UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

_______________________

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarter ended August 31, 2001

Commission file number 1-8527

 

A.G. EDWARDS, INC.



State of Incorporation: DELAWARE

I.R.S. Employer Identification No: 43-1288229

 

One North Jefferson Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314) 955-3000

 

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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No       

 

At September 28, 2001, there were 78,651,914 shares of A.G. Edwards, Inc. common stock, par value $1, issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

INDEX

 

   

Page

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
     
 

     Consolidated balance sheets

1

     
 

     Consolidated statements of earnings

2

     
 

     Consolidated statements of cash flows

3

     
 

     Notes to consolidated financial statements

4-5

     
 

     Management's financial discussion

6-8

     
     

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

8

     
 

SIGNATURES

9

 

 

A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

  August 31,

 February 28,

ASSETS

      2001     

       2001     

     

Cash and cash equivalents

$    109,974

 $    116,004

Cash and government securities, segregated under

   

     federal and other regulations

        69,696

         78,455

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        59,526

         17,352

Securities borrowed

        69,087

       127,328

Receivables:

   

     Customers

   2,786,721

    3,285,220

     Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

          4,777

         30,314

     Fees, dividends and interest

        95,053

         70,934

Securities inventory, at fair value:

   

     State and municipal

      260,042

       188,559

     Government and agencies

        63,590

         41,024

     Corporate

      135,312

         63,733

Investments

      218,910

       218,003

Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated

   

     depreciation and amortization of $415,288 and $362,615

      552,236

       508,970

Deferred income taxes

        58,307

         71,017

Other assets

        60,261

         43,071

 

$ 4,543,492

 $ 4,859,984

     

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

   
     

Short-term bank loans

$    327,500

 $    319,800

Checks payable

      224,873

       252,558

Securities loaned

      565,773

       780,666

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        60,749

             -

Payables:

   

     Customers

      968,515

       899,091

     Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

        81,106

       123,084

Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value

        25,140

         31,194

Employee compensation and related taxes

      507,969

       673,756

Income taxes

        45,948

         58,871

Other liabilities

        85,863

         94,620

          Total Liabilities

   2,893,436

    3,233,640

Stockholders' Equity:

   

     Preferred stock, $25 par value:

   

          Authorized, 4,000,000 shares, none issued

   

     Common stock, $1 par value:

   

          Authorized, 550,000,000 shares

   

          Issued, 96,463,114 shares

        96,463

         96,463

     Additional paid-in capital

      284,789

       280,094

     Retained earnings

   1,936,196

    1,875,379

 

   2,317,448

    2,251,936

     Less - Treasury stock, at cost (17,352,118 and 16,325,828 shares)

      667,392

       625,592

          Total Stockholders' Equity

   1,650,056

    1,626,344

 

$ 4,543,492

 $ 4,859,984

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

               August 31,              

               August 31,              

 

        2001     

       2000      

        2001     

       2000      

REVENUES:

       

     Commissions

   $  225,752

   $  325,134

   $  487,307

   $  736,412

     Principal transactions

         78,658

         74,226

       163,994

       153,743

     Investment banking

         84,035

         41,410

       129,975

         96,596

     Asset management and service fees

       165,577

       162,409

       328,855

       323,404

     Interest

         48,694

         96,505

       106,593

       189,476

     Other

           2,662

         10,250

           5,474

         20,721

          Total Revenues

       605,378

       709,934

    1,222,198

    1,520,352

     Interest expense

           8,540

         29,818

         19,630

         53,677

          Net Revenues

       596,838

       680,116

    1,202,568

    1,466,675

         

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:

       

     Compensation and benefits

       396,111

       437,343

       799,126

       941,134

     Communication and technology

         72,623

         58,504

       136,217

       106,473

     Occupancy and equipment

         31,722

         26,876

         66,273

         55,277

     Marketing and business development

         11,146

         12,335

         21,864

         25,009

     Floor brokerage and clearance

           5,360

           5,488

         10,987

         11,770

     Other

         17,812

         16,832

         35,179

         33,549

          Total Non-Interest Expenses

       534,774

       557,378

    1,069,646

    1,173,212

         

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

         62,064

       122,738

       132,922

       293,463

         

INCOME TAXES

         21,068

         45,700

         46,673

       109,140

         

NET EARNINGS

   $    40,996

   $    77,038

   $    86,249

   $  184,323

         

Earnings per share:

       

     Diluted

   $        0.50

   $        0.93

   $        1.06

   $        2.17

     Basic

   $        0.51

   $        0.95

   $        1.08

   $        2.21

         

Dividends per share

   $        0.16

   $        0.16

   $        0.32

   $        0.32

         

Average common and common equivalent

       

  shares outstanding (in thousands):

       

     Diluted

         81,111

         83,608

         81,091

         84,948

     Basic

         79,770

         81,704

         79,990

         83,287

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended August 31,

 

        2001    

       2000     

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

   

          Net earnings

   $  86,249

  $   184,323

          Noncash and nonoperating items included in earnings

       75,581

         73,703

          Change in:

   

             Segregated cash and government securities

         8,759

           3,161

             Net securities borrowed and loaned

       28,349

         29,601

             Net receivable from customers

     567,923

     (237,126)

             Net payable to brokers, dealers

   

                and clearing organizations

      (16,441)

       (88,254)

             Fees, dividends and interest receivable

      (24,119)

       (22,063)

             Net securities inventory

    (171,682)

        23,158

             Other assets and liabilities

    (223,915)

     (220,711)

          Net cash from operating activities

     330,704

     (254,208)

     

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

   

          Purchase of property and equipment

      (96,958)

     (157,516)

          Investments

           (888)

       (73,721)

          Net cash from investing activities

      (97,846)

     (231,237)

     

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

   

          Short-term bank loans

         7,700

     (223,900)

          Securities loaned

    (185,001)

      934,111

          Employee stock transactions

         6,992

        16,973

          Cash dividends paid

      (25,472)

       (27,202)

          Purchase of treasury stock

      (43,107)

     (266,756)

          Net cash from financing activities

    (238,888)

      433,226

     

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

        (6,030)

       (52,219)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

     116,004

      154,487

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

  $ 109,974

  $  102,268

 

Interest payments totaled $22,290 and $47,704 during the six month periods ended August 31, 2001, and 2000, respectively.

Income tax payments totaled $42,908 and $101,820 during the six month periods ended August 31, 2001, and 2000, respectively.

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2001

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of A.G. Edwards, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company"), including its principal subsidiary, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. ("Edwards"), and are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2001. All adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods have been reflected. All such adjustments consist of normal recurring accruals unless otherwise disclosed in these interim consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the six months ended August 31, 2001, are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending February 28, 2002. Prior periods' financial information has been reclassified to conform with the current-period presentation.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Under the Company's February 2001 stock repurchase program, the Company purchased 1,068,400 shares at an aggregate cost of $43,107 during the six month period ended August 31, 2001. For the six month period ended August 31, 2000, the Company purchased 6,809,500 shares under its May 1996 stock repurchase program, which expired late in fiscal 2001, at an aggregate cost of $266,756.

Comprehensive earnings for the six month periods ended August 31, 2001 and 2000 were equal to the Company's net earnings.

The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

             August 31,          

             August 31,          

 

      2001    

      2000    

      2001    

      2000    

Net earnings available to

       

  common stockholders

   $ 40,996

   $ 77,038

   $ 86,249

  $184,323

         

Shares (in thousands):

       

    Weighted average shares outstanding

      79,770

      81,704

      79,990

      83,287

    Dilutive effect of employee

      stock plans

        1,341

        1,904

        1,101

        1,661

 

    Total weighted average diluted shares

      81,111

      83,608

      81,091

      84,948

Diluted earnings per share

   $     0.50

   $     0.93

   $     1.06

  $      2.17

Basic earnings per share

   $     0.51

   $     0.95

   $     1.08

  $      2.21



A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2001

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS:

Edwards is subject to the net capital rule administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This rule requires Edwards to maintain a minimum net capital, as defined, and to notify and sometimes obtain the approval of the SEC and other regulatory organizations for substantial withdrawals of capital and loans to affiliates. As of August 31, 2001, Edwards' net capital of $780,200 was $726,418 in excess of the minimum requirement.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board released SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations" and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, to be accounted for using the purchase method. Under SFAS No. 142, intangible assets with indefinite lives and goodwill will no longer be amortized. Instead, these assets are required to be tested at least annually for impairment. The adoption of these standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

The Company receives collateral in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowed transactions, customer margin loans and other loans. Under many agreements, the Company is permitted to sell or repledge these securities held as collateral and use these securities to enter into securities lending arrangements or deliver to counterparties to cover short positions. At August 31, 2001, the fair value of securities received as collateral where the Company is permitted to sell or repledge the securities was $3,707,299 and the fair value of the collateral that had been sold or repledged was $1,080,348.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT:

Subsequent to the end of the Company's second quarter, the value of securities collateralizing a $37 million margin loan in a client's account declined significantly, leaving the loan partially unsecured. The Company is evaluating its options concerning this account and, given the current circumstances and the volatility of the collateral, has not made an estimate as to its collectibility. This matter, or any related reserve, is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, however, its effect could be material to the consolidated results of operations for the third quarter or future periods until ultimately resolved. The impact of any loss on net earnings and earnings per share will be significantly reduced by its effect on income taxes and the Company's incentive compensation plans.

 



A.G. EDWARDS, INC.

MANAGEMENT'S FINANCIAL DISCUSSION

SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST, 31, 2001 COMPARED

TO SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000

 

General Business Environment

The six months ended August 31, 2001 produced net revenues and net earnings that continued to reflect difficult and volatile market conditions, and reduced retail investor participation in the markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average began the period at 10,495, and ended the period, in a choppy market, at 9,950, a decrease of 5%. The Nasdaq Composite Index began the period at 2,152, and ended the period at 1,805, a decrease of 16%. The greatest influence on the markets continued to be a concern over the economy. The Federal Reserve Board reduced their target rate from 5.5% to 3.5% through five rate decreases since March 1, 2001. Despite market uncertainty, investor activity was high as overall trading volumes on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq increased 14% and 15%, respectively. However, this activity did not extend to the Company's retail-based clients. The Company's total trades, including those in fee-based accounts, decreased 16%, while trades in commission-based accounts decreased 28%. The number of clients choosing fee-based alternatives instead of the traditional commission-based trading account continued to increase. The number of branches increased 16 to 701 and the number of financial consultants increased 363 to 7,221 over the same period last year.

Subsequent to the end of the Company's second quarter, terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 led to the closing of the domestic financial markets. Upon the markets reopening, the popular averages dropped dramatically reflecting investors' fear and concern over the impact that these events will ultimately have on the economy. The full effects of these events on the Company, the industry and the economy are unknown at this time.

Results of Operations

Net revenues decreased $264 million (18%) to $1.2 billion from $1.5 billion. Non-interest expenses were $1.1 billion, a decrease of $104 million (9%). Net earnings fell 53% and profit margins were 7.2% compared to 12.6% in the same period last year.

Total commission revenues decreased $249 million (34%). Commissions from listed transactions decreased $73 million (26%), over-the-counter commissions fell $119 million (66%) and commissions from the sales of mutual funds declined $60 million (35%). These declines reflect the decrease in client activity following the high level of activity in the same period last year. Many of the Company's clients have opted out of the equity markets in favor of debt products or money market funds. As a partial offset, insurance commissions increased $3 million reflecting continued demand for variable annuities.

Principal transaction revenues increased $10 million (7%), primarily due to a $38 million (43%) increase in revenues from the sale of debt products. This was offset by a $27 million (42%) decline in revenue from equity transactions. Many investors were attracted to the debt markets due to the continued volatility in the equity markets.

Investment banking revenues increased $33 million (35%). Revenues from fixed income products increased $20 million (95%) and revenues from the sale of equity products decreased $8 million (13%) as investors have moved to fixed income products due to the volatility in the equity markets. In addition, lower interest rates enticed issuers to refund outstanding debt. Management fees increased $22 million (157%) as the Company engaged in more transactions this year over the prior year as well as experienced an increase in merger and acquisition activities and consulting arrangements.

Interest revenue net of interest expense decreased $49 million (36%) due to a 31% decline in average client margin balances and a decrease in average interest rates charged on these margin balances. This was partially offset by a related decrease in average bank loans and securities lending activities used to finance client borrowings.

Other revenues decreased $15 million (74%) primarily due to the impact of the markets on venture capital and other investments.

Compensation and benefits decreased $142 million (15%). Commission expense and incentive-related compensation declined a combined $171 million (26%) following decreased commissionable revenue and earnings. General and administrative salaries and related benefits increased $29 million (10%) as a result of general increases and higher employment.

Communication and technology expenses increased $30 million (28%) as a result of infrastructure upgrades, and costs associated with the development, operation and maintenance of a new financial consultant workstation, which began to be deployed in the second quarter of last year.

All other non-interest expenses increased a combined $9 million (7%) primarily as a result of increased occupancy costs.

The Company's effective income tax rate decreased to 35.1% from 37.2% for the same period last year. This reduction is due mainly to a decrease in the Company's state income tax rate, various tax credits and an increase in municipal interest income relative to decreased net earnings.

THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2001 COMPARED TO
THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000

Net earnings for the quarter ended August 31, 2001 were $41 million on net revenues of $597 million compared to net earnings of $77 million on net revenues of $680 million for the same period last year. The explanation for revenue and expense fluctuations presented for the six month period are generally applicable to the three months of operations.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The principal sources for financing the Company's business are stockholders' equity, short-term bank loans and securities lending activities. The Company believes it has adequate sources of credit available, if needed, to finance client activities, branch and headquarters expansion, stock repurchases and other capital expenditures.

The Company is expanding its headquarters with an additional office building, learning center and parking garage. The total construction cost of these projects is estimated to be $215 million. Total expenditures for construction through August 31, 2001 were $69 million.

RISK MANAGEMENT

No material changes have occurred related to the Company's policies, procedures, controls or risk profile.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Management's Financial Discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Actual results are subject to risks and uncertainties, including both those specific to the Company and those to the industry, which could cause results to differ from those contemplated. The risks include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, the actions of competitors, regulatory actions, changes in legislation, risk management, technology changes and estimates of capital expenditures. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1:      Legal Proceedings

                 There have been no material changes in the legal proceedings previously reported in
                 the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2001.

Item 6:      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                 Reports on Form 8-K

                 There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ending August 31, 2001.

 

 

 

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.

 

   

A.G. EDWARDS, INC.                          

   

(Registrant)

     
     
     

Date:

October 12, 2001

/s/ Robert L. Bagby                                 

   

Robert L. Bagby

   

Chairman of the Board and

   

Chief Executive Officer

     
     
     

Date:

October 12, 2001

/s/ Douglas L. Kelly                                

   

Douglas L. Kelly

   

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer