SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(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 5, 1996
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 1-8140
FLEMING COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
OKLAHOMA 48-0222760
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
6301 Waterford Boulevard, Box 26647
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73126
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(405) 840-7200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report.)
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 X No
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of November 2, 1996 is as follows:
Common stock, $2.50 par value 37,792,000
Class Shares Outstanding
<PAGE>
INDEX
Page
Number
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings -
12 Weeks Ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings -
40 Weeks Ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets -
October 5, 1996, and December 30, 1995
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows -
40 Weeks Ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial
Statements
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION:
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
<TABLE>
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings
For the 12 weeks ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<CAPTION>
Third Interim Period 1996 1995
- -------------------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $3,705,970 $3,898,361
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 3,373,525 3,599,252
Selling and administrative 281,316 258,020
Interest expense 34,955 38,603
Interest income (11,610) (11,673)
Equity investment results 5,708 6,658
Litigation settlement 20,000 -
---------- ----------
Total costs and expenses 3,703,894 3,890,860
---------- ----------
Earnings before taxes 2,076 7,501
Taxes on income 1,061 3,833
---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 1,015 $ 3,668
========== ==========
Net earnings per share $.03 $.10
Dividends paid per share $.02 $.30
Weighted average shares outstanding 37,788 37,619
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Fleming Companies, Inc. See notes to consolidated condensed financial
statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings
For the 40 weeks ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<CAPTION>
Year to Date 1996 1995
- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $12,616,535 $13,357,413
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 11,482,148 12,296,161
Selling and administrative 981,241 886,918
Interest expense 125,045 135,046
Interest income (38,335) (45,547)
Equity investment results 12,972 16,205
Litigation settlement 20,000 -
Facilities consolidation - (8,982)
----------- -----------
Total costs and expenses 12,583,071 13,279,801
----------- -----------
Earnings before taxes 33,464 77,612
Taxes on income 17,100 39,660
----------- -----------
Net earnings $ 16,364 $ 37,952
=========== ===========
Net earnings per share $.43 $1.01
Dividends paid per share $.34 $.90
Weighted average shares outstanding 37,768 37,548
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
Fleming Companies, Inc. See notes to consolidated condensed financial
statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
<CAPTION>
October 5, December 30,
Assets 1996 1995
- ------ ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,146 $ 4,426
Receivables 335,514 340,215
Inventories 1,086,918 1,207,329
Other current assets 103,377 98,801
---------- ----------
Total current assets 1,530,955 1,650,771
Investments and notes receivable 236,225 271,763
Investment in direct financing leases 216,514 225,552
Property and equipment 1,558,966 1,527,526
Less accumulated depreciation
and amortization (616,262) (532,364)
---------- ----------
Net property and equipment 942,704 995,162
Other assets 155,396 132,338
Goodwill 997,898 1,021,099
---------- ----------
Total assets $4,079,692 $4,296,685
========== ==========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
- ------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 955,919 $1,001,123
Current maturities of long-term debt 109,677 53,917
Current obligations under capital leases 20,214 19,452
Other current liabilities 213,086 211,863
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 1,298,896 1,286,355
Long-term debt 1,140,683 1,347,987
Long-term obligations under
capital leases 357,905 368,876
Deferred income taxes 30,457 40,179
Other liabilities 161,195 169,966
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $2.50 par value per share 94,470 94,291
Capital in excess of par value 503,398 501,474
Reinvested earnings 504,838 501,214
Cumulative currency
translation adjustment (4,650) (4,549)
---------- ----------
1,098,056 1,092,430
Less ESOP note (7,500) (9,108)
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 1,090,556 1,083,322
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $4,079,692 $4,296,685
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Fleming Companies, Inc. See notes to consolidated condensed financial
statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
For the 40 weeks ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995
(In thousands)
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 16,364 $ 37,952
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 145,082 140,543
Credit losses 21,550 24,344
Deferred income taxes (7,574) 833
Equity investment results 12,973 16,205
Gain on sale of businesses (3,666) -
Litigation settlement 20,000 -
Consolidation and reserve activities, net (13,684) (35,493)
Change in assets and liabilities, excluding
effect of acquisitions:
Receivables (22,698) (2,007)
Inventories 120,411 146,339
Accounts payable (45,204) 20,620
Other assets and liabilities (20,440) 24,311
Other adjustments, net 77 (3,877)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by
operating activities 223,191 369,770
-------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Collections on notes receivable 45,480 74,861
Notes receivable funded (48,876) (67,742)
Notes receivable sold 34,980 77,063
Purchase of property and equipment (100,602) (80,864)
Proceeds from sale of
property and equipment 12,283 30,009
Investments in customers (356) (8,867)
Proceeds from sale of investment 3,506 17,873
Businesses acquired - (6,989)
Proceeds from sale of businesses 9,244 -
Other investing activities (3,501) (3,083)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities (47,842) 32,261
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 128,000 -
Principal payments on long-term debt (279,544) (393,598)
Principal payments on capital
lease obligations (16,342) (13,872)
Sale of common stock under incentive
stock and stock ownership plans 2,002 5,795
Dividends paid (12,700) (33,530)
Other financing activities 3,955 9,572
-------- --------
Net cash used in
financing activities (174,629) (425,633)
-------- --------
Net increase (decrease)in cash
and cash equivalents 720 (23,602)
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 4,426 28,352
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 5,146 $ 4,750
======== ========
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest $114,172 $125,796
Cash paid (refunded) for taxes $32,118 $(7,231)
======== ========
</TABLE>
Fleming Companies, Inc. See notes to consolidated condensed financial
statements.
<PAGE>
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
1. The consolidated condensed balance sheet as of October 5, 1996, and the
consolidated condensed statements of earnings and cash flows for the 12-week
and 40-week periods ended October 5, 1996, and October 7, 1995, have been
prepared by the company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments necessary to present fairly the company's financial position at
October 5, 1996, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods
presented have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring
nature. Earnings per share are computed based on net earnings divided by the
weighted average shares outstanding. The impact of common stock options on
earnings per share is immaterial. Certain reclassifications have been made to
the prior year amounts to conform to the current year's classification.
2. The statements of earnings for the 12-week and 40-week periods ended
October 5, 1996 reflect an agreement to settle the Premium Sales Corporation
("Premium") litigation, two related lawsuits pending against the company, for
a $19.5 million payment plus $500,000 for costs and expenses. See note 5 for
further discussion.
The statement of earnings for the 40 weeks ended October 7, 1995 reflects the
effect of the change in management's estimate of the cost associated with the
general merchandising portion of the facilities consolidation plan. The
estimate reflects reduced expense and cash outflow. Accordingly, the company
reversed $9 million of the provision for restructuring during the first
quarter of 1995. The reversal is shown as a credit to the facilities
consolidation expense line in the accompanying financial statements.
3. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated condensed
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and related notes included in the company's 1995 annual
report on Form 10-K.
4. The LIFO method of inventory valuation is used for determining the cost of
most grocery and certain perishable inventories. The excess of current cost
of LIFO inventories over their stated value was $24 million at October 5, 1996
and $22 million at December 30, 1995.
5. Premium: The company and several other defendants have been named in two
suits filed in U.S. District Court in Miami, Florida. The plaintiffs
predicate liability on the part of the company as a consequence of an
allegedly fraudulent scheme conducted by Premium, a failed grocery diverter,
and others in which large losses in the Premium-related entities occurred to
the detriment of a purported class of investors which brought one of the
suits. This case was certified by the court as a class action in June 1996.
The other suit is by the receiver/trustee of the estates of Premium and
certain of its affiliated entities (the "Trustee"). Plaintiffs sought actual
damages of approximately $300 million, treble damages, punitive damages,
attorneys' fees, costs, expenses and other appropriate relief.
The company announced in September 1996 it had reached an agreement to settle
the Premium cases. Under the agreement, the Trustee, the class of investors
(excluding opt-outs and non-releasing Canadian investors, if any) and all
other claimants will dismiss their actions against the company in exchange for
a $19.5 million payment plus $500,000 for costs and expenses, and all related
claims involving the company will be dismissed.
The settlement is subject to, among other things, execution of a definitive
agreement by all parties or their representatives, court approval and receipt
by the company of releases from Canadian investors holding significant claims.
Following full execution of the agreement, the company will be required to
deposit the $20 million into an escrow account pending finalization of the
settlement. The company recorded a charge of $20 million during the third
quarter in anticipation of the settlement.
On August 22, 1996, four former employees of the company and numerous others
were variously indicted by a U.S. grand jury sitting in the Southern District
of Florida for multiple counts of fraud, conspiracy and other crimes,
including wire fraud, tax fraud and money laundering, allegedly committed in
furtherance of Premium's fraudulent scheme. Neither the company nor any of
its current employees were indicted.
David's: The company, a former subsidiary subsequently merged with the
company, and a retired executive officer were named in a lawsuit filed in the
District Court in Johnson County, Texas (David's Supermarkets, Inc. v. Fleming
Companies, Inc. ("David's")) which was tried before a jury in February and
March 1996. Plaintiff sought substantial actual damages, treble damages,
exemplary damages, attorney's fees, interest and costs against the company for
allegedly overcharging the plaintiff for products over a three-year period.
The company considered the claims to be without merit. However, following a
four-week trial the jury found against the company in the amount of $72.5
million for breach of contract, $201 million for fraud and $207.5 million for
violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act ("DTPA"), and against the
executive in the amount of $51 million for fraud and $72.6 million for
violation of the DTPA. On April 12, 1996, judgment was entered against the
company in the amount of $207.5 million for violation of the DTPA plus pre-
judgment interest of $3.7 million and post-judgment interest at the rate of
10% per annum. Judgment jointly and severally against the executive was
entered for $72.6 million plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. The
company and the executive announced their intentions to appeal and the company
bonded the judgments with a $230 million supersedeas bond partially secured by
letters of credit in the amount of $135 million.
In May 1996 the company filed a motion for a new trial on grounds, among
others, that both the trial judge and the plaintiff had failed to disclose
certain financial relationships between the judge and the plaintiff and others
associated with the plaintiff. The trial judge recused himself citing the
failed disclosure and another judge was assigned to the case. In June the
plaintiff's judgments were vacated, the defendants and their sureties were
discharged from all liability on the supersedeas bond and a new trial was
granted. As a result, the letters of credit for $135 million were canceled,
thereby restoring that amount to the company's available bank credit. The new
trial is scheduled for January 1997. The court has withheld its ruling on
defendants' motion for a change of venue from Johnson County pending an
attempt to impanel an impartial jury. Defendants' motions for summary
judgment were denied in early November 1996.
Based on the vacation of the judgment against the company, the approximately
$7 million charge recorded in the first quarter was reversed during the second
quarter. Although the company denies any liability or wrongdoing, the company
has been unable to locate certain documents evidencing that prices paid by the
plaintiff for a small amount of product during the three years in question
conformed to the terms of plaintiff's agreement with the company.
Accordingly, during the second quarter the company recorded a charge of
approximately $650 thousand, which includes approximately $200 thousand of
disputed overcharges and approximately $450 thousand of interest, fees and
other sums.
Plaintiff continues to allege liability on the part of the company (and its
co-defendant) as the result of breach of contract, fraud, conspiracy and
violation of the DTPA, and seeks substantial actual damages, treble damages,
exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, interest and costs, totaling hundreds of
millions of dollars. Management is unable to predict the potential range of
additional monetary exposure, if any, to the company. However, an unfavorable
outcome resulting from the retrial could have a material adverse effect on the
company.
Allegations similar to those made in the David's case have been made by former
customers in three other pending cases (including the Megafoods case described
below) and could occur in future litigation. Management is unable to predict
the potential range of monetary exposure, if any, to the company in such
cases. However, if the plaintiff in any such case were to be successful, the
outcome could have a material adverse effect on the company.
Class Action Suits: The company and certain of its present and former
officers, including the chief executive officer, have been named as defendants
in nine purported class action lawsuits filed by certain of its stockholders
and one purported class action lawsuit filed by a noteholder, each in the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, alleging the company
failed to properly disclose and account for the risk associated with the
David's litigation. The plaintiffs in five of the stockholder cases also
claim the company failed to disclose that it was engaged in a deceptive course
of business with its customers that exposed it to substantial liability which
would severely impair the financial condition, performance and value of the
company. The plaintiffs seek undetermined but significant damages. Motions
to consolidate some or all of the cases are pending before the court. The
defendants deny the allegations and will vigorously oppose the litigation.
Management is unable to predict the ultimate outcome or a potential range of
monetary exposure, if any, to the company from these actions. However, an
unfavorable outcome in any of them could have a material adverse effect on the
company.
Megafoods: In August 1994 Megafoods Stores, Inc. ("Megafoods") and certain of
its affiliates filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Arizona. The
company filed claims, including a claim for indebtedness for goods sold on
open account, equipment leases and secured loans, totaling approximately $28
million. The debtor is also liable or contingently liable to the company
under store subleases and lease guarantees extended by the company for the
debtor's benefit. The debtor filed an adversary proceeding against the
company seeking subordination of the company's claims, return of an
approximate $12 million deposit and affirmative relief for damages which was
subsequently amended to include allegations similar to those made in the
David's litigation.
In August 1996 the court approved a settlement of the debtor's adversary
proceeding against the company, subject to approval by the creditors of a
revised reorganization plan which will encompass the settlement. Under the
terms of the settlement, the company will retain its $12 million working
capital deposit, relinquish its secured and unsecured claims in exchange for
the right to receive 10% of any distribution made to the unsecured creditors
and pay the debtor $2.5 million in exchange for the furniture, fixtures and
equipment from seventeen Megafoods stores (located primarily in Texas) and two
Texas warehouses. The company agreed to lease back the furniture, fixtures
and equipment in fourteen of the stores to the reorganized debtor for nine
years (or until the expiration of the store lease) at an annual rental of $18
thousand per store. In addition, the company will enter into a voting trust
agreement with the reorganized debtor which will provide that any shares of
the reorganized debtor held by the company will be voted in the same
proportion as the reorganized debtor's other shares are voted.
Although the company anticipated a vote on the reorganization plan sometime
during the third quarter of 1996, prior to the vote Megafoods began exploring
the sale of some or all of its assets. On October 7, 1996, the debtor
announced an agreement in principle to sell its 16 Phoenix stores to a local
grocer for an undisclosed amount. To date, the company has not received any
communication from the court regarding any sale. Although the company
anticipates that any sale will be made subject to the settlement agreement,
the company can offer no assurances that a sale will be consummated or that
Megafoods can or will be successfully reorganized.
