SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 5, 2015
J & J SNACK FOODS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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New Jersey |
0-14616 |
22-1935537 |
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
6000 Central Highway, Pennsauken, NJ 08109
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (856) 665-9533
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2 (b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
On November 5, 2015, J & J Snack Foods Corp. issued a press release regarding its earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits
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Exhibit Number |
Description of Document |
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99.1 |
Press Release dated November 5, 2015 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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J & J SNACK FOODS CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Gerald B. Shreiber |
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Gerald B. Shreiber |
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| President | |||
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By: |
/s/ Dennis G. Moore |
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Dennis G. Moore |
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| Chief Financial Officer |
Date: November 5, 2015
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description of Document 99.1 Press Release dated November 5, 2015
4
Exhibit 99.1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: |
Dennis G. Moore |
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FOR: |
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Senior Vice President |
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Chief Financial Officer |
| (856) 532-6603 |
6000 Central Highway
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
SALES AND EARNINGS
REPORTED BY J & J SNACK FOODS
Pennsauken, NJ, November 5, 2015 - - J & J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ-JJSF) today announced sales and earnings for its fourth quarter and year ended September 26, 2015.
Sales for the fourth quarter increased 2-1/2 % to $259.8 million from $253.5 million in last year’s fourth quarter. For the year ended September 26, 2015, sales increased 6 % to $976.3 million from $919.5 million last year. Net earnings decreased 11 % to $19.8 million ($1.05 per diluted share) in this year’s fourth quarter compared to $22.2 million ($1.18 per diluted share) last year and for the year earnings decreased 2% to $70.2 million ($3.73 per diluted share) from $71.8 million ($3.82 per diluted share).
Operating income increased 2 % to $33.7 million this year from $32.9 million in the year ago period for the fourth quarter. For the year, operating income increased 4% to $110.9 million from $106.8 million last year.
An after tax investment loss of $2.3 million ($.12/share) in the quarter compared to after tax investment income of $768,000 ($.04/share) in last year’s quarter and an after tax investment loss of $516,000 ($.03/share) in the year compared to after tax investment income of $2.8 million ($.15 per share) in last year.
Gerald B. Shreiber, J & J’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our operating income for the quarter increased 2% primarily because of a modest sales increase of 2%. Our sales so far in the first quarter of our 2016 fiscal year continue to run at only modest increases compared to last year. We have several new product launches in the works that we believe will generate sales over the course of our new year. We had a significant investment loss in the quarter as we decided to recognize losses and to reposition our portfolio to fixed maturity investments.”
J&J Snack Foods Corp. is a leader and innovator in the snack food industry, providing nutritional and affordable branded niche snack foods and beverages to foodservice and retail supermarket outlets. Manufactured and distributed nationwide, our principal products include SUPERPRETZEL, BAVARIAN BAKERY and other soft pretzels, ICEE and SLUSH PUPPIE frozen beverages, LUIGI’S, PHILLY SWIRL, MINUTE MAID* frozen juice bars and ices, WHOLE FRUIT sorbet and frozen fruit bars, MARY B’S biscuits and dumplings, DADDY RAY’S fig and fruit bars, CALIFORNIA CHURROS and TIO PEPE’S churros, PATIO Burritos and other handheld sandwiches, THE FUNNEL CAKE FACTORY funnel cakes, and several cookie brands within COUNTRY HOME BAKERS. For more information, please visit us at www.jjsnack.com.
*MINUTE MAID is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company
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J & J SNACK FOODS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
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(in thousands, except per share information) |
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Quarter Ended |
Fiscal Year Ended |
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September 26, |
September 27, |
September 26, |
September 27, |
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2015 |
2014 |
2015 |
2014 |
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(13 weeks) |
(13 weeks) |
(52 weeks) |
(52 weeks) |
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Unaudited |
Unaudited |
Unaudited |
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Net Sales |
$ | 259,772 | $ | 253,494 | $ | 976,256 | $ | 919,451 | ||||||||
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Cost of goods sold |
177,329 | 171,304 | 675,366 | 631,874 | ||||||||||||
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Gross Profit |
82,443 | 82,190 | 300,890 | 287,577 | ||||||||||||
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Operating expenses |
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Marketing |
22,486 | 21,807 | 85,160 | 78,632 | ||||||||||||
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Distribution |
18,575 | 19,343 | 74,158 | 71,159 | ||||||||||||
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Administrative |
7,994 | 8,136 | 30,891 | 29,784 | ||||||||||||
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Other general(income)expense |
(274 | ) | 22 | (207 | ) | 1,154 | ||||||||||
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Total operating expenses |
48,781 | 49,308 | 190,002 | 180,729 | ||||||||||||
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Operating Income |
33,662 | 32,882 | 110,888 | 106,848 | ||||||||||||
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Other income (expenses) |
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Investment income |
(1,422 | ) | 1,200 | 1,157 | 4,473 | |||||||||||
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Interest expense & other |
(38 | ) | (26 | ) | (126 | ) | (115 | ) | ||||||||
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Earnings before income taxes |
32,202 | 34,056 | 111,919 | 111,206 | ||||||||||||
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Income taxes |
12,374 | 11,867 | 41,736 | 39,392 | ||||||||||||
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NET EARNINGS |
$ | 19,828 | $ | 22,189 | $ | 70,183 | $ | 71,814 | ||||||||
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Earnings per diluted share |
$ | 1.05 | $ | 1.18 | $ | 3.73 | $ | 3.82 | ||||||||
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Weighted average number of diluted shares |
18,832 | 18,787 | 18,819 | 18,807 | ||||||||||||
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Earnings per basic share |
$ | 1.06 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 3.76 | $ | 3.85 | ||||||||
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Weighted average number of basic shares |
18,691 | 18,651 | 18,685 | 18,677 | ||||||||||||
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J & J SNACK FOODS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
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(in thousands, except share amounts) |
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September 26, |
September 27, |
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2015 |
2014 |
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Assets |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 133,689 | $ | 91,760 | ||||
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Accounts receivable, net |
102,649 | 99,972 | ||||||
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Inventories, net |
80,622 | 76,083 | ||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other |
6,557 | 3,695 | ||||||
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Deferred income taxes |
3,266 | 4,096 | ||||||
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Total current assets |
326,783 | 275,606 | ||||||
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Property, plant and equipment, at cost |
573,710 | 538,081 | ||||||
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Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
399,621 | 380,552 | ||||||
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
174,089 | 157,529 | ||||||
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Other assets |
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Goodwill |
86,442 | 86,442 | ||||||
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Other intangible assets, net |
45,819 | 50,989 | ||||||
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Marketable securities held to maturity |
66,660 | 2,000 | ||||||
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Marketable securities available for sale |
39,638 | 128,117 | ||||||
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Other |
3,504 | 4,090 | ||||||
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Total other assets |
242,063 | 271,638 | ||||||
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Total Assets |
$ | 742,935 | $ | 704,773 | ||||
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Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity |
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Current Liabilities |
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Current obligations under capital leases |
$ | 273 | $ | 146 | ||||
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Accounts payable |
59,206 | 59,968 | ||||||
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Accrued insurance liability |
10,231 | 10,578 | ||||||
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Accrued income taxes |
- | - | ||||||
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Accrued liabilities |
5,365 | 5,007 | ||||||
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Accrued compensation expense |
