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 JanuaryJuly 31, 2014

Commission File Number 001-34700

 

 

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  x    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 ¨   

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 March 5,September 2, 2014

Common stock, no par value per share

  38,488,03738,649,999 shares

 

 

 


CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.

INDEX

 

    Page 

PART I

 FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
 Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements  3
  Condensed consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)—January– July 31, 2014 and April 30, 20132014 (unaudited)   3  
  Condensed consolidated statements of income (unaudited)—three and nine months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)   5  
  Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)—nine– three months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)   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   2422  
 Item 4. Controls and Procedures   2522  

PART II

 OTHER INFORMATION  
 Item 1. Legal Proceedings   2523  
 Item 1A. Risk Factors   2523  
 Item 6. Exhibits   2624  

SIGNATURE

��   2825  

PART I – I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  January 31,   April 30,   July 31,   April 30, 
  2014   2013   2014   2014 

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $102,160     41,271    $116,747     121,641  

Receivables

   25,067     20,900     30,331     25,841  

Inventories

   190,839     189,514     218,403     204,833  

Prepaid expenses

   2,092     1,396     2,748     1,478  

Deferred income taxes

   12,096     9,916     12,225     11,878  

Income tax receivable

   13,403     9,820     —       12,473  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total current assets

   345,657     272,817     380,454     378,144  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Other assets, net of amortization

   15,453     14,485     16,395     15,947  

Goodwill

   120,081     114,791     126,931     120,406  

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,029,303 at January 31, 2014 and $952,286 at April 30, 2013

   1,745,011     1,581,925  

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,093,305 at July 31, 2014 and $1,062,278 at April 30, 2014

   1,852,807     1,778,965  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total assets

  $2,226,202     1,984,018    $2,376,587     2,293,462  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  January 31,   April 30,   July 31,   April 30, 
  2014   2013   2014   2014 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        

Current liabilities:

        

Notes payable to bank

  $—       59,100    $—       —    

Current maturities of long-term debt

   8,177     15,810     427     553  

Accounts payable

   201,812     232,913     255,767     250,807  

Accrued expenses

   109,568     89,925     119,887     111,583  

Income taxes payable

   19,900     —    
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total current liabilities

   319,557     397,748     395,981     362,943  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

   853,739     653,081     853,545     853,642  

Deferred income taxes

   309,918     293,708     320,136     317,953  

Deferred compensation

   16,440     15,787     16,938     16,558  

Other long-term liabilities

   24,795     21,399     19,033     22,500  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total liabilities

   1,524,449     1,381,723     1,605,633     1,573,596  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Preferred stock, no par value

   —       —       —       —    

Common stock, no par value

   31,647     23,119     40,402     33,878  

Retained earnings

   670,106     579,176     730,552     685,988  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   701,753     602,295     770,954     719,866  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $2,226,202     1,984,018    $2,376,587     2,293,462  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES,INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

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

 

  Three months ended
January 31,
   Nine months ended
January 31,
   Three months ended July 31, 
  2014   2013   2014   2013   2014   2013 

Total revenue

  $1,790,055     1,662,365     5,920,689     5,442,311    $2,291,186     2,114,749  

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

   1,510,182     1,412,679     4,973,005     4,626,338     1,917,010     1,769,239  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross profit

   279,873     249,686     947,684     815,973     374,176     345,510  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating expenses

   214,671     189,872     647,174     569,311     244,318     215,974  

Depreciation and amortization

   32,687     28,229     95,604     81,913     36,249     30,501  

Interest, net

   9,947     8,764     29,151     26,305     10,257     9,456  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   22,568     22,821     175,755     138,444     83,352     89,579  

Federal and state income taxes

   7,899     7,358     64,057     51,091     31,062     33,869  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $14,669     15,463     111,698     87,353    $52,290     55,710  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income per common share

            

Basic

  $0.38     0.40     2.91     2.28    $1.35     1.45  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted

  $0.38     0.40     2.87     2.26    $1.34     1.43  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

   38,482,970     38,317,140     38,443,816     38,282,196     38,616,340     38,393,076  

Plus effect of stock compensation

   444,061     304,948     418,025     331,934     390,121     434,809  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   38,927,031     38,622,088     38,861,841     38,614,130     39,006,461     38,827,885  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Dividends declared per share

  $0.18     0.165     0.54     0.495  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  Nine months ended January 31,   Three months ended July 31, 
  2014 2013   2014 2013 

Cash flows from operations:

   

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net income

  $111,698   87,353    $52,290  55,710 

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

   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   95,604   81,913     36,249  30,501 

Other amortization

   223   159     108  93 

Stock based compensation

   4,001   3,165  

Stock-based compensation

   1,632  1,044 

Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges

   2,880   4,272     242  916 

Deferred income taxes

   14,030   29,098     1,836  3,122 

Excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises

   (1,615 (1,682   (579 (440

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables

   (4,167 1,910     (4,490 (5,018

Inventories

   84  (12,087   (11,362 (15,979

Prepaid expenses

   (696) (655   (1,270 (1,433

Accounts payable

   (31,101 (13,920   4,960  19,631 

Accrued expenses

   18,933  11,969     7,458  20,005 

Income taxes

   1,028  3,682     29,301  30,207 

Other, net

   (216) (638   (18 (126
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by operations

   210,686   194,539  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   116,357   138,233 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from investing:

   

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Purchase of property and equipment

   (242,548)  (241,126   (88,789  (72,456

Payments for acquisition of stores, net of cash acquired

   (26,583)  (25,198

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   2,219   2,421  

Payments for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

   (30,774  (1,669

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

   557   449 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (266,912)  (263,903   (119,006  (73,676
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from financing:

   

Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Proceeds from long-term debt

   200,000   —       —      150,000 

Payments of long-term debt

   (8,144)  (5,562

Net (payments) borrowings of short-term debt

   (59,100)  58,600  

Repayments of long-term debt

   (223  (208

Net repayments of short-term debt

   —      (59,100

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   2,912   4,209     4,313   900 

Payments of cash dividends

   (20,168  (18,963   (6,914  (6,913

Excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises

   1,615   1,682     579   440 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

   117,115   39,966  

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (2,245  85,119 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

 

  Nine months ended January 31,   Three months ended July 31, 
  2014   2013   2014 2013 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   60,889    (29,398

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (4,894 149,676 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

   41,271     55,919     121,641  41,271 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  $102,160     26,521    $116,747   190,947 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

 

   Nine months ended January 31, 
   2014   2013 

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest, net of amount capitalized

  $19,969     17,637  

Income taxes

   48,960     18,280  

Noncash investing and financing activities

    

Property and equipment acquired through capitalized lease obligations

   1,169    981 
   Three months ended July 31, 
   2014  2013 

Cash paid (received) during the period for:

   

Interest, net of amount capitalized

  $3,665    118 

Income taxes, net

   (106  540 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

1. Presentation of Financial Statements

1.Presentation of Financial Statements

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. Basis of Presentation

2.Basis of Presentation

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 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of all normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013,2014, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013, and cash flows for the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013.

3. Revenue Recognition

3.Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes retail sales of gasoline,fuel, grocery and general merchandise, prepared food and fountain and commissions on lottery, newspapers, prepaid phone cards, and video rentals at the time of the sale to the customer. Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) are treated as a reduction in cost of goods sold in the period the Company enters intocommits to a commitmentprice and agrees to sell them.the RIN. Vendor rebates in the form of rack display allowances are treated as a reduction in cost of goods sold and are recognized pro rata over the period covered by the applicable rebate agreement. Vendor rebates in the form of billbacks are treated as a reduction in cost of goods sold and are recognized at the time the product is sold.

4. Long-Term Debt and Fair Value Disclosure

4.Long-Term Debt and Fair Value Disclosure

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt 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 was approximately $849,000$894,000 and $721,000,$841,000, respectively, at JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013.2014. The Company has an aggregate $100,000 line of credit with no balance owed at JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and a $59,100 balance owed at April 30, 2013 with a weighted average interest rate2014, respectively.

5. Disclosure of 0.95%. On December 17, 2013, the Company issued an additional $50,000 principal amount of Series B 3.75% Senior Notes due 2028. The Company also cancelled the $25,000 Promissory Note that was part of its line of credit on June 17, 2013, leaving an aggregate line of credit of $100,000. Further information on current year transactions is set forth in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 18, 2013 and December 18, 2013, respectively.Compensation Related Costs, Share Based Payments

5.Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Stock Based Payments

The 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), was approved by the Board in June 2009 and approved by the shareholders in September 2009. The Plan replaced the 2000 Option Plan and the Non-employee Director Stock Plan (together, the Prior Plans“Prior Plans”).

There are 4,153,6083,916,668 shares still available for grant at JanuaryJuly 31, 2014. 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 reduce the shares available for grant by one, and each share issued pursuant to an award of restricted stock or restricted stock units will reduce the shares available for grant by two. We account for stock-based compensation by estimating the fair value of stock options and restricted stock unit awards granted under the Plan using the market price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. We recognize this fair value as an operating expense in our consolidated statements of income ratably over the requisite service period using the straight-line method.method, as adjusted for certain retirement provisions. Additional information regarding the Plan is provided in the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement.

On June 7, 2013 and June 19, 2013, restricted stock units with respect to a total of 77,650 shares were granted to certain officers and key employees. These awards were granted at no cost to the grantee. These awards will vest on June 7, 2016 and compensation expense is currently being recognized ratably over the vesting period.2016.

On September 13, 2013, restricted stock units totaling 14,000 shares were granted to the non-employee members of the Board. This award was granted at no cost to the non-employee members of the Board. This award vested on May 1, 2014.

On June 6, 2014, restricted stock units with respect to a total of 91,000 shares were granted to certain officers and key employees. These awards were granted at no cost to the grantee. The fair value of these awards was $6,584. These awards will vest on May 1, 2014 and compensation expense is currently being recognized ratably over the vesting period.June 6, 2017.

At JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, options for 731,374645,124 shares (which expire between 2014 and 2021) were outstanding for the Plan and Prior Plans. Information concerning the issuance of stock options under the Plan and Prior Plans is presented in the following table:

 

    Weighted     Weighted 
  Number of average option   Number of average option 
  option shares exercise price   option shares exercise price 

Outstanding at April 30, 2013

   854,809  $34.64  

Outstanding at April 30, 2014

   712,024  $36.73  

Granted

   —     —       —     —   

Exercised

   (121,435 23.98     (66,900 40.27 

Forfeited

   (2,000 44.39     —     —   
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Outstanding at January 31, 2014

   731,374  $36.38  

Outstanding at July 31, 2014

   645,124  $36.36  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

At July 31, 2014, all outstanding options had an aggregate intrinsic value of $19,231 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.8 years. The vested options totaled 645,124 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $36.36 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.8 years. The aggregate intrinsic value for the vested options as of July 31, 2014, was $19,231. The aggregate intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the three months ended July 31, 2014, was $2,018. The fair value of options vested during the quarter ended July 31, 2014 was $6,270.

Information concerning the issuance of restricted stock units under the Plan is presented in the following table:

 

Unvested at April 30, 20132014

   71,196148,546 

Granted

   91,65091,000 

Vested

   (14,15038,198

Forfeited

   (1506,136
  

 

 

 

Unvested at JanuaryJuly 31, 2014

   148,546195,212 
  

 

 

 

At January 31, 2014, all outstanding options had an aggregate intrinsic value of $23,615 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.2 years. The vested options totaled 303,374 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $25.08 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.6 years. The aggregate intrinsic value for the vested options as of January 31, 2014, was $13,224. The aggregate intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the nine months ended January 31, 2014, was $2,549.

Total compensation costs recorded for the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were $4,001$1,632 and $3,165$1,044 for the stock option and restricted stock unit awards. As of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, there was $847 of totalwere no unrecognized compensation costs related to the Plan for stock options and $5,085$9,312 of unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock units which are expected to be recognized ratably through fiscal 2017.2018.

6. Acquisitions

6.Acquisitions

During the first ninethree months of fiscal 2014,2015, the Company acquired 2425 stores through one transaction with a variety of single store and multi-store transactions with several unrelated third parties.party. The stores were valued using a discounted cash flow model on a location by location basis. The acquisitions were recorded in the financial statements by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired, including intangible assets and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the net amounts assigned to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. All of the goodwill associated with these transactions will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years.

Allocation of the purchase price for the transactionstransaction in aggregate is as follows (in thousands):

 

Assets acquired:

    

Inventories

  $1,409    $2,208  

Property and equipment

   19,994     22,075  
  

 

   

 

 

Total assets

   21,403     24,283  
  

 

   

 

 

Liabilities assumed:

    

Accrued expenses

   110     34  
  

 

   

 

 

Total liabilities

   110     34  
  

 

   

 

 

Net tangible assets acquired, net of cash

   21,293     24,249  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

   5,290     6,525  
  

 

   

 

 

Total consideration paid, net of cash acquired

  $26,583    $30,774  
  

 

   

 

 

The allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is preliminary pending finalization of management’s analysis.

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of our consolidated results of operations as if the transactionstransaction referenced above occurred at the beginning of the first fiscal year of the periods presented (amounts in thousands, except per share data)(all acquisitions from the three month period ended July 31, 2014 were completed in May):

 

  Nine months ended
January 31,
   Three months ended
July 31,
 
  2014   2013   2014   2013 

Total revenues

  $5,950,914     5,535,896    $2,291,186     2,210,709  

Net earnings

   112,267     89,006     52,290     57,708  

Earnings per common share:

        

Basic

  $2.92     2.32    $1.35     1.50  

Diluted

  $2.89     2.31    $1.34     1.49  

7. Commitments and Contingencies

7.Commitments and Contingencies

As previously reported, the Company was named as a defendant in four lawsuits (“hot fuel” cases) brought in the federal courts in Kansas and Missouri against a variety of gasolinefuel retailers, which were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas as part of the multidistrict “Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litigation”. On November 20, 2012, the Court preliminarily approved the previously-reported settlement involving the Company, which when approved in final form by the Court following notice to the Class would result in the settlement and dismissal of all claims against Casey’s in the multidistrict litigation. The preliminarily approved settlement includes, but is not limited to, a commitment on the part of the Company to “sticker” certain information on its gasolinefuel pumps and make a monetary payment (which is not considered to be material in amount) to the plaintiff class.

From time to time we may be involved in other legal and administrative proceedings or investigations arising from the conduct of our business operations, including contractual disputes; 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 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.

8. Unrecognized Tax Benefits

8.Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $8,938$9,244 at April 30, 2013.2014. At JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, gross unrecognized tax benefits were $11,787.$9,759. If this unrecognized tax benefit were ultimately recognized, $7,662$6,466 is the amount that would impact our effective tax rate. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $432$183 at JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, and $286$402 at April 30, 2013.2014. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, was $146,a net benefit of $219 and an expense of $141$94 for the same period of 2013. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to certain state income tax filing positions claimed.

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. The Company currently has no ongoing federal or state income tax examinations. The Company does 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 $1,518$2,549 within the next 12 months. ThisThe expected decrease is due to the expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain federal and state income tax filing positions.

The federal statute of limitations for federal income tax filingslimitation remains open for the tax years 2010 and forward. TheTax years 2009 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on open statute of limitations for state income tax filings remains open forwaivers and the tax years 2009 and forward.code of each state.

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11,Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists to provide guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The pronouncement requires unrecognized tax benefits to be offset on the balance sheet by any same-jurisdiction net operating loss or tax credit carryforward that would be used to settle the position with a tax authority. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and will bewas adopted by the Company effective May 1, 2014. We are currently evaluating the impact ofThe adoption on our financial statements. We dodid not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

9. Segment Reporting

9.Segment Reporting

As of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 we operated 1,7831,837 stores in fourteen states. Our stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, fuel and other products and services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of our customers. We manage the business on the basis of one operating segment and therefore, have only one reportable segment. Our stores sell similar products and services, use similar processes to sell those products and services, and sell their products and services to similar classes of customers. We make specific disclosures concerning the three broad merchandise categories of gasoline,fuel, grocery & other merchandise, and prepared food and fountain because it makes it easier for us to discuss trends and operational initiatives within our business and industry. Although we can separate gross margins within these categories (and further sub-categories), the operating expenses associated with operating a store that sells these products are not separable by these three categories.

10. Subsequent Events

10.Subsequent Events

Events that have occurred subsequent to JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 have been evaluated for disclosure through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC.

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of FinancialCondition 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 primarily under the name “Casey’s General Store” (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Casey’s Store” or “Stores”) in fourteen Midwestern states, primarily Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. The Company also operates one stand-alone pizza delivery and carry-out store.store and one store selling primarily tobacco products. On JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, there were a total of 1,7831,837 Casey’s Stores in operation. All convenience stores offer gasolinefuel for sale on a self-serve basis and most stores 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 gasolinefuel and the products offered in its stores.

Approximately 58%57% of all Casey’s Stores are located in areas with populations of fewer than 5,000 persons, while approximately 16%17% of all stores are located in communities with populations exceeding 20,000 persons. The Company operates a 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 JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, the Company owned the land at 1,7631,832 locations and the buildings at 1,7681,820 locations, and leased the land at 20five locations and the buildings at 1517 locations.

The Company reported diluted earnings per common share of $0.38$1.34 for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2014.2015. For the same quarter a year-ago, diluted earnings per common share were $0.40.$1.43.

During the thirdfirst fiscal quarter, the Company completed twelveseven new-store constructions, opened fivefour replacement stores, acquired two25 stores, and closed sixthree stores. The annual goal is to increase the number ofbuild or acquire 72 to 108 stores by 70 – 105 (4% to 6%).and replace 25 existing locations.

The thirdfirst quarter results reflected a 3.8%3.0% increase in same-store gasolinefuel gallons sold, with an average margin of approximately 14.419.6 cents per gallon.gallon, primarily driven by the continuing benefit of our fuel saver program and $5,738 of renewable fuel credits. The Company policy is to price to the competition, so the timing of retail price changes is driven by local competitive conditions.

Same storeSame-store sales of grocery and other merchandise increased 6.5%7.7% and prepared foods and fountain increased 10.7%11.1% during the thirdfirst quarter. Operating expenses increased 13.1% in the quarter primarily due to 5288 more stores in operation compared to the same period a year ago, additionaland the expansion of our operating initiatives in our stores converted to 24 hour operations, additional(expanded hours at select locations, stores with pizza delivery, more replacement stores and major store remodels.remodels).

Three Months Ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 Compared to

Three Months Ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2013

(Dollars and Amounts in Thousands)

 

Three months ended 1/31/14  Gasoline Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
 Prepared Food
& Fountain
 Other Total 
Three months ended 7/31/14  Fuel Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
 Prepared
Food &
Fountain
 Other Total 

Revenue

  $1,255,774   364,846   158,200   11,235   1,790,055    $1,607,126   478,586   194,610   10,864   2,291,186  

Gross profit

   59,075   113,429   96,147   11,222   279,873     91,134   155,683   116,511   10,848   374,176  

Margin

   4.7 31.1 60.8 99.9 15.6   5.7 32.5 59.9 99.9 16.3

Gasoline gallons

   411,389      
Three months ended 1/31/13  Gasoline Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
 Prepared Food
& Fountain
 Other Total 

Revenue

  $1,185,640   329,657   137,033   10,035   1,662,365  

Gross profit

   52,002   104,660   83,011   10,013   249,686  

Margin

   4.4 31.7 60.6 99.8 15.0

Gasoline gallons

   376,809      

Fuel gallons

   464,214      

Three months ended 7/31/13  Fuel  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared
Food &
Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $1,514,874    423,585    166,248    10,042    2,114,749  

Gross profit

   94,316    138,412    102,754    10,028    345,510  

Margin

   6.2  32.7  61.8  99.9  16.3

Fuel gallons

   426,549      

Total revenue for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20142015 increased by $127,690 (7.7%$176,437 (8.3%) over the comparable period in fiscal 2013.2014. Retail gasolinefuel sales increased by $70,134 (5.9%$92,252 (6.1%) as the number of gallons sold increased by 34,580 (9.2%)37,665 (8.8% or $130,398) while the average retail price per gallon decreased 3.0%2.5% (amounting to a $38,146 decrease). During this same period, retail sales of grocery and general merchandise increased by $35,189 (10.7%$55,001 (13.0%), primarily due to 52 morea $22,807 increase from stores that were built or acquired after April 30, 2013, and a $10,665 increase from the expansion of our operating initiatives in operation, expanded hours at select store locations and more replaced and remodeledour stores. Prepared food and fountain sales also increased by $21,167 (15.4%$28,362 (17.1%), due primarily to 52 morean $8,719 increase from stores that were built or acquired after April 30, 2013, and a $6,462 increase from the expansion of our operating initiatives in operation, expanded hours at select store locations, additional stores with pizza delivery, and more replacement stores and major store remodels.our stores.

The other revenue category primarily consists of lottery, prepaid phone card,cards, newspaper, money orders, car wash, video rental revenues and automated teller machine (ATM) commissions received and car wash revenues.received. These revenues increased $1,200 (12.0%$822 (8.2%) for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20142015 primarily due to the increases in lotteryprepaid phone card sales, car wash revenues, and newspaperATM commissions from the comparable period in the prior year.

Total gross profit margin was 15.6%16.3% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2014,2015, compared to 15.0%16.3% for the comparable period in the prior year. The gross profit margin on retail gasolinefuel sales increaseddecreased (to 4.7%5.7%) during the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20142015 from the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year (4.4%(6.2%). The gross profit margin per gallon also increaseddecreased (to $.1436)$.1963) in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20142015 from the comparable period in the prior year ($.1380).2211) primarily due to the increasedecrease of the renewable fuel credits sold this quarter ($3,417)5,738) compared to the comparable quarter in the prior year ($808). The gross profit margin on retail sales of grocery and other merchandise

decreased (to 31.1%) from the comparable period in the prior year (31.7%) primarily due to our cigarette retail price adjustments made during last fiscal year. The prepared food margin increased (to 60.8%) from the comparable period in the prior year (60.6%) primarily due to a favorable product mix shift toward higher margin items. However, this was partially offset by higher input costs of meat, cheese and supplies.

Operating expenses increased $24,799 (13.1%) in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to 52 more stores in operation, 183 additional stores converted to 24 hour operations, 130 additional stores with pizza delivery, 23 more replacement stores and 25 major store remodels. In addition, operating expenses were negatively impacted by challenging weather during the quarter, including approximately $1,600 of additional combined costs related to increased snow removal and a loss from a store destroyed by fire. Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 12.0% for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 11.4% for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue was caused primarily by the various store operating initiatives mentioned above. The store level operating expenses for locations not impacted by the initiatives were up approximately 5.6% for the quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 15.8% to $32,687 in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $28,229 for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to capital expenditures made during the previous twelve months.

The effective tax rate increased 280 basis points to 35.0% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 from 32.2% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013. The fiscal 2013 third quarter tax rate was favorably impacted by the reenactment of federal tax credits in that quarter with retroactive application to the prior fiscal 2013 quarters.

Net income decreased by $794 (5.1%). The decrease in net income was attributable primarily to challenging weather for the quarter including increased snow removal and a loss from a store destroyed by fire. However, this was partially offset by the increase in the gasoline gross profit margin due to the increase of the renewable fuel credits sold.

Nine Months Ended January 31, 2014 Compared to

Nine Months Ended January 31, 2013

(Dollars and Amounts in Thousands)

Nine months ended 1/31/14  Gasoline  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared Food
& Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $4,187,629    1,204,983    496,199    31,878    5,920,689  

Gross profit

   224,224    386,548    305,072    31,840    947,684  

Margin

   5.4  32.1  61.5  99.9  16.0

Gasoline gallons

   1,261,833      
Nine months ended 1/31/13  Gasoline  Grocery &
Other
Merchandise
  Prepared Food
& Fountain
  Other  Total 

Revenue

  $3,909,787    1,078,448    426,282    27,794    5,442,311  

Gross profit

   168,431    354,700    265,091    27,751    815,973  

Margin

   4.3  32.9  62.2  99.8  15.0

Gasoline gallons

   1,157,077      

Total revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 increased by $478,378 (8.8%) over the comparable period in fiscal 2013. Retail gasoline sales increased by $277,842 (7.1%) as the number of gallons sold increased by 104,756 (9.1%) while the average retail price per gallon decreased 1.8%. During this same period, retail sales of grocery and general merchandise increased by $126,535 (11.7%), primarily due to 52 more stores in operation, expanded hours in select store locations, and more replaced and remodeled stores. Prepared food and fountain sales also increased by $69,917 (16.4%), due to 52 more stores in operation, expanded hours at select store locations, additional stores with pizza delivery, and more replacement stores and major store remodels.

