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AMCON DISTRIBUTING CO - Quarter Report: 2010 December (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 1-15589
 
(AMCON LOGO)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   47-0702918
     
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
7405 Irvington Road, Omaha NE   68122
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (402) 331-3727
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o No þ
The Registrant had 590,232 shares of its $.01 par value common stock outstanding as of January 17, 2011.
 
 

 

 


 

Form 10-Q
1st Quarter
INDEX
         
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 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  
Financial Statements
AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010
                 
    December     September  
    2010     2010  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash
  $ 300,920     $ 356,735  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.0 million and $1.6 million at December 2010 and September 2010, respectively
    22,245,824       27,903,689  
Inventories, net
    36,060,248       35,005,957  
Deferred income taxes
    1,542,599       1,905,974  
Prepaid and other current assets
    4,772,035       3,013,485  
 
           
Total current assets
    64,921,626       68,185,840  
 
               
Property and equipment, net
    11,712,178       11,855,669  
Goodwill
    6,149,168       6,149,168  
Other intangible assets, net
    4,757,019       4,807,644  
Other assets
    1,075,563       1,069,050  
 
           
 
  $ 88,615,554     $ 92,067,371  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 14,698,370     $ 16,656,257  
Accrued expenses
    6,506,609       6,007,900  
Accrued wages, salaries and bonuses
    2,085,776       3,161,817  
Income taxes payable
    1,100,779       2,366,667  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    851,153       893,291  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    25,242,687       29,085,932  
 
               
Credit facility
    17,169,003       18,816,709  
Deferred income taxes
    1,135,311       1,075,861  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    5,018,717       5,226,586  
Other long-term liabilities
    73,072       587,479  
Series A cumulative, convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value 100,000 shares authorized and issued, liquidation preference $25.00 per share
    2,500,000       2,500,000  
Series B cumulative, convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value 80,000 shares authorized and issued, liquidation preference $25.00 per share
    2,000,000       2,000,000  
 
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 180,000 shares outstanding and issued in Series A and B referred to above
           
Common stock, $.01 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized, 590,232 shares outstanding at December 2010 and 577,432 shares outstanding at September 2010
    5,902       5,774  
Additional paid-in capital
    9,425,208       8,376,640  
Retained earnings
    26,045,654       24,392,390  
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    35,476,764       32,774,804  
 
           
 
  $ 88,615,554     $ 92,067,371  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Operations
for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
Sales (including excise taxes of $81.3 million and $81.6 million, respectively)
  $ 244,957,161     $ 243,941,038  
Cost of sales
    227,349,439       226,713,025  
 
           
Gross profit
    17,607,722       17,228,013  
 
           
 
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    13,687,371       13,778,739  
Depreciation and amortization
    497,583       387,269  
 
           
 
    14,184,954       14,166,008  
 
           
Operating income
    3,422,768       3,062,005  
 
           
Other expense (income):
               
Interest expense
    384,583       405,245  
Other (income), net
    (22,881 )     (13,380 )
 
           
 
    361,702       391,865  
 
           
Income from operations before income taxes
    3,061,066       2,670,140  
Income tax expense
    1,229,000       941,000  
 
           
Net income
    1,832,066       1,729,140  
Preferred stock dividend requirements
    (74,867 )     (74,867 )
 
           
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 1,757,199     $ 1,654,273  
 
           
 
               
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders
  $ 3.04     $ 2.95  
Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders
  $ 2.41     $ 2.32  
 
               
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
    578,636       560,119  
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    758,692       745,223  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows
for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 1,832,066     $ 1,729,140  
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash flows from operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    418,565       338,099  
Amortization
    79,018       49,170  
Gain on sale of property and equipment
    (2,315 )     (16,935 )
Stock based compensation
    1,166,833       163,364  
Net excess tax benefit on equity-based awards
    (79,863 )     (107,048 )
Deferred income taxes
    422,825       10,104  
Provision for (recoveries) losses on doubtful accounts
    (625,000 )     16,426  
Provision for losses on inventory obsolescence
    81,416       76,703  
Other
    (2,011 )      
 
               
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    6,282,865       4,695,589  
Inventories
    (1,135,707 )     3,442,508  
Prepaid and other current assets
    (1,758,550 )     (2,679,354 )
Other assets
    (6,513 )     519  
Accounts payable
    (1,949,184 )     (1,329,456 )
Accrued expenses and accrued wages, salaries and bonuses
    (1,316,121 )     (2,127,887 )
Income tax payable
    (1,186,025 )     (2,973,111 )
 
           
Net cash flows from operating activities
    2,222,299       1,287,831  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (293,037 )     (596,612 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
    11,575       34,306  
Acquisition
          (3,099,836 )
 
           
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (281,462 )     (3,662,142 )
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net (payments) borrowings on bank credit agreements
    (1,647,706 )     2,769,851  
Principal payments on long-term debt
    (250,007 )     (182,901 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
          66,411  
Net excess tax benefit on equity-based awards
    79,863       107,048  
Dividends paid on convertible preferred stock
    (74,867 )     (74,867 )
Dividends on common stock
    (103,935 )     (103,181 )
 
           
Net cash flows from financing activities
    (1,996,652 )     2,582,361  
 
           
Net change in cash
    (55,815 )     208,050  
 
               
Cash, beginning of period
    356,735       309,914  
 
           
Cash, end of period
  $ 300,920     $ 517,964  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

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    2010     2009  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 372,376     $ 381,746  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
    1,992,200       3,903,998  
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
               
Equipment acquisitions classified as accounts payable
    29,503       21,512  
 
               
Business acquisition (see Note 2):
               
Inventory
          1,981,498  
Property and equipment
          122,978  
Customer relationships intangible asset
          1,620,000  
Goodwill
          300,360  
Note payable
          500,000  
Contingent consideration
          425,000  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries (“AMCON” or the “Company”) operate two business segments:
   
Our wholesale distribution segment (“Wholesale Segment”) distributes consumer products in the Central, Rocky Mountain, and Southern regions of the United States.
   
