fizz20151031_10q.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended October 31, 2015

 

Commission file number 1-14170

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

59-2605822

(State of incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                    

8100 SW Tenth Street, Suite 4000, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

 

(954) 581-0922

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes (✔) No (  )

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer (  ) Accelerated filer (✔) Non-accelerated filer (  ) Smaller reporting company (  )

 

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

 

The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding as of December 4, 2015 was 46,433,135.

 



 

 
 

 

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Page

       

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2015 and May 2, 2015

  3  
       

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014

  4  
       

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014

  5  
       

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014

  6  
       

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014

  7  
       

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  8  
       

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  11  
       

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  14  
       

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

  14  
       

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

       

Item 1A. Risk Factors

  15  
       

Item 6. Exhibits

  15  
       

Signature

  16  

 

 
2

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share data)                
   

October 31,

   

May 2,

 
   

2015

   

2015

 

Assets

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and equivalents

  $ 75,788     $ 52,456  

Trade receivables - net

    57,280       59,951  

Inventories

    48,676       42,924  

Deferred income taxes - net

    5,654       4,348  

Prepaid and other assets

    5,093       8,050  

Total current assets

    192,491       167,729  

Property, plant and equipment - net

    59,307       60,182  

Goodwill

    13,145       13,145  

Intangible assets

    1,615       1,615  

Other assets

    5,019       5,079  

Total assets

  $ 271,577     $ 247,750  
                 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 42,458     $ 44,896  

Accrued liabilities

    26,631       21,257  

Income taxes payable

    70        98  

Total current liabilities

    69,159       66,251  

Long-term debt

    -       10,000  

Deferred income taxes - net

    15,338       15,245  

Other liabilities

    8,196       8,472  

Shareholders' equity:

               

Preferred stock, $1 par value - 1,000,000 shares authorized:

               

Series C - 150,000 shares issued

    150       150  

Series D - 120,000 shares issued, aggregate liquidation preference of $6,000

    120       120  

Common stock, $.01 par value - 75,000,000 shares authorized; 50,462,399 shares issued (50,418,019 shares at May 2)

    505       504  

Additional paid-in capital

    38,539       37,759  

Retained earnings

    162,123       129,773  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (4,553 )     (2,524 )

Treasury stock - at cost:

               

Series C preferred stock - 150,000 shares

    (5,100 )     (5,100 )

Common stock - 4,032,784 shares

    (12,900 )     (12,900 )

Total shareholders' equity

    178,884       147,782  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 271,577     $ 247,750  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
3

 

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)


 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
   

October 31,

   

November 1,

   

October 31,

   

November 1,

 
   

2015

   

2014

   

2015

   

2014

 
                                 

Net sales

  $ 178,678     $ 163,575     $ 364,064     $ 338,212  
                                 

Cost of sales

    118,057       105,843       240,544       220,638  
                                 

Gross profit

    60,621       57,732       123,520       117,574  
                                 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    37,249       37,970       74,055       75,608  
                                 

Interest expense

    62       106       113       230  
                                 

Other (expense) income - net

    (39 )     (23 )     (74 )     1,174  
                                 

Income before income taxes

    23,271       19,633       49,278       42,910  
                                 

Provision for income taxes

    7,959       6,675       16,853       14,589  
                                 

Net income

    15,312       12,958       32,425       28,321  
                                 

Less preferred dividends and accretion

    (37 )     (37 )     (75 )     (200 )
                                 

Earnings available to common shareholders

  $ 15,275     $ 12,921     $ 32,350     $ 28,121  
                                 

Earnings per common share:

                               

Basic

  $ .33     $ .28     $ .70     $ .61  

Diluted

  $ .33     $ .28     $ .69     $ .60  
                                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                               

Basic

    46,416       46,341       46,407       46,339  

Diluted

    46,647       46,542       46,619       46,536  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
4

 

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)


 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
   

October 31,

   

November 1,

   

October 31,

   

November 1,

 
   

2015

   

2014

   

2015

   

2014

 
                                 