The company took charges of $6.5 million in 1994, approximately $3.5 million
in 1995 and $5.8 million year-to-date in 1996. The company will remain
exposed to contingent liabilities for stores subleased by the company to
Megafoods and for certain leasehold guarantees extended to third parties on
Megafoods' behalf and has approximately $8 million of net assets remaining on
the company's books.
6. The senior notes issued in 1994 are guaranteed by all direct and indirect
subsidiaries of the company (except for certain inconsequential subsidiaries),
all of which are wholly owned. The guarantees are joint and several, full,
complete and unconditional. There are no restrictions on the ability of the
subsidiary guarantors to transfer funds to the company in the form of cash
dividends, loans or advances. Full financial statements for the subsidiary
guarantors are not presented herein because management does not believe such
information would be material.
The following summarized financial information, which includes allocations of
material corporate-related expenses, for the combined subsidiary guarantors
may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations or financial
position had the subsidiary guarantors been operated as independent entities.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
October 5, December 30,
(In millions) 1996 1995
------------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets $22 $251
Noncurrent assets $58 $487
Current liabilities $10 $104
Noncurrent liabilities $1 $1
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
40 weeks ended
October 5, October 7,
(In millions) 1996 1995
------------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales $249 $3,575
Costs and expenses $260 $3,565
Net earnings (loss) $(6) $5
</TABLE>
During 1996 and 1995, a significant number of subsidiaries were merged into
the parent company, resulting in a substantial reduction in the amounts
appearing in the summarized financial information.
7. The accompanying earnings statements include the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
40 weeks 12 weeks
(In thousands) 1996 1995 1996 1995
----------------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Depreciation and amortization
(includes amortized costs
in interest expense) $145,082 $140,543 $47,401 $42,151
Amortized costs in interest
expense $9,986 $8,911 $3,040 $2,901
</TABLE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And
Results of Operations
General
In 1994, the company embarked upon a plan to restructure its organizational
alignment, reengineer its operations and consolidate its distribution
facilities. The company's objective is to lower the net acquisition cost of
product to retail customers while providing the company with a fair and
adequate return for its products and services. To achieve this objective,
management has made major organizational changes, implemented the Fleming
Flexible Marketing Plan ("FFMP") in approximately 40% of its food distribution
sales base, or 17 of its 35 food distribution operating units, and increased
its investment in technology. The actions of the reengineering plan have had
and will continue to have an effect on the company's food and general
merchandise wholesaling operations as well as certain retail operations.
Although a significant number of reengineering initiatives have been
completed, more are planned. The period of time required to complete these
remaining initiatives has been lengthened while the company refocuses on
financial performance and refines FFMP, as a consequence of responses from
customers and vendors. Accordingly, completion dates are not known.
Results of Operations
Set forth in the following table is information for the third interim and
year-to-date periods of 1996 and 1995 regarding components of the company's
earnings expressed as a percentage of net sales.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Third Interim Period 1996 1995
- --------------------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales 100.00% 100.00%
Gross margin 8.97 7.67
Less selling and administrative expense 7.59 6.62
------ ------
Operating margin 1.38 1.05
Less:
Interest expense .94 .99
Interest income (.31) (.30)
Equity investment results .15 .17
Litigation settlement .54 -
------ ------
Total expenses 8.91 7.48
------ ------
Earnings before taxes .06 .19
Taxes on income .03 .10
------ ------
Net earnings .03% .09%
====== ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year to Date 1996 1995
- ------------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales 100.00% 100.00%
Gross margin 8.99 7.95
Less selling and administrative expense 7.78 6.64
------ ------
Operating margin 1.21 1.31
Less:
Interest expense .99 1.01
Interest income (.30) (.34)
Equity investment results .10 .12
Litigation settlement .16 -
Facilities consolidation - (.07)
------ ------
Total expenses 8.73 7.36
------ ------
Earnings before taxes .27 .58
Taxes on income .14 .30
------ ------
Net earnings .13% .28%
====== ======
</TABLE>
Net sales. Sales for the third quarter (12 weeks) of 1996 decreased by $.2
billion, or 5%, to $3.7 billion from $3.9 billion for the same period in 1995.
Year to date, sales decreased by $.7 billion, or 6%, to $12.6 billion from
$13.4 billion for the 40 weeks in 1995. Sales from the supermarkets acquired
from ABCO Markets, Inc. ("ABCO") through foreclosure in January 1996, reduced
from 71 to 58 supermarkets through closures or sale in early 1996, were
present during all of 1996, but not 1995 as ABCO was not consolidated until
late 1995. Several factors, none of which are individually material,
adversely affected sales in both the quarter and year-to-date periods,
including: sales lost through normal attrition which were not replaced; the
sale or closing of certain corporate stores; loss of business from Megafoods;
stricter credit policies; certain customers making selective purchases from
competitors or directly from food manufacturers; sales lost through service
charge increases; and adverse publicity surrounding the David's litigation.
Net sales have trended downwards since 1994 adversely affecting earnings. The
company organized a national sales force in the first quarter of 1996 which is
focusing on developing prospects for new business. In addition, modifications
to FFMP are being developed and implemented to mitigate several of the
concerns of prospective and existing customers and thereby improve the
potential for increased sales. For example, a simplified version of FFMP is
currently under development in response to certain customers' requests.
In June 1995 Megafoods moved the majority of its business in the Arizona
market (approximately $150 million of annualized sales) to another supplier.
In November 1995, at the company's request, Megafoods moved the balance of its
business. See note 5 to consolidated condensed financial statements for
further discussion of Megafoods.
Retail sales generated by the same corporate stores for the third quarter in
1996 compared to the third quarter in 1995 decreased 1.2%. Same corporate
store sales for 1996 year to date compared to 1995 year to date were flat.
Fleming measures inflation using data derived from the average cost of a ton
of product sold by the company. Year to date in 1996, food price inflation
was 2.3%, compared to 0.7% in 1995.
Gross margin. Gross margin for the third quarter of 1996 increased by $33
million, or 11%, to $332 million from $299 million for the same period of 1995
and increased as a percentage of net sales to 8.97% from 7.67% for the same
period in 1995. Year to date, gross margin increased by $73 million, or 7%, to
$1.13 billion from $1.06 billion for the same period of 1995. As a percentage
of net sales, gross margin was 8.99% versus 7.95% in 1995. The increase in
gross margin was principally due to the addition of retail operations,
including ABCO. Retail operations typically have a higher gross margin and
higher selling expenses than food distribution operations. During the first
quarter of 1996, the company also implemented increases in certain charges to
its customers and vendors, increasing gross margin comparisons for both the
second and third quarters, as well as year to date. Product handling expenses,
consisting of warehouse, transportation and building expenses, were lower as a
percentage of net sales in 1996 compared to 1995, reflecting the cost controls
and the benefits of the company's consolidations occurring in 1995. The
company also achieved productivity increases during 1996. Food price
inflation resulted in a LIFO charge in 1996 of $.5 million for the quarter and
$2.0 million year to date compared to a charge of $1.8 million for the quarter
and $.9 million year to date in 1995.
Selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses for
the third quarter of 1996 increased by $23 million, or 9%, to $281 million
from $258 million for the same period in 1995 and increased as a percentage of
net sales to 7.59% for 1996 from 6.62% in 1995. Year to date, selling and
administrative expenses increased by $94 million, or 11%, to $981 million from
$887 million in 1995 and increased as a percentage of net sales to 7.78% for
1996 from 6.64% in 1995. The increase was principally due to higher retail
expenses resulting from additional retail operations, primarily ABCO. The
year-to-date increase was also due to a provision for the divestiture of
certain retail stores in 1996 which provision was reduced by $6 million in the
third quarter. During the third quarter of 1996, a $1.6 million gain for the
sale of certain notes receivable was recorded; a similar gain of $3.9 million
was recorded in the second quarter of 1995. Higher legal expenses compared to
the 1995 period also contributed to the increase.
As more fully described in the 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the company
has a significant amount of credit extended to its customers through various
methods. These methods include customary and extended credit terms for
inventory purchases, secured loans with terms generally up to ten years, and
equity investments in and secured and unsecured loans to certain customers.
In addition, the company guarantees debt and lease obligations of certain
qualified customers. Usually, these capital investments are made in and
guarantees extended to customers with whom the company enjoys long-term supply
agreements.
Credit loss expense is included in selling and administrative expenses and for
the third quarter of 1996 decreased by $2 million to $7 million from $9
million for the comparable period in 1995. Year to date, credit losses
decreased by $3 million to $22 million from $24 million in 1995. Tight credit
practices and reduced emphasis on credit extensions to and investments in
customers have resulted in less exposure and a decrease in credit loss
expense. While there can be no assurance that credit losses from existing or
future investments or commitments will not have a material adverse effect on
results of operations or financial position, the results thus far from these
practices and emphasis have been positive when compared to prior years'
experience. Offsetting the decreases in the third quarter of 1996 from 1995
was $1.4 million of credit losses related to Megafoods reflecting the
estimated deterioration in the company's collateral. Year to date, credit
losses related to Megafoods were $3.8 million. An additional $2 million was
recorded to selling and administrative expense, but not credit loss, in the
third quarter of 1996 for the expected loss on the proposed settlement. See
note 5 to the notes to consolidated condensed financial statements for further
discussion related to Megafoods.
Interest expense. Interest expense for the third quarter of 1996 decreased $4
million to $35 million from $39 million for the same period in 1995. Year to
date, interest expense decreased $10 million to $125 million from $135 million
for the comparable period in 1995. Lower average borrowing levels in the 1996
periods compared to the same periods in 1995 primarily accounted for the
improvement.
In August 1996 Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") lowered its credit
ratings on the company's senior unsecured debt to Ba3 from Ba1. The downgrade
resulted in a .25% increase in the company's bank debt borrowing margin which
increased interest expense on borrowings under the bank credit agreement at an
estimated annualized cost of $2 million. Moody's rating on the company's bank
debt is Ba2.
In September 1996 Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's")
lowered its credit ratings on the company to BB from BB+, and on the company's
senior unsecured debt to B+ from BB-. The downgrade did not result in an
additional increase in the company's bank debt borrowing margin.
The company enters into interest rate hedge agreements to manage interest
costs and exposure to changing interest rates. The credit agreement with the
company's bank group requires the company to provide interest rate protection
on a substantial portion of the indebtedness outstanding thereunder. The
company has entered into interest rate swaps and caps covering $850 million
aggregate principal amount of floating rate indebtedness. The company's
hedged position exceeds the hedge requirements set forth in the company's bank
credit agreement.
The interest rate on the company's floating rate indebtedness is equal to the
London interbank offered interest rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin. The average
fixed interest rate paid by the company on the interest rate swaps is 6.95%,
covering $600 million of floating rate indebtedness. The interest rate swap
agreements, which were implemented through seven counterparty banks and have
an average remaining life of 2.0 years, provide for the company to receive
substantially the same LIBOR that the company pays on its floating rate
indebtedness. For the remaining $250 million, the company has purchased
interest rate cap agreements from two counterparty banks. The agreements cap
LIBOR at 7.33% over the next 2.2 years. Payments made or received are
accounted for as interest expense. For the third quarter and year to date in
1996, the interest rate hedge agreements added $2 million and $7 million,
respectively, to interest expense.
With respect to the interest rate hedging agreements, the company believes its
exposure to potential loss due to counterparty nonperformance is minimized
primarily due to the relatively strong credit ratings of the counterparty
banks for their unsecured long-term debt (A- or higher from Standard & Poor's
and A1 or higher from Moody's) and the size and diversity of the counterparty
banks. The hedge agreements are subject to market risk to the extent that
market interest rates for similar instruments decrease and the company
terminates the hedges prior to maturity.
Interest income. Interest income for the third quarter of 1996 was $12 million
which was the same as 1995. Year to date, interest income decreased by $7
million to $38 million from $46 million in 1995. Late in the second quarter
of 1995, $77 million of notes receivable with limited recourse were sold. An
additional sale of notes receivable with limited recourse occurred late in the
third quarter of 1996 for $35 million. Both of these sales reduced the amount
of notes receivable available to produce interest income, but the sale in 1996
has had little impact on interest income because it occurred late in the
quarter.
Equity investment results. The company's portion of operating losses from
equity investments for the third quarter of 1996 decreased by $1 million to $6
million from $7 million for the same period in 1995. Year to date, losses
generated by equity investments have decreased by $3 million to $13 million
from $16 million in 1995. The results of operations of ABCO, accounted for
under the equity method during most of 1995, are not included in the 1996
equity investment results line due to the acquisition described above,
resulting in an improvement in equity investment results in both 1996 periods
compared to 1995.
Litigation settlement. In the third quarter of 1996, an agreement was reached
to settle two related lawsuits pending against the company, and others, in the
U.S. District Court in Miami. Under the agreement, all claims will be
dismissed in exchange for a $19.5 million payment plus $500,000 for costs and
expenses. The settlement is subject to, among other things, execution of a
definitive agreement by all parties or their representatives, court approval
and receipt by the company of releases from Canadian investors holding
significant claims. Following full execution of the agreement, the company
will be required to deposit the $20 million into an escrow account pending
finalization of the settlement. The company recorded a charge of $20 million
during the third quarter in anticipation of the settlement. See notes 2 and 5
to consolidated condensed financial statements and Part II., Item 1. Legal
Proceedings for further discussion.
Facilities consolidation. In the first quarter of 1995, management changed
its restructuring estimates with respect to the general merchandising
operations portion of the restructuring plan. The revised estimate reflects
reduced expense and cash outflow. Accordingly, during the first quarter of
1995, the company reversed $9 million of the provision for restructuring.
Taxes on income. The estimated effective tax rate for both periods in 1996
and 1995 was 51.1%.
Other. Several factors negatively affecting cash flows from operations and
earnings in 1996 are likely to continue for the near term. Management
believes that these factors include lower sales, operating losses in certain
company-owned retail stores and litigation-related costs. See also Litigation
and Contingencies.