Our retail health food segment (“Retail Segment”) operates fourteen health food retail stores located throughout the Midwest and Florida.
WHOLESALE SEGMENT
Our Wholesale Segment serves approximately 4,300 retail outlets including convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, drug stores, and tobacco shops. In October 2010, Convenience Store News ranked our Wholesale Segment as the ninth (9th) largest convenience store distributor in the United States based on annual sales.
Our Wholesale Segment distributes approximately 14,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and chilled products and institutional food service products.
RETAIL SEGMENT
The Company’s retail health food stores, which are operated as Chamberlin’s Market & Café and Akin’s Natural Foods Market, carry over 30,000 different national and regionally branded and private label products. These products include high-quality natural, organic, and specialty foods consisting of produce, baked goods, frozen foods, nutritional supplements, personal care items, and general merchandise. Chamberlin’s, which was first established in 1935, operates six stores in and around Orlando, Florida. Akin’s, which was also established in 1935, has a total of eight locations in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30. The results for the interim period included with this Quarterly Report may not be indicative of the results which could be expected for the entire fiscal year. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in our annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements (“financial statements”) contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial information included herein, such as adjustments consisting of normal recurring items. The Company believes that although the disclosures contained herein are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K. For purposes of this report, unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company”, and “AMCON” shall mean AMCON Distributing Company and its subsidiaries. Additionally, the three month fiscal periods ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 have been referred to throughout this quarterly report as Q1 2011 and Q1 2010, respectively. The fiscal balance sheet dates as of December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, and September 30, 2010 have been referred to as December 2010, December 2009, and September 2010, respectively.

 

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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICY
Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due to the Company from its normal business activities. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained to reflect the expected uncollectibility of accounts receivable based on past collection history, evaluation of economic conditions as they may impact our customers, and specific risks identified in the portfolio. The Company determines the past due status of trade receivables based on our terms with each customer. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when collection efforts have been exhausted and the account receivable is deemed worthless. Any subsequent recoveries of charged off account balances are recorded as income in the period received.
ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Company adopted the following accounting standards during Q1 2011, none of which had a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
FASB ASU 2010-20 (“Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses”) — requires additional information for nonaccrual and past due accounts, the allowance for credit losses, impaired loans, credit quality, and account modifications.
FASB ASC 860 (“Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets”) — requires additional disclosures regarding the transfer and derecognition of financial assets and eliminates the concept of qualifying special-purpose entities.
FASB ASC 810 (“Amendments to FASB Interpretation: Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”) — eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires ongoing qualitative reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity.
2. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITIONS
ACQUISITION
In October 2009 (Q1 2010), the Company acquired the convenience store distribution assets of Discount Distributors from its parent Harps Food Stores, Inc. (“Harps”). Discount Distributors was a wholesale distributor to convenience stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri with annual sales of approximately $59.6 million. The Company paid $3.1 million cash, issued a $0.5 million note payable in quarterly installments over two years, and could pay an additional $1.0 million in contingent consideration for certain fixed assets, inventory, and customer lists of Discount Distributors. The contingent consideration is based on achieving predetermined two-year revenue targets. This transaction was funded through the Company’s existing credit facility. No significant liabilities were assumed in connection with the transaction and the costs incurred to effect the acquisition were not significant and were expensed as incurred. The acquisition expands the Company’s strategic footprint in the southern portion of the United States and enhances our ability to service customers in that region.
The following table summarizes the consideration paid or to be paid for the acquired assets and their related acquisition date fair values. The fair value of the assets acquired have been measured in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations.” In valuing identifiable intangible assets, the Company has estimated the fair value using the discounted cash flows methodology. The purchase price allocation reflects various preliminary estimates and analyses and is subject to change during the measurement period (generally one year from the acquisition date). The acquired assets are reported as a component of our Wholesale Segment.
         
    Amount  
Total Consideration   (in millions)  
Cash
  $ 3.1  
Note payable
    0.5  
Fair value of contingent consideration
    0.4  
 
     
Fair value of total consideration
  $ 4.0  
 
     

 

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Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired
                 
            Weighted  
            Average  
    Amount     Amortization  
    (in millions)     Period  
Inventory
  $ 2.0        
Property and equipment
    0.1       5 years  
Identifiable intangible assets:
               
Customer relationships
    1.6       8 years  
 
             
Total identifiable net assets
    3.7          
Goodwill
    0.3          
 
             
Total identifiable assets and goodwill
  $ 4.0          
 
             
The Company has estimated that the undiscounted payments required under the contingent consideration arrangement will approximate $0.7 million ($0.4 million fair value at the acquisition date). The $0.3 million of goodwill arising from the acquisition primarily represents synergies and economies of scale generated through reductions in selling, general, and administrative expenses. This goodwill has been assigned to the Company’s Wholesale Segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. No measurement adjustments related to this transaction were recorded during Q1 2011.
The following table sets forth the unaudited actual revenue and earnings included in the Company’s statement of operations related to the acquisition and the pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the Company’s prior fiscal year. These pro forma amounts do not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been obtained had the acquisition occurred at that time.
                 
