AMERICAS CARMART INC - Quarter Report: 2003 July (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

AMERICA’S CAR-MART, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Title of Each Class		Outstanding at September 10, 2003
Common stock, par value $.01 per share		7,507,006

 

 

Part I

 

 

		July 31, 2003			April 30, 2003
		(unaudited)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	664,731		$	783,786
Income tax receivable					161,816
Notes and other receivables		676,815			647,872
Finance receivables, net		95,956,189			91,358,935
Inventory		4,664,349			4,056,027
Prepaid and other assets		489,674			353,014
Property and equipment, net		4,856,604			4,479,132
		$	107,308,362		$	101,840,582
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
Accounts payable		$	2,445,519		$	2,084,472
Accrued liabilities		5,187,772			6,664,313
Income taxes payable		869,065
Deferred tax liabilities, net		1,698,641			1,162,704
Revolving credit facility		25,286,735			25,968,220
		35,487,732			35,879,709
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 7,394,608 issued and outstanding (7,207,963 at April 30, 2003)		73,946			72,080
Additional paid-in capital		31,645,590			30,332,106
Retained earnings		40,101,094			35,556,687
Total stockholders’ equity		71,820,630			65,960,873
		$	107,308,362		$	101,840,582

 

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

 

2

 

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Revenues:
Sales		$	40,320,144		$	33,821,210
Interest income		2,990,304			2,275,936
		43,310,448			36,097,146
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		20,935,751			17,749,726
Selling, general and administrative		7,306,956			6,555,037
Provision for credit losses		7,720,863			5,601,921
Interest expense		315,666			536,792
Depreciation and amortization		81,817			65,105
		36,361,053			30,508,581
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		6,949,395			5,588,565
Provision for income taxes		2,569,988			2,151,682
Income from continuing operations		4,379,407			3,436,883
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes and minority interests		165,000			375,318
Loss on sale of discontinued operation, net of tax					(124,974		)
Income from discontinued operations		165,000			250,344
Net income		$	4,544,407		$	3,687,227
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations		$	.60		$	.49
Discontinued operations		.02			.04
Total		$	.62		$	.53
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations		$	.55		$	.43
Discontinued operations		.02			.03
Total		$	.57		$	.46
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		7,294,931			6,968,149
Diluted		7,909,500			7,937,008

 

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

 

3

 

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Operating activities:
Net income		$	4,544,407		$	3,687,227
Less:  Income from discontinued operations		165,000			250,344
Income from continuing operations		4,379,407			3,436,883
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		81,817			65,105
Deferred income taxes		535,937			(620,000		)
Changes in finance receivables, net:
Finance receivable originations		(38,212,213		)	(30,986,169		)
Finance receivable collections		24,256,131			19,007,805
Provision for credit losses		7,720,863			5,601,921
Inventory acquired in repossession		1,637,965			1,120,587
Subtotal finance receivables		(4,597,254		)	(5,255,856		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Income tax receivable		161,816			425,910
Notes and other receivables		(28,943		)	(229,687		)
Inventory		(608,322		)	(1,001,431		)
Prepaid and other		83,340			(318,346		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(1,115,494		)	203,841
Income taxes payable		1,627,065			1,815,294
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		519,369			(1,478,287		)
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(459,289		)	(707,825		)
Sale of discontinued subsidiaries					6,795,000
Note collections from discontinued subsidiaries					2,078,661
Sale of investments and other					2,251
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(459,289		)	8,168,087
Financing activities:
Exercise of stock options		835,655			349,688
Purchase of common stock		(333,305		)	(506,057		)
Repayments of revolving credit facility, net		(681,485		)	(721,990		)
Repayments of other debt					(6,000,000		)
Net cash used in financing activities		(179,135		)	(6,878,359		)
Cash used in continuing operations		(119,055		)	(188,559		)
Cash used in discontinued operations					(2,520,506		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(119,055		)	(2,709,065		)
Cash and cash equivalents at:                               Beginning of period		783,786			3,750,426
End of period		$	664,731		$	1,041,361

 

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

 

4

 

 

A – Organization and Business

 

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Corporate” or the “Company”), is a holding company that operates automotive dealerships through its subsidiaries that focus exclusively on the “Buy Here/Pay Here” segment of the used car market.  References to the Company typically include the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s operations are principally conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, America’s Car-Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, (“Car-Mart of Arkansas”) and Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. (“Colonial”).  Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial are collectively referred to herein as “Car-Mart”.  As of July 31, 2003, the Company operated 66 stores located primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States.  The Company provides financing for substantially all of its customers, many of whom would not qualify for conventional financing as a result of limited credit histories or past credit problems.

