Fastenal
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Fastenal is an American industrial distributor that offers services such as inventory management, manufacturing, and tool repair.

Fastenal - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


(Mark One)

xQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006,

or

 

¨Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to            

Commission file number 0-16125

 


FASTENAL COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Minnesota 41-0948415

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2001 Theurer Boulevard

Winona, Minnesota

 55987-1500
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(507) 454-5374

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter 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 a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨     Non-accelerated Filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the last practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at July 19, 2006

Common Stock, $.01 par value 150,918,247

 



Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY

INDEX

 

   Page No.

Part IFinancial Information:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

  1

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the six month and three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

  2

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

  3

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  4-10

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

  11-19

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

  20

Controls and procedures

  20

Part IIOther Information:

  

Risk Factors

  21

Unregistered sales of equity securities and use of proceeds

  21

Submission of matters to a vote of security holders

  22

Exhibits

  23


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands except share information)

 

   (Unaudited)
June 30,
2006
  December 31,
2005
Assets    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

  $42,792  56,204

Marketable securities

   7,027  669

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,790 and $3,875, respectively

   228,061  183,556

Inventories

   395,030  361,561

Deferred income tax asset

   9,534  9,925

Refundable income taxes

   1,618  —  

Other current assets

   39,937  37,093
       

Total current assets

   723,999  649,008

Marketable securities

   7,098  13,228

Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation

   245,985  224,448

Other assets, less accumulated amortization

   3,451  3,351
       

Total assets

  $980,533  890,035
       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

  $55,769  38,572

Accrued expenses

   57,481  50,258

Income taxes payable

   —    2,708
       

Total current liabilities

   113,250  91,538
       

Deferred income tax liability

   17,029  14,948
       

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized

   —    —  

Common stock, 200,000,000 shares authorized 150,993,120 shares issued and outstanding

   1,510  1,511

Additional paid-in capital

   3,765  —  

Retained earnings

   836,602  776,598

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   8,377  5,440
       

Total stockholders’ equity

   850,254  783,549
       

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $980,533  890,035
       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(Amounts in thousands except earnings per share)

 

   

(Unaudited)

Six months ended
June 30,

  

(Unaudited)

Three months ended
June 30,

   2006  2005  2006  2005

Net sales

  $890,520  737,072  458,817  383,263

Cost of sales

   444,028  371,518  229,812  192,471
             

Gross profit

   446,492  365,554  229,005  190,792

Operating and administrative expenses

   286,593  233,944  146,081  118,858

Loss on sale of property and equipment

   150  452  115  204
             

Operating income

   159,749  131,158  82,809  71,730

Interest income

   798  581  410  281
             

Earnings before income taxes

   160,547  131,739  83,219  72,011

Income tax expense

   61,180  50,060  31,706  27,364
             

Net earnings

  $99,367  81,679  51,513  44,647
             

Basic and diluted net earnings per share

  $0.66  0.54  0.34  0.30
             

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

   151,055  151,496  151,055  151,236
             

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   151,396  151,712  151,402  151,440
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

 

   

(Unaudited)

Six months ended
June 30,

 
   2006  2005 

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net earnings

  $99,367  81,679 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Depreciation of property and equipment

   15,061  13,885 

Loss on sale of property and equipment

   150  452 

Bad debt expense

   1,740  3,392 

Deferred income taxes

   2,472  —   

Stock based compensation

   279  —   

Amortization of non-compete agreement

   34  34 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   

Trade accounts receivable

   (46,245) (36,016)

Inventories

   (33,469) (26,171)

Other current assets

   (2,844) 5,281 

Accounts payable

   17,197  4,277 

Accrued expenses

   7,223  5,721 

Income taxes, net

   (4,326) 3,802 

Other

   2,781  (2,832)
        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   59,420  53,504 
        

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Purchase of property and equipment

   (39,084) (28,116)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   2,336  2,872 

