BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY INC - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

  Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015

OR

For the Transition Period from                                to                                 

Commission File Number 000-50924 

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

505 Huntmar Park Drive, Suite 300, Herndon, VA 20170

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(571) 323-3939

(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 and 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  x  No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No ¨

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. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨  No x

As of May 1, 2015, 49,623,825 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant were outstanding.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share amounts)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited; in thousands)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited; in thousands)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited; dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (the “Company”) prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As permitted under those rules, certain footnotes or other financial information have been condensed or omitted. The balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 has been presented for a better understanding of the impact of seasonal fluctuations on the Company's financial condition.

In management's opinion, the financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments that are considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's financial position and operating results. The results for the three-month period (second quarter) ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the twelve months ending September 30, 2015 (fiscal year 2015 or “2015”).

The Company’s inventories are primarily comprised of finished goods valued at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value). Cost is determined using the moving weighted-average cost method.

The six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 each had 125 business days, while the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 each had 63 business days.

These interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company’s fiscal year 2014 (“2014”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014, collectively referred to as the “2014 Annual Report.” 

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents then outstanding using the treasury stock method. Common equivalent shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards.

The following table presents the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for each period presented:

The following table includes the number of shares that may be dilutive common shares in the future. These shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was either antidilutive or the performance condition was not met.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited; dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The following table presents the activity included in stockholders’ equity during the six months ended March 31, 2015:

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of adjustments related to the translation of foreign currencies and fair value adjustments associated with cash flow hedges. The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), by component, during the six months ended March 31, 2015:

There were no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the six months ended March 31, 2015.

On February 12, 2014, the shareholders of the Company approved the Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2014 Stock Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan provides for discretionary awards of stock options, stock, stock units and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) for up to 5,100,000 shares of common stock to selected employees and non-employee directors. As of March 31, 2015, there were 3,417,989 shares of common stock available for awards under the 2014 Plan, subject to increase for shares that are forfeited or expire, or are used for tax withholding on stock awards and stock unit awards under the 2004 Plan (defined below) and the 2014 Plan.

In addition to the 2014 Plan, the Company also maintains the amended and restated Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan (the “2004 Plan”). Upon shareholder approval of the 2014 Plan, the Company ceased issuing equity awards from the pre-existing 2004 Plan and all future equity awards will be issued from the 2014 Plan.

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the fair value of those awards at the date of the grant. Compensation expense for time-based equity awards is recognized, on a straight-line basis, net of forfeitures, over the requisite service period for the fair value of the awards that actually vest. Compensation expense for performance-based equity awards is recognized, net of forfeitures, by projecting the number of restricted units that are expected to vest based on the achievement of the underlying related performance measures.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited; dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

For all equity awards granted prior to October 1, 2014, in the event of a change in control of the Company, all awards are immediately vested. Beginning in fiscal 2015, equity awards contain a “double trigger” change in control mechanism. Unless an award is continued or assumed by a public company in an equitable manner, an award shall become fully vested immediately prior to a change in control (at 100% in the case of a performance-based restricted stock award). If an award is so continued or assumed, vesting will continue in accordance with the terms of the award, unless there is a qualifying termination within one-year following the change in control, in which event the award shall become fully vested immediately (at 100% in the case of a performance-based restricted stock award).

Stock options

Non-qualified options generally expire 10 years after the grant date and, except under certain conditions, the options are subject to continued employment and vest in one-third increments over a three-year period following the grant dates. During the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to stock option awards of $3.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, there was $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.82 years.

The following table illustrates the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes pricing model for options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2015:

Expected lives of the options granted are based primarily on historical activity, while expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s stock and consideration of public companies’ stock. Estimated forfeiture rates vary by grant and range up to 8.86% as of March 31, 2015.

