10-Q 1 g98078e10vq.htm AARON RENTS, INC. AARON RENTS, INC.
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FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15 (d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of l934
     
September 30, 2005   1-13941
For Quarter Ended   Commission File No.
AARON RENTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
     
Georgia   58-0687630
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I. R. S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
309 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E.    
Atlanta, Georgia   30305-2377
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(404) 231-0011
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former
fiscal year, if changed since last report)
     Indicate by check mark whether registrant (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ
No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes þ
No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o
No þ
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
     
    Shares Outstanding as of
Title of Each Class   November 4, 2005
Common Stock, $.50 Par Value   41,547,141
Class A Common Stock, $.50 Par Value    8,396,233
 
 

 


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AARON RENTS, INC.
INDEX
         
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 
       
       
 EX-10.(KK) FIRST OMNIBUS AMENDMENT
 EX-10.(LL) FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT
 EX-10.(MM) SECOND AMENDMENT TO LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT
 EX-15 LETTER RE:UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 EX-31.(A) SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
 EX-31.(B) SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO
 EX-32.(A) SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
 EX-32.(B) SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO

 


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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 — Financial Statements
AARON RENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    (Unaudited)        
    September,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
    (In Thousands, Except Share Data)  
ASSETS:
               
Cash
  $ 6,753     $ 5,865  
Accounts Receivable (net of allowances of $3,111 in 2005 and $1,963 in 2004)
    43,623       32,736  
Rental Merchandise
    728,263       639,192  
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
    (251,331 )     (213,625 )
 
           
 
    476,932       425,567  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
    133,899       111,118  
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net
    97,241       74,874  
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
    27,882       50,128  
 
           
Total Assets
  $ 786,330     $ 700,288  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
  $ 97,376     $ 93,565  
Dividends Payable
    698       647  
Deferred Income Taxes Payable
    74,584       95,173  
Customer Deposits and Advance Payments
    19,223       19,070  
Credit Facilities
    175,042       116,655  
 
           
Total Liabilities
    366,923       325,110  
 
               
Commitments & Contingencies
               
 
               
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Common Stock, Par Value $.50 Per Share; Authorized: 50,000,000 Shares; Shares Issued: 44,989,602 at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
    22,495       22,495  
Class A Common Stock, Par Value $.50 Per Share; Authorized: 25,000,000 Shares; Shares Issued: 12,063,856 at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
    6,032       6,032  
Additional Paid-in Capital
    92,338       91,032  
Retained Earnings
    335,469       294,077  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
    (64 )     (539 )
 
           
 
    456,270       413,097  
 
               
Less: Treasury Shares at Cost,
               
Common Stock, 3,453,888 Shares at September 30, 2005 and 3,625,230 Shares at December 31, 2004
    (20,959 )     (22,015 )
Class A Common Stock, 3,667,623 Shares at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
    (15,904 )     (15,904 )
 
           
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    419,407       375,178  
 
           
Total Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 786,330     $ 700,288  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements

 


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AARON RENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    (In Thousands, Except Share Data)  
REVENUES:
                               
Rentals and Fees
  $ 210,951     $ 173,721     $ 626,722     $ 516,318  
Retail Sales
    14,442       13,651       43,799       42,700  
Non-Retail Sales
    43,709       36,831       131,492       118,602  
Franchise Royalties and Fees
    7,548       6,568       21,876       18,094  
Other
    2,017       877       5,464       8,713  
 
                       
 
    278,667       231,648       829,353       704,427  
 
                       
 
                               
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Retail Cost of Sales
    9,449       9,785       29,077       30,158  
Non-Retail Cost of Sales
    40,639       34,253       122,361       110,268  
Operating Expenses
    136,003       104,864       377,236       307,615  
Depreciation of Rental Merchandise
    76,727       63,845       226,231       189,377  
Interest
    2,343       1,350       5,680       3,824  
 
                       
 
    265,161       214,097       760,585       641,242  
 
                       
 
                               
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    13,506       17,551       68,768       63,185  
 
                               
INCOME TAXES
    4,663       6,904       25,383       24,336  
 
                       
 
                               
NET EARNINGS
  $ 8,843     $ 10,647     $ 43,385     $ 38,849  
 
                       
 
                               
COMMON STOCK AND CLASS A COMMON STOCK EARNINGS PER SHARE:
                               
Basic
  $ .18     $ .21     $ .87     $ .78  
 
                       
Assuming Dilution
    .17       .21       .85       .77  
 
                       
 
                               
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE:
                               
Common Stock
  $ .014     $ .013     $ .040     $ .026  
Class A Common Stock
    .014       .013       .040       .026  
 
                               
COMMON STOCK AND CLASS A COMMON STOCK WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                               
Basic
    49,861       49,711       49,807       49,557  
Assuming Dilution
    50,844       50,681       50,786       50,500  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements

 


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AARON RENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2005     2004  
    (In Thousands)  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Earnings
  $ 43,385     $ 38,849  
Depreciation and Amortization
    246,268       207,214  
Additions to Rental Merchandise
    (435,551 )     (403,039 )
Book Value of Rental Merchandise Sold or Disposed
    169,284       159,882  
Change in Deferred Income Taxes
    (20,589 )     14,644  
Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities
    (565 )     (5,481 )
Loss / (Gain) on Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment
    114       (429 )
Change in Income Tax Receivable, Included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
    20,023        
Change in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
    4,262       (2,330 )
Change in Accounts Receivable
    (10,887 )     (1,683 )
Other Changes, Net
    (4,109 )     4,243  
 
           
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    11,635       11,870  
 
           
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment
    (43,473 )     (27,550 )
Contracts and Other Assets Acquired
    (35,485 )     (24,228 )
Proceeds from Sale of Marketable Securities
    6,993       7,592  
Investment in Marketable Securities
          (6,436 )
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment
    3,294       6,162  
 
           
Cash Used by Investing Activities
    (68,671 )     (44,460 )
 
           
 
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from sale of senior notes
    60,000        
Proceeds from Credit Facilities
    314,110       237,688  
Repayments on Credit Facilities
    (315,723 )     (208,461 )
Dividends Paid
    (1,942 )     (1,397 )
Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans
    1,479       4,542  
 
           
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
    57,924       32,372  
 
           
 
               
Increase (Decrease) in Cash
    888       (218 )
Cash at Beginning of Period
    5,865       4,687  
 
           
Cash at End of Period
  $ 6,753     $ 4,469  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements

 


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AARON RENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
(Unaudited)
Note A — Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aaron Rents, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2005 and the consolidated statements of earnings and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarters and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, are unaudited. The preparation of interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Management does not believe these estimates or assumptions will change significantly in the future absent unsurfaced or unforeseen events. Generally, actual experience has been consistent with management’s prior estimates and assumptions; however, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. We suggest you read these financial statements in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2004. The results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation.
Accounting Policies and Estimates
See Note A to the consolidated financial statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cash
In the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2004 and consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, checks outstanding were classified as a reduction to cash. Because the financial institutions with checks outstanding and those with deposits on hand did not and do not have legal rights of offset, we have reclassified checks outstanding in certain zero balance bank accounts to accounts payable at September 30, 2005 and for all consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows presented. This reclassification has the effect of increasing both cash and accounts payable and accrued expenses by $4.3 million on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2004 and the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses by $0.3 million on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
Rental Merchandise
See Note A to the consolidated financial statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Rental merchandise adjustments for the three-month periods ended September 30 were $8.9 million in 2005 and $7.8 million in 2004. Rental merchandise adjustments for the nine-month periods ended September 30 were $17.0 million in 2005 and $14.8 million in 2004. These charges are recorded as a component of operating expenses. Effective September 30, 2004 we began recording rental merchandise adjustments on the allowance method, which estimates merchandise losses incurred but not yet identified by management as of the end of the accounting period. We expect periodic rental merchandise adjustments under this new method to be materially consistent with the prior year’s adjustments under the formerly utilized direct write-off method, pursuant to which merchandise losses were only recognized after they were specifically identified.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles

 


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During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded $21.6 million in goodwill, $2.0 million in customer relationship intangibles, and $0.3 million in acquired franchise development rights in connection with a series of acquisitions of sales and lease ownership businesses. Customer relationship intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of two years. Amortization expense approximated $518,000 and $411,000 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense approximated $1.5 million and $1.1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The aggregate purchase price for these asset acquisitions totaled approximately $35.5 million, with the principal tangible assets acquired consisting of rental merchandise and certain fixtures and equipment. These purchase price allocations are tentative and preliminary; we anticipate finalizing them prior to December 31, 2005. The results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in the Company’s results of operations from the dates of acquisition and are not significant.
Stock Compensation
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related Interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation. The Company grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees primarily with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant and, accordingly, recognizes no compensation expense for these stock option grants. The Company has granted stock options for a fixed number of shares to certain key executives with an exercise price below the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. Compensation expense for these grants is recognized over the three-year vesting period of the options for the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of options granted.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123 as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of FASB Statement 123, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and earnings per share if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)   2005     2004     2005     2004  
 
Net Earnings before effect of Key Executive grants
  $ 8,975     $ 10,731     $ 43,782     $ 38,965  
Expense effect of Key Executive grants recognized
    (132 )     (84 )     (397 )     (116 )
 
                       
Net Earnings as Reported
    8,843       10,647       43,385       38,849  
Stock-based Employee Compensation Cost, Net of Tax — Pro Forma
    (532 )     (386 )     (1,545 )     (1,202 )
 
                       
Pro Forma Net Earnings
  $ 8,311     $ 10,261     $ 41,840     $ 37,647  
 
                         
Basic Earnings Per Share — As Reported
  $ .18     $ .21     $ .87     $ .78  
 
                       
Basic Earnings Per Share — Pro Forma
  $ .17     $ .21     $ .84     $ .76  
 
                       
Diluted Earnings Per Share — As Reported
  $ .17     $ .21     $ .85     $ .77  
 
                       
Diluted Earnings Per share — Pro Forma
  $ .16     $ .20     $ .83     $ .75  
 
                       
For periods beginning after December 31, 2005, the Company will account for all employee stock options under the fair value method. See Note E.
Income Taxes
The Company has in the past benefited from the additional first-year or “bonus” depreciation allowance under U.S. federal income tax law, which generally allowed the Company to accelerate the depreciation on rental merchandise it acquired after September 10, 2001 and placed in service prior to January 1, 2005. It is anticipated that the

 


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expiration of this temporary accelerated depreciation allowance, combined with the Company’s profitability, will contribute to the Company having to make future tax payments on its income. During the third quarter of 2005, income tax expense decreased due to lower state income taxes as well as adjustments resulting from favorable state income allocations in connection with the Company’s filing of its 2004 tax return this quarter. The third quarter tax provision reflects the year to date effect of such adjustments.
Note B – Credit Facilities
See Note D to the consolidated financial statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
During the third quarter of 2005, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with a consortium of insurance companies. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company and its two subsidiaries as co-obligors issued $60 million in senior unsecured notes to the purchasers in a private placement. The notes bear interest at a rate of 5.03% per year and mature on July 27, 2012. Interest only payments are due quarterly for the first two years, followed by annual $12 million principal repayments plus interest for the five years thereafter, beginning on July 27, 2008. The Company used the proceeds from this financing to replace shorter-term borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit agreement.
There were no significant changes in the nature of the Company’s capital leases with related parties during the third quarter of 2005. The Company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants contained in its credit facilities.
Note C – Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is comprised of the net earnings of the Company, the change in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements, net of income taxes, and the changes in unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes, as summarized below:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(In Thousands)   2005     2004     2005     2004  
Net Earnings
  $ 8,843     $ 10,647     $ 43,385     $ 38,849  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Derivative instruments, net of taxes
          124       215       508  
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes
          (767 )     82       1,611  
Recognition of unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes
                  178       (3,350 )
 
