- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
---------
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
-------------
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 26, 2003
CULP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina 0-12781 56-1001967
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
101 South Main Street
High Point, North Carolina 27260
(Address of principal executive offices)
(336) 889-5161
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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INDEX
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Page
----
Item 7 - Exhibits 3
Item 12 - Results of Operations and Financial Condition 3
Signature 4
Exhibits
Item 7 -- Exhibits
99(a) News Release dated August 26, 2003
99(b) Financial Information Release dated August 26, 2003
Item 12 -- Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On August 26, 2003, Culp, Inc. (the "Registrant") issued a news release to
announce its financial results for the quarter ended August 3, 2003. The news
release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99(a).
Also on August 26, 2003, the Registrant released a Financial Information Release
containing additional financial information and disclosures about the
Registrant's first quarter ended August 3, 2003. The news release and financial
information release contain disclosures about free cash flow, a non-GAAP
performance measure, that management believes provides useful information to
investors because it measures the company's available cash flow for potential
debt repayment, stock repurchases and additions to cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments.
Forward Looking Information. This Report and the exhibits attached hereto
contain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 27A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). Such statements are
inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Further, forward looking
statements are intended to speak only as of the date on which they are made.
Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, expectations
or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of
historical fact. Such statements are often but not always characterized by
qualifying words such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "plan" and "project"
and their derivatives, and include but are not limited to statements about
expectations for the company's future sales, gross profit margins, SG&A or other
expenses, and earnings, as well as any statements regarding the company's view
of estimates of the company's future results by analysts. Factors that could
influence the matters discussed in such statements include the level of housing
starts and sales of existing homes, consumer confidence, trends in disposable
income, and general economic conditions. Decreases in these economic indicators
could have a negative effect on the company's business and prospects. Likewise,
increases in interest rates, particularly home mortgage rates, and increases in
consumer debt or the general rate of inflation, could affect the company
adversely. In addition, strengthening of the U. S. dollar against other
currencies could make the company's products less competitive on the basis of
price in markets outside the United States. Also, economic and political
instability in international areas could affect the company's operations or
sources of goods in those areas, as well as demand for the company's products in
international markets. Finally, unanticipated delays or costs in executing
restructuring actions could cause the cumulative effect of restructuring actions
to fail to meet the objectives set forth by management. Other factors that could
affect the matters discussed in forward looking statements are included in the
company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CULP, INC.
(Registrant)
By: Franklin N. Saxon
-----------------
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: August 26, 2003
---------------
Exhibit 99(a)
NEWS RELEASE
Investor Contact: Kathy J. Hardy Media Contact: Kenneth M. Ludwig
Corporate Secretary Senior Vice President,
336-888-6209 Human Resources
336-889-5161
CULP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2004 RESULTS
HIGH POINT, N.C. (August 26, 2003) - Culp, Inc. (NYSE: CFI) today reported
financial and operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 ended
August 3, 2003. The highlights include:
o Net loss of $0.04 per share diluted, a smaller loss than management's
projection earlier in the quarter of a net loss of $0.06 to $0.13 per
share diluted
o Gain in mattress ticking sales of 4.6 percent, representing the best
quarterly sales increase in over a year for this segment
o Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments increased to $30.1
million from $24.4 million at the end of fiscal 2003, reflecting free
cash flow of $5.7 million
o Earnings expectation for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 is net
income of $0.12 to $0.19 per diluted share.
For the three months ended August 3, 2003, net sales were $73.7 million
compared with $86.0 million a year ago, a 14.3 percent decline. The first
quarter of fiscal 2004 included 14 weeks versus 13 weeks for the same quarter
of fiscal 2003. The company reported a net loss of $411,000, or $0.04 per
diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared with income
before the cumulative effect of accounting change of $915,000, or $0.08 per
diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Including the
cumulative effect of accounting change, the company reported a net loss for
the first quarter of fiscal 2003 of $23.2 million, or $2.04 per diluted
share. In the first quarter of 2003, the company recorded a non-cash
goodwill impairment charge, net of income taxes, of $24.2 million, or $2.12
per diluted share.
"The first quarter of our fiscal year is typically the slowest period for
Culp and the furniture industry due to scheduled plant vacation shutdowns,"
commented Robert G. Culp, III, chairman of the board and chief executive
officer of Culp, Inc. "The seasonal slowdown, combined with the continued
significant weakness in consumer demand for furniture throughout the summer,
made this quarter's sales particularly challenging. While we reported a
modest loss, we are encouraged that the overall results were better than we
had originally projected at the beginning of the quarter.
CFI Announces First Quarter 2004 Results
Page 3
August 26, 2003
-MORE-
"We are particularly pleased with the positive trends in the mattress ticking
segment as the bedding industry has enjoyed a modest rebound in sales over
the summer months," said Culp. "Mattress ticking sales were $27.2 million
for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, a 4.6 percent increase compared with
$26.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. These favorable results
are encouraging as demand in the bedding industry has generally been one of
the first categories in the home furnishings industry to pick up after a down
cycle. In the upholstery fabrics segment, net sales declined 22.5 percent
for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared with the same period a year
ago. The decline in sales in this segment was in line with our expectations
and reflects very soft demand by furniture retailers. Additional factors
likely affecting the demand for upholstery fabrics are the increasing
consumer preference for leather furniture and an increase in imported fabrics.
"One of our key financial objectives for fiscal 2004 is to continue to
capitalize on the strength of our balance sheet," added Culp. "We believe
that having a solid financial position in this difficult business environment
provides Culp with a distinct competitive advantage. As of August 3, 2003,
our balance sheet reflects $30.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments compared with $24.4 million at the end of fiscal 2003,
reflecting free cash flow of $5.7 million during the first quarter. In
addition, with the considerable progress we made in fiscal 2003 in further
reducing our debt, we now have $76.6 million in long-term debt and a
debt-to-capital ratio of 44.5 percent compared with 49.9 percent a year ago."
Commenting on the business outlook, Culp added, "While the furniture retail
environment has not demonstrated any signs of a sustainable recovery, we
continue to believe we will see a modest pick up in sales this fall, as is
typical in the furniture industry. Overall, we expect the drop in
consolidated sales for the second quarter to be considerably less than the
first quarter decline of 14.3 percent. While mattress ticking segment sales
are expected to be consistent with second quarter sales of last year,
upholstery fabric segment sales are expected to decrease substantially less
than the first quarter decline of 22.5 percent. With the softness in the
furniture industry and the lack of visibility into the quarter to date, it is
difficult to predict the company's profitability level for the next quarter.
However, at this time, we expect to report net income in the range of $0.12
to $0.19 per share diluted, with the actual results depending primarily upon
the level of demand throughout the quarter. We remain confident that we have
taken the actions necessary to right-size the company and position Culp to
benefit from opportunities that we believe will exist after this challenging
business cycle ends."
-END-
Culp, Inc. is one of the world's largest marketers of upholstery fabrics for
furniture and is a leading marketer of mattress ticking for bedding. The
company's fabrics are used principally in the production of residential and
commercial furniture and bedding products.
This release contains statements that may be deemed "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27A of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934). Such statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.
Further, forward-looking statements are intended to speak only as of the date
on which they are made. Forward-looking statements are statements that
include projections, expectations or beliefs about future events or results
or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are
often but not always characterized by qualifying words such as "expect,"
"believe," "estimate," "plan" and "project" and their derivatives, and
include but are not limited to statements about expectations for the
company's future sales, gross profit margins, SG&A or other expenses, and
earnings, as well as any statements regarding the company's view of estimates
of the company's future results by analysts. Factors that could influence
the matters discussed in such statements include the level of housing starts
and sales of existing homes, consumer confidence, trends in disposable
income, and general economic conditions. Decreases in these economic
indicators could have a negative effect on the company's business and
prospects. Likewise, increases in interest rates, particularly home mortgage
rates, and increases in consumer debt or the general rate of inflation, could
affect the company adversely. In addition, strengthening of the U.S. dollar
against other currencies could make the company's products less competitive
on the basis of price in markets outside the United States. Also, economic
and political instability in international areas could affect the company's
operations or sources of goods in those areas, as well as demand for the
company's products in international markets. Finally, unanticipated delays
or costs in executing restructuring actions could cause the cumulative effect
of restructuring actions to fail to meet the objectives set forth by
management. Other factors that could affect the matters discussed in
forward-looking statements are included in the company's periodic reports
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CULP, INC.
Condensed Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended
-----------------------
August 3, July 28,
2003 2002
----------- -----------
Net sales $73,676,000 $86,008,000
=========== ===========
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ (411,000) $ 915,000
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net
of income taxes -0- (24,151,000)
----------- ------------
Net loss $ (411,000) $(23,236,000)
=========== ============
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ (0.04) $ 0.08
Cumulative effect of accounting change 0.00 (2.12)
----------- ------------
Net loss $ (0.04) $ (2.04)
=========== ============
Average shares outstanding:
Basic 11,515,000 11,383,000
Diluted 11,515,000 11,765,000
Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow
August 3, July 28,
2003 2002
---------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 7,888,000 $ 5,428,000
Capital expenditures (1,875,000) (1,109,000)
Payments on vendor-financed capital expenditures (287,000) (244,000)
---------- -----------
Free cash flow $ 5,726,000 $ 4,075,000
========== ===========
Exhibit 99(b)
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 3, 2003 AND JULY 28, 2002
(Amounts in Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)
THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts Percent of Sales
---------------------------- -------------------------------
August 3, July 28, % Over
2003 2002 (Under) 2004 2003
----------- ------------ --------------- -------------- -------------
Net sales $ 73,676 86,008 (14.3) % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales 62,103 72,154 (13.9) % 84.3 % 83.9 %
----------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Gross profit 11,573 13,854 (16.5) % 15.7 % 16.1 %
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 10,605 10,437 1.6 % 14.4 % 12.1 %
----------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Income from operations 968 3,417 (71.7) % 1.3 % 4.0 %
Interest expense 1,497 1,903 (21.3) % 2.0 % 2.2 %
Interest income (122) (150) (18.7) % (0.2)% (0.2)%
Other expense 245 211 16.1 % 0.3 % 0.2 %
----------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (652) 1,453 (144.9) % (0.9)% 1.7 %
Income taxes * (241) 538 (144.8) % 37.0 % 37.0 %
----------- ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change (411) 915 (144.9) % (0.6)% 1.1 %
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
net of income taxes 0 (24,151)
----------- ------------
Net loss $ (411) (23,236)
=========== ============
Basic income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ (0.04) 0.08 (144.4) %
Cumulative effect of accounting change 0.00 (2.12) 100.0 %
----------- ------------ -----------
Net loss $ (0.04) (2.04) 98.3 %
=========== ============ ===========
Diluted income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ (0.04) 0.08 (145.9) %
Cumulative effect of accounting change 0.00 (2.12) 100.0 %
----------- ------------ -----------
Net loss $ (0.04) (2.04) 98.3 %
=========== ============ ===========
Average shares outstanding 11,515 11,383 1.2 %
Average shares outstanding, assuming dilution 11,515 11,765 (2.1) %
* Percent of sales column for income taxes is calculated as a % of income (loss)
before income taxes.
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AUGUST 3, 2003 AND JULY 28, 2002
Unaudited
(Amounts in Thousands)
Amounts Increase
-------------------------- (Decrease)
August 3, July 28, ------------------------------ * April 27,
2003 2002 Dollars Percent 2003
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,094 25,071 (9,977) (39.8) % 14,355
Short-term investments 15,014 0 15,014 100.0 % 10,043
Accounts receivable 24,227 34,719 (10,492) (30.2) % 32,259
Inventories 49,275 59,721 (10,446) (17.5) % 49,552
Deferred income taxes 12,303 9,447 2,856 30.2 % 12,303
Other current assets 4,001 4,251 (250) (5.9) % 3,204
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Total current assets 119,914 133,209 (13,295) (10.0) % 121,716
Property, plant & equipment, net 83,299 89,201 (5,902) (6.6) % 84,962
Goodwill 9,240 9,503 (263) (2.8) % 9,240
Other assets 1,934 4,046 (2,112) (52.2) % 2,235
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Total assets $ 214,387 235,959 (21,572) (9.1) % 218,153
============== =========== ============ ============== ===============
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 517 455 62 13.6 % 500
Accounts payable 18,648 23,678 (5,030) (21.2) % 19,874
Accrued expenses 12,856 13,375 (519) (3.9) % 14,071
Accrued restructuring 7,141 1,864 5,277 283.1 % 7,743
Income taxes payable 0 0 0 100.0 % 349
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Total current liabilities 39,162 39,372 (210) (0.5) % 42,537
Long-term debt 76,034 96,078 (20,044) (20.9) % 76,000
Deferred income taxes 3,851 3,502 349 10.0 % 3,851
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Total liabilities 119,047 138,952 (19,905) (14.3) % 122,388
Shareholders' equity 95,340 97,007 (1,667) (1.7) % 95,765
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $ 214,387 235,959 (21,572) (9.1) % 218,153
============== =========== ============ ============== ===============
Shares outstanding 11,515 11,483 32 0.3 % 11,515
============== =========== ============ ============== ===============
*Derived from audited financial statements
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 3, 2003 AND JULY 28, 2002
Unaudited
(Amounts in Thousands)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
------------------------------
Amounts
------------------------------
August 3, July 28,
2003 2002
------------- -------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (411) (23,236)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes 0 24,151
Depreciation 3,444 3,641
Amortization of other assets 45 159
Stock-based compensation 53 52
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 8,032 8,647
Inventories 277 (1,822)
Other current assets (797) (114)
Other assets 256 (18)
Accounts payable (845) (2,366)
Accrued expenses (1,215) (3,085)
Accrued restructuring expenses (602) (581)
Income taxes payable (349) 0
------------- -------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 7,888 5,428
------------- -------------
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Capital expenditures (1,875) (1,109)
Purchases of short-term investments (5,038) 0
------------- -------------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,913) (1,109)
------------- -------------
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Payments on vendor-financed capital expenditures (287) (244)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 51 0
Principal payments of long-term debt 0 (11,951)
Proceeds from common stock issued 0 954
------------- -------------
Net cash used in financing activities (236) (11,241)
------------- -------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 739 (6,922)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 14,355 31,993
------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 15,094 25,071
============= =============
Free Cash Flow (1) $ 5,726 4,075
============= =============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Free Cash Flow reconciliation is as follows: 1st QTR 1st QTR
FY 2004 FY 2003
------------- -------------
A) Net cash provided by operating activities 7,888 5,428
B) Minus: Capital Expenditures (1,875) (1,109)
C) Minus: Payments on vendor-financed capital expenditures (287) (244)
------------- -------------
5,726 4,075
============= =============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
AUGUST 3, 2003
FISCAL 03 FISCAL 04
---------------- --------------------------------------------
Q1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
---------------- --------------------------------------------
INVENTORIES
Inventory turns 4.9 5.0
RECEIVABLES
Days sales in receivables 34 32
WORKING CAPITAL
Current ratio 3.4 3.1
Operating working capital turnover (1) 4.7 5.1
Operating working capital (1) $70,762 $54,854
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT
Depreciation rate 6.4% 6.2%
Percent property, plant &
equipment are depreciated 60.6% 62.3%
Capital expenditures $4,729 (2) $1,781
LEVERAGE
Total liabilities/equity 143.2% 124.7%
Long-term debt/equity 99.5% 80.3%
Long-term debt/capital employed 49.9% 44.5%
Long-term debt $96,533 $76,551
OTHER
Book value per share $8.45 $8.28
Employees at quarter end 2,900 2,383
Sales per employee (annualized) $116,163 $121,628
Capital employed $193,540 $171,891
(1) Working capital for this calculation is accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable
(2) Expenditures for entire year
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
SALES / GROSS PROFIT BY SEGMENT/DIVISION
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 3, 2003 AND JULY 28, 2002
(Amounts in thousands)
THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts Percent of Total Sales
---------------------------- -------------------------
August 03, July 28, % Over
Segment/Division Sales 2003 2002 (Under) 2004 2003
- ----------------------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Upholstery Fabrics
Culp Decorative Fabrics $ 28,008 34,771 (19.5) % 38.0 % 40.4 %
Culp Velvets/Prints 16,839 23,107 (27.1) % 22.9 % 26.9 %
Culp Yarn 1,609 2,099 (23.3) % 2.2 % 2.4 %
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
46,456 59,977 (22.5) % 63.1 % 69.7 %
Mattress Ticking
Culp Home Fashions 27,220 26,031 4.6 % 36.9 % 30.3 %
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
* $ 73,676 86,008 (14.3) % 100.0 % 100.0 %
============== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Segment Gross Profit Gross Profit Margin
- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------
Upholstery Fabrics $ 5,501 8,000 (31.2) % 11.8 % 13.3 %
Mattress Ticking 6,072 5,854 3.7 % 22.3 % 22.5 %
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross Profit $ 11,573 13,854 (16.5) % 15.7 % 16.1 %
============== =========== =========== =========== ===========
* U.S. sales were $65,482 and $75,585 for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 and
fiscal 2003, respectively; The percentage decrease in U.S. sales was 13.4% for
the first quarter
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 3, 2003 AND JULY 28, 2002
(Amounts in thousands)
THREE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED)
-----------------------------------------
Amounts
----------------------------
August 3, July 28, % Over
Geographic Area 2003 2002 (Under)
- ------------------------------------ -------------- ------------ -----------
North America (Excluding USA) $ 6,372 7,550 (15.6) %
Far East & Asia 1,395 1,435 (2.8) %
All other areas 427 1,438 (70.3) %
-------------- ------------ -----------
$ 8,194 10,423 (21.4) %
============== ============ ===========
Percent of total sales 11.1% 12.1%
CULP, INC. FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELEASE
FINANCIAL NARRATIVE
for the three months ended August 3, 2003 and July 28, 2002
OVERVIEW
Highlights for the first quarter ended August 3, 2003, include:
o Net loss of $0.04 per share diluted, which is a smaller loss than
management's projection earlier in the quarter of a net loss of $0.06 to
$0.13 per diluted share
o Gain in mattress ticking sales of 4.6%, representing the best quarterly
sales increase in over a year for this segment
o Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments increased to $30.1
million from $24.4 million at the end of fiscal 2003, reflecting free cash
flow of $5.7 million
o Earnings expectation for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 is net income
of $0.12 to $0.19 per diluted share
GENERAL -- For the first quarter of fiscal 2004, net sales decreased 14.3%
to $73.7 million; and the company reported a net loss of $411,000, or $0.04 per
share diluted, compared with income before the cumulative effect of accounting
change of $915,000, or $0.08 per share diluted, in the first quarter of fiscal
2003. Including the cumulative effect of accounting change, the company reported
a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 of $23.2 million, or $2.04 per
share. In the first quarter of 2003, the company recorded a non-cash goodwill
impairment charge, net of income taxes, of $24.2 million, or $2.12 per share
diluted. The first quarter of fiscal 2004 included 14 weeks versus 13 weeks for
the same quarter of fiscal 2003.
INCOME STATEMENT COMMENTS
UPHOLSTERY FABRIC SEGMENT (See page 5 - Sales and Gross Profit by Segment)
NET SALES -- Upholstery fabric sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004
decreased 22.5% to $46.5 million. The decline of $13.5 million is attributable
to substantial reduced demand from customers due primarily to the overall
general weakness in consumer demand for furniture, which continued throughout
the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Additional factors that are likely affecting
demand for upholstery fabrics are (1) an increase in consumer preference for
leather furniture, and (2) an increase in imported fabrics, both in "piece
goods" and "cut and sewn kits."
Upholstery fabric yards sold during the first quarter were 10.8 million versus
14.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003, a decline of 25.0%. Average
selling price was $4.13 for the first quarter compared to $4.02 in the same
quarter of last year, an increase of 2.7%. This increase was due principally to
the CDF division. Yarn sales were $1.6 million, down from $2.1 million in first
quarter of fiscal 2003.
GROSS PROFIT -- Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 was $5.5
million, or 11.8%, versus $8.0 million, or 13.3% for the same quarter of last
year. While gross profit in the CDF division was lower than the previous year,
the majority of the decline was attributable to the CVP division, which
experienced a significant decline in the sale of velvet fabrics.
MATTRESS TICKING SEGMENT (See page 5 - Sales and Gross Profit by Segment)
NET SALES -- Mattress ticking sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004
increased 4.6% to $27.2 million. This is the best quarter in terms of sales
increases in over a year and reflects an improving bedding industry environment.
Mattress ticking yards sold during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were 10.5
million, down less than 2% from 10.7 million in the same quarter of last year.
The average selling price was $2.57 for the first quarter, compared to $2.44 the
same quarter last year, an increase of 5.3%. This increase in average selling
price reflects (a) a greater mix of woven ticking versus printed ticking, and
(b) a growing, but small, portion of the overall business that is knitted
ticking.
GROSS PROFIT -- For the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the mattress ticking
segment reported gross profit dollars and margins of $6.1 million and 22.3%,
respectively, compared with $5.9 million and 22.5% for the same period of last
year.
CHINA INITATIVE -- The company's previously announced initiative in China
is moving forward on schedule. The company has received all the necessary
business license approvals, and the general manager, which relocated to
Shanghai, China in May, has set up the China facility for all the related
administrative functions. As planned, the company will install finishing
equipment and begin fabric inspection, testing and distribution functions at the
China facility during the second fiscal quarter of 2004. Limited fabric
finishing operations are anticipated to begin during the third fiscal quarter of
2004. Upon completion, the company believes the China platform will allow Culp
to deliver value to customers by linking design expertise, finishing technology
and U.S. quality standards with low-cost fabric manufacturers in China.
SG&A EXPENSES -- SG&A expenses of $10.6 million for the first quarter
increased $168,000, or 1.6%, from the prior year amount. As a percent of net
sales, SG&A expenses increased to 14.4% from 12.1% the previous year. SG&A
expenses in the first quarter included higher professional fees offset by a
decrease in sales costs due to lower sales volume and lower bad debt expense.
INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME -- Interest expense for the first
quarter declined to $1.5 million from $1.9 million the previous year due to
significantly lower borrowings outstanding. Interest income decreased to
$122,000 from $150,000 due principally to lower interest rates earned on cash
balances during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 as compared to the same period
a year ago.
OTHER EXPENSE -- Other expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 totaled
$245,000 compared with $211,000 in the prior year. The increase was principally
due to the impact of a higher Canadian exchange rate, mostly offset by lower
debt issue costs.
INCOME TAXES -- The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2004
and fiscal 2003 was 37%.
BALANCE SHEET COMMENTS
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - Cash, cash equivalents
and short-term investments as of August 3, 2003 increased to $30.1 million from
$24.4 at the end of fiscal 2003, reflecting free cash flow of $5.7 million for
the first quarter of fiscal 2004 (see discussion of free cash flow below).
WORKING CAPITAL -- Accounts receivable as of August 3, 2003 decreased 30.2%
from the year-earlier level, due to lower sales volumes, the decline in
international sales and related longer credit terms, repayment of past due
balances, and an increase in the number of customers taking the cash discount
for shorter payment terms. Days sales outstanding totaled 32 days at August 3,
2003 compared with 34 a year ago. Inventories at the close of the first quarter
decreased 17.5% from a year ago. Inventory turns for the first quarter were 5.0
versus 4.9 for the year-earlier period. Operating working capital (comprised of
accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable-trade) was $54.9 million at
August 3, 2003, down from $70.8 million a year ago.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- Capital spending for first quarter of
fiscal 2004 was $1.8 million. Depreciation for the first quarter was $3.4
million, and is estimated at $14 million for the full fiscal year. For fiscal
2004, the company's capital expenditure budget is $8.0 million, of which $3.0
million is related to the company's China initiative.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- As of August 3, 2003, $9.2 million in goodwill is the
company's only intangible asset.
LONG-TERM DEBT - All of the company's remaining $76.6 million in debt is
totally unsecured and is comprised of a $75 million term loan, with a fixed
interest rate of 7.76%, and a $1.6 million, non-interest bearing term loan with
the Canadian government. Additionally, the company has a $15.0 million revolving
credit line with a bank, of which no balance is outstanding at August 3, 2003.
The first scheduled principal payment on the $75 million term loan is due March
2006 in the amount of $11.0 million. The Canadian government loan is repaid in
annual installments of approximately $500,000 per year.
The company's long-term debt to tangible capitalization (defined as
long-term debt plus shareholders' equity minus goodwill) ratio was 47.1% at
August 3, 2003. The company was in compliance with all financial covenants in
its loan agreements as of August 3, 2003.
FREE CASH FLOW COMMENTS
Free cash flow (see reconciliation on page 3 of this release) was $5.7
million for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared with $4.1 million for the
same period last year. Significantly contributing to free cash flow was a
reduction in accounts receivable, due primarily to lower sales volume during the
first quarter of fiscal 2004.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
While the furniture retail environment has not demonstrated any signs of a
sustainable recovery, the company believes that there will be a modest pick up
in sales this fall, as is typical in the furniture industry. Overall, the
company expects the drop in consolidated sales for the second quarter to be
considerably less than the first quarter decline of 14.3%. While mattress
ticking segment sales are expected to be consistent with second quarter sales of
last year, upholstery fabric segment sales are expected to decrease
substantially less than the first quarter decline of 22.5%. As a result of the
lower sales in the upholstery fabric segment, the company is expecting somewhat
lower overall gross profit compared with the second quarter of last year. With
the softness in the furniture industry and the lack of visibility into the
quarter to date, it is difficult to predict the company's profitability level
for the next quarter. However, at this time the company expects to report net
income in the range of $0.12 to $0.19 per diluted share, with the actual results
depending upon the level of demand throughout the quarter. The company remains
confident that the necessary actions have been taken to right-size Culp to
benefit from market share opportunities that the company believes will exist
after this challenging business cycle ends.