Information regarding the Company’s stock options is summarized below:

Restricted stock awards

During the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $1.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, there was $8.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.73 years.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited; dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The total fair values of the restricted stock awards were determined based upon the number of shares or units and the closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the dates of the grants. The restricted stock awards granted to management are subject to continued employment, except under certain conditions, and will vest if the Company attains a targeted rate of return on invested capital at the end of a three-year period. The actual number of shares or units that will vest can range from 0% to 125% of the management grants depending upon actual Company performance below or above the target level and the Company estimates that performance in determining the projected number of shares or units that will vest and the related compensation cost. The restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors are also subject to continued service, vest at the end of one year (except under certain conditions) and the underlying common shares will not be distributed until six months after the director separates from the Company. Beginning in 2014, the six month period was eliminated and shares will be delivered within ten days after termination of service on the board. In November 2014 and 2013, the Company also issued restricted stock awards that are subject to continued employment and will vest over three to five years.

Information regarding the Company’s restricted shares and units is summarized below:

In October 2014, the Company acquired six branches from the following two acquisitions:

The Company preliminarily recorded the acquired assets and liabilities at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with resulting goodwill of $24.2 million (which is not deductible for tax purposes) and $28.8 million in intangible assets associated with these acquisitions.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited; dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Financing arrangements consisted of the following:

Financial Derivatives

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure related to fluctuating cash flows from changes in interest rates. Use of derivative financial instruments in hedging programs subjects the Company to certain risks, such as market and credit risks. Market risk represents the possibility that the value of the derivative instrument will change. In a hedging relationship, the change in the value of the derivative is offset to a great extent by the change in the value of the underlying hedged item. Credit risk related to derivatives represents the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill the terms of the contract. The notional, or contractual, amount of the Company's derivative financial instruments is used to measure interest to be paid or received and does not represent the Company's exposure due to credit risk. The Company's current derivative instruments are with large financial counterparties rated highly by nationally recognized credit rating agencies.

The Company uses interest rate derivative instruments to manage the risk related to fluctuating cash flows from interest rate changes by converting a portion of its variable-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings. On March 28, 2013, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $213.8 million which expires on March 31, 2017. This agreement swaps the thirty-day LIBOR to a fixed-rate of 1.38%. The instrument has scheduled reductions of the notional amount equal to $2.8 million per quarter, effectively matching the repayment schedule under the Term Loan. As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate swap has a notional amount of $191.3 million.

For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the Company records the effective portions of changes in their fair value, net of taxes, in other comprehensive income. The effectiveness of the hedges is periodically assessed by the Company during the lives of the hedges by 1) comparing the current terms of the hedges with the related hedged debt to assure they continue to coincide and 2) through an evaluation of the ability of the counterparties to the hedges to honor their obligations under the hedges. Any ineffective portions of the hedges are recognized in earnings through interest expense, financing costs and other.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited; dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The Company records any differences paid or received on its interest rate hedges as adjustments to interest expense. The table below presents the combined fair values of the interest rate derivative instruments:

The fair values of the interest rate hedges were determined through the use of pricing models, which utilize verifiable inputs such as market interest rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals (generally referred to as the “LIBOR Curve”) for the full terms of the hedge agreements. These values reflect a Level 2 measurement under the applicable fair value hierarchy.

The table below presents the amounts of gain (loss) on the interest rate derivative instruments recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI):

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts related to non-designated interest rate derivative instruments which were recognized in interest expense, financing costs and other.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also include unsettled credit card transactions. Cash equivalents have been comprised of money market funds, which invest primarily in commercial paper or bonds with a rating of A-1 or better, and bank certificates of deposit. The carrying values of the cash equivalents for the periods presented equaled the fair values, which were determined under Level 1 of the Fair Value Hierarchy.

Foreign (Canadian) net revenue totaled $20.5 million and $18.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $66.1 million and $60.0 million during the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

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

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “2015” refer to the three months (second quarter) ended March 31, 2015 of our fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and all references to “2014” refer to the three months (second quarter) ended March 31, 2014 of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. Certain tabular information may not foot due to rounding and certain reclassifications are made to prior year sales by product line to conform to the current year presentation.

Overview

Founded in 1928, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (NASDAQ: BECN) is the largest publicly traded distributor of residential and commercial roofing materials and complementary building products, including siding, windows, specialty lumber products, and waterproofing systems for residential and non-residential building exteriors. We purchase products from a large number of manufacturers and then distribute these goods to a customer base consisting of contractors and, to a lesser extent, general contractors, retailers, and building materials suppliers.

As of March 31, 2015, we operated 270 branches throughout 42 states in the United States and six provinces in Canada. We stock one of the most extensive assortments of high-quality, branded products in the industry with approximately 11,000 SKUs available in inventory, enabling us to deliver products to our customer on a timely basis. In fiscal year 2014, approximately 92% of our net sales were in the United States.

Execution of the operating plan at each of our branches drives our financial results. Revenues are impacted by the relative strength of the residential and non-residential roofing markets we serve. We allow each of our branches to develop its own marketing plan and mix of products based upon its local market. We differentiate ourselves from the competition by providing customer services, including job site delivery, tapered insulation layouts and design and metal fabrication, and by providing credit. We consider customer relations and our employees' knowledge of roofing and exterior building materials to be very important to our ability to increase customer loyalty and maintain customer satisfaction. We invest significant resources in training our employees in sales techniques, management skills and product knowledge. Although we consider these attributes important drivers of our business, we continually pay close attention to controlling operating costs.

Our growth strategy includes both internal growth (opening branches, growing sales with existing customers, adding new customers and introducing new products) and acquisition growth. Our main acquisition strategy is to target market leaders in geographic areas that we do not service or that complement our existing operations in an area. The following transactions highlight our recent success delivering on our growth strategy:

Applicators Sales & Service is a distributor of residential roofing, siding, windows and related accessories with four locations in Maine and one location in New Hampshire. This acquisition complemented an existing market in which we previously had operations, allowing us to capture more of the localized market share. In addition, Applicators provides us with a high mix of complementary products.

Wholesale Roofing Supply is a distributor of residential roofing products and related accessories with a nine-acre facility located in Grand Prairie, Texas. This acquisition complemented an existing market in which we previously had operations, allowing us to capture more of the localized market share. 

In August 2014, we acquired All Weather Products, a distributor of residential and commercial roofing products and related accessories, with three locations in the western province of British Columbia, Canada. This acquisition complemented an existing market in which we previously had operations, allowing us to capture more of the localized market share.

Results of Operations

The following discussion compares our results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, information derived from our consolidated statements of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods presented. Percentages may not foot due to rounding.

In managing our business, we consider all growth, including the opening of new branches, to be internal (organic) growth unless it results from an acquisition. When we refer to growth in existing markets or internal growth, we include growth from existing and newly opened branches but exclude growth from acquired branches until they have been under our ownership for at least four full fiscal quarters at the start of the fiscal reporting period. When we refer to regions, we are referring to our geographic regions. At March 31, 2015, we had a total of 270 branches in operation. Our existing market calculations for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 include 262 branches. Our existing market calculations for YTD 2015 include 262 branches and exclude 8 branches because they were acquired after the start of last year. Acquired markets for YTD 2015 include activity from branches acquired under the All Weather Products, Applicators Sales & Service and Wholesale Roofing Supply acquisitions (See Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). When we refer to our net product costs, we are referring to our invoice cost, less the impact of short-term buying programs (also referred to as “special buys” given the manner in which they are offered).

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (“2015”) Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (“2014”)

The following table presents a summary of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, broken down by existing markets and acquired markets.

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales increased $28.3 million, or nearly 7.4%, to $413.2 million in 2015 from $384.9 million in 2014. Existing market sales increased $16.8 million, or 4.4%. Net sales within our acquired markets were $11.5 million in 2015 due to the sales impact from the two acquisitions in October 2014 and the acquisition during the fourth quarter of our 2014 fiscal year. There were 63 business days during both of the second quarters of 2015 and 2014. We believe our 2015 existing market sales were influenced primarily by the following factors:

partially offset by:

In 2015, we acquired six branches (See Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), opened four greenfield branches and closed four branches. In 2015, we have estimated the impact of inflation or deflation on our sales and gross profit by looking at changes in our average selling prices and gross margins (discussed below). Average overall selling prices remained relatively flat at less than 1% decline during the second quarter of 2015, compared to the second quarter of 2014, driven primarily by declines in residential selling prices which were down approximately 2% to 3%, year over year. These declines were partially offset by continued increases in the average selling prices of complementary products which increased approximately 2% to 3%, year over year. Commercial (non-residential) selling prices remained relatively flat (less than 1% movement). During the same period, average overall product costs remained relatively flat at less than 1% decrease. Net product costs for commercial (non-residential) products remained relatively flat (less than 1% movement), net product costs for complementary products increased approximately 1% to 2%, and residential net product costs decreased approximately 2% to 3%, year over year. Overall, gross margins in second quarter 2015 improved over prior year driven by improved gross margin in our complementary products group, combined favorable shift in sales mix to higher-margin residential and complementary products.