    Three months ended  
    December  
(In millions)   2010     2009  
Revenue — Actual Results
  $ 16.2     $ 9.2  
Revenue — Supplemental pro forma results
  $ 16.2     $ 14.2  
Net Income — Actual Results
  $ 0.1     $ 0.1  
Net Income — Supplemental pro forma results
  $ 0.1     $ 0.1  
3. CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK:
The Company had two series of convertible preferred stock outstanding at December 2010 as identified in the following table:
                 
    Series A     Series B  
Date of issuance:
    June 17, 2004       October 8, 2004  
Optionally redeemable beginning
    June 18, 2006       October 9, 2006  
Par value (gross proceeds):
  $ 2,500,000     $ 2,000,000  
Number of shares:
    100,000       80,000  
Liquidation preference per share:
  $ 25.00     $ 25.00  
Conversion price per share:
  $ 30.31     $ 24.65  
Number of common shares in which to be converted:
    82,481       81,136  
Dividend rate:
    6.785 %     6.37 %

 

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The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A”) and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B”), (collectively, the “Preferred Stock”), are convertible at any time by the holders into a number of shares of AMCON common stock equal to the number of preferred shares being converted multiplied by a fraction equal to $25.00 divided by the conversion price. The conversion prices for the Preferred Stock are subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and certain other distributions on the Common Stock. Cumulative dividends for the Preferred Stock are payable in arrears, when, and if declared by the Board of Directors, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.
In the event of a liquidation of the Company, the holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to receive the liquidation preference plus any accrued and unpaid dividends prior to the distribution of any amount to the holders of the Common Stock. The shares of Preferred Stock are optionally redeemable by the Company beginning on various dates, as listed in the above table, at redemption prices equal to 112% of the liquidation preference. The redemption prices decrease 1% annually thereafter until the redemption price equals the liquidation preference, after which date it remains the liquidation preference. The Preferred Stock is redeemable at the liquidation value and at the option of the holder. The Series A Preferred Stock is owned by Mr. Chris Atayan, AMCON’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Series B Preferred Stock is owned by an institutional investor which has the right to elect one member of our Board of Directors, pursuant to the voting rights in the Certificate of Designation creating the Series B, and has designated Mr. Atayan as its representative on our Board of Directors.
4. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of finished goods at December 2010 and September 2010 and are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first in first out, or FIFO basis, or market. The Wholesale Segment and Retail Segment inventories consist of products purchased in bulk quantities to be redistributed to the Company’s customers or sold at retail. Finished goods include total reserves of approximately $0.9 million at December 2010 and $0.8 million at September 2010. These reserves include the Company’s obsolescence allowance, which reflects estimated unsaleable or non-refundable inventory based on an evaluation of slow moving and discontinued products.
5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill by reporting segment of the Company consisted of the following:
                 
    December     September  
    2010     2010  
Wholesale Segment
  $ 4,236,291     $ 4,236,291  
Retail Segment
    1,912,877       1,912,877  
 
           
 
  $ 6,149,168     $ 6,149,168  
 
           
Other intangible assets of the Company consisted of the following:
                 
    December     September  
    2010     2010  
Trademarks and tradenames
  $ 3,373,269     $ 3,373,269  
Customer relationships (less accumulated amortization of $236,250 and $185,625 at December 2010 and September 2010, respectively)
    1,383,750       1,434,375  
 
           
 
  $ 4,757,019     $ 4,807,644  
 
           
Goodwill, trademarks and tradenames are considered to have indefinite useful lives and therefore no amortization has been taken on these assets. The Company performs annual impairment testing of goodwill and other intangible assets during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year.

 

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At December 2010, intangible assets considered to have finite lives represented acquired customer relationships. These customer relationships are being amortized over eight years. Amortization expense related to these assets totaled $50,625 and $33,750 for Q1 2011 and Q1 2010, respectively. In addition, these relationships are evaluated for accelerated attrition or amortization adjustments if warranted. Amortization expense for customer relationships for the periods subsequent to December 2010 is as follows:
         
    December  
Customer relationships   2010  
Fiscal 2011 /1/
  $ 151,875  
Fiscal 2012
    202,500  
Fiscal 2013
    202,500  
Fiscal 2014
    202,500  
Fiscal 2015
    202,500  
Thereafter
    421,875  
 
     
 
  $ 1,383,750  
 
     
/1/  
Represents amortization for the remaining nine months of Fiscal 2011.
6. DIVIDENDS:
The Company paid cash dividends on its common stock and convertible preferred stock issuances totaling approximately $0.2 million during both Q1 2011 and Q1 2010.
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations less preferred stock dividend requirements by the weighted average common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from continuing operations less preferred stock dividend requirements (when anti-dilutive) by the sum of the weighted average common shares outstanding and the weighted average dilutive options, using the treasury stock method. There were no anti-dilutive stock options or potential common stock options at either December 2010 or December 2009.
                                 
