FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
[X] Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended November 20, 1999, 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 - 138,188,037 shares as of December 21, 1999.
PART I. ITEM 1.
AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Nov. 20, Aug. 28,
1999 1999
-------- --------
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,725 $ 5,918
Accounts receivable 33,216 25,917
Merchandise inventories 1,180,834 1,129,693
Prepaid expenses 29,513 33,468
Deferred income taxes 25,810 30,088
--------- ---------
Total current assets 1,276,098 1,225,084
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment 2,159,057 2,089,052
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 483,374 450,566
--------- ---------
1,675,683 1,638,486
Other assets:
Cost in excess of net assets acquired 335,226 337,261
Deferred income taxes 72,469 76,412
Other assets 7,035 7,524
------- ------
414,730 421,197
------- -------
$ 3,366,511 $ 3,284,767
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 730,541 $ 757,447
Accrued expenses 231,798 230,036
Income taxes payable 28,439 13,071
------- -------
Total current liabilities 990,778 1,000,554
Long-term debt 1,082,564 888,340
Other liabilities 67,627 72,072
Stockholders' equity 1,225,542 1,323,801
--------- -----------
$ 3,366,511 $ 3,284,767
=========== ===========
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
Twelve Weeks Ended
--------------------------------
Nov. 20, Nov. 21,
1999 1998
-------- --------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales $ 1,006,472 $ 900,949
Cost of sales, including
warehouse and delivery expenses 584,956 524,467
Operating, selling, general and
administrative expenses 315,768 286,667
------- -------
Operating profit 105,748 89,815
Interest expense 14,604 8,515
------ ------
Income before income taxes 91,144 81,300
Income taxes 35,100 30,000
------ ------
Net income $ 56,044 $ 51,300
========== ========
Weighted average shares
for basic earnings per share 139,261 150,762
Effect of dilutive stock options 795 806
------ -------
Adjusted weighted average shares
for diluted earnings per share 140,056 151,568
======= =======
Basic earnings per share $ 0.40 $ 0.34
====== ======
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.40 $ 0.34
====== ======
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Twelve Weeks Ended
---------------------------------
Nov. 20, Nov. 21,
1999 1998
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 56,044 $ 51,300
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 30,124 28,264
Net increase in merchandise inventories (51,141) (38,416)
Net increase (decrease) in current liabilities (9,776) 13,240
Other - net 885 (13,486)
-------- -------
Net cash provided by operating activities 26,136 40,902
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash outflows for property
and equipment, net (65,250) (190,743)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from debt 194,224 200,024
Purchase of Treasury Stock (151,935) (50,300)
Notes Receivable from Officers (3,600)
Proceeds from sale of Common Stock, including
related tax benefit 1,232 546
------- ------
Net cash provided by financing activities 39,921 150,270
------- ------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 807 429
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 5,918 6,631
------- ------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 6,725 $ 7,060
=========== ===========
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. Operating
results for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999, are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending
August 26, 2000. 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 28, 1999.
NOTE B--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 C-FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
The Company's long-term debt as of November 20, 1999, and August 28,
1999, consisted of the following:
Nov. 20, Aug. 28,
1999 1999
------ --------
6.5% Debentures due July 2008 $200,000 $200,000
6% Notes due November 2003 150,000 150,000
Commercial Paper, 6.0% weighted
average rate 537,300 533,000
Unsecured Bank Loans 190,000
Other 5,264 5,340
------- ------
$1,082,564 $888,340
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, beginning May 1, 1999. 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, beginning January 15, 1999. Proceeds were
used to repay portions of the Company's long-term variable rate bank debt
and for general corporate purposes.
The Company has a commercial paper program that allows borrowing up to
$700 million. In connection with the program, the Company has a credit
facility with a group of banks for up to $350 million which extends until
December 2001 and a 364-day $350 million credit facility with another group
of banks. The 364-day facility includes a renewal feature as well as an
option to extinguish the outstanding debt one year from the maturity date.
Borrowings under the commercial paper program reduce availability under the
credit facilities. Outstanding commercial paper and revolver borrowings at
November 20, 1999 are classified as long-term debt as it is the Company's
intention to refinance them on a long-term basis.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2000 the Company entered into
unsecured bank loans totaling $190 million with maturity dates from
March to August 2000 and interest rates ranging from 6.43% to 6.63%.
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) at the option of the
Company. In addition, the $350 million credit facility contains a
competitive bid rate option. All of the revolving credit facilities
contain a covenant limiting the amount of debt the Company may incur
relative to its total capitalization. The facilities are available to
support domestic commercial paper borrowings and to meet cash requirements.
NOTE D-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 20, 1999, the Company's Board of Directors had authorized
the Company to repurchase up to $600 million of common stock in the open
market. Since January 1998, approximately $415.3 million 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 20, 1999, the Company held equity instrument contracts that relate
to the purchase of approximately 2.2 million shares of common stock at an
average cost of $26.76 per share. Additionally in December 1999, the Board
authorized the repurchase of an additional $200 million of the Company's
common stock.
NOTE E-COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
As of August 30, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income". This
statement establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive
income and its components. Comprehensive income is net income, plus
certain other items that are recorded directly to stockholders' equity,
bypassing net income. Comprehensive income for the periods presented equals
net income.
NOTE F-CONTINGENCIES
AutoZone, Inc., is a defendant in a purported 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. The case is in the early
stages of pre-class certification discovery and therefore the Company is
unable to predict the outcome of this lawsuit at this time. The Company is
vigorously defending against this action.
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 is unable to predict the outcome of this lawsuit at this
time, but believes that 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. The Company is vigorously defending against this action.
The Company currently, and from time to time, is involved in various other
legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. Although the
amount of liability that may result from these proceedings cannot be
ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that, in the aggregate,
they will result in liabilities material to the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
TWELVE WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 20, 1999, COMPARED TO
TWELVE WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 21, 1998
Net sales for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999, increased by
$105.5 million, or 11.7%, over net sales for the comparable period of
fiscal 1999. This increase was due to a comparable store sales increase of
7%, and increases in net sales for stores opened or acquired since the
beginning of fiscal 1999. At November 20, 1999, the Company had 2,796
domestic auto parts stores in operation compared with 2,623 stores at
November 21, 1998.
Gross profit for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999, was $421.5
million, or 41.9% of net sales, compared with $376.5 million, or 41.8% of
net sales, during the comparable period for fiscal 1999.
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve
weeks ended November 20, 1999, increased by $29.1 million over such expenses
for the comparable period for fiscal 1999, and decreased as a percentage of
net sales from 31.8% to 31.4%. The decrease in the expense ratio was due
primarily to leverage of payroll and occupancy costs in recently
acquired stores.
Interest expense for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999, was $14.6
million compared with $8.5 million during the comparable period of 1999.
The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher levels of
borrowings as a result of the stock repurchases.
The Company's effective income tax rate was 38.5% of pre-tax income
for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999 and 36.9 % for the twelve
weeks ended November 21, 1998. The fiscal 1999 effective tax rate reflects
the utilization of acquired company net operating loss carryforwards.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999, net cash of $26.1
million was provided by the Company's operations versus $40.9 million for
the comparable period of fiscal year 1998. The comparative decrease in cash
provided by operations was due primarily to increased inventory
requirements for new store expansion in comparison to the twelve weeks
ended November 21, 1998.
Capital expenditures for the twelve weeks ended November 20, 1999 were
$65.3 million. Year-to-date, the Company opened 85 net new auto parts stores
including 13 stores that replaced existing stores. The Company expects to
operate approximately 2,900 to 2,950 domestic auto parts stores at the end
of the fiscal year.
The Company anticipates that it will continue to generate significant
operating cash flow. The Company foresees no difficulty in obtaining long-
term 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
$700 million. In connection with the program, the Company has a credit
facility with a group of banks for up to $350 million which extends until
December 2001 and a 364-day $350 million credit facility with another group
of banks. The 364-day facility includes a renewal feature as well as an
option to extinguish the outstanding debt one year from the maturity date.
Borrowings under the commercial paper program reduce availability under the
credit facilities. At November 20, 1999, the Company had total commercial
paper and revolving credit borrowings of $537.3 million. Outstanding
commercial paper and revolver borrowings at November 20, 1999 are
classified as long-term debt as it is the Company's intention to refinance
them on a long-term basis.
YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE
The Year 2000 problem is, in its simplest terms, the inability of computer
hardware and software to properly process dates beyond December 31, 1999.
In order to save valuable system memory, hard storage space, and processing
cycles, early programmers recorded dates using only the last two digits of
the year. Year 2000 problems arise when performing date calculations
between centuries based upon two digit year fields.
The Company began addressing the Year 2000 issue in June 1996 and implemented
a formal Year 2000 project office in May 1997. As of November 20, 1999, the
Company had completed over 99% of its critical readiness efforts. Thus far,
no significant Year 2000 issues have been detected during the testing of its
systems. The Company has not achieved 100% completion
primarily due to delays in receiving third party software upgrades.
The total estimated cost of the Year 2000 project is $10 to $11 million,
which is being expensed as incurred. As of November 20, 1999, approximately
$8 million of this budget had been incurred. All of the related costs are
being funded through operating cash flows. These costs are an immaterial
part of the overall information technology budget. No major information
technology projects or programs have been deferred.
In addition to internal systems, the Company is addressing Year 2000
issues which do not normally fall under information technology such as embedded
chip equipment and the compliance status of business partners. The Company is
also assessing the Year 2000 readiness of its merchandise vendors, most of
which communicate with the Company through electronic data interchange (EDI).
The Company successfully completed Year 2000 testing of the EDI system with
all critical vendors.
Although the Company believes that the ongoing assessment and testing will
minimize its overall Year 2000 risks, there is no guarantee that there will
not be an adverse effect on the Company if third parties such as merchandise
vendors, service providers, or utility companies are not Year 2000 ready.
The Company has developed detailed contingency plans for critical systems,
processes, and business partners. Elements of the Company's contingency plans
include: switching vendors, increasing the inventory levels of certain
products, back-up systems and manual processes.
While the Company does not anticipate any major business disruptions as a
result of Year 2000 issues, it is possible that certain disruptions may occur
including loss of communications with stores, distribution centers, or business
partners; inability to process transactions in a timely manner or loss of
power. The Company plans to have dedicated resources available to address any
Year 2000 issue that may arise. These resources will be managed through a
dedicated command center and consist of technical personnel, business leaders
and members of senior management.
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, and future performance. The forward-looking statements are
subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without
limitation, competition, product demand, the domestic and international
economies, government regulations and approvals, inflation, the ability to
hire and retain qualified employees, consumer debt levels 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 28, 1999, for more details.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
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 Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended August 29, 1998.
4.1 Second Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase
Plan.
*10.1 Form of Amended and Restated Employment and Non-Compete Agreement
between AutoZone, Inc., and various executive officers.
*10.2 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc.,
and various executive officers.
*10.3 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc.,
and various executive officers.
*10.4 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc.,
and Anthony Dean Rose, Jr.
*10.5 Agreement and Mutual Release between AutoZone, Inc., and Lawrence
E. Evans dated September 1, 1999.
*10.6 AutoZone Management Stock Ownership Plan.
*10.7 Form of Demand Promissory Note granted by certain executive officers
in favor of AutoZone, Inc.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule (SEC Use Only).
_____________
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(b) On October 1, 1999, the Company filed a Form 8-K containing a press
release announcing its earning for the fiscal year ended August 28, 1999.
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.
AUTOZONE, INC.
By: /s/ ROBERT J. HUNT
----------------------
Robert J. Hunt
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer-Customer Satisfaction
(Principal Financial Officer)
By: /s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III
---------------------------
William C. Rhodes, III
Senior Vice President, Finance-Customer Satisfaction
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: December 29, 1999
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.
3.2 Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended August 29, 1998.
4.1 Second Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase
Plan.
*10.1 Form of Amended and Restated Employment and Non-Compete Agreement
between AutoZone, Inc., and various executive officers.
*10.2 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc.,
and various executive officers.
*10.3 Form of Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc.,
and various executive officers.
*10.4 Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between AutoZone, Inc.,
and Anthony Dean Rose, Jr.
*10.5 Agreement and Mutual Release between AutoZone, Inc., and Lawrence
E. Evans dated September 1, 1999.
*10.6 AutoZone Management Stock Ownership Plan.
*10.7 Form of Demand Promissory Note granted by certain executive officers
in favor of AutoZone, Inc.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule (SEC Use Only).
_____________
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.