AMERICAS CARMART INC - Quarter Report: 2009 January (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:
|
January
31, 2009
|
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, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer o
|
Accelerated
filer
ý
|
Non-accelerated
filer o(Do not check if smaller
reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company 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
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March 9, 2009
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Common
stock, par value $.01 per share
|
11,783,968
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1
Part I.
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FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
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Item
1. Financial Statements
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America’s
Car-Mart, Inc.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|
(Dollars
in thousands except per share amounts)
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January
31, 2009
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||||||||
(unaudited)
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April
30, 2008
|
|||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 332 | $ | 153 | ||||
Accrued
interest on finance receivables
|
844 | 833 | ||||||
Finance
receivables, net
|
180,343 | 163,344 | ||||||
Inventory
|
15,788 | 13,532 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
1,551 | 832 | ||||||
Income
taxes receivable
|
- | 3,400 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
355 | 355 | ||||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
19,061 | 18,140 | ||||||
$ | 218,274 | $ | 200,589 | |||||
Liabilities
and stockholders’ equity:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$ | 3,405 | $ | 3,871 | ||||
Deferred
payment protection plan revenue
|
7,109 | 4,631 | ||||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
10,168 | 11,063 | ||||||
Income
taxes payable, net
|
1,223 | - | ||||||
Deferred
tax liabilities, net
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7,618 | 3,465 | ||||||
Revolving
credit facilities and notes payable
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36,197 | 40,337 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
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65,720 | 63,367 | ||||||
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; 12,187,909
issued (12,091,628 at April 30, 2008)
|
122 | 121 | ||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
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39,827 | 37,284 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
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118,095 | 105,307 | ||||||
Treasury
stock, at cost, 403,941 shares
|
(5,490 | ) | (5,490 | ) | ||||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
152,554 | 137,222 | ||||||
$ | 218,274 | $ | 200,589 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
2
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
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America’s
Car-Mart, Inc.
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(Unaudited)
(Dollars
in thousands except per share amounts)
Three
Months Ended
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Nine
Months Ended
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|||||||||||||||
January
31,
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January
31,
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
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2008
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2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||||||||
Sales
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$ | 66,919 | $ | 64,877 | $ | 201,558 | $ | 179,968 | ||||||||
Interest
and other income
|
6,533 | 6,262 | 19,538 | 18,121 | ||||||||||||
73,452 | 71,139 | 221,096 | 198,089 | |||||||||||||
Costs
and expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
38,094 | 36,874 | 114,557 | 104,440 | ||||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative
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12,622 | 12,443 | 37,950 | 35,268 | ||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
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14,966 | 15,197 | 43,878 | 40,948 | ||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
1,683 | 760 | 3,485 | 2,390 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
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352 | 296 | 1,009 | 848 | ||||||||||||
Loss
from location closure
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- | 373 | - | 373 | ||||||||||||
67,717 | 65,943 | 200,879 | 184,267 | |||||||||||||
Income
before taxes
|
5,735 | 5,196 | 20,217 | 13,822 | ||||||||||||
Provision
for income taxes
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2,100 | 1,818 | 7,429 | 4,837 | ||||||||||||
Net
income
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$ | 3,635 | $ | 3,378 | $ | 12,788 | $ | 8,985 | ||||||||
Earnings
per share:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
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$ | .31 | $ | .29 | $ | 1.09 | $ | .76 | ||||||||
Diluted
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$ | .31 | $ | .28 | $ | 1.08 | $ | .75 | ||||||||
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
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11,780,402 | 11,850,841 | 11,749,181 | 11,868,310 | ||||||||||||
Diluted
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11,828,215 | 11,921,694 | 11,814,166 | 11,950,353 | ||||||||||||
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)
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||
January
31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Operating
activities:
|
||||||||
Net
income
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$ | 12,788 | $ | 8,985 | ||||
Adjustments
to reconcile income from operations to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
|
||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
43,878 | 40,948 | ||||||
Principal
lost on claims for payment protection plan
|
2,818 | 944 | ||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
1,009 | 848 | ||||||
Loss
on sale of property and equipment and location closure
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(10 | ) | 381 | |||||
Share
based compensation
|
1,639 | 1,004 | ||||||
Unrealized
loss for change in fair value of interest rate swap
|
1,560 | - | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
4,153 | 4,614 | ||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Finance
receivable originations
|
(188,497 | ) | (166,886 | ) | ||||
Finance
receivable collections
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108,748 | 93,932 | ||||||
Accrued
interest on finance receivables
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(11 | ) | (106 | ) | ||||
Inventory
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13,805 | 14,261 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
(719 | ) | (232 | ) | ||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
(364 | ) | 2,622 | |||||
Deferred
payment protection plan revenue
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2,478 | 4,114 | ||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
5,077 | (3,835 | ) | |||||
Excess
tax benefit from share-based payments
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(453 | ) | (77 | ) | ||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
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7,899 | 1,517 | ||||||
Investing
activities:
|
||||||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(1,994 | ) | (2,028 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from sale of property and equipment
|
63 | 112 | ||||||
Proceeds
from sale of finance receivables related to location
closure
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1 | 343 | ||||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(1,930 | ) | (1,573 | ) | ||||
Financing
activities:
|
||||||||
Exercise
of stock options and warrants
|
301 | 205 | ||||||
Excess
tax benefits from share based compensation
|
453 | 77 | ||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
152 | 106 | ||||||
Purchase
of common stock
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- | (2,230 | ) | |||||
Change
in cash overdrafts
|
(2,556 | ) | 2,157 | |||||
Proceeds
from notes payable
|
15 | - | ||||||
Principal
payments on notes payable
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(619 | ) | (546 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from revolving credit facilities
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64,657 | 56,034 | ||||||
Payments
on revolving credit facilities
|
(68,193 | ) | (55,821 | ) | ||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(5,790 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||
Increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
179 | (74 | ) | |||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at: Beginning of
period
|
153 | 257 | ||||||
End
of period
|
$ | 332 | $ | 183 |
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 January
31, 2009, 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 condensed balance sheet as of April 30, 2008, which has been
derived from audited financial statements and the unaudited interim condensed
financial statements as of January 31, 2009 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 and nine month periods ended January 31, 2009 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending
April 30, 2009. 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, 2008.