 

In October 2001, the Company made the decision to sell all of its operating subsidiaries except Car-Mart, and relocate its corporate headquarters to Bentonville, Arkansas where Car-Mart is based.  As a result of this decision, all of the Company’s other operating subsidiaries were sold and their operating results have been included in discontinued operations.  The Company sold its last remaining discontinued operation in July 2002.  Discontinued operations are described in Note J.

 

 

B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

General

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three-month period ended July 31, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended April 30, 2004.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2003.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Concentration of Risk

The Company provides financing in connection with the sale of substantially all of its vehicles.  These sales are made primarily to customers residing in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and Kentucky.  Periodically, the Company maintains cash in financial institutions in excess of the amounts insured by the federal government.  The Company’s revolving credit facility matures in April 2004.  The Company expects that it will be able to renew or refinance such credit facility on or before the scheduled maturity date.

 

Finance Receivables, Repossessions and Charge-offs and Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships.  Finance receivables consist of contractually scheduled payments from installment contracts net of unearned finance charges and an allowance for credit losses.  Unearned finance charges represent the balance of interest income remaining from the total interest to be earned over the term of the related installment contract.  An account is considered delinquent when a contractually scheduled payment has not been received by the scheduled payment date.  At July 31, 2003, 4.8% of finance receivable balances were 30 days or more past due.

 

The Company takes steps to repossess a vehicle when the customer becomes severely delinquent in his or her payments, and management determines that timely collection of delinquent and future payments is not probable.  Accounts are charged-off after the expiration of a statutory notice period for repossessed accounts, or when management determines that timely collection of future payments is not probable for accounts where the Company has been unable to repossess the vehicle.

 

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level it considers sufficient to cover anticipated losses in the collection of its finance receivables.  The allowance for credit losses is based primarily upon historical and recent credit loss experience, with consideration given to changes in loan characteristics (i.e., average amount financed and term), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions, and underwriting and collection practices.  The allowance for credit losses is periodically reviewed by management with any changes reflected in current operations.  Although it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances could occur in the future that are not presently foreseen and which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses.

 

5

 

Stock Option Plan

The Company accounts for its stock option plan in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations.  As such, compensation expense is only recorded on the date of grant if the market price on such date exceeds the exercise price.  Since the exercise price of options granted has been equal to the market price on the date of grant, no compensation expense has been recorded.  Had the Company determined compensation cost on the date of grant based upon the fair value of its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s pro forma net income and earnings per share would be as follows using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions detailed below.  The estimated weighted average fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was $8.68 and $6.37 per share for the three months ended July 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Reported net income		$	4,544,407		$	3,687,227
Fair value compensation cost, net of tax		(42,966		)	(307,621		)
Pro forma net income		$	4,501,441		$	3,379,606
Basic earnings per share:
As reported		$	.62		$	.53
Pro forma		$	.62		$	.49
Diluted earnings per share:
As reported		$	.57		$	.46
Pro forma		$	.57		$	.43
Assumptions:
Dividend yield		0.0		%	0.0		%
Risk-free interest rate		4.5		%	4.5		%
Expected volatility		50.0		%	50.0		%
Expected life		5		years	5		years

 

 

Related Party Transactions

During the three months ended July 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company paid Dynamic Enterprises, Inc. (“Dynamic”) approximately $18,750 per month for the lease of six dealership locations.  A director of the Company is also an officer of Dynamic.

 

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the accompanying financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2004 presentation.

 

6

 

C – Finance Receivables

 

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships.  These installment sale contracts typically include interest rates ranging from 6% to 19% per annum and provide for payments over periods ranging from 12 to 36 months.  The components of finance receivables are as follows:

 

 

		July 31, 2003			April 30, 2003
Gross contract amount		$	127,737,964		$	121,013,893
Unearned finance charges		(10,000,309		)	(9,259,863		)
Allowance for credit losses		(21,781,466		)	(20,395,095		)
		$	95,956,189		$	91,358,935

 

Changes in the finance receivables allowance for credit losses for the three months ended July 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

 

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Balance at beginning of period		$	20,395,095		$	17,042,609
Provision for credit losses		7,720,863			5,601,921
Net charge offs		(6,334,492		)	(4,408,880		)
Balance at end of period		$	21,781,466		$	18,235,650

