H&R Block Reports Record 6 Cents Per Share Second-Quarter Profit; Fiscal Year Earnings Guidance Increased

Nov 25, 2003

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE:HRB) today reported net income of $10.4 million, or 6 cents per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter ended Oct. 31.

Last year, the company reported a second-quarter loss of $37.3 million, or 21 cents per share.

Second-quarter revenues increased to $579.9 million, up 23 percent from $471.4 million last year.

The company has never previously reported a profitable second quarter. H&R Block typically reports losses in its first and second quarters due to the seasonal nature of its tax service businesses. Earlier this year, the company's first quarter was profitable for only the second time in company history.

"Achieving profitability in the second quarter highlights the continued strength of H&R Block's mix of businesses, combined with very solid execution across all of our business segments. We're now preparing intently for tax season 2004 and looking forward to demonstrating how our services offer clients unique and compelling value," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Ernst.

"Our second-quarter results were achieved through continued strong performance in our mortgage businesses, solid management and cost controls within our tax businesses, improved results in our business and investment services segments, and a good tax season in Australia," Ernst said.

The prior-year second quarter included a $41.7 million charge (14 cents per share) related to the settlement of litigation involving refund anticipation loans and a $6 million (3 cents per share) goodwill impairment charge. Excluding these charges, the company achieved a 10 cent improvement in earnings per share compared to last year.

"The strength of this improvement is further evident when you consider that this year's second quarter also includes $12.8 million in costs related to starting company-owned operations in former major franchise territories, as well as $4.1 million in stock-based compensation expense," Ernst said.

For the six months ended Oct. 31, H&R Block reported an improvement of 35 cents in earnings per share, compared with last year. The company reported net income of $15.5 million, or 9 cents per basic and diluted share, for the first six months of its fiscal year, compared with a loss of $46.9 million last year, or 26 cents per share. Revenues for the six-month period increased 20.2 percent to $1.1 billion, up from $902.8 million last year.

Change in Accounting

In the second quarter the company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force No. 00-21 (EITF 00-21) and recorded a $6.4 million charge, net of $4 million in taxes, for the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, related to its Peace of Mind guarantee program in Premium tax offices. The three months ended July 31, 2003, have been restated to reflect the adoption of EITF 00-21 as of May 1, 2003, including the $6.4 million charge. As a result of the first-quarter restatement, revenues increased $10.8 million and net income before the cumulative effect increased $937,000. The restatement affected only the U.S. Tax operations segment.

Implementation of the new accounting rule had the effect of increasing both revenues and expenses in the tax segment second quarter year-over-year comparison. The net effect was an increase of $1.3 million in net income for the second quarter.

Earnings Guidance

H&R Block is increasing its earnings guidance for the fiscal year, which ends April 30. "We now expect to be at the top or above our long-term growth target for earnings. We expect earnings growth from 16 to 22 percent, or $3.65 to $3.85 per share. Revenue growth will likely be at the high end of our target range of 10 to 15 percent," Ernst said. The company had previously estimated earnings in the range of $3.56 to $3.72.

U.S. Tax Operations

U.S. Tax operations reported a pretax loss of $130.9 million, compared with $152.3 million last year, an improvement of $21.4 million. The prior-year quarter included a $41.7 million charge for litigation settlement.

Compared with last year, the higher operating costs were due to an increase in the number of tax offices, including new company operations in former franchise territories. Costs associated with the former major franchise territories during the quarter were $12.8 million, including $1.7 million of intangible amortization expense related to assets acquired. Also, occupancy and equipment costs, excluding operations in former franchise territories, increased $5.9 million due to an increase in the number of offices under lease and average rents paid.

U.S. tax operations reported a 41.2 percent increase in revenues for the quarter to $47.2 million, compared with $33.4 million last year. For the six-month period, revenues increased 54.7 percent to $87.7 million, up $31 million from $56.7 million last year. The increase over the prior year is primarily due to the adoption of EITF 00-21.

"During the quarter, we made substantial progress in transitioning former major franchise territories to company-owned operations. We're confident these offices will be ready for tax season 2004," Ernst said. In the former major franchise territories, there are 476 new company-owned locations and 238 locations now operated by direct franchises of the company. Approximately 1.2 million H&R Block clients were served in these territories last year.

"Our tax management team is doing an outstanding job simultaneously preparing for tax season, transitioning former major franchise territories and managing off-season costs. We're expecting a solid year for our U.S. tax segment," Ernst said.

Mortgage Operations

Mortgage operations, which include Option One Mortgage Corp. and H&R Block Mortgage Corp., reported pretax earnings of $184 million, a 19.9 percent increase compared with $153.5 million last year. For the six-month period, pretax earnings increased 15.7 percent to $347.9 million, compared with $300.6 million last year.

Second-quarter revenues from mortgage operations increased 27.9 percent to $351.2 million, compared with $274.6 million last year. For the six-month period, revenues increased 24.6 percent to $654.1 million, compared with $524.9 million last year.

"We're pleased with the results of our mortgage segment, which support our view that the interest rate environment should not have a dramatic effect on our levels of mortgage origination. Overall origination activity continued to be very strong in the quarter," Ernst said.

For the second quarter, the company originated $6.3 billion in mortgage loans, a 63.5 percent increase over last year's $3.9 billion. The number of loan originations in the second quarter was 42,287, a 54.5 percent increase compared with last year.

Mortgage servicing revenues for the quarter were $51.7 million, an increase of $10.3 million, or 25 percent, compared with $41.3 million last year. On Oct. 31, 2003, the servicing portfolio was $40.1 billion, an increase of $13.4 billion, or 50.2 percent, compared with Oct. 31, 2002, and up 17.8 percent over the previous quarter.

Pretax income from H&R Block Mortgage increased 20.1 percent. Nearly half of the company's retail loans -- 48.1 percent -- were to clients of other H&R Block businesses.

The segment's residual interests continued to perform better than expected, primarily due to loans performing better than modeled. Consequently, the company realized a net write-up in residual balances of $10.5 million, which was recorded in other comprehensive income on the balance sheet, net of deferred taxes.

Business Services

RSM McGladrey Business Services Inc. reported second-quarter revenues of $109 million, an 11.4 percent increase compared with $97.9 million last year. The segment reported a pretax loss of $2.7 million, a 27.8 percent improvement, compared with a loss of $3.8 million in the second quarter last year.

For the six-month period, revenues increased 7.4 percent to $207.5 million. The segment reported a pretax loss of $9.4 million compared with $8.1 million in the first six months of last year.

"Our capital markets business enjoyed another strong quarter along with improving growth in our core accounting and tax services," Ernst said.

Investment Services

H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. reported second-quarter revenues of $52.7 million, an increase of 5.3 percent compared with the same quarter last year. The segment reported a pretax loss of $15.3 million, a 45.1 percent improvement compared with last year's pretax loss of $27.9 million, which included a $6 million goodwill impairment charge.

"We saw modest improvement in key drivers of the business this quarter, and continue to be cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year," Ernst said.

For the six-month period, revenues increased 0.9 percent to $109.7 million, compared with $108.7 million last year. The segment reported a pretax loss of $29.1 million compared with $60.7 million in the first six months of last year, which included $24 million in goodwill impairment charges.

International Tax Operations

In the second quarter, revenues in international tax operations increased 24.6 percent to $19.1 million, compared with $15.3 million last year. The segment reported pretax income of $555,000, compared with a pretax loss of $250,000 last year.

For the six-month period, revenues increased 25.2 percent to $24.6 million. The segment reported a $5.9 million pretax loss, a 12.7 percent improvement compared with last year's pretax loss of $6.7 million.

The improved performance is primarily due to a successful tax season in Australia where we achieved a 3.2 percent increase in tax returns prepared, solid expense management, and a favorable exchange rate.

Dividend Declared

H&R Block's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable Jan. 2, 2004, to shareholders of record Dec. 12, 2003. This payment will be the company's 165th consecutive quarterly dividend.

Share Repurchases

During the second quarter, the company repurchased 2.2 million shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $94.9 million, or an average price of $42.30 per share. Year to date, the company has repurchased 4.1 million shares at an aggregate cost of $177.6 million, or an average price of $42.99 per share.

Conference Call

The company will host a conference call for analysts and institutional investors at 5:00 p.m. EST, Nov. 25. Mark A. Ernst and Jeffery W. Yabuki, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will discuss the quarter's results and future expectations, as well as respond to analysts' questions. To access the call, dial the number approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

    U.S./Canada 888-425-2715
    International 706-679-8257

    No reservation or access code is needed.

The call will be Webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the Webcast can be obtained at www.hrblock.com.

Supplemental financial information will be available in connection with the Webcast or can be accessed directly on H&R Block's Investor Relations website at www.hrblock.com/about/investor following market close.

A replay of the call will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST, Nov. 25, and continuing until 8:00 p.m. EST, Dec. 9, by dialing 800-642-1687 (U.S./Canada) or 706-645-9291 (International). The replay access code is 3412381. A replay of the Webcast will also be available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com through Dec. 2.

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 uncertainty that the company will achieve or exceed its revenue, earnings, and earnings per share growth goals or expectations for fiscal year 2004 and that actual financial results for fiscal year 2004 will fall within the guidance provided by the company; the uncertainty of the company's ability to purchase shares of its common stock; the uncertainty of the effect of any share repurchases upon the company and its shareholders; the uncertainty as to the effect on financial results of the adoption of accounting pronouncements; changes in interest rates; changes in economic, political or regulatory environments; the uncertainty of assumptions utilized to estimate cash flows from residual interests in mortgage securitizations and mortgage servicing rights; risks associated with sources of liquidity for each of the lines of business of the company; changes in competition; litigation involving the company and its subsidiaries; 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. (www.hrblock.com) is a diversified company with subsidiaries that deliver tax, financial, mortgage and business products and services. It is the only major company with subsidiaries offering a full range of software, online and in-office tax solutions, combined with personalized financial advice about retirement savings, home ownership, and other opportunities to help clients build a better financial future. As the world's largest tax services company, H&R Block served nearly 21 million clients in the U.S. and 11 countries in 2003. H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. offers investment services and securities products. With more than 1,000 financial advisors serving clients at more than 600 offices, H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc. is a member NYSE, SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and a registered investment advisor. H&R Block Inc. is not a registered broker-dealer and is not a registered investment advisor. H&R Block Mortgage Corp. offers a full range of retail mortgage products. Option One Mortgage Corp. provides mortgage services and offers wholesale mortgage products through large financial institutions and a network of 24,000 independent mortgage brokers. RSM McGladrey Business Services Inc. and its subsidiaries serve mid-sized businesses and their owners with tax, accounting and business consulting services, as well as personal wealth management services.

                            H&R BLOCK, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
        Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data

                                         Three months ended
                                  July 31,   October 31, October 31,
                                    2003        2003        2002
                                    ----        ----        ----

Revenues                          $505,690    $579,855    $471,396
                                   -------     -------     -------
Income (loss) before taxes          18,829      17,134     (62,245)
Net income (loss)                   $5,160     $10,376    $(37,347)
                                   =======     =======     =======

Basic earnings (loss) per share      $0.03       $0.06      $(0.21)
                                   =======     =======     =======
  Basic shares outstanding         179,445     177,828     178,880

Diluted earnings (loss) per share    $0.03       $0.06      $(0.21)
                                   =======     =======     =======
  Diluted shares outstanding       182,921     181,111     178,880


                                          Six months ended October 31,
                                                2003        2002
                                                ----        ----

Revenues                                    $1,085,545    $902,762
                                             ---------   ---------
Income (loss) before taxes                      35,963     (78,151)
Net income (loss) before change in
 accounting principle                           21,895     (46,891)
Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle, net of taxes             (6,359)          -

Net income (loss)                              $15,536    $(46,891)
                                             =========   =========

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
  Before change in accounting principle          $0.12      $(0.26)
  Net income (loss)                              $0.09      $(0.26)
                                             =========   =========
  Basic shares outstanding                     178,616     180,045

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
  Before change in accounting principle          $0.12      $(0.26)
  Net income (loss)                              $0.09      $(0.26)
                                             =========   =========
  Diluted shares outstanding                   181,965     180,045


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
----------------------------------------------------
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2004, the Company adopted
Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, "Revenue Arrangements with
Multiple Deliverables" (EITF 00-21) as of May 1, 2003. As a result of
the adoption of EITF 00-21, the Company recorded a cumulative effect
of a change in accounting principle of $6.4 million, net of taxes of
$4.0 million. The Company's results of operations for the three months
ended July 31, 2003, have been restated to reflect the adoption of
EITF 00-21. As a result of the restatement, revenues for the first
quarter increased $10.8 million and net income increased $937
thousand. The restatement is included in the U.S. Tax Operations
segment.

