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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly report pursuant to section 13
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
quarterly period ended November 18, 2000, 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 1-10714
AUTOZONE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(901) 495-6500
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(not applicable)
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 periods 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 [ ]
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value -- 113,791,190 shares as of December 7,
2000.
Item 1. Financial Statements
AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
ASSETS
Nov. 18,
Aug. 26,
2000
2000
(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 7,041
$ 6,969
Accounts receivable
24,772
21,407
Merchandise inventories
1,179,999
1,108,978
Prepaid expenses
25,077
30,214
Deferred income taxes
19,469
19,212
Total current assets
1,256,358
1,186,780
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment
2,339,830
2,320,376
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
590,416
561,936
1,749,414
1,758,440
Other assets:
Cost in excess of net assets acquired
324,470
324,494
Deferred income taxes
48,120
52,182
Other assets
31,346
11,322
403,936
387,998
$ 3,409,708
$ 3,333,218
========== =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Long-term debt
1,408,378
1,249,937
Other liabilities
58,105
56,558
Stockholders' equity
895,851
992,179
$ 3,409,708
$ 3,333,218
==========
==========
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Twelve Weeks Ended
Nov. 18,
Nov. 20,
2000
1999
Net sales
$ 1,063,566
$ 1,006,472
Cost of sales, including warehouse
and delivery expenses
618,001
584,956
Operating, selling, general and
administrative expenses
334,797
315,768
Operating profit
110,768
105,748
Interest expense, net
22,980
14,604
Income before income taxes
87,788
91,144
Income taxes
34,000
35,100
Net income
$ 53,788
$ 56,044
=======
=======
Weighted average shares
for basic earnings per share
116,717
139,261
Effect of dilutive stock options
333
795
Adjusted weighted average shares
for diluted earnings per share
117,050
140,056
=======
=======
Basic earnings per share
$ .46
$ 0.40
=======
=======
Diluted earnings per share
$ .46
$ 0.40
=======
=======
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Twelve Weeks Ended
Nov. 18,
Nov. 20,
2000
1999
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$ 53,788
$ 56,044
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization
30,464
30,124
Net increase in merchandise inventories
(71,021)
(51,141)
Net increase (decrease) in current liabilities
12,830
(9,776)
Other - net
1,518
1,285
Net cash provided by operating activities
27,579
26,536
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
(55,048)
(66,686)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
39,499
1,436
Increase in other assets
(18,269)
Notes receivable from officers
(200)
(3,600)
Net cash used in investing
activities
(34,018)
(68,850)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from debt
158,441
194,224 Purchase of Treasury Stock
(154,640)
(151,935) Proceeds from sale of Common Stock
1,543
832
Other
1,167
Net cash provided by financing activities
6,511
43,121
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
72
807
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
6,969
5,918
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 7,041
$ 6,725
======
======
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note A-Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the fiscal 2001 presentation. Operating results for the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 25, 2001. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 26, 2000.
Note B-Adoption of a New Accounting Standard
On August 27, 2000, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," (SFAS 133) as amended. SFAS 133 requires the Company to recognize all derivative instruments in the balance sheet at fair value. The adoption of SFAS 133 impacts the accounting for our interest rate hedging program. The Company reduces its exposure to increases in interest rates by entering into interest rate swap contracts. All of the Company's interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges.
Upon adoption of SFAS 133, the Company recorded the fair value of the interest rate swaps in its Consolidated Balance Sheet. On an on-going basis, the Company will reflect the current fair value of interest rate swaps on our balance sheet. The related gains or losses on these swaps are deferred in stockholders' equity (as a component of comprehensive income). These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related interest rates being hedged have been recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of an interest rate swap contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the interest rate being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in income.
Note C-Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs.
