UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
For
the fiscal year ended January 31,
2006
|
Commission
File Number 000-50421
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CONN'S,
INC.
|
||
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in its
Charter)
|
||
A
Delaware Corporation
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06-1672840
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification Number)
|
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3295
College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701 |
||
(Address
of Principal Executive
Offices)
|
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(409)
832-1696
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Registrant's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section l2(b)
of the Act:
|
||
NONE
|
||
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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Title
of Class
|
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Common
Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per
Share
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TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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PART
I
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ITEM
1.
|
BUSINESS.
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3
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ITEM
1A.
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RISK
FACTORS.
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18
|
ITEM
1B.
|
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS.
|
26
|
ITEM
2.
|
PROPERTIES.
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26
|
ITEM
3.
|
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS.
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26
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ITEM
4.
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SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
|
27
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PART
II
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||
ITEM
5.
|
MARKET
FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
|
27
|
ITEM
6.
|
SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA.
|
28
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ITEM
7.
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MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF
OPERATIONS.
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29
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ITEM
7A.
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QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
|
50
|
ITEM
8.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
|
51
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ITEM
9.
|
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
|
81
|
ITEM
9A.
|
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
|
81
|
ITEM
9B.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
82
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PART
III
|
||
ITEM
10.
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DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
|
82
|
ITEM
11.
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EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
|
82
|
ITEM
12.
|
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
|
82
|
ITEM
13.
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
|
82
|
ITEM
14.
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PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
|
82
|
PART
IV
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||
ITEM
15.
|
EXHIBITS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
83
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SIGNATURES
|
84
|
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
|
85
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
a
high level of customer service;
|
|
•
|
|
highly
trained and knowledgeable sales personnel;
|
|
•
|
|
a
broad range of competitively priced, customer-driven, brand name
products;
|
|
•
|
|
flexible
financing alternatives through our proprietary credit programs;
|
|
•
|
|
same
day and next day delivery capabilities; and
|
|
•
|
|
outstanding
product repair service.
|
|
•
|
|
we
have grown from 26 stores to 56 stores, an increase of over 115%,
with
several more stores currently under development;
|
|
•
|
|
total
revenues have grown by 199% at a compounded annual rate of 16.9%
from
$234.5 million in fiscal 1999, to $701.1 million in fiscal 2006;
|
|
•
|
|
net
income from continuing operations has grown by 367% at a compounded
annual
rate of 24.6% from $8.8 million in fiscal 1999 to $41.1 million
in fiscal
2006; and
|
|
•
|
|
our
same store sales growth from fiscal 1999 through fiscal 2006 has
averaged
9.2%; it was 16.9% for fiscal 2006. See additional discussion about
same
store sales under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of
Operations.
|
|
•
|
|
Digital
Television (DTV and High Definition TV). The
Federal Communications Commission has set a hard date of February
17, 2009
for all commercial television stations to transition from broadcasting
analog signals to digital signals. The Yankee Group, a communications
and
networking research and consulting firm, estimates that by the
year 2007,
HDTV signals will be in nearly 41.6 million, or 40%, of homes in
the
United States. This represents a compounded annual growth rate
of 17.1%
from the estimated 18.9 million homes receiving digital cable at
the end
of 2002. To view a digital transmission, consumers will need either
a
digital television or a set-top box converter capable of converting
the
digital broadcast for viewing on an analog set. According to the
CEA, DTV
unit sales are expected to grow from 12.0 million units in 2005
to 15.8
million units in 2006, representing an annual growth rate of 32.5%.
We
believe the high clarity digital flat panel televisions in both
liquid
crystal display (LCD), and plasma formats has increased the quality
and
sophistication of these entertainment products and will be a key
driver of
digital television growth as more digital and high definition content
is
made available either through traditional distribution methods
or through
emerging content delivery systems. As prices continue to drop on
such
products, they become increasingly attractive to larger and more
diverse
group of consumers.
|
|
•
•
|
|
Digital
Versatile Disc (DVD). According
to the CEA, the DVD player has become the fastest growing consumer
electronics product in history. First introduced in March 1997,
DVD
players are currently in 80% of U.S. homes. We believe newer technology
based on the DVD delivery system, such as high definition DVD,
“blu-ray”,
and portable players will continue to drive consumer interest in
this
entertainment category.
Portable
electronics.
Compressed-music portables, represented most
notably by the Apple “iPod”, enjoy significant growth, and accounted for
84.5% of total dollar sales in battery-operated music portables
in 2005
according to the CEA as reported in TWICE magazine. Apple shipped
more
than 14 million units of the iPod in the quarter ended December
31, 2005
as compared to 4.6 million in the prior year
period.
|
|
•
|
|
Providing
a high level of customer service. We
endeavor to maintain a very high level of customer service as a
key
component of our culture, which has resulted in average customer
satisfaction levels of approximately 91% over the past three years.
We
measure customer satisfaction on the sales floor, in our delivery
operation and in our service department by sending survey cards
to all
customers to whom we have delivered or installed a product or made
a
service call. Our customer service resolution department attempts
to
address all customer complaints within 48 hours of
receipt.
|
|
•
|
|
Developing
and retaining highly trained and knowledgeable sales
personnel. We
require all sales personnel to specialize in home appliances, consumer
electronics or “track” products. Some of our sales associates qualify in
more than one specialty. Track products include small appliances,
computers, camcorders, DVD players, cameras, MP3 players and telephones
that are sold within the interior of a large colorful track that
circles
the interior floor of our stores. This specialized approach allows
the
sales person to focus on specific product categories and become
an expert
in selling and using products in those categories. New sales personnel
must complete an intensive two-week classroom training program
conducted
at our corporate office and an additional week of on-the-job training
riding in a delivery and a service truck to observe how we serve
our
customers after the sale is made.
|
|
•
|
|
Offering
a broad range of customer-driven, brand name
products. We
offer a comprehensive selection of high-quality, brand name merchandise
to
our customers at guaranteed low prices. Consistent with our
good-better-best merchandising strategy, we offer a wide range
of product
selections from entry-level models through high-end models. We
maintain
strong relationships with approximately 50 manufacturers and distributors
that enable us to offer over 1,100 SKUs to our customers. Our principal
suppliers include General Electric, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag,
LG,
Mitsubishi, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Serta, Poulan, Weedeater, American
Yard Products, Hewlett Packard and Compaq. To facilitate our
responsiveness to customer demand, we use our prototype store,
located
near our corporate offices in Beaumont, Texas, to test the sales
process
of all new products and obtain customers’ reactions to new display formats
before introducing these products and display formats to our other
stores.
|
|
•
|
|
Offering
flexible financing alternatives through our proprietary credit
programs.
In the last three years, we financed, on average, approximately
57% of our
retail sales through our internal credit programs. We believe our
credit
programs expand our potential customer base, increase our sales
revenue
and enhance customer loyalty by providing our customers immediate
access
to financing alternatives that our competitors typically do not
offer. Our
credit department makes all credit decisions internally, entirely
independent of our sales personnel. We provide special consideration
to
the customer’s credit history with us. Before extending credit, we match
our loss experience by product category with the customer’s credit
worthiness to determine down payment amounts and other credit terms.
This
facilitates product sales while keeping our credit risk within
an
acceptable range. Approximately 58% of customers who have active
credit
accounts with us take advantage of our in-store payment option
and come to
our stores each month to make their payments, which we believe
results in
additional sales to these customers. Through our predictive dialing
program, we contact customers with past due accounts daily and
attempt to
work with them to collect payments in times of financial difficulty
or
periods of economic downturn. Our credit decisions and collections
process
enabled us to achieve a 2.9% net loss ratio in fiscal 2004, a 2.4%
net
loss ratio in fiscal 2005 and a 2.5% net loss ratio in fiscal 2006
on the
credit portfolio that we service for a Qualifying Special Purpose
Entity
or QSPE.
|
|
•
|
|
Maintaining
same day and next day distribution capabilities. We
maintain four regional distribution centers and three other related
facilities that cover all of the major markets in which we operate.
These
facilities are part of a sophisticated inventory management system
that
also includes a fleet of approximately 130 transfer and delivery
vehicles
that service all of our markets. Our distribution operations enable
us to
deliver products on the day of, or the day after, the sale to
approximately 95% of our customers.
|
|
•
|
|
Providing
outstanding product repair service. We
service every product that we sell, and we service only the products
that
we sell. In this way, we can assure our customers that they will
receive
our service technicians’ exclusive attention to their product repair
needs. All of our service centers are authorized factory service
facilities that provide trained technicians to offer in-home diagnostic
and repair service as well as on-site service and repairs for products
that cannot be repaired in the customer’s home.
|
|
•
|
|
Increasing
same store sales. We
plan to continue to increase our same store sales by:
|
|
•
|
|
continuing
to offer quality products at competitive prices;
|
|
•
|
|
re-merchandising
our product offerings in response to changes in consumer demand;
|
|
•
|
|
adding
new merchandise to our existing product lines;
|
|
•
|
|
training
our sales personnel to increase sales closing rates;
|
|
•
|
|
updating
our stores on a three-year rotating basis;
|
|
•
|
|
continuing
to promote sales of computers and smaller electronics within the
interior
track area of our stores, including the expansion of high margin
accessory
items;
|
|
•
|
|
continuing
to provide a high level of customer service in sales, delivery
and
servicing of our products; and
|
|
•
|
|
increasing
sales of our merchandise, finance products, service maintenance
agreements
and credit insurance through direct mail and in-store credit promotion
programs.
|
|
•
|
|
Opening
new stores. We
intend to take advantage of our reliable infrastructure and proven
store
model to continue the pace of our new store openings by opening
six to
eight new stores in fiscal 2007. This infrastructure includes our
proprietary management information systems, training processes,
distribution network, merchandising capabilities, supplier relationships
and centralized credit approval and collection processes. We intend
to
expand our store base in existing, adjacent and new markets, as
follows:
|
|
•
|
|
Existing
and adjacent markets. We
intend to increase our market presence by opening new stores in
our
existing markets, in adjacent markets and in new markets as we
identify
the need and opportunity. New store openings in these locations
will allow
us to maximize opportunity in those markets and leverage our existing
distribution network, advertising presence, brand name recognition
and
reputation.
|
|
•
|
|
New
markets. In
fiscal 2006, we opened another new store in South Texas in Harlingen
and
continued to open new stores in our Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio
markets. We have identified several new markets that meet our criteria
for
site selection, including East Texas and central Louisiana around
Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, southern Oklahoma and southwest
Arkansas. We intend to consider these new markets, as well as others,
over
the next several fiscal years. We intend to first address markets
in
states in which we currently operate. We expect that this new store
growth
will include major metropolitan markets in both Texas and Louisiana.
We
have also identified a number of smaller markets within Texas and
Louisiana in which we expect to explore new store opportunities.
Our
long-term growth plans include markets in other areas of significant
population density within neighboring states.
|
|
•
|
|
Updating,
expanding or relocating existing stores. Over
the last three years, we have updated, expanded or relocated most
of our
stores. We have implemented our larger prototype store model at
all
locations at which the market demands support such store size,
and where
available physical space would accommodate the required design
changes. As
we continue to add new stores or replace existing stores, we intend
to
modify our floor plan to include this new model as we perceive
market
support. We continuously evaluate our existing and potential sites
to
ensure our stores are in the best possible locations and relocate
stores
that are not properly positioned. We typically lease rather than
purchase
our stores to retain the flexibility of subleasing a location if
we later
decide that the store is performing below our standards or the
market
would be better served by a relocation. After updating, expanding
or
relocating a store, we expect to increase same store sales at those
stores.
|
Years
Ended January
31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
|||||||||||||
(dollars
in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Major
home appliances
|
$
|
159,401
|
36.2
|
%
|
$
|
168,962
|
34.2
|
%
|
$
|
223,651
|
36.0
|
%
|
|||||||||
Consumer
electronics
|
139,417
|
31.6
|
154,880
|
31.3
|
186,679
|
30.1
|
|||||||||||||||
Track
|
70,031
|
15.9
|
85,644
|
17.3
|
100,154
|
16.1
|
|||||||||||||||
Delivery
|
6,726
|
1.5
|
7,605
|
1.5
|
9,870
|
1.6
|
|||||||||||||||
Lawn
and garden
|
11,505
|
2.6
|
13,710
|
2.8
|
17,083
|
2.8
|
|||||||||||||||
Bedding
|
6,441
|
1.5
|
10,262
|
2.1
|
13,126
|
2.1
|
|||||||||||||||
Furniture
|
5,712
|
1.3
|
7,182
|
1.5
|
15,313
|
2.5
|
|||||||||||||||
Other
|
3,346
|
0.8
|
3,315
|
0.7
|
4,001
|
0.6
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
product sales
|
402,579
|
91.3
|
451,560
|
91.4
|
569,877
|
91.8
|
|||||||||||||||
Service
maintenance agreement
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
commissions
|
20,074
|
4.6
|
23,950
|
4.8
|
30,583
|
4.9
|
|||||||||||||||
Service
revenues
|
18,265
|
4.1
|
18,725
|
3.8
|
20,278
|
3.3
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
net sales
|
$
|
440,918
|
100.0
|
%
|
$
|
494,235
|
100.0
|
%
|
$
|
620,738
|
100.0
|
%
|
Category
|
|
Products
|
|
Selected
Brands
|
Major
appliances
|
|
Refrigerators,
freezers, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, air conditioners
and
vacuum cleaners
|
|
General
Electric, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Maytag, LG, KitchenAid, Sharp,
Samsung,
Friedrich, Roper, Hoover and Eureka
|
Consumer
electronics
|
|
Projection,
plasma, LCD and DLP televisions, and home theater systems
|
|
Mitsubishi,
Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Sanyo, JVC, Hitachi, Yamaha, Apple and
Fujifilm
|
Track
|
|
Computers,
computer peripherals, VCRs, camcorders, digital cameras, DVD players,
audio components, compact disc players, speakers and portable electronics
(e.g. iPods)
|
|
Hewlett
Packard, Compaq, Sony
|
Other
|
|
Lawn
and garden, furniture and mattresses
|
|
Poulan,
Husqvarna, Toro, Weedeater, Ashley and
Serta
|
Number
of Stores
|
First
|
|||||||||
Market
|
Stand
|
Strip
|
Store
|
|||||||
Alone
|
Mall
|
Opened
|
||||||||
Houston
|
8
|
10
|
1983
|
|||||||
San
Antonio/Austin
|
6
|
7
|
1994
|
|||||||
Golden
Triangle (Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, Texas
|
||||||||||
and
Lake Charles, Louisiana)
|
1
|
4
|
1937
|
|||||||
Baton
Rouge/Lafayette
|
1
|
4
|
1975
|
|||||||
Corpus
Christi
|
1
|
0
|
2002
|
|||||||
Dallas/Fort
Worth
|
1
|
11
|
2003
|
|||||||
South
Texas
|
1
|
1
|
2004
|
|||||||
Total
|
19
|
37
|
Years
Ended January 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||
(dollars
in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
and other credit cards
|
$
|
198,765
|
47.0
|
%
|
$
|
193,753
|
40.8
|
%
|
$
|
254,047
|
42.3
|
%
|
|||||||||
Primary
credit portfolio:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Installment
|
182,802
|
43.3
|
225,369
|
47.4
|
263,667
|
43.9
|
|||||||||||||||
Revolving
|
16,627
|
3.9
|
20,663
|
4.3
|
30,697
|
5.1
|
|||||||||||||||
Secondary
credit portfolio
|
24,459
|
5.8
|
35,725
|
7.5
|
52,049
|
8.7
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
422,653
|
100.0
|
%
|
$
|
475,510
|
100.0
|
%
|
$
|
600,460
|
100.0
|
%
|
Primary
Portfolio (1)
|
||||||||||
Years
Ended January 31,
|
||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
||||||||
(total
outstanding balance in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Total
outstanding balance (period end)
|
$
|
293,909
|
$
|
358,252
|
$
|
421,649
|
||||
Average
outstanding customer balance
|
$
|
1,189
|
$
|
1,268
|
$
|
1,284
|
||||
Number
of active accounts (period end)
|
247,151
|
282,533
|
328,402
|
|||||||
Total
applications processed (2)
|
499,755
|
567,352
|
684,674
|
|||||||
Percent
of retail sales financed
|
47.2
|
%
|
51.7
|
%
|
49.0
|
%
|
||||
Total
applications approved
|
59.3
|
%
|
56.4
|
%
|
52.8
|
%
|
||||
Average
down payment
|
8.6
|
%
|
7.4
|
%
|
7.6
|
%
|
||||
Average
interest spread (3)
|
12.2
|
%
|
12.7
|
%
|
12.0
|
%
|
Secondary
Portfolio
|
||||||||||
Years
Ended January 31,
|
||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
||||||||
(total
outstanding balance in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Total
outstanding balance (period end)
|
$
|
55,561
|
$
|
70,448
|
$
|
98,072
|
||||
Average
outstanding customer balance
|
$
|
1,057
|
$
|
1,040
|
$
|
1,128
|
||||
Number
of active accounts (period end)
|
52,566
|
67,718
|
86,936
|
|||||||
Total
applications processed (2)
|
192,228
|
238,605
|
314,698
|
|||||||
Percent
of retail sales financed
|
5.8
|
%
|
7.5
|
%
|
8.7
|
%
|
||||
Total
applications approved
|
26.9
|
%
|
33.3
|
%
|
34.1
|
%
|
||||
Average
down payment
|
27.7
|
%
|
27.2
|
%
|
26.4
|
%
|
||||
Average
interest spread (3)
|
13.0
|
%
|
14.0
|
%
|
14.1
|
%
|
(1)
|
|
The
Primary Portfolio consists of owned and sold
receivables.
|
(2)
|
Unapproved
credit applications in the primary portfolio are automatically
referred to
the secondary portfolio.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Difference
between the average interest rate yield on the portfolio and the
average
cost of funds under the program plus the allocated interest related
to
funds required to finance the credit enhancement portion of the
portfolio.
Also reflects the loss of interest income resulting from interest
free
promotional programs.
|
|
Primary
Portfolio (1)
|
Secondary
Portfolio
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Years
Ended January 31,
|
Years
Ended January 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(dollars
in thousands)
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
outstanding balance (period end)
|
$
|
293,909
|
$
|
358,252
|
$
|
421,649
|
$
|
55,561
|
$
|
70,448
|
$
|
98,072
|
||||||||||||
Average
total outstanding balance
|
$
|
271,659
|
$
|
323,108
|
$
|
387,464
|
$
|
54,988
|
$
|
64,484
|
$
|
86,461
|
||||||||||||
Account
balances over 60 days old (period end
|
$
|
13,484
|
$
|
17,503
|
$
|
26,029
|
$
|
4,783
|
$
|
5,640
|
$
|
9,508
|
||||||||||||
Percent
of balances over 60 days old to total outstanding (period end)
(2)
|
4.6
|
%
|
4.9
|
%
|
6.2
|
%
|
8.6
|
%
|
8.0
|
%
|
9.7
|
%
|
||||||||||||
Bad
debt write-offs (net of recoveries)
|
$
|
7,905
|
$
|
7,601
|
$
|
10,225
|
$
|
1,499
|
$
|
1,604
|
$
|
1,915
|
||||||||||||
Percent
of write-offs (net) to average
outstanding
(3)
|
2.9
|
%
|
2.4
|
%
|
2.6
|
%
|
2.7
|
%
|
2.5
|
%
|
2.2
|
%
|
(1) |
The
Primary Portfolio consists of owned and sold
receivables.
|
(2) |
At
January 31, 2006, the percent of balances over 60 days old was elevated
due to the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. See additional
discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.
|
(3) |
The
fiscal year ended January 31, 2005, includes the benefit of new
information received during the year, which impacted the realization
of
sales tax credits on prior year
write-offs.
|
Years
Ended January 31,
|
||||||||||
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2006
|
||||
(dollars
in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Beginning
balance
|
$
|
362,076
|
$
|
418,702
|
$
|
514,204
|
||||
New
receivables financed
|
331,849
|
423,935
|
495,553
|
|||||||
Revolving
finance charges
|
4,354
|
3,926
|
3,858
|
|||||||
Returns
on account
|
(6,860
|
)
|
(10,670
|
)
|
(5,397
|
)
|
||||
Collections
on account
|
(263,313
|
)
|
(312,484
|
)
|
(375,342
|
)
|
||||
Accounts
charged off
|
(11,934
|
)
|
(11,825
|
)
|
(14,392
|
)
|
||||
Recoveries
of charge-offs
|
2,530
|
2,620
|
2,252
|
|||||||
Ending
balance
|
418,702
|
514,204
|
620,736
|
|||||||
Less
unearned interest at end of period
|
(69,232
|
)
|
(85,504
|
)
|
(101,015
|
)
|
||||
Total
portfolio, net
|
$
|
349,470
|
$
|
428,700
|
$
|
519,721
|
· |
competition
in existing, adjacent and new
markets;
|
· |
competitive
conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns in
adjacent and new markets that are different from those in our existing
markets;
|
· |
a
lack of consumer demand for our products at levels that can support
new
store growth;
|
· |
limitations
created by covenants and conditions under our credit facilities and
our
asset-backed securitization
program;
|
· |
the
availability of additional financial resources;
|
· |
the
substantial outlay of financial resources required to open new stores
and
the possibility that we may recognize little or no related benefit;
|
· |
an
inability or unwillingness of vendors to supply product on a timely
basis
at competitive prices;
|
· |
the
failure to open enough stores in new markets to achieve a sufficient
market presence;
|
· |
the
inability to identify suitable sites and to negotiate acceptable
leases
for these sites;
|
· |
unfamiliarity
with local real estate markets and demographics in adjacent and new
markets;
|
· |
problems
in adapting our distribution and other operational and management
systems
to an expanded network of stores;
|
· |
difficulties
associated with the hiring, training and retention of additional
skilled
personnel, including store managers; and
|
· |
higher
costs for print, radio and television advertising.
|
· |
conditions
in the securities and finance markets generally;
|
· |
conditions
in the markets for securitized instruments;
|
· |
the
credit quality and performance of our customer receivables;
|
· |
our
ability to obtain financial support for required credit enhancement;
|
· |
our
ability to service adequately our financial instruments;
|
· |
the
absence of any material downgrading or withdrawal of ratings given
to our
securities previously issued in securitizations; and
|
· |
prevailing
interest rates.
|
· |
expansion
by our existing competitors or entry by new competitors into markets
where
we currently operate;
|
· |
lower
pricing;
|
· |
aggressive
advertising and marketing;
|
· |
extension
of credit to customers on terms more favorable than we offer;
|
· | larger store size, which may result in greater operational efficiencies, or innovative store formats; and |
· |
adoption
of improved retail sales methods.
|
· |
changes
in competition;
|
· |
general
economic conditions;
|
· |
new
product introductions;
|
· |
consumer
trends;
|
· |
changes
in our merchandise mix;
|
· |
changes
in the relative sales price points of our major product categories;
|
· |
the
impact of our new stores on our existing stores, including potential
decreases in existing stores’ sales as a result of opening new stores;
|
· |
weather
conditions in our markets;
|
· |
timing
of promotional events;
|
· |
timing
and location of major sporting events; and
|
· |
our
ability to execute our business strategy effectively.
|
· |
power
loss, computer systems failures and Internet, telecommunications
or data
network failures;
|
· |
operator
negligence or improper operation by, or supervision of, employees;
|
· |
physical
and electronic loss of data or security breaches, misappropriation
and
similar events;
|
· |
computer
viruses;
|
· |
intentional
acts of vandalism and similar events; and
|
· |
hurricanes,
fires, floods and other natural disasters.
|
Geographic
Location
|
No.
of Locations
|
Leased
Facilities
|
Total
Square Feet
|
Warehouse
Square Feet
|
Leases
With Options Expiring Beyond 10 Years
|
|||||||||||
Golden
Triangle District (1)
|
5
|
5
|
153,568
|
32,169
|
5
|
|||||||||||
Louisiana
District
|
5
|
5
|
129,890
|
27,200
|
5
|
|||||||||||
Houston
District
|
18
|
14
|
394,240
|
90,070
|
13
|
|||||||||||
San
Antonio/Austin District
|
13
|
13
|
379,330
|
83,982
|
12
|
|||||||||||
Corpus
Christi
|
1
|
1
|
51,670
|
14,300
|
1
|
|||||||||||
South
Texas
|
2
|
2
|
55,660
|
8,435
|
2
|
|||||||||||
Dallas
District
|
12
|
10
|
351,243
|
79,245
|
10
|
|||||||||||
Store
Totals
|
56
|
50
|
1,515,601
|
335,401
|
48
|
|||||||||||
Warehouse/Distribution
Centers
|
6
|
3
|
703,453
|
703,453
|
1
|
|||||||||||
Service
Centers
|
5
|
3
|
191,932
|
133,636
|
1
|
|||||||||||
Corporate
Offices
|
1
|
1
|
106,783
|
25,000
|
1
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
68
|
57
|
2,517,769
|
1,197,490
|
51
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||
Quarter
ended April 30, 2004
|
$
|
18.08
|
$
|
14.50
|
|||
Quarter
ended July 31, 2004
|
$
|
19.18
|
$
|
15.35
|
|||
Quarter
ended October 31, 2004
|
$
|
16.82
|
$
|
13.79
|
|||
Quarter
ending January 31, 2005
|
$
|
18.33
|
$
|
14.37
|
|||
Quarter
ended April 30, 2005
|
$
|
19.70
|
$
|
15.29
|
|||
Quarter
ended July 31, 2005
|
$
|
27.51
|
$
|
16.69
|
|||
Quarter
ended October 31, 2005
|
$
|
29.80
|
$
|
23.20
|
|||
Quarter
ended January 31, 2006
|
$
|
44.93
|
$
|
28.68
|
Twelve
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
|
Six
Months
|
Months
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ended
|
Ended
|
Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July
31,
|
January
31,
|
January
31,
|
Years
Ended January 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001
|
2002
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
(unaudited)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement
of Operations (1):
|
(dollars
and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
$
|
327,088
|
$
|
206,187
|
$
|
378,337
|
$
|
445,267
|
$
|
498,378
|
$
|
565,821
|
$
|
701,148
|
||||||||||||||
Operating
expense:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy
cost
|
201,963
|
127,543
|
233,226
|
276,956
|
317,712
|
359,710
|
453,374
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative expense
|
92,194
|
58,630
|
106,949
|
125,712
|
135,282
|
153,652
|
182,797
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Provision
for bad debts
|
390
|
(290
|
)
|
530
|
1,779
|
2,504
|
2,589
|
1,133
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total
operating expense
|
294,547
|
185,883
|
340,705
|
404,447
|
455,498
|
515,951
|
637,304
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
32,541
|
20,304
|
37,632
|
40,820
|
42,880
|
49,870
|
63,844
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense, net and minority interest
|
3,754
|
2,940
|
4,855
|
7,237
|
4,577
|
2,477
|
400
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings
before income taxes
|
28,787
|
17,364
|
32,777
|
33,583
|
38,303
|
47,393
|
63,444
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
10,299
|
6,256
|
11,734
|
11,919
|
13,260
|
16,706
|
22,341
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income from continuing operations
|
18,488
|
11,108
|
21,043
|
21,664
|
25,043
|
30,687
|
41,103
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued
operations, net of tax
|
(546
|
)
|
-
|
(389
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
17,942
|
11,108
|
20,654
|
21,664
|
25,043
|
30,687
|
41,103
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Less
preferred stock dividends (2)
|
(2,173
|
)
|
(1,025
|
)
|
(1,939
|
)
|
(2,133
|
)
|
(1,954
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income available for common stockholders
|
$
|
15,769
|
$
|
10,083
|
$
|
18,715
|
$
|
19,531
|
$
|
23,089
|
$
|
30,687
|
$
|
41,103
|
||||||||||||||
Earnings
per common share:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
0.92
|
$
|
0.59
|
$
|
1.10
|
$
|
1.17
|
$
|
1.30
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
1.76
|
||||||||||||||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.92
|
$
|
0.58
|
$
|
1.08
|
$
|
1.17
|
$
|
1.26
|
$
|
1.30
|
$
|
1.71
|
||||||||||||||
Average
common shares outstanding:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
17,169
|
17,025
|
17,060
|
16,724
|
17,726
|
23,192
|
23,412
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
|
17,194
|
17,327
|
17,383
|
16,724
|
18,257
|
23,646
|
24,088
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Other
Financial Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stores
open at end of period
|
32
|
36
|
36
|
42
|
45
|
50
|
56
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Same
store sales growth (3)
|
10.3
|
%
|
16.7
|
%
|
15.6
|
%
|
1.3
|
%
|
2.6
|
%
|
3.6
|
%
|
16.9
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Inventory
turns (4)
|
5.9
|
7.5
|
6.8
|
6.6
|
6.5
|
6.0
|
6.6
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Gross
margin percentage (5)
|
38.3
|
%
|
38.1
|
%
|
38.4
|
%
|
37.8
|
%
|
36.3
|
%
|
36.4
|
%
|
35.3
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Operating
margin (6)
|
9.9
|
%
|
9.8
|
%
|
9.9
|
%
|
9.2
|
%
|
8.6
|
%
|
8.8
|
%
|
9.1
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Return
on average equity (7)
|
38.3
|
%
|
32.9
|
%
|
31.2
|
%
|
28.1
|
%
|
19.4
|
%
|
16.1
|
%
|
17.7
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
$
|
14,833
|
$
|
10,551
|
$
|
15,547
|
$
|
15,070
|
$
|
9,401
|
$
|
19,619
|
$
|
18,490
|
||||||||||||||
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Working
capital
|
$
|
44,064
|
$
|
50,224
|
$
|
50,224
|
$
|
74,139
|
$
|
121,154
|
$
|
156,006
|
$
|
190,073
|
||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
137,737
|
150,757
|
150,757
|
185,663
|
240,081
|
276,716
|
353,158
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total
debt
|
31,445
|
38,750
|
38,750
|
51,992
|
14,512
|
10,532
|
136
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred
stock
|
15,400
|
15,226
|
15,226
|
15,226
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
58,191
|
67,538
|
67,538
|
86,824
|
171,911
|
208,734
|
255,861
|
(1) |
Information
excludes the operations of the rent-to-own division that was sold
in
February, 2001.
|
(2) |
Dividends
were not actually declared or paid until 2004, but are presented
for
purposes of earnings per share
calculations.
|
(3) |
Same
store sales growth is calculated by comparing the reported sales
by store
for all stores that were open throughout a period to reported sales
by
store for all stores that were open throughout the prior period.
Sales
from closed stores have been removed from each period. Sales from
relocated stores have been included in each period because each such
store
was relocated within the same general geographic market. Sales from
expanded stores have been included in each
period.
|
(4) |
Inventory
turns are defined as the cost of goods sold, excluding warehousing
and
occupancy cost, divided by the average of the beginning and ending
product
inventory, excluding consigned goods; information for the six months
ended
January 31, 2002 has been annualized for comparison
purposes.
|
(5) |
Gross
margin percentage is defined as total revenues less cost of goods
and
parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost, divided by
total
revenues.
|
(6) |
Operating
margin is defined as operating income divided by total
revenues.
|
(7) |
Return
on average equity is calculated as current period net income from
continuing operations divided by the average of the beginning and
ending
equity; information for the six months ended January 31, 2002 has
been
annualized for comparison purposes.
|
· |
Our
revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 increased by
23.9
percent, or $135.3 million, from fiscal year 2005 to $701.1 million
due to
sales growth, primarily from existing stores, and increased securitization
income. Our same store sales product growth rate for the fiscal year
ended
January 31, 2006 was 16.9%, versus 3.6% for fiscal 2005. The improvement
in same store sales growth was due primarily to improved execution
at the
store level and effective sales promotions. (Also see “Operational Changes
and Outlook.”)
|
· |
During
the last half of fiscal year 2006, two hurricanes, Katrina and Rita,
hit
the Gulf Coast. These storms significantly impacted our operations
by:
|
§ |
temporary
closing of our Louisiana, South East Texas, Corpus Christi and Houston
stores and related distribution operations for limited periods of
time,
|
§ |
positively
impacting Net sales as customers in the affected areas replaced appliances
and other household products damaged as a result of the
storms,
|
§ |
disrupting
credit collection efforts while we were displaced from our corporate
headquarters as a result of Hurricane Rita, causing a short-term
increase
in the credit portfolio’s delinquency statistics and resulting in a
reduction of Finance charges and other and an increase in Bad debt
expense, and
|
§ |
causing
us to incur expenses related to the relocation of our corporate office
functions and losses related to damaged merchandise and facilities,
net of
insurance proceeds.
|
· |
Same
store sales benefited from the effects of the hurricanes. Appliance
sales
accounted for the majority of the increase in total same stores sales
during the period due in part to our customers’ need to replace items
damaged by the storms. We believe same store sales, adjusted for
our
estimate of the impact of the hurricanes, grew approximately 12%
for the
year ended January 31, 2006.
|
· |
Our
entry into the Dallas/Fort Worth and the South Texas markets had
a
positive impact on our revenues. Approximately $75.9 million of our
product sales for the year ended January 31, 2006, came from the
opening
of twelve new stores in these markets, since February 2004. Our plans
provide for the opening of additional stores in existing markets
during
the balance of fiscal 2007 as we focus on opportunities in markets
in
which we have existing infrastructure.
|
· |
While
deferred interest and ”same as cash” plans continue to be an important
part of our sales promotion plans, our improved execution and effective
use of a variety of sales promotions, enabled us to reduce the level
of
deferred interest and ”same as cash” plans that extend beyond one year,
relative to gross product sales volume. For the fiscal years ended
January
31, 2005 and 2006, $29.0 million and $33.9 million, respectively,
in gross
product sales were financed by extended deferred interest and “same as
cash” plans. These extended term promotional programs were not offered
broadly until April, 2004. We expect to continue to offer this type
of
extended term promotional credit in the
future.
|
· |
During
the year ended January 31, 2006, pretax income was reduced by $1.0
million
to reflect our estimate of expected losses due to increased delinquencies
from Hurricane Rita and a temporary increase in bankruptcy filings.
The
increase in bankruptcy filings is as a result of the new bankruptcy
law
that took effect October 17, 2005, prompting consumers to file for
bankruptcy protection before the new law went into effect. The $1.0
million charge to earnings reduced Finance charges and other by $895,000
and increased Bad debt expense by $105,000.
|
· |
Our
gross product margin was 35.3% for fiscal year 2006, a decrease from
36.4%
in fiscal 2005, primarily as a result of a change in our revenue
mix as
Product sales grew faster than Service revenues and Finance charges
and
other. Also, reduced insurance sales penetration negatively impacted
our
gross margin.
|
· |
Our
operating margin increased to 9.1% from 8.8% in fiscal 2005. In fiscal
year 2006, we decreased SG&A expense as a percent of revenues to 26.0%
from 27.1% when compared to the prior year, primarily from decreases
in
payroll and payroll related expenses and net advertising expense
as a
percent of revenues. Partially offsetting these reductions were increased
general liability insurance expense and expenses incurred due to
Hurricane
Rita of approximately $907,000, net of estimated insurance proceeds.
Additionally, our operating margin benefited from a decrease in the
Provision for bad debts as a percent of revenues from 0.5% to 0.2%.
|
· |
Operating
cash flows were $64.2 million for fiscal 2006. Our operating cash
flows
increased as a result of increased net income, improved funding under
our
asset-backed securitization and vendor and federal employment and
income
tax payment deferrals granted because of the hurricanes. Most of
the
payments deferred will be paid during the three month period ended
April
30, 2006.
|
· |
Our
pretax income for fiscal 2006 increased by 33.9% or approximately
$16.0
million, from fiscal 2005 to $63.4 million. The increase was driven
largely by the increase in sales with additional benefit from improved
expense leverage, as Selling, general and administrative expenses
did not
grow as fast as revenues.
|
•
|
A
reorganization of our retail management team, including strengthening
the
district management team in the Dallas/Fort Worth market;
|
||
|
•
|
|
Successfully
increasing the sales force by adding approximately 13% more sales
associates per store, resulting in incremental sales volume;
|
|
•
|
|
Implementation
of call centers in the stores, emphasizing regular, consistent contact
with our customers;
|
|
•
|
|
Increased
emphasis on the sales of furniture, and additional product
lines added to this category; and
|
|
•
|
|
Promoting
flat panel technology in our stores as the price point becomes more
affordable for our customers.
|
•
|
|
The
acceleration of the sale of essential appliances in the affected
markets
disrupting the normal replacement cycle for these items;
and
|
|
•
|
The
same store sales reported for the impacted markets being elevated
to a
level that might not be duplicated.
|
Years
ended January 31,
|
||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||
Product
sales
|
80.8
|
%
|
79.8
|
%
|
81.2
|
%
|
||||
Service
maintenance agreement commissions (net)
|
4.0
|
4.2
|
4.4
|
|||||||
Service
revenues
|
3.7
|
3.3
|
2.9
|
|||||||
Total
net sales
|
88.5
|
87.3
|
88.5
|
|||||||
Finance
charges and other
|
11.5
|
12.7
|
11.5
|
|||||||
Total
revenues
|
100.0
|
100.0
|
100.0
|
|||||||
Cost
and expenses:
|
||||||||||
Cost
of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
|
62.9
|
62.8
|
63.9
|
|||||||
Cost
of parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
|
0.8
|
0.8
|
0.8
|
|||||||
Selling,
general and administrative expense
|
27.2
|
27.1
|
26.0
|
|||||||
Provision
for bad debts
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
0.2
|
|||||||
Total
costs and expenses
|
91.4
|
91.2
|
90.9
|
|||||||
Operating
income
|
8.6
|
8.8
|
9.1
|
|||||||
Interest
expense (including minority interest)
|
0.9
|
0.4
|
0.1
|
|||||||
Earnings
before income taxes
|
7.7
|
8.4
|
9.0
|
|||||||
Provision
for income taxes
|
||||||||||
Current
|
2.7
|
3.0
|
3.3
|
|||||||
Deferred
|
-
|
-
|
(0.2
|
)
|
||||||
Total
provision for income taxes
|
2.7
|
3.0
|
3.1
|
|||||||
Net
income
|
5.0
|
%
|
5.4
|
%
|
5.9
|
%
|
· |
The
increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of total revenues
reflects
the shift in revenue mix as product sales grew faster than service
revenues and finance charges and other. Cost of products sold was
78.7% of
net product sales in the 2005 period and 78.6% in the 2006 period.
|
· |
The
decline in selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage
of
total revenues resulted primarily from decreased payroll and payroll
related expenses and net advertising expense, as a percent of revenues,
that were partially offset by increased general liability insurance
expense and higher expenses incurred due to Hurricane
Rita.
|
· |
The
declining trend in interest expense as a percentage of total revenues
is a
function of continuing to generate positive cash flow, the pay-off
of debt
with our IPO proceeds in fiscal year 2004 and the impact of expiring
interest rate swap agreements.
|
Analysis
of Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands except percentages)
|
2005
vs. 2004
|
2006
vs. 2005
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Years
Ended January 31,
|
Incr/(Decr)
|
Incr/(Decr)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
Amount
|
Pct
|
Amount
|
Pct
|
||||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Product
sales
|
$
|
402,579
|
$
|
451,560
|
$
|
569,877
|
$
|
48,981
|
12.2
|
%
|
$
|
118,317
|
26.
2
|
%
|
||||||||
Service
maintenance agreement commissions (net)
|
20,074
|
23,950
|
30,583
|
3,876
|
19.3
|
6,633
|
27.7
|
|||||||||||||||
Service
revenues
|
18,265
|
18,725
|
20,278
|
460
|
2.5
|
1,553
|
8.3
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
net sales
|
440,918
|
494,235
|
620,738
|
53,317
|
12.1
|
126,503
|
25.6
|
|||||||||||||||
Finance
charges and other
|
57,460
|
71,586
|
80,410
|
14,126
|
24.6
|
8,824
|
12.3
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
498,378
|
565,821
|
701,148
|
67,443
|
13.5
|
135,327
|
23.9
|
|||||||||||||||
Cost
of goods and parts sold
|
317,712
|
359,710
|
453,374
|
41,998
|
13.2
|
93,664
|
26.0
|
|||||||||||||||
Gross
Profit
|
180,666
|
206,111
|
247,774
|
25,445
|
14.1
|
41,663
|
20.2
|
|||||||||||||||
Gross
Margin
|
36.3
|
%
|
36.4
|
%
|
35.3
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative expense
|
135,282
|
153,652
|
182,797
|
18,370
|
13.6
|
29,145
|
19.0
|
|||||||||||||||
Provision
for bad debts
|
2,504
|
2,589
|
1,133
|
85
|
3.4
|
(1,456
|
)
|
(56.2
|
)
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
42,880
|
49,870
|
63,844
|
6,990
|
16.3
|
13,974
|
28.0
|
|||||||||||||||
Operating
Margin
|
8.6
|
%
|
8.8
|
%
|
9.1
|
%
|