ARLINGTON, Texas, April 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCFS) today announced record revenues, net income and earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2007. This marked First Cash's 25th consecutive quarter, covering over a six-year period, of double-digit growth in earnings per share.
Earnings
--------
* Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2007 were
$0.31, a 35% increase compared to diluted earnings per share of
$0.23 in the first quarter of 2006.
* Diluted earnings per share for the trailing twelve months ended
March 31, 2007 were $1.05, an increase of 30% over $0.81 for the
trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2006.
* Net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $10.3 million, a
35% increase over first quarter 2006 net income of $7.6 million.
Revenues
--------
* Consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2007 increased by
62%, totaling $90 million compared to $56 million in the
comparative 2006 period.
* Same-store revenues increased 11% for the first quarter of 2007
over the comparable prior-year period.
* Total pawn revenues, which include service charges and
merchandise sales, increased by 18% for the first quarter of 2007
compared to the prior year period, as domestic pawn revenues grew
by 13% and Mexico pawn revenues grew by 26%.
* Cash advance service charge revenues in the first quarter
increased by 21% over the prior year period, as a result of both
same-store revenue growth and new store openings.
* For the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded revenues of
$24 million from Auto Master, a buy-here/pay-here automotive
retailer acquired in August 2006. Auto Master's unaudited
pre-acquisition revenues totaled $15 million for the first
quarter of 2006.
New Locations
-------------
* A total of 23 new retail locations were opened during the first
quarter of 2007. The openings were a combination of cash advance
stores, pawn stores and Auto Master buy-here/pay-here
dealerships.
* The overall store and dealership count totaled 429 units as of
March 31, 2007, a 23% increase over the 348 units open at March
31, 2006. During the quarter, the Company closed one pawn store
and one Cash & Go, Ltd. kiosk and consolidated the outstanding
loan balances into nearby locations.
Operating Metrics
-----------------
* Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2007
totaled $63 million, an increase of 32% over the comparative
prior-year period. The EBITDA margin for the trailing twelve
months ended March 31, 2007 was 21%. A detailed reconciliation of
this non-GAAP financial measure to net income is provided
elsewhere in this release.
* The Company's return on stockholders' equity increased to 19.2%
for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2007, compared to
16.9% for the comparable prior-year period.
* Domestic pawn balances totaled $19.6 million at March 31, 2007,
an increase of 20% over the prior year, while pawn balances in
Mexico totaled $14.4 million, an increase of 39% over the prior
year. Total cash advance and third-party credit services loans
outstanding totaled $15.9 million at March 31, 2007 an increase
of 30% compared to the prior year.
* The gross margin on retail pawn merchandise sales for the first
quarter of 2007 was 44%, compared to 43% recorded in the prior
year. The gross margin on wholesale scrap jewelry sales in the
first quarter of 2007 was 33%, compared to the prior year margin
of 32%.
* The cash advance credit loss provision for the first quarter of
2007 was 15% of fees, an increase over the 2006 first quarter
which benefited from the sale of a large portfolio of charged-off
bad debts. Bad debt sales were $1.1 million in the prior year
quarter, compared to bad debt sales of only $338,000 in the first
quarter of 2007. The Company considers the 2007 credit loss
provision to be within the normal seasonal expectations,
especially considering the increased mix of new cash advance
stores, which typically experience higher credit losses, as
compared to prior years.
* Gross margins on retail automotive sales of Auto Master were 58%
during the first quarter of 2007, while the margin net of the
credit loss provision was 28%. The first quarter credit loss
provision, at 30% of retail sales, reflected the effect of higher
loss provision accruals for the four new dealerships opened since
November 2006.
Financial Position & Liquidity
------------------------------
* During the first quarter of 2007, First Cash utilized operating
cash flows to fund $5 million in capital expenditures, related
primarily to new store openings.
* The Company reduced its outstanding interest-bearing debt by $4
million during the first quarter of 2007. At March 31, 2007,
interest-bearing debt was $14 million, compared to $41 million at
September 30, 2006, following the acquisition of Auto Master.
