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WINONA, Minn., April 12, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- The Fastenal Company of Winona, MN (Nasdaq: FAST) reported the results of the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Dollar amounts are in thousands.
Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 totaled $489,157, an increase of 13.3% over net sales of $431,703 in the first quarter of 2006. Net earnings increased from $47,854 in the first quarter of 2006 to $54,033 in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 12.9%. Basic and diluted earnings per share increased from $.32 to $.36 for the comparable periods.
During the first three months of 2007, Fastenal opened 73 new sites (Fastenal opened 73 new sites in the first quarter of 2006). These 73 new sites represent an increase in stores since December 31, 2006 of 3.7%. There were 2,000 sites on December 31, 2006. There were 7,637 site employees as of March 31, 2007, an increase of 6.5% from December 31, 2006 and 12.6% from March 31, 2006.
SALES GROWTH:
Note -- Daily sales are defined as the sales for the month divided by the number of business days in the month.
Stores more than five years old -- The strength of the economy, over time, is best reflected in our subset of stores more than five years old (store sites opened as follows: 2007 group -- opened 2002 and earlier, 2006 group -- opened 2001 and earlier, and 2005 group -- opened 2000 and earlier). These stores are more cyclical due to the increased market share they enjoy in their local markets. During the twelve months of 2005 and 2006 and the first three months of 2007, the stores more than five years old had daily sales growth rates of (compared to the comparable month in the preceding year):
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
2005 15.8% 13.7% 12.1% 15.7% 12.3% 9.5%
2006 13.9% 11.9% 10.8% 9.1% 9.6% 10.7%
2007 4.8% 3.8% 7.8%
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005 11.7% 11.9% 14.7% 12.0% 11.1% 7.7%
2006 9.9% 11.2% 8.1% 8.5% 8.0% 9.6%
Stores more than two years old -- Our stores more than five years old above, when combined with stores two to five years of age, represent a consistent same-store view of our business (store sites opened as follows: 2007 group -- opened 2005 and earlier, 2006 group -- opened 2004 and earlier, and 2005 group -- opened 2003 and earlier). During the twelve months of 2005 and 2006 and the first three months of 2007, the stores more than two years old had daily sales growth rates of (compared to the comparable month in the preceding year):
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
2005 19.2% 17.1% 14.1% 18.0% 14.0% 12.1%
2006 17.8% 15.0% 14.6% 12.3% 12.5% 14.0%
2007 7.3% 6.0% 9.4%
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005 13.3% 13.3% 16.7% 13.3% 13.0% 9.0%
2006 12.8% 13.9% 9.2% 9.0% 9.4% 10.9%
All company sales -- During the twelve months of 2005 and 2006 and the first three months of 2007, all the selling locations combined had daily sales growth rates of (compared to the comparable month in the preceding year):
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
2005 26.2% 25.1% 22.5% 26.6% 22.9% 21.2%
2006 23.9% 21.3% 21.1% 19.1% 19.2% 20.6%
2007 12.6% 11.8% 15.5%
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005 21.8% 21.7% 26.8% 22.7% 21.7% 17.0%
2006 19.7% 20.7% 16.1% 15.9% 16.3% 17.7%
The January 2005 to November 2005 time frame generally represents improvement followed by stabilization in our daily sales trends. The January 2005 to November 2005 general improvement and stabilization reflects a continuation of the improvements we saw beginning in 2003 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 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 occurred in March during 2005), but was still weaker than we expected. The June to August 2006 time frame represents stronger sales activity than the preceding two to three month period. The daily sales growth amount in September 2006 appears weaker due to the difficult comparison with Hurricane Katrina's added sales in September 2005 (approximately $4,000 impact); however, the increase in our daily sales number from August 2006 to September 2006, of 4.1%, is consistent with historical norms. The final three months of 2006 continued in the same variable fashion as the previous six months. The October growth number was negatively impacted by the difficult comparison with Hurricane Katrina's added sales in October 2005 (approximately $1,500 impact). The months of November and December, like the months of April and May, were weaker than expected. The first two months of 2007 were weaker than expected; however, they also had fairly challenging comparisons from 2006. The month of March 2007 improved relative to January 2007 and February 2007.
