Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20599

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 10, 2005

 


 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

VIRGINIA   0-209   54-0135270

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (Commission File No.)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3525 FAIRYSTONE PARK HIGHWAY

BASSETT, VIRGINIA

  24055
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 276/629-6000

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On January 10, 2005, Bassett Furniture Industries issued a news release relating to, among other things, the fourth quarter and year-to-date financial results for fiscal year 2004. A copy of the news release announcing this information is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.


Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
Date: January 10, 2005   By:  

/s/ Barry C. Safrit


        Barry C. Safrit
    Title:   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit 99 listed in this index is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

    

Description


Exhibit No. 99    News release issued by Bassett Furniture Industries on January 10, 2005.
News Release

Exhibit 99

 

LOGO

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.   Barry C. Safrit, V.P., CFO
P.O. Box 626   (276) 629-6757 – Investors
Bassett, VA 24055   (276) 629-6332 – Fax
    Jay S. Moore, Dir. of Communications
For Immediate Release   (276) 629-6450 – Media
    (276) 629-6418 – Fax

 

Bassett Furniture News Release

 

Bassett Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2004 Earnings

 

(Bassett, Va.) – January 10, 2005 – Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: BSET) announced today its earnings for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 27, 2004.

 

Sales for the fourth quarter of 2004 were $80.1 million, down 3% from fourth quarter 2003 levels, reflecting the continued transition from traditional channels of distribution to the Company’s Bassett Furniture Direct (BFD) stores. For the year, 2004 sales of $315.7 million, were basically flat with 2003 sales levels. Shipments to the BFD channel were up $20.3 million or 13% over 2003, offsetting attrition in other channels (including a $10.6 million decrease with JCPenney and a $9.7 million decrease with smaller independent furniture stores). Sales to BFD stores were 60% of total wholesale shipments in 2004 compared to 53% in 2003.

 

The Bassett Furniture Direct retail store program continues to grow with 116 stores in operation at the end of 2004. The Company expects licensees to open 20 to 25 additional BFD stores in fiscal year 2005, spread fairly evenly throughout the year. The Company expects sales growth from these stores will outpace sales attrition from other channels in 2005.

 

The Company reported net income for the quarter of $2.9 million or $.24 per share as compared to $3.2 million or $.28 per share for the fourth quarter of 2003. For the year, the Company recorded net income of $8.2 million or $.69 per diluted share, after both realizing a $3.9 million gain on the sale of its former California upholstery facility and recognizing $4.1 million in restructuring and impaired asset charges in 2004. This compares to a $.5 million net loss in 2003. Excluding restructuring and impaired asset charges and the gain on sale of the California upholstery facility, and in 2003, the cumulative effect of an accounting change, net income for 2004 was $8.4 million or $.70 per diluted share compared to $6.7 million or $.58 per share in 2003.* A reconciliation to the net income and earnings per share for such periods has been set forth below.

 

Fourth quarter 2004 operating income was lower than fourth quarter 2003 operating earnings due to the sales decline, costs associated with closing the Company’s former wood manufacturing facility in Macon, Ga., and to inventory LIFO reserve adjustments (related to inventory level reductions) in 2003 which did not occur in 2004. Other income improved in the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to the fourth quarter of 2003 primarily due to the performance of the Company’s investment portfolio and gains from sales of investments in 2004.


The 2004 full year earnings improvement resulted from a combination of BFD sales growth, an increased mix of imported product and improved retail performance from LRG and the Company-owned BFD stores. The retail improvement was primarily due to a reduction in selling, general, and administrative expenses, resulting from actions taken in 2003 that lowered the expense structure of these stores.

 

“Overall retail conditions were fairly spotty throughout most of our fourth quarter and as a result we did not achieve our targeted sales or operating earnings for the quarter,” said Robert H. Spilman, Jr., president and chief executive officer. “For the year, we were pleased with the improvement in our retail results, the growth of our import division, and the growth of our BFD store program,” continued Spilman. “The success of new product introductions in bedroom, dining, juvenile, and leather were instrumental to our improvement in 2004. We expect to see continued earnings improvement in 2005 through a combination of the 20 to 25 new BFD stores that will open this year, initiatives in place to improve our domestic wood business, and the continued growth of our import division. Additionally, we believe our manufacturing capacity is now aligned with our BFD business and with current demand. Our primary focus in 2005 will be continuing to improve every aspect of our BFD store program.”

 

The Company increased inventories $10.8 million during the year to support the introduction of new collections and provide better service levels for key imported items. The 2004 increase follows an $11 million decrease in inventories in 2003. For the year, the Company utilized over $11 million in cash, reflecting in part the increased inventories and the Company’s ongoing support of its quarterly dividend. Additionally, the proceeds of selling former manufacturing properties were reinvested in the business, primarily in retail real estate. The Company also increased its investment portfolio during the year.

 

Bassett also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.20 per share payable on March 1, 2005, to shareholders of record on February 14, 2005, and announced that its annual meeting for stockholders has been scheduled for February 22, 2005.

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. With 116 Bassett Furniture Direct stores, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a growing network of licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. While the Company continues to sell its products to other retailers, the most significant growth vehicle for Bassett continues to be the Company’s dedicated retail store program. Bassett’s retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that is ready for delivery in the home within 30 days. The stores also feature the latest on-trend furniture styles, more than 1,000 upholstery fabrics, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.bassettfurniture.com.

 


 * The Company has included the “as adjusted” information because it uses, and believes that others may use, such information in comparing the Company’s operating results from period to period. However, the items excluded in determining the “as adjusted” information are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s overall financial performance for the periods covered.

 

Certain of the statements contained in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “should,” “estimates,” or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results for periods beyond fiscal year 2004, constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward looking statements: economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings.

 

###


BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Unaudited

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

     13 Weeks Ended
November 27, 2004


    13 Weeks Ended
November 29, 2003


 
     Amount

    Percent of
Net Sales


    Amount

    Percent of
Net Sales


 

Net sales

   $ 80,146     100.0 %   $ 82,944     100.0 %

Cost of sales

     59,280     74.0 %     60,535     73.0 %
    


 

 


 

Gross profit

     20,866     26.0 %     22,409     27.0 %
    


 

 


 

Selling, general and administrative

     19,857     24.7 %     20,025     24.0 %

Income from operations

     1,009     1.3 %     2,384     3.0 %

Other income, net

     2,624     3.3 %     1,367     1.6 %
    


 

 


 

Income before income taxes

     3,633     4.6 %     3,751     4.6 %

Income tax provision

     (765 )   -1.0 %     (546 )   -0.7 %
    


 

 


 

Net income

   $ 2,868     3.6 %   $ 3,205     3.9 %
    


 

 


 

Basic earnings per share:

   $ 0.24           $ 0.28        
    


       


     

Diluted earnings per share:

   $ 0.24           $ 0.28        
    


       


     


BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Unaudited

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

     52 Weeks Ended
November 27, 2004


    52 Weeks Ended
November 29, 2003


 
     Amount

    Percent of
Net Sales


    Amount

    Percent of
Net Sales


 

Net sales

   $ 315,654     100.0 %   $ 316,857     100.0 %

Cost of sales

     234,612     74.3 %     234,861     74.1 %
    


 

 


 

Gross profit

     81,042     25.7 %     81,996     25.9 %
    


 

 


 

Selling, general and administrative

     77,145     24.4 %     80,026     25.3 %

Gain on sale of property

     (3,890 )   -1.2 %     —       0.0 %

Restructuring and impaired asset charges

     4,060     1.3 %     3,200     1.0 %
    


 

 


 

       77,315     24.5 %     83,226     26.3 %
    


 

 


 

Income (loss) from operations

     3,727     1.2 %     (1,230 )   -0.4 %

Other income, net

     7,123     2.2 %     6,097     1.9 %
    


 

 


 

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

     10,850     3.4 %     4,867     1.5 %

Income tax provision

     (2,641 )   -0.8 %     (462 )   -0.1 %
    


 

 


 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

     8,209     2.6 %     4,405     1.4 %
    


 

 


 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax of $3,200

     —       0.0 %     (4,875 )   -1.5 %
    


 

 


 

Net income (loss)

   $ 8,209     2.6 %   $ (470 )   -0.1 %
    


 

 


 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

                            

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.70           $ 0.38        

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —               (0.42 )      
    


       


     

Net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.70           $ (0.04 )      
    


       


     

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

                            

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

     0.69             0.38        

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —               (0.42 )      
    


       


     

Net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.69           $ (0.04 )      
    


       


     


BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) as Reported

to Net Income as Adjusted (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 

     52 Weeks Ended
November 27, 2004


    52 Weeks Ended
November 29, 2003


 

Net income (loss) as reported

   $ 8,209     $ (470 )

Gain on sale of property, net of income taxes

     (2,840 )     —    

Restructuring and impaired asset charges, net of income taxes

     3,004       2,304  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes

     —         4,875  
    


 


Net income as adjusted

   $ 8,373     $ 6,709  
    


 


 

Reconciliation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share as Reported

to Earnings Per Share as Adjusted (Unaudited)

 

     52 Weeks Ended
November 27, 2004


    52 Weeks Ended
November 29, 2003


 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.69     $ (0.04 )

Gain on sale of property, net of income taxes

     (0.24 )     —    

Restructuring and impaired asset charge, net of income taxes

     0.25       0.20  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes

     —         0.42  
    


 


Diluted earnings per share as adjusted

   $ 0.70     $ 0.58  
    


 



BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     (Unaudited)
November 27,
2004


   November 29,
2003


Assets

             

Current assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,022    $ 15,181

Accounts receivable, net

     40,507      39,230

Inventories

     47,285      36,454

Deferred income taxes

     4,130      5,307

Assets held for sale, net

     2,753      1,881

Other current assets

     3,980      4,525
    

  

Total current assets

     102,677      102,578
    

  

Property and equipment, net

     40,243      48,800
    

  

Investments

     73,520      65,151

Retail real estate, net

     53,085      32,930

Notes receivable, net

     14,642      14,799

Other, net

     13,199      15,522
    

  

       154,446      128,402
    

  

Total assets

   $ 297,366    $ 279,780
    

  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

             

Current liabilities

             

Accounts payable

   $ 19,948    $ 15,127

Accrued liabilities

     18,601      21,741
    

  

Total current liabilities

     38,549      36,868
    

  

Long-term liabilities

             

Employee benefits

     9,423      9,824

Real estate notes payable

     15,604      —  

Distributions in excess of affiliate earnings

     12,578      13,070
    

  

       37,605      22,894
    

  

Commitments and Contingencies

             

Stockholders’ equity

             

Common stock, par value $5 a share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding - 11,735,967 in 2004 and 11,599,936 in 2003

     58,680      58,000

Retained earnings

     159,714      159,487

Accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized holding gains, net of income tax

     2,818      2,531
    

  

Total stockholders’ equity

     221,212      220,018
    

  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 297,366    $ 279,780
    

  


BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited

(In thousands)

 

     52 Weeks Ended
November 27, 2004


    52 Weeks Ended
November 29, 2003


 

Operating Activities

                

Net income (loss)

   $ 8,209     $ (470 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     10,151       10,521  

Equity in undistributed income of investments

     (10,708 )     (11,234 )

Provision for write-down of property and equipment

     2,353       1,530  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net

     —         4,875  

Provision for losses on trade accounts receivable

     1,430       604  

Net gain from sales of investments

     (1,188 )     (289 )

Net gain from sales of property and equipment

     (3,890 )     (60 )

Deferred income taxes

     1,876       (1,154 )

Changes in employee benefit liabilities

     (401 )     (328 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination:

                

Trade accounts receivable

     (2,707 )     307  

Inventories

     (10,831 )     11,144  

Refundable income taxes

     —         2,924  

Other current assets

     (1,491 )     3,563  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,682       628  
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (5,515 )     22,561  
    


 


Investing Activities

                

Purchases of property and equipment, net

     (11,043 )     (6,215 )

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     8,362       729  

Proceeds from sales of investments

     24,019       26,776  

Purchases of investments

     (24,979 )     (21,776 )

Dividends from an affiliate

     5,623       5,154  

Other, net

     115       499  
    


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

     2,097       5,167  
    


 


Financing Activities

                

Repayments under revolving credit arrangement

     —         (3,000 )

Repayments of real estate notes payable

     (201 )     (783 )

Issuance of common stock, net

     2,587       319  

Repurchases of common stock

     (772 )     (1,193 )

Cash dividends

     (9,355 )     (9,261 )
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (7,741 )     (13,918 )
    


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (11,159 )     13,810  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     15,181       1,371  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 4,022     $ 15,181  
    


 


 

Note  -    Purchases of property and equipment, net for 2004 includes the acquisition of five store properties acquired through cash payments totaling $3,397 and non-cash assumption of $16,231 of real estate notes payable.