Edgar Filing: ACR GROUP INC

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2004

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2004

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 0-12490

ACR GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Texas		74-2008473
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3200 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 440, Houston, Texas		77042-6039
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(713) 780-8532

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as filed in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

Shares of Common Stock outstanding at December 31, 2004 - 10,712,294.

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q


			Page
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

	Item 1.	Financial Statements

		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – November 30, 2004 (Unaudited) and February 29, 2004 (Restated)	3

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) – Quarter and Nine Months Ended November 31, 2004 and November 30, 2003 (Restated)	5

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Nine Months Ended November 30, 2004 and November 30, 2003 (Restated)	6

		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	13

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	19

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	19

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	20

	Item 4.	Items Submitted to a Vote of Security Holders	20

	Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	20

SIGNATURES			21

CERTIFICATIONS

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. - Financial Statements

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

ASSETS


	November 30, 2004		February 29, 2004
	(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash	$	2,130	$	52
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,379 and $793		21,773		18,120
Inventory		30,509		27,833
Prepaid expenses and other		455		1,120
Deferred income taxes		1,225		1,167

Total current assets		56,092		48,292

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		4,021		4,461
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization		5,258		5,258
Other assets		794		716

Total assets	$	66,165	$	58,727

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY


	November 30, 2004			February 29, 2004
	(Unaudited)			(Restated)
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	229		$	407
Accounts payable		20,611			18,756
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		5,248			3,248

Total current liabilities		26,088			22,411

Revolving line of credit		21,000			21,086
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities		1,587			1,645
Interest derivative liabilities		—			464
Deferred income taxes		291			63

Total long-term obligations		22,878			23,258

Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		118			107
Additional paid-in capital		43,989			41,691
Unearned compensation - restricted stock		(1,980	)		—
Accumulated deficit		(24,928	)		(28,740	)

Total shareholders’ equity		17,199			13,058

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	66,165		$	58,727

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended November 30,						Nine months Ended November 30,
	2004			2003			2004			2003
				(Restated)						(Restated)
Sales	$	47,339		$	42,187		$	156,922		$	136,047
Cost of sales		36,289			33,057			121,065			106,264

Gross profit		11,050			9,130			35,857			29,783

Selling, general and administrative costs		9,972			8,425			29,353			25,453

Operating income		1,078			705			6,504			4,330

Interest expense		252			262			787			805
Interest derivative loss (gain)		4			21			(19	)		41
Other non-operating income		(121	)		(139	)		(434	)		(365	)

Income before income taxes		943			561			6,170			3,849

Provision for income taxes		325			220			2,358			1,462

Net income	$	618		$	341		$	3,812		$	2,387

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	.06		$	.03		$	.36		$	.22

Diluted	$	.06		$	.03		$	.35		$	.22

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		10,707			10,681			10,690			10,681

Diluted		11,030			10,681			10,846			10,681

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Nine months ended November 30,
	2004			2003
				(Restated)
Operating activities:
Net income	$	3,812		$	2,387
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		700			744
Provision for doubtful accounts		586			476
Gain of sale of assets		(22	)		—
Market value of interest derivative		(464	)		(281	)
Deferred income taxes		170			763
Restricted stock compensation		291			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		(4,239	)		(4,592	)
Inventory		(2,676	)		(2,833	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		587			(292	)
Accounts payable		1,855			662
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,001			1,742

Net cash provided by used in operating activities		2,601			(1,224	)

Investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(692	)		(463	)
Proceeds from disposition of assets		454			245

Net cash used in investing activities		(238	)		(218	)

Financing activities:
Net (payments) borrowings on revolving credit facility		(86	)		1,755
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases		(236	)		(370	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		37			—

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(285	)		1,385

Net increase (decrease) in cash		2,078			(57	)
Cash at beginning of year		52			104

Cash at end of period	$	2,130		$	47

Non-cash sale of subsidiaries’ inventory, property and equipment and other net assets	$	—		$	804

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed historical financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements, and therefore, should be reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report for the year ended February 29, 2004 filed on Form 10-K/A with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the quarter and nine months ended November 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2005.