Segment information. Sales and operating earnings for the company's food
distribution and retail food segments are presented below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Third Interim Period
(In millions) 1996 1995
------------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Sales:
Food distribution $2,907 $3,175
Retail food 799 723
------ ------
Total sales $3,706 $3,898
====== ======
Operating earnings:
Food distribution $64 $62
Retail food 15 8
Corporate (28) (29)
------ ------
Total operating earnings $51 $41
====== ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year to Date
(In millions) 1996 1995
------------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Sales:
Food distribution $ 9,780 $10,873
Retail food 2,837 2,484
------- -------
Total sales $12,617 $13,357
======= =======
Operating earnings:
Food distribution $226 $227
Retail food 35 39
Corporate (108) (92)
------- -------
Total operating earnings $153 $174
======= =======
</TABLE>
Operating earnings for segments consist of net sales less related cost of
sales and selling and administrative expenses. General corporate expenses are
not allocated to food distribution and retail food segments. Transfer pricing
between segments is at cost.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Set forth below is certain information regarding the company's capital
position at the end of the third quarter of 1996 and at the end of fiscal
1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Capital Structure
(In millions) October 5, 1996 December 30, 1995
----------------- --------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long-term debt $1,250 46.0% $1,402 48.8%
Capital lease obligations 378 13.9 388 13.5
------ ----- ------ -----
Total debt 1,628 59.9 1,790 62.3
Shareholders' equity 1,091 40.1 1,083 37.7
------ ----- ------ -----
Total capital $2,719 100.0% $2,873 100.0%
====== ===== ====== =====
</TABLE>
Includes current maturities of long-term debt and current obligations under
capital leases.
The company's current capital structure includes the company's bank credit
agreement (consisting of an $800 million six-year amortizing term loan with
final maturity in June 2000 and a $596 million five-year revolving credit
facility with final maturity in July 1999), $300 million of 10.625% seven-year
senior notes, $200 million of floating rate seven-year senior notes, each of
which matures December 2001, $99 million of medium-term notes, $7 million of
9.5% debentures and $8 million of other debt.
The company's senior unsecured debt is rated Ba3 by Moody's and B+ by Standard
& Poor's. In addition, the company has a corporate rating of BB by Standard &
Poor's and the company's bank debt is rated Ba2 by Moody's. The rating by
Moody's reflects a downgrade announced in August 1996. Moody's action
resulted from their announced concerns over structural changes in the industry
and lower sales, earnings and cash flow reported by the company. The rating
by Standard & Poor's reflects a downgrade announced in September, 1996.
Standard & Poor's action resulted from its announced concerns over lower than
anticipated operating results and continuing difficulties with the
implementation of the company's reengineering program. Pricing under the bank
credit agreement automatically increases or decreases with respect to certain
credit rating declines or improvements, respectively, based upon Moody's and
Standard & Poor's ratings of the company's senior unsecured debt.
The company's principal sources of liquidity are cash flows from operating
activities and borrowings under its bank credit agreement. At third quarter
end 1996, $591 million was borrowed on the six-year amortizing term loan
facility, $89 million of letters of credit had been issued (reducing bank
credit capacity on a dollar-for-dollar basis) and $45 million was borrowed
under the $596 million five-year revolving credit facility of the bank credit
agreement.
The bank credit agreement and the indentures for the senior notes contain
customary covenants associated with similar facilities. The bank credit
agreement currently contains the following more significant financial
covenants: maintenance of a consolidated debt-to-net worth ratio of not more
than 2.25 to 1; maintenance of a minimum consolidated net worth of at least
$892 million; maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1 to
1; a limitation on dividend payments of $.08 per share, per quarter; and
limitations on capital expenditures. Covenants associated with the senior
notes are generally less restrictive than those of the bank credit agreement.
At third quarter end 1996, the company would have been allowed to borrow an
additional $461 million under the company's revolving credit facility
contained in the bank credit agreement. Under the company's most restrictive
borrowing covenant, which is the fixed charge coverage ratio, $44 million of
additional fixed charges could have been incurred. The company is currently
in compliance with all financial covenants under the bank credit agreement and
senior notes. Because the David's judgment was vacated, the supersedeas bond
was canceled, and $135 million of collateral (in the form of letters of credit
issued by participants in the company's credit facility) was returned thereby
restoring that amount to the company's available credit.
In March 1996 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of
$.02 per share for the second quarter of 1996, a reduction of $.28 per share
from the first quarter. In July and October of 1996, the Board of Directors
declared quarterly cash dividends of $.02 per share for the third and fourth
quarters of 1996, respectively.
Operating activities generated $223 million of net cash flows for the first 40
weeks in 1996 compared to $370 million in the comparable period in 1995. The
decrease is due to lower earnings, higher increases in accounts receivable and
lower decreases in inventory, all in 1996 as compared to the same period in
1995. Additionally, the decrease is due to a decrease in accounts payable in
1996 compared to an increase in 1995. Working capital was $232 million at
third-quarter end 1996, a decrease from $364 million at year-end 1995. The
current ratio decreased to 1.18 to 1 at third-quarter end 1996, from 1.28 to 1
at year-end 1995.
Capital expenditures year to date in 1996 were approximately $101 million.
Management expects that 1996 capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, if
any, will approximate $130 million.
The debt-to-capital ratio at the end of the third quarter of 1996 was 59.9%, a
decrease from year-end 1995, reflecting payments made on long-term debt ahead
of schedule. The company's long-term target ratio is approximately 50%.
Total capital was $2.7 billion at quarter end, lower than at year-end 1995 due
in part to debt repayments.
Management believes that the cash flow from operating activities and the
company's ability to borrow under its bank credit agreement will be adequate
to meet working capital, capital expenditure and other cash needs for the next
twelve months. However, the company's future cash flow from operating
activities is likely to be negatively impacted by certain factors discussed in
Results of Operations - Other. Furthermore, in the event of an unfavorable
outcome in one or more contingent matters discussed in note 5 to consolidated
condensed financial statements which produces a material adverse effect on
the company, or an increase in the likelihood of such an outcome, the
company's access to capital under its bank credit agreement could be
impeded or the company's debt obligations accelerated. In such event, the
company could be forced to seek replacement capital which might not be
available on acceptable terms.
Litigation and Contingencies
The company is engaged from time to time in various litigation matters or
other contingent loss situations resulting from the ownership and operation of
its assets, the conduct of its business or the compliance (or alleged non-
compliance) with federal, state and local rules, regulations, ordinances and
laws which may subject the company to material contingent liabilities. In
accordance with applicable accounting standards, the company records as a
liability amounts reflecting such exposure when a loss is deemed by management
to be both "probable" and "quantifiable" or "reasonably estimable." In
addition, the company discloses material loss contingencies in the notes to
its financial statements when the likelihood of a material loss has been
determined to be greater than "remote" but less than "probable."
Certain contingent matters are discussed in note 5 to consolidated condensed
financial statements and certain additional information is contained in
Part II., Item 1. Legal Proceedings, both of which appear elsewhere and
are incorporated by reference herein. An adverse outcome experienced in
one or more of such matters, or an increase in the likelihood of such
an outcome, could have a material adverse effect on the company's business,
results of operations, cash flow, capital, access to capital or financial
condition.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
(1) Tropin v. Thenen, et al., Case No. 93-2502-CIV-Moreno, United States
District Court, Southern District of Florida.
Walco Investments, Inc., et al. v. Thenen, et al., Case No. 93-2534-CIV-Moreno,
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.
