10-Q 1 final0901q.htm THIRD QUARTER 2001 10Q 3Q01

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001

OR

[  ] 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         0-21796

CDW Computer Centers, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois 36-3310735
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

200 N. Milwaukee Ave. 60061
Vernon Hills, Illinois (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
(847) 465-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

______________________________________________________________
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 _________________________
  
Applicable only to issuers involved in bankruptcy proceedings during the preceding five years:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes____________X_____________ No _________________________
  
Applicable only to corporate issuers:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

        As of October 31, 2001, 88,265,806 common shares were issued and 85,373,306 were outstanding.


CDW COMPUTER CENTERS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page No.  
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited):
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -
September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000
1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income -
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000
2
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity -
Nine months ended September 30, 2001
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000
4
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 5 - 8
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
9 - 16
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk17
PART II. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 17
Signatures 18

ii


Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

CDW COMPUTER CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

September 30, 2001December 31, 2000


Assets

Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$       35,745$      43,664
Marketable Securities 264,431 158,957
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $9,500 and $7,000, respectively
344,119 337,424
Merchandise inventory 136,838 110,202
Prepaid income taxes 21,837 -
Miscellaneous receivables 11,908 13,442
Deferred income taxes 6,736 6,736
Prepaid expenses 3,772 3,458


   Total current assets825,386673,883
   
Property and equipment, net71,19761,966
Investment in and advances to joint venture8,4085,804
Deferred income taxes and other assets6,1476,784


      Total assets$    911,138$    748,437


Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable$     140,851$      56,081
Accrued expenses:
   Compensation 27,650 26,645
   Income taxes - 17,868
   Other 15,989 9,730
   Exit Costs 1,622 1,862


   Total current liabilities186,112112,186


Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' Equity:

Preferred shares, $1.00 par value; 5,000 shares
   authorized; none issued
--
Common shares, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares
   authorized; 88,128 and 87,465 shares issued, respectively
881875
Paid-in capital247,548185,054
Retained earnings579,354452,613
Unearned compensation(2,453)(202)


825,330638,340
Less cost of common shares in treasury, 2,893 shares
   and 200 shares, respectively
(100,304)(2,089)


   Total shareholders' equity725,026636,251


      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$     911,138$     748,437


   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

1


CDW COMPUTER CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,


2001   20002001   2000




Net sales$    991,065   $    1,028,051$  2,973,355   $   2,835,381
Cost of Sales857,091   896,9172,576,639   2,472,813




Gross profit133,974   131,134396,716   362,568
  
Selling and administrative expenses64,476   57,029190,851   158,686
Net advertising expense648   2,3295,053   10,944




Income from operations68,850   71,776200,812   192,938
  
Interest income3,138   2,73410,081   6,654
Other expense, net(228)   (123)(534)   (470)




Income before income taxes71,760   74,387210,359   199,122
  
Income tax provision28,525   29,45783,618   78,852




Net income$      43,235   $      44,930$     126,741   $      120,270




Earnings per share
    Basic$          0.50   $          0.52$         1.48   $          1.38




    Diluted$          0.49   $          0.49$         1.42   $          1.32




Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
    Basic85,843   87,23685,924   86,858




    Diluted89,042   91,87289,010   90,832




  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

2


CDW COMPUTER CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
  
      Common Shares      Paid-inRetainedUnearned      Treasury Shares      Total Shareholders'
SharesAmountCapitalEarningsCompensationSharesAmountEquity

Balance at December 31, 200087,465   $   875    $   185,054   $   452,613    $    (202)   200     $    (2,089)   $   636,251   
MPK Restricted Stock
   Plan forfeitures
          (2)       1           (1)   
Amortization of unearned    compensation                 1,411           1,411   
Compensatory stock
   option grants
          107                  107   
Compensatory restricted
   stock grants
100   1       3,662       (3,663)           -   
Exercise of stock options563   5       5,597                  5,602   
Tax benefit from stock
   option and restricted
   stock transactions
          53,130                  53,130   
Purchase of treasury
   shares
                    2,693     (98,215)   (98,215)   
Net income             126,741               126,741   

Balance at September 30, 200188,128   $   881    $   247,548   $   579,354    $  (2,453)   2,893     $  (100,304)   $   725,026   

   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
   
   

3


CDW COMPUTER CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
  
Nine Months Ended September 30,

2001   2000


Cash flows from operating activities:
  
Net income$        126,741     $      120,270
  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
  
Depreciation11,024    7,316
Accretion of marketable securities(363)    (2,346)
Stock-based compensation expense1,517    216
Allowance for doubtful accounts2,500    1,700
Deferred income taxes996    1,028
Tax benefit from stock option and restricted stock transactions53,130    63,873
  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable(9,195)    (120,466)
     Miscellaneous receivables and other assets1,320    (8,626)
     Merchandise inventory(26,636)    (39,727)
     Prepaid expenses(673)    (822)
     Prepaid income taxes(21,837)    -
     Accounts payable74,446    42,315
     Accrued compensation1,004    6,263
     Accounts income taxes and other expenses(11,609)    2,889
     Accrued exit costs(240)    (219)


Net cash provided by operating activities202,305    73,664


Cash flows from investing activities:
  
Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1,449,656)    (40,562)
Redemptions of available-for-sale securities1,303,362    45,900
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities(51,845)    (130,781)
Redemptions of held-to-maturity securities93,028    64,441
Investments in and advances to joint venture(17,714)    (15,477)
Repayments of advances from joint venture15,324    16,439
Purchase of property and equipment(20,434)    (19,731)


Net cash used investing activities(127,935)    (79,771)


Cash flows from financing activities:
  
Purchase of treasury shares  (1)(87,891)    -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options5,602    6,917


Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities(82,289)    6,917


Net increase in cash(7,919)    810
  
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period43,664    19,747


Cash and cash equivalents - end of period$        35,745    $      20,557


  
(1)  The Company acquired $10.3 million of treasury shares in September 2001 for which cash settlement occured in October 2001. Accordingly, the Company
         has excluded $10.3 million from the purchase of treasury shares line item with an offset to accounts payable.
  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
  
  

4


CDW COMPUTER CENTERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1.       Description of Business

         CDW Computer Centers, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the "Company") are engaged in the sale of multi-brand computers and related technology products primarily through direct marketing to end users within the United States. The Company's primary business is conducted from a corporate office, distribution center and showroom facility located in Vernon Hills, Illinois and through www.cdw.com, its Internet site. The Company also operates sales offices in Buffalo Grove, Mettawa and Chicago, Illinois, a retail showroom in Chicago, Illinois and a government sales office in Lansdowne, Virginia.

         The Company extends credit to business, government, education and institutional customers under certain circumstances based upon the financial strength of the customer. Such customers are typically granted net 30-day credit terms. The balance of the Company's sales are made to customers using third party credit cards and for cash-on-delivery.

2.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

         The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Such principles were applied on a basis consistent with those reflected in the 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K and documents incorporated therein as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The accompanying financial data should be read in conjunction with the notes to consolidated financial statements contained in the 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K and documents incorporated therein. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, the changes in shareholders' equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000. The unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

         The Company has adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and has determined that the Statement had no significant impact on its financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and will not have any significant impact for the year ended December 31, 2001.

Pervasiveness of Estimates

         The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Additionally, such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

5


Earnings Per Share

         A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share computations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", (SFAS 128) is included in Note 5 to the financial statements.

3.       Marketable Securities

         The amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Company's investments in marketable securities at September 30, 2001, were (in thousands):

Gross Unrealized Holding
Estimated
Amortized
Fair ValueGains(Losses)Cost




Security Type
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Government and Government Agency Securities$     150,494   $       738    $           -   $     149,756   
Securities83,600   -   -   83,600   




Total available-for-sale234,094   738   -   233,356   




   
Held to maturity:
U.S. Government and Government Agency Securities12,249   128   -   12,120   
Corporate fixed income securities19,015   60   -   18,955   




Total held-to-maturity31,264   188   -   31,075   




Total marketable securities$     265,358   $       926    $          -   $     264,431   




         Estimated fair values of marketable securities are based on quoted market prices. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company's investments in marketable securities at September 30, 2001 by contractual maturity were (in thousands):

EstimatedAmortized
Fair ValueCost


Due in one year or less$     257,106   $      256,313   
Due in greater than one year8,252    8,118   


     Total investments in marketable securities$     265,358   $      264,431   


All of the marketable securities that were due in greater than one year have maturity dates prior to February 28, 2003.

4.       Financing Arrangements

         During the third quarter of 2001, the Company amended agreements with two financial institutions to increase the Company's unsecured lines of credit by a total of $20 million. The Company now has an aggregate $70 million available pursuant to two $35 million unsecured lines of credit with the two financial institutions. One line of credit expires in June 2002, at which time the Company intends to renew the line, and the other does not have a fixed expiration date. Borrowings under the first credit facility bear interest at the prime rate less 2 1/2%, LIBOR plus 1/2% or the federal funds rate plus 1/2%, as determined by the Company. Borrowings under the second credit facility bear interest at the prime rate less 2 1/2%, LIBOR plus .45% or the federal funds rate plus .45%, as determined by the Company. At September 30, 2001, there were no borrowings under either of the credit facilities.

         The Company has entered into security agreements with certain financial institutions ("Flooring Companies") in order to facilitate the purchase of inventory from various suppliers under certain terms and conditions. The agreements allow for a maximum credit line of $73.0 million as of September 30, 2001, collateralized by inventory purchases financed by the Flooring Companies. At September 30, 2001, all amounts owed the Flooring Companies are included in trade accounts payable.

6


5.       Earnings Per Share

         At September 30, 2001, the Company had outstanding common shares totaling approximately 85,235,500. The Company has also granted options to purchase common shares to the directors and coworkers of the Company under several stock option plans. These options have a dilutive effect on the calculation of earnings per share. The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations as required by SFAS 128.

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,September 30,
(in 000's except per share data)(in 000's except per share data)


2001200020012000




Basic earnings per share:
Income available to
     common shareholders (numerator)
$        43,235   $       44,930    $       126,741    $       120,270   




Weighted average common
     shares outstanding (denominator)
85,843   87,236    85,924   86,858   




Basic earnings per share$            0.50    $           0.52    $           1.48    $           1.38   




Diluted earnings per share:
Income available to
     common shareholders (numerator)
$        43,235   $       44,930    $       126,741    $      120,270   




Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
85,843   87,236    85,924   86,858   
Effect of dilutive securities:
     Options on common stock
3,199   4,636    3,086   3,974   




Total common shares and dilutive
securities (denominator)
89,042   91,872    89,010   90,832   




Diluted earnings per share$           0.49    $          0.49    $          1.42    $          1.32   




         Additional options to purchase common shares were outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of common shares during the respective periods. The following table summarizes the weighted average number of options outstanding and the weighted average exercise price of those options which were excluded from the calculation:

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2001

(in 000's except per share data)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2001

(in 000's except per share data)


Weighted average number of options59     1,525     
Weighed average exercise price$60.57     $39.93     

The options were all outstanding at September 30, 2001.

7


6.       Share Repurchase Program

         In January 2001, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 5 million shares of its common stock, slightly more than 5% of its total outstanding shares, from time to time in both open market and private transactions, as conditions warrant. The repurchase program is expected to remain effective through approximately December 2002, unless sooner completed or terminated by the Board of Directors. The Company intends to hold the repurchased shares in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various employee stock option plans. In connection with the program, the Company purchased 2,692,500 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2001, at a total cost of approximately $98.2 million. These repurchases included 1.5 million shares repurchased on February 2, 2001, at a total cost of $57.6 million ($38.423 per share) from Gregory C. Zeman, Vice Chairman and Director, and Daniel B. Kass, Executive Vice President - Sales and Director.

7.       Public Offering of Common Shares

         In August 2001, Michael P. Krasny, the Chairman Emeritus, principal shareholder and Director of the Company, Gregory C. Zeman, the Vice Chairman and a Director of the Company and Daniel B. Kass, the Executive Vice President - Sales and a Director of the Company, sold 10,562,500 shares of common stock through a secondary public offering at a price of $40.00 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares and the number of outstanding common shares was not impacted. The shares sold by Mr. Zeman and Mr. Kass were acquired from Mr. Krasny through the exercise of options previously granted to them pursuant to the MPK Stock Option Plan. The sale of shares by Mr. Zeman and Mr. Kass resulted in the realization by the Company in the third quarter of an income tax benefit of approximately $43.5 million, of which approximately $600,000 was previously recorded to deferred taxes. The incremental tax benefit of $42.9 million was recorded as an increase to paid-in-capital. Additionally, the Company recorded incremental payroll tax expense related to the option exercise of approximately $1.6 million, which reduced diluted earnings per share in the three months ended September 30, 2001 by approximately $0.01 per share.

8


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

         The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth financial information derived from the Company's statements of income expressed as a percentage of net sales:

Percentage of Net Sales

Financial InformationThree Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2001200020012000




Net sales100.0   %     100.0   %      100.0   %     100.0   %     
Cost of sales86.5           87.2            86.7           87.2           




Gross profit13.5           12.8            13.3           12.8           
Selling and administrative expenses6.5           5.6            6.4           5.6           
Net advertising expense0.1           0.2            0.2           0.4           




Income from operations6.9           7.0            6.7           6.8           
Other income, net0.3           0.3            0.4           0.2           




Income before income taxes7.2           7.3            7.1           7.0           
Income tax provision2.8           2.9            2.8           2.8           




Net income4.4   %     4.4   %      4.3   %     4.2   %     

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of certain of the Company's operating statistics:


Operating StatisticsThree Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2001200020012000




Number of invoices processed1,090,025      981,491       3,244,597      2,827,047      
Average invoice size$ 980      $ 1,091       $ 977      $ 1,049      
Number of account managers, end of period1,209      1,052                   
Commercial customers served (1)170,704      141,850       301,374      257,648      
Commercial customers served - trailing 12 months348,050      304,095                   
% of sales to commercial customers96.9%      96.3%       96.8%      95.9%      
Annualized inventory turnover27      23       28      23      
Accounts receivable days sales outstanding32      31       32      34      
Net sales per coworker (000's) (2)$ 1,443      $ 1,613       $ 1,440      $ 1,651      
Direct web sales (000's)$ 150,987      $ 120,455       $ 454,403      $ 291,309      
Average daily unique web site users80,573      72,584       88,820      82,015      

   
(1)     Commercial customers include business, government, education and institutional customers.
(2)     Net sales per coworker is equal to annualized net sales divided by average number of coworkers in the period.

9


         The following table presents net sales dollars by product category as a percentage of total net sales dollars. Product lines are based upon internal product code classifications. Product mix for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000 has been retroactively adjusted for certain changes in individual product categorization.


Analysis of Product MixThree Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2001200020012000




Notebook Computers and Accessories14.7   %   19.4   %    14.9  %   19.9  %   

Desktop Computers and Servers12.7         15.6          13.4        15.9        

     Subtotal Computer Products27.4         35.0          28.3        35.8        

Software17.2         11.6          16.8        11.8        

Data Storage Devices14.7         13.7          14.5        13.8        

Printers13.3         11.8          12.9        11.4        

Net/Comm Products9.7         9.4          9.6        9.2        

Video8.7         7.8          8.4        7.6        

Add-on Boards/Memory3.8         6.1          4.5        6.0        

Input Devices3.0         2.6          2.9        2.5        

Accessories and Other2.2         2.0          2.1        1.9        

     Total100.0   %   100.0   %    100.0  %   100.0  %   

         The following table represents year-over-year sales growth by product categories for each of the periods indicated. Product lines are based upon internal product code classifications. Product growth rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000 have been retroactively adjusted for certain changes in individual product categorization.


Analysis of Product Category GrowthThree Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2001200020012000




Notebook Computers and Accessories(27.1)  %  44.9   %    (21.8)  %   61.9  %   

Desktop Computers and Servers(21.7)       56.3          (12.0)        54.6        

     Subtotal Computer Products(24.7)       49.8          (17.4)        58.5        

Software42.8       34.8          48.9        38.6        

Data Storage Devices3.0       45.3          9.9        54.7        

Printers8.4       42.4          18.4        39.1        

Net/Comm Products0.1       60.9          9.8        68.9        

Video6.9       69.7          15.2        70.2        

Add-on Boards/Memory(39.4)       96.5          (22.1)        100.9        

Input Devices9.7       59.7          19.9        55.6        

Accessories and Other4.1       78.7          15.1        93.9        

     Total(3.6)  %  50.5   %    4.9  %   55.8  %   

10


Three months ended September 30, 2001 compared to three months ended September 30, 2000

         Net sales in the third quarter of 2001 decreased 3.6% to $991.1 million compared to $1.028 billion in the third quarter of 2000. The Company increased the number of commercial customers served and leveraged the diversity of its product mix to achieve a strong sales performance considering the difficult economic environment and decreased levels of IT spending by customers.

         The number of commercial customers served increased 20.3% to 170,704 in the third quarter of 2001 from 141,850 in the third quarter of 2000. Sales to commercial accounts, including business, government, education and institutional customers, increased to 96.9% of net sales in the third quarter of 2001 from 96.3% in the third quarter of 2000, consistent with the Company's focus on the business-to-business marketplace. The Company experienced healthy growth in sales from government and education customers and a moderate decline in sales from business customers in the third quarter 2001.

         The average selling price of notebook computers decreased 24.1%, desktop computers decreased 22.5% and server computers decreased 26.2% from the third quarter of 2000. Unit sales of notebook computers decreased 10.9% from the third quarter of 2000, while unit sales of desktop computers increased 1.4% and unit sales of server computers increased 5.2% over the third quarter of 2000. The Company believes there may be future decreases in prices for personal computers and related products. Such decreases require the Company to sell more units in order to maintain or increase the level of sales. The Company's sales growth rate and operating results could be adversely affected by future manufacturer price reductions or if the Company's sales and marketing efforts fail to increase the level of unit sales. Sales of Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Microsoft, Sony and Toshiba products comprise a substantial portion of the Company's sales. The loss of any of these, or any other key vendors, could have an adverse effect on the Company's results from operations. The statements concerning future prices, sales and results from operations are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties such as stated above.

         Software sales were strong during the quarter with sales increasing 42.8% over third quarter 2000, primarily due to increases in software licenses driven in part by the anti-piracy efforts of some software manufacturers and changes in Microsoft licensing requirements. Sales of input devices and printers were also strong during the third quarter of 2001 with sales growth rates exceeding 8.0% versus the third quarter of 2000. Demand for certain products and the growth of certain product categories are driven by advances in technology and the development of new products and applications by the industry manufacturers, and acceptance of these new technologies and products by end-users. Any slowdown in the rate of technological advancement and new product development by industry manufacturers, or the lack of acceptance of these technologies and products by end users, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's future sales growth.

         The Company relies primarily on its dedicated sales force to serve its customers and also believes its Internet web site, www.cdw.com, is an integral part of its business. Direct web sales are defined as those orders that are entered directly on-line by customers after using the web site and/or talking with a sales account manager to obtain product, pricing and other relevant information. During the third quarter of 2001, direct web sales grew 25.3% to $151.0 million from $120.5 million in the same period of 2000. The number of average daily unique web site users grew 11.0% to 80,573 in the third quarter of 2001 from 72,584 in the same period of 2000.

         Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2001 increased to 13.5% as compared to 12.8% in the third quarter of 2000. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales versus the third quarter of 2000 is primarily due to product mix, vendor incentives and the impact of software upgrade insurance and third party net services revenue, partially offset by decreases in margin due to pricing pressure in certain product categories. On a forward-looking basis, the Company's gross margin percentage may decline as a percentage of net sales due to manufacturer limitations on incentives, changes in price protection programs, product mix and market conditions, as well as more aggressive pricing by our competitors. The statement concerning future gross profit is a forward-looking statement that involves certain risks and uncertainties such as the continued participation by vendors in inventory price protection and rebate programs, product mix, market conditions, aggressive competitor pricing and other factors which could result in a fluctuation of gross margins below recent experience. Price protection and rebate programs are at the discretion of the manufacturers, who may make changes that limit the amount of price protection or rebates for which the Company is eligible. Additionally, vendor rebate programs are generally dependent on achieving certain goals and objectives and there is no certainty that the established goals and objectives will be attained.

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         Selling and administrative expenses, including net advertising expense, increased to 6.6% of net sales in the three months ended September 30, 2001 from 5.8% in the same period of 2000. The increase is primarily the result of increased payroll and occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by a decrease in net advertising expense. Selling and administrative expense includes approximately $1.6 million in payroll taxes resulting from stock options exercised in connection with the secondary stock offering completed in August 2001. Occupancy expense, including rent and depreciation, increased approximately $3.0 million versus the third quarter of 2000 as a result of our facility expansions. The Company does not plan for any significant incremental occupancy costs for the remainder of the year versus the level incurred in the third quarter. The Company's sales force increased to 1,209 account managers at September 30, 2001, a 14.9% increase from the third quarter of 2000. Productivity per account manager decreased 23.1% from the third quarter of 2000 due to slowing economic conditions, reduced IT spending by customers and the higher number of account managers. The Company is currently hiring account managers primarily for the purpose of maintaining the number at current levels and will adjust hiring goals as business conditions dictate.

         Net advertising expense decreased as a percentage of net sales to 0.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2001 from 0.2% in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross advertising expense decreased $2.8 million to 2.3% of net sales, a decrease from 2.4% of net sales in the third quarter of 2000. Based upon the Company's planned marketing initiatives, future levels of gross advertising expense as a percentage of net sales are likely to be relatively consistent with or higher than the level achieved in the third quarter of 2000. Cooperative advertising reimbursements were 2.2% of net sales in the third quarter of 2001, consistent with the third quarter of 2000. Cooperative advertising reimbursements as a percentage of net sales fluctuate based on the level of vendor participation achieved and collection experience. The statements concerning future advertising expense and cooperative advertising reimbursements are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including the ability to identify and implement cost-effective incremental advertising and marketing programs, as well as the continued participation of vendors in the cooperative advertising reimbursement program.

         Interest income, net of other expenses, increased to $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2001 compared to $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2000 due to higher levels of cash available for investment offsetting a decrease in the average rate of interest earned. On a forward-looking basis, interest income is likely to decrease from the level achieved in the third quarter due to further decreases in the average rate of interest earned.

         The effective income tax rate, expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 39.75% for the three months ended September 30, 2001, an increase from 39.60% for the third quarter of 2000.

         Net income in the third quarter of 2001 was $43.2 million, a 3.8% decrease over $44.9 million in the third quarter of 2000. Diluted earnings per share remained constant at $0.49 for the three months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000. of 9.1%.

Nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2000

         Net sales in the first nine months of 2001 increased 4.9% to $2.97 billion compared to $2.84 billion in the same period of 2000. The Company was able to achieve growth by increasing the number of commercial customers served and leveraging the diversity of its product mix, despite a difficult economic environment and decreased levels of IT spending by customers.

         The number of commercial customers served increased 17.0% to 301,374 in the nine months ending September 31, 2001 from 257,648 in the same period of 2000. Sales to commercial accounts, including business, government, educational and institutional customers, increased to 96.8% of net sales in the first nine months of 2001 from 95.9% in the first nine months of 2000, consistent with the Company's focus on growing in the business-to-business marketplace. The Company experienced healthy growth in sales from government and education customers and a moderate decline in sales from business customers in the first nine months of 2001.

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         The average selling price of notebook computers decreased 15.0%, desktop computers decreased 16.9% and server computers decreased 20.8% from the first nine months of 2000. Unit sales of notebook computers decreased 14.1% from the first nine months of 2000 while unit sales of desktop computers for the first nine months of 2001 increased 6.8% and unit sales of server computers increased 9.7% over the the first nine months of 2000. The Company believes there may be future decreases in prices for personal computers and related products. Such decreases require the Company to sell more units in order to maintain or increase the level of sales. The Company's sales volume and operating results could be adversely affected by future manufacturer price reductions or if the Company's sales and marketing efforts fail to increase the level of unit sales. Sales of Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Microsoft, Sony and Toshiba products comprise a substantial portion of the Company's sales. The loss of any of these, or any other key vendors, could have an adverse effect on the Company's results from operations. The statements concerning future prices, sales and results from operations are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties such as stated above.

         Software sales were strong during the nine months ended September 30, 2001 with sales up 48.9% over the first nine months of 2000, primarily due to increases in software licenses driven in part by the anti-piracy efforts of certain software manufacturers and changes in Microsoft licensing requirements. Sales of input devices, printers, and video were also strong during the nine months ended September 30, 2001 with sales growth rates exceeding 15.0% versus the first nine months of 2000. Demand for certain products and the growth of certain product categories are driven by advances in technology and the development of new products and applications by the industry manufacturers, and acceptance of these new technologies and products by end-users. Any slowdown in the rate of technological advancement and new product development by industry manufacturers, or the lack of acceptance of these technologies and products by end-users, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's future sales growth.

        The Company relies primarily on its dedicated sales force to serve its customers and also believes its Internet web site, www.cdw.com, is an integral part of its business. Direct web sales are defined as those orders that are entered directly on-line by customers after using the web site and/or talking with a sales account manager to obtain product, pricing and other relevant information. During the first nine months of 2001, direct web sales grew 56.0% to $454.4 million from $291.3 million in the same period of 2000. The number of average daily unique web site users grew 8.3% to 88,820 in the nine months ended September 30, 2001 from 82,015 in the same period of 2000.

         Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased to 13.3% as compared to 12.8% same period in 2000. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales versus the first nine months of 2000 is primarily due to product mix, vendor incentives and the impact of software upgrade insurance and third party net services revenue, partially offset by decreases in margin due to pricing pressure in certain product categories. On a forward-looking basis, the Company's gross margin percentage may decline as a percentage of net sales due to manufacturer limitations on incentives, changes in price protection programs, product mix and market conditions, as well as more aggressive pricing by our competitors. The statement concerning future gross profit is a forward-looking statement that involves certain risks and uncertainties such as the continued participation by vendors in inventory price protection and rebate programs, product mix, market conditions, aggressive competitor pricing and other factors which could result in a fluctuation of gross margins below recent experience. Price protection and rebate programs are at the discretion of the manufacturers, who may make changes that limit the amount of price protection or rebates for which the Company is eligible. Additionally, vendor rebate programs are generally dependent on achieving certain goals and objectives and there is no certainty that the established goals and objectives will be attained.

         Selling and administrative expenses, including net advertising expense, increased to 6.4% of net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2001 from 5.6% in the same period of 2000. The increase is primarily the result of increased payroll and occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by a decrease in net advertising expense. Selling and administrative expenses include approximately $1.6 million in payroll taxes resulting from stock options exercised in connection with the secondary stock offering completed in August 2001. Occupancy expense, including rent and depreciation, increased approximately $8.8 million versus the first nine months of 2000 as a result of our facility expansions. The Company does not plan for any significant incremental occupancy costs for the remainder of the year. The Company's sales force increased to 1,209 account managers at September 30, 2001, representing a 14.9% increase from September 30, 2000. Productivity per account manager decreased 18.7% from the first nine months of 2000 due to slowing economic conditions, reduced IT spending by customers and the higher number of account managers.

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         Net advertising expense decreased as a percentage of net sales to 0.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 from 0.4% in the first nine months of the prior year. Gross advertising expense decreased $2.4 million to 2.2% from 2.4% of net sales in the first nine months of 2000. Based upon the Company's planned marketing initiatives, future levels of gross advertising expense as a percentage of net sales are likely to be relatively consistent with or higher than the level achieved in the first nine months of 2001. Cooperative advertising reimbursements were 2.0% of net sales in the first nine months of 2001, slightly higher than the first nine months of 2000. Cooperative advertising reimbursements as a percentage of net sales fluctuate based on the level of vendor participation achieved and collection experience. The statements concerning future advertising expense and cooperative advertising reimbursements are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including the ability to identify and implement cost effective incremental advertising and marketing programs, as well as the continued participation of vendors in the cooperative advertising reimbursement program.

         Interest income, net of other expenses, increased to $9.5 million in the first nine months of 2001 compared to $6.2 million in the first nine months of 2000 due to higher levels of cash available for investment offsetting the decrease in the rate of interest earned. On a forward-looking basis, quarterly interest income is likely to decrease from recent levels due to further decreases in the average rate of interest earned.

         The effective income tax rate, expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 39.75% for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, an increase from 39.60% for the first nine months of 2000.

         Net income in the first nine months of 2001 was $126.7 million, a 5.3% increase over $120.3 million in the first nine months of 2000. Diluted earnings per share were $1.42 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and $1.32 in the same period of 2000, an increase of 7.6%.

Seasonality

         Although the Company has experienced variability, including declines, in the rates of sales growth, it has not historically experienced significant seasonality in its business. As sales to government customers in recent periods have increased at a higher rate than sales to other customer types, net sales in the third quarter are seasonally strong due to the buying patterns of federal government customers. If sales to these customers continue to increase as a percentage of overall sales, the Company may experience increased seasonality in future periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

         The Company has financed its operations and capital expenditures primarily through cash flow from operations. At September 30, 2001, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $300.2 million and working capital of $639.3 million, representing an increase of $97.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and an increase of $77.6 million in working capital from December 31, 2000.

         During the third quarter of 2001, the Company amended agreements with two financial institutions to increase the Company's unsecured lines of credit by a total of $20 million. The Company now has an aggregate $70 million available pursuant to two $35 million unsecured lines of credit with two financial institutions. One line of credit expires in June 2002, at which time the Company intends to renew the line, and the other does not have a fixed expiration date. Borrowings under the first credit facility bear interest at the prime rate less 2 1/2%, LIBOR plus 1/2% or the federal funds rate plus 1/2%, as determined by the Company. Borrowings under the second credit facility bear interest at the prime rate less 2 1/2%, LIBOR plus .45% or the federal funds rate plus .45%, as determined by the Company. At September 30, 2001, there were no borrowings under either of the credit facilities.

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         The Company's current and anticipated uses of its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures and the stock buyback program discussed below. The Company anticipates additional capital expenditures related primarily to facility expansions through December 31, 2001 to total approximately $1.6 million. The Company believes that the funds held in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and funds available under the credit facilities will be sufficient to fund the Company's working capital and cash requirements at least through September 30, 2002.

         In January 2001, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 5 million shares of the Company's common stock, slightly more than 5% of its total outstanding shares, from time to time in both open market and private transactions, as conditions warrant. In connection with the program the Company purchased approximately 2,692,500 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2001, at a total cost of approximately $98.2 million. These repurchases included 1.5 million shares repurchased on February 2, 2001, at a total cost of $57.6 million ($38.423 per share) from Gregory C. Zeman, Vice Chairman and Director, and Daniel B. Kass, Executive Vice President of Sales and Director.

Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2001

         Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, was $202.3 million and relates primarily to net income, tax benefits from stock options and restricted stock transactions and an increase in accounts payable partially offset by an increase in merchandise inventory. During the first nine months of 2001, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $53.1 million as a result of the exercise of stock options, primarily in connection with the secondary public offering and vesting of restricted stock by coworkers. Accounts payable increased primarily due to the timing of payments to vendors at the end of the respective periods. Inventory increased during the nine month period, primarily due to higher levels of inventory in-transit. Annualized inventory turnover of 28 times for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 has increased from the annualized inventory turnover of 23 times for the nine month period ended September 30, 2000.

         Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was $127.9 million, including $105.1 million for purchases of marketable securities, net of redemptions, and $20.4 million for capital expenditures. At September 30, 2001, the Company has an $8.4 million net investment in and loan to CDW Leasing, LLC ("CDW-L"), a 50/50 joint venture with First Portland Corporation. The Company advanced approximately $17.7 million to CDW-L during the nine months ended September 30, 2001 which was offset by repayments of approximately $15.3 million. The Company is committed to loan up to $10.0 million to CDW-L to fund new leases initiated by CDW-L. The terms of the loan provide for monthly interest payments to the Company based on the 90 day LIBOR rate plus 2.2%.

         In August 2001, Michael P. Krasny, the Chairman Emeritus, principal shareholder and a Director of the Company, Gregory C. Zeman, the Vice Chairman and a Director of the Company and Daniel B. Kass, the Executive Vice President - Sales and a Director of the Company, sold 10,562,500 shares of common stock through a secondary public offering at a price of $40.00 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares and the number of outstanding common shares will not be impacted. The shares sold by Mr. Zeman and Mr. Kass were acquired from Mr. Krasny through the exercise of options previously granted to them pursuant to the MPK Stock Option Plan. The sale of shares by Mr. Zeman and Mr. Kass resulted in the realization by the Company in the third quarter of an income tax benefit of approximately $43.5 million, of which approximately $600,000 was previously recorded to deferred taxes. The incremental tax benefit of $42.9 million was recorded as an increase to paid-in-capital. Additionally, the Company recorded incremental payroll tax expense of approximately $1.6 million, which reduced diluted earnings per share in the three months ended September 30, 2001 by approximately $0.01 per share.

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         Certain statements included in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations concerning the Company's sales volume, operating results, gross profit as a percentage of sales, advertising expense and cooperative advertising reimbursements are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, as specified herein and in the Company's Amendment No.1 to the Form S-3 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2001.

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Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
  
There has been no material change from the information provided in Item 7a of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
  
  
Part IIOther Information
  
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
  
(a) Exhibits:
  
   10 (qq)Revolving Note between the Company and LaSalle National Bank dated August 15, 2001
  
   10 (rr)Line of Credit Demand Note between the Company and Northern Trust Company dated July 25, 2001.
  
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
  
   (i)The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 20, 2001 in conjunction with the release of earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.
  
   (ii)The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on August 6, 2001 updating certain projections regarding the Company's performance for the quarter ending September 30, 2001.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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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.

CDW Computer Centers, Inc.
(Registrant)
  
  
Date:    November 1, 2001        /s/ Harry J. Harczak, Jr.           
Harry J. Harczak, Jr.
Executive Vice President Corporate
Strategy and Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)
  
  
  
  
  

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