Improved Off-Season Results from Continuing Operations
Discussions Under Way with Cerberus in Effort to Modify Option One
Sale Transaction
FY08 Earnings Guidance Updated to $1.30 to $1.45 per Share from
Continuing Operations
KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 2007--H&R Block Inc.
(NYSE:HRB) today reported that revenues from continuing operations
rose 11 percent and operating results from continuing operations
improved in its fiscal 2008 first quarter compared with the same
period last year. The company normally reports a first-quarter
operating loss primarily because of seasonality within its Tax
Services and Business Services segments.
Revenues from continuing operations in H&R Block's fiscal first
quarter ended July 31 rose to $381.2 million from $342.8 million in
last year's quarter. Net loss from continuing operations of $109.8
million, or 34 cents a share, was 7 percent better than a $117.8
million loss, or 36 cents a share, in the prior-year period.
"Each of our continuing businesses performed in line with our
expectations during the quarter," said Mark A. Ernst, chairman and
chief executive officer. "In the tax business, we've been investing as
planned in initiatives to drive enhanced client service for the coming
tax season, leveraging the unique products we can offer clients
through H&R Block Bank.
"In Consumer Financial Services, solid growth at both the bank and
H&R Block Financial Advisors combined to deliver a great quarter,"
Ernst continued, "and RSM McGladrey is beginning to realize the full
benefits of integrating our American Express Tax and Business Services
acquisition."
H&R Block also announced today that it is engaged in discussions
with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. in an effort to modify the
agreement H&R Block entered into in April to sell Option One Mortgage
Corp. to Cerberus. Certain closing conditions of this agreement
currently are not being met. Consequently, some of the key components
of the discussions currently are:
-- The closing conditions requiring Option One to have $2 billion
in loans funded within 60 days of closing and $8 billion
minimum in warehouse lines would be waived, with certain other
closing conditions being waived or modified.
-- H&R Block would be responsible for divesting or winding down
Option One's remaining origination business, which would be
pursued immediately. As a result, certain shutdown costs may
be incurred.
-- Cerberus would purchase Option One's loan servicing platform.
-- The parties are working toward advancing the Dec. 31 contract
termination date to provide for an earlier resolution of the
Option One situation.
Other sections of the contract may also be changed or eliminated.
While H&R Block hopes to conclude these negotiations soon, the company
cannot be sure that it will be able to do so. If the parties are
unable to reach agreement on the modifications, the existing agreement
remains in effect with its original terms, though there can be no
assurance it will close. Until the ongoing discussions are concluded,
H&R Block will not have any further comment.
Results of the Option One business, H&R Block Mortgage Corp. and
two small non-mortgage businesses are reported as discontinued
operations. Net loss from discontinued operations was $192.8 million,
or 59 cents per share, for the fiscal 2008 first quarter, versus a
loss of $13.5 million, or 5 cents per share, in last year's period.
Including discontinued operations, H&R Block's consolidated net
loss for the fiscal 2008 first quarter was $302.6 million, or 93 cents
per share, versus $131.4 million, or 41 cents per share, a year ago.
Fiscal 2008 Outlook
"We took major steps last year to simplify the company's business
mix and sharpen our focus on our tax, accounting and related financial
services businesses," Ernst said. "Based on first quarter results for
our continuing operations, fiscal 2008 is off to a good start."
The company has updated its range of expected earnings from
continuing operations for fiscal 2008 to $1.30 to $1.45 per share,
narrowing it from the prior expectation of $1.25 to $1.45 per share.
Earnings from continuing operations were $1.15 per share in fiscal
2007.
The change reflects finalized product designs and strategies for
the Tax Services segment, in which the company anticipates a good
season in retail tax complemented by further gains in digital tax
services. The outlook also includes a doubling or more of profits in
Consumer Financial Services, driven by continued bank expansion and
further profit gains by H&R Block Financial Advisors. The company
expects solid performance as well in RSM McGladrey's core accounting,
tax and consulting services. Results of discontinued operations will
continue to have a negative impact on consolidated earnings into the
second, and possibly third, quarter of the fiscal year.
Tax Services
First quarter Tax Services revenues rose 6 percent to $69.9
million from $65.7 million. The segment had a pretax loss of $172.3
million compared with a $153.1 million loss last year.
The fiscal 2008 quarterly loss reflects off-season expenses
associated with expansion into the company's commercial tax markets
business and the recent acquisition of previously franchised
operations in Las Vegas, investments in technology infrastructure and
a slight increase in normal operating expenses.
In an effort to better serve clients who file in the critical
early part of the tax season, the company has joined with leading
refund lenders to dramatically lower the cost of refund anticipation
loans. The loan product will be offered nationally through both H&R
Block retail tax offices and professional preparers who use TaxWorks
or 1040Works (commercial tax preparation software platforms H&R Block
acquired last fiscal year).
"We are intently focused on competing professionally, yet
aggressively, for early season filers," Ernst stated.
Consumer Financial Services
First quarter 2008 revenues from continuing operations of $114.4
million were 45 percent above the $78.8 million recorded in the prior
year quarter, reflecting planned growth of H&R Block Bank and
continued profitability improvements by H&R Block Financial Advisors
(HRBFA). Segment pretax income from continuing operations rose to $6.2
million, more than $9 million better than a loss of $3.1 million a
year ago.
"Our bank started its second year of operation with a strong
quarter, and we're still in the early stages of realizing its
potential for competitive advantage," Ernst said.
"Beyond the Bank's own contribution to earnings, we look forward
to realizing the tax client retention opportunity created by the
popularity of the H&R Block Prepaid Emerald MasterCard(R)," he said.
Issued by the bank, the Emerald Card was selected by an unprecedented
2 million tax clients last season, enabling them to receive
refund-related funds at tax time and to access consumer banking
services year-round.
"Yesterday we announced a bank product that builds on this highly
successful launch," Ernst continued. "It links the card to a
year-round line of credit that offers tax clients a low fixed annual
percentage rate when they link it to a high-yield savings account also
offered by the bank. This new product will provide credit when clients
need it in a way that builds loyalty for our tax business."
HRBFA again achieved profitability in the quarter. Results
benefited from higher advisor productivity, which was driven by
organic business growth and recruiting success. "These improved
results reflect operating changes management has made in the business
over the past two years," Ernst said, "and we are on track for ongoing
earnings contributions."
Business Services
Business Services had a strong quarter, experiencing good organic
growth despite a slight decline in reported revenues. Revenues for the
fiscal 2008 first quarter were down 1 percent to $192.8 million from
$195.5 million. This was primarily due to reduced capital markets
revenue, reflecting a decision to phase out business valuation
services and focus solely on capital market transaction advisory
services.
In addition to 9 percent revenue growth in its tax business, the
segment also achieved meaningful improvement versus prior year in its
off-season loss. The loss was reduced to $1.9 million from $7.0
million in the year-ago quarter, due primarily to efficiencies
resulting from the integration of American Express Tax and Business
Services.
Investment continued during the quarter in a brand-building
initiative designed to drive new business opportunities through
greater awareness of RSM McGladrey's name and business capabilities.
Discontinued Operations
May and June improvements in the mortgage market environment were
reversed in July after rating agency changes in loan collateral
guidelines. These changes lowered the value of loans held in
warehouses throughout the industry, made certain loan products
unprofitable, and lowered the value of virtually all non-prime
originations. Option One responded to these issues with changes to its
products and programs, including rate increases, and actions to reduce
asset values to recognize overall market illiquidity.
The pretax loss noted earlier reflects a $57.4 million loss on
sale, $157.3 million in loan loss and repurchase reserves and a $49.6
million impairment of residual interests.
Cost of origination was 262 basis points, up from 245 basis points
in the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter. Based on loan executions of $3.1
billion in the fiscal 2008 first quarter, the business incurred losses
from origination activities leading to a 586 basis points net loss on
sale gross margin for the quarter.
Option One has significantly tightened its underwriting criteria
so that loans originated result in clear access to the available
secondary market and limit the company's ongoing capital commitment.
"Given the unprecedented disruption in the credit markets, in
August we took action to limit any more exposure to non-prime mortgage
originations by stopping all but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-eligible
loans," Ernst said.
Option One also dramatically scaled back its loan commitment
activity to a level that should result in an originations run rate of
approximately $200 million per month by mid-September. The company has
continued to restructure its origination platform to align resources
with substantially lower volume.
To the extent that market conditions fail to improve, the company
estimates that the mortgage business may continue to incur significant
pretax impairments of approximately $150 million to $200 million to
existing residuals, beneficial interests in trusts and loans held for
sale.
Other
Corporate and eliminations pretax loss decreased to $15.6 million
in the 2008 first quarter from $30.9 million, reflecting improved
borrowing rates, lower legal expenses and $4.2 million of additional
investment income.
During the first quarter, the company issued 1.6 million treasury
shares for option exercises, share purchases under the employee stock
purchase plan and vesting of restricted share grants.
Given the first quarter loss within discontinued operations and
estimated losses during the second and potentially third quarters, the
company now expects that it will not be able to repurchase shares for
treasury until some time in fiscal 2009.
Conference Call
Today at 8 a.m. EDT, H&R Block will host a conference call for
analysts, institutional investors and shareholders. Mark Ernst and
Bill Trubeck, executive vice president and chief financial officer,
will discuss results and future expectations as well as respond to
analysts' questions. To access the call, please dial the number below
approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:
U.S./Canada (866) 800-8649 - Access Code: 36607435
International (617) 614-2703 - Access Code: 36607435
The call will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and
public. The link to the webcast and a supporting slide presentation
can be accessed directly on H&R Block's Investor Relations Web site at
http://investor-relations.hrblock.com.
A replay of the call will be available beginning at 10 a.m. EDT
Aug. 30 and continuing until 12 p.m. EDT Sept. 13, 2007, by dialing
(888) 286-8010 (U.S./Canada) or (617) 801-6888 (international). The
replay access code is 10809038. The webcast will be replayed on the
company's Investor Relations Web site at
http://investor-relations.hrblock.com.
About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE:HRB) is a leading provider of tax, accounting
and related financial products and services. H&R Block is the world's
largest tax services provider, having prepared more than 400 million
tax returns since 1955. The company and its subsidiaries reported
revenues of $4.0 billion and net income from continuing operations of
$374.3 million in fiscal year 2007. The company has continuing
operations in three principal business segments: Tax Services (income
tax return preparation and related services and products via
in-office, online and software solutions); Business Services
(accounting, tax and business consulting services primarily for
midsized companies); and Consumer Financial Services (tax-related
banking services along with brokerage services, investment planning
and related financial advice). Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., H&R
Block markets its continuing services and products under two leading
brands -- H&R Block and RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our
Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are any
statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking
statements are based upon the current expectations of the company 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, the company's pending sale of Option One Mortgage Corp. and
uncertainty regarding its closing; the uncertainty of the impact and
effect of changes in the non-prime mortgage market including changes
in interest rates, loan origination volumes, levels of early payment
defaults and secondary market pricing and liquidity; competitive
factors; regulatory capital requirements; uncertainties pertaining to
the commercial paper market; litigation; and changes in market,
economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning
these risks and uncertainties is contained in Item 1A of the company's
2007 annual report on Form 10-K and in other filings by the company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
H&R BLOCK
KEY OPERATING RESULTS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
Three months ended July 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues Income (loss)
----------------- ---------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax Services $69,863 $65,658 $(172,289) $(153,054)
Business Services 192,823 195,457 (1,906) (6,967)
Consumer Financial Services 114,372 78,829 6,206 (3,069)
Corporate and Eliminations 4,151 2,826 (15,591) (30,884)
----------------- ---------------------
$381,209 $342,770 (183,580) (193,974)
=================
Income tax benefit (73,757) (76,135)
---------------------
Net loss from continuing
operations (109,823) (117,839)
Loss from discontinued
operations, net of tax (192,757) (13,538)
---------------------
Net loss $(302,580) $(131,377)
=====================
Basic and diluted loss per
share:
Net loss from continuing
operations $(0.34) $(0.36)
Net loss from discontinued
operations (0.59) (0.05)
---------------------
Net loss $(0.93) $(0.41)
=====================
Basic and diluted shares
outstanding 323,864 323,671
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings 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 except in those periods
with a loss from continuing operations.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to
conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications
had no effect on the consolidated results of operations or
stockholders' equity as previously reported.
On April 19, 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell Option One
Mortgage Corporation (OOMC). In conjunction with this plan, we also
announced we would terminate the operations of H&R Block Mortgage
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OOMC. During fiscal year
2007, we also committed to a plan to sell two smaller lines of
business and completed the wind-down of one other line of business,
all of which were previously reported in our Business Services
segment. One of these businesses was sold during the three months
ended July 31, 2007. Additionally during fiscal year 2007, we
completed the wind-down of our tax operations in the United Kingdom,
which were previously reported in Tax Services. As of July 31, 2007,
we met the criteria requiring us to present the related financial
results of these businesses as discontinued operations and the assets
and liabilities of the business being sold as held-for-sale in the
condensed consolidated financial statements. All periods presented
have been reclassified to reflect our discontinued operations.
We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" (FIN 48) on May 1, 2007. As a result
of the adoption of FIN 48, we recognized a $9.7 million increase in
the liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting in a decrease
to retained earnings as of May 1, 2007.
H&R BLOCK
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Amounts in thousands, except share data
----------- -----------
July 31, April 30,
2007 2007
----------- -----------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $437,671 $921,838
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted 287,789 332,646
Receivables from customers, brokers, dealers
and clearing organizations, net 404,420 410,522
Receivables, net 423,450 556,255
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 224,834 208,564
Current assets of discontinued operations,
held for sale 1,082,826 1,024,467
----------- -----------
Total current assets 2,860,990 3,454,292
Mortgage loans held for investment, net 1,241,281 1,358,222
Property and equipment, net 372,235 379,066
Intangible assets, net 173,799 181,413
Goodwill, net 1,006,278 993,919
Other assets 484,081 454,646
Noncurrent assets of discontinued
operations, held for sale 769,695 722,492
----------- -----------
Total assets $6,908,359 $7,544,050
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Commercial paper and other short-term
borrowings $1,651,237 $1,567,082
Customer banking deposits 1,039,238 1,129,263
Accounts payable to customers, brokers and
dealers 615,858 633,189
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other 398,864 519,372
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes 131,274 307,854
Accrued income taxes 113,739 439,472
Current portion of long-term debt 9,371 9,304
Current liabilities of discontinued
operations, held for sale 791,071 615,373
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 4,750,652 5,220,909
Long-term debt 519,803 519,807
Other noncurrent liabilities 556,542 388,835
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 5,826,997 6,129,551
----------- -----------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per
share 4,359 4,359
Additional paid-in capital 671,647 676,766
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) 2,528 (1,320)
Retained earnings 2,530,207 2,886,440
Less cost of 111,344,662 and 112,671,610
shares of common stock in treasury (2,127,379) (2,151,746)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 1,081,362 1,414,499
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $6,908,359 $7,544,050
=========== ===========
H&R BLOCK
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data
---------------------
Three Months Ended
July 31,
---------------------
2007 2006
---------- ----------
Revenues:
Service revenues $321,663 $302,796
Other revenues:
Interest income 41,838 25,710
Product and other revenues 17,708 14,264
---------- ----------
381,209 342,770
---------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Cost of services 383,400 363,525
Cost of other revenues 43,529 18,207
Selling, general and administrative 145,824 149,071
---------- ----------
572,753 530,803
---------- ----------
Operating loss (191,544) (188,033)
Non-operating interest expense (595) (12,135)
Other income, net 8,559 6,194
---------- ----------
Loss from continuing operations before tax
benefit (183,580) (193,974)
Income tax benefit (73,757) (76,135)
---------- ----------
Net loss from continuing operations (109,823) (117,839)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (192,757) (13,538)
---------- ----------
Net loss $(302,580) $(131,377)
========== ==========
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations $(0.34) $(0.36)
Net loss from discontinued operations (0.59) (0.05)
---------- ----------
Net loss $(0.93) $(0.41)
========== ==========
Basic and diluted shares outstanding 323,864 323,671
H&R BLOCK
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited, amounts in thousands
---------------------------
Three Months Ended July 31,
---------------------------
2007 2006
------------- -------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(302,580) $(131,377)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 37,075 34,627
Stock-based compensation expense 7,398 8,179
Changes in assets and liabilities of
discontinued operations 115,486 175,207
Other changes in working capital, net
of acquisitions (289,562) (562,695)
------------- -------------
Net cash used in operating activities (432,183) (476,059)
------------- -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Mortgage loans originated or purchased
for investment, net 111,164 (135,161)
Purchases of property and equipment (14,497) (34,358)
Payments made for business acquisitions,
net of cash acquired (20,887) (4,627)
Investing cash flows provided by (used
in) discontinued operations 3,068 (3,871)
Other, net 6,699 1,774
------------- -------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities 85,547 (176,243)
------------- -------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of commercial paper (3,463,719) (1,034,210)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial
paper 3,622,874 1,223,566
Repayments of lines of credit borrowings (560,000) -
Proceeds from lines of credit borrowings 485,000 -
Customer banking deposits (90,378) 404,030
Dividends paid (43,937) (40,485)
Purchase of treasury shares - (180,897)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 9,788 6,791
Financing cash flows used in discontinued
operations (47,535) (100)
Other, net (49,624) (53,549)
------------- -------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (137,531) 325,146
------------- -------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (484,167) (327,156)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
the year 921,838 673,827
------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
year $437,671 $346,671
============= =============
Supplementary cash flow data:
Income taxes paid $9,653 $190,378
Interest paid on borrowings 27,833 15,504
Interest paid on deposits 15,792 3,198
H&R BLOCK
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
Unaudited
---------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Consumer Financial
Services Three months ended
---------------------- -----------------------------------------------
7/31/2007 7/31/2006 % change 4/30/2007 % change
--------- --------- ------------------ --------
Broker-dealer:
Traditional brokerage
accounts (1) 383,229 409,147 -6.3% 386,902 -0.9%
Average assets per
traditional
brokerage account $84,775 $75,311 12.6% $85,518 -0.9%
Ending balance of
assets under
administration
(billions) $32.5 $30.8 5.5% $33.1 -1.8%
Average customer
margin balances
(millions) $357 $451 -20.8% $373 -4.3%
Average payables to
customers (millions) $560 $647 -13.4% $573 -2.3%
Advisors 936 938 -0.2% 918 2.0%
Banking:
Efficiency ratio (2) 37% 35% 2.0% 37% 0.3%
Annualized net
interest margin (3) 2.08% 3.65% -1.6% 2.53% -0.5%
Annualized pretax
return on average
assets (4) 1.34% 1.15% 0.2% 3.42% -2.1%
Total ending assets
(millions) $1,337 $567 135.8% $1,501 -10.9%
(1) Includes only accounts with a positive period-end balance.
(2) Non-interest expenses divided by total revenue less interest
expense. See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
(3) Annualized net interest revenue divided by average assets. See
reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
(4) Annualized pretax banking income divided by average assets. See
reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
H&R BLOCK
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Unaudited, dollars in thousands
---------------------------------
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------
July 31, July 31, April 30,
2007 2006 2007
----------- --------- -----------
Efficiency Ratio:
Total Consumer Financial Services
expenses $108,166 $81,898 $105,963
Less: Interest and non-banking
expenses (104,043) (80,564) (97,496)
----------- --------- -----------
Non-interest banking expenses $4,123 $1,334 $8,467
=========== ========= ===========
Total Consumer Financial Services
revenues $114,372 $78,829 $120,202
Less: Non-banking revenues and
interest expense (103,323) (74,988) (97,162)
----------- --------- -----------
Banking revenue net of interest
expense $11,049 $3,841 $23,040
=========== ========= ===========
37% 35% 37%
=========== ========= ===========
Annualized Net Interest Margin:
Net interest revenue - banking $7,503 $3,729 $9,654
Net interest revenue - banking
(annualized) $30,012 $14,916 $38,616
=========== ========= ===========
Divided by average assets $1,442,299 $408,117 $1,525,662
=========== ========= ===========
2.08% 3.65% 2.53%
=========== ========= ===========
Annualized Return on Average Assets:
Total Consumer Financial Services
pretax income $6,206 $(3,069) $14,239
Less: Non-banking pretax income
(loss) 1,364 (4,238) 1,195
----------- --------- -----------
Pretax banking income $4,842 $1,169 $13,044
=========== ========= ===========
Pretax banking income - annualized $19,368 $4,676 $52,176
=========== ========= ===========
Divided by average assets $1,442,299 $408,117 $1,525,662
=========== ========= ===========
1.34% 1.15% 3.42%
=========== ========= ===========
CONTACT: H&R Block Inc.
Nick Iammartino, 816-854-4556 (Media Relations)
nick.iammartino@hrblock.com
Scott Dudley, 816-854-4505 (Investor Relations)
scott.dudley@hrblock.com
SOURCE: H&R Block Inc.
