UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K/A
(AMENDMENT NO. 1)
 
Annual Report Pursuant to Section l3 or l5(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of l934
 
 
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006
 
Commission File Number 000-50421
     
CONN'S, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
     
A Delaware Corporation
 
06-1672840
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
     
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
     
(409) 832-1696
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section l2(b) of the Act:
NONE
     
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of Class
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [ x ]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [ x ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section l3 or l5(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding l2 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ x ] No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One): Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ x ] Non-accelerated filer [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [ x ]
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of July 29, 2005 was approximately $180,604,464 based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the NASDAQ National Market.
 
There were 23,571,564 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding on March 27, 2006.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
 
Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 31, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference in Part III).
 



EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements

We are amending our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Original Filing”) for the year ended January 31, 2006, to restate our consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and the related disclosures. This Form 10-K/A also includes the restatement of selected financial data as of and for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and July 31, 2001, the six months ended January 31, 2002 and the twelve months ended January 31, 2002, included in Item 6, and certain of the financial information presented in Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of the restated amounts.

On September 8, 2006, we concluded that our consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 as well as the selected financial data for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and July 31, 2001, the six months ended January 31, 2002 and the twelve months ended January 31, 2002, should be restated to correct for errors in recording interests in securitized assets, securitization income and related income tax impacts that were incorrectly accounted for under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, specifically covered by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets. Our decision to restate our consolidated financial statements and certain related and selected financial information for the stated years and periods was based on the results of an internal review of our accounting for the fair value of our retained interest asset performed under the direction of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

During the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended July 31, 2006, we identified an issue related to the recording of securitization income. Based on our discovery and the results of discussions with our independent accountants and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, it was determined that a review of our accounting under SFAS No. 140 should be completed before the statements for the quarter ended July 31, 2006 were issued. The internal review revealed that we had incorrectly reduced securitization income and the value of our interests in securitized assets by the amount of future expected loan losses recorded on the books of the qualifying special purpose entity that owns the receivables.

As a result of the error discussed above and the resulting restatement, management has concluded that a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting existed. Specifically, controls were not operating effectively to ensure that the proper accounting and corresponding consolidated financial statement presentation of securitization income and the fair value of interests in securitized assets was consistent with SFAS No. 140. As a result of this material weakness, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of January 31, 2006.

We believe we have taken the steps necessary to remediate this material weakness relating to our accounting under SFAS No. 140 and related processes, procedures, and controls; however, we cannot confirm the effectiveness of our enhanced internal controls with respect to our accounting under SFAS No. 140 until we and our independent auditors have conducted sufficient tests. Accordingly, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the processes, procedures, and controls we have implemented and will make any further changes management determines appropriate.

We have not amended and do not anticipate amending our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for any years prior to January 31, 2006. With the exception of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2006, we will not be amending any of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We have filed today the Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended April 30, 2006 amending the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q previously filed. The financial information that has been previously filed or otherwise reported for these periods is superseded by the financial information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements and related financial information contained in those previously filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should no longer be relied upon.

All of the information in this Form 10-K/A is as of January 31, 2006 and does not reflect any subsequent information or events other than the restatement and related matters discussed in Note 13. Only the following items have been amended as a result of the restatement:


Part I - Item 1 - Business;

Part II - Item 6 - Selected Financial Data;

Part II - Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

Part II - Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data;

Part II - Item 9A - Controls and Procedures

Part IV - Item 15 - Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Other than as discussed above, this Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the Original Filing or modify or update disclosures (including the exhibits to the Original Filing) affected by subsequent events, except for the adoption of SFAS 123R (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements). Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with our periodic filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the date of the Original Filing, including any amendments to those filings. In addition, this Form 10-K/A includes updated certifications from our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, and 32.1.
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
PART I
 
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS.
3
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS.
18
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
26
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES.
26
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
26
ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
27
PART II
 
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
27
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
28
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
29
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
50
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
51
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
81
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
81
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
82
PART III
 
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
82
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
82
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
82
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
82
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
82
PART IV
 
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
83
SIGNATURES
84
EXHIBIT INDEX
85
 
 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
 
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to "we," "us," and "our" refer to the consolidated business operations of Conn's, Inc. and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, limited liability companies and limited partnerships.
 
Overview
 
We are a specialty retailer of home appliances and consumer electronics. We sell major home appliances including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers and ranges, and a variety of consumer electronics including projection, plasma and LCD televisions, camcorders, DVD players and home theater products. We also sell home office equipment, lawn and garden equipment, mattresses and furniture and we continue to introduce additional product categories for the home and for consumer entertainment, such as MP3’s, to help increase same store sales and to respond to our customers’ product needs. We offer over 1,100 product items, or SKUs, at good-better-best price points representing such national brands as General Electric, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag, LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Serta, Hewlett Packard and Compaq. Based on revenue in 2004, we were the 12th largest retailer of home appliances in the United States. Additionally, historically we are the second or third leading retailer of home appliances in terms of market share in the majority of our established markets. Likewise, in the home entertainment product categories in which we compete, we rank third or fourth in market share in the majority of our established markets.

We began as a small plumbing and heating business in 1890. We began selling home appliances to the retail market in 1937 through one store located in Beaumont, Texas. We opened our second store in 1959 and have since grown to 56 stores.

   We have been known for providing excellent customer service for over 115 years. We believe that our customer-focused business strategies make us an attractive alternative to appliance and electronics superstores, department stores and other national, regional and local retailers. We strive to provide our customers with:
 
 
 
a high level of customer service;
 
 
 
highly trained and knowledgeable sales personnel;
 
 
 
a broad range of competitively priced, customer-driven, brand name products;
 
 
 
flexible financing alternatives through our proprietary credit programs;
 
 
 
same day and next day delivery capabilities; and
 
 
 
outstanding product repair service.
 
We believe that these strategies drive repeat purchases and enable us to generate substantial brand name recognition and customer loyalty. During fiscal 2006, approximately 62% of our credit customers, based on the number of invoices written, were repeat customers.
 
In 1994, we realigned and added to our management team, enhanced our infrastructure and refined our operating strategy to position ourselves for future growth. From fiscal 1994 to fiscal 1999, we selectively grew our store base from 21 to 26 stores while improving operating margins from 5.2% to 8.7%. Since fiscal 1999, we have generated significant growth in our number of stores, revenue and profitability. Specifically:
 
 
 
we have grown from 26 stores to 56 stores, an increase of over 115%, with several more stores currently under development;
 
 
 
total revenues have grown by 199% at a compounded annual rate of 16.9% from $234.5 million in fiscal 1999, to $701.1 million in fiscal 2006;
 
3


 
 
net income from continuing operations has grown by 367% at a compounded annual rate of 24.6% from $8.8 million in fiscal 1999 to $41.1 million in fiscal 2006; and
 
  
 
our same store sales growth from fiscal 1999 through fiscal 2006 has averaged 9.2%; it was 16.9% for fiscal 2006. See additional discussion about same store sales under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Our principal executives offices are located at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701. Our telephone number is (409) 832-1696, and our corporate website is www.conns.com. We do not intend for information contained on our website to be part of this Form 10-K.
 
Corporate Reorganization
 
We were formed as a Delaware corporation in January 2003 with an initial capitalization of $1,000 to become the holding company of Conn Appliances, Inc., a Texas corporation. Prior to the completion of our initial public offering (the "IPO") in November 2003, we had no operations. As a result of the IPO, Conn Appliances, Inc. became our wholly-owned subsidiary and the common and preferred stockholders of Conn Appliances, Inc. exchanged their common and preferred stock on a one-for-one basis for the common and preferred stock of Conn's, Inc. Immediately after the IPO, all preferred stock and accumulated dividends were redeemed, either through the payment of cash or through the conversion of preferred stock to common stock.
 
Industry Overview
 
The home appliance and consumer electronics industry includes major home appliances, small appliances, home office equipment and software, projection, plasma and LCD televisions, and audio, video and portable electronics. Sellers of home appliances and consumer electronics include large appliance and electronics superstores, national chains, small regional chains, single-store operators, appliance and consumer electronics departments of selected department and discount stores and home improvement centers.
 
Based on data published in Twice, This Week in Consumer Electronics, a weekly magazine dedicated to the home appliances and consumer electronics industry in the United States, the top 100 major appliance retailers reported sales of approximately $22.1 billion in 2004, up approximately 10.0% from reported sales in 2003 of approximately $20.1 billion. The retail appliance market is large and concentrated among a few major dealers. Sears has been the leader in the retail appliance market, with a market share of the top 100 retailers of approximately 39% in 2004, down from approximately 42% in 2003. Lowe’s and Home Depot held the second and third place positions, respectively, in national market share in 2004.
 
As measured by Twice, the top 100 consumer electronics retailers in the United States reported equipment and software sales of $96.7 billion in 2004, a 7.9% increase from the $89.6 billion reported in 2003. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, or CEA, total industry manufacturer sales of consumer electronics products in the United States, including imports, are projected to exceed $109 billion by 2007. The consumer electronics market is highly fragmented. We estimate, based on data provided in Twice, that the two largest consumer electronics superstore chains together accounted for less than 28% of the total electronics sales attributable to the 100 largest retailers in 2004. New entrants in both the home appliances and consumer electronics industries have been successful in gaining market share by offering similar product selections at lower prices.
 
In the home appliance market, many factors drive growth, including consumer confidence, household formations and new product introductions. Product design and innovation is rapidly becoming a key driver of growth in this market. Products either recently introduced or scheduled to be offered include high efficiency, front-loading laundry appliances, three door refrigerators, double ovens, free-standing ranges, cabinet style dishwashers, and dual fuel cooking appliances.
 
Technological advancements and the introduction of new products have largely driven growth in the consumer electronics market. Recently, industry growth has been fueled primarily by the introduction of products that incorporate digital technology, such as portable and traditional DVD players, digital cameras and camcorders, digital stereo receivers, satellite technology, MP3 products and high definition flat panel and projection televisions. Digital products offer significant advantages over their analog counterparts, including better clarity and quality of video and audio, durability of recording and compatibility with computers. Due to these advantages, we believe that digital technology will continue to drive industry growth as consumers replace their analog products with digital products. We believe the following product advancements will continue to fuel growth in the consumer electronics industry and that they offer us the potential for significant sales growth:
 
4

 
 
 
Digital Television (DTV and High Definition TV).    The Federal Communications Commission has set a hard date of February 17, 2009 for all commercial television stations to transition from broadcasting analog signals to digital signals. The Yankee Group, a communications and networking research and consulting firm, estimates that by the year 2007, HDTV signals will be in nearly 41.6 million, or 40%, of homes in the United States. This represents a compounded annual growth rate of 17.1% from the estimated 18.9 million homes receiving digital cable at the end of 2002. To view a digital transmission, consumers will need either a digital television or a set-top box converter capable of converting the digital broadcast for viewing on an analog set. According to the CEA, DTV unit sales are expected to grow from 12.0 million units in 2005 to 15.8 million units in 2006, representing an annual growth rate of 32.5%. We believe the high clarity digital flat panel televisions in both liquid crystal display (LCD), and plasma formats has increased the quality and sophistication of these entertainment products and will be a key driver of digital television growth as more digital and high definition content is made available either through traditional distribution methods or through emerging content delivery systems. As prices continue to drop on such products, they become increasingly attractive to larger and more diverse group of consumers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD).    According to the CEA, the DVD player has become the fastest growing consumer electronics product in history. First introduced in March 1997, DVD players are currently in 80% of U.S. homes. We believe newer technology based on the DVD delivery system, such as high definition DVD, “blu-ray”, and portable players will continue to drive consumer interest in this entertainment category.
 
Portable electronics.     Compressed-music portables, represented most notably by the Apple “iPod”, enjoy significant growth, and accounted for 84.5% of total dollar sales in battery-operated music portables in 2005 according to the CEA as reported in TWICE magazine. Apple shipped more than 14 million units of the iPod in the quarter ended December 31, 2005 as compared to 4.6 million in the prior year period.
 
Business Strategy
 
Our objective is to be the leading specialty retailer of home appliances and consumer electronics in each of our markets. We strive to achieve this objective through a continuing focus on superior execution in five key areas: merchandising, consumer credit, distribution, product service and training. Successful execution in each area relies on the following strategies:
 
 
 
Providing a high level of customer service.    We endeavor to maintain a very high level of customer service as a key component of our culture, which has resulted in average customer satisfaction levels of approximately 91% over the past three years. We measure customer satisfaction on the sales floor, in our delivery operation and in our service department by sending survey cards to all customers to whom we have delivered or installed a product or made a service call. Our customer service resolution department attempts to address all customer complaints within 48 hours of receipt.
 
 
 
Developing and retaining highly trained and knowledgeable sales personnel.    We require all sales personnel to specialize in home appliances, consumer electronics or “track” products. Some of our sales associates qualify in more than one specialty. Track products include small appliances, computers, camcorders, DVD players, cameras, MP3 players and telephones that are sold within the interior of a large colorful track that circles the interior floor of our stores. This specialized approach allows the sales person to focus on specific product categories and become an expert in selling and using products in those categories. New sales personnel must complete an intensive two-week classroom training program conducted at our corporate office and an additional week of on-the-job training riding in a delivery and a service truck to observe how we serve our customers after the sale is made.
 
 
 
Offering a broad range of customer-driven, brand name products.    We offer a comprehensive selection of high-quality, brand name merchandise to our customers at guaranteed low prices. Consistent with our good-better-best merchandising strategy, we offer a wide range of product selections from entry-level models through high-end models. We maintain strong relationships with approximately 50 manufacturers and distributors that enable us to offer over 1,100 SKUs to our customers. Our principal suppliers include General Electric, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag, LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Serta, Poulan, Weedeater, American Yard Products, Hewlett Packard and Compaq. To facilitate our responsiveness to customer demand, we use our prototype store, located near our corporate offices in Beaumont, Texas, to test the sales process of all new products and obtain customers’ reactions to new display formats before introducing these products and display formats to our other stores.
 
 
5

 
 
 
Offering flexible financing alternatives through our proprietary credit programs.     In the last three years, we financed, on average, approximately 57% of our retail sales through our internal credit programs. We believe our credit programs expand our potential customer base, increase our sales revenue and enhance customer loyalty by providing our customers immediate access to financing alternatives that our competitors typically do not offer. Our credit department makes all credit decisions internally, entirely independent of our sales personnel. We provide special consideration to the customer’s credit history with us. Before extending credit, we match our loss experience by product category with the customer’s credit worthiness to determine down payment amounts and other credit terms. This facilitates product sales while keeping our credit risk within an acceptable range. Approximately 58% of customers who have active credit accounts with us take advantage of our in-store payment option and come to our stores each month to make their payments, which we believe results in additional sales to these customers. Through our predictive dialing program, we contact customers with past due accounts daily and attempt to work with them to collect payments in times of financial difficulty or periods of economic downturn. Our credit decisions and collections process enabled us to achieve a 2.9% net loss ratio in fiscal 2004, a 2.4% net loss ratio in fiscal 2005 and a 2.5% net loss ratio in fiscal 2006 on the credit portfolio that we service for a Qualifying Special Purpose Entity or QSPE.
 
 
 
 
Maintaining same day and next day distribution capabilities.    We maintain four regional distribution centers and three other related facilities that cover all of the major markets in which we operate. These facilities are part of a sophisticated inventory management system that also includes a fleet of approximately 130 transfer and delivery vehicles that service all of our markets. Our distribution operations enable us to deliver products on the day of, or the day after, the sale to approximately 95% of our customers.
 
 
 
Providing outstanding product repair service.    We service every product that we sell, and we service only the products that we sell. In this way, we can assure our customers that they will receive our service technicians’ exclusive attention to their product repair needs. All of our service centers are authorized factory service facilities that provide trained technicians to offer in-home diagnostic and repair service as well as on-site service and repairs for products that cannot be repaired in the customer’s home.

Store Development and Growth Strategy
 
In addition to executing our business strategy, we intend to continue to achieve profitable, controlled growth by increasing same store sales, opening new stores and updating, expanding or relocating our existing stores.
 
 
 
Increasing same store sales.    We plan to continue to increase our same store sales by:
 
 
 
continuing to offer quality products at competitive prices;
 
 
 
re-merchandising our product offerings in response to changes in consumer demand;
 
 
 
adding new merchandise to our existing product lines;
 
 
 
training our sales personnel to increase sales closing rates;
 
 
 
updating our stores on a three-year rotating basis;
 
 
 
continuing to promote sales of computers and smaller electronics within the interior track area of our stores, including the expansion of high margin accessory items;
 
 
6

 
 
 
continuing to provide a high level of customer service in sales, delivery and servicing of our products; and
 
 
 
increasing sales of our merchandise, finance products, service maintenance agreements and credit insurance through direct mail and in-store credit promotion programs.

 
 
Opening new stores.    We intend to take advantage of our reliable infrastructure and proven store model to continue the pace of our new store openings by opening six to eight new stores in fiscal 2007. This infrastructure includes our proprietary management information systems, training processes, distribution network, merchandising capabilities, supplier relationships and centralized credit approval and collection processes. We intend to expand our store base in existing, adjacent and new markets, as follows:
 
 
 
 
Existing and adjacent markets.    We intend to increase our market presence by opening new stores in our existing markets, in adjacent markets and in new markets as we identify the need and opportunity. New store openings in these locations will allow us to maximize opportunity in those markets and leverage our existing distribution network, advertising presence, brand name recognition and reputation.
 
 
 
New markets.    In fiscal 2006, we opened another new store in South Texas in Harlingen and continued to open new stores in our Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio markets. We have identified several new markets that meet our criteria for site selection, including East Texas and central Louisiana around Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, southern Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas. We intend to consider these new markets, as well as others, over the next several fiscal years. We intend to first address markets in states in which we currently operate. We expect that this new store growth will include major metropolitan markets in both Texas and Louisiana. We have also identified a number of smaller markets within Texas and Louisiana in which we expect to explore new store opportunities. Our long-term growth plans include markets in other areas of significant population density within neighboring states.
 
 
 
Updating, expanding or relocating existing stores.    Over the last three years, we have updated, expanded or relocated most of our stores. We have implemented our larger prototype store model at all locations at which the market demands support such store size, and where available physical space would accommodate the required design changes. As we continue to add new stores or replace existing stores, we intend to modify our floor plan to include this new model as we perceive market support. We continuously evaluate our existing and potential sites to ensure our stores are in the best possible locations and relocate stores that are not properly positioned. We typically lease rather than purchase our stores to retain the flexibility of subleasing a location if we later decide that the store is performing below our standards or the market would be better served by a relocation. After updating, expanding or relocating a store, we expect to increase same store sales at those stores.

 
The addition of new stores has played, and we believe will continue to play, a significant role in our continued growth and success. We currently operate 56 retail stores located in Texas and Louisiana. We opened three stores in fiscal 2004; and we opened six stores in each of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006. We also closed one clearance store in one of our markets in fiscal 2005. We plan to continue our store development program by opening an additional six to eight new stores, or an approximately 10% increase, per year and continue to update a portion of our existing stores each year. We believe that continuing our strategies of updating existing stores, growing our store base and locating our stores in desirable geographic markets are essential for our future success.
 
Customers
 
We do not have a significant concentration of sales with any individual customer and, therefore, the loss of any one customer would not have a material impact on our business. No single customer accounts for more than 10% of our total revenues; in fact, no single customer accounted for more than $500,000 (less than 0.1%) of our total revenue of $701.1 million during the year ended January 31, 2006.
 
7

Products and Merchandising
 
Product Categories.    Each of our stores sells five major categories of products: major home appliances, consumer electronics, computers and peripheral equipment, delivery and installation services and other household products, including lawn and garden equipment and mattresses. The following table, which has been adjusted from previous filings to ensure comparability, presents a summary of net sales by major product category, service maintenance agreement commissions and service revenues, for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006:
 
  
   
 Years Ended January 31,
 
   
 2004
 
 2005
 
 2006
 
 
 
 
Amount  
   
     
Amount  
   
%  
     
Amount  
   
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Major home appliances
 
$
159,401
   
36.2
%
 
$
168,962
   
34.2
%
 
$
223,651
   
36.0
%
Consumer electronics
   
139,417
   
31.6
     
154,880
   
31.3
     
186,679
   
30.1
 
Track
   
70,031
   
15.9
     
85,644
   
17.3
     
100,154
   
16.1
 
Delivery
   
6,726
   
1.5
     
7,605
   
1.5
     
9,870
   
1.6
 
Lawn and garden
   
11,505
   
2.6
     
13,710
   
2.8
     
17,083
   
2.8
 
Bedding
   
6,441
   
1.5
     
10,262
   
2.1
     
13,126
   
2.1
 
Furniture
   
5,712
   
1.3
     
7,182
   
1.5
     
15,313
   
2.5
 
Other
   
3,346
   
0.8
     
3,315
   
0.7
     
4,001
   
0.6
 
Total product sales
   
402,579
   
91.3
     
451,560
   
91.4
     
569,877
   
91.8
 
Service maintenance agreement
                                         
commissions
   
20,074
   
4.6
     
23,950
   
4.8
     
30,583
   
4.9
 
Service revenues
   
18,265
   
4.1
     
18,725
   
3.8
     
20,278
   
3.3
 
Total net sales
 
$
440,918
   
100.0
%
 
$
494,235
   
100.0
%
 
$
620,738
   
100.0
%
  
 
Within these major product categories (excluding service maintenance agreements, service revenues and delivery and installation), we offer our customers over 1,100 SKUs in a wide range of price points. Most of these products are manufactured by brand name companies, including General Electric, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag, LG, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, Serta, Hewlett Packard and Compaq. As part of our good-better-best merchandising strategy, our customers are able to choose from products ranging from low-end to mid- to high-end models in each of our key product categories, as follows:
 
 Category
 
Products
 
Selected Brands
Major appliances
 
Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, air conditioners and vacuum cleaners
 
General Electric, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Maytag, LG, KitchenAid, Sharp, Samsung, Friedrich, Roper, Hoover and Eureka
     
Consumer electronics
 
Projection, plasma, LCD and DLP televisions, and home theater systems
 
Mitsubishi, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Sanyo, JVC, Hitachi, Yamaha, Apple and Fujifilm
     
Track
 
Computers, computer peripherals, VCRs, camcorders, digital cameras, DVD players, audio components, compact disc players, speakers and portable electronics (e.g. iPods)
 
Hewlett Packard, Compaq, Sony
     
Other
 
Lawn and garden, furniture and mattresses
 
Poulan, Husqvarna, Toro, Weedeater, Ashley and Serta
 
8


Purchasing.    We purchase products from over 100 manufacturers and distributors. Our agreements with these manufacturers and distributors typically cover a one or two year time period, are renewable at the option of the parties and are terminable upon 30 days written notice by either party. Similar to other specialty retailers, we purchase a significant portion of our total inventory from a limited number of vendors. During fiscal 2006, 60.6% of our total inventory purchases were from six vendors, including 17.0%, 12.2% and 11.4% of our total inventory from Frigidaire, Whirlpool and Sony respectively. The loss of any one or more of these key vendors or our failure to establish and maintain relationships with these and other vendors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. We have no indication that any of our suppliers will discontinue selling us merchandise. We have not experienced significant difficulty in maintaining adequate sources of merchandise, and we generally expect that adequate sources of merchandise will continue to exist for the types of products we sell.
 
Merchandising Strategy.    We focus on providing a comprehensive selection of high-quality merchandise to appeal to a broad range of potential customers. Consistent with our good-better-best merchandising strategy, we offer a wide range of product selections from entry-level models through high-end models. We primarily sell brand name warranted merchandise. Our established relationships with major appliance and electronic vendors and our affiliation with NATM, a major buying group, give us purchasing power that allows us to offer custom-featured appliances and electronics and provides us a competitive selling advantage over other independent retailers. We use our prototype store, located near our corporate offices in Beaumont, Texas, to test the sale of all new products and obtain customers’ reactions to new display formats before introducing these products and display formats to our other stores. As part of our merchandising strategy, we operate clearance centers, either as stand-alone units or incorporated within one of our retail stores, in our Houston, San Antonio and Dallas markets to help sell damaged, used or discontinued merchandise. We have recently redesigned our approach to the merchandising of our “track” products to provide consumer-friendly point of sale transactions that take place within a track area located in the interior of our store. We believe that this focused approach to creating consumer awareness and ease of purchase of our track products will help increase same store sales.
 
Pricing.    We emphasize competitive pricing on all of our products and maintain a low price guarantee that is valid in all markets from 10 to 30 days after the sale, depending on the product. At most of our stores, to print an invoice that contains pricing other than the price maintained within our computer system, sales personnel must call a special “hotline” number at the corporate office for approval. Personnel staffing this hotline number are familiar with competitor pricing and are authorized to make price adjustments to fulfill our low price guarantee when a customer presents acceptable proof of the competitor’s lower price. This centralized function also allows us to maintain control of pricing and to store and retrieve pricing data of our competitors.
 
Customer Service
 
We focus on customer service as a key component of our strategy. We believe our same day or next day delivery option, which is not offered by most of our competitors, is one of the keys to our success. Additionally, we attempt to answer and resolve all customer complaints within 48 hours of receipt. We track customer complaints by individual salesperson, delivery person and service technician. We send out over 36,000 customer satisfaction survey cards each month covering all deliveries and service calls. Based upon a response rate from our customers of approximately 15%, we consistently report an average customer satisfaction level of approximately 91%.
 
9

Store Operations
 
Stores.    At the end of fiscal 2006 we operated 56 retail and clearance stores located in Texas and Louisiana. The following table illustrates our markets, the number of freestanding and strip mall stores in each market and the calendar year in which we opened our first store in each market:
 

   
Number of Stores  
 
  First
 
Market
 
Stand
 
  Strip 
 
  Store
 
   
Alone
 
 Mall
 
  Opened
 
Houston
   
8
   
10
   
1983
 
San Antonio/Austin
   
6
   
7
   
1994
 
Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, Texas
                   
and Lake Charles, Louisiana)
   
1
   
4
   
1937
 
Baton Rouge/Lafayette
   
1
   
4
   
1975
 
Corpus Christi
   
1
   
0
   
2002
 
Dallas/Fort Worth
   
1
   
11
   
2003
 
South Texas
   
1
   
1
   
2004
 
Total
   
19
   
37
       

Our stores have an average selling space of approximately 21,100 square feet, plus a rear storage area averaging approximately 6,000 square feet for fast-moving or smaller products that customers prefer to carry out rather than wait for in-home delivery. Two of our stores are clearance centers for discontinued product models and damaged merchandise, returns and repossessed product located in our Houston and Dallas markets and contain 28,800 square feet of combined selling space. All stores are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. We also offer extended store hours during the holiday selling season.
 
Approximately 66% of our stores are located in strip shopping centers and regional malls, with the balance being stand-alone buildings in “power centers” of big box consumer retail stores. All of our locations have parking available immediately adjacent to the store’s front entrance. Our storefronts have a distinctive front that guides the customer to the entrance of the store. Inside the store, a large colorful tile track circles the interior floor of the store. One side of the track leads the customer to major appliances, while the other side of the track leads the customer to a large display of television and projection television products. The inside of the track contains various home office and consumer electronic products such as computers, printers, DVD players, camcorders, digital cameras and MP3 players. We are continually refining our approach to merchandising of our track products, and in fiscal 2006 expanded our small kitchen appliance assortment, introduced musical products and expanded our offering of seasonal products. Mattresses, furniture and lawn and garden equipment displays occupy the rear of the sales floor. To reach the cashier’s desk at the center of the track area, our customers must walk past our products. We believe this increases sales to customers who have purchased products from us on credit in the past and who return to our stores to make their monthly credit payments.
 