15,318 | 14,286 | ||||||
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Dividends payable |
6,723 | 5,972 | ||||||
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Total current liabilities |
97,116 | 95,957 | ||||||
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Long-term obligations under capital leases |
1,196 | 374 | ||||||
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Deferred income taxes |
43,789 | 44,785 | ||||||
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Other long-term liabilities |
915 | 1,139 | ||||||
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Stockholders' Equity |
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Preferred stock, $1 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued |
- | - | ||||||
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Common stock, no par value; authorized, 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,676,000 and 18,663,000 respectively |
31,653 | 32,621 | ||||||
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(10,897 | ) | (5,988 | ) | ||||
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Retained Earnings |
579,163 | 535,885 | ||||||
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Total stockholders' equity |
599,919 | 562,518 | ||||||
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Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity |
$ | 742,935 | $ | 704,773 | ||||
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J & J SNACK FOODS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
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(in thousands) |
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Fiscal Year Ended |
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September 26, |
September 27, |
September 28, |
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2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
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(52 weeks) |
(52 weeks) |
(52 weeks) |
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Operating activities: |
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Net earnings |
$ | 70,183 | $ | 71,814 | $ | 64,381 | ||||||
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Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Depreciation of fixed assets |
32,356 | 31,660 | 28,801 | |||||||||
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Amortization of intangibles and deferred costs |
5,915 | 5,433 | 4,751 | |||||||||
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(Gains)losses from disposals and impairment of property & equipment |
(334 | ) | (119 | ) | 126 | |||||||
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Share-based compensation |
2,166 | 2,076 | 1,870 | |||||||||
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Deferred income taxes |
(121 | ) | (8 | ) | 74 | |||||||
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Loss on sale of marketable securities |
4,319 | 361 | - | |||||||||
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Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of companies: |
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Increase in accounts receivable, net |
(3,123 | ) | (8,913 | ) | (11,148 | ) | ||||||
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Increase in inventories |
(3,504 | ) | (2,411 | ) | (1,819 | ) | ||||||
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Increase in prepaid expenses and other |
(2,871 | ) | (182 | ) | (1,067 | ) | ||||||
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Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
287 | 6,831 | 579 | |||||||||
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
105,273 | 106,542 | 86,548 | |||||||||
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Investing activities: |
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Payments for purchases of companies, net of cash acquired |
(615 | ) | (28,360 | ) | - | |||||||
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Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(50,096 | ) | (38,831 | ) | (35,821 | ) | ||||||
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Purchases of marketable securities |
(90,137 | ) | (26,932 | ) | (111,241 | ) | ||||||
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Proceeds from redemption and sales of marketable securities |
110,117 | 7,245 | 25,307 | |||||||||
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Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment |
1,786 | 1,572 | 1,199 | |||||||||
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Other |
(898 | ) | (806 | ) | (281 | ) | ||||||
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Net cash used in investing activities |
(29,843 | ) | (86,112 | ) | (120,837 | ) | ||||||
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Financing activities: |
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Payments to repurchase common stock |
(8,011 | ) | (7,505 | ) | (14,500 | ) | ||||||
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
4,663 | 3,320 | 3,948 | |||||||||
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Payments on capitalized lease obligations |
(243 | ) | (326 | ) | (340 | ) | ||||||
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Payment of cash dividend |
(26,154 | ) | (20,924 | ) | (11,468 | ) | ||||||
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Net cash used in financing activities |
(29,745 | ) | (25,435 | ) | (22,360 | ) | ||||||
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Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
(3,756 | ) | (580 | ) | (204 | ) | ||||||
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Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
41,929 | (5,585 | ) | (56,853 | ) | |||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
91,760 | 97,345 | 154,198 | |||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
$ | 133,689 | $ | 91,760 | $ | 97,345 | ||||||
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J & J SNACK FOODS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Fiscal year ended | ||||||||||||
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September 26, |
September 27, |
September 28, |
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2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
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(52 weeks) |
(52 weeks) |
(52 weeks) |
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Sales to External Customers: |
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Food Service |
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Soft pretzels |
$ | 168,970 | $ | 164,680 | $ | 145,026 | ||||||
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Frozen juices and ices |
54,454 | 53,888 | 48,831 | |||||||||
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Churros |
56,602 | 55,929 | 56,099 | |||||||||
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Handhelds |
21,817 | 24,248 | 26,488 | |||||||||
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Bakery |
301,135 | 281,556 | 274,783 | |||||||||
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Other |
13,657 | 11,597 | 9,532 | |||||||||
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Total Food Service |
$ | 616,635 | $ | 591,898 | $ | 560,759 | ||||||
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Retail Supermarket |
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Soft pretzels |
$ | 35,727 | $ | 34,830 | $ | 34,597 | ||||||
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Frozen juices and ices |
72,174 | 59,404 | 48,077 | |||||||||
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Handhelds |
18,957 | 21,354 | 22,528 | |||||||||
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Coupon redemption |
(4,725 | ) | (3,807 | ) | (3,681 | ) | ||||||
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Other |
1,244 | 863 | 818 | |||||||||
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Total Retail Supermarket |
$ | 123,377 | $ | 112,644 | $ | 102,339 | ||||||
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Frozen Beverages |
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Beverages |
$ | 142,705 | $ | 133,283 | $ | 132,274 | ||||||
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Repair and maintenance service |
65,765 | 59,805 | 52,813 | |||||||||
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Machines sales |
26,413 | 20,224 | 17,376 | |||||||||
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Other |
1,361 | 1,597 | 2,122 | |||||||||
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Total Frozen Beverages |
$ | 236,244 | $ | 214,909 | $ | 204,585 | ||||||
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Consolidated Sales |
$ | 976,256 | $ | 919,451 | $ | 867,683 | ||||||
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Depreciation and Amortization: |
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Food Service |
$ | 21,541 | $ | 20,983 | $ | 18,999 | ||||||
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Retail Supermarket |
880 | 391 | 31 | |||||||||
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Frozen Beverages |
15,850 | 15,719 | 14,522 | |||||||||
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Total Depreciation and Amortization |
$ | 38,271 | $ | 37,093 | $ | 33,552 | ||||||
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Operating Income: |
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Food Service |
$ | 75,286 | $ | 73,731 | $ | 65,907 | ||||||
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Retail Supermarket |
11,020 | 11,201 | 8,594 | |||||||||
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Frozen Beverages |
24,582 | 21,916 | 22,903 | |||||||||
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Total Operating Income |
$ | 110,888 | $ | 106,848 | $ | 97,404 | ||||||
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Capital Expenditures: |
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Food Service |
$ | 28,340 | $ | 21,620 | $ | 19,097 | ||||||
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Retail Supermarket |
- | - | - | |||||||||
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Frozen Beverages |
21,756 | 17,211 | 16,724 | |||||||||
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Total Capital Expenditures |
$ | 50,096 | $ | 38,831 | $ | 35,821 | ||||||
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Assets: |
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Food Service |
$ | 553,645 | $ | 524,272 | $ | 486,015 | ||||||
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Retail Supermarket |
17,681 | 18,561 | 6,067 | |||||||||
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Frozen Beverages |
171,609 | 161,940 | 153,579 | |||||||||
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Total Assets |
$ | 742,935 | $ | 704,773 | $ | 645,661 | ||||||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Fiscal 2015 (52 weeks) Compared to Fiscal Year 2014 (52 weeks)
Net sales increased $56,805,000, or 6%, to $976,256,000 in fiscal 2015 from $919,451,000 in fiscal 2014.
Excluding sales of PHILLY SWIRL, which was acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, through April of this year, sales increased approximately 5% for the year.
We have three reportable segments, as disclosed in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements: Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages.
The Chief Operating Decision Maker for Food Service and Retail Supermarkets and the Chief Operating Decision Maker for Frozen Beverages monthly review detailed operating income statements and sales reports in order to assess performance and allocate resources to each individual segment. Sales is considered to be the one and only key variable monitored by the Chief Operating Decision Makers and management when determining each segment’s and the company’s financial condition and operating performance. In addition, the Chief Operating Decision Makers review and evaluate depreciation, capital spending and assets of each segment on a quarterly basis to monitor cash flow and asset needs of each segment.
FOOD SERVICE
Sales to food service customers increased $24,737,000 or 4%, to $616,635,000 in fiscal 2015. Soft pretzel sales to the food service market increased 3% to $168,970,000 for the year aided primarily by increased sales to school food service and convenience stores. Increased sales to one customer accounted for approximately 3/4 of the pretzel sales increase. Soft pretzel sales to restaurant chains were down about 4% this year to about $40 million. Frozen juice bar and ices sales increased $566,000, or 1%, to $54,454,000 for the year due entirely to increased sales of WHOLEFRUIT Frozen Organic Juice Tubes to one customer; excluding these sales, frozen juices and ices sales were down 3%. Churro sales to food service customers were up 1% to $56,602,000 for the year which include a decline in sales of $6,469,000 to one restaurant chain that discontinued carrying churros in August 2014. Churro sales to other customers were up 15% for the year with sales to four customers accounting for about 1/2 of the increase. Sales of bakery products increased $19,579,000, or 7%, for the year as sales increases were concentrated in eight customers and to school food service. Handheld sales to food service customers were down 10% to $21,817,000 in 2015 as sales declines were spread throughout our customer base. Sales of new products in the first twelve months since their introduction were approximately $18 million for the year. Price increases accounted for approximately $9 million of sales for the year and net volume increases, including new product sales as defined above, accounted for approximately $16 million of sales for the year. Operating income in our Food Service segment increased from $73,731,000 in 2014 to $75,286,000 in 2015. Operating income benefited from lower distribution costs and improved performance at some of our smaller manufacturing facilities and was negatively impacted by continuing declines in sales of our handhelds business, higher manufacturing costs and higher costs of egg raw material. Additionally, operating income was impacted in 2014 by $973,000 of shutdown costs of our Norwalk, California, manufacturing facility.
RETAIL SUPERMARKETS
Sales of products to retail supermarkets increased $10,733,000 or 10% to $123,377,000 in fiscal year 2015. Excluding sales of PHILLY SWIRL through April of this year, sales increased approximately 1% for the year, although sales in our fourth quarter were down 9% due to lower sales of handhelds and higher trade spending. Soft pretzel sales to retail supermarkets were $35,727,000 compared to $34,830,000 in 2014, an increase of 3%. Sales of frozen juices and ices increased $12,770,000 or 21% to $72,174,000. Without PHILLY SWIRL sales, sales of frozen juices and ices were up $3,669,000, or 6%, with sales increases and decreases spread across our customer base. Coupon redemption costs, a reduction of sales, increased 24% or about $918,000 for the year. Handheld sales to retail supermarket customers decreased 11% to $18,957,000 in 2015 as three customers accounted for about 3/4 of the decrease in sales. Sales of products in the first twelve months since their introduction were approximately $1.5 million in fiscal year 2015. Price increases accounted for approximately $2.7 million of sales for the year and net volume increases, including new product sales as defined above and PHILLY SWIRL’s sales and net of increased coupon costs, accounted for approximately $8 million in sales for the year. Operating income in our Retail Supermarkets segment decreased from $11,201,000 in 2014 to $11,020,000 in 2015 due primarily to higher coupon expense and advertising expenses to support our SUPERPRETZEL soft pretzel products. Additionally, in 2015, we were impacted by operating losses of PHILLY SWIRL during its off season while in 2014 we acquired PHILLY SWIRL after its off season.
FROZEN BEVERAGES
Frozen beverage and related product sales increased 10% to $236,244,000 in fiscal 2015. Beverage sales alone increased 7% to $142,705,000 for the year with increases and decreases throughout our customer base. Gallon sales were up 7% in our base ICEE business, with sales to movie theaters accounting for about half of the increase. Service revenue increased 10% to $65,765,000 for the year with sales increases and decreases spread throughout our customer base. Sales of beverage machines, which tend to fluctuate from year to year while following no specific trend, increased from $20,224,000 in 2014 to $26,413,000 in 2015. The estimated number of Company owned frozen beverage dispensers was 53,000 and 49,000 at September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, respectively. Operating income in our Frozen Beverage segment increased from $21,916,000 in 2014 to $24,582,000 in 2015 due primarily to higher sales in all areas of the business and lower fuel costs.
CONSOLIDATED
Other than as commented upon above by segment, there are no material specific reasons for the reported sales increases or decreases. Sales levels can be impacted by the appeal of our products to our customers and consumers and their changing tastes, competitive and pricing pressures, sales execution, marketing programs, seasonal weather, customer stability and general economic conditions.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 30.82% in 2015 from 31.28% in 2014. Gross profit margins benefited from the improved performance of our frozen beverages business and from higher gross profit margins in our retail supermarket business. Gross profit margins in our food service segment were impacted by increased lower margin school food service sales, continuing decline in sales of our handhelds business, higher manufacturing costs, modest volume increases and higher egg raw material costs. We will continue to be impacted by higher egg raw material costs in our 2016 fiscal year resulting from the Avian Flu epidemic; however, we have increased our selling prices intending to recover a significant portion of the increased costs.
Total operating expenses increased $9,273,000 to $190,002,000 in fiscal 2015 and as a percentage of sales decreased to 19.46% of sales from 19.66% in 2014. Marketing expenses were 8.72% and 8.55% of sales in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Marketing expenses this year included additional spending to support our retail SUPERPRETZEL soft pretzel products. Distribution expenses as a percent of sales decreased to 7.60% from 7.74% in 2014 due in part to lower fuel costs. Administrative expenses were 3.16% and 3.24% of sales in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other general income of $207,000 this year compared to other general expense of $1,154,000 in 2014. Included in other general expense in 2014 is $973,000 of shutdown costs of our Norwalk, CA manufacturing facility.
Operating income increased $4,040,000 or 4% to $110,888,000 in fiscal year 2015 as a result of the aforementioned items.
Our investments generated before tax income of $1.2 million this year, down from $4.5 million last year as sales of our mutual fund investments, net of capital gain distributions, generated a realized loss of $3.9 million this year. Although we recognized losses as we decreased our investments in mutual funds, our overall return on the mutual funds has been positive since we first made the investments in October 2012. We have reduced our investments in mutual funds over the past year to $19 million at September 2015 from $128 million at September 2014. The remaining unrealized losses of $827,000 are spread over 4 funds with total fair market value of $19.2 million. The remaining mutual funds presently generate income of 4.8 % per year. We invested $20 million this year in Fixed-to-Floating Perpetual Preferred Stock which generates fixed income to call dates in 2018, 2019 and 2025 and then income is based on a spread above LIBOR if the securities are not called. The annual yield from these investments is presently 5.5%, of which 70% is not subject to income tax. The mutual funds and the Fixed-to-Floating Perpetual Preferred Stock investment securities do not have contractual maturities; however, we classify them as long term assets as it is our intent to hold them for a period of over one year, although we may sell some or all of them depending on presently unanticipated needs for liquidity or market conditions. In the fourth quarter we invested $67 million in corporate bonds which generate fixed income to maturity dates in 2017 through 2021, with $40 million maturing prior to the end of our fiscal year 2018. The bonds presently generate income of about 2.5% per year. Our expectation is that we will hold the corporate bonds to their maturity dates and redeem them at our amortized cost.
The effective income tax rate increased to 37.3% from 35.4% last year primarily because the realized losses on sales of our mutual fund investments in 2015 are not deductible as we do not have capital gains to offset the losses. We expect the effective income tax rate for 2016 to be between 36% and 36.5%.
Net investment after tax loss for the year of $516,000, or $.03 per share, compared to last year’s net investment after tax income of $2.8 million, or $.15 per share.
Net earnings decreased $1,631,000 or 2%, in fiscal 2015 to $70,183,000, or $.09 per diluted share as a result of the aforementioned items.
There are many factors which can impact our net earnings from year to year and in the long run, among which are the supply and cost of raw materials and labor, insurance costs, factors impacting sales as noted above, the continuing consolidation of our customers, our ability to manage our manufacturing, marketing and distribution activities, our ability to make and integrate acquisitions and changes in tax laws and interest rates.
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