* The ratio of total assets to total liabilities at March 31, 2007
was 6 to 1; the current ratio was 5 to 1.
2007 Outlook
------------
* The Company is maintaining its current earnings per share
guidance for 2007 at an estimated range of $1.25 to $1.30 per
share. This represents an increase of 29% to 34% over 2006
diluted earnings per share.
* For fiscal 2007, the Company continues to project the opening of
75 to 80 pawn and cash advance locations and 3 to 5 new Auto
Master dealerships. In total, the Company projects 78 to 85
combined new unit openings for 2007, an increase of 19% to 21%
over the fiscal 2006 count.
Commentary & Analysis
The Company's Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rick Wessel, commented on the 2007 first quarter results, "We are extremely pleased with our strong start this year, both in revenues and in loan balances. This growth reflects not only the increasing demand for our products and services, but also the continued execution of our long-term strategy for opening new locations in high-potential markets."
Customer demand for the Company's pawn and cash advance loan products was especially strong in the first quarter, as evidenced by strong loan growth in both the U.S. and Mexico. The Auto Master division experienced significant demand during the quarter as well. While much media attention has been focused on credit-quality issues in the sub-prime mortgage industry, there was little, if any, such effect on first quarter credit losses in the Company's cash advance and automotive finance receivables.
First quarter revenues and profitability were also boosted by the continued rapid maturing of stores opened over the past three to four years. As of March 31, approximately 45% of the Company's locations were less than three years old. The Company remains committed to its successful long-term store expansion strategy in the U.S. and Mexico, where it has further accelerated the opening of pawn and cash advance stores. A third growth platform has been added with Auto Master.
The Company's store openings and loan growth continue to be funded by operating cash flows generated primarily from the Company's base of high performing mature stores. Since September 30, 2006, when the Company completed the Auto Master acquisition, the outstanding interest-bearing debt has been reduced by $27 million.
In summarizing the Company's outlook for 2007 and beyond, Mr. Wessel commented, "We are extremely confident in our ability to sustain both significant short- and long-term earnings growth. Overall consumer demand for our specialty finance and related retail products remains strong and continues to increase. First Cash continues to capitalize on the opportunities it has identified and developed with multiple high-margin products in varying geographic markets. The Company's track record as an innovator and market leader is unmatched, as is its ability to deliver consistent, long-term value for its shareholders."
On a more personal note, the Company regrets the passing of Mr. Joe Love, who served as an independent director of First Cash for over 15 years. Mr. Rick Powell, Chairman of the Board, stated, "Joe Love was a valued member of the First Cash Board of Directors, and we are deeply saddened by his death. We will dearly miss Joe, his wisdom, decency and leadership, on a personal level and from a business perspective. Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the members of his family and his many friends."
Forward-Looking Information
This release may contain forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of First Cash Financial Services, Inc. ("First Cash" or the "Company"). Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "projects," "expects," "may," "estimates," "should," "plans," "intends," "could," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, the Company's expectations of earnings per share, earnings growth, expansion strategies, store and dealership openings, future liquidity, cash flows, consumer demand for the Company's products and services, competition, and other performance results. These statements are made to provide the public with management's current assessment of the Company's business. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances that such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this statement, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to report any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made in this release. Such factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond the control of the Company and may include changes in regional, national or international economic conditions, changes in consumer borrowing and repayment behaviors, changes in credit markets, credit losses, changes or increases in competition, the ability to locate, open and staff new stores and dealerships, the availability or access to sources of inventory, inclement weather, the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, the ability to retain key management personnel, the ability to operate with limited regulation as a credit services organization in Texas, new legislative initiatives or governmental regulations (or changes to existing laws and regulations) affecting cash advance businesses, credit services organizations, pawn businesses and buy-here/pay-here automotive businesses in both the U.S. and Mexico, unforeseen litigation, changes in interest rates, changes in tax rates or policies, changes in gold prices, changes in energy prices, changes in used-vehicle prices, cost of funds, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, future business decisions, and other uncertainties. These and other risks and uncertainties are further and more completely described in the Company's 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K (see "Item 1A. Risk Factors") and updated in subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
About First Cash
First Cash Financial Services, Inc. is a leading provider of specialty consumer financial services and related retail products. Its pawn stores make small loans secured by pledged personal property, retail pawned merchandise, and in many locations, provide cash advances and credit services products. The Company's cash advance locations provide various combinations of short-term cash advance products, check-cashing, credit services and other financial services products. First Cash also operates automobile dealerships focused on the "buy-here/pay-here" segment of the used-vehicle sales and financing market. In total, the Company owns and operates over 430 stores and buy-here/pay-here dealerships in thirteen U.S. states and nine states in Mexico. First Cash is also an equal partner in Cash & Go, Ltd., a joint venture, which owns and operates 39 check-cashing and financial services kiosks located inside convenience stores.