                         
Total other comprehensive income
          (643 )     475       (1,231 )
 
                       
Comprehensive Income
  $ 8,843     $ 10,004     $ 43,860     $ 37,618  
 
                       

 


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Note D – Segment Information
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
(In Thousands)   2005     2004     2005     2004  
Revenues From External Customers:
                               
Sales & Lease Ownership
  $ 241,070     $ 196,932     $ 713,088     $ 595,183  
Rent-to-Rent
    28,739       27,012       87,435       80,647  
Franchise
    7,627       6,606       22,119       18,168  
Other
    1,090       224       4,174       8,298  
Manufacturing
    21,391       15,409       66,366       50,123  
Elimination of Intersegment Revenues
    (21,292 )     (15,619 )     (66,149 )     (50,521 )
Cash to Accrual Adjustments
    42       1,084       2,320       2,529  
 
                       
Total Revenues from External Customers
  $ 278,667     $ 231,648     $ 829,353     $ 704,427  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings Before Income Taxes:
                               
Sales & Lease Ownership
  $ 7,456     $ 10,407     $ 44,636     $ 41,019  
Rent-to-Rent
    1,537       1,757       7,824       6,218  
Franchise
    5,702       4,630       16,343       12,901  
Other
    (2,030 )     494       (1,374 )     2,656  
Manufacturing
    394       (1,167 )     1,589       (218 )
 
                       
Earnings Before Income Taxes for Reportable Segments
    13,059       16,121       69,018       62,576  
Elimination of Intersegment (Profit) Loss
    (358 )     1,148       (1,445 )     209  
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
    805       282       1,195       400  
 
                       
Total Earnings Before Income Taxes
  $ 13,506     $ 17,551     $ 68,768     $ 63,185  
 
                       
Earnings before income taxes for each reportable segment are generally determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States with the following adjustments:
    A predetermined amount of approximately 2.3% of each reportable segment’s revenues is charged to the reportable segment as an allocation of corporate overhead.
 
    Accruals related to store closures are not recorded on the reportable segments’ financial statements, but are rather maintained and controlled by corporate headquarters.
 
    The capitalization and amortization of manufacturing and distribution variances are recorded on the consolidated financial statements as part of Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments and are not allocated to the segment that holds the related rental merchandise.
 
    Advertising expense in the sales and lease ownership division is estimated at the beginning of each year and then allocated to the division ratably over time for management reporting purposes. For financial reporting purposes, advertising expense is recognized when the related advertising activities occur. The difference between these two methods is reflected as part of Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments.
 
    Sales and lease ownership rental merchandise write-offs are recorded using the direct write-off method for management reporting purposes. For financial reporting purposes the allowance method is used and is reflected as part of Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments.
 
    Interest on borrowings is estimated at the beginning of each year. Interest is then allocated to operating segments on the basis of relative total assets.
 
    Sales and lease ownership revenues are reported on a cash basis for management reporting purposes.
Revenues in the “Other” category are primarily from leasing space to unrelated third parties in our corporate headquarters building and revenues from several minor unrelated activities. The pre-tax items in the “Other” category are the net result of the profits and losses from leasing a portion of the corporate headquarters and several minor unrelated activities, and the portion of corporate overhead not allocated to the reportable segments for management purposes.

 


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Note E – Adoption of New Accounting Principles
In November 2004 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs — An Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4. SFAS 151 amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Chapter 4, to clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials (spoilage) should be recognized as current period charges. In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS 151 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2006, though early application is permitted. Management is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 151, but does not expect the impact to be material.
In December 2004 the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-based Payment. SFAS 123R amends SFAS 123 to require adoption of the fair value method of accounting for employee stock options. In April 2005, the SEC extended the adoption date of SFAS 123R to January 1, 2006 for calendar-year companies. The transition guidance in SFAS 123R specifies that compensation expense for options granted prior to the effective date be recognized over the remaining vesting period of those options, and that compensation expense for options granted subsequent to the effective date be recognized over the vesting period of those options. We anticipate recognizing compensation expense of approximately $2.9 million and $1.3 million, or $.04 and $.02 per diluted share, for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively, in connection with stock option grants made prior to September 30, 2005.
In May 2005 the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections—a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. SFAS 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 applies to all voluntary changes in an accounting principle. It also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and error corrections occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS 154 is not anticipated to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Note F – Commitments
The Company leases warehouse and retail store space for substantially all of its operations under operating leases expiring at various times through 2019. We also lease certain properties under capital leases with certain related parties that are more fully described in Note D to the consolidated financial statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Most of the leases contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from one to 15 years or provide for options to purchase the related property at predetermined purchase prices that do not represent bargain purchase options. We also lease transportation and computer equipment under operating leases expiring during the next five years. We expect that most leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases in the normal course of business.
The Company has guaranteed the borrowings of certain independent franchisees under a franchise loan program with several banks. In the event these franchisees are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, the Company would be unconditionally liable for a portion of the outstanding balance of the franchisee’s debt obligations, which would be due in full within 90 days of the event of default. At September 30, 2005, the portion that the Company might be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was approximately $108.8 million. However, due to franchisee borrowing limits, management believes any losses associated with any defaults would be mitigated through recovery of rental merchandise as well as the associated rental agreements and other assets. Since its inception in 1994, the Company has had no losses associated with the franchisee loan and guaranty program.
The Company has no long-term commitments to purchase merchandise. See Note F to the consolidated financial statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Note G – Related Party Transactions
The Company leases certain properties under capital leases with certain related parties that are more fully described in Note D to the consolidated financial statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As part of its marketing program, the Company sponsors professional driver Michael Waltrip’s Aaron’s Dream Machine in the NASCAR Busch Series. In 2005, the Company began sponsoring a driver development program implemented by Mr. Waltrip’s company. The two drivers participating in the driver development program for 2005 are both the sons of the president of the Company’s sales and lease ownership division. The portion of the Company’s sponsorship of Michael Waltrip attributable to the driver development program is approximately $890,000 for 2005.
Note H – Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

 


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During the third quarter of 2005, the Company recorded $3.9 million in estimated losses of merchandise in customers’ homes and in stores that was either destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, of which $1.1 million is expected to be covered by insurance proceeds. Additionally, the Company recorded $0.7 million in other income related to expected proceeds from business interruption insurance associated with the operations of hurricane-affected stores.

 


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Aaron Rents, Inc.
We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Aaron Rents, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Aaron Rents, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended not presented herein, and in our report dated March 7, 2005, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
November 4, 2005

 


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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statements, including risks and uncertainties associated with our growth strategy, competition, trends in corporate spending, our franchise program, government regulation and the other risks and uncertainties discussed under the caption “Certain Factors Affecting Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I, Item 1 -“Business” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Company’s other public filings.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, including the notes to those statements, appearing elsewhere in this report. We also suggest that this management’s discussion and analysis be read in conjunction with the management’s discussion and analysis and consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Overview
Aaron Rents, Inc. is a leading U.S. company engaged in the combined businesses of the rental, lease ownership and specialty retailing of consumer electronics, residential and office furniture, household appliances and accessories. Our major operating divisions are the Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership Division, the Aaron Rents’ Rent-to-Rent Division, and the MacTavish Furniture Industries Division, which manufactures and supplies nearly one-half of the furniture and related accessories rented and sold in our stores. Our sales and lease ownership division accounted for 89% of our total revenues in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2005 compared with 88% in each of the comparable periods in 2004.
In this management’s discussion and analysis section we review the results of our sales and lease ownership and rent-to-rent divisions, as well as the five components of our revenues: rentals and fees, retail sales, non-retail sales, franchise royalties and fees and other revenues. Rentals and fees includes all revenues derived from rental agreements from our sales and lease ownership and rent-to-rent stores, including agreements that result in our customers acquiring ownership at the end of the term. Retail sales represents sales of both new and rental return merchandise. Non-retail sales mainly represent merchandise sales to our franchisees from our sales and lease ownership division. Franchise royalties and fees represent fees from sale of franchise rights and royalty payments from franchisees as well as other related income from our franchised stores. Other revenues represents other miscellaneous revenues ancillary to our core operations, including the gain on the sale of investments.
We separate our cost of sales into two components: retail and non-retail. Retail cost of sales represents the original or depreciated cost of merchandise sold through our Company-operated stores. Non-retail cost of sales mainly represents the cost of merchandise sold to our franchisees.

 


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Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, 2005 versus three months ended September 30, 2004
The following table shows key selected financial data for the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the changes in dollars and as a percentage to 2005 from 2004:
                                 
    Three Months   Three Months   Dollar Increase/   % Increase/
    Ended   Ended   (Decrease) to   (Decrease) to
(In Thousands)   September 30, 2005   September 30, 2004   2005 from 2004   2005 from 2004
 
REVENUES:
                               
Rentals and Fees
  $ 210,951     $ 173,721     $ 37,230       21.4 %
Retail Sales
    14,442       13,651       791       5.8  
Non-Retail Sales
    43,709       36,831       6,878       18.7  
Franchise Royalties and Fees
    7,548       6,568       980       14.9  
Other
    2,017       877       1,140       130.0  
           
 
    278,667       231,648       47,019       20.3  
           
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Retail Cost of Sales
    9,449       9,785       (336 )     (3.4 )
Non-Retail Cost of Sales
    40,639       34,253       6,386       18.6  
Operating Expenses
    136,003       104,864       31,139       29.7  
Depreciation of Rental Merchandise
    76,727       63,845       12,882       20.2  
Interest
    2,343       1,350       993       73.6  
           
 
    265,161       214,097       51,064       23.9  
           
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    13,506       17,551       (4,045 )     (23.0 )
INCOME TAXES
    4,663       6,904       (2,241 )     (32.5 )
       
NET EARNINGS
  $ 8,843     $ 10,647     $ (1,804 )     (16.9 )%
           
Revenues
The 20.3% increase in total revenues in the third quarter of 2005 over the same period in 2004 is primarily attributable to continued growth in our sales and lease ownership division in which revenues increased 21.9%. Total revenues for our sales and lease ownership division increased $44.8 million to $249.2 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to $204.3 million in the third quarter of 2004. This increase was attributable to an 8.4% increase in same store revenues and the net addition of 122 Company-operated stores since the end of the third quarter of 2004. The total number of Company-owned stores at September 30, 2005 was 766.
The 21.4% increase in rentals and fees revenues is attributable to a $35.4 million increase from our sales and lease ownership division related to growth in same store revenues and the increase in the number of stores described above.
Revenues from retail sales increased 5.8% due to a $0.7 million increase in our sales and lease ownership division. Retail sales represent sales of both new and rental return merchandise.
The 18.7% increase in non-retail sales in the third quarter of 2005 reflects the significant growth in our franchise operations. The total number of franchised stores at September 30, 2005 was 383, reflecting a net addition of 40 stores since the end of the third quarter of 2004.
The 14.9% increase in franchise royalties and fees primarily reflects an increase in royalty income from franchisees, increasing $0.8 million to $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2004, with increased franchise and financing fee revenues comprising the majority of the remainder. This

 


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franchisee related revenue growth reflects the net addition of 40 franchised stores since the end of the third quarter 2004 and improving operating revenues driven by increased rental volume at maturing franchised stores. Our franchisees had revenues of $102.7 million during the third quarter of 2005, a 15% increase over the comparable prior year period. Revenues of franchisees, however, are not revenues of Aaron Rents, Inc.
The 130.0% increase in other revenues is primarily attributable to the recognition of a $0.7 million gain related to expected proceeds from business interruption insurance associated with the operations of stores affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the third quarter of 2005.
Cost of Sales
Retail cost of sales decreased 3.4%, with retail cost of sales as a percentage of retail sales decreasing to 65.4% from 71.7%, due primarily to higher margins on certain retail sales in our sales and lease ownership division.
Cost of sales from non-retail sales increased 18.6%, following the increase in non-retail sales described above, with the margin on non-retail sales remaining comparable between the third quarters of 2005 and 2004.
Expenses
The 29.7% increase in operating expenses is a result of the growth of our sales and lease ownership division described above, coupled with $2.8 million in expenses, net of $1.1 million of expected insurance recoveries, related to estimated losses due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As a percentage of total revenues, operating expenses increased to 48.8% for the third quarter of 2005 compared to 45.3% for the third quarter of 2004.
The 20.2% increase in depreciation of rental merchandise was the result of the growth of our sales and lease ownership division described above. Depreciation of rental merchandise as a percentage of rentals and fees revenue decreased to 36.4% for the third quarter of 2005 from 36.8% for the third quarter of 2004, resulting from improved rental margins in the sales and lease ownership division.
The 73.6% increase in interest expense is primarily a result of higher debt levels in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004.
The reduction in the effective tax rate to 34.5% in 2005 compared to 39.3% in 2004 is due to lower state income taxes as well as adjustments resulting from favorable state income allocations in connection with the Company’s filing of its 2004 tax return this quarter. The third quarter tax provision reflects the year to date effect of such adjustments.
Net Earnings
The 16.9% decrease in net earnings in the third quarter of 2005 is primarily due to increased expenses during the third quarter of 2005 related to estimated losses due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, higher operating expenses and slightly lower margins on rentals, partially offset by the maturation of new Company-operated sales and lease ownership stores added over the past several years contributing to a 8.4% increase in same store revenues, and a 14.9% increase in franchise fees, royalty income, and other related franchise income. As a percentage of total revenues, net earnings decreased to 3.2% for the third quarter of 2005 from 4.6% for the third quarter of 2004 primarily related to increased expenses during the third quarter of 2005 and estimated losses due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Nine months ended September 30, 2005 versus nine months ended September 30, 2004
The following table shows key selected financial data for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the changes in dollars and as a percentage to 2005 from 2004:

 


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                    Dollar Increase/   % Increase/
    Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   (Decrease) to   (Decrease) to
(In Thousands)   September 30, 2005   September 30, 2004   2005 from 2004   2005 from 2004
 
REVENUES:
                               
Rentals and Fees
  $ 626,722     $ 516,318     $ 110,404       21.4 %
Retail Sales
    43,799       42,700       1,099       2.6  
Non-Retail Sales
    131,492       118,602       12,890       10.9  
Franchise Royalties and Fees
    21,876       18,094       3,782       20.9  
Other
    5,464       8,713       (3,249 )     (37.3 )
           
 
    829,353       704,427       124,926       17.7  
           
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Retail Cost of Sales
    29,077       30,158       (1,081 )     (3.6 )
Non-Retail Cost of Sales
    122,361       110,268       12,093       11.0  
Operating Expenses
    377,236       307,615       69,621       22.6  
Depreciation of Rental Merchandise
    226,231       189,377       36,854       19.5  
Interest
    5,680       3,824       1,856       48.5  
           
 
    760,585       641,242       119,343       18.6  
           
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    68,768       63,185       5,583       8.8  
INCOME TAXES
    25,383       24,336       1,047       4.3  
       
NET EARNINGS
  $ 43,385     $ 38,849     $ 4,536       11.7 %
           
Revenues
The 17.7% increase in total revenues during the first nine months of 2005 over the same period in 2004 is primarily attributable to continued growth in our sales and lease ownership division in which revenues increased 19.8%. Total revenues for our sales and lease ownership division increased $122.1 million to $739.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $617.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2004. This increase was attributable to a 9.0% increase in same store revenues and the net addition of 122 Company-operated stores since the end of the third quarter of 2004.
The 21.4% increase in rentals and fees revenues is attributable to a $105.7 million increase from our sales and lease ownership division related to growth in same store revenues and the increase in the number of stores described above.
Revenues from retail sales increased 2.6% due to a $2.3 million increase in our rent-to-rent division primarily related to improving economic conditions. The increase in retail sales revenue in the rent-to-rent division was partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in such revenues in our sales and lease ownership division, which reflects a decreased focus on retail sales in certain stores and the impact of the introduction of an alternative shorter-term lease, which we believe replaced many retail sales.
The 10.9% increase in non-retail sales in the first nine months of 2005 reflects the significant growth of our franchise operations.
The 20.9% increase in franchise royalties and fees primarily reflects an increase in royalty income from franchisees, increasing $3.2 million to $16.0 million in the first nine months of 2005 compared to $12.8 million over the same period in 2004, with increased franchise and financing fee revenues comprising the majority of the remainder. This franchisee related revenue growth reflects the net addition of 40 franchised stores since the end of the third quarter 2004 and improving operating revenues driven by increased rental volume at maturing franchised stores. Our franchisees had revenues of $312.3 million during the first nine months of 2005, a 19.4% increase over the comparable prior year period. Revenues of franchisees, however, are not revenues of Aaron Rents, Inc.

 


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The 37.3% decrease in other revenues is primarily attributable to the recognition of a $5.5 million gain on the sale of shares of Rainbow Rentals, Inc. common stock in the second quarter of 2004, partially offset by a $0.6 million gain on the sale of shares of Rent-Way, Inc. common stock in the second quarter of 2005 and the recognition of a $0.7 million gain related to expected proceeds from business interruption insurance associated with the operations of stores affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Cost of Sales
Retail cost of sales decreased 3.6%, with retail cost of sales as a percentage of retail sales decreasing to 66.4% from 70.6%, due primarily to higher margins on certain retail sales in our sales and lease ownership division.
Cost of sales from non-retail sales increased 11.0%, following the increase in non-retail sales described above, with the margin on non-retail sales remaining comparable between the first nine months of 2005 and 2004.
Expenses
The 22.6% increase in operating expenses is a result of the growth of our sales and lease ownership division described above, coupled with $2.8 million in expenses, net of $1.1 million of expected insurance recoveries, related to estimated losses due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As a percentage of total revenues, operating expenses increased to 45.5% in the first nine months of 2005 compared to 43.7% during the comparable prior year period.
The 19.5% increase in depreciation of rental merchandise was the result of the growth of our sales and lease ownership division described above. Depreciation of rental merchandise as a percentage of rentals and fees revenue decreased to 36.1% in the first nine months of 2005 from 36.7% in comparable prior year period, resulting primarily from improved rental margins in the sales and lease ownership division.
The 48.5% increase in interest expense is primarily a result of higher debt levels in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
The reduction in the effective tax rate to 36.9% is due to lower state income taxes as well as adjustments resulting from favorable state income allocations in connection with the Company’s filing of its 2004 tax return in the third quarter of 2005.
Net Earnings
The 11.7% increase in net earnings to $43.4 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 from $38.8 million in the comparable period of 2004 is primarily due to the maturation of new Company-operated sales and lease ownership stores added over the past several years contributing to an 9.0% increase in same store revenues, and a 20.9% increase in franchise fees, royalty income, and other related franchise income. As a percentage of total revenues, net earnings decreased to 5.2% for the first nine months of 2005 from 5.5% for the comparable 2004 period primarily related to increased expenses during the third quarter of 2005 and estimated losses due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Balance Sheet
Cash. The Company’s cash balance increased to $6.8 million at September 30, 2005 from $5.9 million at December 31, 2004. The increase between periods is the result of normal fluctuations in the Company’s cash balances that are the result of timing differences between when our retail stores deposit cash and when that cash is available for application against the Company’s outstanding revolving credit facility.
Rental Merchandise. The $51.3 million increase in rental merchandise, net of accumulated depreciation, to $476.9 million on September 30, 2005 from $425.6 million on December 31, 2004, is primarily the result of a net increase of 91 Company-operated sales and lease ownership stores and two additional fulfillment centers since December 31, 2004.

 


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Goodwill and Other Intangibles. The $22.3 million increase in goodwill and other intangibles, to $97.2 million on September 30, 2005 from $74.9 million on December 31, 2004, is the result of a series of acquisitions of sales and lease ownership businesses, net of amortization of certain finite-life intangible assets. The aggregate purchase price for these asset acquisitions totaled approximately $35.5 million, with the principal tangible assets acquired consisting of rental merchandise and certain fixtures and equipment.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets. The $22.2 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets, to $27.9 million on September 30, 2005 from $50.1 million on December 31, 2004, is in part the result of the collection during the year of $15.2 million in federal income tax refunds that were receivable at December 31, 2004 and the sale of shares of Rent-Way, Inc. common stock with a carrying value of $6.1 million in the second quarter of 2005.
Credit Facilities. The $58.4 million increase in the amounts we owe under our credit facilities to $175.0 million at September 30, 2005 from $116.7 million at last fiscal year end reflects net borrowings under our revolving credit facility during the first nine months of 2005 primarily to fund purchases of rental merchandise, acquisitions, real estate, tax payments and working capital.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
Cash flows from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 were $11.6 million and $11.9 million, respectively. The decrease in cash flows from operations is primarily attributable to income tax payments, partially offset by the receipt of a $15.2 million federal income tax refund. Our cash flows include profits on the sale of rental return merchandise. Our primary capital requirements consist of buying rental merchandise for both sales and lease ownership and rent-to-rent stores. As Aaron Rents continues to grow, the need for additional rental merchandise will continue to be our major capital requirement. These capital requirements historically have been financed through:
    cash flow from operations
 
    bank credit
 
    trade credit with vendors
 
    proceeds from the sale of rental return merchandise
 
    private debt offerings
 
    stock offerings
At September 30, 2005, $54.4 million was outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit agreement. The Company’s credit facilities balance increased by approximately $58.4 million in the first nine months of 2005. The increase in borrowings is primarily attributable to cash borrowed for acquisitions, purchases of rental merchandise, tax payments and working capital. We renegotiated our revolving credit agreement on May 28, 2004, extending the life of the agreement until May 28, 2007 and increasing the total available credit to $87 million. We also have $40 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.88% senior unsecured notes due August 2009 currently outstanding. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, the Company made a principal repayment of $10 million in the third quarter of 2005; similar principal repayments are due each year until maturity. See Note D to the consolidated financial statements appearing in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
During the third quarter of 2005, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with a consortium of insurance companies. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company and its two subsidiaries as co-obligors issued $60 million in senior unsecured notes to the purchasers in a private placement. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.03% per year and mature on July 27, 2012. Interest only payments are due quarterly for the first two years, followed by annual $12 million principal repayments plus interest for the five years thereafter, beginning on July 27, 2008. The Company used the proceeds from this financing to replace shorter-term borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit agreement and to meet the capital needs required to fund acquisitions, purchases of rental merchandise, tax payments and working capital.

 


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Aaron Rents’ revolving credit agreement and senior unsecured notes, and the construction and lease facility and franchisee loan program discussed below, contain financial covenants which, among other things, forbid us from exceeding certain debt to equity levels and require us to maintain minimum fixed charge coverage ratios. These agreements also contain negative covenants regarding the Company’s other indebtedness, its guarantees and investments and other customary covenants, some of which were amended in July 2005 in connection with the note issuance described above in order to make them less restrictive. If we fail to comply with these covenants, we will be in default under these commitments, and all amounts would become due immediately. We were in compliance with all these covenants at September 30, 2005 and anticipate remaining in compliance for the foreseeable future.
As of September 30, 2005 Aaron Rents was authorized by its Board of Directors to purchase up to an additional 2,670,502 common shares.
We have a consistent history of paying dividends, having paid dividends for 18 consecutive years. A $.013 per share dividend on Common Stock and Class A Common Stock was paid in January 2004 and July 2004. In addition, in July 2004 our Board of Directors declared a 3-for-2 stock split, effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend, which was distributed to shareholders in August 2004. In August 2004 the Board of Directors announced an increase in the frequency of the $.013 per share cash dividends on both Common Stock and Class A Common Stock from a semi-annual to a quarterly basis. The payment for the third quarter of 2004 was distributed in October 2004 for a total fiscal year cash outlay of $2.0 million. The payment for the fourth quarter of 2004 was paid in January 2005. The payment for the first quarter 2005 was paid in April 2005 and the payment for the second quarter was paid in July 2005 for a total cash outlay of $1.9 million in 2005. Our Board of Directors announced the dividend for the third quarter of 2005 on August 4, 2005 increasing the quarterly dividend to $0.014 per share from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.013 per share, an increase of 7.7%. Subject to sufficient operating profits, to any future capital needs and to other contingencies, we currently expect to continue our policy of paying dividends.
If we achieve our expected level of growth in our operations, we anticipate we will supplement our expected cash flows from operations, existing credit facilities, vendor credit, and proceeds from the sale of rental return merchandise by expanding our existing credit facilities, by securing additional debt financing, or by seeking other sources of capital to ensure we will be able to fund our capital and liquidity needs for at least the next 24 months. We believe we can secure these additional sources of liquidity in the ordinary course of business.
Commitments
Construction and Lease Facility. We maintain a $25 million construction and lease facility. From 1996 to 1999, we arranged for a bank holding company to purchase or construct properties identified by us pursuant to this facility, and we subsequently leased these properties from the bank holding company under operating lease agreements. The total amount advanced and outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2005 was approximately $24.5 million. Since the resulting leases are accounted for as operating leases, we do not record any debt obligation on our balance sheet. This construction and lease facility expires in 2006. Lease payments fluctuate based upon current interest rates and are generally based upon LIBOR plus 110 basis points. The lease facility contains residual value guarantee and default guarantee provisions that would require us to make payments to the lessor if the underlying properties are worth less at termination of the facility than specified values in the agreement. Although we believe the likelihood of funding to be remote, the maximum guarantee obligation under the residual value and default guarantee provisions upon termination are approximately $20.9 million and $24.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2005.
Income Taxes. During the first nine months of 2005, we made approximately $37 million in income tax payments. Within the next three months, we anticipate that we will make cash payments for 2005 income taxes approximating $16 million. The Company has in the past benefited from the additional first-year or “bonus” depreciation allowance under U.S. federal income tax law, which generally allowed the Company to accelerate the depreciation on rental merchandise it acquired after September 10, 2001 and placed in service prior to January 1, 2005. The Company anticipates having to make future tax payments on its income as a result of expected profitability and the taxes that are now due on accelerated or “bonus” depreciation deductions that were taken in prior periods.

 


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Leases. Aaron Rents leases warehouse and retail store space for substantially all of its operations under operating leases expiring at various times through 2019. Most of the leases contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from one to 15 years or provide for options to purchase the related property at predetermined purchase prices that do not represent bargain purchase options. We also lease transportation and computer equipment under operating leases expiring during the next five years. We expect that most leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases in the normal course of business. Approximate future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2005, including leases under our construction and lease facility described above, are shown in the table under “Contractual Obligations and Commitments” below.
The Company at times obtains ownership of store locations when it constructs free standing properties or when it acquires competitors’ locations. The Company has historically sold and leased back properties it has owned from time to time. The Company presently owns more than 40 various properties at a net book value in excess of $25 million, which it anticipates selling and leasing back in future periods.
We have 24 capital leases, 22 of which are with a limited liability company (“LLC”) whose managers and owners are fourteen Aaron Rents’ executive officers and its controlling shareholder, with no individual, including the controlling shareholder, owning more than 10.53% of the LLC. Eleven of these related party leases relate to properties purchased from Aaron Rents in October and November 2004 by this LLC for a total purchase price of approximately $6.8 million. This LLC is leasing back these properties to Aaron Rents for a 15-year term, with a five-year renewal at Aaron Rents’ option, at an aggregate annual rental of approximately $883,000. Another eleven of these related party leases relate to properties purchased from Aaron Rents in December 2002 by the same LLC for a total purchase price of approximately $5.0 million. This LLC is leasing back these properties to Aaron Rents for a 15-year term at an aggregate annual rental of approximately $702,000.
The other related party capital lease relates to a property sold by Aaron Rents to a second LLC owned solely by Aaron Rents’ chairman, chief executive officer and controlling shareholder and by its president and chief operating officer, for $6.3 million in April 2002 and leased back to Aaron Rents for a 15-year term at an annual rental of approximately $681,000.
The Company does not currently plan to enter into any similar related party transactions in the future. See Note D to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Franchisee Loan Guaranty. We have guaranteed the borrowings of certain independent franchisees under a franchise loan program with several banks. At September 30, 2005, the portion that the Company might be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was approximately $108.8 million. However, due to franchisee borrowing limits, we believe any losses associated with any defaults would be mitigated through recovery of rental merchandise and other assets. Since its inception in 1994, we have had no losses associated with the franchisee loan and guaranty program. The Company believes the likelihood of any significant amounts being funded in connection with these commitments to be remote.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments. The following table shows the Company’s approximate contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments as of September 30, 2005:
                                         
            Period Less     Period 2-3     Period 4-5     Period Over  
(In Thousands)   Total     Than 1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years  
Credit Facilities, Excluding Capital Leases
  $ 157,684     $ 10,004     $ 86,363     $ 34,012     $ 27,305  
Capital Leases
    17,358       629       1,594       2,046       13,089  
Operating Leases
    186,705       46,714       78,480       33,758       27,753  
 
                             
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
  $ 361,747     $ 57,347     $ 166,437     $ 69,816     $ 68,147  
 
                             
The following table shows the Company’s approximate commercial commitments as of September 30, 2005:

 


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    Total                          
    Amounts     Period Less     Period 1-3     Period 4-5     Period Over  
(In Thousands)   Committed     Than 1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years  
Guaranteed Borrowings of Franchisees
  $ 108,780     $ 108,780     $     $     $  
Residual Value Guarantee Under Operating Leases
    20,858             20,858              
 
                             
Total Commercial Commitments
  $ 129,638     $ 108,780     $ 20,858     $     $  
 
                             
Market Risk
Occasionally, we manage our exposure to changes in short-term interest rates, particularly to reduce the impact on our variable payment construction and lease facility and floating-rate borrowings, by entering into interest rate swap agreements.
At September 30, 2005, we did not have any swap agreements.
We do not use any market risk sensitive instruments to hedge commodity, foreign currency or risks other than interest rate risk, and hold no market risk sensitive instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE OF MARKET RISK
The information called for by this item is provided under Item 7A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report above.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
An evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, was carried out by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
No system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that the system of controls has operated effectively in all cases. Our disclosure controls and procedures, however, are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Based on management’s evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the date of the evaluation to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in Aaron Rents’ internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, during the Company’s third quarter of 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 


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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS:
The following exhibits are furnished herewith:
     
10(ee)
  Note Purchase Agreement between Aaron Rents, Inc. and certain other obligors and the purchasers dated as of July 27, 2005 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by referenced from Exhibit 10(ee) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, Commission File No. 1-19341, filed with the Commission on August 2, 2005 (the “8/2/05 Form 8-K”).
 
   
10(ff)
  First Amendment and Waiver Agreement made as of May 28, 2004 to Note Purchase Agreement between Aaron Rents, Inc. and certain other obligors and the purchasers dated as of August 15, 2002 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(ff) to the 8/2/05 Form 8-K).
 
   
10(gg)
  Second Amendment made as of July 27, 2005 to Note Purchase Agreement between Aaron Rents, Inc. and certain other obligors and the purchasers dated as of August 15, 2002 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(gg) to the 8/2/05 Form 8-K).
 
   
10(hh)
  First Amendment made and entered into as of July 27, 2005 to Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of May 28, 2004 by and among Aaron Rents, Inc. and certain co-borrowers, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and SunTrust Bank as administrative agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(hh) to the 8/2/05 Form 8-K).
 
   
10(ii)
  Third Amendment made and entered into as of July 27, 2005 to Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty dated as of May 28, 2004 by and among Aaron Rents, Inc. as sponsor, SunTrust Bank and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, and SunTrust Bank as servicer (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(ii) to the 8/2/05 Form 8-K).
 
   
10(jj)
  First Amendment dated as of July 27, 2005 to Amended and Restated Master Agreement and Amended and Restated Lease Agreement dated as October 31, 2001, as amended, among Aaron Rents, Inc. as lessee, SunTrust Banks, Inc. as lessor, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as lender, and SunTrust Bank as lease participant and agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(jj) to the 8/2/05 Form 8-K).
 
   
10(kk)
  First Omnibus Amendment dated as of August 21, 2002, but effective as of October 31, 2001 to the Amended and Restated Master Agreement and Amended and Restated Lease Agreement dated as October 31, 2001, as amended, among Aaron Rents, Inc. as lessee, SunTrust Banks, Inc. as lessor, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as lender, and SunTrust Bank as lease participant and agent.
 
   
10(ll)
  First Amendment made and entered into as of September 27, 2004 to Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty dated as of May 28, 2004 by and among Aaron Rents, Inc. as sponsor, SunTrust Bank and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, and SunTrust Bank as servicer.
 
   
10(mm)
  Second Amendment made and entered into as of May 27, 2005 to Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty dated as of May 28, 2004 by and among Aaron Rents, Inc. as sponsor, SunTrust Bank and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, and SunTrust Bank as servicer.
 
   
15
  Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

 


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31(a)
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
   
31(b)
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
   
32(a)
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32(b)
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
             
    AARON RENTS, INC.    
 
      (Registrant)    
 
           
Date – November 8, 2005
  By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson
 
Gilbert L. Danielson
   
 
      Executive Vice President,    
 
      Chief Financial Officer    
 
           
Date – November 8, 2005
      /s/ Robert P. Sinclair, Jr.
 
Robert P. Sinclair, Jr.
   
 
      Vice President,    
 
      Corporate Controller