EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

   LOGO

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

One Convenience Blvd.

Ankeny, IA 50021

   Nasdaq Symbol CASY

CONTACT Bill Walljasper

(515) 965-6505

Casey’s Reports Solid Quarter in a Challenging Environment

Ankeny, Iowa, December 3, 2008—Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq symbol CASY) today reported $0.54 in earnings per share from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 ended October 31, 2008. For the same quarter a year ago, earnings per share were $0.55. Midyear earnings per share came to $1.11 versus $1.13 for the first half of fiscal 2008. President and CEO Robert J. Myers stated, “Despite the challenging economic environment, same store sales in all three categories were positive for the quarter and customer traffic remained solid.”

Gasoline—Casey’s annual goal is to increase same-store gasoline gallons sold 2% with an average margin of 10.8 cents per gallon. Same-store gallons sold were up .2% for the second quarter and up .3% in the first six months. Myers stated, “We experienced a significant decrease in the average retail price per gallon during the quarter and are encouraged by the improved same store gallons sold in October.” Favorable market conditions continued in the second quarter resulting in an average margin of 13.7 cents per gallon and 14.7 cents year to date. Midyear total gallons sold rose 1.3% to 634.8 million while gross profit increased to $93.1 million compared with $92 million a year ago.

Grocery & Other Merchandise—The annual goal is to increase same-store sales 7% with an average margin of 33.2%. Same-store sales were up 4.9% for the second quarter and up 4.8% year to date. Total sales for the quarter were up 6% with an average margin of 33.9% and gross profit rose 8.5% to $89.8 million. “We benefited from enhanced profitability in the beer and beverage categories and increased pack versus carton sales in cigarettes,” said Myers. Year to date total sales were $539.1 million with an average margin of 34%; up 42 basis points from the same period last year.

Prepared Food & Fountain—The goal is to increase same-store sales 6.8% with an average margin of 61.2%. Same store sales in the second quarter were up 9.3% with an average margin of 60.6%. Total sales for the quarter rose 11% to $87.8 million. “Strategic price increases and continued popularity of menu offerings allowed us to improve gross profit in a difficult market,” stated Myers. “We are beginning to see commodity cost pressures soften and we are hopeful this trend will continue.” Total sales year to date were up 12.2% to $173.4 million with an average margin of 60.5%. Same store sales increased 10.8%.

Operating Expenses—In the second quarter, operating expenses increased 10.3% to $127.3 million. “Expenses were affected by several large health insurance claims, higher diesel fuel costs, and a 22% rise in credit card fees,” said Myers. “We anticipate more favorable credit card fees in the latter half of the fiscal year given the current lower gasoline price environment.” For the year, expenses were up 9.6%.

Expansion—The goal for fiscal 2009 is to increase the total number of Casey’s stores 4%. As of October 31, the Company had acquired 11 stores and completed 4 new store constructions. “We are on pace to build approximately 20 stores by the end of the fiscal year,” Myers stated.


“The remaining balance of our unit growth goal will be through acquisitions. We believe the disparity between buyer and seller expectations is narrowing, which should present more opportunities.”

Dividend—At its December meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend is payable February 16, 2009 to shareholders of record on February 2, 2009.

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Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended October 31,    Six months ended October 31,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Total revenue

   $ 1,389,232    $ 1,189,338    $ 2,954,956    $ 2,468,679

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, shown separately below)

     1,198,285      1,010,213      2,564,986      2,101,205
                           

Gross profit

     190,947      179,125      389,970      367,474

Operating expenses

     127,255      115,405      259,834      237,119

Depreciation and amortization

     17,406      17,431      34,868      33,627

Interest, net

     2,414      2,350      4,977      4,695
                           

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and loss on discontinued operations

     43,872      43,939      90,291      92,033

Federal and state income taxes

     16,520      16,247      34,144      34,390
                           

Earnings from continuing operations before loss on discontinued operations

     27,352      27,692      56,147      57,643

Loss on discontinued operations, net of taxes of $15, $10, $22 and $122

     23      16      33      191
                           

Net earnings

   $ 27,329    $ 27,676    $ 56,114    $ 57,452
                           

Basic

           

Earnings from continuing operations before loss on discontinued operations

   $ .54    $ .55    $ 1.11    $ 1.13

Loss on discontinued operations

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Net earnings

   $ .54    $ .55    $ 1.11    $ 1.13
                           

Diluted

           

