Casey’s Reports Fiscal 2017 Earnings; Positioned for Strong Future Growth

ANKENY, Iowa--()--Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASY) today reported diluted earnings per share of $0.76 for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ending April 30, 2017 compared to $1.19 for the same period a year ago. For the year, diluted earnings per share were $4.48 versus $5.73 for the same period last year. "Despite a challenging operating environment, fiscal 2017 marked the 16th consecutive year of positive same-store sales growth in both the grocery and other merchandise and prepared food and fountain categories," said Terry Handley, President and CEO. "We also recently opened our first store in the state of Ohio, and now have 116 sites under agreement for new store construction. We are optimistic about our growth opportunities."

Fuel - The Company’s annual goal for fiscal 2017 was to increase same-store gallons sold 2.0% with an average margin of 18.4 cents per gallon. For the year, same-store gallons sold were up 2.1% with an average margin of 18.4 cents per gallon. "Fiscal 2017 same-store gallons sold and fuel margin were in line with our annual goals," stated Handley. For the quarter, same-store gallons decreased 0.5% with an average margin of 17.2 cents per gallon. The Company sold 15.5 million renewable fuel credits for $7.1 million in the fourth quarter. For fiscal 2017, total gallons sold were up 5.6% to 2.1 billion. Gross profit dollars for the year were down slightly to $378.3 million, primarily due to a 1.2 cents per gallon lower fuel margin partially offset by an increase in gallons sold.

Grocery and Other Merchandise - Casey’s annual goal was to increase same-store sales 6.2% with an average margin of 32.0%. For the year, same-store sales were up 2.9% with an average margin of 31.5%. "In spite of the pressures experienced by many in the industry, we continue to be a leader in same-store sales growth in this category," said Handley. For the fourth quarter, same-store sales were up 1.5% with an average margin of 31.1%. For the year, total sales were up 5.7% to $2.1 billion and gross profit dollars increased 4.4% to $657.2 million.

Prepared Food and Fountain - Casey’s annual goal was to increase same-store sales 10.2% with an average margin of 62.5%. For the year, same-store sales were up 4.8% with an average margin of 62.3%. "Fiscal 2017 proved to be a challenging environment for the broader food service industry; however, we are encouraged about the future of this category as we continue to enhance digital engagement with our customers, roll out operational growth programs to more stores, and have locked in favorable cheese costs through December of 2017," stated Handley. For the fourth quarter, same-store sales were up 3.2% with an average margin of 61.7%. For fiscal 2017, total sales increased 8.3% to $953.4 million, and gross profit dollars rose 7.9% at $594.0 million.

Operating Expenses - For the fiscal year, operating expenses increased 11.2% to $1.2 billion. For the fourth quarter, operating expenses were up 11.4%. “Both the year-to-date and fourth quarter increases were primarily attributable to increases in employee-related costs from operating more stores compared to the same periods a year ago, along with the various growth programs impacting our existing stores,” said Handley. In addition, credit card fees and fuel expense combined were up $4.2 million for the quarter due to a 22.3% increase in retail fuel prices from the same time period a year ago.

Expansion - The Company’s annual goal for fiscal 2017 was to build or acquire 77 to 116 stores, replace 35 existing locations, and complete 100 major remodels. For the fiscal year, the Company built and opened 48 new stores, acquired 22 stores, completed 21 replacements, and remodeled 103 stores. As of April 30, 2017, there were 27 new stores, 21 replacement stores, and 11 major remodel stores under construction. Finally, at fiscal year end, the Company had 116 sites under agreement for new store construction and five acquisition stores under agreement to purchase. "Our new store construction activity continues to gain momentum," stated Handley. "The growing pipeline of sites under agreement has the Company well positioned for significant increase in organic growth. The Company will continue to review acquisitions that are a strategic fit."

Share Repurchase Program - From its inception on March 9, 2017, through the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company repurchased 443,800 shares of its common stock under its open market share repurchase program for approximately $49.4 million, or an average price of $111.25 per share. As of April 30, 2017, the Company had a total remaining authorized amount for share repurchases of $250.6 million.

Fiscal 2018 Guidance - The corporate performance guidance for fiscal 2018 is as follows:

  • Increase same-store fuel gallons sold 1.0% to 2.0% with average margin of 18.0 to 20.0 cents per gallon
  • Increase same-store grocery and other merchandise sales 2.0% to 4.0% with average margin of 31.0% to 32.0%
  • Increase same-store prepared food and fountain sales 5.0% to 7.0% with average margin of 61.5% to 62.5%
  • Operating expenses expected to increase 9.0% to 11.0%
  • Depreciation and amortization expected to increase 13.0% to 15.0%
  • Build or acquire 80 to 120 stores, replace 30 existing locations, and complete 75 major remodels

Dividend - For the last 17 years, the Company has increased its annual dividend to shareholders. At its June meeting, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $.26 per share. The dividend is payable August 15th to shareholders of record on August 1st, 2017.