Net income

  $ 15,312     $ 12,958     $ 32,425     $ 28,321  
                                 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

                               

Cash flow hedges

    222       239       (2,029 )     611  
                                 

Comprehensive income

  $ 15,534     $ 13,197     $ 30,396     $ 28,932  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
5

 

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

               
    Six Months Ended  
   

October 31,

   

November 1,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

Series C Preferred Stock

               

Beginning and end of period

  $ 150     $ 150  
                 

Series D Preferred Stock

               

Beginning of period

    120       240  

Series D preferred redeemed

    -       (120 )

End of period

    120       120  
                 

Common Stock

               

Beginning of period

    504       504  

Stock options exercised

    1       -  

End of period

    505       504  
                 

Additional Paid-In Capital

               

Beginning of period

    37,759       42,775  

Series D preferred redeemed

    -       (5,791 )

Stock options exercised

    441       39  

Stock-based compensation

    128       131  

Stock-based tax benefits

    211       16  

End of period

    38,539       37,170  
                 

Retained Earnings

               

Beginning of period

    129,773       80,737  

Net income

    32,425       28,321  

Preferred stock dividends and accretion

    (75 )     (200 )

End of period

    162,123       108,858  
                 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

               

Beginning of period

    (2,524 )     (205 )

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

    (2,029 )     611  

End of period

    (4,553 )     406  
                 

Treasury Stock - Series C Preferred

               

Beginning and end of period

    (5,100 )     (5,100 )
                 

Treasury Stock - Common

               

Beginning and end of period

    (12,900 )     (12,900 )
                 

Total Shareholders' Equity

  $ 178,884     $ 129,208  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
6

 

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

               
    Six Months Ended  
   

October 31,

   

November 1,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

Operating Activities:

               

Net income

  $ 32,425     $ 28,321  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    6,055       6,053  

Deferred income tax (benefit) provision

    (15 )     236  

Gain on sale of property, net

    (5 )     (1,255 )

Stock-based compensation

    128       131  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

               

Trade receivables

    2,671       4,282  

Inventories

    (5,752 )     (3,125 )

Prepaid and other assets

    583       635  

Accounts payable

    (2,438 )     (2,635 )

Accrued and other liabilities

    3,509       (1,413 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    37,161       31,230  
                 

Investing Activities:

               

Additions to property, plant and equipment

    (4,413 )     (4,557 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

    5       1,848  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (4,408 )     (2,709 )
                 

Financing Activities:

               

Dividends paid on preferred stock

    (74 )     (163 )

Repayments under credit facilities

    (10,000 )     (10,000 )

Redemption of preferred stock

    -       (6,000 )

Proceeds from stock options exercised

    442       39  

Stock-based tax benefits

    211       16  

Net cash used in financing activities

    (9,421 )     (16,108 )
                 

Net Increase in Cash and Equivalents

    23,332       12,413  
                 

Cash and Equivalents - Beginning of Period

    52,456       29,932  
                 

Cash and Equivalents - End of Period

  $ 75,788     $ 42,345  
                 

Other Cash Flow Information:

               

Interest paid

  $ 90     $ 227  

Income taxes paid

  $ 15,154     $ 13,040  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
7

 

 

 

NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

National Beverage Corp. develops, manufactures, markets and sells a diverse portfolio of flavored beverage products primarily in North America. Incorporated in Delaware in 1985, National Beverage Corp. is a holding company for various operating subsidiaries. When used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” and “National Beverage” mean National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries.

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all information and notes presented in the annual consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2015. The accounting policies used in these interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those used in the annual consolidated financial statements.

 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which might be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in raw material costs. All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments is calculated based on market rates to settle the instruments. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and frequent cash settlements. See Note 5.

 

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated in a similar manner, but includes the dilutive effect of stock options.

 

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Inventories at October 31, 2015 are comprised of finished goods of $29.3 million and raw materials of $19.4 million. Inventories at May 2, 2015 are comprised of finished goods of $24.9 million and raw materials of $18 million.

