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8-K - 8-K - CASEYS GENERAL STORES INCa8-kq31x17pressrelease.htm


Exhibit 99.1
caseyscolorlogoa05.jpg
 
 
 
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
 
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
One Convenience Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50021
  
Nasdaq Symbol CASY
CONTACT Bill Walljasper
(515) 965-6505

Casey's Posts Third Quarter Results; Announces Share Repurchase Program
Ankeny, IA, March 6, 2017 - Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq symbol CASY) today reported diluted earnings per share of $0.58 for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 ended January 31, 2017, compared to $0.97 per share for the same quarter a year ago. Year to date, diluted earnings per share were $3.72 versus $4.54 a year ago. "Although pressures in our operating area persisted throughout the quarter, the Company continues to be an industry leader in same-store sales growth," stated Terry Handley, President and CEO. "As a demonstration of our commitment to creating shareholder value, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to an aggregate of $300 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. We are excited about implementing the share repurchase program while at the same time accelerating future store growth."
Fuel - The Company's annual goal for fiscal 2017 is to increase same-store gallons sold 2.0% with an average margin of 18.4 cents per gallon. For the quarter, same-store gallons sold were up 2.6% with an average margin of 17.9 cents per gallon. "Retail fuel prices remained low and the fuel saver programs continued to benefit same-store gallons sold," said Handley. "Fuel margin per gallon for the quarter was slightly below the same quarter a year ago primarily due to rising wholesale costs throughout most of the quarter, partially offset by an increase in renewable fuel credit sales." The Company sold 16.3 million renewable fuel credits for $14.5 million during the third quarter, compared to 15.2 million renewable fuel credits in the third quarter of the prior year, which generated $9.2 million. For the nine months ended January 31, 2017, total gallons sold were up 6.5% to 1.6 billion gallons. Gross profit dollars for the same time period were down 1.0% to $292.8 million primarily due to a lower margin per gallon. Year to date, same-store gallons were up 3.0% with an average margin of 18.7 cents per gallon.
Grocery and Other Merchandise - Casey's annual goal for fiscal 2017 is to increase same-store sales 6.2% with an average margin of 32.0%. For the quarter, same-store sales were up 3.0% with an average margin of 31.1%. "The third quarter margin is in line with the same time period a year ago", said Handley. "Same-store sales for the category were consistent with the second quarter, however same-store sales excluding cigarettes accelerated from the previous quarter." Year to date, same-store sales were up 3.5% with an average margin of 31.6%. Total sales for the first nine months were up 6.1% to $1.6 billion while total gross profit dollars increased 5.4% to $501.8 million.
Prepared Food and Fountain - The goal for fiscal 2017 is to increase same-store sales 10.2% with an average margin of 62.5%. Same-store sales for the quarter were up 5.8% with an average margin of 61.7%. "Total sales for the third quarter were up 8.9%, and same-store sales accelerated from the second quarter," said Handley. "Total mobile app downloads have surpassed 700,000, and over 13% of whole pizzas sold now come from digital orders. We are encouraged by this growth from our first step towards increasing digital engagement with our customers." Year to date, total prepared food and fountain sales were up 8.7% to $720.3 million, and total gross profit dollars were up 8.4% to $450.3 million. For the first nine months, same-store sales were up 5.4% with an average margin of 62.5%.
Operating Expenses - In the third quarter, operating expenses increased 12.6% to $292.3 million. Year to date, operating expenses increased 11.2% to $879.7 million. “Both the quarter-to-date and year-to-date increases were





in-line with our expectations, and primarily driven by an increase in wages due to operating more stores this year compared to the same period one year ago, the continued rollout of the various growth programs, and wage rate increases,” said Handley. "In addition, credit card fees and fuel expense combined were up $3.5 million for the quarter due to a 12.6% increase in retail fuel prices from the same time period a year ago."
Expansion - The Company’s annual goal for fiscal 2017 is to build or acquire 77 to 116 stores, replace 35 existing locations, and complete 100 major remodels. Through nine months, the Company built and opened 24 new stores, acquired 14 stores, completed 19 replacements, and remodeled 56 stores. In addition, the Company currently has 33 new stores, 21 replacement stores, and 46 major remodel stores under construction. Finally, the Company has 91 sites under agreement for future new-store construction and eight acquisition stores under contract to purchase. "We are encouraged by the growing pipeline of new-store constructions," said Handley. "We have and will continue to take steps to add resources in order to sustain a higher number of future new-store constructions, while remaining focused on acquisition opportunities."
Share-Repurchase Program - Under the approved share repurchase program, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate of $300 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. The share repurchase authorization is valid for a period of two years. The timing and number of repurchase transactions under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, corporate considerations, business opportunities, debt agreements, and regulatory requirements. The program, which can be suspended or discontinued at any time, will enhance the Company's overall approach to capital allocation, which includes a growing new-store pipeline and dividend payments. "Total shareholder return remains a strong focus of the Board and management. We believe the share repurchase program provides another way to deliver value to our shareholders," stated Handley.
Dividend - At its March meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2017 to shareholders of record on May 1, 2017.
****
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
January 31,
 
Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total revenue
$
1,769,993

 
$
1,565,940

 
$
5,660,127

 
$
5,539,132

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, shown separately below)
1,380,364