    For the three months ended December  
    2010     2009  
    Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    578,636       578,636       560,119       560,119  
Weighted average of net additional shares outstanding assuming dilutive options exercised and proceeds used to purchase treasury stock and conversion of preferred stock /1/
          180,056             185,104  
 
                       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
    578,636       758,692       560,119       745,223  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1,832,066     $ 1,832,066     $ 1,729,140     $ 1,729,140  
Deduct: convertible preferred stock dividends /2/
    (74,867 )           (74,867 )      
 
                       
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 1,757,199     $ 1,832,066     $ 1,654,273     $ 1,729,140  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings per share available to common shareholders
  $ 3.04     $ 2.41     $ 2.95     $ 2.32  
 
                       
/1/  
Diluted earnings per share calculation includes all stock options, convertible preferred stock, and restricted stock deemed to be dilutive.
 
/2/  
Diluted earnings per share calculation excludes dividends for convertible preferred stock deemed to be dilutive, as those amounts are assumed to have been converted to common stock of the Company.

 

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8. DEBT
The Company has a credit agreement, (the “Facility”) with Bank of America which includes the following significant terms:
 
A January 1, 2012 maturity date and a $55.0 million revolving credit limit.
 
The Facility bears interest at either the bank’s prime rate or at LIBOR plus 250 basis points, at the election of the Company.
 
The Facility provides for an additional $5.0 million of credit advances available for certain inventory purchases. These advances bear interest at the bank’s prime rate plus one-quarter of one-percent (1/4%) per annum and are payable within 45 days of each advance.
 
Lending limits subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations.
 
An unused commitment fee equal to one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) per annum on the difference between the maximum loan limit and average monthly borrowings.
 
Secured by collateral including all of the Company’s equipment, intangibles, inventories, and accounts receivable.
 
Provides that the Company may not pay dividends on its common stock in excess of $0.72 per share on an annual basis.
The Facility includes a financial covenant which requires the Company to maintain a minimum debt service ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 as measured by the previous twelve month period then ended. The Company was in compliance with this covenant at December 2010.
The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement. The Company’s calculated credit limit of the Facility at December 31 was $51.0 million of which $17.2 million was outstanding leaving $33.8 million available.
At December 2010, the revolving portion of the Company’s Facility balance bore interest based on the bank’s prime rate and various short-term LIBOR rate elections made by the Company. The average interest rate was 2.94% at December 2010. At December 2010, the Company had $5.9 million in long-term debt outstanding. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of this long-term debt approximated its carrying value at December 2010.
Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions
The Company’s owned real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, and certain warehouse equipment in the Rapid City, SD warehouse is financed through term loans with Marshall and Ilsley Bank (“M&I”), which is also a participant lender on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The M&I loans contain cross default provisions which cause all loans with M&I to be considered in default if any one of the loans where M&I is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, is in default. There were no such cross defaults at December 2010. In addition, the M&I loans contain co-terminus provisions which require all loans with M&I to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.
Other
AMCON has issued a letter of credit for $0.4 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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9. EQUITY-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS
Omnibus Plan
The Company has an Omnibus Incentive Plan (“the Omnibus Plan”) which provides for equity incentives to employees. The Omnibus Plan was designed with the intent of encouraging employees to acquire a vested interest in the growth and performance of the Company. The Omnibus Plan permits the issuance of up to 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the form of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance share awards as well as awards such as stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares, bonus shares, and dividend share awards payable in the form of common stock or cash. The number of shares issuable under the Omnibus Plan is subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and certain other distributions on the Company’s common stock. As of December 2010, a total of 87,900 shares of common stock had been issued pursuant to the Omnibus Plan and another 62,100 shares may be issued pursuant to outstanding awards under the Ominbus Plan.
Stock Options
During the Company’s third fiscal quarter of 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded various employees of the Company incentive stock options to purchase 6,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. These awards vest in equal installments over a five year service period and have an exercise price of $51.50 per share.
The Company has estimated that the fair value of the incentive stock option awards was approximately $0.1 million using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This amount is being amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the five year service period. The following assumptions were used in connection with the Black-Scholes option pricing calculation:
         
    Stock Option Pricing  
    Assumptions  
 
       
Risk-free interest rate
    3.04 %
Dividend yield
    1.30 %
Expected volatility
    49.30 %
Expected life in years
    7  
The stock options issued by the Company expire ten years from the grant date and include graded vesting schedules up to five years in length. Stock options issued and outstanding to management employees at December 2010 are summarized as follows:
                         
            Number of        
            Options     Number  
Date   Exercise Price     Outstanding     Exercisable  
Fiscal 2003
  $ 28.80       84       84  
Fiscal 2007
  $ 18.00       25,000       25,000  
Fiscal 2010
  $ 51.50       6,000        
 
                   
 
            31,084       25,084  
 
                   
Stock options issued and outstanding to the Company’s outside directors at December 2010 are summarized as follows:
                         
            Number of        
            Options     Number  
Date   Exercise Price     Outstanding     Exercisable  
Fiscal 2002
  $ 26.94       834       834  
 
                   
The following summarizes all stock options issued and outstanding at December 2010:
                                                 
                    Remaining             Exercisable  
    Exercise     Number     Weighted-Average     Weighted-Average     Number     Weighted-Average  
    Price     Outstanding     Contractual Life     Exercise Price     Exercisable     Exercise Price  
2002 Options
  $ 26.94       834       1.62 years     $ 26.94       834     $ 26.94  
2003 Options
  $ 28.80       84       1.82 years     $ 28.80       84     $ 28.80  
2007 Options
  $ 18.00       25,000       5.95 years     $ 18.00       25,000     $ 18.00  
2010 Options
  $ 51.50       6,000       9.33 years     $ 51.50              
 
                                           
 
