EX-99.1 4 q3fy2018earningspressrelea.htm EXHIBIT 99.1
Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |  |
Casey’s General Stores, Inc. One SE Convenience Blvd. Ankeny, IA 50021 |  | Nasdaq Symbol CASY CONTACT Bill Walljasper (515) 965-6505

CASEY'S DISCLOSES INCREASED VALUE CREATION PLAN AND REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Outlines Plans for Enhanced Store Performance, Disciplined Capital Allocation Strategy, and
Board & Governance Updates
Discloses Same-Store Sales Expectations for FY 2021
Commitment to New $300 Million Share Repurchase Program Through FY 2020; $107 Million of Capacity Under Existing Authorization Expected to be Completed in First Half CY 2018
Ankeny, IA, March 7, 2018 - Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (“Casey’s” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq symbol CASY) today provided an update to shareholders regarding key initiatives to increase profitability, improve operational performance and enhance shareholder value, and also provided FY 2021 same-store sales expectations. In addition, the Company reported earnings results for the three months ended January 31, 2018.
“We are implementing key initiatives that will drive accelerated growth and profitability and deliver enhanced returns for shareholders,” said Terry W. Handley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Casey’s. “Together with the Board and governance changes Casey’s also announced today, we believe we are well positioned to transform our business to drive sustainable value in this rapidly evolving retail landscape.”
Fiscal Year 2021 Same-Store Sales Expectations
Casey’s is establishing the following same-store sales expectations for FY 2021:

• | Fuel Gallons: 4+%

• | Grocery & Other Merchandise: 6+%

• | Prepared Food & Foundation: 10+%

Enhanced Store Performance
Casey’s expects to enhance store performance primarily through three key initiatives:

• | Digital Engagement: The Casey’s digital engagement program will enable a seamless customer experience, both online and in-store, that offers new digital product categories and facilitates personalized marketing and rewards. Through this agile, customer-centric capability, Casey’s will deliver enhanced value to the customer by leveraging customer data and insights. Casey’s expects to begin realizing significant benefits, including same-store sales growth, in FY 2020.

• | Fleet Card: Led by a team with relevant implementation and execution experience, Casey’s fleet card program is expected to increase fuel sales by 2% in the first full year. This program will increase volumes over time and will drive increased store traffic. Casey’s expects to begin realizing fuel and in-store sales benefits by Q3 of FY 2019.

• | Price Optimization: Casey’s is transforming its marketing through price optimization initiatives for both fuel and in-store purchases. These initiatives, which will centralize Casey’s fuel pricing strategy and optimize its product pricing and assortment across all categories, are expected to provide increased visibility and precision to the Company’s pricing and promotion strategy. Casey’s expects to begin realizing benefits in FY 2019.

At the same time, Casey’s is continuing to focus on implementing its ongoing cost reduction measures and managing its operating expenses. The Company expects the cumulative savings of store-level operating expenditures to be $200 million by FY 2021, which it plans to reinvest into the key initiatives to increase shareholder value.
Disciplined Capital Allocation
Casey’s will continue its strong track record of delivering value to shareholders through its disciplined capital allocation strategy.

• | Reallocation of Capital: Casey’s plans to allocate additional capital in FY 2019 and beyond toward opportunities to increase shareholder value. In FY 2019, Casey’s anticipates at least $150 million of incremental capital available relative to FY 2018 due to reduced remodel and replacement requirements combined with anticipated tax reform benefits.

Casey’s capital allocation strategy will prioritize investment in high return growth and profitability initiatives, including its digital engagement and price optimization programs, as well as continued pursuit of disciplined store growth, strategic acquisition opportunities and returning capital to shareholders.

• | Returning Capital to Shareholders: Casey’s has a strong track record of returning capital to shareholders, including 17 consecutive years of dividend increases. Casey’s currently has approximately $107 million of capacity remaining under the Company’s existing share repurchase program as of January 31, 2018, and expects to complete the existing authorization in the first half of calendar year 2018. In addition, the Company has authorized a new $300 million share repurchase program through fiscal year 2020.