 
1,194,771

 
4,377,185

 
4,313,731

Gross profit
389,629

 
371,169

 
1,282,942

 
1,225,401

Operating expenses
292,321

 
259,625

 
879,738

 
791,185

Depreciation and amortization
51,152

 
43,822

 
145,682

 
125,028

Interest, net
10,559

 
10,132

 
31,174

 
30,225

Income before income taxes
35,597

 
57,590

 
226,348

 
278,963

Federal and state income taxes
12,762

 
19,491

 
78,941

 
100,025

Net income
$
22,835

 
$
38,099

 
$
147,407

 
$
178,938

Net income per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.58

 
$
0.98

 
$
3.76

 
$
4.59

Diluted
$
0.58

 
$
0.97

 
$
3.72

 
$
4.54

Basic weighted average shares
39,194,671

 
39,033,987

 
39,183

 
39,003,820

Plus effect of stock compensation
463,445

 
403,421

 
466

 
397,551

Diluted weighted average shares
39,658,116

 
39,437,408

 
39,650

 
39,401,371






Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
January 31, 2017
 
April 30, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
115,721

 
$
75,775

Receivables
34,542

 
27,701

Inventories
209,692

 
204,988

Prepaid expenses
4,726

 
3,008

Income tax receivable
11,021

 
14,413

Total current assets
375,702

 
325,885

Other assets, net of amortization
20,238

 
18,981

Goodwill
130,081

 
128,566

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,456,308 at January 31, 2017 and $1,340,249 at April 30, 2016
2,450,358

 
2,252,475

Total assets
$
2,976,379

 
$
2,725,907

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
15,415

 
15,375

Accounts payable
230,472

 
241,207

Accrued expenses
140,869

 
130,989

Total current liabilities
386,756

 
387,571

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
914,955

 
822,628

Deferred income taxes
422,334

 
394,934

Deferred compensation
15,603

 
17,813

Other long-term liabilities
21,225

 
19,498

Total liabilities
1,760,873

 
1,642,444

Total shareholders’ equity
1,215,506

 
1,083,463

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
2,976,379

 
$
2,725,907

Certain statements in this news release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by those statements. Casey’s disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.







Revenue and Gross Profit by Category (Amounts in thousands)
Three months ended 1/31/2017
Fuel
 
Grocery & Other
Merchandise
 
Prepared Food
& Fountain
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue
$
1,053,990

 
$
476,309

 
$
228,278

 
$
11,416

 
$
1,769,993

Gross profit
$
89,265

 
$
148,099

 
$
140,869

 
$
11,396

 
$
389,629

Margin
8.5
%
 
31.1
%
 
61.7
%
 
99.8
%
 
22.0
%
Fuel gallons
498,122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended 1/31/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
888,744

 
$
453,388

 
$
209,595

 
$
14,213

 
$
1,565,940

Gross profit
$
85,460

 
$
141,482

 
$
130,027

 
$
14,200

 
$
371,169

Margin
9.6
%
 
31.2
%
 
62.0
%
 
99.9
%
 
23.7
%
Fuel gallons
472,259

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue and Gross Profit by Category (Amounts in thousands)
Nine months ended 1/31/2017
Fuel
 
Grocery & Other
Merchandise
 
Prepared Food
& Fountain
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue
$
3,314,385

 
$
1,587,281

 
$
720,279

 
$
38,182

 
$
5,660,127

Gross profit
292,755

 
$
501,816

 
$
450,250

 
$
38,121

 
$
1,282,942

Margin
8.8
%
 
31.6
%
 
62.5
%
 
99.8
%
 
22.7
%
Fuel gallons
1,565,302

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended 1/31/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
3,341,721

 
$
1,496,586

 
$
662,364

 
$
38,461

 
$
5,539,132

Gross profit
$
295,830

 
$
475,935

 
$
415,220

 
$
38,416

 
$
1,225,401

Margin
8.9
%
 
31.8
%
 
62.7
%
 
99.9
%
 
22.1
%
Fuel gallons
1,469,654

 
 
 
 
Fuel Gallons
 
Fuel Margin
Same-store Sales Growth
(Cents per gallon, excluding credit card fees)
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Fiscal
Year
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Fiscal
Year
F2017
3.1
%
 
3.7
%
 
2.6
%
 

 


F2017

19.5
¢
 

18.6
¢
 

17.9
¢
 


 

F2016
3.4

 
3.3

 
1.6

 
4.6
%
 
3.0
%
F2016
17.5

 
24.7

 
18.1

 

17.8
¢
 

19.6
¢
F2015
3.0

 
2.3

 
2.2

 
3.5

 
2.6

F2015
18.9

 
19.5

 
22.0

 
16.9

 
19.3

Grocery & Other Merchandise
 
Grocery & Other Merchandise
Same-store Sales Growth
Margin
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Fiscal
Year
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Fiscal
Year
F2017
4.7
%
 
3.1
%
 
3.0
%
 


 


F2017
31.6
%
 
32.0
%
 
31.1
%
 


 


F2016
7.0

 
7.5

 
7.1

 
7.4
%
 
7.1
%
F2016
32.6

 
31.5

 
31.2

 
32.1
%
 
31.9
%
F2015
7.7

 
6.6

 
7.7

 
9.7

 
7.8

F2015
32.5

 
32.3

 
31.2

 
32.1

 
32.1

Prepared Food & Fountain
 
Prepared Food & Fountain
Same-store Sales Growth
Margin
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Fiscal
Year
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Fiscal
Year
F2017
5.1
%
 
5.1
%
 
5.8
%
 


 


F2017
62.8
%
 
62.9
%
 
61.7
%
 


 


F2016
10.3

 
9.4

 
6.0

 
8.2
%
 
8.4
%
F2016
62.5

 
63.4

 
62.0

 
61.9
%
 
62.5
%
F2015
11.1

 
11.1

 
14.1

 
13.5

 
12.4

F2015
59.9

 
59.3

 
58.7

 
60.9

 
59.7


Corporate information is available at this Web site: http://www.caseys.com. Earnings will be reported during a conference call on March 7, 2017. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet at 9:30 a.m. CST via the Investor Relations section of our Web site and will be available in an archived format.