We have updated most of our stores in the last three years. We expect to continue to update our stores as needed to address each store’s specific needs. All of our updated stores, as well as our new stores, include modern interior selling spaces featuring attractive signage and display areas specifically designed for each major product type. Our prototype store for future expansion has from 25,000 to 30,000 square feet of retail selling space, which is approximately 20% more than the average size of our existing stores and a rear storage area of between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet. Our investment to update a store has averaged approximately $220,000 per store over the past three years, and as a result of the updating, we expect to increase same store sales at those stores. Over the last three years, we have invested approximately $7.8 million updating, refurbishing or relocating our existing stores.
 
Site Selection.    Our stores are typically located adjacent to freeways or major travel arteries and in the vicinity of major retail shopping areas. We prefer to locate our stores in areas where our prominent tower storefront will be the anchor of the shopping center or readily visible from major thoroughfares. We also attempt to locate our stores in the vicinity of major home appliance and electronics superstores. We have typically entered major metropolitan markets where we can potentially support at least 10 to 12 stores. We believe this number of stores allows us to optimize advertising and distribution costs. We have and may continue, however, to elect to experiment with opening lower numbers of new stores in smaller communities where customer demand for products and services outweighs any extra cost. Other factors we consider when evaluating potential markets include the distance from our distribution centers, our existing store locations and store locations of our competitors and population, demographics and growth potential of the market.
 
10

Store Economics.    We lease 50 of our 56 current store locations, with an average monthly rent of $18,800. Our average per store investment for the 12 new stores we have opened in the last two years was approximately $1.5 million, including leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment and inventory (net of accounts payable). For these new stores, the net sales per store have averaged $0.7 million per month.
 
 Our new stores have typically been profitable on an operating basis within their first three to six months of operation and, on average have returned our net cash investment in 20 months or less. We consider a new store to be successful if it achieves $8 million to $9 million in sales volume and 2% to 5% in operating margins before other ancillary revenues and allocations of overhead and advertising in the first full year of operation. We expect successful stores that have matured, which generally occurs after two to three years of operations, to generate annual sales of approximately $12 million to $15 million and 5% to 9% in operating margins before other ancillary revenues and overhead and allocations. However, depending on the credit and insurance penetration of an individual store, we believe that a store that does not achieve these levels of sales can still contribute significantly to our pretax margin.
 
Personnel and Compensation.    We staff a typical store with a store manager, an assistant manager, an average of 23 sales personnel and other support staff including cashiers and/or porters based on store size and location. Managers have an average tenure with us of approximately seven years and typically have prior sales floor experience. In addition to store managers, we have seven district managers that generally oversee from six to eight stores in each market. Our district managers generally have five to fifteen years of sales experience and report to our vice president of store operations, who has over twenty years of sales experience.
 
We compensate our sales associates on a straight commission arrangement, while we generally compensate store managers on a salary basis plus incentives and cashiers at an hourly rate. In some instances, store managers receive earned commissions plus base salary. Our clearance center is staffed with a manager and six to eight sales personnel who are paid on a straight commission arrangement. We believe that because our store compensation plans are tied to sales, they generally provide us an advantage in attracting and retaining highly motivated employees.
 
Training.    New sales personnel must complete an intensive two week classroom training program conducted at our corporate office. We then require them to spend an additional week riding in a delivery and service truck to gain an understanding of how we serve our customers after the sale is made. Installation and delivery staff and service personnel receive training through an on-the-job program in which individuals are assigned to an experienced installation and delivery or service employee as helpers prior to working alone. In addition, our employees benefit from on-site training conducted by many of our vendors.
 
We attempt to identify store manager candidates early in their careers with us and place them in a defined program of training. They generally first attend our in-house training program, which provides guidance and direction for the development of managerial and supervisory skills. They then attend an external Dale Carnegie certified management course that helps solidify their management knowledge and builds upon their internal training. After completion of these training programs, manager candidates work as assistant managers for six to twelve months and are then allowed to manage one of our smaller stores, where they are supervised closely by the store’s district manager. We give new managers an opportunity to operate larger stores as they become more proficient in their management skills. Each store manager attends mandatory training sessions on a monthly basis and also attends bi-weekly sales training meetings where participants receive and discuss new product information.
 
Marketing
 
We design our marketing and advertising programs to increase our brand name recognition, educate consumers about our products and services and generate customer traffic in order to increase sales. Our programs include periodic promotions such as three, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four or thirty-six months of no interest financing. We conduct our advertising programs primarily through local newspapers, local radio and television stations and direct marketing through direct mail, telephone and our website.
 
Direct marketing has become an effective way for us to present our products and services to our existing customers and potential new customers. We use direct mail to target promotional mailings to credit worthy individuals, including new residents in our market areas from time to time. In addition, we use direct mail to market increased credit lines to existing customers, to encourage customers using third party credit to convert to our credit programs and for customer appreciation mailings. We also conduct a mail program to reestablish contact with customers who applied for credit recently at one of our stores but did not purchase a product. We also call customers who recently applied for credit at one of our retail locations but did not purchase a product; this often redirects potential purchasers back into the original store location.
 
11

Our website, www.conns.com, offers information about our selection of products and provides useful information to the consumer on pricing, features and benefits for each product and required corporate governance information. Our website also allows the customers residing in the markets in which we operate retail locations to apply and be considered for credit, to see our special on-line promotional items and to make purchases on-line through the use of approved credit cards. The website currently averages approximately 5,040 visits per day from potential and existing customers and during fiscal 2006, was the source of approximately 80,400 credit applications. The website is linked to a call center, allowing us to better assist customers with their credit and product needs.
 
Distribution and Inventory Management
 
We typically locate our stores in close proximity of our five regional distribution centers located in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Beaumont, Texas and Lafayette, Louisiana and smaller cross-dock facilities in Austin and Harlingen, Texas. This enables us to deliver products to our customers quickly, reduces inventory requirements at the individual stores and facilitates regionalized inventory and accounting controls.
 
In our retail stores, we maintain an inventory of fast-moving items and products that the customer is likely to carry out of the store. Our sophisticated Distribution Inventory Sales computer system and the recent introduction of scanning technology in our distribution centers allow us to determine on a real-time basis the exact location of any product we sell. If we do not have a product at the desired retail store at the time of sale, we can provide it through our distribution system on a next day basis.
 
We maintain a fleet of tractors and trailers that allow us to move products from market to market and from distribution centers to stores. Our fleet of home delivery vehicles enables our highly-trained delivery and installation specialists to quickly complete the sales process, enhancing customer service. We receive a delivery fee based on their choice of same day or next day delivery. Additionally, we are able to complete deliveries to our customers on the same day as, or the day after the sale for approximately 95% of our customers who have requested delivery.
 
12

Finance Operations
 
General.    We sell our products for cash or for payment through major credit cards, which we treat as cash sales. We also offer our customers several financing alternatives through our proprietary credit programs. In the last three fiscal years, we financed, on average, approximately 57% of our retail sales through one of our two credit programs. We offer our customers a choice of installment payment plans and revolving credit plans through our primary credit portfolio. We also offer an installment program through our secondary credit portfolio to a limited number of customers who do not qualify for credit under our primary credit portfolio. The following table shows our product sales and gross service maintenance agreements sales, excluding returns and allowances and service revenues, by method of payment for the periods indicated.
 
 
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
   
 2005
   
 2006
 
   
 Amount
   
%
   
 Amount
   
   
 Amount
   
%
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Cash and other credit cards
 
$
198,765
   
47.0
%
 
$
193,753
   
40.8
%
 
$
254,047
   
42.3
%
Primary credit portfolio:
                                         
Installment
   
182,802
   
43.3
     
225,369
   
47.4
     
263,667
   
43.9
 
Revolving
   
16,627
   
3.9
     
20,663
   
4.3
     
30,697
   
5.1
 
Secondary credit portfolio
   
24,459
   
5.8
     
35,725
   
7.5
     
52,049
   
8.7
 
Total
 
$
422,653
   
100.0
%
 
$
475,510
   
100.0
%
 
$
600,460
   
100.0
%

 
Credit Approval.    Our credit programs are operated by our centralized credit department staff, completely independent of sales personnel. As part of our centralized credit approval process, we have developed a proprietary standardized scoring model that provides preliminary credit decisions, including down payment amounts and credit terms, based on both customer and product risk. We developed this model with data analysis by Equifax® to correlate the product category of a customer purchase with the default probability. Although we rely on this program to approve automatically some credit applications from customers for whom we have previous credit experience, over 92.8% of our credit decisions are based on evaluation of the customer’s creditworthiness by a qualified credit grader. As of January 31, 2006, we employed approximately 400 full-time and part-time employees who focus on credit approval and collections. These employees are highly trained to follow our strict methodology in approving credit, collecting our accounts, and charging off any uncollectible accounts based on pre-determined aging criteria.
 
A significant part of our ability to control delinquency and charge-off rates is tied to the relatively high level of down payments that we require and the purchase money security interest that we obtain in the product financed, which reduce our credit risk and increase our customers’ willingness to meet their future obligations. We require the customer to provide proof of credit property insurance coverage to offset potential losses relating to theft or damage of the product financed.
 
Installment accounts are paid over a specified period of time with set monthly payments. Revolving accounts provide customers with a specified amount which the customer may borrow, repay and re-borrow so long as the credit limit is not exceeded. Most of our installment accounts provide for payment over 12 to 36 months, and for those accounts paid in full during fiscal 2006, the average account was outstanding for approximately 13 to 15 months. Our revolving accounts were outstanding approximately 12 to 17 months for those accounts paid in full during fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2006, approximately 7.2% of the applications approved under the primary program were handled automatically through our computer system based on previous credit history with us. We automatically send the application of any new credit customer or any customer seeking additional credit where there has been a past delinquency or performance problem to an experienced, in-house credit grader.
 
We created our secondary credit portfolio program to meet the needs of those customers who do not qualify for credit under our primary program. If we cannot approve a customer’s application for credit under our primary portfolio, we automatically send the application to the credit staff of our secondary portfolio for further consideration. We offer only the installment program to these customers, and we grant credit to these consumers under stricter underwriting criteria, including higher down payments. An experienced, in-house credit grader administers the credit approval process. Most of the installment accounts approved under this program provide for repayment over 12 to 36 months, and for those accounts paid in full during fiscal 2006, the average account was outstanding for approximately 13 to 15 months.
 
13

The following two tables present, for comparison purposes, information regarding our two credit portfolios.


   
Primary Portfolio (1)
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
   
 (total outstanding balance in thousands)
 
Total outstanding balance (period end)
 
$
293,909
 
$
358,252
 
$
421,649
 
Average outstanding customer balance
 
$
1,189
 
$
1,268
 
$
1,284
 
Number of active accounts (period end)
   
247,151
   
282,533
   
328,402
 
Total applications processed (2)
   
499,755
   
567,352
   
684,674
 
Percent of retail sales financed
   
47.2
%
 
51.7
%
 
49.0
%
Total applications approved
   
59.3
%
 
56.4
%
 
52.8
%
Average down payment
   
8.6
%
 
7.4
%
 
7.6
%
Average interest spread (3)
   
12.2
%
 
12.7
%
 
12.0
%
 

   
Secondary Portfolio
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
   
 (total outstanding balance in thousands)
 
Total outstanding balance (period end)
 
$
55,561
 
$
70,448
 
$
98,072
 
Average outstanding customer balance
 
$
1,057
 
$
1,040
 
$
1,128
 
Number of active accounts (period end)
   
52,566
   
67,718
   
86,936
 
Total applications processed (2)
   
192,228
   
238,605
   
314,698
 
Percent of retail sales financed
   
5.8
%
 
7.5
%
 
8.7
%
Total applications approved
   
26.9
%
 
33.3
%
 
34.1
%
Average down payment
   
27.7
%
 
27.2
%
 
26.4
%
Average interest spread (3)
   
13.0
%
 
14.0
%
 
14.1
%

 

(1)
 
The Primary Portfolio consists of owned and sold receivables.
(2)
 
Unapproved credit applications in the primary portfolio are automatically referred to the secondary portfolio. 
(3)
 
Difference between the average interest rate yield on the portfolio and the average cost of funds under the program plus the allocated interest related to funds required to finance the credit enhancement portion of the portfolio. Also reflects the loss of interest income resulting from interest free promotional programs.
 
Credit Quality.    We enter into securitization transactions to sell our retail receivables to a qualifying special purpose entity or QSPE, which we formed for this purpose. After the sale, we continue to service these receivables under a contract with the QSPE. We closely monitor these credit portfolios to identify delinquent accounts early and dedicate resources to contacting customers concerning past due accounts. We believe that our local presence, ability to work with customers and flexible financing alternatives contribute to the historically low charge-off rates on these portfolios. In addition, our customers have the opportunity to make their monthly payments in our stores, and approximately 58% of our active credit accounts did so at some time during the last 12 months. We believe that these factors help us maintain a relationship with the customer that keeps losses low while encouraging repeat purchases.
 
Our follow-up collection activities involve a combination of centralized efforts that take place in our corporate office and outside collection efforts that involve a visit by one of our credit counselors to the customer’s home. We maintain a sophisticated predictive dialer system and letter campaign that helps us contact between 20,000 and 25,000 delinquent customers daily. We also maintain a very experienced skip-trace department that utilizes current technology to locate customers who have moved and left no forwarding address. Our outside collectors provide an on-site contact with the customer to assist in the collection process or, if needed, to actually repossess the product in the event of non-payment. Repossessions are made when it is clear that the customer is unwilling to establish a reasonable payment process. Our legal department represents us in bankruptcy proceedings and filing of delinquency judgment claims and helps handle any legal issues associated with the collection process.
 
14

Generally, we deem an account to be uncollectible and charge it off if the account is 120 days or more past due and has not had a payment in the last seven months. Over the last 36 months, we have recovered approximately 19% of charged-off amounts through our collection activities. The income that we realize from our interest in securitized receivables depends on a number of factors, including expected credit losses. Therefore, it is to our advantage to maintain a low delinquency rate and loss ratio on these credit portfolios.
 
Our accounting and credit staff consistently monitors trends in charge-offs by examining the various characteristics of the charge-offs, including store of origination, product type, customer credit information, down payment amounts and other identifying information. We track our charge-offs both gross, or before recoveries, and net, or after recoveries. We periodically adjust our credit granting, collection and charge-off policies based on this information.
 
The following table reflects the performance of our two credit portfolios, net of unearned interest.
 

 
 
Primary Portfolio (1)
   
Secondary Portfolio
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
   
Years Ended January 31,
   
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total outstanding balance (period end)
 
$
293,909
   
$
358,252
   
$
421,649
   
$
55,561
   
$
70,448
   
$
98,072
 
Average total outstanding balance
 
$
271,659
   
$
323,108
   
$
387,464
   
$
54,988
   
$
64,484
   
$
86,461
 
Account balances over 60 days old (period end
 
$
13,484
   
$
17,503
   
$
26,029
   
$
4,783
   
$
5,640
   
$
9,508
 
Percent of balances over 60 days old to total outstanding (period end) (2)
   
4.6
%
   
4.9
%
   
6.2
%
   
8.6
%
   
8.0
%
   
9.7
%
Bad debt write-offs (net of recoveries)
 
$
7,905
   
$
7,601
   
$
10,225
   
$
1,499
   
$
1,604
   
$
1,915
 
Percent of write-offs (net) to average
outstanding (3)
   
2.9
%
   
2.4
%
   
2.6
%
   
2.7
%
   
2.5
%
   
2.2
%
 

(1)  
The Primary Portfolio consists of owned and sold receivables.
(2)  
At January 31, 2006, the percent of balances over 60 days old was elevated due to the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. See additional discussion in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(3)  
The fiscal year ended January 31, 2005, includes the benefit of new information received during the year, which impacted the realization of sales tax credits on prior year write-offs.

The following table presents information regarding the growth of our combined credit portfolios, including unearned interest.
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
 
 
 2004
 
 2005
 
2006
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Beginning balance
 
$
362,076
 
$
418,702
 
$
514,204
 
New receivables financed
   
331,849
   
423,935
   
495,553
 
Revolving finance charges
   
4,354
   
3,926
   
3,858
 
Returns on account
   
(6,860
)
 
(10,670
)
 
(5,397
)
Collections on account
   
(263,313
)
 
(312,484
)
 
(375,342
)
Accounts charged off
   
(11,934
)
 
(11,825
)
 
(14,392
)
Recoveries of charge-offs
   
2,530
   
2,620
   
2,252
 
Ending balance
   
418,702
   
514,204
   
620,736
 
Less unearned interest at end of period
   
(69,232
)
 
(85,504
)
 
(101,015
)
Total portfolio, net
 
$
349,470
 
$
428,700
 
$
519,721
 

Product Support Services

Credit Insurance.    Acting as agents for unaffiliated insurance companies, we sell credit life, credit disability, credit involuntary unemployment and credit property insurance at all of our stores. These products cover payment of the customer’s credit account in the event of the customer’s death, disability or involuntary unemployment or if the financed property is lost or damaged. We receive sales commissions from the unaffiliated insurance company at the time we sell the coverage, and we recognize retrospective commissions, which are additional commissions paid by the insurance carrier if insurance claims are lower than projected, as such commissions are actually earned.
 
15

We require proof of property insurance on all installment credit purchases, although we do not require that customers purchase this insurance from us. During fiscal 2006, approximately 75.2% of our credit customers purchased one or more of the credit insurance products we offer, and approximately 29.1% purchased all of the insurance products we offer. Commission revenues from the sale of credit insurance contracts represented approximately 3.3%, 3.2% and 2.6% of total revenues for fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
Warranty Service.    We provide warranty service for all of the products we sell and only for the products we sell. Customers purchased service maintenance agreements on products representing approximately 48.8% of our total retail sales for fiscal 2006. These agreements broaden and extend the period of covered manufacturer warranty service for up to five years from the date of purchase, depending on the product, and cover certain items during the manufacturer’s warranty period. These agreements are sold at the time the product is purchased. Customers may finance the cost of the agreements along with the purchase price of the associated product. We contact the customer prior to the expiration of the service maintenance period to provide them the opportunity to renew the period of warranty coverage.
 
We have contracts with unaffiliated third party insurers that issue the service maintenance agreements to cover the costs of repairs performed by our service department under these agreements. The initial service contract is between the customer and the independent insurance company, but we are the insurance company’s first choice to provide service when it is needed. We receive a commission on the sale of the contract, and we bill the insurance company for the cost of the service work that we perform. Commissions on these third party contracts are recognized in revenues, net of the payment to the third party obligor. Renewal contracts are between the customer and our in-house service department. Under renewal contracts we recognize revenues received, and direct selling expenses incurred, over the life of the contracts, and expense the cost of the service work performed as products are repaired.
 
Of the 15,000 to 20,000 repairs that we perform each month, approximately 35.4% are covered under these service maintenance agreements, approximately 50.5% are covered by manufacturer warranties and the remainder are “walk-in” repairs from our customers. Revenues from the sale of service contracts represented approximately 4.6%, 4.8%, and 4.9% of net sales during fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 

Management Information Systems
 
We have a fully integrated management information system that tracks on a real-time basis point-of-sale information, inventory receipt and distribution, merchandise movement and financial information. The management information system also includes a local area network that connects all corporate users to e-mail, scheduling and various servers. All of our facilities are linked by a wide-area network that provides communication for in-house credit authorization and real time polling of sales and merchandise movement at the store level. In our distribution centers, we use radio frequency terminals to assist in receiving, stock put-away, stock movement, order filling, cycle counting and inventory management. At our stores, we currently use desktop terminals to assist in receiving, transferring and maintaining perpetual inventories.
 
Our integrated management information system also includes extensive functionality for management of the complete credit portfolio life cycle as well as functionality for the management of product service. The credit system continues from our in-house credit authorization through account set up and tracking, credit portfolio condition, collections, credit employee productivity metrics, skip-tracing, bankruptcy and fraud and legal account management. The service system provides for service order processing, warranty claims processing, parts inventory management, technician scheduling and dispatch, technician performance metrics and customer satisfaction measurement. All of these systems share a common customer and product sold database.
 
Our point of sale system uses an IBM Series i5 hardware system that runs on the i5OS operating system. This system enables us to use a variety of readily available applications in conjunction with software that supports the system. All of our current business application software, except our accounting and human resources systems, has been developed in-house by our management information system employees. We believe our management information systems efficiently support our current operations and provide a foundation for future growth.
 
We employ a Nortel telephone switch and state of the art Avaya (formerly Mosaix) predictive dialer, as well as a redundant data network and cable plant, to improve the efficiency of our collection and overall corporate communication efforts.
 
16

As part of our ongoing system availability protection and disaster recovery planning, we have implemented a secondary IBM Series i5 system. We installed and implemented a back-up IBM Series i5 system in our corporate offices to provide the ability to switch production processing from the primary system to the secondary system within fifteen to thirty minutes should the primary system become disabled or unreachable. The two machines are kept synchronized utilizing third party software. This backup system provides “high availability” of the production processing environment. The primary IBM Series i5 system is geographically removed from our corporate office for purposes of disaster recovery and security. These systems worked as designed during our recent evacuation from our corporate headquarters in Beaumont, Texas, due to Hurricane Rita. While we were displaced, our store, distribution and service operations that were not impacted by the hurricane continued to have normal system availability and functionality.
 
Competition
 
According to Twice, total industry manufacturer sales of home appliances and consumer electronics products in the United States, including imports, to the top 100 dealers were estimated to be $21.3 billion and $96.4 billion, respectively, in 2004. The retail home appliance market is large and concentrated among a few major suppliers. Sears has historically been the leader in the retail home appliance market, with a market share among the top 100 retailers of approximately 39% in 2004, down from 42% in 2003. The consumer electronics market is highly fragmented. We estimate that the two largest consumer electronics superstore chains accounted for less than 35% of the total electronics sales attributable to the 100 largest retailers in 2003. However, new entrants in both industries have been successful in gaining market share by offering similar product selections at lower prices.
 
As reported by Twice, based upon revenue in 2004, we were the 12th largest retailer of home appliances. Our competitors include national mass merchants such as Sears and Wal-Mart, specialized national retailers such as Circuit City and Best Buy, home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, and locally-owned regional or independent retail specialty stores. The availability and convenience of the Internet and other direct-to-consumer alternatives are increasing as a competitive factor in our industry, especially for distribution of computer and entertainment software.
 
We compete primarily based on enhanced customer service through our unique sales force training and product knowledge, same day or next day delivery capabilities, proprietary in-house credit program, guaranteed low prices and product repair service.
 
Regulation
 
The extension of credit to consumers is a highly regulated area of our business. Numerous federal and state laws impose disclosure and other requirements on the origination, servicing and enforcement of credit accounts. These laws include, but are not limited to, the Federal Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Federal Trade Commission Act. State laws impose limitations on the maximum amount of finance charges that we can charge and also impose other restrictions on consumer creditors, such as us, including restrictions on collection and enforcement. We routinely review our contracts and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable consumer credit laws. Failure on our part to comply with applicable laws could expose us to substantial penalties and claims for damages and, in certain circumstances, may require us to refund finance charges already paid and to forego finance charges not yet paid under non-complying contracts. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all applicable federal and state consumer credit and collection laws.
 
Our sale of credit life, credit disability, credit involuntary unemployment and credit property insurance products is also highly regulated. State laws currently impose disclosure obligations with respect to our sales of credit and other insurance products similar to those required by the Federal Truth in Lending Act, impose restrictions on the amount of premiums that we may charge and require licensing of certain of our employees and operating entities. We believe we are in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to our credit insurance business.
 
17

Employees
 
As of January 31, 2006, we had approximately 2,600 full-time employees and 200 part-time employees, of which approximately 1,200 were sales personnel. We provide a comprehensive benefits package including health, life, long term disability, and dental insurance coverage as well as a 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, sick pay and holiday pay. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and we believe our employee relations are good.
 
Tradenames and Trademarks
 
We have registered the trademarks "Conn's" and our logos.

Available Information

We are subject to reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and its rules and regulations. The Exchange Act requires us to file reports, proxy and other information statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Copies of these reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain these materials electronically by accessing the SEC’s home page on the internet at www.sec.gov.
 
In addition, we make available, free of charge on our internet website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file this material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. You may review these documents, under the heading “Conn’s Investor Relations,” by accessing our website at www.conns.com. Also, reports and other information concerning us are available for inspection and copying at NASDAQ Capital Markets.
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
 
An investment in our common stock involves risks and uncertainties. You should consider carefully the following information about these risks and uncertainties before buying shares of our common stock. The occurrence of any of the risks described below could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of the value of your investment.
 
Our success depends substantially on our ability to open and operate profitably new stores in existing, adjacent and new geographic markets.
 
We plan to continue our expansion by opening an additional six to eight new stores in fiscal 2007. We anticipate these new stores to include additional stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, South Texas, where we currently have two stores, and possibly others in areas where we have not operated previously. We have not yet selected sites for all of the stores that we plan to open within the next fiscal year. We may not be able to open all of these stores, and any new stores that we open may not be profitable or meet our goals. Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
 
There are a number of factors that could affect our ability to open and operate new stores consistent with our business plan, including:
 
·  
competition in existing, adjacent and new markets;
 
·  
competitive conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns in adjacent and new markets that are different from those in our existing markets;
 
·  
a lack of consumer demand for our products at levels that can support new store growth;
 
 
18

 
·  
limitations created by covenants and conditions under our credit facilities and our asset-backed securitization program;
 
·  
the availability of additional financial resources;
 
·  
the substantial outlay of financial resources required to open new stores and the possibility that we may recognize little or no related benefit;
 
·  
an inability or unwillingness of vendors to supply product on a timely basis at competitive prices;
 
·  
the failure to open enough stores in new markets to achieve a sufficient market presence;
 
·  
the inability to identify suitable sites and to negotiate acceptable leases for these sites;
 
·  
unfamiliarity with local real estate markets and demographics in adjacent and new markets;
 
·  
problems in adapting our distribution and other operational and management systems to an expanded network of stores;
 
·  
difficulties associated with the hiring, training and retention of additional skilled personnel, including store managers; and
 
·  
higher costs for print, radio and television advertising.
 
These factors may also affect the ability of any newly opened stores to achieve sales and profitability levels comparable with our existing stores or to become profitable at all.
 
If we are unable to manage our growing business, our revenues may not increase as anticipated, our cost of operations may rise and our profitability may decline.
 
We face many business risks associated with growing companies, including the risk that our management, financial controls and information systems will be inadequate to support our planned expansion. Our growth plans will require management to expend significant time and effort and additional resources to ensure the continuing adequacy of our financial controls, operating procedures, information systems, product purchasing, warehousing and distribution systems and employee training programs. We cannot predict whether we will be able to manage effectively these increased demands or respond on a timely basis to the changing demands that our planned expansion will impose on our management, financial controls and information systems. If we fail to manage successfully the challenges our growth poses, do not continue to improve these systems and controls or encounter unexpected difficulties during our expansion, our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
 
The inability to obtain funding for our credit operations through securitization facilities or other sources may adversely affect our business and expansion plans.
 
We finance most of our customer receivables through asset-backed securitization facilities. The trust arrangement governing these facilities currently provides for two separate series of asset-backed notes that allow us to finance up to $450 million in customer receivables. Under each note series, we transfer customer receivables to a qualifying special purpose entity we formed for this purpose in exchange for cash, subordinated securities and the right to receive cash flows equal to the interest rate spread between the transferred receivables and the notes issued to third parties ("interest only strip"). This qualifying special purpose entity, in turn, issues notes that are collateralized by these receivables and entitle the holders of the notes to participate in certain cash flows from these receivables. The Series A program is a $250 million variable funding note held by Three Pillars Funding Corporation, of which $185.0 million was drawn as of January 31, 2006. The Series B program consists of $200 million in private bond placements that will require scheduled principal payments beginning in October 2006.
 
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Our ability to raise additional capital through further securitization transactions, and to do so on economically favorable terms, depends in large part on factors that are beyond our control.
 
