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8-K - 8-K - RENT A CENTER INC DEa2014q1earningsreleasedoc.htm


Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release:
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER 2014 RESULTS
Total Revenues Increased 1.8%
Revenue Increased 37% in Acceptance Now and Over 67% in Mexico
Diluted Earnings per Share of $0.54, Including a Financing Charge of Approximately $0.03 per Diluted Share Related to Unamortized Financing Costs from a Previous Credit Agreement
______________________________________________
Plano, Texas, April 21, 2014 — Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ/NGS: RCII), the nation's largest rent-to-own operator, today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
First Quarter 2014 Results
Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, were $833.7 million, an increase of $14.4 million from total revenues of $819.3 million for the same period in the prior year. This 1.8% increase in total revenues was primarily due to increases of approximately $47.0 million in the Acceptance Now segment and approximately $6.4 million in the Mexico segment, partially offset by a decrease of approximately $37.6 million in the Core U.S. segment. For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, same store sales declined 0.8% as compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily attributable to a 6.1% decrease in the Core U.S. segment, partially offset by increases of 26.1% and 20.3% in the Acceptance Now and Mexico segments, respectively. Of the 6.1% decline in the Core U.S. segment same store sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, 3.8% was attributable to rentals and fees same store sales revenue, an improvement of approximately 30 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, and 2.3% was attributable to merchandise sales same store sales revenue, which are non-recurring in nature. 
Net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, were $28.9 million and $0.54, respectively, as compared to $46.1 million and $0.79, respectively, for the same period in the prior year. Net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, were reduced by a $1.9 million pre-tax charge, and approximately $0.03 per diluted share, respectively, due to a write off of unamortized financing costs from the previous credit agreement as discussed below.
Adjusted net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, were $0.57, when excluding the pre-tax financing charge, as compared to net earnings per diluted share of $0.79, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. These results include dilution related to the Mexico segment of approximately $0.07 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, and $0.05 per diluted share for the same period in the prior year.
"We are generally pleased with our results in the quarter as we reported total revenues of $834 million, an increase of $15 million year-over-year, and our adjusted net earnings per diluted share of $0.57 exceeded expectations," commented Robert D. Davis, the Chief Executive Officer of Rent-A-Center, Inc. "We remain aware of continued challenges in the macro-economic environment but our focus remains on the execution of the strategy communicated in our February investor day to build shareholder value. Customer demand was down in the Core U.S. segment as expected, but operational improvements to focus on the quality of sales by altering our promotional tactics resulted in a ticket increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. We are also executing an additional operational initiative as part of our multi-year program to further improve operating and financial performance in our Core U.S. segment by optimizing our store foot print and consolidating approximately 150 stores by merging those accounts into existing Rent-A-Center stores by the end of the second quarter," Mr. Davis stated.
"Our growth initiatives continue to perform very well. Acceptance Now revenues were over $174 million in the quarter, an increase of 37%, and contributed approximately 21% of our total revenues and approximately 36% of our total operating profit. In addition, we have begun our virtual kiosk test which we believe will further unlock growth for us. Mexico grew revenues over 67% and ended the quarter with 173 locations. While it is still very early in the Mexico City urban store test, we are pleased with the results," concluded Mr. Davis.





2014 Guidance
3.0% to 6.0% total revenue growth.
Approximately $695 million contribution from Acceptance Now.
Approximately 3.0% to 5.5% same store sales growth.
EBITDA in the range of $325 to $345 million.
Annual effective tax rate in the range of 37% to 38%.
Diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.30 to $2.50, including approximately $0.25 per share dilution related to Mexico.
Capital expenditures of approximately $100 million.
The Company expects to open approximately 100 domestic Acceptance Now kiosks.
The Company expects to open approximately 30 rent-to-own store locations in Mexico.
The 2014 guidance does not include the potential impact of any repurchases of common stock the Company may make, changes in future dividends, material changes in outstanding indebtedness, or the potential impact of acquisitions, dispositions or store closures that may be completed or occur after June 30, 2014.
2014 Significant Items
Senior Credit Facility Financing Charge. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.9 million to write off unamortized financing costs from the previous credit agreement closed in July 2011. This financing charge reduced net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, by approximately $0.03.
Store Consolidation Plan Expenses. As part of the Company's multi-year program to improve profitability, the Company evaluated every Core U.S. market in which it operates based on operating results, competitive positioning and growth potential. As a result, the Company will consolidate approximately 150 Core U.S. stores by merging those accounts into existing Rent-A-Center stores by the end of the second quarter.
The store consolidation will result in a pre-tax restructuring expense in the second quarter of approximately $4.0 million related to store fixed assets and other miscellaneous items. The majority of the remaining lease obligations related to the consolidated stores of approximately $8.0 million will be paid out through 2016. Approximately half of the remaining lease obligations will be paid in 2014.

------------------

Rent-A-Center, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter results, guidance and other operational matters on Tuesday morning, April 22, 2014, at 10:45 a.m. ET. For a live webcast of the call, visit http://investor.rentacenter.com. Certain financial and other statistical information that will be discussed during the conference call will also be provided on the same website.
Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas, is the largest rent-to-own operator in North America, focused on improving the quality of life for its customers by providing them the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality, durable products such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation. The Company owns and operates approximately 3,170 stores in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico, and approximately 1,355 Acceptance Now kiosk locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of approximately 180 rent-to-own stores operating under the trade name of "Rent-A-Center", "ColorTyme", or "RimTyme". For additional information about the Company, please visit our website at www.rentacenter.com.







This press release and the guidance above contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "should," "anticipate," or "believe," or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are accurate. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences and spending; economic pressures, such as high fuel costs, affecting the disposable income available to the Company's current and potential customers; changes in the unemployment rate; difficulties encountered in improving the financial performance of the Core U.S. segment or in executing the Company's growth initiatives; the Company's ability to develop and successfully implement virtual or electronic commerce capabilities; our ability to retain the revenue from customer accounts merged into another store location as a result of the store consolidation plan; uncertainties regarding additional costs and expenses that could be incurred in connection with the store consolidation plan; the Company's ability to execute and the effectiveness of the store consolidation; rapid inflation or deflation in prices of the Company's products; the Company's available cash flow; the Company's ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to its customer demographic; consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's brand; uncertainties regarding the ability to open new locations; the Company's ability to acquire additional stores or customer accounts on favorable terms; the Company's ability to control costs and increase profitability; the Company's ability to enhance the performance of acquired stores; the Company's ability to retain the revenue associated with acquired customer accounts; the Company's ability to enter into new and collect on its rental or lease purchase agreements; the passage of legislation adversely affecting the rent-to-own industry; the Company's compliance with applicable statutes or regulations governing its transactions; changes in interest rates; adverse changes in the economic conditions of the industries, countries or markets that the Company serves; information technology and data security costs; our ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employee; the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks; changes in the Company's stock price, the number of shares of common stock that it may or may not repurchase, and future dividends, if any; changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves; changes in the Company's effective tax rate; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; the resolution of the Company's litigation; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact for Rent-A-Center, Inc.:
David E. Carpenter
Vice President of Investor Relations
(972) 801-1214
david.carpenter@rentacenter.com






Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
     (In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2014
 
 
2014
 
 
2013 (2)
 
 
Before
 
 
After
 
 
After
 
 
Significant Items
 
 
Significant Items
 
 
Significant Items
 
 
(Non-GAAP
 
 
(GAAP
 
 
(GAAP
 
 
Earnings)
 
 
Earnings)
 
 
Earnings)
Total Revenues
 
$
833,746

 
 
$
833,746

 
 
$
819,281

Operating Profit
 
 
59,763

 
 
 
59,763

 
 
 
78,784

Net Earnings
 
 
30,061

(1) 
 
 
28,857

 
 
 
46,133

Diluted Earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.57

(1) 
 
$
0.54

 
 
$
0.79

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
79,649

 
 
$
79,649

 
 
$
98,147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Before Income Taxes
 
$
48,598

(1) 
 
$
46,652

 
 
$
71,076

Add back:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance charges from refinancing
 
 

 
 
 
1,946

 
 
 

Interest Expense, net
 
 
11,165

 
 
 
11,165

 
 
 
7,708

Depreciation of Property Assets
 
 
19,139

 
 
 
19,139

 
 
 
18,473

Amortization and Write-down of Intangibles
 
 
747

 
 
 
747

 
 
 
890

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
79,649

 
 
$
79,649

 
 
$
98,147

(1) Excludes the effects of a $1.9 million pre-tax charge to write off unamortized financing costs from the previous credit agreement closed in July 2011. This financing charge reduced net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, by approximately $0.03.
(2) As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, we identified errors in accounting for our estimates for rental merchandise reserves and for the allowance for doubtful accounts, resulting in an immaterial overstatement of on rent merchandise and understatements of held for rent merchandise and receivables which affected periods through December 31, 2013. We increased (decreased) previously reported salaries and other expenses, operating profit, income tax expense and net earnings by $0.5 million, $(0.5) million, $(0.2) million and $(0.3) million in our historical financial statement highlights and financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, reported herein. We also increased (decreased) previously reported accounts receivable, on rent rental merchandise inventory, held for rent rental merchandise, total assets, total liabilities and stockholders' equity by $4.0 million, $(15.0) million, $1.2 million, $(9.8) million, $(3.7) million and $(6.1) million, respectively, at March 31, 2013.