 

 
8

 

 

2. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property consists of the following:

   

(In thousands) 

 
   

October 31, 

2015

   

May 2,

2015

 

Land

  $ 9,500     $ 9,500  

Buildings and improvements

    50,800       50,405  

Machinery and equipment

    160,637       156,702  

Total

    220,937       216,607  

Less accumulated depreciation

    (161,630 )     (156,425 )

Property, plant and equipment – net

  $ 59,307     $ 60,182  

 

Depreciation expense was $2.6 million and $5.3 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2015, respectively, and $2.6 million and $5.3 million for the three and six months ended November 1, 2014, respectively.

 

3. DEBT

 

At October 31, 2015, a subsidiary of the Company maintained unsecured revolving credit facilities with banks aggregating $100 million (the “Credit Facilities”). The Credit Facilities expire from October 10, 2017 to June 18, 2018 and, currently, any borrowings would bear interest at .9% above one-month LIBOR. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facilities at October 31, 2015 and $10 million at May 2, 2015. At October 31, 2015, $2.2 million of the Credit Facilities were reserved for standby letters of credit and $97.8 million were available for borrowings.

 

The Credit Facilities require the subsidiary to maintain certain financial ratios, including debt to net worth and debt to EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facilities), and contain other restrictions, none of which are expected to have a material effect on our operations or financial position. At October 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

 

4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

During the six months ended October 31, 2015, options to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock were granted (weighted average exercise price of $9.59 per share), options to purchase 44,380 shares were exercised (weighted average exercise price of $9.95 per share) and options to purchase 10,140 shares were cancelled (weighted average exercise price of $16.24). At October 31, 2015, options to purchase 561,615 shares (weighted average exercise price of $11.23 per share) were outstanding and stock-based awards to purchase 2,786,229 shares of common stock were available for grant.

 

 
9

 

 

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

From time to time, we enter into aluminum swap contracts to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in the cost of aluminum cans. Such financial instruments are designated and accounted for as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, gains or losses attributable to the effective portion of the cash flow hedge are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and reclassified into earnings through cost of sales in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of our cash flow hedges were immaterial. The following summarizes the gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and AOCI relative to cash flow hedges for the three and six months ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014:

 

   

(In thousands)

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

2015

   

2014

   

2015

   

2014

 

Recognized in AOCI:

                               

(Loss) gain before income taxes

  $ (2,094 )   $ 643     $ (7,064 )   $ 1,248  

Less income tax (benefit) provision

    (777 )     239       (2,621 )     463  

Net

  $ (1,317 )   $ 404     $ (4,443 )   $ 785  

Reclassified from AOCI to cost of sales:

                               

(Loss) gain before income taxes

  $ (2,446 )   $ 263     $ (3,837 )   $ 277  

Less income tax (benefit) provision

    (907 )     98       (1,423 )     103  

Net

  $ (1,539 )   $ 165     $ (2,414 )   $ 174  

Net change to AOCI

  $ 222     $ 239     $ (2,029 )   $ 611  

 

As of October 31, 2015, the notional amount of our outstanding aluminum swap contracts was $25.6 million and, assuming no change in the commodity prices, $6.4 million of unrealized loss before tax will be reclassified from AOCI and recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. See Note 1.

 

As of October 31, 2015 and May 2, 2015, the fair value of the derivative liability was $6.4 million and $3 million and the fair value of the derivative long-term liability was $605,000 and $751,000, which was included in accrued liabilities and other liabilities, respectively. Such valuation does not entail a significant amount of judgment and the inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement are Level 2 as defined by the fair value hierarchy as they are observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

 

6. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). ASU 2015-17 requires companies to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 30, 2017. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity” (“ASU 2014-16”). The amendments in ASU 2014-16 do not change the current criteria for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required. Rather, ASU 2014-16 clarifies how current U.S. GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. ASU 2014-16 is effective for our fiscal year beginning May 1, 2016. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”).  ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for goods or services.  On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 30, 2018.  We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

 

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

As of October 31, 2015, we guaranteed the residual value of certain leased equipment in the amount of $4.7 million. If the proceeds from the sale of such equipment are less than the balance required by the lease when the lease terminates on August 1, 2017, the Company shall be required to pay the difference up to such guaranteed amount. The Company expects to have no loss on such guarantee.