Note D-Financing Arrangements
The Company's long-term debt as of November 18, 2000, and August 26, 2000, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Nov. 18,
Aug. 26,
2000
2000
6% Notes due November 2003 $150,000 $150,000
6.5% Debentures due July 2008 190,000 190,000
Commercial Paper,
weighted average rate of 6.8% at
November 18, 2000 and 6.8% at
August 26, 2000
903,491
767,300
Unsecured Bank Loans 143,000 120,000
Other
21,887
22,637
$1,408,378
$1,249,937
=========
========
In November 1998, the Company sold $150 million of 6% Notes due November 2003 at a discount. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 each year. In July 1998, the Company sold $200 million of 6.5% Debentures due July 2008 at a discount. Interest on the Debentures is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. Proceeds from the Notes and Debentures were used to repay portions of the Company's long-term variable rate bank debt and for general corporate purposes. In July 2000, the Company purchased $10 million of its 6.5% Debentures due July 2008, resulting in a $1.9 million gain.
The Company has a commercial paper program that allows borrowings up to $1.3 billion. In connection with the program, the Company has a credit facility with a group of banks for up to $650 million that extends until May 2005 and a 364-day $650 million credit facility with another group of banks. The 364-day facility includes a renewal feature as well as an option to extinguish the then outstanding debt one year from the maturity date. Borrowings under the commercial paper program reduce availability under the credit facilities. Outstanding commercial paper and unsecured bank loans at November 18, 2000, of $1.05 billion are classified as long-term debt as the Company has the ability and intention to refinance them on a long-term basis.
The rate of interest payable under the credit facilities is a function of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the lending bank's base rate (as defined in the agreement) or a competitive bid rate at the option of the Company. The Company has agreed to observe certain covenants under the terms of its credit agreements, including limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens and minimum fixed charge coverage.
During fiscal year 2001 the Company entered into unsecured bank loans with maturity dates from January to March 2001 and interest rates ranging from 6.94% to 7.44%. As of November 18, 2000, $143 million was outstanding under these agreements.
Note E-Stockholders' Equity
The Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." Basic EPS is computed as net earnings divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock-based compensation including stock options.
As of November 18, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the Company to repurchase up to $1.35 billion of common stock in the open market. Since January 1998, approximately $1.03 billion of common stock has been repurchased under the plan. At times, the Company utilizes equity instrument contracts to facilitate its repurchase of common stock. At November 18, 2000, the Company held equity instrument contracts that relate to the purchase of approximately 9.0 million shares of common stock at an average cost of $22.84 per share.
Note F-Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes changes in the fair value of certain derivative financial instruments which qualify for hedge accounting. Comprehensive income totaled $55.4 million for the quarter ended November 18, 2000 compared to $56.0 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2000. The difference between net income and comprehensive income for the quarter ended November 18, 2000 is the result of $1.6 million of unrealized gains on swap contracts recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133. Upon the adoption of SFAS 133 on August 27, 2000, the Company recorded unrealized interest hedge gains of $2.4 million. For additional information on the adoption of SFAS 133, see Note B of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
Note G-Sale and Leaseback Transaction
During the quarter ended November 18, 2000, the Company sold properties which were leased back from the purchaser under a 22-year operating lease agreement. Gains realized from the sale and leaseback transaction were deferred and are being recognized over the life of the leases. The leases contain renewal options and generally provide that the Company will pay property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and repairs. A portion of the net proceeds from this transaction are held in escrow until such time as suitable replacement properties can be purchased in an exchange under section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Note H-Contingencies
AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a class action lawsuit entitled "Melvin Quinnie on behalf of all others similarly situated v. AutoZone, Inc., and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive" filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, in November 1998. The plaintiff claims that the defendants failed to pay overtime to store managers as required by California law and failed to pay terminated managers in a timely manner as required by California law. The plaintiff is seeking injunctive relief, restitution, statutory penalties, prejudgment interest, and reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and costs. On April 3, 2000, the court certified the class as consisting of all AutoZone store managers, and Chief managers who became AutoZone employees in standardized stores on January 1, 1999, for their claims since January 1, 1999, only. The Company and the plaintiffs' attorneys have reached a settlement that is subject to the execution of a mutually acceptable settlement agreement and court approval. In the event that final settlement is not reached or appealed by the court, the Company will continue to vigorously defend against this action. The potential damages recoverable by any single plaintiff are minimal. However, if the plaintiff class were to prevail on all of its claims, the aggregate amount of damages could be substantial.
AutoZone, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Chief Auto Parts Inc., are defendants in a purported class action lawsuit entitled "Paul D. Rusch, on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Chief Auto Parts Inc., and AutoZone, Inc." filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, in May 1999. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants have failed to pay their store managers overtime pay from March 1997 to present. The plaintiffs are seeking back overtime pay, interest, an injunction against the defendants committing such practices in the future, costs, and attorneys' fees. The Company and the plaintiffs' attorneys have reached a settlement that is subject to the execution of a mutually acceptable settlement agreement and court approval. In the event that final settlement is not reached or appealed by the court, the Company will continue to vigorously defend against this action. The potential damages recoverable by any single plaintiff are minimal. However, if the plaintiff class were to be certified and prevail on all of its claims, the aggregate amount of damages could be substantial.
AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled "Coalition for a Level Playing Field, L.L.C., et al., v. AutoZone, Inc., et al.," filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in February, 2000. The case was filed by over 100 plaintiffs, which are principally automotive aftermarket warehouse distributors and jobbers, against eight defendants, which are principally automotive aftermarket parts retailers. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants have knowingly received volume discounts, rebates, slotting and other allowances, fees, free inventory, sham advertising and promotional payments, a share in the manufacturers' profits, and excessive payments for services purportedly performed for the manufacturers in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act. Plaintiffs seek approximately $1 billion in damages (including statutory trebling) and a permanent injunction prohibiting defendants from committing further violations of the Robinson-Patman Act and from opening up any further stores to compete with plaintiffs as long as defendants continue to violate the Act. The Company believes this suit to be without merit and will vigorously defend against it.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
Twelve Weeks Ended November 18, 2000, Compared to
Twelve Weeks Ended November 20, 1999
Net sales for the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, increased by $57.1 million, or 5.7%, over net sales for the comparable period of fiscal 2000. Comparable store sales, or sales for domestic auto parts stores opened at least one year, increased 2%. At November 18, 2000, the Company had 2,956 domestic auto parts stores in operation compared with 2,796 stores at November 20, 1999.
Gross profit for the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, was $445.6 million, or 41.9% of net sales, compared with $421.5 million, or 41.9% of net sales, during the comparable period for fiscal 2000.
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, increased by $19.0 million over such expenses for the comparable period for fiscal 2000, and increased as a percentage of net sales from 31.4% to 31.5%. The increase in the expense ratio was due primarily to increased payroll, benefits, fuel, utilities and advertising costs. These increases were offset by continuing expense leverage in the acquired stores.
Interest expense for the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, was $23.0 million compared with $14.6 million during the comparable period of 2000. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher levels of borrowings as a result of the stock repurchases and higher interest rates.
The Company's effective income
tax rate was 38.7% of pre-tax income for the twelve weeks ended November
18, 2000 and 38.5 % for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999. The increase
in tax rate is due to increased profitability in higher tax rate jurisdictions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
For the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, net cash of $27.6 million was provided by the Company's operations versus $26.5 million for the comparable period of fiscal year 2000.
Additionally, $34.0 million was used in investing activities by the Company compared with $68.9 million in the comparable period of fiscal year 2000. The decrease in investing activities as compared to the first quarter of the prior year is primarily due to the receipt of $39.5 million from the sale of real estate pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction. Of these proceeds, $18.3 million is being held in restricted cash accounts, as the Company anticipates deferring a portion of its tax expense related to this transaction by replacing these properties. Capital expenditures for the twelve weeks ended November 18, 2000, were $55.0 million. Year-to-date, the Company opened 41 net new domestic auto parts stores including 5 stores that replaced existing stores. The Company expects to operate approximately 3,090 domestic auto parts stores at the end of the fiscal year.
As of November 18, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the Company to repurchase up to $1.35 billion of common stock in the open market. Since January 1998, approximately $1.03 billion of common stock has been repurchased under the plan. At times, the Company utilizes equity instrument contracts to facilitate its repurchase of common stock. At November 18, 2000, the Company held equity instrument contracts that relate to the purchase of approximately 9.0 million shares of common stock at an average cost of $22.84 per share.
The Company anticipates that it will rely primarily on internally generated funds to support a majority of its capital expenditures, working capital requirements and stock repurchases. The balance will be funded through borrowings. The Company anticipates that it will be able to obtain such financing in view of its credit rating and favorable experiences in the debt market in the past.
The Company has a commercial
paper program that allows borrowing up to $1.3 billion. In connection with
the program, the Company had a credit facility with a group of banks for
up to $650 million which extends until May 2005 and a 364-day $650 million
credit facility with another group of banks. The 364-day facility included
a renewal feature as well as an option to extinguish the then outstanding
debt one year from the maturity date. Borrowings under the commercial paper
program reduced availability under the credit facilities. Outstanding commercial
paper and unsecured bank loans at November 18, 2000, of $1.05 billion are
classified as long term debt as the Company's has the ability and intention
to refinance them on a long-term basis.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss, among other things, expected growth, domestic and international development and expansion strategy, business strategies, and future performance. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, competition, product demand, domestic and international economies, the ability to hire and retain qualified employees, consumer debt levels, inflation and the weather. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results. Please refer to the Risk Factors section in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended August 26, 2000, for more details.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a class action lawsuit entitled "Melvin Quinnie on behalf of all others similarly situated v. AutoZone, Inc., and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive" filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, in November 1998. The plaintiff claims that the defendants failed to pay overtime to store managers as required by California law and failed to pay terminated managers in a timely manner as required by California law. The plaintiff is seeking injunctive relief, restitution, statutory penalties, prejudgment interest, and reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and costs. On April 3, 2000, the court certified the class as consisting of all AutoZone store managers, and Chief managers who became AutoZone employees in standardized stores on January 1, 1999, for their claims since January 1, 1999, only. The Company and the plaintiffs' attorneys have reached a settlement that is subject to the execution of a mutually acceptable settlement agreement and court approval. In the event that final settlement is not reached or appealed by the court, the Company will continue to vigorously defend against this action. The potential damages recoverable by any single plaintiff are minimal. However, if the plaintiff class were to prevail on all of its claims, the aggregate amount of damages could be substantial.
AutoZone, Inc. and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Chief Auto Parts Inc., are defendants in a purported class
action lawsuit entitled "Paul D. Rusch, on behalf of all others similarly
situated, v. Chief Auto Parts Inc., and AutoZone, Inc." filed in the Superior
Court of California, County of Los Angeles, in May 1999. The plaintiffs
claim that the defendants have failed to pay their store managers overtime
pay from March 1997 to present. The plaintiffs are seeking back overtime
pay, interest, an injunction against the defendants committing such practices
in the future, costs, and attorneys' fees. The Company and the plaintiffs'
attorneys have reached a settlement that is subject to the execution of
a mutually acceptable settlement agreement and court approval. In the event
that final settlement is not reached or appealed by the court, the Company
will continue to vigorously defend against this action. The potential damages
recoverable by any single plaintiff are minimal. However, if the plaintiff
class were to be certified and prevail on all of its claims, the aggregate
amount of damages could be substantial.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form
10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.
3.2
Second Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3 to the Form
8-K dated March 21, 2000.
*10.1 Agreement between AutoZone, Inc., and John C. Adams, Jr., dated October 19, 2000.
*10.2 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc., and various executive officers.
27.1
Financial Data Schedule (SEC Use Only).
_____________
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(b) (1) The Company
filed a Form 8-K dated September 21, 2000, containing a press release announcing
its earnings
for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2000.
(2) The Company filed a Form 8-K dated October 10, 2000, stating that its
Board of Directors had accelerated
the expiration date for the Company's Rights Agreement to October 20, 2000.
(3) The Company filed a Form 8-K dated November 15, 2000, disclosing
certain statistical information under
Regulation FD.
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.
AUTOZONE, INC.
By: /s/ ROBERT J. HUNT
Robert J. Hunt
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer-Customer Satisfaction
(Principal Financial Officer)
By: /s/ TRICIA K. GREENBERGER
Tricia K. Greenberger
Vice President, Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: December 14, 2000
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.
*10.2 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc., and various executive officers.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule (SEC Use Only).
_____________
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