Net (increase)/decrease in marketable securities

   (228) 20,446 

Increase in other assets

   (134) (52)
        

Net cash used in investing activities

   (37,110) (4,850)
        

Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   3,767  —   

Purchase of common stock

   (9,434) (18,739)

Payment of dividends

   (30,211) (23,522)
        

Net cash used in financing activities

   (35,878) (42,261)
        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

   156  (251)
        

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (13,412) 6,142 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   56,204  33,503 
        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $42,792  39,645 
        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

   

Cash paid during each period for:

   

Income taxes

  $65,506  46,258 
        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

(1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Fastenal Company and subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company or Fastenal) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. They do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

(2) Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation

On April 15, 2003, the shareholders of the Company approved the Fastenal Company Stock Option Plan (Fastenal Option Plan). The aggregate number of authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the Company for which options may be granted and which may be purchased upon the exercise of options granted under the Fastenal Option Plan was set at 7,588. The Company granted options to purchase 930 shares of common stock of the Company under the Fastenal Option Plan in May 2003 (631 of these options are currently outstanding at June 30, 2006). These options became exercisable on June 1, 2006 and will expire on November 30, 2006. The exercise price for the granted options is $20 per share. No options have been granted since the original grant in May 2003. During the first six months of 2006 and 2005, the Company had no stock-based employee compensation plans other than the Fastenal Option Plan.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for its stock options under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB No. 25), and related interpretations. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost was reflected in net earnings prior to January 1, 2006 as all options to purchase common stock of the Company had an exercise price equal to, or greater than, the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

(Continued)

 

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FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with stock-based awards in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No.123R) as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. SFAS No. 123R supercedes APB No. 25, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS No.123R is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123). However, SFAS No. 123R requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values at the date of grant. The stock-based compensation expense amount recorded was $279 (pre-tax amount) in first six months of 2006 and $111 (pre-tax amount) in the second quarter of 2006.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the denominators used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share related to the Fastenal Option Plan:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
   2006  2005  2006  2005

Basic - weighted shares outstanding

  151,055  151,496  151,055  151,236

Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options

  341  216  347  204
            

Diluted - weighted shares outstanding

  151,396  151,712  151,402  151,440
            

The dilutive impact summarized above relates to periods when the average market price of Company stock exceeded the exercise price of the potentially dilutive option securities granted in May 2003. As indicated earlier, the Company has granted no other potentially dilutive option securities.

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

The fair value of each stock option was estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The assumptions used and the estimated fair values are as follows:

 

Year of grant

  Risk-free
interest
rate
  Expected life
of option in
years
  Expected
dividend
yield
  Expected
stock
volatility
  Estimated
fair value of
stock option

2003

  4.5% 3.42  0.2% 30.33% $3.55

The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 in the previous year:

 

   Six months ended
June 30, 2005
  Three months ended
June 30, 2005

Reported net earnings

  $81,679  44,647

Stock-based employee compensation expense, net of related tax effects

   252  126
       

Pro forma net earnings

  $81,427  44,521
       

Reported basic and diluted net earnings per share

  $.54  .30

Pro forma basic and diluted net earnings per share

  $.54  .29
       

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

(3) Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income and the components of other comprehensive income were as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Net earnings

  $99,367  81,679  $51,513  44,647 

Translation adjustment

   3,208  (2,988)  2,931  (1,686)

Change in marketable securities

   (271) (95)  (2) 41 
               

Total comprehensive income

  $102,304  78,596   54,442  43,002 
               

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

(4) Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses

The following table shows, as of June 30, the fair value and the gross unrealized gains and losses of the Company’s investments. This information is aggregated by the investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized gain or loss position.

