H&R Block Reports 17 Cent Per Share First Quarter Loss
Strong Mortgage Performance Leads Operating Results
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported a net loss of $30.8 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2001, or 17 cents per basic and diluted share, compared with $51.7 million, or 28 cents per basic and diluted share, last year, representing a 40.5 percent improvement. Revenues for the first quarter increased 6.6 percent to $324.1 million, compared with $304.1 million for the same period last year."This quarter's operating improvement is due primarily to outstanding performance in our mortgage operations," said Mark A. Ernst, H&R Block's president and chief executive officer. "Strength in all aspects of the business -- retail operations, servicing and wholesale origination -- drove record results in this business segment. In addition, the quality of the loans originated by our mortgage businesses resulted in exceptional sale proceeds in the secondary market.
"Prudent expense management within the U.S. tax segment also contributed to results this quarter," Ernst added. "Even with cautious expense management, we're highly focused on preparations for the upcoming tax season and have a number of strategic initiatives in development. Our alliance with AOL Time Warner, expansion of our successful Employer Solutions program, and increased ability to serve our clients' financial needs typify our efforts to deliver a good year across all of our business units."
Fiscal 2002 first quarter results reflect the company's previously announced early adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 and 142 (SFAS 141 and 142) related to business combinations, goodwill and other intangible assets, which resulted in the elimination of goodwill and certain other intangible asset amortization as of May 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS 141 and 142 represents $11.4 million, or 6 cents per share, of the improvement over the prior year first quarter.
Cash earnings improved 31.4 percent over the prior year's quarter with a loss of $21.4 million, or 12 cents per basic and diluted share, compared with $31.1 million, or 17 cents per basic and diluted share last year. The company defines cash earnings as net losses from operations excluding the after-tax effect of amortization expense of acquired intangible assets.
In the first quarter, the company purchased 2.04 million of its shares of common stock for approximately $67.6 million, or an average cost of $33.17 per share.
In the quarter, the company's performance as measured by earnings before interest (including interest expense on acquisition debt, investment income and interest allocated to operating business units), taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), improved from a negative $19 million last year to a positive $849,000.
Tax Operations
H&R Block's U.S. tax operations reported revenues of $20 million, an increase of $8.6 million, or 76 percent, compared with $11.4 million in the same quarter a year ago. Higher volumes and average fees from off-season tax preparation, revenues from the company's Peace of Mind service, and growth in its e-commerce business drove the increased revenues.
The pretax loss for the segment decreased $4.4 million to $81.2 million, compared with a pretax loss of $85.6 million last year. The adoption of SFAS 141 and 142 represents $2.9 million of the improvement over last year. The segment's $1.5 million improvement in operating performance was driven by the higher revenues, partially offset by investment in technology and associate training for the upcoming tax season. Also contributing to the improved results was the company's efforts to control expenses across operations. EBITDA improved $862,000 to a negative $69.2 million, or 1.2 percent over the prior year.
The pretax loss in International tax operations improved 11 percent. The adoption of SFAS 141 and 142 represents $159,000 of the improvement. The improvement in operating results was driven primarily by better cost controls in Canada. International tax operations reported a 5.8 percent improvement in EBITDA to a negative $4.9 million compared with a negative $5.2 million last year.
Mortgage Operations
Mortgage operations, which primarily includes Option One Mortgage Corporation and H&R Block Mortgage Corporation, reported pretax earnings rose to $66.8 million, compared with $21.5 million last year. The adoption of SFAS 141 and 142 accounts for $3.4 million of the improvement over the prior year. Revenues rose 84 percent to $148.3 million.
Higher loan origination and servicing volume, improved pricing on loans generated, and contributions from retail mortgage combined for an outstanding quarter. In addition, higher volumes helped drive a 20 percent decline in the cost of origination, contributing to the 127 basis point year-over-year improvement in operating profit margin. Operating profit margin for the first quarter was 2.94 percent compared with 1.67 percent in last year's first quarter. Operating profit margin is defined as pretax earnings before amortization divided by mortgage fundings. EBITDA increased $42.9 million to $69.9 million, or 158.6 percent over the prior year.
"Option One benefited from outstanding management in a strong market environment and improved pricing for loan sales," Ernst said. "In addition, Option One's servicing business continues to grow, increasing revenues 41.6 percent over the prior year."
Option One and H&R Block Mortgage originated $2.6 billion in loans during the first quarter, an increase of 89.3 percent over the previous year's quarter. Option One's ending servicing portfolio was $19.2 billion, compared with $14.7 billion last year.
"Our retail mortgage business achieved its first profitable quarter, contributing 15 percent to the mortgage segment's year-over-year improvement," Ernst said. "H&R Block tax clients represented 61.2 percent of our retail mortgage loans, demonstrating that this client base delivers a unique competitive advantage and that our strategy of cross-selling products and services is working."
The company expects continued strength in its mortgage segment through the second quarter of this fiscal year.
Investment Services
As anticipated, the poor market environment negatively affected H&R Block's investment services operations, which consists primarily of H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. First quarter revenues totaled $68.9 million compared with $130.7 million last year. The segment reported a pretax loss of $6.1 million compared with pretax earnings of $11.7 million last year. The adoption of SFAS 141 and 142 negatively impacted the change over the prior year by $4.3 million. Investment services reported a decline in EBITDA to $6.8 million from $27.5 million in the prior year.
"Despite a difficult market environment, we continue to make key investments in this business to develop the capabilities needed to execute our strategy," Ernst said.
Business Services
Business services, which primarily includes RSM McGladrey, reported a pretax loss of $2.2 million compared with $3.2 million last year. Revenues increased 5.1 percent to $80 million compared with $76.1 million last year. The adoption of SFAS 141 and 142 represents $4.2 million of the improvement over the prior year. The increased operating loss was due primarily to off- season losses from firms acquired during fiscal 2001 as well as normal operating cost increases. Business services reported a decline in EBITDA to $3.1 million, compared with $6 million last year.
Other
Interest expense on acquisition debt decreased $5.9 million due to lower interest rates. Effective May 1, 2001, the company adopted a new methodology for allocation of corporate services and support costs to business units. This change was made in an effort to more accurately reflect each business line's performance. Prior year results have been restated to reflect the new methodology.
"Based on the strength of mortgage operations, we currently expect that earnings per share growth for fiscal 2002, excluding the impact of accounting changes, will be within the middle to upper end of our guidance range of 13 to 18 percent," Ernst said. "We expect overall company revenue growth to reach the low end of our growth target range of 10 to 15 percent per year."
As announced in June, H&R Block's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 16 cents per share payable Oct. 1, 2001, to shareholders of record Sept. 10, 2001. A conference call with H&R Block management discussing first quarter results will be conducted live today at 5 p.m. EDT and may be accessed at www.hrblock.com .
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements based upon current information and expectations. Such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Such differences could be caused by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties that the company will achieve its revenue, earnings and earnings per share goals for fiscal year 2002 and that actual financial results for fiscal year 2002 will fall within the guidance provided by the company; changes in economic, political or regulatory environments; changes in competition and the effects of such changes; litigation involving the company; and risks described from time to time in reports and registration statements filed by H&R Block Inc. and its subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should take these factors into account in evaluating such forward-looking statements.
About H&R Block:
H&R Block Inc. is a diversified company with subsidiaries providing a wide range of financial products and services. In 2001, H&R Block served 19.2 million taxpayers -- more than any tax or accounting firm -- through its more than 10,400 offices located in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. H&R Block served another 2.3 million tax clients through its award-winning TaxCut(R) software program and through its online tax preparation services. Investment services and securities products are offered through H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc., member NYSE, SIPC. H&R Block, Inc. is not a registered broker-dealer. H&R Block Mortgage Corporation and Option One Mortgage Corporation offer a wide range of home mortgage products. RSM McGladrey Inc. is a national accounting, tax and consulting firm with 100 offices nationwide, as well as an affiliation with 550 offices in 75 countries as the U.S. member of RSM International. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com .
H&R BLOCK, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
Three months ended July 31,
2001 2000 1999
Revenues $324,125 $304,110 $121,560
Loss before income tax benefit (51,738) (89,993) (59,797)
Net loss $(30,784) $(51,746) $(37,074)
Basic net earnings (loss) per share:
Net loss $(0.17) $(0.28) $(0.19)
Basic shares outstanding 183,859 186,522 195,426
Notes to Consolidated Statements of Operations
On June 20, 2001, the Company's Board of Directors declared a two-for-one
stock split of its Common Stock in the form of a 100% stock distribution
effective August 1, 2001, to shareholders of record as of the close of
business on July 10, 2001. Basic net earnings (loss) per share is based
on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period.
All quarters presented have been adjusted to reflect the stock split.
Reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform with current
period presentation.