 

 

D – Property and Equipment

 

A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

 

 

		July 31, 2003			April 30, 2003
Land and buildings		$	2,847,501		$	2,764,821
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		790,510			630,065
Leasehold improvements		2,060,355			1,844,191
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(841,762		)	(759,945		)
		$	4,856,604		$	4,479,132

 

7

 

E – Accrued Liabilities

 

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:

 

		July 31, 2003			April 30, 2003
Compensation		$	1,943,239		$	3,520,548
Interest		101,404			101,214
Cash overdraft		1,427,096			1,145,112
Deferred revenue		1,294,722			1,269,430
Other		421,311			628,009
		$	5,187,772		$	6,664,313

 

F – Debt

 

A summary of debt is as follows:

 

 

 

The Company’s revolving credit facility is collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Company including finance receivables and inventory.  Interest is payable monthly and the principal balance is due at the maturity of the facility.  Interest is charged at the bank’s prime lending rate plus .5% per annum (4.50% and 4.75% at July 31, 2003 and April 30, 2003, respectively).  The revolving credit facility contains various reporting and performance covenants including (i) maintenance of certain financial ratios and tests, (ii) limitations on borrowings from other sources, (iii) restrictions on certain operating activities, and (iv) restrictions on the payment of dividends or distributions.  The amount available to be drawn under the revolving credit facility is a function of eligible finance receivables.  Based upon eligible finance receivables at July 31, 2003, the Company could have drawn an additional $14.2 million under the facility.

 

8

 

G – Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, which are used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share, are as follows:

 

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003		2002
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic		7,294,931		6,968,149
Dilutive options and warrants		614,569		968,859
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted		7,909,500		7,937,008
Antidilutive securities not included:
Options and warrants		17,500		—

 

 

H – Commitments and Contingencies

 

In February 2001 and May 2002, the Company was added as a defendant in two similar actions which were originally filed in December 1998 against approximately twenty defendants (the “Defendants”) by Astoria Entertainment, Inc. (“Astoria”).  One action was filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Louisiana (the “State Claims”) and the other was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (the “Federal Claims”).  In these actions, Astoria alleges the Defendants conspired to eliminate Astoria from receiving one of the fifteen riverboat gaming licenses that were awarded by the State of Louisiana in 1993 and 1994, at a time when a former subsidiary of the Company was involved in riverboat gaming in Louisiana.  Astoria seeks unspecified damages including lost profits.  In August 2001, the federal court dismissed all of the Federal Claims with prejudice.  A motion to dismiss the State Claims is pending before the state district court.  The Company believes the remaining State Claims are without merit and intends to vigorously contest liability in this matter.  Further, in the ordinary course of business, the Company has become a defendant in various types of other legal proceedings.  Although the Company cannot determine at this time the amount of exposure from lawsuits, if any, management does not expect the final outcome of any of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

I – Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures are as follows:

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Interest paid		$	307,414		$	521,708
Income taxes paid, net		330,169			739,757

 

9

 

J – Discontinued Operations

 

In October 2001 the Company made the decision to sell all of its operating subsidiaries except Car-Mart, and relocate its corporate headquarters to Bentonville, Arkansas where Car-Mart is based.  This decision was based on management’s desire to separate the highly profitable and modestly leveraged operations of Car-Mart from the operating losses or lower level of profitability and highly leveraged operations of the Company’s other operating subsidiaries.  In addition, it is management’s belief that the Company’s ownership of businesses in a variety of different industries may have created confusion within the investment community, possibly making it difficult for investors to analyze and properly value the Company’s common stock.  In May 2002, the Company sold its remaining 50% interest in Precision IBC, Inc. (“Precision”) for $3.8 million in cash.  In July 2002 the Company sold its 80% interest in Concorde Acceptance Corporation (“Concorde”) for $3.0 million in cash.  As a result of these two sales, the Company no longer operates any business other than Car-Mart.

 

As a result of the Company’s decision, operating results from its non Car-Mart operating subsidiaries have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented. Discontinued operations include the operations of Concorde through June 2002.  Discontinued operations for the three months ended July 31, 2003 reflect a negotiated settlement of monies due the Company from a former subsidiary of the Company that had been previously written-off.  A summary of the Company’s discontinued operations is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Revenues		$	250		$	3,058
Operating expenses					2,306
Income before taxes and minority interests		250			752
Provision for income taxes		85			283
Minority interests					94
Income from discontinued operations		$	165		$	375

 

10

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Forward-looking Information

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements.  Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, and other materials filed or to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Company or its management) contain or will contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans, anticipated actions and the Company’s future financial condition and results.  As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company as a result of various factors.  Uncertainties and risks related to such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to the continued availability of lines of credit for the Company’s business, the Company’s ability to underwrite and collect its installment loans effectively, changes in interest rates, competition, dependence on existing management, adverse economic conditions (particularly in the State of Arkansas), changes in tax laws or the administration of such laws and changes in lending laws or regulations.  Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made.

 

Overview

 

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Corporate” or the “Company”), is a holding company that operates automotive dealerships through its subsidiaries that focus exclusively on the “Buy Here/Pay Here” segment of the used car market.  References to the Company typically include the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s operations are principally conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, America’s Car-Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, (“Car-Mart of Arkansas”) and Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. (“Colonial”).  Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial are collectively referred to herein as “Car-Mart.”  As of July 31, 2003, the Company operated 66 stores located primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States.  The Company provides financing for substantially all of its customers, many of whom would not qualify for conventional financing as a result of limited credit histories or past credit problems.

 

In October 2001, the Company made the decision to sell all of its operating subsidiaries except Car-Mart, and relocate its corporate headquarters to Bentonville, Arkansas where Car-Mart is based.  As a result of this decision, all of the Company’s other operating subsidiaries were sold and their operating results have been included in discontinued operations.  The Company sold its last remaining discontinued operation in July 2002.  Discontinued operations are described in Note J in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

11

 

Consolidated Operations

(Operating Statement Dollars in Thousands)

 

								% Change		As a % of Sales
		Three Months Ended						2003		Three Months Ended
		July 31,						vs		July 31,
		2003			2002			2002		2003		2002
Revenues:
Sales		$	40,320		$	33,821		19.2	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Interest income		2,990			2,276			31.4		7.4		6.7
Total		43,310			36,097			20.0		107.4		106.7
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		20,936			17,750			17.9		51.9		52.5
Selling, general and admin		7,307			6,555			11.5		18.1		19.4
Provision for credit losses		7,721			5,602			37.8		19.1		16.6
Interest expense		315			536			(41.2	)	.8		1.6
Depreciation and amortization		82			65			26.2		.2		.2
Total		36,361			30,508			19.2		90.2		90.2
Pretax income		$	6,949		$	5,589		24.3		17.2		16.5
Operating Data:
Retail units sold		6,066			5,273			15.0	%
Average stores in operation		65.7			57.7			13.9
Average units sold per store		92.3			91.4			1.0
Average retail sales price		$	6,439		$	6,213		3.6
Same store revenue growth		16.0		%	14.5		%
Period End Data:
Stores open		66			59			11.9	%
Accounts 30 days or more past due		4.8		%	4.4		%

 

 

Three Months Ended July 31, 2003 vs. Three Months Ended July 31, 2002

 

Revenues increased $7.2 million, or 20.0%, for the three months ended July 31, 2003 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The increase was principally the result of (i) revenue growth from stores that operated a full three months in both periods ($5.0 million, or 16.0%), (ii) revenue growth from stores opened during the three months ended July 31, 2002 or stores that added a satellite location after April 30, 2002 ($1.1 million), and (iii) revenues from stores opened after July 31, 2002 ($1.1 million).

 

Cost of sales as a percentage of sales decreased .6% to 51.9% for the three months ended July 31, 2003 from 52.5% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease was principally the result of the Company encouraging store managers to more closely adhere to the Company’s pricing matrix and not using their discretionary authority to discount the sales price of vehicles.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales decreased 1.3% to 18.1% for the three months ended July 31, 2003 from 19.4% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease was principally the result of (i) lower compensation expense at its Irving, Texas office in connection with the relocation of the Company’s principal headquarters from Irving, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas and (ii) lower compensation expense in connection with a change in the senior management bonus program, partially offset by higher insurance costs.

 

Provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales increased 2.5%, to 19.1% for the three months ended July 31, 2003 from 16.6% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase was primarily the result of higher charge-offs as a percentage of sales.  The Company believes it incurred higher charge-offs as a percentage of sales as a result of (i) the prior fiscal quarter being one of the lowest periods for charge-offs as a percentage of sales in the last several years, and (ii) management focusing on other parts of the Company’s business, such as opening new lots and training initiatives, and having less of a focus on underwriting and collections.  Recently, management has renewed its focus on the underwriting and collection aspects of its business.