June 30, 2006

 

   Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total 

Description

  Fair
value
  Unrealized
gain (loss)
  Fair
value
  Unrealized
gain (loss)
  Fair
value
  Unrealized
gain (loss)
 

Federal mortgage backed security

  $—    —    9,729  (271) $ 9,729  (271)

State and municipal bonds

   —    —    3,249  —     3,249  —   

Corporate bonds

   —    —    —    —     —    —   

Certificates of deposit or money market

   1,147  —    —    —     1,147  —   
                     

Total

  $1,147  —    12,978  (271) $14,125  (271)
                     

June 30, 2005

 

   Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total 

Description

  Fair
value
  Unrealized
gain (loss)
  Fair
value
  Unrealized
gain (loss)
  Fair
value
  Unrealized
gain (loss)
 

Federal mortgage backed security

  $—    —    9,833  (166) $ 9,833  (166)

State and municipal bonds

   250  —    3,875  —     4,125  —   

Corporate bonds

   —    —    4,562  71   4,562  71 

Certificates of deposit or money market

   1,998  —    —    —     1,998  —   
                     

Total

  $2,248  —    18,270  (95) $20,518  (95)
                     

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

As was disclosed in our 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders, the Company classifies these securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value based on current market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings, but are included in comprehensive income, and are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized.

The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments at the end of the periods were caused by interest rate increases. Because the decline in market value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until recovery of the fair value, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005.

(5) Operating Leases with Guarantees

The Company leases certain pick-up trucks under operating leases. These leases typically have a 72 month term and include an early buy out clause the Company generally exercises, thereby giving the leases an effective term of 12-15 months. Certain operating leases for vehicles contain residual value guarantee provisions, which could become due at the expiration of the operating lease agreement if the fair value of the leased vehicles is less than the guaranteed residual value. The aggregate residual value at lease expiration, of the leases that contain residual value guarantees, is approximately $10,731 at June 30, 2006. We believe the likelihood of funding the guarantee obligation under any provision of the operating lease agreements is remote.

(6) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Correction Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3 (SFAS No. 154). SFAS No. 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes (APB No. 20), and FASB Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. APB No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 defines retrospective application as the application of a different accounting principle to prior accounting periods as if that principle had always been used. SFAS No. 154 also requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands except per share information)

June 30, 2006 and 2005

(Unaudited)

depletion method for long-lived, non-financial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate affected by a change in accounting principle. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 154 as of June 1, 2006, as required. The adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition for the six month and three month periods ending June 30, 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that have affected the Company’s financial position and operating results during the periods included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. (Dollar amounts are in thousands except where otherwise noted.)

The following discussion refers to the term daily sales. Daily sales are defined as sales for a period of time divided by the number of business days in that period of time.

Business Overview— Fastenal is a North American leader in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies. We distribute these supplies through a network of over 1,800 company owned stores. Most of the Company’s customers are in the construction and manufacturing markets. The construction market includes general, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, and road contractors. The manufacturing market includes both original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and maintenance and repair operations (MRO). Other users of the Company’s product include farmers, truckers, railroads, mining companies, federal, state, and local governmental entities, schools, and certain retail trades. Geographically, our stores and customers are primarily located in North America.

Financial Overview— In the first several years of this decade, the global manufacturing recession negatively impacted the Company’s performance, and that of the industry as a whole. This negative impact of the economy has reversed itself since July 2003. The impact of the economy is best reflected in the growth performance of our stores greater than five years old. These stores are more cyclical due to the increased market share they enjoy in their local markets. The net sales growth rate of stores more than five years old was as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Growth percentage

  11.0% 13.1% 9.8% 12.5%

Our stores that are two to five years old are also impacted by the economy, but to a lesser degree. The net sales growth rate of our stores that are two to five years old was as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Growth percentage

  29.0% 26.9% 26.5% 24.1%

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. (Continued)

Combined these two groups represent a consistent “same store” view of our business. These stores, which are more than two years old, had net sales growth rates as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Growth percentage

  14.3% 15.6% 13.0% 14.7%

Note: The age groups above are measured as of the last day of each respective year.

Sales Growth— Net sales were as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
   2006  2005  2006  2005

Net sales

  $890,520  737,072  458,817  383,263

Percentage change

   20.8%   19.7% 

The increases in net sales in both the six and three month periods came primarily from higher unit sales, and to a lesser degree in the first quarter of 2005, increases in prices. Price increases, due to inflation in steel pricing, added approximately 1% to sales during the first quarter of 2005. The higher unit sales resulted from increases in sales at older store sites (discussed earlier) and the opening of new store sites in 2005 and 2006.

The mix of sales from the original Fastenal® product line (which consists primarily of threaded fasteners) and from the newer product lines was as follows:

 

   

Six months ended

June 30,

  

Three months ended

June 30,

 

Product line

  2006  2005  2006  2005 

Fastener product line

  51.9% 54.7% 51.6% 54.3%

Newer product lines

  48.1% 45.3% 48.4% 45.7%

Daily sales growth rates for the twelve months of 2004 and 2005, and the first six months of 2006, were as follows (compared to the comparable month in the preceding year):

 

   Jan.  Feb.  Mar.  Apr.  May  June  July  Aug.  Sept.  Oct.  Nov.  Dec. 

2004

  16.1% 20.1% 19.1% 22.1% 25.6% 25.7% 27.0% 24.9% 26.2% 27.6% 25.0% 27.4%

2005

  26.2% 25.1% 22.5% 26.6% 22.9% 21.2% 21.8% 21.7% 26.8% 22.7% 21.7% 17.0%

2006

  23.9% 21.3% 21.1% 19.1% 19.2% 20.6%      

The January 2004 to November 2005 time frame generally represents improvement followed by stabilization in our daily sales trends. The January 2004 to November 2005 general improvement

(Continued)

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. (Continued)

and stabilization reflects continued strengthening in the economy as it relates to the customers we sell to in North America and the impact of the Fastenal standard inventory stocking model (see reference below regarding the Customer Service Project, or CSP). The 2004 period was positively impacted by inflation in the steel based products we sell. The December 2005 daily sales growth rate was weaker than we expected; however, we believe this was an abnormality due to the following reasons (1) historically we have seen fluctuations in December’s daily sales growth rates due to the presence of the various holidays and their impact on our customers’ buying patterns and (2) December 2004 experienced strong growth, which creates a more difficult comparison in the next year. In 2005, item (2) is also noticeable in months such as May, June, July, and, to a lesser degree, October. The noticeable exception to item (2) is the month of September, which experienced stronger growth due to the demand generated by Hurricane Katrina. The continued strong growth in the January 2006 to March 2006 time frame generally represents a continuation of the strong environments experienced in 2004 and 2005. The first two months of the second quarter of 2006 experienced weaker sales growth than we expected. The April 2006 growth was negatively impacted by Easter (which fell in March last year), but was still weaker than we expected. The quarter finished on a positive note with June’s daily sales growth rate above 20%.

Statement of Earnings Information (percentage of net sales) —

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Net sales

  100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Gross profit margin

  50.1% 49.6% 49.9% 49.8%

Operating and administrative expenses

  32.2% 31.7% 31.8% 31.0%

Loss on sale of property and equipment

  0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
             

Operating income

  17.9% 17.8% 18.0% 18.7%

Interest income

  0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
             

Earnings before income taxes

  18.0% 17.9% 18.1% 18.8%

Note – Amounts may not foot due to rounding difference.

Gross profit margins for the first half and second quarter of 2006 increased over the same period in 2005. The improvement was driven by our freight initiative (discussed later) and by improvements in our direct sourcing operations.

Operating and administrative expenses grew faster than the net sales growth rate during the first half and second quarter of 2006. This was primarily due to (1) the initiatives (most notably the CSP2 conversions) discussed below and their impact on employee numbers throughout the organization in the first six months of 2006, (2) the impact of rising fuel costs, and (3) increases in occupancy costs. The slower sales growth in the second quarter, from what we had planned, did not allow us to leverage the operating and administrative expenses.