            31,918             $ 24.56       25,918     $ 18.32  
 
                                           

 

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The following is a summary of stock options activity for the three months ended December 2010:
                 
            Weighted  
    Number     Average  
    of     Exercise  
    Shares     Price  
Outstanding at September 2010
    31,918     $ 24.56  
Granted
           
Exercised
           
Forfeited/Expired
           
 
             
Outstanding at December 2010
    31,918     $ 24.56  
 
             
At December 2010, total unamortized compensation expense related to stock options was approximately $0.1 million. This unamortized compensation expense is expected to be amortized over approximately the next 52 months.
Restricted Stock
At December 2010, the following restricted stock awards were issued and outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Omnibus Plan:
         
    Restricted Stock /1/  
Date of award:
    January 29, 2008  
Number of shares:
    7,500  
Service period:
    36 months  
Estimated fair value of award at grant date /2/:
  $ 229,000  
Intrinsic value of awards outstanding at December 2010:
  $ 200,000  
/1/  
5,000 shares were vested at December 2010. The remaining 2,500 shares will vest January 29, 2011.
 
/2/  
Amount is net of estimated forfeitures.
There is no direct cost to the recipients of the restricted stock awards, except for any applicable taxes. The recipients of restricted stock are entitled to full voting rights. All cash dividends and/or distributions payable to restricted stock recipients will be held in escrow until all the conditions of vesting have been met.
The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Accordingly, net income before income taxes included compensation expense of $0.03 million and $0.1 million for Q1 2011 and Q1 2010, respectively. The following summarizes restricted stock activity under the Omnibus Plan for the three months ended December 2010:
                 
    Number     Weighted Average  
    of     Grant Date  
    Shares     Fair Value  
Nonvested restricted stock at September 2010
    10,500     $ 40.16  
Granted
           
Vested
    (8,000 )   $ 42.50  
Expired
           
 
             
Nonvested restricted stock at December 2010
    2,500     $ 32.67  
 
             

 

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Restricted Stock Units
During Q1 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized and approved the following restricted stock units awards to members of the Company’s management team pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Omnibus Plan:
                 
    Restricted Stock Units /1/     Restricted Stock Units /2/  
Date of award:
    November 22, 2010       November 22, 2010  
Number of shares:
    38,400       12,000  
Service period:
    24 months       36 months  
Estimated fair value of award at grant date:
  $ 2,765,000     $ 864,000  
Fair value of awards outstanding at December 2010:
  $ 2,048,000     $ 960,000  
/1/  
12,800 of the restricted stock unit awards vested during Q1 2011. The remaining 25,600 restricted stock units will vest in equal amounts (12,800 per year) on October 26, 2011 and October 26, 2012.
 
/2/  
The 12,000 restricted stock units will vest in equal amounts (4,000 per year) on November 22, 2011, November 22 2012, and November 22, 2013.
There is no direct cost to the recipients of the restricted stock units, except for any applicable taxes. The recipients of the restricted stock units are entitled to the customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, and certain other distributions on the Company’s common stock. All cash dividends and/or distributions payable to restricted stock recipients will be held in escrow until all the conditions of vesting have been met.
The restricted stock units provide that the recipients can elect, at their option, to receive either common stock in the Company, or a cash settlement based upon the closing price of the Company’s shares, at the time of vesting. Based on these award provisions, the compensation expense recorded in the Company’s Condensed Statement of Operations reflects the straight-line amortized fair value through the end of each reporting period.
During Q1 2011, net income before income taxes included compensation expense of $1.1 million related to the amortization of restricted stock unit awards. Total unamortized compensation expense for these awards based on the December 2010 closing price was approximately $2.8 million. This unamortized compensation expense, plus any changes in the fair value of the awards through the settlement date, are expected to be amortized over approximately the next 26 months (the weighted-average period). The following summarizes restricted stock unit activity under the Omnibus Plan for the three months ended December 2010:
                 
    Number        
    of     Weighted Average  
    Shares     Fair Value  
Nonvested restricted stock units at September 2010
        $  
Granted
    50,400     $ 72.01  
Vested
    (12,800 )   $ 72.50  
Expired
        $  
 
             
Nonvested restricted stock units at December 2010
    37,600     $ 80.01  
 
             

 

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10. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
AMCON has two reportable business segments: the wholesale distribution of consumer products and the retail sale of health and natural food products. The retail health food stores’ operations are aggregated to comprise the Retail Segment because such operations have similar economic characteristics, as well as similar characteristics with respect to the nature of products sold, the type and class of customers for the health food products and the methods used to sell the products. Included in the “Other” column are intercompany eliminations, and assets held and charges incurred by our holding company. The segments are evaluated on revenues, gross margins, operating income (loss), and income before taxes.
                                 
