COMFORT SYSTEMS USA INC - Quarter Report: 2011 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

Commission file number: 1-13011

COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 830-9600

        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 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 (Section 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 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 (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

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

        The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock, as of October 31, 2011 was 37,455,699 (excluding treasury shares of 3,667,666).

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)

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

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

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

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)

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

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

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

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

1. Business and Organization

        Comfort Systems USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, provides comprehensive heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") installation, maintenance, repair and replacement services within the mechanical services industry. We operate primarily in the commercial, industrial and institutional HVAC markets and perform most of our services within office buildings, retail centers, apartment complexes, manufacturing plants and healthcare, education and government facilities. In addition to standard HVAC services, we provide specialized applications such as building automation control systems, fire protection, process cooling, electronic monitoring and process piping. Certain locations also perform related activities such as electrical service and plumbing. Approximately 42% of our consolidated 2011 revenue is attributable to installation of systems in newly constructed facilities, with the remaining 58% attributable to maintenance, repair and replacement services. The following service activities account for our consolidated 2011 revenue: HVAC 74%, plumbing 16%, building automation control systems 4% and other 6%. These service activities are within the mechanical services industry which is the single industry segment we serve.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

        These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the historical Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of Comfort Systems included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the "Form 10-K").

        The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were prepared using generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all the footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-K. We believe all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses and disclosures regarding contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates used in our financial statements affect revenue and cost recognition for construction contracts, the allowance for doubtful accounts, self-insurance accruals, deferred tax assets, warranty accruals, fair value accounting for acquisitions and the quantification of fair value for reporting units in connection with our goodwill impairment testing.

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Cash Flow Information

        We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

        Cash paid (in thousands) for:

Income Taxes

        We are subject to income tax in the United States and Puerto Rico and we file a consolidated return for federal income tax purposes. Income taxes are provided for under the liability method, which takes into account differences between financial statement treatment and tax treatment of certain transactions.

        Deferred income taxes are based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The deferred income tax provision represents the change during the reporting period in the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions and dispositions. Deferred tax assets include tax loss and credit carry-forwards and are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

        We regularly evaluate valuation allowances established for deferred tax assets for which future realization is uncertain. We perform this evaluation each quarter. Estimations of required valuation allowances include estimates of future taxable income. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the activity underlying these assets becomes deductible. We consider projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. If actual future taxable income is less than the estimates, we may not realize all or a portion of the recorded deferred tax assets.

        Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. We establish reserves when, despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable, we believe that certain positions may be challenged and potentially disallowed. When facts and circumstances change, we adjust these reserves through our provision for income taxes.

        To the extent interest and penalties may be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts have been accrued and are classified as a component of income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 our tax benefit is $7,479 with an effective tax rate of 16.2% as compared to tax expense of $4,164 with an effective tax rate of 33.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The effective tax rate in the current year was lower than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of a permanent difference related to the portion of the goodwill impairment charge that is not deductible for tax purposes and an increase in valuation allowances related to certain state net operating loss carryforwards. This was partially offset by permanent differences generated by acquisition related fair value adjustments. The effective tax rate in 2010 was lower than the federal statutory rate due to the release of certain valuation allowances during the second quarter of 2010. Tax reserves are analyzed and adjusted quarterly as events occur to warrant such changes. Adjustments to tax reserves are a component of the effective tax rate.

Financial Instruments

        Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, notes to former owners and a revolving credit facility. We believe that the carrying values of these instruments on the accompanying balance sheets approximate their fair values.

Segment Disclosure

        Our activities are within the mechanical services industry which is the single industry segment we serve. Each operating subsidiary represents an operating segment and these segments have been aggregated, as the operating units meet all of the aggregation criteria.

Reclassifications

        Certain reclassifications have been made in prior period financial statements to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications are of a normal and recurring nature and have not resulted in any changes to previously reported net income for any periods.

3. Fair Value Measurements

        We classify and disclose assets and liabilities carried at fair value in one of the following three categories:

•

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;



•

Level 2—observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and



•

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)

        The following table summarizes the fair values and levels within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall for assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011 (in thousands):

        Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of highly rated money market funds at a variety of well-known institutions with original maturities of three months or less. The original cost of these assets approximates fair value due to their short term maturity.

        As of December 31, 2010, our marketable securities consisted of $2.0 million of auction rate securities, which are variable rate debt instruments, having long-term maturities (with final maturities up to June 2032). We sold the entire $2.0 million of these auction rate securities (Level 2) during the first quarter of 2011 at face value.

        The valuation of the Company's contingent earn-out obligations is determined using a probability weighted discounted cash flow method. This fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the purchase agreements (e.g., minimum and maximum payments, length of earn-out periods, manner of calculating any amounts due, etc.) and utilizes assumptions with regard to future cash flows, probabilities of achieving such future cash flows and a discount rate. The contingent earn-out obligations are measured at fair value each reporting period and changes in estimates of fair value are recognized in earnings.

        The table below presents a reconciliation of the fair value of our contingent earn-out obligations that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

        We measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets are recognized at fair value when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $55.1 million as discussed in Note 5 "Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net". We did not recognize any other impairments on those assets required to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

4. Acquisitions

Acquisition of ColonialWebb

        On July 28, 2010, we entered into a stock purchase agreement to purchase all of the issued and outstanding stock of ColonialWebb Contractors Company ("ColonialWebb"). ColonialWebb operates as a comprehensive, single-source construction, service, manufacturing and refrigeration service firm servicing the Mid-Atlantic region. ColonialWebb is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia with seven other locations. The acquisition date fair value of consideration transferred was $110.3 million, of which $49.9 million was allocated to goodwill. See Note 5 "Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net" for discussion of the goodwill impairment of ColonialWebb recorded during the third quarter of 2011.

Other Acquisitions

        We completed one acquisition in the first quarter and one in the third quarter of 2011. There were two acquisitions for the nine months ending September 30, 2010. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in the aggregate, and were "tucked-in" with existing operations. Our consolidated balance sheet includes preliminary allocations of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair value, pending completion of final valuation and purchase price adjustments. The results of operations of acquisitions are included in our consolidated financial statements from their respective acquisition dates. Additional contingent purchase price ("earn-out") has been or will be paid if certain acquisitions achieve predetermined profitability targets.

5. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill

        The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows (in thousands):

        During the third quarter of 2011 and prior to our annual impairment testing on October 1, we concluded that impairment indicators existed at four reporting units serving the Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina markets, including ColonialWebb, based upon year to date results and recent forecasts. Significant declines in year to date revenues and operating margins through the summer months when the demand for new installation and replacement services is generally higher caused us to revise our expectations in our financial models for these reporting units.

        We performed a step one goodwill impairment test for these four reporting units and concluded that the carrying value exceeded the fair value for each of the units tested. Therefore, we commenced the required second step of the assessment for these four reporting units in which the implied fair value of the goodwill is compared to the book value of the goodwill. There is a significant amount of

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

5. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net (Continued)

work required to perform the second step of the impairment assessment and that work has not been completed as of the date of filing these financial statements. Our preliminary assessment is that the book value of each of the reporting units' goodwill exceeded the implied fair value. These reporting units had a total goodwill balance of $75.7 million. Our best estimate of the impairment is a $55.1 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge which we recorded during the third quarter of 2011. Any adjustments to this estimated goodwill impairment charge will be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2011.

        There were no changes in our methodologies for valuing goodwill during the current year. The fair value of each reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow model combined with market valuation approaches. We assigned a weighting of 50% to the discounted cash flow analysis, 50% to the public company approach and 0% to the transaction approach due to the lack of comparable market data. The material assumptions used for the income approach included a weighted average cost of capital of 13% and a long-term growth rate of 2-3%.

        Under the income approach which is weighted 50%, a one percentage point increase in the discount rate and a one percentage point decrease in the long-term growth rate would have decreased the fair value of each of these reporting units ranging from $0.1 million to $1.8 million. Under the public company market approach which has a weighting of 50%, a 10% decrease in the market approach multiples would have decreased the fair value of each of these reporting units by $0.2 million to $2.5 million.

        There are significant inherent uncertainties and management judgment involved in estimating the fair value of each reporting unit. While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to estimate the fair value of our reporting units, it is possible that a material change could occur. If actual results are not consistent with our current estimates and assumptions, or the current economic downturn worsens or the projected recovery is significantly delayed beyond our projections, goodwill impairment charges may be recorded in future periods.

        During 2010, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $4.4 million during the second quarter and an impairment charge for $1.3 million in the fourth quarter. Based on market activity declines and write-downs incurred on several jobs, we determined that the operating environment, conditions and performance at our operating location based in Delaware could no longer support the related goodwill balance.

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

5. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net (Continued)

Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

        Identifiable intangible assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

6. Long-Term Debt Obligations

        Long-term debt obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

Revolving Credit Facility

        On September 23, 2011, we amended our $125.0 million senior credit facility (the "Facility") provided by a syndicate of banks. The Facility, which is available for borrowings and letters of credit, now expires in September 2016 and is secured by the capital stock of our current and future subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings, $42.7 million in letters of credit outstanding, and $82.3 million of credit available.

        There are two interest rate options for borrowings under the Facility, the Base Rate Loan Option and the Eurodollar Rate Loan Option. These rates are floating rates determined by the broad financial markets, meaning they can and do move up and down from time to time. Additional margins are then added to these two rates.

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COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

6. Long-Term Debt Obligations (Continued)

        The following is a summary of the additional margins: