Comparable stores are those which have been operating for at least 15 months. Minimal net sales, derived from the delivery of customer ordered product, are generated during the first three months of operations of newly opened stores. Stores acquired from retailers by Ethan Allen are included in comparable store sales in their 13th full month of Ethan Allen-owned operations.
Total booked orders, which include wholesale orders and written business of Ethan Allen-owned retail stores, decreased 8.3% from the prior year quarter. Quarter-over-quarter, wholesale orders decreased 11.1% while Ethan Allen-owned store written business decreased 0.2% and comparable store written business decreased 1.7%. The Company conducted two separate Retail conferences during calendar year 2003 (June and October) as compared to only one during calendar year 2004 (September). This resulted in floor sample orders being placed, for new products introduced at those 2003 conferences, throughout the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004. Similar floor sample orders, related to new products introduced at the 2004 conference, have not yet been reflected in the Company’s year-to-date booked orders. Retail written sales during the current quarter are indicative of continued uncertainty with respect to the economy and consumer confidence and, to a lesser extent, the aforementioned inclement weather experienced throughout the South and Southeast regions of the country during the period. These factors were partially offset by the continued expansion of the Company’s retail segment.
Gross profit increased during the quarter to $110.4 million from $108.4 million in the prior year comparable quarter. The $2.0 million, or 1.8%, increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in total sales volume, including a higher proportionate share of retail sales to total sales (62% in the current quarter compared to 60% in the prior year quarter), and (ii) a reduction in costs associated with excess capacity at the Company’s manufacturing facilities. These favorable variances were partially offset by (i) the increased cost of selected raw materials, namely lumber and steel, and (ii) full implementation of the Company’s “everyday pricing” program. Consolidated gross margin decreased to 47.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 from 48.7% in the prior year quarter as a result, primarily, of the factors identified previously.
Operating expenses decreased $0.7 million, or 0.9%, to $79.2 million, or 34.4% of net sales, in the current year quarter from $79.9 million, or 35.9% of net sales, in the prior year quarter. This decrease is primarily attributable to (i) a decline in selling expenses within the wholesale division as the result of a continued Company-wide focus on cost containment, particularly within national television advertising, and (ii) initiatives undertaken in recent periods to streamline the Company’s U.S. manufacturing operations. These decreases were partially offset by the continued growth of the retail segment and the higher proportionate share of retail sales to total sales in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter. This expansion has resulted in higher costs associated with designer salaries and commissions, occupancy, delivery and warehousing, and other managerial salaries and benefits.
Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $31.2 million, or 13.6% of net sales, compared to $28.6 million, or 12.8% of net sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This represents an increase of $2.6 million, and is primarily attributable to lower operating expenses within the wholesale division and an increase in gross profit during the current period, partially offset by increased costs related to continued expansion of the retail segment.
Total wholesale operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $28.3 million, or 17.5% of net sales, as compared to $27.0 million, or 17.0% of net sales, in the comparable prior year quarter. The increase of $1.3 million, or 4.9%, is primarily attributable to a decrease in operating expenses within the division, a reduction in costs associated with excess capacity at the Company’s manufacturing facilities, and increased wholesale sales volume. These decreases were partially offset by the increased cost of selected raw materials, namely lumber and steel, and full implementation of the Company’s “everyday pricing” program.
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Operating income for the retail segment increased $3.0 million to $3.2 million, or 2.3% of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as compared to $0.2 million, or 0.2% of net sales, in the prior year period. The increase in retail operating income generated by Ethan Allen-owned stores is primarily attributable to increased sales volume, partially offset by higher operating expenses related to the continued expansion of the retail network.
Interest and other miscellaneous income for the current quarter decreased $2.3 million to ($0.1) million from $2.2 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease is the result of (i) prior year gains recorded in connection with the sale of real estate, (ii) the favorable settlement of an outstanding legal matter during the prior year quarter, and (iii) a decrease in interest income associated with lower cash balances maintained during the current period.
Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $12.1 million as compared to $11.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. The Company’s effective tax rate for the current quarter was 39.0%, up from 38.2% in the prior year quarter. The higher effective tax rate is the result of recently-enacted changes within certain state tax legislation, and increased state income tax liability arising in connection with the operation of a greater number of Company-owned stores, some of which are located in new jurisdictions.
The Company recorded net income of $18.9 million for both the three month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Net income per diluted share for the current quarter totaled $0.51, up slightly from $0.50 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
The Company’s principal sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations and borrowing capacity under a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. In addition to the $100.0 million revolving credit component, the facility includes an accordion feature which provides for an additional $50.0 million of liquidity if needed, as well as sub-facilities for trade and standby letters of credit of $50.0 million and swing-line loans of $3.0 million.
As of September 30, 2004, the Company maintained cash and short-term investments totaling $36.0 million and outstanding debt and capital lease obligations totaling $9.2 million. The current and long-term portions of the Company’s outstanding debt and capital lease obligations totaled $4.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively at that date. The Company had no revolving loans outstanding under the credit facility as of September 30, 2004, and trade and standby letters of credit outstanding under the facility at that date totaled $20.6 million. Remaining available borrowing capacity under the facility was $79.4 million at September 30, 2004.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $37.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 as compared to $50.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The current quarter-over-quarter decrease of $12.6 million was principally the result of (i) changes in accrued expenses ($5.4 million effect), resulting from the quarter-over-quarter change in dividends accrued and paid, (ii) accounts payable ($4.5 million effect), resulting from the ordinary timing of related cash disbursements, including income taxes payable and treasury stock repurchases, (iii) changes in customer deposits ($2.6 million effect), and (iv) changes in prepaid expenses and other current assets ($2.6 million effect). These unfavorable variances were partially offset by additional cash collections related to outstanding accounts receivable ($2.7 million effect).
The decrease in inventory levels since June 2004 was the result, primarily, of a decline in finished goods and work-in-process inventories. The decrease in finished goods inventories was related, in part, to reductions within certain off-shore sourced product lines, and is consistent with the increase in sales volume noted during the quarter. The decline in work-in-process inventories is attributable to the consolidation of two manufacturing facilities, announced in April 2004, and the related phase-out of those plants’ production during the current period. These decreases were partially offset by an
17
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
increase in raw material inventories resulting from the purchase of logs and lumber in anticipation of future production needs.
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $7.2 million for the current quarter compared to $0.6 million in the prior year. The current quarter-over-quarter increase of $6.6 million was due, primarily, to (i) a $3.5 million increase in capital spending, exclusive of acquisitions, to $7.5 million from $4.0 million in the prior year, and (ii) a $3.4 million decline in proceeds stemming from the disposal of certain property, plant and equipment during the prior year period. The current level of capital spending is principally attributable to (i) new store development and renovation, (ii) improvements within certain manufacturing facilities, and (iii) Company-wide technology initiatives. The Company anticipates that cash from operations will be sufficient to fund future capital expenditures.
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $22.1 million for the current quarter as compared to $1.8 million in the prior year. The current quarter-over-quarter increase of $20.3 million was the result of an increase of $18.6 million in payments related to the acquisition of treasury stock, and a $1.1 million increase in cash utilized in the payment of dividends.
On July 27, 2004, the Company declared a dividend of $0.15 per common share, payable on October 25, 2004, to shareholders of record as of October 11, 2004. The Company expects to continue to declare quarterly dividends for the foreseeable future.
In addition to using available cash to fund changes in working capital, necessary capital expenditures, acquisition activity, the repayment of debt, and the payment of dividends, the Company has been authorized by its Board of Directors to repurchase its common stock, from time to time, either directly or through agents, in the open market at prices and on terms satisfactory to the Company. The Company also retires shares of unvested restricted stock and, prior to June 30, 2002, repurchased shares of common stock from terminated or retiring employee’s accounts in the Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan. All of the Company’s common stock repurchases and retirements are recorded as treasury stock and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity. During the three month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company repurchased and/or retired the following shares of its common stock:
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
---|
| 2004(1)
| 2003
|
---|
Common shares repurchased | | | | 624,500 | | | - | |
Cost to repurchase common shares | | | $ | 21,760,694 | | | - | |
Average price per share | | | $ | 34.85 | | | - | |
| (1) | The cost to repurchase shares during the first quarter of fiscal year 2005 reflects $3,933,146 in common stock repurchases with a September 2004 trade date and a October 2004 settlement date, and excludes $745,735 in common stock purchases with a June 2004 trade date and a July 2004 settlement date. |
For each of the periods presented above, the Company funded its purchases of treasury stock with existing cash on hand and cash generated through current period operations. On April 27, 2004, the Board of Directors increased the share purchase authorization to 2.5 million shares. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had a remaining Board authorization to purchase 1.2 million shares.
Subsequent to September 30, 2004 and through November 4, 2004, the Company repurchased, in 10 separate open market transactions, an additional 477,000 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $16.6 million, representing an average price per share of $34.79.
As of September 30, 2004, aggregate scheduled maturities of long-term debt, including capital lease obligations, for each of the next five fiscal years are: $0.2 million in fiscal 2006; $0.1 million in fiscal 2007; $0.1 million in fiscal 2008; $0.1 million in fiscal 2009; and $0.1 million in fiscal 2010. The balance of the Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations ($3.9 million) matures in fiscal years 2011 and
18
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
thereafter. The Company believes that its cash flow from operations, together with its other available sources of liquidity, will be adequate to make all required payments of principal and interest on its debt, to permit anticipated capital expenditures and to fund working capital and other cash requirements. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had working capital of $153.8 million and a current ratio of 2.07 to 1.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Other Commitments, Contingencies and Contractual Obligations
Except as indicated below, the Company does not utilize or employ any off-balance sheet arrangements, including special-purpose entities, in operating its business. As such, the Company does not maintain any (i) retained or contingent interests, (ii) derivative instruments, or (iii) variable interests which could serve as a source of potential risk to its future liquidity, capital resources and results of operations.
The Company, or its consolidated subsidiaries, may, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, provide guarantees on behalf of selected affiliated entities or become contractually obligated to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of certain business agreements. The nature and extent of these guarantees and obligations may vary based on the underlying relationship of the benefiting party to the Company and the business purpose for which the guarantee or obligation is being provided. Details of those arrangements for which the Company, or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, act as guarantor or obligor are provided below.
Retailer-Related Guarantees
Ethan Allen Inc. has obligated itself, on behalf of one of its independent retailers, with respect to a $1.5 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) comprised of a $1.1 million revolving line of credit and a $0.4 million term loan. This obligation requires the Company, in the event of the retailer’s default under the Credit Facility, to repurchase the retailer’s inventory, applying such purchase price to the retailer’s outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility. The Company’s obligation remains in effect for the life of the term loan which expires in April 2008. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Company could be required to make under this obligation is limited to the amount outstanding under the Credit Facility at the time of default (subject to pre-determined lending limits based on the value of the underlying inventory) and, as such, is not an estimate of future cash flows. No specific recourse or collateral provisions exist that would enable recovery of any portion of amounts paid under this obligation, except to the extent that the Company maintains the right to take title to the repurchased inventory. Management anticipates that the repurchased inventory could subsequently be sold through the Company’s retail store network. As of September 30, 2004, the total amount outstanding under the Credit Facility totaled approximately $1.1 million, of which $0.9 million was outstanding under the revolving credit line. Management expects, based on the underlying creditworthiness of the respective retailer, this obligation will expire without requiring funding by the Company. However, in accordance with the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 45,Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, a liability has been established to reflect the Company’s non-contingent obligation under this arrangement as a result of modifications made to the Credit Facility subsequent to January 1, 2003. As of September 30, 2004, the carrying amount of such liability is less than $50,000.
Indemnification Agreement
In connection with the Company’s joint venture arrangement with United Kingdom-based MFI Furniture Group Plc., Ethan Allen Inc. has entered into a tax cross-indemnification agreement with the joint venture partner. The indemnification agreement stipulates that both parties agree to pay fifty percent of the amount of any tax liability arising as a result of (i) an adverse tax judgment or (ii) the imposition of additional taxes against either partner, and attributable to the operations of the joint venture. The indemnification agreement is effective until such time that the joint venture is
19
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
terminated. At the present time, management anticipates that the joint venture will continue to operate for the foreseeable future.
The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Company could be required to make under this indemnification agreement is indeterminable as no such tax liability currently exists. Further, the nature, extent and magnitude of any such tax liability arising in the future as a result of an adverse tax judgment or change in applicable tax law cannot be estimated with any reasonable certainty. It should be further noted that no recourse or collateral provisions exist that would enable recovery of any portion of amounts paid under this indemnification agreement. Management expects, based on its current understanding of the applicable tax laws and the existing legal structure of the joint venture, subject to future changes in applicable laws and regulations, this cross-indemnity agreement will expire without requiring funding by the Company. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2004, the carrying amount of the liability related to this indemnification agreement is zero.
Product Warranties
The Company’s products, including its case goods, upholstery and home accents, generally carry explicit product warranties that extend from three to five years and are provided based on terms that are generally accepted in the industry. All of the Company’s domestic independent retailers are required to enter into, and perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of, a warranty service agreement. The Company records provisions for estimated warranty and other related costs at time of sale based on historical warranty loss experience and makes periodic adjustments to those provisions to reflect actual experience. On rare occasion, certain warranty and other related claims involve matters of dispute that ultimately are resolved by negotiation, arbitration or litigation. In certain cases, a material warranty issue may arise which is beyond the scope of the Company’s historical experience. The Company provides for such warranty issues as they become known and are deemed to be both probable and estimable. It is reasonably possible that, from time to time, additional warranty and other related claims could arise from disputes or other matters beyond the scope of the Company’s historical experience. As of September 30, 2004, the Company’s product warranty liability totaled $1.4 million.
Recent Tax Legislation
On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Company is currently reviewing the provisions of the Act in order to determine its impact, if any, on the Company’s future consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Business Outlook
We continue to believe that the business outlook for the Company is promising. Encouraging signs noted during much of the past year seemed to indicate that improved levels of consumer confidence and a strengthening of the economy were, for the most part, sustainable. During the last twelve months, the U.S. economy appears to have benefited from positive employment trends and an interest rate environment which, despite recent actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board (the “Board”), continues to be favorable. While the Board recently took steps to increase short-term interest rates for the first time in four years (25 basis points effective June 30, 2004 and 25 basis points effective August 10, 2004), their comments suggest a “measured” approach toward future interest rate increases with the objective of returning rates to a level appropriate to maintain a healthy economy. We believe that the modest increases initiated by the Board will have little negative effect on the increased levels of refinancing activity and housing purchases noted during this recent period of historically low interest rates.
Although the recent Presidential election has, in our view, served as a distraction to further economic growth, a combination of the aforementioned factors over the course of the past year seems to have had some positive effect on consumer spending habits, as is reflected in the Company’s incoming order trends noted during much of that time. We anticipate that consumer confidence and discretionary spending will return to the levels noted during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2003 and the first quarter calendar year 2004 now that the results of the election are known. If these apparent signs of economic recovery continue and prove to be sustainable, we believe the longer-term outlook is promising as well.
As the economy strengthens, however, it is also possible that costs associated with production (including raw materials and labor), distribution (including freight and fuel
20
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
charges), and retail operations (including compensation, delivery and warehousing, occupancy and advertising expenses) may increase. Similarly, continued increases in interest rates and crude oil prices could serve to adversely impact the level of discretionary spending on the part of consumers. We cannot reasonably predict when, or to what extent, such events may occur or what effect, if any, such events may have on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
We continue to believe that there is considerable interest on the part of consumers to invest in their homes. We also believe that this interest has, until recently, been restrained by such factors as high unemployment, sluggish consumer confidence levels and the fact that many home buyers stretched themselves financially to purchase as much house as possible in the recent low rate environment. As the economy improves and this interest in home decorating continues to emerge, as we anticipate it will, we believe we will be well positioned to take advantage of the long-awaited increase in demand as a result of (i) our established brand, (ii) our comprehensive complement of home decorating solutions, and (iii) our vertically-integrated business model.
With respect to the industry’s competitive landscape, we continue to monitor the progress of the anti-dumping petition filed, in July 2003, by The American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade with the U.S. Department of Commerce (“DOC”) and the International Trade Commission. This petition seeks tariff protection, for U.S. manufacturers, on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China. There have been no further developments with respect to this matter beyond that which was disclosed in Part I, Item 1 — Competition of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2004. As such, the Company continues to believe that tariffs imposed on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
21
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily through its borrowing activities. The Company’s policy has been to utilize United States dollar denominated borrowings to fund its working capital and investment needs. Short-term debt, if required, is used to meet working capital requirements and long-term debt is generally used to finance long-term investments. There is inherent rollover risk for borrowings as they mature and are renewed at current market rates. The extent of this risk is not quantifiable or predictable because of the variability of future interest rates and the Company’s future financing requirements.
As of September 30, 2004, the Company has one debt instrument outstanding with a variable interest rate. This debt instrument has a principal balance of $4.6 million and matures in October 2004. Based on the principal balance outstanding during the period, a one-percentage point increase in the variable interest rate would not have had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.
The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange risk is primarily limited to its operation of seven Ethan Allen-owned retail stores located in Canada as substantially all purchases of imported parts and finished goods are denominated in United States dollars. As such, gains or losses resulting from market changes in the value of foreign currencies have not had, nor are they expected to have, a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.
Currently, the Company does not enter into financial instrument transactions for trading or other speculative purposes or to manage interest rate or currency exposure.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Ethan Allen’s management, including the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Vice President-Finance (“VPF”), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the CEO and VPF have concluded that, as of September 30, 2004, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries), which is required to be included in the Company’s periodic filings under the Exchange Act, has been made known to them in a timely manner.
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
22
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There has been no material change to the matters discussed in Part I, Item 3 — Legal Proceedings in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2004.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Certain information regarding purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2004 is provided below:
Period
| Total Number of Shares Purchased
| Average Price Paid Per Share
| Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (d)
| Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (d)
|
---|
July 2004 (a) | | | | 312,000 | | $ | 34.83 | | | 312,000 | | | 1,543,100 | |
August 2004 (b) | | | | 150,000 | | $ | 34.48 | | | 150,000 | | | 1,393,100 | |
September 2004 (c) | | | | 162,500 | | $ | 35.21 | | | 162,500 | | | 1,230,600 | |
|
| | |
| | |
Total | | | | 624,500 | | $ | 34.85 | | | 624,500 | |
|
| | |
| | |
| (a) | Purchased in ten separate open market transactions on ten different days. |
| (b) | Purchased in three separate open market transactions on three different days. |
| (c) | Purchased in six separate open market transactions on six different days. |
| (d) | On November 21, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its common stock, from time to time, either directly or through agents, in the open market at prices and on terms satisfactory to the Company. On April 27, 2004, the Board of Directors increased the remaining authorization to 2.5 million shares. Subsequent to September 30, 2004 and through November 4, 2004, the Company repurchased, in 10 separate open market transactions, an additional 477,000 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $16,595,872, representing an average price per share of $34.79. |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number
| | Description
|
---|
* | 31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
* | 31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
* | 32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
* | 32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
23
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC.
(Registrant)
DATE: November 5, 2004 | | BY:/s/ M. Farooq Kathwari M. Farooq Kathwari Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
DATE: November 5, 2004 | | BY:/s/ Jeffrey Hoyt Jeffrey Hoyt Vice President, Finance (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
24
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
| | Description
|
---|
| 31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
| 31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
| 32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
| 32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer |