VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
-- (Marketwired)
-- 03/05/15
Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX) (the "Company"), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported its results for the third fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2015.
"This has been a challenging season for us and the industry as a whole," said John Hewitt, CEO. "Despite the fact that we have continued to outperform the paid preparer category, our office and return count growth failed to meet the standards that we have come to expect. Going forward, we are focused on driving new sales, working with existing franchisees to expand, and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the Affordable Care Act and immigration reform."
($ in Ms except per
share data) GAAP Non - GAAP*
------------------------- -------------------------
Q3 2015 Q3 2014 Change Q3 2015 Q3 2014 Change
-------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------
Revenue $ 47.7 $ 40.7 17% $ 47.7 $ 40.7 17%
Operating expenses 43.4 35.5 22% 39.3 35.4 11%
Income before taxes 3.6 6.8 -47% 7.6 4.9 57%
Diluted EPS 0.13 0.28 -54% 0.29 0.20 45%
*See reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures in Table E
Income Statement
Revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2015 increased 17% to $47.7 million compared to $40.7 million in the prior year period. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by the earlier start to the tax season, along with our franchisees' ability to generate higher net fees and higher financial product revenue. We processed a higher portion of our financial product volume through our in-house subsidiary, JTH Financial, which increased our revenue and profitability.
Reported operating expenses increased 22% to $43.4 million. Adjusted operating expenses, as reported on Table E, increased 11% to $39.3 million driven primarily by increased variable costs associated with the higher revenue. During the three months ended January 31, 2015, the Company also incurred $4.1 million in costs, including costs related to a potential loss on one of our class action lawsuits, net of recovery from a vendor involved in one of our cases.
The tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was 46.3% and is significantly higher than our year-to-date rate of 38.9%. We anticipate the full year tax rate to be slightly less than last year.
Balance Sheet
The Company had a balance of $110.8 million on its revolving credit facility as of January 31, 2015, compared to $104.6 million as of January 31, 2014.
Operational Results - Offices
During the calendar year through February 28, 2015, the Company has processed 1,140,000 U.S. returns in its offices, a decrease of 0.7%, when compared to the same period last year. Despite the decline in return count, systemwide revenue has increased 5.7% to $311.9 million.
Dividend
As announced separately, our Board has approved the initiation of a quarterly dividend to shareholders. The first quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share will be paid on April 22, 2015 to holders of record of common stock and common stock equivalents on the close of business April 15, 2015.
Third Quarter Conference Call
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, March 5, 2015, the Company will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and stockholders. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:
U.S. 855-611-0856
International 518-444-5569
Conference ID Code: 91108801
The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format. The link to the webcast can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at www.libertytax.com.
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning shortly after the call and continue until Thursday, March 12, 2015, by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international). The conference ID code is 91108801. A replay of the webcast will also be available at the site listed above beginning shortly after its conclusion.
About Liberty Tax, Inc.
Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, Liberty Tax, Inc., is the parent company of Liberty Tax Service. Liberty Tax is the fastest-growing tax preparation franchise and has prepared almost 18 million individual income tax returns in more than 4,300 offices and online. Liberty Tax's online services are available through eSmart Tax, Liberty Online and DIY Tax, and are all backed by the tax professionals at Liberty Tax locations and its nationwide network of approximately 35,000 seasonal tax preparers. Liberty Tax also supports local communities with fundraising endeavors and contributes as a national sponsor for many charitable causes. For a more in-depth look, visit Liberty Tax Service and interact with Liberty Tax on Twitter and Facebook.
About Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial information. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, please see the section of the accompanying Tables E&F titled "Non-GAAP Financial Information."
Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including implied and express statements regarding future growth. These forward-looking statements, as well as Company guidance, are based upon the Company's current expectations and there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date on which they are made, the Company's actual results could differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties relate to, among other things; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to attract and retain clients; the ability to continue to pay a quarterly dividend; the effect of health care reform on tax preparation-related revenue; the impact of the launch of a new franchise brand; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to meet its prepared returns targets; competitive factors; the Company's effective income tax rate; litigation defense expenses and costs of judgments or settlements; and changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and in other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Table A
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
January 31, January 31, April 30,
2015 2014 2014
------------- ------------- -------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,150 $ 3,742 $ 46,080
Current receivables, net 124,482 133,566 65,656
Assets held for sale 5,613 - 4,413
Income taxes receivable 17,434 8,449 -
Deferred income tax asset 7,574 4,442 4,058
Other current assets 18,371 18,527 5,325
------------- ------------- -------------
Total current assets 176,624 168,726 125,532
Property, equipment, and
software, net 42,615 37,553 38,343
Notes receivable - non-current,
net 28,050 23,645 15,824
Goodwill 3,185 6,279 2,997
Other intangible assets, net 17,358 17,645 14,295
Other assets 3,973 2,124 1,772
------------- ------------- -------------
Total assets $ 271,805 $ 255,972 $ 198,763
============= ============= =============
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-
term debt $ 4,107 $ 6,649 $ 6,797
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses 27,787 12,804 15,023
Due to area developers 14,980 15,390 18,236
Income taxes payable - - 9,676
Deferred revenue - current 6,094 6,362 6,051
------------- ------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 52,968 41,205 55,783
Long-term debt, excluding
current installments 21,778 22,337 21,691
Revolving credit facility 110,762 104,592 -
Deferred revenue - non-current 7,777 8,510 8,059
Deferred income tax liability 6,705 2,030 3,045
------------- ------------- -------------
Total liabilities 199,990 178,674 88,578
------------- ------------- -------------
Stockholders' equity:
Special voting preferred
stock, $0.01 par value per
share - - -
Class A common stock, $0.01
par value per share 118 122 124
Class B common stock, $0.01
par value per share 9 9 9
Exchangeable shares, $0.01 par
value 10 10 10
Additional paid-in capital 2,049 9,044 9,402
Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss),
net of taxes (1,171) (129) 66
Retained earnings 70,800 68,242 100,574
------------- ------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 71,815 77,298 110,185
------------- ------------- -------------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 271,805 $ 255,972 $ 198,763
============= ============= =============
Table B
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share and share data
Three months ended
January 31,
-------------------------------------
2015 2014 % change
------------ ------------ ---------
Revenues:
Franchise fees $ 968 $ 1,247 -22.4%
Area developer fees 1,592 1,311 21.4%
Royalties and advertising fees 25,457 22,081 15.3%
Financial products 13,370 9,864 35.5%
Interest income 3,222 3,001 7.4%
Tax preparation fees, net of
discounts 1,942 2,054 -5.5%
Other revenue 1,129 1,182 -4.5%
------------ ------------ ---------
Total revenues 47,680 40,740 17.0%
------------ ------------ ---------
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits 10,546 10,318 2.2%
Selling, general, and
administrative expenses 13,041 9,121 43.0%
Area developer expense 9,111 7,909 15.2%
Advertising expense 8,161 5,860 39.3%
Depreciation, amortization, and
impairment charges 2,527 2,267 11.5%
------------ ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses 43,386 35,475 22.3%
------------ ------------ ---------
Income from operations 4,294 5,265 -18.4%
Other income (expense):
Foreign currency transaction loss (35) (3) NM
Gain on sale of available-for-sale
securities - 1,995 -100.0%
Interest expense (683) (464) -47.2%
------------ ------------ ---------
Income before income taxes 3,576 6,793 -47.4%
Income tax expense 1,657 2,737 -39.5%
------------ ------------ ---------
Net Income $ 1,919 $ 4,056 -52.7%
============ ============ =========
Net income attributable to common
stockholders Class A and Class B $ 1,779 $ 3,766 -52.8%
============ ============ =========
Net income per share of Class A and
Class B common stock
Basic $ 0.14 $ 0.29 -51.7%
Diluted 0.13 0.28 -53.6%
Weighted-average basic shares
outstanding 12,679,286 12,991,857 -2.4%
Weighted-average diluted shares
outstanding 14,227,163 14,654,666 -2.9%
Table C
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share and share data
Nine months ended
January 31,
-------------------------------------
2015 2014 % change
------------ ------------ ---------
Revenues:
Franchise fees $ 2,996 $ 3,172 -5.5%
Area developer fees 5,066 4,994 1.4%
Royalties and advertising fees 28,350 24,710 14.7%
Financial products 14,027 10,482 33.8%
Interest income 7,200 7,435 -3.2%
Tax preparation fees, net of
discounts 2,848 2,682 6.2%
Other revenue 2,766 2,647 4.5%
------------ ------------ ---------
Total revenues 63,253 56,122 12.7%
------------ ------------ ---------
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits 28,626 24,603 16.4%
Selling, general, and
administrative expenses 30,919 23,131 33.7%
Area developer expense 10,776 9,442 14.1%
Advertising expense 14,022 11,051 26.9%
Depreciation, amortization, and
impairment charges 6,855 5,590 22.6%
------------ ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses 91,198 73,817 23.5%
------------ ------------ ---------
Loss from operations (27,945) (17,695) 57.9%
Other income (expense):
Foreign currency transaction loss (45) (15) -200.0%
Gain on sale of available-for-sale
securities - 2,183 -100.0%
Interest expense (1,550) (1,066) -45.4%
------------ ------------ ---------
Loss before income taxes (29,540) (16,593) 78.0%
Income tax benefit (11,487) (6,244) 84.0%
------------ ------------ ---------
Net loss $ (18,053) $ (10,349) 74.4%
============ ============ =========
Net loss per share of Class A and
Class B common stock
Basic and diluted $ (1.42) $ (0.80) 77.5%
Weighted-average shares outstanding 12,742,288 12,937,734 -1.5%
Table D
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
Nine months ended
January 31,
2015 2014
----------- -----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (18,053) $ (10,349)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Provision for doubtful accounts 4,453 5,886
Depreciation, amortization and impairment
charges 6,855 5,590
Stock-based compensation expense related to
equity classified awards 2,002 1,394
Stock-based compensation income related to
liability classified awards - (872)
Gain on bargain purchases and sales of
Company-owned offices (310) (629)
Deferred tax expense 144 955
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities - (2,183)
Changes in other assets and liabilities (49,312) (50,642)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in operating activities (54,221) (50,850)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Issuance of operating loans to franchisees (74,298) (62,218)
Payments received on operating loans to
franchisees 16,410 1,532
Purchases of Company-owned offices, area
developer rights, and acquired customer lists (8,218) (6,585)
Proceeds from sale of Company-owned offices and
area developer rights 3,690 2,368
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale
securities - 5,163
Purchases of property, equipment, and software (9,532) (7,652)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (71,948) (67,392)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 10,053 6,122
Repurchase of common stock (35,910) (5,174)
Repayment of amounts due to former area
developers (4,211) (1,439)
Repayment of other long-term debt (949) (1,458)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility 136,565 110,694
Repayments under revolving credit facility (25,803) (6,102)
Payment for debt issue costs (917) -
Tax benefit of stock option exercises 4,776 554
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 83,604 103,197
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, net (365) (226)
----------- -----------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (42,930) (15,271)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 46,080 19,013
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3,150 $ 3,742
=========== ===========
Supplementary cash flow data:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized
interest $ 948 $ 851
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds 10,849 6,388
Table E
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP). However, we believe certain non-GAAP
performance measures and ratios used in managing the business may provide
additional meaningful comparisons between current year results and prior
periods. Reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are provided below.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, not as an
alternative for, our reported GAAP results.
Three Months Ended January 31, 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Income
from before Net Diluted
Revenues Expenses Operations EBITDA Taxes Income EPS
-------- --------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------
As Reported $ 47,680 $ 43,386 $ 4,294 $ 6,786 $ 3,576 $ 1,919 $ 0.13
Adjustments:
Litigation
costs (6) (4,066) 4,060 4,060 4,060 2,179 0.16
-------- --------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Subtotal
of
adjustments (6) (4,066) 4,060 4,060 4,060 2,179 0.16
======== ========= ========== ======== ======== ======== =======
As Adjusted 47,674 39,320 8,354 10,846 7,636 4,098 0.29
======== ========= ========== ======== ======== ======== =======
Stock-based
compensation
expense - (494) 494 494
Three Months Ended January 31, 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Income
from before Net Diluted
Revenues Expenses Operations EBITDA Taxes Income EPS
-------- --------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------
As Reported $ 40,740 $ 35,475 $ 5,265 $ 9,524 $ 6,793 $ 4,056 $ 0.28
Adjustments:
Gain on
available-
for-sale
securities - - - (1,995) (1,995) (1,191) (0.08)
Restatement
costs - (63) 63 63 63 38 -
Litigation
costs (3) - (3) (3) (3) (2) -
-------- --------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Subtotal
of
adjustments (3) (63) 60 (1,935) (1,935) (1,155) (0.08)
======== ========= ========== ======== ======== ======== =======
As Adjusted 40,737 35,412 5,325 7,589 4,858 2,901 0.20
======== ========= ========== ======== ======== ======== =======
Stock-based
compensation
expense - (653) 653 653
Table F
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP). However, we believe certain non-GAAP
performance measures and ratios used in managing the business may provide
additional meaningful comparisons between current year results and prior
periods. Reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are provided below.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, not as an
alternative for, our reported GAAP results.
Nine Months Ended January 31, 2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic
Loss and
Loss from before Diluted
Revenues Expenses Operations EBITDA Taxes Net Loss EPS
-------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------
As
Reported $ 63,253 $ 91,198 $ (27,945) $(21,135) $(29,540) $(18,053) $(1.42)
Adjustments:
Executive
severance
(1) - (1,617) 1,617 1,617 1,617 988 0.08
Litigation
costs (47) (6,196) 6,149 6,149 6,149 3,758 0.30
-------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------
Subtotal
of
adjust
ments (47) (7,813) 7,766 7,766 7,766 4,746 0.38
======== ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= =======
As
Adjusted 63,206 83,385 (20,179) (13,369) (21,774) (13,307) (1.04)
======== ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= =======
Stock-
based
compensation
expense(3) - (1,408) 1,408 1,408
Nine Months Ended January 31, 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic
Loss and
Loss from before Diluted
Revenues Expenses Operations EBITDA Taxes Net Loss EPS
-------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------
As
Reported $ 56,122 $ 73,817 $ (17,695) $ (9,937) $(16,593) $(10,349) $(0.80)
Adjustments:
Gain on
available-
for-sale
securities - - - (2,183) (2,183) (1,362) (0.11)
Executive
severance
(1) - (614) 614 614 614 383 0.03
Reclassification
of stock-
based
compensation
expense(2) - 872 (872) (872) (872) (544) (0.04)
Restatement
costs - (855) 855 855 855 533 0.04
Litigation
costs (49) (60) 11 11 11 7 -
-------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------
Subtotal
of
adjustments (49) (657) 608 (1,575) (1,575) (983) (0.08)
======== ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= =======
As
Adjusted 56,073 73,160 (17,087) (11,512) (18,168) (11,332) (0.88)
======== ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= =======
Stock-
based
compensation
expense(3) - (1,294) 1,294 1,294
(1) Includes stock based compensation expense
(2) Related to conversion from equity to liability instruments
(3) Excludes costs related to executive severance
Table G
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Operational Data
Unaudited
Percent
Tax returns processed1 CYTD 1/31/15 CYTD 1/31/14 Change
------------ ------------ ---------
U.S. offices 456,000 410,000 11.2%
Online 29,000 27,000 7.4%
------------ ------------ ---------
Total tax returns processed 485,000 437,000 11.0%
============ ============ =========
Percent
Tax returns processed1 CYTD 2/28/15 CYTD 2/28/14 Change
------------ ------------ ---------
U.S. offices 1,140,000 1,148,000 -0.7%
Online 86,000 102,000 -15.7%
------------ ------------ ---------
Total tax returns processed 1,226,000 1,250,000 -1.9%
============ ============ =========
1Return counts are rounded to the thousands and percentages are calculated
on rounded amounts
The Company will provide an update of operational results through season end shortly after the tax season ends.
CONTACTS:
Investors:
Kathy Donovan
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(757) 493-8855
investorrelations@libtax.com
Media:
Martha O'Gorman
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Chief Marketing Officer
(757) 301-8022
martha@libtax.com
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