AMERICAS CARMART INC - Quarter Report: 2007 July (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
For
the fiscal quarter ended:
|
Commission
file number:
|
July
31,
2007
|
0-14939
|
AMERICA’S
CAR-MART, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
|
63-0851141
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
802
Southeast Plaza Ave., Suite 200, Bentonville, Arkansas
72712
(Address
of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(479)
464-9944
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes ý
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer o
|
Accelerated
filer ý
|
Non-accelerated
filer o
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (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.
Outstanding
at
|
|
Title
of Each Class
|
September
10, 2007
|
Common
stock, par value $.01 per share
|
11,878,115
|
Part
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements |
America’s
Car-Mart,
Inc.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars
in thousands except per share amounts)
July
31, 2007
|
|||||||
(unaudited)
|
April
30, 2007
|
||||||
Assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
238
|
$
|
257
|
|||
Accrued
interest on finance receivables
|
761
|
694
|
|||||
Finance
receivables, net
|
141,488
|
139,194
|
|||||
Inventory
|
12,354
|
13,682
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
725
|
600
|
|||||
Income
tax receivable
|
1,136
|
1,933
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
355
|
355
|
|||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
17,215
|
16,883
|
|||||
$
|
174,272
|
$
|
173,598
|
Liabilities
and stockholders’ equity:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
2,662
|
$
|
2,473
|
|||
Deferred
payment protection plan revenue
|
2,302
|
-
|
|||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
8,961
|
6,233
|
|||||
Deferred
tax liabilities
|
531
|
335
|
|||||
Revolving
Credit Facilities and notes payable
|
33,676
|
40,829
|
|||||
48,132
|
49,870
|
||||||
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;
|
|||||||
11,989,365
issued (11,985,958 at April 30, 2007)
|
120
|
120
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
35,557
|
35,286
|
|||||
Retained
earnings
|
92,415
|
90,274
|
|||||
Less:
Treasury stock, at cost, 111,250 shares (111,250 at April 30,
2007)
|
(1,952
|
)
|
(1,952
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders’equity
|
126,140
|
123,728
|
|||||
$
|
174,272
|
$
|
173,598
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
2
Consolidated Statements of Operations |
America’s
Car-Mart,
Inc.
|
(Unaudited)
(Dollars
in thousands except per share amounts)
Three
Months Ended
|
|||||||
July
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Revenues:
|
|||||||
Sales
|
$
|
52,863
|
$
|
56,338
|
|||
Interest
income
|
5,844
|
5,853
|
|||||
58,707
|
62,191
|
||||||
Costs
and expenses:
|
|||||||
Cost
of sales
|
31,538
|
31,336
|
|||||
Selling,
general and administrative
|
11,195
|
10,470
|
|||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
11,519
|
12,655
|
|||||
Interest
expense
|
810
|
902
|
|||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
274
|
232
|
|||||
55,336
|
55,595
|
||||||
Income
before taxes
|
3,371
|
6,596
|
|||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,230
|
2,441
|
|||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
2,141
|
$
|
4,155
|
|||
Earnings
per share:
|
|||||||
Basic
|
$
|
.18
|
$
|
.35
|
|||
Diluted
|
$
|
.18
|
$
|
.35
|
|||
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding:
|
|||||||
Basic
|
11,875,782
|
11,850,796
|
|||||
Diluted
|
11,967,690
|
11,983,528
|
|||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
America’s
Car-Mart,
Inc.
|
(Unaudited)
(In
thousands)
Three
Months Ended
|
|||||||
July
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Operating
activities:
|
|||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
2,141
|
$
|
4,155
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile income from operations to
net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
|||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
11,519
|
12,655
|
|||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
274
|
232
|
|||||
Loss
on sale of property and equipment
|
47
|
-
|
|||||
Share
based compensation
|
232
|
219
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
196
|
434
|
|||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||
Finance
receivable originations
|
(48,853
|
)
|
(51,926
|
)
|
|||
Finance
receivable collections
|
30,553
|
30,330
|
|||||
Accrued
interest on finance receivables
|
(67
|
)
|
(52
|
)
|
|||
Inventory
|
5,815
|
2,672
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
(125
|
)
|
(162
|
)
|
|||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
3,228
|
(215
|
)
|
||||
Income
taxes receivable
|
797
|
969
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
5,757
|
(689
|
)
|
||||
Investing
activities:
|
|||||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(697
|
)
|
(719
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from sale of property and equipment
|
44
|
31
|
|||||
Payment
for businesses acquired
|
-
|
(460
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(653
|
)
|
(1,148
|
)
|
|||
Financing
activities:
|
|||||||
Exercise
of stock options and warrants
|
-
|
37
|
|||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
39
|
-
|
|||||
Purchase
of common stock
|
-
|
(315
|
)
|
||||
Change
in cash overdrafts
|
1,992
|
(1,153
|
)
|
||||
Proceeds
from notes payable
|
-
|
11,200
|
|||||
Principal
payments on notes payable
|
(180
|
)
|
(122
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from revolving credit facilities
|
13,697
|
17,951
|
|||||
Payments
on revolving credit facilities
|
(20,671
|
)
|
(25,709
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
(5,123
|
)
|
1,889
|
||||
Increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
(19
|
)
|
52
|
||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
at:
Beginning
of period
|
257
|
255
|
|||||
End
of period
|
$
|
238
|
$
|
307
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
4
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
America’s
Car-Mart, Inc.
|
A
- Organization and Business
America’s
Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), is the largest publicly
held automotive retailer in the United States focused 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., an Arkansas corporation (“Colonial”). Collectively,
Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial are referred to herein as “Car-Mart.” The
Company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for
substantially all of its customers. Many of the Company’s customers have limited
financial resources and would not qualify for conventional financing as a result
of limited credit histories or past credit problems. As of July 31, 2007, the
Company operated 92 stores located primarily in small cities throughout the
South-Central United States.
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 in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q in 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 months
ended July 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be
expected for the year ending April 30, 2008. 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,
2007.
Principles
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated.
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 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 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, Texas, Kentucky and Missouri, with approximately 54% of revenues
from
customers residing in Arkansas. The Company maintains a security interest in
the
vehicles sold. Periodically, the Company maintains cash in financial
institutions in excess of the amounts insured by the federal government.