IMPACT OF CURRENT INITIATIVES:
During the last several years, 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, (3) an expanded store model called CSP2, and (4) a 'master stocking hub' distribution model.
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, all of 2006, and the first three months of 2007 despite the fact we experienced year-over-year increases of approximately 31.7% and 5.3%, respectively, in per gallon diesel fuel costs during the first two periods. The diesel fuel cost per gallon did soften in the last four months of 2006 as our average price per gallon dropped below $2.90, and the average price per gallon dropped to $2.59 in the first three months of 2007. Given the nature of our distribution business, the continuation of lower fuel prices did translate into cost savings in our business during 2007.
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 three months of 2007, 39 stores were converted to the CSP2 format. This resulted in 232 stores converted to the CSP2 format since the third quarter of 2005, plus six stores opened with the CSP2 format.
The 'master stocking hub' distribution model represents our 'everything in the catalog' location. Historically, we have stocked a core selection of products (approximately 5,500 stock keeping units, or SKU's) plus customer specific products at each of our store locations. Our distribution centers would stock the core selection, plus other products with sufficient sales history to warrant stocking in a distribution center. Our stores would utilize their local or distribution center inventory to satisfy most of their customers' needs and would then directly purchase additional items to satisfy the rest of their customers' needs. When analyzing this local (or store) spending we noted the following: (1) this is an inefficient transaction for our store, (2) because it is a 'one off' purchase, we don't always benefit from good price negotiation, (3) our freight costs on these transactions are meaningfully higher than our average transaction, and (4) in many cases, we have sufficient volume at the 'company-wide' level to warrant stocking it somewhere. These and other factors convinced us to turn our Indianapolis, IN distribution center (DC) from a regional DC into both a regional DC and a North American 'master stocking hub'. This will allow all of our locations easy access to a wide variety of product already in the network. This will also allow us to turn the four points noted above into a competitive advantage at the store level. In the future, as volume justifies it, we anticipate our Modesto, CA distribution center will assume a similar role for our stores west of the Rocky Mountains.
IMPACT OF FUEL PRICES DURING THE QUARTER:
Rising fuel prices did take a toll on the year ended December 31, 2006, but there was some relief in the final four months that continued into the first quarter of 2007. During the first quarter of 2006, our total vehicle fuel costs averaged approximately $1.9 million per month. During the first quarter of 2007, total vehicle fuel costs averaged approximately $2.1 million per month. The increase, which was slightly less than our sales increase, resulted from variations in fuel costs, the freight initiative discussed earlier, and the increase in sales and store locations. These fuel costs include the fuel utilized in our distribution vehicles (semi-tractors, straight trucks, and sprinter trucks) which is recorded in cost of goods and the fuel utilized in our store delivery vehicles which is included in operating and administrative expenses.
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS INFORMATION (percentage of net sales):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007 2006
Net sales 100.0% 100.0%
Gross profit margin 51.0% 50.4%
Operating and administrative expenses 32.9% 32.5%
Loss on sale of property and equipment 0.0% 0.0%
Operating income 18.1% 17.8%
Interest income (expense), net 0.0% 0.1%
Earnings before income taxes 18.1% 17.9%
Note -- Amounts may not foot due to rounding difference.
Gross profit margins for the first three months of 2007 increased over the same period in 2006. The improvement was driven by our freight initiative (discussed earlier) and by improvements in our direct sourcing operations.
Operating and administrative expenses for the first three months of 2007 grew faster, compared to the same period in 2006, than the net sales growth. This was primarily due to increases in occupancy costs due to store openings, and to a lesser extent, the previously mentioned initiatives (most notably, the CSP2 conversions). The operating and administrative expenses were helped by payroll and related expenses, which grew slightly slower than sales growth.
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 39.1% in 2007 and 38.1% in 2006. During the first quarter of 2007, we implemented FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN No. 48). As defined in FIN No. 48, we had a discrete event during the quarter which resulted in recognition of approximately $827 of additional tax. Absent this event, our tax rate would have been 38.2% for the quarter. 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.
WORKING CAPITAL:
The year-over-year dollar and the year-to-date dollar and percentage growth related to accounts receivable and inventories were as follows:
Twelve Month Twelve Month
Year-over-year change Balance at Dollar Change Percentage Change
March 31, March 31, March 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006
Accounts receivable, net $238,657 212,517 $26,140 29,086 12.3% 15.9%
Inventories $446,192 371,095 $75,097 60,691 20.2% 19.5%
Three Month Three Month
Year-to-date change Dollar Change Percentage Change
March 31, March 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Accounts receivable, net $29,125 28,961 13.9% 15.8%
Inventories $(9,805) 9,534 (2.2)% 2.6%
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, inventory necessary for upcoming store openings, or inventory necessary for our 'master stocking hub'.
The accounts receivable increase of 15.9% from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006 represents a lag behind the 21.1% daily sales increase in March 2006. The accounts receivable increase of 12.3% from March 31, 2006 to March 31, 2007 also represents a lag behind the daily sales increase of 15.5% in March 2007. We continue to be pleased with the improvements in accounts receivable during 2006 and 2007, and with the related reduction in bad debt expense when compared to historical amounts.
The inventory increase from March 31, 2006 to March 31, 2007 of 20.2% is greater than sales growth for the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2007. The decrease of inventory since December 2006 relates to our conscious decision to limit the growth of inventory in the future, to halt growth or decrease inventory in the short-term, and to get everybody on the same page related to execution of this decision. We were pleased with the progress in inventory, but have much work ahead of us.
As we indicated in earlier communications, our 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, 2006 and 2005, we had a ratio of 2.7:1 and 2.8:1, respectively). 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. While the incremental investments in 2006 did not allow us to improve our ratio (these investments include CSP2 conversions and our master stocking hub model); we believe our initiatives are having a positive impact on accounts receivable and inventory. In the first three months of 2007, we have made considerable improvement as detailed above. We need to execute better on the inventory portion of these working capital initiatives for all of 2007. As discussed in last quarter's release, this need has been communicated throughout our organization.
STORE FORMAT:
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. Since this 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 March 31, 2007, 238 stores were operating under the CSP2 format. Of these stores, 39 were converted during the first three months of 2007, 163 were converted during 2006, 30 were converted in the latter half of 2005, and another six were opened with the CSP2 format (one in 2005 and five in 2006). We expect to convert and/or open additional stores with the CSP2 format in 2007. In our 2006 Annual Report, we discussed our CSP3 format. The CSP3 format represents a 'test' expansion of the store format. We expect to have approximately ten stores with this format at the end of 2007. At March 31, 2007 we have four stores with this format. Three were converted in the first three months of 2007 and one was converted in 2006.
STOCK REPURCHASE:
On January 18 2007, we issued a press release announcing our Board of Directors had authorized purchases by us of up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common stock (over and above previously authorized amounts). During the first three months of 2007, we purchased 100,000 shares of our outstanding stock at an average price of approximately $34.35 per share. With this new authorization, we have remaining authority to purchase up to approximately 986,000 additional shares of our common stock.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS PRESENTATION:
On April 17, 2007, we will be holding our Annual Meeting of Shareholders at our offices at 2001 Theurer Boulevard, Winona, Minnesota. The meeting will also be available via webcast from 10:00AM Central time until the conclusion of the meeting. To access the webcast, please go to the Fastenal Company Investor Relations Website at investor.fastenal.com.
INVESTOR PRESENTATION:
We are also announcing our intention to conduct an investor presentation on April 24, 2007. At this presentation, three of our officers will present information regarding our expansion plans and certain other financial and operational information. The presentation will be available via webcast from 10:00 AM Eastern time until the conclusion of the presentation (estimated at two hours plus some time for questions). To access the webcast, please go to the Fastenal Company Investor Relations Web site at investor.fastenal.com. Please note -- since the presentation is being conducted at our Indianapolis, IN distribution center, the start time is in the Eastern Time zone.
Additional information regarding certain Fastenal Company statistics for the current quarter is available on the Fastenal Company World Wide Web site at http://www.fastenal.com. The Company discloses sales and store information on a monthly basis. This information is posted at http://www.fastenal.com on the third business day following the end of the first two months of a quarter and simultaneous with the earnings release following the third month of a quarter. This press release contains statements that are not historical in nature and that are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding, increases in selling locations, the time it typically takes a new store to achieve profitability, the timeline for altering planned store openings, the conversion of stores to the CSP2 and CSP3 formats, and the expected future change in Modesto, California regarding its proposed status as a 'master stocking hub'. A change in the economy, from that currently being experienced, could cause the store openings to change from that expected and could impact the CSP2 and CSP3 rollouts. A change in our growth west of the Rocky Mountains, or a change in need, could later alter our plans regarding Modesto, California. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties is included in the Company's 2006 annual report under the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". FAST-E
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands except share information)
(Unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
Assets 2007 2006
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 59,388 19,346
Marketable securities 9,924 10,835
Trade accounts receivable, net of
allowance for doubtful accounts of
$2,272 and $2,119, respectively 238,657 209,532
Inventories 446,192 455,997
Deferred income tax assets 11,709 11,709
Other current assets 57,041 60,357
Total current assets 822,911 767,776
Marketable securities 2,769 3,695
Property and equipment, less
accumulated depreciation 265,902 264,030
Other assets, less accumulated
amortization 3,604 3,515
Total assets $1,095,186 1,039,016
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 44,814 41,371
Accrued expenses 61,920 61,544
Income taxes payable 33,343 981
Total current liabilities 140,077 103,896
Deferred income tax liabilities 13,027 13,027
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares
authorized - -
Common stock, 200,000,000 shares
authorized, 151,106,712 and
151,206,712 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively 1,511 1,512
Additional paid-in capital 9,263 12,697
Retained earnings 924,999 902,550
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 6,309 5,334
Total stockholders' equity 942,082 922,093
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $1,095,186 1,039,016
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Amounts in thousands except earnings per share)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
2007 2006
Net sales $ 489,157 431,703
Cost of sales 239,642 214,216
Gross profit 249,515 217,487
Operating and administrative
expenses 160,851 140,512
Loss on sale of property and
equipment 115 35
Operating income 88,549 76,940
Interest income 222 388
Earnings before income taxes 88,771 77,328
Income tax expense 34,738 29,474
Net earnings $ 54,033 47,854
Basic and diluted net earnings
per share $ 0.36 0.32
Basic weighted average shares
outstanding 151,179 151,055
Diluted weighted average shares
outstanding 151,179 151,390
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months ended
March 31,
2007 2006
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 54,033 47,854
Adjustments to reconcile net
earnings to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and
equipment 9,226 8,035
Loss on sale of property and
equipment 115 35
Bad debt expense 1,516 837
Deferred income taxes - 1,137
Stock based compensation - 168
Amortization of non-compete
agreement 17 17
Changes in operating assets
and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable (30,641) (29,798)
Inventories 9,805 (9,532)
Other current assets 3,316 359
Accounts payable 3,443 16,271
Accrued expenses 376 830
Income taxes payable 32,362 27,278
Other 887 (30)
Net cash provided by
operating activities 84,455 63,461
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (12,697) (21,429)
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment 1,484 1,152
Net decrease (increase) in
marketable securities 1,837 (47)
Increase in other assets (106) (50)
Net cash used in
investing activities (9,482) (20,374)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of common stock (3,435) -
Payment of dividends (31,584) (30,211)
Net cash used in
financing activities (35,019) (30,211)
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash 88 38
Net increase in cash and
cash equivalents 40,042 12,914
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period 19,346 56,204
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period $ 59,388 69,118
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
information:
Cash paid during each period for:
Income taxes $ 2,376 2,196
SOURCE Fastenal Company
Dan Florness, EVP and CFO of Fastenal Company, +1-507-453-8211
http://www.fastenal.com/
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