Ranjit Thomas

CKE Restaurants: On a Roll in Tough Economic Environment

Don't you think it was curious that they had a big drop in interest expense even though the debt level is up? The interest expense amounts to a 2% interest rate on their outstanding debt, which is abnormally low. The explanation can be found in their 10Q. The co. recognized a non-cash gain on interest rate swaps of $2Mn this quarter, which contributed all of the "beat". They had a similar situation last quarter too. In the past, when this item was a loss, the co. was quick to point it out. Now when it's a gain, they quietly sneak it in, and gullible investors lap it up.