Car-Mart’s revolving credit facilities mature in April 2009. The Company expects
that these credit facilities will be renewed or refinanced on or before the
scheduled maturity dates.
Restrictions
on Subsidiary Distributions/Dividends
Car-Mart’s
revolving credit facilities limit distributions from Car-Mart to the Company
beyond (i) the repayment of an intercompany loan ($10.0 million at July 31,
2007), and (ii) dividends equal to 75% of Car-Mart of Arkansas’ net income. At
July 31, 2007, the Company’s assets (excluding its $112 million equity
investment in Car-Mart) consisted of $70,000 in cash, $4.4 million in other
assets and a $10.0 million receivable from Car-Mart. Thus, the Company is
limited in the amount of dividends or other distributions it can make to its
shareholders without the consent of Car-Mart’s lender.
5
Cash
Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with maturities
of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
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 are collateralized by vehicles sold and
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, 2007 and 2006, 4.1%
and
5.6%, respectively, of the Company’s finance receivable balance were 30 days or
more past due.
The
Company takes steps to repossess a vehicle when the customer becomes delinquent
in his or her payments, and management determines that timely collection of
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. For
accounts where the vehicle has been repossessed, the fair value of the
repossessed vehicle is a reduction of the gross finance receivable balance
charged-off. On average, accounts are approximately 50 days past due at the
time
of charge-off. For previously charged-off accounts that are subsequently
recovered, the amount of such recovery is credited to the allowance for credit
losses.
The
Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a
level it considers sufficient to cover estimated 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 recent
credit loss trends and 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 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.
Beginning
May 1, 2007, the Company began offering retail customers in certain states
the
option of purchasing a payment protection plan product as an add-on to the
installment sale contract. This product contractually obligates the Company
to
cancel the remaining principal outstanding for any loan where the retail
customer has totaled the vehicle or the vehicle has been stolen. The Company
will periodically evaluate anticipated losses to ensure that if they do exceed
deferred payment protection plan revenue, an additional liability is recorded
for such difference. No such additional liability is required at July 31, 2007.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of used vehicles and is valued at the lower of cost or market on a
specific identification basis. Vehicle reconditioning costs are capitalized
as a
component of inventory. Repossessed vehicles are recorded at fair value, which
approximates wholesale value. The cost of used vehicles sold is determined
using
the specific identification method.
Goodwill
Goodwill
reflects the excess of purchase price over the fair value of specifically
identified net assets purchased. In accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles”
(“SFAS 142”), goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite
lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. The
impairment tests are based on the comparison of the fair value of the reporting
unit to the carrying value of such unit. If the fair value of the reporting
unit
falls below its carrying value, goodwill is deemed to be impaired and a
write-down of goodwill would be recognized. There was no impairment of goodwill
during fiscal 2007, and to date, there has been none in fiscal
2008.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for additions, renewals and
improvements are capitalized. Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed
as
incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated
life of the improvement or the lease term. The lease term includes the primary
lease term plus any extensions that are reasonably assured. Depreciation is
computed principally using the straight-line method generally over the following
estimated useful lives:
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
3
to 7 years
|
|||
Leasehold
improvements
|
5
to 15 years
|
|||
Buildings
and improvements
|
18
to 39 years
|
6
Property
and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of
the
carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected
to be
generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the
impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying
values of the impaired assets exceed the fair value of such assets. Assets
to be
disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value
less
costs to sell.
Cash
Overdraft
The
Company’s primary disbursement bank account is set up to operate with a fixed
$100,000 cash balance. As checks are presented for payment, monies are
automatically drawn against cash collections for the day and, if necessary,
are
drawn against one of its revolving credit facilities. The cash overdraft balance
principally represents outstanding checks, net of any deposits in transit that
as of the balance sheet date had not yet been presented for payment.
Deferred
Sales Tax
Deferred
sales tax represents a sales tax liability of the Company for vehicles sold
on
an installment basis in the State of Texas. Under Texas law, for vehicles sold
on an installment basis, the related sales tax is due as the payments are
collected from the customer, rather than at the time of sale.
Income
Taxes
Income
taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this method, deferred
tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial
reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the
enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
From
time
to time, the Company is audited by taxing authorities. These audits could result
in proposed assessments of additional taxes. The Company believes that its
tax
positions comply in all material respects with applicable tax law. However,
tax
law is subject to interpretation, and interpretations by taxing authorities
could be different from those of the Company, which could result in the
imposition of additional taxes.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenues
are generated principally from the sale of used vehicles, which in most cases
includes a service contract, interest income and late fees earned on finance
receivables, and revenues generated from the payment protection plan product,
sold in certain states.
Revenues
from the sale of used vehicles are recognized when the sales contract is signed,
the customer has taken possession of the vehicle and, if applicable, financing
has been approved. Revenues from the sale of service contracts are recognized
ratably over the five-month service contract period. Service contract revenues
are included in sales and the related expenses are included in cost of sales.
Payment protection plan revenue is initially deferred and then recognized to
income using the “Rule of 78’s” interest method over the life of the loan so
that revenues are recognized in proportion to the amount of cancellation
protection provided. Payment protection plan revenues are included in sales
and
related losses are included in cost of sales. Interest income is recognized
on
all active finance receivable accounts using the interest method. Late fees
are
recognized when collected and are included in interest income. Active accounts
include all accounts except those that have been paid-off or charged-off. At
July 31, 2007 and 2006, finance receivables more than 90 days past due were
approximately $342,000 and $877,000, respectively.
Earnings
per Share
Basic
earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the average number
of
common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings
per share takes into consideration the potentially dilutive effect of common
stock equivalents, such as outstanding stock options and warrants, which if
exercised or converted into common stock would then share in the earnings of
the
Company. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company utilizes the
treasury stock method and anti-dilutive securities are excluded.
7
Stock-based
compensation
The
Company recorded compensation cost for stock-based employee awards of $232,000
($146,000 after tax effects) and $219,000 ($138,000 after tax effects) during
the three months ended July 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The pretax amounts
for both fiscal periods include $89,000 for restricted shares issued on May
1,
2006. The Company had not previously issued restricted shares. Tax benefits
were
recognized for these costs at the Company’s overall effective tax
rate.
The
fair
value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions in the table
below.
