REX AMERICAN RESOURCES Corp - Quarter Report: 2001 October (Form 10-Q)

FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2001

OR

[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
        THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 0-13283

REX Stores Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [   ]

                    At the close of business on December 11, 2001, the registrant had 7,718,145 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.

REX STORES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

REX STORES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

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

REX STORES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

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

REX STORES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

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

REX STORES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

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

REX STORES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 31, 2001

Note 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

          The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to state fairly the information set forth therein. Any such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these unaudited consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2001 (fiscal 2000).

Note 2. Accounting Policies

          The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K. While management believes that the procedures followed in the preparation of interim financial information are reasonable, the accuracy of some estimated amounts is dependent upon facts that will exist or calculations that will be accomplished at fiscal year end. Examples of such estimates include changes in the LIFO reserve (based upon the Company's best estimate of inflation to date), management bonuses and the provision for income taxes. Any adjustments pursuant to such estimates during the quarter were of a normal recurring nature.

          Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with their fiscal 2001 presentation.

Note 3. Stock Option Plans

          The following summarizes options granted, exercised and canceled or expired during the nine months ended October 31, 2001:

Note 4. Investments in Limited Partnerships

          Effective May 31, 2001, the Company sold its remaining 8% interest in one of its synthetic fuel limited partnership investments. The Company expects to receive cash payments from the sale on a quarterly basis through 2007. The payments will range from 74.25% to 82.5% of the federal income tax credits attributable to the 8% interest sold, calculated annually, depending upon synthetic fuel sales levels of the partnership.

Note 5. Stock Split

          On July 12, 2001, the Company's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split in the form of a 50% stock dividend, payable on August 10, 2001 to shareholders of record on July 31, 2001. The stock split has been retroactively reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Note 6. Accounting Standards Adoption

          In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS No. 142). Among other things, SFAS No. 142 provides that, upon adoption, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives will no longer be subject to amortization over its useful life. Rather, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual review (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 142 on February 1, 2002, the beginning of its upcoming fiscal year. The Company does not expect these standards will have a significant effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

          In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment/Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" (SFAS No. 144). SFAS No. 144 supercedes SFAS No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" (SFAS No. 121). However, this statement retains the fundamental provisions of SFAS No. 121 for recognition and measurement of long-lived assets to be held and used and measurement of long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 144 on February 1, 2002, the beginning of its upcoming fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard will have a significant effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

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

          We are a leading specialty retailer in the consumer electronics/appliance industry. As of October 31, 2001 we operated 264 stores in 37 states, predominantly in small to medium-sized markets under the trade name ''REX''.

Fiscal Year

          All references in this report to a particular fiscal year are to REX's fiscal year ended January 31. For example, ''fiscal 2000'' means the period February 1, 2000 to January 31, 2001.

Results of Operations

          The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the relative percentages that certain income and expense items bear to net sales:

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2001 and 2000

          Net sales in the third quarter ended October 31, 2001 were $106.6 million compared to $105.1 million in the prior year's third quarter, representing an increase of $1.5 million or 1.4%. This increase was caused by the sales from the net increase of 13 stores since the third quarter of fiscal 2000, partially offset by a decline of 3.4% in comparable store sales.

          The television category produced 2.3% of the decline in comparable store sales due to the decline in sales of 32 inch and smaller televisions. This was partially offset by an increase in projection television sales. The audio, video and other categories contributed 1.1%, 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively, of the decline in comparable store sales. The appliance category offset these declines by producing an increase to comparable store sales of 1.2% primarily due to stronger air conditioner sales in the month of August.

          Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2001 were $310.6 million compared to $313.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2000, representing a decrease of $3.3 million or 1.1%. This decrease was caused by a decline of 8.4% in comparable store sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2001, partially offset by sales from the net increase of 13 stores since the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

          All product categories contributed to the decline in comparable store sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2001. The television category contributed 4.2%, the video category contributed 1.6%, the audio category contributed 1.2%, the appliance category contributed 0.8% and the other category contributed 0.6%.

          As of October 31, 2001, we had 264 stores compared to 251 stores one year earlier. There were six stores opened and four closed in the first nine months of fiscal 2001. In the prior year's comparable period there were 18 stores opened and five closed.

          Gross profit of $30.4 million (28.5% of net sales) in the third quarter of fiscal 2001 was $1.9 million higher than the gross profit of $28.5 million (27.1% of net sales) recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2000. Gross profit for the first nine months of fiscal 2001 was $87.9 million (28.3% of net sales) compared to $86.1 million (27.4% of net sales) for the comparable period of fiscal 2000. The improved gross profit margin is primarily due to a shift toward higher gross profit margin products and better buying opportunities from vendors.

          Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2001 were $26.5 million (24.9% of net sales) compared to $25.1 million (23.9% of net sales) for the prior year third quarter. This represents an increase of $1.4 million or 5.5%.

          Interest expense decreased to $2.2 million (2.0% of net sales) for the third quarter of fiscal 2001 from $2.6 million (2.5% of net sales) for the third quarter of fiscal 2000. Interest expense was reduced for the quarter due to lower borrowings on the line of credit and lower interest rates, partially offset by increased interest from mortgage debt outstanding on company-owned store locations. Interest expense for the first nine months of fiscal 2001 was $6.4 million (2.1% of net sales) compared to $5.7 million (1.8% of net sales) for the prior year comparable period. This increase is due to the increased amount of mortgage debt outstanding on company-owned store locations.

          Results for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscals 2001 and 2000 also reflect the impact of our equity investment in two limited partnerships which produce synthetic fuels. Effective February 1, 1999, we entered into an agreement to sell a portion of our investment in one of the limited partnerships, which resulted in the reduction in our ownership interest from 30% to 17%. Effective July 31, 2000, we sold an additional portion of our ownership interest in that partnership, reducing our ownership percentage from 17% to 8%. Effective May 31, 2001, we sold our remaining 8% ownership interest. We expect to receive cash payments from the sale on a quarterly basis through 2007 which will range from 74.25% to 82.5% of the federal income tax credits attributable to the interest sold. Below is a table summarizing the income from the sales, net of certain expenses.

          Our effective tax rate was 25% for all periods presented after reflecting our share of federal income tax credits earned by the limited partnerships under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code.

          As a result of the foregoing, net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2001 was $4.4 million, a 55.1% increase from $2.9 million for the prior year third quarter. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2001 was $11.4 million, a 13.2% increase from $10.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

          Net cash used in operating activities was $15.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2001, compared to $49.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2000. For the nine months ended October 31, 2001, cash was provided by net income of $11.4 million, adjusted for the impact of $12.1 million for gains on our installment sales of the limited partnership interest and non-cash items of $1.7 million which consisted of deferred income and depreciation and amortization. Cash was also provided by a decrease in accounts receivable of $3.6 million. The primary use of cash was an increase of $12.0 million in inventory and a decrease of $7.2 million in accounts payable primarily due to the timing of purchases and payments to vendors. Cash was also used by a decrease in other liabilities of $888,000.

          At October 31, 2001, working capital was $91.0 million compared to $83.7 million at January 31, 2001. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.1 to 1 at October 31, 2001 and 2.0 to 1 at January 31, 2001.

          Capital expenditures through October 31, 2001 totaled $3.7 million and primarily relate to the construction expenditures associated with planned fiscal 2001 store openings. We received proceeds of $12.1 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2001 from installment sales of our ownership interest in a limited partnership.

          Cash provided by financing activities totaled approximately $7.9 million. Cash was provided by borrowings of $11.4 million on the line of credit during the first nine months of fiscal 2001 and proceeds of $8.2 million from long-term debt borrowings related to mortgage financing of nine stores. A total of approximately $87.4 million was available for borrowings on the line of credit as of October 31, 2001. We also received proceeds of $1.4 million from the exercise of 207,138 shares (split adjusted) of employee stock options. Cash was used to purchase 735,300 shares (split adjusted) of our common stock for approximately $9.0 million. As of October 31, 2001, we had authorization from our board of directors to purchase an additional 772,200 shares. Cash was also used for payments on long-term debt of $4.0 million.

Accounting Standards Adoption

          In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS No. 142). Among other things, SFAS No. 142 provides that, upon adoption, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives will no longer be subject to amortization over its useful life. Rather, goodwill will be subject to at least an annual review (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 142 on February 1, 2002, the beginning of its upcoming fiscal year. The Company does not expect these standards will have a significant effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

          In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment/Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" (SFAS No. 144). SFAS No. 144 supercedes SFAS No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" (SFAS No. 121). However, this statement retains the fundamental provisions of SFAS No. 121 for recognition and measurement of long-lived assets to be held and used and measurement of long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 144 on February 1, 2002, the beginning of its upcoming fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard will have a significant effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Forward-Looking Statements

          This Form 10-Q contains or may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words ''believes'', ''estimates'', ''plans'', ''expects'', ''intends'', ''anticipates'' and similar expressions as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Exhibit 99 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2001 (File No. 0-13283).

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

          No material changes since January 31, 2001.