During the six months ended October 31, 2002, the Company recorded a
goodwill impairment of $24.0 million related to its Investment
Services segment, which was not tax deductible.

Basic earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average
number of shares outstanding. The dilutive effect of potential common
shares is included in diluted earnings per share.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-year amounts to
conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications
had no effect on the results of operations or stockholders' equity as
previously reported.
                            H&R BLOCK, INC.
                       SEGMENT FINANCIAL RESULTS
                    Unaudited, amounts in thousands

                                   Three months ended October 31,
                                  Revenues            Income (loss)
                                  --------            ------------
                               2003       2002       2003       2002
                               ----       ----       ----       ----

U.S. Tax Operations          $47,189    $33,429  $(130,938) $(152,299)
Mortgage Operations          351,156    274,588    184,026    153,520
Business Services            109,024     97,883     (2,732)    (3,785)
Investment Services           52,703     50,027    (15,336)   (27,936)
International Tax
 Operations                   19,095     15,326        555       (250)
Corporate Operations             688        143    (18,441)   (31,495)
                             -------    -------    -------    -------
                            $579,855   $471,396     17,134    (62,245)
                             =======    =======
Income taxes (benefit)                               6,758    (24,898)
                                                   -------    -------
Net income (loss)                                  $10,376   $(37,347)
                                                   =======    =======


                                    Six months ended October 31,
                                  Revenues            Income (loss)
                                  --------            ------------
                               2003       2002       2003       2002
                               ----       ----       ----       ----

U.S. Tax Operations          $87,711    $56,715  $(224,110) $(246,329)
Mortgage Operations          654,051    524,894    347,855    300,605
Business Services            207,523    193,197     (9,411)    (8,058)
Investment Services          109,690    108,690    (29,093)   (60,733)
International Tax
 Operations                   24,554     19,609     (5,853)    (6,701)
Corporate Operations           2,016       (343)   (43,425)   (56,935)
                             -------    -------    -------    -------
                          $1,085,545   $902,762     35,963    (78,151)
                           =========   ========
Income taxes (benefit)                              14,068    (31,260)
                                                   -------    -------
Net income (loss) before
 change in accounting
 principle                                          21,895    (46,891)
Cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
 principle, net of taxes                            (6,359)         -
                                                   -------    -------
Net income (loss)                                  $15,536   $(46,891)
                                                   =======    =======
                            H&R BLOCK, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                Amounts in thousands, except share data

                                                October 31,  April 30,
                                                   2003        2003
                                               ----------- -----------
                    ASSETS                     (unaudited)  (audited)
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                   $261,330    $875,353
     Cash and cash equivalents -- restricted      571,163     438,242
     Receivables from customers, brokers,
      dealers and clearing organizations, net     584,721     517,037
     Receivables, net                             340,794     403,197
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets    638,496     513,532
                                               ----------- -----------
        Total current assets                    2,396,504   2,747,361
                                               ----------- -----------

Other assets:
     Residual interests in securitizations        317,604     264,337
     Mortgage servicing rights                    111,960      99,265
     Property and equipment, net                  283,556     288,594
     Intangible assets, net                       350,188     341,865
     Goodwill, net                                830,053     714,215
     Other                                        171,511     148,268
                                               ----------- -----------
Total assets                                   $4,461,376  $4,603,905
                                               =========== ===========

     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt            $25,385     $55,678
     Notes payable                                124,630           -
     Accounts payable to customers, brokers
      and dealers                                 999,009     862,694
     Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
      other                                       455,362     468,933
     Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes     83,202     210,629
     Accrued income taxes                         130,614     299,262
                                               ----------- -----------
        Total current liabilities               1,818,202   1,897,196
                                               ----------- -----------

Long-term debt                                    807,738     822,302
Other non-current liabilities                     299,539     220,698
                                               ----------- -----------
        Total liabilities                       2,925,479   2,940,196
                                               ----------- -----------

Stockholders' equity:
     Common stock, no par, stated value $.01
      per share                                     2,179       2,179
     Additional paid-in capital                   510,951     496,393
     Accumulated other comprehensive income        62,628      36,862
     Retained earnings                          2,169,317   2,221,868
     Less cost of 40,343,784 and 38,343,944
      shares of common stock in treasury       (1,209,178) (1,093,593)
                                               ----------- -----------
        Total stockholders' equity              1,535,897   1,663,709
                                               ----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     $4,461,376  $4,603,905
                                               =========== ===========
                            H&R BLOCK, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                    Unaudited, amounts in thousands

                                                    Six months ended
                                                       October 31,
                                                 ---------------------
                                                    2003        2002
                                                 --------- -----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income (loss)                                $15,536    $(46,891)
 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
  net cash used in operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                  76,010      72,068
    Accretion of residual interests in
     securitizations                              (70,906)    (92,853)
    Impairment of residual interests in
     securitizations                               11,106      24,132
    Additions to trading securities --
     residual interests in securitizations       (199,021)   (136,766)
    Proceeds from net interest margin
     transactions                                 147,107     136,013
    Additions to mortgage servicing rights        (48,002)    (37,968)
    Amortization of mortgage servicing
     rights                                        35,307      20,087
    Net change in receivable from Trusts          (54,483)    (19,828)
    Cumulative effect of change in
     accounting principle                           6,359           -
    Impairment of goodwill                              -      24,000
    Changes in working capital, net              (382,363)   (291,822)
                                                 --------- -----------
    Net cash used in operating activities        (463,350)   (349,828)
                                                 --------- -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Available-for-sale securities:
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities       (9,557)     (7,692)
  Cash received from residual interests in
   securitizations                                 68,850     103,885
 Sales of other available-for-sale securities      13,721       7,946
 Purchases of property and equipment, net         (43,591)    (57,003)
 Payments made for business acquisitions, net
  of cash acquired                               (123,337)    (21,397)
 Other, net                                         2,527      (2,813)
                                                 --------- -----------
   Net cash provided by (used in) investing
    activities                                    (91,387)     22,926
                                                 --------- -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Repayments of notes payable                     (499,771) (6,430,067)
 Proceeds from issuance of notes payable          624,401   6,911,680
 Proceeds from issuance of securitization
  financing                                        50,100           -
 Payments on acquisition debt                     (45,100)    (47,995)
 Dividends paid                                   (68,087)    (61,474)
 Payments to acquire treasury shares             (178,847)   (313,603)
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock            59,851      94,667
 Other, net                                        (1,833)     (1,536)
                                                 --------- -----------
   Net cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities                                    (59,286)    151,672
                                                 --------- -----------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents        (614,023)   (175,230)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
 period                                           875,353     436,145
                                                 --------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period   $261,330    $260,915
                                                 ========= ===========

Supplementary cash flow data:
 Income taxes paid                               $170,826    $124,844
 Interest paid                                     42,724      39,927
                            H&R BLOCK, INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
        Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data

                              Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                  October 31,          October 31,
                              ------------------- --------------------
                                2003      2002       2003      2002
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
Revenues:
 Service revenues             $236,800  $206,404   $446,262  $396,973
 Gain on sale of mortgage
  assets                       220,289   151,377    412,928   296,385
 Interest income                87,868    92,726    158,819   170,946
 Product sales                  28,164    15,510     56,515    30,922
 Royalties                       3,416     2,855      4,983     4,056
 Other income                    3,318     2,524      6,038     3,480
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
                               579,855   471,396  1,085,545   902,762
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------

Operating expenses:
 Employee compensation
  and benefits                 255,764   229,295    480,969   439,483
 Occupancy and equipment        82,314    71,431    158,465   136,293
 Interest                       19,900    22,698     43,096    44,972
 Depreciation and
  amortization                  40,080    36,495     76,010    72,068
 Marketing and advertising      21,683    20,818     31,791    30,004
 Supplies, freight and
  postage                       14,187    13,852     22,741    22,318
 Impairment of goodwill              -     6,000          -    24,000
 Other                         129,957   133,495    239,369   213,709
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
                               563,885   534,084  1,052,441   982,847
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------

Operating income (loss)         15,970   (62,688)    33,104   (80,085)

Other income, net                1,164       443      2,859     1,934
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------

Income (loss) before taxes      17,134   (62,245)    35,963   (78,151)

Income taxes (benefit)           6,758   (24,898)    14,068   (31,260)
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------

Net income (loss) before
 cumulative effect of change
 in accounting principle        10,376   (37,347)    21,895   (46,891)

Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle for
 multiple deliverable revenue
 arrangements, less income
 taxes of $4,031                     -         -     (6,359)        -
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------

Net income (loss)              $10,376  $(37,347)   $15,536  $(46,891)
                              ========= ========= ========== =========

Basic earnings (loss) per
 share:

  Before change in
   accounting principle          $0.06    $(0.21)     $0.12    $(0.26)
  Cumulative effect of
   change in accounting             $-        $-     $(0.03)       $-
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
  Net income (loss)              $0.06    $(0.21)     $0.09    $(0.26)
                              ========= ========= ========== =========

  Basic shares outstanding     177,828   178,880    178,616   180,045

Diluted earnings (loss) per
 share:

  Before change in
   accounting principle          $0.06    $(0.21)     $0.12    $(0.26)
  Cumulative effect of
   change in accounting             $-        $-     $(0.03)       $-
                              --------- --------- ---------- ---------
  Net income (loss)              $0.06    $(0.21)     $0.09    $(0.26)
                              ========= ========= ========== =========

  Diluted shares outstanding   181,111   178,880    181,965   180,045
                            H&R BLOCK, INC.
                        SELECTED OPERATING DATA
                               Unaudited


Option One Mortgage Corporation         Three months ended
                          -------------------------------------------
                          10/31/2003  10/31/2002  % change  7/31/2003
                          ----------  ----------  --------  ---------

Number of loans originated
 Wholesale (non-prime)      36,233      21,536     68.2%     28,494
 Retail: Prime               1,944       3,089    -37.1%      4,005
         Non-prime           4,110       2,754     49.2%      3,004
                        ----------- ----------- -------- -----------
 Total                      42,287      27,379     54.5%     35,503
                        =========== =========== ======== ===========

Volume of loans
 originated (000's)
  Wholesale (non-prime) $5,603,118  $3,083,895     81.7% $4,405,224
  Retail: Prime            247,661     444,469    -44.3%    540,326
          Non-prime        492,977     351,694     40.2%    365,331
                        ----------- ----------- -------- -----------
  Total                 $6,343,756  $3,880,058     63.5% $5,310,881
                        =========== =========== ======== ===========


  Loan sales            $6,330,449  $3,821,649     65.6% $5,301,341
                        =========== =========== ======== ===========

Servicing portfolio
 Number of loans
  serviced                 295,636     220,842     33.9%    261,344
 Servicing portfolio
  ($ bn's)                   $40.1       $26.7     50.2%      $34.1


H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc.    Three months ended
                          --------------------------------------------
                          10/31/2003  10/25/2002  % change  7/31/2003
                          ----------  ----------  --------  ---------

Customer trades            347,828     292,880     18.8%    363,053
Customer daily average
 trades                      5,351       4,576     16.9%      5,339
Average revenue per trade  $116.22     $119.21     -2.5%    $126.46

Number of active accounts  748,403     710,495      5.3%    755,643

Ending balance of assets
 under administration
 ($ bn's)                    $25.7       $21.4     20.1%      $24.3
Average assets per active
 account                   $34,340     $30,102     14.1%    $32,114

Ending customer margin
 balances ($ millions)        $538        $503      7.0%       $517
Ending payables to
 customers ($ millions)       $981        $821     19.5%       $923

    CONTACT: H&R Block Inc.
             Media Relations:
             Bob Schneider, 816-932-4835
             bschneider@hrblock.com
                 or
             Investor Relations:
             Mark Barnett, 816-701-4443
             marbarnett@hrblock.com

    SOURCE: H&R Block Inc.