Conn's, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 Financial Results


First Quarter of Positive Same Store Sales in Three Years

Record Retail Gross Margin of 41.4%

Credit Segment Benefitting from Record Quarterly Revenues, Strong Credit Quality, and Lower Funding Costs

Record Second Quarter GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.53, an Increase of 279% over the Prior Year Period

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Sept. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conn's, Inc. (NASDAQ: CONN), a specialty retailer of furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products, and provider of consumer credit, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended July 31, 2018.

“We achieved many operating and financial milestones during the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, highlighted by significant growth in earnings to a second quarter record of $0.53 per diluted share.  Second quarter financial results were driven primarily by positive same store sales, the contribution of new store growth, record retail gross margin, and continued improvement in credit segment performance.  The initiatives to drive retail growth are starting to take hold and second quarter same store sales increased for the first time since the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, while total retail sales were up 3.5% over the prior year period.  The momentum in our business is encouraging and we continue to believe fiscal year 2019 will be a strong year,” stated Norm Miller, Conn’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Second quarter of fiscal year 2019 highlights include:

  • First quarter of positive same store sales in three years, with total revenues up 3.5% over prior year period
  • Record retail gross margin of 41.4%
  • Credit spread of 750 basis points, the best second quarter credit spread in four years
  • Record quarterly credit segment revenues of $88.2 million
  • 60+ day delinquency rate of 9.0%, representing the fourth consecutive quarter that the rate has declined year-over-year and the first decline from the first quarter rate in seven years 
  • Second consecutive quarter of positive credit segment operating income
  • Interest expense of $15.6 million, compared to $20.0 million for the same period last fiscal year
  • GAAP earnings of $0.53 per diluted share, an increase of 279% over prior year period to a second quarter record
  • Adjusted earnings of $0.57 per diluted share, an increase of 119% over prior year period

Second Quarter Results

Net income for the three months ended July 31, 2018 was $17.0 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to net income for the three months ended July 31, 2017 of $4.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted share.  On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income for the three months ended July 31, 2018 was $18.3 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, which excludes the loss on extinguishment of debt from the early retirement of our Series 2017-A Class B and C Notes and a contingency reserve related to a regulatory matter.  This compares to adjusted net income for the three months ended July 31, 2017 of $8.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, which excludes charges and credits and the loss from extinguishment of debt related to the early redemption of our Series 2015-A Class B Notes.

Retail Segment Second Quarter Results

Total retail revenues were $296.4 million for the three months ended July 31, 2018 compared to $286.5 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017.  The increase of 3.5% was primarily driven by new store growth and an increase in same store sales.  For the three months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, retail segment operating income was $39.2 million and $31.3 million, respectively.  On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted retail segment operating income for the three months ended July 31, 2018 was $39.5 million, after excluding a contingency reserve related to a regulatory matter. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted retail segment operating income for the three months ended July 31, 2017 was $32.8 million, after excluding severance costs related to a change in the executive management team.

The following table presents net sales and changes in net sales by category:

        
 Three Months Ended July 31,   % Same Store
(dollars in thousands)2018 % of Total 2017 % of Total Change Change % Change
Furniture and mattress (1)$97,066  32.8% $95,297  33.3% $1,769  1.9% (2.3)%
Home appliance91,471  30.9  89,085  31.1  2,386  2.7  0.4 
Consumer electronics (1)55,654  18.8  52,946  18.5  2,708  5.1  5.3 
Home office (1)19,289  6.5  17,862  6.2  1,427  8.0  8.5 
Other3,699  1.2  4,403  1.5  (704) (16.0) (18.2)
Product sales267,179  90.2  259,593  90.6  7,586  2.9  0.6 
Repair service agreement commissions (2)25,662  8.6  23,519  8.2  2,143  9.1  (1.9)
Service revenues3,472  1.2  3,301  1.2  171  5.2   
Total net sales$296,313  100.0% $286,413  100.0% $9,900  3.5% 0.3%
                        
(1) During the three months ended July 31, 2017, we reclassified certain products from the consumer electronics and home office product categories into the furniture and mattress product category. Net sales of these products reflected in the consumer electronics and home office product categories for the three months ended July 31, 2017 were $2.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The change in same store sales reflects the current product classification for both periods presented.
(2) The total change in sales of repair service agreement commissions includes retrospective commissions, which are not reflected in the change in same store sales.
 

The following provides a summary of the same store sales performance of our product categories during the three months ended July 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended July 31, 2017:

  • Furniture unit volume decreased 4.3%, partially offset by a 2.5% increase in average selling price;
  • Mattress unit volume decreased 13.8%, partially offset by a 11.8% increase in average selling price;
  • Home appliance average selling price increased 7.4%, partially offset by a 6.5% decrease in unit volume;
  • Consumer electronic unit volume increased 2.2% and average sales price increased 3.0%; and
  • Home office unit volume increased 13.7%, partially offset by a 4.5% decrease in average selling price.

Credit Segment Second Quarter Results

Credit revenues were $88.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2018 compared to $80.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017. The 10.1% increase in credit revenue was primarily due to the origination of our higher-yielding direct loan product, which resulted in an increase in the portfolio yield rate to 21.3% from 18.7%, and a 1.5% increase in the average balance of the customer receivable portfolio. The total customer portfolio balance was $1.51 billion at July 31, 2018 compared to $1.48 billion at July 31, 2017, an increase of 1.9%.

Provision for bad debts was $50.5 million for the three months ended July 31, 2018 compared to $49.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017, an increase of $1.2 million.  The change reflects a greater decrease in the allowance for bad debts during the three months ended July 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended July 31, 2018, partially offset by a year-over-year reduction in net charge-offs of $3.0 million.

Additional information on the credit portfolio and its performance may be found in the Customer Receivable Portfolio Statistics table included within this press release and in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2018, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Store Update

The Company opened two new Conn's HomePlus® stores in Texas during the first half of fiscal year 2019.  In August, the Company opened one additional store in Virginia, bringing the total store count to 119 in 14 states. During fiscal year 2019, the Company plans to open a total of seven to nine new stores in existing states to leverage current infrastructure.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of July 31, 2018, the Company had $366.6 million of immediately available borrowing capacity under its $650.0 million revolving credit facility, with an additional $19.4 million that may become available under the Company's revolving credit facility if the Company grows the balance of eligible customer receivables and our total eligible inventory balances under the borrowing base. The Company also had $4.4 million of unrestricted cash available for use.

Outlook and Guidance

The following are the Company's expectations for the business for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019:

  • Change in same store sales between negative 5% and 0%:
    • Markets not impacted by Hurricane Harvey between negative 2% and positive 2%; and
    • Markets impacted by Hurricane Harvey between negative 12% and negative 5%;
  • Retail gross margin between 40.5% and 41.0% of total retail net sales;
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses between 30.5% and 32.5% of total revenues;
  • Provision for bad debts between $44.0 million and $48.0 million;
  • Finance charges and other revenues between $90.5 million and $94.5 million; and
  • Interest expense between $16.5 million and $17.5 million.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on September 4, 2018 at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET to discuss its three months ended July 31, 2018 financial results. Participants can join the call by dialing 877-451-6152 or 201-389-0879. The conference call will also be broadcast simultaneously via webcast on a listen-only basis. A link to the earnings release, webcast and the second quarter fiscal year 2019 conference call presentation will be available at ir.conns.com.

Replay of the telephonic call can be accessed through September 11, 2018 by dialing 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671 and Conference ID: 13682980.

About Conn's, Inc.

Conn's HomePlus is a specialty retailer currently operating 119 retail locations in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  The Company's primary product categories include:

  • Furniture and mattress, including furniture and related accessories for the living room, dining room and bedroom, as well as both traditional and specialty mattresses;
  • Home appliance, including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers and ranges;
  • Consumer electronics, including LED, OLED, QLED, 4K Ultra HD, and smart televisions, Blu-ray players, home theaters, portable audio equipment, and gaming products;
  • Home office, including computers, printers and accessories.

Additionally, Conn's HomePlus offers a variety of products on a seasonal basis.  Unlike many of its competitors, Conn's HomePlus provides flexible in-house credit options for its customers in addition to third-party financing programs and third-party lease-to-own payment plans.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties.  Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements containing the words anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “predict,” “will,” “potential, or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts.  Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations.  We can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct, and actual results may differ materially.  A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: general economic conditions impacting our customers or potential customers; our ability to execute periodic securitizations of future originated customer loans on favorable terms; our ability to continue existing customer financing programs or to offer new customer financing programs; changes in the delinquency status of our credit portfolio; unfavorable developments in ongoing litigation; increased regulatory oversight; higher than anticipated net charge-offs in the credit portfolio; the success of our planned opening of new stores; technological and market developments and sales trends for our major product offerings; our ability to manage effectively the selection of our major product offerings; our ability to protect against cyber-attacks or data security breaches and to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees; our ability to fund our operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from our revolving credit facility, and proceeds from accessing debt or equity markets; and other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2018, Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2018 to be filed with the SEC and other reports filed with the SEC.  If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to provide periodic updates or guidance.  All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

CONN-G

S.M. Berger & Company
Andrew Berger (216) 464-6400

    
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
    
 Three Months Ended July 31, Six Months Ended July 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenues:       
Total net sales$296,313  $286,413  $572,069  $565,698 
Finance charges and other revenues88,307  80,234  170,938  156,775 
Total revenues384,620  366,647  743,007  722,473 
Costs and expenses:       
Cost of goods sold173,627  172,306  340,216  344,256 
Selling, general and administrative expense120,690  111,632  235,568  218,169 
Provision for bad debts50,751  49,449  94,907  105,379 
Charges and credits300  4,068  300  5,295 
Total costs and expenses345,368  337,455  670,991  673,099 
Operating income39,252  29,192  72,016  49,374 
Interest expense15,566  20,039  32,386  44,047 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,367  2,097  1,773  2,446 
Income before income taxes22,319  7,056  37,857  2,881 
Provision for income taxes5,308  2,783  8,114  1,188 
Net income$17,011  $4,273  $29,743  $1,693 
Income per share:       
Basic$0.54  $0.14  $0.94  $0.05 
Diluted$0.53  $0.14  $0.92  $0.05 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:       
Basic31,652,017  31,093,746  31,597,225  31,033,880 
Diluted32,242,463  31,434,501  32,210,759  31,292,305 
            


    
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED RETAIL SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
    
 Three Months Ended July 31, Six Months Ended July 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenues:       
Product sales$267,179  $259,593  $516,493  $510,955 
Repair service agreement commissions25,662  23,519  48,525  48,215 
Service revenues3,472  3,301  7,051  6,528 
Total net sales296,313  286,413  572,069  565,698 
Other revenues98  92  112  172 
Total revenues296,411  286,505  572,181  565,870 
Costs and expenses:       
Cost of goods sold173,627  172,306  340,216  344,256 
Selling, general and administrative expense83,003  78,667  160,755  152,614 
Provision for bad debts243  165  503  395 
Charges and credits300  4,068  300  5,295 
Total costs and expenses257,173  255,206  501,774  502,560 
Operating income$39,238  $31,299  $70,407  $63,310 
Retail gross margin41.4% 39.8% 40.5% 39.1%
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of revenues28.0% 27.5% 28.1% 27.0%
Operating margin13.2% 10.9% 12.3% 11.2%
Store count:       
Beginning of period118  115  116  113 
Opened  1  2  3 
End of period118  116  118  116 
            


    
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CREDIT SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
    
 Three Months Ended July 31, Six Months Ended July 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenues:       
Finance charges and other revenues$88,209  $80,142  $170,826  $156,603 
Costs and expenses:       
Selling, general and administrative expense37,687  32,965  74,813  65,555 
Provision for bad debts50,508  49,284  94,404  104,984 
Total costs and expenses88,195  82,249  169,217  170,539 
Operating income (loss)14  (2,107) 1,609  (13,936)
Interest expense15,566  20,039  32,386  44,047 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,367  2,097  1,773  2,446 
Loss before income taxes$(16,919) $(24,243) $(32,550) $(60,429)
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of revenues42.7% 41.1% 43.8% 41.9%
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized)10.1% 8.9% 10.0% 8.8%
Operating margin% (2.6)% 0.9% (8.9)%
            


  
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CUSTOMER RECEIVABLE PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
(unaudited)
  
 As of July 31,
 2018 2017
Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances(1)594  589 
Average outstanding customer balance$2,503  $2,375 
Balances 60+ days past due as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance(2)9.0% 10.4%
Re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance(2)(3)24.3% 16.0%
Account balances re-aged more than six months (in thousands)$84,148  $75,694 
Allowance for bad debts as a percentage of total customer portfolio balance13.5% 13.7%
Percent of total customer portfolio balance represented by no-interest option receivables20.9% 24.1%
      


 Three Months Ended  July 31, Six Months Ended  July 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Total applications processed295,564  297,587  579,050  587,914 
Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed(1)610  609  609  608 
Percent of total applications approved and utilized31.4% 32.8% 30.9% 32.1%
Average down payment2.6% 3.0% 2.8% 3.3%
Average income of credit customer at origination$43,700  $42,300  $43,700  $42,200 
Percent of retail sales paid for by:       
In-house financing, including down payment received70.5% 72.6% 70.3% 71.6%
Third-party financing16.4% 17.2% 15.7% 16.2%
Third-party lease-to-own option6.4% 3.8% 6.9% 5.7%
 93.3% 93.6% 92.9% 93.5%
            
(1) Credit scores exclude non-scored accounts.
(2) Accounts that become delinquent after being re-aged are included in both the delinquency and re-aged amounts.
(3) The re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio as of July 31, 2018 includes $41.6 million, or 2.8%, in first time re-ages related to customers affected by Hurricane Harvey within FEMA-designated disaster areas.
 


    
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
    
 July 31,
 2018
 January 31,
 2018
Assets   
Current Assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$4,435  $9,286 
Restricted cash51,657  86,872 
Customer accounts receivable, net of allowances622,009  636,825 
Other accounts receivable87,797  71,186 
Inventories195,728  211,894 
Income taxes recoverable704  32,362 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets13,831  31,592 
Total current assets976,161  1,080,017 
Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowances647,494  650,608 
Property and equipment, net142,631  143,152 
Deferred income taxes23,086  21,565 
Other assets7,129  5,457 
Total assets$1,796,501  $1,900,799 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Current maturities of debt and capital lease obligations$1,149  $907 
Accounts payable85,001  71,617 
Accrued expenses93,070  66,173 
Other current liabilities22,763  25,414 
Total current liabilities201,983  164,111 
Deferred rent85,255  87,003 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations916,081  1,090,105 
Other long-term liabilities23,535  24,512 
Total liabilities1,226,854  1,365,731 
Stockholders' equity569,647  535,068 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,796,501  $1,900,799 
        


    
CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
RETAIL SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME, AS ADJUSTED
    
 Three Months Ended  July 31, Six Months Ended  July 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Retail segment operating income, as reported$39,238  $31,299  $70,407  $63,310 
Adjustments:       
Facility closure costs  122    1,349 
Securities-related regulatory matter and other legal fees300  34  300  34 
Employee severance  1,317    1,317 
Retail segment operating income, as adjusted$39,538  $32,772  $70,707  $66,010 
Retail segment total revenues$296,411  $286,505  $572,181  $565,870 
Retail segment operating margin:       
As reported13.2% 10.9% 12.3% 11.2%
As adjusted13.3% 11.4% 12.4% 11.7%
            


    
NET INCOME, AS ADJUSTED, AND DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE, AS ADJUSTED
    
 Three Months Ended  July 31, Six Months Ended  July 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net income, as reported$17,011  $4,273  $29,743  $1,693 
Adjustments:       
Facility closure costs  122    1,349 
Securities-related regulatory matter and other legal fees300  34  300  34 
Employee severance  1,317    1,317 
Indirect tax audit reserve  2,595    2,595 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,367  2,097  1,773  2,446 
Tax impact of adjustments(397) (2,232) (444) (2,803)
Net income, as adjusted$18,281  $8,206  $31,372  $6,631 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted32,242,463  31,434,501  32,210,759  31,292,305 
Income per share:       
As reported$0.53  $0.14  $0.92  $0.05 
As adjusted$0.57  $0.26  $0.97  $0.21 
                

Basis for presentation of non-GAAP disclosures:

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), the Company also provides the following non-GAAP financial measures: retail segment adjusted operating income, retail segment adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted income (loss) per diluted share.  These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, comparable GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP.  They are intended to provide additional insight into our operations and the factors and trends affecting the business. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to financial statement readers because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics we use in our financial and operational decision making, and (2) they are used by some of our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze our operating results.