These factors include:
 
·  
conditions in the securities and finance markets generally;
 
·  
conditions in the markets for securitized instruments;
 
·  
the credit quality and performance of our customer receivables;
 
·  
our ability to obtain financial support for required credit enhancement;
 
·  
our ability to service adequately our financial instruments;
 
·  
the absence of any material downgrading or withdrawal of ratings given to our securities previously issued in securitizations; and
 
·  
prevailing interest rates.
 
Our ability to finance customer receivables under our current asset-backed securitization facilities depends on our compliance with covenants relating to our business and our customer receivables. If these programs reach their capacity or otherwise become unavailable, and we are unable to arrange substitute securitization facilities or other sources of financing, we may have to limit the amount of credit that we make available through our customer finance programs. This may adversely affect revenues and results of operations. Further, our inability to obtain funding through securitization facilities or other sources may adversely affect the profitability of outstanding accounts under our credit programs if existing customers fail to repay outstanding credit due to our refusal to grant additional credit. Since our cost of funds under our bank credit facility is expected to be greater in future years than our cost of funds under our current securitization facility, increased reliance on our bank credit facility may adversely affect our net income.
 
An increase in interest rates may adversely affect our profitability.
 
The interest rates on our bank credit facility and the Series A program under our asset-backed securitization facility fluctuate up or down based upon the LIBO/LIBOR rate, the prime rate of our administrative agent or the federal funds rate in the case of the bank credit facility and the commercial paper rate in the case of the Series A program. To the extent that such rates increase, the fair value of the interest only strip will decline and our interest expense could increase which may result in a decrease in our profitability.
 
We have significant future capital needs which we may be unable to fund, and we may need additional funding sooner than currently anticipated.
 
We will need substantial capital to finance our expansion plans, including funds for capital expenditures, pre-opening costs and initial operating losses related to new store openings. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms. If adequate funds are not available, we will have to curtail projected growth, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.
 
We estimate that capital expenditures during fiscal 2007 will be approximately $25 million to $30 million and that capital expenditures during future years may exceed this amount. We expect that cash provided by operating activities, available borrowings under our credit facility, and access to the unfunded portion of our asset-backed securitization program will be sufficient to fund our operations, store expansion and updating activities and capital expenditure programs through at least January 31, 2007. However, this may not be the case. We may be required to seek additional capital earlier than anticipated if future cash flows from operations fail to meet our expectations and costs or capital expenditures related to new store openings exceed anticipated amounts.
 
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A decrease in our credit sales could lead to a decrease in our product sales and profitability.
 
In the last three years, we financed, on average, approximately 57% of our retail sales through our internal credit programs. Our ability to provide credit as a financing alternative for our customers depends on many factors, including the quality of our accounts receivable portfolio. Payments on some of our credit accounts become delinquent from time to time, and some accounts end up in default, due to several factors, including general and local economic conditions. As we expand into new markets, we will obtain new credit accounts that may present a higher risk than our existing credit accounts since new credit customers do not have an established credit history with us. A general decline in the quality of our accounts receivable portfolio could lead to a reduction of available credit provided through our finance operations. As a result, we might sell fewer products, which could adversely affect our earnings. Further, because approximately 58% of our credit customers make their credit account payments in our stores, any decrease in credit sales could reduce traffic in our stores and lower our revenues. A decline in the credit quality of our credit accounts could also cause an increase in our credit losses, which could result in a decrease in our securitization income or increase the provision for bad debts on our statement of operations and result in an adverse effect on our earnings. A decline in credit quality could also lead to stricter underwriting criteria which might have a negative impact on sales.
 
A downturn in the economy may affect consumer purchases of discretionary items, which could reduce our net sales.
 
A large portion of our sales represent discretionary spending by our customers. Many factors affect discretionary spending, including world events, war, conditions in financial markets, general business conditions, interest rates, inflation, energy and gasoline prices, consumer debt levels, the availability of consumer credit, taxation, unemployment trends and other matters that influence consumer confidence and spending. Our customers’ purchases of discretionary items, including our products, could decline during periods when disposable income is lower or periods of actual or perceived unfavorable economic conditions. If this occurs, our net sales and profitability could decline.
 
We face significant competition from national, regional and local retailers of major home appliances and consumer electronics.
 
The retail market for major home appliances and consumer electronics is highly fragmented and intensely competitive. We currently compete against a diverse group of retailers, including national mass merchants such as Sears, Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Club and Costco, specialized national retailers such as Circuit City and Best Buy, home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, and locally-owned regional or independent retail specialty stores that sell major home appliances and consumer electronics similar, and often identical, to those we sell. We also compete with retailers that market products through store catalogs and the Internet. In addition, there are few barriers to entry into our current and contemplated markets, and new competitors may enter our current or future markets at any time.
 
We may not be able to compete successfully against existing and future competitors. Some of our competitors have financial resources that are substantially greater than ours and may be able to purchase inventory at lower costs and better sustain economic downturns. Our competitors may respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and may have greater resources to devote to promotion and sale of products and services. If two or more competitors consolidate their businesses or enter into strategic partnerships, they may be able to compete more effectively against us.
 
Our existing competitors or new entrants into our industry may use a number of different strategies to compete against us, including:
 
·  
expansion by our existing competitors or entry by new competitors into markets where we currently operate;
 
·  
lower pricing;
 
·  
aggressive advertising and marketing;
 
·  
extension of credit to customers on terms more favorable than we offer;
 
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 ·   larger store size, which may result in greater operational efficiencies, or innovative store formats; and 
   
·  
adoption of improved retail sales methods.
 
Competition from any of these sources could cause us to lose market share, revenues and customers, increase expenditures or reduce prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
If new products are not introduced or consumers do not accept new products, our sales may decline.
 
Our ability to maintain and increase revenues depends to a large extent on the periodic introduction and availability of new products and technologies. We believe that the introduction and continued growth in consumer acceptance of new products, such as digital video recorders and digital, high-definition televisions, will have a significant impact on our ability to increase revenues. These products are subject to significant technological changes and pricing limitations and are subject to the actions and cooperation of third parties, such as movie distributors and television and radio broadcasters, all of which could affect the success of these and other new consumer electronics technologies. It is possible that new products will never achieve widespread consumer acceptance.
 
If we fail to anticipate changes in consumer preferences, our sales may decline.
 
Our products must appeal to a broad range of consumers whose preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and are subject to change. Our success depends upon our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to trends in consumer preferences relating to major household appliances and consumer electronics. If we fail to identify and respond to these changes, our sales of these products may decline. In addition, we often make commitments to purchase products from our vendors up to six months in advance of proposed delivery dates. Significant deviation from the projected demand for products that we sell may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, either from lost sales or lower margins due to the need to reduce prices to dispose of excess inventory.
 
A disruption in our relationships with, or in the operations of, any of our key suppliers could cause our sales to decline.
 
The success of our business and growth strategies depends to a significant degree on our relationships with our suppliers, particularly our brand name suppliers such as General Electric, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag, LG, Mitsubishi, Sony, Hitachi, Samsung, Toshiba, Serta, Hewlett Packard and Compaq. We do not have long term supply agreements or exclusive arrangements with the majority of our vendors. We typically order our inventory through the issuance of individual purchase orders to vendors. We also rely on our suppliers for cooperative advertising support. We may be subject to rationing by suppliers with respect to a number of limited distribution items. In addition, we rely heavily on a relatively small number of suppliers. Our top six suppliers represented 60.6% of our purchases for fiscal 2006, and the top two suppliers represented approximately 29.2% of our total purchases. The loss of any one or more of these key vendors or our failure to establish and maintain relationships with these and other vendors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our ability to enter new markets successfully depends, to a significant extent, on the willingness and ability of our vendors to supply merchandise to additional warehouses or stores. If vendors are unwilling or unable to supply some or all of their products to us at acceptable prices in one or more markets, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
 
Furthermore, we rely on credit from vendors to purchase our products. As of January 31, 2006, we had $40.9 million in accounts payable and $74.0 million in merchandise inventories. A substantial change in credit terms from vendors or vendors' willingness to extend credit to us would reduce our ability to obtain the merchandise that we sell, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and results of operations.
 
22

You should not rely on our comparable store sales as an indication of our future results of operations because they fluctuate significantly.
 
Our historical same store sales growth figures have fluctuated significantly from quarter to quarter. For example, same store sales growth for each of the quarters of fiscal 2006 were 7.3%, 12.1%, 23.3%, and 22.6%, respectively. Even though we achieved double-digit same store sales growth during fiscal 2006, we may not be able to increase same store sales at this pace in the future. A number of factors have historically affected, and will continue to affect, our comparable store sales results, including:
 
·  
changes in competition;
 
·  
general economic conditions;
 
·  
new product introductions;
 
·  
consumer trends;
 
·  
changes in our merchandise mix;
 
·  
changes in the relative sales price points of our major product categories;
 
·  
the impact of our new stores on our existing stores, including potential decreases in existing stores’ sales as a result of opening new stores;
 
·  
weather conditions in our markets;
 
·  
timing of promotional events;
 
·  
timing and location of major sporting events; and
 
·  
our ability to execute our business strategy effectively.
 
Changes in our quarterly and annual comparable store sales results could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly.
 
Because we experience seasonal fluctuations in our sales, our quarterly results will fluctuate, which could adversely affect our common stock price.
 
We experience seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and operating results. In fiscal 2006, we generated 29.8% of our net sales and 31.1% of our net income in the fiscal quarter ended January 31 (which included the holiday selling season). We also incur significant additional expenses during this fiscal quarter due to higher purchase volumes and increased staffing. If we miscalculate the demand for our products generally or for our product mix during the fiscal quarter ending January 31, our net sales could decline, resulting in excess inventory, which could harm our financial performance. A shortfall in expected net sales, combined with our significant additional expenses during this fiscal quarter, could cause a significant decline in our operating results. This could adversely affect our common stock price.
 
Our business could be adversely affected by changes in consumer protection laws and regulations.
 
Federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, limit the manner in which we may offer and extend credit. Since we finance a substantial portion of our sales, any adverse change in the regulation of consumer credit could adversely affect our total revenues and gross margins. For example, new laws or regulations could limit the amount of interest or fees that may be charged on consumer loan accounts or restrict our ability to collect on account balances, which would have a material adverse effect on our earnings. Compliance with existing and future laws or regulations could require us to make material expenditures, in particular personnel training costs, or otherwise adversely affect our business or financial results. Failure to comply with these laws or regulations, even if inadvertent, could result in negative publicity, fines or additional licensing expenses, any of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and stock price.
 
23

Pending litigation relating to the sale of credit insurance and the sale of service maintenance agreements in the retail industry, including one lawsuit in which we were the defendant, could adversely affect our business.
 
We understand that states’ attorneys general and private plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against other retailers relating to improper practices conducted in connection with the sale of credit insurance in several jurisdictions around the country. We offer credit insurance in all of our stores and require the purchase of property credit insurance products from us or from third party providers in connection with sales of merchandise on installment credit; therefore, similar litigation could be brought against us. We were previously named as a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit alleging breach of contract and violations of state and federal consumer protection laws arising from the terms of our service maintenance agreements. A final judgment was entered dismissing that lawsuit. While we believe we are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, if we are found liable in any future lawsuit regarding credit insurance or service maintenance agreements, we could be required to pay substantial damages or incur substantial costs as part of an out-of-court settlement, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and stock price. An adverse judgment or any negative publicity associated with our service maintenance agreements or any potential credit insurance litigation could also affect our reputation, which could have a negative impact on sales.
 
If we lose key management or are unable to attract and retain the highly qualified sales personnel required for our business, our operating results could suffer.
 
Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills, experience and continued service of Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, William C. Nylin, Jr., our President and Chief Operating Officer, David L. Rogers, our Chief Financial Officer, David R. Atnip, our Senior Vice President and Treasurer, Sydney K. Boone, our Secretary and General Counsel, and other key personnel. If we lose the services of any of these individuals, or if one or more of them or other key personnel decide to join a competitor or otherwise compete directly or indirectly with us, our business and operations could be harmed, and we could have difficulty in implementing our strategy In addition, as our business grows, we will need to locate, hire and retain additional qualified sales personnel in a timely manner and develop, train and manage an increasing number of management level sales associates and other employees. Competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages to attract a sufficient number of employees, and increases in the federal minimum wage or other employee benefits costs could increase our operating expenses. If we are unable to attract and retain personnel as needed in the future, our net sales growth and operating results could suffer.
 
Because our stores are located in Texas and Louisiana, we are subject to regional risks.
 
Our 56 stores are located exclusively in Texas and Louisiana. This subjects us to regional risks, such as the economy, weather conditions, hurricanes and other natural disasters. If the region suffered an economic downturn or other adverse regional event, there could be an adverse impact on our net sales and profitability and our ability to implement our planned expansion program. Several of our competitors operate stores across the United States and thus are not as vulnerable to the risks of operating in one region.
 
Our information technology infrastructure is vulnerable to damage that could harm our business.
 
Our ability to operate our business from day to day, in particular our ability to manage our credit operations and inventory levels, largely depends on the efficient operation of our computer hardware and software systems. We use management information systems to track inventory information at the store level, communicate customer information, aggregate daily sales information and manage our credit portfolio. These systems and our operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from:
 
·  
power loss, computer systems failures and Internet, telecommunications or data network failures;
 
·  
operator negligence or improper operation by, or supervision of, employees;
 
 
24

 
·  
physical and electronic loss of data or security breaches, misappropriation and similar events;
 
·  
computer viruses;
 
·  
intentional acts of vandalism and similar events; and
 
·  
hurricanes, fires, floods and other natural disasters.
 
The software that we have developed to use in granting credit may contain undetected errors that could cause our network to fail or our expenses to increase. Any failure due to any of these causes, if it is not supported by our disaster recovery plan, could cause an interruption in our operations and result in reduced net sales and profitability.
 
If we are unable to maintain our current insurance coverage for our service maintenance agreements, our customers could incur additional costs and our repair expenses could increase, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
There are a limited number of insurance carriers that provide coverage for our service maintenance agreements. If insurance becomes unavailable from our current carriers for any reason, we may be unable to provide replacement coverage on the same terms, if at all. Even if we are able to obtain replacement coverage, higher premiums could have an adverse impact on our profitability if we are unable to pass along the increased cost of such coverage to our customers. Inability to obtain insurance coverage for our service maintenance agreements could cause fluctuations in our repair expenses and greater volatility of earnings.
 
If we are unable to maintain group credit insurance policies from insurance carriers, which allow us to offer their credit insurance products to our customers purchasing on credit, our revenues could be reduced and bad debts might increase.
 
There are a limited number of insurance carriers that provide credit insurance coverage for sale to our customers. If credit insurance becomes unavailable for any reason we may be unable to offer replacement coverage on the same terms, if at all. Even if we are able to obtain replacement coverage, it may be at higher rates or reduced coverage, which could affect the customer acceptance of these products, reduce our revenues or increase our credit losses.
 
Changes in trade regulations, currency fluctuations and other factors beyond our control could affect our business.
 
A significant portion of our inventory is manufactured overseas and in Mexico. Changes in trade regulations, currency fluctuations or other factors beyond our control may increase the cost of items we purchase or create shortages of these items, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Conversely, significant reductions in the cost of these items in U.S. dollars may cause a significant reduction in the retail prices of those products, resulting in a material adverse effect on our sales, margins or competitive position. In addition, commissions earned on both our credit insurance and service maintenance agreement products could be adversely affected by changes in statutory premium rates, commission rates, adverse claims experience and other factors.
 
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights, which could impair our name and reputation.
 
We believe that our success and ability to compete depends in part on consumer identification of the name "Conn’s." We have registered the trademarks "Conn’s" and our logo. We intend to protect vigorously our trademark against infringement or misappropriation by others. A third party, however, could attempt to misappropriate our intellectual property in the future. The enforcement of our proprietary rights through litigation could result in substantial costs to us that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
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Any changes in the tax laws of the states of Texas and Louisiana could affect our state tax liabilities.
 
From time to time, legislation has been introduced in the Texas legislature that would, among other things, remove the current exemption from franchise tax liability that limited partnerships enjoy. Currently, the Texas Legislature is not in session and its next regular session is scheduled to begin in January 2007; however, the Texas Governor has announced he will call a special session of the Texas Legislature beginning April 17, 2006 to address school finance reform mandated by the Texas Supreme Court. Legislation could be introduced that, among other things, could change the way that limited partnerships are taxed in the state of Texas; however, the outcome of any particular proposal cannot be predicted with any certainty.
 
A further rise in oil and gasoline prices could affect our customers’ determination to drive to our stores, and cause us to raise our delivery charges.
 
A further significant increase in oil and gasoline prices could adversely affect our customers’ shopping decisions and patterns. We rely heavily on our internal distribution system and our same or next day delivery policy to satisfy our customers’ needs and desires, and any such significant increases could result in increased distribution charges. Such increases may not significantly affect our competitors.
 
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
 
None.
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
 
The following summarizes the geographic location of our stores, warehouse and distribution centers and corporate facilities by major market area:

Geographic Location
 
No. of Locations
 
 Leased Facilities
 
 Total Square Feet
 
Warehouse Square Feet
 
Leases With Options Expiring Beyond 10 Years
 
                         
Golden Triangle District (1)
   
5
   
5
   
153,568
   
32,169
   
5
 
Louisiana District
   
5
   
5
   
129,890
   
27,200
   
5
 
Houston District
   
18
   
14
   
394,240
   
90,070
   
13
 
San Antonio/Austin District
   
13
   
13
   
379,330
   
83,982
   
12
 
Corpus Christi
   
1
   
1
   
51,670
   
14,300
   
1
 
South Texas
   
2
   
2
   
55,660
   
8,435
   
2
 
Dallas District
   
12
   
10
   
351,243
   
79,245
   
10
 
Store Totals
   
56
   
50
   
1,515,601
   
335,401
   
48
 
Warehouse/Distribution Centers
   
6
   
3
   
703,453
   
703,453
   
1
 
Service Centers
   
5
   
3
   
191,932
   
133,636
   
1
 
Corporate Offices
   
1
   
1
   
106,783
   
25,000
   
1
 
Total
   
68
   
57
   
2,517,769
   
1,197,490
   
51
 
___________
 
(1) Includes one store in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
We are involved in routine litigation incidental to our business from time to time. We do not expect the outcome of any of this routine litigation to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operation. However, the results of their proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and changes in facts and circumstances could impact our estimate of reserves for litigation.
 
26

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
 
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.
 
PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
 
What is the principal market for our common stock?
 
The principal market for our common stock is the NASDAQ National Market. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "CONN." Information regarding the high and low sales prices for our common stock for each quarterly period since our initial public offering as reported on NASDAQ is summarized as follows:
 

   
High
 
Low
 
Quarter ended April 30, 2004
 
$
18.08
 
$
14.50
 
Quarter ended July 31, 2004
 
$
19.18
 
$
15.35
 
Quarter ended October 31, 2004
 
$
16.82
 
$
13.79
 
Quarter ending January 31, 2005
 
$
18.33
 
$
14.37
 
Quarter ended April 30, 2005
 
$
19.70
 
$
15.29
 
Quarter ended July 31, 2005
 
$
27.51
 
$
16.69
 
Quarter ended October 31, 2005
 
$
29.80
 
$
23.20
 
Quarter ended January 31, 2006
 
$
44.93
 
$
28.68
 

How many common stockholders do we have?
 
As of March 27, 2006, we had approximately 57 common stockholders of record and an estimated 6,400 beneficial owners of our common stock.
 
Did we declare any cash dividends in fiscal 2005 or fiscal 2006?
 
No cash dividends were paid in fiscal 2005 or 2006. We do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors, including the terms of our indebtedness. Provisions in agreements governing our long-term indebtedness restrict the amount of dividends that we may pay to our stockholders. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
 
Has the Company had any sales of unregistered securities during the last year?
 
The Company has had no sales of unregistered securities during fiscal 2006.
 
 
27

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. (Restated)
 
               
Twelve
                         
   
Year
   
Six Months
   
Months
                         
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
                         
   
July 31,
   
January 31,
   
January 31,
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2001
   
2002
   
2002
   
2003
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
                         
Statement of Operations (1):
 
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                           
Total revenues
 
$
327,088
   
$
206,187
   
$
378,337
   
$
445,267
   
$
498,378
   
$
565,821
   
$
701,148
 
Operating expense:
                                                       
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost
   
201,963
     
127,543
     
233,226
     
276,956
     
317,712
     
359,710
     
453,374
 
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
92,194
     
58,630
     
106,949
     
125,712
     
135,282
     
153,652
     
182,797
 
Provision for bad debts
   
390
     
(290
)
   
530
     
1,779
     
2,504
     
2,589
     
1,133
 
Total operating expense
   
294,547
     
185,883
     
340,705
     
404,447
     
455,498
     
515,951
     
637,304
 
Operating income
   
32,541
     
20,304
     
37,632
     
40,820
     
42,880
     
49,870
     
63,844
 
Interest expense, net and minority interest
   
3,754
     
2,940
     
4,855
     
7,237
     
4,577
     
2,477
     
400
 
Earnings before income taxes
   
28,787
     
17,364
     
32,777
     
33,583
     
38,303
     
47,393
     
63,444
 
Provision for income taxes
   
10,299
     
6,256
     
11,734
     
11,919
     
13,260
     
16,706
     
22,341
 
Net income from continuing operations
   
18,488
     
11,108
     
21,043
     
21,664
     
25,043
     
30,687
     
41,103
 
Discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(546
)
   
-
     
(389
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net income
   
17,942
     
11,108
     
20,654
     
21,664
     
25,043
     
30,687
     
41,103
 
Less preferred stock dividends (2)
   
(2,173
)
   
(1,025
)
   
(1,939
)
   
(2,133
)
   
(1,954
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net income available for common stockholders
 
$
15,769
   
$
10,083
   
$
18,715
   
$
19,531
   
$
23,089
   
$
30,687
   
$
41,103
 
Earnings per common share:
                                                       
Basic
 
$
0.92
   
$
0.59
   
$
1.10
   
$
1.17
   
$
1.30
   
$
1.32
   
$
1.76
 
Diluted
 
$
0.92
   
$
0.58
   
$
1.08
   
$
1.17
   
$
1.26
   
$
1.30
   
$
1.71
 
Average common shares outstanding:
                                                       
Basic
   
17,169
     
17,025
     
17,060
     
16,724
     
17,726
     
23,192
     
23,412
 
Diluted
   
17,194
     
17,327
     
17,383
     
16,724
     
18,257
     
23,646
     
24,088
 
                                                         
Other Financial Data:
                                                       
Stores open at end of period
   
32
     
36
     
36
     
42
     
45
     
50
     
56
 
Same store sales growth (3)
   
10.3
%
   
16.7
%
   
15.6
%
   
1.3
%
   
2.6
%
   
3.6
%
   
16.9
%
Inventory turns (4)
   
5.9
     
7.5
     
6.8
     
6.6
     
6.5
     
6.0
     
6.6
 
Gross margin percentage (5)
   
38.3
%
   
38.1
%
   
38.4
%
   
37.8
%
   
36.3
%
   
36.4
%
   
35.3
%
Operating margin (6)
   
9.9
%
   
9.8
%
   
9.9
%
   
9.2
%
   
8.6
%
   
8.8
%
   
9.1
%
Return on average equity (7)
   
38.3
%
   
32.9
%
   
31.2
%
   
28.1
%
   
19.4
%
   
16.1
%
   
17.7
%
Capital expenditures
 
$
14,833
   
$
10,551
   
$
15,547
   
$
15,070
   
$
9,401
   
$
19,619
   
$
18,490
 
                                                         
Balance Sheet Data:
                                                       
Working capital
 
$
44,064
   
$
50,224
   
$
50,224
   
$
74,139
   
$
121,154
   
$
156,006
   
$
190,073
 
Total assets
   
137,737
     
150,757
     
150,757
     
185,663
     
240,081
     
276,716
     
353,158
 
Total debt
   
31,445
     
38,750
     
38,750
     
51,992
     
14,512
     
10,532
     
136
 
Preferred stock
   
15,400
     
15,226
     
15,226
     
15,226
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total stockholders’ equity
   
58,191
     
67,538
     
67,538
     
86,824
     
171,911
     
208,734
     
255,861
 
 


(1)  
Information excludes the operations of the rent-to-own division that was sold in February, 2001.
(2)  
Dividends were not actually declared or paid until 2004, but are presented for purposes of earnings per share calculations.
(3)  
Same store sales growth is calculated by comparing the reported sales by store for all stores that were open throughout a period to reported sales by store for all stores that were open throughout the prior period. Sales from closed stores have been removed from each period. Sales from relocated stores have been included in each period because each such store was relocated within the same general geographic market. Sales from expanded stores have been included in each period.
(4)  
Inventory turns are defined as the cost of goods sold, excluding warehousing and occupancy cost, divided by the average of the beginning and ending product inventory, excluding consigned goods; information for the six months ended January 31, 2002 has been annualized for comparison purposes.
(5)  
Gross margin percentage is defined as total revenues less cost of goods and parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost, divided by total revenues.
(6)  
Operating margin is defined as operating income divided by total revenues.
(7)  
Return on average equity is calculated as current period net income from continuing operations divided by the average of the beginning and ending equity; information for the six months ended January 31, 2002 has been annualized for comparison purposes.

 
28

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. (Restated)
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report contains forward-looking statements. We sometimes use words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "project" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, our management and our industry, to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, prospects, future performance, anticipated trends and other future events. We have based our forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. Actual results may differ materially. Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
 
·  the success of our growth strategy and plans regarding opening new stores and entering adjacent and new markets, including our plans to continue expanding into the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and South Texas;
 
· our intention to update or expand existing stores;
 
· our ability to obtain capital for required capital expenditures and costs related to the opening of new stores or to update or expand existing stores;
 
· our cash flows from operations, borrowings from our revolving line of credit and proceeds from securitizations to fund our operations, debt repayment and expansion;
 
· rising interest rates may increase our cost of borrowings or reduce securitization income;
 
· technological and market developments, growth trends and projected sales in the home appliance and consumer electronics industry, including with respect to digital products like DVD players, HDTV, digital radio, home networking devices and other new products, and our ability to capitalize on such growth;
 
· the potential for price erosion or lower unit sales points that could result in declines in revenues;
 
· increasing oil and gas prices that could adversely affect our customers’ shopping decisions and patterns;
 
· both short-term and long-term impact of adverse weather conditions (e.g. hurricanes) that could result in volatility in our revenues and increased expenses and casualty losses;
 
· changes in laws and regulations and/or interest, premium and commission rates allowed by regulators on our credit, credit insurance and service maintenance agreements as allowed by those laws and regulations;
 
· our relationships with key suppliers;
 
· the adequacy of our distribution and information systems and management experience to support our expansion plans;
 
· the accuracy of our expectations regarding competition and our competitive advantages;
 
· the potential for market share erosion that could result in reduced revenues;
 
· the accuracy of our expectations regarding the similarity or dissimilarity of our existing markets as compared to new markets we enter; and
 
· the outcome of litigation affecting our business.
 
29

Additional important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are discussed under “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report might not happen.

The forward-looking statements in this report reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

General
 
We intend the following discussion and analysis to provide you with a better understanding of our financial condition and performance in the indicated periods, including an analysis of those key factors that contributed to our financial condition and performance and that are, or are expected to be, the key “drivers” of our business.

On September 8, 2006, we concluded that our consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 as well as the selected financial data for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and July 31, 2001, the six months ended January 31, 2002 and the twelve months ended January 31, 2002, should be restated to correct for errors in recording interests in securitized assets, securitization income and related income tax impacts that were incorrectly accounted for under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, specifically covered by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets. The following discussion has been updated, as appropriate, to reflect the changes to our financial statements. See Note 13 to the financial statements for discussion of the impacts on the financial statements.
 
Additionally, on February 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123R, Stock-Based Compensation. We elected to use the modified retrospective application transition, which results in the retrospective adjustment of all prior period financial statements using the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation. As applicable, all amounts disclosed in the financial statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations have been adjusted accordingly. See Note 1 to the financial statements for discussion of the impacts on the financial statements.