The company and several other defendants have been named in two suits filed in
U.S. District Court in Miami, Florida in December 1993. The plaintiffs
predicate liability on the part of the company as a consequence of an
allegedly fraudulent scheme conducted by Premium Sales Corporation
("Premium"), a failed grocery diverter, and others in which large losses in
the Premium-related entities occurred to the detriment of a purported class of
investors which brought one of the suits. This case was certified by the
court as a class action in June 1996. The other suit is by the
receiver/trustee of the estates of Premium and certain of its affiliated
entities (the "Trustee"). Plaintiffs sought actual damages of approximately
$300 million, treble damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs,
expenses and other appropriate relief.
The company announced in September 1996 it had reached an agreement to settle
the Premium cases. Under the agreement, the Trustee, the class of investors
(excluding opt-outs and non-releasing Canadian investors, if any) and all
other claimants will dismiss their actions against the company in exchange for
a $19.5 million payment plus $500,000 for costs and expenses, and all related
claims involving the company will be dismissed.
The settlement is subject to, among other things, execution of a definitive
agreement by all parties or their representatives, court approval and receipt
by the company of releases from Canadian investors holding significant claims.
On August 22, 1996, four former employees of the company and numerous others
were variously indicted by a U.S. grand jury sitting in the Southern District
of Florida for multiple counts of fraud, conspiracy and other crimes,
including wire fraud, tax fraud and money laundering, allegedly committed in
furtherance of Premium's fraudulent scheme. Neither the company nor any of
its current employees were indicted.
(2) David's Supermarkets, Inc. vs. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No.
246-93, in the District Court of Johnson County, Texas.
The company, a former subsidiary subsequently merged with the company, and a
retired executive officer were named in a lawsuit filed in the District Court
in Johnson County, Texas (David's Supermarkets, Inc. v. Fleming Companies,
Inc. ("David's")) in August 1993 which was tried before a jury in February and
March 1996. Plaintiff sought substantial actual damages, treble damages,
exemplary damages, attorney's fees, interest and costs against the company for
allegedly overcharging the plaintiff for products over a three-year period.
The company considered the claims to be without merit. However, following a
four-week trial the jury found against the company in the amount of $72.5
million for breach of contract, $201 million for fraud and $207.5 million for
violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act ("DTPA"), and against the
executive in the amount of $51 million for fraud and $72.6 million for
violation of the DTPA. On April 12, 1996, judgment was entered against the
company in the amount of $207.5 million for violation of the DTPA plus
prejudgment interest of $3.7 million and post-judgment interest at the rate of
10% per annum. Judgment jointly and severally against the executive was
entered for $72.6 million plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. The
company posted a supersedeas bond, commenced appeal of the judgment and filed
a motion for a new trial and the recusal of the trial judge on the grounds,
among others, that both the judge and the plaintiff failed to disclose
previous financial relationships between the judge and the plaintiff and
others connected with the plaintiff.
Subsequently, a new judge was assigned to the case, the court vacated the
judgment and granted the company a new trial, set to begin in January 1997.
The court has withheld its ruling on defendants' motion for a change of venue
from Johnson County pending an attempt to impanel an impartial jury.
Defendants' motions for summary judgment were denied in early November 1996.
Plaintiff continues to allege liability on the part of the company (and its
co-defendant) as the result of breach of contract, fraud, conspiracy and
violation of the DTPA, and seeks substantial actual damages, treble damages,
exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, interest and costs, totaling hundreds of
millions of dollars.
(3) Steiner, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-480-M,
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
Hollin, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-484-M,
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
Goldstein, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-510-M,
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
General Telecom Money Purchase Pension Plan & Trust, et al. v. Fleming
Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-593-M, United States District Court,
Western District of Oklahoma.
Bright Trading, Inc., et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No.
CIV-96-830-M, United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
City of Philadelphia, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No.
96-853-M, United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
Pindus, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-869-M,
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
Hinton, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-942-C,
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
Wells, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-993-L,
United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
Mark, et al. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., et al., Case No. CIV-96-506-M, United
States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
In March and April 1996 the company and certain of its present and former
officers, including the chief executive officer, were named as defendants in
nine purported class action lawsuits filed by certain of its stockholders and
one purported class action lawsuit filed by a noteholder, each in the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, alleging the company
failed to properly disclose and account for the risk associated with the
David's litigation. The plaintiffs in five of the stockholder cases also
claim the company failed to disclose that it was engaged in a deceptive course
of business with its customers that exposed it to substantial liability which
would severely impair the financial condition, performance and value of the
company. The plaintiffs seek undetermined but significant damages. Motions
to consolidate some or all of the cases are pending before the court.
(4) In re: Megafoods Stores, Inc. and related proceedings, Case No.
B-94-07411-P8X-RTB, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the district of Arizona.
Megafoods Stores, Inc. ("Megafoods") and certain of its affiliates filed
Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Arizona in August 1994. The company
filed claims, including a claim for indebtedness for goods sold on open
account, equipment leases and secured loans, totaling approximately $28
million. The debtor is also liable or contingently liable to the company
under store subleases and lease guarantees extended by the company for the
debtor's benefit. The debtor filed an adversary proceeding against the
company seeking subordination of the company's claims, return of an
approximate $12 million deposit and affirmative relief for damages which was
subsequently amended to include allegations similar to those in the David's
litigation.
In August 1996, the court approved a settlement of the debtor's adversary
proceeding against the company, subject to approval by the creditors of a
revised reorganization plan which will encompass the settlement. Under the
terms of the settlement, the company will retain its $12 million working
capital deposit, relinquish its secured and unsecured claims in exchange for
the right to receive 10% of any distribution made to the unsecured creditors
and pay the debtor $2.5 million in exchange for the furniture, fixtures and
equipment from seventeen Megafoods stores (located primarily in Texas) and two
Texas warehouses. The company agreed to lease back the furniture, fixtures
and equipment in fourteen of the stores to the reorganized debtor for nine
years (or until the expiration of the store lease) at an annual rental of $18
thousand per store. In addition, the company will enter into a voting trust
agreement with the reorganized debtor which will provide that any shares of
the reorganized debtor held by the company will be voted in the same
proportion as the reorganized debtor's other shares are voted. The company
will remain exposed to contingent liabilities for stores subleased by the
company to Megafoods and for certain leasehold guarantees extended to third
parties on Megafoods' behalf.
Although the company anticipated a vote on the reorganization plan sometime
during the third quarter of 1996, prior to the vote Megafoods began exploring
the sale of some or all of its assets. On October 7, 1996, the debtor
announced an agreement in principle to sell its 16 Phoenix stores to a local
grocer for an undisclosed amount. Although the company anticipates that any
sale will be made subject to the settlement agreement, the company can offer
no assurances that a sale will be consummated or that Megafoods can or will be
successfully reorganized.
(5) Rocco Costa, Inc., Rocco N. Costa and Patricia A. Costa v. Fleming
Companies, Inc. and Carroll L. McLarty, Cause No. 9633539, 164th Judicial
District, District Court, Harris County, Texas.
The individual plaintiffs, through the corporate plaintiff, were the owners of
a retail grocery store in Kingwood, Texas, acquired by the company in June
1994 in exchange for satisfaction of a portion of indebtedness to the company
(approximately $300,000) and the forgiveness of the balance of the
indebtedness to the company (approximately $700,000). The individual
plaintiffs were guarantors of the indebtedness who, along with the corporate
plaintiff, executed a full release of the company, its officers, directors,
etc. in connection with the acquisition of the store by the company.
