of the asset. Fair value is based on management’s estimate of the amount that could be realized from the sale of assets in a current transaction between willing parties. The estimate is derived from professional appraisals, offers, actual sale or disposition of assets subsequent to year end, and other indications of asset value. In determining whether an asset is impaired, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for the Company is generally on a store-by-store basis.

 

The Company generally has closed several under-performing stores each year. Recently management has been engaged in a strategic evaluation that identified a group of Company stores that have not been meeting the Company’s cash flow and profit objectives, generally as a result of competitive pressures in the area and changed traffic patterns. In the case of thirty-six such stores, management has concluded that further operational adjustments and marketing initiatives are not likely to materially improve the performance of those stores, and has determined that they should be sold. The resulting impairment charge is reflected in the financial statements included as part of this Form 10-Q. Management expects to continue its on-going evaluation of under-performing stores, and may periodically sell specific stores where further operational and marketing efforts are not likely to improve their performance.

 

Self-insurance. The Company is primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile claims. The self-insurance claim liability is determined actuarially based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Actuarial projections of the losses are employed due to the high degree of variability in the liability estimates. Some factors affecting the uncertainty of claims include the time frame of development, settlement patterns, litigation and adjudication direction, and medical treatment and cost trends. The liability is not discounted.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement. In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No 123R is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and its related implementation guidance. SFAS No. 123R focuses primarily on accounting for

 

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transactions in which an entity obtains employee services through share-based payment transactions. SFAS No 123R requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for the award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant. The cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123R is effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. While the Company cannot precisely determine the impact on net earnings as a result of the adoption of SFAS No 123R, estimated compensation expense related to prior periods can be found in Note 6 in the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q and in Note 1 in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K. The ultimate amount of increased compensation expense will be dependent on whether the Company adopts SFAS 123R using the modified prospective or retrospective method, the number of option shares granted during the year, their timing and vesting period, and the method used to calculate the fair value of the awards, among other factors.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements upon adoption.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Dollars in Thousands)

 

Due to the nature of the Company’s business, most sales are for cash, and cash provided by operations is the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company finances its inventory purchases primarily from normal trade credit aided by the relatively rapid turnover of inventory. This turnover allows the Company to conduct its operations without large amounts of cash and working capital. As of January 31, 2005, the Company’s ratio of current assets to current liabilities was .91 to 1. The ratio at January 31, 2004 and April 30, 2004 was 1.08 to 1 and 1.01 to 1, respectively. Management believes that the Company’s current bank line of credit of $35,000 ($0 outstanding at January 31, 2005), together with cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to satisfy the working capital needs of its business.

 

Net cash provided by operations increased $813 (1.1%) in the nine months ended January 31, 2005 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily as a result of an increase in accrued expenses. However, this result was partially offset by a reduction in net income and accounts payable. Cash used in investing in the nine months ended January 1, 2005 increased due to the increase in the purchase of property and equipment. Cash used in financing increased, primarily as a result of an increase in the payments of long-term debt.

 

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Capital expenditures represent the single largest use of Company funds. Management believes that by reinvesting in Company stores, the Company will be better able to respond to competitive challenges and increase operating efficiencies. During the first nine months of fiscal 2005, the Company expended $68,101 for property and equipment, primarily for the construction, acquisition and remodeling of Company stores, compared to $58,364 for the comparable period in the prior year. The Company anticipates expending approximately $90,000 in fiscal 2005 for construction, acquisition and remodeling of Company stores, primarily from existing cash and funds generated by operations.

 

As of January 31, 2005, the Company had long-term debt of $127,253, consisting of $30,000 in principal amount of 7.38% Senior Notes, $36,000 in principal amount of Senior Notes, Series A through Series F, with interest rates ranging from 6.18% to 7.23%, $57,143 in principal amount of 7.89% Senior Notes, Series A, $2,011 of mortgage notes payable, and $2,099 of capital lease obligations.

 

To date, the Company has funded capital expenditures primarily from the proceeds of the sale of Common Stock, issuance of 6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures (which were converted into shares of Common Stock in 1994), the above-described Senior Notes, a mortgage note, and through funds generated from operations. Future capital needs required to finance operations, improvements and the anticipated growth in the number of Company stores are expected to be met from cash generated by operations, the bank line of credit, and additional long-term debt or other securities as circumstances may dictate, and are not expected to adversely affect liquidity.