First Cash has been recognized for five consecutive years by Forbes magazine as one of its "200 Best Small Companies." This annual ranking is based on a combination of profitability and growth performance measures over the most current one and five-year periods. In addition, First Cash is a component company in both the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index(r) and the Russell 2000 Index(r).
First Cash's common stock (ticker symbol "FCFS") is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which has the highest initial listing standards of any stock exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements.
The First Cash Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3365
FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------
2007 2006(1)
-------- --------
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Merchandise sales $ 57,234 $ 29,509
Finance and service charges 31,719 25,106
Other 1,207 1,085
-------- --------
90,160 55,700
-------- --------
Cost of revenues:
Cost of goods sold 30,166 17,516
Credit loss provision 9,230 784
Other 108 94
-------- --------
39,504 18,394
-------- --------
Net revenues 50,656 37,306
-------- --------
Expenses and other income:
Store operating expenses 24,202 18,119
Administrative expenses 7,457 5,706
Depreciation and amortization 2,452 1,705
Interest expense 342 --
Interest income (20) (221)
-------- --------
34,433 25,309
-------- --------
Income before income taxes 16,223 11,997
Provision for income taxes 5,944 4,375
-------- --------
Net income $ 10,279 $ 7,622
======== ========
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.32 $ 0.24
======== ========
Diluted $ 0.31 $ 0.23
======== ========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 32,138 31,846
======== ========
Diluted 33,597 33,797
======== ========
(1) On August 25, 2006, the Company acquired Guaranteed Auto
Finance, Inc. and SHAC, Inc. (collectively doing business as
"Auto Master"). Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income do not include the results of Auto Master
for the period January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006.
FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31,
---------------------
2007 2006(1)
-------- --------
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except
per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,178 $ 56,367
Finance and service charges receivable 5,103 3,934
Customer receivables, net of allowances 61,571 31,342
Inventories 30,048 20,701
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,374 4,487
-------- --------
Total current assets 115,274 116,831
Customer receivables with long-term
maturities, net of allowance 20,709 --
Property and equipment, net 32,821 25,380
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 72,518 53,237
Other 1,229 1,090
-------- --------
Total assets $242,551 $196,538
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current portion of notes payable $ 2,250 $ --
Accounts payable 2,037 1,211
Accrued liabilities 18,554 10,443
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 22,841 11,654
Revolving credit facility 4,900 --
Notes payable, net of current portion 6,625 --
Deferred income taxes payable 8,218 8,826
-------- --------
Total liabilities 42,584 20,480
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity 199,967 176,058
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $242,551 $196,538
======== ========
(1) On August 25, 2006, the Company acquired Guaranteed Auto
Finance, Inc. and SHAC, Inc. (collectively doing business as
"Auto Master"). Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheet as of March 31, 2006 does not include the accounts of Auto
Master.
FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Revenues, Cost of Revenues and Net Revenues by Product Line
The following tables detail revenues, cost of revenues and net revenues by
product line for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006
(unaudited, amounts shown in thousands):
Cash
Advance/ Buy-Here/
Check- Pay-Here
Pawn Cashing Automotive Total
------- ------- ---------- -------
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
---------------------------------
Revenues:
Merchandise sales:
Retail $26,194 $ -- $22,372 $48,566
Wholesale 8,251 -- 417 8,668
Finance and service charges 13,386 16,959 1,374 31,719
Other 12 1,150 45 1,207
------- ------- ------- -------
$47,843 $18,109 $24,208 $90,160
------- ------- ------- -------
Cost of revenues:
Cost of goods sold:
Retail $14,668 $ -- $ 9,388 $24,056
Wholesale 5,490 -- 620 6,110
Credit loss provision -- 2,531 6,699 9,230
Other -- 108 -- 108
------- ------- ------- -------
$20,158 $ 2,639 $16,707 $39,504
------- ------- ------- -------
Net revenues $27,685 $15,470 $ 7,501 $50,656
======= ======= ======= =======
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
---------------------------------
Revenues:
Merchandise sales:
Retail $22,602 $ -- $ -- $22,602
Wholesale 6,907 -- -- 6,907
Finance and service charges 11,066 14,040 -- 25,106
Other 12 1,073 -- 1,085
------- ------- ------- -------
$40,587 $15,113 $ -- $55,700
------- ------- ------- -------
Cost of revenues:
Cost of goods sold:
Retail $12,807 $ -- $ -- $12,807
Wholesale 4,709 -- -- 4,709
Credit loss provision -- 784 -- 784
Other -- 94 -- 94
------- ------- ------- -------
$17,516 $ 878 $ -- $18,394
------- ------- ------- -------
Net revenues $23,071 $14,235 $ -- $37,306
======= ======= ======= =======
Selected Assets by Product Line
The following table details selected assets by product line as of
March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 (unaudited, amounts shown in thousands):
Cash
Advance/ Buy-Here/
Check- Pay-Here
Pawn Cashing Automotive Total
-------- -------- ---------- --------
March 31, 2007
--------------
Customer receivables,
with current and
long-term maturities $ 34,014 $ 6,595 $ 53,776 $ 94,385
CSO loans held by
independent third-
party lender(1) -- 9,532 -- 9,532
Allowances for doubtful
accounts -- (626) (11,906) (12,532)
-------- -------- -------- --------
$ 34,014 $ 15,501 $ 41,870 $ 91,385
-------- -------- -------- --------
Inventories $ 23,675 $ -- $ 6,373 $ 30,048
======== ======== ======== ========
March 31, 2006
--------------
Customer receivables,
with current and
long-term maturities $ 26,743 $ 4,770 $ -- $ 31,513
CSO loans held by
independent third-
party lender(1) -- 7,623 -- 7,623
Allowances for doubtful
accounts -- (534) -- (534)
-------- -------- -------- --------
$ 26,743 $ 11,859 $ -- $ 38,602
-------- -------- -------- --------
Inventories $ 20,701 $ -- $ -- $ 20,701
======== ======== ======== ========
(1) CSO loans outstanding are comprised of the principal portion of active
CSO loans outstanding from an independent third-party lender, which
are not included on the Company's balance sheet.
Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Information - EBITDA
EBITDA is commonly used by investors to assess a company's leverage capacity, liquidity and financial performance. EBITDA is not considered a measure of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and the items excluded from EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance. Since EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and is thus susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements as an indicator of financial performance or liquidity. Non-GAAP measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA (unaudited, amounts in thousands):
Trailing Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
---------------------------
2007 2006
--------- ---------
Net income $ 34,401 $ 26,936
Adjustments:
Interest expense 1,258 --
Interest income (526) (454)
Income taxes 19,425 15,182
Depreciation and amortization 8,788 6,217
--------- ---------
Earnings before interest, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization $ 63,346 $ 47,881
========= =========
EBITDA margin calculated as follows:
Total revenues $ 304,182 $ 216,476
Earnings before interest, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization 63,346 47,881
--------- ---------
EBITDA as a percent of revenues: 21% 22%
========= =========