National Beverage - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(954) 581-0922
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

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

The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 8, 2006 was 37,413,576.

AS OF JANUARY 28, 2006 AND APRIL 30, 2005
(In thousands, except share amounts)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 28, 2006 AND JANUARY 29, 2005
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 28, 2006 AND JANUARY 29, 2005
(In thousands)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

National Beverage Corp. develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a complete portfolio of quality non-alcoholic beverage products throughout the United States. Incorporated in Delaware in 1985, National Beverage Corp. is a holding company for various operating subsidiaries. When used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” and “National Beverage” mean National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial information. The financial statements do not include all information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which might be expected for the entire fiscal year.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005.

As provided by SFAS 123, we use the intrinsic value method to account for stock based compensation awarded to employees, which generally does not recognize any compensation expense with respect to such awards unless the exercise price of options granted is less than the market price on the date of grant. SFAS 123R, which will be effective for the Company in fiscal 2007, requires the use of the fair value method for all share-based payments. Had the fair value method been used, net income and basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ended January 28, 2006 and January 29, 2005 would have been reduced on a pro forma basis by less than $200,000 and $.01 per share, respectively.

During the nine months ended January 28, 2006, options for 121,050 shares were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $7.39 and options for 418,000 shares were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $2.16. At January 28, 2006, options to purchase 683,108 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $3.84 were outstanding and stock-based awards to purchase 2,839,252 shares of common stock were available for grant.

Inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Inventories at January 28, 2006 are comprised of finished goods of $19,413,000 and raw materials of $13,781,000. Inventories at April 30, 2005 are comprised of finished goods of $17,411,000 and raw materials of $12,327,000.

Property consists of the following:

Depreciation expense was $2,630,000 and $7,743,000 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended January 28, 2006, respectively, and $2,323,000 and $7,097,000 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended January 29, 2005, respectively.

A subsidiary maintains unsecured revolving credit facilities aggregating $45 million (the “Credit Facilities”) with banks. The Credit Facilities expire through May 1, 2007 and bear interest at ¹/2% below the banks’ reference rate or ³/4% above LIBOR, at the subsidiary’s election. At January 28, 2006, there was no debt outstanding under the Credit Facilities and approximately $42 million was available for future borrowings.

The Credit Facilities require the subsidiary to maintain certain financial ratios and contain other restrictions, none of which are expected to have a material impact on our operations or financial position. Significant financial ratios and restrictions include: fixed charge coverage; net worth ratio; and limitations on incurrence of debt. At January 28, 2006, we were in compliance with all loan covenants and approximately $25 million of retained earnings were restricted from distribution.

In January 1998, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 800,000 shares of National Beverage common stock. There were no shares purchased during the nine months ended January 28, 2006. Aggregate shares purchased since January 1998 were 502,060 and are classified as treasury stock.

On January 27, 2006, the Company paid a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, aggregating $38 million, to shareholders of record on January 5, 2006, including holders of deferred shares.

In June 2005, we received a partial payment of $7.7 million from the settlement of our claim in a class action lawsuit known as “In re: High Fructose Corn Syrup Antitrust Litigation Master File No. 95-1477 in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois”. The lawsuit related to purchases of high fructose corn syrup made by the Company and others. The settlement amount was allocated to each class action recipient based on the proportion of its purchases to total purchases by all class action recipients. The amount received, less offsets and expenses of $.5 million, was recorded as a reduction in cost of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. In November 2005, the Company received $1.2 million, representing the final payment due

under the settlement. Such amount was recorded in the third quarter ended January 28, 2006 as a reduction in cost of sales.

Management has reviewed the current and proposed changes in accounting standards and does not expect any of these changes to have a material impact on the Company.

Reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation, including reclassifications to our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended January 29, 2005 to reflect the gross purchases and sales of auction rate securities as investing activities rather than as a component of cash and equivalents.

National Beverage Corp. develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a complete portfolio of quality beverage products throughout the United States. Incorporated in Delaware in 1985, National Beverage Corp. is a holding company for various operating subsidiaries. When used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” and “National Beverage” mean National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries.

Our lines of multi-flavored soft drinks, including those of our flagship brands, Shasta^® and Faygo^®, emphasize distinctive flavor variety. In addition, we offer an assortment of premium beverages geared to the health-conscious consumer, including Everfresh^®, Home Juice^®, and Mr. Pure^®100% juice and juice-based products; and LaCroix^®, Mt. Shasta™, Crystal Bay^® and ClearFruit^®flavored and spring water products. We also produce specialty products, including Rip It™, an energy drink geared toward young consumers, Ohana^® fruit-flavored drinks and St. Nick’s^® holiday soft drinks. Substantially all of our brands are produced in 14 manufacturing facilities that are strategically located in major metropolitan markets throughout the continental United States. To a lesser extent, we develop and produce soft drinks for retail grocery chains, warehouse clubs, mass-merchandisers and wholesalers (“allied brands”) as well as soft drinks for other beverage companies.

Our strategy emphasizes the growth of our products by offering a branded beverage portfolio of proprietary flavors; by supporting the franchise value of regional brands and expanding those brands with new packaging and broader demographic emphasis; by developing and acquiring innovative products tailored toward healthy lifestyles; and by appealing to the “quality-price” expectations of the family consumer. We believe that the “regional share dynamics” of our brands perpetuate consumer loyalty within local regional markets, resulting in more retailer sponsored promotional activities.

Over the last several years, we have focused on increasing penetration of our brands in the convenience channel through Company-owned and independent distributors. The convenience channel is composed of convenience stores, gas stations and other smaller “up-and-down-the-street” accounts. Because of the higher retail prices and margins that typically prevail, we have undertaken specific measures to expand distribution in this channel. These include development of products specifically targeted to this market, such as ClearFruit, Everfresh, Mr. Pure, Crystal Bay, and Rip It. Additionally, we have created proprietary and specialized packaging for these products with distinctive graphics. Recently, the Company developed and introduced powdered beverage products under the Rip It and PowerBlast™ names for distribution in this channel. We intend to continue our focus on enhancing growth in the convenience channel through both specialized packaging and innovative product development.

Beverage industry sales are seasonal with the highest volume typically realized during the summer months. Additionally, our operating results are subject to numerous factors, including fluctuations in the costs of raw materials, changes in consumer preference for beverage products and competitive pricing in the marketplace.

Net sales for the three months ended January 28, 2006 increased 5.9% to $109.6 million compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Led by higher sales of Rip It energy drinks, the Company reported a 3.2% improvement in pricing and a 4.6% increase in branded volume, partially offset by a slight decline in lower margin allied volume.

Gross profit approximated 31.9% of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 and 31.4% of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2005. The improvement in gross margin was due to the effects of the pricing improvements mentioned above and $1.2 million received from a fructose settlement partially offset by higher energy and packaging costs. Excluding the fructose settlement, cost of goods sold per unit increased 4.2% over the comparable period last year. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $31.6 million or 28.9% of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to $31.8 million or 30.7% of net sales for last year. The decline as a percent of sales was due to the effect of higher sales on fixed expenses.

Other income includes interest income of $484,000 (fiscal 2006) and $198,000 (fiscal 2005). The increase in interest income is due to higher invested balances and investment yields. Also, other income in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 includes a loss of $67,000 on the disposal of property.

The Company’s effective rate for income taxes, based upon estimated annual income tax rates, approximated 37.4% of income before taxes for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 and 37.9% for the comparable period in fiscal 2005. The difference between the effective rate and the federal statutory rate of 35% was primarily due to the effects of state income taxes, nondeductible expenses and nontaxable interest income.

Net income was $2,297,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to $586,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

Net sales for the nine months ended January 28, 2006 increased 2.8% to $383.5 million compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2005, excluding $1.8 million received last year from a customer relative to a recovery of pricing and promotional allowances for product shipped in a previous period. The increase was due to higher sales of Rip It energy drinks and pricing improvements partially offset by an 11.7% decline in allied case volume. Excluding the $1.8 million noted above, net sales per unit increased 3.8% during the first nine months of fiscal 2006. Also, volume was negatively impacted by the effects of three hurricanes in fiscal 2006.

Gross profit approximated 32.7% of net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 and 32.1% of net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2005. This improvement was due to net proceeds of $8.4 million received from a fructose settlement partially offset by the effects of higher cost of

goods sold, lower allied case volume, and the $1.8 million noted above. Excluding the fructose settlement, cost of goods sold per unit increased approximately 5.7%, primarily due to higher raw material costs. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $99.8 million or 26.0% of net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 compared to $98.9 million or 26.4% of net sales for last year. The decline as a percent of sales was due to the effect of higher sales on fixed expenses.

Other income includes interest income of $1.2 million (fiscal 2006) and $406,000 (fiscal 2005). The increase in interest income is due to higher invested balances and investment yields. Also, other income in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 includes a loss of $354,000 on the disposal of property.

The Company’s effective rate for income taxes, based upon estimated annual income tax rates, approximated 37.4% of income before taxes for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 and 37.9% for the comparable period in fiscal 2005. The difference between the effective rate and the federal statutory rate of 35% was primarily due to the effects of state income taxes, nondeductible expenses and nontaxable interest income.

Net income was $16,554,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 compared to $13,562,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2005.

Our current sources of capital are cash flow from operations and borrowings under existing credit facilities. We maintain unsecured revolving credit facilities aggregating $45 million of which approximately $42 million was available for future borrowings at January 28, 2006. We believe that existing capital resources are sufficient to meet our capital requirements and those of the parent company for the foreseeable future.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2006, $24.5 million was provided from operating activities, which was offset by $4.7 million used for investing activities and $37.1 million used for financing activities. Cash provided by operating activities increased $798,000 due to an increase in earnings partially offset by an increase in working capital requirements. Cash used in investing activities decreased $19.4 million due to a decline in property additions and net marketable securities purchased. Cash used in financing activities increased $37.2 million due to a $38 million cash dividend paid in January 2006.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2006, our working capital decreased $19.4 million to $62.5 million primarily due to the cash dividend paid in January 2006. Trade receivables declined $7.9 million due to an improvement in days sales outstanding and lower sales related to seasonality. Inventory increased $3.5 million due to the effects of new products introduced and cost increases. Prepaid and other assets decreased $2.0 million due to declines in income tax refund receivables and certain prepaid expenses. At January 28, 2006, the current ratio was 2.2 to 1 compared to 2.4 to 1 at April 30, 2005.

We continually evaluate capital projects designed to expand capacity, enhance packaging capabilities and improve efficiencies at our manufacturing facilities. In the latter part of fiscal 2004, we initiated several capital expenditure programs to upgrade our manufacturing facilities, which resulted in increased capital expenditures in fiscal 2005 and, to a lesser extent, in fiscal 2006. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2006 are expected to be less than fiscal 2005 amounts.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions; pricing of competitive products; success in acquiring other beverage businesses; success of new product and flavor introductions; fluctuations in the costs of raw materials; our ability to increase prices; continued retailer support for our products; changes in consumer preferences; success of implementing business strategies; changes in business strategy or development plans; government regulations; regional weather conditions; and other factors referenced in this Form 10-Q. We disclaim an obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

There are no material changes to the disclosures made on this matter in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005.

As of January 28, 2006, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Principal Financial Officer (“PFO”). Based on that evaluation, our CEO and PFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of January 28, 2006 were effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this report. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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.

Date: March 14, 2006