 

Cautionary Statements (Dollars in Thousands)

 

The foregoing Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including (i) any statements regarding future sales and gross profit percentages, (ii) any statements regarding the continuation of historical trends and (iii) any statements regarding the sufficiency of the Company’s cash balances and cash generated from operations and financing activities for the Company’s future liquidity and capital resource needs. The Company cautions that

 

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these statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitations, the following factors described more completely in the Cautionary Statement Relating to Forward-Looking Statements included as Exhibit 99 to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004:

 

Competition. The Company’s business is highly competitive, and marked by ease of entry and constant change in terms of the numbers and type of retailers offering the products and services found in Company stores. Many of the food (including prepared foods) and non-food items similar or identical to those sold by the Company are generally available from a variety of competitors in the communities served by Company stores, and the Company competes with other convenience store chains, gasoline stations, supermarkets, drug stores, discount stores, club stores, mass merchants and “fast-food” outlets (with respect to the sale of prepared foods). Sales of such non-gasoline items (particularly prepared food items) have contributed substantially to the Company’s gross profits from retail sales in recent years. Gasoline sales are also intensely competitive. The Company competes with both independent and national brand gasoline stations in the sale of gasoline, other convenience store chains and several non-traditional gasoline retailers such as supermarkets in specific markets. Some of these other gasoline retailers may have access to more favorable arrangements for gasoline supply than do the Company or the firms that supply its stores. Some of the Company’s competitors have greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company, and, as a result, may be able to respond better to changes in the economy and new opportunities within the industry.

 

Gasoline operations. Gasoline sales are an important part of the Company’s sales and earnings, and retail gasoline profit margins have a substantial impact on the Company’s net income. Profit margins on gasoline sales can be adversely affected by factors beyond the control of the Company, including the supply of gasoline available in the retail gasoline market, uncertainty or volatility in the wholesale gasoline market, increases in wholesale gasoline costs generally during a period and price competition from other gasoline marketers. The market for crude oil and domestic wholesale petroleum products is marked by significant volatility, and is affected by general political conditions and instability in oil producing regions such as the Middle East and Venezuela. The volatility of the wholesale gasoline market makes it extremely difficult to predict the impact of future wholesale cost fluctuation on the Company’s operating results and financial conditions. These factors could materially impact the Company’s gasoline gallon volume, gasoline gross profit and overall customer traffic levels at Company stores. Any substantial decrease in profit margins on gasoline sales or in the number of gallons sold by Company stores could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings.

 

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The Company purchases its gasoline from a variety of independent national and regional petroleum distributors. Although in recent years the Company’s suppliers have not experienced any difficulties in obtaining sufficient amounts of gasoline to meet the Company’s needs, unanticipated national and international events could result in a reduction of gasoline supplies available for distribution to the Company. Any substantial curtailment in gasoline supplied to the Company could adversely affect the Company by reducing its gasoline sales. Further, management believes that a significant amount of the Company’s business results from the patronage of customers primarily desiring to purchase gasoline and, accordingly, reduced gasoline supplies could adversely affect the sale of non-gasoline items. Such factors could have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s earnings and operations.

 

Tobacco Products. Sales of tobacco products represent a significant portion of the Company’s revenues. Significant increases in wholesale cigarette costs and tax increases on tobacco products, as well as national and local campaigns to discourage smoking in the United States, could have an adverse affect on the demand for cigarettes sold by Company stores. The Company attempts to pass price increases onto its customers, but competitive pressures in specific markets may prevent it from doing so. These factors could materially impact the retail price of cigarettes, the volume of cigarettes sold by Company stores and overall customer traffic.

 

Environmental Compliance Costs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and several states, including Iowa, have established requirements for owners and operators of underground gasoline storage tanks (USTs) with regard to (i) maintenance of leak detection, corrosion protection and overfill/spill protection systems; (ii) upgrade of existing tanks; (iii) actions required in the event of a detected leak; (iv) prevention of leakage through tank closings; and (v) required gasoline inventory recordkeeping. Since 1984, new Company stores have been equipped with non-corroding fiberglass USTs. The Company currently has 2,698 USTs, of which 2,390 are fiberglass and 308 are steel. Management believes that its existing gasoline procedures and planned capital expenditures will continue to keep the Company in substantial compliance with all current federal and state UST regulations.

 

Several of the states in which the Company does business have trust fund programs with provisions for sharing or reimbursing corrective action or remediation costs incurred by UST owners, including the Company. The extent of available coverage or reimbursement under such programs for costs incurred by the Company is not fully known at this time. In each of the years ended April 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company spent approximately $1,827 and $1,138, respectively, for assessments and remediation. During

 

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the nine months ended January 31, 2005, the Company expended approximately $1,068 for such purposes. Substantially all of these expenditures have been submitted for reimbursement from state-sponsored trust fund programs and as of January 31, 2005, approximately $8,200 has been received from such programs since their inception. Such amounts are typically subject to statutory provisions requiring repayment of the reimbursed funds for non-compliance with upgrade provisions or other applicable laws. The Company has an accrued liability at January 31, 2005 of approximately $200 for estimated expenses related to anticipated corrective actions or remediation efforts, including relevant legal and consulting costs. Management believes the Company has no material joint and several environmental liability with other parties.