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year’s financial statements to conform with current year presentation.

2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

For a detailed description of these policies, refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended February 29, 2004 and to Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, below.

In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) Number 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, as amended by SFAS 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123,” the Company has elected to follow the Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations in accounting for its employees stock-based compensation plans. Under APB 25, if the exercise price of employee stock options equals or exceeds the fair value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

Had compensation expense been determined consistent with SFAS 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been changed to the following pro forma amounts:


	Three Months Ended November 30,				Nine Months Ended November 30,
	2004		2003		2004		2003
			(Restated)				(Restated)
Net income applicable to common shareholders, as reported	$	618	$	341	$	3,812	$	2,387
Total stock-based employee compensation expense under fair value method for all awards, net of tax		—		—		38		6

Pro forma income applicable to common shareholders	$	618	$	341	$	3,774	$	2,381

Basic earnings per share:
As reported	$	.06	$	.03	$	.36	$	.22

Pro forma	$	.06	$	.03	$	.35	$	.22

Diluted earnings per share:
As reported	$	.06	$	.03	$	.35	$	.22

Pro forma	$	.06	$	.03	$	.35	$	.22

3 - Restatement

The Company filed a restated annual report on Form 10-K/A on October 15, 2004. Prior quarterly results were restated in Note 10, Quarterly Results, of the Form 10-K/A. The Company concluded that it had improperly accounted for certain interest rate derivative instruments that were originally entered into in September 2000 and April 2001. The Company did not properly record the fair value of the derivative and the change to the fair value of the derivative as an unrealized gain or loss in the statements of operations for the periods affected.

In connection with the restatement, the Company reclassified payments made on derivative instruments from interest expense to interest derivative gain or loss; recorded changes in the fair value of such instruments as interest derivative gain or loss; and the related tax effect of such changes in fair value. The net effect of all the restatement adjustments is as follows:


	Three Months Ended November 30, 2003		Nine Months Ended November 30, 2003
Increase to net income due to restatement to record unrealized derivative gain	$	55	$	185

Increase to earnings per share:
Basic	$	.01	$	.02

Diluted	$	.01	$	.02

4 - Contingent Liabilities

The Company has arrangements with heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVACR”) equipment manufacturers and bonded warehouse agents whereby HVACR equipment is held for sale in bonded warehouses located at the premises of certain of the Company’s operations, with payment due only when products are sold. The suppliers retain legal title and substantial management control with respect to the consigned inventory. The Company is responsible for damage to and loss of inventory that may occur at its premises. The Company has the ability to return consigned inventory, at its sole discretion, to the suppliers for a specified period of time after receipt of the inventory. Such inventory is accounted for as consigned merchandise and is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. As of November 30, 2004, the cost of such inventory held in the bonded warehouses was approximately $6,874,000.

5 - Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess cost of companies acquired over the fair value of their tangible net assets. The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142. Goodwill attributable to each of the Company’s reporting units is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. These impairment tests are performed at least annually. On an ongoing basis (absent any impairment indicators), the Company performs the annual impairment test as of the end of its fiscal year.

6 - Interest Rate Derivative Instruments

The Company had an interest rate derivative that did not qualify as a hedge, in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The fair value of the derivative instrument was reflected on the Company’s balance sheets, and changes in the fair value of such derivatives were recorded as unrealized gains or losses, as applicable, in the Company’s statements of operations as interest derivative loss or gain. Payments received or paid by the Company during the term of the derivative contract as a result of differences between the fixed interest rate of the derivative and the market interest rate were also recorded as interest derivative loss or gain.

The derivative instrument was an interest rate swap whereby the Company had agreed to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between a fixed rate of 6.33% and a variable rate based upon LIBOR, amounts as calculated by reference to a notional principal amount of $8 million. The interest rate swap was scheduled to mature in April 2005. However, the Company elected to terminate the agreement early and settle the remaining outstanding liability with a payment of $238,000 in September 2004 as part of the refinancing arrangement discussed in Note 8.

7 - Stock Option Agreements and Equity Transactions

Effective March 1, 2004, both the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel of the Company entered into employment contracts that each provide for the contingent issuance of 500,000 shares of restricted stock upon both continuation of employment and attainment of specified financial performance objectives by the Company. After the end of the first quarter, it was recognized that certain provisions of the agreements led to differing interpretations of the timing and number of shares that could vest under certain financial performance conditions. A process commenced at that time to amend the agreements to clarify the terms. In September 2004, the agreements were revised to extend the vesting period and eliminate the performance criteria. Under the revised agreements, the restricted stock will vest ratably over six years beginning March 1, 2004, subject only to continuation of employment of the officers. As a result of this revision, September 27, 2004 established a new measurement date for valuing

the restricted stock. On that date the Company’s share price was $2.15, and accordingly, the Company has recorded $2,150,000 as deferred compensation, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis as compensation expense over the six-year vesting period of the grants. As the amendment clarified provisions identified at the end of the first quarter, an adjustment was made in the second quarter to reflect year-to-date compensation expense based on the new terms. For the three and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2004, compensation expense recognized under the agreements was $90,000 and $269,000, respectively.

Effective March 1, 2004, the two outside directors of the Company each received restricted stock grants of 42,000 shares, subject to continuation of service as a director for four years. Such shares will vest annually pro-rata over such period. The Company will recognize $122,000 as compensation expense ratably over the four-year period for the restricted stock grants. For the three and nine-month periods ended November 30, 2004, the Company recognized $8,000 and $23,000, respectively, as compensation expense related to the directors restricted stock grants.

The Company has a stock option plan for key employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The plan provides for the granting of up to 500,000 non-qualified and/or incentive stock options. The options expire after five years and can be extended for a period of up to five years. On March 23, 2004, the expiration date of 93,500 options granted under the plan in March 1999 was extended until March 23, 2006. The extension created a new measurement date for valuing the options. No compensation expense has been recognized since, at the date of grant, the market price of the stock was equal to the option price on the date of extension. During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, 31,000 options issued under the plan were exercised and 8,000 options were forfeited. An additional 149,000 options granted under the plan expire in 2005.

8- Debt

At November 30, 2004, the interest rate under the Agreement was LIBOR plus 1.625%, or the Prime Rate less 0.125%. The Company has initially elected to use the LIBOR rate option for substantially all of its borrowings. The incremental percentage above LIBOR (“LIBOR Margin”) may vary quarterly depending on the Company’s leverage and financial performance, and as a result of such measurements at November 30, 2004, the LIBOR margin declined by 0.5% effective in January 2005. The Agreement also requires the Company to pay monthly a fee of 0.25% per annum on the average unused portion of the revolving credit line. All of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for borrowings under the Agreement.

dividends. Failure to comply with any financial or non-financial covenant, if not promptly cured, constitutes an Event of Default under the Agreement. Certain other specified events and any Material Adverse Change, as determined by the bank, also constitute an Event of Default. The existence of an Event of Default gives the Bank a right to accelerate all outstanding indebtedness under the Agreement.

9 - New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) which addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which a company receives employee services in exchange for either equity instruments of the company or liabilities that are based on the fair value of the company’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic method that the Company currently uses and requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method and recognized as expense in the consolidated statement of operations. The effective date of SFAS No. 123R is for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has not yet adopted this pronouncement and is currently evaluating the expected impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will have on its consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position and consolidated cash flows.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In general, a Variable Interest Entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. Interpretation 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. The Interpretation is effective for all Variable Interest Entities created after January 31, 2003, and is effective for special purpose entities created before February 1, 2003 for the first reporting period after December 15, 2003 and for non-special purpose entities for the first reporting period beginning after March 15, 2004. The adoption of the Interpretation did not have nor is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

10 - Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company uses the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under the liability 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 enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

11 - Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months and the three months ended November 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands except per share data):


	Three Months Ended November 30,				Nine Months Ended November 30,
	2004		2003		2004		2003
			(Restated)				(Restated)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share
Net income	$	618	$	341	$	3,812	$	2,387

Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares		10,707		10,681		10,690		10,681
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		111		—		85		—
Restricted stock grants		212		—		71		—

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions		11,030		10,681		10,846		10,681

Basic earnings per share	$	.06	$	.03	$	.36	$	.22

Diluted earnings per share	$	.06	$	.03	$	.35	$	.22

Item 2. - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION

ACR Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is an independent distributor of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVACR”) equipment and related parts and supplies. The Company is among the ten largest such distributors in the United States. Substantially all of the Company’s sales are to contractor dealers and institutional end-users. Generally accepted accounting principles allow the aggregation of an enterprise’s segments if they are similar. Although the Company operates in different geographic areas, we have reviewed the aggregation criteria and determined that the Company operates as a single segment based on the high degree of similarity of the Company’s operations.

This report on Form 10-Q includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties may include the availability of debt or equity capital to fund the Company’s working capital requirements, unusual weather conditions, the effects of competitive pricing, the strength of construction markets and general economic conditions. Our expectations and beliefs are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but there can be no assurance that our expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished. The forward-looking statements in this document are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided under the securities laws.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2004 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2003.

The Company earned net income of $3,812,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2004 (fiscal 2005) compared to $2,387,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2003 (fiscal 2004) an increase of 60%. The Company’s financial improvement was broad-based, as each of the Company’s six business units, except for the Texas-based unit, generated operating income at least 60% greater than the preceding year. Unusually high rainfall and relatively mild temperatures throughout the summer, which reduced demand for the Company’s products, adversely affected the Texas-based unit. The growth in net income over the previous year is principally a result of higher sales and gross margins at same-store operations. These circumstances allow the Company to greatly benefit from cost leverage, as increases in gross profit at branch operations are rarely accompanied by proportional increases in operating expenses. The Company also continues to benefit from the pace of economic activity in the states where our business is concentrated. Over 95% of the Company’s sales are in states that are among the 15 fastest-growing states in the country.

Consolidated sales increased 15% during the nine months ended November 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2003. Same-store sales also increased 13% over the same fiscal periods. For the first eleven months of calendar 2004, same-store sales growth was 14%, compared to a 5% increase in industry-wide product shipments during the same period based on data compiled by a leading industry trade association. Same-store comparisons exclude two non-core business units that were sold in fiscal 2004, a branch closed in fiscal 2004 and four new branches opened since June 2003. Sales growth was strongest in California and Florida, which benefited from the growth curve usually associated with recently opened branches. Other than in Texas, summer weather patterns were close to normal and the

Company’s business units experienced the customary seasonal increase in sales. Sales under a contract with a customer that commenced in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 represented 1.6 percentage points of the increase in consolidated and same-store sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2005.

The Company’s consolidated gross margin percentage on sales was 22.9% for the nine months ended November 30, 2004, compared to 21.9% for the nine months ended November 30, 2003. The increase in gross margin percentage resulted from continuous improvement in purchasing and payment terms with suppliers and customer pricing disciplines across all business units. The Company earns a relatively low gross margin percentage on the large volume contract described in the preceding paragraph; sales under this contract decreased consolidated gross margin percentage for the nine-month periods ended November 30, 2004 and 2003 by 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 15% in the nine months ended November 30, 2004, compared to the same period of 2003. Same-store SG&A expenses increased 10% over the same periods, generally because of the much higher sales volumes and income levels in fiscal 2005. Expressed as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses remained the same in the nine months ended November 30, 2004 and 2003 at 18.7%.

Interest expense decreased 2% in the nine-month period ended November 30, 2004 from the same period ended November 30, 2003 as a result of a decrease in the average interest rate on the Company’s variable rate indebtedness. Average funded indebtedness increased 7% in the nine months ended November 30, 2004, compared to the preceding year, as the Company used its revolving credit line for working capital requirements associated with the increase in sales over the preceding year and, upon increasing the credit line in July 2004, to access more favorable payment terms with suppliers.

The Company has estimated a combined federal and state income tax rate of 38.2% for the nine months ended November 30, 2004, compared to 38.0% for the nine months ended November 30, 2003. In fiscal 2004, slightly less than half of the provision for income taxes was charged to deferred taxes because of federal income tax loss carryforwards. The Company has no loss carryforwards to utilize in fiscal 2005.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2004 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2003

The Company earned net income of $618,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2004 (fiscal 2005) compared to $341,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2003 (fiscal 2004), an increase of 81%. Operating income of the Company’s business units varied widely, with the Texas business unit generating less operating income than in the same quarter of fiscal 2004, and operating income more than doubling at business units in Nevada, Florida and Colorado.

Consolidated and same-store sales increased 12% and 10%, respectively, during the quarter ended November 30, 2004 compared to the quarter ended November 30, 2003. Sales growth was exceptionally strong in Florida, where three branches opened in the past year, combined with both a vibrant economy and the initial stages of hurricane reconstruction, boosted sales to record levels. The Colorado business unit sustained its sales momentum from the first two quarters of fiscal 2005, providing further evidence of a recovering economy in Colorado. Sales at the Texas-based unit were down slightly compared to the previous year, continuing a trend that appeared early in the second quarter of fiscal 2005, when summer sales failed to meet expectations because of mild weather conditions.

The Company’s consolidated gross margin percentage on sales increased to 23.3% for the quarter ended November 30, 2004, compared to 21.6% for the quarter ended November 30, 2003, largely as a result of the initiatives described in the analysis of nine-month results above. Excluding sales under the large volume contract described above, gross margin percentage for the quarter ended November 30, 2004 was 23.8% and 22.2%, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 18% in the quarter ended November 30, 2004 compared to the same quarter of 2003. Same-store SG&A expenses increased 10% over the same periods, generally because of the much higher sales volumes in fiscal 2005. Expressed as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses increased in the third quarter from 20.0% in 2003 to 21.0% in 2004.

Interest expense decreased 4% in the quarter ended November 30, 2004, compared to same quarter in 2003. Higher average borrowings offset lower average interest rates that resulted from changing the Company’s primary bank lender in September 2004 (see Liquidity and Capital Resources, below). Average funded indebtedness increased 7% in the quarter ended November 30, 2004, compared to the preceding year, as the Company utilized funds available from an increase in its revolving credit line to negotiate and take advantage of favorable payment terms with certain suppliers.

The Company has an effective a combined federal and state income tax rate of 34.5% for the quarter ended November 30, 2004, compared to 39.2% for the quarter ended November 30, 2003. The lower rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 arose from a determination that a valuation allowance is no longer appropriate against a deferred tax asset relative to the Company’s Florida business unit.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In the nine months ended November 30, 2004, the Company generated cash flow from operations of $2,601,000, compared to using cash flow of $1,224,000 in operations for the same period of 2003. The difference in operating cash flow between the two years relates to payment terms negotiated with an equipment supplier in 2004, pursuant to which payment for normal inventory purchases was deferred to December 2004, which was up to 90 days longer than the usual payment cycle for such purchases. Gross accounts receivable represented 46 days of gross sales as of November 30, 2004, compared to 47 days at November 30, 2003. Inventory at November 30, 2004 was $3.5 million greater than at November 30, 2003. Of such increase, approximately $1 million was at three branches opened in the past year and $1.8 million represented purchases of HVAC equipment inventory pursuant to favorable terms from a supplier that otherwise would have been purchased in the fourth fiscal quarter.

In September 2004, the Company entered into a direct financing agreement (“Agreement”) with a commercial bank (“Bank”), replacing the Company’s previous banking arrangement. The new Agreement provides to the Company a $30 million revolving line of credit and a $5 million credit line that may be used for capital expenditures or to purchase real estate. The amount that may be borrowed under the new revolving credit line is limited to a borrowing base consisting of 85% of eligible accounts receivable, and from 50% to 65% of eligible inventory, depending on the time of year. As of November 30, 2004, the Company’s borrowing base exceeded $30 million, and availability under the revolver and the capital expenditure credit line was $9 million and $4.2 million, respectively. Because of the deferred payment arrangement with an equipment supplier described in the preceding paragraph, outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit at November 30, 2004 were atypically low. Management believes that average availability under the revolver during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter will generally be in a range from $3 million to $5 million.

The Agreement contains customary loan covenants with respect to the Company’s net worth, fixed charge coverage, leverage ratio, and ratio of funded debt to earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation, amortization and non-cash compensation expense. As of November 30, 2004, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants. The Agreement also contains various affirmative and negative covenants unrelated to the Company’s financial performance, including a prohibition on payment of dividends. Failure to comply with any financial or non-financial covenant, if not promptly cured, constitutes an Event of Default under the Agreement. Certain other specified events and any Material Adverse Change, as determined by the bank, also constitute an Event of Default. The existence of an Event of Default gives the Bank a right to accelerate all outstanding indebtedness under the Agreement.

The Agreement does not require the Company to use lockbox or similar arrangements pursuant to which the Bank would exercise control over collection proceeds and the discretion to reduce indebtedness under the Agreement. The Company is not required to maintain deposit balances at the Bank, although the Company has initially elected to utilize the Bank’s treasury management services, pursuant to which collected funds are automatically applied to reduce the outstanding balance of the revolving credit line. If an Event of Default exists, the Bank may offset against the Company’s indebtedness all funds of the Company that are held in accounts at the Bank.

Management believes that availability under the new revolving credit facility is adequate to meet the Company’s working capital requirements of its existing operations, debt service requirements and anticipated capital expenditures, and will also provide funds to finance additional growth through new branch operations or small acquisitions. The Company has immediately used its additional borrowing capacity under the new loan agreement to take advantage of certain advantageous payment terms with suppliers.

In October 2004, the Company sold all of the assets of its sheet metal manufacturing plant in Colorado to a competing manufacturer. Such assets consisted principally of raw material steel coil and manufacturing equipment. All of the finished goods produced at the plant were transferred to distribution branches in the area for sale to customers. Management determined that such finished goods could be purchased for resale on equal or better terms from third-party suppliers while eliminating the capital investment in manufacturing equipment. Proceeds realized from the sale of such assets were approximately $770,000, and a loss incurred on the transaction was not material.

SEASONALITY

The Company’s sales volume and, accordingly, its operating income vary significantly during its fiscal year. The highest levels of sales occur during the times of the year when climatic conditions require the greatest use of air conditioning, since the Company’s operations are concentrated in the warmer sections of the United States. Accordingly, sales will be highest in the Company’s second quarter ended August 31, and will be lowest in its fourth quarter.

INFLATION

The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on its results of operations in recent years. Generally, manufacturer price increases attributable to inflation uniformly affect both the Company and its competitors, and such increases are passed through to customers as an increase in sales prices.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies discussed below are critical to the Company’s business operations and an understanding of the Company’s financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in each reporting period. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results, once known, may vary from management’s estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues consist of sales of HVACR products. The Company recognizes revenue when the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) the amounts recognized are fixed and determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.