Notwithstanding the release, the plaintiffs sued the company and an individual
executive in July 1996 alleging that the company and the individual made
representations to the plaintiffs to induce them to enter into the
transactions which included the release. Further, plaintiffs claim that in
connection with the operation of the store, the company overcharged the
plaintiffs for goods and services, misled and deceived them about the cost of
such goods and services and manipulated the prices charged. Plaintiffs seek
actual damages, both economic damages and damages for mental anguish,
additional damages and punitive damages of unstated amounts.
(6) Fleming Foods East v. Red Apple, et al., Case No. 94-131268, Supreme
Court of New York, New York County.
In November 1994 Red Apple sought declaratory relief from the payment of a $5
million note (the balance of which was $2.3 million, the "Red Apple Note") to
the company until the company agreed to release its security interest in Red
Apple's collateral. Red Apple also filed a claim seeking in excess of
$600,000 in damages for the company's alleged wrongful failure to release the
collateral and also seeking an accounting to determine if the company failed
to provide it with promised allowances in excess of $1 million. The company
filed a counterclaim seeking, among other things, payment of principal and
interest due under the Red Apple Note and replevin of the collateral securing
the note. The company has also filed a third-party action against Di Giorgio
Corporation (to whom the company sold its perishable business in Woodbridge,
New Jersey in 1994) seeking indemnification for any losses it may suffer as a
result of Red Apple's claims.
The trial court granted the company's motion for partial summary judgment and
has entered judgment for the company on its claim under the Red Apple Note,
finding that Red Apple was not entitled to withhold payment. That ruling has
been affirmed by a lower appellate court. Red Apple has, however, sought
leave to appeal to the State of New York's highest court.
The company and Red Apple have entered into a partial settlement, under which
the company was paid approximately $1.2 million, in exchange for releasing its
security interest in Red Apple's receivables. As part of the settlement, Red
Apple also dismissed with prejudice its $600,000 claim for the company's
allegedly wrongful failure to release the collateral. The amount now owed to
the company is approximately $1.3 million, plus interest and attorneys' fees,
which is reflected in the Court's judgment entered in the company's favor.
Red Apple's claim that the company failed to provide it with allowances in
excess of $1 million was dismissed on the company's motion for summary
judgment. However, the trial court granted Red Apple leave to file an amended
complaint alleging causes of action for breach of contract for the company's
alleged failure to provide the allowances and for allegedly overcharging Red
Apple when the company was Red Apple's supplier of perishable products, citing
the David's litigation (described in paragraph (2) above) in support of such
cause of action.
For the overcharge claim, Red Apple alleges that it entered into a supply
proposal containing terms similar to those contained in the supply agreement
between the company and David's, and that based on the supply proposal, a
supply agreement, and related documents, the company was contractually
required to provide Red Apple with certain product at a price which was
represented to be the company's cost plus an agreed upon markup. Red Apple
alleges, upon information and belief, that since 1985 (the company ceased
doing business with Red Apple in 1994), the company has overcharged it by
inflating the cost against which a markup was then applied, and that the
company has overcharged Red Apple by diverting lower cost products from one
region to another region and charging Red Apple a higher cost. Red Apple
alleges that it has suffered damages in an amount to be determined at trial,
but believed by it to be in excess of $1 million.
The company has filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which is
pending.
(7) Richard E. Ieyoub, Attorney General ex rel., State of Louisiana v. The
American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 96-1209, 14th Judicial District
Court, Parish of Calcasieu, State of Louisiana.
In August 1996 the registrant was served in this case brought by the Attorney
General of the State of Louisiana against numerous named tobacco companies and
distributors (including Malone & Hyde, Inc., a former subsidiary which has
been merged into the registrant) claiming that the defendants' products and
conduct were the cause of thousands of deaths, injuries and illnesses and
millions of dollars of state health-care and related expenditures. The
registrant has been indemnified by one of the tobacco companies and will
vigorously defend the case.
(8) Cauley, et al. v. Stauth, et al., Case No. CIV-96-1679T, United States
District Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
In October 1996 certain of the company's present and former officers and
directors, including the chief executive officer and others (which may include
the company's outside legal advisors, independent accountants and other
management personnel) have been named as defendants in a purported
shareholder's derivative suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western
District of Oklahoma. Plaintiff alleges the defendants breached their
respective fiduciary duties to the company and are variably responsible for
causing the company to (I) become "involved with" Premium Sales and its
illegal course of business resulting in the Premium litigation and the $20
million settlement agreement discussed above; (ii) "systematically"
misrepresent and overstate the cost of company products sold to its customers
in violation of its purchase agreements, resulting in the David's litigation
and ultimately leading to the class action suits discussed above; and (iii)
fail to meet its disclosure obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, resulting in the class action lawsuits discussed above and
increased borrowing costs, loss of customers and loss of market value.
Plaintiff seeks damages from the defendants on behalf of the company in excess
of $50,000, forfeiture by the defendants of their salaries and other
compensation for the period in which they breached their fiduciary duties and
that all monies held by the company as deferred compensation or otherwise on
behalf of the defendants remain in constructive trust for the benefit of the
company, attorney's fees and costs.
Rosenberg v. Stauth, et al., Case No. CIV-96-1808M, United States District
Court, Western District of Oklahoma.
The plaintiff in this purported shareholder derivative action filed in October
1996, similar to the Cauley case described above, has sued the same present
and former officers and directors, including the company's chief executive
officer, but has also sued other present and former officers. In this case,
also filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma,
plaintiff has alleged the defendants caused the company to: (I) violate
certain purchase agreements with David's Supermarkets, Inc. ("David's")
resulting in the David's litigation described above, (ii) fail to disclose to
the investing public the risks associated with litigation initiated against
the company by David's, in which David's alleged Fleming violated certain
purchase agreements and was thereby liable to David's for violation of the
Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, (iii) violate certain purchase agreements
with Megafoods Stores, Inc. ("Megafoods"), which Megafoods' claims were
violated in a manner similar to that alleged by David's in the David's
litigation, and (iv) defraud persons who invested in the Premium Sales matter
resulting in the Premium Sales litigation described above.
Plaintiff demands judgment for money damages in favor of the company for all
losses suffered as the result of the wrongful acts of the defendants, punitive
damages, treble damages, attorney's fees and costs.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit Number Page Number
4.0 Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement
dated as of October 21, 1996
12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Report on Form 8-K
On September 12, 1996, registrant disclosed under Item 5. the agreement in
principle to settle the Premium Sales litigation, two lawsuits in which the
plaintiffs alleged liability on the part of the registrant by reason of its
alleged part in a fraudulent scheme conducted by Premium Sales Corporation, a
failed grocery diverter.
<PAGE>
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.
FLEMING COMPANIES, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: November 12, 1996 KEVIN J. TWOMEY
Kevin J. Twomey
Vice President-Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Method of Filing
- ------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
4.0 Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement Filed herewith electronically
dated as of October 21, 1996
12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Filed herewith electronically
Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith electronically
</TABLE>
AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT dated as of October 21, 1996, to the $2,200,000,000 Credit
Agreement dated as of July 19, 1994 (as heretofore amended, the "Credit
Agreement") among FLEMING COMPANIES, INC., the BANKS party thereto, the
AGENTS party thereto and MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as
Managing Agent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain adjustments be made
in the calculation of its compliance with certain financial covenants under
the Credit Agreement and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the
Banks party hereto are willing to agree to such adjustments;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions; References. Unless otherwise specifically
defined herein, each term used herein that is defined in the Credit Agreement
shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement. Each
reference to "hereof," "hereunder," "herein" and "hereby" and each other
similar reference and each reference to "this Agreement" and each other
similar reference contained in the Credit Agreement shall from and after the
date hereof refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.
SECTION 2. Calculation of Certain Covenants. The Banks hereby agree
that for purposes of calculating compliance with the covenants contained in
Sections 5.07, 5.08 and 5.09 of the Credit Agreement, Consolidated Net Worth
as at any date and Consolidated Net Income for any period shall be calculated
on a pro-forma basis excluding (i) up to $20,000,000 of any charges taken
with respect to the "Premium Sales" litigation matters, which are described
under (4) in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for fiscal year 1995 plus up to an additional $2,500,000 with
respect to fees and expenses of the Borrower's counsel in connection with
such litigation matters and (ii) up to $50,000,000 of non-cash charges
taken after October 5, 1996 with respect to (A) write-downs of the carrying
value in the Borrower's financial statements of certain retail and
distribution facilities and related assets in connection with the proposed
disposition of such facilities or discontinuance of operations at
such facilities or (B) other consolidation and restructuring of facilities
and operations.
SECTION 3. Representations Correct; No Default. The Borrower
represents and warrants that on and as of the date hereof (i) the
representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and
each other Operative Agreement are true as though made on and as the
date hereof and (ii) assuming the giving effect to this Amendment, no Default
has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 4. Counterparts; Effectiveness; Etc. (a) This Amendment
may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto
were upon the same instrument.
(b) This Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof
when the Managing Agent shall have received duly executed counterparts hereof
signed by the Borrower and the Required Banks (or, in the case of any Bank as
to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received, the Managing
Agent shall have received telegraphic, telex or other written confirmation
from such party of execution of a counterpart hereof by such Bank).
(c) Promptly after this Amendment has become effective, the Borrower
shall pay (i) to the Managing Agent for the account of each Bank in
immediately available funds, an amendment fee in an amount equal to .10% of
the sum (as at the opening of business on the date hereof) of (A) the
Tranche A Commitment of such Bank and (B) the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Tranche C Loans of such Bank, and (ii) to the
Managing Agent for its own account in immediately available funds, an agent
fee in the amount previously agreed to between the Borrower and the
Managing Agent.
(d) Except as expressly set forth herein, the provisions shall not
constitute a waiver or amendment of any term or condition of the Credit
Agreement or any other Operative Agreement, and all such terms and conditions
shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and
confirmed in all respects.
SECTION 5. Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day
and year first above written.
FLEMING COMPANIES, INC.
By
Title:
BANKS
MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
OF NEW YORK
By
Title:
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
By
Title:
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By
Title:
CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
By
Title:
CREDIT SUISSE
By
Title:
By
Title:
THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED
By
Title:
NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
By
Title:
SOCIETE GENERALE, SOUTHWEST AGENCY
By
Title:
THE SUMITOMO BANK LIMITED
HOUSTON AGENCY
By
Title:
THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
TEXAS COMMERCE BANK
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By
Title:
THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK
By
Title:
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND,
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
By
Title:
FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF CALIFORNIA
By
Title:
By
Title:
WACHOVIA BANK OF GEORGIA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By
Title:
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE
RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A.,
"RABOBANK NEDERLAND",
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
By
Title:
THE SANWA BANK LIMITED,
DALLAS AGENCY
By
Title:
BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS
By
Title:
CITIBANK N.A.
By
Title:
DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN
TRUST COMPANY
By
Title:
LTCB TRUST COMPANY
By
Title:
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI LIMITED,
HOUSTON AGENCY
By
Title:
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK Plc
NASSAU BRANCH
By
Title:
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK Plc
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK
OF OREGON
By
Title:
BANK OF AMERICA ILLINOIS
By
Title:
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By
Title:
BANK OF HAWAII
By
Title:
BANQUE PARIBAS
By
Title:
By
Title:
BANQUE FRANCAISE DU COMMERCE
EXTERIEUR
By
Title:
By
Title:
BAYERISCHE VEREINSBANK AG,
LOS ANGELES AGENCY
By
Title:
By
Title:
BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT,
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
By
Title:
DG BANK
DEUTSCHE GENOSSENSCHAFTSBANK
By
Title:
By
Title:
FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK
By
Title:
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
OF NORTH CAROLINA
By
Title:
LIBERTY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
OF OKLAHOMA CITY, N.A.
By
Title:
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS
TRUST COMPANY
By
Title:
THE MITSUBISHI TRUST AND BANKING
CORPORATION
By
Title:
THE MITSUI TRUST AND BANKING
COMPANY, LIMITED
By
Title:
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By
Title:
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE, New York Branch
By
Title:
By
Title:
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE, Cayman Islands
Branch
By
Title:
By
Title:
THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING
COMPANY, LTD.
By
Title:
BANK HAPOALIM B.M.,
LOS ANGELES BRANCH
By
Title:
By
Title:
KREDIETBANK N.V.
By
Title:
By
Title:
MERCANTILE BANK OF ST. LOUIS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By
Title:
THE SUMITOMO BANK OF CALIFORNIA
By
Title:
THE SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING CO., LTD.
NEW YORK BRANCH
By
Title:
BANK OF IRELAND,
CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
By
Title:
BANK AUSTRIA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
By
Title:
By
Title:
SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO
By
Title:
Exhibit 12
<TABLE>
Fleming Companies, Inc.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
<CAPTION>
40 Weeks Ended
October 5, October 7,
(In thousands of dollars) 1996 1995
- ------------------------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Earnings:
Pretax income $ 33,464 $ 77,612
Fixed charges, net 159,185 164,536
-------- --------
Total earnings $192,649 $242,148
======== ========
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $125,045 $135,046
Portion of rental charges
deemed to be interest 33,861 29,239
Capitalized interest 103 664
-------- --------
Total fixed charges $159,009 $164,949
======== ========
Ratio of earnings
to fixed charges 1.21 1.47
======== ========
</TABLE>
"Earnings" consists of income before income taxes and fixed charges excluding
capitalized interest. Capitalized interest amortized during the respective
periods is added back to earnings.
"Fixed charges, net" consists of interest expense, an estimated amount of
rental expense which is deemed to be representative of the interest factor and
amortization of capitalized interest.
The pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges is omitted as it is not
applicable.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 5, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-05-1996
<CASH> 5,146
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 380,116
<ALLOWANCES> 44,602
<INVENTORY> 1,086,918
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,530,955
<PP&E> 1,558,966
<DEPRECIATION> 616,262
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,079,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,298,896
<BONDS> 1,140,683
0
0
<COMMON> 94,470
<OTHER-SE> 996,986
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,079,692
<SALES> 12,616,535
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,616,535
<CGS> 11,482,148
<TOTAL-COSTS> 12,436,477
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 21,549
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 125,045
<INCOME-PRETAX> 33,464
<INCOME-TAX> 17,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,364
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 16,364
<EPS-PRIMARY> .43
<EPS-DILUTED> .43
</TABLE>