(Continued)

 

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ITEM 2. (Continued)

The 2006 operating and administrative expenses include $279 of expenses related to the adoption of new stock option accounting rules. This expense occurred in the first five months of 2006, but ceased on June 1, 2006 as all outstanding options became vested.

Income taxes, as a percentage of earnings before income taxes, were approximately 38.1% and 38.0% in 2006 and 2005, respectively. This rate fluctuates over time based on the income tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, and based on the level of profits in those jurisdictions.

Net earnings— Net earnings and net earnings per share were as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  Three months ended
June 30,
   2006  2005  2006  2005

Net earnings

  $99,367  81,679  $51,513  44,647

Percentage change

   21.7%    15.4% 
              

Basic and diluted net earnings per share

  $.66  .54   .34  .30

Percentage change

   22.2%    13.3% 
              

The Company increased its net earnings in the six and three month periods primarily due to the aforementioned growth in the gross margin percentage.

(Continued)

 

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ITEM 2. (Continued)

Impact of Current Initiatives — During 2005 and the first six months of 2006, Fastenal has been actively pursuing several initiatives to improve its operational performance. These include: (1) a new freight model, (2) tactical changes to our working capital model, and (3) an expanded store model called CSP2.

The freight model represents a focused effort to haul a higher percentage of our products utilizing the Fastenal trucking network (which operates at a substantial savings to external service providers because of our ability to leverage our existing routes) and to charge freight more consistently in our various operating units. This initiative positively impacted the latter two-thirds of 2005 and the first six months of 2006 despite the fact we experienced year-over-year increases of approximately 31.7% and 27.7%, respectively, in per gallon diesel fuel costs.

The tactical changes to our working capital model include the establishment of a central call center for accounts receivable collection and the establishment of financial business rules for the purchasing of products outside the standard stocking model (formerly referred to as CSP) at the store. The balance sheet impacts of these changes are described below in the working capital discussion.

The CSP2 store model represents an expansion of the core stocking items and sales personnel in an existing store with the goal of driving additional product sales to existing customers, target customers, and specific geographic areas within established markets. During the first six months of 2006, 93 stores were converted to the CSP2 format. This resulted in 123 stores converted to the CSP2 format since the third quarter of 2005. The balance sheet impacts of these conversions are described below in the working capital discussion.

The stores converted to the CSP2 format as of March 31, 2006 (74 stores) had the following daily sales and active account growth rates in the three months ended June 30 and March 31, 2006. Also included for comparative purposes are the same statistics for our stores in the 10+ year age and 5+ year age categories.

 

   

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2006

  

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2006

 
   CSP 2
Group
  10+
Year
Group
  5+
Year
Group
  CSP 2
Group
  10+
Year
Group
  5+
Year
Group
 

Daily Sales Growth

   11.5%  7.6%  10.0%  15.5%  10.4%  12.7%

Active Account Growth1

   13.0%  4.0%  6.3%  10.3%  4.7%  6.7%

Average Monthly Sales per Store

  $175  $135  $110  $167  $130  $106 

1We define active accounts for the quarter as the average number of customers purchasing product in each monthly period within the quarter. The active account growth is defined as the growth in the average number of active accounts for a quarter versus the same period in the prior year.

(Continued)

 

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ITEM 2. (Continued)

Impact of Fuel Prices During the Quarter — Rising fuel prices continue to take a toll on the quarter and six month period ended June 30, 2006. Our total vehicle fuel costs averaged approximately $1,248 and $1,500 per month in the first and second quarters of 2005, respectively. Our fleet consists of a variety of distribution vehicles as well as store delivery vehicles. During the first and second quarters of 2006, total vehicle fuel costs have averaged approximately $1,864 and $2,096 per month, respectively. These increases result from the rising fuel costs, the freight initiative discussed earlier, and to the increase in sales and store locations.

Working Capital — Two components of working capital, accounts receivable and inventories, improved during the first half of 2006. The June 2005-to-June 2006 percentage growth (i.e. year over year) and the year-to-date dollar growth were as follows:

 

June 2005-to-June 2006 percentage growth

 

Accounts receivable

  16.9%

Inventories

  18.4%

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

Dollar growth

  2006  2005  2006  2005

Accounts receivable

  $43,420  32,909  15,170  11,673

Inventories

  $33,469  26,171  23,935  23,100

These two assets were impacted by our initiatives to improve working capital. These initiatives include (1) the establishment of a centralized call center to facilitate accounts receivable management (this facility became operational early in 2005) and (2) the tight management of all inventory amounts not identified as either expected store inventory (see reference below regarding CSP), new expanded inventory, or inventory necessary for upcoming store openings.

The accounts receivable increase of 16.9% represents a meaningful lag behind the 20.6% and 19.7% sales increase in June 2006 and in the second quarter of 2006, respectively. We continue to be pleased with the improvements in accounts receivable during 2005 and the first six months of 2006, and with the related reduction in bad debt expense when compared to historical amounts.

The inventory increase of 18.4% represents a lag behind the 20.6% and 19.7% sales increase in June 2006 and in the second quarter of 2006, respectively. The increase of $33,469 since December 31, 2005 primarily relates to approximately $8,000 for new stores, $6,300 for CSP2 conversions, and approximately $18,000 for current stocking initiatives and sales growth at our hub and store locations.

Overall, our initiatives are having a positive impact on accounts receivable and inventory. As we indicated in earlier communications, our 2006 goals center on our ability to move the ratio of annual sales to accounts receivable and inventory (Annual Sales: AR&I) back to better than a 3.0:1 ratio (on December 31, 2005, we had a ratio of 2.8:1). Historically, we have been able to achieve a 20% after tax return on total assets (our internal goal) when our Annual Sales: AR&I ratio is at or above 3.0:1.

(Continued)

 

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ITEM 2. (Continued)

Store Openings— As discussed in previous public statements, the Company’s goal is to continue opening approximately 13% to 18% new stores each year (calculated on the ending number of stores in the previous year). On December 31, 2005, the Company operated 1,755 stores; therefore, we expect to open approximately 228 to 316 new stores in 2006. The Company opened 222 new stores in 2005 and 219 new stores in 2004, or an increase over the previous December of 14.5% and 16.7%, respectively. While the new stores continue to build the infrastructure for future growth, the first year sales are low, and the added expenses related to payroll, occupancy, and transportation costs do impact the Company’s ability to leverage earnings. As disclosed previously, it has been the Company’s experience that new stores take approximately ten to twelve months to achieve profitability. The planned openings can be altered in a short time span, usually less than 60 to 90 days.

In June 2002, we began our ‘customer service project’ (or CSP). This project centered on stocking all of our stores with a consistent base of product and with a consistent merchandising scheme. This project was 97% complete on December 31, 2005 and will be completed during 2006 as the last 55 stores are converted. Since the CSP format represents the stocking model in substantially all of our locations, during the first quarter of 2005 we began to refer to these converted locations simply as stores with our expected inventory stocking model, versus the CSP designation. Consistent with our operating philosophy, we intend to continue identifying products and store display themes to position our stores to the Fastenal goal of being ‘the best industrial and construction supplier in each local market in which we operate’. In June 2005 we disclosed our intention to convert locations to the CSP2 format. The CSP2 format represents a further expansion of the Fastenal standard inventory stocking model at the store level. As of June 30, 2006, 123 stores had been converted to the CSP2 format. Of these stores, 30 were converted in the latter half of 2005 and 93 were converted in the first half of 2006. We expect to convert additional stores to the CSP2 format throughout the remainder of 2006.

Impacts of Known Trends and Prior Events On The Upcoming Quarter — Our business is influenced by the number of business days in each period (month, quarter, and year). During the third quarter of 2006, the July 4th holiday will create a ‘lone day’ on Monday July 3rd; historically, ‘lone days’ are slow as many of our customers shut down operations for an extended four day weekend. In addition, September’s growth will be influenced by fewer selling days (20 versus 21 in 2005) and by the additional sales (approximately $4,000) that occurred in 2005 due to hurricane Katrina.

Stock Repurchase — In June 2006, the Company issued a press release announcing its Board of Directors had authorized purchases by the Company of up an additional 500,000 shares of its common stock (over and above previously authorized amounts). The Company purchased 250,000 shares of its outstanding stock at approximately $37.73 per share in late June 2006.

(Continued)

 

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ITEM 2. (Continued)

Critical Accounting Policies— A discussion of the critical accounting policies related to accounting estimates is contained in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Liquidity and Capital Resources—

Cash flow activity was as follows:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
   2006  2005

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $59,420  53,504

Net cash used in investing activities

  $37,110  4,850

Net cash used in financing activities

  $35,878  42,461

Net cash provided by operating activities has increased from the prior year as the growth in net earnings was aided by improving trends in working capital management (discussed earlier).

Net cash used in investing activities changed primarily due to changes in marketable securities and property and equipment.

Property and equipment expenditures in the first six months of 2006 consisted of: (1) the purchase of software and hardware for Fastenal’s information processing systems, (2) the addition of certain pickup trucks, (3) the purchase of signage, shelving, and other fixed assets related to store openings and conversion of existing stores to the expected inventory stocking model (formerly referred to as CSP) or to the CSP2 stocking model, (4) the addition of manufacturing and warehouse equipment, (5) the expansion or improvement of certain owned or leased store properties, and (6) the expansion of Fastenal’s distribution/trucking fleet. Disposals of property and equipment consisted of the planned disposition of certain pickup trucks, semi-tractors, and trailers in the normal course of business and the disposition of real estate relating to several store locations.

Cash requirements for these expenditures were satisfied from net earnings, cash on hand, and the proceeds of asset disposals. As of June 30, 2006, the Company had no material outstanding commitments for capital expenditures. Management anticipates funding its current expansion plans with cash generated from operations, from available cash and cash equivalents, and, to a lesser degree, from its borrowing capacity.

Net cash used in financing activities consisted of the payment of dividends and cash outflow needed to fund the stock repurchase discussed earlier. This was partially offset in 2006 by employee stock purchases related to the Fastenal Stock Option Plan.

A discussion of the nature and amount of future cash commitments is contained in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.

(Continued)

 

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ITEM 2. (Continued)

Certain Risks and Uncertainties— This report contains statements that are not historical in nature and that are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding working capital goals and returns on total assets when working capital is appropriately managed, planned store openings and the timeline for altering planned openings, the time before new stores typically achieve profitability, the completion of the CSP initiative, planned conversions of stores to the CSP2 format, and the funding of expansion plans. The following factors are among those that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements: (i) an upturn or downturn in the economy could impact the rate of new store openings, the time it typically takes a new store to achieve profitability, and the CSP and CSP2 rollout, (ii) a change, from that projected, in the number of markets able to support future store sites and the ability of the Company to successfully attract and retain qualified personnel to staff the Company’s stores could impact the rate of new store openings, (iii) disruption related to the CSP2 implementation could cause expenses and investments to increase, which in turn could cause the Company to reevaluate implementation of the project, and (iv) a change in accounts receivable collections, a change in the economy from that currently being experienced, a change in buying patterns, a change in forecast or a change in vendor production lead times could cause working capital (including inventory) and rates of return on assets to change from expected amounts. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company’s operating results to vary from anticipated results or which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results is included in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (Item 1A of Part I).

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to certain market risks from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity steel pricing. Changes in these factors cause fluctuations in the Company’s earnings and cash flows. The Company evaluates and manages exposure to these market risks as follows:

Interest Rates— The Company has a $10 million line of credit of which $0 was outstanding at June 30, 2006. The line bears interest at 0.9% over the LIBOR rate. The Company pays no fee for the unused portion of the line of credit.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates—Foreign currency fluctuations can affect the Company’s net investments and earnings denominated in foreign currencies. The Company’s primary exchange rate exposure is with the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. The Company’s estimated net earnings exposure for foreign currency exchange rates was not material at June 30, 2006.

Commodity Steel Pricing— The Company buys and sells various types of steel products; these products consist primarily of different types of threaded fasteners. During the last decade, there has been nominal movement in overall product pricing, with some deflation occurring in the wake of the economic crisis of the Far East markets that occurred in the late 1990’s. This trend reversed to inflation in the period from late 2003 to the early part of 2005. The Company is exposed to the impacts of commodity steel pricing and its related ability to pass through the impacts to its end customers.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures— As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of Fastenal, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding disclosure. There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We are affected by risks specific to us as well as factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market. The significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results are described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (Item 1A of Part I). There has been no material change in those risk factors.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES1

 

Period

  (a) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
  (b) Average
Price Paid per
Share (or Unit)
  (c) Total
Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
  (d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value)
that May Yet
Be Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
 

June 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006

  250,000  $37.73  250,000  310,0002

1On June 13, 2006, the Company announced that its board of directors had authorized purchases by the Company of up to an additional 500,000 shares of its common stock (over and above previously authorized amounts). All of the purchases described in the table were made pursuant to this authorization. The authorization did not have an expiration date.
2Includes 60,000 remaining shares from a previously disclosed April 2005 board of director’s authorization and 250,000 remaining shares from the June 13, 2006 board of director’s authorization. The Company may continue to make repurchases under both authorizations.

 

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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

At the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on April 18, 2006, two matters were put to a vote of the shareholders. Proxies were solicited from shareholders unable to attend the meeting. Proxy votes are included in the results that follow.

 

Matter 1. To elect a Board of nine directors, to serve until the next regular meeting of shareholders or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

The existing nine directors were nominated. There were no other nominations. The nine nominees each received and had withheld the number of votes set forth opposite their names below:

 

Name of Director

  Total Number of
Votes Cast For
  Total Number of
Votes Withheld

Robert A. Kierlin

  110,346,625  25,005,239

Stephen M. Slaggie

  110,126,217  25,225,647

Michael M. Gostomski

  133,096,622  2,255,242

John D. Remick

  133,081,527  2,270,337

Henry K. McConnon

  131,196,959  4,154,905

Robert A. Hansen

  133,675,538  1,676,326

Willard D. Oberton

  110,139,850  25,212,014

Reyne K. Wisecup

  133,692,249  1,659,615

Michael J. Dolan

  109,857,472  25,494,392

There were no broker non-votes. Abstentions totaled 1,617,455 shares.

 

Matter 2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.

Voting to adopt were 131,932,929 shares. Voting against the adoption were 3,348,446 shares. There were no broker non-votes. Abstentions totaled 70,489 shares.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fastenal Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Fastenal Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005)
3.2 Restated By-Laws of Fastenal Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-14923)
31 Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32 Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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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.

 

  FASTENAL COMPANY
  

/s/ Willard D. Oberton

  (Willard D. Oberton, Chief Executive Officer)
  (Duly Authorized Officer)
Date July 21, 2006  

/s/ Daniel L. Florness

  (Daniel L. Florness, Chief Financial Officer)
  (Principal Financial Officer)


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

3.1  Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fastenal Company, as amended  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Fastenal Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005)
3.2  Restated By-Laws of Fastenal Company  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-14923)
31  Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  Electronically Filed
32  Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  Electronically Filed