FORT WORTH, Texas, July 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FirstCash, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCFS), the leading international operator of over 2,700 retail pawn stores in the U.S. and Latin America, today announced operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2020, and an update on the impact of COVID-19. The Company also announced its exit from all unsecured consumer lending operations effective June 30, 2020. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a $0.27 per share quarterly cash dividend to be paid in August 2020.

Mr. Rick Wessel, chief executive officer, stated, “In these challenging times, we have been relentless in our efforts to safely serve customers while also protecting our employees. Today, over 99% of the Company’s 2,745 stores in the United States and Latin America are open and providing essential financial services and products in our communities. As always, we are proud and appreciative of the dedication and resilience demonstrated by all of our team members.

“Our second quarter results demonstrated the inherent diversification and uniqueness of the pawnshop business model, which generates revenues from both specialty retail operations and small-dollar, non-recourse lending. Second quarter retail sales were especially robust in the U.S., driven by our ability to remain open and meet the significant customer demand for popular “stay-at-home” products such as consumer electronics and sporting goods. Consistent with the trends being experienced by other consumer lenders, originations of new pawn loans fell significantly in April due to the general economic lock-down and rapid deployment of government stimulus programs. While not fully recovered, lending demand began rebounding in May and continues to date.

“Cash flows were particularly impressive during the quarter, which were used to reduce outstanding debt by $156 million over the last three months, and provide substantial liquidity to fund an anticipated rebound in pawn loan demand. We continued to make long-term investments in store growth as well, as demonstrated by the addition of 91 locations so far this year, including 24 stores in the second quarter. Additionally, we are pleased to report that the Board of Directors has again declared our quarterly cash dividend,” concluded Mr. Wessel.

This release contains adjusted earnings measures, which exclude, among other things, merger and other acquisition expenses, certain non-cash foreign currency exchange gains and losses, non-cash write-offs of certain lease intangibles and the impairment of certain other assets which are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the descriptions and reconciliations to GAAP of these and other non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this release.

Consolidated Earnings Highlights

• Due primarily to the impacts of COVID-19, lower foreign exchange rates and the wind-down of consumer lending operations, diluted earnings per share decreased 18% on a GAAP basis and 24% on an adjusted non-GAAP basis in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the prior-year quarter. For the six month year-to-date period, diluted earnings per share decreased 19% on a GAAP basis and 11% on an adjusted non-GAAP basis.
  • The COVID-19 related impact on lending demand resulted in pawn fee revenues declining 26% in the second quarter and 12% year-to-date, as compared to the respective prior-year periods. The impact on pawn fees was partially offset by increases in net revenues (gross profit) from retail operations of 13% in the second quarter and 10% year-to-date.
  • Foreign exchange rates in Latin America were also impacted by COVID-19, affecting U.S. dollar-reported earnings per share and representing approximately $0.04 of earnings drag in the second quarter and $0.05 year-to-date.
  • While contraction and termination of non-core unsecured consumer lending operations did not impact second quarter 2020 earnings per share on a GAAP basis and reduced year-over-year GAAP earnings by just $0.05 per share year-to-date, it reduced adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share by $0.03 in the second quarter and $0.10 year-to-date compared to the respective prior-year periods.
• Net income for the second quarter totaled $26 million on both a GAAP and adjusted non-GAAP basis. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2020, consolidated net income was $148 million, while adjusted EBITDA totaled $289 million.
• Cash flow from operating activities was $66 million in the second quarter and $269 million for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2020. Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was a record $182 million for the quarter and on a trailing twelve months basis was a record $421 million.

Acquisitions and Store Opening Highlights

• A total of 20 de novo locations were opened in Latin America during the second quarter, which included 18 locations in Mexico, one in Colombia and one in Guatemala. Year-to-date, a total of 51 de novo stores have been opened, including 44 locations in Mexico, five in Colombia and two in Guatemala.
• The Company acquired four Prendamex stores from a franchisee during the second quarter of 2020. Year-to-date, a total of 40 stores have been acquired in Mexico.
• The Company added a total 91 locations in the first six months of 2020 and 133 over the trailing twelve month period ended June 30, 2020.

U.S. Pawn Operations

• During the second quarter, all of the current 1,035 U.S. stores remained operational, excluding a very limited number of temporary closures primarily related to local decrees or the Company’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
• Total domestic revenues for the second quarter increased 4%. Revenues increased 6%, excluding the decline in fees from non-core unsecured consumer lending operations.
• Despite incremental expenses related to COVID-19 and the contraction of non-core unsecured consumer lending operations, domestic pre-tax operating income increased 3% in the second quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.
• With the onset of COVID-19 related lock-downs of the economy and the rapid federal stimulus response, pawn loan originations in the U.S. fell significantly in April, declining almost 60% for the month. Beginning in May, pawn loan originations began to slowly improve but were still down 30% to 35% in early July. Resulting pawn balances at June 30 were down 40% in total and on a same-store basis compared to the prior year.
• Resulting pawn fee revenues for the quarter were down 20% in total and on a same-store basis. The revenue decline was smaller than the decrease in loan balances, reflecting strong collections of fees and principal on loans outstanding at the beginning of the quarter and a smaller percentage of forfeited loans during the quarter. The resulting average monthly yield of 15% on the pawn loan portfolio represented an improvement of approximately 300 basis points compared to the yield in the prior-year quarter.
• Retail sales and margins in the second quarter were especially strong and fully offset the impact from the decline in domestic pawn fee revenue. Total retail sales increased 24% in the second quarter, while same-store retail sales increased a record 24%. The Company’s ability to keep its stores open during the quarter as an essential business and offer popular stay-at-home products such as laptops, tablets, monitors, gaming systems and sporting goods drove the strong retail sales demand.
• Second quarter retail margins of 42% improved significantly compared to margins of 38% in the same quarter last year, reflecting the strong retail demand and lower levels of aged inventory which limited the need for normal discounting. The margin improvement coupled with the increase in top-line retail sales drove a 36% increase in gross profit from retail operations for the quarter. Inventory turns continued to improve and aged inventories continued to decline, accounting for less than 3% of total inventories at June 30, compared to 4% a year ago.
• Net revenue from non-core scrap jewelry sales increased 20% for the quarter and 6% year-to-date compared to the respective prior-year periods, driven primarily by accelerating margin improvement related to increased gold prices.

U.S. Consumer Lending Operations

• The Company made the strategic decision to cease offering unsecured consumer loan and credit services products, including all payday and installment loans, in the U.S. Effective June 30, 2020, the Company no longer has any unsecured consumer lending or credit services operations in the U.S. or Latin America.
• Revenues from consumer lending operations totaled only $0.6 million in the second quarter compared to $5.4 million in the second quarter of last year.

Note: Certain growth rates in “Latin America Operations” below are calculated on a constant currency basis, a non-GAAP financial measure defined at the end of this release. The average Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the three month period ended June 30, 2020 was 23.4 pesos / dollar, an unfavorable change of 23% versus the comparable prior-year period, and for the six month period ended June 30, 2020 was 21.6 pesos / dollar, an unfavorable change of 13% versus the prior-year period.

Latin America Pawn Operations

• Over 99% of the Company’s stores in Latin America are currently open and operating. During the second quarter, operations in each country were impacted as follows:
  • Mexico (1,628 total locations) - Excluding short-term closings due to regulatory decree or safety protocols, stores in Mexico were generally open most of the quarter. However, retail sales in all stores were completely prohibited by regulators during the last three weeks of May.
  • Guatemala (56 total locations) - Stores in Guatemala were generally open during the quarter, although regulators imposed country-wide lock-downs on many weekends and two mall-based locations were closed for extended periods.
  • El Salvador - (13 total locations) - Stores in El Salvador were closed as part of a broad government imposed lock-down from late March through the end of May.
  • Colombia - (13 total locations) - Stores in Colombia were closed as part of a broad government imposed lock-down beginning in late March and continuing through various dates in June and early July.
• Total revenues declined 27% in the second quarter, reflecting the temporary store closings, retail restrictions and other impacts of COVID-19, including weaker foreign currencies. Revenues on a constant currency basis declined 12% in the second quarter while pre-tax operating income declined 43%, or 36% on a constant currency basis.
• Consistent with U.S. trends, which saw sharp declines in economic activity and personal spending, pawn loans outstanding at June 30 decreased 36% on a U.S. dollar translated basis and 24% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year. Same-store pawn loans at quarter end decreased 38% on a U.S. dollar translated basis and 27% on a constant currency basis. While there were limited government stimulus programs in the region in response to the pandemic, we believe that cross-border remittance payments from the U.S. provided additional liquidity early in the quarter, with the Bank of Mexico reporting a 35% year-over-year surge in remittances to Mexico in March which was tied to the drop in the exchange rate.
• Pawn fees decreased 36% in total, or 22% on a constant currency basis, as compared to the prior-year quarter. On a same-store basis, pawn fees decreased 39% on a U.S. dollar basis and were down 25% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior-year quarter. Also similar to U.S. results, pawn redemptions in Latin America were strong and drove improved yields during the quarter.
• Retail sales demand and margins in Latin America, while strong for “essential” general merchandise categories, were negatively impacted by extended store closures in certain markets and the three week shutdown of all retail operations in Mexico during May. Results for the full quarter saw a 29% decrease in total retail sales, or 13% on a constant currency basis. Same-store retail sales decreased 31% on a U.S. dollar basis and were down 16% on a constant currency basis.
• Segment retail sales margins were 36% in the second quarter compared to 35% in both the previous sequential quarter and the second quarter of the prior-year, reflecting strong turns for essential products such as computers, tablets and phones. Aged inventories remained low at less than 2% of total inventories.
• Net revenue from non-core scrap jewelry sales was $3.3 million for the quarter compared to $0.1 million in the prior-year period with sales margins of 25%, driven by increased dollar-denominated gold prices.

Liquidity

• During the second quarter, the Company utilized operating cash flows to pay down $156 million in debt under its revolving bank credit facilities. The lower debt balances coupled with the recent decline in interest rates resulted in an 18% decrease in interest expense during the quarter as compared to the prior-year quarter.
• The Company’s strong liquidity position at June 30, 2020 includes cash balances of $71 million and $323 million of availability under its bank lines of credit.
• The net debt ratio improved to 1.5 to 1 for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2020, compared to 1.9 to 1 a year ago. See non-GAAP financial measures elsewhere in this release.
• The Board of Directors declared a $0.27 per share second quarter cash dividend on common shares outstanding, which will be paid on August 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of August 14, 2020. This represents an annual cash dividend of $1.08 per share. Any future dividends are subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.
• As previously announced, the Company temporarily suspended its share repurchase program beginning in March. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 981,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $80 million and $48 million remains under the current share repurchase authorization.

2020 Outlook

• Due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 and foreign currency volatility, the Company withdrew its initial 2020 earnings guidance on April 22, 2020. Given the ongoing uncertainties regarding the pace of the anticipated recovery and currency volatility, the Company has not reinstated earnings guidance for the balance of the year. However, as the Company continues to evaluate its 2020 earning results, the following factors are expected to impact its comparisons to prior-year results:
  • Impact of COVID-19: The extent to which COVID-19 continues to impact the Company’s operations will depend on future developments, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the ongoing duration, severity and scope of the outbreak and its impact on borrowing demand and retail operations. For example, the normalization of demand for pawn loans could be delayed in the short-term by reduced personal spending if schools and other venues remain closed or delayed by additional government stimulus payments and benefit programs. Furthermore, additional store closures or operating restrictions could negatively impact both the Company’s retail sales and pawn fees. In addition, the expected rebound in pawn fee revenue will naturally lag the expected recovery in pawn receivables. Accordingly, pawn fees in the third quarter will be impacted by the lower pawn balances as we begin the quarter. Additionally, retail sales volumes in the second half of the year are expected to be impacted by lower levels of inventory as the third quarter begins.
  • Currency volatility: Global economic uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened the relative value of the U.S. dollar and negatively impacted developing market currencies, including the Mexican peso, which is the primary currency for the Company’s foreign operations. The current peso to dollar exchange rate of approximately 22.5 to 1 compares to an average rate in the first half of 2020 of 21.6 to 1 and an average rate of 19.3 to 1 during all of 2019. For 2020, the Company estimates that each full Mexican peso change in the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar represents approximately $0.08 to $0.10 per share of annualized earnings impact to the Company.
  • Wind-down of unsecured consumer lending operations: The Company ceased all unsecured consumer lending operations in the U.S. effective June 30, 2020, and expects no material earnings or losses from these operations in the second half of 2020. As a comparison, earnings from consumer lending operations contributed approximately $0.05 per share during the second half of 2019.
  • Income tax rate: The effective income tax rate is expected to range from 26.5% to 28.0% for 2020 compared to the actual rate of 26.7% in 2019.
  • New store openings: In its original 2020 store opening guidance, the Company expected to open approximately 90 to 100 new locations this year. A total of 51 stores were opened in the first half of the year and there is a strong pipeline of additional stores leased and under construction. While currently on pace to meet the lower end of the full year target, future store openings in the second half of the year remain subject to uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to, the ability to continue construction projects and obtain necessary licenses, permits, utility services, store equipment, supplies and adequate staffing.