 

Although the Company regularly accrues expenses for the estimated costs related to its future corrective action or remediation efforts, there can be no assurance that such accrued amounts will be sufficient to pay such costs, or that the Company has identified all environmental liabilities at all of its current store locations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur substantial expenditures in the future for remediation of contamination or related claims that have not been discovered or asserted with respect to existing store locations or locations that the Company may acquire in the future, or that the Company will not be subject to any claims for reimbursement of funds disbursed to the Company under the various state programs or that additional regulations, or amendments to existing regulations, will not require additional expenditures beyond those presently anticipated.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk (Dollars in Thousands).

 

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its investment portfolio and long-term debt obligations. The Company places its investments with high quality credit issuers and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. As stated in its policy, the Company’s first priority is to reduce the risk of principal loss. Consequently, the Company seeks to preserve its invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk. The Company mitigates default risk by investing in only high quality credit securities that it believes to be low risk and by positioning its portfolio to respond appropriately to a significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer or guarantor. The portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure portfolio liquidity. The Company believes that an immediate 100 basis point move in interest rates affecting the Company’s floating and fixed rate financial instruments as of January 1, 2005 would have an immaterial effect on the Company’s pretax earnings.

 

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The Company uses a variety of derivative instruments such as options and futures to hedge against the volatility of gasoline cost. The Company is at risk for possible changes in the market value for these derivative instruments. It is anticipated that such risk would be mitigated by price changes in the underlying hedged items. Market risks associated with all of the Company’s derivative contracts are reviewed regularly by management.

 

At January 31, 2005, the Company had accumulated net hedging losses before income taxes of $119 on its open options and future contracts. The amount represented their fair value as determined using various indices and dealer quotes. The Company had net hedging losses before income taxes of $399 for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 on closed options and futures contracts related to hedged transactions occurring in the nine months. These derivative contracts are not linked to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet or to forecasted transactions in an accounting hedge relationship and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting. They are carried at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded as part of cost of goods sold in the income statement.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

Management currently is evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as part of its efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as of the fiscal year ending on April 30, 2005. Section 404 requires the Company to evaluate the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting as of the end of each fiscal year, and to include a management report assessing the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting in all annual reports beginning with the report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending on April 30, 2005. As a result of this effort, management has identified and fully remediated certain deficiencies in the Company’s controls over specific operations,

 

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including inventory management, payroll administration and fixed assets and the segregation of duties in certain areas. All such deficiencies have been reported to the Audit Committee, and management does not believe that they affected the accuracy of the financial statements included in this Form 10-Q or represented a material weakness in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company from time to time is a party to legal proceedings arising from the conduct of its business operations, including proceedings relating to personal injury and employment claims, environmental remediation activities or contamination-related claims, disputes under franchise agreements and claims by state and federal regulatory authorities relating to the sale of products pursuant to state or federal licenses or permits. Management does not believe that the potential liability of the Company with respect to such proceedings pending as of the date of this Form 10-Q is material in the aggregate.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a) The following exhibits are filed with this Report or, if so indicated, incorporated by reference:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description


4.2   Rights Agreement between Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and United Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (0-12788) filed June 19, 1989 relating to Common Share Purchase Rights), and amendments thereto (incorporated by reference from the Form 8 (Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed June 19, 1989) filed September 10, 1990; the Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed June 19, 1989) filed March 30, 1994; the Form 8-A12G/A (Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed June 19, 1989) filed July 29, 1994; the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 1999; and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 1999.)

 

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4.3   Note Agreement dated as of February 1, 1993 between Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and Nippon Life Insurance Company of America (incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 1993) and First Amendment thereto (incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 11, 1996).
4.4   Note Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995 between Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 11, 1996).
4.6   Note Agreement dated as of April 15, 1999 among the Company and Principal Life Insurance Company and other purchasers of the 6.18% to 7.23% Senior Notes, Series A through Series F (incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 1999).
4.7   Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 1, 2000 among the Company and the purchasers of the 7.89% Senior Notes, Series 2000-A (incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2000).
31.1   Certification of Ronald M. Lamb under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of William J. Walljasper under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certificate of Ronald M. Lamb under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certificate of William J. Walljasper under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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(b) Reports on Form 8-K. On December 2, 2004 and December 8, 2004, the Company filed Form 8-K reports with respect to the press release and transcript of the related conference call concerning the financial results for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2004. On November 15, 2004, December 15, 2004 and January 14, 2005, the Company filed Form 8-K reports with respect to the monthly same-store sales results for October, November and December 2004, respectively.

 

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Date: March 10, 2005   CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ William J. Walljasper


        William J. Walljasper
        Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
        (Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description


31.1   Certification of Ronald M. Lamb under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of William J. Walljasper under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certificate of Ronald M. Lamb under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certificate of William J. Walljasper under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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