entered into agreements to leaseback 40 of the properties from Klac for initial lease terms expiring January 31, 2010, with renewal options for up to 15 additional years. The leases on 28 of the properties have been terminated as of April 30, 2009. We also entered into license agreements with Klac for 15 of the properties that allowed us to occupy the properties for up to 90 days rent free. Upon the expiration of the license period, we vacated the 15 properties.
This transaction resulted in a gain (realized and deferred) of $14.8 million. Of this gain, $2.6 million and $0.3 million was recognized in the first quarter of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in current year gain recognition relates to our restructuring and winding down of our retail business. Amortization of the gain was accelerated for properties that we closed during fiscal year 2009. We had a deferred gain of $1.4 million and $5.1 million at April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, based upon the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments. The deferred gain will be amortized as a reduction to lease expense over the lease periods or recognized as gain on disposal at the end of the lease period. The leases have been accounted for as operating leases. The following table summarizes the pre-tax gains and losses recognized during the first quarters of fiscal years 2009 and 2008 (amounts in thousands):
The following table summarizes the components of the sale and leaseback transaction (dollar amounts in thousands):
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, we recognized income of approximately $0.1 million and loss of approximately $0.4 million from our equity investments in Big River and Patriot, respectively. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, we recognized income of approximately $1.0 million and $41,000 from our equity investments in Big River and Patriot, respectively.
Income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 includes approximately $0.7 million of pre-tax investment income from the sales of the Company’s entire partnership interests in Colona SynFuel Limited Partnership, L.L.L.P., (Colona) and Somerset Synfuel, L.P. (Somerset). This income represents the estimated final settlements related to Colona and Somerset as all synthetic fuel production ceased during fiscal year 2007. As the
Section 29/45K program expired December 31, 2007, the Company does not expect additional income from these sales.
We also sold our membership interest in the limited liability company that owned a synthetic fuel facility in Gillette, Wyoming. The plant was subsequently sold and during the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, we modified our agreement with the owners and operators of the synthetic fuel facility. Based on the terms of the modified agreement, we currently are not able to determine the likelihood and timing of collecting payments related to production occurring after September 30, 2006. Thus, we cannot currently determine the timing of income recognition, if any, related to production occurring subsequent to September 30, 2006. We did not recognize any income from this sale during the first quarter of fiscal years 2009 or 2008.
We recognized losses of $556,000 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, related to forward starting interest rate swap agreements that Levelland Hockley and One Earth entered into during fiscal year 2007. Levelland Hockley’s loss was $318,000 and One Earth’s loss was $238,000. We recognized an unrealized gain of $472,000 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, related to the swaps. Levelland Hockley’s unrealized gain was $161,000 and One Earth’s unrealized gain was $311,000.
Our effective tax rate was 30.6% and 25.8% for the first quarter of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The change is primarily a result of a reduction in the reserve for uncertain tax positions during fiscal year 2008, related to the expiration of the statute of limitations in certain states and the recognition of a federal tax credit that is earned by Levelland Hockley as a small ethanol producer. We do not expect to be eligible to utilize the ethanol small producer federal tax credit for years beyond fiscal year 2008.
Noncontrolling interest loss of $622,000 and $217,000 represents the owners’ (other than REX) share of the loss of Levelland Hockley and One Earth for the quarters ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
During the quarter ended April 30, 2009 we closed 37 stores that were classified as discontinued operations. As a result of these closings and certain other store closings from prior periods, we had a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit, of $402,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to $46,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. Included in current year results are $1.5 million of early lease termination costs and $1.8 million of gain recognition related to the KLAC real estate sale.
As a result of the foregoing, net loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $1.7 million, a decrease of $3.2 million from net income of $1.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $10.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, compared to cash used of $5.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. For the first three months of fiscal year 2008, cash was used by net loss of $2.4 million, adjusted for non-cash items of $4.2 million, which consisted of depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation expense, loss from equity method investments, loss on
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disposal of real estate and property and equipment, deferred income and the deferred income tax provision. In addition, inventory provided cash of $17.9 million, primarily a result of the wind down of our retail business inventory levels as we have liquidated a significant portion of our retail merchandise inventory as we close stores. The primary use of cash was a decrease in accounts payable of $2.3 million as we have reduced virtually all of our merchandise vendor balances in connection with the wind down of our retail business. Accounts receivable provided $1.9 million of cash, primarily a result of the timing of cash receipts and customer billings at Levelland Hockley. Prepaid expenses and other current assets used cash of $0.4 million as we had an increase in the balance of refundable income taxes due to the operating losses incurred in fiscal year 2008.
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $5.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. For the first three months of fiscal year 2008, cash was provided by net income of $1.5 million, adjusted for the impact of $0.7 million for gains on our installment sales of the limited partnership interests, the unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $0.5 million and non-cash items of $2.1 million, which consisted of depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation expense, income from equity method investments, deferred income and the deferred income tax provision. In addition, accounts payable provided cash of $11.6 million, primarily a result of changes in inventory levels and extended terms from vendors. The primary use of cash was a decrease in other liabilities of $8.5 million, primarily a result of incentive compensation and other payroll and sales tax payments being made in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. The increase in inventory of $6.9 million was primarily due to seasonal fluctuations in our retail segment and Levelland Hockley commencing operations.
At April 30, 2009, working capital was $67.5 million compared to $84.4 million at January 31, 2009. This decrease is primarily a result of the early payoffs of approximately $7.3 in mortgage debt and a decrease in current deferred taxes during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 as our estimate of taxable income for fiscal year 2009 was reduced. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.5 to 1 at April 30, 2009 and January 31, 2009.
Cash of $22.6 million was used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, compared to $27.4 million of cash used during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, we had capital expenditures of approximately $21.6 million, primarily related to construction at the One Earth ethanol plant. We paid approximately $1.0 million into a restricted account as collateral for a letter of credit on behalf of Levelland Hockley to secure grain purchasing.
Cash of $27.4 million was used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, we received proceeds of $1.2 million from the installment sales of our ownership interests in synthetic fuel entities. We had capital expenditures of approximately $28.7 million during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, primarily related to construction at the Levelland Hockley and One Earth ethanol plants.
Cash provided by financing activities totaled approximately $6.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to $11.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. Cash was provided by debt borrowings of $15.3 million on construction loans at ethanol
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facilities and stock option activity of $0.6 million. Cash of $8.7 million was used for payments of mortgage debt. In addition, cash of $1.2 million used to repurchase our common shares.
Cash provided by financing activities totaled approximately $11.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. Cash was provided by debt borrowings of $11.9 million and stock option activity of $0.3 million. Cash of $1.0 million was used for scheduled payments of mortgage debt.
In May 2007, One Earth entered into an agreement with a designer/builder for the construction of One Earth’s ethanol plant. The designer/builder is responsible for all engineering, labor, materials and equipment to design, construct, startup and achieve guaranteed performance criteria of the plant. The contract price is approximately $120.2 million, subject to adjustments as provided by the general conditions of the agreement, of which approximately $109.2 million has been spent through April 30, 2009. One Earth has also entered into other construction and facility related contracts. Some of these contracts have been completed and all required funds have been expended as of April 30, 2009. The total of other incomplete construction and facility related contracts is approximately $9.8 million, of which approximately $9.3 million has been spent through April 30, 2009.
We expect One Earth to begin operations late in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. In connection with beginning operations, One Earth will expend funds for initial inventories, supplies and other items. We believe One Earth has sufficient working capital and credit availability to fund these commitments and the initial steps necessary to begin production.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-Q contains or may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Readers are cautioned that there are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include among other things: the highly competitive nature of the consumer electronics retailing industry, changes in the national or regional economies, weather, the effects of terrorism or acts of war on consumer spending patterns, the availability of certain products, technological changes and changes in real estate market conditions, the fluctuating amount of income received from the Company’s synthetic fuel investments and the impact of Internal Revenue Service audits. As it relates to ethanol investments, risks and uncertainties include among other things: the uncertainty of constructing plants on time and on budget, the impact of legislative changes, the price volatility and availability of corn, sorghum, distiller grains, ethanol, gasoline and natural gas and the plants operating efficiently and according to forecasts and projections. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 (File No. 001-09097).
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Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
No material changes since January 31, 2009.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.Risk Factors
During the quarter ended April 30, 2009, there have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1) | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) | |
| |
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| |
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February 1-28, 2009 | | | 94,237 | | $ | 7.01 | | | 94,237 | | | 485,111 | |
March 1-31, 2009 | | | 32,800 | | $ | 6.58 | | | 32,800 | | | 452,311 | |
April 1-30, 2009 | | | 27,526 | | $ | 12.16 | | | 27,526 | | | 424,785 | |
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Total | | | 154,563 | | $ | 7.84 | | | 154,563 | | | 424,785 | |
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| (1) | During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, we completed the purchase of our common stock under a previously announced authorization. On February 20, 2009, we announced our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 500,000 shares from time to time in private or market transactions at prevailing market prices. At April 30, 2009, a total of 424,785 shares remained available to purchase under this authorization. |
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Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The annual meeting of shareholders of REX Stores Corporation was held on June 2, 2009, at which the following matter was submitted to a vote of shareholders:
1. Election of seven directors.
| | | | | | | |
Nominee | | For | | Withheld | |
| | | | | | | |
Stuart A. Rose | | | 6,984,478 | | | 1,721,200 | |
Lawrence Tomchin | | | 6,894,408 | | | 1,811,270 | |
Robert Davidoff | | | 8,276,810 | | | 428,868 | |
Edward M. Kress | | | 6,894,778 | | | 1,810,900 | |
Charles A. Elcan | | | 6,588,625 | | | 2,117,053 | |
David S. Harris | | | 8,510,872 | | | 194,806 | |
Mervyn L. Alphonso | | | 8,531,635 | | | 174,043 | |
Item 6.Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed with this report:
| | |
| 31 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
| | |
| 32 | Section 1350 Certifications |
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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.
| |
| REX STORES CORPORATION Registrant |
| | | |
Signature | | Title | Date |
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| | | |
/s/ Stuart A. Rose | | Chairman of the Board | June 9, 2009 |
| | (Chief Executive Officer) | |
(Stuart A. Rose) | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
/s/ Douglas L. Bruggeman | | Vice President, Finance and Treasurer | June 9, 2009 |
| | (Chief Financial Officer) | |
(Douglas L. Bruggeman) | | | |
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