Edgar Filing: ACR GROUP INC

Form 10-Q

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, 2003

¨	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 ¨

Shares of Common Stock outstanding at December 31, 2003 - 10,681,294.

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, 2003 (Unaudited) and February 28, 2003	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) – Quarter and Nine Months Ended November 30, 2003 and 2002	5

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Nine Months Ended November 30, 2003 and 2002	6

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	7

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	10

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	16

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	17

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	17

Item 4.	Items Submitted to a Vote of Security Holders	17

Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	17

SIGNATURES		18

CERTIFICATIONS

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. – Financial Statements

ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

ASSETS

	November 30, 2003		February 28, 2003
	(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash	$	47	$	104
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,161 and $685		19,318		15,202
Inventory		27,043		24,997
Prepaid expenses and other		1,100		311
Deferred income taxes		786		1,458

Total current assets		48,294		42,072

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		4,416		4,955
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization		5,258		5,258
Other assets		729		443

Total assets	$	58,697	$	52,728

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

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ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	November 30, 2003			February 28, 2003
	(Unaudited)
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	348		$	403
Accounts payable		17,607			16,967
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		3,839			2,097

Total current liabilities		21,794			19,467

Revolving line of credit		21,927			20,172
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities		1,588			1,903

Total long-term obligations		23,515			22,075

Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		107			107
Additional paid-in capital		41,691			41,691
Accumulated deficit		(28,410	)		(30,612	)

Total shareholders’ equity		13,388			11,186

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	58,697		$	52,728

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

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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,
	2003			2002			2003			2002
Sales	$	42,187		$	37,902		$	136,047		$	128,581
Cost of sales		33,057			29,536			106,264			100,635

Gross profit		9,130			8,366			29,783			27,946
Selling, general and administrative costs		8,425			8,234			25,453			24,944

Operating income		705			132			4,330			3,002
Interest expense		366			423			1,127			1,339
Other non-operating (income)		(139	)		(134	)		(365	)		(350	)

Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change		478			(157	)		3,568			2,013
Provision for income taxes:
Current		103			(13	)		699			97
Deferred		89			(36	)		667			413

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change		286			(108	)		2,202			1,503
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes		—			—			—			(483	)

Net income (loss)	$	286		$	(108	)	$	2,202		$	1,020

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	$	.03		$	(.01	)	$	.21		$	.14
Cumulative effect of accounting change		—			—			—			(.04	)

	$	.03		$	(.01	)	$	.21		$	.10

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted		10,681			10,681			10,681			10,681

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these condensed financial statements.

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ACR GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended November 30,
	2003			2002
Operating activities:
Net income	$	2,202		$	1,020
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		—			483
Depreciation and amortization		744			895
Provision for bad debt		476			364
Deferred income tax expense		667			413
Other		—			(13	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(4,592	)		(206	)
Inventory		(2,833	)		2,391
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(292	)		33
Accounts payable		662			(2,468	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,742			534

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(1,224	)		3,446

Investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(463	)		(490	)
Proceeds from disposition of assets		245			37

Net cash (used in) investing activities		(218	)		(453	)

Financing activities:
Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit facility		1,755			(2,487	)
Payments on long-term debt		(370	)		(514	)

Net cash provided by (used in) provided by financing activities		1,385			(3,001	)

Net (decrease) in cash		(57	)		(8	)
Cash at beginning of year		104			129

Cash at end of period	$	47		$	121

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.

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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 28, 2003 filed on Form 10-K 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. Actual operating results for the three months ended and nine months ended November 30, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2004.

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 for the year ended February 28, 2003 and to Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, below.

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 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.

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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,
	2003		2002			2003		2002
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders as reported	$	286	$	(108	)	$	2,202	$	1,020
Total stock-based employee compensation expense under fair value method for all awards, net of tax		—		14			6		41

Pro forma income (loss) applicable to common Shareholders	$	286	$	(122	)	$	2,196	$	979

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
As reported	$	.03	$	(.01	)	$	.21	$	.10

Pro forma	$	.03	$	(.01	)	$	.21	$	.09

3 - Contingent Liabilities

The Company has arrangements with an HVACR equipment manufacturer and a bonded warehouse agent 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 supplier retains 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 supplier 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, 2003, the cost of such inventory held in the bonded warehouses was approximately $6,752,000.