Additional Commentary and Analysis

Mr. Wessel provided the following additional insights on the impacts of COVID-19 and the Company’s operating results:

“FirstCash continues to focus on the safety of all customers and employees as we deal with the impacts and uncertainties of the pandemic. We remain committed to our customers by keeping our stores open to provide essential products and services as safely as possible. Our employees are vitally important to us as well, and we continue to enforce appropriate health protocols in our stores and offices. During the second quarter alone, we incurred approximately $1.3 million of extraordinary expenses related to health and safety efforts to protect customers and employees. In addition, we are pleased to report that we have not furloughed or laid off any employees in the U.S. or Mexico to date due to the pandemic.

“The financial impacts of COVID-19 on our pawn operations has been unexpected in many respects. While demand for pawn loans typically increases in periods of general economic uncertainty, we believe that many of our customers are more financially liquid now than would be expected due to a combination of sharply reduced personal spending patterns, rent and utility forbearance programs, government stimulus payments and enhanced unemployment benefits. In Latin America, where government stimulus responses have been limited, we believe that increased cash remittances from the U.S. have provided additional customer liquidity. As a result, new loan originations declined sharply in April and early May being down almost 60% in the U.S. and over 40% in Mexico. Partially offsetting the decline in loan originations, customer liquidity and improved redemption rates drove significantly improved yields on the pawn loan portfolio in the second quarter.

“As the second quarter progressed, lending demand steadily improved and was coupled with the continued increase in the effective yield on the pawn portfolio. These trends have continued in July, with daily year-over-year originations over the last two weeks generally down in a range of 30% to 35% in the U.S. and 25% to 30% in Mexico. We believe that we will see a continued recovery in loan originations with improved yields over the next several months, although the pace of the expected recovery remains difficult to project and could be impacted positively or negatively by many factors.

“We are proactively managing operations to the extent possible in light of these impacts. Our ability to keep stores open and operating safely during the second quarter provided the opportunity for strong retail sales of essential products. In the U.S., stimulus payments to our customers beginning in mid-April helped to further drive retail sales and margins across all product categories throughout the quarter. July-to-date, retail sales in both the U.S. and Mexico remain solid with the continuation of improved retail margins experienced in the second quarter. General merchandise inventories, while down year-over-year, have been supplemented by a higher percentage of direct purchases from customers which are helping to drive improved redemption rates, turns and margins. We have also launched store-based outreach programs to new and former customers to drive revenue and we continue to optimize expenses through reduced store operating hours, leaner staffing levels realized through normal attrition and other cost saving initiatives in our stores and corporate offices.

“Despite the short-term disruptions from COVID-19, we remain confident and committed to our long-term growth strategy. Our liquidity and strong balance sheet have allowed us to continue adding stores through both de novo openings and targeted acquisitions this year. We also made the strategic decision this quarter to fully eliminate unsecured consumer lending products in all markets. While this decision will result in a small reduction in revenue and operating income, we believe it is the right step to further reduce regulatory exposure and allow for total focus on our core pawn operations.

“Pawnshops have historically served unbanked and underbanked consumers well in periods of economic uncertainty and tightening of available credit by other small dollar lenders. The strength of our cash flows and balance sheet allows us to fund expected loan demand and to continue investing in new stores. Combined with our scale and other competitive advantages, we believe that FirstCash is uniquely positioned in these unusual and uncertain times,” concluded Mr. Wessel.

About FirstCash

FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores with more than 2,700 retail pawn locations and approximately 19,000 employees in 24 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and four countries in Latin America including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Colombia. FirstCash focuses on serving cash and credit constrained consumers through its retail pawn locations, which buy and sell a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments and other merchandise, and make small consumer pawn loans secured by pledged personal property.

FirstCash is a component company in both the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index® and the Russell 2000 Index®. FirstCash’s common stock (ticker symbol “FCFS”) is traded on the Nasdaq, the creator of the world’s first electronic stock market. For additional information regarding FirstCash and the services it provides, visit FirstCash’s website located at http://www.firstcash.com.