SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Fiscal Quarter Ended JulyOctober 31, 2009

Commission File Number 0-12788

 

 

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

IOWA 42-0935283

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

ONE CONVENIENCE BOULEVARD,

ANKENY, IOWA

 

50021

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(515) 965-6100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NONE

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

 

 

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  x    No  ¨

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of Accelerated filer and large accelerated filer@ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Large accelerated filer  xAccelerated filer  ¨Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

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

 

Class

 

Outstanding at September 2,December 1, 2009

Common stock, no par value per share

 50,877,91250,913,712 shares

 

 

 


CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.

INDEX

 

   Page

PART I

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
  Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements  
    Condensed consolidated balance sheets – JulyOctober 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009  3
    Condensed consolidated statements of earnings – three and six months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 and 2008  5
    Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows – threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 and 2008  6
    Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements  8
  Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  1413
  Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk.  2223
  Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.  2224

PART II

  OTHER INFORMATION  
  Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.  2324
  Item 1A.  Risk Factors.  2324
Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders25
  Item 6.  Exhibits.  2326

SIGNATURE

  2527

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  July 31,
2009
  April 30,
2009
  October 31,
2009
  April 30,
2009

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $170,780  145,695  $177,951  145,695

Receivables

   9,732  10,888   12,111  10,888

Inventories

   115,659  106,528   117,618  106,528

Prepaid expenses

   2,094  1,394   1,775  1,394

Deferred income taxes

   8,507  11,895   8,526  11,895

Income tax receivable

   —    8,327   5,909  8,327
            

Total current assets

   306,772  284,727   323,890  284,727
            

Other assets

   9,194  8,582   9,452  8,582

Goodwill

   50,976  50,976   51,576  50,976

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $666,922 at July 31, 2009 and of $652,376 at April 30, 2009

   931,677  918,410

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $674,473 at October 31, 2009 and of $652,376 at April 30, 2009

   957,430  918,410
            
  $1,298,619  1,262,695  $1,342,348  1,262,695
            

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  July 31,
2009
  April 30,
2009
  October 31,
2009
  April 30,
2009

Current liabilities:

        

Current maturities of long-term debt

  $25,648  28,442  $25,911  28,442

Accounts payable

   125,754  115,436   141,617  115,436

Accrued expenses

   64,937  77,365   61,278  77,365

Income taxes payable

   7,889  —  
            

Total current liabilities

   224,228  221,243   228,806  221,243
            

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

   156,248  167,887   157,858  167,887

Deferred income taxes

   129,792  125,536   136,092  125,536

Deferred compensation

   11,697  11,085   11,869  11,085

Other long-term liabilities

   14,649  15,914   15,151  15,914
            

Total liabilities

   536,614  541,665   549,776  541,665
            

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Preferred stock, no par value

   —    —     —    —  

Common stock, no par value

   61,911  60,804   63,213  60,804

Retained earnings

   700,094  660,226   729,359  660,226
            

Total shareholders’ equity

   762,005  721,030   792,572  721,030
            
  $1,298,619  1,262,695  $1,342,348  1,262,695
            

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES,INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

  Three months ended July 31,
  2009  2008  Three months ended October 31,  Six months ended October 31,
  2009  2008  2009  2008

Total revenue

  $1,187,940  1,567,297  $1,154,964  1,390,511  2,342,904  2,957,808

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

   967,815  1,368,132   948,600  1,199,444  1,916,415  2,567,576
                  

Gross profit

   220,125  199,165   206,364  191,067  426,489  390,232
            

Operating expenses

   132,358  132,716   131,013  127,391  263,371  260,107

Depreciation and amortization

   17,951  17,484   18,527  17,428  36,478  34,912

Interest, net

   2,704  2,563   2,707  2,414  5,411  4,977
                  

Earnings before income taxes

   67,112  46,402   54,117  43,834  121,229  90,236

Federal and state income taxes

   22,919  17,617   20,525  16,505  43,444  34,122
                  

Net earnings

  $44,193  28,785  $33,592  27,329  77,785  56,114
                  

Earnings per common share

            

Basic

  $.87  .57  $.66  .54  1.53  1.11
                  

Diluted

  $.87  .57  $.66  .54  1.52  1.10
                  

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

   50,863,579  50,753,995   50,899,179  50,784,545  50,881,379  50,769,270

Plus effect of stock options

   132,723  114,902   155,107  178,666  137,702  139,690
                  

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   50,996,302  50,868,897   51,054,286  50,963,211  51,019,081  50,908,960
                  

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  Three Months Ended July 31,   Six Months Ended October 31, 
  2009 2008   2009 2008 

Cash flows from operations:

      

Net earnings

  $44,193  28,785   $77,785  56,114 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   17,951  17,484    36,478  34,912 

Other amortization (accretion)

   238  (132   202  (133

Stock based compensation

   504  503    1,080  752 

Loss on sale and disposal of property and equipment

   8  3,481    755  3,390 

Deferred income taxes

   7,644  3,045    13,925  4,189 

Excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises

   (78 (66   (269 (308

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables

   1,156  (4,276   (1,223 (209

Inventories

   (9,131 (14,803   (11,090 16,050 

Prepaid expenses

   (700 (529   (381 (153

Accounts payable

   10,318  12,455    26,181  (45,419

Accrued expenses

   (12,428 2,665    (16,087 (2,349

Income taxes

   14,764  12,962    1,678  5,622 

Other, net

   16  (75   (65 (13
              

Net cash provided by operations

   74,455  61,499     128,969  72,445 
              

Cash flows from investing:

      

Purchase of property and equipment

   (30,771 (25,618   (70,963 (62,090

Payments for acquisition of business

   (615 (4,450   (4,274 (8,150

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   171  1,003    640  2,067 
              

Net cash used in investing activities

   (31,215 (29,065   (74,597 (68,173
              

Cash flows from financing:

      

Payments of long-term debt

   (14,433 (12,064   (14,794 (14,648

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   525  319    1,061  999  

Payments of cash dividends

   (4,325 (3,808   (8,652 (7,619

Excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises

   78  66    269  308 
              

Net cash used in financing activities

   (18,155 (15,487   (22,116 (20,960
              

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  Three Months Ended July 31,  Six Months Ended October 31, 
  2009  2008  2009  2008 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   25,085  16,947

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   32,256  (16,688

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

   145,695  154,523   145,695  154,523 
             

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  $170,780  171,470  $177,951  137,835 
             

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

 

  Three Months Ended July 31,  Six Months Ended October 31,
  2009  2008  2009  2008

Cash paid during the period for:

        

Interest, net of amount capitalized

  $2,299  2,915  $6,076  6,938

Income taxes

   178  1,125   27,190  22,891

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

1.The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2.The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these interim condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent audited financial statements and notes thereto. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of JulyOctober 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009, and the results of operations for the three and six months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 and 2008, and changes in cash flows for the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

3.The Company recognizes retail sales of gasoline, grocery and general merchandise, prepared food and commissions on lottery, prepaid phone cards, and video rentals at the time of the sale to the customer. Vendor rebates in the form of rack display allowances are treated as a reduction in cost of sales and are recognized incrementally over the period covered by the applicable rebate agreement. Vendor rebates in the form of billbacks are treated as a reduction in cost of sales and are recognized at the time the product is sold.

 

4.The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt excluding capital lease obligations is estimated based on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same or similar issues. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt excluding capital lease obligations was approximately $161,000$163,000 and $173,000, respectively, at JulyOctober 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009. The Company has a $50,000 line of credit with no balance owed at JulyOctober 31, 2009 and April 30, 2009.

 

5.

UnderThe 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), was approved by the Company’s stock option plans, options may be granted to non-employee directors, certain officers,Board of Directors in June 2009 and key employees to purchase an aggregate of 5,260,000approved by the shareholders in September 2009. The Plan replaced the 2000 Option Plan and the Director Stock Plan (together, the “Prior Plans”). All 5,000,000 shares of common stock. Option prices for employees are notallowed to be less thanissued under the fair market value of the stock (110% of fair market value for holders of 10% or more of the Company’s stock) at the date the optionsPlan are granted. On June 23, 2009, stock options totaling 362,000 shares were granted to certain officers and key employees. These awards were granted at no cost to the employee. These awards will vest on June 23, 2012 and compensation expense is

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currently being recognized ratably over the vesting period. Options for 116,164 shares werestill available for grant at JulyOctober 31, 2009,2009. Awards made under the Plan may take the form of stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units. Each share issued pursuant to a stock option will be counted as one share, and options for 1,018,800 shares (which expire between 2009 and 2019) were outstanding. Any additional optioneach share requirements inissued pursuant to an award of restricted stock or restricted stock units will be counted as two shares. Additional information regarding the future would require approval by the shareholders of the Company. Additional informationPlan is provided in the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement.

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Under the Company’s Prior Plans, options could have been granted to non-employee directors, certain officers, and key employees to purchase an aggregate of 5,260,000 shares of common stock. Option prices for employees were not to be less than the fair market value of the stock (110% of fair market value for holders of 10% or more of the Company’s stock) at the date the options were granted. On June 23, 2009, stock options totaling 361,000 shares were granted to certain officers and key employees. These awards were granted at no cost to the employee. These awards will vest on June 23, 2012 and compensation expense is currently being recognized ratably over the vesting period. At October 31, 2009, options for 972,000 shares (which expire between 2010 and 2019) were outstanding for all plans.

On June 25, 2007, stock options totaling 246,000 shares were granted to certain officers and key employees. These awards were granted at no cost to the employee. These awards will vest on June 25, 2010 and compensation expense is currently being recognized ratably over the vesting period.

On July 5, 2005, stock options totaling 234,000 shares were granted to certain officers and key employees. These awards were also granted at no cost to the employee. These awards will vest on July 5, 2010 and compensation expense is currently being recognized ratably over the vesting period.

The 2000 Stock Option Plan grantsgranted employees options with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and expire ten years after the date of grant. Vesting is generally over a three to five-year service period. The non-employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan grantsgranted directors options with an exercise price equal to the average of the last reported sale prices of shares of common stock on the last trading day of each of the 12 months preceding the award of the option. The term of such options is ten years from the date of grant, and each option is exercisable immediately upon grant. On May 1, 2009, stock options totaling 16,000 shares were granted to the directors. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted pursuant to the Director Stock Plan may not exceed 200,000 shares, subject to adjustment to reflect any future stock dividends, stock splits or other relevant capitalization changes.

Information concerning the issuance of stock options under all plans is presented in the following table:

 

   Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding April 30, 2009

  678,000  $20.45

Granted

  378,000   25.27

Exercised

  (35,200  14.90

Forfeited

  (2,000  23.80
       

Outstanding at July 31, 2009

  1,018,800  $22.43
       

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the three-month period ended July 31, 2009

   $8.72

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   Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding April 30, 2009

  678,000  $20.45

Granted

  377,000   25.27

Exercised

  (71,000  14.94

Forfeited

  (12,000  24.41
       

Outstanding at October 31, 2009

  972,000  $22.67
       

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the six-month period ended October 31, 2009

   $8.72

At JulyOctober 31, 2009, all outstanding options had an aggregate intrinsic value of $5,099 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.4 years. The vested options totaled 250,800 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $15.90 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.4 years. The aggregate intrinsic value for the vested options as of July 31, 2009, was $2,893. The aggregate intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the three months ended July 31, 2009, was $387, and the total fair value of shares vested during the three months ended July$8,608

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and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.25 years. The vested options totaled 215,000 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $16.05 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.24 years. The aggregate intrinsic value for the vested options as of October 31, 2009, was $3,329. The aggregate intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the six months ended October 31, 2009, was $947 and the total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended October 31, 2009, was $164.

The fair value of the 2009 stock options granted was estimated utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. The grant date fair value for the May 1, 2009 and the June 23, 2009 options were $10.24 and $8.65, respectively. Significant assumptions include:

 

   May 1, 2009  June 23, 2009 

Risk-free interest rate

  3.64 2.76

Expected option life

  8.75 years   6.09 years  

Expected volatility

  37 38

Expected dividend yield

  1.92 1.74

The expected option life of the award granted was based upon historical experience of employees’ and directors’ exercise behavior. Expected volatility was based upon historical volatility levels over a period commensurate with the expected option life. Expected dividend yield was based on expected dividend rate. Risk free interest rate reflects the yield of a zero coupon U.S. Treasury over the expected option life. Total compensation costs recorded for the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 and 2008, were $504$1,080 and $503,$752 respectively, for the stock option awards. As of JulyOctober 31, 2009, there was $3,745$3,170 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the 2000 Stock Option Plan for stock options which is expected to be recognized ratably through fiscal 2013.

 

6.The Company is named as a defendant in four lawsuits (“hot fuel” cases) brought in the federal courts in Kansas and Missouri against a variety of gasoline retailers. The complaints generally allege that the Company, along with numerous other retailers, has misrepresented gasoline volumes dispensed at its pumps by failing to compensate for expansion that occurs when fuel is sold at temperatures above 60ºF. Fuel is measured at 60ºF in wholesale purchase transactions and computation of motor fuel taxes in Kansas and Missouri. The complaints all seek certification as class actions on behalf of gasoline consumers within those two states, and one of the complaints also seeks certification for a class consisting of gasoline consumers in all states. The actions generally seek recovery for alleged violations of state consumer protection or unfair merchandising practices statutes, negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, civil conspiracy, and violation of the duty of good faith and fair dealing; several seek injunctive relief and punitive damages.

These actions are among a total of 45 similar lawsuits now pending in 28 jurisdictions, including 25 states, Guam, the District

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of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands, against a wide range of defendants that produce, refine, distribute, and/or market gasoline products in the United States. On June 18, 2007, the Federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that all of the pending hot fuel cases (officially, the “Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litigation”) be transferred to the U.S. District

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Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas, for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings, including rulings on discovery matters, various pretrial motions, and class certification. Discovery efforts by both sides are being pursued. Management does not believe the Company is liable to the defendants for the conduct complained of, and intends to contest the matters vigorously.

In April 2009, the Company and five individual directors or officers entered into settlement agreements with plaintiffs in two purported collective and class actions pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (Kristina Jones, et al. v. Casey’s General Stores, Inc., Robert J. Myers, Ronald M. Lamb, Terry W. Handley, Robert C. Ford, and Julia L. Jackowski, individually (“Jones action”) andConnie Wineland, et al. v. Casey’s General Stores, Inc., Robert J. Myers, Ronald M. Lamb, Terry W. Handley, Robert C. Ford, and Julia L. Jackowski (“Wineland action”)). The two actions were brought by plaintiffs seeking to represent approximately 7,800 current and former assistant managers (Jones action) and approximately 76,000 current and former non-management-level store employees (Wineland action). The plaintiffs generally sought back wages, liquidated damages, penalties, attorneys fees and costs, and equitable relief pursuant to various federal and state wage and hour laws and related common law causes of action. (For more information on these proceedings, please see Note 6 to the consolidated condensed financial statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009).

Following a hearing on October 9, 2009, the Court entered an order dated October 22, 2009 granting the parties’ Joint Motion for Final Approval of Settlement and Plaintiffs’ Motion for Final Approval of Attorneys Fees, Reimbursement of Expenses, and Separate Awards for named Plaintiffs and Deponents. The actions were dismissed in their entirety with prejudice, and the settlement class members are permanently enjoined from filing, joining, or prosecuting any claims, suits or administrative proceedings regarding claims released by the settlement. Under the settlement agreements,as approved by the Court, the Company has agreed to paypaid all putative plaintiffs and their counsel in both actions a total of $11.7 million$11,700 (inclusive of plaintiffs’ attorneys fees and costs); the Company’s directors and officers insurance carrier has agreed to pay $3.0 millionpaid $3,000 of that amount on behalf of all defendants. The Company also has agreed to pay up to $400,000paid $277 in related settlement administration expenses. In exchange, the Company will behas been released from the state law claims of all putative plaintiffs who dodid not opt-out of the settlement for any covered claims arising since May 7, 2005 in the Jones action and since January 10, 2006 in the Wineland action. In addition, any plaintiffs who previously opted in to the putative collective actions will be releasing FLSAreleased any claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act arising since November 1, 2004 in the Jones action and since April 15, 2005 in the Wineland action. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, the Company expressly deniesdenied any and all liability to the plaintiffs.

The settlement agreements have been filed with the Court as attachments to the parties’ joint motions for approval of the settlements, and a hearingmonies were distributed on the joint motions was held on May 18,November 12, 2009. Following the hearing, the Court entered Orders granting preliminary approval of the settlement, approving the Notices of Class Action and Claim Forms to be distributed to class members, and setting October 9, 2009 as the date for a hearing on final approval of the settlement.

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From time to time we are involved in other legal and administrative proceedings or investigations arising from the conduct of our business operations, including contractual disputes; environmental contamination or remediation issues; employment or personnel matters; personal injury and property damage claims; and claims by federal, state, and local regulatory authorities relating to the sale of products pursuant to licenses and permits issued by those authorities. Claims for compensatory or

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exemplary damages in those actions may be substantial. While the outcome of such litigation, proceedings, investigations, or claims is never certain, it is our opinion, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s assessment and the availability of insurance proceeds and other collateral sources to cover potential losses, that the ultimate disposition of such matters currently pending or threatened, individually or cumulatively, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operation.

 

7.Effective May 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the application of FASB Statement No. 109 bywe began providing guidance on the recognition and measurement of an enterprise’s tax positions taken in a tax return. FIN 48We additionally clarifiesclarify how an enterprise shouldwe account for a tax position depending on whether the position is ‘more likely than not’ to pass a tax examination. The interpretation providesWe provide guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $6,621at April 30, 2009. At JulyOctober 31, 2009, the Companywe had a total of $5,420$5,910 in gross unrecognized tax benefits. Of this amount, $3,532$3,850 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $321$353 at JulyOctober 31, 2009 and $650 at April 30, 2009. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 was a benefit of approximately $329$297 and an $83 expense of $140 for the same period of 2008. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to the state income tax filing positions and federal tax credits claimed for the Company’sour corporate subsidiaries.

A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions.It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. As of JulyOctober 31, 2009, the Company did not have any ongoing federal income tax examinations. Two states have examinationsOne state has an examination in progress. The Company did not have any outstanding litigation related to tax matters. At this time, management expects the aggregate amount of unrecognized tax benefits to decrease by approximately $900 within the next 12 months. This expected decrease is due to the expiration of statute of limitations related to certain state income tax filing positions.

The statute of limitations for federal income tax filings remains open for the years 2005 and forward. Tax years 2003 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on the tax code of each state.

 

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8.In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141R replaces SFAS No. 141, and establishesEffective May 1, 2009, we adopted new guidance regarding business combinations. We established requirements for the recognition and measurement of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interest of the acquiree, goodwill acquired, and gain from bargain purchase. SFAS No. 141R appliesThis was applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date iswas on or after the beginning of the annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No. 141R on May 1, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS No. 160 was issued to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of financial information provided to investors by requiring all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No. 160 onEffective May 1, 2009, and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) No. 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (APB) 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1). FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1,we adopted new guidance that requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. The Company adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 on May 1, 2009statements and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

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In MayEffective for the quarter ended July 31, 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events. SFAS No. 165we adopted guidance regarding subsequent events. This guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Company adopted SFAS No. 165

Effective for the quarter ended JulyOctober 31, 2009.

In June 2009 the FASB approvedwe adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (theCodification(the Codification). The Codification will becomeis now the single source of authoritative accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), other than guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and will supersede all existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) and related literature. The Codification will be effective for interim and annual financial periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company will adopt the Codification for the quarter ended October 31, 2009.

 

9.Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation, primarily related to discontinued operations and cash flows related to acquisitions. These changes were not considered material.

 

10.Events that have occurred subsequent to JulyOctober 31, 2009 have been evaluated through September 8,December 7, 2009, the date we expect to file this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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11.The Company’s financial condition and results of operations are affected by a variety of factors and business influences, certain of which are described in the Cautionary Statements included in Item 2 of this Form 10-Q and in the “Risk Factors” described in Item 1A of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with those disclosures.

 

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations(Dollars in Thousands).

Overview

Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (“Casey’s”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (Casey’s, together with its subsidiaries, are referred to herein as the “Company”) operate convenience stores under the name “Casey’s General Store”, “HandiMart” and “Just Diesel” (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Casey’s Store” or “Stores”) in nine Midwestern states, primarily Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. On JulyOctober 31, 2009, there were a total of 1,4831,488 Casey’s Stores in operation. All stores offer gasoline for sale on a self-serve basis and carry a broad selection of food (including freshly prepared foods such as pizza, donuts and sandwiches), beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty aids, automotive products and other non-food items. The Company derives its revenue primarily from the retail sale of gasoline and the products offered in its stores.

Approximately 61% of all Casey’s Stores are located in areas with populations of fewer than 5,000 persons, while approximately 13% of all stores are located in communities with populations exceeding 20,000 persons. The Company operates a

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central warehouse, the Casey’s Distribution Center, adjacent to its Corporate Headquarters facility in Ankeny, Iowa, through which it supplies grocery and general merchandise items to stores. At JulyOctober 31, 2009, the Company owned the land at 1,4421,448 locations and the buildings at 1,4501,456 locations, and leased the land at 4140 locations and the buildings at 3332 locations.

During the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company earned $0.87$0.66 in earnings per share compared to $0.57$0.54 per share for the same quarter a year ago. The Company’s business is seasonal, and generally the Company experiences higher sales and profitability during the first and second fiscal quarters (May-October), when customers tend to purchase greater quantities of gasoline and certain convenience items such as beer and soft drinks.

ThroughDuring the end of the firstsecond fiscal quarter, the Company opened 5two newly constructed stores and replaced an additional 5seven stores. There were nothree acquired stores opened during the quarter. The annual goal is to increase the number of stores by 4%.

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The firstsecond quarter results reflected a 3.2% increase0.7% decrease in same-store gasoline gallons sold, with an average margin of approximately 15.714.3 cents per gallon. The Company policy is to price to the competition, so the timing of retail price changes is driven by local competitive conditions. During the quarter, the Company continued to benefit from a more responsive pricing environment.

Same store sales of grocery and other merchandise and prepared foods and fountain also showed gains during the firstsecond quarter. Operating expenses decreased slightly due to lowerincreased 2.8% in the quarter. Increases in wages, utilities, and insurance were partially offset by savings in transportation costs and credit card fees and a decline in fleet fuel expense.fees.

The weakening U.S. economy and increased unemployment have had an adverse impact on consumer disposable income generally in the Midwest. These conditions have not significantly lowered the over-alloverall demand for gasoline and the merchandise sold in stores, but management expectsacknowledges that customers are trading down to continue facing a challenging operating environment in the coming months.less expensive items. For further information concerning the Company’s operating environment and certain of the conditions that may affect future performance, see the “Cautionary Statements” at the end of this Item 2.

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Three Months Ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 Compared to

Three Months Ended JulyOctober 31, 2008

(Dollars and Amounts in Thousands)

 

Three months ended 7/31/09

  Gasoline  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared Food
& Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $790,629   297,395   95,177   4,739   1,187,940  

Gross profit

   52,726   101,980   60,697   4,722   220,125  

Margin

   6.7 34.3 63.8 99.6 18.5

Gasoline gallons

   335,802      

Three months ended 7/31/08

  Gasoline  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared Food
& Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $1,201,173   274,347   85,631   6,146   1,567,297  

Gross profit

   49,635   93,346   51,831   4,353   199,165  

Margin

   4.1 34.0 60.5 70.8 12.7

Gasoline gallons

   318,196      

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Three months ended 10/31/09  Gasoline  

Grocery &

Other

Merchandise

  

Prepared Food

& Fountain

  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $779,120   276,135   94,860   4,849   1,154,964  

Gross profit

   46,146   94,121   61,261   4,836   206,364  

Margin

   5.9 34.1 64.6 99.7 17.9

Gasoline gallons

   323,719      
Three months ended 10/31/08  Gasoline  

Grocery &

Other

Merchandise

  

Prepared Food

& Fountain

  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $1,031,893   265,347   87,908   5,363   1,390,511  

Gross profit

   43,505   89,874   53,223   4,465   191,067  

Margin

   4.2 33.9 60.5 83.3 13.7

Gasoline gallons

   317,253      

Total revenue for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010 decreased by $379,357 (24.2%$235,547 (16.9%) over the comparable period in fiscal 2009. Retail gasoline sales decreased by $410,544 (34.2%$252,773 (24.5%) as the number of gallons sold increased by 17,606 (5.5%6,466 (2.0%) while the average retail price per gallon decreased 37.7%25.8%. During this same period, retail sales of grocery and general merchandise increased by $23,048 (8.4%$10,788 (4.1%), primarily due to higher cigarette revenues attributable to the federal excise tax increase. Prepared food and fountain sales also increased by $9,546 (11.1%$6,952 (7.9%), due to the continued popularity of menu offerings and strategic price increases.

The other revenue category has primarily consisted of wholesale gasoline and grocery sales to franchise stores and lottery, prepaid phone cards and video rental commissions received. These revenues decreased $1,407 (22.9%$514 (9.6%) for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010 primarily due to the elimination of the franchise program effective December 31, 2008. However, the gross profit margin increased $369 (8.5%$371 (8.3%) primarily due to the increase in lottery commissions of $202 (9.3%$312 (13.9%) from the comparable period in the prior year.

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of total revenue

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Total gross profit margin was 81.5%17.9% for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010, compared to 87.3%13.7% for the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to the decreaseincreases in the average retail price per gallongross profit margin of gasoline sold.all three of our major categories. The gross profit margin on retail gasoline sales increased (to 6.7%5.9%) during the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010 from the firstsecond quarter of the prior year (4.1%(4.2%). The gross profit margin per gallon also increased (to $.1570)$.1426) in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010 from the comparable period in the prior year ($.1560).1371), primarily due to the competitive response of many gasoline retailers to the movement of wholesale costs. The gross profit margin on retail sales of grocery and other merchandise increased (to 34.3%34.1%) from the comparable period in the prior year (34%(33.9%). The increase was primarily caused by increased pack-versus-carton sales in cigarettes. The prepared food margin also increased (to 63.8%64.6%) from the comparable period in the prior year (60.5%), primarily due to lower cheese costs, which we have locked in through October 2009.and other product costs.

Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 11.1%11.3% for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to 8.5%9.2% for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue was caused primarily by a decrease in revenues due to the decline in the average retail price per gallon of gasoline sold. Operating expenses decreased 0.3%increased 2.8% in the firstsecond quarter of 2010 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to an 18.3% decreaseincreases in wages, utilities, and insurance. However, this was partially offset by decreases in transportation costs and credit card feesfees.

The effective tax rate increased 20 basis points to 37.9% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 from 37.7% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the projected reduction of federal tax credits compared to prior year.

Net earnings increased by $6,263 (22.9%). The increase in net earnings was attributable primarily to the increase in the gross profit dollars from gasoline sales, grocery and other merchandise sales, and prepared food and fountain sales.

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Six Months Ended October 31, 2009 Compared to

Six Months Ended October 31, 2008

(Dollars and Amounts in Thousands)

Six months ended 10/31/09  Gasoline  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared Food
& Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $1,569,749   573,530   190,037   9,588   2,342,904  

Gross profit

   98,873   196,101   121,957   9,558   426,489  

Margin

   6.3 34.2 64.2 99.7 18.2

Gasoline gallons

   659,521      
Six months ended 10/31/08  Gasoline  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared Food
& Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $2,233,065   539,693   173,538   11,512   2,957,808  

Gross profit

   93,140   183,220   105,054   8,818   390,232  

Margin

   4.2 33.9 60.5 76.6 13.2

Gasoline gallons

   635,449      

Total revenue for the first six months of fiscal 2010 decreased by $614,904 (20.8%) over the comparable period in fiscal 2009. Retail gasoline sales decreased by $663,316 (29.7%) as the number of gallons sold increased by 24,072 (3.8%) while the average retail price per gallon decreased 32.3%. During this same period, retail sales of grocery and general merchandise increased by $33,837 (6.3%), primarily due to higher cigarette revenues attributable to the federal excise tax increase. Prepared food and fountain sales also increased by $16,499 (9.5%), due to the continued popularity of menu offerings and strategic price increases.

The other revenue category has primarily consisted of wholesale gasoline and grocery sales to franchise stores and lottery, prepaid phone cards and video rental commissions received. These revenues decreased $1,924 (16.7%) for the first six months of fiscal 2010 primarily due to the elimination of the franchise program effective December 31, 2008. However, the gross profit margin increased $740 (8.4%) primarily due to the increase in lottery commissions of $515 (11.6%) from the comparable period in the prior year.

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Total gross profit margin was 18.2% for the first six months of fiscal 2010, compared to 13.2% for the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to increases in the gross profit margin of all three of our major categories. The gross profit margin on retail gasoline sales increased (to 6.3%) during the first six months of fiscal 2010 from the comparable period of the prior year (4.2%). The gross profit margin per gallon also increased (to $.1499) in the first six months of fiscal 2010 from the comparable period in the prior year ($.1466), primarily due to the competitive response of many gasoline retailers to the movement of wholesale costs. The gross profit margin on retail sales of grocery and other merchandise increased (to 34.2%) from the comparable period in the prior year (33.9%). The increase was primarily caused by increased pack-versus-carton sales in cigarettes. The prepared food margin also increased (to 64.2%) from the comparable period in the prior year (60.5%), primarily due to lower gasoline pricescheese and other product costs.

Operating expenses as a significantpercentage of total revenue were 11.2% for the first six months of fiscal 2010 compared to 8.8% for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue was caused primarily by a decrease in revenues due to the decline in the average retail price per gallon of gasoline sold. Operating expenses increased 1.3% in the first six months of fiscal 2010 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to increases in wages, utilities, and insurance. However, this was partially offset by decreases in transportation costs.costs and credit card fees. Also, the comparable period in the prior year included impairment charges of $2,553 related to five stores damaged by the significant flooding in the upper Midwest in June 2008.

The effective tax rate decreased 380200 basis points to 34.2% in35.8% for the first quartersix months of fiscal year 2010 from 38.0%37.8% in the first quarter

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comparable period of fiscal year 2009.the prior year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations for unrecognized tax benefits related to risks associated with federal tax credits claimed for the Company’s subsidiaries.

Net earnings increased by $15,408 (53.5%$21,671 (38.6%). The increase in net earnings was attributable primarily to the increase in the gross profit dollars from gasoline sales, grocery and other merchandise sales, and prepared food and fountain sales.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective judgments, often because of the need to estimate the effects of inherently uncertain factors.

Inventory. Inventories, which consist of merchandise and gasoline, are stated at the lower of cost or market. For gasoline, cost is determined through the use of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. For merchandise inventories, cost is determined through the use

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of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method applied to inventory values determined primarily by the FIFO method for warehouse inventories and the retail inventory method (RIM) for store inventories, except for cigarettes, beer, pop, and prepared foods, which are valued at cost. RIM is an averaging method widely used in the retail industry because of its practicality.

Under RIM, inventory valuations are at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to sales. Inherent in the RIM calculations are certain management judgments and estimates that could affect the ending inventory valuation at cost and the resulting gross margins.

Vendor allowances include rebates and other funds received from vendors to promote their products. The Company often receives such allowances on the basis of quantitative contract terms that vary by product and vendor or directly on the basis of purchases made. RebatesVendor rebates in the form of rack display allowances are treated as a reduction in cost of sales and are recognized incrementally over the period covered by the applicable rebate agreement. Vendor rebates in the form of billbacks are treated as reductionsa reduction in cost of inventory costs when purchasessales and are made; reimbursements of an operating expense (e.g., advertising) are recorded as reductions ofrecognized at the related expense.time the product is sold.

Long-lived Assets. The Company periodically monitors under-performing stores to assess whether the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recognized. Impairment is based on the estimated fair value of the asset. Fair value is based on management’s estimate of the future cash flows to be generated and the amount that could be realized from the sale of assets in a current transaction

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between willing parties. The estimate is derived from offers, actual sale or disposition of assets subsequent to the reporting period, and other indications of asset value. In determining whether an asset is impaired, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for the Company is generally on a store-by-store basis. Management expects to continue its on-going evaluation of under-performing stores, and may periodically sell specific stores where further operational and marketing efforts are not likely to improve their performance. The Company did not incur any impairment charges during the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009. The Company recognized charges of $2,553 for five stores damaged by significant flooding in June of 2008. The Company also incurred additional impairment charges of $700$985 during the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2008 for stores not affected by the flooding. The impairment charges are a component of operating expenses.

Self-insurance. The Company is primarily self-insured for employee health care, workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile claims. The self-insurance claim liability is determined actuarially based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Actuarial projections of the losses are employed due to the high degree of variability in the liability estimates. Some factors affecting the uncertainty of claims include the time frame of development, settlement patterns, litigation and adjudication direction, and medical treatment and cost trends. The liability is not discounted.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements. Please see Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to the Company.

