CLEARWATER, Fla., May 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nicholas Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:NICK) announced that for the three months ended March 31, 2011 net earnings increased 46% to $4,772,000 as compared to $3,260,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Per share diluted net earnings increased 43% to $0.40 as compared to $0.28 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Revenue increased 13% to $16,095,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $14,256,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
For the year ended March 31, 2011, net earnings increased 55% to $16,805,000 as compared to $10,865,000 for the year ended March 31, 2010. Per share diluted net earnings increased 52% to $1.41 as compared to $0.93 for the year ended March 31, 2010. Revenue increased 11% to $62,774,000 for the year ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $56,472,000 for the year ended March 31, 2010.
"Our strong growth in earnings per share for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2011 were favorably impacted by the revenue contribution from new branches and a reduction in the net charge-off rate," stated Peter L. Vosotas, Chairman and CEO. "We reported record revenues and earnings every quarter this year. In addition, we opened six new branch offices in the past year. We entered two new states with a branch in Chicago, Illinois and one in St. Louis, Missouri. We expect to add four to eight new branches during the upcoming year and will also continue to pursue buy-side opportunities as they arise."
Nicholas Financial, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded specialty consumer finance companies based in the Southeastern states. The Company presently operates 56 branch locations in both the Southeastern and the Midwestern states. The Company has approximately 11,800,000 shares of common stock outstanding. For an index of Nicholas Financial, Inc.'s news releases or to obtain a specific release, visit our web site at www.nicholasfinancial.com.
The Nicholas Financial, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6776.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including general economic conditions, access to bank financing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010. Such statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Actual events or results may differ materially. All forward looking statements and cautionary statements included in this document are made as of the date hereby based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or cautionary statement.
| Nicholas Financial, Inc. | ||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||
| (Unaudited, Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) | ||||
|
Three months ended March 31, |
Year ended March 31, |
|||
| 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |
| Revenue: | ||||
| Interest and fee income on finance receivables | $16,070 | $14,238 | $62,720 | $56,404 |
| Sales | 25 | 18 | 54 | 68 |
| 16,095 | 14,256 | 62,774 | 56,472 | |
| Expenses: | ||||
| Operating | 6,977 | 5,942 | 25,712 | 23,364 |
| Provision for credit losses | 101 | 1,725 | 4,610 | 11,322 |
| Interest expense | 1,228 | 1,525 | 5,600 | 5,170 |
| Change in fair value of interest rate swaps | (17) | (238) | (495) | (1,035) |
| 8,289 | 8,954 | 35,427 | 38,821 | |
| Operating income before income taxes | 7,806 | 5,302 | 27,347 | 17,651 |
| Income tax expense | 3,034 | 2,042 | 10,542 | 6,786 |
| Net income | $4,772 | $3,260 | $16,805 | $10,865 |
| Earnings per share: | ||||
| Basic | $0.41 | $0.28 | $1.45 | $0.95 |
| Diluted | $0.40 | $0.28 | $1.41 | $0.93 |
| Weighted average shares | 11,611,000 | 11,571,000 | 11,607,000 | 11,470,000 |
| Weighted average shares and assumed dilution | 11,954,000 | 11,788,000 | 11,894,000 | 11,689.00 |
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (Unaudited, in Thousands) | ||
|
March 31, 2011 |
March 31, 2010 |
|
| Cash | $2,018 | $1,534 |
| Finance receivables, net | 230,164 | 202,440 |
| Other assets | 11,461 | 10,162 |
| Total assets | $243,643 | $214,136 |
| Line of credit | $118,000 | $107,275 |
| Other liabilities | 10,430 | 9,424 |
| Total liabilities | 128,430 | 116,699 |
| Shareholders' equity | 115,213 | 97,437 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $243,643 | $214,136 |
|
Three months ended March 31, |
Year ended March 31, |
|||
| Portfolio Summary | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 |
| Average finance receivables, net of unearned interest (1) Average Net Finance Receivables (1) | $260,898,642 | $229,445,877 | $250,962,519 | $223,547,537 |
| Average indebtedness (2) | $116,754,219 | $108,548,279 | $113,833,641 | $106,985,830 |
| Interest and fee income on finance receivables (3) | $16,070,243 | $14,237,535 | $62,719,904 | $56,403,536 |
| Interest expense | 1,228,051 | 1,524,454 | 5,600,131 | 5,169,736 |
| Net interest and fee income on finance receivables | $14,842,192 | $12,713,081 | $57,119,773 | $51,233,800 |
| Weighted average contractual rate (4) | 23.92% | 23.76% | 23.66% | 23.62% |
| Average cost of borrowed funds (2) | 4.21% | 5.62% | 4.92% | 4.83% |
| Gross portfolio yield (5) | 24.64% | 24.82% | 24.99% | 25.23% |
| Interest expense as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest | 1.88% | 2.66% | 2.23% | 2.31% |
| Provision for credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest | 0.16% | 3.01% | 1.84% | 5.06% |
| Net portfolio yield (5) | 22.60% | 19.15% | 20.92% | 17.86% |
| Marketing, salaries, employee benefits, depreciation and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest (6) | 10.61% | 10.26% | 10.15% | 10.35% |
| Pre-tax yield as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest (7) | 11.99% | 8.89% | 10.77% | 7.51% |
| Write-off to liquidation (8) | 4.10% | 6.66% | 6.17% | 9.87% |
| Net charge-off percentage (9) | 3.34% | 5.23% | 4.65% | 7.37% |
| Note: All three month key performance indicators expressed as percentages have been annualized. | ||||
| (1) Average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, represents the average of gross finance receivables, less unearned interest throughout the period. | ||||
| (2) Average indebtedness represents the average outstanding borrowings under the Line. Average cost of borrowed funds represents interest expense as a percentage of average indebtedness. | ||||
| (3) Interest and fee income on finance receivables does not include revenue generated by Nicholas Data Services, Inc., ("NDS") the wholly-owned software subsidiary of Nicholas Financial, Inc. | ||||
| (4) Weighted average contractual rate represents the weighted average annual percentage rate (APR) of all Contracts purchased and direct loans originated during the period. | ||||
| (5) Gross portfolio yield represents interest and fee income on finance receivables as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest. Net portfolio yield represents interest and fee income on finance receivables minus (a) interest expense and (b) the provision for credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest. | ||||
| (6) Administrative expenses included in the calculation above are net of administrative expenses associated with NDS which approximated $52,000 and $49,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, and $216,000 and $213,000 for the year ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively | ||||
| (7) Pre-tax yield represents net portfolio yield minus operating expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest. | ||||
| (8) Write-off to liquidation percentage is defined as net charge-offs divided by liquidation. Liquidation is defined as beginning receivable balance plus current period purchases minus voids and refinances minus ending receivable balance. | ||||
| (9) Net charge-off percentage represents net charge-offs divided by average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, outstanding during the period. | ||||
The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to Contracts and under its direct loan program:
| Delinquencies | |||||
| Contracts |
Gross Balance Outstanding |
30 – 59 days |
60 – 89 days |
90 + days |
Total |
| March 31, 2011 | $368,099,418 | $6,106,211 | $1,468,079 | $549,518 | $8,123,808 |
| 1.66% | 0.40% | 0.15% | 2.21% | ||
| March 31, 2010 | $320,579,222 | $7,613,284 | $1,752,638 | $778,606 | $10,144,528 |
| 2.37% | 0.55% | 0.24% | 3.16% | ||
| Direct Loans |
Gross Balance Outstanding |
30 – 59 days |
60 – 89 days |
90 + days |
Total |
| March 31, 2011 | $4,850,864 | $37,399 | $5,636 | $11,919 | $54,954 |
| 0.77% | 0.11% | 0.25% | 1.13% | ||
| March 31, 2010 | $4,840,381 | $98,854 | $34,864 | $14,383 | $148,101 |
| 2.04% | 0.72% | 0.30% | 3.06% | ||
The following table presents selected information on Contracts purchased by the Company, net of unearned interest:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
Year ended March 31, |
|||
| Contracts | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 |
| Purchases | $41,804,273 | $34,027,042 | $147,150,975 | $121,606,738 |
| Weighted APR | 23.87% | 23.70% | 23.57% | 23.55% |
| Average discount | 8.83% | 9.22% | 8.78% | 9.11% |
| Weighted average term (months) | 49 | 48 | 49 | 48 |
| Average loan | $9,646 | $9,310 | $9,804 | $9,422 |
| Number of contracts | 4,334 | 3,655 | 15,009 | 12,907 |