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CarMax Reports Third Quarter Earnings

RICHMOND, Va.--CarMax, Inc. today reported results for the third quarter ended November 30, 2009.

  • Net sales and operating revenues increased 19% to $1.73 billion from $1.46 billion in the third quarter of last year.
  • Comparable store used unit sales increased 8% for the quarter.
  • Total used unit sales rose 9% in the third quarter.
  • The company reported net income of $74.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $21.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

    • Results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were increased by $0.09 per share for CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) favorable adjustments, including $0.05 per share related to a mark-to-market increase in the fair value of retained subordinated bonds and $0.03 per share related to a reduction in CAF funding costs primarily for loans originated in fiscal 2010.
    • Results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were reduced by $0.11 per share for CAF unfavorable items, including a mark-to-market write down in the fair value of retained subordinated bonds and increases in cumulative net loss assumptions related to loans originated in previous periods.

Third Quarter Business Performance Review

Sales. “We are pleased to report our second consecutive quarter of comparable store used unit sales growth,” said Tom Folliard, president and chief executive officer. The increase in unit sales resulted from improvements in both customer traffic and sales execution and also reflected the easy comparison with the prior year period. The increase in customer traffic occurred despite the fact that the government’s “cash for clunkers” program is believed to have pulled some potential sales from the third quarter into July and August. While customer traffic was stronger than in the prior year’s quarter, it remained substantially below the level of two years ago.

The year-over-year improvement in sales execution occurred despite the tightening of lending standards by our third-party finance providers and CAF over the last few quarters. We estimate that CAF’s tightening continued to adversely affect our comparable store used unit sales growth by several percentage points. In mid-November 2009, we entered into a short-term agreement with Santander Consumer USA where they will purchase a large portion of the loans that CAF would have previously originated prior to the tightening of lending standards. Due to its timing, this new arrangement had minimal impact on third quarter sales. However, we believe this new arrangement will substantially offset the effect of the latest tightening of CAF lending standards, implemented in June 2009.

Wholesale unit sales increased 13% compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The increase in unit sales was mainly the result of a significant increase in our appraisal buy rate, as appraisal traffic was similar to the prior year’s third quarter. We believe the improvement in our buy rate was largely attributable to the higher year-over-year wholesale pricing environment and the resulting increases in our appraisal offers.

Other sales and revenues increased 3% versus the prior year’s quarter. A 20% increase in extended service plan revenues was largely offset by reductions in third-party finance fees and service department sales. The decline in third-party finance fees primarily reflected a mix shift among providers.

Gross Profit. Total gross profit increased 22% to $242.9 million from $199.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, reflecting the combination of the increase in unit sales plus an improvement in total gross profit dollars per retail unit, which increased $349 per unit to $3,048 in the current quarter from $2,699 in the corresponding prior year quarter.

Used vehicle gross profit increased to $2,100 per unit from $1,854 per unit in the prior year quarter. While wholesale industry pricing declined when compared with the second quarter, wholesale valuations remained significantly above the prior year’s third quarter. We believe our superior inventory management systems and processes contributed to the strong current quarter profit per unit. Despite the aggressive reductions in inventory made last year, we were able to achieve inventory turns in this year’s third quarter that were consistent with the prior year quarter.

Wholesale gross profit increased to $827 per unit in the current quarter, compared with $794 in the third quarter of last year, primarily reflecting both the higher year-over-year wholesale pricing environment and a slight improvement in the already strong car-to-dealer ratio experienced at our auctions.

Other gross profit increased to $439 per unit from $397 per unit in the prior year quarter. Service department profits grew because our retail vehicle sales growth outpaced fixed service overhead costs, and extended service plan profits benefited from both the increase in used unit sales and the contribution from our new guaranteed asset protection product.

CarMax Auto Finance. CAF reported income of $65.8 million compared with a loss of $15.4 million in last year’s third quarter. In both periods, CAF results were affected by adjustments related to loans originated in previous fiscal periods. In the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the adjustments increased CAF income by $31.6 million and they included:

  • $17.6 million of favorable mark-to-market adjustments on retained subordinated bonds due to improvements in credit market conditions. As of November 30, 2009, the retained subordinated bonds had a fair value of $241.4 million.
  • An $11.9 million benefit related to more favorable funding costs for the $600.0 million of auto loan receivables that were refinanced in a term securitization during the third quarter. More than 90% of these loan receivables were originated in the current fiscal year.
  • $2.1 million of other net favorable adjustments, including modest decreases in prepayment speed assumptions on select pools of loans.