Liquidity and Capital Resources(Dollars in Thousands)

Due to the nature of the Company’s business, cash provided by operations is the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company finances its inventory purchases primarily from normal trade credit aided by the relatively rapid turnover of inventory. This turnover allows the Company to conduct its operations without large amounts of cash and working capital. As of JulyOctober 31, 2009, the Company’s ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.371.42 to 1. The ratio at JulyOctober 31, 2008 and April 30, 2009 was 1.221.32 to 1 and 1.29 to 1, respectively. Management believes that the Company’s current $50,000 bank line of credit, together with cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy the working capital needs of our business.

Net cash provided by operations increased $12,956 (21.1%$56,524 (78%) in the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily as a result of larger net earnings and a smaller increaseincreases in inventories.accounts payable and deferred income taxes. This result was partially offset by a smalleran increase in accounts payable,inventories and a larger decrease in accrued expenses, and a decrease in loss on sale and disposal of property and

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equipment.expenses. Cash used in investing in the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009 increased due to the purchase of additional property and equipment. Cash used in financing increased, primarily due to an increase in the repayments of long-term debt and the dividends paid in the current year.

Capital expenditures represent the single largest use of Company funds. Management believes that by reinvesting in stores, the Company will be better able to respond to competitive challenges and increase operating efficiencies. During the first threesix months of fiscal 2010, the Company expended $31,386$75,237 for property and equipment, primarily for the construction, acquisition and remodeling of stores, compared to $30,068$70,240 for the comparable period in the prior year. The Company anticipates expending approximately $165,000 in fiscal 2010 for construction, acquisition and remodeling of stores, primarily from existing cash and funds generated by operations.

As of JulyOctober 31, 2009, the Company had long-term debt, net of current maturities, of $156,248,$157,858, consisting of $100,000 in principal amount of 5.72% Senior Notes, Series A and B, $30,000 in principal amount of 7.38% Senior Notes, $17,000 in principal amount of Senior Notes, Series A through Series F, with interest rates ranging from 6.18% to 7.23%, $1,011$844 of mortgage notes payable, and $8,237$10,014 of capital lease obligations.

To date, the Company has funded capital expenditures primarily from the proceeds of the sale of Common Stock, issuance of 6-1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures (which were converted into shares of Common Stock in 1994), the above-described

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Senior Notes, a mortgage note, and through funds generated from operations. Future capital needs required to finance operations, improvements and the anticipated growth in the number of stores are expected to be met from cash generated by operations, the bank line of credit, and additional long-term debt or other securities as circumstances may dictate, and are not expected to adversely affect liquidity.

Cautionary Statements(Dollars in Thousands)

The foregoing Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including (i) any statements regarding future sales and gross profit percentages, (ii) any statements regarding the continuation of historical trends and (iii) any statements regarding the sufficiency of the Company’s cash balances and cash generated from operations and financing activities for the Company’s future liquidity and capital resource needs. The Company cautions that these statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitations, the following factors described more completely in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2009:

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Competition. The Company’s business is highly competitive, and marked by ease of entry and constant change in terms of the numbers and type of retailers offering the products and services found in stores. Many of the food (including prepared foods) and non-food items similar or identical to those sold by the Company are generally available from a variety of competitors in the communities served by stores, and the Company competes with other convenience store chains, gasoline stations, supermarkets, drug stores, discount stores, club stores, mass merchants and “fast-food” outlets (with respect to the sale of prepared foods). Sales of such non-gasoline items (particularly prepared food items) have contributed substantially to the Company’s gross profits from retail sales in recent years. Gasoline sales are also intensely competitive. The Company competes with both independent and national brand gasoline stations in the sale of gasoline, other convenience store chains and several non-traditional gasoline retailers such as supermarkets in specific markets. Some of these other gasoline retailers may have access to more favorable arrangements for gasoline supply then do the Company or the firms that supply its stores. Some of the Company’s competitors have greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company, and, as a result, may be able to respond better to changes in the economy and new opportunities within the industry.

Gasoline operations. Gasoline sales are an important part of the Company’s sales and earnings, and retail gasoline profit margins have a substantial impact on the Company’s net income.earnings. Profit margins on gasoline sales can be adversely affected by factors

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beyond the control of the Company, including the supply of gasoline available in the retail gasoline market, uncertainty or volatility in the wholesale gasoline market, increases in wholesale gasoline costs generally during a period and price competition from other gasoline marketers. The market for crude oil and domestic wholesale petroleum products is marked by significant volatility, and is affected by general political conditions and instability in oil producing regions such as the Middle East and South America. The volatility of the wholesale gasoline market makes it extremely difficult to predict the impact of future wholesale cost fluctuation on the Company’s operating results and financial conditions. These factors could materially impact the Company’s gasoline gallon volume, gasoline gross profit and overall customer traffic levels at stores. Any substantial decrease in profit margins on gasoline sales or in the number of gallons sold by stores could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings.

The Company purchases its gasoline from a variety of independent national and regional petroleum distributors. Although in recent years the Company’s suppliers have not experienced any difficulties in obtaining sufficient amounts of gasoline to meet the Company’s needs, unanticipated national and international events could result in a reduction of gasoline supplies available for distribution to the Company. Any substantial curtailment in gasoline supplied to the Company could adversely affect the Company by reducing its gasoline sales. Further, management believes that a significant amount of the Company’s business results from the

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patronage of customers primarily desiring to purchase gasoline and, accordingly, reduced gasoline supplies could adversely affect the sale of non-gasoline items. Such factors could have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s earnings and operations.

Tobacco Products. Sales of tobacco products represent a significant portion of the Company’s revenues. Significant increases in wholesale cigarette costs and tax increases on tobacco products, as well as national and local campaigns to discourage smoking in the United States, could have an adverse affect on the demand for cigarettes sold by stores. The Company attempts to pass price increases onto its customers, but competitive pressures in specific markets may prevent it from doing so. These factors could materially impact the retail price of cigarettes, the volume of cigarettes sold by stores and overall customer traffic.

Environmental Compliance Costs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and several states, including Iowa, have established requirements for owners and operators of underground gasoline storage tanks (USTs) with regard to (i) maintenance of leak detection, corrosion protection and overfill/spill protection systems; (ii) upgrade of existing tanks; (iii) actions required in the event of a detected leak; (iv) prevention of leakage through tank closings; and (v) required gasoline inventory recordkeeping. Since 1984, new Company stores have been equipped with non-corroding fiberglass USTs, including many with double-wall construction, over-fill protection and electronic tank monitoring. The Company currently has 3,2573,281 USTs, of which 2,7522,769 are fiberglass and 505512 are steel. Management believes that its existing gasoline procedures and planned capital expenditures will continue to keep the Company in substantial compliance with all current federal and state UST regulations.

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Several of the states in which the Company does business have trust fund programs with provisions for sharing or reimbursing corrective action or remediation costs incurred by UST owners, including the Company. In each of the years ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company spent approximately $1,128 and $1,133, respectively, for assessments and remediation. During the threesix months ended JulyOctober 31, 2009, the Company expended approximately $326$758 for such purposes. Substantially all of these expenditures have been submitted for reimbursement from state-sponsored trust fund programs and as of JulyOctober 31, 2009, approximately $12,335$12,871 has been received from such programs since their inception. Such amounts are typically subject to statutory provisions requiring repayment of the reimbursed funds for non-compliance with upgrade provisions or other applicable laws. No amounts are currently expected to be repaid. The Company has an accrued liability at JulyOctober 31, 2009 of approximately $199$220 for estimated expenses related to anticipated corrective actions or remediation efforts, including relevant legal and consulting costs. Management believes the Company has no material joint and several environmental liability with other parties.

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Although the Company regularly accrues expenses for the estimated costs related to its future corrective action or remediation efforts, there can be no assurance that such accrued amounts will be sufficient to pay such costs, or that the Company has identified all environmental liabilities at all of its current store locations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur substantial expenditures in the future for remediation of contamination or related claims that have not been discovered or asserted with respect to existing store locations or locations that the Company may acquire in the future, or that the Company will not be subject to any claims for reimbursement of funds disbursed to the Company under the various state programs or that additional regulations, or amendments to existing regulations, will not require additional expenditures beyond those presently anticipated.

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company was not a party to any derivative financial instruments. In addition, management believes that the Company is not materially at risk for changes in interest rates relating to its investment portfolio and long-term debt obligations. The Company places its investments with high quality credit issuers and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. As stated in its policy, the Company’s first priority is to reduce the risk of principal loss. Consequently, the Company seeks to preserve its invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk. The Company mitigates default risk by investing in only high quality credit securities that it believes to be low risk and by positioning its portfolio to respond appropriately to a significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer or guarantor. The portfolio includes only money market funds and marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure portfolio liquidity.

 

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Item 4.Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 240.13a-15(e)). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

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There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

The information required by this Item is set forth in Note 6 to the consolidated condensed financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our “risk factors” from those disclosed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

At the annual meeting of shareholders held on September 18, 2009, nine directors were elected for a term of one year. Each of the nominees so elected, with the exception of Mr. Horak and Mr. Wilkey, previously has been elected by shareholders as a director of the Company. The votes cast or withheld for each nominee were as follows:

Name

 

Number of Shares

Voting For

 

Number of Shares

That Withheld

Authority

Ronald M. Lamb

 48,148,550 707,016

Robert J. Myers

 48,596,210 259,355

Diane C. Bridgewater

 48,259,851 595,714

Johnny Danos

 48,243,178 612,387

Kenneth H. Haynie

 40,567,649 8,287,917

William C. Kimball

 48,256,364 599,201

Jeffrey M. Lamberti

 48,072,131 783,434

Richard A. Wilkey

 48,437,622 417,943

H. Lynn Horak

 48,568,215 287,350

At the annual meeting, shareholders also ratified the selection of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2010, with votes being cast as follows:

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

47,712,135

 855,577 287,854

The shareholders also approved the Casey’s General Stores, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, with the vote being as follows:

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Non-votes

37,965,770

 7,793,888 193,491 2,902,417

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Item 6.Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with this Report or, if so indicated, incorporated by reference.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

  4.4

  Note Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995 between Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company(incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 11, 1996).

  4.6

  Note Agreement dated as of April 15, 1999 among the Company and Principal Life Insurance Company and other purchasers of the 6.18% to 7.23% Senior Notes, Series A through Series F(incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 1999).

  4.7

  Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 1, 2000 among the Company and the purchasers of the 7.89% Senior Notes, Series 2000-A(incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 23, 2000).

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  4.8

  Note Purchase Agreement dated as of September 29, 2006 among the Company and the purchasers of the 5.72% Senior Notes, Series A and Series B(incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 29, 2006).

31.1

  Certification of Robert J. Myers under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

  Certification of William J. Walljasper under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

  Certificate of Robert J. Myers under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

  Certificate of William J. Walljasper under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURE

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

 

  CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.
Date: September 8,December 7, 2009 By: 

/s/ WilliamS/    WILLIAM J. WalljasperWALLJASPER        

  William J. Walljasper
 William J. WalljasperIts:Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
  Its:Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(Authorized Officer and Principal

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

31.1  Certification of Robert J. Myers under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2  Certification of William J. Walljasper under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1  Certificate of Robert J. Myers under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2  Certificate of William J. Walljasper under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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