 
     (In thousands of dollars)
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
 
2013 (2)
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
81,012

 
 
$
82,254

 
Receivables, net
 
 
57,871

 
 
 
50,058

 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
 
 
80,739

 
 
 
64,549

 
Rental Merchandise, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On Rent
 
 
892,341

 
 
 
817,703

 
Held for Rent
 
 
203,272

 
 
 
217,340

 
Total Assets
 
$
3,031,063

 
 
$
2,898,870

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Debt
 
$
325,000

 
 
$
341,285

 
Senior Notes
 
 
550,000

 
 
 
300,000

 
Total Liabilities
 
 
1,668,885

 
 
 
1,410,883

 
Stockholders' Equity
 
$
1,362,178

 
 
$
1,487,987

 





Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013 (2)
Revenues
 
Store
 
 
 
Rentals and fees
$
694,168

 
$
673,604

Merchandise sales
108,061

 
113,573

Installment sales
18,356

 
17,127

Other
4,258

 
4,760

Franchise
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
7,324

 
8,833

Royalty income and fees
1,579

 
1,384

 
833,746

 
819,281

Cost of revenues
 
 
 
Store
 
 
 
Cost of rentals and fees
177,870

 
167,919

Cost of merchandise sold
79,617

 
86,299

Cost of installment sales
6,382

 
5,969

Franchise cost of merchandise sold
7,000

 
8,416

 
270,869

 
268,603

Gross profit
562,877

 
550,678

Operating expenses
 
 
 
Salaries and other expenses
457,630

 
432,191

General and administrative expenses
44,737

 
38,813

Amortization and write-down of intangibles
747

 
890

 
503,114

 
471,894

 
 
 
 
Operating profit
59,763

 
78,784

Finance charges from refinancing
1,946

 

Interest expense
11,401

 
8,001

Interest income
(236
)
 
(293
)
Earnings before income taxes
46,652

 
71,076

Income tax expense
17,795

 
24,943

NET EARNINGS
$
28,857

 
$
46,133

 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares
52,795

 
57,947

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.55

 
$
0.80

 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares
53,020

 
58,335

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.54

 
$
0.79











Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries

SEGMENT INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)

On January 1, 2014, the Company realigned its reporting structure to include its 18 Canadian stores in the Core U.S. segment, which were previously reported in the International segment. The accompanying prior-year amounts and store counts have been revised to reflect this change, and we now refer to the segment formerly reported as "International" as "Mexico" since only that country's results are reported therein.
(In thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Core U.S.
 
Acceptance Now
 
Mexico
 
Franchising
 
Total
Revenue
$
634,763

 
$
174,207

 
$
15,873

 
$
8,903

 
$
833,746

Gross profit
456,589

 
92,907

 
11,478

 
1,903

 
562,877

Operating profit (loss)
43,857

 
21,577

 
(6,277
)
 
606

 
59,763

Depreciation of property assets
16,037

 
1,424

 
1,643

 
35

 
19,139

Amortization and write-down of intangibles
605

 
142

 

 

 
747

Capital expenditures
18,036

 
2,784

 
2,288

 

 
23,108

Rental merchandise, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On rent
580,767

 
293,048

 
18,526

 

 
892,341

Held for rent
185,664

 
6,852

 
10,756

 

 
203,272

Total assets
2,565,076

 
391,844

 
71,612

 
2,531

 
3,031,063

(In thousands of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Core U.S.
 
Acceptance Now
 
Mexico
 
Franchising
 
Total (2)
Revenue
$
672,408

 
$
127,163

 
$
9,493

 
$
10,217

 
$
819,281

Gross profit
475,072

 
67,107

 
6,698

 
1,801

 
550,678

Operating profit (loss)
67,078

 
15,650

 
(4,647
)
 
703

 
78,784

Depreciation of property assets
16,174

 
1,089

 
1,190

 
20

 
18,473

Amortization and write-down of intangibles
747

 
143

 

 

 
890

Capital expenditures
15,052

 
1,940

 
2,645

 

 
19,637

Rental merchandise, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On rent
581,059

 
224,231

 
12,413

 

 
817,703

Held for rent
207,676

 
2,920

 
6,744

 

 
217,340

Total assets
2,533,845

 
310,845

 
52,477

 
1,703

 
2,898,870







Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries

LOCATION ACTIVITY
(Unaudited)
 
Location Activity - Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Core U.S.
 
Acceptance Now
 
Mexico
 
Franchising
 
Total
Locations at beginning of period
3,010

 
1,325

 
151

 
179

 
4,665

New location openings
6

 
60

 
22

 
1

 
89

Acquired locations remaining open

 

 

 

 

Closed locations

 

 

 

 
 
Merged with existing locations
19

 
29

 

 

 
48

Sold or closed with no surviving location

 
1

 

 
2

 
3

Locations at end of period
2,997

 
1,355

 
173

 
178

 
4,703

Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations

 

 

 

 

 
Location Activity - Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Core U.S.
 
Acceptance Now
 
Mexico
 
Franchising
 
Total
Locations at beginning of period
3,008

 
966

 
90

 
224

 
4,288

New location openings
7

 
98

 
20

 
3

 
128

Acquired locations remaining open
3

 

 

 

 
3

Closed locations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merged with existing locations
16

 
11

 

 

 
27

Sold or closed with no surviving location
1

 

 

 
3

 
4

Locations at end of period
3,001

 
1,053

 
110

 
224

 
4,388

Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations
9

 

 

 

 
9