Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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 JANUARY 26, 2008.

 

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

Commission File No. 0-20572

 

 

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Minnesota   41-0886515
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1031 Mendota Heights Road, St. Paul, Minnesota 55120

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(651) 686-1600

(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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

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,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨     Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨    Smaller Reporting Company  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

Patterson Companies, Inc. had outstanding 129,346,610 shares of common stock as of March 3, 2008.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

I NDEX

 

     Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1—Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   3-11
         

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 26, 2008 and April 28, 2007

   3
         

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three And Nine Months Ended January 26, 2008 and January 27, 2007

   4
         

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended January 26, 2008 and January 27, 2007

   5
         

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   6-11
    

Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   11-17
    

Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   17
    

Item 4—Controls and Procedures

   17

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

  
    

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

   18
    

Item 6—Exhibits

   18
    

Signatures

   19
    

Exhibit Index

   20

Safe Harbor Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995:

This Form 10-Q for the period ended January 26, 2008, contains certain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “believe”, “goal”, or “continue”, or comparable terminology that involves risks and uncertainties that are qualified in their entirety by cautionary language set forth herein under the caption “Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results,” in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed June 27, 2007 and other documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     January 26,
2008
    April 28,
2007
 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 171,228     $ 241,791  

Receivables, net

     366,838       361,401  

Inventory

     288,777       250,207  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     36,681       33,091  
                

Total current assets

     863,524       886,490  

Property and equipment, net

     133,980       131,952  

Long-term receivables, net

     52,393       52,019  

Goodwill

     672,273       660,573  

Identifiable intangibles, net

     100,873       102,357  

Distribution agreement, net

     98,649       100,000  

Other

     7,978       6,929  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,929,670     $ 1,940,320  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

     187,031       182,761  

Accrued payroll expense

     55,066       54,101  

Other accrued expenses

     113,942       86,348  

Income taxes payable

     6,623       4,245  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     130,052       50,014  
                

Total current liabilities

     492,714       377,469  

Long-term debt

     60,057       130,010  

Deferred taxes

     70,415       53,627  
                

Total liabilities

     623,186       561,106  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common stock

   $ 1,319     $ 1,395  

Additional paid-in capital

     —         174,420  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     30,700       18,372  

Retained earnings

     1,398,028       1,308,590  

Notes receivable from ESOP

     (123,563 )     (123,563 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,306,484       1,379,214  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,929,670     $ 1,940,320  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     January 26,     January 27,     January 26,     January 27,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net sales

   $ 776,946     $ 709,494     $ 2,220,341     $ 2,059,255  

Cost of sales

     507,808       459,228       1,461,770       1,350,946  
                                

Gross profit

     269,138       250,266       758,571       708,309  

Operating expenses

     172,024       157,580       500,637       469,065  
                                

Operating income

     97,114       92,686       257,934       239,244  

Other income and (expense):

        

Finance income, net

     2,813       1,868       7,871       5,935  

Interest expense

     (2,383 )     (3,366 )     (7,479 )     (11,002 )

Gain (loss) on currency exchange

     (28 )     (203 )     1,370       23  
                                

Income before taxes

     97,516       90,985       259,696       234,200  

Income taxes

     37,152       32,394       98,047       85,788  
                                

Net income

   $ 60,364     $ 58,591     $ 161,649     $ 148,412  
                                

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.45     $ 0.43     $ 1.20     $ 1.08  
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.45     $ 0.43     $ 1.19     $ 1.07  
                                

Weighted average common shares:

        

Basic

     134,050       135,601       135,247       137,189  
                                

Diluted

     134,935       136,567       136,201       138,154  
                                

See accompanying notes.

