UNITED STATES
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 Quarterly Period Ended September 27, 2003
Commission File Number 001-01011
CVS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
One CVS Drive, Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895
(Address of principal executive offices)
Telephone: (401) 765-1500
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes x No ¨
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, issued and outstanding at November 3, 2003: 394,938,000 shares
INDEX
Part I
Item 1.
Financial Statements
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations – Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets – As of September 27, 2003 and December 28, 2002
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
Independent Auditors’ Review Report
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Part II
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signature Page
1
CVS Corporation
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
In millions, except per share amounts
September 27,
2003
September 28,
2002
Net sales
Cost of goods sold, buying and warehousing costs
Gross margin
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Total operating expenses
Operating profit
Interest expense, net
Earnings before income tax provision
Income tax provision
Net earnings
Preference dividends, net of income tax benefit
Net earnings available to common shareholders
Basic earnings per common share:
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
Diluted earnings per common share:
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
Dividends declared per common share
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
2
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
In millions, except share and per share amounts
December 28,
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Deferred income taxes
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt
Other long-term liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:
Preference stock, series one ESOP convertible, par value $1.00: authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,563,000 shares at September 27, 2003 and 4,685,000 shares at December 28, 2002
Common stock, par value $0.01: authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued 409,726,000 shares at September 27, 2003 and 409,286,000 shares at December 28, 2002
Treasury stock, at cost: 14,854,000 shares at September 27, 2003 and 16,215,000 shares at December 28, 2002
Guaranteed ESOP obligation
Capital surplus
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
3
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
In millions
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments required to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes and other noncash items
Change in operating assets and liabilities, providing/(requiring) cash, net of effects from acquisitions:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions
Acquisitions (net of cash)
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flow from financing activities:
Reductions in short-term borrowings
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Reductions in long-term debt
Dividends paid
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
4
Note 1
The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements of CVS Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“CVS” or the “Company”) have been prepared without audit, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In accordance with such rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted, although the Company believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s results for the interim periods presented. Because of the influence of various factors on the Company’s operations, including certain holidays and other seasonal influences, net earnings for any interim period may not be comparable to the same interim period in previous years or necessarily indicative of earnings for the full fiscal year.
Note 2
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. As such, no stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net earnings for options granted under those plans since they had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock and the number of shares were fixed on the date of grant. The following table summarizes the effect on net earnings and earnings per common share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation for the respective periods:
In millions, except per share amount
Net earnings, as reported
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net earnings, net of related tax effects (1)
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effect
Pro forma net earnings
Basic EPS: As reported
Pro forma
Diluted EPS: As reported
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Note 3
The Company operates two business segments, Retail Pharmacy and Pharmacy Benefit Management (“PBM”). The Company’s business segments are operating units that offer different products and services, and require distinct technology and marketing strategies.
As of September 27, 2003, the Retail Pharmacy segment included 4,090 retail drugstores and the Company’s online retail website, CVS.com®. The retail drugstores, which operate under the CVS®or CVS/pharmacy® name, are located in 27 states and the District of Columbia. The Retail Pharmacy segment is the Company’s only reportable segment.
The PBM segment, which operates under the PharmaCare Management Services name, provides a full range of prescription benefit management services to managed care and other organizations. These services include plan design and administration, formulary management, mail order pharmacy services, claims processing and generic substitution. The PBM segment also includes the Company’s specialty pharmacy business, which focuses on supporting individuals that require complex and expensive drug therapies. As of Sepember 27, 2003, the PBM segment operated 47 retail and specialty pharmacies, located in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Following is a reconciliation of the Company’s business segments to the consolidated condensed financial statements as of and for the respective periods:
RetailPharmacy
Segment
PBM
Consolidated
Totals
13 weeks ended:
September 27, 2003:
September 28, 2002:
39 weeks ended:
Total assets:
September 27, 2003
December 28, 2002
Note 4
Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of a $44.6 million minimum pension liability, net of a $27.3 million income tax benefit, as of September 27, 2003 and December 28, 2002. There was no accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as of September 28, 2002.
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Note 5
Following are the components of net interest expense:
Interest expense
Interest income
Note 6
The Company accounts for goodwill and intangibles under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” As such goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment reviews, or more frequent reviews if events or circumstances indicate there may be an impairment. During the third quarter of 2003, the Company performed its required annual goodwill impairment test. That annual review concluded there was no impairment of goodwill.
The carrying amount of goodwill as of September 27, 2003 was $889.0 million. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003, goodwill increased $10.1 million due to acquisitions by the Company’s PBM segment. There has been no impairment of goodwill during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003.
Intangible assets other than goodwill are required to be separated into two categories: finite-lived and indefinite-lived. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful life, while intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. The Company currently has no intangible assets with indefinite lives.
Following is a summary of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets as of the respective balance sheet dates:
As of
Gross
Carrying Amount
Customer lists and Covenants not to compete
Favorable leases and Other
The increase in the gross carrying amount of customer lists and covenants not to compete during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 was primarily due to the acquisition of customer lists. The decrease in the gross carrying amount of favorable leases and other intangibles during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 resulted from the write-off of fully amortized favorable leases. The amortization expense for these intangible assets for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 27, 2003 was $16.3 million and $46.2 million, respectively. The anticipated annual amortization expense for these intangible assets is $64.6 million, $60.3 million, $53.9 million, $49.7 million, $45.3 million and $40.9 million in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
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Note 7
The Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force release Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Received from a Vendor” on a prospective basis effective December 29, 2002. This pronouncement requires vendor allowances be treated as a reduction in inventory costs unless specifically identified as a reimbursement for other services. In addition, any vendor allowances received in excess of the cost incurred for such services should also be treated as a reduction of inventory costs. The adoption of this pronouncement resulted in a $2.6 million and $11.8 million reduction in net earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 27, 2003, respectively.
Note 8
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing: (i) net earnings, after deducting the after-tax dividends on the ESOP preference stock, by (ii) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period (the “Basic Shares”).
When computing diluted earnings per common share, the Company assumes that the ESOP preference stock is converted into common stock and all dilutive stock options are exercised. After the assumed ESOP preference stock conversion, the ESOP Trust would hold common stock rather than ESOP preference stock and would receive common stock dividends (currently $0.23 annually per share) rather than ESOP preference stock dividends (currently $3.90 annually per share). Since the ESOP Trust uses the dividends it receives to service its debt, the Company would have to increase its contribution to the ESOP Trust to compensate it for the lower dividends. This additional contribution would reduce the Company’s net earnings, which in turn, would reduce the amounts that would have to be accrued under the Company’s incentive compensation plans. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing: (i) net earnings, after accounting for the difference between the dividends on the ESOP preference stock and common stock and after making adjustments for the incentive compensation plans by (ii) Basic Shares plus the additional shares that would be issued assuming that all dilutive stock options are exercised and the ESOP preference stock is converted into common stock. Options to purchase 19.0 million and 13.0 million shares of common stock were outstanding as of September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002, respectively, but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.
8
Following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the respective periods:
Numerator for earnings per common share calculation:
Net earnings available to common shareholders, basic
Dilutive earnings adjustments
Net earnings available to common shareholders, diluted
Denominator for earnings per common share calculation:
Weighted average common shares, basic
Effect of dilutive securities:
ESOP preference stock
Stock options
Weighted average common shares, diluted
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share
9
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
CVS Corporation:
We have reviewed the consolidated condensed balance sheet of CVS Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 27, 2003, and the related consolidated condensed statements of operations and cash flows for the thirteen and thirty nine-week periods ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002. These consolidated condensed financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated condensed financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of CVS Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 28, 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the fifty-two week period then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated January 31, 2003 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet as of December 28, 2002, is fairly presented, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
Providence, Rhode Island
October 24, 2003
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Introduction
The following discussion explains the material changes in our results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2003 and September 28, 2002 and the significant developments affecting our financial condition since December 28, 2002. We strongly recommend that you read our audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002.
Results of Operations
Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2003 versus September 28, 2002
Net sales ~ The following table summarizes our sales performance for the respective periods:
Net sales (in billions)
Net sales increase:
Total
Pharmacy
Front Store
Same store sales increase:
Pharmacy percentage of total sales
Third party percentage of pharmacy sales
As you review our sales performance, we believe you should consider the following important information:
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Gross margin, which includes net sales less the cost of merchandise sold during the reporting period and the related purchasing costs, warehousing costs, delivery costs and actual and estimated inventory losses, increased $177.3 million (or 12.0%) to $1.7 billion, or 26.0% of net sales for the third quarter of 2003, compared to $1.5 billion or 25.2% of net sales in the third quarter of 2002. Inventory losses for the third quarter of 2003 were 0.92% of net sales, compared to 1.25% of net sales in the third quarter of 2002 and 0.96% of net sales in the first nine months of 2003, compared to 1.22% of net sales in the first nine months of 2002. Gross margin for the first nine months of 2003 increased $441.8 million (or 9.9%) to $4.9 billion, or 25.6% of net sales, compared to $4.5 billion, or 25.0% of net sales in the first nine months of 2002.
As you review our performance in this area, we believe you should consider the following important information:
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Total operating expenses, which include store and administrative payroll, employee benefits, store and administrative occupancy costs, selling expenses, advertising expenses, administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expense, increased $137.1 million (or 11.4%) to $1,341.9 million, or 21.0% of net sales for the third quarter of 2003, compared to $1,204.8 million, or 20.5% of net sales in the third quarter of 2002. Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2003 increased $328.1 million (or 9.2%) to $3,912.9 million or 20.5% of net sales, compared to $3,584.8 million or 20.1% of net sales in the first nine months of 2002. Total operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased during the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 primarily due to higher advertising expense, employee benefit costs, new store growth, and investments in new service initiatives.
Operating profit for the third quarter of 2003 increased $40.2 million (or 14.5%) to $316.7 million, or 5.0% of net sales, compared to $276.5 million or 4.7% of net sales in the third quarter of 2002. For the first nine months of 2003, operating profit increased $113.7 million (or 13.0%) to $985.0 million, or 5.2% of net sales, compared to $871.3 million, or 4.9% of net sales in the first nine months of 2002.
Interest expense, net consisted of the following:
The increase in interest expense for the third quarter was primarily due to higher average debt balances compared to the third quarter of 2002. The increase in interest income was due to a higher average cash position in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2002.
Income tax provision ~ Our effective income tax rate was 38.4% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, compared to 38.0% for the respective periods of 2002. The increase in our effective income tax rate was primarily due to higher state income taxes.
Net earnings for the third quarter of 2003 increased $23.4 million (or 14.2%) to $187.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, compared to $164.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2002. Net earnings for the first nine months of 2003 increased $67.4 million (or 13.1%) to $583.9 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, compared to $516.5 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2002.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We anticipate that cash flows from operations, supplemented by commercial paper and long-term borrowings, will continue to fund the growth of our business.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $33.8 million to $756.7 million during the first nine months of 2003. This compares to net cash provided by operations of $722.9 million during the first nine months of 2002. The increase in net cash provided by operations resulted from improved operating margins. Cash provided by operating activities will be negatively impacted by future lease payments associated with the stores closed as part of the 2001 strategic restructuring. The timing of future cash payments related to the 2001 strategic restructuring depends on when, and if, early lease terminations can be reached. We made cash payments totaling $5.2 and $16.5 million, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively, related to the 2001 strategic restructuring. As of September 27, 2003, we estimate the remaining payments associated with the 2001 strategic restructuring, which primarily consist of noncancelable lease obligations extending through 2024, to be $174.7 million.
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $684.9 million during the first nine months of 2003. This compares to $626.8 million used during the first nine months of 2002. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to a lower level of sale-leaseback activity. We finance a portion of our new store development program through sale-leaseback transactions. Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions totaled $155.2 million for the first nine months of 2003, compared to $228.8 million during the first nine months of 2002. The properties were sold at net book value and the resulting leases qualify and are accounted for as operating leases. Additions to property and equipment totaled $760.2 million in the first nine months of 2003, compared to $804.7 million in the first nine months of 2002. The majority of the spending in both periods supported our real estate development program. During the first nine months of 2003, we opened 94 new stores, relocated 66 stores and closed 44 stores. For the remainder of 2003, we plan to open approximately 100 new or relocated stores. For the year, approximately 85 of our new stores are expected to be in new markets. As of September 27, 2003, we operated 4,137 retail and specialty pharmacy stores in 32 states and the District of Columbia.
Net cash used in financing activities decreased to $44.9 million during the first nine months of 2003. This compares to $115.1 million net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2002. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a reduced level of commercial paper repayments.
We had no commercial paper outstanding as of September 27, 2003. In connection with our commercial paper program, we maintain a $650 million, five-year unsecured back-up credit facility, which expires on May 21, 2006 and a $600 million, 364-day unsecured back-up credit facility, which expires on May 17, 2004. The credit facilities allow for borrowings at various rates depending on our public debt rating. As of September 27, 2003, we had not borrowed against the credit facilities.
Our credit facilities and unsecured senior notes contain customary restrictive financial and operating covenants. These covenants do not include a requirement for the acceleration of our debt maturities in the event of a downgrade in our credit rating. We do not believe that the restrictions contained in these covenants materially affect our financial or operating flexibility.
We believe that our cash on hand and cash provided by operations, together with our ability to obtain additional short-term and long-term financing, will be sufficient to cover our working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months and the foreseeable future.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than in connection with executing operating leases, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, including variable interest entities, nor do we have or guarantee any off-balance sheet debt. We finance a portion of our new store development through sale-leaseback transactions, which involve selling stores to unrelated parties at net book value and then leasing the stores back under leases that qualify and are accounted for as operating leases. We do not have any retained or contingent interests in the stores nor do we provide any guarantees, other than a corporate level guarantee of the lease payments, in connection with the sale-leaseback transactions. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, our operating leases are not reflected in our consolidated balance sheet.
In connection with certain business dispositions completed between 1991 and 1997, we continue to guarantee lease obligations for approximately 875 former stores. The respective purchasers indemnify the Company for these obligations. If any of the purchasers were to become insolvent, we could be required to assume the lease obligation. On October 22, 2003, one of the purchasers, Bob’s Stores, Inc. (an off-price retailer of apparel and footwear), and certain of its affiliates, filed voluntary petitions for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Subsequent to this filing, The TJX Companies, Inc. (an international off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions), announced its agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets of Bob’s Stores. Pursuant to this agreement, The TJX Companies would assume most but not all of the Bob’s Stores leases. Consummation of this transaction is subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Due to the preliminary nature of the proceedings, the Company is unable to determine at this time whether it will incur any liability under any of the 25 Bob’s Store leases it guarantees. However, management believes that any such liability would be unlikely to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations. We refer you to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 35 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 for a detailed discussion of these guarantees.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which requires management to make certain estimates and apply judgment. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be important at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, management reviews our accounting policies and how they are applied and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements. While management believes that the historical experience, current trends and other factors considered, support the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, actual results could differ from our estimates, and such differences could be material. We refer you to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” on pages 26 through 29 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 for a discussion of our significant accounting policies. Management believes that the following accounting policies include a higher degree of judgment and/or complexity and, thus, are considered to be critical accounting policies. The critical accounting policies discussed below are applicable to both of our business segments. Management has discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed the Company’s disclosures relating to them.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives, but excluding goodwill, which is tested for impairment using a separate test, annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We group and evaluate long-lived assets for impairment at the individual store level, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. When evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying amount of the asset to the individual store’s estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges). If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss calculation is prepared.
15
The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying amount of the asset to the individual store’s estimated future cash flows (discounted and with interest charges). If required, an impairment loss is recorded for the portion of the asset’s carrying value that exceeds the asset’s estimated future cash flow (discounted and with interest charges).
Our impairment loss calculation contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate each store’s future sales, profitability and cash flows. When preparing these estimates, management considers each store’s historical results and current operating trends and our consolidated sales, profitability and cash flow results and forecasts. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, the cost of real estate, the continued efforts of third party organizations to reduce prescription drug costs, the continued efforts of competitors to gain market share and consumer spending patterns. We have not made any material changes to our impairment loss assessment methodology during the past three years.
Closed Store Lease Liability
We account for closed store lease termination costs in accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” As such, when a leased store is closed, we record a liability for the estimated present value of the remaining obligation under the non-cancelable lease, which includes future real estate taxes, common area maintenance and other charges, if applicable. The liability is reduced by estimated future sublease income.
The calculation of our closed store lease liability contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate the timing and duration of future vacancy periods, the amount and timing of future lump sum settlement payments and the amount and timing of potential future sublease income. When estimating these potential termination costs and their related timing, we consider a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, historical settlement experience, the owner of the property, the location and condition of the property, the terms of the underlying lease, the specific marketplace demand and general economic conditions. We have not made any material changes in the reserve methodology used to record closed store lease reserves during the past three years.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
We are self insured for certain losses related to general liability, worker’s compensation and auto liability although we maintain stop loss coverage with third party insurers to limit our total liability exposure.
The estimate of our self-insurance liability contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate the ultimate cost that will be incurred to settle reported claims and unreported claims for incidents incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. When estimating our self-insurance liability, we consider a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, historical claim experience, demographic factors, severity factors and valuations provided by independent third-party actuaries. On a quarterly basis, management reviews its assumptions with its independent third party actuaries to determine that our self-insurance liability is adequate. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to establish our self-insurance liability during the past three years.
Inventory
Our inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis using the retail method of accounting to determine cost of sales and inventory in our stores and the cost method of accounting to determine inventory in our distribution centers. Under the retail method, inventory is stated at cost, which is determined by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the ending retail value of our inventory. Since the retail value of our inventory is adjusted on a regular basis to reflect current market conditions, our carrying value should approximate the lower of cost or market. In addition, we reduce the value of our ending inventory for estimated inventory losses that have occurred during the interim period between physical inventory counts. Physical inventory counts are taken on a regular basis in each location to ensure that the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements are properly stated.
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The accounting for inventory contains uncertainty since management must use judgment to estimate the inventory losses that have occurred during the interim period between physical inventory counts. When estimating these losses, we consider a number of factors, which include but are not limited to, historical physical inventory results on a location-by-location basis and current inventory loss trends. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to establish our inventory loss reserves during the past three years.
Although management believes that the estimates discussed above are reasonable and the related calculations conform to generally accepted accounting principles, actual results could differ from our estimates, and such differences could be material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We adopted Emerging Issues Task Force release Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Received from a Vendor” on a prospective basis effective December 29, 2002. This pronouncement requires vendor allowances be treated as a reduction in inventory costs unless specifically identified as a reimbursement for other services. In addition, any vendor allowances received in excess of the cost incurred for such services should also be treated as a reduction of inventory costs. The adoption of this pronouncement resulted in a $2.6 million and $11.8 million reduction in net earnings for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 27, 2003, respectively.
We adopted SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity” effective June 15, 2003. This Statement requires that certain instruments that were previously classified as equity on a company’s statement of financial position now be classified as liabilities. The adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”) provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of CVS Corporation. The Company and its representatives may, from time to time, make written or verbal forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its reports to stockholders. Generally, the inclusion of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “will,” and similar expressions identify statements that constitute forward-looking statements. All statements addressing operating performance of CVS Corporation or any subsidiary, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to sales growth, earnings or earnings per common share growth, free cash flow, debt rating, inventory levels, inventory turn and loss rates, store development, relocations and new market entries, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:
17
The foregoing list is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that the Company has correctly identified and appropriately assessed all factors affecting its business. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that it currently believes to be immaterial also may adversely impact the Company. Should any risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. For these reasons, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements.
18
The Company has not entered into any transactions using derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments and believes that its exposure to market risk associated with other financial instruments is not material.
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(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures: The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c)) as of September 27, 2003, have concluded that as of such date the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries would be made known to such officers on a timely basis.
(b) Changes in internal controls: There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
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Reports on Form 8-K:
On October 7, 2003, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with a press release issued announcing our sales for the period ended September 27, 2003.
On October 29, 2003, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with a press release issued announcing our earnings for the third quarter ended September 27, 2003.
Signatures:
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant)
David B. Rickard
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Administrative Officer
November 7, 2003
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