NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS This discussion of the Company's results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 1997 1996 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenues ......................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Gross margin ........................... 12.9 13.1 14.5 Selling, general and administrative, and other operating expenses ...... 10.3 10.7 12.1 Special charges ........................ .7 -- -- Depreciation and amortization .......... 1.1 1.0 1.0 Interest expense ....................... .7 .4 .4 Earnings before income taxes ........... -- 1.0 1.0 Income taxes ........................... -- .4 .4 ----------------------------------------------- Net earnings ........................... -- .6 .6 ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- REVENUES Total revenues increased 30.1% during fiscal 1997 to $4.392 billion compared to $3.375 billion in 1996 and $2.889 billion in 1995. The increase in 1997 is largely attributed to the acquisition of Super Food Services, Inc. ("Super Food"), which took place during fiscal 1996 (see Note (2) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), the addition of new independent retail accounts and an additional week of operations in 1997. Wholesale segment revenues increased 41.9% to $3.503 billion from $2.469 billion in 1996, primarily due to the acquisitions of Super Food and T. J. Morris Company ("T. J. Morris") in 1996 and the business and certain assets of United-A.G. Cooperative Inc. ("United-A.G.") in fiscal 1997. Wholesale revenues include an additional week of business and reflect a full year's volume from Sunshine Food Markets, a seven-store chain which the Company began servicing in November 1996, following its acquisition by a joint venture, 50% of which is owned by the Company. Fiscal 1996 revenues increased 25.4% over 1995 because of the expansion of business from acquisitions, in particular Military Distributors of Virginia ("MDV") which occurred in January 1996. Retail segment revenues declined 3.3% from $850.4 million in fiscal 1996 to $822.2 million in 1997. The decline is attributed to a net reduction of nine stores. During the year, the Company closed eight underperforming stores, sold four other units to non-affiliated retailers and opened three stores to strengthen existing market areas in South Dakota and North Carolina. Same store sales, expressed on an equivalent 52-week basis, declined .9% compared to last year. This decline is indicative of competitive market conditions in certain market areas and little or no food price inflation. Retail revenues during 1996 decreased 1.1% from 1995, again due to the closing or selling of stores not meeting performance expectations. GROSS MARGINS Gross margins were 12.9% in 1997, compared to 13.1% in 1996 and 14.5% in 1995. The decline over the three-year period results from the growth of wholesale revenues which achieve lower margins than retail. Wholesale operations represented 80.0% of combined segment revenues in 1997, compared to 73.3% and 68.4% in 1996 and 1995, respectively. During 1997, wholesale margins increased as a result of three initiatives: (i) regionalizing procurement functions for the Company's Midwest and Southeast distribution centers, (ii) implementing more efficient logistical systems for handling of variety or specialty food products through the Company's distribution centers, and (iii) improving coordination with suppliers to optimize ordering and delivery of product. All these have contributed to improved operating efficiencies and lower product costs. Retail margins for the year were flat. Improvements which resulted from a continued trend of sales of higher margin prepared foods, specialty products and services were offset by competitive pricing pressures which continued to intensify in certain market areas. Margins for fiscal 1995 reflect a greater proportion of retail segment business which achieves higher margins. OPERATING EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues were 10.3% in 1997 compared to 10.7% in 1996 and 12.1% in 1995. The decline in expense levels as a percent of revenues is due to the increasing proportion of wholesale business which operates at lower expense levels than retail. For fiscal 1997, operating expense includes costs associated with a project involving new business information systems technology, which the Company has named HORIZONS. Although the project began in fiscal 1996, incremental expenses associated with HORIZONS were of greater significance throughout 1997 as costs associated with system design, software configuration and installation of hardware across the Company were incurred. Operating expenses related to the Company's management information systems were $3.2 million higher in 1997 compared to 1996, substantially all of which related to HORIZONS. This incremental expenditure is expected to continue through 1998 and into 1999 as the Company implements HORIZONS in substantially all operating units and trains associates in the optimal use of the system. Because HORIZONS is anticipated to become an integral part of the future of Nash Finch's business, incremental technology-related spending is anticipated to continue beyond 1999 although at a lesser rate. The Company expects benefits from the project to begin to accrue as the system becomes operational unit by unit, and to reach more significant levels beyond 1999 when the system is in place in substantially all operating units. The project represents a major strategic investment for the Company's future and is expected to provide greater flexibility to ultimately change business processes, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness. Bad debt expense in 1997 was $5.1 million compared to $1.9 million in 1996. The increase is attributed to maintaining adequate reserve levels consistent with the growth, through acquisition, of customer receivables. Fiscal 1995 expense of $4.0 million included additional provisions primarily for Nash DeCamp grower accounts and notes. SPECIAL CHARGES During 1997, the Company accelerated its strategic plan relative to strengthening its competitive position for the future. Coincident with the implementation of the plan, the Company recorded special charges, totaling $31.3 million, during the third quarter relating to all three operating segments of its business. The aggregate special charges include $14.5 million for the consolidation of selected warehouses. This charge contains provisions for non-cancelable lease obligations, expected losses on disposals of tangible assets, and other continuing occupancy costs. Also included are employee severance costs consistent with existing practices and the unamortized portion of goodwill for one of the locations. Also, related to wholesale operations, the special charges include $2.5 million of integration costs, incurred in the third quarter, 14 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries associated with the acquisition of the business and certain assets of United-A.G. early in the third quarter. These expenses resulted from incremental labor costs due to a substantial turnover in workforce, training and other start-up activities. Stabilization of the workforce improved substantially during the fourth quarter, lowering expenses from levels experienced just after the acquisition. In retail operations, the strategic plan involves the closing or consolidation of fourteen, primarily leased stores. The special charges include a $5.2 million provision for the continuing non-cancelable lease obligations, anticipated losses on disposals of tangible assets, abandonment of certain leaseholds and the write-off of intangibles. The time frame for individual store closings will vary but should be completed by the first quarter of fiscal 1999. In some instances, closed stores are expected to be consolidated with other retail locations in the same relative market area, thereby minimizing the loss of wholesale volume. Continued operating losses through the dates of closing are unpredictable and were not included in the special charges. For 1997, the retail units included in the provision had aggregate sales and pretax losses of $82.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, compared with $88.3 million and $1.8 million for 1996. The aggregate special charges contain a provision of $5.4 million for asset impairment of seven retail stores. Declining market share due to increasing competition, deterioration of operating performance in the third quarter, and forecasted future results that were less than previously planned, were the factors leading to the impairment determination. The impaired assets covered by the charge primarily include real estate, leasehold improvements and, to a lesser extent, goodwill related to two of the stores. An asset impairment charge of $1.0 million relating to agricultural assets was also recorded against several farming operations of Nash DeCamp, the Company's produce marketing subsidiary. The impairment determination was based on recent downturns in the market for certain varieties of fruit. The impairment resulted from anticipated future operating losses and inadequate projected cash flows from agricultural production of these products. Other special charges aggregating $2.8 million consist primarily of $.9 million related to the abandonment of current system software which is being replaced by the Company's HORIZONS project, and a loss of $.6 million realized on the sale of the Company's 22.4% equity investment in Alfa Trading Company, a Hungarian food wholesaler. Negotiations for the sale were substantially completed during the third quarter, and the transaction was completed in the fourth quarter. The remaining special charges relate principally to writing down idle real estate held for resale to current market values. The consolidations of wholesale and retail operations, as well as the impairment adjustment to the assets identified, will favorably impact earnings in the future due to reduced depreciation and amortization expenses and the elimination of losses from certain affected operations. However, such amounts are expected to be substantially offset by continuing costs related to HORIZONS. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION Depreciation and amortization expense increased 37.2% from 1996 to $47.7 million in 1997. The increase was primarily due to a full year of amortization of goodwill and depreciation of property, plant and equipment associated with the acquisition of Super Food which occurred in 1996. In addition, capital expenditures related to the HORIZONS project resulted in increased depreciation expense of $2.0 million compared to last year. The increase in 1996 compared to 1995 is the result of acquisitions occurring in 1996, partially offset by lower depreciation expenses resulting from sale or closing of several retail stores. INTEREST EXPENSE Interest expense increased from $14.9 million to $32.8 million largely due to the full year debt costs related to financing the Super Food acquisition last year. The acquisition of the business and certain assets of United-A.G. also contributed to higher interest expense in 1997. Interest expense as a percent of revenues was .75%, .44% and .37% for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase in interest expense in 1996 compared to 1995 was primarily due to financing the acquisition of MDV early in 1996. EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES Including the special charges, the Company reported a pretax loss of $234,000 for 1997 compared to pretax earnings of $33.7 million in 1996 and $28.6 million in 1995. Each segment of the Company's business was negatively affected by these charges (see Note (14) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Operating profit of $26.2 million in 1997 declined 44.1% from $46.9 million in 1996, while 1996 improved 28.2% compared to $36.6 million in 1995. Excluding special charges, wholesale segment operating profit would have been $50.8 million, or 1.45% of segment sales and other operating revenues, compared to $37.1 million, or 1.5% of such revenues a year ago. The lower margin reflects a decline in earnings as a percent of revenues for the existing and newly acquired wholesale operations, where independent retail customers were affected by a weak sales environment, somewhat offset by increases in earnings contributions of the military division. Retail segment operating profit before special charges would have been $5.8 million compared to $7.7 million last year. The decline resulted from competitive pricing pressures in certain markets throughout the year, and the loss of sales volume due to the sale or closure of certain underperforming stores. Nash DeCamp, the Company's produce marketing subsidiary would have reported operating profit of $934,000 before special charges compared to $2.1 million and $2.4 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively. The weak performance resulted from poor market prices caused by a surplus of available product, particularly tree fruit. INCOME TAXES The effective income tax rate for 1997 is influenced by a number of factors that do not allow for a meaningful comparison to prior years. The tax provision substantially results from the nondeductibility of goodwill relating to the acquisitions of Super Food and T. J. Morris, partially offset by other items as shown in tax rate tables in Note (6) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE Some of the Company's older computer programs were written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. As a result, those computer programs have time-sensitive software that recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could cause a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including, among other things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in similar normal business activities. 15 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries The Company uses a significant number of computer software programs and embedded operating systems that are essential to its business. The Company's resolution to the year 2000 issue is substantially incorporated in the system design of the HORIZONS project. In addition, since all segments of the Company will not be initially impacted by HORIZONS, the Company has been actively engaged in a process designed to mitigate any detrimental effects from the year 2000 to any of these segments. The Company has also initiated communications with its significant suppliers and large customers with whom the Company's systems interface, exchange data or are dependent upon, for the purpose of coordinating efforts to minimize its vulnerability resulting from third parties' failure to resolve their own year 2000 issues. However, there can be no guarantee that the systems of such third parties will be timely corrected and would not have an adverse effect on the Company's system. The Company expects to be completed with year 2000 compliance in mid-1999 and believes that with the HORIZONS project and modifications of its existing software and systems, year 2000 compliance will not pose significant operating problems. However, the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition could be adversely affected by the failure of its system, or others' systems, to operate properly beyond 1999. Wherever possible, the Company will be developing and executing contingency plans designed to allow continued operation in the event of failure of the Company's or other third party systems. Costs associated with a substantial portion of year 2000 compliance coincide with the new software and system design of the HORIZONS project. The cost of year 2000 compliance for business operations not affected by HORIZONS is not expected to have a material effect on results of operations. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Historically, the Company has financed its capital needs through a combination of internal and external sources. These sources include cash flow from operations, short-term bank borrowings, various types of long-term debt, lease and equity financing. Cash provided from operating activities was $87.7 million compared to $32.9 million in 1996. The increase is attributed to the improvements in operating profit before special charges and depreciation and amortization expenses. Working capital at January 3, 1998 declined to $199.9 million compared to $228.5 million at the end of 1996, reflecting the reduction in current assets. The current ratio was 1.68 in 1997 compared to 1.77 in 1996. At January 3, 1998, the Company had $11.3 million in short-term debt compared to $16.2 million at fiscal year-end 1996. As of January 3, 1998, the Company had uncommitted lines of credit totaling $25 million with two banks, under which a total of $13.7 million was unused. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings of up to $360 million, under which a total of $204 million was outstanding at year-end. An agreement with a trust company provides for borrowings of up to $150 million, under which $10 million was borrowed at year-end. During the year, the Company utilized the existing revolving agreements to finance the acquisition of United-A.G. and capital outlays related to HORIZONS. During the first quarter of 1998, and in conjunction with a planned $150 million unregistered, subordinated debt offering, the Company prepaid $106.3 million of senior notes and paid prepayment premiums totaling $9.4 million, all with drawings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, after fees and expenses, to repay certain amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. During fiscal 1997, the Company provided financial assistance in the form of secured loans totaling $18.8 million to new or existing independent retailers. These loans are generally used to maintain and expand their businesses. In addition, the Company sold $37.0 million of trade accounts receivable and used proceeds from the sale to reduce long-term debt. Of the $31.3 million pretax special charges, approximately $13.6 million involve cash outflows, while the balance are non-cash. On an after tax basis, the cash impact is estimated to be $8.5 million, to be funded primarily from internally generated funds. Capital projects designed to maintain operating capacity, expand operations or improve efficiency totaled $67.7 million in 1997 compared to $51.3 million in 1996. Included in 1997 and 1996 expenditures are approximately $20.0 million and $8.1 million, respectively, related to the HORIZONS project. Total cash outlay for the design, installation of, and training for HORIZONS is projected to be about $76 million over the period of 1996 through 2004. Approximately half of such amount had been expended as of January 3, 1998. Of the $76 million, $58.7 million is expected to be capitalized. A majority of the remaining projected capital expenditures relating to HORIZONS are expected to be made in 1998. The Company believes that borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, other credit agreements, cash flows from operating activities and lease financings will be adequate to meet the Company's working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations for the foreseeable future. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained in this Annual Report includes forward-looking statements made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates" or similar expressions, as well as discussions of strategy. Although such statements represent management's current expectations based on available data, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the ability to: meet debt service obligations and maintain future financial flexibility; respond to continuing competitive pricing pressures; retain existing independent wholesale customers and attract new accounts; successfully implement the HORIZONS system in a timely manner and without substantial unexpected cost; otherwise address year 2000 issues as they affect the Company, its customers and vendors; and fully integrate acquisitions and realize expected synergies. PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS Nash Finch Company Common Stock is traded in the national over-the-counter market under the symbol NAFC. The following table sets forth, for each of the calendar periods indicated, the range of high and low closing sales prices for the Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ National Market System, and the cash dividends paid per share of Common Stock. Prices do not include adjustments for retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions. At January 3, 1998 there were 2,226 stockholders of record. Dividends 1997 1996 Per Share --------------- ---------------- -------------- High Low High Low 1997 1996 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Quarter ............... $22 18 18 1/2 16 .18 .18 Second Quarter .............. 22 1/4 17 1/2 18 15 3/4 .18 .18 Third Quarter ............... 24 7/8 19 3/4 16 3/4 15 1/2 .18 .18 Fourth Quarter .............. 24 1/2 17 1/2 21 3/4 16 1/4 .18 .21 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS/LOSS Fiscal years ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995. 1997 1996 1995 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 53 WEEKS 52 weeks 52 weeks - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME: Net sales ....................................................... $ 4,319,095 3,322,666 2,831,114 Other revenues .................................................. 72,507 52,819 57,722 ----------- --------- --------- Total revenues ................................................ 4,391,602 3,375,485 2,888,836 COST AND EXPENSES: Cost of sales ................................................... 3,826,377 2,932,709 2,469,841 Selling, general and administrative, and other operating expenses ....................................................... 453,645 359,456 350,201 Special charges ................................................. 31,272 -- -- Depreciation and amortization ................................... 47,697 34,759 29,406 Interest expense ................................................ 32,845 14,894 10,793 ----------- --------- --------- Total costs and expenses ...................................... 4,391,836 3,341,818 2,860,241 Earnings (loss) before income taxes ........................... (234) 33,667 28,595 Income taxes .................................................... 994 13,635 11,181 ----------- --------- --------- Net earnings (loss) ............................................. $ (1,228) 20,032 17,414 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- Basic earnings (loss) per share ................................. $ (0.11) 1.83 1.60 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- Diluted earnings (loss) per share ............................... $ (0.11) 1.81 1.60 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors and Stockholders Nash Finch Company: [LOGO] We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nash Finch Company and subsidiaries as of January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, and the related consolidated statements of earnings/loss, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Nash Finch Company and subsidiaries at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota March 26, 1998 17 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) ASSETS 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CURRENT ASSETS: Cash ....................................... $ 933 921 Accounts and notes receivable, net.......... 173,962 206,062 Inventories ................................ 287,801 293,458 Prepaid expenses ........................... 22,582 20,492 Deferred tax assets ........................ 9,072 4,663 --------- ------- Total current assets ..................... 494,350 525,596 Investments in affiliates .................... 7,679 10,300 Notes receivable, noncurrent ................. 23,092 21,652 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Land ....................................... 31,229 33,753 Buildings and improvements ................. 137,070 148,227 Furniture, fixtures and equipment .......... 306,762 295,147 Leasehold improvements ..................... 60,578 54,925 Construction in progress ................... 28,485 7,543 Assets under capitalized leases ............ 25,048 26,105 --------- ------- 589,172 565,700 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization .............................. (312,939) (293,845) --------- ------- Net property, plant and equipment ........ 276,233 271,855 Intangible assets, net ....................... 70,732 80,312 Investment in direct financing leases ........ 19,094 22,011 Deferred tax asset, net ...................... 2,622 4,076 Other assets ................................. 11,081 9,675 --------- ------- Total assets ............................. $ 904,883 945,477 --------- ------- --------- ------- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 18 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CURRENT LIABILITIES: Outstanding checks ......................................................... $ 36,271 32,492 Short-term debt payable to banks ........................................... 11,300 16,171 Current maturities of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations .............................................................. 7,964 7,795 Accounts payable ........................................................... 177,548 183,501 Accrued expenses ........................................................... 60,599 54,130 Income taxes ............................................................... 737 2,999 --------- --------- Total current liabilities ................................................ 294,419 297,088 Long-term debt ............................................................... 325,489 361,819 Capitalized lease obligations ................................................ 38,517 41,832 Deferred compensation ........................................................ 6,768 7,476 Other ........................................................................ 14,072 4,401 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock - no par value Authorized 500 shares; none issued ..................................... -- -- Common stock of $1.66 2/3 par value Authorized 25,000 shares; issued shares (1997 - 11,575; 1996 - 11,574) . 19,292 19,290 Additional paid-in capital ................................................. 17,648 16,816 Foreign currency translation adjustment - net of a $633 deferred tax benefit ..................................................... -- (950) Restricted stock ........................................................... (391) (500) Retained earnings .......................................................... 190,984 200,322 --------- --------- 227,533 234,978 Less cost of 252 shares and 307 shares of common stock in treasury, respectively ................................................... (1,915) (2,117) --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity ............................................ 225,618 232,861 --------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ............................ $ 904,883 945,477 --------- --------- --------- --------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal years ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995. (IN THOUSANDS) 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net earnings (loss) ................................... $ (1,228) 20,032 17,414 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Special charges ..................................... 28,749 -- -- Depreciation and amortization ....................... 47,697 34,759 29,406 Provision for bad debts ............................. 5,055 1,893 3,997 Provision for (recovery from) losses on closed lease locations ......................................... 1,722 (458) 1,361 Deferred income taxes ............................... (2,955) (2,278) (4,187) Deferred compensation ............................... (708) (149) (901) Loss of equity investments .......................... 469 616 (501) Other ............................................... 2,003 326 (157) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts and notes receivable ....................... (3,744) (12,544) 8,115 Inventories ......................................... 19,821 14,021 14,680 Prepaid expenses .................................... (1,201) (349) (3,441) Accounts payable and outstanding checks ............. (3,174) (24,245) 15,339 Accrued expenses .................................... (2,512) 2,219 2,160 Income taxes ........................................ (2,262) (967) 2,508 -------- -------- -------- Net cash provided by operating activities ......... 87,732 32,876 85,793 -------- -------- -------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Dividends received .................................. 1,600 -- 890 Disposals of property, plant and equipment, net ..... 16,721 9,169 14,858 Additions to property, plant and equipment, excluding capital leases .......................... (67,725) (51,333) (33,264) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired ........... (17,863) (257,868) -- Investment in an affiliate .......................... -- (2,500) (1,379) Loans to customers .................................. (18,816) (4,997) (9,199) Payments from customers on loans .................... 14,080 4,713 8,788 Sale of receivables ................................. 37,000 3,402 13,744 Other ............................................... (739) (2,896) (137) -------- -------- -------- Net cash used in investing activities ............. (35,742) (302,310) (5,699) -------- -------- -------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from long-term debt ........................ -- 30,000 352 (Payments) proceeds from revolving debt ............. (30,000) 244,000 -- Dividends paid ...................................... (8,110) (8,288) (8,048) Payments of short-term debt ......................... (4,871) 1,171 (41,400) Payments of long-term debt .......................... (6,009) (21,946) (5,568) Payments of capitalized lease obligations ........... (3,467) (717) (540) Other ............................................... 479 111 56 -------- -------- -------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ...................................... (51,978) 244,331 (55,148) -------- -------- -------- Net increase (decrease) cash ...................... $ 12 (25,103) 24,946 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 20 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Fiscal years ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Common stock Additional ------------------ paid-in Retained Shares Amount capital earnings - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994 .............. 11,224 $18,706 11,977 179,212 Net earnings .............................. -- -- -- 17,414 Dividend declared of $.74 per share ....... -- -- -- (8,048) Treasury stock issued upon exercise of options ..................... -- -- 36 -- Foreign currency translation adjustment - net of a $252 deferred tax benefit .... -- -- -- -- ------- ------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 30, 1995 .............. 11,224 18,706 12,013 188,578 Net earnings .............................. -- -- -- 20,032 Dividend declared of $.75 per share ....... -- -- -- (8,288) Shares issued in connection with acquisition of a business ............... 350 584 5,064 -- Treasury stock issued upon exercise of options ..................... -- -- 47 -- Issuance of restricted stock .............. -- -- (308) -- Amortized compensation under restricted stock plan ................... -- -- -- -- Treasury stock purchased .................. -- -- -- -- ------- ------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 28, 1996 .............. 11,574 19,290 16,816 200,322 Net earnings (loss) ....................... -- -- -- (1,228) Dividend declared of $.72 per share ....... -- -- -- (8,110) Treasury stock issued upon exercise of options ..................... -- -- 354 -- Amortized compensation under restricted stock plan ................... -- -- -- -- Repayment of notes receivable from holders of restricted stock ........ -- -- -- -- Distribution of stock pursuant to performance awards ...................... -- -- 460 -- Treasury stock purchased .................. -- -- -- -- Foreign currency translation adjustment .............................. -- -- -- -- Other ..................................... 1 2 18 -- ------- ------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT JANUARY 3, 1998 ................ 11,575 $19,292 17,648 190,984 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Foreign currency Treasury stock Total translation Restricted -------------------- stockholders' adjustment stock Shares Amount equity - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994 .............. (572) -- (349) $(3,054) 206,269 Net earnings .............................. -- -- -- -- 17,414 Dividend declared of $.74 per share ....... -- -- -- -- (8,048) Treasury stock issued upon exercise of options ..................... -- -- 3 20 56 Foreign currency translation adjustment - net of a $252 deferred tax benefit .... (378) -- -- -- (378) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 30, 1995 .............. (950) -- (346) (3,034) 215,313 Net earnings .............................. -- -- -- -- 20,032 Dividend declared of $.75 per share ....... -- -- -- -- (8,288) Shares issued in connection with acquisition of a business ............... -- -- -- 5,648 Treasury stock issued upon exercise of options ..................... -- 6 42 89 Issuance of restricted stock .............. -- (524) 40 995 163 Amortized compensation under restricted stock plan ................... -- 24 -- -- 24 Treasury stock purchased .................. -- -- (7) (120) (120) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 28, 1996 .............. (950) (500) (307) (2,117) 232,861 Net earnings (loss) ....................... -- -- -- -- (1,228) Dividend declared of $.72 per share ....... -- -- -- -- (8,110) Treasury stock issued upon exercise of options ..................... -- -- 29 143 497 Amortized compensation under restricted stock plan ................... -- 29 -- -- 29 Repayment of notes receivable from holders of restricted stock ........ -- 80 -- -- 80 Distribution of stock pursuant to performance awards ...................... -- -- 30 148 608 Treasury stock purchased .................. -- -- (4) (89) (89) Foreign currency translation adjustment .............................. 950 -- -- -- 950 Other ..................................... -- -- -- -- 20 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT JANUARY 3, 1998 ................ -- (391) (252) $(1,915) 225,618 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- 21 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (1) ACCOUNTING POLICIES FISCAL YEAR Nash Finch Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31. Fiscal year 1997 consisted of 53 weeks, while 1996 and 1995 consisted of 52 weeks. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of Nash Finch Company (the Company), its majority-owned subsidiaries and the Company's share of net earnings or losses of 50% or less owned companies. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform with 1997 presentation. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS In the accompanying financial statements, and for purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. At both January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, approximately 85% of the Company's inventories are valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. During fiscal 1997, the Company recorded a LIFO charge of $1.5 million compared to $1.6 million in 1996. The remaining inventories are valued on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. If the FIFO method of accounting for inventories had been used, inventories would have been $43.1 million and $41.6 million higher at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, respectively. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Assets under capitalized leases are recorded at the present value of future lease payments or fair market value, whichever is lower. Expenditures which improve or extend the life of the respective assets are capitalized while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS An impairment loss is recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable. In applying Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The Company has generally identified this lowest level to be individual stores; however, there are limited circumstances where, for evaluation purposes, stores are considered with the distribution center they support. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value, generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows at the rate the Company utilizes to evaluate potential investments. INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets consist primarily of covenants not to compete and goodwill, and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Costs are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ranging from 2-25 years. Amortization expense charged to operations for fiscal years ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996, and December 30, 1995 was $5.9 million, $5.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The accumulated amortization of intangible assets was $13.5 million and $10.1 million at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, respectively. The carrying value of intangible assets is reviewed for impairment annually and/or when factors indicating impairment are present using an undiscounted cash flow assumption. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets which generally range from 10-40 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements and capitalized leases are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. ADVERTISING Advertising costs included in selling, general and administrative, and other operating expenses, are expensed as incurred and were $5.0 million, $5.9 million and $8.5 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. INCOME TAXES Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. EARNINGS PER SHARE In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE. SFAS No. 128 replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants, contingent, and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share. All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented, and where necessary, restated to conform to the SFAS No. 128 requirements. STOCK OPTION PLANS In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION, the Company has chosen to continue to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, (APB 25) ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans, and, accordingly, does not recognize compensation costs, if the option price equals or exceeds market price at date of grant. Note (7) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contains a summary of the pro forma effects to reported net income and earnings per share had the Company elected to recognize compensation costs as encouraged by SFAS No. 123. 22 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Adjustments resulting from the translation of assets and liabilities of a foreign investment are included in stockholders' equity. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME and SFAS No. 131, DISCLOSURES ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION. SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for the reporting and presentation of comprehensive income and its components. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for defining operating segments and the reporting of certain information regarding operating segments. Because these statements only impact how financial information is disclosed in interim and annual reports, the adoption will have no impact to the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1, ACCOUNTING FOR THE COSTS OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE DEVELOPED FOR OR OBTAINED FOR INTERNAL USE. The SOP is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 1999, however, early adoption is permitted. The SOP will require the capitalization of certain costs incurred after the date of adoption in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. Some, but not all, of the costs that are required to be capitalized by the SOP are currently being expensed by the Company. The Company has not yet assessed what the impact of the SOP will be on the Company's future earnings or financial position. (2) ACQUISITIONS The following acquisitions have been accounted for by the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the operating results of the newly acquired businesses have been included in the consolidated operating results of the Company since their respective dates of acquisition. On June 9, 1997, the Company acquired the business and certain assets from United-A.G., a cooperative wholesale grocery distributor located in Omaha, for approximately $17.9 million in cash. Real estate which was not included in the purchase price, is being leased under a five-year agreement from a third party. This operating lease contains an option to purchase the property at fair market value, or a renewal option for an additional five years at the end of the initial lease term. In addition, the Company has guaranteed a residual value for the leased real estate. United-A.G., with pre-acquisition annual revenues of approximately $200 million, served stores in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Colorado and South Dakota. On November 7, 1996, the Company completed a tender offer to purchase the outstanding shares of common stock of Super Food for $15.50 per share in cash, with 10.6 million shares tendered at that date, representing approximately 96 percent of the outstanding common stock of Super Food. Super Food is a wholesale grocery distributor based in Dayton, Ohio with annual revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. The fair value of the assets acquired, including goodwill, was $321.9 million, and liabilities assumed totaled $150.0 million. Goodwill of $29.8 million and other intangibles of $7.1 million are being amortized over 25 years on a straight line basis. On August 5, 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of T. J. Morris, a full line food wholesaler located in Statesboro, Georgia, with annual revenues of $110.0 million. In exchange for the T. J. Morris stock, the Company issued 350,764 shares of its common stock, valued at approximately $5.7 million, of which 25,002 shares are held in escrow at January 3, 1998. Such shares were issued January 8, 1998. The excess of purchase price over fair value of the assets acquired resulted in goodwill of approximately $3.1 million which is being amortized on a straight line basis over a 15-year period. On January 2, 1996, the Company acquired substantially all of the business and assets of MDV located in Norfolk, Virginia for approximately $56.0 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities totaling approximately $54.0 million. MDV, with revenues of approximately $350.0 million, is a major distributor of grocery products to military commissaries in the eastern United States and Europe. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired by approximately $43 million. The resulting goodwill is being amortized on a straight line basis over 15 years. The following summary, prepared on a pro forma basis, combines the consolidated results of operations as if the above operations had been acquired as of the beginning of the periods presented, after including the impact of certain adjustments such as amortization of intangibles, increased interest expense on acquisition debt and related income tax effects: PRO FORMA INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET REVENUES ............................................ $4,499,543 4,713,664 4,589,362 Earnings (loss) before income taxes ..................... (36) 23,790 32,291 Net income (loss) ....................................... (247) 14,120 19,060 Basic earnings (loss) per share ......................... $ (.02) 1.28 1.70 ---------------------------------- The pro forma information is provided for informational purposes only. It is based on historical information and does not necessarily reflect results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been made as of those dates or results which may occur in the future. 23 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries (3) SPECIAL CHARGES During the third quarter of 1997, the Company recorded special charges totaling $31.3 million consisting of $12.6 million in asset writedowns and $6.5 million and $9.7 million classified as accrued expenses and other noncurrent liabilities, respectively. The aggregate special charges include $14.5 million for the consolidation of selected warehouses. This charge contains provisions for non-cancelable lease obligations, expected losses on disposals of tangible assets, and other continuing occupancy costs. Also included are employee severance costs consistent with existing practices and the unamortized portion of goodwill for one of the locations. Also, related to wholesale operations, the special charges include $2.5 million of integration costs, incurred in the third quarter, associated with the acquisition of the business and certain assets from United-A.G. In retail operations, the special charges relate to the closing or consolidation of fourteen, primarily leased stores. The special charges include a $5.2 million provision for continuing non-cancelable lease obligations, anticipated losses on disposals of tangible assets, abandonment of certain leaseholds and the write-off of intangibles. The time frame for individual store closings will vary but should be completed by the first quarter of fiscal 1999. For 1997, the retail units included in the provision had aggregate sales and pretax losses of $82.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, compared with $88.3 million and $1.8 million for 1996. The aggregate special charges contain a provision of $5.4 million for asset impairment of seven retail stores. Declining market share due to increasing competition, deterioration of operating performance in the third quarter, and forecasted future results that were less than previously planned were the factors leading to the impairment determination. The impaired assets covered by the charge primarily include real estate, leasehold improvements and, to a lesser extent, goodwill related to two of the stores. An asset impairment charge of $1.0 million relating to agricultural assets was also recorded against several farming operations of Nash DeCamp, the Company's produce marketing subsidiary. The impairment determination was based on recent downturns in the market for certain varieties of fruit. The impairment resulted from anticipated future operating losses and insufficient projected cash flows from agricultural production of these products. Other special charges aggregating $2.8 million consist primarily of $.9 million related to the abandonment of current system software which is being replaced by the Company's HORIZONS project, and a loss of $.6 million realized on the sale of the Company's 22.4% equity investment in Alfa Trading Company, a Hungarian food wholesaler. The remaining special charges relate principally to the write down of idle real estate held for sale to current market values. During the fourth quarter of 1997, rents totaling $198,000 were charged to reserves established as a result of the special charges recorded in the third quarter. Reserves related to the closing or consolidation of wholesale and retail operations in the amount of $6.3 million and $9.7 million are included in accrued expense and other liabilities, respectively, on the balance sheet at January 3, 1998. (4) ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE Accounts and notes receivable at the end of fiscal years 1997 and 1996 are comprised of the following components (in thousands): 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Customer notes receivable - current portion ....... $ 9,256 8,090 Customer accounts receivable ...................... 157,737 197,336 Other receivables ................................. 26,970 21,158 Allowance for doubtful accounts ................... (20,001) (20,522) ---------------------- Net current accounts and notes receivable ......... $ 173,962 206,062 ---------------------- ---------------------- Noncurrent customer notes receivable .............. 29,759 29,223 Allowance for doubtful accounts ................... (6,667) (7,571) ---------------------- Net noncurrent notes receivable ................... $ 23,092 21,652 ---------------------- ---------------------- Operating results include bad debt expense totaling $5.1 million, $1.9 million and $4.0 million during fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. On January 1, 1997, the Company adopted the requirements of SFAS No. 125, ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCED ASSETS AND EXTINGUISHMENTS OF LIABILITIES. SFAS No. 125 establishes accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities based on the application of a financial components approach which focuses on control of the assets and extinguishments of liabilities that exist after the transfer. The implementation of SFAS No. 125 did not have a material effect on the Company's 1997 consolidated financial statements. On December 29, 1997, a Receivables Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") was executed by the Company, Nash Finch Funding Corporation (NFFC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and a certain third party purchaser (the "Purchaser") pursuant to a securitization transaction. On this date the Company sold $44.6 million of accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis to NFFC. NFFC sold $37.0 million of its undivided interest in such receivables to the Purchaser, subject to specified collateral requirements. NFFC maintains a variable undivided interest in these receivables and is subject to losses on its share of the receivables and, accordingly, maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts. In applying the provisions of SFAS No. 125, no gain or loss resulted on the transaction. The Agreement is a five-year $50 million revolving receivable purchase facility allowing the Company to sell additional receivables to NFFC, and NFFC to sell, from time to time, variable undivided interests in these receivables to the Purchaser. In 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with a financial institution which allowed the Company to sell on a revolving basis customer notes receivable. Although the agreement lapsed on December 28, 1996, the notes, which have maturities through the year 2002, were sold at face value with recourse. As a result, the Company continues to be responsible for collection of the notes and remits the principal plus a floating rate of interest to the purchaser on a monthly basis. Proceeds from the sale of the notes receivable were used to fund working capital requirements. The remaining balances of such sold notes receivable totaled $9.1 million and $14.0 million at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, respectively. The Company is contingently liable should these notes become uncollectible. Substantially all notes receivable are based on floating interest rates which adjust to changes in market rates. As a result, the carrying value of notes receivable approximates market value. 24 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries (5) LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES Long-term debt at the end of the fiscal years 1997 and 1996 is summarized as follows (in thousands): 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Variable rate - revolving credit agreement ................................... $ 214,000 244,000 Industrial development bonds, 5.4% to 7.8% due in various installments through 2009 .......................................... 4,370 4,885 Term loans, 7.5% to 9.9% due in various installments through 2008 ............................................................... 107,528 112,250 Notes payable and mortgage notes, 9.3% to 12.0% due in various installments through 2003 ................................... 5,975 6,747 ---------------------- $ 331,873 367,882 Less current maturities ...................................................... 6,384 6,063 ---------------------- $ 325,489 361,819 ---------------------- ---------------------- During 1997, the Company entered into four swap agreements, with separate financial institutions. The agreements which are based on a notional amount of $30.0 million each, call for an exchange of interest payments with the Company receiving payments based on a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) floating rate and making payments based on a fixed rate, ranging from 6.21% to 6.54%, without an exchange of the notional amount upon which the payments are based. The differential to be paid or received from counter-parties as interest rates change is included in other liabilities or assets, with the corresponding amount accrued and recognized as an adjustment of interest expense related to the debt. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by counter-parties to these financial instruments, but it does not expect any counter-party to fail to meet its obligations. The amount of such credit exposure is generally the unrealized gains in such contracts. To manage credit risks, the Company selects counter-parties based on credit ratings, limits exposure to a single counter-party and monitors the market position with each counter-party. The fair values of the swap agreements are not material and have not been recognized in the financial statements at January 3, 1998. Gains and losses on terminations of interest rate swap agreements are deferred as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the outstanding debt and amortized as an adjustment to the interest expense related to the debt over the remaining term of the original contract life of the terminated swap agreement. In the event of the early extinguishment of a designated debt obligation, any realized or unrealized gain or loss from the swap would be recognized in income coincident with the extinguishment. Any swap agreements that are not designated with outstanding debt are recorded as an asset or liability at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in other income or expense. On October 8, 1996, the Company entered into a $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") with two lead banks. The agreement calls for a scheduled reduction of the facility within two years, to $400 million, with the remaining balance maturing five years from closing. During 1997, the Company exercised its right to reduce the Revolving Credit Facility to $360 million. Borrowings under this agreement bear interest at variable rates equal to LIBOR plus .30%. In addition, the Company pays commitment fees of .175% on the entire facility both used and unused. The average borrowing rate during the period was 6.0%. The Revolving Credit Facility contains covenants which, among other matters, limits the Company's ability to incur indebtedness, buy and sell assets, and requires compliance to predetermined ratios related to net worth, debt to equity and interest coverage. At January 3, 1998, land, buildings and other assets pledged to secure outstanding mortgage notes and obligations under industrial development bond issues have a depreciated cost of approximately $4.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt for the five fiscal years after January 3, 1998 are as follows (in thousands): - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1998 ................................................................ $ 6,384 1999 ................................................................ 1,844 2000 ................................................................ 33,576 2001 ................................................................ 240,394 2002 and thereafter ................................................. $ 49,675 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest paid was $31.6 million, $14.3 million and $11.4 million, for the fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, the Company maintains informal lines of credit at various banks. At January 3, 1998, unused uncommitted lines of credit amounted to $13.7 million. Based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for long-term financing with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, utilizing discounted cash flows is $340.3 million. (6) INCOME TAXES Income tax expense for fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995 is made up of the following components (in thousands): 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current: Federal .............................................. $ 3,293 12,125 12,244 State ................................................ 692 2,354 2,872 Deferred: Federal .............................................. (2,644) (576) (3,145) State ................................................ (347) (268) (790) -------------------------------- Total .............................................. $ 994 13,635 11,181 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Total income tax expense represents effective tax rates of 425.4%, 40.5% and 39.1% for the fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The reasons for differences compared with the U.S. federal statutory tax rate (expressed as a percentage of pretax income) are as follows: 1997 1996 1995 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federal statutory tax rate .............................. (35.0)% 35.0% 35.0% Items affecting federal income tax rate: State taxes, net of federal income tax benefit .......... 96.0 4.3 4.9 Foreign equity earnings ................................. (27.6) -- -- Dividends received deduction on domestic stock of under 80% owned companies ................................. (191.7) -- -- Non-deductible goodwill ................................. 700.1 .2 -- Non-deductible meals and entertainment .................. 94.6 .6 .8 Adjustment to valuation allowance and other income tax accruals ........................... (198.0) .4 (.6) Other net ............................................... (13.0) -- (1.0) ----------------------------- Effective tax rate .................................. 425.4% 40.5% 39.1% ----------------------------- ----------------------------- Income taxes paid were $8.9 million, $12.4 million and $10.8 million during fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 25 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996, and December 30, 1995, are presented below (in thousands): 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deferred tax assets: Accounts and notes receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts .............. $ 5,891 7,625 1,964 Inventories, principally due to additional costs inventoried for tax purposes pursuant to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 ....................... 3,405 2,956 1,654 Health care claims, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes .................... 2,668 2,991 1,073 Deferred compensation, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes ............ 2,546 2,376 3,173 Compensated absences, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes ............ 3,086 2,286 1,379 Compensation and casualty loss, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes .................................. 1,780 1,959 2,135 Purchased intangibles ................................... -- -- 1,958 Closed locations ........................................ 10,612 3,126 1,110 Other ................................................... 731 2,236 1,193 -------------------------------- Total gross deferred tax assets ......................... 30,719 25,555 15,639 Less valuation allowance ................................ -- -- -- -------------------------------- Net deferred tax assets ............................. 30,719 25,555 15,639 -------------------------------- Deferred tax liabilities: Purchased intangibles ................................... 231 1,055 -- Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation ......................... 9,704 6,511 5,978 Inventories, principally due to differences in LIFO basis ....................................... 7,686 7,230 2,070 Other ................................................... 1,404 2,020 1,082 -------------------------------- Total gross deferred tax liabilities .................... 19,025 16,816 9,130 -------------------------------- Net deferred tax asset .............................. $ 11,694 8,739 6,509 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Since it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset of $30,719, $25,555 and $15,639 at January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995, respectively, will be realized through carry back to taxable income in prior years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income and tax planning strategies, the Company has determined that there is no need to establish a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996 as required by SFAS No. 109, ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES. (7) STOCK RIGHTS AND OPTIONS Under the Company's 1996 Stockholder Rights Plan, one right is attached to each outstanding share of common stock. Each right entitles the holder to purchase, under certain conditions, one-half share of common stock at a price of $30.00 ($60.00 per full share). The rights are not yet exercisable and no separate rights certificates have been distributed. All rights expire on March 31, 2006. The rights become exercisable 20 days after a "flip-in event" has occurred or 10 business days (subject to extension) after a person or group makes a tender offer for 15% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock. A flip-in event would occur if a person or group acquires (1) 15% of the Company's outstanding common stock, or (2) an ownership level set by the Board of Directors at less than 15% if the person or group is deemed by the Board of Directors to have interests adverse to those of the Company and its stockholders. The rights may be redeemed by the Company at any time prior to the occurrence of a flip-in event at $.01 per right. The power to redeem may be reinstated within 20 days after a flip-in event occurs if the cause of the occurrence is removed. Upon the rights becoming exercisable, subject to certain adjustments or alternatives, each right would entitle the holder (other than the acquiring person or group, whose rights become void) to purchase a number of shares of the Company's common stock having a market value of twice the exercise price of the right. If the Company is involved in a merger or other business combination, or certain other events occur, each right would entitle the holder to purchase common shares of the acquiring company having a market value of twice the exercise price of the right. Within 30 days after the rights become exercisable following a flip-in event, the Board of Directors may exchange shares of Company common stock or cash or other property for exercisable rights. The Company follows APB 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB 25, when the exercise price of employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, no compensation expense is recognized. Under the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "1994 Plan"), a total of 845,296 shares were reserved for the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards and performance unit awards. Stock options are granted at not less than 100% of fair market value at date of grant and are exercisable over a term which may not exceed 10 years from date of grant. Restricted stock awards are subject to restrictions on transferability and such conditions for vesting, including continuous employment for specified periods of time, as may be determined at the date of grant. Performance unit awards are grants of rights to receive shares of stock if certain performance goals or criteria, determined at the time of grant, are achieved in accordance with the terms of the grants. Under the 1995 Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan"), for which a total of 40,000 shares were reserved, annual grants of options to purchase 500 shares are made automatically to each eligible non-employee director following each annual meeting of stockholders. The stock options are granted at 100% of fair market value at date of grant, become exercisable six months following the date of grant and may be exercised over a term of five years from the date of grant. At January 3, 1998, under the 1994 Plan, options to purchase 280,380 shares of common stock of the Company at an average price of $17.23 per share and exercisable over terms of five to seven years from the dates of grant, have been granted and are outstanding. In February 1996, certain members of management exercised rights to purchase restricted stock from the Company at a 25% discount to fair market value pursuant to grants awarded in January 1996 under the terms of the 1994 Plan. The purchase required a minimum of 10% payment in cash with the remaining balance evidenced by a five-year promissory note to the Company. Unearned compensation equivalent to the excess of market value of the shares purchased over the price paid by the recipient at the date of grant, and the unpaid balance of the promissory note have been charged to stockholders' equity; amortization of compensation expense was not significant. At January 3, 1998, 32,832 shares of restricted stock have been issued and are outstanding. Performance unit awards having a maximum potential payout of 340,071 shares have also been granted and are outstanding. 26 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries Reserved for the granting of future stock options, restricted stock awards and performance unit awards are 120,254 shares. At January 3, 1998 under the Director Plan, options to purchase 12,000 shares of common stock of the Company, at an average price of $17.47 per share and exercisable over a term of five years from the date of grant, have been granted and are outstanding. Reserved for the granting of future stock options are 26,000 shares. Changes in outstanding options during the three fiscal years ended January 3, 1998 are summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Weighted Average Option Price Shares Per Share - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Options outstanding December 31 1994 ...... 291 $ 16.86 Exercised ............................. (3) 16.72 Forfeited ............................. (36) 16.88 Granted ............................... 4 16.06 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Options outstanding December 30 1995 ...... 256 16.85 Exercised ............................. (4) 16.77 Forfeited ............................. (45) 17.05 Granted ............................... 142 17.72 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Options outstanding December 28, 1996 ..... 349 17.18 Exercised ............................. (29) 16.82 Forfeited ............................. (33) 17.08 Granted ............................... 5 18.38 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Options outstanding January 3, 1998 ....... 292(a) 17.24 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (a) Remaining average contractual life of options outstanding at January 3, 1998 was 2.5 years. Options exercisable at: January 3, 1998 ....................... 164 $ 17.09 December 28, 1996 ..................... 147 16.95 The weighted average fair value of options granted during 1997, 1996 and 1995 are $2.62, $2.40 and $2.26, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes single option-pricing model assuming a weighted average risk-free interest rate of 6.0%, an expected dividend yield of 4.0%, expected lives of two and one-half years and volatility of 22.1%. Had compensation expense for stock options been determined based on the fair value method (instead of intrinsic value method) at the grant dates for awards, the Company's 1997 and 1996 net earnings (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been impacted by less than 1%. The effects of applying the fair value method of measuring compensation expense for 1997 is likely not representative of the effects for future years in part because the fair value method was applied only to stock options granted after December 31, 1994. (8) EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Numerator: Net earnings (loss) ................................. $ (1,228) 20,032 17,414 -------------------------------- Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share; weighted average shares ............................. 11,270 10,947 10,875 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options .............................. -- 8 20 Contingent shares ................................... 46 138 -- -------------------------------- Dilutive common shares .................................. 46 146 20 Denominator for diluted earnings per share; adjusted weighted average shares .................... 11,316 11,093 10,895 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Basic earnings (loss) per share ......................... $ (0.11) 1.83 1.60 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Diluted earnings (loss) per share ....................... $ (0.11) 1.81 1.60 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- (9) LEASE AND OTHER COMMITMENTS A substantial portion of the store and warehouse properties of the Company are leased. The following table summarizes assets under capitalized leases (in thousands): 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buildings and improvements ..................... $ 25,048 26,105 Less accumulated amortization .................. (10,243) (10,147) ---------------------- Net assets under capitalized leases ............ $ 14,805 15,958 ---------------------- ---------------------- At January 3, 1998, future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable leases and subleases are as follows (in thousands): Operating Capital leases leases - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1998 .............................................................. $ 29,877 $ 6,006 1999 .............................................................. 26,186 6,168 2000 .............................................................. 23,488 6,035 2001 .............................................................. 20,548 5,934 2002 and thereafter ............................................... 117,400 57,161 ------------------- Total minimum lease payments (a) .................................. $ 217,499 81,304 Less imputed interest (rates ranging from 7.8% to 16.0%) .......... (41,207) -------- Present value of net minimum lease payments ....................... 40,097 Less current maturities ........................................... (1,580) -------- Capitalized lease obligations ..................................... $ 38,517 -------- -------- (a) Future minimum payments for operating and capital leases have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals receivable under non-cancelable subleases. Total future minimum sublease rentals related to operating and capital lease obligations as of January 3, 1998 are $91.8 million and $41.7 million, respectively. Total rental expense under operating leases for fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows (in thousands): 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total rentals ........................................... $ 42,584 33,316 27,533 Less real estate taxes, insurance and other occupancy costs ............................... (2,731) (2,070) (2,095) -------------------------------- Minimum rentals ......................................... 39,853 31,246 25,438 Contingent rentals ...................................... 244 183 312 Sublease rentals ........................................ (13,744) (9,449) (7,964) -------------------------------- $ 26,353 21,980 17,786 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- 27 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries Most of the Company's leases provide that the Company pay real estate taxes, insurance and other occupancy costs applicable to the leased premises. Contingent rentals are determined on the basis of a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated minimums for certain store facilities. Operating leases often contain renewal options. Management expects that, in the normal course of business, leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by other leases. The Company has guaranteed certain lease and promissory note obligations of customers aggregating approximately $28.6 million. In addition, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amounts of $9.1 million and $9.0 million at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, respectively, primarily supporting workers' compensation obligations. (10) CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The Company provides financial assistance in the form of secured loans to some of its independent retailers for inventories, store fixtures and equipment, working capital and store improvements. Loans are secured by liens on inventory or equipment or both, by personal guarantees and by other types of collateral. In addition, the Company may guarantee lease and promissory note obligations of customers. As of January 3, 1998, the Company has guaranteed outstanding promissory note obligations of one customer in the amount of $8.4 million and of another customer in the amount of $7.1 million. In the normal course of business, the Company's produce marketing operation in California makes cash advances to produce growers during various product growing seasons to fund production costs. Such advances are repayable at the end of the respective growing seasons. Unpaid advances are generally secured by liens on real estate and in certain instances, on crops yet to be harvested. At January 3, 1998, $9.2 million in notes and growers advances were outstanding. The Company establishes allowances for doubtful accounts based upon the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. Management believes that adequate provisions have been made for any doubtful accounts. (11) PROFIT SHARING PLAN The Company has a profit sharing plan covering substantially all employees meeting specified requirements. Contributions, determined by the Board of Directors, are made to a noncontributory profit sharing trust based on profit performances. Profit sharing expense for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $2.5 million, $4.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively. Certain officers and key employees are participants in a deferred compensation plan providing fixed benefits payable in equal monthly installments upon retirement. Annual increments to the deferred compensation plan are charged to earnings. No annual contribution was made in 1997. (12) PENSION Super Food has a qualified noncontributory retirement plan to provide retirement income for eligible full-time employees who are not covered by union retirement plans. Pension benefits under the plan are based on length of service and compensation. The Company contributes amounts necessary to meet minimum funding requirements. During 1997, the Company formalized a curtailment plan affecting all participants under the age of 55. The plan, effective January 1, 1998, did not result in a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. All employees impacted by the curtailment will be transferred into the Company's existing defined contribution plan. The plan's funded status at January 3, 1998 was (in thousands): 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Actuarial present value of benefit obligation: Vested benefits .......................................................... $ 36,772 28,979 Nonvested benefits ....................................................... -- 388 ---------------------- Accumulated benefit obligation ...................................... 36,772 29,367 Additional benefits based on future salary levels ........................ 874 3,193 ---------------------- Projected benefit obligation ............................................. 37,646 32,560 Plan assets at fair value, principally listed securities ................. (36,261) (34,274) ---------------------- Plan assets (over) under projected benefit obligation .................... 1,385 (1,714) Unrecognized net (gain) loss ................................................. 2,098 (911) ---------------------- Net prepaid pension cost ............................................ $ 713 (803) ---------------------- ---------------------- Assumptions used in the determination of the above amounts, in conjunction with the recording of the Super Food acquisition, include the following: 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Discount rate for determining estimated obligations and interest cost ........ 7.25% 8.5% Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation ......................... 5.0% 4.5% Expected long-term return on assets ................ 8.0% 8.5% Approximately 49% of Super Food employees are covered by collectively-bargained, multi-employer pension plans. Contributions are determined in accordance with the provisions of negotiated union contracts and generally are based on the number of hours worked. The Company does not have the information available to determine its share of the accumulated plan benefits or net assets available for benefits under the multi-employer plans. Aggregate cost for the Company's retirement plans includes the following components (in thousands): 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Defined benefit plan: Service cost benefits earned during the year ............................. $ 660 237 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation ............................ 2,663 882 Return on assets ......................................................... (3,587) (1,855) Net amortization and deferral ............................................ 730 931 ---------------------- Net pension expense .......................................................... 466 195 Multi-employer plans ......................................................... 2,166 370 ---------------------- Total pension and retirement plan expense ................................ $ 2,632 565 ---------------------- ---------------------- Fiscal 1996 costs reflect the two month period following the acquisition of Super Food. (13) POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE BENEFITS The Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees. Substantially all of the Company's employees not subject to collective bargaining agreements, become eligible for those benefits when they reach normal retirement age and who meet minimum age and service requirements. Health care benefits for retirees are provided under a self-insured program administered by an insurance company. The estimated future cost of providing postretirement health costs is accrued over the active service life of the employee. The periodic postretirement benefit costs were as follows (in thousands): 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service costs ........................................... $ 354 260 273 Interest costs .......................................... 576 403 382 Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation ............................... 235 248 249 -------------------------------- Net postretirement costs ................................ $ 1,165 911 904 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- 28 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries The actuarial present value of benefit obligations at January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995 are as follows (in thousands): 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retirees eligible for benefits .......................... $ 3,092 1,969 1,903 Active employees fully eligible ......................... 617 428 493 Active employees not fully eligible ..................... 4,895 3,204 3,147 -------------------------------- $ 8,604 5,601 5,543 -------------------------------- -------------------------------- The assumed annual rate of future increases in per capita cost of health care benefits was 10.5% in fiscal 1997 declining at a rate of .5% per year to 6.5% in 2005 and thereafter. Increasing the health care cost trend rate by 1% in each year would increase the accumulated benefit obligation by $475,000 at January 3, 1998 and the service and interest costs by $77,000 for fiscal 1997. The discount rate used in determining the accumulated benefit obligation was 6.75%. (14) SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company and its subsidiaries sell and distribute food and nonfood products that are typically found in supermarkets. The Company's wholesale distribution segment sells to independently owned retail food stores, institutional and military customers while the retail distribution segment sells directly to the consumer. Produce marketing includes farming, packing and marketing operations. The Company's market areas are in the Midwest, West, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Operating profit is net sales and other revenues, less operating expenses. In computing operating profit, none of the following items have been added or deducted: general corporate expenses, interest expense, interest income, income taxes and earnings from equity investments. Wholesale distribution operating profits on sales through Company-owned stores have been allocated to the retail segment. Identifiable assets are those used exclusively by that industry segment or an allocated portion of assets used jointly by two industry segments. Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable, corporate office facilities and equipment. MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS (IN THOUSANDS) 1997 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales and other operating revenues: Wholesale distribution .............................. $3,502,822 2,468,695 1,968,982 Retail distribution ................................. 822,178 850,404 859,956 Produce marketing and other ......................... 50,949 50,410 48,154 ---------------------------------- Total net sales and other operating revenues .............................. $4,375,949 3,369,509 2,877,092 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Operating profit (loss): Wholesale distribution .............................. $ 32,576 37,115 30,047 Retail distribution ................................. (6,041) 7,709 4,143 Produce marketing and other ......................... (303) 2,124 2,439 ---------------------------------- Total operating profit ............................ 26,232 46,948 36,629 Interest income ..................................... 6,379 1,613 2,759 Interest expense .................................... (32,845) (14,894) (10,793) ---------------------------------- Earnings (loss) before income taxes ............... $ (234) 33,667 28,595 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Identifiable assets: Wholesale distribution .............................. 620,644 649,470 205,288 Retail distribution ................................. 171,326 203,217 201,493 Produce marketing and other ......................... 47,191 41,948 45,662 Corporate ........................................... 65,722 50,842 61,817 ---------------------------------- $904,883 945,477 514,260 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Capital expenditures: Wholesale distribution .............................. $ 18,245 15,511 8,704 Retail distribution ................................. 23,246 19,795 15,517 Produce marketing and other ......................... 4,166 2,234 5,259 Corporate ........................................... 22,068 13,793 3,784 ---------------------------------- $ 67,725 51,333 33,264 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Depreciation and amortization: Wholesale distribution .............................. $ 25,148 14,996 11,121 Retail distribution ................................. 16,158 15,791 14,454 Produce marketing and other ......................... 1,481 1,511 1,597 Corporate ........................................... 4,910 2,461 2,234 ---------------------------------- $ 47,697 34,759 29,406 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Fiscal 1997 operating profit before the effects of the special charges for the wholesale, retail and produce marketing segments would have been $50.8 million, $5.8 million and $.9 million, respectively. (15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT During the first quarter of 1998, and in conjunction with a planned $150 million unregistered, subordinated debt offering, the Company prepaid $106.3 million of senior notes and paid prepayment premiums totaling $9.4 million, all with drawings under the Revolving Credit Facility. As a result, the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $5.5 million, net of $4.0 million in taxes, consisting of prepayment premiums and the write-off of deferred financing costs related to early extinguishment of debt. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) A summary of quarterly financial First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter information is presented. 12 Weeks 12 Weeks 16 Weeks 13 Weeks 12 Weeks ------------------ ----------------- ---------------------- ------------------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales and other revenue ............... $947,832 684,494 975,450 735,242 1,354,430 1,003,867 1,113,890 951,882 Cost of sales ............................. 825,189 593,145 845,450 635,315 1,179,698 869,669 976,040 834,580 Earnings (loss) before income taxes ....... 5,259 4,699 11,126 10,253 (23,892) 11,421 7,273 7,294 Income taxes .............................. 2,203 1,903 4,662 4,153 7,435 4,625 1,564 2,954 Net earnings (loss) ....................... 3,056 2,796 6,464 6,100 (16,457) 6,796 5,708 4,340 Percent to sales and revenues ............. .32 .41 .66 .82 (1.22) .68 .51 .46 Net earnings (loss) per share Basic .................................. $ .27 .26 .58 .56 (1.47) .62 .51 .39 Diluted ................................ $ .27 .26 .57 .56 (1.46) .61 .50 .38 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 NASH FINCH COMPANY and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS Eleven years ended January 3, 1998 (not covered by Independent Auditors' Report) 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) (53 WEEKS) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (53 weeks) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and revenues .................................... $ 4,375,949 3,369,509 2,877,092 2,822,262 2,715,787 2,509,464 Other income .......................................... 15,653 5,976 11,744 9,738 7,748 5,974 ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total sales, revenues and other income ................ 4,391,602 3,375,485 2,888,836 2,832,000 2,723,535 2,515,438 Cost of sales ......................................... 3,826,377 2,932,709 2,469,841 2,410,292 2,325,249 2,147,845 Selling, general and administrative, and other operating expenses, including warehousing and transportation expenses ......................... 451,126 355,364 346,442 349,190 328,703 294,700 Special charges ....................................... 31,272 -- -- -- -- -- Interest expense ...................................... 32,845 14,894 10,793 11,384 10,114 9,294 Depreciation and amortization ......................... 47,697 34,759 29,406 31,831 29,145 27,038 Profit sharing contribution ........................... 2,519 4,092 3,759 3,493 3,646 3,963 Provision for income taxes ............................ 994 13,635 11,181 10,330 10,804 12,530 ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net earnings (loss) ................................... $ (1,228) 20,032 17,414 15,480 15,874 20,068 ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Basic earnings (loss) per share ....................... $ (0.11) 1.83 1.60 1.42 1.46 1.85 ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Diluted earnings (loss) per share ..................... $ (0.11) 1.81 1.60 1.42 1.46 1.85 ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Cash dividends declared per common share (2) .......... $ .72 .75 .74 .73 .72 .71 ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Pretax earnings as a percent of sales and revenues .................................. % -- 1.00 .99 .91 .98 1.30 Net earnings (loss) as a percent of sales and revenues ............................... % (0.03) .59 .60 .55 .58 .80 Effective income tax rate ............................. % 425.4 40.5 39.1 40.0 40.5 38.4 Current assets ........................................ $ 494,350 525,596 311,690 309,522 294,925 310,170 Current liabilities ................................... $ 294,419 297,088 207,688 220,065 215,021 213,691 Net working capital ................................... $ 199,931 228,508 104,002 89,457 79,904 96,479 Ratio of current assets to current liabilities ........ 1.68 1.77 1.50 1.41 1.37 1.45 Total assets .......................................... $ 904,883 945,477 514,260 531,604 521,654 513,615 Capital expenditures .................................. $ 67,725 51,333 33,264 34,965 36,382 42,991 Long-term obligations (long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations) .................. $ 364,006 403,651 81,188 95,960 97,887 94,145 Stockholders' equity .................................. $ 225,618 232,861 215,313 206,269 199,264 191,204 Stockholders' equity per share (1), (2) ............... $ 19.96 21.06 19.80 18.97 18.33 17.59 Return (loss) on average stockholders' equity ......... % (0.53) 8.94 8.26 7.63 8.13 10.85 Number of common stockholders of record at year-end ......................................... 2,226 2,230 1,940 2,074 2,074 2,087 Common stock high price (2), (3) ...................... $ 24 7/8 21 3/4 20 1/2 18 1/4 23 1/4 19 3/4 Common stock low price (2), (3) ....................... $ 17 1/2 15 1/2 15 3/4 15 3/8 17 16 1/4 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and revenues .................................... 2,337,560 2,369,054 2,219,451 2,091,822 1,938,758 Other income .......................................... 5,718 5,799 4,312 6,012 4,590 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total sales, revenues and other income ................ 2,343,278 2,374,853 2,223,763 2,097,834 1,943,348 Cost of sales ......................................... 1,997,462 2,036,335 1,904,041 1,807,448 1,682,667 Selling, general and administrative, and other operating expenses, including warehousing and transportation expenses ......................... 276,144 271,735 264,024 230,221 198,553 Special charges ....................................... -- -- -- -- -- Interest expense ...................................... 8,966 8,670 8,277 8,106 8,087 Depreciation and amortization ......................... 26,124 25,551 23,170 20,193 18,389 Profit sharing contribution ........................... 3,789 3,603 3,089 2,832 2,734 Provision for income taxes ............................ 11,738 11,129 8,010 10,859 14,416 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net earnings (loss) ................................... 19,055 17,830 13,152 18,175 18,502 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Basic earnings (loss) per share ....................... 1.75 1.64 1.21 1.67 1.75 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Diluted earnings (loss) per share ..................... 1.75 1.64 1.21 1.67 1.74 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Cash dividends declared per common share (2) .......... .70 .69 .67 .65 .57 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Pretax earnings as a percent of sales and revenues .................................. 1.31 1.22 .95 1.38 1.69 Net earnings (loss) as a percent of sales and revenues ............................... .81 .75 .59 .87 .95 Effective income tax rate ............................. 38.1 38.4 37.9 37.4 43.8 Current assets ........................................ 239,850 234,121 212,264 219,956 209,305 Current liabilities ................................... 154,993 159,439 128,159 153,068 127,608 Net working capital ................................... 84,857 74,682 84,105 66,888 81,697 Ratio of current assets to current liabilities ........ 1.55 1.47 1.66 1.44 1.64 Total assets .......................................... 429,648 416,233 380,771 388,269 352,187 Capital expenditures .................................. 36,836 36,129 34,635 52,019 29,680 Long-term obligations (long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations) .................. 82,532 74,333 77,950 66,216 66,988 Stockholders' equity .................................. 178,846 167,388 157,024 151,043 140,850 Stockholders' equity per share (1), (2) ............... 16.45 15.40 14.45 13.90 12.97 Return (loss) on average stockholders' equity ......... 11.01 10.99 8.54 12.45 14.38 Number of common stockholders of record at year-end ......................................... 2,122 2,138 2,146 2,227 2,234 Common stock high price (2), (3) ...................... 20 1/4 25 1/4 25 3/4 27 1/2 26 1/2 Common stock low price (2), (3) ....................... 16 1/2 16 1/4 21 1/4 18 14 3/4 (1) Based on weighted average outstanding shares at year-end. (2) Adjusted to reflect 2-for-1 stock split 1987. (3) High and low closing sale price. 30 [CHART] TOTAL ASSETS MILLIONS Of DOLLARS [CHART] WORKING CAPITAL PROVIDED FROM OPERATIONS MILLIONS Of DOLLARS - - DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION - - NET EARNINGS (LOSS) [CHART] CAPITAL STRUCTURE MILLIONS Of DOLLARS - - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - - LONG-TERM DEBT INCLUDING CAPITALIZED LEASES 31