Vendor Rebates

The Company receives rebates from certain vendors based on the volume of product purchased from the vendor. The Company records rebates when they are earned, and when specified purchase volume levels are reached. Vendor rebates attributable to unsold inventory are carried as a reduction of the carrying value of inventory until such inventory is sold, at which time the related rebates are used to reduce cost of sales.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability to collect accounts receivable from customers. The Company establishes the allowance based on historical experience, credit risk of specific customers and transactions, and other factors. Management believes that the lack of customer concentration is a significant factor that mitigates the Company’s accounts receivable credit risk. Three customers represented 2.1%, 1.7% and 1.6% of consolidated fiscal 2004 sales, respectively, and no other customer comprised as much as 1% of sales. The number of customers and their distribution across the geographic areas served by the Company help to reduce the Company’s credit exposure to a single customer or to economic events that affect a particular geographic region. Although the Company believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate, any future condition that would impair the ability of a broad section of the Company’s customer base to make payments on a timely basis may require the Company to record additional allowances.

Inventory

Inventories consist of HVACR equipment, parts and supplies and are valued at the lower of cost or market value using the average cost method. Substantially all inventories represent finished goods held for sale. When necessary, the carrying value of obsolete or excess inventory is reduced to estimated net realizable value. The process for evaluating the value of obsolete or excess inventory requires estimates by management concerning future sales levels and the quantities and prices at which such inventory can be sold in the ordinary course of business.

The Company holds a substantial amount of HVACR equipment inventory at several branches on consignment from suppliers The terms of the arrangements provide that the inventory is held for sale in bonded warehouses at the branch premises, with payment due only when products are sold. The suppliers retain legal title and substantial management control with respect to the consigned inventory. The Company is responsible for damage to and loss of inventory that may occur at its premises. The Company has the ability to return consigned inventory, at its sole discretion, to the suppliers for a specified period of time after receipt of the inventory. Such inventory is accounted for as consigned merchandise and is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet.

The consignment arrangements allow the Company to have inventory available for sale to customers without incurring a payment obligation for the inventory prior to a sale. Because of the control retained by the suppliers and the uncertain time when a payment obligation will be incurred, the Company does not record the consigned inventory as an asset upon receipt with a corresponding liability. Rather, the Company records a liability to the suppliers only upon sale of the inventory to a customer. The amount of the consigned inventory is disclosed in the Company’s financial statements as a contingent obligation.

Interest Rate Derivative Instruments

The Company had an interest rate derivative that did not qualify as a hedge, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The fair value of the derivative instrument was reflected on the Company’s balance sheets, and changes in the fair value of such derivatives were recorded as unrealized gains or losses, as applicable, in the Company’s statements of operations as interest derivative loss or gain. Payments received or paid by the Company during the term of the derivative contract as a result of differences between the fixed interest rate of the derivative and the market interest rate were also recorded as interest derivative loss or gain.

Item 3. - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As discussed in Note 8, the Company entered into a direct financing agreement with another commercial bank. In connection with the refinancing of the Company’s previous credit facility, the value of the Company’s interest rate swap was paid in full (See Note 6, above). Under the new agreement all of the principal balance is subject to variable interest rates. Based on the outstanding balance at November 30, an immediate change of one percent in the interest rate would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $210,000, or $.02 per basic share, on an annual basis.

Item 4. - Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective in producing the timely recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of information and in accumulating and communicating of information to management as appropriate to allow for timely decisions with regard to required disclosure.

No changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over the financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. - Legal Proceedings

None

Item 4. –Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Item 6. - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

Exhibits

31.1

Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated October 15, 2003,

31.2

Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated October 15, 2003,

32.1

Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of ACR Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of ACR Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)	Reports on Form 8-K.

The Company filed an 8-K on October 18, 2004, filing its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2004. A copy of the Company’s press release was attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K.

The Company filed an 8-K on January 13, 2005, filing its financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004. A copy of the Company’s press release was attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K.

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 thereunto duly authorized.


		ACR GROUP, INC.

January 14, 2005 Date		/s/ Anthony R. Maresca
January 14, 2005 Date		Anthony R. Maresca
		Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer

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