SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1999
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-22793
PRICESMART, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 33-0628530
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4649 MORENA BOULEVARD
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92117
(Address of principal executive offices)
(619) 581-4530
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES X NO
----- -----
The registrant had 5,053,604 shares of its common stock, par value $.0001 per
share, outstanding at April 6, 1999.
PRICESMART, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE
----
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. . . . . . . . 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. . . . . . . . 5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . 6-7
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . 8-12
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ITEM 2 - CHANGES IN SECURITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY
HOLDERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PRICESMART, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
FEBRUARY 28, AUGUST 31,
1999 1998
------------ ----------
(Unaudited) (Note)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,382 $ 8,643
Marketable securities 37,670 56,133
Receivables, net 4,847 6,503
Merchandise inventories 8,128 9,160
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 683 965
Property held for sale, net 3,665 4,886
---------- ----------
Total current assets 74,375 86,290
Property and equipment:
Land 5,602 2,250
Building and improvements 10,194 6,905
Fixtures and equipment 8,948 6,659
---------- ----------
24,744 15,814
Less accumulated depreciation (3,552) (2,841)
---------- ----------
21,192 12,973
Other assets:
City notes receivable 20,314 21,501
Other notes receivable 3,796 3,812
Other long-term assets 133 -
---------- ----------
24,243 25,313
---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 119,810 $ 124,576
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank borrowings $ - $ 3,782
Accounts payable, trade 6,296 5,463
Other payables and accrued expenses 9,007 6,622
Deferred membership income 519 -
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 15,822 15,867
Minority interest 6,534 5,628
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 2,000,000 shares
authorized, none issued - -
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 15,000,000 shares
authorized, 5,040,292 and 5,453,603 shares issued and
outstanding, net of 908,398 and 550,000 shares in treasury,
in 1999 and 1998, respectively 1 1
Additional paid-in capital 96,578 100,230
Deferred compensation (1,997) -
Notes receivable from stockholders (672) (697)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 467 519
Retained earnings 3,077 3,028
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity 97,454 103,081
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 119,810 $ 124,576
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
NOTE: The balance sheet at August 31, 1998 has been derived from the audited
financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements.
See accompanying notes.
3
PRICESMART, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED - AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
SECOND QUARTER YEAR-TO-DATE
THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28,
------------------------------- -----------------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
--------- --------- --------- ---------
REVENUES
International sales $ 19,563 $ 22,542 $ 37,990 $ 40,710
International royalties and other income 501 1,140 858 1,733
Auto referral, travel and other programs 3,705 3,298 6,942 6,405
--------- --------- --------- ---------
TOTAL REVENUES 23,769 26,980 45,790 48,848
EXPENSES
International cost of goods sold 17,252 20,461 33,534 37,418
Selling, general and administrative:
International 4,295 3,212 8,107 5,758
Auto referral, travel and other programs 2,538 2,848 5,134 5,602
Corporate administrative expenses 1,819 673 2,825 1,437
--------- --------- --------- ---------
TOTAL EXPENSES 25,904 27,194 49,600 50,215
--------- --------- --------- ---------
OPERATING LOSS (2,135) (214) (3,810) (1,367)
OTHER
Real estate operations, net 920 171 1,213 534
Interest income and other 898 1,469 2,831 2,985
Minority interest (71) (161) (93) (185)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
TOTAL OTHER 1,747 1,479 3,951 3,334
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (388) 1,265 141 1,967
Provision for income taxes 81 156 92 156
--------- --------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (469) $ 1,109 $ 49 $ 1,811
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic $ (0.09) $ 0.19 $ 0.01 $ 0.31
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Diluted $ (0.09) $ 0.18 $ 0.01 $ 0.30
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
SHARES USED IN PER SHARE COMPUTATION
Basic 5,036 5,908 5,175 5,908
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Diluted 5,036 6,074 5,349 6,077
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- ---------
See accompanying notes.
4
PRICESMART, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED - AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28,
-----------------------------
1999 1998
--------- --------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 49 $ 1,811
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 711 637
Provision for doubtful accounts 73 -
Income tax provision 92 -
Minority interest 93 185
Stock compensation 727 -
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable and other assets 2,764 (5,289)
Accounts payable and other liabilities 3,645 (640)
--------- --------
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities 8,154 (3,296)
--------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of marketable securities (39,672) (76,175)
Sales of marketable securities 58,114 19,170
Additions to property and equipment (8,930) (4,683)
Payments of notes receivable 1,203 863
--------- --------
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities 10,715 (60,825)
--------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Change in property held for sale 1,221 5,150
Proceeds from (repayment of) bank borrowings (3,782) 4,082
Proceeds from minority interests 813 -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 170 -
Issuance of common stock for cash and notes receivable 84 -
Purchases of treasury stock (6,605) -
--------- --------
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities (8,099) 9,232
--------- --------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (31) -
--------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 10,739 (54,889)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 8,643 58,383
--------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 19,382 $ 3,494
--------- --------
--------- --------
See accompanying notes.
5
PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
February 28, 1999
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
ORGANIZATION
PriceSmart, Inc. ("PriceSmart" or the "Company") owns and operates certain
merchandising businesses. The Company's primary business is international
merchandising consisting of membership shopping warehouses similar to, but
smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of February 28,
1999, there were four warehouses licensed to and owned by in-country business
people and two warehouses owned 51% by the Company. Additionally, the Company
operates a domestic travel business and until April 1, 1999, operated a domestic
auto referral business marketed primarily to Costco members.
In June 1997, the Price Enterprises, Inc. (PEI) Board of Directors approved, in
principle, a plan to separate PEI's core real estate business from the
merchandising businesses it operated through a number of subsidiaries. To effect
such separation, PEI first transferred to the Company, through a series of
preliminary transactions, the assets listed below. PEI then distributed on
August 29, 1997 all of the Company's Common Stock pro rata to PEI's existing
stockholders through a special dividend (the "Distribution").
Assets transferred to PriceSmart were comprised of: (i) the merchandising
business segment of PEI; (ii) certain real estate properties held for sale (the
"Properties"); (iii) notes receivable from various municipalities and agencies
("City Notes") and certain secured notes receivable from buyers of properties;
(iv) cash and cash equivalents of approximately $58.4 million; and (v) all other
assets and liabilities not specifically associated with PEI's portfolio of 27
investment properties, except for current corporate income tax assets and
liabilities.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and
with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the six months ended February 28, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending August 31,
1999. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements
and footnotes thereto included in the PriceSmart, Inc. annual report for the
year ended August 31, 1998.
The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and
results of operations of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified
to conform to the current presentation.
NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
In Q2 of fiscal 1998, the Company adopted 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 exclude any dilutive effects of options,
warrants, and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very
similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share.
6
PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 3 - MEMBERSHIP FEES
Membership fee income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company's
warehouse members. Effective with the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company
changed its method of accounting for membership fee income from a "cash basis,"
which historically was consistent with generally accepted accounting principles
and industry practice, to a "deferred basis" whereby membership fee income is
recognized ratably over the annual membership period. The cumulative effect of
adopting the accounting change as of the beginning of fiscal 1999 was not
recorded because it did not have a material effect on the Company's financial
condition, cash flows or ongoing operating results.
NOTE 4 - FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign operations are translated to
U.S. dollars at quarter-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are
translated at average rates prevailing during the period. There was no material
effect from foreign currency translation adjustments during the three and six
months ended February 28, 1999.
NOTE 5 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
During the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." SFAS
No. 130 requires the disclosure of all components of comprehensive income,
including net income and other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income is
defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other
events and circumstances generated from non-owner sources. Consolidated
comprehensive income is as follows (in thousands):
Second Quarter Year-To-Date
Three Months Ended February 28, Six Months Ended February 28,
------------------------------- -----------------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net income (loss) $ (469) $ 1,109 $ 49 $ 1,811
Unrealized gains on marketable securities 460 158 498 281
Foreign currency translation adjustments (31) - (31) -
-------- -------- ------- --------
429 158 467 281
-------- -------- ------- --------
Comprehensive income (loss) $ (40) $ 1,267 $ 516 $ 2,092
-------- -------- ------- --------
-------- -------- ------- --------
NOTE 6 - PRE-OPENING COSTS
The Company adopted Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs
of Start-up Activities" in Q1 of fiscal 1999. SOP 98-5 requires pre-opening
costs to be charged to expense as incurred. Prior to fiscal 1999, the Company
capitalized pre-opening costs related to warehouse openings and amortized these
costs over twelve months. The adoption of SOP 98-5 did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial statements.
NOTE 7 - NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 131, "Segment
Information" which is required reporting for the Company in fiscal 1999. SFAS
No. 131 amends the requirements to report financial and descriptive information
about its reportable operating segments. The financial information is required
to be reported on the basis that is used internally for evaluating the segment
performance. The Company does not believe that SFAS No. 131 will have a
material impact on income or financial statement presentation.
7
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risk
and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed hereunder, as well
as those discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K filed
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on November 25, 1998.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. All dollar amounts are
in thousands.
MERCHANDISE SALES
Warehouse Percent Export Percent Total Percent
Sales Change Sales Change Sales Change
--------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1999 $ 17,544 27% $ 2,019 -77% $ 19,563 -13%
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1998 13,844 - 8,698 - 22,542 -
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1999 $ 33,662 61% $ 4,328 -78% $ 37,990 -7%
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1998 20,896 - 19,814 - 40,710 -
WAREHOUSE SALES - The Company's two warehouses in Panama posted strong sales
during the holidays and throughout Q2 of fiscal 1999. The year-to-date increase
was due to the opening of a second warehouse in Panama during Q2 of fiscal 1998
and increased merchandising and marketing efforts.
EXPORT SALES - The decreases in export sales to Asian licensees during the
second quarter and the year-to-date periods were primarily due to the continuing
economic weakness in the region and a decrease in the number of licensee
warehouses.
MERCHANDISE GROSS MARGIN
Warehouse Percent Export Percent
Gross Percent of Gross Percent of
Margin Change Sales Margin Change Sales
--------- ------- ------- ------ ------- -------
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1999 $ 2,242 24% 12.8% $ 69 -75% 3.4%
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1998 1,808 - 13.1% 273 - 3.1%
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1999 $ 4,322 61% 12.8% $ 134 -78% 3.1%
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1998 2,692 - 12.9% 600 - 3.0%
WAREHOUSE GROSS MARGIN - During the second quarter of fiscal 1999, warehouse
gross margin dollars increased primarily due to a greater number of member
transactions. The increase in gross margin dollars over the prior year-to-date
period reflected the opening of the second Panama location. During the second
quarter of fiscal 1999, the decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily
due to continued focus on competitive pricing strategy. The year-to-date gross
margin percentage was comparable to prior year's period.
EXPORT GROSS MARGIN - Export gross margin dollars decreased over prior year's
comparable quarter and year-to-date periods primarily due to the decrease in
export sales. The gross margin percentages for export sales were consistent
with prior year's comparable quarter and year-to-date periods.
8
OTHER REVENUES
International Auto Referral,
Royalties Percent Travel and Percent
& Other Income Change Other Programs Change
-------------- ------- -------------- -------
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1999 $ 501 -56% $ 3,705 12%
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1998 1,140 - 3,298 -
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1999 $ 858 -50% $ 6,942 8%
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1998 1,733 - 6,405 -
During the second quarter and the year-to-date periods of fiscal 1999,
international royalties and other income decreased primarily due to (a) reduced
royalty income because of lower warehouse sales at licensed locations, and (b)
an accounting change for membership fee income from a cash to a deferred method
beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 1999, whereby membership income is
recognized ratably over the annual membership period. On a pro forma basis,
assuming the newly adopted accounting treatment for deferring membership fees
had been in effect in fiscal 1998, international royalties and other income
would have been $903 and $1,409 in the second quarter and year-to-date periods,
respectively; and the decreases over prior year periods in international
royalties and other income would have been 45% and 39%, respectively.
During the second quarter and the year-to-date periods of fiscal 1999, increased
revenues for the Auto Referral, Travel and other programs were due to increased
Auto Referral advertising revenue resulting from more Costco locations and
increased travel commissions on car rentals and cruises.
The Company's auto referral program has been sold with an effective date of sale
of April 1, 1999.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Auto Referral,
Percent Travel and Percent
International Change Other Programs Change
------------- ------- -------------- -------
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1999 $ 4,295 34% $ 2,538 -11%
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1998 3,212 - 2,848 -
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1999 $ 8,107 41% $ 5,134 -8%
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1998 5,758 - 5,602 -
During Q2 of fiscal 1999, international expenses increased primarily due to
expenses related to warehouse opening, and higher expenses associated with
increased sales. The year-to-date increase is attributable to the same factors
as well as the addition of a second warehouse in Panama (opened December 1997).
During the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 1999, Auto
Referral, Travel Program and other expenses decreased primarily due to the
elimination of a service center test program in May 1998.
CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Percent
Amounts Change Change
-------- -------- -------
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1999 $ 1,819 $ 1,146 170%
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1998 673 - -
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1999 $ 2,825 $ 1,388 97%
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1998 1,437 - -
During Q2 fiscal 1999, corporate administrative expenses increased primarily due
to compensation expense recognized in conjunction with common stock and stock
options issued pursuant to the 1998
9
Equity Participation Plan, increased marketing and travel expenses primarily
related to support warehouse openings. The year-to-date increase was a result of
the same factors as Q2.
REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS (NET)
Gain Net
Revenues Expenses On Sales Income
-------- -------- -------- --------
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1999 $ 198 $ (193) $ 915 $ 920
2nd Quarter - Fiscal 1998 530 (359) - 171
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1999 $ 415 $ (338) $ 1,136 $ 1,213
Year-To-Date - Fiscal 1998 1,210 (785) 109 534
Real estate operations relate to properties held for sale which were transferred
to the Company in connection with the Distribution and reflect rental revenue,
operating expenses, and gain or loss on sales of properties. The Company
expects the remaining properties to be sold during fiscal 1999.
During the second quarter and the year-to-date periods of fiscal 1999, the
increase in net income from real estate operations was primarily due to higher
gains on the sale of properties. The increase was partially offset by reduced
revenues and operating expenses.
INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER
Interest income and other reflect earnings on marketable securities, cash
balances, City Notes and a secured note receivable from a buyer of a formerly
owned property. During the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal
1999, interest income and other decreased primarily due to a shift between
the balances of marketable securities and cash and cash equivalents. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" for further discussion.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash provided by (used in) the Company's operations during the first half of
fiscal 1999 and 1998 was $8.2 million, and $(3.3) million, respectively.
The Company expects to satisfy short-term liquidity requirements through its
cash and marketable securities, cash from operations of the Company's
businesses, principal and interest payments on the City Notes and other note
receivable. The Company also expects to generate cash from sales of the
properties held for sale. Additionally, the Company anticipates that its
merchandising joint ventures in Latin America will obtain loans secured by the
assets of the joint ventures.
In September 1998, the Company repurchased 150,000 shares of its common stock
for $2.3 million, completing the share repurchase program it initiated in
conjunction with the 1998 Equity Participation Plan. Repurchased shares will be
added to the Company's treasury shares and will be used to fund the balance of
the 700,000 shares authorized for issuance under the 1998 Equity Participation
Plan.
In November 1998, the Company announced that it would use up to an additional
$5.0 million to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock. During
November 1998, the Company repurchased 277,614 shares under this program for
$4.2 million.
In September 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with PSC, S.A., whose
stockholders are Latin American businessmen, to open nine PriceSmart membership
shopping warehouses in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Honduras, and Nicaragua. The total cost of the project is projected at $80.6
million of which $33.8 million is to be contributed in cash by the partners and
$46.8 million is to be borrowed. PriceSmart owns 60% of this venture.
In September 1998, the Company made a $5.9 million, five year term loan to its
Panama joint venture. The loan yields interest at a rate of 3-month LIBOR + 1
3/4%. Loan proceeds were used to repay
10
Panama's bank borrowings of $3.7 million, with the remaining balance to be used
in connection with future business opportunities.
In November 1998, the Company sold its investment portfolio, realizing a gain of
$558,000. The cash balances currently reflected on the balance sheet have been
re-invested in alignment with the Company's future cash needs.
Additionally, the Company estimates that it will spend approximately $10 million
for business opportunities that may arise. Actual capital expenditures,
investment in merchandising businesses and net proceeds realized from property
sales for fiscal 1999 may vary from estimated amounts depending on business
conditions and other risks and uncertainties to which the Company and its
businesses are subject.
The Company believes that its cash balances, marketable securities and net cash
provided by operating activities, principal and interest payments on notes
receivable, sales of its properties held for sale and bank borrowings will be
sufficient to meet its working capital expenditure requirements for at least the
next 12 months. Management intends to invest the Company's cash in excess of
current operating requirements in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade
securities.
Certain Asian markets served by the Company have experienced a significant
devaluation of local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Because the
Company transacts its business in the Asian markets in U.S. dollars, the Company
does not bear exchange rate risk. However, devaluation of local currencies
relative to the U.S. dollar causes U.S. merchandise to be less affordable, and
generally has a negative impact on the Company's sales of U.S.-sourced goods to
the affected markets, location sales and royalty income. The Company's
licensees in Indonesia and Guam were particularly affected by the economic
crisis, which largely contributed to the cancellation of the Indonesian license
agreement and the closing of the Guam warehouse in fiscal 1998. Neither of
these issues resulted in a material economic loss to the Company.
The Company's risk of loss in certain markets most affected by the Asian
economic downturn discussed is immaterial because the Company conducts business
in such markets through licensing arrangements rather than Company-owned
warehouses.
SEASONALITY
Historically, the Company's merchandising businesses have experienced moderate
holiday retail seasonality in their markets. In addition to seasonal
fluctuations, the Company's operating results fluctuate quarter-to-quarter as a
result of economic and political events in markets served by the Company, the
timing of holidays, weather, timing of shipments, product mix, and cost of
U.S.-sourced products. Because of such fluctuations, the results of operations
of any quarter are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full
fiscal year or any future quarter. In addition, there can be no assurance that
the Company's future results will be consistent with past results or the
projections of securities analysts.
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
The year 2000 issue results from computer programs and hardware being written
with two digits rather than four digits to define the applicable year. As a
result, there is a risk that date sensitive software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900, rather than the year 2000. This potentially could result
in system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations,
including a temporary inability to process transactions or engage in normal
business activities.
The Company has received statements of year 2000 readiness from its key
hardware, software and imbedded system vendors, and has additionally
conducted internal testing of its transaction processing systems. The
Company has assessed readiness of its custom programs, has modified these
programs as needed, and has tested these modifications for year 2000
readiness. In addition to testing its programs and systems individually, the
Company has performed "end-to-end" testing of its internal systems involved
in its supply chain, including purchasing, distribution, sales, and
accounting. During this testing, no errors were found related to date
processing before or after January 1, 2000, including treatment of year 2000
as a leap year. The Company will continue to test its hardware, software,
and imbedded systems as they are added or modified.
11
The Company has requested disclosure of year 2000 readiness from all of its
vendors and suppliers. Approximately one-half of the Company's vendors and
suppliers have recently responded. Second requests have been issued to the
vendors/suppliers who did not respond. The Company will evaluate the potential
business impact of non-responsive or non-compliant vendors/suppliers, and make
contingency plans if needed.
The total cost of the year 2000 project is not expected to exceed $100,000,
excluding the cost of recently purchased hardware and software which was already
year 2000 ready. The costs of the year 2000 project are based on management's
best estimates, which are derived utilizing numerous assumptions. However,
there can be no guarantee that these estimates will be achieved and actual
results could differ materially from the estimates. Specific factors that might
cause material differences include, but are not limited to, the availability and
cost of trained personnel, the ability to locate and correct all relevant
computer codes, and similar uncertainties.
A significant part of the Company's business is derived from its activities in
Central America and Asia. The Company's business could be adversely impacted in
the event business activities in Central America and Asia are disrupted due to
Y2K issues, with the extent of such impact dependent upon the extent of such
disruption, which may vary from country to country. The Company's business
could also be adversely impacted by supply chain disruption due to vendor/
supplier business interruption.
The Company has established a business continuity plan, which addresses the
potential unavailability of its hardware and software systems, facilities and
services (e.g. telephone, electricity, data communications) through a
combination of geographically diverse contracted facilities and equipment,
alternative procedures for processing transactions, system back-up and recovery
procedures, and redundant infrastructure (e.g. generators, alternative voice and
data communications methods). The business continuity plan was successfully
tested in February 1999 and March 1999 (in conjunction with year 2000 system
testing). Additionally, after evaluating vendor/supplier readiness, contingency
plans will be made to minimize supply chain disruption related to
vendor/supplier business interruption.
12
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None
ITEM 2 - CHANGES IN SECURITIES
None
ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The Company's annual meeting of stockholders was held on January
12, 1999 at the San Diego Hilton Beach and Tennis Resort in San
Diego, California. Stockholders of record at the close of
business on November 16, 1998 were entitled to notice of and to
vote in person or by proxy at the annual meeting. At the date of
record, there were 5,315,794 shares outstanding. The matters
presented for vote received the required votes for approval and
had the following total, for, against and abstained votes as
noted below.
1. To elect directors for the ensuing year, to serve until the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and have
qualified:
Total Shares For Withheld Authority
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Voted % Votes % Votes %
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Rafael E. Barcenas 5,094,309 95.83% 5,094,272 95.83% 5,768 0.11%
Katherine L. Hensley 5,094,309 95.83% 5,094,271 95.83% 5,769 0.11%
Leon C. Janks 5,094,309 95.83% 5,094,272 95.83% 5,768 0.11%
Lawrence B. Krause 5,094,309 95.83% 5,094,111 95.83% 5,929 0.11%
Gilbert A. Partida 5,094,309 95.83% 5,094,270 95.83% 5,770 0.11%
Robert E. Price 5,094,309 95.83% 5,094,153 95.83% 5,887 0.11%
2. To approve the adoption of the 1998 Equity Participation Plan of
PriceSmart, Inc. and the reservation of 700,000 shares of the Company's
common stock for issuance thereunder.
Withheld Authority
Total Shares Against And
Voted / % For Votes / % Votes / % Abstained Votes / %
- -------------------- ------------------ -------------- --------------------
4,074,243 3,775,399 277,829 1,262,566
76.64% 71.02% 5.23% 23.75%
ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION
None
ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
10.1 The 1998 Equity Participation Plan of PriceSmart, Inc.
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the 3 months ended
February 28, 1998
13
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
PRICESMART, INC.
REGISTRANT
Date: April 14, 1999 /s/ Gilbert A. Partida
----------------------
Gilbert A. Partida
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Date: April 14, 1999 /s/ Karen J. Ratcliff
---------------------
Karen J. Ratcliff
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
14