Through our 56 retail stores, we provide products and services to our customers in six primary market areas, including Houston, San Antonio/Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, southern Louisiana, Southeast Texas, and South Texas. Products and services offered through retail sales outlets include major home appliances, consumer electronics, home office equipment, lawn and garden products, mattresses, furniture, service maintenance agreements, customer credit programs, including installment and revolving credit account services, and various credit insurance products. These activities are supported through our extensive service, warehouse and distribution system. Our stores bear the “Conn’s” name, after our founder’s family, and deliver the same products and services to our customers. All of our stores follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations. The Company’s management evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating results of the retail stores and considers the credit programs, service contracts and distribution system to be an integral part of the Company’s retail operations.

Presented below is a diagram setting forth our five cornerstones which represent, in our view, the five components of our sales goal - strong merchandising systems, state of the art credit options for our customers, an extensive warehousing and distribution system, a service system to support our customers needs beyond the product warranty periods, and our uniquely, well-trained employees in each area. Each of these systems combine to create a “nuts and bolts” support system for our customers needs and desires. Each of these systems is discussed at length in the Business section of this report.
 
 
30

 
 

We, of course, derive a large part of our revenue from our product sales. However, unlike many of our competitors, we provide in-house credit options for our customers’ product purchases. In the last three years, we have financed, on average, approximately 57% of our retail sales through these programs. In turn, we finance (convert to cash) substantially all of our customer receivables from these credit options through an asset-backed securitization facility. See “Business - Finance Operations” for a detailed discussion of our in-house credit programs. As part of our asset-backed securitization facility, we have created a qualifying special purpose entity, which we refer to as the QSPE or the issuer, to purchase customer receivables from us and to issue asset-backed and variable funding notes to third parties to fund such purchases. We transfer our receivables, consisting of retail installment contracts and revolving accounts extended to our customers, to the issuer in exchange for cash and subordinated securities.
 
While our warehouse and distribution system does not directly generate revenues, other than the fees paid by our customers for delivery and installation of the products to their homes, it is our extra, “value-added” program that our existing customers have come to rely on, and our new customers are hopefully sufficiently impressed with to become repeat customers. We derive revenues from our repair services on the products we sell. Additionally, acting as an agent for unaffiliated companies, we sell credit insurance to protect our customers from credit losses due to death, disability, involuntary unemployment and damage to the products they have purchased; to the extent they do not already have it.

Executive Overview
 
This overview is intended to provide an executive level overview of our operations for our fiscal year ended January 31, 2006. A detailed explanation of the changes in our operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 as compared to the prior year is included beginning under Results of Operations. Following are significant financial items in managements view:

·  
Our revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 increased by 23.9 percent, or $135.3 million, from fiscal year 2005 to $701.1 million due to sales growth, primarily from existing stores, and increased securitization income. Our same store sales product growth rate for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 was 16.9%, versus 3.6% for fiscal 2005. The improvement in same store sales growth was due primarily to improved execution at the store level and effective sales promotions. (Also see “Operational Changes and Outlook.”)

·  
During the last half of fiscal year 2006, two hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, hit the Gulf Coast. These storms significantly impacted our operations by:

§  
temporary closing of our Louisiana, South East Texas, Corpus Christi and Houston stores and related distribution operations for limited periods of time,
   
 
31

 
§  
positively impacting Net sales as customers in the affected areas replaced appliances and other household products damaged as a result of the storms,
§  
disrupting credit collection efforts while we were displaced from our corporate headquarters as a result of Hurricane Rita, causing a short-term increase in the credit portfolio’s delinquency statistics and resulting in a reduction of Finance charges and other and an increase in Bad debt expense, and
§  
causing us to incur expenses related to the relocation of our corporate office functions and losses related to damaged merchandise and facilities, net of insurance proceeds.

·  
Same store sales benefited from the effects of the hurricanes. Appliance sales accounted for the majority of the increase in total same stores sales during the period due in part to our customers’ need to replace items damaged by the storms. We believe same store sales, adjusted for our estimate of the impact of the hurricanes, grew approximately 12% for the year ended January 31, 2006.

·  
Our entry into the Dallas/Fort Worth and the South Texas markets had a positive impact on our revenues. Approximately $75.9 million of our product sales for the year ended January 31, 2006, came from the opening of twelve new stores in these markets, since February 2004. Our plans provide for the opening of additional stores in existing markets during the balance of fiscal 2007 as we focus on opportunities in markets in which we have existing infrastructure.

·  
While deferred interest and ”same as cash” plans continue to be an important part of our sales promotion plans, our improved execution and effective use of a variety of sales promotions, enabled us to reduce the level of deferred interest and ”same as cash” plans that extend beyond one year, relative to gross product sales volume. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006, $29.0 million and $33.9 million, respectively, in gross product sales were financed by extended deferred interest and “same as cash” plans. These extended term promotional programs were not offered broadly until April, 2004. We expect to continue to offer this type of extended term promotional credit in the future.

·  
During the year ended January 31, 2006, pretax income was reduced by $1.0 million to reflect our estimate of expected losses due to increased delinquencies from Hurricane Rita and a temporary increase in bankruptcy filings. The increase in bankruptcy filings is as a result of the new bankruptcy law that took effect October 17, 2005, prompting consumers to file for bankruptcy protection before the new law went into effect. The $1.0 million charge to earnings reduced Finance charges and other by $895,000 and increased Bad debt expense by $105,000.

·  
Our gross product margin was 35.3% for fiscal year 2006, a decrease from 36.4% in fiscal 2005, primarily as a result of a change in our revenue mix as Product sales grew faster than Service revenues and Finance charges and other. Also, reduced insurance sales penetration negatively impacted our gross margin.

·  
Our operating margin increased to 9.1% from 8.8% in fiscal 2005. In fiscal year 2006, we decreased SG&A expense as a percent of revenues to 26.0% from 27.1% when compared to the prior year, primarily from decreases in payroll and payroll related expenses and net advertising expense as a percent of revenues. Partially offsetting these reductions were increased general liability insurance expense and expenses incurred due to Hurricane Rita of approximately $907,000, net of estimated insurance proceeds. Additionally, our operating margin benefited from a decrease in the Provision for bad debts as a percent of revenues from 0.5% to 0.2%.

·  
Operating cash flows were $64.2 million for fiscal 2006. Our operating cash flows increased as a result of increased net income, improved funding under our asset-backed securitization and vendor and federal employment and income tax payment deferrals granted because of the hurricanes. Most of the payments deferred will be paid during the three month period ended April 30, 2006.

·  
Our pretax income for fiscal 2006 increased by 33.9% or approximately $16.0 million, from fiscal 2005 to $63.4 million. The increase was driven largely by the increase in sales with additional benefit from improved expense leverage, as Selling, general and administrative expenses did not grow as fast as revenues.

32

 Operational Changes and Outlook
 
We have implemented, continued increased focus on or modified several initiatives in fiscal 2006 that we believe will positively impact our future operating results, including:
 
 
 
A reorganization of our retail management team, including strengthening the district management team in the Dallas/Fort Worth market;
       
 
 
Successfully increasing the sales force by adding approximately 13% more sales associates per store, resulting in incremental sales volume;
 
 
 
Implementation of call centers in the stores, emphasizing regular, consistent contact with our customers;

 
 
Increased emphasis on the sales of furniture, and additional product lines added to this category; and
 
 
 
Promoting flat panel technology in our stores as the price point becomes more affordable for our customers.

Our sales during the last five months of fiscal 2006 benefited from the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This impact could affect future same store sales due to:

 
 
The acceleration of the sale of essential appliances in the affected markets disrupting the normal replacement cycle for these items; and
 
 
The same store sales reported for the impacted markets being elevated to a level that might not be duplicated.

While our credit portfolio delinquency statistics were still negatively impacted by the effects of the hurricanes at January 31, 2006, we anticipate the portfolio performance returning to historical levels as we continue to work with the customers impacted by these events.

During the year, we opened four new stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth market, one in Harlingen, Texas and one in San Antonio, Texas. We continue to be satisfied with the results in the Dallas/Fort Worth market and will continue to expand the number of stores in that market. We added additional distribution capability during the year by opening our 140,000 square foot distribution center in Dallas, and increased our service center capabilities in Dallas by converting our previous distribution center to a full-time service center. Our new Harlingen store now joins a store in McAllen, Texas, opened in early September 2004, forming our South Texas market, We believe that this market is substantially underserved and provides great growth potential for our company. We have several other locations in Texas and Louisiana that we believe are promising and, along with new stores in existing markets, are in various stages of development for opening in fiscal year 2007. We also continue to look at other markets, including neighboring states for opportunities.

The consumer electronics industry depends on new products to drive same store sales increases. Typically, these new products, such as digital televisions, DVD players, digital cameras and MP3 players are introduced at relatively high price points that are then gradually reduced as the product becomes more mainstream. To sustain positive same store sales growth, unit sales must increase at a rate greater than the decline in product prices. The affordability of the product helps drive the unit sales growth. However, as a result of relatively short product life cycles in the consumer electronics industry, which limit the amount of time available for sales volume to increase, combined with rapid price erosion in the industry, retailers are challenged to maintain overall gross margin levels and positive same store sales. This has historically been our experience, and we continue to adjust our marketing strategies to address this challenge through the introduction of new product categories and new products within our existing categories.
 
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
In applying the accounting policies that we use to prepare our consolidated financial statements, we necessarily make accounting estimates that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Some of these accounting estimates require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time we make the accounting estimates. We base these assumptions and the resulting estimates on authoritative pronouncements, historical information and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, and we evaluate these assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. We could reasonably use different accounting estimates, and changes in our accounting estimates could occur from period to period, with the result in each case being a material change in the financial statement presentation of our financial condition or results of operations. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as “critical accounting estimates.” We believe that the critical accounting estimates discussed below are among those most important to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2006.
 
33

Transfers of Financial Assets.    We transfer customer receivables to the QSPE that issues asset-backed securities to third party lenders using these accounts as collateral, and we continue to service these accounts after the transfer. We recognize the sale of these accounts when we relinquish control of the transferred financial asset in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities. As we transfer the accounts, we record an asset representing the “interest only strip”, which is cash flows resulting entirely from the interest on the security. The gain or loss recognized on these transactions is based on our best estimates of key assumptions, including forecasted credit losses, payment rates, forward yield curves, costs of servicing the accounts and appropriate discount rates. The use of different estimates or assumptions could produce different financial results. For example, if we had assumed a 10.0% reduction in net interest spread (which might be caused by rising interest rates), our interest in securitized assets would have been reduced by $5.5 million as of January 31, 2006, which may have an adverse effect on earnings. We recognize income from our interest in these transferred accounts based on the difference between the interest earned on customer accounts and the costs associated with financing and servicing the transferred accounts, less a provision for bad debts associated with the transferred assets. This income is recorded as “Finance charges and other” in our consolidated statement of operations. If we had assumed a 10% increase in the assumption used for developing the reserve for doubtful accounts on the books of the QSPE, the impact to recorded “Finance charges and other” would have been a reduction in revenues and pretax income of $1.3 million.
 
Deferred Tax Assets.    We have net deferred tax assets of approximately $218,000 as of January 31, 2006, which are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Realization of our net deferred tax assets may be dependent upon whether we achieve projected future taxable income. Our estimates regarding future profitability may change due to future market conditions, our ability to continue to execute at historical levels and our ability to continue our growth plans. These changes, if any, may require material adjustments to these deferred tax asset balances. For example, if we had assumed that the future tax rate at which these deferred items would reverse was 34.1% rather than 35.1%, we would have reduced the net deferred tax asset and net income by approximately $6,000.
 
Intangible Assets.    We have significant intangible assets related primarily to goodwill. The determination of related estimated useful lives and whether or not these assets are impaired involves significant judgments. Effective with the implementation of SFAS 142, we ceased amortizing goodwill and began testing potential impairment of this asset annually based on judgments regarding ongoing profitability and cash flow of the underlying assets. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to recorded asset balances. For example, if we had reason to believe that our recorded goodwill had become impaired due to decreases in the fair market value of the underlying business, we would have to take a charge to income for that portion of goodwill that we believe is impaired. Our goodwill balance at January 31, 2005 and 2006 was $9.6 million

Property, Plant and Equipment. Our accounting policies regarding land, buildings, and equipment include judgments regarding the estimated useful lives of such assets, the estimated residual values to which the assets are depreciated, and the determination as to what constitutes increasing the life of existing assets. These judgments and estimates may produce materially different amounts of depreciation and amortization expense than would be reported if different assumptions were used. These judgments may also impact the need to recognize an impairment charge on the carrying amount of these assets if the anticipated cash flows associated with the assets are not realized. In addition, the actual life of the asset and residual value may be different from the estimates used to prepare financial statements in prior periods.
 
Revenue Recognition.    Revenues from the sale of retail products are recognized at the time the product is delivered to the customer. Such revenues are recognized net of any adjustments for sales incentive offers such as discounts, coupons, rebates, or other free products or services. We sell service maintenance agreements and credit insurance contracts on behalf of unrelated third parties. For contracts where the third parties are the obligor on the contract, commissions are recognized in revenues at the time of sale, and in the case of retrospective commissions, based on claims experience, at the time that they are earned. When we sell service maintenance agreements in which we are deemed to be the obligor on the contract at the time of sale, revenue is recognized ratably, on a straight-line basis, over the term of the service maintenance agreement. These direct obligor service maintenance agreements are renewal contracts that provide our customers protection against product repair costs arising after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty and the third party obligor contracts and typically range from 12 months to 36 months. These agreements are separate units of accounting under Emerging Issues Task Force No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. The amounts of service maintenance agreement revenue deferred at January 31, 2005 and 2006 were $3.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and are included in “Deferred revenue” in the accompanying balance sheets. The amounts of service maintenance agreement revenue recognized for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were $4.5 million, $5.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively.
 
34

Vendor Allowances.    We receive funds from vendors for price protection, product rebates, marketing and training and promotion programs which are recorded on the accrual basis as a reduction to the related product cost or advertising expense according to the nature of the program. We accrue rebates based on the satisfaction of terms of the program and sales of qualifying products even though funds may not be received until the end of a quarter or year. If the programs are related to product purchases, the allowances, credits or payments are recorded as a reduction of product cost; if the programs are related to promotion or marketing of the product, the allowances, credits, or payments are recorded as a reduction of advertising expense in the period in which the expense is incurred.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements.    In December 2004, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, was issued. This statement establishes standards for accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, focusing primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains an employee's services. The statement requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and record that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Additionally, the statement provides multiple options for adopting the requirements of the standard. We implemented the provisions of this statement effective February 1, 2006, and elected to retrospectively adjust prior year results for comparison purposes. See Note 1 to our financial statements for additional information. 

Accounting for Leases. The accounting for leases is governed primarily by SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases. As required by the standard, we analyze each lease, at its inception, to determine whether it should be accounted for as an operating lease or a capital lease. Additionally, monthly lease expense for each operating lease is calculated as the average of all payments required under the minimum lease term, including rent escalations. The minimum lease term begins with the date we take possession of the property and ends on the last day of the minimum lease term, and includes all rent holidays, but excludes renewal terms that are at our option. Any tenant improvement allowances received are deferred and amortized into income as a reduction of lease expense on a straight line basis over the minimum lease term. The amortization of leasehold improvements is computed on a straight line basis over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvements.
 
35

Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations information as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated.

   
Years ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
Revenues:
             
Product sales
   
80.8
%
 
79.8
%
 
81.2
%
Service maintenance agreement commissions (net)
   
4.0
   
4.2
   
4.4
 
Service revenues
   
3.7
   
3.3
   
2.9
 
Total net sales
   
88.5
   
87.3
   
88.5
 
Finance charges and other
   
11.5
   
12.7
   
11.5
 
Total revenues
   
100.0
   
100.0
   
100.0
 
Cost and expenses:
                   
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
62.9
   
62.8
   
63.9
 
Cost of parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
0.8
   
0.8
   
0.8
 
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
27.2
   
27.1
   
26.0
 
Provision for bad debts
   
0.5
   
0.5
   
0.2
 
Total costs and expenses
   
91.4
   
91.2
   
90.9
 
Operating income
   
8.6
   
8.8
   
9.1
 
Interest expense (including minority interest)
   
0.9
   
0.4
   
0.1
 
Earnings before income taxes
   
7.7
   
8.4
   
9.0
 
Provision for income taxes
                   
Current
   
2.7
   
3.0
   
3.3
 
Deferred
   
-
   
-
   
(0.2
)
Total provision for income taxes
   
2.7
   
3.0
   
3.1
 
Net income
   
5.0
%
 
5.4
%
 
5.9
%

In reviewing the percentages reflected in the above table, we noted that the following trends in our operations developed within the last twelve months.

·  
The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of total revenues reflects the shift in revenue mix as product sales grew faster than service revenues and finance charges and other. Cost of products sold was 78.7% of net product sales in the 2005 period and 78.6% in the 2006 period.

·  
The decline in selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues resulted primarily from decreased payroll and payroll related expenses and net advertising expense, as a percent of revenues, that were partially offset by increased general liability insurance expense and higher expenses incurred due to Hurricane Rita.

·  
The declining trend in interest expense as a percentage of total revenues is a function of continuing to generate positive cash flow, the pay-off of debt with our IPO proceeds in fiscal year 2004 and the impact of expiring interest rate swap agreements.
 
The presentation of our gross margins may not be comparable to other retailers since we include the cost of our in-home delivery service as part of selling, general and administrative expense. Similarly, we include the cost of merchandising our products, including amounts related to purchasing the product and a portion of our advertising cost, in selling, general and administrative expense. It is our understanding that other retailers may include such costs as part of cost of goods sold.

36

 
The following table presents certain operations information in dollars and percentage changes from year to year:

Analysis of Consolidated Statements of Operations
                             
(in thousands except percentages)
             
2005 vs. 2004
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
Incr/(Decr)
 
Incr/(Decr)
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
Amount
 
Pct
 
Amount
 
Pct
 
Revenues
                             
Product sales
 
$
402,579
 
$
451,560
 
$
569,877
 
$
48,981
   
12.2
%
$
118,317
   
26. 2
%
Service maintenance agreement commissions (net)
   
20,074
   
23,950
   
30,583
   
3,876
   
19.3
   
6,633
   
27.7
 
Service revenues
   
18,265
   
18,725
   
20,278
   
460
   
2.5
   
1,553
   
8.3
 
Total net sales
   
440,918
   
494,235
   
620,738
   
53,317
   
12.1
   
126,503
   
25.6
 
Finance charges and other
   
57,460
   
71,586
   
80,410
   
14,126
   
24.6
   
8,824
   
12.3
 
Total revenues
   
498,378
   
565,821
   
701,148
   
67,443
   
13.5
   
135,327
   
23.9
 
Cost of goods and parts sold
   
317,712
   
359,710
   
453,374
   
41,998
   
13.2
   
93,664
   
26.0
 
Gross Profit
   
180,666
   
206,111
   
247,774
   
25,445
   
14.1
   
41,663
   
20.2
 
Gross Margin
   
36.3
%
 
36.4
%
 
35.3
%
                       
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
135,282
   
153,652
   
182,797
   
18,370
   
13.6
   
29,145
   
19.0
 
Provision for bad debts
   
2,504
   
2,589
   
1,133
   
85
   
3.4
   
(1,456
)
 
(56.2
)
Operating income
   
42,880
   
49,870
   
63,844
   
6,990
   
16.3
   
13,974
   
28.0
 
Operating Margin
   
8.6
%
 
8.8
%
 
9.1
%
                       
Interest expense
   
4,577
   
2,359
   
400
   
(2,218
)
 
(48.5
)
 
(1,959
)
 
(83.0
)
Minority interest in limited partnership
   
-
   
118
   
-
   
118
         
(118
)
     
Pretax Income
   
38,303
   
47,393
   
63,444
   
9,090
   
23.7
   
16,051
   
33.9
 
Income taxes
   
13,260
   
16,706
   
22,341
   
3,446
   
26.0
   
5,635
   
33.7
 
Net Income
   
25,043
   
30,687
   
41,103
   
5,644
   
22.5
   
10,416
   
33.9
 
Less preferred dividends
   
1,954
   
-
   
-
   
(1,954
)
  (100.0 )  
-
   
-
 
Net income available
                                           
for common stockholders
 
$
23,089
 
$
30,687
 
$
41,103
 
$
7,598
    32.9 %
$
10,416
   
33.9
%
 
Refer to the above Analysis of Consolidated Statements of Operations in condensed form while reading the operations review on a year by year basis.

Year Ended January 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2006
 
Revenues. Total revenues increased by $135.3 million, or 23.9%, from $565.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2005 to $701.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2006. The increase was attributable to increases in net sales of $126.5 million, or 25.6%, and $8.8 million, or 12.3%, in finance charges and other revenue.
 
The $126.5 million increase in net sales was made up of the following:

·  
a $75.8 million increase resulted from a same store sales increase of 16.9%. Appliance sales accounted for the majority of the increase and were significantly impacted by our customers’ need to replace items damaged as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. After adjusting for our estimate of the impact of the storms, we believe same store sales increased approximately 12%, with appliance, electronics, track and furniture sales being the biggest contributors. As a result of changes in the commission structure on our third-party service maintenance agreement (SMA) contracts, beginning July 2005, we began realizing the benefit of increased front-end commissions on SMA sales, which increased net sales $1.4 million, (offsetting this increase is a decrease in retrospective commissions which is reflected in Finance charges and other),

·  
a $49.8 million increase generated by twelve retail locations that were not open for twelve consecutive months in each period, net of reductions related to the closing of one location,
 
37

·  
a $644,000 decrease resulted from an increase in discounts on promotional credit sales, and

·  
a $1.6 million increase resulted from an increase in service revenues.

The components of the $126.5 million increase in net sales were a $118.3 million increase in product sales and an $8.2 million net increase in service maintenance agreement commissions and service revenues. The $118.3 million increase in product sales resulted from the following:

·  
approximately $82.6 million was attributable to increases in unit sales, due to increased appliances, track, furniture, and consumer electronics sales, and

·  
approximately $35.7 million was attributable to increases in unit price points. The price point impact was driven primarily by:

o  
consumers selecting higher priced consumer electronics products, as the new technology becomes more affordable;
o  
consumers selecting higher priced appliance products, including high-efficiency washers and dryers and stainless kitchen appliances, and
o  
higher prices on appliances in general.

The following table presents the makeup of net sales by product category in each period, including service maintenance agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales. Classification of sales has been adjusted from previous filings to ensure comparability between the categories.
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
             
 
 
2005
 
 
2006
 
 
Percent
       
Category
 
Amount
 
 Percent
   
Amount
 
Percent
   
Increase
       
   
(dollars in thousands)
     
Major home appliances
 
$
168,962
   
34.2
%
 
$
223,651
   
36.0
%
 
32.4
%
 
(1
)
Consumer electronics
   
154,880
   
31.3
     
186,679
   
30.1
   
20.5
   
(2
)
Track
   
85,644
   
17.3
     
100,154
   
16.1
   
16.9
   
(2
)
Delivery
   
7,605
   
1.5
     
9,870
   
1.6
   
29.8
   
(2
)
Lawn and garden
   
13,710
   
2.8
     
17,083
   
2.8
   
24.6
   
(2
)
Bedding
   
10,262
   
2.1
     
13,126
   
2.1
   
27.9
   
(2
)
Furniture
   
7,182
   
1.5
     
15,313
   
2.5
   
113.2
   
(3
)
Other
   
3,315
   
0.7
     
4,001
   
0.6
   
20.7
   
(2
)
Total product sales
   
451,560
   
91.4
     
569,877
   
91.8
   
26.2
       
Service maintenance agreement commissions
   
23,950
   
4.8
     
30,583
   
4.9
   
27.7
   
(2
)
Service revenues
   
18,725
   
3.8
     
20,278
   
3.3
   
8.3
       
Total net sales
 
$
494,235
   
100.0
%
 
$
620,738
   
100.0
%
 
25.6
%
     
 
(1)  
In addition to strong overall sales growth, appliance sales benefited from our customers’ needs after the hurricanes.
(2)  
These increases are consistent with overall increase in product sales and improved unit prices.
(3)  
This increase is due to the increased emphasis on the sales of furniture, primarily sofas, recliners and entertainment centers, and new product lines added to this category.

Revenue from Finance charges and other increased by approximately $8.8 million, or 12.3%, from $71.6 million for the year ended January 31. 2005 to $80.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2006. This increase in revenue resulted primarily from increases in securitization income of $9.4 million, a $1.0 million decrease in service maintenance agreement retrospective commissions and a net increase in insurance commissions and other revenues of $445,000. The increase in securitization income is attributable to higher product sales and increases in our retained interest in assets transferred to the QSPE, due primarily to increases in the transferred balances. Partially offsetting the securitization income increases was an impairment charge of $895,000 for estimated losses resulting from increased bankruptcy filings by our customers prior to October 17, 2005, the effective date of the new bankruptcy law and our estimate of expected additional loan losses due to the impact of Hurricane Rita.

38

 Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost, increased by $92.9 million, or 26.2%, from $355.2 million for the year ended January 31, 2005 to $448.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2006. This increase was consistent with the 26.2% increase in net product sales during the year ended January 31, 2006. Cost of products sold was 78.7% of net product sales in the 2005 period and 78.6% in the 2006 period.

Cost of Service Parts Sold. Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost, increased approximately $759,000, or 16.7%, for the year ended January 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2005, due to increases in parts sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. While Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $29.1 million, or 19.0%, from $153.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2005 to $182.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2006, it decreased as a percentage of total revenue from 27.1% to 26.0%. The decrease in expense as a percentage of total revenues resulted primarily from decreased payroll and payroll related expenses and net advertising expense, as a percent of revenues, that were partially offset by increased general liability insurance expense and higher expenses incurred due to Hurricane Rita of approximately $907,000, net of estimated insurance proceeds, including expenses related to relocation of the corporate office functions and losses related to damaged merchandise and facility damage.

Provision for Bad Debts. The provision for bad debts on receivables retained by the Company and not transferred to the QSPE and other non-credit portfolio receivables decreased by $1.5 million, or 56.2%, during the year ended January 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2005, primarily as a result of changes in the loss history and provision adjustments based on favorable loss experience during the last twelve months, and revised loss allocations between receivables retained by us and those transferred to the QSPE, which were offset in Finance charges and other. Partially offsetting the bad debt expense decrease was a charge of $105,000 for estimated losses resulting from increased bankruptcy filings by our customers prior to October 17, 2005, the effective date of the new bankruptcy law and expected additional loan losses due to the impact of Hurricane Rita on our customers. See Note 2 to the financial statements for information regarding the performance of the credit portfolio.

Interest Expense, net. Net interest expense decreased by $2.0 million, or 83.0%, from $2.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2005 to $400,000 for the year ended January 31, 2006. The net decrease in interest expense was attributable to the following factors:

·  
expiration of $20.0 million in our interest rate hedges and the discontinuation of hedge accounting for derivatives resulted in a net decrease in interest expense of approximately $856,000; and

·  
the deconsolidation of SRDS (previously consolidated as a VIE according to FIN 46) resulted in a decrease of interest expense of $759,000,

The remaining decrease in interest expense of $385,000 resulted from lower average outstanding debt balances and higher interest income from invested funds.

Minority Interest. As a result of FIN 46, for the year ended January 31, 2005, we eliminated the pretax operating profit contributed from the consolidation of SRDS through the minority interest line item in our consolidated statement of operations (see Note 1 of Notes to the Financial Statements).

Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes increased by $5.6 million, or 33.7%, from $16.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2005 to $22.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2006, consistent with the increase in pretax income of 33.9%.

 Net Income. As a result of the above factors, Net income increased $10.4 million, or 33.9%, from $30.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2005 to $41.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2006.

39

Year Ended January 31, 2004 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2005
 
Revenues. Total revenues increased by $67.4 million, or 13.5%, from $498.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2004 to $565.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2005. The increase was attributable to increases in net sales of $53.3 million, or 12.1%, and $14.1 million, or 24.6%, in finance charges and other revenue.
 
The $53.3 million increase in net sales was made up of the following:

·  
a $14.8 million increase resulted from a same store sales increase of 3.6%.

·  
a $40.5 million increase generated by nine retail locations that were not open for twelve consecutive months in each period.

·  
a $2.4 million decrease resulted from an increase in discounts on promotional credit sales, and

·  
a $460,000 increase resulted from an increase in service revenues.

The components of the $53.3 million increase in net sales were a $49.0 million increase in product sales and a $4.3 million net increase in service maintenance agreement commissions and service revenues. The $49.0 million increase in product sales resulted from the following:

·  
approximately $18.0 million was attributable to increases in unit sales, due to increased appliances, mattresses and track sales, and

·  
approximately $31.0 million was attributable to increases in unit price points. The price point impact was driven primarily by consumers selecting higher priced products as new technology prices fall and become more affordable.
 
The following table presents the makeup of net sales by product category in each period, including service maintenance agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales. Classification of sales has been adjusted from previous filings to ensure comparability between the categories.
 
 
   
Years Ended January 31,
             
   
 2004
   
 2005 
   
Percent 
       
     
Amount 
   
Percent 
     
Amount 
   
Percent 
   
Increase 
       
   
(dollars in thousands)
             
Major home appliances
 
$
159,401
   
36.1
%
 
$
168,962
   
34.2
%
 
6.0
%
     
Consumer electronics
   
139,417
   
31.6
     
154,880
   
31.3
   
11.1
       
Track
   
70,031
   
15.9
     
85,644
   
17.3
   
22.3
   
(1
)
Delivery
   
6,726
   
1.5
     
7,605
   
1.5
   
13.1
       
Lawn and garden
   
11,505
   
2.6
     
13,710
   
2.8
   
19.2
   
(2
)
Bedding
   
6,441
   
1.5
     
10,262
   
2.1
   
59.3
   
(2
)
Furniture
   
5,712
   
1.3
     
7,182
   
1.5
   
25.7
   
(3
)
Other
   
3,346
   
0.8
     
3,315
   
0.7
   
(0.9
)
     
Total product sales
   
402,579
   
91.3
     
451,560
   
91.4
   
12.2
       
Service maintenance agreement commissions
   
20,074
   
4.6
     
23,950
   
4.8
   
19.3
       
Service revenues
   
18,265
   
4.1
     
18,725
   
3.8
   
2.5
       
Total net sales
 
$
440,918
   
100.0
%
 
$
494,235
   
100.0
%
 
12.1
%
     

(1)  
Emphasis continues to be given to promotion of sales in the “track” area of computers, computer peripherals, portable electronics and small appliances.
(2)  
The increases in lawn and garden and mattresses result from our increased emphasis placed on these relatively new product categories and the introduction of the Serta brand mattresses to our product line.
(3)  
There has been significant growth in the sales of furniture, primarily recliners and other seating products. More square footage is being devoted to furniture in certain store locations as we continue to “test the market” for this product category.

40

Revenue from Finance charges and other increased by approximately $14.1 million, or 24.6%, from $57.5 million for the year ended January 31. 2004 to $71.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2005. This increase in revenue resulted primarily from increases in securitization income of $11.5 million, and increases in insurance commissions and other revenues of $2.6 million. The increase in securitization income is attributable to higher product sales and increases in our retained interest in assets transferred to the QSPE, due primarily to increases in the transferred balances.

Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost, increased by $41.5 million, or 13.2%, from $313.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2004 to $355.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2005. This increase primarily resulted from the 12.2% increase in net product sales as well as an increase in cost of products sold. Cost of products sold was 77.9% of net product sales in the 2004 period and 78.7% in the 2005 period. The overall increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of product sales was primarily caused by the continued deterioration of retail price points and sales of relatively lower margin computer products growing at a more rapid rate than sales of higher margin products.

Cost of Service Parts Sold. Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost, increased approximately $500,000, or 11.7%, for the year ended January 31, 2005 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2004, due to increases in parts sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. While Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $18.4 million, or 13.6%, from $135.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2004 to $153.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2005, it decreased as a percentage of total revenue from 27.2% to 27.1%. The increase in total expense was primarily the result of increased sales salaries and commissions (and other payroll-related expense), delivery, occupancy and depreciation expense due to the addition of new stores and all in line with the 12.1% increase in net sales. Professional services was up 41.2% which partially reflects the effect of complying with Sarbanes/Oxley Section 404 by expending approximately $600,000 on direct implementation, including our independent accounting firms cost incurred in testing and preparation necessary to issue its initial report, but not including our employee man hours. General liability, property and health insurance costs were up 24.3% due to additional stores, additional employees (primarily sales) and the higher exposure of being a publicly-traded company. These cost increases were partially offset by decreases in telephone, amortization, advertising and equipment lease expense.

Provision for Bad Debts. The provision for bad debts on receivables retained by the Company and not transferred to the QSPE and other non-credit portfolio receivables increased by $85,000, or 3.4%, during the year ended January 31, 2005 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2004, primarily due to increases in our receivables balances.

Interest Expense, net. Net interest expense decreased by $2.2 million, or 48.5%, from $4.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2004 to $2.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2005. The net decrease in interest expense was attributable to the following factors:

·  
the expiration of $30.0 million of our interest rate hedges in April 2003 and the expiration of $50.0 million of our interest rate hedges in November 2003 and the discontinuation of hedge accounting for derivatives resulted in a net decrease of $1.4 million in interest expense from the prior period; and

·  
the decrease in our average outstanding debt from $39.9 million to $2.6 million (when ignoring the impact of FIN 46 consolidation of $14.8 million, see below) as a result of our public offering and payoff of substantially all of our outstanding debt with the proceeds resulted in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $1.9 million;

these decreases were offset by the following:

·  
the increase in interest rates in our continuing revolving debt facilities and related commitment fees of $361,000; and

·  
the implementation of FIN 46 resulted in reclassification of $759,000 in expenses previously reflected as occupancy cost in Selling, general and administrative expense to Interest expense; these reclassifications should not be necessary in the future since we are no longer subject to the provisions of FIN 46.

 
41

Minority Interest. As a result of FIN 46, beginning February 1, 2004, we eliminate the pretax operating profit contributed from the consolidation of SRDS through the minority interest line item in our consolidated statement of operations.

Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes increased by $3.4 million, or 26.0%, from $13.3 million for the year ended January 31, 2004 to $16.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2005. The increase in the tax provision was directly related to the increase in pretax profits of $9.1 million, or 23.7%. The effective tax rate attributable to continuing operations for the year ended January 31, 2005 was 35.3%, compared with 34.6% for the prior year. Taxes were comprised of federal and state rates totaling 35.5% in both periods offset by cash refunds due to return amounts being lower than estimates and adjustments of previous tax provisions in both periods.

Net Income. As a result of the above factors, Net income increased $5.6 million, or 22.5%, from $25.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2004 to $30.7 million for the year ended January 31, 2005.
 
Impact of Inflation
 
We do not believe that inflation has a material effect on our net sales or results of operations. However, a continuing significant increase in oil and gasoline prices could adversely affect our customers’ shopping decisions and patterns. We rely heavily on our internal distribution system and our same or next day delivery policy to satisfy our customers’ needs and desires, and any such significant increases could result in increased distribution charges. Such increases may not affect our competitors in the same manner as it affects us.

Seasonality and Quarterly Results of Operations
 
Our business is somewhat seasonal, with a higher portion of sales and operating profit realized during the quarter that ends January 31. The fiscal quarter ending January 31 reflects the holiday selling season, the major collegiate bowl season, the National Football League playoffs and the Super Bowl. Over the four quarters of fiscal 2006, gross margins were 35.3%, 36.3%, 35.5% and 34.5%. During the same period, operating margins were 9.9%, 9.1%, 8.0% and 9.5%. A portion of the fluctuation in gross margins and operating margins is due to planned infrastructure cost additions, such as increased warehouse space and larger stores, additional personnel and systems required to absorb the significant increase in revenues that we have experienced over the last several years.
 
Additionally, quarterly results may fluctuate materially depending on factors such as the following:

o  
timing of new product introductions, new store openings and store relocations

o  
sales contributed by new stores;

o  
increases or decreases in comparable store sales;

o  
adverse weather conditions;

o  
shifts in the timing of certain holidays or promotions; and

o  
changes in our merchandise mix.

Results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full year.


42

The following tables sets forth certain unaudited quarterly statement of operations information for the eight quarters ended January 31, 2006. The unaudited quarterly information has been prepared on a consistent basis and includes all normal recurring adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the information shown.


   
2005
 
   
Quarter Ended
 
   
Apr. 30
   
Jul. 31
   
Oct. 31
   
Jan. 31
 
   
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Revenues
                       
Product sales
 
$
107,528
   
$
108,305
   
$
104,869
   
$
130,858
 
Service maintenance agreement commissions (net)
   
6,635
     
5,776
     
5,399
     
6,140
 
Service revenues
   
4,378
     
4,770
     
4,853
     
4,724
 
Total net sales
   
118,541
     
118,851
     
115,121
     
141,722
 
Finance charges and other
   
16,286
     
17,579
     
17,612
     
20,109
 
Total revenues
   
134,827
     
136,430
     
132,733
     
161,831
 
 
                               
Percent of annual revenues
   
23.8
%
   
24.1
%
   
23.5
%
   
28.6
%
 
                               
Cost and expenses
                               
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
84,774
     
85,704
     
82,523
     
102,158
 
Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
1,104
     
1,092
     
1,159
     
1,196
 
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
35,002
     
37,703
     
37,921
     
43,026
 
Provision for bad debts
   
628
     
559
     
609
     
793
 
Total cost and expenses
   
121,508
     
125,058
     
122,212
     
147,173
 
Operating Income
   
13,319
     
11,372
     
10,521
     
14,658
 
                                 
Operating Profit as a % total revenues
   
9.9
%
   
8.3
%
   
7.9
%
   
9.1
%
                                 
Interest expense
   
582
     
567
     
615
     
595
 
Income before minority interest and income taxes
   
12,737
     
10,805
     
9,906
     
14,063
 
Minority interest in limited partnership
   
114
     
131
     
113
     
(240
)
Income before income taxes
   
12,623
     
10,674
     
9,793
     
14,303
 
Total provision for income taxes
   
4,482
     
3,707
     
3,245
     
5,272
 
Net income
 
$
8,141
   
$
6,967
   
$
6,548
   
$
9,031
 
Net income as a % of revenue
   
6.0
%
   
5.1
%
   
4.9
%
   
5.6
%
                                 
Outstanding shares:
                               
Basic
   
23,145
     
23,179
     
23,206
     
23,230
 
Diluted
   
23,629
     
23,682
     
23,638
     
23,730
 
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.35
   
$
0.30
   
$
0.28
   
$
0.39
 
Diluted
 
$
0.34
   
$
0.29
   
$
0.28
   
$
0.38
 


43

 

   
2006
 
   
Quarter Ended
 
   
Apr. 30
   
Jul. 31
   
Oct. 31
   
Jan. 31
 
   
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Revenues
                       
Product sales
 
$
127,275
   
$
130,867
   
$
140,405
   
$
171,330
 
Service maintenance agreement commissions (net)
   
6,884
     
7,848
     
7,506
     
8,345
 
Service revenues
   
4,775
     
5,134
     
5,157
     
5,212
 
Total net sales
   
138,934
     
143,849
     
153,068
     
184,887
 
Finance charges and other
   
18,985
     
20,711
     
19,521
     
21,193
 
Total revenues
   
157,919
     
164,560
     
172,589
     
206,080
 
 
                               
Percent of annual revenues
   
22.5
%
   
23.5
%
   
24.6
%
   
29.4
%
                                 
Cost and expenses
                               
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
100,917
     
103,579
     
110,024
     
133,544
 
Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
1,225
     
1,236
     
1,334
     
1,515
 
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
39,745
     
44,978
     
47,125
     
50,949
 
Provision for bad debts
   
468
     
(137
)
   
331
     
471
 
Total cost and expenses
   
142,355
     
149,656
     
158,814
     
186,479
 
Operating Income
   
15,564
     
14,904
     
13,775
     
19,601
 
                                 
Operating Profit as a % total revenues
   
9.9
%
   
9.1
%
   
8.0
%
   
9.5
%
                                 
Interest expense
   
355
     
59
     
74
     
(88
)
Income before minority interest and income taxes
   
15,209
     
14,845
     
13,701
     
19,689
 
Minority interest in limited partnership
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Income before income taxes
   
15,209
     
14,845
     
13,701
     
19,689
 
Total provision for income taxes
   
5,341
     
5,252
     
4,846
     
6,902
 
Net income
 
$
9,868
   
$
9,593
   
$
8,855
   
$
12,787
 
                                 
Net income as a % of revenue
   
6.2
%
   
5.8
%
   
5.1
%
   
6.2
%
                                 
Outstanding shares:
                               
Basic
   
23,307
     
23,366
     
23,458
     
23,523
 
Diluted
   
23,775
     
24,012
     
24,265
     
24,532
 
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.41
   
$
0.38
   
$
0.54
 
Diluted
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.40
   
$
0.36
   
$
0.52
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We require capital to finance our growth as we add new stores and markets to our operations, which in turn requires additional working capital for increased receivables and inventory. We have historically financed our operations through a combination of cash flow generated from operations and external borrowings, including primarily bank debt, extended terms provided by our vendors for inventory purchases, acquisition of inventory under consignment arrangements and transfers of receivables to our asset-backed securitization facilities. At January 31, 2006, we had a revolving line of credit facility with a group of lenders in the amount of $50 million, under which we had no borrowings outstanding but utilized $3.0 million of availability to issue letters of credit. We expect that our cash requirements for the foreseeable future, including those for our capital expenditure requirements, will be met with our available line of credit and our existing $45.2 million in cash and cash equivalents at January 31, 2006, together with cash generated from operations. Our current plans are to grow our store base by approximately 10% a year. We expect we will invest in real estate and customer receivables to support the additional stores and same store sales growth. Depending on market conditions we may, at times, enter into sale-leaseback transactions to finance our real estate or seek alternative financing sources for new store expansions and customer receivables growth.

The following is a comparison of our statement of cash flows for our fiscal years 2005 and 2006:
 
The increase in cash flow from operating activities for fiscal year 2006 from fiscal year 2005 of $64.1 million, resulted primarily from increased net income, a smaller increase in the retained interest in the asset backed securitization program and the timing of payments of accounts payable and federal income and employment taxes. Operating cash flows have been positively impacted in the amount of approximately $18.9 million by federal income and employment tax payment deadlines being deferred until February 28, 2006 after Hurricane Rita.
 
44

Our promotional credit programs offered to certain customers provide for “same as cash” interest free periods of varying terms, generally three, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four or thirty-six months. These promotional accounts are eligible for securitization up to 30.0% of eligible securitized receivables. The percentage of eligible securitized receivables represented by promotional receivables was 15.0%, 23.5% and 19.4% as of January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. To the extent we exceed the 30.0% limit, or to the extent we have such promotional credit receivables that do not qualify for inclusion in the programs, we are required to use our other capital resources to fund the unpaid balance of the receivables for the promotional period. The weighted average promotional period was 12.5 and 11.8 months for promotional receivables outstanding as of January 31, 2005 and January 31, 2006, respectively. The weighted average remaining term on those same promotional receivables was 9.0 and 7.3 months, respectively. While overall these promotional receivables have a much shorter average weighted life than non-promotional receivables, we receive less income as a result of a reduced net interest margin used in the calculation of the gain on the sale of the receivables. As a result, the existence of the interest free extended payment terms negatively impacts the gains or losses as compared to the other receivables, and results in a decrease in our available cash.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $18.5 million for both fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2006. Offsetting the $1.1 million decline in purchases of property and equipment was a $1.1 million decline in proceeds from sales of property and equipment. Included in the fiscal 2005 purchases of property and equipment was $1.7 million of purchases by SRDS, which was consolidated in our fiscal 2005 Statement of Cash Flows. The cash expended for property and equipment was used primarily for construction of new stores and the reformatting of existing stores to better support our current product mix. We estimate that capital expenditures for the 2007 fiscal year will approximate $25 million to $30 million.

We lease 50 of our 56 stores, and our plans for future store locations include primarily leases, but does not exclude store ownership. Our capital expenditures for future store projects should primarily be for our tenant improvements to the property leased (including any new distribution centers and warehouses), the cost of which is approximately $1.5 million per store, and for our existing store remodels, in the range of $220,000 per store remodel, depending on store size. In the event we purchase existing properties, our capital expenditures will depend on the particular property and whether it is improved when purchased. We are continuously reviewing new relationship and funding sources and alternatives for new stores, which may include “sale-leaseback” or direct “purchase-lease” programs, as well as other funding sources for our purchase and construction of those projects. If we are successful in these relationship developments, our direct cash needs should include only our capital expenditures for tenant improvements to leased properties and our remodel programs for existing stores, but could include full ownership if it meets our cash investment strategy.
 
Net cash from financing activities decreased $19.6 million from $12.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2005, to a use of cash of $7.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2006. This change resulted primarily from increases in payments on various debt instruments of $10.5 million, as opposed to borrowings in the prior year of $10.4 million. Partially offsetting the use of cash was increased proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans. We do not expect to incur significant net borrowing or repayments under our bank credit facilities in fiscal 2007.
 
On October 31, 2005, we entered into a new, expanded bank credit facility with the same group of banks that had provided the previous credit arrangement. The new agreement expands the line of credit to $50 million, from $35 million, provides an accordion feature to allow further expansion of the facility to $90 million, under certain conditions, and extends the maturity date to November 1, 2010. Additionally, the facility provides sublimits of $8 million for a swingline line of credit for faster advances on borrowing requests, and $5 million for standby letters of credit. Loans under our revolving credit facility may, at our option, bear interest at either the alternate base rate, which is the greater of the administrative agent’s prime rate or the federal funds rate, or the adjusted LIBO/LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period, in each case plus an applicable interest margin. The interest margin is between 0.00% and 0.50% for base rate loans and between 0.75% and 1.75% for LIBO/LIBOR alternative rate loans. The interest margin will vary depending on our debt coverage ratio. We additionally pay commitment fees for the undrawn portion of our revolving credit facility. At January 31, 2006 the interest rate on the revolving facility was 7.25%.
 
45

 

A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our bank credit facility compared to our actual compliance status at January 31, 2006, is presented below:
 

   
Actual
 
Required
Minimum/
Maximum
 
Debt service coverage ratio must exceed required minimum
   
4.55 to 1.00
   
2.00 to 1.00
 
Total adjusted leverage ratio must be lower than required maximum
   
1.50 to 1.00
   
3.00 to 1.00
 
Adjusted consolidated net worth must exceed required minimum
 
$
245,369,000
 
$
144,308,250
 
Charge-off ratio must be lower than required maximum
   
0.02 to 1.00
   
0.06 to 1.00
 
Extension ratio must be lower than required maximum
   
0.03 to 1.00
   
0.05 to 1.00
 
30-day delinquency ratio must be lower than required maximum
   
0.09 to 1.00
   
0.13 to 1.00
 

Note: All terms in the above table are defined by the bank credit facility and may or may not agree directly to the financial statement captions in this document.
 
Events of default under the credit facility include, subject to grace periods and notice provisions in certain circumstances, non-payment of principal, interest or fees; violation of covenants; material inaccuracy of any representation or warranty; default under or acceleration of certain other indebtedness; bankruptcy and insolvency events; certain judgments and other liabilities; certain environmental claims; and a change of control. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the credit facility are entitled to take various actions, including accelerating amounts due under the credit facility and requiring that all such amounts be immediately paid in full. Our obligations under the credit facility are secured by all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, excluding customer receivables owned by the QSPE and certain inventory subject to vendor floor plan arrangements.

The following table reflects outstanding commitments for borrowings and letters of credit, and the amounts utilized under those commitments, as of January 31, 2006:
 

                               
Balance at
 
Available at
 
   
Commitment Expires in Fiscal Year Ending January 31,
 
January 31,
 
January 31,
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
2006
 
2006
 
   
(in thousands)
         
                                       
Revolving Bank Facility (1)
 
$
-
             
$
50,000
             
$
50,000
 
$
3,015
 
$
46,985
 
Unsecured Line of Credit
   
8,000
                                 
8,000
   
-
   
8,000
 
Inventory Financing (2)
   
30,000
                                 
30,000
   
12,626
   
17,374
 
Letters of Credit
   
1,500
                                 
1,500
   
-
   
1,500
 
Total
 
$
39,500
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
50,000
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
89,500
 
$
15,641
 
$
73,859
 
 
(1) Includes letter of credit sublimit. There was $3.0 million of letters of credit issued at January 31, 2006.
(2) Included in accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2006.
 
Since we extend credit in connection with a large portion of our retail, service maintenance and credit insurance sales, we created a QSPE in 2002 to purchase customer receivables from us and to issue asset-backed and variable funding notes to third parties to finance its purchase of these receivables. We transfer receivables, consisting of retail installment contracts and revolving accounts extended to our customers, to the issuer in exchange for cash, subordinated securities and the right to receive the interest spread between the assets held by the QSPE and the notes issued to third parties and our servicing fees. The subordinated securities issued to us accrue interest based on prime rates and are subordinate to these third party notes.
 
Both the bank credit facility and the asset-backed securitization program are significant factors relative to our ongoing liquidity and our ability to meet the cash needs associated with the growth of our business. Our inability to use either of these programs because of a failure to comply with their covenants would adversely affect our continued growth. Funding of current and future receivables under the asset-backed securitization program can be adversely affected if we exceed certain predetermined levels of re-aging receivables, write-offs, bankruptcies or other ineligible receivable amounts. If the funding under the asset-backed securitization program were reduced or terminated, we would have to draw down our bank credit facility more quickly than we have estimated.
 
46

A summary of the total receivables managed under the credit portfolio, including quantitative information about delinquencies, net credit losses and components of securitized assets, is presented in note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

Based on current operating plans, we believe that cash provided by operating activities, available borrowings under our credit facility, access to the unfunded portion of the variable funding portion of our asset- backed securitization program and our current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations, store expansion and updating activities and capital expenditure programs through at least January 31, 2007. However, there are several factors that could decrease cash provided by operating activities, including:
 
 
·
reduced demand for our products;

 
·
more stringent vendor terms on our inventory purchases;

 
·
loss of ability to acquire inventory on consignment;

 
·
increases in product cost that we may not be able to pass on to our customers;

 
·
reductions in product pricing due to competitor promotional activities;

 
·
changes in inventory requirements based on longer delivery times of the manufacturers or other requirements which would negatively impact our delivery and distribution capabilities;

 
·
increases in the retained portion of our receivables portfolio under our current QSPE’s asset-backed securitization program as a result of changes in performance or types of receivables transferred (promotional versus non-promotional);

 
·
inability to expand our capacity for financing our receivables portfolio under new or replacement QSPE asset-backed securitization programs or a requirement that we retain a higher percentage of the credit portfolio under such programs;

 
·
increases in the program costs (interest and administrative fees relative to our receivables portfolio) associated with the funding of our receivables;

 
·
increases in personnel costs required for us to stay competitive in our markets; and

 
·
our inability to obtain a relationship to provide the purchase of and financing of our capital expenditures for our new stores.
 
If cash provided by operating activities during this period is less than we expect or if we need additional financing for future growth, we may need to increase our revolving credit facility or undertake additional equity or debt offerings. We may not be able to obtain such financing on favorable terms, if at all.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
 
At January 31, 2006, the issuer has issued two series of notes: a Series A variable funding note with a capacity of $250.0 million purchased by Three Pillars Funding Corporation and three classes of Series B notes in the aggregate amount of $200.0 million. The commercial paper underlying the Series A variable funding note is rated A1/P1 by Standard and Poors and Moody’s, respectively. These ratings represent the highest rating (“highest quality”) of each rating agency’s three short-term investment grade ratings, except that Standard and Poors could add a “+” which would convert the “highest quality” rating to an “extremely strong” rating. The Series B notes consist of: Class A notes in the amount $120.0 million, rated Aaa by Moody’s representing the highest rating (“highest quality”) of the four long term investment grade ratings provided by this organization; Class B notes in the amount $57.8 million, rated A2 by Moody’s representing the middle of the third rating (“upper medium quality”) of the four long term investment grade ratings provided by this organization; and Class C notes in the amount of $22.2 million, rated Baa2/BBB by Moody’s and Fitch, respectively. These ratings represent the lowest of the four investment grades (“medium quality”) provided by these organizations. The ratings disclosed are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. These ratings may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice, and each of the ratings should be evaluated independently of any other rating. We are not aware of a rating by any other rating organization and are not aware of any changes in these ratings. Private institutional investors, primarily insurance companies, purchased the Series B notes. The issuer used the proceeds of these issuances, along with funds provided by us in fiscal 2003 from borrowings under our bank credit facility, to initially purchase eligible accounts receivable from us and to fund a required $8.0 million restricted cash account for credit enhancement of the Series B notes.
 
47

We are entitled to a monthly servicing fee, so long as we act as servicer, in an amount equal to .25% multiplied by the average aggregate principal amount of receivables plus the amount of average aggregate defaulted receivables. The issuer records revenues equal to the interest charged to the customer on the receivables less losses, the cost of funds, the program administration fees paid to either Three Pillars Funding Corporation or the Series B note holders, and the servicing fee. SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc. serves as an administrative agent for Three Pillars Funding Corporation in connection with the Series A variable funding note.
 
The Series A variable funding note permits the issuer to borrow funds up to $250.0 million to purchase receivables from us, thereby functioning as a credit facility to accumulate receivables. When borrowings under the Series A variable funding note approach $250.0 million, the issuer intends to refinance the receivables by issuing a new series of notes and use the proceeds to pay down the outstanding balance of the Series A variable funding note, so that the credit facility will once again become available to accumulate new receivables. As of January 31, 2006, borrowings under the Series A variable funding note were $185.0 million.
 
The Series A variable funding note matures on September 1, 2007. The issuer will repay the Series A variable funding note and any refinancing note with amounts received from customers pursuant to receivables that we transferred to the issuer. Beginning on October 20, 2006, the issuer will begin to make scheduled principal payments on the Series B notes with amounts received from customers pursuant to receivables that we transferred to the issuer. To the extent that the issuer has not otherwise repaid the Series B notes, they mature on September 1, 2010. We are currently in negotiations to increase the amount and extend the term of the Series A variable funding note and issue a new series of fixed-rate notes to provide funding for additional purchases of receivables and the paydown of the Series B notes.
 
The Series A variable funding note bears interest at the commercial paper rate plus an applicable margin, in most instances of 0.8%, and the Series B notes have fixed rates of 4.469%, 5.769% and 8.180% for the Class A, B and C notes, respectively. In addition, there is an annual administrative fee and a non-use fee associated with the unused portion of the committed facility.
 
We are not directly liable to the lenders under the asset-backed securitization facility. If the issuer is unable to repay the Series A and Series B notes due to its inability to collect the transferred customer accounts, the issuer could not pay the subordinated notes it has issued to us in partial payment for transferred customer accounts, and the Series B lenders could claim the balance in the restricted cash account. We are also contingently liable under a $10.0 million letter of credit that secures our performance of our obligations or services under the servicing agreement as it relates to the transferred assets that are part of the asset-backed securitization facility.
 
The issuer is subject to certain affirmative and negative covenants contained in the transaction documents governing the Series A variable funding note and the Series B notes, including covenants that restrict, subject to specified exceptions: the incurrence of additional indebtedness and other obligations and the granting of additional liens; mergers, acquisitions, investments and disposition of assets; and the use of proceeds of the program. The issuer also makes covenants relating to compliance with certain laws, payment of taxes, maintenance of its separate legal entity, preservation of its existence, protection of collateral and financial reporting. In addition, the program requires the issuer to maintain a minimum net worth.
 
Events of default under the Series A variable funding note and the Series B notes, subject to grace periods and notice provisions in some circumstances, include, among others: failure of the issuer to pay principal, interest or fees; violation by the issuer of any of its covenants or agreements; inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by the issuer; certain servicer defaults; failure of the trustee to have a valid and perfected first priority security interest in the collateral; default under or acceleration of certain other indebtedness; bankruptcy and insolvency events; failure to maintain certain loss ratios and portfolio yield; change of control provisions and certain events pertaining to us. The issuer’s obligations under the program are secured by the receivables and proceeds.
 
48

  
 
Certain Transactions
 
Since 1996, we have leased a retail store location of approximately 19,150 square feet in Houston, Texas from Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The lease provides for base monthly rental payments of $17,235 plus escrows for taxes, insurance and common area maintenance expenses of increasing monthly amounts based on expenditures by the management company operating the shopping center of which this store is a part through January 31, 2011. We also have an option to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms. Mr. Frank received total payments under this lease of $281,000 in fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Based on market lease rates for comparable retail space in the area, we believe that the terms of this lease are no less favorable to us than we could have obtained in an arms’ length transaction at the date of the lease commencement.

We leased six store locations from Specialized Realty Development Services, LP (“SRDS”), a real estate development company that was created prior to our becoming publicly held and was owned by various members of management and individual investors of Stephens Group, Inc., a significant shareholder of the company. Based on independent appraisals that were performed on each project that was completed, we believe that the terms of the leases were at least comparable to those that could be obtained in an arms’ length transaction. As part of the ongoing operation of SRDS, we received management fees associated with the administrative functions that were provided to SRDS of $5,000, $100,000 and $6,500 for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. As of January 31, 2005, we no longer leased any properties from SRDS since it divested itself of the leased properties. As part of the divestiture, SRDS reimbursed us $75,000 for costs related to lease modifications.
 
We engage the services of Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc., or DMS, for a substantial portion of its direct mail advertising. Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc. is partially owned (less than 50%) by the Stephens Group Inc., members of the Stephens family, Jon Jacoby, and Doug Martin. The Stephens Group Inc. and the members of the Stephens family are significant shareholders of the Company, and Jon Jacoby and Doug Martin are members of our Board of Directors. The fees we paid to DMS during fiscal years ended 2005 and 2006 amounted to approximately $1.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Thomas J. Frank, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors owned a small percentage (0.7%) at the end of fiscal year 2005, but divested his interest during the first half of fiscal year 2006.
 
49

Contractual Obligations
 
The following table presents a summary of our known contractual obligations as of January 31, 2006, with respect to the specified categories, classified by payments due per period.
 

       
Payments due by period
 
   
Total
 
Less Than 1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
More Than 5 Years
 
   
(in thousands)
Long term debt
 
$
136
 
$
136
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
Operating leases:
                               
Real estate
   
112,262
   
14,348
   
27,448
   
24,933
   
45,533
 
Equipment
   
3,795
   
1,217
   
1,439
   
831
   
308
 
Purchase obligations (1)
   
2,789
   
1,664
   
1,125
   
-
   
-
 
Total contractual cash obligations
 
$
118,982
 
$
17,365
 
$
30,012
 
$
25,764
 
$
45,841
 

 
_____________________
(1) Includes contracts for long-term communication services. Does not include outstanding purchase orders for merchandise, services or supplies which are ordered in the normal course of operations and which generally are received and recorded within 30 days.
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
Interest rates under our bank credit facility are variable and are determined, at our option, as the base rate, which is the greater of prime rate or federal funds rate plus 0.50% plus the base rate margin, which ranges from 0.00% to 0.50%, or LIBO/LIBOR plus the LIBO/LIBOR margin, which ranges from 0.75% to 1.75%. Accordingly, changes in the prime rate, the federal funds rate or LIBO/LIBOR, which are affected by changes in interest rates generally, will affect the interest rate on, and therefore our costs under, our bank credit facility. We are also exposed to interest rate risk associated with our interest only strip and the subordinated securities we receive from our sales of receivables to the QSPE. See footnote 2 to the audited financial statements for disclosures related to the sensitivity of the current fair value of the interest only strip and the subordinated securities to 10% and 20% adverse changes in the factors that affect these assets, including interest rates.
 
We held interest rate swaps and collars with notional amounts totaling $20.0 million as of January 31, 2004, with terms extending through April 2005. Those instruments were held for the purpose of hedging variable interest rate risk, primarily related to cash flows from our interest-only strip as well as our variable rate debt. In fiscal 2004, hedge accounting was discontinued for the remaining $20.0 million. At the time the cash flow hedge designation was discontinued, we began to recognize changes in the fair value of the swaps as interest expense and to amortize the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to those derivates as interest expense over the period that the forecasted transactions effected the statement of operations. During fiscal 2004, we reclassified $0.2 million of losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses into the statement of operations and recorded $1.7 million of income into the statement of operations because of the change in fair value of the swaps. During fiscal 2005, we reclassified $1.1 million of losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses into the statement of operations and recorded $1.1 million of income into the statement of operations because of the change in fair value of the swaps. During fiscal 2006, we reclassified $0.2 million of losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses into the statement of operations and recorded $0.2 million of income into the statement of operations because of the change in fair value of the swaps.
 
 Prior to discontinuing these hedges, each period we recorded hedge ineffectiveness, which arose from differences between the interest rate stated in the derivative instrument and the interest rate upon which the underlying hedged transaction is based. Ineffectiveness totaled $0.4 million, for the year ended January 31, 2004, and is reflected in “Interest Expense” in our consolidated statement of operations. Since all hedge accounting has ceased, no ineffectiveness was recognized in fiscal 2005 or 2006.
 
 
50

 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
52
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
53
   
Report of Independent Auditors
55
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
56
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations
57
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
58
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
59
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
60
 
 
51


 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (as revised)
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
Our management (with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer) assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 31, 2006. Subsequently, management identified the following material weakness in internal control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for securitization income:
 
o  
a failure to ensure the correct application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities when recording securitization income and failure to identify and correct that error.
 
This material weakness has resulted in errors that reduced interest in securitized assets and securitization income, and, as a result, caused us to amend our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2006, in order to restate the previously issued financial statements. As a result of this material weakness, our management has revised its earlier assessment and has now concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of January 31, 2006.
 
Management's revised assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included elsewhere herein.
 
Conn’s, Inc.
Beaumont, Texas
September 14, 2006
 

 
/s/ David L. Rogers  
David L. Rogers
Chief Financial Officer
 

 
/s/ Thomas J. Frank  
Thomas J. Frank
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
52

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (as revised)
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Conn’s, Inc.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (as revised), that Conn’s, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006, because of the effect of a material weakness with respect to a failure to ensure the correct application of SFAS No. 140 when recording securitization income and a failure to correct that error, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Conn’s, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our report dated March 29, 2006, we expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s previous assessment that the Company maintained effective internal controls over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006 and an unqualified opinion that the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006, based on the COSO criteria. Management has subsequently determined that a deficiency in controls relating to the failure to ensure the correct application of SFAS No. 140 when recording securitization income, and a failure to correct that error existed as of the previous assessment date, and has further concluded that such a deficiency represented a material weakness as of January 31, 2006. As a result, management has revised its assessment, as presented in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, to conclude that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of January 31, 2006. Accordingly, our present opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006, as expressed herein, is different from that expressed in our previous report.

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment:

·  
failure to ensure the correct application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities, when recording securitization income, and a failure to identify and correct that error

53

As a result, the Company failed to identify that the Company’s securitization income and the value of interests in securitized assets were understated. This material weakness resulted in restatements of the Company's previously issued interim and annual financial statements as described more fully in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2006 financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 29, 2006, except for Notes 1, 2, 5 and 13 as to which the date is September 14, 2006, on those financial statements.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Conn’s, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness described above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, Conn’s, Inc. has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006, based on the COSO criteria.
Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas        
March 29, 2006, except for the effects of the material weakness described in the sixth paragraph of this report, as to which the date is September 14, 2006.

54

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (as revised)

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Conn’s, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Conn’s, Inc. as of January 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2006. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Conn’s, Inc. at January 31, 2006 and 2005, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 31, 2004 the Company adopted Financial Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”.

As discussed in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated financial statements have been restated to correct an error in accounting for interest in securitized assets and securitization income.

On February 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, Stock-Based Payment, using the modified retrospective application transition. Under the modified retrospective application transition, all prior period financial statements have been adjusted to give effect to the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Conn’s, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 29, 2006, except for the effects of the material weakness described in sixth paragraph of the report, as to which the date is September 14, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting because of a material weakness.


Houston, Texas
March 29, 2006, except for Notes 1, 2, 5 and 13 as to which the date is September 14, 2006

55

Conn’s, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(As Adjusted, see Note 1, and As Restated, see Note 13)
 
   
January 31,
 
Assets
 
2005
 
2006
 
Current Assets
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
7,027
 
$
45,176
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,211 and $914, respectively
   
26,728
   
23,542
 
Interest in securitized assets
   
117,159
   
139,282
 
Inventories
   
62,346
   
73,987
 
Deferred income taxes
   
825
   
-
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
3,552
   
4,004
 
Total current assets
   
217,637
   
285,991
 
Non-current deferred income tax asset
   
1,523
   
2,464
 
Property and equipment
             
Land
   
2,919
   
6,671
 
Buildings
   
8,068
   
7,084
 
Equipment and fixtures
   
10,036
   
9,612
 
Transportation equipment
   
4,419
   
3,284
 
Leasehold improvements
   
56,926
   
65,507
 
Subtotal
   
82,368
   
92,158
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
(34,658
)
 
(37,332
)
Total property and equipment, net
   
47,710
   
54,826
 
Goodwill, net
   
9,617
   
9,617
 
Other assets, net
   
229
   
260
 
Total assets
 
$
276,716
 
$
353,158
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
             
Current Liabilities
             
Notes payable
 
$
5,500
 
$
-
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
29
   
136
 
Accounts payable
   
27,108
   
40,920
 
Accrued compensation and related expenses
   
8,548
   
18,847
 
Accrued expenses
   
11,928
   
17,380
 
Income taxes payable
   
-
   
8,794
 
Deferred income taxes
   
958
   
1,343
 
Deferred revenues and allowances
   
7,383
   
8,498
 
Fair value of derivatives
   
177
   
-
 
Total current liabilities
   
61,631
   
95,918
 
Long-term debt
   
5,003
   
-
 
Non-current deferred tax liability
   
704
   
903
 
Deferred gain on sale of property
   
644
   
476
 
Stockholders’ equity
             
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding)
   
-
   
-
 
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized; 23,267,596 and 23,571,564 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively)
   
233
   
236
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
8,408
   
10,492
 
Additional paid in capital
   
85,090
   
89,027
 
Retained earnings
   
115,003
   
156,106
 
Total stockholders’ equity
   
208,734
   
255,861
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
276,716
 
$
353,158
 

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
56

Conn’s, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
(As Adjusted, see Note 1, and As Restated, see Note 13)
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
Revenues
             
Product sales
 
$
402,579
 
$
451,560
 
$
569,877
 
Service maintenance agreement commissions (net)
   
20,074
   
23,950
   
30,583
 
Service revenues
   
18,265
   
18,725
   
20,278
 
Total net sales
   
440,918
   
494,235
   
620,738
 
Finance charges and other
   
57,460
   
71,586
   
80,410
 
Total revenues
   
498,378
   
565,821
   
701,148
 
Cost and expenses
                   
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs
   
313,637
   
355,159
   
448,064
 
Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost
   
4,075
   
4,551
   
5,310
 
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
135,282
   
153,652
   
182,797
 
Provision for bad debts
   
2,504
   
2,589
   
1,133
 
Total cost and expenses
   
455,498
   
515,951
   
637,304
 
Operating income
   
42,880
   
49,870
   
63,844
 
Interest expense
   
4,577
   
2,359
   
400
 
Income before minority interest and income taxes
   
38,303
   
47,511
   
63,444
 
Minority interest in limited partnership
   
-
   
118
   
-
 
Income before income taxes
   
38,303
   
47,393
   
63,444
 
Provision for income taxes
                   
Current
   
12,980
   
16,147
   
23,048
 
Deferred
   
280
   
559
   
(707
)
Total provision for income taxes
   
13,260
   
16,706
   
22,341
 
Net Income
   
25,043
   
30,687
   
41,103
 
Less preferred dividends
   
1,954
   
-
   
-
 
Net income available for common stockholders
 
$
23,089
 
$
30,687
 
$
41,103
 
Earnings per share
                   
Basic
 
$
1.30
 
$
1.32
 
$
1.76
 
Diluted
 
$
1.26
 
$
1.30
 
$
1.71
 
Average common shares outstanding
                   
Basic
   
17,726
   
23,192
   
23,412
 
Diluted
   
18,257
   
23,646
   
24,088
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
57

Conn’s, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(As Adjusted, see Note 1, and As Restated, See Note 13)
 
                       
Accum.
                               
                         
Other
                               
                         
Compre-
                               
   
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
   
hensive
   
Paid in
   
Retained
   
Treasury Stock
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
Income
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Total
 
Balance January 31, 2003
   
175
   
$
15,226
   
17,175
   
$
172
   
$
1,964
   
$
-
   
$
73,073
   
 
455
   
$
(3,611
)
 
$
86,824
 
 
                                                                             
Preferred dividends declared
         
10,194
                                   
(10,194
)
                    -  
Preferred stock redeemed:
                                                                       
For cash
   
(10
)
   
(1,454
)
                                                         
(1,454
)
For common stock
   
(165
)
   
(23,966
)
 
1,712
     
17
             
23,949
                             
-
 
Additional common stock issued at IPO
               
4,623
     
46
             
58,311
                             
58,357
 
Exercise of options
               
47
     
1
             
396
                             
397
 
Cancellation of treasury stock
               
(455
)
   
(5
)
                   
(3,606
)
   
(455
)
   
3,611
     
-
 
Stock-based compensation
                                       
108
                             
108
 
Net income
                                               
25,043
                     
25,043
 
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments (net of tax of $794), net of reclassification adjustments of $158 (net of tax of $ 89)
                               
1,411
                                     
1,411
 
Adjustment of fair value of securitized assets (net of tax of $303), net of reclassification adjustments of $9,341 (net of tax of $5,096)
                                 
1,225
                                     
1,225
 
Total comprehensive income
                                                                             
27,679
 
Balance January 31, 2004
   
-
     
-
   
23,102
     
231
     
4,600
     
82,764
     
84,316
     
-
     
-
     
171,911
 
                                                                               
Exercise of options, including tax benefit
               
162
     
2
             
1,465
                             
1,467
 
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
               
9
                     
109
                             
109
 
Forfeiture of 5,181 restricted shares
               
(5
)
                                                   
-
 
Stock-based compensation
                                       
752
                             
752
 
Net income
                                               
30,687
                     
30,687
 
Reclassification adjustments on derivative instruments (net of tax of $ 399)
                               
732
                                     
732
 
Adjustment of fair value of securitized assets (net of tax of $1,674), net of reclassification adjustments of $10,943 (net of tax of $5,919)
                               
3,076
                                     
3,076
 
Total comprehensive income
                                                                              
34,495
 
Balance January 31, 2005
   
-
     
-
   
23,268
     
233
     
8,408
     
85,090
     
115,003
     
-
     
-
     
208,734
 
                                                                               
Exercise of options, including tax benefit
               
293
     
3
             
2,579
                             
2,582
 
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
               
11
                     
192
                             
192
 
Stock-based compensation
                                       
1,166
                             
1,166
 
Net income
                                               
41,103
                     
41,103
 
Reclassification adjustments on derivative instruments(net of tax of $ 86)
                               
160
                                     
160
 
Adjustment of fair value of securitized assets (net of tax of $1038), net of reclassification adjustments of $12,626 (net of tax of $6,828)
                               
1,924
                                     
1,924
 
Total comprehensive income
                                                                          
43,187
 
Balance January 31, 2006
   
-
   
$
-
   
23,572
   
$
236
   
$
10,492
    $
89,027
   
$
156,106
     
-
   
$
-
   
$
255,861
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
58

 Conn’s, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(As Adjusted, see Note 1, and As Restated, see Note 13)
 
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
Cash flows from operating activities
             
Net income
 
$
25,043
 
$
30,687
 
$
41,103
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                   
Depreciation
   
6,654
   
8,777
   
11,271
 
Amortization
   
592
   
18
   
(318
)
Provision for bad debts
   
2,604
   
3,299
   
1,186
 
Stock-based compensation
   
108
   
752
   
1,166
 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
   
-
   
(59
)
 
(134
)
Accretion from interests in securitized assets
   
(14,437
)
 
(16,862
)
 
(19,454
)
Provision for deferred income taxes
   
280
   
559
   
(707
)
Loss (gain) from sale of property and equipment
   
64
   
126
   
69
 
Discounts on promotional credit, net
   
-
   
1,571
   
691
 
Losses (gains) from derivatives
   
(1,010
)
 
(15
)
 
69
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
                   
Accounts receivable
   
(8,672
)
 
(26,808
)
 
1,648
 
Inventory
   
(7,624
)
 
(8,604
)
 
(11,641
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
900
   
(515
)
 
(452
)
Accounts payable
   
1,910
   
696
   
13,812
 
Accrued expenses
   
4,200
   
7,697
   
15,751
 
Income taxes payable
   
2,429
   
(2,430
)
 
8,794
 
Deferred revenues and allowances
   
(648
)
 
1,222
   
1,330
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
12,393
   
111
   
64,184
 
Cash flows from investing activities
                   
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(9,401
)
 
(19,619
)
 
(18,490
)
Proceeds from sales of property
   
1,291
   
1,131
   
34
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(8,110
)
 
(18,488
)
 
(18,456
)
Cash flows from financing activities
                   
Net proceeds from the sale of common stock
   
58,357
   
-
   
-
 
Net proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans, including tax benefit
   
397
   
1,603
   
2,813
 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
   
-
   
59
   
134
 
Redemption of preferred stock
   
(1,454
)
 
-
   
-
 
Net borrowings (payments) under line of credit
   
(31,999
)
 
10,500
   
(10,500
)
Payments on term note
   
(15,000
)
 
-
   
-
 
Increase in debt issuance costs
   
(213
)
 
(118
)
 
(130
)
Borrowings on promissory notes
   
-
   
-
   
136
 
Payment of promissory notes
   
(4,901
)
 
(60
)
 
(32
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
5,187
   
11,984
   
(7,579
)
Impact on cash of consolidation of SRDS
   
1,024
   
478
   
-
 
Net change in cash
   
10,494
   
(5,915
)
 
38,149
 
Cash and cash equivalents
                   
Beginning of the year
   
2,448
   
12,942
   
7,027
 
End of the year
 
$
12,942
 
$
7,027
 
$
45,176
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
                   
Cash interest paid
 
$
5,718
 
$
2,387
 
$
635
 
Cash income taxes paid, net of refunds
   
10,162
   
19,372
   
13,179
 
Cash interest received from interests in securitized assets
   
12,801
   
19,630
   
26,996
 
Cash proceeds from new securitizations
   
213,741
   
256,139
   
285,529
 
Cash flows from servicing fees
   
12,089
   
15,529
   
18,572
 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity
                   
Customer receivables exchanged for interests in securitized assets
   
41,123
   
58,342
   
58,835
 
Amounts reinvested in interests in securitized assets
   
(56,478
)
 
(81,652
)
 
(76,133
)
 
 See notes to consolidated financial statements.


59

CONN’S , INC.  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 January 31, 2006
(Restated)
 
1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation.    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Conn’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries, limited liability companies and limited partnerships, all of which are wholly-owned (the “Company”). All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The Company enters into securitization transactions to sell its retail installment and revolving customer receivables. These securitization transactions are accounted for as sales in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities because the Company has relinquished control of the receivables. Additionally, the Company has transferred such receivables to a qualifying special purpose entity (“QSPE”). Accordingly, neither the transferred receivables nor the accounts of the QSPE are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. See Note 2 for further discussion.
 
Application of FIN 46. In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, An Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, or FIN 46. FIN 46 requires entities, generally, to be consolidated by a company when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership, direct or indirect, of a majority voting interest in an entity with which it conducts business. The Company evaluated the effects of the issuance of FIN 46 on the accounting for its leases with Specialized Realty Development Services, LP (“SRDS”) and determined that it was appropriate to consolidate the balance sheet of SRDS with the Company as of January 31, 2004. As of January 31, 2005, the Company no longer leased any of its facilities from SRDS and therefore FIN 46 no longer applies and the Company no longer consolidates SRDS’s balance sheet or statement of operations. However, the operations of SRDS are consolidated with those of the Company commencing on February 1, 2004 through the last effective date of the Company’s leases with SRDS of January 30, 2005. The effect of such consolidation on the Company’s Statement of Operations for the year ended January 31, 2005 was to reduce “Selling, general and administrative expense” by $0.9 million, increase “Interest expense” by $0.8 million and reduce “Income before income taxes” by $0.1 million for “Minority interest in limited partnership”. The Company had no exposure to losses incurred by SRDS.
 
Business Activities.    The Company, through its retail stores, provides products and services to its customer base in six primary market areas, including southern Louisiana, southeast Texas, Houston, South Texas, San Antonio/Austin, and Dallas, Texas. Products and services offered through retail sales outlets include major home appliances, consumer electronics, home office equipment, lawn and garden products, mattresses, furniture, service maintenance agreements, installment and revolving credit account services, and various credit insurance products. These activities are supported through an extensive service, warehouse and distribution system. For the reasons discussed below, the aggregation of operating companies represent one reportable segment under SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the operating results of the Company’s single reportable segment. The Company’s retail stores bear the “Conn’s” name, and deliver the same products and services to a common customer group. The Company’s customers generally are individuals rather than commercial accounts. All of the retail stores follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations. The Company’s management evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating results of the retail stores and considers the credit programs, service contracts and distribution system to be an integral part of the Company’s retail operations.
 
Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
60

Vendor Programs.    The Company receives funds from vendors for price protection, product and volume rebates, marketing, training and promotional programs which are recorded on as the amounts are earned as a reduction to the related product cost or advertising expense, according to the nature of the program. The Company accrues rebates based on the satisfaction of terms of the program and sales of qualifying products even though funds may not be received until the end of a quarter or year. If the programs are related to product purchases, which would include price protection, product and volume rebates, the allowances, credits, or payments are recorded as a reduction of product cost and are reflected in cost of goods sold when the related product is sold. If the programs relate to marketing, training and promotions that are not for reimbursement of specific incremental costs, the allowances, credits or payments are reflected as a reduction of cost of goods sold. If the programs are related to promotion or marketing of the product, the allowances, credits, or payments for reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable, advertising-related costs incurred in selling the vendors’ products are recorded as a reduction of advertising expense and are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the period in which the expense is incurred. The credits/payments received from vendors that were netted against advertising expense for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were $2.8 million, $4.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
 
Earnings Per Share.    In accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share, the Company calculates basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effects of any stock options granted calculated under the treasury method. The following table sets forth the shares outstanding for the earnings per share calculations (shares in thousands):

   
Year Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
Common stock outstanding, beginning of period
   
17,175
   
23,102
   
23,268
 
Weighted average common stock issued in initial public offering
   
719
         
-
 
Weighted average common stock issued in preferred stock redemption
   
285
         
-
 
Weighted average common stock issued in stock option exercises
   
2
   
89
   
142
 
Weighted average common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan
   
-
   
3
   
2
 
Weighted average number of restricted shares forfeited
   
-
   
(2
)
     
Less: Weighted average treasury shares purchased and weighted average shares purchased and cancelled
   
(455
)
       
-
 
Shares used in computing basic earnings per share
   
17,726
   
23,192
   
23,412
 
Dilutive effect of stock options, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock
   
531
   
454
   
676
 
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
   
18,257
   
23,646
   
24,088
 
 
During the periods presented, options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the Company’s common stock are excluded from the calculation of the dilutive effect of stock options for diluted earnings per share calculations. The weighted average number of options not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect of stock options was 0.1 million for each of the years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006, and none for the year ended January 31, 2004.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.    The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Inventories.    Inventories consist of finished goods or parts and are valued at the lower of cost (moving weighted average method) or market.
 
61

Property and Equipment.    Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Costs associated with major additions and betterments that increase the value or extend the lives of assets are capitalized and depreciated. Normal repairs and maintenance that do not materially improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, or in the case or leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining terms of the respective leases. The estimated lives used to compute depreciation expense are summarized as follows:
 
Buildings
   
30 years
 
         
Equipment and fixtures
   
3 - 5 years
 
         
Transportation equipment
   
3 years
 
         
Leasehold improvements
   
5 - 10 years
 
 
Property and equipment are evaluated for impairment at the retail store level. The Company performs a periodic assessment of assets for impairment in the absence of such information or indicators. Additionally, an impairment evaluation is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. The most likely condition that would necessitate an assessment would be an adverse change in historical and estimated future results of a retail store’s performance. For property and equipment to be held and used, the Company recognizes an impairment loss if its carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted cash flows and measures the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.
 
All gains and losses on sale of assets are included in “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations.
 

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
(in thousands of dollars)
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
   
(64
)
 
(126
)
 
(69
)
 
Receivable Sales and Interests in Securitized Receivables.    The Company enters into securitization transactions to sell customer retail installment and revolving receivable accounts. In these transactions, the Company retains interest-only strips and subordinated securities, all of which are retained interests in the securitized receivables. Gain or loss on the sales of the receivables depends in part on the previous carrying amount of the financial assets involved in the transfer, allocated between the assets sold and the retained interests, based on their relative fair value at the date of transfer. Retained interests are carried at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet as available-for-sale securities in accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. Impairment and interest income are recognized in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. Servicing fees are recognized monthly as they are earned. Gains on sales of receivables, impairment on retained interests, interest income from retained interests and servicing fees are included in “Finance charges and other” in the consolidated statement of operations.
 
The Company estimates fair value of its retained interest in both the initial securitization and thereafter based on the present value of future expected cash flows using management’s best estimates of the key assumptions—credit losses, prepayment rates, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. The Company’s retained interest in the transferred receivables are valued on a revolving pool basis.
 
Receivables Not Sold. Certain receivables are not eligible for inclusion in the securitization transactions and are therefore carried on the Company’s balance sheet in “Accounts receivable”. Such receivables are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is calculated based on historical losses. Generally, a receivable is considered delinquent if a payment has not been received on the scheduled due date. Generally, an account that is delinquent more than 120 days and for which no payment has been received in the past seven months will be charged-off against the allowance and interest accrued subsequent to the last payment will be reversed. The Company has a secured interest in the merchandise financed by these receivables and therefore has the opportunity to recover a portion of the charged-off value. (See also Note 2.)
 
62

Goodwill.    Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired. The Company assesses the potential future impairment of goodwill on an annual basis, or at any other time when impairment indicators exist. In fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired based on its annual impairment testing.
 
Income Taxes.    The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the tax rates and laws that are expected be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
 
Revenue Recognition.    Revenues from the sale of retail products are recognized at the time the product is delivered to the customer. Such revenues are recognized net of any adjustments for sales incentive offers such as discounts, coupons, rebates or other free products or services. The Company sells service maintenance agreements and credit insurance contracts on behalf of unrelated third parties. For contracts where the third parties are the obligor on the contract, commissions are recognized in revenues at the time of sale, and in the case of retrospective commissions, at the time that they are earned. The Company records a receivable for earned but unremitted retrospective commissions and reserves for future cancellations of service maintenance agreements and credit insurance contracts estimated based on historical experience. Where the Company sells service maintenance agreements in which it is deemed to be the obligor on the contract at the time of sale, revenue is recognized ratably, on a straight-line basis, over the term of the service maintenance agreement. These Company-obligor service maintenance agreements are renewal contracts which provide our customers protection against product repair costs arising after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty and the third-party obligor contracts. These agreements typically range from 12 months to 36 months. These agreements are separate units of accounting under EITF No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables and are valued based on the agreed upon retail selling price. The amounts of service maintenance agreement revenue deferred at January 31, 2005 and 2006 were $3.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and are included in “Deferred revenue and allowances” in the accompanying balance sheets. Under the renewal contracts, the Company defers and amortizes its direct selling expenses over the contract term and records the cost of the service work performed as products are repaired.
 
The classification of the amounts included as “Finance charges and other” is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
Securitization income:
             
Servicing fees received
 
$
12,089
 
$
15,529
 
$
18,572
 
Accretion of gains on sale of receivables
   
19,128
   
24,719
   
26,724
 
Impairment recorded on retained interests
   
-
   
-
   
(895
)
Interest earned on retained interests
   
6,908
   
9,389
   
14,633
 
Total securitization income
   
38,125
   
49,637
   
59,034
 
Interest Income from receivables not sold
   
888
   
1,224
   
1,181
 
Insurance commissions
   
14,804
   
16,101
   
16,672
 
Other
   
3,643
   
4,624
   
3,523
 
Finance charges and other
 
$
57,460
 
$
71,586
 
$
80,410
 
                     
Gains on sale of receivables
 
$
20,655
 
$
29,468
 
$
29,687
 

 
63

Securitization income includes accretion of gains on sales of receivables, impairment of retained interests, interest income from retained interests and servicing fees. No significant impairments related to the interest only strip of retained interests have been recorded in the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005, or 2006. Gains on sale of receivables are recognized as securitization income as accretion over the lives of the related receivables. See “Receivable Sales and Interest in Securitized Receivables” for revenue recognition policies related to these components.
 
The Company offers interest free promotional programs for three- to 24-month contracts and has recorded interest income only on those contracts that are not expected to make payments within the time period specified to satisfy the promotional requirements. The Company also offers 24- and 36-month no-interest contracts on which no interest is owed for the term of the contract, unless the terms of the contract related to periodic payments are not met, in which case interest accrues at the normal contract rate from that point forward. Other than these promotional programs, the Company does not extend credit at interest rates other than market rates.
 
The following table sets forth the sales made under the interest free programs (in thousands):


   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
Sales under interest-free programs
 
$
66,986
 
$
126,575
 
$
159,767
 
 
These sales are recognized at the time the product is delivered to the customer, which is consistent with the above stated policy. Considering the short-term nature of interest free programs for terms less than one year, sales are recorded at full value and are not discounted. Sales financed by longer-term (18-, 24- and 36-month) interest free programs are recorded at their net present value (see “Application of APB 21 to Cash Option Programs that Exceed One Year in Duration” below). Receivables arising out of the Company’s interest-free programs are securitized with other qualifying customer receivables.
 
The Company classifies amounts billed to customers relating to shipping and handling as revenues. Costs of $15.1 million, $16.7 million and $21.0 million associated with shipping and handling revenues are included in “Selling, general and administrative expense” for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and notes and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s interests in securitized receivables is determined by estimating the present value of future expected cash flows using management’s best estimates of the key assumptions, including credit losses, prepayment rates, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. See Note 2. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value due to either the time to maturity or the existence of variable interest rates that approximate current market rate.

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements are recorded in current liabilities based on the settlement value obtained from the counter-party in the transaction. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company uses derivatives to hedge a portion of the variable interest rate risk related to the cash flows from its interest only strip and its variable rate debt.

 We held interest rate swaps and collars with notional amounts totaling $20 million at both January 31, 2004 and 2005, with terms extending through April 2005. Those instruments were held for the purpose of hedging a portion of the variable interest rate risk, primarily related to cash flows from our interest-only strip as well as our variable rate debt. Hedge accounting was discontinued for the rate swaps in fiscal 2004. At the time the cash flow hedge designation was discontinued, we began to recognize changes in the fair value of the swaps as interest expense and amortize the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to those derivates as interest expense over the period that the forecasted transactions effected the statement of operations. During fiscal 2004, we reclassified $0.2 million of losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses into the statement of operations and recorded $1.7 million of income into the statement of operations because of the change in fair value of the swaps. During fiscal 2005, we reclassified $1.1 million of losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses into the statement of operations and recorded $1.1 million of income into the statement of operations because of the change in fair value of the swaps. During fiscal 2006, we reclassified $0.2 million of losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses into the statement of operations and recorded $0.2 million of income into the statement of operations because of the change in fair value of the swaps.
 
64

 Prior to discontinuing these hedges, each period we recorded hedge ineffectiveness, which arose from differences between the interest rate stated in the derivative instrument and the interest rate upon which the underlying hedged transaction is based. Ineffectiveness totaled $0.4 million for the year ended January 31, 2004, and is reflected in “Interest Expense” in our consolidated statement of operations. Since all hedge accounting has ceased, no ineffectiveness was recognized in fiscal 2005 or 2006.
 
Stock-Based Compensation.    On February 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, Stock-Based Payment, using the modified retrospective application transition. Under the modified retrospective application transition, all prior period financial statements have been adjusted to give effect to the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation. The adoption of the statement impacted the financial statements presented as follows:

·  
For the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Income before income taxes was reduced by $0.1 million, $0.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
·  
For the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Net income was reduced by $0.1 million, $0.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
·  
For the years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006, Basic earnings per share was reduced by $.03 and $.04, respectively. There was no Basic earnings per share impact in the year ended January 31, 2004.
·  
For the years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006, Diluted earnings per share was reduced by $.03 and $.04, respectively. There was no Diluted earnings per share impact in the year ended January 31, 2004.
·  
For the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Cash flows from operating activities were reduced by, and Cash flows from investing activities were increased by, $0.0, $0.1 and $0.1 million, respectively.
·  
As of January 31, 2006, the Current deferred income tax asset increased $0.3 million, Additional paid-in capital increased $2.0 million and Retained earnings decreased $1.7 million.

For post-IPO stock option grants, the Company has used the Black-Scholes model to determine fair value. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the applicable grant. Prior to the IPO, the value of the options issued was estimated using the minimum valuation option-pricing model. Since the minimum valuation option-pricing model does not qualify as a fair value pricing model under FAS 123R, the Company follows the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based compensation to employees for these grants, as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations The following table presents the impact to earnings per share as if the Company had adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 (dollars in thousands except per share data):

65

 

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
 
                   
Net income available for common stockholders as reported
 
$
23,089
   
$
30,687
   
$
41,103
 
Add: Stock-based compensation recorded, net of tax
 
 
87
   
 
609
   
 
963
 
 
                       
Less: Stock-based compensation, net of tax, for all awards
   
(530
)
   
(1,017
)
   
(1,313
)
Pro forma net income
 
$
22,646
   
$
30,279
   
$
40,753
 
                         
Earnings per share-as reported:
                       
Basic
 
$
1.30
   
$
1.32
   
$
1.76
 
Diluted
 
$
1.26
   
$
1.30
   
$
1.71
 
Pro forma earnings per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
1.28
   
$
1.31
   
$
1.74
 
Diluted
 
$
1.24
   
$
1.28
   
$
1.69
 
Percent change:
                       
Net income
   
(1.9
)%
   
(1.3
)%
   
(0.9
)%
Assumptions used in pricing model:
                       
Weighted average risk free interest rates
   
0.9
%
   
1.8
%
   
3.9
%
Weighted average expected lives in years
   
4.3
     
4.4
     
4.6
 
Weighted average volatility
   
37.5
%
   
30.0
%
   
32.0
%
Expected dividends
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
As of January 31, 2006, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized totaled $6.0 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.8 years.

Self insurance.    The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to group health, workers’ compensation, automobile, general and product liability claims. The Company has stop loss coverage to limit the exposure arising from these claims. Self-insurance losses for claims filed and claims incurred, but not reported, are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims incurred using development factors based on historical experience.
 
Expense Classifications.    The Company records “Cost of goods sold” as the direct cost of products sold, any related in-bound freight costs, and receiving costs, inspection costs, internal transfer costs, and other costs associated with the operations of its distribution system. Also included in “Cost of goods sold” is an allocation of advertising expense computed at approximately 6% of the product direct cost. The offset for this allocation is in “Selling, general and administrative expense” and is netted with advertising costs along with vendor rebates (see “Vendor Programs” above). Advertising expense included in Selling, general and administrative expense for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, was:
 

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
       
(in thousands)
     
Gross advertising expense
 
$
24,686
 
$
28,564
 
$
32,107
 
Less:
                   
Vendor rebates
   
(2,812
)
 
(4,752
)
 
(5,793
)
Allocation to Cost of goods sold
   
(17,517
)
 
(20,635
)
 
(26,621
)
Net advertising expense in
                   
Selling, general and adminstrative expense
 
$
4,357
 
$
3,177
 
$
(307
)
 
In addition, the Company records as “Cost of service parts sold” the direct cost of parts used in its service operation and the related inbound freight costs, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, internal transfer costs, and other costs associated with the warranty and service distribution operation.
 
The costs associated with the Company’s merchandising function, including product purchasing, advertising, sales commissions, and all store occupancy costs are included in “Selling, general and administrative expense.”
  
66

Application of APB 21 to Cash Option Programs that Exceed One Year in Duration. In February 2004, the Company began offering promotional credit payment plans on certain products that extend beyond one year. In accordance with APB 21, Interest on Receivables and Payables, such sales are discounted to their fair value resulting in a reduction in sales and receivables and the amortization of the discount amount over the term of the deferred interest payment plan. The difference between the gross sale and the discounted amount is reflected as a reduction of Product sales in the consolidated statements of operations and the amount of the discount being amortized in the current period is recorded in Finance charges and other. For the years ended January 31, 2005 and 2006, “Product sales” were reduced by $2.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively, and “Finance charges and other” was increased by $0.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, to effect the adjustment to fair value and to reflect the appropriate amortization of the discount.

Reclassifications.    Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. Specifically, the impact of the cancellation of insurance policies on charged-off receivables, which were previously included in the Provision for bad debts on the consolidated statements of operations, are now reported as a reduction of Insurance commissions, which is included in Finance charges and other.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.    The balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax) at January 31, 2005 was comprised of $8.6 million of unrealized gains on interests in securitized assets less $0.2 million of unrealized losses on derivatives. The balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax) at January 31, 2006 was comprised of $10.5 million of unrealized gains on interests in securitized assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.    In February 2006, SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, was issued. This statements is an amendment of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. This statement permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that would otherwise require bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation, clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives and amends SFAS No. 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The Company is currently analyzing the impact this statement will have on its consolidated results of operations and its financial position.

In March 2006, SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140, was issued. This statement requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract, requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, permits an entity to choose either the amortization method or fair value measurement method for subsequent measurement of each class of separately recognized servicing assets, permits, at its initial adoption, a one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities to trading securities by entities with recognized servicing rights and, requires separate presentation of and additional disclosures for servicing assets and servicing liabilities subsequently measured at fair value. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The Company is currently analyzing the impact this statement will have on its consolidated results of operations and its financial position.

67

2.    Interests in Securitized Receivables
 
The Company has an agreement to sell customer receivables. As part of this agreement, the Company sells eligible retail installment and revolving receivable accounts to a QSPE that pledges the transferred accounts to a trustee for the benefit of investors. The following table summarizes the availability of funding under the Company’s securitization program at January 31, 2006 (in thousands):

   
Capacity
 
Utilized
 
Available
 
Series A
 
$
250,000
 
$
185,000
 
$
65,000
 
Series B – Class A
   
120,000
   
120,000
   
 
Series B – Class B
   
57,778
   
57,778
   
 
Series B – Class C
   
22,222
   
22,222
   
 
Total
 
$
450,000
 
$
385,000
 
$
65,000
 

The Series A program functions as a credit facility to fund the initial transfer of eligible receivables. When the facility approaches capacity, the QSPE (“Issuer”) intends to seek financing to pay down the outstanding balance in the Series A variable funding note; at that point, the facility will once again become available to accumulate the transfer of new receivables or to meet required principal payments on other series as they become due. This new financing could be in the form of additional notes, bonds or other instruments as the market might allow. The Series A program matures September 1, 2007. The Series B program (which is non-amortizing for the first four years) matures officially on September 1, 2010, although it is expected that the principal payments, which are required to begin in October 2006, will retire the bonds prior to that date.
 
The agreement contains certain covenants requiring the maintenance of various financial ratios and receivables performance standards. The Company was in compliance with the requirements of the agreement as of January 31, 2006. As part of the new securitization program, the Company and Issuer arranged for the issuance of a stand-by letter of credit in the amount of $10.0 million to provide assurance to the trustee on behalf of the bondholders that funds collected monthly by the Company, as servicer, will be remitted as required under the base indenture and other related documents. The letter of credit has a term of one year, and the maximum potential amount of future payments is the face amount of the letter of credit. The letter of credit is callable, at the option of trustee, if the Company, as servicer, fails to make the required monthly payments of the cash collected to the trustee.
 
Through its retail sales activities, the Company generates customer retail installment and revolving receivable accounts. The Company enters into securitization transactions to sell these accounts to the QSPE. In these securitizations, the Company retains servicing responsibilities and subordinated interests. The Company receives annual servicing fees and other benefits approximating 3.9% of the outstanding balance and rights to future cash flows arising after the investors in the securities issued by or on behalf of the QSPE have received from the trustee all contractually required principal and interest amounts. The Company does not record an asset or liability related to any servicing obligations because the servicing benefits received are determined to be just adequate to compensate the Company for its servicing responsibilities. The investors and the securitization trustee have no recourse to the Company’s other assets for failure of the individual customers of the Company and the QSPE to pay when due. The Company’s retained interests are subordinate to the investors’ interests. Their value is subject to credit, prepayment, and interest rate risks on the transferred financial assets.

68

The fair values of the Company’s interest in securitized assets were as follows (in thousands):
 

   
January 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
Interest-only strip
 
$
20,497
 
$
25,238
 
Subordinated securities
   
96,662
   
114,044
 
Total fair value of interests in securitized assets
 
$
117,159
 
$
139,282
 

The table below summarizes valuation assumptions used for each period presented:

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
Prepayment rates
             
Primary installment
   
1.5
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.5
%
Primary revolving
   
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
Secondary installment
   
1.5
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.5
%
Net interest spread
                   
Primary installment
   
13.4
%
 
13.3
%
 
12.8
%
Primary revolving
   
13.4
%
 
13.3
%
 
12.8
%
Secondary installment
   
14.1
%
 
15.0
%
 
14.7
%
Expected losses
                   
Primary installment
   
3.5
%
 
3.4
%
 
3.0
%
Primary revolving
   
3.5
%
 
3.4
%
 
3.0
%
Secondary installment
   
3.5
%
 
3.4
%
 
3.0
%
Projected expense
                   
Primary installment
   
3.9
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.1
%
Primary revolving
   
3.9
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.1
%
Secondary installment
   
3.9
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.1
%
Discount rates
                   
Primary installment
   
10.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
13.0
%
Primary revolving
   
10.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
13.0
%
Secondary installment
   
14.0
%
 
14.0
%
 
17.0
%
Delinquency and deferral rates
                   
Primary installment
   
9.4
%
 
10.1
%
 
9.3
%
Primary revolving
   
11.3
%
 
8.9
%
 
7.3
%
Secondary installment
   
16.5
%
 
15.3
%
 
14.0
%

 
69

At January 31, 2006, key economic assumptions and the sensitivity of the current fair value of the interests in securitized assets to immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in those assumptions are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
     
Primary
 
Primary
 
Secondary
 
     
Portfolio
 
Portfolio
 
Portfolio
 
     
Installment
 
Revolving
 
Installment
 
Fair value of interest in securitized assets
       
$
98,923
 
$
10,958
 
$
29,401
 
                           
Expected weighted average life.
         
1.2 years
   
1.4 years
   
1.6 years
 
                           
Annual prepayment rate assumption.
         
1.5
%
 
3.0
%
 
1.5
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
       
$
212
 
$
24
 
$
141
 
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
       
$
415
 
$
46
 
$
276
 
Net interest spread assumption.
         
12.8
%
 
12.8
%
 
14.7
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
       
$
3,396
 
$
376
 
$
1,745
 
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
       
$
6,705
 
$
743
 
$
3,405
 
Expected losses assumptions
         
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
       
$
806
 
$
89
 
$
364
 
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
       
$
1,605
 
$
178
 
$
723
 
Projected expense assumption
         
4.1
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.1
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
       
$
769
 
$
85
 
$
330
 
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
       
$
1,538
 
$
170
 
$
660
 
Discount rate assumption
         
13.0
%
 
13.0
%
 
17.0
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
       
$
1,010
 
$
112
 
$
558
 
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
       
$
2,004
 
$
222
 
$
1,101
 
Delinquency and deferral
         
9.3
%
 
7.3
%
 
14.0
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change (1) 
       
$
124
 
$
14
 
$
121
 
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change (1) 
       
$
244
 
$
27
 
$
239
 

(1) For purposes of this analysis, an adverse change is assumed to be a decrease in the delinquency and deferral rate. A decrease results in a faster repayment of the loans, which reduces the fair value of the interest-only strip a greater amount than the resulting increase in the fair value of the subordinated securities. Since it is assumed that none of the other assumptions would change, an increase in the delinquency and deferral rate results in an increase in the fair value, (i.e. losses are not assumed to increase as a result).
 
These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with caution. As the figures indicate, changes in fair value based on a 10% variation in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect of the variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the interest-only strip is calculated without changing any other assumption; in reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another (i.e. increases in market interest rates may result in lower prepayments and increased credit losses), which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.
 
70

The following illustration presents quantitative information about the receivables portfolios managed by the Company (in thousands):

   
Total Principal Amount of
 
Principal Amount Over
 
   
Receivables
 
60 Days Past Due (1)
 
   
January 31,
 
January 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
Primary portfolio:
                 
Installment
 
$
328,042
 
$
380,603
 
$
16,636
 
$
24,934
 
Revolving
   
30,210
   
41,046
   
867
   
1,095
 
Subtotal
   
358,252
   
421,649
   
17,503
   
26,029
 
Secondary portfolio:
                         
Installment
   
70,448
   
98,072
   
5,640
   
9,508
 
Total receivables managed
   
428,700
   
519,721
   
23,143
   
35,537
 
Less receivables sold
   
419,172
   
509,681
   
21,540
   
33,483
 
Receivables not sold
   
9,528
   
10,040
 
$
1,603
 
$
2,054
 
Non-customer receivables
   
17,200
   
13,502
             
Total accounts receivable, net
 
$
26,728
 
$
23,542
             
 
 

   
Average Balances
 
Credit Charge-offs
 
   
January 31,
 
January 31, (2)
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
Primary portfolio:
                 
Installment
 
$
297,187
 
$
352,315
             
Revolving
   
25,921
   
35,149
             
Subtotal
   
323,108
   
387,464
 
$
7,601
 
$
10,225
 
Secondary portfolio:
                         
Installment
   
64,484
   
83,461
   
1,604
   
1,915
 
Total receivables managed
   
387,592
   
470,925
   
9,205
   
12,140
 
Less receivables sold
   
378,178
   
461,215
   
8,105
   
11,267
 
Receivables not sold
 
$
9,414
 
$
9,710
 
$
1,100
 
$
873
 

(1)
 
Amounts are based on end of period balances.
(2)
 
Amounts represent total loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, on total receivables.
 
3.    Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
 
At January 31, 2006, the Company had $47.0 million of its $50 million revolving credit facility available for borrowings. The amounts utilized under the revolving credit facility reflected $3.0 million related to letters of credit issued. The letters of credit were issued under a $5.0 million sublimit provided under the facility for standby letters of credit. Additionally, there were no amounts outstanding under a short-term revolving bank agreement that provides up to $8.0 million of availability on an unsecured basis. This unsecured facility matures in May 2006 and has a floating rate of interest, based on Prime, which equaled 7.00% at January 31, 2006.

71

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands, except repayment explanations):
 

   
January 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
Revolving credit facility with interest at variable rates (7.25% at January 31, 2006)
 
$
5,000
 
$
-
 
Promissory notes, due in monthly installments
   
32
   
136
 
Total long-term debt
   
5,032
   
136
 
Less amounts due within one year
   
(29
)
 
(136
)
Amounts classified as long-term
 
$
5,003
 
$
-
 
  
The revolving facility is subject to the Company maintaining various financial and non-financial covenants. In addition, the provisions of the bank credit facility limit the payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock. As of January 31, 2005 and January 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants.
 
The current agreement provides for a revolving facility capacity of $50 million, with a $5 million letter of credit sublimit and an $8.0 million sublimit for a swingline of credit. Interest rates are variable and are determined, at the option of the Company, at the Base Rate (the greater of Agent’s prime rate or federal funds rate plus 0.50%) plus the Base Rate Margin (which ranges from 0.00% to 0.50%) or LIBO/LIBOR Rate plus the LIBO/LIBOR Margin (which ranges from 0.75% to 1.75%). Both the Base Rate Margin and the LIBO/LIBOR Margin are determined quarterly based on a debt coverage ratio equal to the rolling four-quarter relationship of total debt (including lease obligations) to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent. The Company is obligated to pay a non-use fee on a quarterly basis on the non-utilized portion of the revolving facility at rates ranging from .20% to .375%. The revolving facility is secured by the assets of the Company not otherwise encumbered and a pledge of substantially all of the stock of the Company’s present and future subsidiaries and matures in November 2010.
 
Interest expense incurred on notes payable and long-term debt totaled $2.2, $1.1 and $0.2 million for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Interest expense included interest related to SRDS debt, which totaled $0.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2005. Aggregate maturities of long-term debt as of January 31 in the year indicated are as follows (in thousands):


2007
 
$
136
 
2008
   
-
 
2009
   
-
 
Total
 
$
136
 
4. Letters of Credit

The Company utilizes unsecured letters of credit to secure a portion of the QSPE’s asset-backed securitization program, deductibles under the Company’s insurance programs and international product purchases. At January 31, 2005 and January 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding unsecured letters of credit of $12.1 million and $13.0 million, respectively. These letters of credit were issued under the three following facilities:

·  
The Company has a $5.0 million sublimit provided under its revolving line of credit for stand-by and import letters of credit. At January 31, 2006, $3.0 million of letters of credit were outstanding and callable at the option of the Company’s insurance carrier if the Company does not honor its requirement to fund deductible amounts as billed under its insurance program.

·  
The Company has arranged for a $10.0 million stand-by letter of credit to provide assurance to the trustee of the asset-backed securitization program that funds collected by the Company, as the servicer, would be remitted as required under the base indenture and other related documents. The letter of credit has a term of one year and expires in August 2006.

·  
The Company obtained a $1.5 million commitment for trade letters of credit to secure product purchases under an international arrangement. At January 31, 2006, there were no letters of credit outstanding under this commitment. The letter of credit commitment has a term of one year and expires in May 2006.

72

The maximum potential amount of future payments under these letter of credit facilities is considered to be the aggregate face amount of each letter of credit commitment, which total $16.5 million as of January 31, 2006.

5.    Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary timing differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets result primarily from differences between financial and tax methods of accounting for income recognition on service contracts and residual interests, capitalization of costs in inventory, and deductions for depreciation and doubtful accounts, and the fair value of derivatives. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands):


   
January 31,
 
   
2005
 
2006
 
Deferred Tax Assets
         
Allowance for doubtful accounts and warranty and insurance cancellations
 
$
1,124
 
$
2,158
 
Deferred revenue
   
2,204
   
597
 
Fair value of derivatives
   
62
   
-
 
Stock-based compensation
   
137
   
301
 
Property and equipment
   
1,297
   
2,297
 
Inventories
   
952
   
772
 
Accrued vacation and other
   
667
   
1,268
 
Total deferred tax assets
   
6,443
   
7,393
 
Deferred Tax Liabilities
             
Sales tax receivable
   
(919
)
 
(768
)
Interest in securitized assets
   
(4,095
)
 
(4,889
)
Goodwill
   
(672
)
 
(903
)
Other
   
(71
)
 
(615
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
   
(5,757
)
 
(7,175
)
Net Deferred Tax Asset
 
$
686
 
$
218
 


Significant components of income taxes were as follows (in thousands):


   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
Current:
             
Federal
 
$
12,866
 
$
16,100
 
$
23,023
 
State
   
114
   
47
   
25
 
Total current
   
12,980
   
16,147
   
23,048
 
Deferred:
                   
Federal
   
279
   
557
   
(701
)
State
   
1
   
2
   
(6
)
Total deferred
   
280
   
559
   
(707
)
Total tax provision
 
$
13,260
 
$
16,706
 
$
22,341
 
 
 
73

A reconciliation of the statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate for each of the periods presented in the statements of operations is as follows:
 

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
U.S. Federal statutory rate
   
35.0
%
 
35.0
%
 
35.0
%
State and local income taxes
   
0.3
   
0.1
   
0.1
 
Non-deductible entertainment, tax-free interest income and other  
   
0.1
   
0.7
   
0.2
 
Effective tax rate attributable to continuing operations
   
35.4
%
 
35.8
%
 
35.3
%
Other
   
(0.8
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.1
)
Effective tax rate
   
34.6
%
 
35.3
%
 
35.2
%
 
6.    Leases
 
The Company leases certain of its facilities and operating equipment from outside parties and from a stockholder/officer. The real estate leases generally have initial lease periods of from 5 to 15 years with renewal options at the discretion of the Company; the equipment leases generally provide for initial lease terms of three to seven years and provide for a purchase right by the Company at the end of the lease term at the fair market value of the equipment.
 
The following is a schedule of future minimum base rental payments required under the operating leases that have initial non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year (in thousands):  

   
Third
 
Related
     
Years Ended January 31,
 
Party
 
Party
 
Total
 
2007
 
$
15,358
 
$
207
 
$
15,565
 
2008
   
14,764
   
207
   
14,971
 
2009
   
13,709
   
207
   
13,916
 
2010
   
13,077
   
207
   
13,284
 
2011
   
12,273
   
207
   
12,480
 
Thereafter
   
45,841
   
-
   
45,841
 
Total
 
$
115,022
 
$
1,035
 
$
116,057
 


Total lease expense was approximately $14.0 million, $15.0 million and $15.7 million for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, including approximately $1.6 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million paid to related parties, respectively. During the year ended January 31, 2005, the Company paid $1.4 million under leases with SRDS. As SRDS was consolidated in the statement of operations for the year ended January 31, 2005, these payments were characterized as selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expense, interest expense and minority interest in limited partnership. See Note 1.
 
Certain of our leases are subject to scheduled minimum rent increases or escalation provisions, the cost of which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Tenant improvement allowances, when granted by lessor, are deferred and amortized as contra-lease expense over the term of the lease.
 
7.    Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company approved an Incentive Stock Option Plan that provides for a pool of up to 3.5 million options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Such options are to be granted to various officers and employees at prices equal to the market value on the date of the grant. The options vest over three or five year periods (depending on the grant) and expire ten years after the date of grant. As part of the completion of the IPO, the Company amended the Incentive Stock Option Plan to provide for a total available pool of 2,559,767 options, adopted a Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan that included 300,000 options, and adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that reserved up to 1,267,085 shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued. On November 24, 2003, the Company issued six non-employee directors 240,000 total options to acquire the Company’s stock at $14.00 per share. On June 3, 2004, the Company issued 40,000 options to acquire the Company’s stock at $17.34 per share to a seventh non-employee director. At January 31, 2006, the Company had 20,000 options remaining in the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

74

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is available to a majority of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to minimum employment conditions and maximum compensation limitations. At the end of each calendar quarter, employee contributions are used to acquire shares of common stock at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or last day of the calendar quarter. During the year ended January 31, 2005 and 2006, the Company issued 8,664 and 10,496 shares of common stock, respectively, to employees participating in the plan, leaving 1,247,925 shares remaining reserved for future issuance under the plan as of January 31, 2006.
 
A summary of the status of the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan and the activity during the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 is presented below (shares in thousands):

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
       
Weighted
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
 
       
Average
     
Average
     
Average
 
       
Exercise
     
Exercise
     
Exercise
 
   
Shares
 
Price
 
Shares
 
Price
 
Shares
 
Price
 
                           
Outstanding, beginning of year
   
1,241
 
$
8.34
   
1,531
 
$
9.68
   
1,666
 
$
11.50
 
Granted
   
369
   
14.00
   
387
   
17.43
   
343
   
33.88
 
Exercised
   
(47
)
 
(8.36
)
 
(162
)
 
(8.72
)
 
(271
)
 
(8.34
)
Canceled
   
(32
)
 
(9.15
)
 
(90
)
 
(11.07
)
 
(112
)
 
(17.78
)
Outstanding, end of year
   
1,531
 
$
9.68
   
1,666
 
$
11.50
   
1,626
 
$
16.31
 
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during period
       
$
4.77
       
$
4.97
       
$
11.09
 
Options exercisable at end of year
   
551
         
712
         
743
       
Options available for grant
   
981
         
684
         
453
       
 
 

   
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
 
       
Weighted
             
   
Shares
 
Average
 
Weighted
 
Shares
 
Weighted
 
 
 
Outstanding
 
Remaining
 
Average
 
Exercisable
 
Average
 
   
January 31,
 
Contractual
 
Exercise
 
January 31,
 
Exercise
 
Range of Exercise Prices
 
2006
 
Life in Years
 
Price
 
2006
 
Price
 
$4.29-$4.29
   
9
   
3.9
 
$
4.29
   
9
 
$
4.29
 
$8.21-$10.83
   
696
   
5.3
   
8.51
   
569
   
8.38
 
$14.00 -$16.49
   
306
   
7.9
   
14.33
   
108
   
14.17
 
$17.73-$17.73
   
288
   
8.9
   
17.73
   
57
   
17.73
 
$33.88-$33.88
   
327
   
9.8
   
33.88
   
-
   
-
 
Total
   
1,626
   
7.3
 
$
16.31
   
743
 
$
9.88
 

75


8.    Significant Vendors
 
As shown in the table below, a significant portion of the Company’s merchandise purchases for years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were made from six vendors:

   
Years Ended January 31,
 
Vendor
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
               
A
   
15.5
%
 
14.2
%
 
17.0
%
B
   
11.2
   
13.8
   
12.2
 
C
   
12.5
   
13.2
   
11.4
 
D
   
5.7
   
8.0
   
7.8
 
E
   
4.0
   
6.7
   
6.8
 
F
   
4.7
   
5.8
   
5.4
 
Totals
   
53.6
%
 
61.7
%
 
60.6
%


As part of a program to purchase product inventory from vendors overseas, the Company was not obligated at January 31, 2006 for under any stand-by letters of credit.

9.    Related Party Transactions
 
The Company leases one of its stores from its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Board, under the terms of a lease it entered prior to becoming a publicly held company. It also leased six store locations from Specialized Realty Development Services, LP (“SRDS”), a real estate development company that was created prior to the Company’s becoming publicly held and was owned by various members of management and individual investors of Stephens Group, Inc. The Stephens Group, Inc. is a significant shareholder of the Company. Based on independent appraisals that were performed on each project that was completed, the Company believes that the terms of the leases were at least comparable to those that could be obtained in an arms’ length transaction. As part of the ongoing operation of SRDS, the Company received a management fee associated with the administrative functions that were provided to SRDS of $5,000, $100,000 and $6,500 for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. As of January 31, 2005, the Company no longer leased any properties from SRDS since it divested itself of the leased properties. As part of the divestiture, SRDS reimbursed the Company $75,000 for costs related to lease modifications. As a result of the divestiture, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at January 31, 2005 does not include accounts of SRDS that were previously consolidated with our financial statements at January 31, 2004. However, the consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for fiscal 2005 include the operations and cash flows of SRDS through the dates the sales were completed.

 The Company engaged the services of Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc., or DMS, for a substantial portion of its direct mail advertising. Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc. is partially owned (less than 50%) by the Stephens Group Inc., members of the Stephens family, Jon Jacoby, and Doug Martin. The Stephens Group Inc. and the members of the Stephens family are significant shareholders of the Company, and Jon Jacoby and Doug Martin are members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The fees the Company paid to DMS during fiscal years ended 2005 and 2006 amounted to approximately $1.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Thomas J. Frank, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors owned a small percentage (0.7%) at the end of fiscal year 2005, but divested his interest during the first half of fiscal year 2006.

 
10.    Benefit Plans
 
The Company has established a defined contribution 401(k) plan for eligible employees who are at least 21 years old and have completed at least one-year of service. Employees may contribute up to 20% of their eligible pretax compensation to the plan. The Company will match 100% of the first 3% of the employees’ contributions and 50% of the next 2% of the employees’ contributions. Employees at least 50 years of age may make supplemental contributions to the Plan as defined by current regulations. At its option, the Company may also make supplemental contributions to the Plan, but has not made such contributions in the past three years. The matching contributions made by the company totaled $1.2, $1.4 and $1.6 million during the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
 
76

11.    Common and Preferred Stock

The Company has outstanding 23,571,564 shares of common stock at January 31, 2006, of which 7,000 shares are restricted as to various vesting rights until July 2006.

As part of the Company’s recapitalization and reorganization that took place in 1998, a total of 213,720 shares of preferred stock were issued in exchange for existing common stock of the Company; such shares were valued as of the date of the transaction at $87.18 per share and bore a cumulative dividend of 10% that was not payable until declared by the Company’s board of directors. Such cumulative dividends must be paid before dividends on the common stock can be distributed. On January 24, 2003, the board of directors declared a preferred stock dividend as of April 30, 2003 in the amount of $8.8 million ($50.53 per share) contingent upon the completion of a proposed initial public offering. On December 1, 2003 when the initial public offering was closed, the Company redeemed all preferred stock and accumulated dividends for 1,711,832 shares of common stock and $1.5 million in cash.
 
The table below reflects the number of preferred shares the Company redeemed during the periods covered and the total costs of the redemptions including accumulated dividends (dollars in thousands):

Year ended January 31,
 
Redeemed
 
Costs
 
Dividends
 
2004
   
174,648
 
$
25,420
 
$
10,194
 
2005
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
2006
   
-
   
-
   
-
 

12.    Contingencies
 
Legal Proceedings. The Company is involved in routine litigation incidental to our business from time to time. Currently, the Company does not expect the outcome of any of this routine litigation to have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations. However, the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and changes in facts and circumstances could impact the Company’s estimate of reserves for litigation.

Insurance. Because of its inventory, vehicle fleet and general operations, the Company has purchased insurance covering a broad variety of potential risks. The Company purchases insurance polices covering general liability, workers compensation, real property, inventory and employment practices liability, among others. Additionally, the Company has umbrella policies with an aggregate limit of $50.0 million. The Company has retained a portion of the risk under these policies and its group health insurance program. See additional discussion under Note 1. The Company has a $3.0 million letter of credit outstanding supporting its obligations under the property and casualty portion of its insurance program.

Service Maintenance Agreement Obligations. The Company sells service maintenance agreements under which it is the obligor for payment of qualifying claims. The Company is responsible for administering the program, including setting the pricing of the agreements sold and paying the claims. The pricing is set based on historical claims experience and expectations about future claims. While the Company is unable to estimate maximum potential claim exposure, it has a history of overall profitability upon the ultimate resolution of agreements sold. The revenues related to the agreements sold are deferred at the time of sales and recorded in revenues in the statement of operations over the life of the agreements. The amounts deferred are reflected on the face of the balance sheet in “Deferred revenues and allowances,” see also Note 1 for additional discussion.
 
13.    Restatement of Financial Statements

The Company has restated its consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 to correct for errors in recording interests in securitized assets, securitization income and related income tax impacts that were incorrectly accounted for under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, specifically covered by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets.

77

The information contained in the financial statements and notes thereto reflect the adjustments described herein and the modified retrospective application transition of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R (see Note 1) and does not reflect events occurring after March 30, 2006, the date of the original filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2006, or modify or update those disclosures that have been affected by subsequent events.

In addition to the restatement adjustments discussed above, as a result of the review, the Company also refined certain of the assumptions used in the valuation of its interests in securitized assets at fair value. While these refinements did not result in a change in total securitization income reported, it did impact the amounts reported for the components of securitization income in the footnotes to the annual financial statements. Additionally, the changes resulted in an increase in the total fair value of the interests in securitized assets reflected on the balance sheet and a related increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

The following table sets forth the effects of the adjustments on Net Income for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.


Increase in Net Income
             
               
   
Years Ended January 31
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
As Previously Reported net income
 
$
24,253
 
$
29,516
 
$
40,219
 
                     
Securitization income
   
1,221
   
1,777
   
1,362
 
Income tax provision
   
(431
)
 
(606
)
 
(478
)
Total adjustment
   
790
   
1,171
   
884
 
                     
Restated net income
 
$
25,043
 
$
30,687
 
$
41,103
 
Percent change
   
3.3
%
 
4.0
%
 
2.2
%
 
78

The following tables set forth the effects of the restatement adjustments on affected line items within our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006, Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2005 and 2006, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Conn's, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS         
(in thousands, except share data)

   
 Years Ended January 31,          
 
   
 2004  
 
 2005  
 
 2006  
 
   
As Previously
Reported
 
Restated
 
As Previously
Reported
 
Restated
 
As Previously
Reported
 
Restated
 
Finance charges and other
 
$
58,392
 
$
57,460
 
$
72,857
 
$
71,586
 
$
81,684
 
$
80,410
 
Total revenues
   
499,310
   
498,378
   
567,092
   
565,821
   
702,422
   
701,148
 
Provision for bad debts
   
4,657
   
2,504
   
5,637
   
2,589
   
3,769
   
1,133
 
Total cost and expenses
   
457,651
   
455,498
   
518,999
   
515,951
   
639,940
   
637,304
 
Operating income
   
41,659
   
42,880
   
48,093
   
49,870
   
62,482
   
63,844
 
Income before minority interest and income taxes
   
37,082
   
38,303
   
45,734
   
47,511
   
62,082
   
63,444
 
Income before income taxes
   
37,082
   
38,303
   
45,616
   
47,393
   
62,082
   
63,444
 
Total provision for income taxes
   
12,829
   
13,260
   
16,100
   
16,706
   
21,863
   
22,341
 
Net Income
   
24,253
   
25,043
   
29,516
   
30,687
   
40,219
   
41,103
 
Net income available for common stockholders
 
$
22,299
 
$
23,089
 
$
29,516
 
$
30,687
 
$
40,219
 
$
41,103
 
Earnings per share
                                     
Basic
 
$
1.26
 
$
1.30
 
$
1.27
 
$
1.32
 
$
1.72
 
$
1.76
 
Diluted
 
$
1.22
 
$
1.26
 
$
1.25
 
$
1.30
 
$
1.67
 
$
1.71
 
 
79


Conn's, Inc.         
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS         
(in thousands, except share data)
                   
   
January 31, 2005
 
January 31, 2006
 
   
As Previously
Reported
 
Restated
 
As Previously
Reported
 
Restated
 
Interests in securitized assets
 
$
105,159
 
$
117,159
 
$
123,449
 
$
139,282
 
Deferred income taxes
   
5,037
   
825
   
4,971
   
-
 
Total current assets
   
209,849
   
217,637
   
275,129
   
285,991
 
Total assets
   
268,928
   
276,716
   
342,296
   
353,158
 
                           
Deferred income taxes
   
966
   
958
   
757
   
1,343
 
Total current liabilities
   
61,639
   
61,631
   
95,332
   
95,918
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
7,516
   
8,408
   
8,004
   
10,492
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
85,090
   
85,090
   
89,027
   
89,027
 
Retained earnings
   
108,099
   
115,003
   
148,318
   
156,106
 
Total stockholders' equity
   
200,938
   
208,734
   
245,585
   
255,861
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
268,928
 
$
276,716
 
$
342,296
 
$
353,158
 
 

Conn's, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
                           
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2004  
 
2005  
 
2006  
 
   
As Previously Reported
 
Restated
 
As Previously Reported
 
Restated
 
As Previously Reported
 
Restated
 
Cash flows from operating activities
                         
Net income
 
$
24,253
 
$
25,043
 
$
29,516
 
$
30,687
 
$
40,219
 
$
41,103
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
                                     
net cash provided by operating activities:
                                     
Provision for bad debts
   
4,657
   
2,604
   
5,637
   
3,299
   
3,769
   
1,186
 
Accretion from interests in securitized assets
   
(12,529
)
 
(14,437
)
 
(14,892
)
 
(16,862
)
 
(14,138
)
 
(19,454
)
Provision for deferred income taxes
   
(151
)
 
280
   
(47
)
 
559
   
(1,185
)
 
(707
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
                                     
Accounts receivable
   
(11,412
)
 
(8,672
)
 
(29,339
)
 
(26,808
)
 
(4,889
)
 
1,648
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
                                     
Cash flows from servicing fees
   
11,963
   
12,089
   
14,496
   
15,529
   
17,542
   
18,572
 

In addition, the restatement also resulted in changes to the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Notes 1, 2 and 5.
80


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
 
None
 
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2006, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by the annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to our business (including our consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in our Exchange Act filings. Subsequently, management identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting that led to a restatement of the consolidated financial statements, as discussed below.
 
During the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended July 31, 2006, we identified an issue related to the recording of securitization income. Based on our discovery and the results of discussions with our independent accountants and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, it was determined that a review of our accounting under SFAS No. 140 should be completed before the statements for the quarter ended July 31, 2006 were issued. The internal review revealed that we had incorrectly reduced securitization income and the value of our interests in securitized assets by the amount of future expected loan losses recorded on the books of the qualifying special purpose entity that owns the receivables.

As a result of the error discussed above and the resulting restatement, management has concluded that a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting existed as of January 31, 2006. Specifically, controls were not operating effectively to ensure that the proper accounting and corresponding consolidated financial statement presentation of securitization income and the fair value of interests in securitized assets was consistent with SFAS No. 140. As a result of this material weakness, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at January 31, 2006.

As of the date of this filing, we believe we have taken the appropriate action to remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for securitization transactions, based on the following actions taken:
 
o  
improved education and enhanced accounting analysis and reviews designed to ensure that all relevant personnel involved in the securitization accounting understand and account for securitization transactions in compliance with SFAS No. 140; and
o  
a review of our internal financial controls with respect to accounting for securitization transactions to ensure compliance with SFAS No. 140.

While we believe we have taken the steps necessary to remediate this material weakness relating to our accounting under SFAS No. 140 and related processes, procedures, and controls, we cannot confirm the effectiveness of our enhanced internal controls with respect to our accounting under SFAS No. 140 until we and our independent auditors have conducted sufficient tests. Accordingly, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the processes, procedures, and controls we have implemented and will make any further changes management determines appropriate.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Please refer to Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting on page 52 of this report.
 
81

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
 
As previously reported, there were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended January 31, 2006, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. However, subsequent to April 30, 2006, we discovered the material weakness described above and took the remedial actions described.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
 
None
 
PART III
 
The information required by Items 10 through 14 is included in our definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS 10-14 LOCATED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT
 
 
 
Item
 
Caption in the Conn’s, Inc.
2006 Proxy Statement
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTION
 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

82


PART IV
 
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
(a)  
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
 
(1)  
The financial statements listed in response to Item 8 of this report are as follows:
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2005 and 2006
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 31, 2005 and 2006
 
(2)  
Financial Statement Schedule: Report of Independent Auditors on Financial Statement Schedule for the three years in the period ended January 31, 2006; Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. The financial statement schedule should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in our 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders. Financial statement schedules not included in this report have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 
(3)  
Exhibits: A list of the exhibits filed as part of this report is set forth in the Index to Exhibits, which immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
83


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
     
  CONN'S, INC.
  (Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: September 15, 2006 By:   /s/ Thomas J. Frank, Sr., 
 
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
/s/ Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
 
 
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
     
 
 
/s/ David L. Rogers
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
David L. Rogers
     
 
 
/s/ Marvin D. Brailsford
 
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Marvin D. Brailsford
     
 
/s/ Jon E. M. Jacoby
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Jon E. M. Jacoby
     
 
/s/ Bob L. Martin
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Bob L. Martin
     
 
/s/ Douglas H. Martin
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Douglas H. Martin
     
 
/s/ Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr.
 
 
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr.
     
 
/s/ Scott L. Thompson
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Scott L. Thompson
     
 
/s/ William T. Trawick
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
William T. Trawick
     
 
/s/ Theodore M. Wright
 
 
 
Director
 
 
 
September 15, 2006
Theodore M. Wright
     


84


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
2
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 15, 2003, by and among Conn's, Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc. and Conn's Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). 
3.1.1
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn’s, Inc. dated June 3, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004).
3.2    Bylaws of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). 
3.2.1
 
Amendment to the Bylaws of Conn’s, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2.1 to Conn’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004).
4.1
 
Specimen of certificate for shares of Conn's, Inc.'s common stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2003).
10.1   Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t 
10.1.1
 
Amendment to the Conn’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.1 to Conn’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004).t
10.1.2
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.2 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005).t
10.2
 
2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046)as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t
10.2.1
 
Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005).t
10.3
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t
 
 
85

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
10.4
 
Conn's 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t
10.5
 
Shopping Center Lease Agreement dated May 3, 2000, by and between Beaumont Development Group, L.P., f/k/a Fiesta Mart, Inc., as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 3295 College Street, Suite A, Beaumont, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.5.1
 
First Amendment to Shopping Center Lease Agreement dated September 11, 2001, by and among Beaumont Development Group, L.P., f/k/a Fiesta Mart, Inc., as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 3295 College Street, Suite A, Beaumont, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5.1 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.6
 
Industrial Real Estate Lease dated June 16, 2000, by and between American National Insurance Company, as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 8550-A Market Street, Houston, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.6.1
 
First Renewal of Lease dated November 24, 2004, by and between American National Insurance Company, as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 8550-A Market Street, Houston, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005).
10.7
 
Lease Agreement dated December 5, 2000, by and between Prologis Development Services, Inc., f/k/a The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 4810 Eisenhauer Road, Suite 240, San Antonio, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.7.1
 
Lease Amendment No. 1 dated November 2, 2001, by and between Prologis Development Services, Inc., f/k/a The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 4810 Eisenhauer Road, Suite 240, San Antonio, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7.1 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.8
 
Lease Agreement dated June 24, 2005, by and between Cabot Properties, Inc. as Lessor, and CAI, L.P., as Lessee, for the property located at 1132 Valwood Parkway, Carrollton, Texas (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2005).
10.9   Credit Agreement dated October 31, 2005, by and among Conn Appliances, Inc. and the Borrowers thereunder, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and SunTrust Bank, as Documentation Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Conn’s, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2005). 
10.9.1
 
 
Letter of Credit Agreement dated November 12, 2004 by and between Conn Appliances, Inc. and CAI Credit Insurance Agency, Inc., the financial institutions listed on the signature pages thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Conn’s Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2004).

86


Exhibit
Number
 
Description

10.10
 
Receivables Purchase Agreement dated September 1, 2002, by and among Conn Funding II, L.P., as Purchaser, Conn Appliances, Inc. and CAI, L.P., collectively as Originator and Seller, and Conn Funding I, L.P., as Initial Seller (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.11   Base Indenture dated September 1, 2002, by and between Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). 
10.11.1
 
First Supplemental Indenture dated October 29, 2004 by and between Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2004).
10.12
 
Series 2002-A Supplement to Base Indenture dated September 1, 2002, by and between Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.12.1
 
Amendment to Series 2002-A Supplement dated March 28, 2003, by and between Conn Funding II, L.P. as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005).
10.12.2
 
Amendment No. 2 to Series 2002-A Supplement dated July 1, 2004, by and between Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12.2 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005).
10.13
 
Series 2002-B Supplement to Base Indenture dated September 1, 2002, by and between Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
10.13.1
 
Amendment to Series 2002-B Supplement dated March 28, 2003, by and between Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005).
10.14   Servicing Agreement dated September 1, 2002, by and among Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, CAI, L.P., as Servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). 
10.14.1
 
First Amendment to Servicing Agreement dated June 24, 2005, by and among Conn Funding II, L.P., as Issuer, CAI, L.P., as Servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2005).
 
87

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
10.14.2
 
Second Amendment to Servicing Agreement dated November 28, 2005, by and among Conn Funding II, L.P., as 10.14.2 Issuer, CAI, L.P., as Servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14.2 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2005).
10.15
 
Form of Executive Employment Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2003).t
10.15.1
 
First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Thomas J. Frank, Sr., Approved by the stockholders May 26, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2005 (file No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2005).t
10.16
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t
10.17
 
2007 Bonus Program (incorporated herein by reference to Form 8-K (file no. 000-50421) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).t
10.18
 
Description of Compensation Payable to Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Form 8-K (file no. 000-50421) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2005).t
10.19
 
Dealer Agreement between Conn Appliances, Inc. and Voyager Service Programs, Inc. effective as of January 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.19.1
 
Amendment #1 to Dealer Agreement by and among Conn Appliances, Inc., CAI, L.P., Federal Warranty Service Corporation and Voyager Service Programs, Inc. effective as of July 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.19.2
 
Amendment #2 to Dealer Agreement by and among Conn Appliances, Inc., CAI, L.P., Federal Warranty Service Corporation and Voyager Service Programs, Inc. effective as of July 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19.2 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.19.3
 
Amendment #3 to Dealer Agreement by and among Conn Appliances, Inc., CAI, L.P., Federal Warranty Service Corporation and Voyager Service Programs, Inc. effective as of July 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19.3 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.19.4
 
Amendment #4 to Dealer Agreement by and among Conn Appliances, Inc., CAI, L.P., Federal Warranty Service Corporation and Voyager Service Programs, Inc. effective as of July 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19.4 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.20
 
Service Expense Reimbursement Agreement between Affiliates Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida, American Bankers Insurance Company Ranchers & Farmers County Mutual Insurance Company, Voyager Life Insurance Company and Voyager Property and Casualty Insurance Company effective July 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.20.1
 
First Amendment to Service Expense Reimbursement Agreement by and among CAI, L.P., Affiliates Insurance Agency, Inc., American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida, Voyager Property & Casualty Insurance Company, American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida, American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida and American Bankers General Agency, Inc. effective July 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).

88

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
10.21
 
Service Expense Reimbursement Agreement between CAI Credit Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida, American Bankers Insurance Company Ranchers & Farmers County Mutual Insurance Company, Voyager Life Insurance Company and Voyager Property and Casualty Insurance Company effective July 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.21.1
 
First Amendment to Service Expense Reimbursement Agreement by and among CAI Credit Insurance Agency, Inc., American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida, Voyager Property & Casualty Insurance Company, American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida, American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, American Reliable Insurance Company, and American Bankers General Agency, Inc. effective July 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
10.22
 
Consolidated Addendum and Amendment to Service Expense Reimbursement Agreements by and among Certain Member Companies of Assurant Solutions, CAI Credit Insurance Agency, Inc. and Affiliates Insurance Agency, Inc. effective April 1, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2006 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2006).
11.1
 
Statement re: computation of earnings per share is included under Note 1 to the financial statements.
21
 
Subsidiaries of Conn's, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 21 to Conn's, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith).
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Executive Officer) (filed herewith).
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Financial Officer) (filed herewith).
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) (furnished herewith).
99.1
 
Subcertification by Chief Operating Officer in support of Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Executive Officer) (filed herewith).
99.2
 
Subcertification by Treasurer in support of Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Financial Officer) (filed herewith).
99.3
 
Subcertification by Secretary in support of Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Financial Officer) (filed herewith).
99.4
 
Subcertification of Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and Secretary in support of Section 1350 Certifications (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) (furnished herewith).
t
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

89


Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-111280, 333-111281, and 333-111282) of our reports dated March 29, 2006, except for Notes 1, 2, 5 and 13 as to which the date is September 14, 2006, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Conn's, Inc., and our report dated March 29, 2006, except for the effects of the material weakness described in the sixth paragraph of such report, as to which the date is September 14, 2006, with respect to Conn’s, Inc. management’s revised assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Conn's, Inc., included in this Form 10-K /A.


Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
September 14, 2006



EXHIBIT 31.1

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION
(CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
 
I, Thomas J. Frank, Sr., certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of Conn's, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  By:   /s/ Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
 
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
 
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
   
Date: September 15, 2006   
 

EXHIBIT 31.2
 
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION
(CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER)
 
I, David L. Rogers, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of Conn's, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  By:   /s/ David L. Rogers
 
David L. Rogers
  Chief Financial Officer
   
Date: September 15, 2006  

 
 

EXHIBIT 32.1
 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Conn's, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K/A for the period ended January 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we, Thomas J. Frank, Sr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and David L. Rogers, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of our knowledge:

(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    /s/ Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
 
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
 
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
 
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    /s/ David L. Rogers
 
David L. Rogers
  Chief Financial Officer


Dated: September 15, 2006

 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Conn's, Inc. and will be retained by Conn's, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

EXHIBIT 99.1
 
 

SUBCERTIFICATION OF CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER IN SUPPORT OF RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
 
I, William C. Nylin Jr., certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of Conn's, Inc.;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    /s/ William C. Nylin, Jr.
 
William C. Nylin, Jr.
  President and Chief Operating Officer
 
Date: September 15, 2006
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 99.2
SUBCERTIFICATION OF TREASURER IN SUPPORT OF RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION (CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER)
 
I, David R. Atnip, certify that:
 
1.  I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of Conn's, Inc.;
 
2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.  The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.  The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ David R. Atnip 
David R. Atnip
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
 
Date: September 15, 2006

 
 
EXHIBIT 99.3

SUBCERTIFICATION OF SECRETARY IN SUPPORT OF RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
 
I, Sydney K. Boone, Jr., certify that:
 
1.  I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of Conn's, Inc.;
 
2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.  The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.  The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ Sydney K. Boone, Jr. 
Sydney K. Boone, Jr.
Corporate General Counsel and Secretary
 
Date: September 15, 2006

 
 
EXHIBIT 99.4
SUBCERTIFICATION OF CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
TREASURER AND SECRETARY IN SUPPORT OF
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Conn's, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K/A for the period ended January 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we, William C. Nylin, Jr., President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, David R. Atnip, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Company, and Sydney K. Boone, Jr., Corporate General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of our knowledge:

(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.



/s/ William C. Nylin, Jr.   
William C. Nylin, Jr.
President and Chief Operating Officer
 

/s/ David R. Atnip    
David R. Atnip
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
 

/s/ Sydney K. Boone, Jr.   
Sydney K. Boone, Jr.
Corporate General Counsel and Secretary




Dated: September 15, 2006



A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Conn's, Inc. and will be retained by Conn's, Inc. The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to support certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.







Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Conn's, Inc.
 
Col A
 
Col B
 
Col C
 
Col D
 
Col E
 
 
 
 
 
Additions
 
 
     
Description
 
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
 
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
 
Charged to
Other
Accounts-
Describe
 
Deductions-
Describe1
 
Balance at
End of
Period
 
                       
Year ended January 31, 2004
                     
Reserves and allowances from asset accounts:
                     
Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
117
   
2,504
   
-
   
(702
)
 
1,919
 
                                 
Year ended January 31, 2005
                               
Reserves and allowances from asset accounts:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
1,919
   
2,589
   
-
   
(2,297
)
 
2,211
 
                                 
Year ended January 31, 2006
                               
Reserves and allowances from asset accounts:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
2,211
   
1,133
   
-
   
(2,430
)
 
914
 
 
1 Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries