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 OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022

 

Or

 

☐       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

 

Commission file number: 0-14939

 

AMERICAS CAR-MART, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas63-0851141
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S.(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1805 North 2nd Street, Suite 401, Rogers, Arkansas 72756

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

(479) 464-9944

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

CRMT

NASDAQ Global Select Market

 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐                Accelerated filer ☒

Non-accelerated filer ☐                  Smaller reporting company ☐           Emerging growth company ☐

Large accelerated filer ☐  Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐  Smaller reporting company ☐Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Outstanding at
Title of Each Class

Outstanding at

December 3, 2021

March 4, 2022
Common stock, par value $.01 per share6,508,9616,439,663

 

 

 

 

Part I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited)Americas Car-Mart, Inc.

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and April 30, 2021

 

(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

October 31, 2021

  

April 30, 2021

 

Assets:

 

(Unaudited)

     

Cash and cash equivalents

 $2,124  $2,893 

Accrued interest on finance receivables

  4,386   3,367 

Finance receivables, net

  748,205   625,119 

Inventory

  108,989   82,263 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  7,909   6,120 

Right-of-use asset

  58,090   60,398 

Goodwill

  7,505   7,280 

Property and equipment, net

  39,644   34,719 

Total Assets

 $976,852  $822,159 
         

Liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity:

        

Liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

 $21,740  $18,208 

Income tax payable, net

  405   150 

Deferred accident protection plan revenue

  38,355   32,704 

Deferred service contract revenue

  37,375   24,106 

Accrued liabilities

  31,968   31,278 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

  24,385   20,007 

Lease liability

  60,671   62,886 

Debt facilities

  324,089   225,924 

Total liabilities

  538,988   415,263 
         

Commitments and contingencies (Note J)

          
         

Mezzanine equity:

        

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

  400   400 
         

Equity:

        

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

  0   0 

Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 13,623,410 and 13,591,889 issued at October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively, of which 6,508,963 and 6,625,885 were outstanding at October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively

  136   136 

Additional paid-in capital

  101,903   98,812 

Retained earnings

  612,815   564,975 

Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 7,114,447 and 6,966,004 shares at October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively

  (277,490)  (257,527)

Total stockholders' equity

  437,364   406,396 

Non-controlling interest

  100   100 

Total equity

  437,464   406,496 
         

Total Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Equity

 $976,852  $822,159 

(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

January 31, 2022

  

April 30, 2021

 

Assets:

 

(Unaudited)

     

Cash and cash equivalents

 $2,603  $2,893 

Accrued interest on finance receivables

  4,220   3,367 

Finance receivables, net

  797,237   625,119 

Inventory

  119,596   82,263 

Income tax receivable, net

  39   0 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  9,126   6,120 

Right-of-use asset

  57,523   60,398 

Goodwill

  8,598   7,280 

Property and equipment, net

  45,689   34,719 

Total Assets

 $1,044,631  $822,159 
         

Liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity:

        

Liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

 $22,589  $18,208 

Income tax payable, net

  0   150 

Deferred accident protection plan revenue

  40,242   32,704 

Deferred service contract revenue

  42,169   24,106 

Accrued liabilities

  28,993   31,278 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

  26,397   20,007 

Lease liability

  60,145   62,886 

Debt facilities

  373,156   225,924 
Total liabilities  593,691   415,263 
         

Commitments and contingencies (Note J)

          
         

Mezzanine equity:

        

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

  400   400 
         

Equity:

        

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

  0   0 

Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 13,624,782 and 13,591,889 issued at January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, espectively, of which 6,446,574 and 6,625,885 were outstanding at January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively

  136   136 

Additional paid-in capital

  102,759   98,812 

Retained earnings

  631,575   564,975 
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 7,178,208 and 6,966,004 shares at January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively  (284,030)  (257,527)
Total stockholders' equity  450,440   406,396 

Non-controlling interest

  100   100 
Total equity  450,540   406,496 
         
Total Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Equity $1,044,631  $822,159 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Americas Car-Mart, Inc.

Three and SixNine Months Ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 20202021

 

 

Three Months Ended
October 31,

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Three Months Ended
January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

 

Revenues:

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

  

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Sales

 $251,282  $196,684  $498,025  $359,483  $252,918  $199,957  $750,942  $559,440 

Interest and other income

  37,019   26,676   70,605   51,788   38,980   28,303   109,586   80,091 
  

Total revenues

  288,301   223,360   568,630   411,271   291,898   228,260   860,528   639,531 
  

Costs and expenses:

  

Cost of sales

 157,167  116,690  309,930  211,564  157,248  118,816  467,179  330,380 

Selling, general and administrative

 37,161  32,536  75,961  61,293  39,179  33,423  115,140  94,716 

Provision for credit losses

 60,947  43,862  115,055  79,946  66,741  47,639  181,796  127,585 

Interest expense

 2,513  1,658  4,496  3,377  2,944  1,705  7,439  5,082 

Depreciation and amortization

 958  928  1,873  1,866  950  906  2,823  2,772 

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

  44   (64)  46   (64)  42   22   88   (42)

Total costs and expenses

  258,790   195,610   507,361   357,982   267,104   202,511   774,465   560,493 
  

Income before taxes

 29,511  27,750  61,269  53,289  24,794  25,749  86,063  79,038 
  

Provision for income taxes

  6,618   6,554   13,409   12,529   6,024   5,867   19,433   18,396 
  

Net income

 $22,893  $21,196  $47,860  $40,760  $18,770  $19,882  $66,630  $60,642 
  

Less: Dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

  (10)  (10)  (20)  (20)  (10)  (10)  (30)  (30)
  

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 $22,883  $21,186  $47,840  $40,740  $18,760  $19,872  $66,600  $60,612 
  

Earnings per share:

  

Basic

 $3.50  $3.20  $7.28  $6.14  $2.89  $3.00  $10.18  $9.14 

Diluted

 $3.33  $3.05  $6.90  $5.88  $2.77  $2.85  $9.68  $8.73 
  

Weighted average number of shares used in calculation:

Weighted average number of shares used in calculation:

        

Basic

 6,529,846  6,627,780  6,567,020  6,630,112  6,487,310  6,634,125  6,540,450  6,631,450 

Diluted

 6,863,273  6,935,707  6,930,604  6,925,651  6,779,641  6,966,188  6,880,283  6,939,164 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsAmericas Car-Mart, Inc.

SixNine Months Ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 20202021

 

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 
 

(Unaudited)

  

(Unaudited)

 

Operating Activities:

  

Net income

 $47,860  $40,760  $66,630  $60,642 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

  

Provision for credit losses

 115,055  79,946  181,796  127,585 

Losses on claims for payment protection plan

 10,012  8,918  14,748  13,898 

Depreciation and amortization

 1,873  1,866  2,823  2,772 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 354  168  559  266 

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

 46  (64) 88  (42)

Stock based compensation

 3,949  3,715  4,706  4,969 

Deferred income taxes

 4,378  1,371  6,390  2,486 

Excess tax benefit from share based compensation

 910  331  912  672 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

  

Finance receivable originations

 (476,580) (333,255) (718,275) (524,820)

Finance receivable collections

 194,546  168,348  293,458  254,845 

Accrued interest on finance receivables

 (1,019) 455  (853) 90 

Inventory

 7,155  (8,640) 18,822  3,552 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 (1,789) (432) (3,006) (970)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 5,034  7,644  4,031  10,685 

Deferred accident protection plan revenue

 5,651  2,360  7,538  4,306 

Deferred service contract revenue

 13,269  1,595  18,063  3,790 

Income taxes, net

  (655)  (4,819)  (1,101)  (4,185)

Net cash used in operating activities

  (69,951)  (29,733)  (102,671)  (39,459)
  

Investing Activities:

  

Purchase of investments

 (225) 0  (1,318) 0 

Purchase of property and equipment

 (6,844) (5,043) (13,881) (7,011)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

  0   643   0   610 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (7,069)  (4,400)  (15,199)  (6,401)
  

Financing Activities:

  

Exercise of stock options

 (1,007) 2,378  (984) 4,561 

Issuance of common stock

 149  119  225  193 

Purchase of common stock

 (19,963) (6,080) (26,503) (9,820)

Dividend payments

 (20) (20) (30) (30)

Change in cash overdrafts

 (719) (78) (1,801) 913 

Debt issuance costs

 (1,788) (51) (1,787) (282)

Payments on note payable

 0  (302) 0  (443)

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities

 165,154  3,585  248,817  11,316 

Payments on revolving credit facilities

  (65,555)  (5,445)  (100,357)  (15,947)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  76,251   (5,894)  117,580   (9,539)
  

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 (769) (40,027) (290) (55,399)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

  2,893   59,560   2,893   59,560 
  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 $2,124  $19,533  $2,603  $4,161 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of EquityAmericas Car-Mart, Inc.

Three and SixNine Months Ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021

2022

 

     

Additional

     

Non-

        

Additional

     

Non-

   
 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Controlling

 

Total

  

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Controlling

 

Total

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Interest

 

Equity

  

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Interest

 

Equity

 
  

Balance at April 30, 2021

 13,591,889  $136  $98,812  $564,975  $(257,527) $100  $406,496  13,591,889  $136  $98,812  $564,975  $(257,527) $100  $406,496 
  

Issuance of common stock

 673  -  81  -  -  -  81  673  -  81  -  -  -  81 

Stock options exercised

 15,281  -  (1,007) -  -  -  (1,007) 15,281  -  (1,007) -  -  -  (1,007)

Purchase of 81,742 treasury shares

 -  -  -  -  (11,618) -  (11,618) -  -  -  -  (11,618) -  (11,618)

Stock based compensation

 -  -  2,972  -  -  -  2,972  -  -  2,972  -  -  -  2,972 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock

 -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10) -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10)

Net income

  -   -   -   24,967   -   -   24,967   -   -   -   24,967   -   -   24,967 
 

Balance at July 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 13,607,843  $136  $100,858  $589,932  $(269,145) $100  $421,881  13,607,843  $136  $100,858  $589,932  $(269,145) $100  $421,881 
  

Issuance of common stock

 7,186  -  68  -  -  -  68  7,186  -  68  -  -  -  68 

Stock options exercised

 8,381  -  -  -  -  -  -  8,381  0  0  0  0  0  0 

Purchase of 66,701 treasury shares

 -  -  -  -  (8,345) -  (8,345) -  -  -  -  (8,345) -  (8,345)

Stock based compensation

 -  -  977  -  -  -  977  -  -  977  -  -  -  977 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock

 -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10) -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10)

Net income

  -   -   -   22,893   -   -   22,893   -   -   -   22,893   -   -   22,893 

Balance at October 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

  13,623,410  $136  $101,903  $612,815  $(277,490) $100  $437,464  13,623,410  $136  $101,903  $612,815  $(277,490) $100  $437,464 
 

Issuance of common stock

 872  0  76  0  0  0  76 

Stock options exercised

 500  0  23  0  0  0  23 

Purchase of 63,761 treasury shares

 -  0  0  0  (6,540) 0  (6,540)

Stock based compensation

 -  0  757  0  0  0  757 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock

 -  0  0  (10) 0  0  (10)

Net income

  -   0   0   18,770   0   0   18,770 

Balance at January 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

  13,624,782  $136  $102,759  $631,575  $(284,030) $100  $450,540 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of EquityAmericas Car-Mart, Inc.

Three and SixNine Months Ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20202021

 

 

     

Additional

     

Non-

        

Additional

     

Non-

   
 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Controlling

 

Total

  

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Controlling

 

Total

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Interest

 

Equity

  

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Interest

 

Equity

 
  

Balance at April 30, 2020

 13,478,733  $135  $88,559  $460,876  $(246,911) $100  $302,759  13,478,733  $135  $88,559  $460,876  $(246,911) $100  $302,759 
  

Issuance of common stock

 675  -  50  -  -  -  50  675  -  50  -  -  -  50 

Stock options exercised

 22,000  -  1,166  -  -  -  1,166  22,000  -  1,166  -  -  -  1,166 

Stock based compensation

 -  -  2,320  -  -  -  2,320  -  -  2,320  -  -  -  2,320 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock

 -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10) -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10)

Net income

  -   -   -   19,564   -   -   19,564   -   -   -   19,564   -   -   19,564 
 

Balance at July 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

 13,501,408  $135  $92,095  $480,430  $(246,911) $100  $325,849  13,501,408  $135  $92,095  $480,430  $(246,911) $100  $325,849 
  

Issuance of common stock

 958  -  69  -  -  -  69  958  -  69  -  -  -  69 

Stock options exercised

 28,066  -  1,212  -  -  -  1,212  28,066  -  1,212  -  -  -  1,212 

Purchase of 68,870 treasury shares

 -  -  -  -  (6,080) 0  (6,080) -  -  -  -  (6,080) 0  (6,080)

Stock based compensation

 -  -  1,395  -  -  -  1,395  -  -  1,395  -  -  -  1,395 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock

 -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10) -  -  -  (10) -  -  (10)

Net income

  -   -   -   21,196   -   -   21,196   -   -   -   21,196   -   -   21,196 

Balance at October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

  13,530,432  $135  $94,771  $501,616  $(252,991) $100  $343,631  13,530,432  $135  $94,771  $501,616  $(252,991) $100  $343,631 
 

Issuance of common stock

 787  1  73  0  0  0  74 

Stock options exercised

 43,952  0  2,183  0  0  0  2,183 

Purchase of 31,199 treasury shares

 -  0  0  0  (3,740) 0  (3,740)

Stock based compensation

 -  0  1,254  0  0  0  1,254 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock

 -  0  0  (10) 0  0  (10)

Net income

  -   0   0   19,882   0   0   19,882 

Balance at January 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

  13,575,171  $136  $98,281  $521,488  $(256,731) $100  $363,274 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)Americas Car-Mart, Inc.

 

 

A Organization and Business

 

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), is one of the largest publicly held automotive retailers in the United States focused exclusively on the “Integrated Auto Sales and Finance” segment of the used car market. References to the Company typically include the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. The Company’s operations are principally conducted through its 2 operating subsidiaries, America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Car-Mart of Arkansas”), and Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Colonial”). The Company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for substantially all of its customers. Many of the Company’s customers have limited financial resources and would not qualify for conventional financing as a result of limited credit histories or past credit problems.difficulties. As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company operated 152153 dealerships located primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States.

 

 

B Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

General

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2021, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed financial statements as of OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending April 30, 2022. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2021.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of America’s Car-Mart, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Segment Information

 

Each dealership is an operating segment with its results regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in an effort to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Individual dealerships meet the aggregation criteria for reporting purposes under the current accounting guidance. The Company operates in the Integrated Auto Sales and Finance segment of the used car market, also referred to as the Integrated Auto Sales and Finance industry. In this industry, the nature of the sale and the financing of the transaction, financing processes, the type of customer and the methods used to distribute the Company’s products and services, including the actual servicing of the contracts as well as the regulatory environment in which the Company operates, all have similar characteristics. Each individual dealership is similar in nature and only engages in the selling and financing of used vehicles. All individual dealerships have similar operating characteristics. As such, individual dealerships have been aggregated into 1 reportable segment.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, the Company’s allowance for credit losses.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

The Company provides financing in connection with the sale of substantially all of its vehicles. These sales are made primarily to customers residing in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, with approximately 27%27.6% of current period revenues resulting from sales to Arkansas customers.

 

7

 

As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, and periodically throughout the period, the Company maintained cash in financial institutions in excess of the amounts insured by the federal government. The cash is held in several highly rated banking institutions. The Company regularly monitors its counterparty credit risk and mitigates exposure by limiting the amount it invests in one institution. The Company’s revolving credit facilities mature in September 2024.The Company expects that these credit facilities will be renewed or refinanced on or before the scheduled maturity dates. 

 

Restrictions on Distributions/Dividends

 

The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally restrict distributions by the Company to its shareholders. The distribution limitations under the credit facilities allow the Company to repurchase the Company’s stock so long as either: (a) the aggregate amount of such repurchases after September 30, 2021 does not exceed $50 million, net of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options, and the total availability under the credit facilities is equal to or greater than 20% of the sum of the borrowing bases, in each case after giving effect to such repurchases (repurchases under this item are excluded from fixed charges for covenant calculations), or (b) the aggregate amount of such repurchases does not exceed 75% of the consolidated net income of the Company measured on a trailing twelve month basis; provided that immediately before and after giving effect to the Company’s stock repurchases, at least 12.5% of the aggregate funds committed under the credit facilities remain available. Thus, although the Company does routinely repurchase stock, the Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to its shareholders without the consent of the Company’s lenders.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Finance Receivables, Repossessions and Charge-offs and Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships. These installment sale contracts carry an average interest rate of approximately 16.5% using the simple effective interest method including any deferred fees. Contract origination costs are not significant. The installment sale contracts are not pre-computed contracts whereby borrowers are obligated to pay back principal plus the full amount of interest that will accrue over the entire term of the contract. Finance receivables are collateralized by vehicles sold and consist of contractually scheduled payments from installment contracts net of unearned finance charges and an allowance for credit losses. Unearned finance charges represent the balance of interest receivable to be earned over the entire term of the related installment contract, less the earned amount ($4.44.2 million at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and $3.4 million at April 30, 2021 on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets), and as such, have been reflected as a reduction to the gross contract amount in arriving at the principal balance in finance receivables.

 

An account is considered delinquent when the customer is one day or more behind on their contractual payments. While the Company does not formally place contracts on nonaccrual status, the immaterial amount of interest that may accrue after an account becomes delinquent up until the point of resolution via repossession or write-off is reserved for against the accrued interest on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Delinquent contracts are addressed and either made current by the customer, which is the case in most situations, or the vehicle is repossessed or written off if the collateral cannot be recovered quickly. Customer payments are set to match their payday with approximately 78%75% of payments due on either a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The frequency of the payment due dates combined with the declining value of collateral lead to prompt resolutions on problem accounts. At OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, 4.0% of the Company’s finance receivable balances were 30 days or more past due, compared to 2.5%2.6% at October 31, 2020.April 30, 2021. The Omicron variant negatively impacted delinquencies during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 due to the combination of lost work hours and decreased wages for customers and a loss of hours worked for the Company.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s automobile contracts involve contracts made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories or higher debt-to-income ratios than permitted by traditional lenders. Contracts made with buyers who are restricted in their ability to obtain financing from traditional lenders generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default and repossession, and higher losses than contracts made with buyers with better credit.

 

The Company strives to keep its delinquency percentages low, and not to repossess vehicles. Accounts three days late are contacted by telephone. Notes from each telephone contact are electronically maintained in the Company’s computer system. The Company also utilizes text messaging notifications which allow customers to elect and receive reminders on their due dates and late notifications, if applicable. The Company attempts to resolve payment delinquencies amicably prior to repossessing a vehicle. If a customer becomes severely delinquent in his or her payments, and management determines that timely collection of future payments is not probable, the Company will take steps to repossess the vehicle.

 

8

 

Periodically, the Company enters into contract modifications with its customers to extend or modify the payment terms. The Company only enters into a contract modification or extension if it believes such action will increase the amount of moniesmoney the Company will ultimately realize on the customer’s account and will increase the likelihood of the customer being able to pay off the vehicle contract. At the time of modification, the Company expects to collect amounts due including accrued interest at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay. No other concessions are granted to customers, beyond the extension of additional time, at the time of modifications. Modifications are minor and are made for payday changes, minor vehicle repairs and other reasons. For those vehicles that are repossessed, the majority are returned or surrendered by the customer on a voluntary basis. Other repossessions are performed by Company personnel or third-party repossession agents. Depending on the condition of a repossessed vehicle, it is either resold on a retail basis through a Company dealership or sold for cash on a wholesale basis primarily through physical or online auctions.

 

Accounts are charged-off after the expiration of a statutory notice period for repossessed accounts, or when management determines that the timely collection of future payments is not probable for accounts where the Company has been unable to repossess the vehicle. For accounts with respect to which the vehicle was repossessed, the fair value of the repossessed vehicle is charged as a reduction of the gross finance receivables balance charged-off. For the quarter ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, on average, accounts were approximately 7577 days past due at the time of charge-off.charge-off, compared to 59 days past due for the same period in the prior year. The third quarter of the prior year included the impact of the pandemic related stimulus payments which positively impacted collections and net charge-offs. For previously charged-off accounts that are subsequently recovered, the amount of such recovery is credited to the allowance for credit losses.

 

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a level it considers sufficient to cover expected losses on the portfolio at the measurement date in the collection of its finance receivables currently outstanding. At OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the weighted average total contract term was 40.041.2 months with 31.632.4 months remaining. The reserve amount in the allowance for credit losses at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, $218.2232 million, was 24.5% of the principal balance in finance receivables of $966.4 million,$1.03 billion, less unearned accident protection plan revenue of $38.4$40.2 million and unearned service contract revenue of $37.4$42.2 million.

 

The estimated reserve amount is the Company’s anticipated future net charge-offs for expected losses on the portfolio at the measurement date. The allowance takes into account historical credit loss experience (both timing and severity of losses), with consideration given to recent credit loss trends and changes in contract characteristics (i.e., average amount financed, months outstanding at loss date, term and age of portfolio), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions and underwriting and collection practices. The allowance for credit losses is reviewed at least quarterly by management with any changes reflected in current operations. The calculation of the allowance for credit losses uses the following primary factors:

 

The number of units repossessed or charged-off as a percentage of total units financed over specific historical periods of time from one year to five years.

The average net repossession and charge-off loss per unit during the last eighteen months segregated by the number of months since the contract origination date and adjusted for the expected future average net charge-off loss per unit. About 50% of the charge-offs that will ultimately occur in the portfolio are expected to occur within 10-11 months following the balance sheet date. The average age of an account at charge-off date for the eighteen-month period ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 was 12.612.5 months.

The timing of repossession and charge-off losses relative to the date of sale (i.e., how long it takes for a repossession or charge-off to occur) for repossessions and charge-offs occurring during the last eighteen months.

 

A historical point estimate is produced by this analysis which is then supplemented by any positive or negative subjective factorsthe Company’s forecast, which includes current economic considerations, to arrive at an overall reserve amount that management considers to be a reasonable estimate of expected losses on the portfolio at the measurement date that will be realized via actual charge-offs in the future. Although it is possible that the deterioration in economic conditions and the uncertainty of COVID-19 could lead to additional losses in the portfolio or that other events or circumstances could occur in the future that are not presently foreseen which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses. While challenging economic conditions can negatively impact credit losses, the effectiveness of the execution of internal policies and procedures within the collections area and the competitive environment on the funding side have historically had a more significant effect on collection results than macro-economic issues.

 

In most states, the Company offers retail customers who finance their vehicle the option of purchasing a debt cancellation agreement (referred to as the accident protection plan) as an add-on to the installment sale contract. This product contractually obligates the Company to cancel the outstanding principal balance for any contract where the retail customer has totaled the vehicle, as defined by the contract, or the vehicle has been stolen. The Company periodically evaluates anticipated losses to ensure that if anticipated losses exceed deferred accident protection plan revenues, an additional liability is recorded for such difference. NaNNo such liability was required at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 or April 30, 2021.

 

9

 

Inventory

 

Inventory consists of used vehicles and is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a specific identification basis. Vehicle reconditioning costs are capitalized as a component of inventory. Repossessed vehicles and trade-in vehicles are recorded at fair value, which approximates wholesale value. The cost of used vehicles sold is determined using the specific identification method.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill reflects the excess of purchase price over the fair value of specifically identified net assets purchased. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests at the Company’s year-end. The impairment tests are based on the comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of such reporting unit. There was 0 impairment of goodwill during fiscal 2021 and to date, there has been 0 impairment duringthe firstnine months of fiscal 2022.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for additions, remodels, and improvements are capitalized. Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the lease period. The lease period includes the primary lease term plus any extensions that are reasonably assured. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method, generally over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

3 to 7 years

Leasehold improvements

5 to 15 years

Buildings and improvements

18 to 39 years

Furniture, fixtures and equipment (years)

3

to 7

Leasehold improvements (years)

5

to15 

Buildings and improvements (years)

18 

to39 

 

Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying values of the impaired assets exceed the fair value of such assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

 

Cash Overdraft

 

As checks are presented for payment from the Company’s primary disbursement bank account, monies are automatically drawn against cash collections for the day and, if necessary, are drawn against one of the revolving credit facilities. Any cash overdraft balance principally represents outstanding checks that as of the balance sheet date had not yet been presented for payment, net of any deposits in transit. Any cash overdraft balance is reflected in accrued liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Deferred Sales Tax

 

Deferred sales tax represents a sales tax liability of the Company for vehicles sold on an installment basis in the states of Alabama and Texas. Under Alabama and Texas law for vehicles sold on an installment basis, the related sales tax is due as the payments are collected from the customer, rather than at the time of sale. Deferred sales tax liabilities are reflected in accrued liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The quarterly provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual taxable income, statutory tax rates and the Company’s best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense. The effective income tax rates were 21.9%22.6% and 23.5%23.3% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and OctoberJanuary 31, 2020,2021, respectively. Total income tax expense for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 differed from amounts computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rates to pre-tax income primarily due to state income taxes and the impact of permanent differences between book and taxable income. The Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of approximately $910,000$912,000 and $331,000$672,000 for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, related to excess tax benefits on share based compensation.

 

10

 

Occasionally, the Company is audited by taxing authorities. These audits could result in proposed assessments of additional taxes. The Company believes that its tax positions comply in all material respects with applicable tax law. However, tax law is subject to interpretation, and interpretations by taxing authorities could be different from those of the Company, which could result in the imposition of additional taxes.

 

The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company applies this methodology to all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remains open.

 

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before fiscal 2018.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company had no accrued penalties or interest as of OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 or April 30, 2021.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenues are generated principally from the sale of used vehicles, which in most cases includes a service contract and an accident protection plan product, interest income and late fees earned on finance receivables. Revenues are net of taxes collected from customers and remitted to government agencies. Cost of vehicle sales include costs incurred by the Company to prepare the vehicle for sale including license and title costs, gasoline, transport services, and repairs.

 

Revenues from the sale of used vehicles are recognized when the sales contract is signed, the customer has taken possession of the vehicle and, if applicable, financing has been approved. Revenues from the sale of vehicles sold at wholesale are recognized at the time the proceeds are received. Revenues from the sale of service contracts are recognized ratably over the expected duration of the product. Service contract revenues are included in sales and the related expenses are included in cost of sales. Accident protection plan revenues are initially deferred and then recognized to income using the “Rule of 78’s” interest method over the life of the contract so that revenues are recognized in proportion to the amount of cancellation protection provided. Accident protection plan revenues are included in sales and related losses are included in cost of sales as incurred. Interest income is recognized on all active finance receivables accounts using the simple effective interest method. Active accounts include all accounts except those that have been paid-off or charged-off.

 

Sales for the three and sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 20202021 consist of the following:

 

 

Three Months Ended
October 31,

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Three Months Ended
January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

  

2022

 

2021

 
  

Sales – used autos

 $220,189  $172,813  $436,779  $314,447  $219,995  $177,279  $656,773  $491,726 

Wholesales – third party

 11,441  9,283  23,736  16,232  11,706  7,603  35,442  23,835 

Service contract sales

 11,455  7,969  21,617  15,843  12,889  8,240  34,506  24,083 

Accident protection plan revenue

  8,197   6,619   15,893   12,961   8,328   6,835   24,221   19,796 
  

Total

 $251,282  $196,684  $498,025  $359,483  $252,918  $199,957  $750,942  $559,440 

 

At OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, finance receivables more than 90 days past due were approximately $6.5$5.2 million and $1.6$2.4 million, respectively. Late fee revenues totaled approximately $1.4$2.2 million and $1.1$1.7 million for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. Late fees are recognized when collected and are reflected in interest and other income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amount of revenue recognized for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 that was included in the April 30, 2021 deferred service contract revenue was $11.6$14.6 million.

 

11

 

Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive common stock equivalents. The calculation of diluted earnings per share takes into consideration the potentially dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, such as outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock, which if exercised or converted into common stock would then share in the earnings of the Company. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company utilizes the treasury stock method and anti-dilutive securities are excluded.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock, based on the fair value of those awards at the date of grant over the requisite service period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards. The Company may issue either new shares or treasury shares upon exercise of these awards. Stock-based compensation plans, related expenses, and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are more fully described in Note I. If an award contains a performance condition, expense is recognized only for those shares for which it is considered reasonably probable as of the current period end that the performance condition will be met. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur and records any excess tax benefits or deficiencies from its equity awards in its Consolidated Statements of Operations in the reporting period in which the exercise occurs. The Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of approximately $910,000$912,000 and $331,000$672,000 for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. As a result, the Company’s income tax expenses and associated effective tax rate will be impacted by fluctuations in stock price between the grant dates and exercise dates of equity awards.

 

Treasury Stock

 

Treasury stock may be used for issuances under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans or for other general corporate purposes. The Company has a reserve account of 10,000 shares of treasury stock to secure outstanding service contracts issued in Iowa in accordance with the regulatory requirements of that state and another reserve account of 14,000 shares of treasury stock for its subsidiary, ACM Insurance Company, in accordance with the requirements of the Arkansas Department of Insurance.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Occasionally, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies which the Company will adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes the implementation of recently issued standards which are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

Effective in Future Periods

 

Reference Rate Reform. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform. The pronouncement provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden of accounting for reference rate reform. This guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company expects to utilize this optional guidance, buthowever, does not expect the impact to be material.material as it only relates to one debt facility currently indexed to LIBOR.

 

12

 

 

C Finance Receivables, Net

 

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships. These installment sale contracts, which carry an interest rate of 15% or 16.5% per annum (19.5% to 21.5% in Illinois), are collateralized by the vehicle sold and typically provide for payments over periods ranging from 18 to 54 months. The weighted average interest rate for the portfolio was approximately 16.5% at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022. The Company’s finance receivables are defined as one segment and one class of loans in sub-prime consumer automobile contracts. The level of risks inherent in the Company’s finance receivables is managed as one homogeneous pool.

 

The components of finance receivables are as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

October 31, 2021

 

April 30, 2021

  

January 31, 2022

 

April 30, 2021

 
  

Gross contract amount

 $1,186,656  $980,757  $1,268,390  $980,757 

Less unearned finance charges

  (220,231)  (171,220)  (239,187)  (171,220)

Principal balance

 966,425  809,537  1,029,203  809,537 

Less allowance for credit losses

  (218,220)  (184,418)  (231,966)  (184,418)
  

Finance receivables, net

 $748,205  $625,119  $797,237  $625,119 

 

Changes in the finance receivables, net are as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 
  

Balance at beginning of period

 $625,119  $466,141  $625,119  $466,141 

Finance receivable originations

 476,580  333,255  718,275  524,820 

Finance receivable collections

 (194,546) (168,348) (293,458) (254,845)

Provision for credit losses

 (115,055) (79,946) (181,796) (127,585)

Losses on claims for accident protection plan

 (10,012) (8,918) (14,748) (13,898)

Inventory acquired in repossession and accident protection plan claims

  (33,881)  (22,374)  (56,155)  (35,692)
  

Balance at end of period

 $748,205  $519,810  $797,237  $558,941 

 

Changes in the finance receivables allowance for credit losses are as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 
  

Balance at beginning of period

 $184,418  $155,041  $184,418  $155,041 

Provision for credit losses

 115,055  79,946  181,796  127,585 

Charge-offs, net of recovered collateral

  (81,253)  (62,022)  (134,248)  (97,046)
  

Balance at end of period

 $218,220  $172,965  $231,966  $185,580 

 

The factors which influenced management’s judgment in determining the amount of the current period provision for credit losses are described below.

 

The historical level of charge-offs, net of recovered collateral, is the most important factor in determining the provision for credit losses. This is due to the fact that once a contract becomes delinquent the account is either made current by the customer, the vehicle is repossessed, or the account is written off if the collateral cannot be recovered. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average finance receivables decreased to 9.1%were 14.5% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2022 and 2021,compared to 9.6% for the prior year period. respectively. The frequency of losses were up slightly compared to the prior year’s quarter and severity of losses improved on a relative basis.

 

13

 

Collections and delinquency levels can have a significant effect on additions to the allowance and are reviewed frequently. Collections as a percentage of average finance receivables were 21.9%31.7% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to 25.9%38.0% for the same period in the prior year. Collections remained strong with the reduction in line with the expected change due to the average term increases. The first halfnine months of the prior year included the impact of the pandemic related stimulus payments which contributed to a higher collection percentage. Delinquencies greater than 30 days were 4.0% forat OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022, and 2.5%2.6% at October 31, 2020.April 30, 2021. The Omicron variant negatively impacted delinquencies during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 due to the combination of lost work hours and decreased wages for customers and a loss of hours worked for the Company.

 

In addition to the objective factors discussed above, the Company also considers macro-economic factors such as changes in unemployment levels, gasoline prices and prices for staple items to develop reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. These economic forecasts are utilized alongside historical loss information in order to estimate expected losses in the portfolio over the following twelve-month period, at which point the Company will immediately revert to the point estimate produced by the Company’s analysis of historical loss information to estimate expected losses from the portfolio for the remaining contractual lives of its finance receivables. See “Finance Receivables, Repossessions and Charge-offs and Allowance for Credit Losses” in Note B for a description of the historical data included in this analysis.

 

Credit quality information for finance receivables is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

October 31, 2021

 

April 30, 2021

 

October 31, 2020

  

January 31, 2022

 

April 30, 2021

 

January 31, 2021

 
 
 

Principal

 

Percent of

 

Principal

 

Percent of

 

Principal

 

Percent of

  

Principal

 

Percent of

 

Principal

 

Percent of

 

Principal

 

Percent of

 
 

Balance

  

Portfolio

  

Balance

  

Portfolio

  

Balance

  

Portfolio

  

Balance

  

Portfolio

  

Balance

  

Portfolio

  

Balance

  

Portfolio

 

Current

 $819,314  84.78% $717,520  88.64% $604,306  87.23% $841,635  81.78% $717,520  88.64% $655,445  88.04%

3 - 29 days past due

 108,563  11.23% 71,269  8.80% 71,412  10.31% 146,609  14.24% 71,269  8.80% 68,414  9.19%

30 - 60 days past due

 24,499  2.53% 13,058  1.61% 12,434  1.79% 29,062  2.82% 13,058  1.61% 14,147  1.90%

61 - 90 days past due

 7,509  0.78% 5,551  0.69% 3,047  0.44% 6,682  0.65% 5,551  0.69% 4,163  0.56%

> 90 days past due

  6,540   0.68%  2,139   0.26%  1,576   0.23%  5,215   0.51%  2,139   0.26%  2,352   0.32%

Total

 $966,425   100.00% $809,537   100.00% $692,775   100.00% $1,029,203   100.00% $809,537   100.00% $744,521   100.00%

 

Accounts one and two days past due are considered current for this analysis, due to the varying payment dates and variation in the day of the week at each period end. Delinquencies may vary from period to period based on the average age of the portfolio, seasonality within the calendar year, the day of the week and overall economic factors. The above categories are consistent with internal operational measures used by the Company to monitor credit results.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s automobile contracts involve contracts made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories, or higher debt-to-income ratios than permitted by traditional lenders; such contracts generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default, repossession, and losses than contracts made with buyers with better credit. Therefore, the Company manages the level of risks inherent in the Company’s financing receivables as one homogenous pool. The Company monitors contract term length, down payment percentages, and collections as credit quality indicators.

 

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

 
  

Average total collected per active customer per month

 $487  $449 

Principal collected as a percent of average finance receivables

 21.9% 25.9% 31.7% 38.0%

Average down-payment percentage

 6.4% 6.9% 6.1% 6.4%

Average originating contract term (in months)

 39.7  33.1  39.6  33.7 

 

  

October 31, 2021

  

October 31, 2020

 

Portfolio weighted average contract term, including modifications (in months)

  40.0   34.7 
  

January 31, 2022

  

January 31, 2021

 

Portfolio weighted average contract term, including modifications (in months)

  41.2   35.7 

 

14

 

Collections remained strong with the reduction of principal collected in line with the expected change due to the average term increases. The prior year quarter included the impact of the pandemic related stimulus payments which contributed to a higher collection percentage. The portfolio weighted average contract term increased primarily due to the increased average selling price, up $2,685$2,892 or 20.5%21.7% from the prior year period. The Company may further increase term lengths in order to maintain manageable payments for its customers if the average selling price continues to increase.

 

 As of October 31, 2021        

As of January 31, 2022

 
                          

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Fiscal Year of Origination

  

Prior to

      

Fiscal Year of Origination

  

Prior to

     

Customer Rating

 

2022

  

2021

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2018

  

Total

  

%

  

2022

  

2021

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2018

  

Total

  

%

 
1-2  $24,599  $21,147  $6,009  $342  $17  $0  $52,114  5.4%  $31,704  $16,129  $3,921  $170  $3  $0  $51,927  5.0%
3-4  $150,049  $141,371  $34,291  $2,361  $100  $32  $328,204  34.0%  $207,084  $112,330  $23,042  $1,205  $36  $17  $343,714  33.4%
5-6  $263,270  $255,285  $60,690  $6,343  $477  $42  $586,107   60.6%  $372,508  $214,120  $43,186  $3,498  $230  $20  $633,562   61.6%

Total

  $437,918  $417,803  $100,990  $9,046  $594  $74  $966,425   100.0%  $611,296  $342,579  $70,149  $4,873  $269  $37  $1,029,203   100.0%

 

When customers apply for financing, the Company’s proprietary scoring model relies on the customers’ credit histories and certain application information to evaluate and rank their risk. The Company obtains credit histories and other credit data that includes information such as number of different addresses, age of oldest record, high risk credit activity, job time, time at residence and other factors. The application information that is used includes income, collateral value and down payment. The scoring models yield credit grades that represent the relative likelihood of repayment. Customers with the highest probability of repayment are 6 rated customers. Customers assigned a lower grade are determined to have a lower probability of repayment. For loans that are approved, the credit grade influences the terms of the agreement, such as the maximum amount financed, term length and minimum down payment. After origination, credit grades are generally not updated.

 

The Company uses a combination of the initial credit grades and historical performance to monitor the credit quality of the finance receivables on an ongoing basis, and the accuracy of the scoring model is validated periodically. Loan performance is reviewed on a recurring basis to identify whether the assigned grades adequately reflect the customers’ likelihood of repayment.

 

 

D Property and Equipment

 

A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

October 31, 2021

 

April 30, 2021

  

January 31, 2022

 

April 30, 2021

 
  

Land

 $7,594  $7,594  $7,594  $7,594 

Buildings and improvements

 13,744  13,717  13,777  13,717 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 15,874  15,401  15,874  15,401 

Leasehold improvements

 34,253  33,450  34,400  33,450 

Construction in progress

 7,595  2,421  14,307  2,421 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (39,416)  (37,864)  (40,263)  (37,864)
  

Total

 $39,644  $34,719  $45,689  $34,719 

 

15

 

E Accrued Liabilities

 

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

October 31, 2021

  

April 30, 2021

 
         

Employee compensation

 $12,758  $14,664 

Cash overdrafts (see Note B)

  1,083   1,802 

Deferred sales tax (see Note B)

  6,549   5,904 

Reserve for APP claims

  5,207   3,737 

Fair value of contingent consideration

  3,175   3,175 

Other

  3,196   1,996 
         

Total

 $31,968  $31,278 

15

(In thousands)

 

January 31, 2022

  

April 30, 2021

 
         

Employee compensation

 $10,408  $14,664 

Cash overdrafts (see Note B)

  0   1,802 

Deferred sales tax (see Note B)

  6,884   5,904 

Reserve for APP claims

  5,207   3,737 

Fair value of contingent consideration

  3,519   3,175 

Other

  2,975   1,996 

Total

 $28,993  $31,278 

 

 

F Debt Facilities

 

A summary of debt facilities is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

October 31, 2021

 

April 30, 2021

  

January 31, 2022

 

April 30, 2021

 
  

Revolving lines of credit

 $326,201  $226,602  $375,063  $226,602 

Debt issuance costs

  (2,112)  (678)  (1,907)  (678)
  

Debt facilities

 $324,089  $225,924  $373,156  $225,924 

 

On September 30, 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries, Colonial, Car-Mart of Arkansas (“ACM”) and Texas Car-Mart, Inc. (“TCM”) entered into a Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”), which amended and restated the Company’s revolving credit facilities. Under the Agreement, BMO Harris Bank, N.A. replaced Bank of America, N.A. as agent, lead arranger and book manager, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. joined the group of lenders. The Agreement also extended the term of the Company’s revolving credit facilities to September 30, 2022 and increased the total permitted borrowings from $215 million to $241 million, including an increase in the Colonial revolving line of credit from $205 million to $231 million. The ACM-TCM revolving line of credit commitment remained the same at $10 million. The Agreement also increased the accordion feature from $50 million to $100 million.

 

On October 29, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement to expand the Company’s borrowing base by removing the limitations on the inclusion in the borrowing base of finance receivable balances on medium- and long-term vehicle contracts (those having an original contract term between 36 and 42 months or between 42 and 60 months, respectively), which were previously limited to 15% and 5%, respectively, and an aggregate of 15% of the eligible finance receivable balances for purposes of determining the Company’s borrowing base. Under Amendment No. 1, finance receivables from vehicle contracts not exceeding 60 months in duration that meet certain other conditions are eligible for inclusion in the borrowing base calculation.

 

Amendment No. 1 also allows the Company to make certain strategic business acquisitions and expanded the Company’s ability to dispose of real estate, equipment, and other property, subject to certain limitations. Amendment No. 1 permits the Company to acquire strategic targets engaged in the same or a reasonably related business to the Company’s business, provided that, among other requirements, the aggregate consideration paid for all acquired businesses in any one fiscal year does not exceed $20.0 million. Amendment No. 1 also permits the Company to dispose of up to $5.0 million and $1.0 million of real estate and other property, respectively, subject to certain conditions, and also permits the Company to select one or more additional lenders, subject to the written consent of BMO Harris Bank, N.A., as agent, to participate in any increase of the Colonial revolving line of credit under the Agreement’s accordion feature.

 

On December 31, 2020, the Company through its operating subsidiaries exercised an option under the Agreement to increase its total revolving credit facilities by $85 million from $241 million to $326 million pursuant to the Agreement’s accordion feature. In connection with this increase, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. joined the lending group as a new lender. In addition to the increased permitted borrowings, the Company designated BOKF, NA d/b/a BOK Financial and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as co-syndication agents and First Horizon Bank and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. as co-documentation agents under the Agreement.

 

16

On February 10, 2021, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement to increase the Company’s permissible capital expenditure amount from $10 million to $25 million in the aggregate during any fiscal year.

 

On September 29, 2021, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement, which extends the term of the revolving credit facilities to September 29, 2024 and increases the total permitted borrowings by $274 million from $326 million to $600 million. In connection with the increase, CIBC Bank USA and Axos Bank joined the group of lenders. Additionally, Amendment No. 3 amended the distribution limitation to renew the aggregate limit on the Company’s repurchases of its common stock, increased the Company’s permissible capital expenditure amount from $25 million to $35 million in the aggregate, during any fiscal year, restores the accordion feature back to $100 million, and adds certain mechanics for the replacement of LIBOR as the applicable benchmark interest rate under the Agreement, including mechanics to transition upon the cessation of LIBOR to a rate based upon the secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

16

The revolving credit facilities are collateralized primarily by finance receivables and inventory, are cross collateralized and contain a guarantee by the Company. Interest is payable monthly under the revolving credit facilities. The credit facilities provide for four pricing tiers for determining the applicable interest rate, based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio for the preceding fiscal quarter. The current applicable interest rate under the credit facilities is generally LIBOR plus 2.35%, orwith a minimum of 2.85% at. At OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and April 30, 2021.2021, the interest rate under the credit facilities was 2.85%. The credit facilities contain various reporting and performance covenants including (i) maintenance of certain financial ratios and tests, (ii) limitations on borrowings from other sources, (iii) restrictions on certain operating activities and (iv) restrictions on the payment of dividends or distributions (see note B).

 

The Company was in compliance with the covenants at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022. The amount available to be drawn under the credit facilities is a function of eligible finance receivables and inventory. Based upon eligible finance receivables and inventory at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company had additional availability of approximately $106.3$84.4 million under the revolving credit facilities.

 

The Company recognized approximately $354,500$559,000 and $167,600$266,000 of amortization for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, related to debt issuance costs. The amortization is reflected as interest expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

During the secondfirst quarternine months of fiscal 2022 the Company incurred $1.8 million in debt issuance costs related to Amendment No.3 of the Agreement. During the firstsix months ofand fiscal 2021, the Company incurred $51,000approximately $1.8 million and $282,000, respectively, in debt issuance costs related to the Agreement. Debt issuance costs of approximately $2.1$1.9 million and $678,000 as of OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and April 30, 2021, respectively, are reflected as a reduction of the debt facilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

 

G Fair Value Measurements

 

The table below summarizes information about the fair value of financial instruments included in the Company’s financial statements at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and April 30, 2021:

 

 

October 31, 2021

  

April 30, 2021

  

January 31, 2022

  

April 30, 2021

 
(In thousands) 

Carrying
Value

  

Fair
Value

  

Carrying
Value

  

Fair
Value

  

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

  

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 
  

Cash

 $2,124  $2,124  $2,893  $2,893  $2,603  $2,603  $2,893  $2,893 

Finance receivables, net

 748,205  594,351  625,119  497,865  797,237  632,960  625,119  497,865 

Accounts payable

 21,740  21,740  18,208  18,208  22,589  22,589  18,208  18,208 

Debt facilities

 324,089  324,089  225,924  225,924  373,156  373,156  225,924  225,924 

 

Because no market exists for certain of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments and estimates regarding yield expectations of investors, credit risk and other risk characteristics, including interest rate and prepayment risk. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates.

 

17

 

The methodology and assumptions utilized to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

Financial Instrument

Valuation Methodology

Cash

The carrying amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of the financial instrument.

Finance receivables, net

The Company estimates the fair value of its receivables at what a third-party purchaser might be willing to pay. The Company has had discussions with third parties and has bought and sold portfolios and had a third-party appraisal in January 2019 that indicated a range of 34% to 39% discount to face would be a reasonable fair value in a negotiated third-party transaction. The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of Arkansas to Colonial is made at a 38.5% discount. For financial reporting purposes these sale transactions are eliminated. Since the Company does not intend to offer the receivables for sale to an outside third party, the expectation is that the net book value at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, will ultimately be collected. By collecting the accounts internally, the Company expects to realize more than a third-party purchaser would expect to collect with a servicing requirement and a profit margin included.

Accounts payable

The carrying amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of the financial instrument.

Debt facilities

The fair value approximates carrying value due to the variable interest rates charged on the revolving credit facilities, which reprice frequently.

 

 

H Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
October 31,

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Three Months Ended
January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 
 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

 
  

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

 6,529,846  6,627,780  6,567,020  6,630,112  6,487,310  6,634,125  6,540,450  6,631,450 

Dilutive options and restricted stock

  333,427   307,927   363,584   295,539   292,331   332,063   339,833   307,714 
  

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

  6,863,273   6,935,707   6,930,604   6,925,651   6,779,641   6,966,188   6,880,283   6,939,164 
  

Antidilutive securities not included:

  

Options

 25,000  225,000  55,000  225,000  205,000  160,000  86,667  203,333 

Restricted stock

 4,000  0  4,000  2,112  4,000  5,690  2,667  3,305 

 

18

 

 

I Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has stock-based compensation plans available to grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options and restricted stock to employees, directors and certain advisors of the Company. The stock-based compensation plans being utilized at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 are the Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and the Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan. The Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense for all plans of approximately $3.9$4.7 million ($3.03.6 million after tax effects) and $3.7$5.0 million ($2.83.8 million after tax effects) for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. Tax benefits were recognized for these costs at the Company’s overall effective tax rate, excluding discrete income tax benefits related to excess benefits on share-based compensation.

 

Stock Options

 

The Company has options outstanding under a stock option plan approved by the shareholders, the Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan. The shareholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the “Restated Option Plan”) on August 5, 2015, which extended the term of the Restated Option Plan to June 10, 2025 and increased the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the plan to 1,800,000 shares. On August 29, 2018, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Restated Option Plan increasing the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the plan by an additional 200,000 shares to 2,000,000 shares. On August 26, 2020, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Restated Option Plan increasing the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the plan by an additional 200,000 shares to 2,200,000 shares. The Restated Option Plan provides for the grant of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to employees, directors and certain advisors of the Company at a price not less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and for periods not to exceed ten years. Options outstanding under the Company’s stock option plans expire in the calendar years 2022 through 2031.

 

 

Restated Option Plan

  

Minimum exercise price as a percentage of fair market value at date of grant

100%

100%

Last expiration date for outstanding options

May 1, 2031

Shares available for grant at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022

215,000

 

The fair value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions in the table below.

 

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Expected term (years)

 5.5  5.5  5.5  5.5 

Risk-free interest rate

 0.86% 0.36% 0.86% 0.36%

Volatility

 51% 50% 51% 50%

Dividend yield

 0  0  0  0 

 

The expected term of the options is based on evaluations of historical actual and future expected employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at the grant date. Volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.

 

There were 30,000 options granted during the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. The grant-date fair value of options granted during the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 20202021 was $2.1 million and $886,000, respectively. The options were granted at fair market value on the date of grant.

 

Stock option compensation expense was $3.4$4.0 million ($2.63.1 million after tax effects) and $2.2$4.1 million ($1.73.1 million after tax effects) for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company had approximately $3.5$2.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options that are expected to vest. These unvested outstanding options have a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.41.1 years.

 

19

 
 

The Company had the following options exercised for the periods indicated. The impact of these cash receipts is included in financing activities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

  

Six Months Ended
October 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

 
         

Options exercised

  56,500   55,566 

Cash received from option exercises

 $251  $2,548 

Intrinsic value of options exercised

 $4,896  $2,439 

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

 
         

Options exercised

  57,000   107,000 

Cash received from option exercises

 $274  $4,731 

Intrinsic value of options exercised

 $4,924  $4,868 

 

During the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, there were 50,000 options exercised through net settlements in accordance with plan provisions, wherein the shares issued were reduced by 32,838 shares to satisfy the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to acquire 17,162 shares.

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 20202021 was $24.2$14.2 million and $15.6$28.4 million, respectively. As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, there were 248,900288,400 vested and exercisable stock options outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of $13.9$8.7 million, a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.35.4 years, and a weighted average exercise price of $66.68.$72.60.

 

Stock Incentive Plan

 

On August 5, 2015, the shareholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the “Restated Incentive Plan”), which extended the term of the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan to June 10, 2025. On August 29, 2018, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Restated Stock Incentive Plan that increased the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Restated Incentive Plan by 100,000 shares to 450,000. For shares issued under the Stock Incentive Plan, the associated compensation expense is generally recognized equally over the vesting periods established at the award date and is subject to the employee’s continued employment by the Company.

 

There were 4,50010,250 restricted shares granted during the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2,0007,690 restricted shares granted during the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2020.2021. A total of 89,93491,684 shares remained available for award at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022. There were 182,593180,843 unvested restricted shares outstanding as of OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 with a weighted average grant date fair value of $54.22.$55.86.

 

As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company had approximately $5.6$5.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards granted under the Restated Incentive Plan, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average remaining period of 5.04.7 years. The Company recorded compensation cost of approximately $509,000$656,000 ($390,000497,000 after tax effects) and $561,000$839,000 ($426,000638,000 after tax effects) related to the Restated Incentive Plan during the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

There were no modifications to any of the Company’s outstanding share-based payment awards during fiscal 2021 or during the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022.

 

20

 
 

J Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company has entered into operating leases for approximately 82%79% of its dealership and office facilities. Generally, these leases are for periods of three to five years and usually contain multiple renewal options. The Company uses leasing arrangements to maintain flexibility in its dealership locations and to preserve capital. The Company expects to continue to lease the majority of its dealership and office facilities under arrangements substantially consistent with the past. Rent expense for all operating leases amounted to approximately $3.9$5.9 million and $4.0$6.0 million for the sixnine month periods ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

Scheduled amounts and timing of cash flows arising from operating lease payments as of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, discounted at the weighted average interest rate in effect as of OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 of approximately 4.3%, are as follows:

 

Maturity of lease liabilities

  

2022 (remaining)

 $3,516 $1,780 

2023

 6,987  7,084 

2024

 6,472  6,572 

2025

 6,333  6,433 

2026

 5,858  5,920 

Thereafter

 $52,738 $53,060 

Total undiscounted operating lease payments

 81,904  80,849 

Less: imputed interest

  (21,233) (20,704)

Present value of operating lease liabilities

 $60,671 $60,145 

 

The Company has two standby letters of credit relating to insurance policies totaling $750,000 at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022.

 

Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial do not meet the affiliation standard for filing consolidated income tax returns, and as such they file separate federal and state income tax returns. Car-Mart of Arkansas routinely sells its finance receivables to Colonial at what the Company believes to be fair market value and is able to take a tax deduction at the time of sale for the difference between the tax basis of the receivables sold and the sales price. These types of transactions, based upon facts and circumstances, have been permissible under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as described in the Treasury Regulations. For financial accounting purposes, these transactions are eliminated in consolidation, and a deferred income tax liability has been recorded for this timing difference. The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of Arkansas to Colonial provides certain legal protection for the Company’s finance receivables and, principally because of certain state apportionment characteristics of Colonial, also has the effect of reducing the Company’s overall effective state income tax rate. The actual interpretation of the regulations is in part a facts and circumstances matter. The Company believes it satisfies the material provisions of the regulations. Failure to satisfy those provisions could result in the loss of a tax deduction at the time the receivables are sold and have the effect of increasing the Company’s overall effective income tax rate as well as the timing of required tax payments.

 

 

K - Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures are as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

 

2021

 

Supplemental disclosures:

  

Interest paid

 $4,430  $3,722  $7,278  $5,463 

Income taxes paid, net

 8,777  15,645  13,232  19,423 
  

Non-cash transactions:

  

Inventory acquired in repossession and accident protection plan claims

 33,881  22,374  56,155  35,692 

Net settlement option exercises

 4,291  389  4,291  1,214 

 

21

 
 

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

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements address the Company’s future objectives, plans and goals, as well as the Company’s intent, beliefs and current expectations regarding future operating performance, and can generally be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” and other similar words or phrases. Specific events addressed by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

 

new dealership openings;

performance of new dealerships;operational infrastructure investments;

 

same dealership sales and revenue growth;

 

future revenue growth;

 

receivables growth as related to revenue growth;

 

customer growth;

 

gross margin percentages;

gross profit per retail unit sold;

new dealership openings;

performance of new dealerships;

 

interest rates;

 

future credit losses;

 

the Company’s collection results, including, but not limited to, collections during income tax refund periods;

 

seasonality;

 

technological advancesinvestments and initiatives;

 

compliance with tax regulations;

 

the Company’s business, operating and growth strategies;

 

financing the majority of growth from profits; and

 

having adequate liquidity to satisfy the Company’s capital needs.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current estimates and assumptions and involve various risks and uncertainties. As a result, you are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s projections include those risks described elsewhere in this report and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021, as well as:

 

 

general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in gas prices, grocery prices and employment levels;

 

business and economic disruptions and uncertainty that may result from the ongoing outbreak of the DeltaOmicron variant or any future adverse developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and any efforts to mitigate the financial impact and health risks associated with such developments, including the recently proposed federal vaccine and testing mandate for employers of 100 or more employees;developments;

 

the expiration of existing economic stimulus measures or other government assistance programs implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or the adoption of further such stimulus measures or assistance programs;

 

the availability of credit facilities and access to capital on terms acceptable to us to support the Company’s business;

 

the Company’s ability to underwrite and collect its contracts effectively;

 

competition;

 

dependence on existing management;

 

ability to attract, develop and retain qualified general managers;

 

availability of quality vehicles at prices that will be affordable to customers;

 

changes in consumer finance laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations that have recently been enacted or could be enacted by federal and state governments;

 

ability to keep pace with technological advances and changes in consumer behavior affecting itsthe Company’s business;

 

security breaches, cyber-attacks, or fraudulent activity; and

 

the ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate new acquisitions.

22

 

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

22

 

Overview

 

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation initially formed in 1981 (the “Company”), is one of the largest publicly held automotive retailers in the United States focused exclusively on the “Integrated Auto Sales and Finance” segment of the used car market. The Company’s operations are principally conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Car-Mart of Arkansas”), and Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Colonial”). References to the Company include the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. The Company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for substantially all of its customers. Many of the Company’s customers have limited financial resources and would not qualify for conventional financing as a result of limited credit histories or past credit problems.difficulties. As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company operated 152153 dealerships located primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States.

 

The Company has grown its revenues between approximately 4% and 23% per year over the last ten fiscal years (9% on average). Growth results from same dealership revenue growth and the addition of new dealerships. Revenue increased 38.3%34.6% for the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022 compared to the same period of fiscal 2021, due to a 36.3%36.8% increase in interest income, a 20.5%21.7% increase in the average retail sales price and a 14.7%9.7% increase in retail units sold. The first quarter of the prior year was impacted by the pandemic, resulting in lower sales volumes. The increasing sales price results from the tight supply and high demand for the vehicles the Company sells.

 

The tightened supply of used vehicles has been impacted by COVID-19 over the past several quarters. In general, the demand for quality, used vehicles has increased due to a shortage of new vehicles and fewer available used vehicles on account of lower repossessions, fewer fleet sales and off-lease cars. The Company will continue to invest in its inventory procurement area to consistently offer better quality vehicles to customers while keeping its dealerships sufficiently stocked during this difficult supply period.

 

Over the last five fiscal years, the Company’s credit losses as a percentage of sales have ranged from approximately 20.3% in fiscal 2021 to 28.7% in fiscal 2017 (average of 25.3%). Credit losses as a percentage of sales have steadily improved on an annual basis in each of the past five fiscal years from a historical high in fiscal 2017, as improvements in collection processes and higher recovery rates on repossessions have progressively offset continuing competitive pressures. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company’s credit loss results were adversely impacted due to the impacts of COVID-19. The Company had to briefly suspend certain collection activities during this time period. However, credit loss results improved substantially in fiscal 2021 due to a lower frequency of losses and lower severity of loss amounts relative to the principal balance. This was primarily the result of the Company’s commitment to working with customers and the CARES Act unemployment and stimulus funds, which aided customers’ ability to make their vehicle payments. The improvement in credit losses for fiscal 2021 was further accelerated by the Company’s decision during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 to reduce the allowance for credit losses back to 24.5% of finance receivables, net of deferred revenue, which resulted in a $15.1 million pretax decrease in the provision for credit losses. Credit losses as a percentage of sales for the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022 were 23.1%24.2%.

 

Traditionally, credit losses, on a percentage basis, tend to be higher at new and developing dealerships than at mature dealerships. Generally, this is because the management at new and developing dealerships tends to be less experienced in making credit decisions and collecting customer accounts and the customer base is less seasoned. Normally more mature dealerships have more repeat customers and, on average, repeat customers are a better credit risk than non-repeat customers. Credit losses and charge-offs can also be impacted by market and economic factors, including a competitive used vehicle financing environment and macro-economic conditions such as inflation in the price of gasoline, groceries and other staple items and overall unemployment levels, as well as the personal income levels of the Company’s customers. Negative macro-economic issues, however, do not always lead to higher credit loss results for the Company because the Company provides basic affordable transportation which in many cases is not a discretionary expenditure for customers.

 

The Company’s gross margin as a percentage of sales has been historically consistent, at approximately 40% to 41% over each of the previous five fiscal years. The Company’s gross margin is based upon the cost of the vehicle purchased, with lower-priced vehicles typically having higher gross margin percentages but lower gross profit dollars and is also affected by the percentage of wholesale sales to retail sales, which relates, for the most part, to repossessed vehicles sold at or near cost. The gross margin percentage increased slightly in fiscal 2021 to 40.7% from 40.5% in the prior fiscal year, while gross margin dollars per retail until sold increased by $791, primarily as a result of the Company selling, on average, a higher priced vehicle in fiscal 2021. The gross margin percentage for the first sixnine months of 2022 decreased to 37.8% from 41.1%40.9% in the prior year period, while gross margin dollars per retail unit sold increased by $615,$733, or 10.9%12.9%. The decrease in the gross margin percentage was primarily related to the increase in average retail sales price. The Company expects that increasing vehicle purchase costs and sales prices will continue to put pressure on its gross margin percentage over the near term as the demand for the vehicles the Company purchases will remain high. The Company successfully manages the business based upon gross margin dollars as demonstrated with the increase during the last two fiscal years in the gross margin dollars per retail unit sold.

 

23

 

The Company consistently focuses on collections.Total collections continue to improve due to the Company’s continued focus. Each dealership is responsible for its own collections with supervisory involvement of the corporate office. Total collections of principal, interest, and late fees for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2022 increased by $21.3$23.1 million, or 19%20.1%, over the prior year quarter and improved 6.8% per average customer.quarter. Principal collections, as a percentage of average finance receivables, were at 10.5%9.9% compared to 12.9%12.1% for the same period in prior year and were in line with expectations and reflected an increase in the weighted average contract terms, as previously discussed.

 

In an ongoing effort to reduce credit losses, improve collection levels and operate more efficiently, the Company continues to look for improvements in its business practices, including better underwriting and better collection procedures. The Company has a proprietary credit scoring system which enables the Company to monitor the quality of contracts. Corporate office personnel monitor proprietary credit scores and work with dealerships when the distribution of scores falls outside of prescribed thresholds. Additionally, the Company places significant focus on the collection area. Consequently, the Company’s training department continues to spend significant time and effort on collections improvements. The directorvice president of collections services oversees the collections department and providescontinues to focus on providing timely oversight and additional accountability on a consistent basis. The Company believes that the proper execution of its business practices is the single most important determinant of its long-term credit loss experience.

 

Hiring, training and retaining qualified associates is critical to the Company’s success. The rate at which the Company adds new dealerships and is able to implement operating initiatives is limited by the number of trained managers and support personnel the Company has at its disposal. Excessive turnover, particularly at the dealership manager level, could impact the Company’s ability to add new dealerships and to meet operational initiatives. COVID-19 continues to impact unemployment levels, business activity and workforce participation, making the landscape for hiring very competitive. The Company has continued to add resources to recruit, train, and develop personnel, especially personnel targeted to fill dealership manager positions. The Company expects to continue to invest in the development of its workforce.

 

The Company aims to continue to increase sales potential by reaching more consumers and then earning their repeat business by delivering a unique and superior customer experience. As part of that mission, the Company recently began to offer new service contracts, which include longer terms, oil changes and roadside assistance. These new service contracts were designed to keep the Company’s customers on the road while centralizing administrative activities to increase efficiencies and productivity at the dealership level. The Company is also investing in digital customer experience initiatives in hopes to reach more potential customers while also improving its sales to repeat customers.

The Company is investing in each of these key areas of its business so each dealership will have the potential to support 1,000 or more active customers in the future.

 


 

Three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 vs. Three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20202021

 

Consolidated Operations

(Operating Statement Dollars in Thousands)

 

   % Change  As a % of Sales 
     

% Change

  

As a % of Sales

  Three Months Ended
January 31,
 

2022

vs.

 Three Months Ended
January 31,
 
 

Three Months Ended
October 31,

 

2021

vs.

 

Three Months Ended
October 31,

  2022  2021  2021  2022  2021 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

Revenues:

  

Sales

 $251,282  $196,684  27.8

%

 100.0

%

 100.0

%

 $252,918  $199,957  26.5

%

 100.0

%

 100.0

%

Interest income

  37,019   26,676  38.8  14.7  13.6   38,980   28,303  37.7  15.4  14.2 

Total

  288,301   223,360  29.1        291,898   228,260  27.9      
  

Costs and expenses:

  

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation shown below

 157,167  116,690  34.7  62.5  59.3  157,248  118,816  32.3  62.2  59.4 

Selling, general and administrative

 37,161  32,536  14.2  14.8  16.5  39,179  33,423  17.2  15.5  16.7 

Provision for credit losses

 60,947  43,862  39.0  24.3  22.3  66,741  47,639  40.1  26.4  23.8 

Interest expense

 2,513  1,658  51.6  1.0  0.8  2,944  1,705  72.7  1.2  0.9 

Depreciation and amortization

 958  928  3.2  0.4  0.5  950  906  4.9  0.4  0.5 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

  44   (64) -  -  -   42   22  90.9  -  - 

Total

  258,790   195,610  32.3

%

       267,104   202,511  31.9

%

     
  

Pretax income

 $29,511  $27,750     11.7

%

 14.1

%

 $24,794  $25,749     9.8

%

 12.9

%

  

Operating Data:

  

Retail units sold

 14,824  14,022         14,126  14,053        

Average stores in operation

 151  150         153  150        

Average units sold per store per month

 32.7  31.2         30.8  31.2        

Average retail sales price

 $16,179  $13,365         $17,076  $13,688        

Gross profit per retail unit sold

 $6,349  $5,705         $6,773  $5,774        

Same store revenue change

 28.2% 12.8%        26.8% 16.9%       
  

Period End Data:

  

Stores open

 152  150         153  151        

Accounts over 30 days past due

 4.0% 2.5%        4.0% 2.8%       

 

Revenues increased by approximately $64.9$63.6 million, or 29.1%27.9%, for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase resulted from revenue growth at dealerships that operated a full three months in both current and prior year quarter ($62.961.1 million) and revenue from dealerships opened after the prior year quarter ($2.02.5 million). Revenue growth was related to a 38.8%37.7% increase in interest income, a 21.1%24.8% increase in the average retail sales price and a 5.7%0.5% increase in retail units sold. Interest income increased approximately $10.3$10.7 million for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, due to the $261.3$286.4 million increase in average finance receivables. Unit sales volumes during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 were negatively impacted by tornados and severe winter weather events in the Company’s market areas. Additionally, the peak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant adversely impacted both the Company’s staffing levels as well as foot traffic from customers at the Company’s dealerships, which significantly impacted unit sales volumes during January 2022.

 

Cost of sales, as a percentage of sales, increased to 62.5%62.2% for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to 59.3%59.4% for the same period of the prior fiscal year, resulting in a gross margin as a percentage of sales of 37.5%37.8% for the current year period compared to 40.7%40.6% for the prior year period.

25

 

Gross margin as a percentage of sales is significantly impacted by the average retail sales price of the vehicles the Company sells, which is largely a function of the Company’s purchase cost. The average retail sales price for the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2022 was $16,179,$17,076, a $2,814$3,388 increase over the prior year quarter. When purchase costs increase, the margin between the purchase cost and the sales price of the vehicles narrows, as a percentage, because the Company must offer affordable prices to its customers. Demand for the vehicles the Company purchases for resale has remained high and the supply has continued to be restricted due to lower repossessions and lower levels of new car production. While the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the availability of vehicles in the market and new car sales is undetermined at this time, the Company has seen disruptions in the supply of vehicles since the beginning of the pandemic and expects the supply to be tighter in the near-term relative to demand, resulting in the continuation of elevated purchase costs and related pressure on the gross margin percentage.costs.

25

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 14.8%15.5% for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, a decrease of 1.8%1.2% from the same period of the prior fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative expenses are, for the most part, fixed in nature. However, the Company has recently made increasing investments in several areas including recruiting, training and retention, inventory procurement and management, customer experience and digital efforts. In dollars, overall selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $4.6$5.8 million in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The majority of this increase is in the payroll and benefits area related to an increased headcount and increased wages and benefits, all in an effort to provide excellent customer service. This includes additional bonus and commissions related to the higher net income levels as several associates (especially the general managers) are compensated based on net income. The Company continues to focus on controlling costs, while at the same time ensuring a solid infrastructure to ensure a high level of support for its customers.

 

Provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales was 24.3%26.4% for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to 22.3%23.8% for the prior year period. The provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales was higher during the current year period primarily due to the growth in the principal balance of finance receivables of $273.7 million, however, net$284.7 million. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average finance receivables remained relatively flat at 4.8%increased only by 0.4% to 5.3% for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to the prior year period.period of 4.9%. The stimulus payments in December 2020 and January 2021 had positive impacts on collections and net charge-off metrics during the previous year comparable quarter. From a long-term historical perspective, the current quarter net charge-offs were much improved and below historical third quarter levels despite the increase in the average retail sales price. The frequency of losses did increase slightly increased while the severity of losses, on a relative basis, were still improved compared to the same quarter in the prior year quarter.year. This is consistent with some expected normalization after the unsustainable historic low resulting from stimulus payments and other factors in the prior year. Recovery rates of repossessed units also contributed to the improvement inpositively impacted net charge-offs. The Company believes that the proper execution of its business practices is the single most important determinant of credit loss experience and will continue to focus on improvements in oversight and accountability provided by the Company’s investments in its corporate infrastructure within the collections area. 

 

Interest expense as a percentage of sales increased slightly to 1.0%1.2% for the three months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, compared to 0.8%0.9% for the prior year period. In dollar terms, interest expense increased $855,000$1.2 million due to an increase in the average borrowings.

borrowings of approximately $141.0 million during the three month period ended January 31, 2022.

 


 

SixNine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 vs. SixNine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20202021

 

Consolidated Operations

(Operating Statement Dollars in Thousands)

 

     

% Change

  

As a % of Sales

  % Change  As a % of Sales 
 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

 

2021

vs.

 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 

2022

vs.

 Nine Months Ended
January 31,
 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  2022  2021  2021  2022  2021 
  

Revenues:

  

Sales

 $498,025  $359,483  38.5

%

 100.0

%

 100.0

%

 $750,942  $559,440  34.2

%

 100.0

%

 100.0

%

Interest income

  70,605   51,788  36.3  14.2  14.4   109,586   80,091  36.8  14.6  14.3 

Total

  568,630   411,271  38.3        860,528   639,531  34.6      
  

Costs and expenses:

  

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation shown below

 309,930  211,564  46.5  62.2  58.9  467,179  330,380  41.4  62.2  59.1 

Selling, general and administrative

 75,961  61,293  23.9  15.3  17.1  115,140  94,716  21.6  15.3  16.9 

Provision for credit losses

 115,055  79,946  43.9  23.1  22.2  181,796  127,585  42.5  24.2  22.8 

Interest expense

 4,496  3,377  33.1  0.9  0.9  7,439  5,082  46.4  1.0  0.9 

Depreciation and amortization

 1,873  1,866  0.4  0.4  0.5  2,823  2,772  1.8  0.4  0.5 

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

  46   (64) -  -  -   88   (42) -  -  - 

Total

  507,361   357,982  41.7

%

       774,465   560,493  38.2

%

     
  

Pretax income

 $61,269  $53,289     12.3

%

 14.8

%

 $86,063  $79,038     11.5

%

 14.1

%

  

Operating Data:

  

Retail units sold

 30,043  26,198         44,169  40,251        

Average stores in operation

 151  150         152  150        

Average units sold per store per month

 33.2  29.1         32.3  29.8        

Average retail sales price

 $15,787  $13,102         $16,199  $13,307        

Gross profit per retail unit

 $6,261  $5,646         $6,424  $5,691        

Same store revenue change

 36.7% 9.5%        33.2% 12.1%       
  

Period End Data:

  

Stores open

 152  150         153  151        

Accounts over 30 days past due

 4.0% 2.5%        4.0% 2.8%       

 

Revenues increased by approximately $157.4$221.0 million, or 38.3%34.6%, for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase resulted from revenue growth at dealerships that operated a full sixnine months in both current and prior year period ($149.8210.0 million) and revenue growth from dealerships opened during or after the prior year quarter ($7.611.0 million). Revenue growth was primarily related to a 20.5%21.7% increase in the average retail sales price and a 14.7%9.7% increase in retail units sold. Interest income increased approximately $18.8$29.5 million, or 36.8%, for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, due to the $239.2$255.0 million increase in average finance receivables.

 

Cost of sales, as a percentage of sales, increased to 62.2% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to 58.9%59.1% for the same period of the prior fiscal year, resulting in a gross margin as a percentage of sales of 37.8% for the current year period compared to 41.1%40.9% for the prior year period. The decrease in the gross margin percentage is primarily related to the increase in purchase costs of the vehicles purchased for resale during the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, partially offset by the increase in average retail sales price during the period. The average retail sales price for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 was $15,787,$16,199, an increase of $615$2,892 over the prior year period.period, resulting in an increase in the gross margin per retail unit of $733.

27

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 15.3% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, a decrease of 1.8%1.6% from the same period of the prior fiscal year. In dollar terms, overall selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $14.7$20.4 million in the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The majority of this increase is in payroll and benefits, including stock-based compensation, as the Company continues to invest in training, developing and recruiting qualified associates, all in an effort to provide excellent customer service.

 

27

Provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales was 23.1%24.2% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to 22.2%22.8% for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 2020.2021. The increase was primarily due to the growth in average finance receivables between periods. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average finance receivables were 9.1%remained flat at 14.5% for the six monthsnine month periods ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 and 9.6% for the prior year period.2021. The frequency of losses did increase slightly increased while the severity of losses, on a relative basis, were improved compared to the same period in the prior year. Recovery rates of repossessed units also contributed to the improvement in net charge-offs.

 

Interest expense as a percentage of sales remained relatively flat at 0.9%1.0% from the prior year period. Interest expense increased $1.1$2.4 million due to an increase of $92.5 million in the average borrowings.

 

Financial Condition

 

The following table sets forth the major balance sheet accounts of the Company as of the dates specified (in thousands):

 

 

October 31, 2021

  

April 30, 2021

  

January 31, 2022

  

April 30, 2021

 

Assets:

          

Finance receivables, net

 $748,205  $625,119  $797,237  $625,119 

Inventory

 108,989  82,263  119,596  82,263 
Income taxes receivable, net 39  - 

Property and equipment, net

 39,644  34,719  45,689  34,719 
  

Liabilities:

  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 53,708  49,486  51,582  49,486 

Income tax payable, net

 405  150  -  150 

Deferred revenue

 75,730  56,810  82,411  56,810 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

 24,385  20,007  26,397  20,007 

Debt facilities

 324,089  225,924  373,156  225,924 

 

Finance receivables, net have increased 19.7%27.5%, and 43.9%42.6% since April 30, 2021 and OctoberJanuary 31, 2020,2021, respectively, while revenues have grown 38.3%34.6% compared to the prior year period. Historically, the growth in finance receivables has been slightly higher than overall revenue growth on an annual basis due to overall term length increases partially offset by improvements in underwriting and collection procedures in an effort to reduce credit losses.

 

During the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022, inventory increased by $26.7$37.3 million compared to inventory at April 30, 2021. The increase in inventory is due to the Company increasing its investment in inventory quantities to accommodate the higher sales volumes and provide customers a quality mix of vehicles, combined with the higher cost of the vehicles the Company purchases.

 

Income taxes payable,receivable, net, was $405,000$39,000 at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to income taxes payable of $150,000 at April 30, 2021, primarily due to the timing of quarterly tax payments.

 

Property and equipment, net, increased by $4.9$11 million at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 as compared to property and equipment, net, at April 30, 2021. The Company incurred $6.8$14 million in expenditures during the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022 primarily related to technology investments, designed to attract additional sales opportunities, and real estate development forremodeling or relocating existing locations. The net increase to property and equipment, net, was partially offset by $1.9$2.8 million in depreciation expense.

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased by $4.2$2.1 million during the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022 as compared to accounts payable and accrued liabilities at April 30, 2021, related primarily to the increased selling, general and administrative expenditures, and the increase in inventory.

 

Deferred revenue increased $18.9$25.6 million at OctoberJanuary 31, 2022 as compared to April 30, 2021, primarily resulting from increased sales of the accident protection plan product and service contracts, as well as the increased terms on the service contracts.

 

28

Deferred income tax liabilities, net, increased approximately $4.4$6.4 million at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 as compared to April 30, 2021, due primarily to the increase in finance receivables, net.


 

Borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facilities fluctuate primarily based upon a number of factors including (i) net income, (ii) finance receivables changes, (iii) income taxes, (iv) capital expenditures, and (v) common stock repurchases. Historically, income from operations, as well as borrowings on the revolving credit facilities, have funded the Company’s finance receivables growth, capital asset purchases and common stock repurchases. In the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022, the Company funded finance receivables growth of $156.9$219.7 million, inventory growth of $26.7$37.3 million, $20.0$26.5 million in common stock repurchases, and capital expenditures of $6.8$14 million with income from operations and a $98.9$147.5 million increase in total debt, net of cash. These investments reflect the Company’s commitment to providing the necessary inventory and facilities to support a growing customer base. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2022, the Company has remodeled or relocated 21 dealerships with six relocations in progress at the end of the quarter.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table sets forth certain summarized historical information with respect to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):

 

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 
 

Six Months Ended
October 31,

  
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

  

2021

 

Operating activities:

  

Net income

 $47,860  $40,760  $66,630  $60,642 

Provision for credit losses

 115,055  79,946  181,796  127,585 

Losses on claims for payment protection plan

 10,012  8,918  14,748  13,898 

Depreciation and amortization

 1,873  1,866  2,823  2,772 

Stock based compensation

 3,949  3,715  4,706  4,969 

Finance receivable originations

 (476,580) (333,255) (718,275) (524,820)

Finance receivable collections

 194,546  168,348  293,458  254,845 

Inventory

 7,155  (8,640) 18,822  3,552 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 5,034  7,644  4,031  10,685 

Deferred payment protection plan revenue

 5,651  2,360 

Deferred accident protection plan revenue

 7,538  4,306 

Deferred service contract revenue

 13,269  1,595  18,063  3,790 

Income taxes, net

 (655) (4,819) (1,101) (4,185)

Deferred income taxes

 4,378  1,371  6,390  2,486 

Accrued interest on finance receivables

 (1,019) 455  (853) 90 

Other

  (479)  3   (1,447)  (74)

Total

  (69,951)  (29,733)  (102,671)  (39,459)
  

Investing activities:

  

Purchase of property and equipment

 (6,844) (5,043) (13,881) (7,011)

Other

  (225)  643   (1,318)  610 

Total

  (7,069)  (4,400)  (15,199)  (6,401)
  

Financing activities:

  

Revolving credit facilities, net

 99,599  (1,860) 148,460  (4,631)

Payments on note payable

 -  (302) -  (443)

Change in cash overdrafts

 (719) (78) (1,801) 913 

Debt issuance costs

 (1,788) (51) (1,787) (282)

Purchase of common stock

 (19,963) (6,080) (26,503) (9,820)

Dividend payments

 (20) (20) (30) (30)

Exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock

  (858)  2,497   (759)  4,754 

Total

  76,251   (5,894)  117,580   (9,539)
  

Decrease in cash

 $(769) $(40,027) $(290) $(55,399)

29

 

The primary drivers of operating profits and cash flows include (i) top line sales (ii) interest income on finance receivables, (iii) gross margin percentages on vehicle sales, and (iv) credit losses, a significant portion of which relates to the collection of principal on finance receivables. The Company generates cash flow from operations. Historically, most or all of this cash is used to fund finance receivables growth, capital expenditures, and common stock repurchases. To the extent finance receivables grow, capital expenditures and common stock repurchases exceed income from operations, generally the Company increases its borrowings under its revolving credit facilities. The majority of the Company’s growth has been self-funded.

 

29

Cash flows from operations for the sixnine months ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year decreased primarily as a result of (i) larger finance receivable originations, partially offset by (i) a larger increase in the provision for credit losses, (ii) larger finance receivable collections, and (iii) an increase in inventory, as compared to the prior year period. Finance receivables, net, increased by $123.1$172.1 million from April 30, 2021 to OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022.

 

The purchase price the Company pays for a vehicle has a significant effect on liquidity and capital resources. Because the Company bases its selling price on the purchase cost for the vehicle, increases in purchase costs result in increased selling prices. As the selling price increases, it becomes more difficult to keep the gross margin percentage and contract term in line with historical results because the Company’s customers have limited incomes and their car payments must remain affordable within their individual budgets. Several external factors can negatively affect the purchase cost of vehicles. Decreases in the overall volume of new car sales, particularly domestic brands, lead to decreased supply in the used car market. Also, constrictions in consumer credit, as well as general economic conditions, can increase overall demand for the types of vehicles the Company purchases for resale as used vehicles become more attractive than new vehicles in times of economic instability. A negative shift in used vehicle supply, combined with strong demand, results in increased used vehicle prices and thus higher purchase costs for the Company. These factors have caused purchase costs to increase generally over the last five years. The tightened supply of used vehicles due to the impact of COVID-19, lower repossessions over the past yeartwo years and the limited supply of new vehicles, have contributed to continuing price increases. The higher vehicle purchase costs resulted in an increase in the average sales price of $2,685,$2,892, or 20.5%21.7%, during the first sixnine months of fiscal 2022 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Management expects the supply of vehicles to remain tight during the near term and to result in further increases in vehicle purchase costs.

 

The Company anticipates that the amount of credit available for the sub-prime auto industry will continue to remain relatively consistent with levels in recent years and will contribute to continued strong overall demand for most, if not all, of the vehicles the Company purchases for resale. Increased competition resulting from availability of funding to the sub-prime auto industry has contributed to lower down payments and longer terms, which have had a negative effect on collection percentages, liquidity and credit losses when compared to historical periods. However, COVID-19 and the resulting economic changes substantially affected consumer behavior during the last fiscal year and could have a long-term impact on the availability of credit and consumer demand depending on the duration and severity of the pandemic and resulting economic disruption.

 

The Company’s liquidity is also impacted by credit losses. Macro-economic factors such as unemployment levels and general inflation, particularly within staple items such as groceries, can significantly affect collection results and ultimately credit losses. The long-term economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting effects on the Company’s collections and credit loss results remains uncertain. The Company has made improvements to its business processes within the last few years to strengthen controls and provide stronger infrastructure to support its collections efforts. The Company continues to strive to reduce credit losses in spite of the current economic challenges and continued competitive pressures by improving deal structures. Management continues to focus on improved execution at the dealership level, specifically as related to working individually with customers concerning collection issues.

 

The Company has generally leased the majority of the properties where its dealerships are located. As of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company leased approximately 82%79% of its dealership properties. The Company expects to continue to lease the majority of the properties where its dealerships are located.

 

The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally restrict distributions by the Company to its shareholders. The distribution limitations under the credit facilities allow the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock so long as either: (a) the aggregate amount of repurchases after September 30, 2021 does not exceed $50 million, net of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options and the total availability under the credit facilities is equal to or greater than 20% of the sum of the borrowing bases, in each case after giving effect to such repurchases (repurchases under this item are excluded from fixed charges for covenant calculations), or (b) the aggregate amount of such repurchases does not exceed 75% of the consolidated net income of the Company measured on a trailing twelve month basis; provided that immediately before and after giving effect to the Company’s stock repurchases, at least 12.5% of the aggregate funds committed under the credit facilities remains available. Thus, although the Company does routinely repurchase stock, the Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to its shareholders without the consent of the Company’s lenders.

 

30

At OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company had approximately $2.1$2.6 million of cash on hand and approximately an additional $106.3$84.4 million of availability under its revolving credit facilities (see Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). On a short-term basis, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity include income from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facilities. On a longer-term basis, the Company expects its principal sources of liquidity to consist of income from operations and borrowings under revolving credit facilities, fixed interest term loans, or through the sale of securitized debt instruments backed by the Company’s finance receivables. The Company’s revolving credit facilities mature in September 2024. Furthermore, whileLooking forward, the Company has no specific plansmay utilize its conservative balance sheet to issue other debt or equity securities,participate in the Company believes, if necessary,securitization market as it could raise additional capital through the issuance of such securities.would allow it to serve more customers and allow for future growth.

30

 

The Company expects to use cash from operations and borrowings to (i) grow its finance receivables portfolio, (ii) purchase property and equipment of approximately $25 million in the next 12 months in connection with refurbishing existing dealerships and adding new dealerships, (iii) repurchase shares of common stock when favorable conditions exist, and (iv) reduce debt to the extent excess cash is available.

 

The Company believes it will have adequate liquidity to continue to grow its revenues and to satisfy its capital needs for the foreseeable future.

 

Contractual Payment Obligations

 

There have been no material changes outside of the ordinary course of business in the Company’s contractual payment obligations from those reported at April 30, 2021 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company has two standby letters of credit relating to insurance policies totaling $750,000 at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022.

 

Other than these letters of credit, the Company is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangement that management believes is reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

 

Related Finance Company Contingency

 

Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial do not meet the affiliation standard for filing consolidated income tax returns, and as such they file separate federal and state income tax returns. Car-Mart of Arkansas routinely sells its finance receivables to Colonial at what the Company believes to be fair market value and is able to take a tax deduction at the time of sale for the difference between the tax basis of the receivables sold and the sales price. These types of transactions, based upon facts and circumstances, have been permissible under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as described in the Treasury Regulations. For financial accounting purposes, these transactions are eliminated in consolidation and a deferred income tax liability has been recorded for this timing difference. The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of Arkansas to Colonial provides certain legal protection for the Company’s finance receivables and, principally because of certain state apportionment characteristics of Colonial, also has the effect of reducing the Company’s overall effective state income tax rate by approximately 287256 basis points. The actual interpretation of the Regulations is in part a facts and circumstances matter. The Company believes it satisfies the material provisions of the Regulations. Failure to satisfy those provisions could result in the loss of a tax deduction at the time the receivables are sold and have the effect of increasing the Company’s overall effective income tax rate as well as the timing of required tax payments.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company had no accrued penalties or interest as of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company believes the most significant estimate made in the preparation of the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements relates to the determination of its allowance for credit losses, which is discussed below. The Company’s accounting policies are discussed in Note B to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

31

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a level it considers sufficient to cover estimated losses inherent in the portfolio over the remaining contractual lives in the collection of its finance receivables currently outstanding. At OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the weighted average total contract term was 40.041.2 months with 31.632.4 months remaining. The reserve amount in the allowance for credit losses at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021, $218.22022, $232 million, was 24.5% of the principal balance in finance receivables of $966.4 million,$1.03 billion, less unearned accident protection plan revenue of $38.4$40.2 million and unearned service contract revenue of $37.4$42.2 million.


 

The estimated reserve amount is the Company’s anticipated future net charge-offs for expected losses on the portfolio at the measurement date. The allowance takes into account historical credit loss experience (both timing and severity of losses), with consideration given to recent credit loss trends and changes in contract characteristics (i.e., average amount financed, months outstanding at loss date, term and age of portfolio), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions and underwriting and collection practices. The allowance for credit losses is reviewed at least quarterly by management with any changes reflected in current operations. The calculation of the allowance for credit losses uses the following primary factors:

 

The number of units repossessed or charged-off as a percentage of total units financed over specific historical periods of time from one year to five years.

 

The average net repossession and charge-off loss per unit during the last eighteen months segregated by the number of months since the contract origination date and adjusted for the expected future average net charge-off loss per unit. About 50% of the charge-offs that will ultimately occur in the portfolio are expected to occur within 10-11 months following the balance sheet date. The average age of an account at charge-off date for the eighteen-month period ended OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 was 12.612.5 months.

 

The timing of repossession and charge-off losses relative to the date of sale (i.e., how long it takes for a repossession or charge-off to occur) for repossessions and charge-offs occurring during the last eighteen months.

 

A historical point estimate is produced by this analysis which is then supplemented by any positive or negative subjective factorsthe Company’s forecast, which includes current economic considerations, to arrive at an overall reserve amount that management considers to be a reasonable estimate of expected losses on the portfolio at the measurement date that will be realized via actual charge-offs in the future. Although it is at least reasonably possible that the deterioration in economic conditions and higher unemployment as a result of COVID-19 could lead to additional losses in the portfolio or that other events or circumstances could occur in the future that are not presently foreseen which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses. While challenging economic conditions can negatively impact credit losses, the effectiveness of the execution of internal policies and procedures within the collections area and the competitive environment on the funding side have historically had a more significant effect on collection results than macro-economic issues. A 1% change, as a percentage of finance receivables, in the allowance for credit losses would equate to an approximate pre-tax adjustment of $9.7$9.5 million.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company reduced its allowance for credit losses from 25.0% to 24.5% as a result of improvements in net charge-offs as a percentage of average receivables, the quality of the portfolio and the allowance analysis. However, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, COVID-19 impacted the Company’s customers, resulting in an increased past-due amount as a percentage of receivables (to 6.2% from 2.9%). As a result, the Company increased the allowance for credit losses from 24.5% to 26.5%. Due to improved credit losses during fiscal 2021, as well as its outlook for projected losses, the Company decreased the allowance for credit losses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 from 26.5% to 24.5%.

 

In most states, the Company offers retail customers who finance their vehicle the option of purchasing an accident protection plan product as an add-on to the installment sale contract. This product contractually obligates the Company to cancel the remaining principal outstanding for any contract where the retail customer has totaled the vehicle, as defined by the product, or the vehicle has been stolen. The Company periodically evaluates anticipated losses to ensure that if anticipated losses exceed deferred accident protection plan revenues, an additional liability is recorded for such difference. No such liability was required at OctoberJanuary 31, 20212022 or April 30, 2021.

 


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Occasionally, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies, which the Company will adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes the implementation of recently issued standards which are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

Effective in Future Periods

 

Reference Rate Reform. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform. The pronouncement provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden of accounting for reference rate reform. This guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company expects to utilize this optional guidance, buthowever, does not expect the impact to be material. material as it only relates to one debt facility currently indexed to LIBOR.


 

Seasonality

 

Historically, the Company’s third fiscal quarter (November through January) has been the slowest period for vehicle sales. Conversely, the Company’s first and fourth fiscal quarters (May through July and February through April) have historically been the busiest times for vehicle sales. Therefore, the Company generally realizes a higher proportion of its revenue and operating profit during the first and fourth fiscal quarters. Over the past two years, normal seasonality has been disrupted due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company expects thisthe seasonality pattern to continuenormalize in future years.the short term and the historical pattern seasonality to resume.

 

If conditions arise that impair vehicle sales during the first or fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and operating results for the year could be disproportionately large.

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company is exposed to market risk on its financial instruments from changes in interest rates. In particular, the Company has historically had exposure to changes in the federal primary credit rate, and the prime interest rate of its lender. The Company does not use financial instruments for trading purposes but has in the past entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk.

 

Interest rate risk.  The Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates is primarily related to its debt obligations. The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of its revolving credit facilities. The interest rates charged to the Company under its credit facilities fluctuate based on its primary lender’s base rate of interest. The Company had total indebtedness of $326.2$375.1 million outstanding under its revolving credit facilities at OctoberJanuary 31, 2021.2022. The impact of a 1% increase in interest rates on this amount of debt would result in increased annual interest expense of approximately $3.3$3.8 million and a corresponding decrease in net income before income tax.

 

The Company’s earnings are impacted by its net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on interest-bearing assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing notes payable. The Company’s finance receivables carry a fixed interest rate of 15% or 16.5% per annum (19.5% to 21.5% in Illinois), while its revolving credit facilities contain variable interest rates that fluctuate with market interest rates.


 

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

 

 

a)

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Based on management’s evaluation (with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), as of OctoberJanuary 31, 2021,2022, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 

b)

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 


 

PART II

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has become a defendant in various types of legal proceedings. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not expect the final outcome of any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021.

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The Company is authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock under its common stock repurchase program. On December 14, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional one million shares along with the balance remaining under its previous authorization approved and announced on November 16, 2017.

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company of shares of the Company’s common stock during the periods indicated:

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

  

Average Price Paid per Share

  

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)

  

Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)

 

August 1, 2021 through August 31, 2021

  31,500  $127.61   31,500   987,019 

September 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021

  27,701   123.76   27,701   959,318 

October 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021

  7,500   119.68   7,500   951,818 

Total

  66,701  $125.12   66,701     

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

  

Average Price Paid per Share

  

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)

  

Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)

 

November 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021

  -  $-   -   870,076 

December 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021

  34,261   105.29   34,261   835,815 

January 1, 2022 through January 31, 2022

  29,500   99.39   29,500   806,315 

Total

  63,761  $102.56   63,761     

 

 

(1)

The above described stock repurchase program has no expiration date.

 

The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. Payment of cash dividends in the future will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s future earnings, operations, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions that may exist, and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. The Company is also limited in its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to its shareholders without the consent of its lender. Please see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” under Item 2 of Part I for more information regarding this limitation.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosure

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 


 

Item 6.Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on November 16, 2005 (File No. 333-129727)).

   

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated December 4, 2007.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on December 7, 2007).

   

3.3

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2014).

   

10.1

Amendment No. 3 to Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated September 29, 2021, among America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Parent; Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, America’s Car-Mart Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart Inc., a Texas corporation, as Borrowers; and certain financial institutions, as Lenders, with BMO Harris Bank, N.A., as Agent, Lead Arranger and Book Manager (Incorporated by reference to  Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 30, 2021).

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

   

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

   

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document

   

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

   

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

   

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

   

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

   

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

   

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document and included in Exhibit 101)

 

35


 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

Americas Car-Mart, Inc.

By:         /s/ Jeffrey A. Williams

Jeffrey A. Williams

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

By:         /s/ Vickie D. Judy

Vickie D. Judy

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: December 8, 2021

 

 

Americas Car-Mart, Inc.
By:/s/ Jeffrey A. Williams                               
Jeffrey A. Williams
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
By:/s/ Vickie D. Judy                                      
Vickie D. Judy
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: March 9, 2022

 

 

36