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 51% of
revenues resulting from sales to Arkansas customers. 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 2010. 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 January 31,
2009), and (ii) dividends equal to 75% of Car-Mart of Arkansas’ net
income. At January 31, 2009, the Company’s assets (excluding its $140
million equity investment in Car-Mart) consisted of $4,000 in cash, $3.3 million
in other net assets and a $10 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.
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 January 31, 2009 and 2008, 4.5% and 3.7%,
respectively, of the Company’s finance receivables balance were 30 days or more
past due. At January 31, 2009 and 2008, finance receivables more than
90 days past due were approximately $965,000 and $430,000,
respectively.
5
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 with respect to which the vehicle has been repossessed, the fair value
of the repossessed vehicle is a reduction of the gross finance receivables
balance charged-off. On average, accounts are approximately 60 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, management
believes appropriate consideration has been given to all relevant factors and
reasonable assumptions have been made in determining the allowance for credit
losses.
The
Company offers retail customers in most 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, as defined, or the vehicle has been stolen. The
Company periodically evaluates anticipated losses to ensure that if anticipated
losses exceed deferred payment protection plan revenues, an additional liability
is recorded for such difference. No such additional liability was
required at January 31, 2009.
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 2008, and to date, there has been none in fiscal
2009.
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
period. The lease period 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
|
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
values 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
$50,000 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 the Company’s 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.
6
Income
Taxes
Income
taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this
method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon
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.
Occasionally,
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.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” 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.
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 2006. The
Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the 2007 income tax return for
Colonial and the 2008 income tax return for Car-Mart of Arkansas.
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 January 31,
2009.
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 most 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 revenues are 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 receivables 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 January 31, 2009 and 2008, finance receivables more
than 90 days past due were approximately $965,000 and $430,000,
respectively.
Earnings
per Share
Basic
earnings per share is 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.
Stock-based
compensation
The
Company applies the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
123R, “Share Based Payments” (“SFAS 123R”), which revises Statement 123,
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion 25,
“Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS 123R requires the
Company to recognize expense related to the fair value of stock-based
compensation awards, including employee stock options.
The
Company recorded compensation cost for stock-based employee awards of $1,639,000
($1,037,000 after tax) during the nine months ended January 31,
2009. The pretax amount includes $268,000 for restricted shares
issued on May 1, 2006, $202,000 for restricted shares issued on December 18,
2007, $1,153,000 for stock options granted, and $16,000 related to stock issued
under the 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company recorded
$1,004,000 ($653,000 after tax) of compensation cost related to stock-based
employee awards for the nine months ended January 31, 2008. The
pretax amount includes $268,000 for restricted shares issued on May 1, 2006,
$216,000 for restricted shares issued on December 18, 2007, $504,000 for stock
options granted, and $16,000 related to stock issued under the 2006 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.
7
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
for the nine months ended:
January
31,
2009
|
January
31,
2008
|
||
Expected
term (years)
|
5.0
|
6.9
|
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
3.33%
|
4.40%
|
|
Volatility
|
90%
|
80%
|
|
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
On
October 16, 2007, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2007 Stock Option
Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of options to
purchase up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock 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 shares of common stock available for issuance under the
2007 Plan may, at the election of the Company’s board of directors, be unissued
shares or treasury shares, or shares purchased in the open market or by private
purchase.
The
shareholders of the Company previously 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, 1991 or 1997 Plans. Outstanding options granted under the
Company’s stock option plans expire in the calendar years 2009 through
2017.
Plan
|
|||
1997
|
2007
|
||
Minimum
exercise price as a percentage of fair market value at date of
grant
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Last
expiration date for outstanding options
|
July
2, 2017
|
October
16, 2017
|
|
Shares
available for grant at January 31, 2009
|
0
|
640,000
|
The grant
date fair value of options granted during the first nine months of fiscal 2009
and 2008 was $201,000 and $3,360,000, respectively. The options were
granted at fair market value on date of grant. The aggregate
intrinsic value of outstanding options at January 31, 2009 and 2008 is $45,000
and $791,000, respectively. Also, for the nine months ended January
31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $1,586,000 and $2,857,000, respectively, of
total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options granted under
the 2007 plan. At each period end, the Company will evaluate and
estimate the likelihood of attaining underlying performance goals and recognize
compensation cost accordingly for the options that have performance
criteria. These outstanding options have a weighted average remaining
vesting period of 1.25 years.
The
Company received cash from options exercised of $301,000 and $205,000 for the
nine months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The impact
of these cash receipts is included in the financing activities of the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The
intrinsic value for options exercised for the first nine months of fiscal 2009
was $1,342,000.
Warrants
During
the nine months ended January 31, 2009, warrants for 18,750 shares were
exercised with an intrinsic value of $60,000. As of January 31, 2009,
the Company had no remaining outstanding stock purchase warrants.
Stock
Incentive Plan
The
shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan on
October 16, 2007. The amendment increased from 100,000 to 150,000 the number of
shares of common stock that may be issued under the Stock Incentive
Plan. For shares issued under the Stock Incentive Plan, the
associated compensation expense is generally recognized equally over the vesting
periods established at the award date and is subject to the employee’s continued
employment by the Company. During the first nine months of fiscal
2008, 65,000 restricted shares were granted with a fair value of $11.90 per
share, the market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. A
total of 19,348 shares remained available for award at January 31,
2009.
The
Company recorded a pre-tax expense of $470,000 and $485,000 related to the Stock
Incentive Plan during the nine months ended January 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
As of
January 31, 2009, the Company has $338,000 of total unrecognized compensation
cost related to unvested awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, which
the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average remaining period of 0.7
years. No awards under the Stock Incentive Plan vested during the
nine month period ended January 31, 2009 or 2008.
8
Treasury
Stock
The
Company did not purchase any of its shares of common stock for the first nine
months of fiscal 2009. For the nine month period ended January 31,
2008, the Company purchased 186,967 shares of its outstanding common stock to be
held as treasury stock for a total cost of $2.2 million. Treasury stock may be
used for issuances under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans or for
other general corporate purposes.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Occasionally,
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 its consolidated financial statements upon
adoption.
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” (“SFAS 159.”) 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.
SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
In March
2008, the FASB issued Statement 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). Due to the use and complexity
of derivative instruments, there were concerns regarding the existing disclosure
requirements in FASB 133. Accordingly, this statement requires
enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging
activities. Entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures
about (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative
instruments and related hedging items are accounted for under FASB 133 and its
related interpretations, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related
hedging items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows. This statement is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The
Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS 161 will have a material impact on
the Company’s financial statements.
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 5.5% to 19% per annum, are collateralized by the
vehicle sold and provide for payments over periods generally ranging from 12 to
36 months. The components of finance receivables are as
follows:
January
31,
|
April
30,
|
|||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Gross
contract amount
|
$ | 251,895 | $ | 231,069 | ||||
Unearned
finance charges
|
(22,648 | ) | (22,916 | ) | ||||
Principal
balance
|
229,247 | 208,153 | ||||||
Less
allowance for credit losses
|
(48,904 | ) | (44,809 | ) | ||||
$ | 180,343 | $ | 163,344 |
Changes
in the finance receivables, net balance for the nine months ended January 31,
2009 and 2008 are as follows:
Nine
Months Ended January 31,
|
||||||||
((In
thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Balance
at beginning of period
|
$ | 163,344 | $ | 139,194 | ||||
Finance
receivable originations
|
188,497 | 166,886 | ||||||
Finance
receivable collections
|
(108,748 | ) | (93,932 | ) | ||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
(43,878 | ) | (40,948 | ) | ||||
Principal
lost on claims for payment protection plan
|
(2,818 | ) | (944 | ) | ||||
Inventory
acquired in repossession
|
(16,062 | ) | (14,542 | ) | ||||
Finance
receivables due to business acquisition, location closure
|
8 | (523 | ) | |||||
Balance
at end of period
|
$ | 180,343 | $ | 155,191 |
9
Changes
in the finance receivables allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended
January 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
Nine
Months Ended
January
31,
|
||||||||
((In
thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Balance
at beginning of period
|
$ | 44,809 | $ | 39,325 | ||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
43,878 | 40,948 | ||||||
Net
charge-offs
|
(39,775 | ) | (37,391 | ) | ||||
Allowance
related to business acquisition, location closure, net
change
|
(8 | ) | (225 | ) | ||||
Balance
at end of period
|
$ | 48,904 | $ | 42,657 |
D
– Property and Equipment
A summary
of property and equipment is as follows:
January
31,
|
April
30,
|
|||||||
(In
thousnds)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Land
|
$ | 5,740 | $ | 5,740 | ||||
Buildings
and improvements
|
7,171 | 6,808 | ||||||
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
4,631 | 4,295 | ||||||
Leasehold
improvements
|
6,344 | 5,213 | ||||||
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(4,825 | ) | (3,916 | ) | ||||
$ | 19,061 | $ | 18,140 |
E
– Accrued Liabilities
A summary
of accrued liabilities is as follows:
January
31,
|
April
30,
|
|||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Compensation
|
$ | 2,975 | $ | 3,354 | ||||
Cash
overdraft
|
- | 2,556 | ||||||
Deferred
service contract revenue
|
2,168 | 2,295 | ||||||
Deferred
sales tax
|
1,225 | 1,035 | ||||||
Subsidiary
redeemable preferred stock
|
500 | 500 | ||||||
Interest
rate swap
|
1,560 | - | ||||||
Interest
|
159 | 177 | ||||||
Other
|
1,581 | 1,146 | ||||||
$ | 10,168 | $ | 11,063 |
F
– Debt Facilities
A summary
of revolving credit facilities is as follows:
Revolving
Credit Facilities
|
||||||||||
Lender
|
Total
Facility
Amount
|
Interest
Rate
|
Maturity
|
Balance
at
January
31, 2009
|
Balance
at
April
30, 2008
|
|||||
Bank
of Oklahoma
|
$51.5
million
|
Prime
+/-
|
April
2010
|
$27,051
|
$30,587
|
On
December 12, 2008, the Company amended its revolving credit facilities. The
amendments had the effect of increasing the total commitment by $1.5 million (to
$51.5 million), extending the due date to April 30, 2010 and establishing an
interest rate floor of 4.25%. In addition to the revolving credit facilities,
the Company has a $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 7.33%. The principal balance on the term loan was $8.1 million at
January 31, 2009. The combined total for the Company’s revolving
credit facilities and term loan is $61.5 million.
10
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
less .25%, provided that interest shall not at any time be less than 4.25% per
annum. The effective rate at January 31, 2009 was 4.25% and was at the bank’s
prime lending rate of 6% at January 31, 2008. 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 January
31, 2009. 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 January 31, 2009, Car-Mart could have drawn
an additional $24.4 million under its facilities.
The
Company also has a $1.1 million term loan secured by the corporate
aircraft. The term loan is payable over 15 years and has a fixed
interest rate of 5.79%.
Interest
Rate Swap Agreement
On May
16, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement (“Agreement”)
with its primary lender for a notional principal amount of $20
million. The effective date of the Agreement was May 20,
2008. The Agreement matures on May 31, 2013 and provides that the
Company will pay monthly interest on the notional amount at a fixed rate of
6.68% and receive monthly interest on the notional amount at a floating rate
based on the bank’s prime lending rate. The Company entered into this Agreement
to manage a portion of its interest rate exposure by effectively converting a
portion of its variable rate debt into fixed rate debt. The Agreement
is not designated as a hedge by Company management; therefore, the gain (loss)
of the Agreement is reported in earnings. The cumulative net loss for
the Agreement reported in earnings as interest expense is $1,560,000 for the
nine months ended January 31, 2009. The fair value of the Agreement
is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet on January
31, 2009 at $1,560,000. The interest on the credit facilities, the
net settlements under the interest rate swap, and the changes in the fair value
of the Agreement, are all reflected in interest
expense. Notwithstanding the Company’s intention to hold the swap
until maturity, pursuant to SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” changes in
fair value will continue to be recognized quarterly as non-cash charges or
gains, as the case may be.
G
– Fair Value Measurements
The
Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS
No. 157”) effective May 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities
measured on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 applies to all financial assets
and financial liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value
basis. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-2, which delayed
the effective date of SFAS No. 157 by one year for nonfinancial assets and
liabilities. As defined in SFAS No. 157, fair value is the price that would
be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).
SFAS No. 157 requires disclosure that establishes a framework for measuring fair
value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The statement
requires fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the
following categories:
Level 1:
Unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted
assets or liabilities. The Company considers active markets as those in which
transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and
volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2:
Quoted prices in markets that are not
active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for
substantially the full term of the asset or liability. This category includes
those derivative instruments that the Company values using observable market
data. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace
throughout the full term of the derivative instrument, can be derived from
observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are
executed in the marketplace. Level 2 instruments primarily include non-exchange
traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity price swaps, investments
and interest rate swaps. The Company’s valuation models are primarily
industry-standard models that consider various inputs including (a) quoted
forward prices for commodities, (b) time value and (c) current market
and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant
economic measures. The Company utilizes its counterparties’ valuations to assess
the reasonableness of its prices and valuation techniques.
Level 3:
Measured based on prices or valuation
models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value
measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e., supported by
little or no market activity). Level 3 instruments primarily include derivative
instruments, such as basis swaps, commodity price collars and floors, as well as
investments. The Company’s valuation models are primarily industry-standard
models that consider various inputs including (a) quoted forward prices for
commodities, (b) time value, (c) volatility factors and (d) current
market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other
relevant economic measures. Although the Company utilizes its counterparties’
valuations to assess the reasonableness of its prices and valuation techniques,
it does not have sufficient corroborating market evidence to support classifying
these assets and liabilities as Level 2.
11
As
required by SFAS No. 157, financial assets and liabilities are classified
based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value
measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input
to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of
the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair
value hierarchy levels. The following table summarizes the valuation of the
Company’s financial instruments by SFAS No. 157 pricing levels as of
January 31, 2009:
Fair
Value Measurements Using
|
||||||||||||
Quoted
prices in active markets
(Level
1)
|
Significant
other observable inputs
(Level
2)
|
Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level
3)
|
||||||||||
Interest
Rate Swap
|
- | $ | (1,560,000 | ) | - |
H
– 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
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
January
31,
|
January
31,
|
|||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding-basic
|
11,780,402 | 11,850,841 | 11,749,181 | 11,868,310 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive
options and warrants
|
47,813 | 70,853 | 64,985 | 82,043 | ||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding-diluted
|
11,828,215 | 11,921,694 | 11,814,166 | 11,950,353 | ||||||||||||
Antidilutive
securities not included:
|
||||||||||||||||
Options
and warrants
|
479,500 | 482,250 | 468,771 | 253,779 | ||||||||||||
Restricted
stock
|
- | 39,667 | - | 43,435 |
I
– Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental
cash flow disclosures are as follows:
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||
January
31,
|
||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Supplemental
disclosures:
|
||||||||
Interest
paid
|
$ | 1,943 | $ | 2,432 | ||||
Income
taxes paid, net
|
(1,800 | ) | 4,135 | |||||
Non-cash
transactions:
|
||||||||
Inventory
acquired in repossession and payment protection plan
claims
|
16,172 | 14,542 |
12
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 reports 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 (the “Exchange Act”), 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to
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 to support 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. Reference is hereby made to Item 1A. “Risk
Factors” contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2008 and updates in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, if
applicable. 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 (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.
(“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 January 31, 2009, 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 (average
16%). Growth results from same store revenue growth and the addition
of new stores. Revenue growth for the first nine months of fiscal
2009, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, was assisted by a
7.7% increase in retail units sold, a 5.0% increase in the average retail sales
price and a 7.8% increase in interest income.
The
Company’s primary focus is on collections. Each store handles its own
collections with supervisory involvement of the corporate
office. Over the last five full fiscal years, Car-Mart’s credit
losses as a percentage of sales have ranged between approximately 20.1% in 2005
and 29.1% in 2007 (average of 22.8%). Credit losses in the first nine
months of fiscal 2009 were 21.8% of sales compared to 22.8% for the first nine
months of fiscal 2008. Management continues to invest considerable time and
effort on improving underwriting and collections which has resulted in the
decrease of credit losses when compared to the credit loss results for fiscal
2008. Credit losses, on a percentage basis, tend to be higher at new and
developing stores than at mature stores. Generally, this is 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 increased over the
last few years. The Company continues to believe that the most significant
factor affecting credit losses is the proper execution (or lack thereof) of its
business practices. The Company also believes that unemployment levels, energy
and fuel costs, interest rates, general inflation and personal discretionary
spending levels affect its customers and can have a negative impact on
collection results. At January 31, 2009, 4.5% of the Company’s finance
receivable balances were over 30 days past due (compared to 3.7% at January 31,
2008).
The
Company’s gross margins as a percentage of sales have been fairly consistent
from year to year. Over the past five 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 nine months
of fiscal 2009 were 43.2%, up from 42.0% 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. The increase in the gross margin percentage between
periods resulted primarily from efficiencies in retail pricing and lower
wholesale sales. Wholesale sales, for the most part, relate to repossessed
vehicles sold at or near cost, which was higher in fiscal 2008 due to the
increased level of repossession activity coupled with lower retail sales levels.
The Company expects that its gross margin percentage will not change
significantly in the near term from its current level.
Hiring,
training and retaining qualified associates are critical to the Company’s
success. The rate at which the Company adds new stores is sometimes
limited by the number of trained managers the Company has at its disposal.
In fiscal 2009, the Company has added resources to train and develop personnel.
The Company will continue to add resources for the foreseeable future in the
development of its workforce.
