Gross sales at the Company’s travel centers increased by 10.2% to $9.231 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $8.374 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. Merchandise sales decreased 7.2% to $3.308 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $3.563 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in fireworks sales of $157,000 as a result of bans in New Mexico due to drought conditions, general merchandise and cigarette sales. Retail gasoline sales increased 4.4% to $3.704 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $3.548 million for the same period in 2005. The increase is due to market price increases as the average gallon of gasoline retailed for $3.18 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, compared to $2.40 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase in retail gasoline sales is partially offset by a decrease in gasoline gallons sold of 314,000 gallons during the three months ended July 31, 2006. Restaurant sales increased 2.8% to $738,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $718,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to adjustments of retail prices in relationship to costs. Wholesale gasoline sales to independent retailers increased 171.7% to $1.481 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $545,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to the addition of three independent wholesale locations during the three months ended July 31, 2006.
Cost of goods sold increased 16.6% to $6.232 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $5.347 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. Merchandise cost of goods decreased 13.7% to $1.215 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $1.408 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is related to the decrease in sales as well as adjustments of standard markups within certain product categories that the Company gets as a result of volume purchasing. Retail gasoline cost of goods increased 5.0% to $3.337 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $3.178 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase corresponds to market price increases, which is partially offset by decreases in gallons sold. Restaurant cost of goods decreased 10.1% to $204,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $227,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to retail prices that increased higher than cost increases as well as better inventory control. Wholesale gasoline cost of goods increased 176.9% to $1.476 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $533,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to the addition of three independent wholesale locations during the three months ended July 31, 2006. In addition, the increase in wholesale gasoline cost of goods exceeds the increase in sales due to one wholesale location that had better mark-ups in the prior period that were not present in the current period. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of gross revenues increased to 67.5% for the three months ended July 31, 2006, as compared to 63.9% for the three months ended July 31, 2005.
Gross profit decreased 2.0% to $2.907 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $2.965 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to better markups of one wholesale location not present in the current period as well as increases of discounts at one of the Company’s retail locations.
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries, bonuses and commissions for travel center personnel, property costs and repairs and maintenance. General and administrative expenses also include executive and administrative compensation and benefits, accounting, legal and investor relations fees. General and administrative expenses decreased 2.1% to $2.142 million for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $2.187 million for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is due to lower freight costs as a result of volume purchasing, decreases in health insurance and decreases in contract labor.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 0.9% to $220,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $218,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is associated with certain asset additions in the second quarter offset by some assets becoming fully depreciated.
The above factors contributed to an overall decrease in operating income of 2.7% to $545,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, compared to operating income of $560,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005.
Non-operating income (expense) includes interest income, gains and losses from the sale of assets, rental income and interest expense. Interest income increased 81.8% to $20,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, compared to interest income of $11,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is due to better interest rates in the current period as well as interest earned on notes receivable in the current period that were not present in the prior period. Gains from the sale of assets decreased to $2,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006 from $206,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The gain of $2,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006 is due to the sale of a vehicle as well as installment payments received related to notes receivable that include deferred gains. The gain of $206,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005 is primarily due to a balloon payment related to a note receivable that included a deferred gain. Rental income was $47,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006 compared to $45,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. Interest expense increased 11.1% to $110,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, from $99,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to increases in interest rates.
Income before income taxes decreased 30.3% to $504,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, compared to income before income taxes of $723,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. As a percentage of gross revenues, income before income taxes was 5.5% for the three months ended July 31, 2006, compared to 8.6% for the three months ended July 31, 2005.
Income tax expense decreased 29.5% to $196,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006, compared to an income tax expense of $278,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is a result of lower income before income taxes.
The foregoing factors contributed to net income for the three months ended July 31, 2006 of $308,000 compared to a net income of $445,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2005.
Comparison of the Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 and July 31, 2005
Gross sales at the Company’s travel centers increased by 15.8% to $16.870 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $14.568 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. Merchandise sales decreased 2.0% to $5.822 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $5.942 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in fireworks sales of $138,000 as a result of bans in New Mexico due to drought conditions, general merchandise and cigarette sales partially offset by increases in t-shirt sales. Retail gasoline sales increased 8.3% to $6.821 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $6.300 million for the same period in 2005. The increase is due to market price increases as the average gallon of gasoline retailed for $2.95 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to $2.32 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase in retail gasoline sales is partially offset by a decrease in gasoline gallons sold of 406,000 gallons during the six months ended July 31, 2006. Restaurant sales increased 2.7% to $1.355 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $1.319 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to adjustments of retail prices in relationship to costs. Wholesale gasoline sales to independent retailers increased 185.2% to $2.872 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $1.007 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to the addition of three independent wholesale locations during the six months ended July 31, 2006.
Cost of goods sold increased 22.4% to $11.517 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $9.406 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. Merchandise cost of goods decreased 7.5% to $2.183 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $2.360 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is related to the decrease in sales as well as adjustments of standard markups within certain product categories that the Company gets as a result of volume purchasing. Retail gasoline cost of goods increased 8.3% to $6.119 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $5.650 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase corresponds to market price increases, partially offset by decreases in gallons sold. Restaurant cost of goods decreased 8.3% to $376,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $410,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to a retail prices that increased higher than cost increases as well as better inventory control. Wholesale gasoline cost of goods increased 187.9% to $2.839 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $986,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to the addition of thee independent wholesale locations during the six months ended July 31, 2006. In addition, the increase in wholesale gasoline cost of goods exceeds the increase in sales due to one wholesale location that had better mark-ups in the prior period that were not present in the current period. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of gross revenues increased to 68.3% for the six months ended July 31, 2006, as compared to 64.6% for the six months ended July 31, 2005.
Gross profit increased 2.3% to $5.174 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $5.056 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase corresponds to adjustments of standard markups within certain product categories that the Company gets as a result of volume purchasing offset by an increase in discounts at one location.
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries, bonuses and commissions for travel center personnel, property costs and repairs and maintenance. General and administrative expenses also include executive and administrative compensation and benefits, accounting, legal and investor relations fees. General and administrative expenses increased 1.3% to $4.058 million for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $4.007 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is due to sign repairs and maintenance and increased credit card fees related to processing credit cards through the Company’s gasoline distributorships.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 1.6% to $437,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $444,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is associated with certain asset additions becoming fully depreciated.
The above factors contributed to an overall increase in operating income of 12.2% to $679,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to operating income of $605,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005.
Non-operating income (expense) includes interest income, gains and losses from the sale of assets, rental income and interest expense. Interest income increased 33.1% to $37,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to interest income of $28,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is due to better interest rates in the current period as well as interest earned on notes receivable in the current period that were not present in the prior period. Gains from the sale of assets decreased to $5,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006 from $206,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The gain of $5,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006 is primarily due to the sale of vehicles and equipment as well as installment payments received related to notes receivable that include deferred gains. The gain of $206,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005 is primarily due to a balloon payment related to a note receivable that included a deferred gain. Miscellaneous income of $24,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2006 compared to no miscellaneous income for the three months ended July 31, 2005. Rental income was $93,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006 compared to $90,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. Interest expense increased 12.0% to $214,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, from $191,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to increases in interest rates.
Income before income taxes decreased 15.4% to $624,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to income before income taxes of $738,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. As a percentage of gross revenues, income before income taxes was 3.7% for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to 5.1% for the six months ended July 31, 2005.
Income tax expense decreased 14.6% to $245,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to an income tax expense of $287,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005. The decrease is a result of lower income before income taxes.
The foregoing factors contributed to net income for the six months ended July 31, 2006 of $379,000 compared to a net income of $451,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2005.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At July 31, 2006, the Company had working capital of $4.703 million compared to working capital of $4.465 million at January 31, 2006 (“working capital” is the excess of total current assets over total current liabilities). At July 31, 2006, the Company had a current ratio of 2.7:1, compared to a current ratio of 3.1:1 as of January 31, 2006 (“current ratio” is the ratio of current assets to current liabilities). The increase in working capital is due to an increase in cash of $328,000, an increase in inventory of $434,000, a decrease in the current portion of long-term debt of $43,000, a decrease in accrued liabilities of $43,000, a decrease in deferred revenue of $96,000 offset by an increase in accounts payable of $707,000. The increases in cash, inventory and accounts payable is due to the summer being the peak season of the Company’s travel center operations, as higher traffic typically occurs during the summer months. The decrease in accrued liabilities since January 31, 2006 is due to decreases in salaries and wages, as discretionary bonuses were accrued through January 2006 to be paid the following fiscal year, and a decrease fuel in tax payable. This was partially offset by an increase in sales tax liability due to peak season sales and an increase in property taxes that were paid in December 2005 and have been accruing since that time. The decrease in deferred revenue is a result of the end of a two-year brand incentive program for four locations branded ExxonMobil in fiscal year 2004 as well as a decrease in outdoor advertising billboard revenue as the Company had several annual contracts that did not begin until August 1, 2006. The decrease in the current portion of long-term debt is normal scheduled payments.
The Company’s travel center operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations. The second quarter of the fiscal year is typically the Company’s peak season. Through out the Company’s fiscal year, revenues and earnings may experience substantial fluctuations from quarter to quarter. These fluctuations could result in period of increased or decreased cash flow as well as increased or decreased net income.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $906,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared to $1.292 million for the six months ended July 31, 2005. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended July 31, 2006 is primarily attributable to net income of $379,000 adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense of $437,000 and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $91,000. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended July 31, 2005 was primarily attributable to net income of $451,000 adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense of $444,000 and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $602,000 offset by the gain on sales of assets of $206,000.
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended July 31, 2006 was $334,000 primarily consisting of $355,000 which was used for purchases of property and equipment, offset by accrued interest receivable of $5,000, notes receivable of $13,000 and proceeds from the sale of property and equipment of $3,000.
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended July 31, 2005 was $97,000 primarily consisting of proceeds of $206,000 from the sale of assets and proceeds of $169,000 from notes receivable partially offset by $297,000 used for purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash used by financing activities for the six months ended July 31, 2006 was $224,000, which consisted of payments on long-term debt. For the six months ended July 31, 2005, net cash used in financing activities was $274,000, which were payments on long-term debt.
The Company’s business and cash flow from operations rely on revenues generated from the sale of gasoline. During the quarter ended July 31, 2006, retail gasoline sales accounted for approximately 40.1% of the Company’s gross sales. To the extent that the availability of gasoline was restricted for any reasons, including due to storms, political issues, pipeline disruption, war, act or threats of terrorism in the United States or abroad, the Company’s gross sales would be affected, thereby reducing the amount of net cash that would be provided by operating activities. It is impossible to foresee or predict the exact economic effect on cash flows that any such restriction would have.