    Wholesale     Retail              
    Segment     Segment     Other /1/     Consolidated  
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 2010:
                               
External revenue:
                               
Cigarettes
  $ 175,772,237     $     $     $ 175,772,237  
Confectionery
    15,869,052                   15,869,052  
Health food
          9,092,449             9,092,449  
Tobacco, food service & other
    44,223,423                   44,223,423  
 
                       
Total external revenue
    235,864,712       9,092,449             244,957,161  
Depreciation
    310,232       107,396       937       418,565  
Amortization
    79,018                   79,018  
Operating income (loss)
    4,936,987       792,089       (2,306,308 )     3,422,768  
Interest expense
    111,069       103,550       169,964       384,583  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
    4,828,640       694,085       (2,461,659 )     3,061,066  
Total assets
    74,723,959       12,939,325       952,270       88,615,554  
Capital expenditures
    247,747       45,290             293,037  
 
                               
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 2009:
                               
External revenue:
                               
Cigarettes
  $ 177,584,045     $     $     $ 177,584,045  
Confectionery
    15,307,821                   15,307,821  
Health food
          8,926,489             8,926,489  
Tobacco, food service & other
    42,122,683                   42,122,683  
 
                       
Total external revenue
    235,014,549       8,926,489             243,941,038  
Depreciation
    266,580       70,372       1,147       338,099  
Amortization
    49,170                   49,170  
Operating income (loss)
    3,998,612       917,307       (1,853,914 )     3,062,005  
Interest expense
    122,197       124,624       158,424       405,245  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
    3,879,649       802,830       (2,012,339 )     2,670,140  
Total assets
    74,327,598       11,729,960       978,068       87,035,626  
Capital expenditures
    437,315       159,297             596,612  

 

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Item 2.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other sections, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and which reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “future,” “position,” “anticipate(s),” “expect,” “believe(s),” “see,” “plan,” “further improve,” “outlook,” “should” or similar expressions. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document, could affect the future results of the Company and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements:
 
increases in state and federal excise taxes on cigarette and tobacco products,
 
higher commodity prices which could impact food ingredient costs for many of the products we sell,
 
regulation of cigarette and tobacco products by the FDA, in addition to existing state and federal regulations by other agencies,
 
potential bans imposed by the FDA on the manufacture, distribution, and sale of certain cigarette and tobacco products,
 
increases in manufacturer prices,
 
increases in inventory carrying costs and customer credit risk,
 
changes in promotional and incentive programs offered by manufacturers,
 
decreased availability of capital resources
 
demand for the Company’s products, particularly cigarette and tobacco products,
 
new business ventures or acquisitions,
 
domestic regulatory and legislative risks,
 
competition,
 
poor weather conditions,
 
increases in fuel prices,
 
consolidation trends within the convenience store industry,
 
other risks over which the Company has little or no control, and any other factors not identified herein.
Changes in these factors could result in significantly different results. Consequently, future results may differ from management’s expectations. Moreover, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance. Any forward-looking statement contained herein is made as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or correct any of these forward-looking statements in the future to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of material events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or business over time.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Certain accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements require us to make judgments and estimates and the financial results we report may vary depending on how we make these judgments and estimates. Our critical accounting estimates are set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no significant changes with respect to these policies during the fiscal quarter ended December 2010.
FIRST FISCAL QUARTER 2011 (Q1 2011)
The following discussion and analysis includes the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended December 2010 and December 2009.
Wholesale Segment
Our Wholesale Segment serves approximately 4,300 retail outlets including convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, drug stores, and tobacco shops. In October 2010, Convenience Store News ranked our Wholesale Segment as the ninth (9th) largest convenience store distributor in the United States based on annual sales.
Our Wholesale Segment distributes approximately 14,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and chilled products and institutional food service products.
Retail Segment
The Company’s Retail Segment, which is operated as Chamberlin’s Market & Café and Akin’s Natural Foods Market, carry over 30,000 different national and regionally branded and private label products. These products include high-quality natural, organic, and specialty foods consisting of produce, baked goods, frozen foods, nutritional supplements, personal care items, and general merchandise. Chamberlin’s, which was first established in 1935, operates six stores in and around Orlando, Florida. Akin’s, which was also established in 1935, has a total of eight locations in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas.
Business Update — General
While the U.S. economy has shown modest signs of stabilization, consumer demand continues to face considerable headwinds. The national unemployment rate still stands at nearly 10%, personal savings rates have increased, and consumers have been redirecting disposal income to reduce debt levels. Additionally, many real estate markets remain depressed.
Notwithstanding the above economic conditions, we have not experienced significantly lower demand in either of our business segments. Our businesses have generally remained more resilient than many other distribution and retail formats and have performed comparatively well given the challenging operating environment.
Forward looking, we believe that the ongoing economic malaise, additional regulatory pressures, and increasing fuel and food commodity prices, as well as the potential for further increases in excises taxes, could adversely affect our sales, gross margins, and operating profits. Additionally, the long-term implications of the new healthcare legislation remains uncertain. We are, however, confident that our conservative strategy of cost containment and maintaining maximum liquidity positions us well to capture market share, execute strategic acquisitions, open new retail stores, and ultimately reward our shareholders.

 