Existing markets net sales by geographical region increased (decreased) as follows: Northeast (3.2%); Mid-Atlantic 3.9%; Southeast (10.0%); Southwest (11.2%); Midwest 27.7%; West 30.2%; and Canada 8.5%. These variations were primarily caused by short-term factors such as local market conditions, weather conditions and storm activity.

Product group sales for our existing markets were as follows:

For 2015, our acquired markets recognized sales of $7.3 million, $0.6 million and $3.6 million in residential roofing products, non-residential roofing products and complementary building products, respectively. Due to the timing of our acquisitions in 2014, there was no acquired market activity for the prior year comparative period. The 2015 existing market sales of $401.7 million, plus the sales from acquired markets of $11.5 million, agrees to our reported total 2015 sales of $413.2 million. We believe the existing market information is useful to investors because it helps explain organic growth or decline.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for consolidated and existing markets were as follows:

Our existing market gross profit increased $6.6 million, or 7.6% in 2015, while gross profit within our acquired markets was $3.4 million in 2015. Our overall gross margins improved to 23.4% in 2015, due to improved gross margins within our complementary products group and a favorable shift in sales mix to residential and complementary product sales, which was able to offset the year over year declines in residential selling prices. Gross margins within our existing markets for 2015 also improved to 23.2%, from 22.6% in 2014.

Direct sales (products shipped by our vendors directly to our customers), which typically have substantially lower gross margins (and operating expenses) compared to our warehouse sales, represented 18.4% and 21.4% of our net sales in 2015 and 2014, respectively. We believe variations in direct sales activity to be primarily caused by short-term factors such as local market conditions, weather conditions and storm activity. None of these variations were driven by material regional impacts from changes in the direct sales mix of our geographical regions.

Operating Expense

Operating expense for consolidated and existing markets were as follows:

Operating expense in our existing market increased by $1.5 million, or 1.5% in 2015, to $105.5 million, as compared to $104.0 million in 2014, while operating expense within our acquired markets was $5.4 million in 2015. The following factors were the leading causes of the increased operating expense in our existing markets:

partially offset by:

During the second quarter of 2015 and 2014, we recorded $3.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of expense within our existing markets related to the amortization of intangible assets recorded under purchase accounting. Our existing markets operating expense, as a percentage of the related net sales in 2015 was 26.3%, compared to 27.0% in 2014.

Interest Expense, Financing Costs and Other

Interest expense, financing costs and other was $2.5 million in both 2015 and 2014. We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure related to fluctuating cash flows from changes in interest rates. The impact of our interest rate derivative was to increase our interest expense, financing costs and other by $0.6 million in both 2015 and 2014.

Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 (“YTD 2015”) Compared to the Six Months Ended March 31, 2014 (“YTD 2014”)

The following table presents a summary of our results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, broken down by existing markets and acquired markets.

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales increased $72.2 million, or 7.7%, to $1,009.2 million in YTD 2015 from $937.0 million in YTD 2014. Existing market sales increased $41.1 million, or 4.4%. Net sales within our acquired markets were $31.1 million in YTD 2015 due to the sales impact from the two acquisitions in October 2014 and the acquisition during the fourth quarter of our 2014 fiscal year. There were 125 business days during the first half of 2015 and 2014. We believe our 2015 existing market sales were influenced primarily by the following factors:

partially offset by:

We estimate the impact of inflation or deflation on our sales and gross profit by looking at changes in our average selling prices and gross margins (discussed below). Average overall selling prices declined approximately 1% in YTD 2015, compared to the YTD 2014, driven primarily by declines in residential selling prices which were down by approximately 2% to 3%, year over year. These declines were partially offset by continued increases in the average selling prices of complementary products which increased approximately 1% to 2%, year over year. Commercial (non-residential) selling prices remained relatively flat (less than 1% movement). During the same period, average overall product costs decreased by approximately 1% to 2%. Net product costs of our residential roofing products decreased approximately 2% to 3%, commercial (non-residential) product costs remained relatively flat (less than 1% movement), and complementary net product costs increased approximately 1% to 2%. Overall gross margins increased in YTD 2015 due to a favorable shift in sales mix to higher-margin residential and complementary products.

Existing year-over-year market net sales, by geographical region, increased (decreased) as follows: Northeast 7.0%; Mid-Atlantic 4.6%; Southeast (6.8%); Southwest (9.6%); Midwest 18.8%; West 11.7%; and Canada 7.4%. These variations were primarily caused by short-term factors such as local market conditions, weather conditions and storm activity.

Product group sales for our existing markets for the year-to-date period ended were as follows:

In YTD 2015, our acquired markets recognized sales of $17.0 million, $1.6 million, and $12.5 million in residential roofing products, commercial (non-residential) roofing products and complementary building products, respectively. Due to the timing of our acquisitions in 2014, there was no acquired market activity for the prior year comparative period. The YTD 2015 existing market sales of $978.1 million, plus the sales from acquired markets of $31.1 million, agrees to our reported total YTD 2015 sales of $1,009.2 million. We believe the existing market information is useful to investors because it helps explain organic growth or decline.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for consolidated and existing markets for the year-to-date period were as follows:

Our existing market gross profit increased $12.0 million, or 5.6%, in YTD 2015, while gross profit within our acquired markets was $8.6 million in YTD 2015. Our overall and existing market gross margins increased in YTD 2015 to 23.2% and 23.1%, respectively, from 22.8% and 22.8%, respectively, in YTD 2014. The increased overall gross margins in YTD 2015 were due primarily to pricing increases across our complementary products as a result of increased demand and the impact of our acquisitions during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, combined with a favorable shift in our sales mix during YTD 2015 towards residential and complementary products, which generally have higher gross margins than our commercial (non-residential) products.

Direct sales (products shipped by our vendors directly to our customers), which typically have substantially lower gross margins (and operating expenses) compared to our warehouse sales, represented 16.2% and 19.7% of our net sales during YTD 2015 and YTD 2014, respectively. This decrease in the percentage of direct sales was primarily attributable to the lower mix of commercial (non-residential) roofing product sales, as well as roofing sales to lumber yards and other building material suppliers which are more commonly facilitated by direct shipment. There were no material regional impacts from changes in the direct sales mix of our geographical regions.

Operating Expense

Operating expense for consolidated and existing markets for the year-to-date period were as follows:

In YTD 2015, operating expenses in our existing markets increased by $10.2 million, or 5.0%, to $214.0 million, as compared to $203.8 million in YTD 2014, while operating expense within our acquired markets was $10.7 million in YTD 2015. The following factors were the leading causes of the increased operating expenses in our existing markets:

 partially offset by:

During YTD 2015 and YTD 2014, we recorded $6.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively, of expense within our existing markets related to the amortization of intangible assets recorded under purchase accounting. Our existing market operating expenses as a percentage of the related net sales in YTD 2015 was 21.9%, compared to 21.8% in YTD 2014, primarily due to the continued greenfield activity over the past 18 months and the associated start-up costs.

Interest Expense, Financing Costs and Other

Interest expense, financing costs and other was $5.2 million in both YTD 2015 and YTD 2014. The impact of our interest rate derivative was to increase our interest expense, financing costs and other by $1.2 million in YTD 2015 and $1.3 million in YTD 2014.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $1.3 million in YTD 2015, compared to $1.8 million in YTD 2014. The decrease was due to a reduction in our effective tax rate of 39.0% in 2015, compared to 39.3% in 2014. We currently expect our annual tax rate for fiscal 2015 to be approximately 39%.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

In general, sales and net income are highest during our first, third and fourth fiscal quarters, which represent the peak months of construction and re-roofing, especially in our branches in the northern and mid-western U.S. and in Canada. We have historically incurred low net income levels or net losses during the second quarter when our sales are substantially lower.

We generally experience an increase in inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable during the third and fourth quarters of the year as a result of the seasonality of our business. Our peak cash usage generally occurs during the third quarter, primarily because accounts payable terms offered by our suppliers typically have due dates in April, May and June, while our peak accounts receivable collections typically occur from June through November.

We generally experience a slowing of our accounts receivable collections during our second quarter, mainly due to the inability of some of our customers to conduct their businesses effectively in inclement weather in certain of our divisions. We continue to attempt to collect those receivables, which require payment under our standard terms. We do not provide material concessions to our customers during this quarter of the year.

Our vendors are also affected by the seasonality in the industry and are more likely to provide seasonal incentives in our second quarter as a result of the lower level of roofing activity. We generally experience our peak working capital needs during the third quarter after we build our inventories following the winter season but before we begin collecting on most of our spring receivables.

Certain Quarterly Financial Data

The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly data for fiscal year 2015 (ending September 30, 2015) and fiscal year 2014 which, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of this data. Results of any one or more quarters are not necessarily indicative of results for an entire fiscal year or of continuing trends. Totals may not total due to rounding.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We had cash and cash equivalents of $23.0 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $54.5 million at September 30, 2014 and $34.0 million at March 31, 2014. Our net working capital was $416.9 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $462.1 million at September 30, 2014 and $409.8 million at March 31, 2014.

2015 Compared to 2014

Our net cash provided by operating activities was $62.5 million in YTD 2015, compared to $36.1 million in YTD 2014. Cash from operations increased $26.4 million, primarily driven by an increase of cash of $23.6 million related to changes in working capital.

Net cash used in investing activities was $74.8 million in YTD 2015, compared to $11.4 million used in YTD 2014. During the first half of 2015, we spent $69.7 million on acquisitions. Capital expenditures were $5.4 million in YTD 2015, compared to $11.8 million in YTD 2014. We currently expect fiscal year 2015 capital expenditures to total between 1.0% to 1.2% of net sales, mostly dependent upon our sales volume and the impact of new branch openings.

Net cash used in financing activities was $18.6 million in YTD 2015, compared to $37.6 million in YTD 2014. Net repayments under the revolving lines of credit were $33.7 million less in YTD 2015, compared to YTD 2014. In YTD 2015, we had net repayments of $2.8 million under the equipment financing facilities, whereas in YTD 2014 we had net borrowings of $8.5 million under the equipment financing facilities. Proceeds from stock option exercises decreased by $2.9 million in YTD 2015 compared to YTD 2014.

Capital Resources

Our principal source of liquidity at March 31, 2015 was our cash and cash equivalents of $23.0 million and our available borrowings of $312.9 million under our revolving lines of credit, which took into account all of the debt covenants under the Credit Facility (see below), including the maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. Borrowings outstanding under the revolving lines of credit in the accompanying balance sheets were classified as short-term debt since there were no current expectations of a minimum level of outstanding revolver borrowings in the following twelve months.

Liquidity is defined as the current amount of readily available cash and the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet the current needs for cash. We assess our liquidity in terms of our cash and cash equivalents on hand and the ability to generate cash to fund our operating activities, taking into consideration the seasonal nature of our business.

Significant factors which could affect future liquidity include the following:

Our primary capital needs are for working capital obligations and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures. Our primary sources of working capital are cash from operations and cash equivalents supplemented by bank borrowings. In the past, we have financed larger acquisitions initially through increased bank borrowings and the issuance of common stock. We then repay any such borrowings with cash flows from operations. We have funded most of our past capital expenditures with cash on hand or through increased bank borrowings, including equipment financing, and then have reduced those obligations with cash flows from operations.

We believe we have adequate current liquidity and availability of capital to fund our present operations, meet our commitments on our existing debt and fund anticipated growth, including expansion in existing and targeted market areas. We seek potential acquisitions from time to time and hold discussions with certain acquisition candidates. If suitable acquisition opportunities or working capital needs arise that would require additional financing, we believe that our financial position and earnings history provide a sufficient base for obtaining additional financing resources at reasonable rates and terms, as we have in the past. We may also issue additional shares of common stock to raise funds, which we last did in December 2005, or we may issue preferred stock.