13
Consolidated
Operations
(Operating
Statement Dollars in Thousands)
% Change
|
As a % of Sales
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
2009
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
January
31,
|
vs.
|
January
31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Sales
|
$ | 66,919 | $ | 64,877 | 3.1 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
Interest
income
|
6,533 | 6,262 | 4.3 | 9.8 | 9.7 | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
73,452 | 71,139 | 3.3 | 109.8 | 109.7 | |||||||||||||||
Costs
and expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
38,094 | 36,874 | 3.3 | 56.9 | 56.8 | |||||||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative
|
12,622 | 12,443 | 1.4 | 18.9 | 19.2 | |||||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
14,966 | 15,197 | (1.5 | ) | 22.4 | 23.4 | ||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
1,683 | 760 | 121.4 | 2.5 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
352 | 296 | 18.9 | .5 | .5 | |||||||||||||||
Loss
from location closure
|
- | 373 | (100 | ) | - | .6 | ||||||||||||||
Total
|
67,717 | 65,943 | 2.7 | 101.2 | 101.6 | |||||||||||||||
Pretax
income
|
$ | 5,735 | $ | 5,196 | 10.4 | % | 8.6 | % | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||
Operating
Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Retail
units sold
|
6,996 | 7,031 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
stores in operation
|
92 | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
units sold per store/month
|
25.3 | 24.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
retail sales price
|
$ | 9,166 | $ | 8,801 | ||||||||||||||||
Same
store revenue growth
|
2.9 | % | 18.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Period
End Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Stores
open
|
92 | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts
over 30 days past due
|
4.5 | % | 3.7 | % |
Three
Months Ended January 31, 2009 vs. Three Months Ended January 31,
2008
Revenues
increased $2.3 million, or 3.3%, for the three months ended January 31, 2009 as
compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was
principally the result of (i) revenues from stores that operated a full three
months in both periods ($1.9 million), (ii) revenues from stores that opened
during the prior period or stores having a satellite lot opened or closed after
April 30, 2007 ($.3 million), (iii) stores opened after January 31, 2008 ($.3
million), offset by (iv) a $.2 million reduction related to a store that was
closed during the prior year period. Interest income increased but at a lower
rate than the increase in average finance receivables due to significant
decreases in the allowable interest rates charged to customers in Arkansas.
Currently, the interest rate charged to customers in Arkansas is capped at 5.5%.
The maximum rate in Arkansas is the federal primary credit rate plus
5%. The rate charged to Arkansas customers was 11.25% in August of
2007 and has decreased since that time due to decreases in the federal primary
credit rate.
Cost of
sales as a percentage of sales increased .1% to 56.9% for the three months ended
January 31, 2009 from 56.8% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. The
Company’s gross margin percentage decreased slightly primarily as a result of a
higher average selling price offset by a lower volume and percentage of
wholesale sales, which for the most part relate to cash sales of repossessed
vehicles at break-even. The Company’s selling prices are based upon the cost of
the vehicle purchased, with lower-priced vehicles generally having higher gross
margin percentages. Adjustments are made to the retail pricing guide
and discretionary adjustments, within a narrow range, are sometimes made by lot
managers most often with involvement of supervisory personnel.
Selling,
general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 18.9% for the
three months ended January 31, 2009, a decrease of .3% 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 increase between periods
related primarily to higher payroll costs. The overall dollar increase included
costs incurred to strengthen controls and improve efficiencies in the corporate
infrastructure, incremental costs associated with new lots opened recently, and
costs related to increased sales volumes and profitability at existing
locations.
Provision
for credit losses as a percentage of sales decreased 1.0%, to 22.4% for the
three months ended January 31, 2009 from 23.4% in the same period of the prior
fiscal year. Credit losses were lower due to several factors and included lower
losses experienced in most of the dealerships as the Company saw stronger
performance within its portfolio. 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, unemployment levels, higher food costs, general inflation
and personal discretionary spending levels affecting customers have a negative
impact on collection results. The Company intends to continue to increase
the focus of store management on credit quality, underwriting and collections at
all stores, while maintaining proper focus on sales. At January 31, 2009, 4.5%
of the Company’s finance receivables balances were over 30 days past due,
compared to 3.7% at January 31, 2008. At January 31, 2009 and 2008,
finance receivables more than 90 days past due were approximately $965,000 and
$430,000, respectively.
14
The
Wichita, Kansas dealership was closed at the end of January 2008, resulting in a
pre-tax charge of $373,000 for the quarter ended January 31,
2008. The charge consisted of a loss on the sale of accounts to a
third party, lease buyout costs and the loss on abandonment of leasehold
improvements.
Interest
expense (excluding the non-cash charge related to the change in fair value of
the interest rate swap agreement) as a percentage of sales
decreased .3% to .9% for the three months ended January 31, 2009 from
1.2% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease was
attributable to lower average interest rates during the three months ended
January 31, 2009 as well as a decrease in average borrowings ($38.3 million
compared to $39.2 million in the prior year). The decrease in
interest rates is attributable to decreases 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.
The
Company has an interest rate swap agreement (the “Agreement”) which is not
designated as a hedge by Company management; therefore, the gain (loss) of the
Agreement is reported as a component of interest expense in earnings. The
non-cash charge related to the Agreement was caused by a number of factors,
including changes in interest rates, amount of notional debt outstanding, and
number of months until maturity. Since the Company intends to hold the interest
rate swap until maturity (May 2013), the charge, which resulted from a change in
fair value, will reverse by the maturity date.
The net
loss for the Agreement reported in earnings as interest expense was $1.1 million
for the three months ended January 31, 2009. The fair value of the
Agreement is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at
January 31, 2009 at $1.6 million. The interest on the credit
facilities, the net settlements under the interest rate swap, and the changes in
the fair value of the Agreement, are all reflected in interest
expense. Notwithstanding the Company’s intention to hold the swap
until maturity, pursuant to SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” changes in
fair value will continue to be recognized quarterly as non-cash charges or
gains, as the case may be.
15
Consolidated
Operations
(Operating
Statement Dollars in Thousands)
% Change
|
As a % of Sales
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Nine
Months Ended
|
2009
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
January
31,
|
vs.