 

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     January 26,
2008
    January 27,
2007
 

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 161,649     $ 148,412  

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

    

Depreciation

     14,527       15,017  

Amortization

     4,970       4,320  

Share-based compensation

     5,954       5,881  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     (585 )     (607 )

Bad debt expense

     2,396       1,633  

Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquired

     (20,778 )     (57,744 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     168,133       116,912  

Investing activities:

    

Additions to property and equipment, net

     (16,344 )     (14,730 )

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

     —         9,163  

Acquisitions, net

     (12,967 )     (12,665 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (29,311 )     (18,232 )

Financing activities:

    

Payments and retirement of long-term debt and obligations under capital leases

     (50,024 )     (85,013 )

Borrowings from credit facility

     60,000       —    

Loan to ESOP

     —         (105,000 )

Repurchases of common stock

     (236,732 )     —    

Common stock issued, net

     10,306       20,317  

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

     585       607  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (215,865 )     (169,089 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     6,480       (1,519 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (70,563 )     (71,928 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     241,791       224,392  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 171,228     $ 152,464  
                

Supplemental noncash flow disclosure:

    

Repurchases of common stock with liability due to broker

   $ 26,754       —    
See accompanying notes.  

 

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

January 26, 2008

NOTE 1 GENERAL

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of January 26, 2008 and the results of operations and the cash flows for the periods ended January 26, 2008 and January 27, 2007. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the periods ended January 26, 2008 and January 27, 2007, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 27, 2007.

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Patterson Companies, Inc. include the assets and liabilities of PDC Funding Company, LLC (“PDC Funding”) and PDC Funding Company II, LLC (“PDC Funding II”), wholly owned subsidiaries and separate legal entities under Minnesota law. PDC Funding and PDC Funding II are fully consolidated special purpose entities of the Company established to sell customer installment sale contracts to outside financial institutions in the normal course of business. The assets of PDC Funding and PDC Funding II would be available first and foremost to satisfy the claims of its creditors. There are no known creditors of PDC Funding or PDC Funding II.

Fiscal Year End

The fiscal year end of the Company is the last Saturday in April. The third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2008 and 2007 represent the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended January 26, 2008 and January 27, 2007, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income was $52,732 and $173,977 for the three and nine months ended January 26, 2008, respectively, and $67,628 and $121,245 for the three and nine months ended January 27, 2007, respectively. Other than net income, comprehensive income also includes foreign currency translation effects and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments.

Distribution Agreement

In fiscal 2006, the Company extended its exclusive North American distribution agreement with Sirona Dental Systems GmbH (“Sirona”) for Sirona’s CEREC® 3D dental restorative system. The Company paid a $100 million distribution fee to extend the agreement for a 10-year period that began in October 2007. The unamortized portion of the distribution fee is reflected as a non-current asset in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The amortization of this fee is being recognized over the 10-year period and reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the fee are realized.

 

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Income Taxes

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, (“FIN 48”) on April 29, 2007, the first day of fiscal 2008. The adoption required no adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on April 29, 2007. On the date of adoption, the gross amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits in our consolidated balance sheet was approximately $20 million. If recognized, this amount, net of a $6 million deferred tax asset related to the federal and state deductibility of the gross liability, would decrease our effective tax rate. These amounts have been reclassified from the current to the non-current section of our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with FIN 48.

In accordance with our accounting policy, we include accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. This policy did not change as a result of the adoption of FIN 48.

We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state, local and foreign jurisdictions. We are not currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS has either examined or waived examination of all periods prior to our fiscal year ended April 30, 2005. Periodically, state, local, and foreign income tax returns are examined by various taxing authorities. We do not believe the outcome of these various examinations would have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

Share Repurchase

In September 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to six million shares of common stock in open market transactions. In December 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors expanded this program to allow for the purchase of up to twenty five million shares of common stock in open market transactions. During the three months ended January 26, 2008, approximately 8 million shares of common stock were repurchased at a cost of $263.5 million under the expanded program. There were no repurchases under this program until December 2007. As of January 26, 2008, the Company had authority to repurchase approximately seventeen million shares under the program. The repurchase authorization expires on December 31, 2012.

 

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Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     January 26,
2008
   January 27,
2007
   January 26,
2008
   January 27,
2007

Denominator:

           

Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares

   134,050    135,601    135,247    137,189

Effect of dilutive securities:

           

Stock options

   664    750    740    760

Restricted stock

   54    21    53    12

Employee stock purchase plan

   32    37    34    38

Capital accumulation plan

   135    158    127    155
                   

Dilutive potential common shares

   885    966    954    965
                   

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

   134,935    136,567    136,201    138,154
                   

Options to purchase 679 and 540 shares of common stock during the three and nine months ended January 26, 2008, respectively, and 707 and 774 shares during the three and nine months ended January 27, 2007, respectively, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive. Unvested restricted stock awards outstanding excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 75 and 77 shares during the three and nine months ended January 27, 2007.

NOTE 2 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The goodwill balances and related activity by business segment as of April 28, 2007 and January 26, 2008 are as follows:

 

     Balance at
April 28, 2007
   Acquisition
Activity
   Translation
And Other
Activity
   Balance at
January 26, 2008

Dental Supply

   $ 92,529    $ —      $ 553    $ 93,082

Rehabilitation Supply

     479,835      10,581      —        490,416

Veterinary Supply

     88,209      566      —        88,775
                           

Total

   $ 660,573    $ 11,147    $ 553    $ 672,273
                           

The increase in the goodwill balance during the nine-month period ended January 26, 2008 primarily reflects the preliminary purchase price allocation of acquisitions. The majority of acquisitions during the period have been dealer/distributors in the rehabilitation equipment and supply business. The preliminary purchase price allocations are subject to adjustment for changes in the preliminary assumptions pending additional information, including final asset valuations.

 

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Balances of acquired intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are as follows:

 

     January 26,
2008
    April 28,
2007
 

Copyrights, trade names and trademarks - unamortized

   $ 76,402     $ 76,402  

Customer lists and other amortizable intangible assets

     61,774       59,638  

Less: Accumulated amortization

     (37,303 )     (33,683 )
                

Net amortizable

     24,471       25,955  
                

Total identifiable intangible assets, net

   $ 100,873     $ 102,357  
                

NOTE 3 DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In fiscal 2006, the Company entered into certain offsetting and identical interest rate cap agreements. These cap agreements are not designated for hedge accounting treatment and were entered into to fulfill certain covenants of a sale agreement between a commercial paper conduit managed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PDC Funding. The cap agreements provide a credit enhancement feature for the installment contracts sold by PDC Funding to the commercial paper conduit, and replace a minimum interest rate margin previously required under the sale agreement.

PDC Funding purchased two interest rate caps from banks with combined amortizing notional amounts of $400 million. At the same time, Patterson Companies, Inc. sold two identical interest rate caps to the same banks. Later in fiscal 2006, these caps were amended to adjust the notional amounts to a combined amortizing total of $440 million. The fair value of the two purchased interest rate caps at both January 26, 2008 and April 28, 2007 were $0.1 million. At each date, these amounts were completely offset by the fair value of the two sold interest rate caps of ($0.1) million. Accordingly, the impact to consolidated earnings of the Company is zero.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, PDC Funding II and Patterson Companies, Inc. entered into similar offsetting and identical interest rate cap agreements. These agreements have an amortizing notional of $110 million and a fair value of $1.6 million and ($1.6) million, respectively, as of January 26, 2008.

In fiscal 2006, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a bank under which the Company pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate based on an amortizing notional amount. This agreement does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and, accordingly, the Company records the fair value (estimated unrealized gain or loss) of the agreement as an asset or liability and the change in any period as income or expense of the period in which the change occurs. As of January 26, 2008 this agreement, which is scheduled to expire in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, had a notional amount of approximately $0.1 million and an estimated fair value of zero. As of April 28, 2007, this agreement had a notional amount of approximately $14 million and an estimated unrealized gain of less than $0.1 million. In fiscal 2007, the Company entered into a similar interest rate swap agreement that, as of January 26, 2008, had a notional amount of approximately $44 million and an estimated unrealized loss of $2.1 million. As of April 28, 2007, this agreement had a notional amount of approximately $52 million and an estimated unrealized loss of $0.7 million.

For the three and nine month periods ended January 26, 2008, the total net unrealized loss recognized in the statements of income was $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. During both the three and nine month periods ended January 27, 2007, the total net unrealized loss recognized in the statements of income was $1.0 million.

 

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The Company does not use financial instruments or derivatives for any trading or other speculative purposes.

NOTE 4 SEGMENT REPORTING

Patterson Companies, Inc. is comprised of three reportable segments: dental, veterinary, and rehabilitation supply. The Company’s reportable business segments are strategic business units that offer similar products and services to different customer bases. The dental supply segment provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, clinical and laboratory equipment and value-added services to dentists, dental laboratories, institutions and other dental healthcare providers throughout North America. The veterinary supply segment provides consumable supplies, equipment, diagnostic products, biologicals (vaccines) and pharmaceuticals to companion-pet veterinary clinics in the majority of regions throughout the United States. The rehabilitation supply segment provides a comprehensive range of distributed and self-manufactured rehabilitation medical supplies and non-wheelchair assistive products to acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation clinics, dealers and schools.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed June 27, 2007. The Company evaluates segment performance based on operating income. The corporate office general and administrative expenses are included in the dental supply segment and consist of home office support costs in areas such as informational technology, finance, human resources and facilities.

The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segments:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     January 26,
2008
   January 27,
2007
   January 26,
2008
   January 27,
2007

Net sales

           

Dental supply

   $ 584,942    $ 537,148    $ 1,619,174    $ 1,522,057

Rehabilitation supply

     84,384      78,083      274,209      247,459

Veterinary supply

     107,620      94,263      326,958      289,739
                           

Consolidated net sales

   $ 776,946    $ 709,494    $ 2,220,341    $ 2,059,255
                           

Operating income

           

Dental supply

   $ 80,246    $ 77,046    $ 203,977    $ 185,771

Rehabilitation supply

     11,199      10,935      38,213      38,535

Veterinary supply

     5,669      4,705      15,744      14,938
                           

Consolidated operating income

   $ 97,114    $ 92,686    $ 257,934    $ 239,244
                           

 

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The following table presents sales information by product for the Company:

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     January 26,
2008
   January 27,
2007
   January 26,
2008
   January 27,
2007

Net Sales

           

Consumable and printed products

   $ 449,721    $ 420,934    $ 1,393,285    $ 1,295,143

Equipment and software

     262,200      234,159      643,089      602,179

Other

     65,025      54,401      183,967      161,933
                           

Total

   $ 776,946    $ 709,494    $ 2,220,341    $ 2,059,255
                           

M ANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed June 27, 2007, for important background information regarding, among other things, an overview of the markets in which we operate and our business strategies.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of net sales represented by certain operational data.

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     January 26,
2008
    January 27,
2007
    January 26,
2008
    January 27,
2007
 

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of sales

   65.4 %   64.7 %   65.8 %   65.6 %
                        

Gross margin

   34.6 %   35.3 %   34.2 %   34.4 %

Operating expenses

   22.1 %   22.2 %   22.5 %   22.8 %
                        

Operating income

   12.5 %   13.1 %   11.6 %   11.6 %

Other income(expense) , net

   0.1 %   (0.3 )%   0.1 %   (0.3 )%
                        

Income before taxes

   12.6 %   12.8 %   11.7 %   11.3 %

Net income

   7.8 %   8.3 %   7.3 %   7.2 %
                        

QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 26, 2008 COMPARED TO QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 27, 2007.

Net Sales. Net sales for the three months ended January 26, 2008 (“Current Quarter”) increased 9.5% to $776.9 million as compared to $709.5 million for the three months ended January 27, 2007 (“Prior Quarter”). The Current Quarter included one less selling day than the Prior Quarter, which had the effect of reducing the revenue growth rates for consumable supplies by one to two percentage points in each of our segments.

Dental segment sales increased 8.9% to $584.9 million in the Current Quarter compared to $537.1 million in the Prior Quarter. Sales of consumable dental supplies and printed office products increased 4.0% in the Current Quarter, or by 5-6% after giving effect to the reduced number of selling days. Dental equipment and

 

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software sales increased 12.8%. The growth rate of basic dental equipment, including digital radiography systems and related software, was 13.5%, while sales of the CEREC 3D® dental restorative system grew 10.0%. Sales of other services and products rose 20.6%.

The Veterinary segment reported sales growth of 14.2%, from $94.3 million in the Prior Quarter to $107.6 million in the Current Quarter. This growth was led by the sale of consumables which increased 15.4%.

Rehabilitation segment sales grew 8.1% to $84.4 million compared to $78.1 in the Prior Quarter. This sales growth includes contribution from the branch offices that have been opened over the past year as part of the segment’s initiative to expand and strengthen its value-added business model.

Gross Margins. Consolidated gross margin decreased from 35.3% in the Prior Quarter to 34.6% in the Current Quarter, led by the Dental segment’s 60 basis point decrease. Also, since the Veterinary segment is contributing sales growth at a higher rate than the other two segments, and produces a lower gross margin, there is a dilutive effect on the consolidated gross margin rate.

The lower gross margin in the Dental segment resulted primarily from a change in product mix. Basic equipment, which generally carries a lower gross margin than that of consumables and software, made up a higher percentage of total sales in the Current Quarter. Other factors which caused some decline in the gross margin included a calendar year-end equipment financing promotion which did not run in the Prior Quarter and a local currency price reduction in Canada to address the strengthening Canadian dollar.

Gross margins of the Veterinary segment decreased 80 basis points in the Current Quarter. More products, especially in the flea & tick and heartworm categories, are being fully distributed instead of being sold under agency arrangements. Lower vendor rebates in the Current Quarter also contributed to the dilution of the gross margin.

The Rehabilitation segment gross margin decreased by 10 basis points from the Prior Quarter.

Operating Expenses. In the Current Quarter, operating expenses as a percent of sales were 22.1%, a decrease of 10 basis points from the Prior Quarter.

The operating expense ratio for the Dental segment increased 10 basis points from the Prior Quarter. Due to the performance levels in certain incentive compensation programs being achieved earlier this year compared to prior year, the related expense in the Current Quarter was more significant than in the Prior Quarter. To a lesser extent, the timing of certain marketing related expenses between years also negatively impacted the Dental expense leverage.

The Veterinary segment improved 100 basis points from the Prior Quarter due to leverage on sales and consolidation of the distribution function with the other business units.

Operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased 60 basis points over the Prior Quarter in the Rehabilitation segment. Infrastructure investments in branch operations, including three branches added in the Current Quarter, and an in-process information systems conversion, are both negatively impacting the operating expense ratio. While the impact of these factors is expected to lessen somewhat in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the systems conversion will not be completed until early fiscal 2009.

 

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Operating Income. Operating income was $97.1 million, or 12.5% of net sales in the Current Quarter. In the Prior Quarter, operating income was $92.7 million, or 13.1% of net sales. As discussed above, a decline in gross margin of 70 basis points was partially offset by a 10 basis point improvement in the operating expense ratio.

Other Income (Expense), Net. Net other income was $0.4 million in the Current Quarter compared to net other expense of $1.7 million in the Prior Quarter. Interest expense was $1.0 million less in the Current Quarter due to principal payments made over the past year on debt. In addition, interest income was higher in the Current Quarter, mostly due to higher returns on cash investments in foreign jurisdictions.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate for the Current Quarter was 38.1%. This rate is slightly higher than the estimated effective rate. Because the Company purchased nearly 8 million shares in the quarter, invested cash balances were reduced which also lowered the actual and anticipated amount of non-taxable interest for the year. This resulted in an increased in tax expense for the quarter of approximately $1 million. In the Prior Quarter, the rate was 35.6%, which included a benefit of $1.7 million as several years of Canadian income tax returns were favorably settled during the quarter and resulted in the reversal of related tax accruals that had been provided in prior years.

Earnings Per Share. Current Quarter net income increased 3.0% to $60.4 million. Earnings per diluted share was $0.45 in the Current Quarter and $0.43 in the Prior Quarter. The Company did purchase approximately 8 million shares during the quarter under an approved authorization. There was a nominal impact on earnings per share in the quarter after allowing for the impact of reduced interest income, increased tax expense, and the weighted impact on average common shares outstanding.

NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 26, 2008 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 27, 2007.

Net Sales. Net sales for the nine months ended January 26, 2008 (“Current Period”) totaled $2,220.3 million, a 7.8% increase from $2,059.3 million reported for the nine months ended January 27, 2007 (“Prior Period”).

Dental segment sales of $1,619.2 million in the Current Period increased 6.4% from $1,522.1 million the Prior Period. Sales of consumables and printed office products were $900.2 million, or 5.6% higher than the $852.5 million in the Prior Period. Sales of equipment and software rose 5.3%, led by basic equipment, including digital radiography equipment and software, which grew 6.6%. Sales of CEREC 3D® dental restorative systems were essentially flat. Other sales, including technical service parts and labor, software support services and artificial teeth, increased 15.0% in the Current Period.

Veterinary segment sales rose 12.8% to $327.0 million compared to $289.7 million in the Prior Period. Both consumables and equipment sales experienced double-digit growth in the Current Period.

The Rehabilitation business segment reported Current Period sales of $274.2 million, which is 10.8% higher than Prior Period sales of $247.5 million. This growth includes the impact of new branch locations over the past year that have been opened through a combination of acquisitions and internal start-ups. The total number of branches in operation at the end of the Current Period totaled twelve.

Gross Margins. Consolidated gross margin decreased 20 basis points from 34.4% in the Prior Period to 34.2%.

 

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Gross margin at the Dental unit increased 10 basis points in the Current Period, due to better freight management and improved point-of-sale margins. Product mix partially offset these factors.

The Veterinary supply business experienced a decrease in its gross margin of 110 basis points due largely to the decision to terminate an agency relationship, which reduced agency commissions period-over-period. In addition, lower vendor rebates in the Current Period have negatively affected gross margin.

Patterson Medical’s gross margin declined approximately 50 basis points in the Current Period due to higher freight costs in the first three months of fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. Gross margin in this segment has been flat over the second and third quarters.

Operating Expenses. In the Current Period, consolidated operating expense as a percent of sales was 22.5%, which is 30 basis points lower than 22.8% in the Prior Period.

The Dental segment’s operating expense ratio decreased 30 basis points, reflecting the leverage of infrastructure investments over the past two years and the elimination of duplicate costs from the distribution system.

The operating expense ratio of the Veterinary unit declined 70 basis points in the Current Period. This improvement is due both to leverage from higher sales volume as well as distribution system realignment, including the closing of a stand alone warehouse.

The infrastructure expense of adding branch locations through both acquisitions and internal start-ups at the Rehabilitation unit has resulted in a short-term increase in the operating expense ratio, which grew 90 basis points in the Current Period as compared to the Prior Period.

Operating Income. Operating income was $257.9 million in the Current Period compared to $239.2 million in the Prior Period. The consolidated operating margin was 11.6% in both periods. As discussed above, a decrease in gross margin was offset by improvement in the operating expense ratio.

Other Income (Expense), Net. Current Period net other income totaled $1.8 million, while Prior Period net other expense was $5.0 million. The primary difference between periods was a decrease in interest expense of $3.5 million due to lower levels of debt being carried in the Current Period. Higher interest income and gains on foreign currency transactions in the Current Period account for the remainder of the difference.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate for the Current Period was 37.8%, up from 36.6% in the Prior Period. A tax benefit of $1.7 million was recognized in the Prior Period, related to the release of tax accruals due to the favorable settlement of tax audits in Canada.

Earnings Per Share. Reported earnings increased 8.9% to $161.6 million. Earnings per diluted share were $1.19 in the Current Period compared to $1.07 in the Prior Period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company generated $168.1 million of cash flow from operating activities in the Current Period, compared to $116.9 million in the Prior Period. At the end of the Prior Period, the Company held approximately $26 million of contract receivables related to a special financing promotion that were subsequently sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities in the Current Period was $29.3 million compared to $18.2 million in the Prior Quarter. Current Period cash was used for capital expenditures of $16.3 million and acquisitions of $13.0 million. For the full 2008 fiscal year, the Company expects capital expenditures to total approximately $30 million.

Net cash used by financing activities of $215.9 million in the Current Period included the repurchase of common stock in the third quarter. A total of $236.7 million in cash was used to repurchase shares and another $26.8 million was due to the broker for shares purchased prior to Period end. Approximately 8 million shares of common stock were repurchased under a stock repurchase plan approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The plan, which expires in December 2012, allows for the repurchase of approximately 17 million additional shares. Prior Period usage of $169.1 million included $85 million in debt payments and a $10 million loan to the Company’s ESOP.

In November 2007, an existing $200 million revolving credit facility was amended and restated to increase the capacity of the facility to $300 million until November 2012. At the end of the Current Period, $60 million was outstanding and $240 was available under the facility.

The Company expects funds generated by operations, existing cash balances and availability under existing debt facilities will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital needs and finance anticipated expansion plans and strategic initiatives over the next twelve months.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, (“FIN 48”) on April 29, 2007. The adoption required no adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on April 29, 2007. On the date of adoption, the gross amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits in our consolidated balance sheet was approximately $20 million. If recognized, this amount, net of a $6 million deferred tax asset related to the federal and state deductibility of the gross liability, would decrease our effective tax rate. These amounts have been reclassified from the current to the non-current section of our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with FIN 48.

Except for the adoption of FIN 48, there has been no material change in the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, as disclosed in its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed June 27, 2007.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement on Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 will be effective at the beginning of fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 will be effective at the beginning of fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact SFAS 159 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”. SFAS 141(R) changes the accounting for business combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent consideration, preacquisition contingencies, transaction costs, in-process research and development and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS 141(R), changes in an acquired entity’s deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions after the measurement period will impact income tax expense. SFAS 141(R) will be effective at the beginning of fiscal 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact SFAS 141(R) will have on our consolidated financial statements.

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

Certain information of a non-historical nature contains forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “intends” and variations of such words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guaranties of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties or assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, the Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that the following important factors, among others, could cause the Company’s actual operating results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The statements under this caption are intended to serve as cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following information is not intended to limit in any way the characterization of other statements or information under other captions as cautionary statements for such purpose. The order in which such factors appear below should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

   

The Company’s ability to meet increased competition from national, regional and local full-service distributors and mail-order distributors of dental, veterinary and rehabilitation and assistive living products, while maintaining current or improved profit margins.

 

   

The ability of the Company to retain its base of customers and to increase its market share.

 

   

The ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with qualified and motivated sales personnel.

 

   

The continued ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with key vendors and the ability of the Company to create relationships with additional manufacturers of quality, innovative products.

 

   

Changes in the economics of dentistry affecting dental practice growth and the demand for dental products, including the ability and willingness of dentists to invest in high-technology diagnostic and therapeutic products.

 

   

Reduced growth in expenditures for dental services by private dental insurance plans.

 

   

The accuracy of the Company’s assumptions concerning future per capita expenditures for dental services, including assumptions as to population growth and the demand for preventive dental services such as periodontic, endodontic and orthodontic procedures.

 

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The rate of growth in demand for infection control products currently used for prevention of the spread of communicable diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis and herpes.

 

   

Changes in the economics of the veterinary supply market, including reduced growth in per capita expenditures for veterinary services and reduced growth in the number of households owning pets.

 

   

The effects of healthcare related legislation and regulation, which may affect expenditures or reimbursements for rehabilitation and assistive products.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes since April 28, 2007 in the Company’s market risk. In November 2007, the Company paid $50 million of maturing debt, which had a fixed rate of 3.65%. As of January 26, 2008, the Company had an outstanding balance of $60 million on its revolving credit facility. For further information on market risk, refer to Item 7A in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed June 27, 2007.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and its Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), management evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of January 26, 2008. Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and CFO concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 26, 2008.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended January 26, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

  (c) In September 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to six million shares of common stock in open market transactions. In December 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors expanded this program to allow for the purchase of up to twenty five million shares of common stock in open market transactions. During the three months ended January 26, 2008, approximately 8 million shares of common stock were repurchased at a cost of $263.5 million under the expanded program. As of January 26, 2008, the Company had authority to repurchase approximately seventeen million shares under the program. The repurchase authorization expires on December 31, 2012.

 

     Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
   Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Be Purchased Under
the Plan

October 28, 2007 to November 24, 2007

   —      $ —      —      6,000,000

November 25, 2007 to December 22, 2007

   2,772,411    $ 32.23    2,772,411    22,227,589

December 23, 2007 to January 26, 2008

   5,207,324    $ 33.44    5,207,324    17,020,265
                     
   7,979,735       7,979,735   

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed in the accompanying exhibit index are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

All other items under Part II have been omitted because they are inapplicable or the answers are negative, or were previously reported in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed June 27, 2007.

 

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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.

 

  PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.
  (Registrant)
Dated: March 6, 2008    
  By:  

/s/ R. Stephen Armstrong

    R. Stephen Armstrong
    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Description

31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32   Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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