The terms of the consignment agreement further provide that the Company may be required to purchase inventory not sold within a specified period of time. Historically, most consigned inventory is sold before the specified purchase date, and the supplier has never enforced their right to demand payment, instead permitting such inventory to remain on consignment. As of November 30, 2003, inventory of approximately $612,000 remained on consignment although it had been held in excess of the allowable period of time.

On August 29, 2003, the Company sold the operating assets of its filter manufacturing business. The transaction was not material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. As a condition to the transaction, the Company agreed to purchase from the buyer no less than $500,000 of filters annually for three years. This purchase commitment does not exceed the Company’s historical demand for such filters.

4 - 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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) Number 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

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impairment tests are performed at least annually. The Company performs the annual impairment test as of its year-end during the first quarter of each fiscal year.

Upon adopting SFAS No. 142, the Company’s impairment tests performed during the quarter ended May 31, 2002 resulted in a charge of $733,000, or $483,000 net of taxes, to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to its implied fair value. This charge was recorded as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle in the Company’s financial statements. The Company completed its annual impairment test as of February 28, 2003 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2004. This impairment test resulted in no additional impairment charges.

5 - 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.

The Company’s effective federal income tax rate increased to 34% for fiscal 2004 from 21% in fiscal 2003 due to the expiration and utilization of tax loss carryforwards. The tax expense will be utilized to decrease the deferred tax asset and increase the tax liability for estimated taxes payable, net of the operating loss carryforwards. The Company had approximately $1,343,000 in tax loss carryforwards at the beginning of fiscal 2004.

6 - Debt

The Company has a revolving line of credit arrangement with a commercial bank (“Bank”). The maximum amount that may be borrowed under the revolving line of credit is $25 million, and $1 million for capital expenditures. At November 30, 2003, the Company had available credit of $2.1 and $0.2 million under the revolving credit line and the capital expenditure term loan facility, respectively. The agreement terminates in May 2004, but is automatically extended for one-year periods unless either party gives notice of termination to the other. The Company has no intention of terminating the agreement and the Bank has not provided any notice of termination. The Company believes its relationship with the Bank to be good and expects that the revolving line of credit will be automatically renewed.

7 - New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”. The Interpretation requires certain guarantees to be recorded at fair value and also requires a guarantor to make certain disclosures regarding guarantees. The Interpretation’s initial recognition and initial measurement provisions are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The disclosure requirements became effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2004. The adoption of the statement had no material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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from vendors. Certain provisions of the EITF are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2002, and other provisions of the EITF are effective for arrangements entered into after November 21, 2003. The Company’s historical accounting for consideration received from vendors is consistent with the provisions of EITF 02-16. Therefore, the adoption of this standard had no material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

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 Company does not believe the adoption of the Interpretation will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 149 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. This Statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability or, in some circumstances, as an asset with many such financial instruments having been previously classified as equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and and otherwise was effective on July 1, 2003. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Item 2. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

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.

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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, 2003 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2002

The Company recognized net income of $2,202,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2003 (fiscal 2004) compared to $1,020,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2002 (fiscal 2003). The Company’s results for the nine months ended November 30, 2002 included a charge of $483,000, net of taxes, related to the adoption of a new accounting standard for reporting of goodwill and other intangible assets. As discussed below, the Company’s effective tax rate in fiscal 2004 is expected to be significantly greater than in fiscal 2003. Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change was $3,568,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2003, compared to $2,014,000 for the nine months ended November 30, 2002, an increase of 77%. The increase in such income was attributable to business growth and operating improvements at business units in Texas, California and Florida and to lower interest costs in fiscal 2004 compared to fiscal 2003.

Consolidated sales increased 6% during the nine months ended November 30, 2003 compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2002. Sales growth was particularly strong in California, propelled by the most favorable seasonal summer weather in several years. All branch operations in California have generated sales gains over 10% in the first nine months of fiscal 2004, and sales at a branch in El Centro, CA that opened in June 2003 have exceeded expectations. Sales growth was above average in Texas and Florida, also supported by seasonally warm weather. Conversely, sales have declined in Georgia, where unusually cool and wet weather conditions curbed the sales increase that customarily occurs during the summer.

The Company’s same-store sales in the first eleven months of calendar 2003 increased 6% over 2002, compared to a 1% increase in industry-wide product shipments during the same period based on data compiled by a leading industry trade association. Same-store comparisons exclude operations at a branch in Alabama that was closed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, a business unit in Tennessee that distributed building controls that was sold in April 2003, a business unit in Texas that manufactured air conditioning filters and was sold in August 2003, and three branches opened in 2003. The sales of the assets of the Tennessee and the Texas business units were at approximately net book value and were not material to the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s consolidated gross margin percentage on sales was 21.9% for the nine months ended November 30, 2003, compared to 21.7% for the nine months ended November 30, 2002. The slight increase in gross margin percentage was attributable to improved payment terms from suppliers and pricing disciplines throughout the Company, offset by lower margins on a large customer contract that commenced in August 2003.

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Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 2% in the nine months ended November 30, 2003 compared to the same period of 2002. Expressed as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses decreased in the nine months ended November 30, 2003 to 18.7% from 19.4% in 2003.

Interest expense decreased 16% from November 30, 2003 to November 30, 2002 as a result of both lower average interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt and lower outstanding debt. Average funded indebtedness declined 5% in the nine months ended November 30, 2003, compared to the preceding year.

The Company’s estimated effective tax rate for fiscal 2004 is 38% compared to an effective rate of 25% in the first nine months of fiscal 2003. The effective rate for fiscal 2004 includes 4% for state taxes. The lower effective rate in fiscal 2003 is the result of utilizing available net operating losses which had not been previously recognized.

The cumulative effect of accounting change reflects the result of adopting the provisions SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” as of March 1, 2002. For further explanation, see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2003 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2002

The Company recognized net income of $286,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2003 (fiscal 2004) compared to a loss of $108,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2002 (fiscal 2003). As discussed above, the Company’s effective tax rate in fiscal 2004 is expected to be significantly greater than in fiscal 2003. Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change was $478,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2003, compared to a loss of $157,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2002, a substantial increase. Such increase was attributable to the same factors described above to explain the improvement in results of operations for the nine-month period ended November 30, 2003 compared to 2002.

Consolidated and same-store sales increased 11% and 13%, respectively, during the quarter ended November 30, 2003 compared to the quarter ended November 30, 2002. Consistent with the nine-month period ended November 30, sales growth was greatest in California, and only the business unit based in Georgia generated fewer sales in the quarter compared to the preceding year. Third quarter sales at the Company’s Colorado business unit increased slightly compared to the same quarter in 2002, providing additional evidence that the economic downturn in Colorado has stabilized. In August 2003, sales of product commenced pursuant to a new contract with a customer. Sales under this contract increased consolidated and same-store sales in the quarter ended by 5 and 6 percentage points, respectively. The contract is expected to continue through calendar 2004.

The Company’s consolidated gross margin percentage on sales was 21.6% for the quarter ended November 30, 2003, which was unchanged from 2002. The Company realizes a relatively low gross margin percentage on the large volume contract described in the preceding paragraph; sales under this contract decreased gross margin percentage in the quarter ended November 30, 2003 by 0.7 percentage points.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 2.3% in the quarter ended November 30, 2003 compared to the same quarter of 2002. Expressed as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses decreased in the third quarter from 21.8% in 2002 to 20.0% in 2003.

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Interest expense decreased 13% from the three months ended November 30, 2003 to the same period in 2002 as a result of lower average interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt. Average funded indebtedness increased 3% in the quarter ended November 30, 2003, compared to the preceding year.

The Company’s estimated tax rate for fiscal 2004 is approximately 38% compared to an effective rate of 31% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The effective rate for fiscal 2004 includes 4% for state taxes. The lower effective rate in fiscal 2003 is the result of utilizing available net operating losses that had not been previously recognized. The effective tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2003 is 40%, which resulted from minor adjustments to the estimated year-to-date rate.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In the nine months ended November 30, 2003, the Company used cash flow in operations of $1,224,000, compared to generating $3,446,000 in the same period of 2002, as higher levels of sales, receivables and inventory required increased investment of working capital. Gross accounts receivable increased to 47 days of gross sales as of November 30, 2003, compared to 44 days at November 30, 2002, ending a series of months in which the Company experienced year over year improvement in days sales outstanding. Management believes that the extended holiday period at the end of November 2003 disrupted a common pattern of collecting customer receivables at the end of a calendar month. Inventory at November 30, 2003 was 15% greater than at November 30, 2002. Such increase was attributable to increased stocking levels needed to support the Company’s recent sales increases, an additional product line of equipment that the Company is distributing at two of its business units, and inventory purchased for two new branch operations in Florida. The Company has also purposely used operating cash flows and available borrowing capacity to take advantage of vendor payment terms. Accounts payable at November 30, 2003 represented 47 days cost of sales, compared to 56 days at the end of November 2002.

The Company has credit facilities with a commercial bank (“Bank”), which include a $25 million revolving line of credit, and $1 million for capital expenditures. Outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit line change daily depending on cash collections and disbursements. During the nine months ended November 30, 2003, the Company did not borrow additional funds from its capital expenditure facility. At November 30, 2003, the Company had available credit of $2.1 and $0.2 million under the revolving credit line and the capital expenditure term loan facility, respectively. As of November 30, 2003, borrowings under both credit facilities bear interest at either the prime rate or LIBOR plus 2.75%, and the Company had elected the LIBOR option on substantially all outstanding borrowings. The Company has fixed the interest rate on $8 million of borrowings under the facility, and the balance of borrowings bears interest at a floating rate. As of November 30, 2003, the average interest rate on all borrowings was 5.74%. Management believes that availability under the revolving credit facility will be adequate to finance the Company’s working capital requirements of its existing operations and to finance planned growth for the foreseeable future. The agreement terminates in May 2004, but is automatically extended for one-year periods unless either party gives notice of termination to the other. Management and the Bank are actively discussing an expansion of the credit facility and an extended term. Although there can be no assurance that such negotiations will be successfully concluded, management believes that the revised facility will be in place by the end of fiscal 2004.

The Company had approximately $1.3 million in tax loss carryforwards at the beginning of fiscal 2004. Such operating loss carryforwards are expected to be fully utilized to reduce the Company’s federal income tax liabilities in fiscal 2004.

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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 ended February 29.

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

In January 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a final consensus on EITF Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor”. EITF 02-16 clarifies certain aspects for accounting and recording of consideration received from vendors. Certain provisions of the EITF are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2002, and other provisions of the EITF are effective for arrangements entered into after November 21, 2003. The Company’s historical accounting for consideration received from vendors is consistent with the provisions of EITF 02-16. Therefore, the adoption of this standard has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

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 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 Company does not expect the adoption of the interpretation to have a material impact on its financial statements.

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In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. This Statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability or, in some circumstances, as an asset with many such financial instruments having been previously classified as equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise was effective on July 1, 2003. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

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 recognizes revenue in accordance with SEC Statement of Accounting Bulletin No. 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements”. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues consist of sales of HVACR products that are purchased by the Company from suppliers; less than 5% of the Company’s sales are of products that it manufactures. SAB 101 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the amounts recognized are fixed and determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company records revenue after it receives an order from a customer with a fixed determinable price and the order is either shipped or delivered to the customer.

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, i.e. when specified purchase volume levels are reached.

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.

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Management believes that the lack of customer concentration is a significant factor that mitigates the Company’s accounts receivable credit risk. 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; following the sale of the Company’s filter manufacturing operation at the end of August 2003, raw materials represent approximately 1% of inventories. 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 a supplier. The terms of this arrangement provide that the inventory is held for sale in bonded warehouses at the branch premises, with payment due only when products are sold. The supplier retains 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 supplier for a specified period of time after receipt of the inventory. The terms of the arrangement further provide that the supplier may require the Company to purchase consigned inventory not sold within a specified period of time. Historically, most consigned inventory is sold before the specified purchase date, and the supplier has never enforced its right to demand payment, instead permitting such inventory to remain on consignment.

This consignment arrangement allows 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 supplier 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 supplier 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.

Item 3. – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates on its senior credit facility, which includes revolving credit and term notes. These instruments carry interest at a pre-agreed upon percentage point spread from either the prime interest rate or LIBOR. Under its senior credit facility the Company may, at its option, fix the interest rate for certain borrowings based on a spread over LIBOR for 30 days to 6 months. At November 30, 2003 the Company had $21.9 million outstanding under its senior credit facility, of which $13.9 million is subject to variable interest rates. Based on this balance, an immediate change of one percent in the interest rate would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $139,000, or $.01 per basic share, on an annual basis.

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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 January 14, 2004,

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 January 14, 200414, 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 16, 2003, filing its earnings release for the quarter ended August 31, 2003. A copy of the Company’s press release was attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K.

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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, 2004				/s/ ANTHONY R. MARESCA

Date				Anthony R. Maresca Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer

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