Attached files

file filename
8-K - LIBERTY TAX, INC. 8-K - Franchise Group, Inc.libertytax8k.htm
 


Exhibit 99.1
 
 
Logo
 
 
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
 

 
Liberty Tax Service Announces Fiscal Year 2015 Results

Virginia Beach, Va. (June 18, 2015) – Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAX) (the “Company”), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported its results for fiscal year 2015. The Company reported that the total number of customers served in the U.S. and Canada grew by 2.1% to 2.2 million. Tax returns prepared in offices in the U.S. grew 0.9%, exceeding the national paid preparer category growth rate, while total returns in Canada grew 9.3%.
 

“Despite one of the most challenging tax seasons in recent memory, we continued our track record of increasing the number of taxpayers we served faster than the overall market,” said John Hewitt, CEO. “Unfortunately, the revenue growth we expected from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) did not materialize and delays in implementation of immigration reform also impacted our revenue this year.  However, we made significant investments related to the ACA and the launch of the SiempreTax+ brand, and we are uniquely prepared to capitalize on future industry growth.”

In response to the growing issue of identity theft fraud in the tax system, Liberty recently joined forces with the IRS, state tax authorities and other companies in the industry to develop a plan to combat identity theft tax fraud beginning in the 2016 tax season. The Company remains committed to protecting its customers and addressing this growing threat, and to further efforts to address other types of tax fraud, as well.

Fiscal 2015 Results
($ in thousands except per share data)
 
GAAP
   
Non - GAAP*
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
Change
   
2015
   
2014
   
Change
 
Revenue
  $ 162,172     $ 159,696       2 %   $ 162,172     $ 159,696       2 %
Operating expenses
    146,780       124,875       18 %     129,283       124,226       4 %
Income before taxes
    13,501       35,636       -62 %     30,998       34,102       -9 %
Diluted EPS
    0.61       1.51       -60 %     1.36       1.45       -6 %
*See reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP measures in Table F
                                 
                                                 
 
Operational Highlights
 
·
U.S. systemwide revenue grew 4%.
 
·
SiempreTax+ was successfully launched with 57 stores in operation for the tax season, a record for a first year tax franchise.
 
·
Canadian systemwide revenue grew 10.5% (on a local currency basis) and returns processed grew 9.3%.
 
·
Licensed insurance agents were present in over 1,000 offices, ready to help the 23% of Liberty customers impacted by the ACA.

 
 

 
Revenues
 
·
Reported revenue increased 1.6% to $162.2 million.
 
·
Financial product revenue increased due to the Company’s strategy to originate a larger portion of its financial products in house.
 
·
Growth in assisted tax preparation volume of 0.9% coupled with an increase in average net fee of 3.1% drove higher royalty and advertising revenue.
 
·
Franchise fee and other revenue were down as a result of lower cash payments received from franchisees.
 
·
Foreign exchange rates negatively impacted revenue by $0.8 million.

Operating Expenses
 
·
Reported operating expenses increased 17.5% to $146.8 million, compared to $124.9 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating expenses, as reported on Table F, increased 4.1% to $129.3 million. Investments in ACA initiatives and in launching the SiempreTax+ brand along with incremental advertising expense caused most of the increase.
 
·
Due to changes in the competitive landscape in the DIY market, the Company recorded an impairment of its online assets of $8.4 million.  Additionally, the Company recorded $7.6 million in costs related to potential losses on two class action lawsuits, net of recovery from a vendor. These cases are now awaiting final approval from the courts.  These items are excluded from the Company’s adjusted results.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights
 
·
During the year the Company repurchased $24.3 million in stock, net of options exercised, and initiated a quarterly dividend of 16 cents per share in the fourth quarter.
 
·
Cash and cash equivalents at April 30, 2015 were $21.4 million, down $24.7 million versus prior year, due to the share repurchases and dividend payment.

Dividend
On June 17, 2015, the Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend to shareholders of $0.16 per share. The dividend will be paid on July 22, 2015 to holders of record of common stock and common stock equivalents on the close of business on July 15, 2015.

Conference Call
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on June 18, 2015, the Company will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and stockholders.  To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

U.S.                                855-611-0856
International                 518-444-5569
Conference ID code:    48303673
 
 
 
 

 
The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format.  The link to the webcast may be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at www.libertytax.com, under the “About” tab.

A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning shortly after the call continuing until Thursday, June 25, 2015, by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international).  The conference ID code is 48303673.  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 20 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 and immigration 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
 
             
   
April 30,
   
April 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 21,387     $ 46,080  
Current receivables, net
    65,927       65,656  
Assets held for sale
    5,160       4,413  
Deferred income tax asset
    6,921       4,058  
Other current assets
    6,470       5,325  
Total current assets
    105,865       125,532  
                 
Property, equipment, and software, net
    36,232       38,343  
Notes receivable - non-current, net
    20,753       15,824  
Goodwill
    3,377       2,997  
Other intangible assets, net
    14,672       14,295  
Other assets
    3,247       1,772  
Total assets
  $ 184,146     $ 198,763  
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Current installments of long-term debt
  $ 3,934     $ 6,797  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    17,321       15,023  
Due to area developers
    24,340       18,236  
Income taxes payable
    2,147       9,676  
Deferred revenue - current
    6,076       6,051  
Total current liabilities
    53,818       55,783  
                 
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
    21,463       21,691  
Revolving credit facility
    -       -  
Deferred revenue - non-current
    7,640       8,059  
Deferred income tax liability
    2,363       3,045  
Total liabilities
    85,284       88,578  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Special voting preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share
    -       -  
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share
    119       124  
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share
    9       9  
Exchangeable shares, $0.01 par value
    10       10  
Additional paid-in capital
    4,082       9,402  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
    (697 )     66  
Retained earnings
    95,339       100,574  
Total stockholders' equity
    98,862       110,185  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 184,146     $ 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
April 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
% change
 
Revenues:
                 
Franchise fees
  $ 3,250     $ 4,671       -30.4 %
Area developer fees
    1,835       1,686       8.8 %
Royalties and advertising fees
    52,119       53,716       -3.0 %
Financial products
    23,031       24,030       -4.2 %
Interest income
    7,507       6,795       10.5 %
Tax preparation fees, net of discounts
    11,029       11,613       -5.0 %
Other revenue
    148       1,062       -86.1 %
Total revenues
    98,919       103,573       -4.5 %
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
Employee compensation and benefits
    12,453       13,796       -9.7 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    9,685       11,625       -16.7 %
Area developer expense
    17,721       17,876       -0.9 %
Advertising expense
    4,286       4,074       5.2 %
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
    3,045       3,687       -17.4 %
Impairment of online software and assets
    8,392       -       100.0 %
Total operating expenses
    55,582       51,058       8.9 %
Income from operations
    43,337       52,515       -17.5 %
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
Foreign currency transaction loss
    43       2    
NM
 
Interest expense
    (339 )     (288 )     -17.7 %
Income before income taxes
    43,041       52,229       -17.6 %
Income tax expense
    16,298       19,898       -18.1 %
Net Income
  $ 26,743     $ 32,331       -17.3 %
                         
Net income attributable to common
                       
stockholders Class A and Class B
  $ 24,795     $ 30,047       -17.5 %
                         
Net income per share of Class A and Class B
                       
common stock
                       
Basic
  $ 1.95     $ 2.28       -14.5 %
Diluted
    1.89       2.18       -13.3 %
                         
Weighted-average shares outstanding
                       
Basic
    12,728,000       13,154,000       -3.2 %
Diluted
    14,156,000       14,853,000       -4.7 %

 
 
 

 

Table C
 
Liberty Tax, Inc.
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
 
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share and share data
 
                   
   
Fiscal Years ended
April 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
% change
 
Revenues:
                 
Franchise fees
  $ 6,246     $ 7,844       -20.4 %
Area developer fees
    6,901       6,680       3.3 %
Royalties and advertising fees
    80,469       78,426       2.6 %
Financial products
    37,058       34,512       7.4 %
Interest income
    14,707       14,231       3.3 %
Tax preparation fees, net of discounts
    13,877       14,295       -2.9 %
Other revenue
    2,914       3,708       -21.4 %
Total revenues
    162,172       159,696       1.6 %
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
Employee compensation and benefits
    41,079       38,399       7.0 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    40,604       34,756       16.8 %
Area developer expense
    28,497       27,319       4.3 %
Advertising expense
    18,308       15,124       21.1 %
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
    9,900       9,277       6.7 %
Impairment of online software and assets
    8,392       -       100.0 %
Total operating expenses
    146,780       124,875       17.5 %
Income from operations
    15,392       34,821       -55.8 %
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
Foreign currency transaction loss
    (2 )     (13 )     84.6 %
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
    -       2,183       -100.0 %
Interest expense
    (1,889 )     (1,355 )     -39.4 %
Income before income taxes
    13,501       35,636       -62.1 %
Income tax expense
    4,811       13,654       -64.8 %
Net income
  $ 8,690     $ 21,982       -60.5 %
                         
Net income attributable to common
                       
stockholders Class A and Class B
  $ 8,057     $ 20,411       -60.5 %
                         
Net income per share of Class A and Class B
                       
common stock
                       
Basic
  $ 0.63     $ 1.57       -59.9 %
Diluted
    0.61       1.51       -59.6 %
Weighted-average shares outstanding
                       
Basic
    12,738,000       12,991,000       -1.9 %
Diluted
    14,295,000       14,537,000       -1.7 %

 
 
 

 
Table D
 
Liberty Tax, Inc.
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
 
   
Fiscal Years ended April 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net Income
  $ 8,690     $ 21,982  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for doubtful accounts
    5,726       8,692  
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
    18,292       9,277  
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards
    2,477       2,074  
Stock-based compensation income related to liability classified awards
    -       (872 )
Gains on bargain purchases and sales of Company-owned offices
    (414 )     (1,143 )
Deferred tax expense
    (3,545 )     2,605  
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
    -       (2,183 )
Changes in other assets and liabilities
    (6,709 )     3,050  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    24,517       43,482  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Issuance of operating loans to franchisees
    (93,365 )     (76,013 )
Payments received on operating loans to franchisees
    88,776       71,722  
Purchases of Company-owned offices, area developer rights, and acquired customer lists
    (8,246 )     (8,706 )
Proceeds from sale of Company-owned offices and area developer rights
    3,687       2,879  
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
    -       5,163  
Purchases of property, equipment, and software
    (11,463 )     (9,149 )
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and software
    -       59  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (20,611 )     (14,045 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    11,983       13,979  
Repurchase of common stock
    (36,308 )     (13,079 )
Payment of dividends
    (2,205 )     -  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (5,850 )     (3,398 )
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
    154,633       137,391  
Repayments under revolving credit facility
    (154,633 )     (137,391 )
Payment for debt issuance costs
    (917 )     -  
Tax benefit of stock option exercises
    4,803       283  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (28,494 )     (2,215 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, net
    (105 )     (155 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (24,693 )     27,067  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    46,080       19,013  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 21,387     $ 46,080  
                 

 
 
 

 
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 April 30, 2015
 
   
Revenues
   
Expenses
   
Income from Operations
   
EBITDA
   
Income before Taxes
   
Net Income (1)
   
Diluted EPS
 
                                           
As Reported
  $ 98,919     $ 55,582     $ 43,337     $ 54,817     $ 43,041     $ 26,743     $ 1.89  
                                                         
Adjustments:
                                                       
Executive severance
    -       129       (129 )     (129 )     (129 )     (79 )     (0.01 )
Litigation costs
    -       (1,421 )     1,421       1,421       1,421       874       0.06  
Impairment of online software and assets
    -       (8,392 )     8,392       -       8,392       5,161       0.37  
Subtotal of adjustments
    -       (9,684 )     9,684       1,292       9,684       5,956       0.42  
                                                         
As Adjusted
    98,919       45,898       53,021       56,109       52,725       32,699       2.31  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation expense
    -       (475 )     475       475                          
                                                         
                                                         
Three Months Ended April 30, 2014
 
   
Revenues
   
Expenses
   
Income from Operations
   
EBITDA
   
Income before Taxes
   
Net Income
   
Diluted EPS
 
                                                         
As Reported
  $ 103,573     $ 51,058     $ 52,515     $ 56,204     $ 52,229     $ 32,331     $ 2.18  
                                                         
Adjustments:
                                                       
Restatement costs
    -       (52 )     52       52       52       32       -  
                                                         
As Adjusted
    103,573       51,006       52,567       56,256       52,281       32,363       2.18  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation expense
    -       (680 )     680       680                          
                                                         
(1) The non-GAAP tax rate of 38.5% used above excludes the income tax effects of the non-GAAP income before taxes adjustments described above and is consistent with our average and forecasted tax rate.
 

 
 
 

 
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.
 
                                           
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2015
 
   
Revenues
   
Expenses
   
Income from Operations
   
EBITDA
   
Income before Taxes
   
Net Income (4)
   
Diluted EPS
 
                                           
As Reported
  $ 162,172     $ 146,780     $ 15,392     $ 33,682     $ 13,501     $ 8,690     $ 0.61  
                                                         
Adjustments:
                                                       
Executive severance(1)
    -       (1,488 )     1,488       1,488       1,488       915       0.06  
Litigation costs
    -       (7,617 )     7,617       7,617       7,617       4,685       0.33  
Impairment of online software and assets
    -       (8,392 )     8,392       -       8,392       5,161       0.36  
Subtotal of adjustments
    -       (17,497 )     17,497       9,105       17,497       10,761       0.75  
                                                         
As Adjusted
    162,172       129,283       32,889       42,787       30,998       19,451       1.36  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation expense(3)
    -       (1,883 )     1,883       1,883                          
                                                         
                                                         
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2014
 
   
Revenues
   
Expenses
   
Income from Operations
   
EBITDA
   
Income before Taxes
   
Net Income
   
Diluted EPS
 
                                                         
As Reported
  $ 159,696     $ 124,875     $ 34,821     $ 44,085     $ 35,636     $ 21,982     $ 1.51  
                                                         
Adjustments:
                                                       
Gain on available-for-sale securities
    -       -       -       (2,183 )     (2,183 )     (1,347 )     (0.09 )
Executive severance(1)
    -       (614 )     614       614       614       379       0.03  
Reclassification of stock-based compensation expense(2)
    -       872       (872 )     (872 )     (872 )     (538 )     (0.04 )
Restatement costs
    -       (907 )     907       907       907       559       0.04  
Subtotal of adjustments
    -       (649 )     649       (1,534 )     (1,534 )     (947 )     (0.06 )
                                                         
As Adjusted
    159,696       124,226       35,470       42,551       34,102       21,035       1.45  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation expense(3)
    -       (1,974 )     1,974       1,974                          
                                                         
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense
                                               
(2) Related to conversion from equity to liability instruments
                                         
(3) Excludes costs related to executive severance
                                         
(4) The non-GAAP tax rate of 38.5% used above excludes the income tax effects of the non-GAAP income before taxes adjustments described above and is consistent with our average and forecasted tax rate.
 
                                                         

 
 
 

 
Table G
 
Liberty Tax, Inc.
 
Operational Data
 
Unaudited
 
   
Fiscal years ended April 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Franchisees
           
U.S.
    1,907       1,959  
Canada
    125       145  
Total Franchisees
    2,032       2,104  
                 
Offices(1)
               
U.S.
               
Franchised
    3,944       3,995  
Company-Owned
    125       180  
Total U.S.
    4,069       4,175  
                 
Canada
               
Franchised
    202       227  
Company-Owned
    57       36  
Total Canada
    259       263  
                 
Total
               
Franchised
    4,146       4,222  
Company-Owned
    182       216  
Total Offices
    4,328       4,438  
                 
Tax Returns Processed
               
U.S.
    1,907,000       1,890,000  
Canada
    340,000       311,000  
Total Returns Processed in Offices
    2,247,000       2,201,000  
                 
Online(4)
    167,000       187,000  
Total Tax Returns Processed
    2,414,000       2,388,000  
                 
Systemwide Revenue ($ in thousands)(2)
               
U.S.
  $ 413,200,000     $ 397,300,000  
                 
Canada (CDN $)
    26,400,000       23,900,000  
Canada (USD $)
    21,761,483       21,789,091  
                 
US Average Net Fee Per Return(3)
  $ 217     $ 210  
                 
(1) We measure our number of offices per fiscal year based on franchised and company-owned offices open at any point during the tax season.
 
(2) Our systemwide revenue represents the total tax preparation revenue generated by our franchised and company-owned offices. It does not represent our revenue. But because franchise royalties are derived from the operations of our franchisees, and because we maintain an infrastructure to support systemwide operations, we consider growth in systemwide revenue to be an important measurement.
 
(3) The net average fee per tax return prepared reflects amounts for our franchised and company-owned offices.
 
(4) Previously reported online return counts for 2014 have been restated to reflect accepted e-files only. No changes were made to previously reported returns for office counts