ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 and other information in this report, including Critical Accounting Policies and Cautionary Information included at the end of this Item 7. The following discussion and analysis includes the results of operations for the twelve month periods ended September 2020 and September 2019. For more information regarding our business segments, see Item 1 “Business” of this Annual Report.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth an analysis of various components of the Company’s Statement of Operations as a percentage of sales for fiscal years 2020 and 2019:
Fiscal Years
Gross profit 5.8 6.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses 5.0 5.4
Depreciation and amortization 0.2 0.2
Operating income 0.6 0.4
Interest expense 0.1 0.1
Income before income taxes 0.5 0.3
Income tax expense 0.1 0.1
Net income available to common shareholders 0.4 % 0.2 %
Fiscal Years
CONSOLIDATED:
Gross profit percentage 5.8 % 6.0 %
Operating expense $ 78.7 $ 77.7 $ 1.0
Operating income 9.1 6.3 2.8
Interest expense 1.7 1.6 0.1
Income tax expense 2.1 1.6 0.5
BUSINESS SEGMENTS:
Wholesale
Gross profit percentage 4.9 % 5.0 %
Retail
Gross profit percentage 35.0 % 36.9 %
(2) Calculated based on rounded numbers as presented in the table.
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SALES
Changes in sales are driven by two primary components:
SALES—Fiscal 2020 vs. Fiscal 2019
Sales in our Wholesale Segment increased $127.1 million during fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019. Significant items impacting sales during fiscal 2020 included a $45.5 million increase in sales related to price increases implemented by cigarette manufacturers, a $37.1 million increase in sales related to higher sales volume in our tobacco, beverage, snacks, candy, grocery, health & beauty products, automotive, foodservice, and store supplies categories (“Other Products”), a $32.7 million increase in sales related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold and a $11.8 million increase in sales related to increases in cigarette state excise taxes.
Sales in our Retail Segment increased $1.8 million in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019. Significant items impacting sales during the current period included a $2.6 million increase in sales related to higher sales volumes in our existing stores, partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease in sales related to the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market that was nearing the end of its lease term.
GROSS PROFIT—Fiscal 2020 vs. Fiscal 2019
Our gross profit does not include fulfillment costs and costs related to the distribution network which are included in selling, general and administrative costs, and may not be comparable to those of other entities. Some entities may classify such costs as a component of cost of sales. Cost of sales, a component used in determining gross profit, for the wholesale and retail segments includes the cost of products purchased from manufacturers, less incentives we receive which are netted against such costs.
Gross profit in our Wholesale Segment increased $3.9 million during fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019. Of this change, approximately $3.7 million related to higher sales in our Other Products category, $1.0 million related to an increase in the benefit recognized from cigarette manufacturer price increases, and $0.7 million related to the volume and mix of cigarettes sold. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $1.5 million related to gains on cigarette excise tax increases in the prior year. Gross profit in our Retail Segment decreased $0.2 million in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019. This change was primarily related to lower gross margins in our existing stores resulting from changes in volume and product mix between the comparative periods and the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market.
OPERATING EXPENSE—Fiscal 2020 vs. Fiscal 2019
Operating expense includes selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization. Selling, general, and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs related to our sales, warehouse, delivery and administrative departments, including purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and costs of picking and loading customer orders. Our most significant expenses relate to costs associated with employees, facility and equipment leases, transportation, fuel, and insurance.
Our fiscal 2020 consolidated operating expenses increased $1.0 million as compared to fiscal 2019. Our fiscal 2020 Wholesale Segment operating expenses increased $4.2 million as compared to fiscal 2019. Significant items impacting operating expenses in our Wholesale Segment during fiscal 2020 included a $2.5 million increase in employee
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compensation and benefit costs, a $0.5 million increase in health insurance costs, an $0.8 million increase in other insurance costs, and a $0.4 million increase in our provision for doubtful accounts.
Our fiscal 2020 Retail Segment operating expenses decreased $3.2 million as compared to fiscal 2019. Significant items impacting fiscal 2020 Retail Segment operating expenses included a net decrease of $2.4 million related to impairment charges between the comparative periods, a $0.5 million decrease in other operating expenses and a $0.3 million decrease in operating expenses related to the closure of one non-performing store in our Midwest market.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE —Fiscal 2020 vs. Fiscal 2019
The change in the Company’s income tax rate between the comparative fiscal periods was primarily related to non-deductible compensation expense in relation to the amount of income from operations before income tax expense between the comparative periods. During fiscal 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak which, among other things, contains numerous income tax provisions. The Company evaluated the impact of the legislation and determined that while there was an impact on the timing of certain future tax payments, there is no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s variability in cash flows from operating activities is dependent on the timing of inventory purchases and seasonal fluctuations. For example, periodically we have inventory “buy-in” opportunities which offer more favorable pricing terms. As a result, we may have to hold inventory for a period longer than the payment terms. This generates a cash outflow from operating activities which we expect to reverse in later periods. Additionally, during our peak time of operations in the warm weather months, we generally carry higher amounts of inventory to ensure high fill rates and customer satisfaction.
In general, the Company finances its operations through a credit facility agreement (the “Facility”) with Bank of America acting as the senior agent and with BMO Harris Bank (“BMO”) participating in the loan syndication. The Facility included the following significant terms at September 2020:
● A March 2025 maturity date without a penalty for prepayment.
● $110.0 million revolving credit limit.
● Lending limits subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations.
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The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day. Based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement, the credit limit of the Facility at September 2020 was $109.6 million, of which $62.0 million was outstanding, leaving $47.6 million available.
At September 2020, the revolving portion of the Company’s Facility balance bore interest based on the bank’s prime rate and various short-term LIBOR rate elections made by the Company. The average interest rate was 2.41% at September 2020.
During fiscal 2020, our peak borrowings under the Facility were $73.3 million and our average borrowings and average availability were $49.7 million and $33.0 million, respectively. Our availability to borrow under the Facility generally decreases as inventory and accounts receivable levels increase because of the borrowing limitations that are placed on collateralized assets. At September 2020, our inventory and Facility were elevated primarily due to opportunistic inventory purchases. We expect our inventory and Facility will return to normalized levels during the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as the associated inventory is sold and the Facility is paid down.
Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions
The Company owns real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, which is financed through a single term loan with BMO (the “Real Estate Loan”) which is also a participant lender on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The Real Estate Loan contains cross default provisions which cause it to be considered in default if the loans where BMO is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, is in default. There were no such cross defaults at September 2020. In addition, the Real Estate Loan contains co-terminus provisions which require all loans with BMO to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.
Dividend Payments
The Company paid cash dividends of $0.6 million, or $1.00 per common share during fiscal 2020, and $0.6 million, or $1.00 per common share during fiscal 2019.
Other
The Company has issued a letter of credit for $0.5 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
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Liquidity Risk
The Company’s liquidity position is significantly influenced by its ability to maintain sufficient levels of working capital. For our Company and industry in general, customer credit risk and ongoing access to bank credit heavily influence liquidity positions.
The Company does not currently hedge its exposure to interest rate risk or fuel costs. Accordingly, significant price movements in these areas can and do impact the Company’s profitability.
While the Company believes its liquidity position going forward will be adequate to sustain operations, a precipitous change in operating environment could materially impact the Company’s future revenue stream as well as its ability to collect on customer accounts receivable or secure bank credit.
OTHER MATTERS—Critical Accounting Estimates
GENERAL
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company believes that the accounting estimates employed and the resulting balances are reasonable; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies reflect the significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are set forth below and have not changed during fiscal 2020.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of uncollectible accounts receivable at the balance sheet date. We monitor our credit exposure on a daily basis and regularly assess the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. Because credit losses can vary significantly over time, estimating the required allowance requires a number of assumptions that are uncertain.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate our required allowance for doubtful accounts using the following key assumptions:
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INVENTORIES
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. In our businesses, we carry large quantities and dollar amounts of inventory. Inventories primarily consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be sold to our customers. Given the large quantities and broad range of products we carry, there is a risk that inventory may become impaired because it has become unsaleable or unrefundable, slow moving, obsolete, or because it has been discontinued. The use of estimates is required in determining either the net realizable value (for our wholesale business) or the lower of cost or market (“LCM”) under the retail method (for our retail business) of this inventory.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate our inventory obsolescence reserve at each balance sheet date based on the following criteria:
DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS, INCLUDING GOODWILL AND LEASED RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS
Long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment, leased right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, intangible assets, and goodwill acquired in business combinations. Property and equipment, ROU assets and amortizable identified intangible assets are assigned useful lives ranging from 1 to 40 years. Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets is assessed during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, or whenever events or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value of such long-lived assets may not be recoverable.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. Management has to estimate the useful lives of the Company’s long-lived assets. In regard to the Company’s impairment analysis, the most significant assumptions include management’s estimate of the annual growth rate used to project future sales and expenses.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. For property and equipment, depreciable lives are based on our accounting policy which is intended to mirror the expected useful life of the asset. In determining the estimated useful life of ROU assets and amortizable intangible assets such as customer lists, we rely on our historical experience in addition to estimates of how long certain assets will generate cash flows. If impairment indicators arise, we then evaluate the potential impairment of property and equipment, ROU assets and amortizable identifiable intangible assets using an undiscounted future cash flow approach.
When evaluating the potential impairment of non-amortizable indefinite-lived assets and goodwill, the Company first assesses a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, market prices, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company’s reporting units. If after completing this assessment, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative evaluation is performed using the income approach (discounted cash flow method).
A discounted cash flow methodology requires the estimation of a wide range of factors including but not limited to: (i) forecasting future earnings and cash flows (ii) determining the discount rate applicable to the earnings stream being discounted, and (iii) computing a terminal value at some point in the future. These estimations require significant judgment
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and include making assumptions such as sales growth rates including the addition of new retail stores, future store profitability, planned capital expenditures, our ability to control costs, the successful implementation of initiatives designed to enhance sales and improve inventory management, gross profit estimates, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, working capital requirements, weighted average cost of capital, and current and anticipated operating conditions. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different results.
The Company’s retail reporting unit recorded ROU asset and fixed asset impairment charges of approximately $0.5 million during fiscal 2020 (See Notes 1 and 5) and intangible asset impairment charges of approximately $2.9 million during fiscal 2019 (See Note 6). These impairment charges arose from a range of considerations including, but not limited to, heightened competition in the industry, retail sector market conditions, and earning shortfalls which impacted the Company’s projections of future cash flows to be generated from such assets. To the extent that management's estimates of future performance for the Company’s retail reporting unit are not realized, our business plans for future operations change, or if there is a further deterioration in the macro retailing operating environment, the future assumptions used in calculating the fair value of assets in the retail unit could differ and result in additional impairment charges.
Goodwill recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet represents amounts allocated to its wholesale reporting unit which totaled $4.4 million at both September 2020 and September 2019. The Company determined that the estimated fair value of its wholesale reporting unit exceeded its carrying value at both September 2020 and September 2019.
INSURANCE
The Company’s insurance for workers’ compensation, general liability and employee-related health care benefits are provided through high-deductible or self-insured programs. As a result, the Company accrues for its workers’ compensation liability based upon claim reserves established with the assistance of a third-party administrator, which are then trended and developed. The reserves are evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Due to the uncertainty involved with the realization of claims incurred but unreported, management is required to make estimates of these claims.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. In order to estimate our reserve for incurred but unreported claims we consider the following key factors:
Employee Health Insurance Claims
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Claims
INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for its income taxes by recording taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the
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effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as a change in the corporate tax rate, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
On a periodic basis, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and establish a related valuation allowance as appropriate. In performing our evaluation, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of the evidence, a valuation allowance is needed. Evidence used includes information about our current financial position and our results of operations for the current and preceding years, as well as all currently available information about future years, including our anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part upon management’s judgments regarding future events.
In making that estimate we consider the following key factors:
● our current financial position;
● historical financial information;
● future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
● taxable income in prior carryback years; and
● tax planning strategies.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
We recognize revenue in both our Wholesale Segment and our Retail Segment when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is the point at which control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods and services. For the majority of our customer arrangements, control transfers to customers at a point-in-time when goods have been delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of goods and services transfers to the customer. Sales are shown net of returns, discounts, and sales incentives to customers.
NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. We estimate and reserve for anticipated sales discounts. We also estimate and provide a reserve for anticipated sales incentives to customers when earned under established program requirements.
ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate the sales reserves using the following criteria:
Our estimates and assumptions for each of the aforementioned critical accounting estimates have not changed materially during the periods presented, nor are we aware of any reasons that they would be reasonably likely to change in the future.
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ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Accounting Pronouncement Adopted
During fiscal 2020, the Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”):
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”. Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 842 superseded the lease accounting requirements in “ASC 840 - Leases”. The most significant among the changes in ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases. The accounting for finance leases, which were classified as capital leases under historical GAAP, remains substantially unchanged. The lease liabilities are equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments while the ROU asset is determined based on the amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs incurred less lease incentives. The Company elected the optional transition method to apply ASU 2016-02 prospectively at adoption during the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year 2020, which resulted in recognition of ROU assets of approximately $21.9 million, lease liabilities of $22.2 million, and a decrease of deferred rent recorded under ASC 840 of $0.3 million. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The fiscal 2019 comparative period presented in the financial statements continues to be presented under ASC 840. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s debt-covenant compliance under its revolving credit facility.
In accordance with an accounting policy election under ASC 842, the Company does not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less as these short-term lease payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elected the package of practical expedients within ASC 842 that allows an entity to not reassess, prior to the effective date, (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also elected the practical expedient to account for non-lease components as part of the lease for all asset classes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which introduces a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (fiscal 2024 for the Company) with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The amendments in this update provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting as the market transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The amendments in this update were effective upon issuance for all entities through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and which reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “future,” “position,” “anticipate(s),” “expect(s),” “believe(s),” “see,” “plan,” “further improve,” “outlook,” “should” or
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similar expressions. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
It should be understood that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document, could affect the future results of the Company and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements:
● risks associated with opening new retail stores,
● increases in manufacturer prices,
● increases in inventory carrying costs and customer credit risks,
● changes in pricing strategies utilized by cigarette and tobacco manufacturers,
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● changes in promotional and incentive programs offered by manufacturers,
● decreased availability of capital resources,
● domestic regulatory and legislative risks,
● poor weather conditions, and the adverse effects of climate change,
● natural disasters and domestic or political unrest,
Changes in these factors could result in significantly different results. Consequently, future results may differ from management’s expectations. Moreover, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance. Any forward-looking statement contained herein is made as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or correct any of these forward-looking statements in the future to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of material events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or business over time.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to 2020 and 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 32
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 2020 and September 2019 33
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 37
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of AMCON Distributing Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AMCON Distributing Company and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2006.
Omaha, Nebraska
November 9, 2020
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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September September
ASSETS
Current assets:
Income taxes receivable — 350,378
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 18,936,126 —
Equity method investment 6,744,095 —
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Income taxes payable 567,408 —
Current operating lease liabilities 5,607,098 —
Long-term operating lease liabilities 14,028,606 —
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized — —
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal Years Ended September
Other expense (income):
Equity method investment earnings, net of tax 183,579 —
Net income available to common shareholders $ 5,542,590 $ 3,202,943
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 9.88 $ 5.36
Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 9.76 $ 5.25
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 561,166 597,961
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 567,961 609,836
Dividends declared and paid per common share $ 1.00 $ 1.00
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Additional
Common Stock Treasury Stock Paid-in Retained
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Total
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Fiscal Years Ended September
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Amortization — 41,667
Equity method investment earnings, net of tax (183,579) —
Loss (gain) on sales of property and equipment 105,039 (13,775)
Provision for losses on doubtful accounts (21,000) 21,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Income taxes payable and receivable 857,270 (78,266)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 43,600 57,200
Investment in equity method investee (6,500,000) —
Issuance of note receivable (3,500,000) —
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt (532,747) (1,096,306)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 25,750 —
Settlement and withholdings of equity-based awards (30,208) (56,335)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
Equipment acquisitions classified in accounts payable $ — $ 69,253
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
(a) Company Operations:
AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries (“AMCON” and “the Company”) serves customers in 26 states and is primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of consumer products in the Central, Rocky Mountain, and Mid-South regions of the United States.
AMCON’s wholesale distribution business includes six distribution centers that sell approximately 17,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and refrigerated products and institutional foodservice products. The Company distributes products primarily to retailers such as convenience stores, discount and general merchandise stores, grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations. In addition, the Company services institutional customers, including restaurants and bars, schools, sports complexes, as well as other wholesalers.
AMCON, through its Healthy Edge Inc. subsidiary, operates twenty-one retail health food stores as Chamberlin’s Natural Foods (“Chamberlin’s”), Akin’s Natural Foods (“Akin’s”), and Earth Origins Market (“EOM”). These stores carry natural supplements, organic and natural groceries, health and beauty care products, and other food items.
The Company’s operations are subject to a number of factors which are beyond the control of management, such as changes in manufacturers’ cigarette pricing, state excise tax increases, or the opening of competing retail stores in close proximity to the Company’s retail stores. While the Company sells a diversified product line, it remains dependent upon the sale of cigarettes which accounted for approximately 69% of the Company’s consolidated revenue during both fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, and 17% of the Company’s consolidated gross profit during both fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019.
(b) Accounting Period:
The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30 and the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 have been included herein.
(c) Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation:
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AMCON and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
(d) Cash and Accounts Payable:
AMCON utilizes a cash management system under which an overdraft is the normal book balance in the primary disbursing accounts. Overdrafts included in accounts payable at fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 totaled approximately $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and reflect checks drawn on the disbursing accounts that have been issued but have not yet cleared through the banking system. The Company’s policy has been to fund these outstanding checks as they clear with borrowings under its revolving credit facility (see Note 8). These outstanding checks (book overdrafts) are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
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(e) Accounts Receivable:
Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due to the Company from its normal business activities, including trade receivables from customers and other receivables primarily related to various rebate and promotional incentives with the Company’s suppliers. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained to reflect the expected uncollectibility of accounts receivable based on past collection history, evaluation of economic conditions as they may impact our customers, and specific risks identified in the portfolio. The Company determines the past due status of trade receivables based on our terms with each customer. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when collection efforts have been exhausted and the account receivable is deemed worthless. Any subsequent recoveries of charged off account balances are recorded as income in the period received. As of September 2020 and September 2019, receivables from transactions with customers, less allowance for doubtful accounts were $33.3 million and $23.7 million, respectively.
(f) Inventories:
At September 2020 and September 2019, inventories in our wholesale segment consisted of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value determined on a FIFO basis. Inventories in our retail segment consisted of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market using the retail method. The wholesale distribution and retail health food segment inventories consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be redistributed to the Company’s customers or sold at retail. Finished goods included total reserves of approximately $0.7 million and $1.0 million at September 2020 and September 2019, respectively. These reserves include the Company’s obsolescence allowance, which reflects estimated unsaleable or non-refundable inventory based upon an evaluation of slow moving and discontinued products.
(g) Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets:
A summary of prepaid expenses and other current assets is as follows (in millions):
Prepaid expenses $ 1.6 $ 1.8
Prepaid inventory 0.5 5.3
Prepaid inventory represents inventory in-transit that has been paid for but not received.
(h) Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized and charged to expense over their useful lives through depreciation or amortization charges. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense in the period incurred. The straight-line method of depreciation is used to depreciate assets over the estimated useful lives as follows:
Years
Buildings and improvements 5 - 40
Warehouse equipment 3 - 15
Furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements 1 - 12
Vehicles 2 - 5
Costs and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired or sold are eliminated from the accounts, and the resulting gains or losses are reported as a component of operating income.
The Company reviews property and equipment for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group are estimated over the asset’s useful life of the primary asset and based on updated projections on an undiscounted basis. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying value of the asset group may not be recoverable, the potential impairment is determined based on the amount by which the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group.
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The Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $0.5 million during fiscal 2020 related to a non-performing store in our retail reporting unit, of which $0.2 million was related to fixed assets. There was no impairment of any property and equipment during fiscal 2019.
(i) Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
Goodwill consists of the excess purchase price paid in business combinations over the fair value of assets acquired. Intangible assets consist of trademarks, tradenames, and customer relationships acquired as part of acquisitions. Goodwill, trademarks, and tradenames are considered to have indefinite lives.
Goodwill and intangible assets having indefinite useful lives are not amortized into the results of operations, but instead are reviewed annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired, to assess whether their fair value exceeds their carrying value. The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangible asset impairment assessment during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year.
When evaluating the potential impairment of non-amortizable indefinite lived assets and goodwill, the Company first assesses a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, market prices, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company’s reporting units. If after completing this assessment, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative evaluation is performed using the income approach (discounted cash flow method).
A discounted cash flow methodology requires the estimation of a wide range of factors including but not limited to: (i) forecasting future earnings and cash flows (ii) determining the discount rate applicable to the earnings stream being discounted, and (iii) computing a terminal value at some point in the future. These estimations require significant judgment and include making assumptions such as sales growth rates including the addition of new retail stores, future store profitability, planned capital expenditures, our ability to control costs, the successful implementation of initiatives designed to enhance sales and improve inventory management, gross profit estimates, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, working capital requirements, weighted average cost of capital, and current and anticipated operating conditions. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different results.
For goodwill impairment testing, the Company utilizes the guidance in ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” whereby a reporting unit’s carrying value is compared to its fair value and impairment charges are recognized for an amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
The Company’s identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are assessed for impairment whenever events or circumstances change which may indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets which are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment using a process similar to that used in evaluating the elements of property and equipment. If impaired, the related assets are written down to their estimated fair value.
The Company’s retail reporting unit recorded intangible asset impairment charges of approximately $2.9 million during fiscal 2019 (See Note 6). These impairment charges arose from a range of considerations including, but not limited to, heightened competition in the industry, retail sector market conditions, and earning shortfalls which impacted the Company’s projections of future cash flows to be generated from these assets.
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(j) Equity Method Investment
The Company uses the equity method to account for its investment in an investee if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of the investee. The Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss (net of income taxes) of the investee is included in consolidated net earnings.
Judgment regarding the level of influence over its equity method investment includes considering key factors such as the Company’s ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions and material intercompany transactions. The Company evaluates its equity method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company when reviewing its equity method investment for impairment include the length of time (duration) and the extent (severity) to which the fair value of the equity method investment has been less than cost, the investee’s financial condition and future prospects, and the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery. An impairment that is other-than-temporary is recognized in the period identified. See Note 7 (Equity Method Investment) for further information relating to the Company’s equity method investment.
(k) Revenue Recognition:
The Company recognizes revenues when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is the point where control of the promised goods or services is transferred to its customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For the majority of the Company’s customer arrangements, control transfers to customers at a point-in-time when goods have been delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of goods/services transfers to the customer. The timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation is not subject to significant judgment due to the simultaneous nature of the Company’s customer arrangements (same day creation and fulfillment). After the completion of its performance obligations, the Company has an unconditional right of payment from customers with varying collection and payment terms based on region, credit risk, and other situational factors. Customer receivables are included on the consolidated balance sheets less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company has elected the practical expedient permitting it to disregard financing components which may be deemed to be part of its transaction price as its customary payments terms are less than one year. See Footnote 13 “Business Segments” for the disaggregation of net sales for each of our business segments.
(l) Insurance:
The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability, and employee-related health care benefits are provided through high-deductible or self-insurance programs. As a result, the Company accrues for its workers’ compensation and general liability based upon a claim reserve analysis. The Company has issued a letter of credit in the amount of $0.5 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its loss control program. The reserve for incurred, but not reported, employee health care benefits is calculated using the Company’s historical claims experience rate, plus specific reserves for large claims. The reserves associated with the exposure to these liabilities are reviewed by management for adequacy at the end of each reporting period.
(m) Income Taxes:
The Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when we do not consider it more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.
(n) Share-Based Compensation:
The Company recognizes expense for its share-based compensation based on the fair value of the awards that are granted. The fair value of stock options are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Option pricing methods require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. The fair
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value of restricted stock units is based on the period ending closing price of the Company’s common stock. Measured compensation cost is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the related share-based compensation award and is reflected in our Consolidated Statement of Operations under “selling, general and administrative expenses.”
(o) Customer Sales Incentives:
The Company provides consideration to customers, such as sales allowances or discounts on a regular basis. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company estimates customer sales incentives due as sales are made and records them as a reduction of net sales.
(p) Excise Taxes:
Under ASC 606, the Company is primarily responsible for excise taxes levied on cigarette and other tobacco products and presents excise taxes as a component of revenue.
(q) Contract Costs:
Under ASC 606, the Company expenses as incurred any incremental costs to obtain and fulfill customer contracts as the related amortization period would be one year or less.
(r) Per-share Results:
Basic earnings or loss per share data are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings or loss per share data are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive potential common shares including stock options and conversion features of the Company’s preferred stock issuances.
(s) Use of Estimates:
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(t) Fair Value Measurements:
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The carrying amount of trade accounts receivable, other receivables, trade accounts payable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s variable and fixed rate debt also approximates fair value. During fiscal 2019, intangible assets with indefinite useful lives were adjusted to fair value, resulting in a pretax, non-cash impairment charge of $2.9 million (see Note 6).
(u) Accounting Pronouncements:
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”. Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 842 superseded the lease accounting requirements in “ASC 840 - Leases”. The most significant among the changes in ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases. The accounting for finance leases, which were classified as capital leases under historical GAAP, remains substantially unchanged. The lease liabilities are equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments while the ROU asset is determined based on the amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs incurred less lease incentives. The Company
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elected the optional transition method to apply ASU 2016-02 prospectively at adoption during the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020, which resulted in recognition of ROU assets of approximately $21.9 million, lease liabilities of $22.2 million, and a decrease of deferred rent recorded under ASC 840 of $0.3 million. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The fiscal 2019 comparative period presented in the financial statements continues to be presented under ASC 840. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on the Company’s debt-covenant compliance under its revolving credit facility.
In accordance with an accounting policy election under ASC 842, the Company does not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less as these short-term lease payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elected the package of practical expedients within ASC 842 that allows an entity to not reassess, prior to the effective date, (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also elected the practical expedient to account for non-lease components as part of the lease for all asset classes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which introduces a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (fiscal 2024 for the Company) with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The amendments in this update provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting as the market transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The amendments in this update were effective upon issuance for all entities through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
2. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS:
During fiscal 2020, the Company made a $10.0 million investment in Team Sledd LLC (“Team Sledd”) as discussed further in Note 7. During fiscal 2019, the Company acquired the assets (primarily inventory) from a wholesale distributor for approximately $1.1 million. No material intangible assets or liabilities were assumed in connection with this transaction and the Company does not consider this transaction material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from operations by the sum of the weighted average common shares outstanding and the weighted average dilutive equity awards.
For Fiscal Years
Basic Basic
Weighted average common shares outstanding 561,166 597,961
Net income available to common shareholders $ 5,542,590 $ 3,202,943
Net earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 9.88 $ 5.36
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For Fiscal Years
Diluted Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding 561,166 597,961
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 567,961 609,836
Net income available to common shareholders $ 5,542,590 $ 3,202,943
Net earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 9.76 $ 5.25
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET:
Property and equipment at September 2020 and September 2019 consisted of the following:
5. LEASES:
The Company’s wholesale segment leases certain warehouse facilities, office space, vehicles and office equipment. The Company’s retail segment leases store space in various shopping center complexes. Certain of the warehouse and retail store leases include one or more options to renew or terminate the applicable lease agreement, with the exercise of such options at the Company’s discretion. The Company’s leases do not contain any significant residual value guarantees nor do they impose any significant restrictions or covenants other than those customarily found in similar types of leases.
The operating right-of-use (ROU) lease assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet consist of fixed lease payments. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, certain leases contain variable payments such as vehicle leases with per-mile charges or retail leases with an additional rent payment based on store performance. These variable payments are expensed as incurred. The Company combines lease components and non-lease components for all asset classes for purposes of recognizing lease assets and liabilities. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rates based on information available at the lease commencement date in calculating the present value of lease payments. The Company reviews its ROU lease assets for indicators of impairment in the same manner as its other property and equipment as described in Note 1. The Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $0.5 million during fiscal 2020 related to a non-performing store in our retail reporting unit, of which $0.3 million was related to a ROU asset.
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Leases consist of the following:
Assets Classification September 2020
Operating Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 18,936,126
Liabilities
Current:
Operating Operating lease liabilities $ 5,607,098
Non-current:
Operating Long-term operating lease liabilities 14,028,606
Total lease liabilities $ 19,635,704
The components of lease costs were as follows:
Short-term lease cost 261,708
Variable lease cost 350,313
Maturities of lease liabilities as of September 2020 were as follows:
Operating Leases
Present value of lease liabilities $ 19,635,704
Weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate information regarding the Company’s leases were as follows:
Lease Term September 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating 4.2
Discount Rate
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating 4.04 %
Other information regarding the Company’s leases were as follows:
For the year ended September 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows used by operating leases $ 6,661,365
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining new ROU assets:
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Future minimum operating lease payments as of September 2019, as reported in the 2019 Form 10-K under ASC 840, were as follows:
Operating
Fiscal Year Ending Leases
Total minimum lease payments $ 24,247,814
6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
Goodwill at September 2020 and September 2019 was as follows:
September September
Other intangible assets at September 2020 and September 2019 consisted of the following:
September September
Trademarks and tradenames (Retail Segment) $ 500,000 $ 500,000
Goodwill, trademarks and tradenames are considered to have indefinite useful lives and therefore no amortization has been taken on these assets. The Company’s retail reporting unit recorded intangible asset (trademarks and tradenames) impairment charges of approximately $2.9 million during fiscal 2019 when it was determined that the carrying values of these assets exceeded their fair values. These impairment charges arose from a range of considerations including, but not limited to, heightened competition in the industry, retail sector market conditions, and earning shortfalls which impacted the Company’s projections of future cash flows to be generated. These impairment charges were recorded in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as a component of operating income.
Goodwill recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet represents amounts allocated to its wholesale reporting unit which totaled $4.4 million at both September 2020 and September 2019. The Company determined that the estimated fair value of its wholesale reporting unit exceeded its carrying value at both September 2020 and September 2019.
7. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT:
In April 2020, the Company completed a transaction with Chas. M. Sledd Company (“Sledd”), a West Virginia wholesale distributor serving the convenience store industry, to jointly own and operate Team Sledd, a limited liability company formed for the purpose of owning and operating Sledd’s wholesale distribution business. In conjunction with the transaction, Sledd contributed substantially all of its operating assets and stated liabilities to Team Sledd, while the Company contributed $10.0 million in cash, of which $6.5 million was structured as equity and $3.5 million was structured as a secured loan to Team Sledd which is subordinate to the liens of Team Sledd's existing secured lenders. The transaction was primarily funded from the Company’s revolving line of credit and profits from operations.
At September 2020, AMCON owned approximately 44% of Team Sledd’s outstanding equity, with a carrying value of $6.7 million. During fiscal 2020, the Company recognized $0.2 million in equity in earnings (net of income taxes) from its investment in Team Sledd. The Company’s secured loan to Team Sledd had a carrying value of $3.5 million as of September 2020.
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Team Sledd’s summarized financial data for the six months ended September 2020 was as follows:
For the six months ended September 2020
Net income (loss) before income taxes $ 551,280
Net income (loss) attributable to AMCON, net of tax $ 183,579
8. DEBT:
The Company primarily finances its operations through a credit facility agreement (the “Facility”) and long-term debt agreements with banks. The Facility is provided through Bank of America acting as the senior agent and with BMO Harris Bank (“BMO”) participating in a loan syndication.
CREDIT FACILITY
The Facility included the following significant terms at September 2020:
● A March 2025 maturity date without a penalty for prepayment.
● $110.0 million revolving credit limit.
● Lending limits subject to accounts receivable and inventory limitations.
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During fiscal 2020, total borrowings and payments on the Facility were approximately $1.5 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, resulting in net advances of $1.6 million. Total borrowings and repayment on the Facility during fiscal 2019 were approximately $1.4 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, resulting in net advances of $24.9 million.
The amount available for use on the Facility at any given time is subject to a number of factors including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day. Based on our collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreement, the credit limit of the Facility at September 2020 was $109.6 million, of which $62.0 million was outstanding, leaving $47.6 million available.
LONG-TERM DEBT
In addition to the Facility, the Company also had the following long-term obligations at fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019.
The aggregate minimum principal maturities of the long-term debt for each of the next five fiscal years are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ending
Market rate risk for fixed rate debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value of debt obligations resulting from decreases in interest rates. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt approximated its carrying value at September 2020.
Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions
The Company owns real estate in Bismarck, ND, Quincy, IL, and Rapid City, SD, which is financed through a single term Real Estate Loan with BMO which is also a participant lender on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The Real Estate Loan contains cross default provisions which cause the loan to be considered in default if the loans where BMO is a lender, including the revolving credit facility, is in default. There were no such cross defaults at September 2020. In addition, the Real Estate Loan contains co-terminus provisions which require all loans with BMO to be paid in full if any of the loans are paid in full prior to the end of their specified terms.
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Other
The Company has issued a letter of credit for $0.5 million to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier as part of its self-insured loss control program.
9. INCOME TAXES:
The components of income tax expense from operations for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 consisted of the following:
The difference between the Company’s income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and that which would be calculated using the statutory income tax rate of 21% for both fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 on income before income taxes is as follows:
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 376,262 332,931
Temporary differences between the financial statement carrying balances and tax basis of assets and liabilities giving rise to net deferred tax assets (liabilities) at September 2020 and September 2019 relates to the following:
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry forwards - federal 35,545 63,983
Net operating loss carry forwards - state 716,241 723,306
Deferred tax liabilities:
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At September 2020, the Company had noncurrent deferred tax assets related to federal net operating loss carryforwards in an amount less than $0.1 million. These federal net operating loss carryforwards totaled approximately $0.2 million and were primarily attributable to the Company’s fiscal 2002 purchase of Hawaiian Natural Water Company, Inc. (“HNWC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The utilization of HNWC’s net operating losses is limited by Internal Revenue Code Section 382 to approximately $0.1 million per year through 2022.
The Company had a valuation allowance of approximately $0.7 million at both September 2020 and September 2019, against certain state net operating losses, which more likely than not will not be utilized. The Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits, interest, or penalties during fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2019, and the Company does not anticipate any such items during the next twelve months. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties directly related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states and the tax years 2017 and forward remain open under U.S. and state statutes.
During fiscal 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak which, among other things, contains numerous income tax provisions. The Company evaluated the impact of the legislation and determined that while there was an impact on the timing of certain future tax payments, there is no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
10. PROFIT SHARING PLAN:
The Company sponsors a profit sharing plan (i.e. a section 401(k) plan) covering substantially all employees. The plan allows employees to make voluntary contributions up to 100% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limits. The Company matches 100% of the first 2% contributed and 50% of the next 4% contributed for a maximum match of 4% of employee compensation. The Company made matching contributions to the profit sharing plan of approximately $0.9 million and $0.8 million (net of employee forfeitures) in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Liability Insurance
The Company carries property, general liability, vehicle liability, directors’ and officers’ liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Additionally, the Company carries an umbrella liability policy to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits of the aforementioned primary policies.
The Company’s insurance programs for workers’ compensation, general liability, and employee related health care benefits are provided through high deductible or self-insured programs. Claims in excess of self-insurance levels are fully insured subject to policy limits. Accruals are based on historical claims experience, actual claims filed, and estimates of claims incurred but not reported.
The Company’s liabilities for unpaid and incurred, but not reported claims, for workers’ compensation, general liability, and health insurance was $1.5 million at both September 2020 and September 2019. These amounts are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in the Company’s opinion, recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims previously incurred. However, it is possible that recorded reserves may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims.
Adjustments, if any, to claims estimates previously recorded, resulting from actual claim payments, are reflected in operations in the periods in which such adjustments are known.
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A summary of the activity in the Company’s self-insured liabilities reserve is set forth below (in millions):
Beginning balance $ 1.5 $ 1.6
Charged to expense 6.6 5.4
Payments (6.6) (5.5)