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Business Update — Wholesale Segment
Convenience stores constitute the largest portion of our Wholesale Segment customer base. Despite depressed economic conditions, sales in the convenience store channel remain a vibrant and growing segment in retailing. According to the September 2010 issue of Convenience Distribution (a leading trade publication published by the American Wholesale Marketers Association), in-store sales for convenience stores increased 4.9% during the 2009 calendar year.
Despite this sales growth, a number of significant structural changes loom over the convenience store industry including declining revenue from the sale of tobacco products, an increasing reliance on technology, and consolidation amongst both convenience stores and the distributors that serve them. Further, rising fuel prices are increasing carrying costs and reducing retail level fuel margins, making ongoing access to credit and capital essential. These structural changes are rapidly making economies of scale a fundamental necessity for all industry participants.
The long-term implications of the above considerations on the industry are significant. The combined impact of declining tobacco revenues as well as the availability of credit and access to capital will hinder smaller distributors and likely result in substantial industry consolidation. As one of the nation’s largest wholesale distributors, we believe the Company is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends and broaden our strategic footprint.
Business Update — Retail Segment
While natural foods remain one of the fastest growing categories in food retailing, the severity of the economic downturn, particularly in Florida, has slowed sales growth for our retail stores. We believe, however, that a loyal customer following and their continuing commitment to healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability have helped us maintain a strong and profitable business. Both Chamberlin’s Market & Café and Akin’s Natural Foods Market have had a local market presence for over 75 years affording them tremendous brand recognition in the area of natural products.
Forward looking, we will continue to face a highly competitive environment based on the expansion of both regional and national chains. We believe, however, that our health food stores continue to offer a unique value proposition, carrying product lines not readily found in other stores, coupled with highly trained store associates. As the economy recovers and consumer confidence improves, we believe our stores will be well positioned to benefit from the long-term growth trends in natural products retailing.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 
    For the three months ended December  
                    Incr        
    2010     2009     (Decr)     % Change  
CONSOLIDATED:
                               
Sales /1/
  $ 244,957,161     $ 243,941,038     $ 1,016,123       0.4  
Cost of sales
    227,349,439       226,713,025       636,414       0.3  
Gross profit
    17,607,722       17,228,013       379,709       2.2  
Gross profit percentage
    7.2 %     7.1 %                
 
                               
Operating expense
    14,184,954       14,166,008       18,946       0.1  
Operating income
    3,422,768       3,062,005       360,763       11.8  
Interest expense
    384,583       405,245       (20,662 )     (5.1 )
Income tax expense
    1,229,000       941,000       288,000       30.6  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    1,832,066       1,729,140       102,926       6.0  
 
                               
BUSINESS SEGMENTS:
                               
Wholesale
                               
Sales
  $ 235,864,712     $ 235,014,549     $ 850,163       0.4  
Gross profit
    13,708,441       13,386,777       321,664       2.4  
Gross profit percentage
    5.8 %     5.7 %                
Retail
                               
Sales
  $ 9,092,449     $ 8,926,489     $ 165,960       1.9  
Gross profit
    3,899,281       3,841,236       58,045       1.5  
Gross profit percentage
    42.9 %     43.0 %                
/1/  
Sales are reported net of costs associated with incentives provided to retailers. These incentives totaled $3.8 million in both Q1 2011 and Q1 2010.

 

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SALES:
Changes in sales are driven by two primary components:
  (i)  
changes to selling prices, which are largely controlled by our product suppliers, and excise taxes imposed on cigarettes and tobacco products by various states; and
  (ii)  
changes in the volume of products sold to our customers, either due to a change in purchasing patterns resulting from consumer preferences or the fluctuation in the comparable number of business days in our reporting period.
SALES — Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010
Sales in our Wholesale Segment increased $0.9 million during Q1 2011 as compared to Q1 2010. Significant items impacting sales during Q1 2011 included the following:
 
$5.4 million increase in sales due to cigarette price increases implemented by manufacturers.
 
$7.2 million decrease in sales primarily related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold.
 
$2.7 million increase in sales in our tobacco, beverage, snacks, candy, grocery, health & beauty products, automotive, food service, and store supplies categories (“Other Products”)
Sales in our Retail Segment increased approximately $0.2 million in Q1 2011 as compared to Q1 2010. This increase in sales is primarily related to the addition of our new retail store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which opened during our third fiscal quarter of 2010.
GROSS PROFIT — Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010
Our gross profit does not include fulfillment costs and costs related to the distribution network which are included in selling, general and administrative costs, and may not be comparable to those of other entities. Some entities may classify such costs as a component of cost of sales. Cost of sales, a component used in determining gross profit, for the wholesale and retail segments includes the cost of products purchased from manufacturers, less incentives we receive which are netted against such costs.
Gross profit in our Wholesale Segment increased $0.3 million in Q1 2011 as compared to Q1 2010. During Q1 2011, our gross profit benefited approximately $0.2 million due to higher sales in our Other Products categories, and approximately $0.1 million due to changes in cigarette sales volume and promotional allowances.
Gross profit for the Retail Segment increased $0.1 million in Q1 2011 as compared to Q1 2010. This increase was primarily related to the addition of our new store in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
OPERATING EXPENSE — Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010
Operating expense includes selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization. Selling, general, and administrative expenses include costs related to our sales, warehouse, delivery and administrative departments for all segments. Specifically, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and costs of picking and loading customer orders are all classified as selling, general and administrative expenses. Our most significant expenses relate to employee costs, facility and equipment leases, transportation costs, fuel costs, insurance, and professional fees.
Q1 2011 operating expenses were even as compared to Q1 2010. Significant items impacting operating expenses during Q1 2011 included a $0.6 million reduction in bad debt expense and a $0.2 million decrease in insurance expense. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in compensation expense, a $0.1 million increase in depreciation expense, and a $0.2 million increase in other operating expenses.

 

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INTEREST EXPENSE — Q1 2011 vs. Q1 2010
Q1 2011 interest expense was slightly lower as compared to Q1 2010. This change was primarily related to a $2.3 million reduction in average borrowings during Q1 2011 as compared to Q1 2010.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
 
General. The Company requires cash to pay operating expenses, purchase inventory, and make capital investments. In general, the Company finances its cash flow requirements with cash generated from operating activities and credit facility borrowings.
 
