UNITED STATES 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 2, 1997 OR ( ) Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission file Number 0-20269 DUCKWALL-ALCO STORES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.) Kansas 48-0201080 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 401 Cottage Street Abilene, Kansas 67410-2832 (Address of principal executive offices (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (785) 263-3350 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ] APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS: 5,098,261 shares of common stock, $.0001 par value (the issuer's only class of common stock), were outstanding as of November 2, 1997. PART I. Financial Information. ITEM 1. Financial Statements. Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in Thousands) November 2, February 2, 1997 1997 (Unaudited) ___________ __________ ASSETS Current assets: Cash on deposit and on hand $668 $7,538 Receivables 3,881 3,160 Inventories 111,857 80,359 Other current assets 1,536 1,785 Total current assets 117,942 92,842 Property and equipment: Land 2,664 2,658 Buildings 21,163 20,991 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 33,081 26,215 Transportation equipment 1,719 1,688 Leasehold improvements 5,533 4,623 Construction in progress 4,686 2,931 Total property and equipment 68,846 59,106 Less accumulated depreciation 29,441 26,527 Net property and equipment 39,405 32,579 Property under capital leases 20,407 20,407 Less accumulated amortization 13,634 13,100 Net property under capital leases 6,773 7,307 Debt financing cost 93 80 Total assets $164,213 $132,808 <FN> See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in Thousands) November 2, February 2, 1997 1997 (Unaudited) ___________ ____________ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Current maturities of: Long term debt $1,341 $1,242 Capital lease obligations 518 607 Accounts payable 26,368 17,127 Income taxes payable 0 2,345 Accrued salaries and commissions 3,008 3,876 Accrued taxes other than income 3,297 2,929 Other current liabilities 1,740 1,670 Deferred taxes 2,612 2,612 Total current liabilities 38,884 32,408 Notes payable under revolving loan 33,153 12,095 Long term debt less current maturities 3,873 3,193 Capital lease obligations less current maturities 8,781 9,148 Other noncurrent liabilities 989 793 Deferred income taxes 2,346 2,346 Total liabilities 88,026 59,983 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $.0001 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,098,261 shares and 5,089,823 shares respectively 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 54,469 54,396 Retained earnings since June 2, 1991 21,717 18,428 Total stockholders' equity 76,187 72,825 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $164,213 $132,808 <FN> See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary Consolidated Statement of Operations (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited) For the Thirteen For the Thirty-Nine Week Periods Weeks Periods November 2, October 27, November 2, October 27, 1997 1996 1977 1996 ____________ ____________ __________ __________ Net sales ............................... $76,163 $64,857 $225,898 $192,631 Cost of sales ........................... 49,449 43,201 148,781 129,013 Gross margin .................. 26,714 21,656 77,117 63,618 Selling, general and administrative ................. 23,020 18,661 65,801 54,119 Depreciation and amortization ................... 1,233 943 3,447 2,732 Total operating expenses ...... 24,253 19,604 69,248 56,851 Income from operations .................. 2,461 2,052 7,869 6,767 Interest expense......................... 980 912 2,483 2,504 Earnings before income taxes ................. 1,481 1,140 5,386 4,263 Income tax expense ...................... 578 439 2,099 1,635 Net earnings ....................... $903 $701 $3,287 $2,628 Earnings per common and common equivalent share ................ $0.18 $0.17 $0.64 $0.65 <FN> See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited) For the Thirty-Nine Week Periods Ended November 2, 1997 October 27, 1996 ----------------- ---------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net Earnings $3,287 $2,628 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities Amortization of debt financing costs 30 30 Deferred income tax benefit 0 52 Depreciation and amortization 3,448 2,732 LIFO expense 170 180 Increase in inventories (31,668) (18,357) Increase in accounts payable 9,241 8,283 Increase in receivables (721) (1,279) Decrease (increase) in other current assets 249 (669) Increase in accrued taxes other than income 368 518 Increase (decrease) in accrued salaries and commissions (868) (1,359) (Decrease) in income taxes payable (2,345) 717 Decrease (increase)in other liabilities 266 (21) Net cash used in operating activities (18,543) (6,545) Cash flow from investing activities: Capital expenditures (9,740) (9,537) Net cash used in investing activities (9,740) (9,537) Cash flow from financing activities: Proceeds from stock issuance 0 10,757 Proceeds from exercise of outstanding stock options 75 0 Increase in revolving loan 21,058 5,131 Principal payments on long term notes (1,091) (636) Principal payments on capital leases (456) (478) Increase in long term notes 1,870 2,826 Debt issue costs (43) (10) Net cash provided by financing activities 21,413 17,590 Net increase (decrease) in cash (6,870) 1,508 Cash at beginning of period 7,538 177 Cash at end of period $668 $1,685 <FN> See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (1) Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are for interim periods and, consequently, do not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. It is suggested that the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's fiscal 1997 Annual Report. In the opinion of management of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc., the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and cash flows for the interim periods. Certain prior year cash flow amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. (2) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. (3) Earnings Per Share Earnings per share has been computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus common stock equivalents, when dilutive, consisting of stock options. The average number of shares used in computing earnings per share was as follows: Thirteen Weeks Ending November 2, 1997 5,158,828 October 27, 1996 4,147,651 Thirty-Nine Weeks Ending November 2, 1997 5,143,419 October 27, 1996 4,072,455 Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION. (Dollars in thousands) [CAPTION] The thirteen weeks ended November 2, 1997 and October 27, 1996 are referred to herein as the third quarter of fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. As used below the term "competitive market" refers to any market wherein there is one or more national or regional full-line discount stores located in the market served by the Company. The term "non-competitive market" refers to any market where there is no national or regional full-line discount store located in the market served by the Company. Even in a non-competitive market, the Company faces competition from a variety of sources. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 	Net earnings increased 28.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 to $903, an increase of $202 over the net earnings of $701 for the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The Company has had 19 consecutive quarters of earnings growth (where current quarter earnings have exceeded prior year earnings for the same quarter). Gross margins improved for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 to 35.1%, compared to 33.4% in the prior year's third quarter. 	The Company continues to execute its basic strategy of opening stores in under-served markets that have no competition from national or regional full-line discount retailers. During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company opened 5 stores, all of which were in new, non-competitive markets, resulting in a quarter end total of 209 stores. For the thirty-nine week period ending November 2, 1997, the Company opened 24 stores. As of November 2, 1997, 76% of the stores are in non-competitive markets. 	Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 increased $11,306 or 17.4% to $76,163 compared to $64,857 for the third quarter of fiscal 1997. Net sales for the prototype Class 18 ALCO stores open the full period in both the third quarter of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 (comparable stores) increased $450 or 2.2%. The Duckwall variety stores produced an increase of $226 or 7.2% compared to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. Net sales for all stores open the full period increased $692 or 1.2% compared to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. 	Net sales for the thirty-nine week period ending November 2, 1997 increased $33,267 or 17.3% to $225,898 compared to $192,631 in the comparable thirty-nine week period of the prior fiscal year. Net sales of comparable stores increased by $1,525, or .8% for the thirty- nine week period ending November 2, 1997 compared to the thirty-nine week period of the prior fiscal year. 	Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 increased $5,058 or 23.4% to $26,714 compared to $21,656 in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 35.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to 33.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The improvement in the gross margin percentage was primarily due to a higher markup on purchases and lower markdowns. Gross margin for the thirty-nine week period ended November 2, 1997 was $77,117, which was $13,499 or 21.2% higher than last year's thirty-nine week gross margin of $63,618. As a percent of net sales, gross margin for the thirty-nine week period ended November 2, 1997 was 34.1% compared to 33.0% in the thirty-nine week period of the prior fiscal year. 	Selling, general and administrative expense increased $4,359 or 21.6% to $23,020 in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to $18,661 in the third quarter of fiscal 1997, primarily due to the increase in total stores. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 was 30.2%, compared to 28.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The increase was due to increased payroll costs, due in part to an increase in the minimum wage. 	Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11,681 or 21.5% to $65,800 for the thirty-nine week period ended November 2, 1997 compared to $54,119 for the comparable thirty-nine week period of the prior fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percent of net sales was 29.1% for the thirty-nine week period ended November 2, 1997 compared to 28.1% in the comparable thirty-nine week period last year. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 1998 is primarily due to an increase in the number of stores and the impact of the minimum wage increase. 	Depreciation and amortization expense increased $290 or 30.7% to $1,233 in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to $943 in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The increase is due to additional buildings and equipment associated with the store expansion program. 	Income from operations increased $409 or 20.0% to $2,461 in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to $2,052 in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales was 3.2% in the third quarter of both fiscal years. 	Income from operations increased $1,102 or 16.3% to $7,869 for the thirty-nine week period ended November 2, 1997 compared to $6,767 in the comparable thirty-nine week period of the prior fiscal year. 	Interest expense increased $68 or 7.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 1997. 	Net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 were $903, an increase of $202 or 28.9% over the net earnings of $701 for the third quarter of fiscal 1997. 	 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES	 The Company's primary sources of funds are cash flow from operations, borrowings under its revolving loan credit facility, mortgage financing, and vendor trade credit financing (increases in accounts payable). 	The Company has temporarily increased its revolving loan credit facility from $35,000 to $45,000 to meet its credit needs for the holiday season. The increased line is available for the period September 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997, and is under the same terms and conditions as the original credit facility. The Company expects this additional credit line to be sufficient to meet all of its seasonal credit needs. At November 2, 1997 working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) was $79,058 compared to $60,434 at the end of fiscal 1997. 	Cash used by operating activities in the first three quarters of fiscal 1998 and 1997 was $18,543 and $6,545 respectively. The increase in the amount of cash used by operating activities in the first three quarters of fiscal 1998 in relation to the comparable period of fiscal 1997 was primarily due to purchases of inventory for a larger number of store openings and a smaller increase in the trade accounts payable build up relative to the overall increase in inventory levels. 	The Company generated cash from financing activities in the first three quarters of fiscal 1998 and 1997 of $21,413 and $17,590, respectively. This was generated by borrowing under the revolving loan credit facility, as well as a $1,870 mortgage secured by certain company fixed assets. In fiscal 1997, cash generated from financing activities included $10,757 from a secondary offering of stock, a $1,000 mortgage secured by certain company fixed assets and a $1,668 leaseback of computer equipment. 	Cash used for acquisition of property and equipment in the first three quarters of fiscal 1998 and 1997 totaled $9,740 and $9,537, respectively. Total anticipated cash payments for acquisition of property and equipment in fiscal 1998, principally for store buildings and store and warehouse fixtures and equipment, are approximately $14,000. IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT [CAPTION] 	The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share ("Statement 128") which replaces the current accounting standard regarding computation of earnings per share. Statement 128 requires a dual presentation of basic earnings per share (based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding) and diluted earnings per share which reflects the potential dilution that could occur if contracts to issue securities (such as stock options) were exercised. Statement 128 is effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997. If Statement 128 had been adopted, on a pro-forma basis, for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended November 2, 1997 and October 27, 1996, there would have been no effect on the amount of earnings per share as presented in the accompanying financial statements. 	In April 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued a proposed Statement of Position (SOP) REPORTING ON THE COSTS OF START-UP ACTIVITIES. The proposed SOP requires that entities expense costs of start-up activities as they are incurred. The proposed SOP, if approved, would be effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998, with earlier application encouraged. The initial application of the SOP is to be reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The Company currently capitalizes store pre-opening costs and amortizes such costs over the initial twelve months of a store's operations. Pre-opening costs capitalized, net of accumulated amortization, at November 2, 1997 are $1,195. While the one-time recording of the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle could be material, the ongoing effect of the proposed new accounting principle would be dependent upon the number and timing of new stores opened. Generally, pre-opening costs would be recognized during the two months prior to a store commencing operation under the proposed new accounting principle versus over the twelve months subsequent to commencing operation under the existing principle. 	The Company is aware of the issues associated with the programming code in existing computer systems as the year 2000 approaches. In 1998, the Company will commence, for all of its systems, a year 2000 date conversion project to address all necessary code changes, testing and implementation. The "Year 2000" problem is the result of computer programs being written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Any of the Company's programs that have time- sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could result in a major system failure or miscalculations. The Company presently believes that, with modifications to existing software and converting to new software, the year 2000 problem will not pose significant operational problems for the Company's computer systems as so modified and converted. However, if such modifications and conversions are not completed timely, the year 2000 problem may have a material impact on the operations of the Company. Until the Company has undertaken this year 2000 project, the Company will not know the total cost of the conversion and whether it will be material to the future financial results or financial condition of the Company. OTHER INFORMATION PART II Item 1. Legal Proceedings No legal proceedings except those covered by insurance occurred during the thirteen week period ended November 2, 1997. Item 2. Changes in Securities Not applicable Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities Not Applicable Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Not Applicable Item 5. Other Information None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) None (b) Reports on Form 8-K No reports filed Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. And Subsidiary 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. DUCKWALL-ALCO STORES, INC. (Registrant) Date, December 16, 1997 /s/Richard A. Mansfield Richard A. Mansfield Vice President - Finance Chief Financial Officer Signing on behalf of the registrant and as principal financial officer