Casey's General Stores reports Q3 earnings up

Casey's General Stores Inc. (Nasdaq: CASY) today reported $0.44 in basic earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 ended January 31, 2012 compared to $0.34 for the same period a year ago.

Year to date, basic earnings per share are $2.46 versus $1.64 for the same period last year. After adjusting for costs associated with the hostile takeover attempt by Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., basic earnings per share last year would have been $0.37 for the quarter and $1.87 year to date.

"The solid third quarter results continue to demonstrate that Casey's is executing well on our strategic plan," said President and CEO Robert J Myers. "We are expanding our footprint in our current market as well as the development of new states."

Gasoline-The Company's annual goal is to increase same-store gasoline gallons sold by 1% with an average margin of 13.5 cents per gallon. For the third quarter, same-store gallons sold are down 2.4% with an average margin of 13.6 cents per gallon.

"Same store gallons continue to be impacted by higher prices at the pump." said Myers. "However, we are encouraged by the 3.4% increase in our same store customer count."

For the fiscal year, total gallons sold are up 5.4% to 1.1 billion with an average margin of 15.9 cents, while gross profit dollars rose 10.9%. Same-store gallons for the year are down 2.6%.

Grocery & Other Merchandise-Casey's annual goal is to increase same-store sales 5.8% with an average margin of 32.8%.

For the quarter, same-store sales rose 6.3% with an average margin of 31.8%; up 90 basis points from the same period last year. For the sixth consecutive quarter, the company experienced a double digit sales increase in this category with total sales up 12.7% over the prior third quarter.

"Favorable weather comparisons, as well as the increased contribution from our new store design and remodel program helped drive sales in higher-margin items throughout the quarter," stated Myers.

Gross profit dollars increased 16.1% for the quarter and 14.8% year to date. Same-store sales for the year are up 6% with an average margin of 32.3%. Total sales for the year are up 14.6% to slightly over $1 billion.

Prepared Food & Fountain-The goal for fiscal 2012 is to increase same-store sales 7.7% with an average margin of 61.8%. Same-store sales are up 12.6% for the quarter and 14% year to date. The average margin for the quarter was 61.2% down from the same period a year ago, primarily due to a rise in cheese cost.

"We are pleased with our ability to increase gross profit in this category nearly 17% for the quarter compared to the same period last year," said Myers.

"We continue to benefit from our remodel program and the addition of kitchens to recent acquisitions. Also, based on the results of prior stores converted to 24 hours, we converted an additional 145 stores this quarter. The Company now has approximately 20% of the store base operating 24 hours-a-day. Year to date, total sales were up 19.9% to $371.4 million compared to the first nine months last year, with an average margin of 60.6%.

Operating Expenses-Year to date, operating expenses increased 12.1% to $512.5 million. For the quarter, operating expenses are up 11.7%.

After adjusting for the expenses associated with the unsolicited offer by Couche-Tard in the prior year, expenses increased 13% in the quarter and 16.2% at the nine month mark.

"The increase was primarily driven by a rise in expenses related to operating 68 more stores this quarter compared to last year, as well as other initiatives such as major remodels and expanded store hours," stated Myers. "The rise in credit card fees, while slower relative to previous quarters, was up 14% or $2.2 million."

Expansion-The annual goal is to increase the total number of stores 4-6%. At the nine month mark, the Company had acquired 33 stores and completed 18 new-store constructions, bringing the total store count to 1,686.

"With the combination of acquisitions and new store constructions, we anticipate adding approximately 65 stores this fiscal year," said Myers. "In addition to this activity, the Company also plans to replace 11 stores by the end of the fiscal year and begin construction on 25 major remodels."

Dividend-At its March meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable May15, 2012 to shareholders of record on May 1, 2012.

Certain statements in this news release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by those statements.

Casey's disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.