 

 
10

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

National Beverage Corp. is an acknowledged leader in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of flavored beverage products. Our primary market focus is the United States, but our products are also distributed in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, Asia and Europe. A holding company for various operating subsidiaries, National Beverage Corp. was incorporated in Delaware in 1985 and began trading as a public company on the NASDAQ Stock Market in 1991. In this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” and “National Beverage” mean National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries unless indicated otherwise.

 

Our brands consist of (i) beverages geared toward the active and health-conscious consumer (“Power+ Brands”), including sparkling waters, energy drinks and shots, juices, and enhanced beverages, and (ii) Carbonated Soft Drinks in a variety of flavors including regular, sugar-free and reduced-calorie options. In addition, we produce soft drinks for certain retailers (“Allied Brands”) that endorse the “Strategic Alliance” concept of having our brands and Allied Brands marketed to effectuate enhanced growth of both. We employ a philosophy that emphasizes vertical integration; our manufacturing model integrates the procurement of raw materials and production of concentrates with the manufacture of finished products in our twelve manufacturing facilities. To service a diverse customer base that includes numerous national retailers as well as thousands of smaller “up-and-down-the-street” accounts, we have developed a hybrid distribution system that promotes and utilizes customer warehouse distribution facilities and our own direct-store delivery fleet plus the direct-store delivery systems of independent distributors and wholesalers.

 

We consider ourselves to be a leader in the development and sale of flavored beverage products. The National Beverage Corp. brand portfolio contains a wide variety of beverages to meet consumer needs in a multitude of market segments. Our portfolio of Power+ Brands is targeted to consumers seeking healthier and functional alternatives to complement their active lifestyles, and includes LaCroix®, LaCroix Cúrate™ and LaCroix NiCola™ sparkling water products; Rip It® energy drinks and shots; and Everfresh® and Everfresh Premier Varietals™, 100% juice and juice-based products. Our carbonated soft drink flavor development spans more than 125 years originating with our flagship brands, Shasta® and Faygo®.

 

Our strategy emphasizes the growth of our products by (i) expanding our focus on healthier and functional beverages tailored toward healthy, active lifestyles, (ii) offering a beverage portfolio of proprietary flavors with distinctive packaging and broad demographic appeal, (iii) supporting the franchise value of regional brands, (iv) appealing to the “quality-value” expectations of the family consumer, and (v) responding to demographic trends by developing innovative products designed to expand distribution.

 

The majority of our sales are seasonal with the highest volume typically realized during the summer months. As a result, our operating results from one fiscal quarter to the next may not be comparable. Additionally, our operating results are affected by numerous factors, including fluctuations in the costs of raw materials, changes in consumer preference for beverage products, competitive pricing in the marketplace and weather conditions.

 

 
11

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended October 31, 2015 (second quarter of fiscal 2016) compared to Three Months Ended November 1, 2014 (second quarter of fiscal 2015)

 

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 increased 9.2% to $178.7 million compared to $163.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The higher sales resulted from a 9.6% increase in case volume, which includes 25.3% growth of our Power+ Brands and 2.6% increase in branded carbonated soft drinks. The average selling price was approximately the same for both quarters.

 

Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 increased 5% to $60.6 million compared to $57.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The increase in gross profit is primarily due to higher sales, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales per case of 1.8%. The increase in cost of sales per case was due to changes in product mix, which also resulted in a gross margin decline to 33.9%.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $37.2 million or 20.8% of net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to $38 million or 23.2% of net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The decline in expenses was primarily due to lower marketing costs.

 

Interest expense decreased to $62,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2016, primarily due to a decline in average borrowings outstanding under credit facilities. Other expense includes interest income of $16,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and $7,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate, based upon estimated annual income tax rates, was 34.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and 34.0% for the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The difference between the effective rate and the federal statutory rate of 35% was primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and the manufacturing deduction.

 

Six Months Ended October 31, 2015 (first six months of fiscal 2016) compared to Six Months Ended November 1, 2014 (first six months of fiscal 2015)

 

Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2016 increased 7.6% to $364.1 million compared to $338.2 million for the six months of fiscal 2015. The higher sales resulted from a 6.6% increase in case volume and a 1% increase in average selling price. The volume increase includes 26.4% growth of our Power+ Brands partially offset by a decline in branded carbonated soft drinks and Allied Brands. The increase in average selling price is related to changes in product mix.

 

Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2016 increased 5.1% to $123.5 million compared to $117.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2015. The increase in gross profit is primarily due to higher sales, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales per case of 2.2%. The increase in cost of sales per case was due to changes in product mix, which also resulted in a gross margin decline to 33.9%.

 

Selling, general & administrative expenses were $74.1 million or 20.3% of net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2016 compared to $75.6 million or 22.4% of net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2015. The decrease in expenses was primarily due to lower marketing costs.

 

 
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Interest expense decreased to $113,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2016, primarily due to a decline in average borrowings outstanding under credit facilities. Other income includes a $1.3 million gain on sale of property in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate, based upon estimated annual income tax rates, was 34.2% for the first six months of fiscal 2016 and 34.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2015. The difference between the effective rate and the federal statutory rate of 35% was primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and the manufacturing deduction.

 

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal source of funds is cash generated from operations and borrowings available under our credit facilities. At October 31, 2015, we maintained $100 million unsecured revolving credit facilities of which $2.2 million was reserved for standby letters of credit. We believe that existing capital resources will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital requirements for the next twelve months.

 

Cash Flows

The Company’s cash position for the first six months of fiscal 2016 increased $23.3 million from May 2, 2015, which compares to an increase of $12.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2015.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of fiscal 2016 amounted to $37.2 million compared to $31.2 million for the first six months of fiscal 2015. For the first six months of fiscal 2016, cash flow was principally provided by net income of $32.4 million and depreciation and amortization aggregating $6.1 million, offset in part by an increase in inventory.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2016 reflects capital expenditures of $4.4 million, compared to capital expenditures of $4.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2015. The first six months of fiscal 2015 includes proceeds of $1.8 million from sale of property.     

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2016 amounted to $9.4 million, which included $10 million in principal repayments under credit facilities. In the first six months of fiscal 2015, the Company redeemed 120,000 shares of Series D Preferred for an aggregate price of $6 million and repaid $10 million in principal repayments under credit facilities.

 

Financial Position

During the first six months of fiscal 2016, working capital increased $21.9 million to $123.3 million. The increase in working capital resulted primarily from higher cash and inventories, partially offset by lower receivables and higher accrued liabilities balances. Trade receivables decreased $2.7 million and days sales outstanding improved from 33.1 days at May 2, 2015 to 29.2 days at October 31, 2015. Inventories increased approximately $5.8 million as a result of the Company maintaining higher stock levels to support increases in sales and new product introductions. The current ratio was 2.8 to 1 at October 31, 2015 and 2.5 to 1 at May 2, 2015.

 

 
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes in market risks from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2015.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Form 10-Q”) constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, pricing of competitive products, success in acquiring other beverage businesses, success of new product and flavor introductions, fluctuations in the costs of raw materials, our ability to increase selling prices, continued retailer support for our products, changes in consumer preferences, success of implementing business strategies, changes in business strategy or development plans, government regulations, regional weather conditions and other factors referenced in this Form 10-Q. For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, see the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2015 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim an obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

 

 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in risk factors from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2015.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No. Description                                      
     
 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     
  31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
  32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
  32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
  101 The following financial information from National Beverage Corp. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: December 10, 2015

 

  National Beverage Corp.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gregory P. Cook

 

 

Gregory P. Cook

Vice President – Controller and

Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

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