|
January
31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Sales
|
$ | 201,558 | $ | 179,968 | 12.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
Interest
income
|
19,538 | 18,121 | 7.8 | 9.7 | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
221,096 | 198,089 | 11.6 | 109.7 | 110.1 | |||||||||||||||
Costs
and expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
114,557 | 104,440 | 9.7 | 56.8 | 58.0 | |||||||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative
|
37,950 | 35,268 | 7.6 | 18.8 | 19.6 | |||||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
43,878 | 40,948 | 7.2 | 21.8 | 22.8 | |||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
3,485 | 2,390 | 45.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
1,009 | 848 | 19.0 | .5 | .5 | |||||||||||||||
Loss
on location closure
|
- | 373 | (100 | ) | - | .2 | ||||||||||||||
Total
|
200,879 | 184,267 | 9.0 | 99.7 | 102.4 | |||||||||||||||
Pretax
income
|
$ | 20,217 | $ | 13,822 | 46.3 | % | 10.0 | % | 7.7 | % | ||||||||||
Operating
Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Retail
units sold
|
21,307 | 19,792 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
stores in operation
|
91 | 93 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
units sold per store/month
|
26.0 | 23.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
retail sales price
|
$ | 9,010 | $ | 8,578 | ||||||||||||||||
Same
store revenue growth
|
11.2 | % | 7.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Period
End Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Stores
open
|
92 | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts
over 30 days past due
|
4.5 | % | 3.7 | % |
Nine
Months Ended January 31, 2009 vs. Nine Months Ended January 31,
2008
Revenues
increased $23 million, or 11.6%, for the nine months ended January 31, 2009 as
compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was
principally the result of (i) revenues from stores that operated a full nine
months in both periods ($20.5 million), (ii) revenues from stores that opened
during the prior period or stores having a satellite lot opened or closed after
April 30, 2007 ($3.0 million), (iii) stores opened after January 31,
2008 ($.3 million), offset by (iv) a $.8 million reduction related to a store
that was closed during the fiscal 2008 period. Interest income
increased but at a lower rate than the increase in average finance receivables
due to significant decreases in the allowable interest rates charged to
customers in Arkansas. Currently, the interest rate charged to customers in
Arkansas is capped at 5.5%. The maximum rate in Arkansas is the federal primary
credit rate plus 5%. The rate charged to Arkansas customers was
11.25% in August of 2007 and has decreased since that time due to the decrease
in the federal primary credit rate.
Cost of
sales as a percentage of sales decreased 1.2% to 56.8% for the nine months ended
January 31, 2009 from 58.0% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. The
Company’s gross margins have been positively affected by retail pricing
efficiencies, as well as a lower volume and percentage of wholesale sales, which
for the most part related to cash sales of repossessed vehicles at break-even,
offset by higher purchase prices for vehicles compared to the prior year period.
The Company’s selling prices are based upon the cost of the vehicle purchased,
with lower-priced vehicles generally having higher gross margin percentages.
Discretionary adjustments to the Company’s retail pricing guide, within a range,
can and are routinely made by lot managers.
Selling,
general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 18.8% for the
nine months ended January 31, 2009, a decrease of .8% 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 increase
related primarily to higher payroll costs during the fiscal 2009 period. The
overall dollar increase included costs incurred to strengthen controls and
improve efficiencies in the corporate infrastructure, incremental costs
associated with new lots opened recently, and costs related to increased sales
volumes and profitability at existing locations. Also, approximately $1.6
million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense was recorded during the
fiscal 2009 period compared to $1 million for the prior year
period.
Provision
for credit losses as a percentage of sales decreased 1.0% to 21.8% for the nine
months ended January 31, 2009 from 22.8% in the same period of the prior fiscal
year. Credit losses were lower due to several factors and included lower losses
experienced in most of the dealerships as the Company saw stronger performance
within its portfolio. Additionally, prior year credit losses were slightly
higher due to weaker portfolio performance in the prior year period.
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,
unemployment levels, higher food costs, general inflation and personal
discretionary spending levels affecting customers have a negative impact on
collection results. The Company intends to continue to increase the focus
of store management on credit quality, underwriting and collections at all
stores, while maintaining proper focus on sales. At January 31, 2009, 4.5% of
the Company’s finance receivables balances were over 30 days past due, compared
to 3.7% at January 31, 2008.
16
The
Wichita, Kansas dealership was closed at the end of January 2008 resulting in a
pre-tax charge of $373,000 for the quarter ended January 31,
2008. The charge consisted of a loss on the sale of accounts to a
third party, lease buyout costs and the loss on abandonment of leasehold
improvements.
Interest
expense (excluding the non-cash charge related to the change in fair value of
the Agreement as a percentage of sales decreased .3% to 1.0% for the
nine months ended January 31, 2009 from 1.3% for the same period of the prior
fiscal year. The decrease was attributable to lower average interest
rates during the nine months ended January 31, 2009 offset by an increase in
average borrowings ($40.4 million compared to $37.5 million in the prior
year). The decrease in interest rates is attributable to decreases 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.
The
Company has an interest rate swap agreement which is not designated as a hedge
by Company management; therefore, the gain (loss) of the Agreement is reported
as a component of interest expense in earnings. The non-cash charge related to
the Agreement was caused by a number of factors, including changes in interest
rates, amount of notional debt outstanding, and number of months until maturity.
Since the Company intends to hold the interest rate swap until maturity (May
2013), the charge, which resulted from a change in fair value, will reverse by
the maturity date.
The net
loss for the Agreement reported in earnings as interest expense is $1.6 million
for the nine months ended January 31, 2009. The fair value of the
Agreement is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at
January 31, 2009 at $1.6 million. The interest on the credit
facilities, the net settlements under the interest rate swap, and the changes in
the fair value of the Agreement, are all reflected in interest
expense. Notwithstanding the Company’s intention to hold the swap
until maturity, pursuant to SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” changes in
fair value will continue to be recognized quarterly as non-cash charges or
gains, as the case may be.
Financial
Condition
The
following table sets forth the major balance sheet accounts of the Company as of
the dates specified (in thousands):
January 31,
|
April
30,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||
Finance
receivables, net
|
$ | 180,343 | $ | 163,344 | ||||
Inventory
|
15,788 | 13,532 | ||||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
19,061 | 18,140 | ||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
13,573 | 14,934 | ||||||
Debt
facilities
|
36,197 | 40,337 |
Historically,
finance receivables have grown slightly faster than revenues. This has been due,
to a large extent, to an increase in average term necessitated by increases in
the average retail sales price. In fiscal 2008, revenues increased 14.3% and
finance receivables increased 16.5%. After subtracting deferred revenue
associated with the payment protection plan product, finance receivables
increased 14% during fiscal 2008. The average term for installment sales
contracts at January 31, 2009 was relatively flat as compared to January 31,
2008 (27.45 months vs. 27.23 months). It is anticipated that the experience of
finance receivables growing slightly faster than revenues on a full year basis
will again be the trend in the future due, in part, to the significant decrease
in interest rates charged to Arkansas customers throughout fiscal 2009, which
will have the effect of decreasing interest income as a percentage of finance
receivables. Weighted average months to maturity for the portfolio of finance
receivables was 19.4 months at January 31, 2009, compared to 18.9 months at
January 31, 2008.
In the
first nine months of fiscal 2009, inventory increased by 17% to support
continued sales growth. The Company has increased the level of
inventory it carries at many of its stores to facilitate sales growth and meet
competitive demands.
Property
and equipment, net increased $.9 million during the nine months ended January
31, 2009 as the Company completed improvements and/or relocations for existing
properties and opened a new location in Decatur, Alabama.
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities decreased $1.4 million during the nine months
ended January 31, 2009. The decrease was largely due to a decrease in
cash overdrafts and accrued compensation costs offset by the increase in the
fair value of the Agreement. Cash overdraft fluctuates based upon the day of the
week and the level of checks that are outstanding at any point in time. The
timing of payment for vehicle purchases is primarily tied to the date on which
the seller presents a title for the purchased vehicle. Deferred payment
protection plan revenues were $7.1 million at January 31, 2009 and $4.6 million
at April 30, 2008. This product was introduced in May 2007.
17
Deferred
income taxes increased $4.2 million due to the growth in finance receivables as
well as a change in the pricing of those receivables when sold to the Company’s
related finance company. The pricing change was made to reflect fair market
value of the underlying receivables. The income taxes receivable decreased
primarily as a result of an income tax refund received in September 2008 related
to taxes paid in prior years.
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, (iv) stock repurchases, and (v) income tax payments.
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):
Nine
Months Ended January 31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Operating
activities:
|
||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 12,788 | $ | 8,985 | ||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
43,878 | 40,948 | ||||||
Principal
lost on claims for payment protection plan
|
2,818 | 944 | ||||||
Share
based compensation
|
1,639 | 1,004 | ||||||
Finance
receivable originations
|
(188,497 | ) | (166,886 | ) | ||||
Finance
receivable collections
|
108,748 | 93,932 | ||||||
Inventory
|
13,805 | 14,261 | ||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
(364 | ) | 2,622 | |||||
Deferred
payment protection plan revenue
|
2,478 | 4,114 | ||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
5,077 | (3,835 | ) | |||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
4,153 | 4,614 | ||||||
Other
|
1,376 | 814 | ||||||
Total
|
7,899 | 1,517 | ||||||
Investing
activities:
|
||||||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(1,994 | ) | (2,028 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from sale of property and equipment
|
63 | 112 | ||||||
Proceeds
from sale of finance receivables related to location
closure
|
1 | 343 | ||||||
Total
|
(1,930 | ) | (1,573 | ) | ||||
Financing
activities:
|
||||||||
Debt
facilities, net
|
(4,140 | ) | (333 | ) | ||||
Change
in cash overdrafts
|
(2,556 | ) | 2,157 | |||||
Purchase
of common stock
|
- | (2,230 | ) | |||||
Exercise
of stock options and related tax benefits
|
754 | 282 | ||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
152 | 106 | ||||||
Total
|
(5,790 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||
Increase
(decrease) in Cash
|
$ | 179 | $ | (74 | ) |
The
Company’s primary source of cash flow is net income from operations and finance
receivables collections. Most or all of this cash is used to fund finance
receivables growth, stock repurchases and additions to property, plant and
equipment. Historically, to the extent these uses of cash exceed net
income from operations, generally the Company increases borrowings under its
credit facilities.
In
general, in order to preserve capital and maintain flexibility, the Company
prefers to lease the majority of the properties where its stores are located.
As of January 31, 2009, the Company leased approximately 75% of its store
properties. The Company expects to continue to lease; 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 $61.5 million and
consist of a combined $51.5 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 January 31,
2008), and (ii) dividends equal to 75% of Car-Mart of Arkansas’ net income. At
January 31, 2009, the Company’s assets (excluding its $140 million equity
investment in Car-Mart) consisted of $4,000 in cash, $3.3 million in other net
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 all loan covenants at January 31,
2009.
18
At
January 31, 2009, the Company had $332,000 of cash on hand and an additional
$24.4 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 $2.5 million to
$3 million in the next 12 months in connection with refurbishing existing stores
and the addition of a limited number of new stores. In addition, from time to
time the Company may use cash to repurchase its common stock. During the nine
months ended January 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 186,967 shares of its
common stock for $2.2 million.
On
December 12, 2008, the Company amended its revolving credit facilities. The
amendments had the effect of increasing the total commitment by $1.5 million (to
$51.5 million), extending the due date to April 30, 2010 and establishing an
interest rate floor of 4.25%. In addition to the revolving credit facilities,
the Company has a $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 7.33%. The principal balance on the term loan was $8.1 million at
January 31, 2009. The combined total for the Company’s revolving
credit facilities and term loan is $61.5 million.
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
less .25% provided that interest shall not at any time be less than 4.25% per
annum. The effective rate at January 31, 2009 was 4.25% and was at the bank’s
prime lending rate at January 31, 2008 (6.0%). 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 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 January 31, 2009, Car-Mart could have drawn
an additional $24.4 million under its facilities.
The
Company also has a $1.1 million term loan secured by the corporate
aircraft. The term loan is payable over 15 years and has a fixed
interest rate of 5.79%.
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
Other
than the amendment to the revolving credit facilities on December 12, 2008,
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, 2008 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. The Internal Revenue Service is currently
auditing the 2007 income tax return for Colonial and the 2008 income tax return
for Car-Mart of Arkansas.
19
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 significant 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, management believes that appropriate consideration
has been given to all relevant factors and reasonable assumptions have been made
in determining the allowance for credit losses.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Occasionally,
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 its consolidated financial statements upon
adoption.
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” (“SFAS 159.”) 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.
SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
In March
2008, the FASB issued Statement 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). Due to the use and complexity
of derivative instruments, there were concerns regarding the existing disclosure
requirements in FASB 133. Accordingly, this statement requires
enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging
activities. Entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures
about (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative
instruments and related hedging items are accounted for under FASB 133 and its
related interpretations, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related
hedging items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows. This statement is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The
Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS 161 will have a material impact on
the Company’s financial statements.
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. However, tax refund anticipation sales, which now begin in
November, have had the effect of increasing sales during the Company’s third
fiscal quarter. 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 receivables credit
losses. As a percentage of sales, the Company’s first and fourth
fiscal quarters tend to have lower credit losses, while its second and third
fiscal quarters tend to have higher credit losses.
20
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 but has entered into an interest rate swap agreement 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
fixed and variable rate notes payable. The Company’s finance
receivables generally bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.5% 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 fluctuate 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 (.5% at January 31, 2009) plus 5.0%. At
January 31, 2009, the weighted average interest rate for Arkansas customers was
7.4%. 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 January 31, 2009, approximately 54% 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 ($229.3 million) and variable
interest rate borrowings ($7.6 million), and the percentage of Arkansas
originated finance receivables (54%), 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
|
977
|
2,042
|
||
+100
basis points
|
489
|
1,021
|
||
-
100 basis points
|
(489)
|
(1,021)
|
||
-
200 basis points
|
(977)
|
(2,042)
|
A similar
calculation and table was prepared at April 30, 2008 and October 31,
2008. The calculation and table was comparable with the information
provided above. It should be noted that if the federal primary credit rate
remains at .5%, or lower, there will be a point in future quarters where the
full impact of estimated hypothetical decreases in interest rates will no longer
be appropriate, as management does not expect the primary credit rate to fall
below 0%.
21
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
|
a)
|
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and
Procedures
|
The
Company 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 its
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 (January 31,
2009). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and
the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s 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 the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Item
4T.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
Not
applicable.
Part
II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
Given the
recent developments in the global economy, the risk factors set forth below have
been added or updated to provide additional information. These risk
factors should be read in conjunction with the other risk factors disclosed in
Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30,
2008.
The
severe downturn in recent global economic and market conditions could have
adverse consequences for the used automotive industry in the future and may have
greater consequences for the non-prime segment of the industry.
In the
normal course of business, the used automotive retail industry is subject to
changes in regional U.S. economic conditions, including, but not limited to,
interest rates, gasoline prices, inflation, personal discretionary spending
levels, and consumer sentiment about the economy in general. The
recent severe downturn and disruptions in global economic and market conditions
could adversely affect consumer demand and/or increase costs, resulting in lower
profitability for the Company. Due to the Company’s focus on
non-prime borrowers, its actual rate of delinquencies, repossessions and credit
losses on loans could be higher under adverse economic conditions than those
experienced in the automotive retail finance industry in general. We
are unable to predict with certainty the future impact which the most recent
global economic conditions will have on consumer demand in our markets or
costs.
The
recent volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, and adverse
changes in the global economy, could have a negative impact on our ability to
access the credit markets in the future and/or obtain credit on favorable
terms.
Recently,
the capital and credit markets have become increasingly tight as a result of
adverse economic conditions that have caused the failure and near failure of a
number of large financial services companies. While currently these
conditions have not impaired our ability to access credit markets and finance
our operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be a further
deterioration in the financial markets. If the capital and credit
markets continue to experience crises and the availability of funds remains low,
it is possible that our ability to access the capital and credit markets may be
limited or available on less favorable terms at a time when we would like, or
need, to do so, which could have an impact on our ability to refinance maturing
debt or react to changing economic and business conditions. In
addition, if current global economic conditions persist for an extended period
of time or worsen substantially, our business may suffer in a manner which could
cause us to fail to satisfy the financial and other restrictive covenants to
which we are subject under our credit facilities.
22
A decrease in market
interest rates will likely have an adverse effect on the Company’s
profitability.
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. The Company’s finance
receivables generally bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.5% to 19%,
while its revolving notes payable contain variable interest rates that fluctuate
with market interest rates. However, interest rates charged on
finance receivables originated in the State of Arkansas are limited to the
federal primary credit rate (currently .5%) plus 5%. The rate charged
to Arkansas customers was 11.25% in August 2007. 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 January 31, 2009, approximately 54% 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 will generally have a negative
effect on the profitability of the Company 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.
23
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
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated December 4, 2007, incorporated by
reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended October 31, 2007, exhibit 3.2.
|
|
4.1
|
Seventh
Amendment to Amended and Restated Agented Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated December 15, 2008, among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., as borrower,
Bank of Arkansas, N.A., Arvest Bank, First State Bank of Northwest
Arkansas, Enterprise Bank and Trust, Citizen’s Bank and Trust Company, and
Commerce Bank, N.A., as lender, incorporated by reference from the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.2
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. and Bank of
Arkansas, N.A., as lender, incorporated by reference from the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.3
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. and
Commerce Bank, N.A., as lender, incorporated by reference from the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.4
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. and
Enterprise Bank and Trust, as lender, incorporated by reference from the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.5
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. and First
State Bank of Northwest Arkansas, as lender, incorporated by reference
from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.6
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. and Arvest
Bank, as lender, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.7
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. and
Citizens Bank and Trust Company, as lender, incorporated by reference from
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on December 15, 2008.
|
|
4.8
|
Sixth
Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated December 15, 2008, among
America’s Car-Mart Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart,
Inc., as borrowers, and Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., as lender, incorporated by
reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15,
2008.
|
|
4.9
|
Promissory
Note dated December 15, 2008 among America’s Car-Mart Inc., an Arkansas
corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., as borrowers, and Bank of Oklahoma,
N.A., as lender, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 15, 2008.
|
|
*
4.10
|
Eighth
Amendment to Amended and Restated Agented Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated February 28, 2009, among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., as borrower,
Bank of Arkansas, N.A., First State Bank of Northwest Arkansas, Enterprise
Bank and Trust, Arvest Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust Company, and Commerce
Bank, N.A., as lender.
|
|
*
31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
|
*
31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
|
*
32.1
|
Section
1350 certification.
|
|
*
Filed herewith.
|
24
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\ William H. Henderson
|
|
William
H. Henderson
|
||
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:
March 9, 2009
|
25
Exhibit
Index
Eighth
Amendment to Amended and Restated Agented Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated February 28, 2009, among Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., as borrower,
Bank of Arkansas, N.A., First State Bank of Northwest Arkansas, Enterprise
Bank and Trust, Arvest Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust Company, and Commerce
Bank, N.A., as lender.
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
Rule
13a-14(a) certification.
|
Section
1350 certification.
|
26