In the third quarter of last year, the adjustments reduced CAF income by $39.8 million, including $23.8 million of mark-to-market write-downs of retained subordinated bonds and $16.0 million related to increases in cumulative net loss rate assumptions, net of favorable adjustments to prepayment speed assumptions.

Excluding these adjustments from both periods, CAF income increased to $34.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 from $24.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. CAF’s gain on loans originated and sold was $17.0 million in the current quarter compared with $11.3 million in the prior year third quarter. This increase primarily reflected the growth in used vehicle revenues and an improvement in the gain on loans originated and sold as a percentage of loans originated and sold (the “gain percentage”) to 3.6% in the current year quarter versus 2.8% in the third quarter of the prior year. The current quarter’s gain percentage primarily benefited from the decline in benchmark interest rates.

SG&A. Selling, general and administrative expenses declined to $192.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 from $217.5 million in the prior year’s quarter, despite the increase in unit sales. The decline reflected a reduction in advertising spending in fiscal 2010, decreases in growth-related costs and benefits from a variety of waste-reduction initiatives. In addition, SG&A expenses in the third quarter of the prior year included approximately $7 million of severance costs and $6 million of costs related to terminating store site acquisitions, partially offset by a $10 million benefit related to freezing the company’s pension plans. The SG&A ratio improved to 11.1% in the current year quarter compared with 14.9% in the prior year quarter, due to both the reduction in absolute SG&A spending and the leverage associated with the increases in used unit sales and average selling prices.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was reduced by the favorable settlement of prior year tax audits. As a result, the effective tax rate declined to 35.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared with 36.4% in the prior year quarter. These settlements also reduced our year-to-date effective tax rate from 38.7% as of August 31, 2009, to 37.6% as of November 30, 2009.

Results. “We are pleased with the resilience of the CarMax business model, and our ability to report strong earnings growth, despite what remains a challenging sales environment,” said Folliard. “However, while sales and traffic appear to be gradually improving, they remain substantially below the levels of two years ago.”

Credit Facilities. As of November 30, 2009, we had net debt of $131.7 million, consisting of $118.7 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $28.2 million of capitalized leases, net of $15.2 million of cash and cash equivalents. At that date, based on then-current inventory levels, we had additional borrowing capacity of $461.3 million under the revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2011.

As of November 30, 2009, $416.0 million of auto loan receivables were funded in the warehouse facility and unused warehouse capacity totaled $784.0 million.

Outlook. In fiscal 2009, we completed construction of three used car superstores that we chose not to open until market conditions improved. These stores are located in Augusta, Georgia; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio. While difficult economic conditions persist, we have determined we are now in a position to open these stores during the first half of fiscal 2011, as we believe that these openings will be accretive to earnings. We may also pursue opportunistic real estate acquisitions to support our long-term store growth. However, we do not plan to restart store growth at this time.

Supplemental Financial Information

Sales Components

(In millions)

 

Three Months Ended
November 30 (1)

     

Nine Months Ended
November 30 (1)

2009

   

2008

   

Change

2009

   

2008

   

Change

Used vehicle sales $ 1,407.1 $ 1,168.8 20.4 % $ 4,663.0 $ 4,462.0 4.5 %
New vehicle sales 38.2 57.5

(33.6)

%

149.9 217.4

(31.0)

%

Wholesale vehicle sales 226.9 177.0 28.2 % 635.4 642.6

(1.1)

%

Other sales and revenues:
Extended service plan revenues 30.2 25.2 19.7 % 104.6 93.5 11.9 %
Service department sales 24.2 24.7

(2.0)

%

77.6 75.7 2.6 %
Third-party finance fees, net   (0.5 )       2.5    

(121.8)

%

        6.4       12.3    

(48.1)

%

Total other sales and revenues   53.8         52.4     2.8 %         188.7       181.5     3.9 %
Net sales and operating revenues $ 1,726.0       $ 1,455.6     18.6 %       $ 5,636.9     $ 5,503.4     2.4 %

(1) Percent calculations and amounts shown are based on amounts presented on the attached consolidated statements of earnings and may not sum due to rounding.

