H&R Block Announces Fiscal 2021 First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) reported a strong start to fiscal 2021, with revenues soaring 300% to $601 million in Q1, driven by a prolonged tax season. The company achieved pretax income of $124 million, reversing a loss of $207 million from the previous year. GAAP EPS improved to $0.48, while non-GAAP adjusted EPS reached $0.55. Operational expenses rose 30% to $448 million due to higher variable compensation. H&R Block also issued $650 million in notes to repay existing debt and announced a dividend of $0.26 per share, highlighting its solid financial position.

Positive

• Revenue increased 300% to $601 million
• Pretax income rose to $124 million from a loss of $207 million
• GAAP EPS improved to $0.48 from a loss of $(0.72)
• Non-GAAP EPS increased to $0.55 from a loss of $(0.66)
• Announced a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share

Negative

• Operating expenses increased 30% to $448 million

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today released its financial results¹ for the fiscal 2021 first quarter ended July 31, 2020.

• Strong finish to the tax season resulted in total U.S. tax filing growth of 3.3%².
  
  
• Fiscal first quarter financial results improved significantly compared to the prior year due to the extension of the most recent tax season to July 15; revenues increased 300% to $601 million.
  
  
• Pretax earnings of $124 million compared to a pretax loss of $207 million in the prior year.  GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations³ (EPS) improved to $0.48 compared to a loss of $(0.72), while non-GAAP adjusted EPS⁴ improved to $0.55 compared to a loss of $(0.66).
  
  
• Following the fiscal first quarter, the company completed the issuance of $650 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% notes due August 2030 and intends to use the proceeds to repay existing senior notes at maturity in October 2020.
  
  
• The company entered into a long-term agreement with MetaBank, N.A. (“Meta”) in August to act as the facilitator of the Company’s suite of financial services products.

"As evidenced by our strong finish to the tax season, we demonstrated innovation, agility, and resilience in navigating historic disruption and remained focused on helping our clients,” said Jeff Jones, H&R Block’s president and chief executive officer.  “Serving more clients this year than last is a testament to the strength of our brand and our ability to serve people in any way they prefer.”

Fiscal 2021 First Quarter Results From Continuing Operations

(in millions, except EPS)		Q1 FY2021				Q1 FY2020
Revenue		$	601			$	150
Pretax Income (Loss)		$	124			$	(207	)
Net Income (Loss)		$	94			$	(146	)
Weighted-Avg. Shares - Diluted		194.1				202.0
EPS3		$	0.48			$	(0.72	)
Adjusted EPS3,4		$	0.55			$	(0.66	)
EBITDA4		$	196			$	(147	)

"Our results in the first quarter were strong, resulting in a positive start to the fiscal year," said Tony Bowen, H&R Block's chief financial officer.  "We’re in a solid financial position and are continuing the work of driving efficiencies in our business to fund our growth initiatives."

Key Financial Metrics

• Total revenues increased $451 million, or 300%, to $601 million due to the extension of the U.S. tax season which resulted in higher revenue in both the Assisted and DIY business, as well as increased international tax preparation fees due to the extension of the Canadian tax season.
  
  
• Total operating expenses increased $103 million, or 30%, to $448 million primarily due to variable compensation and other expenses on the increase in revenue, as well as planned increases in marketing related to the extension of the tax season.  These increases were partially offset by decreases in other expenses.
  
  
• The resulting pretax income of $124 million compared to a pretax loss of $207 million in the prior year.  GAAP EPS from continuing operations increased to $0.48 compared to a loss of $(0.72), while non-GAAP EPS improved $0.55 compared to a loss of $(0.66).

Capital Structure

The company was also pleased to announce the following recent developments related to its capital structure:

• As previously announced, a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share is payable on October 1, 2020 to shareholders of record as of September 11, 2020.  H&R Block has paid quarterly dividends consecutively since the company went public in 1962.
  
  
• The company ended the fiscal first quarter with $2.6 billion of cash, including $2.0 billion from its line of credit, which remains fully drawn.  The company intends to pay down the full balance of the line of credit this month, using available cash.  Future draws on the line of credit are anticipated to fund seasonal cash flow needs, consistent with prior practice.
  