Earnings from continuing operations before loss on discontinued operations

   $ .54    $ .54    $ 1.10    $ 1.13

Loss on discontinued operations

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Net earnings

   $ .54    $ .54    $ 1.10    $ 1.13
                           


Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     October 31,
2008
   April 30,
2008

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 137,835    $ 154,523

Receivables

     16,871      16,662

Inventories

     108,453      124,503

Prepaid expenses

     9,970      9,817

Income taxes receivable

     3,790      7,751
             

Total current assets

     276,919      313,256
             

Other assets, net of amortization

     8,738      8,898

Goodwill

     50,408      48,308

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $623,567 at October 31, 2008, and of $595,316 at April 30, 2008

     878,082      848,738
             

Total assets

   $ 1,214,147    $ 1,219,200
             

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

     

Current liabilities

     

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 33,440    $ 34,383

Accounts payable

     117,924      163,343

Accrued expenses

     59,024      61,373
             

Total current liabilities

     210,388      259,099
             

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

     169,288      181,443

Deferred income taxes

     110,148      105,959

Deferred compensation

     10,076      10,201

Other long-term liabilities

     16,222      15,026
             

Total liabilities

     516,122      571,728
             

Total shareholders’ equity

     698,025      647,472
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,214,147    $ 1,219,200
             

Certain statements in this news release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by those statements. Casey’s disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


Sales and Gross Profit by Product

(Amounts in thousands)

 

     Gasoline     Grocery & Other
Merchandise
    Prepared Food
& Fountain
    Other     Total  

Six months ended

10/31/08

          

Sales

   $ 2,230,906     $ 539,135     $ 173,410     $ 11,505     $ 2,954,956  

Gross profit

   $ 93,072     $ 183,092     $ 104,996     $ 8,810     $ 389,970  

Margin

     4.2 %     34.0 %     60.5 %     76.6 %     13.2 %

Gasoline gallons

     634,829          

Six months ended

10/31/07

          

Sales

   $ 1,792,053     $ 509,941     $ 154,583     $ 12,102     $ 2,468,679  

Gross profit

   $ 92,040     $ 171,028     $ 96,422     $ 7,984     $ 367,474  

Margin

     5.1 %     33.5 %     62.4 %     66.0 %     14.9 %

Gasoline gallons

     626,755          

 

Gasoline Gallons

Same-store Sales Growth

 

 

   

Gasoline Margin

(Cents per gallon, excluding credit card fees)

 

 

     Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Fiscal
Year
           Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Fiscal
Year
 

  F2009

   0.5 %   0.2 %          

F2009

   15.6 ¢   13.7 ¢      

  F2008

   0.3     -1.6     -3.9 %   -2.5 %   -2.0 %    

F2008

   15.8     13.6     13.5 ¢   12.6 ¢   13.9 ¢

  F2007

   -2.9     2.7     4.0     2.8     1.4      

F2007

   9.8     9.4     10.5     11.8     10.4  

 

Grocery & Other Merchandise

Same-store Sales Growth

 

 

   

Grocery & Other Merchandise

Margin

 

 

     Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Fiscal
Year
           Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Fiscal
Year
 

  F2009

   4.7 %   4.9 %          

F2009

   34.0 %   33.9 %      

  F2008

   9.1     11.2     5.4 %   3.6 %   7.3 %    

F2008

   34.0     33.1     31.9 %   33.2 %   33.1 %  

  F2007

   2.3     3.5     6.7     7.3     4.6      

F2007

   32.2     32.6     30.8     35.0     32.7  

 

Prepared Food & Fountain

Same-store Sales Growth

 

 

   

Prepared Food & Fountain

Margin

 

 

     Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Fiscal
Year
           Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Fiscal
Year
 

  F2009

   12.3 %   9.3 %          

F2009

   60.5 %   60.6 %      

  F2008

   9.5     10.6     8.4 %   11.2 %   9.8 %    

F2008

   61.7     63.0     63.6 %   60.9 %   62.3 %

  F2007

   9.5     13.7     11.9     8.5     11.0      

F2007

   62.9     61.6     62.1     61.6     62.0  

LOGO

Corporate information is available at this Web site: http://www.caseys.com. Earnings will be reported during

a conference call on December 4, 2008. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet at 9:30 a.m. CST via the

Investor Relations section of our Web site and will be available in an archived format.