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations," and
No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 141 & 142). SFAS
141 addresses financial accounting and reporting for business
combinations and replaces APB Opinion No. 16, "Business Combinations"
(APB 16). SFAS 141 no longer allows the pooling of interests method of
accounting for acquisitions, provides new recognition criteria for
intangible assets and carries forward without reconsideration the
guidance in APB 16 related to the application of the purchase method of
accounting. SFAS 142 addresses financial accounting and reporting for
acquired goodwill and other intangible assets and replaces APB Opinion
No. 17, "Intangible Assets" (APB 17). SFAS 142 addresses how intangible
assets should be accounted for upon their acquisition and after they have
been initially recognized in the financial statements. As of May 1,
2001, the Company elected early adoption of both SFAS 141 & 142. The
implementation of these standards had the effect of reducing amortization
expense of acquired intangible assets by $15.6 million during the first
quarter of fiscal year 2002.
On December 1, 1999, the Company completed the acquisition of the
outstanding capital stock of Olde Financial Corporation and Financial
Marketing Services, Inc. (collectively, OLDE). The purchase price was
$850 million in cash plus net tangible book value payments of $48.5
million. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and,
accordingly, OLDE's results are included since the date of the
acquisition. The acquisition was funded with short-term borrowings and
the issuance of $500 million in Senior Notes in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2000.
On August 2, 1999, the Company, through a subsidiary, RSM McGladrey,
Inc., completed the purchase of substantially all of the non-attest
assets of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. The purchase price was $240 million
in cash payments over four years and the assumption of certain pension
liabilities with a present value of $52.7 million. The acquisition was
accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, results are included since
the date of acquisition.
During the three months ended July 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, the Company
issued shares of its common stock pursuant to provisions for exercise of
the Company's stock option plans as follows: 2001 - 1,528,611 shares;
2000 - 36,300 shares; 1999 - 392,086 shares. During the same periods,
the Company reacquired shares of its common stock as follows:
2001 - 2,037,400 shares at an aggregate cost of $67,583,000;
2000 - 13,063,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $213,107,000.
H&R BLOCK, INC.
SELECTED OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
Three months ended July 31,
Revenues Earnings (loss)
2001 2000 2001 2000
U.S. tax operations $19,979 $11,350 $(81,168) $(85,562)
International tax operations 4,832 4,899 (5,653) (6,355)
Mortgage operations 148,325 80,600 66,779 21,530
Investment services 68,925 130,667 (6,098) 11,683
Business services 79,982 76,097 (2,171) (3,234)
Unallocated corporate 2,082 497 (5,439) (4,541)
Interest expense on acquisition
debt - - (21,398) (27,288)
$324,125 $304,110 (55,148) (93,767)
Investment income, net 1,120 2,719
Intercompany interest* 2,290 1,055
(51,738) (89,993)
Income tax benefit (20,954) (38,247)
Net loss $(30,784) $(51,746)
* Intercompany interest represents net interest expense charged to
financial related businesses for corporate cash that was borrowed to
fund their operating activities and net unallocated interest expense
attributable to commitment fees on the unused portion of the Company's
$1.86 billion credit facility.
H&R Block, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except share data
July 31,
2001 2000
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $251,850 $219,718
Marketable securities --
available-for-sale 1,500 20,077
Marketable securities -- trading 176,352 44,359
Receivables from customers,
brokers, dealers and clearing
organizations, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of $1,735 and $801
1,262,193 2,738,536
Receivables, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of
$42,877 and $56,121 277,977 342,446
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 244,466 196,404
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 2,214,338 3,561,540
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS:
Investments in available-for-
sale marketable securities 250,252 256,990
Excess of cost over fair value
of net tangible assets
acquired, net of amortization 1,043,333 1,071,053
Other 248,315 207,688
1,541,900 1,535,731
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost less
accumulated
depreciation and amortization 278,601 291,949
$4,034,839 $5,389,220
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Notes payable $373,335 $640,076
Accounts payable to customers,
brokers and dealers 1,007,318 2,398,795
Accounts payable, accrued
expenses and deposits 248,693 193,217
Accrued salaries, wages and
payroll taxes 98,872 66,910
Accrued taxes on earnings 215,929 126,001
Current portion of long-term
debt 52,428 70,582
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,996,575 3,495,581
LONG-TERM DEBT 870,549 869,931
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 93,973 91,660
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, no par, stated
value $.01 per share 2,179 2,179
Additional paid-in capital 416,622 421,601
Retained earnings 1,346,924 1,174,841
1,765,725 1,598,621
Less cost of 34,791,128 and
34,902,066 shares of common
stock in treasury 691,983 666,573
1,073,742 932,048
$4,034,839 $5,389,220
H&R Block, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
Three months ended July 31,
2001 2000
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net loss $(30,784) $(51,746)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
to net cash used in operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 34,599 47,457
Provision for bad debt 10,836 5,521
Accretion of acquisition
liabilities 3,585 3,234
Changes in:
Receivables from customers, brokers,
dealers and clearing organizations 48,535 118,843
Receivables (48,808) 32,989
Marketable securities - trading 3,635 1,044
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 16,476 (50,663)
Accounts payable to customers,
brokers and dealers (50,682) (171,405)
Accounts payable, accrued
expenses and deposits (112,517) (29,145)
Accrued salaries, wages and
payroll taxes (122,958) (106,423)
Accrued taxes on earnings (79,670) (90,297)
Other, net (2,045) (3,043)
Net cash used in operating
activities (329,798) (293,634)
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale
securities (607) (536)
Maturities of available-for-sale
securities 23,686 5,602
Purchases of property and
equipment, net (13,776) (11,536)
Payments made for business
acquisitions,
net of cash acquired (2,084) (1,036)
Other, net (731) 25,295
Net cash provided by investing
activities 6,488 17,789
Cash flows from financing
activities:
Repayments of notes payable (1,136,895) (4,536,830)
Proceeds from issuance of notes
payable 1,510,230 4,893,109
Payments on acquisition debt (1,769) (2,628)
Dividends paid (27,660) (26,305)
Payments to acquire treasury
shares (67,583) (213,107)
Proceeds from stock options
exercised 26,915 231
Other, net 109 1,192
Net cash provided by financing
activities 303,347 115,662
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (19,963) (160,183)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period 271,813 379,901
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the period $251,850 $219,718
Supplementary cash flow data:
Income taxes paid $68,776 $51,737
Interest paid 19,844 67,400
H&R Block, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
Three Months Ended
July 31,
2001 2000
Revenues:
Service revenues $205,568 $243,779
Product sales 112,856 51,200
Royalties 1,557 1,316
Other income 4,144 7,815
324,125 304,110
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits 176,029 146,540
Occupancy and equipment 59,679 60,224
Interest 29,805 63,198
Depreciation and amortization 34,599 47,457
Marketing and advertising 6,992 9,774
Supplies, freight and postage 6,573 7,579
Bad debt 10,836 5,521
Other 52,631 56,511
377,144 396,804
Operating loss (53,019) (92,694)
Other income:
Investment income, net 1,118 2,719
Other, net 163 (18)
1,281 2,701
Loss before income tax benefit (51,738) (89,993)
Income tax benefit (20,954) (38,247)
Net loss $(30,784) $(51,746)
Basic net loss per share $(0.17) $(0.28)
Basic shares outstanding 183,859 186,522
H&R Block, Inc.
Financial Services Operating Data
H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc.
For the three months ended
7/27/01 7/28/00 % Change 4/27/01
Customer trades (000's) 389 646 -39.8% 489
Customer daily average trades 6,180 10,262 -39.8% 7,760
Average commission per trade $62.29 $63.31 -1.6% $67.21
Number of active accounts
(000's) 621 651 -4.7% 620
Average trades per active
account per quarter 0.63 0.99 -36.8% 0.79
Average trades per active
account per year (annualized) 2.51 3.97 -36.8% 3.15
Ending balance of assets under
administration ($ bn's) $30.1 $42.2 -28.6% $31.5
Average assets per active
account $48,498 $64,738 -25.1% $50,817
Ending debit balances ($ bn's) $1.2 $2.7 -54.5% $1.3
Ending credit balances ($ bn's) $0.8 $0.9 -18.5% $0.8
Ending balance of assets under
management ($ bn's) $3.5 $3.4 4.4% $3.7
(principally money market funds)
Option One Mortgage Corporation
For the three months ended
7/31/01 7/31/00 % Change 4/30/01
Number of loans originated
Wholesale 17,999 11,302 59.3% 14,160
Retail 3,695 2,155 71.5% 3,520
Total 21,694 13,457 61.2% 17,680
Volume of loans originated
(000's)
Wholesale $2,120,528 $1,160,400 82.7% $1,579,171
Retail 503,418 225,941 122.8% 467,579
Total $2,623,946 $1,386,341 89.3% $2,046,750
Loan sales $2,618,446 $847,282 209.0% $2,127,493
Servicing portfolio
Number of loans serviced
(000's) 180.5 145.2 24.3% 173.9
Servicing portfolio ($ bn's) $19.2 $14.7 30.3% $18.2
SOURCE H&R Block, Inc.
CONTACT:
Media Relations, Linda McDougall, +1-816-932-7542, or Investor Relations, Mark Barnett, +1-816-701-4443, both of H&R Block, Inc.