   

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended April 30, Twelve Months Ended April 30,
2017   2016 2017   2016
Total revenue $ 1,846,460 1,582,954 $ 7,506,587 7,122,086
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, shown separately below)   1,448,241   1,194,734     5,825,426   5,508,465  
Gross profit 398,219 388,220 1,681,161 1,613,621
Operating expenses 292,590 262,620 1,172,328 1,053,805
Depreciation and amortization 51,947 45,909 197,629 170,937
Interest, net   10,362   9,948     41,536   40,173  
Income before income taxes 43,320 69,743 269,668 348,706
Federal and state income taxes   13,242   22,699     92,183   122,724  
Net income $ 30,078   47,044   $ 177,485   225,982  
Net income per common share
Basic $ 0.77   1.20   $ 4.54   5.79  
Diluted $ 0.76   1.19   $ 4.48   5.73  
Basic weighted average shares 38,985,738 39,053,737 39,124,665 39,016,299
Plus effect of stock compensation   450,073   408,585     454,333   405,900  
Diluted weighted average shares   39,435,811   39,462,322     39,578,998   39,422,199  
 
   

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
April 30, 2017 April 30, 2016
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 76,717 $ 75,775
Receivables 43,244 27,701
Inventories 201,644 204,988
Prepaid expenses 9,179 3,008
Income tax receivable   19,901     14,413  
Total current assets   350,685     325,885  
Other assets, net of amortization 23,453 19,222
Goodwill 132,806 128,566
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation   2,513,158     2,252,475  
Total assets $ 3,020,102   $ 2,726,148  
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Notes payable to bank $ 900 $
Current maturities of long-term debt 15,421 15,375
Accounts payable 293,903 241,207
Accrued expenses   136,322     130,989  
Total current liabilities   446,546     387,571  
Long-term debt, net of current maturities 907,356 822,869
Deferred income taxes 440,124 394,934
Deferred compensation 15,784 17,813
Other long-term liabilities   19,672     19,498  
Total liabilities   1,829,482     1,642,685  
Total shareholders’ equity   1,190,620     1,083,463  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 3,020,102   $ 2,726,148  
 

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.

 
 
Revenue and Gross Profit by Category (Amounts in thousands)
 
Three months ended 4/30/2017   Fuel  

Grocery & Other
Merchandise

 

Prepared Food
& Fountain

  Other   Total
Revenue $ 1,099,743 $ 500,068 $ 233,150 $ 13,499 $ 1,846,460
Gross profit $ 85,592 $ 155,374 $ 143,774 $ 13,479 $ 398,219
Margin 7.8 % 31.1 % 61.7 % 99.9 % 21.6 %
Fuel gallons 496,492
Three months ended 4/30/2016
Revenue $ 873,081 $ 477,487 $ 218,349 $ 14,037 $ 1,582,954
Gross profit $ 85,828 $ 153,299 $ 135,073 $ 14,020 $ 388,220
Margin 9.8 % 32.1 % 61.9 % 99.9 % 24.5 %
Fuel gallons 482,160
 
 
Revenue and Gross Profit by Category (Amounts in thousands)
 
Year ended 4/30/2017 Fuel

Grocery & Other
Merchandise

Prepared Food
& Fountain

Other Total
Revenue $ 4,414,128 $ 2,087,349 $ 953,430 $ 51,680 $ 7,506,587
Gross profit $ 378,347 $ 657,190 $ 594,024 $ 51,600 $ 1,681,161
Margin 8.6 % 31.5 % 62.3 % 99.8 % 22.4 %
Fuel gallons 2,061,794
Year ended 4/30/2016
Revenue $ 4,214,802 $ 1,974,073 $ 880,713 $ 52,498 $ 7,122,086
Gross profit $ 381,659 $ 629,234 $ 550,292 $ 52,436 $ 1,613,621
Margin 9.1 % 31.9 % 62.5 % 99.9 % 22.7 %
Fuel gallons 1,951,814
 
   
Fuel Gallons Fuel Margin
Same-store Sales Growth (Cents per gallon, excluding credit card fees)
  Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4  

Fiscal
Year

  Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4  

Fiscal
Year

F2017 3.1 % 3.7 % 2.6 % (0.5 )% 2.1 % F2017

19.5

¢

18.6

¢

17.9

¢

17.2

¢

18.4

¢

F2016 3.4 3.3 1.6 4.6 3.0 F2016 17.5 24.7 18.1 17.8 19.6
F2015 3.0 2.3 2.2 3.5 2.6 F2015 18.9 19.5 22.0 16.9 19.3
 
Grocery & Other Merchandise Grocery & Other Merchandise
Same-store Sales Growth Margin
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Fiscal
Year

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Fiscal
Year

F2017 4.7 % 3.1 % 3.0 % 1.5 % 2.9 % F2017 31.6 % 32.0 % 31.1 % 31.1 % 31.5 %
F2016 7.0 7.5 7.1 7.4 7.1 F2016 32.6 31.5 31.2 32.1 31.9
F2015 7.7 6.6 7.7 9.7 7.8 F2015 32.5 32.3 31.2 32.1 32.1
 
Prepared Food & Fountain Prepared Food & Fountain
Same-store Sales Growth Margin
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Fiscal
Year

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Fiscal
Year

F2017 5.1 % 5.1 % 5.8 % 3.2 % 4.8 % F2017 62.8 % 62.9 % 61.7 % 61.7 % 62.3 %
F2016 10.3 9.4 6.0 8.2 8.4 F2016 62.5 63.4 62.0 61.9 62.5
F2015 11.1 11.1 14.1 13.5 12.4 F2015 59.9 59.3 58.7 60.9 59.7
 

Corporate information is available at this Web site: http://www.caseys.com. Earnings will be reported during a conference call on June 6, 2017. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet at 9:30 a.m. CDT via the Press and Documents section of our Web site and will be available in an archived format.

Contacts

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Bill Walljasper, 515-965-6505

Contacts

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Bill Walljasper, 515-965-6505