Indebtedness

We currently have the following credit facilities:

Senior Secured Credit Facility

On April 5, 2012, we entered into a five-year senior secured credit facility that includes a $550 million United States credit facility (individually, the “U.S. Credit Facility”) and a CDN$15 million ($11.8 million) Canadian credit facility (individually, the “Canadian Revolver”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and a syndicate of other lenders (combined, the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”). The $550 million U.S. Credit Facility consists of a revolving credit facility of $325 million (individually, the “U.S. Revolver”), which includes a sub-facility of $20 million for letters of credit, and a $225 million term loan (individually, the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan has required amortization of 5% per year that is payable in quarterly installments, with the balance due on March 31, 2017. The Company may increase the Credit Facility by up to $200 million under certain conditions. There was CDN$5.0 million ($3.9 million) and $191.3 million outstanding under the Canadian Revolver and Term Loan, respectively, at March 31, 2015. There were $4.9 million of outstanding standby letters of credit at March 31, 2015. There were no amounts outstanding under the U.S. Revolver at March 31, 2015.

The Credit Facility provides for borrowings under the Company’s U.S. Revolver and Canadian Revolver at a Base Rate. The Base Rate for borrowings under the U.S. Revolver is defined as the higher of the Prime Rate, or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, plus a margin above that rate. For borrowings made under the Canadian Revolver, the Base Rate is defined as the higher of the Canadian Prime Rate, or the annual rate of interest equal to the sum of the CDOR rate plus 1.00%, plus a margin above that rate. The margin for both base rates is currently 0.75% per annum and can range from 0.50% to 1.50% per annum depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Facility.

Additionally, for Base Rate borrowings made under the U.S. Revolver, the Company may elect an optional interest rate equal to the one (1), two (2), three (3), or six (6) month LIBOR rate, plus a margin above that rate. In connection with this election, the Company is also required to elect an interest period that corresponds with the underlying LIBOR rate that was elected. The margin is currently 1.75% per annum and can range from 1.50% to 2.50% per annum depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Facility.

Current unused commitment fees on the revolving credit facilities are 0.38% per annum. The unused commitment fees can range from 0.35% to 0.50% per annum, again depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.

As of March 31, 2015, outstanding borrowings under the Canadian Revolver carried an interest rate equal to the Canadian Prime rate, plus 0.75% (3.60% at March 31, 2015). Borrowings under the Term Loan carried an interest rate equal to the LIBOR rate, plus 1.75% (1.93% at March 31, 2015).

Financial covenants under the Credit Facility are as follows:

Maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio

On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (the ratio of our outstanding debt to our trailing twelve-month earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation), as more fully defined in the Credit Facility, must not be greater than 3.50:1 or 4.00:1 under a one-time request subsequent to an acquisition. At March 31, 2015, this ratio was 1.68:1.

Minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio

On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (the ratio of our trailing twelve-month earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation to our cash interest expense for the same period), as more fully defined in the Credit Facility, must not be less than 3.00:1. At March 31, 2015, this ratio was 12.68:1.

As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with these covenants. Substantially all of our assets, including the capital stock and assets of wholly-owned subsidiaries, secure obligations under the Credit Facility.

Equipment Financing Facilities

As of March 31, 2015, there was a total of $28.3 million outstanding under our equipment financing facilities, with fixed interest rates ranging from 2.33% to 4.49% and payments due through September 2021. The Company’s prior equipment financing facility matured on October 1, 2014.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Our disclosure and analysis in this report contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements express our current expectations or forecasts of possible future results or events, including projections of future performance, statements of management's plans and objectives, future contracts, and forecasts of trends and other matters. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts and often use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "will likely result," "outlook," "project" and other words and expressions of similar meaning. No assurance can be given that the results in any forward-looking statements will be achieved and actual results could be affected by one or more factors, which could cause them to differ materially. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

Certain factors that may affect our business and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements include those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our market risk disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K have not changed materially for the first six months of fiscal 2015.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2015, management, including the CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act")). Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that as of March 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Based on the most recent evaluation, we have concluded that no significant change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.    Exhibits

+              Management contract or compensatory plan/arrangement

*              Filed herewith

Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, we have attached the following interactive data files formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015; September 30, 2014; and March 31, 2014, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURE

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.

 Date: May 8, 2015