Operating Activities. During Q1 2011, the Company generated cash of approximately $2.2 million from operating activities. The cash generated primarily resulted from higher overall earnings and a decrease in accounts receivable, partially offset by higher inventory and prepaid assets, as well as a decrease in accounts payable.
   
Our variability in cash flows from operating activities is dependent on the timing of inventory purchases and seasonal fluctuations. For example, periodically we have inventory “buy-in” opportunities which offer more favorable pricing terms. As a result, we may have to hold inventory for a period longer than the payment terms. This generates a cash outflow from operating activities which we expect to reverse in later periods. Additionally, during the warm weather months, which is our peak time of operations, we generally carry higher amounts of inventory to ensure high fill rates and customer satisfaction.
 
Investing Activities. The Company used approximately $0.3 million of cash during Q1 2011 for investing activities, primarily related to capital expenditures for property and equipment.
 
Financing Activities. The Company used cash of $2.0 million for financing activities during Q1 2011. Of this amount, $1.6 million related to net payments on the Company’s credit facility, and $0.3 million related to payments on long-term debt, and $0.2 million related to dividends on the Company’s common and preferred stock. Offsetting these items was $0.1 million related to equity-based awards.
 
Cash on Hand/Working Capital. At December 2010, the Company had cash on hand of $0.3 million and working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $39.7 million. This compares to cash on hand of $0.4 million and working capital of $39.1 million at September 2010.
CREDIT AGREEMENT
The Company has a credit agreement (the “Facility”) with Bank of America, which includes the following significant terms:
 
A January 1, 2012 maturity date and a $55.0 million revolving credit limit.
 
The Facility bears interest at either the bank’s prime rate or at LIBOR plus 250 basis points, at the election of the Company.
 
The Facility provides for an additional $5.0 million of credit available for certain inventory purchases. These advances bear interest at the bank’s prime rate plus one-quarter of one-percent (1/4%) per annum and are payable within 45 days of each advance.
 
Lending limits that are subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations,
 
An unused commitment fee equal to one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) per annum on the difference between the maximum loan limit and average monthly borrowings.
 
Secured by collateral including all of the Company’s equipment, intangibles, inventories, and accounts receivable.
 
Provides that the Company may not pay dividends on its common stock in excess of $0.72 per share on an annual basis.

 

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The Facility includes a financial covenant which requires the Company to maintain a minimum debt service ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 as measured by the previous twelve month period then ended. The Company was in compliance with this covenant at December 2010.
The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day. Based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement, the calculated credit limit of the Facility at December 2010 was $51.0 million, of which $17.2 million was outstanding, leaving $33.8 million available.
At December 2010, the revolving portion of the Company’s Facility balance bore interest based on the bank’s prime rate and various short-term LIBOR rate elections made by the Company. The average interest rate was 2.94% at December 2010.
At December 2010, the Company had $5.9 million in long-term debt outstanding. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of this long-term debt approximated its carrying value at December 2010.
During Q1 2011, our peak borrowings under the Facility were $40.7 million. Our average borrowings and average availability were $33.9 million and $20.6 million, respectively. Our availability to borrow under the Facility generally decreases as inventory and accounts receivable levels increase because of the borrowing limitations that are placed on collateralized assets.
Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions
The Company’s owned real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, and certain warehouse equipment in the Rapid City, SD warehouse is financed through term loans with Marshall and Ilsley Bank (“M&I”), which is also a participant lender on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The M&I loans contain cross default provisions which cause all loans with M&I to be considered in default if any one of the loans where M&I is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, is in default. There were no such cross defaults at December 2010. In addition, the M&I loans contain co-terminus provisions which require all loans with M&I to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.
Dividends Payments
The Company paid cash dividends on its common stock and convertible preferred stock issuances totaling approximately $0.2 million during both Q1 2011 and Q1 2010.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations as set forth in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2010.
OTHER
The Company has issued a letter of credit for $0.4 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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Liquidity Risk
The Company’s liquidity position is significantly influenced by its ability to maintain sufficient levels of working capital. For our Company and industry in general, customer credit risk and ongoing access to bank credit heavily influence liquidity positions.
The Company’s credit facility with Bank of America expires January 1, 2012. We believe the Company continues to have a strong working relationship with Bank of America and has maintained compliance with all related debt covenants. However, no assurances can be given that our credit facility with Bank of America will be renewed on acceptable terms, if at all.
The Company does not currently hedge its exposure to interest rate risk or fuel costs. Accordingly, significant price movements in these areas can and do impact the Company’s profitability.
The Company believes its liquidity position going forward will be adequate to sustain operations. However, a precipitous change in market conditions could materially impact the Company’s future revenue stream as well as its ability to collect on customer accounts receivable or secure bank credit.
Item 3.  
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 4.  
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2010 was made under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management’s override of the control.
The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.  
Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A.  
Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.
Item 2.  
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 3.  
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable
Item 4.  
(Removed and Reserved)
Item 5.  
Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 6.  
Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
         
  31.1    
Certification by Christopher H. Atayan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, furnished pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
  31.2    
Certification by Andrew C. Plummer, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer furnished pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
  32.1    
Certification by Christopher H. Atayan, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, furnished pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
  32.2    
Certification by Andrew C. Plummer, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer furnished pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  AMCON DISTRIBUTING COMPANY
(registrant)
 
 
Date: January 19, 2011  /s/ Christopher H. Atayan    
  Christopher H. Atayan,   
  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman   
     
Date: January 19, 2011  /s/ Andrew C. Plummer    
  Andrew C. Plummer,   
  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 

 

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