H&R Block Reports U.S. Tax Volume Through Feb. 28; Fiscal 2014 Third Quarter Earnings
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) the world’s largest consumer tax services provider, today released U.S. tax volume through Feb. 28 and earnings for its fiscal 2014 third quarter ended January 31, 2014.
As a result of the delayed opening of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) e-file system to Jan. 31, revenue related to tax returns prepared but not yet filed totaling $277 million shifted to the company’s fiscal fourth quarter ending April 30. A majority of the company’s revenues and all of its fiscal 2014 earnings will occur during its fiscal fourth quarter, and thus fiscal third quarter results are not indicative of expected performance for the full year.
The company recently outlined its strategy to grow revenues through a balance of improved client mix and increased product attachments and believes it remains on track to achieve these goals. Consistent with this strategy, the company discontinued its free federal 1040EZ promotion in virtually all markets and exited unprofitable retail partnerships. As a result, total U.S. tax returns prepared by and through H&R Block were lower by 6 percent through Feb. 28.
CEO Perspective
“In line with the strategy outlined at our most recent investor day last December, we entered this tax season with a solid plan focused on growing Tax Plus revenue” said Bill Cobb, H&R Block’s president and chief executive officer. “While there is still over a month left in this tax season, our early results indicate that we are on track to achieve our objectives this year,” added Cobb.
Fiscal 2014 Third Quarter Highlights1
- Revenues decreased 58 percent2, or $272 million, to $200 millionprimarily due to $277 million of revenue related to tax returns prepared but not yet filed which will be recorded during the company’s fiscal fourth quarter
- Adjusted net loss from continuing operations increased to $209 million, or $(0.77) per share, due almost entirely to the timing shift in revenues described above
- Company declares 206th consecutive quarterly dividend
Business Segment Financial Results and Highlights CFO Perspective
“For the second consecutive year we’ve seen a late start to the tax season, resulting in the majority of our business occurring in the fiscal fourth quarter. Given the seasonal nature of our business, the focus remains on our performance for the full year,” said Greg Macfarlane, H&R Block’s chief financial officer. “We’re pleased with our early season financial results, and continue to expect our full year EBITDA margin to be consistent with last year.”
Business Segment Results and Highlights
Tax Services
- Revenues decreased $271 million to $194 million, primarily due to a $277 million shift of revenue from the fiscal third quarter to the fiscal fourth quarter related to completed tax returns that were not filed by Jan. 31
- Operating expenses decreased $13 million to $516 million
- Pretax loss increased to $322 million, primarily due to the timing shift in revenues mentioned above
Corporate
- Total operating expenses decreased $8 million to $32 million, primarily due to lower interest expense and mortgage loan loss provisions
- Pretax loss decreased $6 million to $26 million
Discontinued Operations
- Net loss of $2 million improved by $1 million from the prior year
- Sand Canyon Corporation (SCC), a separate legal entity of H&R Block, Inc., received new claims for alleged breaches of representations and warranties in the principal amount of $1 million
- SCC’s accrual for contingent losses relating to representations and warranties remained unchanged at $159 million
Dividend
A previously announced quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share is payable April 1, 2014, to shareholders of record as of March 17, 2014.
The April 1 dividend payment will mark H&R Block’s 206th consecutive quarterly dividend since the company went public in 1962.
Conference Call
In conjunction with the fiscal third quarter results, the company will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on March 6, 2014 for analysts, institutional investors, and shareholders to discuss the fiscal 2014 third quarter results, fiscal year 2014 outlook and a general business update. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:
U.S./Canada (888) 895-5260 or International (443) 842-7595
Conference ID: 51003273
The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the webcast can be accessed directly at http://investors.hrblock.com.
A replay of the call will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on March 6, 2014, and continuing until April 7, 2014, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S./Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (International). The conference ID is 51003273. The webcast will be available for replay March 7, 2014 at http://investors.hrblock.com.
1 All per share amounts are based on fully diluted shares.
2 Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons, including those made to the “prior year,” refer to the current period compared to the prior year period.
3 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which the company finds relevant when measuring its performance. The company also reports adjusted financial performance, which it believes is a better indication of the company’s recurring operations. See “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information regarding financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
PDF with complete Tables:
H&R Block Reports U.S. Tax Volume Through Feb. 28; Fiscal 2014 Third Quarter Earnings 3-6-14
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world’s largest consumer tax services provider. More than 625 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. In fiscal 2013, H&R Block had annual revenues of $2.9 billion with 24.8 million tax returns prepared worldwide. Tax return preparation services are provided in over 11,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide by professional tax preparers, and through H&R Block digital products. H&R Block Bank provides affordable banking products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial measures. 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 titled “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words or variation of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “targets,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “could” or “may” or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements provide management’s current expectations or predictions of future conditions, events or results. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future are forward-looking statements. They may include estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, liquidity, capital structure or other financial items, descriptions of management’s plans or objectives for future operations, products or services, or descriptions of assumptions underlying any of the above. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and reflect the company’s good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance or events. Furthermore, the company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions, factors, or expectations, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by law. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, a variety of economic, competitive and regulatory factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control and which are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” as well as additional factors we may describe from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and, consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
For Further Information:
Investor Relations
Colby Brown
(816) 854-4559
colby.brown@hrblock.com
Media Relations
Gene King
(816) 854-4672
gene.king@hrblock.com