UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2010

Or

[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number:  0-14939


AMERICA’S CAR-MART, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Texas
63-0851141
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
802 Southeast Plaza Ave., Suite 200, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
 
(479) 464-9944
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o  No o

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

Large accelerated filer o                                                    Accelerated filer ý
Non-accelerated filer o                                                      Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
 
Outstanding at
Title of Each Class
December 3, 2010
Common stock, par value $.01 per share
10,815,732
 
 

 
Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Financial Statements America’s Car-Mart, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
 
   
October 31, 2010
   
April 30, 2010
 
Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 226     $ 268  
Accrued interest on finance receivables
    1,213       961  
Finance receivables, net
    217,988       205,423  
Inventory
    22,888       20,367  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    2,406       1,176  
Income taxes receivable, net
    139       -  
Goodwill
    355       355  
Property and equipment, net
    23,988       22,722  
                 
    $ 269,203     $ 251,272  
                 
                 
                 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity:
               
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 5,619     $ 5,796  
Deferred payment protection plan revenue
    8,597       8,229  
Accrued liabilities
    12,194       12,675  
Income taxes payable, net
    -       23  
Deferred tax liabilities, net
    10,281       9,193  
Revolving credit facilities and note payable
    51,212       38,766  
Total liabilities
    87,903       74,682  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Mezzanine equity:
               
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
    400       400  
                 
Equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized;
               
none issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized;
               
12,271,378 and 12,268,807 issued at October 31, 2010 and April 30, 2010,
    123       123  
respectively, of which 10,854,332 and 11,337,677 were outstanding at
               
October 31, 2010 and April 30, 2010, respectively
               
Additional paid-in capital
    45,097       43,483  
Retained earnings
    164,146       150,012  
Less:  Treasury stock, at cost, 1,417,046 shares (931,130 at April 30, 2010)
    (28,566 )     (17,528 )
Total stockholders' equity
    180,800       176,090  
Non-controlling interest
    100       100  
Total equity
    180,900       176,190  
                 
    $ 269,203     $ 251,272  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations America’s Car-Mart, Inc.
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
October 31,
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues:
                       
Sales
  $ 82,611     $ 75,242     $ 165,213     $ 152,254  
Interest income
    9,224       7,319       18,082       14,062  
                                 
      91,835       82,561       183,295       166,316  
                                 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation shown below
    47,269       42,318       93,702       85,400  
Selling, general and administrative
    14,684       13,964       29,475       27,887  
Provision for credit losses
    18,767       15,152       34,905       30,203  
Interest expense
    803       776       1,770       1,023  
Depreciation and amortization
    465       412       920       804  
      81,988       72,622       160,772       145,317  
                                 
Income before taxes
    9,847       9,939       22,523       20,999  
                                 
Provision for income taxes
    3,658       3,627       8,369       7,659  
                                 
Net income
  $ 6,189     $ 6,312     $ 14,154     $ 13,340  
                                 
Less:  Dividends on mandatorily redeemable
                               
preferred stock
    (10 )     (10 )     (20 )     (20 )
                                 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
  $ 6,179     $ 6,302     $ 14,134     $ 13,320  
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.57     $ 0.54     $ 1.28     $ 1.14  
Diluted
  $ 0.56     $ 0.53     $ 1.25     $ 1.13  
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    10,892,177       11,732,151       11,057,977       11,731,100  
Diluted
    11,117,087       11,862,679       11,276,850       11,827,588  
                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows America’s Car-Mart, Inc.
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 14,154     $ 13,340  
Adjustments to reconcile net income from operations to net cash
               
provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for credit losses
    34,905       30,203  
Losses on claims for payment protection plan
    2,217       2,161  
Depreciation and amortization
    920       804  
Loss on sale of property and equipment
    59       113  
Stock based compensation
    1,564       902  
Unrealized loss (gain) for change in fair value of interest rate swap
    283       (226 )
Deferred income taxes
    1,088       1,954  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Finance receivable originations
    (151,030 )     (140,749 )
Finance receivable collections
    87,933       80,054  
Accrued interest on finance receivables
    (252 )     (76 )
Inventory
    10,889       8,469  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (1,230 )     511  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (560 )     1,123  
Deferred payment protection plan revenue
    368       661  
Income taxes, net
    (162 )     358  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    1,146       (398 )
                 
Investing Activities:
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (2,249 )     (2,373 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    4       92  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (2,245 )     (2,281 )
                 
Financing Activities:
               
Issuance of common stock
    50       54  
Purchase of common stock
    (11,038 )     -  
Dividend payments
    (20 )     (20 )
Change in cash overdrafts
    (381 )     (1,656 )
Principal payments on note payable
    (460 )     (473 )
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities
    61,974       48,830  
Payments on revolving credit facilities
    (49,068 )     (43,995 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,057       2,740  
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (42 )     61  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    268       168  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 226     $ 229  
                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) America’s Car-Mart, Inc.
 
A – Organization and Business

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), is the largest publicly held automotive retailer in the United States focused exclusively on the “Integrated Auto Sales and Finance” segment of the used car market.  References to the Company typically include the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s operations are principally conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, America’s Car-Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Car-Mart of Arkansas”), and Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Colonial”).  Collectively, Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial are referred to herein as “Car-Mart.”  The Company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for substantially all of its customers. Many of the Company’s customers have limited financial resources and would not qualify for conventional financing as a result of limited credit histories or past credit problems.  As of October 31, 2010, the Company operated 101 dealerships located primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States.

B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

General

The accompanying condensed balance sheet as of April 30, 2010, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed financial statements as of October 31, 2010, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q in Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months and six months ended October 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending April 30, 2011.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2010.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Segment Information

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

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Risk

The Company provides financing in connection with the sale of substantially all of its vehicles.  These sales are made primarily to customers residing in Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky and Missouri, with approximately 46% of revenues resulting

 
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from sales to Arkansas customers.  Periodically, the Company maintains cash in financial institutions in excess of the amounts insured by the federal government.  In November 2010, the Company entered into a new loan and security agreement expiring in November 2013.  See Note F for further details.
 
Restrictions on Distributions/Dividends

The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally limit distributions by the Company to its shareholders in order to repurchase the Company’s stock equal to 75% of consolidated net income measured on a trailing twelve month basis.  Thus, the Company is limited in the amount of dividends or other distributions it can make to its shareholders without the consent of the Company’s lenders.

Cash Equivalents

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

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

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships.  These installment sale contracts carry interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 19% using the simple effective interest method including any deferred fees.  Loan origination costs are not significant.  The installment sale contracts are not pre-computed loans whereby borrowers are obligated to pay back principal plus the full amount of interest that will accrue over the entire term of the loan.  Finance receivables are collateralized by vehicles sold and consist of contractually scheduled payments from installment contracts net of unearned finance charges and an allowance for credit losses.  Unearned finance charges represent the balance of interest receivable to be earned over the entire term of the related installment contract, less the earned amount ($1.2 million at October 31, 2010 and $961,000 at April 30, 2010), and as such, has been reflected as a reduction to the gross contract amount in arriving at the principal balance in finance receivables. An account is considered delinquent when a contractually scheduled payment has not been received by the scheduled payment date.  While the Company does not formally place loans on nonaccrual status, the immaterial amount of interest that may accrue after an account becomes delinquent up until the point of resolution via repossession or write-off, is reserved for against the accrued interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Delinquent loans are addressed and either made current by the customer, which is the case in most situations, or the vehicle is repossessed or written off, if the collateral cannot be recovered quickly. Customer payments are set to match their pay-day with over 80% of payments due on either a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The frequency of the payment due dates combined with the declining value of collateral lead to prompt resolutions on problem accounts.  Accounts are delinquent when the customer is one day or more behind on their contractual payments.  At October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, 3.9% and 3.4% of the Company’s finance receivable balances were 30 days or more past due.
 
Substantially all of the Company’s automobile contracts involve loans made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories, or higher debt-to-income ratios than permitted by traditional lenders.  Loans made to borrowers who are restricted in their ability to obtain financing from traditional lenders generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default and repossession, and higher losses than loans made to borrowers with better credit.
 
The Company works very hard to keep its delinquency percentages low, and not to repossess vehicles.  Accounts one day late are sent a notice in the mail.  Accounts three days late are contacted by telephone.  Notes from each telephone contact are electronically maintained in the Company’s computer system.  If a customer becomes severely delinquent in his or her payments, and management determines that timely collection of future payments is not probable, the Company will take steps to repossess the vehicle.  The Company attempts to resolve payment delinquencies amicably prior to repossessing a vehicle.  Periodically, the Company enters into contract modifications with its customers to extend the payment terms.  The Company only enters into a contract modification or extension if it believes such action will increase the amount of monies the Company will ultimately realize on the customer’s account. At the time of modification, the Company expects to collect amounts due including accrued interest at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay. Other than the extension of additional time, concessions are not granted to customers at the time of modifications. Modifications are minor and are made for pay-day changes, minor vehicle repairs and other reasons.  For those vehicles that are repossessed, the majority are returned or surrendered by the customer on a voluntary basis.  Other repossessions are performed by Company personnel or third party repossession agents.  Depending on the condition of a repossessed vehicle, it is either resold on a retail basis through a Company dealership, or sold for cash on a wholesale basis primarily through physical and/or on-line auctions.
 
 
6

 
The Company takes steps to repossess a vehicle when the customer becomes delinquent in his or her payments, and management determines that timely collection of future payments is not probable.  Accounts are charged-off after the expiration of a statutory notice period for repossessed accounts, or when management determines that the timely collection of future payments is not probable for accounts where the Company has been unable to repossess the vehicle.  For accounts with respect to which the vehicle was repossessed, the fair value of the repossessed vehicle is charged as a reduction of the gross finance receivable balance charged-off.  On average, accounts are approximately 60 days past due at the time of charge-off.  For previously charged-off accounts that are subsequently recovered, the amount of such recovery is credited to the allowance for credit losses.
 
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis, as opposed to a loan-by-loan basis, at a level it considers sufficient to cover estimated losses in the collection of its finance receivables.  The Company accrues an estimated loss as it is probable that the entire amount will not be collected and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated in the aggregate.  The allowance for credit losses is based primarily upon historical credit loss experience, with consideration given to recent credit loss trends and changes in loan characteristics (i.e., average amount financed and term), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions and underwriting and collection practices.  The allowance for credit losses is reviewed at least quarterly by management with any changes reflected in current operations.  The calculation of the allowance for credit losses uses the following primary factors:

·  
The number of units repossessed or charged-off as a percentage of total units financed over specific historical periods of time.

·  
The average net repossession and charge-off loss per unit during the last eighteen months, segregated by the number of months since the loan origination date, and adjusted for the expected future average net charge-off loss per unit.  About 50% of the charge-offs that will ultimately occur in the portfolio are expected to occur within 10-11 months following the balance sheet date.  The average age of an account at charge-off date is 11.8 months.

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

A point estimate is produced by this analysis which is then supplemented by any positive or negative subjective factors to arrive at an overall reserve amount that management considers to be a reasonable estimate of incurred losses that will be realized via actual charge-offs in the future. Although it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances could occur in the future that are not presently foreseen which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses.  Periods of economic downturn do not necessarily lead to increased credit losses because the Company provides basic affordable transportation to customers that, for the most part, do not have access to public transportation.  The effectiveness of the execution of internal policies and procedures within the collections area has historically had a more significant effect on collection results than macro-economic issues.

The Company offers retail customers in most states the option of purchasing a payment protection plan product as an add-on to the installment sale contract.  This product contractually obligates the Company to cancel the remaining principal outstanding for any loan where the retail customer has totaled the vehicle, as defined, or the vehicle has been stolen.  The Company periodically evaluates anticipated losses to ensure that if anticipated losses exceed deferred payment protection plan revenues, an additional liability is recorded for such difference.  No such liability was required at October 31, 2010 or April 30, 2010.
 
Inventory

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

Goodwill

Goodwill reflects the excess of purchase price over the fair value of specifically identified net assets purchased.  Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests at the Company’s year end. The impairment tests are based on the comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of such unit. If the
 
 
7

 
fair value of the reporting unit falls below its carrying value, goodwill is deemed to be impaired and a write-down of goodwill would be recognized. There was no impairment of goodwill during fiscal 2010, and to date, there has been none in fiscal 2011.
 
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost.  Expenditures for additions, renewals and improvements are capitalized.  Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the lease term.  The lease term includes the primary lease term plus any extensions that are reasonably assured. Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method generally over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3 to 7 years
Leasehold improvements
5 to 15 years
Buildings and improvements
18 to 39 years

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

The Company’s primary disbursement bank account is set up to operate with a fixed $50,000 cash balance.  As checks are presented for payment, monies are automatically drawn against cash collections for the day and, if necessary, are drawn against one of its revolving credit facilities.  The cash overdraft balance principally represents outstanding checks, net of any deposits in transit that as of the balance sheet date had not yet been presented for payment.

Deferred Sales Tax

Deferred sales tax represents a sales tax liability of the Company for vehicles sold on an installment basis in the State of Texas.  Under Texas law, for vehicles sold on an installment basis, the related sales tax is due as the payments are collected from the customer, rather than at the time of sale.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The quarterly provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual taxable income, statutory tax rates and the Company’s best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense.

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

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

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions.  Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before fiscal 2006.

 
8

 
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) recently concluded the previously reported examinations of the Company’s income tax returns for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.  As a result of the examinations, the IRS has questioned whether deferred payment protection plan (“PPP”) revenue associated with the sale of certain receivables are subject to the acceleration of advance payments provision of the IRS code and whether the Company may deduct losses on the sale of the PPP receivables in excess of the income recognized on the underlying contracts.  The issue is timing in nature and does not affect the overall tax provision, but affects the timing of required tax payments.

By letter dated April 2, 2010, the IRS delivered to the Company a revenue agent’s report (“RAR”), which proposes an adjustment for the items discussed above as well as interest.  The Company intends to vigorously defend its position and on April 23, 2010, the Company filed an administrative protest with the Appeals Office of the IRS.  The protest disputes the income tax changes proposed by the IRS and requests a conference with a representative of the Appeals Office.  The Company has not yet been notified by the Appeals Office of a date for the conference.  If the matter is not resolved in the Appeals Office, and if the IRS intends to pursue its position, the Company fully intends to ask an appropriate court to consider the issue.

The Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company had no accrued penalties and/or interest as of October 31, 2010 or April 30, 2010.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are generated principally from the sale of used vehicles, which in most cases includes a service contract and a payment protection plan product, interest income and late fees earned on finance receivables.  Revenues are net of taxes collected from customers and remitted to government agencies.  Cost of vehicle sales include costs incurred by the Company to prepare the vehicle for sale including license and title costs, gasoline, transport services and repairs.
 
Revenues from the sale of used vehicles are recognized when the sales contract is signed, the customer has taken possession of the vehicle and, if applicable, financing has been approved.  Revenues from the sale of service contracts are recognized ratably over the five-month service contract period.  Service contract revenues are included in sales and the related expenses are included in cost of sales.  Payment protection plan revenues are initially deferred and then recognized to income using the “Rule of 78’s” interest method over the life of the loan so that revenues are recognized in proportion to the amount of cancellation protection provided.  Payment protection plan revenues are included in sales and related losses are included in cost of sales.  Interest income is recognized on all active finance receivable accounts using the simple effective interest method.  Active accounts include all accounts except those that have been paid-off or charged-off.
 
Sales consist of the following:
 
   
Three Months Ended:
   
Six Months Ended:
 
   
October 31,
   
October 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Sales – used autos
  $ 72,126     $ 66,706     $ 145,117     $ 135,752  
Wholesales – third party
    4,973       3,367       9,192       6,405  
Service contract sales
    3,000       2,903       5,946       5,623  
Payment protection plan revenue
    2,512       2,266       4,958       4,474  
                                 
Total
  $ 82,611     $ 75,242     $ 165,213     $ 152,254  
 
Late fee revenues were approximately $917,000 and $872,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Late fees are recognized when collected and are reflected in interest income.  Finance receivables more than 90 days past due were approximately $285,000 and $389,000 at October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 
9

 
Earnings per Share

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

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock, based on the fair value of those awards at the date of grant over the requisite service period.  The Company uses the Black Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards.  The Company may issue either new shares or treasury shares upon exercise of these awards.  Stock-based compensation plans, related expenses and assumptions used in the Black Scholes option pricing model are more fully described in Note I.

Treasury Stock

The Company purchased 485,916 shares of its common stock during the first six months of fiscal 2011 for a total cost of $11.0 million and none in the first six months of fiscal 2010.  Treasury stock may be used for issuances under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans or for other general corporate purposes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

Receivables.  In July 2010, the FASB adopted an update regarding disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.  The enhanced disclosures are designed to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s credit risk exposure and in evaluating the adequacy of an entity’s allowance for credit losses.  Entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures regarding (i) the nature of the credit risk inherent in the receivable, (ii) how the entity analyzes and assesses credit risk to estimate the allowance for credit losses and (iii) changes in both the receivable and the allowance for credit losses and the reasons for those changes.  This update will be effective beginning with the first interim or annual reporting period ending on or after December 15, 2010.  This update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

C – Finance Receivables

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships.  These installment sale contracts typically include interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 19% per annum, are collateralized by the vehicle sold and provide for payments over periods ranging from 12 to 36 months.  The components of finance receivables are as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
October 31, 2010
   
April 30, 2010
 
             
Gross contract amount
  $ 310,860     $ 292,498  
Less unearned finance charges
    (33,838 )     (31,447 )
                       Principal balance
    277,022       261,051  
Less allowance for credit losses
    (59,034 )     (55,628 )
                 
Finance receivables, net
  $ 217,988     $ 205,423  
 
 
10

 
 Changes in the finance receivables, net balance for the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Six Months Ended October 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 205,423     $ 182,041  
Finance receivable originations
    151,030       140,749  
Finance receivables from acquisition of business
    0       31  
Finance receivable collections
    (87,933 )     (80,054 )
Provision for credit losses
    (34,905 )     (30,203 )
Losses on claims for payment protection plan
    (2,217 )     (2,161 )
Inventory acquired in repossession and payment protection plan claims
    (13,410 )     (10,739 )
                 
     Balance at end of period
  $ 217,988     $ 199,664  
 
Changes in the finance receivables allowance for credit losses for the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
 
   
Six Months Ended October 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 55,628     $ 49,310  
Provision for credit losses
    34,905       30,203  
Allowance related to acquisition of business, net change
    0       (31 )
Charge-offs, net of recovered collateral
    (31,499 )     (25,427 )
                 
     Balance at end of period
  $ 59,034     $ 54,055  
 
The factors which influenced management’s judgment in determining the amount of the additions to the allowance charged to provision for credit losses were:

The level of actual charge-offs, net of recovered collateral is the most important factor in determining the charges to the provision for credit losses. This is due to the fact that once a loan becomes delinquent the account is either made current by the customer, the vehicle is repossessed or the account is written off, if the collateral cannot be recovered.  Net charge-offs for the first six months of fiscal 2011 were higher than the prior year period, partially due to higher sales volumes.  Net charge-offs as a percentage of average finance receivables increased 1.2% to 11.6% for the first six months ended October 31, 2010 compared to 10.4% for the same period in the prior year.  Higher sales volumes also had the effect of higher additions to the allowance charged to the provision for the first six months of fiscal 2011.

Collections and delinquency levels have a significant effect on additions to the allowance and are reviewed frequently in determining the additions to the allowance charged to the provision. For the first six months of fiscal 2011, collections as a percentage of average finance receivables remained relatively flat at 32.5% compared to 32.8% for the same period of fiscal 2010, while delinquencies were slightly higher.

Macro-economic factors as well as proper execution of operational policies and procedures can have a significant effect on additions charged to the provision. Higher unemployment levels, higher gasoline prices and higher prices for staple items can potentially have a significant effect. While overall macro-economic factors continue to have a somewhat unfavorable impact, operational improvements within the collections area as well as market share gains and specific stimulus funds directly benefitting most the Company’s customers have had an offsetting positive effect as related to credit results and the resulting charges to the provision for credit losses for the first six months of fiscal 2011.


 
11

 
D – Property and Equipment

A summary of property and equipment is as follows:
 
   
October 31,
   
April 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2010
 
             
Land
  $ 5,924     $ 5,924  
Buildings and improvements
    9,598       9,412  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    6,700       6,261  
Leasehold improvements
    8,849       7,822  
Construction in progress
    817       455  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (7,900 )     (7,152 )
                 
    $ 23,988     $ 22,722  
 
E – Accrued Liabilities

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:
 
   
October 31,
   
April 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2010
 
             
Compensation
  $ 3,673     $ 4,251  
Cash Overdraft
    229       610  
Deferred service contract revenue
    2,850       2,670  
Deferred sales tax
    1,688       1,613  
Interest rate swap
    1,650       1,367  
Interest
    199       147  
Other
    1,905       2,017  
                 
    $ 12,194     $ 12,675  
 
F – Debt Facilities

A summary of revolving credit facilities is as follows:
                     
Debt Facilities                                                                                                                              (in thousands)
   
Aggregate
 
Interest
     
Balance at
Primary Lender
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Maturity
 
October 31, 2010
 
April 30, 2010
                     
Bank of Oklahoma
 
$51.5 million
 
Prime +/-
 
Apr  2011
 
$           44,850
 
$ 31,944
       
(4.25% at October 31, 2010 and April 30, 2010)
   
                     
On November 4, 2010, the Company paid off the revolving credit facilities shown above along with the remaining balance of its term loan ($6.3 million at October 31, 2010 and $6.8 million at April 30, 2010) and simultaneously entered into a new loan and security agreement (“Credit Facilities”) with a group of lenders providing revolving credit facilities totaling $90 million.  The Credit Facilities expires in November 2013.  The revolving credit facilities are collateralized primarily by finance receivables and inventory of Car-Mart, are cross collateralized and contain a guarantee by the Company.  Interest is payable monthly under the revolving credit facilities with tiered pricing at Libor + 2.75% or the bank’s prime rate less .25% with no floor.  The Credit Facilities contain various reporting and performance covenants including (i) maintenance of certain financial ratios and tests, (ii) limitations on borrowings from other sources, (iii) restrictions on certain operating activities, and (iv) limitations on the payment of dividends or distributions.  The Company was in compliance with the covenants at October 31, 2010.  The amount available to be drawn under the credit
 
 
12

 
facilities is a function of eligible finance receivables and inventory. Based upon eligible finance receivables and inventory at October 31, 2010, the Company would have had additional availability of $38.8 million under the new revolving credit facilities.
 
The Company did incur a yield maintenance fee associated with the early payoff of the term loan in the amount of $507,000.  This amount will be reflected in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 operating results as interest expense.
 
Interest Rate Swap Agreement

On May 16, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement (“Agreement”) with its primary lender for a notional principal amount of $20 million.  The effective date of the Agreement was May 20, 2008.  The Agreement matures on May 31, 2013 and provides that the Company will pay monthly interest on the notional amount at a fixed rate of 6.68% and receive monthly interest on the notional amount at a floating rate based on the bank’s prime lending rate, an initial rate of 5.00% (effective rate of 3.25% at October 31, 2010).  The Company entered into this Agreement to manage a portion of its interest rate exposure by effectively converting a portion of its variable rate debt into fixed rate debt.  The interest rate swap agreement is not designated as a hedge by Company management; therefore, the gain (loss) of the Agreement is reported in earnings. The net loss for the Agreement reported in earnings as interest expense is $50,000 for the quarter ended October 31, 2010.  The fair value of the Agreement is included in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2010 at $1.7 million.  The interest on the credit facilities, the net settlements under the interest rate swap, and the changes in the fair value of the agreement, are all reflected in interest expense.

G – Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).  Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
 
Level 1:  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. We consider active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
 
Level 2:  Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. This category includes those derivative instruments that we value using observable market data. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the derivative instrument, can be derived from observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 2 instruments primarily include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity price swaps, investments and interest rate swaps. Our valuation models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs including: (a) quoted forward prices for commodities, (b) time value and (c) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. We utilize our counterparties’ valuations to assess the reasonableness of our prices and valuation techniques.
 
Level 3:  Measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). Level 3 instruments primarily include derivative instruments, such as basis swaps, commodity price collars and floors, as well as investments. Our valuation models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs including: (a) quoted forward prices for commodities, (b) time value, (c) volatility factors and (d) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Although we utilize our counterparties’ valuations to assess the reasonableness of our prices and valuation techniques, we do not have sufficient corroborating market evidence to support classifying these assets and liabilities as Level 2. 
 
Financial and non-financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instrument by pricing levels as of October 31, 2010:
 
 
13

 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
       
 
 
(in thousands)
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
       
Interest Rate Swap
-
$
(1,650)
-
       
The table below summarizes information about the fair value of financial instruments included in the Company’s financial statements at October 31, 2010 and April 30, 2010:
 
   
October 31, 2010
   
April 30, 2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
                         
Cash
  $ 226     $ 226     $ 268     $ 268  
Finance receivables, net
    217,988       173,139       205,423       163,157  
Accounts payable
    5,619       5,619       5,796       5,796  
Revolving credit facilities
    44,850       44,850       31,944       31,944  
Term loan
    6,362       6,869       6,822       7,322  

Because no market exists for certain of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments and estimates regarding yield expectations of investors, credit risk and other risk characteristics, including interest rate and prepayment risk.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates.  The methodology and assumptions utilized to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
 
Financial Instrument
Valuation Methodology
   
Cash
The carrying amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of the financial instrument.
   
Finance receivables, net
The Company estimated the fair value of its receivables at what a third party purchaser might be willing to pay. The Company has had discussions with third parties and has recently bought and sold portfolios, and has had a recent third party appraisal that indicates a 37.5% discount to face would be a reasonable fair value in a negotiated third party transaction.  The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of Arkansas to Colonial is at a 37.5% discount. For financial reporting purposes these sale transactions are eliminated. Since the Company does not intend to offer the receivables for sale to an outside third party, the expectation is that the book value at April 30, 2010, will be ultimately collected. By collecting the accounts internally the Company expects to realize more than a third party purchaser would expect to collect with a servicing requirement and a profit margin included.
   
Accounts payable
The carrying amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of the financial instrument.
   
Revolving credit facilities
The fair value approximates carrying value due to the variable interest rates charged on the borrowings, which reprice frequently.
   
Term loan
On November 4, 2010 the Company paid off the term loan and incurred a $507,000 yield maintenance fee in connection with the early payoff of the term loan.  This fee, plus the principal balance is considered to be the fair value.  The estimated fair value at April 30, 2010 was determined based on the outstanding principal balance plus an estimate of the yield maintenance fee at that time.

 
14

 
H – Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

Weighted average shares outstanding, which are used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share, are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended:
   
Six Months Ended:
 
   
October 31,
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
    10,892,177       11,732,151       11,057,977       11,731,100  
Dilutive options, warrants and restricted stock
    224,910       130,528       218,873       96,488  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
    11,117,087       11,862,679       11,276,850       11,827,588  
                                 
Antidilutive securities not included:
                               
  Options and warrants
    580,000       166,000       580,000       135,350  
 
I – Stock Based Compensation
 
The Company has stock based compensation plans available to grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options and restricted stock to employees, directors and certain advisors of the Company.  The stock based compensation plans currently being utilized are the 2007 Stock Option Plan (“2007 Plan”) and the Stock Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”).    The Company recorded total stock based compensation expense for all plans of $1.6 million ($1.0 million after tax effects) and $902,000 ($573,000 after tax effects) for the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Tax benefits were recognized for these costs at the Company’s overall effective tax rate.
 
Stock Options
 
The Company has options outstanding under two stock option plans approved by the shareholders, the 1997 Stock Option Plan (“1997 Plan”) and the 2007 Plan. While previously granted options remain outstanding, no additional option grants may be made under the 1997 Plan.  The shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company’s 2007 Plan on October 13, 2010.  The amendment increased from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 the number of options to purchase our common stock that may be issued under the 2007 Plan.  The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to employees, directors and certain advisors of the Company at a price not less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and for periods not to exceed ten years. Options granted under the Company’s stock option plans expire in the calendar years 2012 through 2020.
 
 
1997 Plan
2007 Plan
     
Minimum exercise price as a percentage of fair market value at date of grant
100%
100%
Last expiration date for outstanding options
July 2, 2017
June 30, 2020
Shares available for grant at October 31, 2010
0
506,250

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

 
October 31, 2010
October 31, 2009
Expected term (years)
5.0
5.0
Risk-free interest rate
1.80%
2.51%
Volatility
50%
50%
Dividend yield

The expected term of the options is based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at the grant date.  Volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock.  The Company has not historically
 
15

 
issued any dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.
 
The grant-date fair value of options granted during the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009 was $244,000 and $1,260,000, respectively. The options were granted at fair market value on date of grant.

Stock option compensation expense on a pre-tax basis was $1.5 million ($945,000 after tax effects) and $812,000 ($516,000 after tax effects) for the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options at October 31, 2010 and 2009 was $8,324,000 and $3,958,000.

As of October 31, 2010, the Company has $4.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options.  These outstanding options have a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 7.67 years.

There were no options exercised during the first six months of fiscal 2011 or 2010.

Stock Incentive Plan

The shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan on October 14, 2009. The amendment increased from 150,000 to 350,000 the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Stock Incentive Plan.  For shares issued under the Stock Incentive Plan, the associated compensation expense is generally recognized equally over the vesting periods established at the award date and is subject to the employee’s continued employment by the Company.  

There were no restricted shares granted during the first six months of fiscal year 2011.  During the six months ended October 31, 2009, 10,000 restricted shares were granted with a fair value of $19.06 per share, the market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date.  A total of 187,054 shares remained available for award at October 31, 2010. The following is a summary of the activity in the Company’s stock incentive plans during the quarter ended October 31, 2010:
 
   
Number
 
Weighted Average
   
of
 
Grant Date
 
   
Shares
 
Fair Value
 
             
Unvested shares at April 30, 2010
 
32,000
 
$
22.50
 
Shares granted
 
57
 
 
26.32
 
Shares vested
 
57
 
 
26.32
 
             
Unvested shares at October 31, 2010
 
32,000
 
$
22.50
 
 
The Company recorded a compensation cost of $94,000 ($59,000 after tax effects) and $84,000 ($52,500 after tax effects) related to the Stock Incentive Plan during the six months ended October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

As of October 31, 2010, the Company has $548,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average remaining period of 3.61 years.

There were no modifications to any of the Company’s outstanding share-based payment awards during fiscal 2010 or during the first six months of fiscal 2011.

J - Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow disclosures are as follows:
 
 
16

 
 
   
Six Months Ended:
 
   
October 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Supplemental disclosures:
           
  Interest paid
  $ 1,718     $ 1,005  
  Income taxes paid, net
    7,444       5,347  
                 
Non-cash transactions:
               
  Inventory acquired in repossession and payment protection plan claims
    13,410       10,739  

K – Subsequent Events

On November 4, 2010, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with a group of lenders providing credit facilities totaling $90.0 million to replace the Company’s existing revolving credit facilities and term loan.  See Note F for additional information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17

 
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

Forward-Looking Information

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

·  
new store openings;
·  
same store revenue growth;
·  
future revenue growth;
·  
future credit losses;
·  
investment in development of workforce;
·  
gross margin percentages;
·  
financing the majority of growth from profits;
·  
seasonality;
·  
compliance with tax regulations; and
·  
the Company’s business and growth strategies.

These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current estimates and assumptions and involve various risks and uncertainties.  As a result, you are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s projections include, but are not limited to:

·  
the availability of credit facilities to support the Company’s business;
·  
the Company’s ability to underwrite and collect its loans effectively;
·  
competition;
·  
dependence on existing management;
·  
availability of quality vehicles at prices that will be affordable to customers;
·  
changes in lending laws or regulations;
·  
the outcome of pending tax audits; and
·  
general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, including but not limited to fluctuations in gas prices, grocery prices and employment levels.

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

Overview

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), is the largest publicly held automotive retailer in the United States focused exclusively on the “Integrated Auto Sales and Finance” segment of the used car market.  References to the Company typically include the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s operations are principally conducted through its two operating subsidiaries, America’s Car-Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Car-Mart of Arkansas”), and Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“Colonial”).  Collectively, Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial are referred to herein as “Car-Mart”.  The Company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for substantially all of its customers. Many of the Company’s customers have limited financial resources and would not qualify for conventional financing as a result of limited credit histories or past credit problems.  As of October 31, 2010, the Company operated 101 dealerships located primarily in small cities throughout the South-Central United States.

 
18

 
Car-Mart has been operating since 1981.  Car-Mart has grown its revenues between 3% and 21% per year over the last ten fiscal years (average 15%).  Growth results from same dealership revenue growth and the addition of new dealerships.  Revenue increased 10.2% for the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period of fiscal 2010 due primarily to a 4.7% increase in retail units sold, a 2.1% increase in average retail sales price and a 28.6% increase in interest income.

The Company’s primary focus is on collections.  Each dealership is responsible for its own collections with supervisory involvement of the corporate office.  Over the last five full fiscal years, the Company’s credit losses as a percentage of sales have ranged between approximately 20.2% in fiscal 2010 and 29.1% in fiscal 2007 (average of 22.8%). Credit losses in fiscal 2007 (29.1%) were higher than the Company’s average over the last five years. Credit losses were higher due to several factors and included higher losses experienced in most of the dealerships, including mature dealerships, as the Company saw weakness in the performance of its portfolio as customers had difficulty making payments under the terms of their loans. Additionally, the Company’s rapid growth put stress on its infrastructure, leading to operational difficulties resulting in higher losses. Credit losses in fiscal 2008 returned to a more historical level at 22% of sales as the Company continued to focus on its operational initiatives, including credit and collections efforts.  In fiscal 2009, the Company saw the benefit of continuing operational improvements despite negative macro-economic factors and experienced a reduction in credit losses to 21.5% of sales. Improvements in credit losses continued into fiscal 2010 as the provision for credit losses was 20.2% of sales for the year ended April 30, 2010.  The first six months of fiscal 2011 experienced credit losses of 21.1% of sales compared to 19.8% of sales for the prior year period.

The primary reason for the improvement in credit losses in recent periods relates to improvements the Company has made to its business practices, including better underwriting and better collection procedures. These improvements in business practices have led to better collection results. Negative macro-economic issues do not always lead to higher credit loss results for the Company, because the Company provides basic affordable transportation which in many cases is not a discretionary expenditure for customers. The Company has installed a proprietary credit scoring system which enables the Company to monitor the quality of loans on the front end. Corporate office personnel monitor scores and work with dealerships when the distribution of scores fall outside of prescribed thresholds.  Additionally, the Company has increased its investment in the corporate infrastructure within the collection area, including the hiring of a Director of Collection Practices and Review, which is also having a positive effect on results by providing more and more timely oversight and providing for more accountability on a consistent basis.   In addition, the Company now has several Collection Specialists who assist the Director of Collection Practices and Review with monitoring and training efforts.  Also, turnover at the dealership level for collection positions is down, which is having a positive effect on results. The Company believes that the proper execution of its business practices is the single most important determinant of credit loss experience.

Historically, credit losses, on a percentage basis, tend to be higher at new and developing dealerships than at mature dealerships.  Generally, this is the case because the management at new and developing dealerships tends to be less experienced in making credit decisions and collecting customer accounts and the customer base is less seasoned.  Normally the older, more mature dealerships have more repeat customers and on average, repeat customers are a better credit risk than non-repeat customers.  The Company does believe that higher energy and fuel costs, general inflation and potentially lower personal income levels affecting customers can have a negative impact on collections.

The Company’s gross margins as a percentage of sales have been fairly consistent from year to year. Over the last five full fiscal years, the Company’s gross margins as a percentage of sales have ranged between approximately 42% and 44%. Gross margin as a percentage of sales for fiscal 2010 was 43.9%. The Company’s gross margins are based upon the cost of the vehicle purchased, with lower-priced vehicles typically having higher gross margin percentages. In recent years, the Company’s gross margins have been negatively affected by the increase in the average retail sales price (a function of a higher purchase price) and higher operating costs, mostly related to increased vehicle repair costs and higher fuel costs. Additionally, the percentage of wholesale sales to retail sales, which relate for the most part to repossessed vehicles sold at or near cost, can have a significant effect on overall gross margins.  The negative effect from wholesale sales was higher in fiscal 2007 and during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 due to the increased level of repossession activity coupled with relatively flat retail sales levels. Higher retail sales levels and lower repossessions activity during the latter part of fiscal 2008 and for fiscal 2009 helped to bring gross margin percentages back up.  Gross margin percentages in fiscal 2010 benefitted from higher retail sales levels and from a strong wholesale market for repossessed vehicles due to overall used vehicle supply shortages.  The Company expects that its gross margin percentage will not change significantly in the near term from its current level (43% range).

Hiring, training and retaining qualified associates are critical to the Company’s success.  The rate at which the Company adds new dealerships and is able to implement operating initiatives is limited by the number of trained managers and support personnel the Company has at its disposal.  Excessive turnover, particularly at the dealership manager level, could impact the Company’s ability to

 
19

 
add new dealerships and to meet operational initiatives.  The Company has added resources to recruit, train and develop personnel, especially personnel targeted to fill dealership manager positions.  The Company expects to continue to invest in the development of its workforce in fiscal 2011 and beyond.
 
Consolidated Operations
(Operating Statement Dollars in Thousands)

               
% Change
   
As a % of Sales
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
2010
    Three Months Ended  
   
October 31,
   
vs.
    October 31,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                               
Revenues:
                             
  Sales
  $ 82,611     $ 75,242       9.8 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
  Interest income
    9,224       7,319       26.0       11.2       9.7  
      Total
    91,835       82,561       11.2       111.2       109.7  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
  Cost of sales, excluding depreciation shown below
    47,269       42,318       11.7       57.2       56.2  
  Selling, general and administrative
    14,684       13,964       5.2       17.8       18.6  
  Provision for credit losses
    18,767       15,152       23.9       22.7       20.1  
  Interest expense
    803       776       3.5       1.0       1.0  
  Depreciation and amortization
    465       412       12.9       0.6       0.5  
      Total
    81,988       72,622       12.9       99.3       96.5  
                                         
      Pretax income
  $ 9,847     $ 9,939       (0.9 )     11.9 %     13.2 %
                                         
Operating Data:
                                       
  Retail units sold
    8,431       7,965                          
  Average stores in operation
    99       96                          
  Average units sold per store per month
    28.4       27.7                          
  Average retail sales price
  $ 9,209     $ 9,024                          
  Same store revenue change
    8.1 %     11.4 %                        
                                         
Period End Data:
                                       
  Stores open
    101       96                          
  Accounts over 30 days past due
    3.9 %     3.4 %                        
 
Three Months Ended October 31, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended October 31, 2009

Revenues increased by $9.3 million, or 11.2%, for the three months ended October 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The increase was principally the result of (i) revenue growth from dealerships that operated a full three months in both periods ($6.7 million, or 8.1%), (ii) revenue growth from dealerships opened during the three months ended October 31, 2009 or dealerships that opened or closed a satellite location after October 31, 2009 ($.3 million), and (iii) revenue growth from dealerships opened after October 31, 2009 ($2.3 million).

Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 1.0% to 57.2% for the three months ended October 31, 2010 from 56.2% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase from the prior year period relates primarily to higher wholesale sales which resulted from increased credit losses, an increase in the average purchase price of vehicles, lower margins on service contract sales offset by slightly higher margins on the payment protection plan product. Wholesale sales are for the most part sales of repossessed vehicles or trade-ins at break-even. The Company will continue to focus efforts on holding down purchase costs and expects to see gross margin percentages in the 43% range on a going-forward basis.  Top line sales levels in relation to wholesale volumes, resulting from credit loss experience, can have a significant effect on gross margin percentages.

 
20

 
Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 17.8% for the three months ended October 31, 2010, a decrease of 0.8% from the same period of the prior fiscal year.   The percentage decrease was principally the result of higher sales levels as a large majority of the Company’s operating costs are more fixed in nature. In dollar terms, overall selling, general and administrative expenses increased $720,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year, consisting primarily of increased payroll costs and increased incremental costs at new dealerships. At the corporate level, higher payroll costs were concentrated in the Human Resources, Information Technology and Credit and Collections areas. Within Human Resources is the Manager in Training Program, where the Company has significantly increased its investment over the last few years in order to have a sufficient level of qualified associates in this program to support growth and cover attrition needs.  Additionally, many of the company’s compensation arrangements are tied to financial performance and as such, more payroll costs are incurred during periods of improved financial results.  Also, stock based compensation increased approximately $259,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales increased to 22.7% for the three months ended October 31, 2010 compared to 20.1% for the three months ended October 31, 2009.  The Company continues to push for improvements and better execution of its collection practices, which is offset by negative macro-economic issues that were prevalent during most of fiscal 2010 and the first six months of fiscal 2011. Additionally, the Company has increased its investment in the corporate infrastructure within the collection area which is continuing to have a positive effect on results by providing more oversight and providing more accountability on a consistent basis. The Company believes that the proper execution of its business practices is the single most important determinate of credit loss experience.  Management primarily attributes the increase in credit losses for the most recent quarter to a lack of execution at the lot level, specifically as related to working individually with its customers concerning collection issues.  The Company is taking steps to improve lot level execution regarding collections.

Interest expense (excluding the non-cash charge related to the change in fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreement) as a percentage of sales remained constant at 0.9% for the three months ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009.  Higher average borrowings during the three months ended October 31, 2010 ($49.4 million compared to $33.6 million in the prior year) were partially offset by lower interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt.

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement (the “Agreement”) which is not designated as a hedge by Company management; therefore, the gain (loss) of the Agreement is reported as a component of interest expense in earnings. The non-cash charge related to the Agreement was caused by a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, amount of notional debt outstanding, and number of months until maturity. Because the Company intends to hold the interest rate swap until maturity in May 2013, the charge, which resulted from a change in fair value, will reverse by the maturity date.
 
The net loss for the Agreement reported in earnings as interest expense is $50,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2010.  The fair value of the Agreement is included in Accrued liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at October 31, 2010 at $1.7 million.  The interest on the credit facilities, the net settlements under the interest rate swap, and the changes in the fair value of the Agreement, are all reflected in Interest expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.  Notwithstanding the Company’s intention to hold the swap until maturity, changes in fair value of the Agreement will continue to be recognized quarterly as non-cash charges or gains, as the case may be.
 
 
21

 
Consolidated Operations
(Operating Statement Dollars in Thousands)

               
% Change
   
As a % of Sales
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
2010
    Six Months Ended  
   
October 31,
   
vs.
    October 31,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                               
Revenues:
                             
  Sales
  $ 165,213     $ 152,254       8.5 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
  Interest income
    18,082       14,062       28.6       10.9       9.2  
      Total
    183,295       166,316       10.2       110.9       109.2  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
  Cost of sales, excluding depreciation shown below
    93,702       85,400       9.7       56.7       56.1  
  Selling, general and administrative
    29,475       27,887       5.7       17.8       18.3  
  Provision for credit losses
    34,905       30,203       15.6       21.1       19.8  
  Interest expense
    1,770       1,023       73.0       1.1       0.7  
  Depreciation and amortization
    920       804       14.4       0.6       0.5  
      Total
    160,772       145,317       10.6       97.3       95.4  
                                         
      Pretax income
  $ 22,523     $ 20,999       7.3       13.6 %     13.8 %
                                         
Operating Data:
                                       
  Retail units sold
    16,912       16,147                          
  Average stores in operation
    99       95                          
  Average units sold per store per month
    28.5       28.3                          
  Average retail sales price
  $ 9,225     $ 9,033                          
  Same store revenue change
    7.2 %     9.9 %                        
                                         
Period End Data:
                                       
  Stores open
    101       96                          
  Accounts over 30 days past due
    3.9 %     3.4 %                        

Six Months Ended October 31, 2010 vs. Six Months Ended October 31, 2009

Revenues increased by $17.0 million, or 10.2%, for the six months ended October 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.  The increase was principally the result of (i) revenue growth from stores that operated a full six months in both periods ($11.8 million, or 7.2%), (ii) revenue growth from stores opened during the six months ended October 31, 2009 or stores that opened or closed a satellite location after October 31, 2009 ($1.6 million), and (iii) revenue growth from stores opened after October 31, 2009 ($3.6 million).

Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 0.6% to 56.7% for the six months ended October 31, 2010 from 56.1% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase from the prior year period relates primarily to an increase in wholesale sales, an increase in the average purchase price of vehicles, and slightly higher operating expenses partially offset by higher margins on the payment protection plan product. Wholesale sales are for the most part sales of repossessed vehicles or trade-ins at break-even. The Company will continue to focus efforts on holding down purchase costs and expects to see gross margin percentages in the 43% range on a going-forward basis.  Top line sales levels in relation to wholesale volumes, resulting from credit loss experience, can have a significant effect on gross margin percentages.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 17.8% for the six months ended October 31, 2010, a decrease of 0.5% from the same period of the prior fiscal year.   Selling, general and administrative expenses are, for the most part,
 
 
22

 
more fixed in nature. The overall dollar increase of $1.6 million related primarily to higher payroll costs and to incremental costs related to new locations opened after October 31, 2009. At the corporate level, the higher payroll costs are concentrated in our Human Resources, Information Technology and Credit and Collections areas. Within Human Resources is the Manager in Training Program where the Company has significantly increased its investment in recent quarters to have a sufficient level of qualified associates in this program to support growth and cover attrition needs. Additionally, many of the Company’s compensation arrangements are tied to financial performance and as such, more payroll costs are incurred during periods of improved financial results.  Stock based compensation also increased approximately $660,000 for the six months ending October 31, 2010 compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year.
 
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of sales increased 1.3% to 21.1% for the six months ended October 31, 2010 from 19.8% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The Company continues to push for improvements and better execution of its collection practices, which is offset by negative macro-economic issues that were prevalent during most of fiscal 2010 and the first six months of fiscal 2011.  Management primarily attributes the increase in credit losses for the most recent period to a lack of execution at the lot level, specifically as related to working individually with its customers concerning collection issues.  The Company is taking steps to improve lot level execution regarding collections.

Interest expense (excluding the non-cash charge related to the change in fair value of the Agreement) as a percentage of sales increased  0.1% to 0.9% for the six months ended October 31, 2010 from 0.8% for the same period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase was attributable to higher average borrowings during the six months ended October 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year ($45.5 million compared to $31.8 million), partially offset by lower interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt.

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement (the “Agreement”) which is not designated as a hedge by Company management; therefore, the gain (loss) of the Agreement is reported as a component of interest expense in earnings. The non-cash charge related to the Agreement was caused by a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, amount of notional debt outstanding, and number of months until maturity. Because the Company intends to hold the interest rate swap until maturity in May 2013, the charge, which resulted from a change in fair value, will reverse by the maturity date.

The net loss for the Agreement reported in earnings as interest expense is $283,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2010.  The fair value of the Agreement is included in Accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at October 31, 2010 at $1.7 million.  The interest on the credit facilities, the net settlements under the interest rate swap, and the changes in the fair value of the Agreement, are all reflected in Interest expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.  Notwithstanding the Company’s intention to hold the swap until maturity, changes in fair value of the Agreement will continue to be recognized quarterly as non-cash charges or gains, as the case may be.

Financial Condition

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

   
October 31, 2010
   
April 30, 2010
 
Assets:
           
    Finance receivables, net
  $ 217,988     $ 205,423  
    Inventory
    22,888       20,367  
    Property and equipment, net
    23,988       22,722  
                 
Liabilities:
               
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    17,813       18,471  
    Deferred payment protection plan revenue
    8,597       8,229  
    Deferred tax liabilities, net
    10,281       9,193  
    Debt facilities
    51,212       38,766  
 
Historically, finance receivables have tended to grow slightly faster than revenue growth.  This has historically been due, to a large extent, to an increasing weighted average term necessitated by increases in the average retail sales price.  The average term for installment sales contracts at October 31, 2010 was relatively flat as compared to October 31, 2009 (27.4 months vs. 27.6 months).  Revenue growth results from same store revenue growth and the addition of new dealerships.  With the company

 
23

 
benefiting from stronger collections on an annual basis, it is anticipated going forward that the growth in finance receivables will approximate or even be slightly less than revenue growth on an annual basis in the near term.
 
During the first six months of fiscal 2011, inventory increased 1.2% ($2.5 million) as compared to inventory at April 30, 2010, while revenue growth during the same period was 10.2%.  The increase resulted from increased sales levels and an expected increase in demand for the type of vehicle the Company purchases for resale as well as the Company’s desire to offer a broad mix and sufficient quantities of vehicles to adequately serve its expanding customer base. The Company will continue to manage inventory levels in the future to ensure adequate supply, in volume and mix, and to meet anticipated sales demand.

Property and equipment, net, increased $1.3 million during the six months ended October 31, 2010 as compared to property and equipment, net, at April 30, 2010 as the Company incurred expenditures related to new dealerships as well as to refurbish and expand existing locations.
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $658,000 during the first six months of fiscal 2011 as compared to Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at April 30, 2010 due primarily to timing of payroll periods.

Deferred tax liabilities, net increased $1.1 million during the first six months of fiscal 2011 as compared to April 30, 2010 due primarily to the increase in Finance Receivables partially offset by the effect of stock based compensation expenses.

Borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facilities fluctuate primarily based upon a number of factors including (i) net income, (ii) finance receivables changes, (iii) income taxes, (iv) capital expenditures and (v) common stock repurchases.  Historically, income from continuing operations, as well as borrowings on the revolving credit facilities, have funded the Company’s finance receivables growth, capital asset purchases and common stock repurchases.  In the first six months of fiscal 2011 the Company had a $12.4 million increase in its debt facilities to help finance receivables growth, capital expenditures and common stock repurchases.
 
 
24

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth certain summarized historical information with respect to the Company’s Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
 
   
Six Months Ended October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
           
    Net income
  $ 14,154     $ 13,340  
    Provision for credit losses
    34,905       30,203  
    Losses on claims for payment protection plan
    2,217       2,161  
    Unrealized (gain) loss for change in fair value of interest rate swap
    283       (226 )
    Depreciation and amortization
    920       804  
    Stock based compensation
    1,564       902  
    Finance receivable originations
    (151,030 )     (140,749 )
    Finance receivable collections
    87,933       80,054  
    Inventory
    10,889       8,469  
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (560 )     1,123  
    Deferred payment protection plan revenue
    368       661  
    Income taxes, net
    (162 )     358  
    Deferred income taxes
    1,088       1,954  
    Accrued interest on finance receivables
    (252 )     (76 )
    Other
    (1,171 )     624  
          Total
    1,146       (398 )
                 
Investing activities:
               
    Purchase of property and equipment
    (2,249 )     (2,373 )
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    4       92  
        Total
    (2,245 )     (2,281 )
                 
Financing activities:
               
    Debt facilities, net
    12,446       4,362  
    Change in cash overdrafts
    (381 )     (1,656 )
    Issuance of common stock
    50       54  
    Purchase of common stock
    (11,038 )     -  
    Dividend payments
    (20 )     (20 )
        Total
    1,057       2,740  
                 
        Increase (decrease) in Cash
  $ (42 )   $ 61  
 
The primary drivers of operating profits and cash flows include (i) top line sales, (ii) interest rates on finance receivables, (iii) gross margin percentages on vehicle sales, and (iv) credit losses. The Company generates cash flow from income from operations.  Historically, most or all of this cash is used to fund finance receivables growth, capital expenditures and common stock repurchases.  To the extent finance receivables growth, capital expenditures and common stock repurchases exceed income from operations, generally the Company increases its borrowings under its revolving credit facilities.  The majority of the Company’s growth has been self-funded.

Cash flows from operations for the six months ended October 31, 2010 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year were positively impacted by (i) higher net income, (ii) higher non-cash charges including credit losses, depreciation, stock based compensation and unrealized loss on interest rate swap and (iii) increased proceeds from repossessed vehicles, offset by (iv) an increase in finance receivables, (v) a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, (vi) a smaller increase in deferred income taxes and (vii) an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets.  Finance receivables, net, increased by $12.6 million from April 30, 2010 to October 31, 2010.
 
The purchase price the Company pays for a vehicle has a significant effect on liquidity and capital resources. Several external factors can negatively affect the purchase cost of vehicles. Decreases in the overall volume of new car sales, particularly domestic

 
25

 
brands, leads to decreased supply in the used car market. Also, the expansion of the customer base due in part to constrictions in consumer credit, as well as general economic conditions, can have an overall effect on the demand for the type of vehicle the Company purchases for resale. Because the Company bases its selling price on the purchase cost for the vehicle, increases in purchase costs result in increased selling prices. As the selling price increases, it becomes more difficult to keep the gross margin percentage and loan term in line with historical results because the Company’s customers have limited incomes and their car payment must remain affordable within their individual budgets. The Company has seen increases in the purchase cost of vehicles and resulting increases in selling prices and terms over the last few years. Management does expect some continuing increases in vehicle purchase costs on a going-forward basis. The Company did see flat average vehicle purchase costs sequentially during the second quarter but has experienced recent increases which can be attributed to the continuing tight supply of vehicles. Management also expects the availability of consumer credit within the automotive industry to continue to be constricted when compared to recent history and that this will continue to result in overall increases in demand for most, if not all, of the vehicles the Company purchases for resale.  The Company has devoted significant efforts to improve its purchasing processes to ensure adequate supply at appropriate prices. This is expected to result in gross margin percentages in the 43% range and overall loan terms remaining fairly consistent with recent experience and possibly slightly shorter terms resulting from software and operational changes which have recently been made.  In an effort to ensure an adequate supply of vehicles at appropriate prices, the Company has increased the level of accountability for its purchasing agents including the establishment of sourcing and pricing guidelines.  Additionally, the Company is expanding its purchasing territories to larger cities in close proximity to its dealerships and increasing its efforts to purchase vehicles from individuals at the dealership level as well as via the internet.
 
Macro-economic factors can have a significant effect on credit losses and resulting liquidity. General inflation, particularly within staple items such as groceries and gasoline, as well as overall unemployment levels can have a significant effect on collection results and ultimately credit losses. The Company has made improvements to its business processes within the last few years to strengthen controls and provide stronger infrastructure to support its collection efforts. With these improvements, the Company anticipates that credit losses on a going-forward basis will be in the range of 20-22% of sales. However, significant negative macro-economic effects could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated range.  The current quarter losses exceeded this range and management attributes this to a lack of execution at the lot level within the collections area.

The Company has generally leased the majority of the properties where its dealerships are located.  As of October 31, 2010, the Company leased approximately 70% of its dealership properties.  The Company expects to continue to lease the majority of the properties where its dealerships are located.
 
The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally limit distributions by the Company to its shareholders in order to repurchase the Company’s stock equal to 75% of consolidated net income measured on a trailing twelve month basis.  Thus, the Company is limited in the amount of dividends or other distributions it can make to its shareholders without the consent of the Company’s lenders.

At October 31, 2010, the Company had $226,000 of cash on hand and an additional $38.8 million of availability under its new revolving credit facilities (see Note F to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  On a short-term basis, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity include income from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facilities.  On a longer-term basis, the Company expects its principal sources of liquidity to consist of income from operations and borrowings under revolving credit facilities and/or fixed interest term loans.  The Company’s new revolving credit facilities mature in November 2013 and the Company expects that it will be able to renew or refinance its revolving credit facilities on or before the date they mature.  Furthermore, while the Company has no specific plans to issue debt or equity securities, the Company believes, if necessary, it could raise additional capital through the issuance of such securities.
 
The Company expects to use cash to (i) grow its finance receivables portfolio,  (ii) purchase property and equipment of approximately $4.0 million in the next 12 months in connection with refurbishing existing dealerships and adding new dealerships, (iii) repurchase shares of common stock when favorable conditions exist and (iv) reduce debt if excess cash becomes available.

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

 
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Contractual Payment Obligations

There have been no material changes outside of the ordinary course of business in the Company’s contractual payment obligations from  those reported at April 30, 2010 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

   The Company has entered into operating leases for approximately 70% of its dealerships and office facilities.  Generally these leases are for periods of three to five years and usually contain multiple renewal options.  The Company uses leasing arrangements to maintain flexibility in its dealership locations and to preserve capital.  The Company expects to continue to lease the majority of its dealerships and office facilities under arrangements substantially consistent with the past.

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

Related Finance Company Contingency

Car-Mart of Arkansas and Colonial do not meet the affiliation standard for filing consolidated income tax returns, and as such they file separate federal and state income tax returns.  Car-Mart of Arkansas routinely sells its finance receivables to Colonial at what the Company believes to be fair market value and is able to take a tax deduction at the time of sale for the difference between the tax basis of the receivables sold and the sales price.  These types of transactions, based upon facts and circumstances, have been permissible under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) as described in the Treasury Regulations.  For financial accounting purposes, these transactions are eliminated in consolidation and a deferred tax liability has been recorded for this timing difference.   The sale of finance receivables from Car-Mart of Arkansas to Colonial provides certain legal protection for the Company’s finance receivables and, principally because of certain state apportionment characteristics of Colonial, also has the effect of reducing the Company’s overall effective state income tax rate by approximately 240 basis points.  The actual interpretation of the Regulations is in part a facts and circumstances matter.  The Company believes it satisfies the material provisions of the Regulations. Failure to satisfy those provisions could result in the loss of a tax deduction at the time the receivables are sold and have the effect of increasing the Company’s overall effective income tax rate as well as the timing of required tax payments.
 
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) recently concluded the previously reported examinations of the Company’s income tax returns for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.  As a result of the examinations, the IRS has questioned whether deferred payment protection plan (“PPP”) revenue associated with the sale of certain receivables are subject to the acceleration of advance payments provision of the IRS code and whether the Company may deduct losses on the sale of the PPP receivables in excess of the income recognized on the underlying contracts.  The issue is timing in nature and does not affect the overall tax provision, but affects the timing of required tax payments.
 
By letter dated April 2, 2010, the IRS delivered to the Company a revenue agent’s report (“RAR”), which proposes an adjustment for the items discussed above as well as interest.  The Company intends to vigorously defend its position and on April 23, 2010, the Company filed an administrative protest with the Appeals Office of the IRS.  The protest disputes the income tax changes proposed by the IRS and requests a conference with a representative of the Appeals Office.  The Company has not yet been notified by the Appeals Office of a date for the conference.  If the matter is not resolved in the Appeals Office, and if the IRS intends to pursue its position, the Company fully intends to ask an appropriate court to consider the issue.
 
The Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company had no accrued penalties and/or interest as of October 31, 2010.

Critical Accounting Policies

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

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a level it considers sufficient to cover estimated losses in the collection of its finance receivables.  At October 31, 2010, the weighted average total loan term was 27.4 months with 19.3 months remaining. The reserve amount in the allowance for credit losses at October 31, 2010, $59.0 million, was 22% of the principal balance in Finance receivables of $277.0 million, less unearned payment protection plan revenue of $8.6 million. The estimated reserve amount is the Company’s anticipated future net charge-offs for losses incurred through the balance sheet date. The allowance takes into account historical credit loss experience (both timing and severity of losses), with consideration given to recent credit loss trends and changes in loan characteristics (i.e., average amount financed, months outstanding at loss date, term and age of portfolio), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions and underwriting and collection practices. The allowance for credit losses is reviewed at least quarterly by management with any changes reflected in current operations.  The calculation of the allowance for credit losses uses the following primary factors:

·  
The number of units repossessed or charged-off as a percentage of total units financed over specific historical periods of time.

·  
The average net repossession and charge-off loss per unit during the last eighteen months, segregated by the number of months since the loan origination date, and adjusted for the expected future average net charge-off loss per unit.  About 50% of the charge-offs that will ultimately occur in the portfolio are expected to occur within 10-11 months following the balance sheet date.  The average age of an account at charge-off date is 11.8 months.
 
·  
The timing of repossession and charge-off losses relative to the date of sale (i.e., how long it takes for a repossession or charge-off to occur) for repossessions and charge-offs occurring during the last eighteen months.

A point estimate is produced by this analysis which is then supplemented by any positive or negative subjective factors to arrive at an overall reserve amount that management considers to be a reasonable estimate of incurred losses that will be realized via actual charge-offs in the future. Although it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances could occur in the future that are not presently foreseen which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses.  Periods of economic downturn do not necessarily lead to increased credit losses because the Company provides basic affordable transportation to customers that, for the most part, do not have access to public transportation.  The effectiveness of the execution of internal policies and procedures within the collections area has historically had a more significant effect on collection results than macro-economic issues. A 1% change, as a percentage of Finance receivables, in the allowance for credit losses would equate to an approximate pre-tax charge of $2.7 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

Receivables.  In July 2010, the FASB adopted an update regarding disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.  The enhanced disclosures are designed to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s credit risk exposure and in evaluating the adequacy of an entity’s allowance for credit losses.  Entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures regarding (i) the nature of the credit risk inherent in the receivable, (ii) how the entity analyzes and assesses credit risk to estimate the allowance for credit losses and (iii) changes in both the receivable and the allowance for credit losses and the reasons for those changes.  This update will be effective beginning with the first interim or annual reporting period ending on or after December 15, 2010.  This update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Seasonality
 
The Company’s third fiscal quarter (November through January) was historically the slowest period for vehicle sales. Conversely, the Company’s first and fourth fiscal quarters (May through July and February through April) were historically the busiest times for vehicle sales. Therefore, the Company generally realized a higher proportion of its revenue and operating profit during the first and
 
 
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fourth fiscal quarters. However, in fiscal 2008, 2009 and 2010 tax refund anticipation sales began in early November and continued through January (the Company’s third fiscal quarter). The success of the tax refund anticipation sales effort has led to higher sales levels during the third fiscal quarters and the Company expects this trend to continue in future periods. If conditions arise that impair vehicle sales during the first, third or fourth fiscal quarters, the adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and operating results for the year could be disproportionately large.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

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

Interest rate risk.   The Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates relates primarily to its debt obligations.  The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of its revolving credit facilities, and the interest rates charged to the Company under its credit facilities fluctuate based on its primary lender’s prime rate of interest.  To reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates, the Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The agreement was entered into generally to provide the Company with a fixed interest rate for a portion of its variable rate debt.  The notional amount of this swap agreement is $20 million and it expires in May 2013. The Company may in the future enter into additional interest rate risk management arrangements for a portion of its outstanding debt.
 
At October 31, 2010, the Company’s interest rate swap on $20 million of notional principal provides that the Company will pay monthly interest on the notional amount at a fixed rate of 6.68% and receive monthly interest on the notional amount at a floating rate based on the lender’s prime lending rate (3.25% at October 31, 2010). An average decrease in future interest rates of 100 basis points from the lender’s prime lending rate at October 31, 2010, would have resulted in an additional expense, reflected within Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, of approximately  $460,000 resulting from a change in fair value of the instrument. Also, the liability for the fair value of the swap agreement reflected within Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at October 31, 2010 would have increased by approximately $460,000 to approximately $2.1 million.
 
The Company had total indebtedness of $51.2 million outstanding at October 31, 2010. Of this amount, $24.9 million (excluding the $20 million notional amount for the interest rate swap agreement) was variable rate debt under the credit facilities. The impact of a 1% increase in interest rates on this amount of debt would result in increased annual interest expense of approximately $249,000 and a corresponding decrease in income before income tax.
 
The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the derivative instrument, can be derived from observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. The Company’s valuation models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs including (a) quoted forward prices for commodities, (b) time value and (c) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. The Company utilizes its counterparties’ valuations to assess the reasonableness of its prices and valuation techniques.

The Company’s earnings are impacted by its net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on interest-bearing assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing notes payable.  The Company’s finance receivables generally bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.5% to 19%, while its revolving notes payable contain variable interest rates that fluctuate with market interest rates.  Prior to June 2009, interest rates charged on finance receivables originated in the State of Arkansas were limited to the federal primary credit rate (currently .75%) plus 5%.  Typically, the Company had charged interest on its Arkansas loans at or near the maximum rate allowed by law.  Thus, while the interest rates charged on the Company’s loans do not fluctuate once established, new loans originated in Arkansas were set at a spread above the federal primary credit rate which does fluctuate.  Effective June 26, 2009, the Company began charging 12% on loans originated in Arkansas. This was due to the passage by the U.S. Congress of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 which was signed into law on June 24, 2009. Within this legislation is a provision which allows the Company to charge up to 17% on loans to customers in Arkansas. The legislation has a sunset clause and will expire on December 31, 2010.  On November 2, 2010, voters in Arkansas approved a state constitutional amendment to allow up to 17% interest for non-bank loans and contracts in the state effectively making the Federal legislation permanent.  At October 31, 2010, approximately 47% of the Company’s finance receivables were originated in Arkansas.

 
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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
a)  
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Based on management’s evaluation (with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), as of October 31, 2010, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
b)  
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

Not applicable
 
 
PART II

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

The Company is authorized to once again repurchase up to one million shares of its common stock under the common stock repurchase program last amended and approved by the Board of Directors on August 18, 2010.  The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company of shares of the Company’s common stock during the periods indicated:
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
   
Average
Price Paid
per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1)
   
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(1)
 
August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010
    152,230     $ 22.18       152,230       847,770  
September 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010
    16,000     $ 25.10       16,000       831,770  
October 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010
    0     $ 0.00       0       831,770  
              Total
    168,230     $ 22.46       168,230       831,770  
 
(1)  The above described stock repurchase program has no expiration date.
 
 
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Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
     
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1-4.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on November 16, 2005 (File No. 333-129727))
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated December 4, 2007.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on December 7, 2007)
     
4.1
 
Loan and Security Agreement dated  November 4, 2010, among America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Parent; Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Borrowers; and certain financial institutions, as Lenders, with Bank of Arkansas, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Co-Lead Arranger and Bank of America N.A., as Collateral Agent, Co-Lead Arranger and Documentation Agent.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.2
 
Colonial Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. in favor of Bank of Arkansas, N.A., as Lender. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.3
 
Colonial Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Lender. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.4
 
Colonial Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. in favor of Commerce Bank, N.A., as Lender. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.5
 
Colonial Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by Colonial Auto Finance, Inc. in favor of Arvest Bank, as Lender. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.6
 
ACM-TCM Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., as Borrowers, in favor of Bank of Arkansas, N.A., as Lender.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.7
 
ACM-TCM Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., as Borrowers, in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Lender.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.8
 
ACM-TCM Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., as Borrowers, in favor of Commerce Bank, N.A., as Lender.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.9
 
ACM-TCM Revolver Note dated November 4, 2010 by America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., as Borrowers, in favor of Arvest Bank, as Lender.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
 
 
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4.10
 
Continuing Guaranty dated as of November 4, 2010, by America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Guarantor, in favor of Bank of Arkansas, N.A. as Agent for the Lenders.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.11
 
Continuing Guaranty dated as of November 4, 2010, by America’s Car Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Guarantors, in favor of Bank of Arkansas, N.A., as Agent for the Lenders.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.12
 
Continuing Guaranty dated as of November 4, 2010, by Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., as Guarantor, in favor of Bank of Arkansas, N.A., as Agent for the Lenders.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.13
 
Security Agreement dated as of November 4, 2010, between America’s Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Grantor, and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent for Lenders.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.14
 
Security Agreement dated as of November 4, 2010, between America’s Car-Mart, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and Texas Car-Mart, Inc., a Texas corporation, as Grantors, and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent for Lenders.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
4.15
 
Security Agreement dated as of November 4, 2010, between Colonial Auto Finance, Inc., as Grantor, and Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent for Lenders.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2010)
     
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
     
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act.
     
32.1
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 
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SIGNATURES


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



America’s Car-Mart, Inc.



By:           \s\ William H. Henderson
William H. Henderson
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



By:           \s\ Jeffrey A. Williams 
Jeffrey A. Williams
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Dated: December 3, 2010
 
 

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