  
• The company recently completed the issuance $650 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% notes due August 2030 and intends to use the proceeds to repay existing senior notes at maturity in October 2020.

MetaBank, N.A. Agreement

The company recently announced that it entered into a program management agreement with Meta, under which Meta will act as the bank provider of H&R Block-branded financial products, including Emerald Advance, Emerald Card, Emerald Savings, Refund Advance, and Refund Transfer through the company’s retail and digital channels.

Discontinued Operations

For information on Sand Canyon, please refer to disclosures in the company’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and other filings with the SEC.

Conference Call

Discussion of the fiscal 2021 first quarter results, tax season 2020 results, outlook, and a general business update will occur during the company’s previously announced fiscal first quarter earnings conference call for analysts, institutional investors, and shareholders.  The call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on September 1, 2020. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 5 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:

U.S./Canada (866) 987-6821 or International (630) 652-5951

Conference ID: 2117669

The call, along with a presentation for viewing, will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the webcast can be accessed directly at https://investors.hrblock.com.  The presentation will be posted on the Quarterly Results page at https://investors.hrblock.com following the conclusion of the call.

A replay of the call will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on September 1, 2020 and continuing for seven days by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S./Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (International). The conference ID is 2117669. The webcast will be available for replay beginning on September 2, 2020 and continuing for 90 days at https://investors.hrblock.com.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation, financial services and small business solutions. The company is disrupting the tax industry by providing consumers price transparency and with digital platforms such as Tax Pro Go^SM. H&R Block believes the best solutions blend digital capabilities with human expertise and care. For more information visit the H&R Block Newsroom and follow @HRBlockNews.

About Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial information. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Information."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words or variation of words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "commits," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "targets," "would," "will," "should," "goal," "could" or "may" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements provide management's current expectations or predictions of future conditions, events or results. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future are forward-looking statements. They may include estimates of revenues, client trajectory, income, effective tax rate, earnings per share, cost savings, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, liquidity, capital structure, market share, industry volumes or other financial items, descriptions of management’s plans or objectives for future operations, products or services, or descriptions of assumptions underlying any of the above. They also include the expected impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including, without limitation, the impact on economic and financial markets, the Company’s capital resources and financial condition, the expected use of proceeds under the Company’s revolving credit facility, future expenditures, potential regulatory actions, such as extensions of tax filing deadlines or other related relief, changes in consumer behaviors and modifications to the Company’s operations related thereto. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and reflect the company's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance or events. Furthermore, the company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions, factors, or expectations, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by law. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to a variety of economic, competitive and regulatory factors, many of which are beyond the company's control, that are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020 in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and additional factors we may describe from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may get such filings for free at our website at http://investors.hrblock.com. In addition, factors that may cause the company’s actual estimated effective tax rate to differ from estimates include the company’s actual results from operations compared to current estimates, future discrete items, changes in interpretations and assumptions the company has made, and future actions of the company. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and, consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.

For Further Information

Investor Relations:          Colby Brown, (816) 854-4559, colby.brown@hrblock.com
Media Relations:             Angela Davied, (816) 854-5798, angela.davied@hrblock.com

¹ All amounts in this release are unaudited.  Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons refer to the current period compared to the corresponding prior year period.
² Tax return growth represents the period May 1, 2019 through July 17, 2020 compared to the period May 1, 2018 through July 17, 2019.  For further details, see press release issued July 28, 2020.
³ All per share amounts are based on fully diluted shares at the end of the corresponding period.
⁴ The company reports non-GAAP financial measures of performance, including adjusted earnings per share (EPS), earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations, and free cash flow, which it considers to be useful metrics for management and investors to evaluate and compare the ongoing operating performance of the company.  See "About Non-GAAP Financial Information" below for more information regarding financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS		(unaudited, in 000s - except per share amounts)
		Three months ended July 31,
		2020				2019
REVENUES:
Service revenues		$	550,951			$	132,159
Royalty, product and other revenues		50,079				18,203
		601,030				150,362
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Costs of revenues		315,036				229,392
Selling, general and administrative		133,038				116,136
Total operating expenses		448,074				345,528
Other income (expense), net		3,211				9,123
Interest expense on borrowings		(32,125		)		(21,071		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (benefit)		124,042				(207,114		)
Income taxes (benefit)		30,486				(61,390		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		93,556				(145,724		)
Net loss from discontinued operations		(2,297		)		(4,523		)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	91,259			$	(150,247	)
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Continuing operations		$	0.48			$	(0.72	)
Discontinued operations		(0.01		)		(0.02		)
Consolidated		$	0.47			$	(0.74	)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES		194,067				202,037

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS		(unaudited, in 000s - except per share data)
As of		July 31, 2020				July 31, 2019				April 30, 2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,598,570			$	607,668			$	2,661,914
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted		208,015				157,786				211,106
Receivables, net		97,222				76,128				133,197
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		93,538				105,123				80,519
Total current assets		2,997,345				946,705				3,086,736
Property and equipment, net		168,830				199,679				184,367
Operating lease right of use asset		492,195				486,147				494,788
Intangible assets, net		400,025				419,391				414,976
Goodwill		724,288				821,278				712,138
Deferred tax assets and income taxes receivable		153,274				142,416				151,195
Other noncurrent assets		61,479				94,384				67,847
Total assets		$	4,997,436			$	3,110,000			$	5,112,047
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	128,690			$	122,156			$	203,103
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes		69,346				48,166				116,375
Accrued income taxes and reserves for uncertain tax positions		156,557				182,928				209,816
Current portion of long-term debt		—				—				649,384
Operating lease liabilities		209,556				186,355				195,537
Deferred revenue and other current liabilities		201,809				193,364				201,401
Total current liabilities		765,958				732,969				1,575,616
Long-term debt and line of credit borrowings		3,495,918				1,493,289				2,845,873
Deferred tax liabilities and reserves for uncertain tax positions		185,687				199,714				182,441
Operating lease liabilities		297,518				292,818				312,566
Deferred revenue and other noncurrent liabilities		117,078				100,406				124,510
Total liabilities		4,862,159				2,819,196				5,041,006
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per share		2,282				2,367				2,282
Additional paid-in capital		772,782				759,449				775,387
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(34,037		)		(22,736		)		(51,576		)
Retained earnings		82,933				250,740				42,965
Less treasury shares, at cost		(688,683		)		(699,016		)		(698,017		)
Total stockholders' equity		135,277				290,804				71,041
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	4,997,436			$	3,110,000			$	5,112,047

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS		(unaudited, in 000s)
Three months ended July 31,		2020				2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)		$	91,259			$	(150,247	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		39,508				38,605
Provision		2,809				552
Deferred taxes		(1,368		)		6,825
Stock-based compensation		7,597				6,674
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables		26,052				60,519
Prepaid expenses, other current and noncurrent assets		(8,460		)		(9,917		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, salaries, wages and payroll taxes		(123,011		)		(284,643		)
Deferred revenue, other current and noncurrent liabilities		(7,136		)		(45,769		)
Income tax receivables, accrued income taxes and income tax reserves		(46,964		)		(99,929		)
Other, net		(786		)		(6,499		)
Net cash used in operating activities		(20,500		)		(483,829		)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures		(8,311		)		(15,181		)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(13		)		(394,411		)
Franchise loans funded		(128		)		(2,806		)
Payments from franchisees		14,150				2,647
Other, net		(1,318		)		50,944
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		4,380				(358,807		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends paid		(50,044		)		(52,512		)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered		(2,913		)		(36,456		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,147				1,206
Other, net		(4,910		)		(12,431		)
Net cash used in financing activities		(56,720		)		(100,193		)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash		6,405				556
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted balances		(66,435		)		(942,273		)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		2,873,020				1,707,727
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period		$	2,806,585			$	765,454
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DATA:
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received		$	79,138			$	36,138
Interest paid on borrowings		26,457				15,519
Accrued purchase of common stock		—				16,801
Accrued additions to property and equipment		1,716				127
New operating right of use assets and related lease liabilities		52,171				157,216

FINANCIAL RESULTS		(unaudited, in 000s - except per share amounts)
		Three months ended July 31,
		2020				2019
REVENUES:
U.S. assisted tax preparation		$	337,728			$	32,992
U.S. royalties		35,949				6,859
U.S. DIY tax preparation		67,595				3,410
International		67,818				40,581
Refund Transfers		10,553				1,509
Emerald Card®		17,055				13,855
Peace of Mind® Extended Service Plan		31,995				32,837
Tax Identity Shield®		9,367				4,522
Interest and fee income on Emerald AdvanceTM		663				554
Wave		12,067				3,625
Other		10,240				9,618
Total revenues		601,030				150,362
Compensation and benefits:
Field wages		118,542				53,803
Other wages		60,694				53,837
Benefits and other compensation		33,798				26,474
		213,034				134,114
Occupancy		99,300				92,152
Marketing and advertising		18,811				6,779
Depreciation and amortization		39,508				38,605
Bad debt		1,856				(968		)
Other		75,565				74,846
Total operating expenses		448,074				345,528
Other income (expense), net		3,211				9,123
Interest expense on borrowings		(32,125		)		(21,071		)
Pretax income (loss)		124,042				(207,114		)
Income taxes (benefit)		30,486				(61,390		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		93,556				(145,724		)
Net loss from discontinued operations		(2,297		)		(4,523		)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	91,259			$	(150,247	)
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Continuing operations		$	0.48			$	(0.72	)
Discontinued operations		(0.01		)		(0.02		)
Consolidated		$	0.47			$	(0.74	)
Weighted average diluted shares		194,067				202,037
EBITDA from continuing operations (1)		$	195,675			$	(147,438	)

⁽¹⁾   See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

(in 000s)
		Three months ended July 31,
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE - EBITDA		2020				2019
Net income (loss) - as reported		$	91,259			$	(150,247	)
Discontinued operations, net		2,297				4,523
Net income (loss) from continuing operations - as reported		93,556				(145,724		)
Add back:
Income taxes (benefit) of continuing operations		30,486				(61,390		)
Interest expense of continuing operations		32,125				21,071
Depreciation and amortization of continuing operations		39,508				38,605
		102,119				(1,714		)
EBITDA from continuing operations		$	195,675			$	(147,438	)

(in 000s, except per share amounts)
		Three months ended July 31,
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE - ADJUSTED EPS		2020				2019
Net income (loss) from continuing operations - as reported		$	93,556			$	(145,724	)
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions (pretax)		18,577				16,239
Tax effect of adjustments (1)		(4,400		)		(4,162		)
Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations		$	107,733			$	(133,647	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share - as reported		$	0.48			$	(0.72	)
Adjustments, net of tax		0.07				0.06
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.55			$	(0.66	)

⁽¹⁾                 Tax effect of adjustments is the difference between the tax provision calculated on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted non-GAAP basis.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because these measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies.

We consider our non-GAAP financial measures to be performance measures and a useful metric for management and investors to evaluate and compare the ongoing operating performance of our business.

We make adjustments for certain non-GAAP financial measures related to amortization of intangibles from acquisitions and goodwill impairments. We believe removing the impacts of amortization of acquired intangibles and goodwill impairments provides a more meaningful indicator of performance and will assist in understanding our financial results.

We may consider whether other significant items that arise in the future should be excluded from our non-GAAP financial measures.

We measure the performance of our business using a variety of metrics, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, EBITDA margin from continuing operations, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations and free cash flow. We also use EBITDA from continuing operations and pretax income of continuing operations, each subject to permitted adjustments, as performance metrics in incentive compensation calculations for our employees.

 

FAQ

What were H&R Block's Q1 fiscal 2021 earnings results?

H&R Block reported Q1 fiscal 2021 revenues of $601 million, a 300% increase, with pretax income of $124 million and GAAP EPS of $0.48.

How did H&R Block's operating expenses change in Q1 fiscal 2021?

Operating expenses for H&R Block increased by 30% to $448 million in Q1 fiscal 2021.

What is H&R Block's dividend announcement for October 2020?

H&R Block announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share payable on October 1, 2020.

What financial strategies did H&R Block implement following their earnings report?

H&R Block issued $650 million in 3.875% notes due August 2030 to repay existing senior notes.