Board Additions, New Chairman and Governance Changes
In a separate press release today, Casey’s announced the appointment of three new independent directors and named independent director H. Lynn Horak the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Company also announced other governance changes, including the adoption of proxy access, majority voting in director elections (subject to shareholder approval) and implementation of director age and tenure limitations.
Third Quarter Results
Casey’s reported diluted earnings per share of $5.08 for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 ended January 31, 2018, compared to $0.58 per share for the same quarter a year ago. The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 generated a one-time estimated tax benefit of $175 million in the third quarter, or approximately $4.60 per diluted earnings per share. "The broader convenience and food service operating environment remains very challenging. While the prepared food and fountain category has fallen short of our expectations, we continue to be an industry-leader of both fuel and inside same-store sales," said Handley. "In addition, we have completed our preliminary assessments and are aggressively moving forward with our digital engagement and price optimization programs. We believe these programs will significantly enhance our entire store base, creating substantial long-term shareholder value."
Fuel - The Company's fiscal 2018 guidance was to increase same-store gallons sold 1.0% to 2.0% with an average margin of 18.0 to 20.0 cents per gallon. For the quarter, same-store gallons sold were up 3.8% with an average margin of 18.6 cents per gallon. "We are encouraged by the continued strong movement of fuel gallons. It was our strongest same-store gallons sold quarter in the last two fiscal years," said Handley. "We are optimistic about additional opportunities to drive growth in this category, through price optimization and an expansion of our fleet card program." The Company sold 18.2 million renewable fuel credits for $14.6 million during the third quarter. Total gallons sold for the quarter were up 8.3% to 539.7 million gallons while gross profit dollars increased 12.3% to $100.3 million. Year to date, same-store gallons sold were up 2.4% with an average margin of 19.2 cents per gallon.
Grocery and Other Merchandise - The Company's fiscal 2018 guidance was to increase same-store sales 2.0% to 4.0% with an average margin of 31.0% to 32.0%. For the quarter, same-store sales were up 2.5% with an average margin of 31.9%, both within the annual guidance ranges. "The category has benefited from the investments made in expanding cooler doors through our larger format stores and the major remodel and replacement programs, as energy drinks and other package beverages continue to grow at a faster pace than the category as a whole," said Handley. For the third quarter, total grocery and other merchandise revenue increased 5.6% to $502.8 million, and gross profit dollars were up 8.1% to $160.2 million. Year to date, same-store sales were up 2.7% with an average margin of 31.9%. Total revenue for the first nine months was up 5.4% to $1.7 billion while total gross profit dollars increased 6.3% to $533.6 million.
Prepared Food and Fountain - The fiscal 2018 guidance was to increase same-store sales 2.0% to 4.0% with an average margin of 61.5% to 62.5%. Same-store sales for the quarter were up 1.7% with an average margin of 60.5%. "An increased competitive promotional and pricing environment in our market area has put adverse pressure on this category, especially

pizza." said Handley. "Going forward, we will focus our promotional and pricing strategy on providing increased value to our customers. With our efforts to drive the digital engagement and price optimization programs underway, we are very optimistic about the future impact these programs will have on this category, and the stores as a whole." Total prepared food and fountain revenue increased 5.4% to $240.6 million in the third quarter while gross profit dollars grew 3.4% to $145.6 million. Year to date, total prepared food and fountain revenue was up 6.1% to $764.5 million, and total gross profit dollars were up 4.3% to $469.8 million. For the first nine months, same-store sales were up 2.6% with an average margin of 61.5%.
Operating Expenses - Casey's fiscal 2018 guidance was a 9.0% to 11.0% increase in total operating expenses. For the third quarter, total operating expenses increased 10.5% to $323.0 million. Year to date, total operating expenses increased 9.9% to $967.2 million. Operating expense increases were driven by several factors, including increases in employee-related costs from operating 66 more stores compared to last year, a $5.0 million increase in credit card fees and fuel expenses, a $3.3 million increase in health insurance costs, and a $2.0 million increase in consultant fees. Store level operating expenses for open stores not impacted by recent growth programs were up 2.9% for the quarter. "We will continue to be disciplined in managing operating expenses while making additional investments to capture opportunities that will create long-term shareholder value," added Handley.
Expansion - The Company's fiscal 2018 guidance was to build or acquire 90 to 120 stores, replace 30 existing locations, and complete 75 major remodels. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had built and opened 32 new stores, acquired 17 stores, completed 20 replacements, and remodeled 41 stores. In addition, there were 66 new stores, 14 replacement stores, and 33 major remodel stores under construction. Finally, the Company had 140 sites under agreement for new store construction and 14 acquisition stores under agreement to purchase. "We are excited to open our first store in the state of Michigan in the fourth quarter," said Handley. "This store is one of approximately 50 new stores we plan to open in the fourth quarter."
Share Repurchase Program - During the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company repurchased 93,292 shares of its common stock under its open market share repurchase program for approximately $10.9 million, or an average price of $117.03 per share. As of January 31, 2018, the Company had a total remaining authorized amount for share repurchases of approximately $107 million related to the 2-year, $300 million share repurchase program initiated in March 2017.
Dividend - At its March meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2018 to shareholders of record on May 1, 2018.
Fiscal 2018 Guidance -Below is a summary of the previous and current fiscal 2018 guidance, further refined as we approach fiscal year end:

| Same-store Sales |  | Average Margin
| Previous |  | Current |  | Previous |  | Current
Fuel (Gallons and CPG) | 1.0 - 2.0% |  | 2.2 - 2.7% |  | 18.0 - 20.0 |  | 18.5 - 19.5
Grocery and Other Merchandise | 2.0 - 4.0% |  | 2.0 - 3.0% |  | 31.0 - 32.0% |  | 31.5 - 32.0%
Prepared Food and Fountain | 2.0 - 4.0% |  | 2.0 - 3.0% |  | 61.5 - 62.5% |  | 61.0 - 61.5%
| Previous |  | Current |  |  |  |
Operating Expenses | 9.0 - 11.0% |  | 9.5 - 10.5% |  |  |  |
Depreciation and Amortization | 13.0 - 15.0% |  | 12.5 - 13.5% |  |  |  |
Build or Acquire | 90 - 120 stores |  | 105-115 stores |  |  |  |
Replacements | 30 stores |  | 30 stores |  |  |  |
Major Remodels | 75 stores |  | 75 stores |  |  |  |

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Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited)

| Three Months Ended January 31, |  | Nine Months Ended January 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Total revenue | $ | 2,054,603 |  |  | $ | 1,769,993 |  |  | $ | 6,302,087 |  |  | $ | 5,660,127 |
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, shown separately below) | 1,634,679 |  |  | 1,380,364 |  |  | 4,937,809 |  |  | 4,377,185 |
Operating expenses | 323,041 |  |  | 292,321 |  |  | 967,237 |  |  | 879,738 |
Depreciation and amortization | 57,042 |  |  | 51,152 |  |  | 163,568 |  |  | 145,682 |
Interest, net | 13,470 |  |  | 10,559 |  |  | 37,821 |  |  | 31,174 |
Income before income taxes | 26,371 |  |  | 35,597 |  |  | 195,652 |  |  | 226,348 |
Federal and state income taxes | (166,594 | ) |  | 12,762 |  |  | (102,989 | ) |  | 78,941 |
Net income | $ | 192,965 |  |  | $ | 22,835 |  |  | $ | 298,641 |  |  | $ | 147,407 |
Net income per common share |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 5.13 |  |  | $ | 0.58 |  |  | $ | 7.87 |  |  | $ | 3.76 |
Diluted | $ | 5.08 |  |  | $ | 0.58 |  |  | $ | 7.80 |  |  | $ | 3.72 |
Basic weighted average shares | 37,579,497 |  |  | 39,194,671 |  |  | 37,932,071 |  |  | 39,183,388 |
Plus effect of stock compensation | 372,643 |  |  | 463,445 |  |  | 369,842 |  |  | 466,380 |
Diluted weighted average shares | 37,952,140 |  |  | 39,658,116 |  |  | 38,301,913 |  |  | 39,649,768 |

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

| January 31, 2018 |  | April 30, 2017
Assets |  |  |
Current assets |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 138,711 |  |  | $ | 76,717 |
Receivables | 41,507 |  |  | 43,244 |
Inventories | 255,584 |  |  | 201,644 |
Prepaid expenses | 7,197 |  |  | 9,179 |
Income tax receivable | 33,236 |  |  | 19,901 |
Total current assets | 476,235 |  |  | 350,685 |
Other assets, net of amortization | 34,543 |  |  | 23,453 |
Goodwill | 137,759 |  |  | 132,806 |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,591,644 at January 31, 2018 and $1,496,472 at April 30, 2017 | 2,804,644 |  |  | 2,513,158 |
Total assets | $ | 3,453,181 |  |  | $ | 3,020,102 |
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity |  |  |
Current liabilities |  |  |
Notes payable to bank | $ | — |  |  | $ | 900 |
Current maturities of long-term debt | 15,369 |  |  | 15,421 |
Accounts payable | 294,262 |  |  | 293,903 |
Accrued expenses | 151,588 |  |  | 136,322 |
Total current liabilities | 461,219 |  |  | 446,546 |
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | 1,299,311 |  |  | 907,356 |
Deferred income taxes | 324,572 |  |  | 440,124 |
Deferred compensation | 16,488 |  |  | 15,784 |
Other long-term liabilities | 21,788 |  |  | 19,672 |
Total liabilities | 2,123,378 |  |  | 1,829,482 |
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,329,803 |  |  | 1,190,620 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 3,453,181 |  |  | $ | 3,020,102 |

Certain statements in this news release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by those statements, including our ability to execute our value creation plan or to realize benefits therefrom. Casey’s disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Summary by Category (Amounts in thousands)
Three months ended 1/31/2018 | Fuel |  | Grocery & Other Merchandise |  | Prepared Food & Fountain |  | Other |  | Total
Revenue | $ | 1,297,340 |  |  | $ | 502,750 |  |  | $ | 240,618 |  |  | $ | 13,895 |  |  | $ | 2,054,603 |
Revenue less cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 100,272 |  |  | $ | 160,150 |  |  | $ | 145,632 |  |  | $ | 13,870 |  |  | $ | 419,924 |
| 7.7 | % |  | 31.9 | % |  | 60.5 | % |  | 99.8 | % |  | 20.4 | %
Fuel gallons | 539,665 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Three months ended 1/31/2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue | $ | 1,053,990 |  |  | $ | 476,309 |  |  | $ | 228,278 |  |  | $ | 11,416 |  |  | $ | 1,769,993 |
Revenue less cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 89,265 |  |  | $ | 148,099 |  |  | $ | 140,869 |  |  | $ | 11,396 |  |  | $ | 389,629 |
| 8.5 | % |  | 31.1 | % |  | 61.7 | % |  | 99.8 | % |  | 22.0 | %
Fuel gallons | 498,122 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Summary by Category (Amounts in thousands)
Nine months ended 1/31/2018 | Fuel |  | Grocery & Other Merchandise |  | Prepared Food & Fountain |  | Other |  | Total
Revenue | $ | 3,824,571 |  |  | $ | 1,672,315 |  |  | $ | 764,456 |  |  | $ | 40,745 |  |  | $ | 6,302,087 |
Revenue less cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 320,170 |  |  | $ | 533,647 |  |  | $ | 469,787 |  |  | $ | 40,674 |  |  | $ | 1,364,278 |
| 8.4 | % |  | 31.9 | % |  | 61.5 | % |  | 99.8 | % |  | 21.6 | %
Fuel gallons | 1,666,404 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nine months ended 1/31/2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue | $ | 3,314,385 |  |  | $ | 1,587,281 |  |  | $ | 720,279 |  |  | $ | 38,182 |  |  | $ | 5,660,127 |
Revenue less cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 292,755 |  |  | $ | 501,816 |  |  | $ | 450,250 |  |  | $ | 38,121 |  |  | $ | 1,282,942 |
| 8.8 | % |  | 31.6 | % |  | 62.5 | % |  | 99.8 | % |  | 22.7 | %
Fuel gallons | 1,565,302 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Fuel Gallons |  | Fuel Margin
Same-store Sales | (Cents per gallon, excluding credit card fees)
| Q1 |  | Q2 |  | Q3 |  | Q4 |  | Fiscal Year |  | Q1 |  | Q2 |  | Q3 |  | Q4 |  | Fiscal Year
F2018 | 1.7 | % |  | 1.9 | % |  | 3.8 | % |  |  |  |  |  | F2018 |  | 19.3 | ¢ |  |  | 19.7 | ¢ |  |  | 18.6 | ¢ |  |  |  |  |
F2017 | 3.1 |  |  | 3.7 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | (0.5 | )% |  | 2.1 | % | F2017 | 19.5 |  |  | 18.6 |  |  | 17.9 |  |  |  | 17.2 | ¢ |  |  | 18.4 | ¢
F2016 | 3.4 |  |  | 3.3 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | 4.6 |  |  | 3.0 |  | F2016 | 17.5 |  |  | 24.7 |  |  | 18.1 |  |  | 17.8 |  |  | 19.6 |

Grocery & Other Merchandise |  | Grocery & Other Merchandise
Same-store Sales | Margin
| Q1 |  | Q2 |  | Q3 |  | Q4 |  | Fiscal Year |  | Q1 |  | Q2 |  | Q3 |  | Q4 |  | Fiscal Year
F2018 | 3.1 | % |  | 2.5 | % |  | 2.5 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  | F2018 | 31.9 | % |  | 32.0 | % |  | 31.9 | % |  |  |  |  |  |
F2017 | 4.7 |  |  | 3.1 |  |  | 3.0 |  |  | 1.5 | % |  | 2.9 | % | F2017 | 31.6 |  |  | 32.0 |  |  | 31.1 |  |  | 31.1 | % |  | 31.5 | %
F2016 | 7.0 |  |  | 7.5 |  |  | 7.1 |  |  | 7.4 |  |  | 7.1 |  | F2016 | 32.6 |  |  | 31.5 |  |  | 31.2 |  |  | 32.1 |  |  | 31.9 |

Prepared Food & Fountain |  | Prepared Food & Fountain
Same-store Sales | Margin
| Q1 |  | Q2 |  | Q3 |  | Q4 |  | Fiscal Year |  | Q1 |  | Q2 |  | Q3 |  | Q4 |  | Fiscal Year
F2018 | 3.7 | % |  | 2.1 | % |  | 1.7 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  | F2018 | 62.5 | % |  | 61.3 | % |  | 60.5 | % |  |  |  |  |  |
F2017 | 5.1 |  |  | 5.1 |  |  | 5.8 |  |  | 3.2 | % |  | 4.8 | % | F2017 | 62.8 |  |  | 62.9 |  |  | 61.7 |  |  | 61.7 | % |  | 62.3 | %
F2016 | 10.3 |  |  | 9.4 |  |  | 6.0 |  |  | 8.2 |  |  | 8.4 |  | F2016 | 62.5 |  |  | 63.4 |  |  | 62.0 |  |  | 61.9 |  |  | 62.5 |

Corporate information is available at this Web site: http://www.caseys.com. Earnings will be reported during a conference call on March 7, 2018. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet at 9:30 a.m. CST. To access the call and corresponding investor presentation slides, go to the Press Releases and Webcasts section of our Web site at https://www.caseys.com/investor-relations/press-releases-and-webcasts. No access code is required. A webcast replay of the call will remain available in an archived format, along with the corresponding investor presentation slides, on the Press Releases and Webcasts section of our Web site at https://www.caseys.com/investor-relations/press-releases-and-webcasts until March 7, 2022.