July
31,
2007
|
July
31,
2006
|
||||||
Expected
term (years)
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|||||
Risk-free
interest rate
|
5.02%
|
|
5.11%
|
||||
Volatility
|
80%
|
|
60%
|
|
|||
Dividend
yield
|
—
|
—
|
The
expected term of the options is based on evaluations of historical and expected
future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on
the
U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately
equal
to the expected life at the grant date. Volatility is based on historical
volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company has not historically issued any
dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.
Stock
Options
The
shareholders of the Company have approved three stock option plans, including
the 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan ("1986 Plan"), the 1991 Non-Qualified
Stock
Option Plan ("1991 Plan") and the 1997 Stock Option Plan (“1997 Plan”). No
additional option grants may be made under the 1986 and 1991 Plans. The 1997
Plan set aside 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for grants to
employees, directors and certain advisors of the Company at a price not less
than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and for periods
not
to exceed ten years. The options vest upon issuance. At April 30, 2007 there
were 28,558, shares of common stock available for grant under the 1997 Plan.
The
1997 Plan expired in July, 2007. Outstanding options granted under the Company’s
stock option plans expire in the calendar years 2008 through 2016.
Plan
|
||||||||||
|
1986
|
1991
|
1997
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Minimum
exercise price as a percentage of fair market value at date of
grant
|
100%
|
|
100%
|
|
100%
|
|
||||
Last
expiration date for outstanding options
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
July
2, 2017
|
|||||||
Shares
available for grant at July 31, 2007
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
The
following is a summary of the changes in outstanding options for the three
months ended July 31, 2007:
|
|
Weighted
|
||||||||
|
Weighted
|
Average
|
||||||||
|
Average
|
Remaining
|
||||||||
Shares
|
Exercise
|
Contractual
|
||||||||
Price
|
Life
|
|||||||||
Outstanding
at beginning of period
|
274,545
|
$
|
10.59
|
50.3
Months
|
||||||
|
||||||||||
Granted
|
15,000
|
$
|
13.37
|
119.15
Months
|
||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
--
|
||||||||
Outstanding
at end of period
|
289,545
|
$
|
10.73
|
51
Months
|
The
grant-date fair value of options granted during the first three months of fiscal
2007 and 2006 was $135,300 and $130,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic
value of outstanding options at July 31, 2007 is $1,523,670.
There
were no options exercised during the first three months of fiscal year 2008.
The
Company received cash from options exercised during the first three months
of
fiscal year 2007 of $36,667. The impact of these cash receipts is included
in
financing activities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows.
8
Warrants
As
of
July 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding stock purchase warrants outstanding
to purchase 18,750 shares at prices ranging from $11.83 to $18.23 per share
(weighted average exercise price of $13.11). All of the warrants are presently
exercisable and expire between 2007 and 2009. The warrants have a weighted
average remaining contractual life of 12.9 months at July 31, 2007. There were
no exercises of warrants during the three months ended July 31, 2007 or 2006.
The aggregate intrinsic value of all outstanding warrants at July 31, 2007
is
$17,650.
Stock
Incentive Plan
The
Company has a stock incentive plan wherein a total of 39,728 shares were
available for award at July 31, 2007. The associated compensation expense is
spread equally over the vesting periods established at award date and is subject
to the employee’s continued employment by the Company. During the first quarter
of fiscal 2008, no restricted shares were granted. During the first quarter
of
fiscal 2007, 57,500 restricted shares were granted with a fair value of $20.07
per share, the market price of the Company’s stock on grant date. These
restricted shares had a weighted average vesting period of 3.35 years and began
vesting on April 30, 2007.
The
Company recorded a pre-tax expense of $89,000 related to the stock incentive
plan during the three months ended July 31, 2007 and 2006.
There
have been no modifications to any of the Company’s outstanding share-based
payment awards during the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
As
of
July 31, 2007, the Company has $707,000 of total unrecognized compensation
cost
related to unvested awards granted under the Company’s stock incentive plan,
which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average remaining period
of 2.1 years.
Treasury
Stock
The
Company did not purchase any of its shares of common stock for the first three
months of fiscal 2008. For the three-month period ended July 31, 2006, the
Company purchased 20,000 shares of its common stock to be held as treasury
stock
for a total cost of $314,970. Treasury stock may be used for issuances under
the
Company’s stock-based compensation plans or for other general corporate
purposes.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
From
time
to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies which the Company
adopts as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the
Company believes the impact of recently issued standards which are not yet
effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements upon adoption.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on
May 1,
2007. Previously, the Company had accounted for tax contingencies in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 5, Accounting
for Contingencies. As
required by Interpretation 48, which clarifies Statement 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes, the
Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after
determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain
the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the
more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial
statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood
of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
At
the adoption date, the Company applied Interpretation 48 to all tax positions
for which the statute of limitations remained open. The Company had no
adjustments or unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the implementation
of
Interpretation 48.
The
Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various
state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to
the
interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant
judgment to apply. . With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject
to
U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for
the
years before 2004.
The
Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax
benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company
had no accrued penalties and/or interest as of July 31, 2007 or
2006.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, but provides guidance
on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy used to
classify the source of the information. The Company will be required to adopt
this standard in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending April 30,
2009. The Company is in the process of evaluating the anticipated effect of
SFAS
157 on its consolidated financial statements and is not currently in a position
to determine such effects.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB
Statement 115.” The statement permits entities to choose to measure certain
financial instruments and other items at fair value. The objective is to improve
financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate
volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting
provisions. Unrealized gains and losses on any items for which Car-Mart elects
the fair value measurement option would be reported in earnings. Statement
159
is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. However,
early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning on or before
November 15, 2007, provided Car-mart also elects to apply the provisions of
Statement 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” at the same time. Car-Mart is
currently assessing the effect, if any, the adoption of Statement 159 will
have
on its financial statements and related disclosures.
Reclassifications
Certain
prior year amounts in the accompanying financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2008 presentation. Cash overdrafts have
been classified as financing cash flows. Proceeds from and repayments of the
revolving credit facility have been presented on a gross basis in the financing
activities section of the statements of cash flows.
9
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, are collateralized by the vehicle sold
and provide for payments over periods ranging from 12 to 36 months. The
components of finance receivables are as follows:
July
31,
|
April
30,
|
||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2007
|
|||||
Gross
contract amount
|
$
|
202,093
|
$
|
199,677
|
|||
Unearned
finance charges
|
(21,292
|
)
|
(21,158
|
)
|
|||
Principal
balance
|
180,801
|
178,519
|
|||||
Less
allowance for credit losses
|
(39,313
|
)
|
(39,325
|
)
|
|||
$
|
141,488
|
$
|
139,194
|
Changes
in the finance receivables, net balance for the three months ended July 31,
2007
and 2006 are as follows:
Three
Months Ended July 31,
|
|||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||
Balance
at beginning of period
|
$
|
139,194
|
$
|
149,379
|
|||
Finance
receivable originations
|
48,853
|
51,926
|
|||||
Finance
receivables from acquisition of business
|
-
|
353
|
|||||
Finance
receivable collections
|
(30,553
|
)
|
(30,330
|
)
|
|||
Provision
for credit losses
|
(11,519
|
)
|
(12,655
|
)
|
|||
Inventory
acquired in repossession
|
(4,487
|
)
|
(4,375
|
)
|
|||
Balance
at end of period
|
$
|
141,488
|
$
|
154,298
|
Changes
in the finance receivables allowance for credit losses for the three months
ended July 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
Three
Months Ended
July
31,
|
|||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||
Balance
at beginning of period
|
$
|
39,325
|
$
|
35,864
|
|||
Provision
for credit losses
|
11,519
|
12,655
|
|||||
Allowance
related to business acquisition, net change
|
(38
|
)
|
236
|
||||
Net
charge-offs
|
(11,493
|
)
|
(11,566
|
)
|
|||
Balance
at end of period
|
$
|
39,313
|
$
|
37,189
|
D
- Property and Equipment
A
summary
of property and equipment is as follows:
July
31,
|
April
30,
|
||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2007
|
|||||
Land
|
$
|
5,515
|
$
|
5,221
|
|||
Buildings
and improvements
|
5,879
|
5,890
|
|||||
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
4,018
|
4,000
|
|||||
Leasehold
improvements
|
4,877
|
4,588
|
|||||
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(3,074
|
)
|
(2,816
|
)
|
|||
$
|
17,215
|
$
|
16,883
|
10
E
- Accrued Liabilities
A
summary
of accrued liabilities is as follows:
July
31,
|
April
30,
|
||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2007
|
|||||
Compensation
|
$
|
2,742
|
$
|
1,970
|
|||
Cash
overdraft
|
1,992
|
-
|
|||||
Deferred
service contract revenue
|
1,816
|
1,812
|
|||||
Deferred
sales tax
|
891
|
928
|
|||||
Subsidiary
redeemable preferred stock
|
500
|
500
|
|||||
Interest
|
250
|
286
|
|||||
Other
|
770
|
737
|
|||||
$
|
8,961
|
$
|
6,233
|
F
- Debt Facilities
A
summary
of revolving credit facilities is as follows:
Revolving
Credit Facilities
|
||||||||||||||||
Aggregate
|
Interest
|
Balance
at
|
||||||||||||||
Primary
Lender
|
Amount
|
Rate
|
Maturity
|
July
31, 2007
|
April
30, 2007
|
|||||||||||
Bank
of Oklahoma
|
$
|
50.0
million
|
Prime
+/-
|
Apr
2009
|
$
|
23,336,992
|
$
|
30,311,142
|
||||||||
On
April
28, 2006, Car-Mart and its lenders amended the credit facilities. The amended
facilities set total borrowings allowed on the revolving credit facilities
at
$50 million and established a new $10 million term loan. The term loan was
funded in May 2006 and called for 120 consecutive and substantially equal
installments beginning June 1, 2006. The interest rate on the term loan is
fixed
at 8.08%. The principal balance on the term loan was $9.2 million at July 31,
2007. The interest rate on the term loan could decrease to as low as 7.33%
in
the future if funded debt to EBITDA, as defined, is below 2.25 to 1.00. The
combined total for the Company’s credit facilities is $60 million. On March 12,
2007 (effective December 31, 2006) Car-Mart and its lenders again amended the
credit facilities. The March 12, 2007 amendments served to change the Company’s
financial covenant requirements and to adjust the Company’s interest rate
pricing grid on its revolving credit facilities. The pricing grid is based
on
funded debt to EBITDA, as defined, and the interest rate on the revolving credit
facilities can range from prime minus .25 or LIBOR plus 2.75 to prime plus
1.00
or LIBOR plus 4.00.
The
facilities are collateralized by substantially all the assets of Car-Mart
including finance receivables and inventory. Interest is payable monthly under
the revolving credit facilities at the bank’s prime lending rate plus .75% per
annum at July 31, 2007 (9.0%) and at the bank’s prime lending rate less .25% per
annum at July 31, 2006 (8.0%). The interest rate on the revolving credit
facilities increased between years due to increases in the prime rate and to
the
Company’s financial performance. The facilities contain 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) limitations on the payment of dividends
or distributions to the Company. The Company was in compliance with the
covenants at July 31, 2007. The amount available to be drawn under the
facilities is a function of eligible finance receivables and inventory. Based
upon eligible finance receivables and inventory at July 31, 2007, Car-Mart
could
have drawn an additional $26.7 million under its facilities.
The
Company also has a $1.2 million term loan secured by the corporate aircraft.
The
term loan is payable over ten years and has a fixed interest rate of 6.87%.
The
principal balance on this loan was $1.1 million at July 31, 2007.
11
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,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding-basic
|
11,875,782
|
11,850,796
|
|||||
Dilutive
options and warrants
|
91,908
|
132,732
|
|||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding-diluted
|
11,967,690
|
11,983,528
|
|||||
Antidilutive
securities not included:
|
|||||||
Options
and warrants
|
93,228
|
96,000
|
|||||
Restricted
stock
|
39,667
|
57,500
|
H
- Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental
cash flow disclosures are as follows:
Three
Months Ended
|
|||||||
July
31,
|
|||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||
Supplemental
disclosures:
|
|||||||
Interest
paid
|
$
|
845
|
$
|
846
|
|||
Income
taxes paid, net
|
239
|
1,043
|
|||||
Non-cash
transactions:
|
|||||||
Inventory
acquired in repossession
|
4,487
|
4,375
|
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 finance receivables effectively,
assumptions relating to unit sales and gross margins, 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.
12
Overview
America’s
Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), is the largest publicly
held automotive retailer in the United States focused 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., an Arkansas corporation (“Colonial”). Collectively,
Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial are referred to herein as “Car-Mart”. The
Company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for
substantially all of its customers. Many of the Company’s customers have limited
financial resources and would not qualify for conventional financing as a result
of limited credit histories or past credit problems. As of July 31, 2007, the
Company operated 92 stores located primarily in small cities throughout the
South-Central United States.
Car-Mart
has been operating since 1981. Car-Mart has grown its revenues between 3% and
21% per year over the last ten fiscal years. Growth results from same store
revenue growth and the addition of new stores. Revenue declined during the
first
three months of fiscal 2008 (5.6%) as compared to the first quarter of fiscal
2007 due to a 14.9% decrease in retail units sold, offset by a 6.2% increase
in
the average retail sales price and an increase in wholesale sales levels.
Interest income for the quarter was down .2% when compared to the first quarter
of fiscal 2007.
The
Company’s primary focus is on collections. Each store handles its own
collections with supervisory involvement of the corporate office. Over the
last
six full fiscal years, Car-Mart’s credit losses as a percentage of sales have
ranged between approximately 19% and 29% (average of 21.6%). Credit losses
as a
percentage of sales were 29.1% for fiscal year 2007. Credit losses in the first
three months of fiscal 2008 were 21.8% of sales compared to 22.5% for the first
quarter of fiscal 2007. Management invested considerable time and effort on
improving underwriting and collections during the latter part of fiscal 2007
and
throughout the first quarter of fiscal 2008 which resulted in the decrease
in
credit losses when compared to the credit loss results for fiscal 2007. Credit
losses, on a percentage basis, tend to be higher at new and developing stores
than at mature stores. Generally, this is the case because the store
management at new and developing stores tends to be less experienced (in making
credit decisions and collecting customer accounts) and the customer base is
less
seasoned. Generally, older stores have more repeat customers. On
average, repeat customers are a better credit risk than non-repeat customers.
Due to the rate of the Company’s growth, the percentage of new and developing
stores as a percentage of total stores has been increasing over the last few
years. The Company believes the most significant factor affecting credit losses
is the proper execution (or lack thereof) of its business practices. The Company
also believes that higher energy and fuel costs, increasing interest rates,
general inflation and personal discretionary spending levels affecting customers
have had a negative impact on recent collection results. At July 31, 2007,
4.1% of the Company’s finance receivable balances were over 30 days past due,
compared to 5.6% at July 31, 2006.
The
Company’s gross margins as a percentage of sales have been fairly consistent
from year to year. Over the last ten full fiscal years, Car-Mart’s gross margins
as a percentage of sales have ranged between approximately 42% and 48%. Gross
margins as a percentage of sales in the first three months of fiscal 2008 were
40.3%, down from 44.4% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. The
Company’s retail gross margins are set based upon the cost of the vehicle
purchased, with lower-priced vehicles generally having higher gross margin
percentages. Discretionary
adjustments to the retail pricing guide, within a range, can and are routinely
made by lot managers. The
increase in vehicle costs and to a lesser extent, discretionary pricing
adjustments have lead to reduced gross margin percentages for the first quarter
of fiscal 2008. The Company’s gross margins have also been negatively affected
by higher operating costs, mostly related to increased vehicle repair costs
as
well as increased volumes and prices associated with wholesale vehicles, which
relate for the most part to repossessed vehicles sold at or near cost. The
effect of the increase in wholesale volumes is more pronounced for the first
quarter of fiscal 2008 because of the overall retail sales decline for the
period. The Company’s new payment protection plan product had a positive effect
on gross profit percentages for the quarter when compared to the first quarter
of fiscal 2007. The Company expects that its gross margin percentage will
improve during the balance of fiscal 2008 from its current level.
Hiring,
training and retaining qualified associates are critical to the Company’s
success. The rate at which the Company increases its revenue line, which
may include the addition of new stores, is limited by the number of trained
managers the Company has at its disposal. Excessive turnover, particularly
at the Store Manager level, could impact the Company’s ability to increase
revenues. Over the last several fiscal years, the Company has added resources
to
train and develop personnel. In fiscal 2008 and for the foreseeable future,
the
Company expects to continue to invest in the development of its workforce.
Consolidated
Operations
(Operating
Statement Dollars in Thousands)
%
Change
|
As
a % of Sales
|
|||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
2007
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||
July
31,
|
vs.
|
July
31,
|
||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||||||||
Sales
|
$
|
52,863
|
$
|
56,338
|
(6.2
|
%)
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||||
Interest
income
|
5,844
|
5,853
|
(0.2
|
)
|
11.1
|
10.4
|
||||||||||
Total
|
58,707
|
62,191
|
(5.6
|
)
|
111.1
|
110.4
|
||||||||||
Costs
and expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
31,538
|
31,336
|
.6
|
%
|
59.7
|
55.6
|
||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative
|
11,195
|
10,470
|
6.9
|
21.2
|
18.6
|
|||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
11,519
|
12,655
|
(9.0
|
)
|
21.8
|
22.5
|
||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
810
|
902
|
(10.2
|
)
|
1.5
|
1.6
|
||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
274
|
232
|
18.1
|
.5
|
.4
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
55,336
|
55,595
|
(0.5
|
)
|
104.7
|
98.7
|
||||||||||
Pretax
income
|
$
|
3,371
|
$
|
6,596
|
6.4
|
11.7
|
||||||||||
Operating
Data:
|
||||||||||||||||
Retail
units sold
|
5,847
|
6,867
|
(14.9
|
%)
|
||||||||||||
Average
stores in operation
|
92.0
|
86.7
|
6.1
|
|||||||||||||
Average
units sold per store per month
|
21.2
|
26.3
|
(19.4
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Average
retail sales price
|
$
|
8,407
|
$
|
7,913
|
6.2
|
|||||||||||
Same
store revenue change
|
(8.3
|
%)
|
1.9
|
%
|
||||||||||||
Period
End Data:
|
||||||||||||||||
Stores
open
|
92
|
88
|
4.5
|
%
|
||||||||||||
Accounts
over 30 days past due
|
4.1
|
%
|
5.6
|
%
|
13
Three
Months Ended July 31, 2007 vs. Three Months Ended July 31,
2006
Revenues
declined by $3.5 million, or 5.6%, for the three months ended July 31, 2007
as
compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was
principally the result of (i) revenue decrease from stores that operated a
full
three months in both periods ($5.1 million, or 8.3%), (ii) revenue growth from
stores opened during the three months ended July 31, 2006 or stores that opened
or closed a satellite location after April 30, 2006 ($.7million), and (iii)
revenues from stores opened after July 31, 2006 ($.9 million).