 

Interest expense as a percentage of sales decreased to .8% for the three months ended July 31, 2003 from 1.6% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease was principally the result of (i) a decrease in the prime interest rate (interest charged on the Company’s revolving credit facility fluctuates with the prime interest rate), and (ii) a lower level of borrowings relative to the sales volume of the Company.

 

12

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table sets forth certain summarized historical information with respect to the Company’s statements of cash flows (in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,
		2003			2002
Operating activities:
Income from continuing operations		$	4,379		$	3,437
Finance receivables, net		(4,597		)	(5,256		)
Other		737			341
Total		519			(1,478		)
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(459		)	(708		)
Sale of discontinued subsidiaries					6,795
Note collections from discontinued subsidiaries					2,079
Other					2
Total		(459		)	8,168
Financing activities:
Exercise of stock options		836			350
Purchase of common stock		(333		)	(506		)
Revolving credit facility, net		(682		)	(722		)
Repayment of other debt					(6,000		)
Total		(179		)	(6,878		)
Cash used in continuing operations		$	(119	)	$	(188	)

 

At July 31, 2003, the Company had (i) $.7 million of cash on hand and had an additional $14.2 million of availability under its $39.5 million revolving credit facility, and (ii) $.7 million of other receivables.

 

On a short-term basis, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity include (i) income from continuing operations, (ii) borrowings from its revolving credit facility, and (iii) the collection of other receivables.  On a longer-term basis, the Company expects its principal sources of liquidity to consist of income from continuing operations, and borrowings from a revolving credit facility.  Further, while the Company has no present plans to issue debt or equity securities, the Company believes, if necessary, it could raise additional capital through the issuance of such securities.

 

The Company expects to use cash to (i) grow its finance receivables portfolio by approximately the same percentage that its sales grow, (ii) purchase property and equipment of approximately $2 million in the next twelve months in connection with opening new stores and refurbishing existing stores, and (iii) to the extent excess cash is available, reduce debt.  In addition, from time to time the Company may use cash to repurchase its common stock.  The Company expects to fund the majority of its finance receivables portfolio growth from income generated from operations, with the balance of its capital needs being satisfied by its revolving credit facility.

 

The Company’s revolving credit facility matures in April 2004.  The Company expects that it will be able to renew or refinance its revolving credit facility on or before the scheduled maturity date.  The Company believes it will have adequate liquidity to satisfy its capital needs for the foreseeable future.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates.  The Company believes the most significant estimate made in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements relates to the determination of its allowance for credit losses.  Below is a discussion of the Company’s accounting policy concerning such allowance.  Other accounting policies are disclosed in Note B in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level it considers sufficient to cover anticipated losses in the collection of its finance receivables.  The allowance for credit losses is based primarily upon historical and recent credit loss experience, with consideration given to changes in loan characteristics (i.e., average amount financed and term), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions, and

 

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underwriting and collection practices.  The allowance for credit losses is periodically reviewed by management with any changes reflected in current operations.  Although it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances could occur in the future that are not presently foreseen which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company’s automobile sales and finance business is seasonal in nature.  The Company’s third fiscal quarter (November through January) is historically the slowest period for car and truck sales.  Many of the Company’s operating expenses such as administrative personnel, rent and insurance are fixed and cannot be reduced during periods of decreased sales.  Conversely, the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter (February through April) is historically the busiest time for car and truck sales primarily because many of the Company’s customers use income tax refunds as a down payment on the purchase of a vehicle.  Further, the Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in its finance receivable credit losses.  As a percentage of sales, the Company’s first and fourth fiscal quarters tend to have lower credit losses (averaging 17.6% over the last seven years), while its second and third fiscal quarters tend to have higher credit losses (averaging 19.3% over the last seven years).

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company is exposed to market risk on its financial instruments from changes in interest rates.  In particular, the Company has exposure to changes in the federal primary credit rate and the prime interest rate of its lender.  The Company does not use financial instruments for trading purposes or to manage interest rate risk.  The Company’s earnings are impacted by its net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on interest-bearing assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing notes payable.  As described below, a decrease in market interest rates would generally have an adverse effect on the Company’s profitability.

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of fixed rate finance receivables and variable rate notes payable.  The Company’s finance receivables generally bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 6% to 19%.  These finance receivables generally have remaining maturities from one to 36 months.  The Company’s borrowings contain variable interest rates that fluctuate with market interest rates (i.e., the rate charged on the Company’s revolving credit facility fluctuates with the prime interest rate of its lender).  However, interest rates charged on finance receivables originated in the State of Arkansas are limited to the federal primary credit rate (2.0% at July 31, 2003) plus 5.0%.  Typically, the Company charges interest on its Arkansas loans at or near the maximum rate allowed by law.  Thus, while the interest rates charged on the Company’s loans do not fluctuate once established, new loans originated in Arkansas are set at a spread above the federal primary credit rate which does fluctuate.  At July 31, 2003, approximately 68% of the Company’s finance receivables were originated in Arkansas.  Assuming that this percentage is held constant for future loan originations, the long-term effect of decreases in the federal primary credit rate would generally have a negative effect on the profitability of the Company.  This is the case because the amount of interest income lost on Arkansas originated loans would likely exceed the amount of interest expense saved on the Company’s variable rate borrowings (assuming the prime interest rate of its lender decreases by the same percentage as the decrease in the federal primary credit rate).  The initial impact on profitability resulting from a decrease in the federal primary credit rate and the rate charged on its variable interest rate borrowings would be positive, as the immediate interest expense savings would outweigh the loss of interest income on new loan originations.  However, as the amount of new loans originated at the lower interest rate increases to an amount in excess of the amount of variable interest rate borrowings, the effect on profitability would become negative.

 

The table below illustrates the estimated impact that hypothetical changes in the federal primary credit rate would have on the Company’s continuing pretax earnings.  The calculations assume (i) the increase or decrease in the federal primary credit rate remains in effect for two years, (ii) the increase or decrease in the federal primary credit rate results in a like increase or decrease in the rate charged on the Company’s variable rate borrowings, (iii) the principal amount of finance receivables ($117.7 million) and variable interest rate borrowings ($25.3 million), and the percentage of Arkansas originated finance receivables (68%), remain constant during the periods, and (iv) the Company’s historical collection and charge-off experience continues throughout the periods.

 

Increase (Decrease) in Interest Rates		Year 1 Increase (Decrease) in Pretax Earnings				Year 2 Increase (Decrease) in Pretax Earnings
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
+2%		$	302			$	1,017
+1%		151				509
-1%		(151		)		(509		)
-2v		(302		)		(1,017		)

 

A similar calculation and table was prepared at April 30, 2003.  The calculation and table was materially consistent with the information provided above.

 

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on From 10-Q.  Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.  There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors over the past fiscal quarter that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date the evaluation was completed.

 

PART II

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

In February 2001 and May 2002, the Company was added as a defendant in two similar actions which were originally filed in December 1998 against approximately twenty defendants (the “Defendants”) by Astoria Entertainment, Inc. (“Astoria”).  One action was filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Louisiana (the “State Claims”) and the other was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (the “Federal Claims”).  In these actions, Astoria alleges the Defendants conspired to eliminate Astoria from receiving one of the fifteen riverboat gaming licenses that were awarded by the State of Louisiana in 1993 and 1994, at a time when a former subsidiary of the Company was involved in riverboat gaming in Louisiana.  Astoria seeks unspecified damages including lost profits.  In August 2001, the federal court dismissed all of the Federal Claims with prejudice.  A motion to dismiss the State Claims is pending before the state district court.  The Company believes the remaining State Claims are without merit and intends to vigorously contest liability in this matter.  Further, in the ordinary course of business, the Company has become a defendant in various types of other legal proceedings.  Although the Company cannot determine at this time the amount of exposure from lawsuits, if any, management does not expect the final outcome of any of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)                               Exhibits:

 

10.6                         Employment agreement dated May 1, 2003 by and between America’s Car-Mart, Inc. and William H. Henderson.

 

10.7                           Employment agreement dated May 1, 2003 by and between America’s Car-Mart, Inc. and Eddie Lee Hight.

 

31.1                           Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2                           Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1                           Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(b)                              Reports on Form 8-K:

 

During the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2003 the Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

	America’s Car-Mart, Inc.
	By:	\s\ Tilman J. Falgout, III
		Tilman J. Falgout, III
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
	By:	\s\ Mark D. Slusser
		Mark D. Slusser
		Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: September 11, 2003

 

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Exhibit Index

 

 

10.6                         Employment agreement dated May 1, 2003 by and between America’s Car-Mart, Inc. and William H. Henderson.

 

10.7                         Employment agreement dated May 1, 2003 by and between America’s Car-Mart, Inc. and Eddie Lee Hight.

 

31.1                         Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2                         Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1                         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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