Retail Vehicle Sales Changes

   

Three Months Ended
November 30

 

Nine Months Ended
November 30

2009

 

2008

2009

 

2008

Comparable store vehicle sales:
Used vehicle units 8 % (24) % (2)% (13)%
New vehicle units (33)% (26)% (31)% (21)%
Total units 7 % (25)% (3)% (13)%
 
Used vehicle dollars 19 % (30)% 2 % (18)%
New vehicle dollars (34)% (25)% (31)% (22)%
Total dollars 16 % (30)% 0 % (18)%
 
Total vehicle sales:
Used vehicle units 9 % (17)% 1 % (4)%
New vehicle units (33)% (26)% (31)% (25)%
Total units 8 % (17)% (1)% (5)%
 
Used vehicle dollars 20 % (23)% 5 % (9)%
New vehicle dollars (34)% (25)% (31)% (26)%
Total dollars 18 % (23)% 3 % (10)%

Retail Vehicle Sales Mix

   

Three Months Ended
November 30

   

Nine Months Ended
November 30

2009

 

2008

2009

 

2008

Vehicle units:
Used vehicles 98 % 97 % 98 % 97 %
New vehicles 2     3       2     3  
Total 100 %   100 %     100 %   100 %
 
Vehicle dollars:
Used vehicles 97 % 95 % 97 % 95 %
New vehicles 3     5       3     5  
Total 100 %   100 %     100 %   100 %

Unit Sales

   

Three Months Ended
November 30

   

Nine Months Ended
November 30

2009

 

2008

2009

 

2008

Used vehicles 78,082 71,426 269,205 267,837
New vehicles 1,596 2,397 6,316 9,212
Wholesale vehicles 51,026 45,139 151,042 156,592

Average Selling Prices

  Three Months Ended

November 30

    Nine Months Ended

November 30

2009

   

2008

2009

 

2008

Used vehicles $ 17,810 $ 16,146 $ 17,126 $ 16,472
New vehicles $ 23,769 $ 23,845 $ 23,602 $ 23,456
Wholesale vehicles $ 4,321 $ 3,805 $ 4,082 $ 3,987

Selected Operating Ratios

(In millions)

   

Three Months Ended
November 30

   

Nine Months Ended
November 30

  2009   % (1)     2008   % (1)   2009   % (1)     2008   % (1)
 
Net sales and operating revenues $ 1,726.0 100.0% $ 1,455.6 100.0 % $ 5,636.9 100.0% $ 5,503.4 100.0 %
Gross profit $ 242.9 14.1% $ 199.2 13.7 % $ 833.6 14.8% $ 737.9 13.4 %
CarMax Auto Finance income (loss) $ 65.8 3.8% $ (15.4) (1.1)% $ 116.3 2.1% $ (12.7) (0.2)%
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses $ 192.1 11.1% $ 217.5 14.9 % $ 616.5 10.9% $ 685.6 12.5 %
Operating profit (loss) (EBIT) (2) $ 116.5 6.8% $ (33.6) (2.3)% $ 333.5 5.9% $ 39.6 0.7 %
Net earnings (loss) $ 74.6 4.3% $ (21.9) (1.5)% $ 206.3 3.7% $ 21.7 0.4 %
 

(1) Calculated as the ratio of the applicable amount to net sales and operating revenues.
(2) Operating profit equals earnings before interest and income taxes.

 

Gross Profit

(In millions)

  Three Months Ended

November 30

    Nine Months Ended

November 30

2009

 

2008

   

Change

2009

 

2008

 

Change

Used vehicle gross profit $ 164.0 $ 132.4 23.8% $ 558.1 $ 486.1 14.8 %
New vehicle gross profit 1.7 1.6 2.5% 5.6 7.7 (26.7)%
Wholesale vehicle gross profit 42.2 35.8 17.8% 128.1 129.5 (1.1)%
Other gross profit   35.0     29.3     19.3%   141.8     114.6   23.7 %
Total gross profit $ 242.9   $ 199.2     21.9% $ 833.6   $ 737.9   13.0 %

Gross Profit per Unit

 

Three Months Ended
November 30

     

Nine Months Ended
November 30

2009

   

2008

2009

 

2008

 

$/unit (1)

 

 

% (2)  

 

$/unit (1)

 

 

% (2)

 

 

$/unit (1)

 

 

% (2)

 

 

$/unit (1)

 

 

% (2)

 
Used vehicle gross profit $ 2,100 11.7 % $ 1,854 11.3 % $ 2,073 12.0 % $ 1,815 10.9 %
New vehicle gross profit $ 1,053 4.4 % $ 684 2.9 % $ 889 3.7 % $ 832 3.5 %
Wholesale vehicle gross profit $ 827 18.6 % $ 794 20.2 % $ 848 20.2 % $ 827 20.2 %
Other gross profit $ 439 65.0 % $ 397 56.0 % $ 515 75.2 % $ 414 63.2 %
Total gross profit $ 3,048 14.1 % $ 2,699 13.7 % $ 3,026 14.8 % $ 2,663 13.4 %
 

(1) Calculated as category gross profit divided by its respective units sold, except the other and total categories, which are
divided by total retail units sold.
(2) Calculated as a percentage of its respective sales or revenue.

CAF Income (Loss)

(In millions)

 

Three Months Ended
November 30

   

Nine Months Ended
November 30

2009

 

2008

   

2009

 

2008

Gain on sales of loans originated and sold $ 17.0 $ 11.3 $ 54.7 $ 32.5
Other gains (losses)   31.6       (39.8 )       12.6       (82.6 )
Total gain (loss) 48.6 (28.5 ) 67.3 (50.1 )
Servicing fee income 10.6 10.4 31.4 31.1
Interest income 17.6 12.6 50.4 34.8
Direct CAF expenses   11.0       9.9         32.8       28.4  
CarMax Auto Finance income (loss) $ 65.8     $ (15.4 )     $ 116.3     $ (12.7 )
 
Loans originated and sold $ 474.8 $ 407.0 $ 1,410.4 $ 1,560.4

Gain on sales of loans originated and sold as
  a percentage of loans originated and sold

3.6

%

2.8

%

3.9

%

2.1

%

Earnings Highlights

(In millions except per share data)

   

Three Months Ended
November 30

     

Nine Months Ended
November 30

2009

 

2008

 

Change

2009

 

2008

 

Change

Net earnings (loss) $ 74.6 $ (21.9 ) 441.0 % $ 206.3 $ 21.7 851.2 %
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

223.9

217.7

2.8

%

221.3

219.7

0.8

%

Net earnings (loss) per share $ 0.33 $ (0.10 ) 430.0 % $ 0.92 $ 0.10 820.0 %

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. ET today, December 18, 2009. Domestic investors may access the call at 1-888-298-3261 (international callers dial 1-706-679-7457). The conference I.D. for both domestic and international callers is 64978621. A live webcast of the call will be available on our investor information home page at investor.carmax.com and at www.streetevents.com.

A webcast replay of the call will be available at investor.carmax.com beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on December 28, 2009, through March 31, 2010. A telephone replay also will be available through December 31, 2009, and may be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 (international callers dial 1-706-645-9291). The conference I.D. for both domestic and international callers is 64978621.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2010 Earnings Release Date

We currently plan to release fourth quarter sales and earnings on Thursday, April 1, 2010, before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange. We will host a conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. ET on that date. Information on this conference call will be available on our investor information home page at investor.carmax.com in March 2010.

About CarMax

CarMax, a Fortune 500 company, and one of the Fortune 2009 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 100 used car superstores in 46 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly service. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, the company retailed 345,465 used cars and sold 194,081 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

We caution readers that the statements contained in this release about our future business plans, operations, opportunities or prospects, including without limitation any statements or factors regarding expected sales, margins or earnings, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Among the factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements are the following:

  • Changes in general or regional U.S. economic conditions.
  • Changes in the availability or cost of capital and working capital financing.
  • Changes in consumer credit availability related to our third-party financing providers.
  • Changes in the competitive landscape within our industry.
  • Significant changes in retail prices for used or new vehicles.
  • A reduction in the availability of or access to sources of inventory.
  • Factors related to the regulatory and legislative environment in which we operate.
  • The loss of key employees from our store, regional or corporate management teams.
  • The failure of key information systems.
  • The effect of new accounting requirements or changes to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Security breaches or other events that result in the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information.
  • The effect of various litigation matters.
  • Adverse conditions affecting one or more domestic-based automotive manufacturers.
  • The occurrence of severe weather events.
  • Factors related to the seasonal fluctuations in our business.
  • Factors related to the geographic concentration of our superstores.
  • Our inability to acquire or lease suitable real estate at favorable terms.
  • The occurrence of certain other material events.

For more details on factors that could affect expectations, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, and our quarterly or current reports as filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our filings are publicly available on our investor information home page at investor.carmax.com. Requests for information may also be made to the Investor Relations Department by email to investor_relations@carmax.com or by calling 1-804-747-0422 ext. 4287. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands except per share data)

             
Three Months Ended November 30   Nine Months Ended November 30
  2009   %(1)     2008   %(1)       2009   %(1)     2008   %(1)  
 
Sales and operating revenues:
  Used vehicle sales $ 1,407,077 81.5 $ 1,168,804 80.3 $ 4,662,968 82.7

$

4,461,969

81.1
New vehicle sales 38,158 2.2 57,508 4.0 149,917 2.7 217,396 4.0
Wholesale vehicle sales 226,907 13.1 176,956 12.2 635,394 11.3 642,552 11.7
Other sales and revenues

 

53,835   3.1     52,364   3.6       188,669   3.3     181,532   3.3  
Net sales and operating revenues 1,725,977 100.0 1,455,632 100.0 5,636,948 100.0 5,503,449 100.0
Cost of sales   1,483,114   85.9     1,256,396   86.3       4,803,299   85.2     4,765,586   86.6  
Gross profit 242,863 14.1 199,236 13.7 833,649 14.8 737,863 13.4
CarMax Auto Finance income (loss) 65,806 3.8 (15,360 ) (1.1 ) 116,300 2.1 (12,682 ) (0.2 )
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 192,140 11.1 217,482 14.9 616,487 10.9 685,614 12.5
Interest expense 674 -- 1,525 0.1 3,088 0.1 5,060 0.1
Interest income   45   --     735   0.1       418   --     1,353   --  
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 115,900 6.7 (34,396 ) (2.4 ) 330,792 5.9 35,860 0.7
Income tax expense (benefit)   41,311   2.4     (12,522 ) (0.9 )     124,484   2.2     14,170   0.3  
Net earnings (loss) $ 74,589   4.3   $ (21,874 ) (1.5 )   $ 206,308   3.7     $ 21,690   0.4  
 
Weighted average common shares: (2)
Basic 220,204 217,712 218,980 217,468
Diluted 223,879 217,712 221,346 219,678
 
Net earnings (loss) per share: (2)
Basic $ 0.34 $ (0.10 ) $ 0.93 $ 0.10
Diluted $ 0.33 $ (0.10 ) $ 0.92 $ 0.10
 
 
(1) Percents are calculated as a percentage of net sales and operating revenues and may not equal totals due to rounding.
 
(2) Reflects the implementation of FASB Staff Position Emerging Issues Task Force 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities” and the resulting restatement of the diluted share count for the nine months ended November 30, 2008.

CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

       
 

November 30
2009

 

November 30
2008

 

February 28
2009

ASSETS

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,212 $ 138,144 $ 140,597
Accounts receivable, net 68,314 45,816 75,876
Auto loan receivables held for sale 18,822 20,910 9,748
Retained interest in securitized receivables 521,283 314,995 348,262
Inventory 751,297 601,506 703,157
Deferred income taxes 7,085 -- --
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   10,328     8,885     10,112
 
Total current assets 1,392,341 1,130,256 1,287,752
 
Property and equipment, net 905,564 948,106 938,259
Deferred income taxes 63,643 89,315 103,163
Other assets   48,719     50,505     50,013
 
TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,410,267   $ 2,218,182   $ 2,379,187
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 191,170 $ 177,144 $ 237,312
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 100,575 70,783 55,793
Accrued income taxes 16,504 17,672 26,551
Deferred income taxes -- 14,926 12,129
Short-term debt 190 12,073 878
Current portion of long-term debt   119,201     86,895     158,107
 
Total current liabilities 427,640 379,493 490,770
 
Long-term debt, excluding current portion 27,533 176,683 178,062
Deferred revenue and other liabilities   109,120     98,303     117,288
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES 564,293 654,479 786,120
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   1,845,974     1,563,703     1,593,067
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 2,410,267   $ 2,218,182   $ 2,379,187

CARMAX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED
(In thousands)

     
 

Nine Months Ended November 30

  2009       2008  
 

Operating Activities:

Net earnings $ 206,308 $ 21,690
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 43,947 41,379
Share-based compensation expense 30,697 27,038
Loss on disposition of assets 359 8,263
Deferred income tax provision (benefit) 20,312 (34,604 )
Net decrease (increase) in:
Accounts receivable, net 7,562 27,412
Auto loan receivables held for sale, net (9,074 ) (15,926 )
Retained interest in securitized receivables (173,021 ) (44,234 )
Inventory (48,140 ) 374,271
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (216 ) 10,317
Other assets 1,290 177
Net decrease in:

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current
   liabilities and accrued income taxes

(10,969 ) (104,495 )
Deferred revenue and other liabilities   (12,578 )     (4,660 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   56,477       306,628  
 

Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures (18,372 ) (163,964 )
Proceeds from sales of assets 79 28,355
Insurance proceeds related to damaged property 447 --
Purchases of money market securities, net (2,196 ) (4,009 )
Sales of investments available-for-sale   2,200       --  
Net cash used in investing activities   (17,842 )     (139,618 )
 

Financing Activities:

Decrease in short-term debt, net (688 ) (8,944 )
Issuances of long-term debt 441,000 487,800
Payments on long-term debt (630,435 ) (531,036 )
Equity issuances, net 23,318 9,962
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements   2,785       387  
Net cash used in financing activities   (164,020 )     (41,831 )

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (125,385 ) 125,179
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   140,597       12,965  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 15,212     $ 138,144