Cost
of
sales as a percentage of sales increased 4.1% to 59.7% for the three months
ended July 31, 2007 from 55.6% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.
The
increase in vehicle costs and to a lesser extent, discretionary retail pricing
adjustments have lead to reduced gross margin percentages for the first quarter
of fiscal 2008. The Company’s gross margins have also been negatively affected
by higher operating costs, mostly related to increased vehicle repair costs
as
well as increased volumes and prices associated with wholesale vehicles, which
relate for the most part to repossessed vehicles sold at or near cost. The
effect of the increase in wholesale volumes is more pronounced for the first
quarter of fiscal 2008 because of the overall retail sales decline for the
period. The Company’s new payment protection plan product had a positive effect
on gross profit percentages for the quarter when compared to the first quarter
of fiscal 2007. The Company expects that its gross margin percentage will
improve during the balance of fiscal 2008 from its current level.
Selling,
general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 21.2% for the
three months ended July 31, 2007, an increase of 2.6% from the same period
of
the prior fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative expenses are, for
the
most part, more fixed in nature. The overall dollar expense met plan for the
quarter; however, on a percentage basis fell short due to sales being lower
than
forecasted. The dollar increase between periods relates to 1) a 6% increase
in
the number of retail locations and the associated incremental costs for those
locations, 2) increased advertising expenditures, and 3) slightly higher payroll
costs including costs associated with strengthening controls and improving
efficiencies for corporate functions to allow for future growth.
Provision
for credit losses as a percentage of sales decreased .7% to 21.8% for the three
months ended July 31, 2007 from 22.5% in the same period of the prior fiscal
year. The decrease is largely attributable to lower losses experienced in across
most of the store locations during the quarter. Credit losses, on a percentage
basis, tend to be higher at new and developing stores than at mature
stores. Generally, this is the case because the store management at new
and developing stores tends to be less experienced (in making credit decisions
and collecting customer accounts) and the customer base is less seasoned.
Generally, older stores have more repeat customers. On average, repeat
customers are a better credit risk than non-repeat customers. Due to the rate
of
the Company’s growth, the percentage of new and developing stores as a
percentage of total stores has been increasing over the last few years. The
Company believes the most significant factor affecting credit losses is the
proper execution (or lack thereof) of its business practices. The Company also
believes that higher energy and fuel costs, increasing interest rates, general
inflation and personal discretionary spending levels affecting customers have
had a negative impact on recent collection results. The Company intends to
continue to increase the focus of store management on credit quality and
collections, particularly at those stores under six years of age.
Interest
expense as a percentage of sales decreased .1% to 1.5% for the three months
ended July 31, 2007 from 1.6% for the same period of the prior fiscal year.
The
increase was attributable to lower average borrowings during the three months
ended July 31, 2007 (approximately $35.6 million) as compared to the same period
in the prior fiscal year (approximately $46.3 million), offset by an increase
in
the rate charged during the three months ended July 31, 2007 (average
rate of 8.8% per annum)
as
compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year (average rate of 7.8%
per
annum). The decrease in our average borrowings resulted from the lower sales
levels and higher collection rates including higher down-payments on new loan
originations, all of which contributed to $5.8 million in cash provided by
operating activities for the quarter. Most of this cash was used to pay down
the
revolving lines of credit. The increase in interest rates is primarily
attributable to increases in the prime interest rate of the Company’s lender as
the Company’s revolving credit facilities fluctuate with the prime interest rate
of its lender.
14
Financial
Condition
The
following table sets forth the major balance sheet accounts of the Company
as of
the dates specified (in thousands):
July
31,
|
April
30,
|
||||||
2007
|
2007
|
||||||
Assets:
|
|||||||
Finance
receivables, net
|
$
|
141,488
|
$
|
139,194
|
|||
Inventory
|
12,354
|
13,682
|
|||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
17,215
|
16,883
|
|||||
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
13,925
|
8,706
|
|||||
Debt
facilities
|
33,676
|
40,829
|
Historically,
finance receivables have tended to grow slightly faster than revenue growth.
This has historically been due, to a large extent, to an increasing average
term
necessitated by increases in the average retail sales price. In fiscal 2007,
revenues increased 2.6% while finance receivables decreased 3.6% due to higher
charge offs experienced for the year. In fiscal 2006, finance receivables grew
21.6% compared to revenue growth of 14.4%. It is anticipated that the historical
experience of finance receivables growing slightly faster than revenues for
the
full fiscal year will again be the trend in the near term. Average months to
maturity for the portfolio of finance receivables was 16 months at July 31,
2007.
In
the
first quarter of fiscal 2008, inventory decreased by 10% as sales in July were
higher than in April leaving fewer vehicles on the lots at July 31, 2007
compared to April 30, 2007. Recently, inventory has grown at a faster pace
than
revenues as a result of the Company’s decision to increase the level of
inventory it carries at many of its stores to facilitate sales growth and meet
competitive demands.
Property
and equipment, net increased $.3 million during the three months ended July
31,
2007 as the Company completed improvements at existing properties.
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities increased $2.9 million during the three months
ended July 31, 2007. The increase was largely due to an increase in accrued
compensation related to the timing of payroll ($.8 million) and a $1.99 million
increase in cash overdraft. Cash overdraft fluctuates based upon the day of
the
week and the level of checks that are outstanding at any point in time. Deferred
payment protection plan revenue was $2.3 million at July 31, 2007. This product
was introduced in May, 2007.
Borrowings
on the Company’s revolving credit facilities fluctuate based upon a number of
factors including (i) net income, (ii) finance receivables growth, (iii) capital
expenditures, and (iv) stock repurchases.
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,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Operating
activities:
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
2,141
|
$
|
4,155
|
|||
Provision
for credit losses
|
11,519
|
12,655
|
|||||
Finance
receivable originations
|
(48,853
|
)
|
(51,926
|
)
|
|||
Finance
receivable collections
|
30,553
|
30,330
|
|||||
Inventory
|
5,815
|
2,672
|
|||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
3,228
|
(215
|
)
|
||||
Income
taxes payable
|
797
|
969
|
|||||
Other
|
557
|
671
|
|||||
Total
|
5,757
|
(689
|
)
|
||||
Investing
activities:
|
|||||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(697
|
)
|
(719
|
)
|
|||
Sale
of property and equipment
|
44
|
31
|
|||||
Payment
for business acquired
|
(460
|
)
|
|||||
Total
|
(653
|
)
|
(1,148
|
)
|
|||
Financing
activities:
|
|||||||
Debt
facilities, net
|
(7,154
|
)
|
3,320
|
||||
Change
in cash overdrafts
|
1,992
|
(1,153
|
)
|
||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
39
|
-
|
|||||
Purchase
of common stock
|
-
|
(315
|
)
|
||||
Issuance
of stock options and warrants
|
-
|
37
|
|||||
Total
|
(5,123
|
)
|
1,889
|
||||
Increase
(decrease) in Cash
|
$
|
(19
|
)
|
$
|
52
|
The
Company generates cash flow from net income from operations. Most or all of
this
cash has historically been used to fund finance receivables growth. To the
extent finance receivables growth exceeds net income from operations, generally
the Company increases borrowings under its credit facilities.
15
The
Company has had a tendency to lease the majority of the properties where its
stores are located. As of July 31, 2007, the Company leased approximately 75%
of
its store properties. The Company expects to continue to lease the majority
of
the properties where its stores are located. In general, in order to preserve
capital and maintain flexibility, the Company prefers to lease its store
locations. However, the Company does periodically purchase the real property
where its stores are located, particularly if the Company expects to be in
that
location for 10 years or more.
The
Company’s credit facilities with its primary lender total $60 million and
consist of a combined $50 million revolving line of credit and a $10 million
term loan. The facilities limit distributions from Car-Mart to the Company
beyond (i) the repayment of an intercompany loan ($10.0 million at July 31,
2006), and (ii) dividends equal to 75% of Car-Mart of Arkansas’ net income. At
July 31, 2007, the Company’s assets (excluding its $112 million equity
investment in Car-Mart) consisted of $ 69,000 in cash, $3.8 million in other
assets and a $10.0 million receivable from Car-Mart. Thus, the Company is
limited in the amount of dividends or other distributions it can make to its
shareholders without the consent of Car-Mart’s lender. Beginning in February
2003, Car-Mart assumed substantially all of the operating costs of the Company.
The Company was in compliance with loan covenants at July 31, 2007.
At
July
31, 2007 the Company had $0.2 million of cash on hand and an additional $18.5
million of availability under the revolving credit facilities. On a short-term
basis, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity include income from
operations and borrowings under the revolving credit facilities. On a
longer-term basis, the Company expects its principal sources of liquidity to
consist of income from continuing operations and borrowings under revolving
credit facilities and/or fixed interest term loans. 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 grow its finance receivables portfolio and to
purchase property and equipment in the amount of approximately $2 million in
the
next 12 months in connection with refurbishing existing stores. In addition,
from time to time the Company may use cash to repurchase its common stock.
The
revolving credit facilities mature in April 2009. The $10 million term loan
is
payable in 120 consecutive and substantially equal installments beginning June
1, 2006. The interest rate on the term loan is currently fixed at 8.08%. The
Company expects that it will be able to renew or refinance the revolving credit
facilities on or before the date they mature. The Company believes it will
have
adequate liquidity to satisfy its capital needs for the foreseeable
future.
Contractual
Payment Obligations
There
have been no material changes outside of the ordinary course of business in
the
Company’s contractual payment obligations from those reported at April 30, 2007
in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
The
Company has entered into operating leases for approximately 75% of its store
and
office facilities. Generally these leases are for periods of three to five
years
and usually contain multiple renewal options. The Company expects to continue
to
lease the majority of its store and office facilities under arrangements
substantially consistent with the past.
Other
than its operating leases, the Company is not a party to any off-balance sheet
arrangement that management believes is reasonably likely to have a current
or
future effect on the Company’s financial condition, revenues or expenses,
results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources
that
are material to investors.
Related
Finance Company Contingency
Car-Mart
of Arkansas and Colonial do not meet the affiliation standard for filing
consolidated income tax returns, and as such they file separate federal and
state income tax returns. Car-Mart of Arkansas routinely sells its finance
receivables to Colonial at what the Company believes to be fair market value,
and is able to take a tax deduction at the time of sale for the difference
between the tax basis of the receivables sold and the sales price. These types
of transactions, based upon facts and circumstances, are permissible under
the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) as described in the Treasury
Regulations. For financial accounting purposes, these transactions are
eliminated in consolidation, and a deferred tax liability has been recorded
for
this timing difference. The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of
Arkansas to Colonial provides certain legal protection for the Company’s finance
receivables and, principally because of certain state apportionment
characteristics of Colonial, also has the effect of reducing the Company’s
overall effective state income tax rate by approximately 240 basis points.
The
actual interpretation of the Regulations is in part a facts and circumstances
matter. The Company believes it satisfies the provisions of the Regulations
in
all material respects. Failure to satisfy those provisions could result in
the
loss of a tax deduction at the time the receivables are sold, and have the
effect of increasing the Company’s overall effective income tax rate as well as
the timing of required tax payments.
By
letter
dated August 21, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) formally concluded
its examinations of the Company’s tax returns for fiscal 2002 and certain items
in subsequent years. The notification from the IRS indicated that the Company
would not be assessed any additional taxes, penalties or interest related to
the
examinations. The examinations focused on whether or not the Company satisfied
the provisions of the Treasury Regulations which would entitle Car-Mart of
Arkansas to a tax deduction at the time it sells its finance receivables to
Colonial.
16
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted 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, which is discussed below.
The
Company’s accounting policies are discussed in Note B to the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
The
Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a
level it considers sufficient to cover estimated losses in the collection of
its
finance receivables. The allowance for credit losses is based primarily upon
historical credit loss experience, with consideration given to recent credit
loss trends and changes in loan characteristics (i.e., average amount financed
and term), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions,
underwriting and collection practices, and management’s expectation of future
credit losses. 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.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
From
time
to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies which the Company
adopts as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the
Company believes the impact of recently issued standards which are not yet
effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements upon adoption.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on
May 1,
2007. Previously, the Company had accounted for tax contingencies in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 5, Accounting
for Contingencies. As
required by Interpretation 48, which clarifies Statement 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes, the
Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after
determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain
the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the
more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial
statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood
of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
At
the adoption date, the Company applied Interpretation 48 to all tax positions
for which the statute of limitations remained open. The Company had no
adjustments or unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the implementation
of
Interpretation 48.
The
Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various
state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to
the
interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant
judgment to apply.
With
few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and
local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before
2004.
The
Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax
benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company
had no accrued penalties and/or interest as of July 31, 2007 or
2006.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, but provides guidance
on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy used to
classify the source of the information. The Company will be required to adopt
this standard in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending April 30,
2009. The Company is in the process of evaluating the anticipated effect of
SFAS
157 on its consolidated financial statements and is not currently in a position
to determine such effects.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB
Statement 115.” The statement permits entities to choose to measure certain
financial instruments and other items at fair value. The objective is to improve
financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate
volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting
provisions. Unrealized gains and losses on any items for which Car-Mart elects
the fair value measurement option would be reported in earnings. Statement
159
is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. However,
early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning on or before
November 15, 2007, provided Car-Mart also elects to apply the provisions of
Statement 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” at the same time. Car-Mart is
currently assessing the effect, if any, the adoption of Statement 159 will
have
on its financial statements and related disclosures.
Seasonality
The
Company’s automobile sales and finance business is seasonal in nature. The
Company’s third fiscal quarter (November through January) has historically been
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 as 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 have
historically tended to have lower credit losses, while its second and third
fiscal quarters have tended to have higher credit losses.
17
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. Certain of the
Company’s borrowings contain variable interest rates that fluctuate with market
interest rates (i.e., the rate charged on the revolving credit facilities
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 (6.25% at July 31, 2007) 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, 2007, approximately 58% 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 ($181 million) and variable interest rate borrowings ($23.3
million), and the percentage of Arkansas originated finance receivables (58%),
remain constant during the periods, and (iv) the Company’s historical collection
and charge-off experience continues throughout the periods.
Year
1
|
Year
2
|
||||||
Increase
(Decrease)
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|||||
In
Interest Rates
|
in
Pretax Earnings
|
in
Pretax Earnings
|
|||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||
+200
basis points
|
$
|
346
|
$
|
1,361
|
|||
+100
basis points
|
173
|
681
|
|||||
-
100 basis points
|
-173
|
-681
|
|||||
-
200 basis points
|
-346
|
-1,361
|
A
similar
calculation and table was prepared at April 30, 2007. The calculation and table
was comparable with the information provided above.
18
Item
4. Controls and Procedures
a)
|
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
|
We
completed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation
of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our
disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this
report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and
the
Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits
under the
Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within
the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (2)
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely discussions
regarding required disclosures.
|
|
b)
|
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
|
During
the last fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal
controls over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls
subsequent to the date of the evaluation, including any corrective
actions
with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
|
Item
4T. Controls and Procedures
Not
applicable
PART
II
Item
1A. Risk Factors
Information
regarding risk factors appears under the heading “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Forward Looking
Information” in Part I, Item 2 of this report under the heading “Risk Factors”
and in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Fiscal 2007 Form 10-K.
The
following is an update to the risk factor since the filing of the Fiscal 2007
Form 10-K.
An
unfavorable determination by the Internal Revenue Service in connection with
a
pending tax audit could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial results and condition.
Car-Mart
of Arkansas and Colonial do not meet the affiliation standard for filing
consolidated income tax returns, and as such they file separate federal and
state income tax returns. Car-Mart of Arkansas routinely sells its finance
receivables to Colonial at what the Company believes to be fair market value,
and is able to take a tax deduction at the time of sale for the difference
between the tax basis of the receivables sold and the sales price. These types
of transactions, based upon facts and circumstances, are permissible under
the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) as described in the Treasury
Regulations. For financial accounting purposes, these transactions are
eliminated in consolidation, and a deferred tax liability has been recorded
for
this timing difference. The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of
Arkansas to Colonial provides certain legal protection for the Company’s finance
receivables and, principally because of certain state apportionment
characteristics of Colonial, also has the effect of reducing the Company’s
overall effective state income tax rate by approximately 240 basis points.
The
actual interpretation of the Regulations is in part a facts and circumstances
matter. The Company believes it satisfies the provisions of the Regulations
in
all material respects. Failure to satisfy those provisions could result in
the
loss of a tax deduction at the time the receivables are sold, and have the
effect of increasing the Company’s overall effective income tax rate as well as
the timing of required tax payments.
By
letter
dated August 21, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) formally concluded
its examinations of the Company’s tax returns for fiscal 2002 and certain items
in subsequent years. The notification from the IRS indicated that the Company
would not be assessed any additional taxes, penalties or interest related to
the
examinations. The examinations focused on whether or not the Company satisfied
the provisions of the Treasury Regulations which would entitle Car-Mart of
Arkansas to a tax deduction at the time it sells its finance receivables to
Colonial.
19
Item
6. Exhibits
Exhibit | |||
Number
|
Description
of Exhibit
|
||
3.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation of the Company (formerly SKAI, Inc.), as amended,
incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form S-8 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November
16, 2005, File No. 333-129727, exhibits 4.1 through
4.8.
|
||
3.2
|
By-Laws
dated August 24, 1989, incorporated by reference from the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-8 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 16, 2005, File No. 333-129727, exhibit
4.9.
|
||
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
||
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
||
32.1
|
Section
1350 certification.
|
||
20
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.
America’s
Car-Mart, Inc.
|
||||
By: | \s\ Tilman J. Falgout, III | |||
Tilman J. Falgout, III | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||||
By: | \s\ Jeffrey A. Williams | |||
Jeffrey A. Williams | ||||
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | ||||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Dated:
September 10, 2007
21
Exhibit
Index
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
32.1
|
Section
1350 certification.
|
22