The other revenue category primarily consists of lottery, prepaid phone card, newspaper, video rental and automated teller machine (ATM) commissions received and car wash revenues. These revenues increased $4,084 (14.7%) for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 primarily due to the increases in lottery and newspaper commissions from the comparable period in the prior year.

Total gross profit margin was 16.0% for the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared to 15.0% for the comparable period in the prior year. The gross profit margin on retail gasoline sales increased (to 5.4%) during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 from the first nine months of the prior year (4.3%). The gross profit margin per gallon also increased (to $.1777) in the first nine months of fiscal 2014 from the comparable period in the prior year ($.1456) primarily due

to the increase of renewable fuel credits sold ($23,977) compared to the first nine months of the last fiscal year ($1,360)12,942). The gross profit margin on retail sales of grocery and other merchandise decreased (to 32.1%32.5%) from the comparable period in the prior year (32.9%(32.7%), primarily due to our cigarette retail price adjustments made during last fiscal year.margin pressure on cigarettes. The prepared food margin also decreased (to 61.5%59.9%) from the comparable period in the prior year (62.2%(61.8%) primarily due to the increase inhigher input costs such asof cheese, meat, cheese and supplies.

Operating expenses increased $77,863 (13.7%)13.1% ($28,344) in the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 20142015 from the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to 52 morean $11,716 increase from stores that were built or acquired after April 30, 2013 and a $5,399 increase from the expansion of our operating initiatives in operation, 183 additional stores converted to 24 hour operations, 130 additional stores with pizza delivery, 23 more replacement stores and the completion of 25 more major store remodels.our stores. Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 10.9%10.7% for the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 20142015 compared to 10.5%10.2% for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue was caused primarily by the various store operating initiatives mentioned above. The store level operating expenses for locationsopen stores not impacted by the initiatives were up approximately 5.0% for the first nine months of fiscal 2014.quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 16.7%18.8% to $95,604$36,249 in the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 20142015 from $81,913$30,501 for the comparable period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to capital expenditures made during the previous twelve months.

The effective tax rate decreased 50 basis points to 36.4%37.3% in the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to 36.9%2015 from 37.8% in the comparable periodfirst quarter of fiscal year 2013.2014. The changedecrease in the effective tax rate was primarily relateddue to an out of period adjustment for stock based compensationa decline in unrecognized tax benefits.benefits from prior period.

Net income increaseddecreased by $24,345 (27.9%$3,420 (6.1%). The increasedecrease in net income was attributable primarily to the increasedecrease in the gasoline gross profit margin due to the increase of the renewable fuel credits sold.sold and higher input costs in prepared foods category. However, this was partially offset by the decreases in gross profit margins of the grocery and other merchandise, and prepared food and fountain categories, and increases in operating expensessame-store sales and depreciation and amortization.having 88 more stores in operation compared to prior year.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

We define EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts EBITDA by excluding the gain or loss on disposal of assets as well as impairment charges. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because securities analysts and other interested parties use such calculations as a measure of financial performance and debt service capabilities, and they are regularly used by management for internal purposes including our capital budgeting process, evaluating acquisition targets, and assessing store performance.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities or other income or cash flow statement data. These measures have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare our use of these non-GAAP financial measures with those used by other companies.

The following table contains a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months and nine months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:2013:

 

  Three months ended   Nine months ended   Three months ended 
  January 31,
2014
   January 31,
2013
   January 31,
2014
   January 31,
2013
   July 31, 2014   July 31, 2013 

Net income

  $14,669     15,463     111,698     87,353    $52,290     55,710  

Interest, net

   9,947     8,764     29,151     26,305     10,257     9,456  

Depreciation and amortization

   32,687     28,229     95,604     81,913     36,249     30,501  

Federal and state income taxes

   7,899     7,358     64,057     51,091     31,062     33,869  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

EBITDA

  $65,202     59,814     300,510     246,662    $129,858     129,536  

Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges

   817     844     2,880     4,272     242     916  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $66,019     60,658     303,390     250,934    $130,100     130,452  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

For the three months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA were up 9.0% and 8.8% respectively, when compared to the same period a year ago. For the nine months ended, January 31, 2014, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA were up 21.8% and 20.9% respectively.effectively flat with prior year. The primary reasons for all of these increasesthis were higher fuel gross profit attributable to an increasethe decrease in renewable fuel creditcredits sold and higher input costs in prepared foods, offset by a higher store count, same-store sales operating 52 more stores than the same period a year ago, the results from the implementation of expanded hours, major remodels,increases, and pizza delivery, as well as operating more replacement stores.higher depreciation.

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.

Inventory. Inventories, which consist of merchandise and gasoline,fuel, are stated at the lower of cost or market. For gasoline,fuel, cost is determined through the use of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. For merchandise inventories, cost is determined through the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for financial and income tax reporting purposes. This is applied to inventory values determined primarily by our FIFO accounting system for warehouse inventories.

The retail inventory method (RIM) is used for store inventories, except for cigarettes, beer, pop, prepared foods, and various grocery items 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. Vendor rebates in the form of rack display allowances are treated as a reduction in cost of goods sold and are recognized incrementally over the period covered by the applicable rebate agreement. The rack display allowances are funds that we receive from various vendors for allocating certain shelf space to carry their specific products or to introduce new products in our stores for a particular period of time. These funds do not represent reimbursements of specific, incremental, identifiable costs incurred by us in selling the vendor’s products. Vendor rebates in the form of billbacks are treated as a reduction in cost of goods sold and are recognized at the time the product is sold. Reimbursements of an operating expense (e.g., advertising) are recorded as reductions of the related expense.

Goodwill.Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative impairment analysis is required. The fair value calculation for goodwill will not be required unless we conclude, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its book value. If such a decline in fair value is deemed more likely than not to have occurred, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test that exists under current GAAP must be completed; otherwise, goodwill is deemed to be not impaired and no further testing is required until the next annual test date (or sooner if conditions or events before that date raise concerns of potential impairment in the business). The amended goodwill impairment guidance does not affect the manner in which a company estimates fair value. The Company had assessedassesses impairment annually at year-end using a market based approach to establish fair value. All of the goodwill assigned to the individual stores is aggregated into a single reporting unit due to the similar economic characteristics of the stores. As of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, there was $120,081$126,931 of goodwill. Management’s analysis of recoverability completed as of the fiscal year end yielded no evidence of impairment and no events have occurred since the annual test indicating a potential impairment.

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 to the extent the carrying value of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value. 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 between willing parties, which are considered Level 3 inputs. The estimate is derived from offers, actual sale or

disposition of assets subsequent to the reporting period, and other indications of fair 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 incurred impairment charges of $2,384$132 and $2,792$686 during the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the majority of which was related to replacement store and acquisition activity.respectively. 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 at each year end 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.

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 JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, the Company’s ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.08.96 to 1. The ratio at JanuaryJuly 31, 2013 and April 30, 20132014 was .711.10 to 1 and .691.04 to 1 respectively. Management believes that the Company’s current aggregate $100,000 bank line of credit, together with the current cash and cash equivalents and the future cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy the working capital needs of our business.

Net cash provided by operations increased $16,147 (8.3%decreased $21,876 (15.8%) in the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily as a result of a largerreduced net income, and largersmaller increases in depreciation and amortizationaccounts payable and accrued expenses. This result was partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and a smallerlarger increase in deferred income taxes.depreciation and amortization. Cash used in investing in the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 increased $3,009 (1.1%) due to the increase in the store acquisition activity. Cash provided byflows from financing showed a net usage for the period ended July 31, 2014 as compared to a larger net inflow in the nine months ended January 31, 2014 increased $77,149 (193.0%),prior period, primarily due to the proceeds from long-term debt partially offset byin the net repayments of short-term debt.prior period.

Capital expenditures represent the single largest use of Company funds. Management believes that by acquiring and reinvesting in stores, the Company will be better able to respond to competitive challenges and increase operating efficiencies. During the first ninethree months of fiscal 2014,2015, the Company expended $269,131$119,563 primarily for property and equipment, resulting from the construction acquisition, and remodeling of stores, compared to $266,324$74,125 for the comparable period in the prior year. At the beginning of the year, theThe Company had anticipatedanticipates expending between $313,000$360,000 and $374,000$410,000 in fiscal 20142015 for construction, acquisition and remodeling of stores, primarily from existing cash and funds generated by operations.

As of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, the Company had long-term debt, net of current maturities, of $853,739$853,545 consisting of $569,000 in principal amount of 5.22% Senior Notes, $150,000 in principal amount of 3.67% Senior Notes, Series A, $50,000 in principal amount of 3.75% Senior Notes Series B, $75,000 in principal amount of 5.72% Senior Notes, Series A and B, and $9,739$9,545 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 Senior Notes, a mortgage note, existing cash, and 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)

This Form 10-Q, including 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 words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. 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, 2013:2014:

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-gasolinenon-fuel items (particularly prepared food items) have contributed substantially to the Company’s gross profits from retail sales in recent years. GasolineFuel sales are also intensely competitive. The Company competes with both independent and national brand gasoline stations in the sale of gasoline,fuel, other convenience store chains and several non-traditional gasolinefuel retailers such as supermarkets in specific markets. Some of these other gasolinefuel retailers may have access to more favorable arrangements for gasolinefuel 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.

GasolineFuel operations. GasolineFuel sales are an important part of the Company’s sales and earnings, and retail gasolinefuel profit margins have a substantial impact on the Company’s net earnings. Profit margins on gasolinefuel sales can be adversely affected by factors beyond the control of the Company, including the supply of gasolinefuel available in the retail gasolinefuel market, uncertainty or volatility in the wholesale gasolinefuel market, increases in wholesale gasolinefuel costs generally during a period and price competition from other gasolinefuel 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 gasolinefuel 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 gasolinefuel gallon volume, gasolinefuel gross profit and overall customer traffic levels at stores. Any substantial decrease in profit margins on gasolinefuel 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 gasolinefuel 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 gasolinefuel to meet the Company’s needs, unanticipated national and international events could result in a reduction of gasolinefuel supplies available for distribution to the Company. Any substantial curtailment in gasolinefuel supplied to the Company could adversely affect the Company by reducing its gasolinefuel sales. Further, management believes that a significant amount of the Company’s business results from the patronage of customers primarily desiring to purchase gasolinefuel and, accordingly, reduced gasolinefuel supplies could adversely affect the sale of non-gasolinenon-fuel 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 (such as the past tax increase in Illinois), as well as national and local campaigns to further regulate and discourage smoking in the United States, have had, and are expected to continue having, an adverse effect on the demand for cigarettes sold in our 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 gross profits obtained from the cigarette category, the volume of cigarettes sold by stores and overall customer traffic, and have a material adverse impact on the Company’s earnings and profits.

Environmental Compliance Costs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and several states, including Iowa, have established requirements for owners and operators of underground gasolinefuel 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 gasolinefuel 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 4,1614,159 USTs, of which 3,3053,259 are fiberglass and 856900 are steel. Management believes that its existing gasolinefuel procedures and planned capital expenditures will continue to keep the Company in substantial compliance with all current federal and state UST regulations.

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, 20132014 and 2012,2013, the Company spent approximately $899$1,224 and $1,150,$899, respectively, for assessments and remediation. During the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, the Company expended approximately $839$430 for such purposes. Substantially all of these expenditures have been submitted for reimbursement from state-sponsored trust fund programs and as of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014, approximately $16,523$17,118 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 JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 of approximately $293$330 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.

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.

Other Factors. Other factors and risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the risk that our cash balances and cash generated from operations and financing activities will not be sufficient for our future liquidity and capital resource needs, tax increases, potential liabilities and expenditures related to compliance with environmental and other laws and regulations, the seasonality of demand patterns, and weather conditions; the increased indebtedness that the Company has incurred to purchase shares of our common stock in our self-tenderself tender offer; and the other risks and uncertainties included from time to time in our filings with the SEC. We further caution you that other factors we have not identified may in the future prove to be important in affecting our business and results of operations. We ask you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements because they speak only of our views as of the statement dates. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio and long-term debt obligations. We place our investments with high-quality credit issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. Our first priority is to reduce the risk of principal loss. Consequently, we seek to preserve our invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk, and reinvestment risk. We mitigate default risk by investing in only high-quality credit securities that we believe to be low risk and by positioning our portfolio to respond appropriately to a significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer or guarantor. The portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure portfolio liquidity. We believe an immediate 100-basis-point move in interest rates affecting our floating and fixed rate financial instruments as of JanuaryJuly 31, 2014 would have no material effect on pretax earnings.

We do from time to time, participate in a forward buy of certain commodities, primarily cheese and coffee. These contracts are not accounted for as derivatives as they meet the normal purchases exclusion under derivative accounting.

 

Item 4.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.

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 67 to the unaudited condensed consolidated 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 20132014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 6.Exhibits.

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

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

3.1 Restatement of the Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation(incorporated by reference from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 1996) and Articles of Amendment thereto(incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2010, as amended by the Current Report on
Form 8-K/A filed April 19, 2010, and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 20, 2011).
3.2(a) Second Amended and Restated By-laws ((incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 16, 2009) and Amendments thereto(incorporated (incorporated by reference from the Current ReportReports on Form 8-K filed May 20, 2011, and August 2, 2011, and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 2, 2011)on June 22, 2012).
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).
4.9 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 9, 2010 among the Company and the purchasers of the 5.22% Senior Notes(incorporated by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2010).
4.10 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 17, 2013 among the Company and the purchasers of the 3.67% SeniorSeries A Notes and 3.75% Series B Notes(incorporated by reference from the Current ReportReports on FormsForm 8-K filed June 18, 2013, and December 18, 2013).
21(a) Subsidiaries of Casey’s General Stores, Inc.(incorporated by reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010)2014).
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
32.2Certificate of William J. Walljasper under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INSXBRL Instance Document

101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101. DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

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: March 10, 2014By:

/s/ William J. Walljasper

William J. Walljasper
Its:Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized Officer and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit No.

Description

31.1Certification of Robert J. Myers under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2Certification of William J. Walljasper under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1Certificate 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
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101. DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

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, 2014By:

/s/ William J. Walljasper

William J. Walljasper
Its:

Senior Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

(Authorized Officer and Principal

Financial and Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit No.

Description

  31.1Certification of Robert J. Myers under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2Certification of William J. Walljasper under Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1Certificate of Robert J. Myers under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2Certificate of William J. Walljasper under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101. DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

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