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H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2021 Third Quarter Results; Reiterates Fiscal Year Financial Outlook

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H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) reported its fiscal 2021 third quarter results, revealing a 41% decline in revenue to $308 million due to a delayed U.S. tax season. GAAP loss per share increased from $(0.66) to $(1.27>, while adjusted loss per share rose from $(0.59) to $(1.17. Despite these challenges, the company anticipates strong free cash flow and a quarterly dividend of $0.26 payable on April 1, 2021. The company remains optimistic about finishing the fiscal year strong, driven by its Block Horizons strategy.

Positive
  • Strong free cash flow anticipated for the fiscal year.
  • Quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share announced.
Negative
  • 41% revenue decline due to tax season delays.
  • Increased GAAP loss per share from $(0.66) to $(1.27).
  • Increased adjusted non-GAAP loss per share from $(0.59) to $(1.17).
  • Pretax loss increased by $106 million to $284 million.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today released its financial results1 for the fiscal 2021 third quarter ended January 31, 2021.

  • Company reiterates its revenue growth and earnings outlook for the fiscal year.

  • Fiscal third quarter revenue was impacted by a delayed start to the U.S. tax season and a later-than-usual opening of IRS e-file resulting in a 41% decline to $308 million. These impacts were partially offset by an increase in small business payments processing and payroll volume at Wave, increased fees from Emerald Card transactions, and improved international results.

  • GAAP loss per share from continuing operations2 increased from $(0.66) to $(1.27), and adjusted non-GAAP loss per share3 increased from $(0.59) to $(1.17), due to the decline in revenue, partially offset by a decline in operating expenses. Loss per share was also impacted by a lower effective tax rate and lower shares outstanding resulting from repurchases earlier in the year. As a reminder, the lower tax rate and share count negatively impact EPS in quarters in which the company reports a loss, but will be favorable on a full fiscal year basis.

"We're taking steps to build the capabilities necessary to execute on our Block Horizons strategy, as we continue to innovate in consumer tax, grow awareness of our small business offerings, and build out our financial products platform," said Jeff Jones, H&R Block’s president and chief executive officer. “Despite seeing a delay to the start of the tax season, we’re well positioned to finish the fiscal year strong and to continue on our path toward long-term sustainable growth."

Fiscal 2021 Third Quarter Results From Continuing Operations

(in millions, except EPS) Q3 FY2021 Q3 FY2020
Revenue $308  $519 
Pretax Loss $(284) $(177)
Net Loss $(232) $(128)
Weighted-Avg. Shares - Diluted 183.4  194.1 
EPS2 $(1.27) $(0.66)
Adjusted EPS2,3 $(1.17) $(0.59)
EBITDA3 $(221) $(107)
     

"We're on target to deliver our financial outlook for the year," said Tony Bowen, H&R Block's chief financial officer. "This will drive strong free cash flow and significant return of capital to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases."

Key Financial Metrics

  • Fiscal third quarter revenue was impacted by a delayed start to the U.S. tax season and a later than usual opening of IRS e-file resulting in a decline of $211 million, or 41%, to $308 million. These impacts were partially offset by an increase in small business payments processing and payroll volume at Wave, increased fees from Emerald Card transactions, and improved international results.

  • Total operating expenses decreased $100 million, or 15%, to $572 million primarily due to lower variable expenses related to the delayed start to the U.S. tax season, and reductions in travel, occupancy, and legal costs.

  • Pretax loss increased $106 million to $284 million.

  • GAAP loss per share from continuing operations increased from $(0.66) to $(1.27), and adjusted non-GAAP loss per share3 increased from $(0.59) to $(1.17), due to the decline in revenue, partially offset by the decline in operating expenses. Loss per share was also impacted by a lower effective tax rate and lower shares outstanding resulting from repurchases earlier in the year. As a reminder, the lower tax rate and share count negatively impact EPS in quarters in which the company reports a loss, but will be favorable on a full fiscal year basis.

Capital Structure

The company also reported the following related to its capital structure:

  • As previously announced, a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share is payable on April 1, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 16, 2021. H&R Block has paid quarterly dividends consecutively since the company went public in 1962.

  • Fiscal year to date repurchases and retirements of common stock total approximately 9.5 million shares at an aggregate price of $150 million, or $15.83 per share. These repurchases were made in the second fiscal quarter. The company has approximately $600 million remaining on its authorization which runs through June 2022.

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 third quarter results, outlook, and a general business update will occur during the company’s previously announced fiscal third quarter earnings conference call for analysts, institutional investors, and shareholders. The call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on March 9, 2021. 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: 1036306

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 March 9, 2021 and continuing for seven days by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S./Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (International). The conference ID is 1036306. The webcast will be available for replay beginning on March 10, 2021 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 products and small business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with the human expertise and care of its associates and franchisees as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time, and better manage and access their money year-round. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small business owners thrive with disruptive products like Wave Money, a small business banking and bookkeeping solution, and the only business bank account to manage bookkeeping automatically. For more information, visit H&R Block News or follow @HRBlockNews on Twitter.

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 All per share amounts are based on fully diluted shares at the end of the corresponding period.
3 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 January 31, Nine months ended January 31,
  2021 2020 2021 2020
         
REVENUES:        
Service revenues $244,692  $419,955  $956,605  $691,762 
Royalty, product and other revenues 63,535  99,250  129,202  138,606 
  308,227  519,205  1,085,807  830,368 
OPERATING EXPENSES:        
Costs of revenues 380,273  462,521  940,364  945,119 
Selling, general and administrative 191,488  209,288  461,368  475,758 
Total operating expenses 571,761  671,809  1,401,732  1,420,877 
         
Other income (expense), net 2,367  1,879  4,759  13,741 
Interest expense on borrowings (22,333) (26,305) (85,319) (68,682)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (283,500) (177,030) (396,485) (645,450)
Income tax benefit (51,669) (49,004) (35,730) (188,146)
Net loss from continuing operations (231,831) (128,026) (360,755) (457,304)
Net loss from discontinued operations (1,163) (1,657) (4,706) (10,625)
NET LOSS $(232,994) $(129,683) $(365,461) $(467,929)
         
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE:        
Continuing operations $(1.27) $(0.66) $(1.92) $(2.31)
Discontinued operations —   (0.01) (0.02) (0.05)
Consolidated $(1.27) $(0.67) $(1.94) $(2.36)
         
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES 183,438  194,077  188,548  198,064 
             


   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited, in 000s - except per share data)
As of January 31, 2021 January 31, 2020 April 30, 2020
       
ASSETS      
Cash and cash equivalents $280,249  $192,340  $2,661,914 
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted 181,159  169,447  211,106 
Receivables, net 563,089  819,946  133,197 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 196,145  120,229  80,519 
Total current assets 1,220,642  1,301,962  3,086,736 
Property and equipment, net 162,765  197,569  184,367 
Operating lease right of use asset 419,245  463,777  494,788 
Intangible assets, net 381,264  433,074  414,976 
Goodwill 745,616  838,830  712,138 
Deferred tax assets and income taxes receivable 179,598  134,901  151,195 
Other noncurrent assets 59,233  82,317  67,847 
Total assets $3,168,363  $3,452,430  $5,112,047 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
LIABILITIES:      
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $160,880  $156,766  $203,103 
Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes 118,517  117,459  116,375 
Accrued income taxes and reserves for uncertain tax positions 17,088  36,242  209,816 
Current portion of long-term debt   649,022  649,384 
Operating lease liabilities 186,209  187,890  195,537 
Deferred revenue and other current liabilities 208,789  190,242  201,401 
Total current liabilities 691,483  1,337,621  1,575,616 
Long-term debt and line of credit borrowings 2,369,574  1,880,589  2,845,873 
Deferred tax liabilities and reserves for uncertain tax positions 302,120  172,954  182,441 
Operating lease liabilities 245,383  289,299  312,566 
Deferred revenue and other noncurrent liabilities 94,383  90,346  124,510 
Total liabilities 3,702,943  3,770,809  5,041,006 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES      
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:      
Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per share 2,187  2,282  2,282 
Additional paid-in capital 778,495  769,990  775,387 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (11,693) (25,391) (51,576)
Retained earnings (deficit) (616,518) (367,218) 42,965 
Less treasury shares, at cost (687,051) (698,042) (698,017)
Total stockholders' equity (deficiency) (534,580) (318,379) 71,041 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $3,168,363  $3,452,430  $5,112,047 
       
       


   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, in 000s)
Nine months ended January 31, 2021 2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net loss $(365,461) $(467,929)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 117,163  125,409 
Provision 25,642  37,517 
Deferred taxes (39,858) 10,795 
Stock-based compensation 20,744  22,699 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:    
Receivables (438,307) (684,323)
Prepaid expenses, other current and noncurrent assets (68,222) (1,990)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, salaries, wages and payroll taxes (37,601) (166,204)
Deferred revenue, other current and noncurrent liabilities (24,951) (55,064)
Income tax receivables, accrued income taxes and income tax reserves (94,922) (282,488)
Other, net (2,906) (6,213)
Net cash used in operating activities (908,679) (1,467,791)
     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Capital expenditures (47,996) (66,510)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (15,025) (450,282)
Franchise loans funded (24,957) (32,890)
Payments from franchisees 20,293  14,604 
Other, net (6,427) 45,376 
Net cash used in investing activities (74,112) (489,702)
     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Repayments of line of credit borrowings (2,320,000) (285,000)
Proceeds from line of credit borrowings 1,200,000  1,320,000 
Repayments of long-term debt (650,000)  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 647,965   
Dividends paid (147,887) (154,827)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered (153,158) (256,199)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 2,139  2,074 
Other, net (21,884) (14,136)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (1,442,825) 611,912 
     
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash 14,004  (359)
     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted balances (2,411,612) (1,345,940)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 2,873,020  1,707,727 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $461,408  $361,787 
     
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW DATA:    
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received $96,965  $84,872 
Interest paid on borrowings 78,098  65,972 
Accrued additions to property and equipment 2,841  1,662 
New operating right of use assets and related lease liabilities 93,381  251,284 
     
     


   
FINANCIAL RESULTS (unaudited, in 000s - except per share amounts)
  Three months ended January 31, Nine months ended January 31,
  2021 2020 2021 2020
REVENUES:        
U.S. assisted tax preparation $154,489  $283,956  $541,139  $358,174 
U.S. royalties 23,902  44,965  67,427  59,644 
U.S. DIY tax preparation 21,681  34,089  94,331  42,040 
International 15,671  11,804  132,347  97,311 
Refund Transfers 7  50,494  11,752  52,794 
Emerald Card® 21,951  16,657  48,801  39,128 
Peace of Mind® Extended Service Plan 16,101  16,954  72,871  75,451 
Tax Identity Shield® 4,927  8,138  19,129  17,308 
Interest and fee income on Emerald AdvanceSM 27,590  32,741  28,754  33,780 
Wave 14,803  11,213  41,197  25,740 
Other 7,105  8,194  28,059  28,998 
Total revenues 308,227  519,205  1,085,807  830,368 
Compensation and benefits:        
Field wages 127,002  165,435  306,551  280,231 
Other wages 62,254  63,808  182,010  178,389 
Benefits and other compensation 39,637  45,397  105,581  100,579 
  228,893  274,640  594,142  559,199 
Occupancy 100,823  102,788  297,881  292,470 
Marketing and advertising 66,825  84,760  94,953  101,190 
Depreciation and amortization 39,856  44,147  117,163  125,409 
Bad debt 25,790  36,527  28,759  37,594 
Other 109,574  128,947  268,834  305,015 
Total operating expenses 571,761  671,809  1,401,732  1,420,877 
         
Other income (expense), net 2,367  1,879  4,759  13,741 
Interest expense on borrowings (22,333) (26,305) (85,319) (68,682)
Pretax loss (283,500) (177,030) (396,485) (645,450)
Income tax benefit (51,669) (49,004) (35,730) (188,146)
Net loss from continuing operations (231,831) (128,026) (360,755) (457,304)
Net loss from discontinued operations (1,163) (1,657) (4,706) (10,625)
Net loss $(232,994) $(129,683) $(365,461) $(467,929)
         
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE:        
Continuing operations $(1.27) $(0.66) $(1.92) $(2.31)
Discontinued operations —   (0.01) (0.02) (0.05)
Consolidated $(1.27) $(0.67) $(1.94) $(2.36)
         
Weighted average diluted shares 183,438  194,077  188,548  198,064 
         
EBITDA from continuing operations (1) $(221,311) $(106,578) $(194,003) $(451,359)
         

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

         
U.S. Operating Statistics        
  January 1 through February 28    
  2021 2020 Change % Change
         
Tax Returns Prepared: (in 000s) (1)         
Company-owned operations 3,273  3,910  (637) (16.3)%
Franchise operations 1,297  1,624  (327) (20.1)%
Total Assisted 4,570  5,534  (964) (17.4)%
         
Desktop 515  629  (114) (18.1)%
Online 3,205  3,595  (390) (10.8)%
Total DIY 3,720  4,224  (504) (11.9)%
         
Total U.S. Returns 8,290  9,758  (1,468) (15.0)%
         
Net Average Charge: (2)        
Company-owned operations $219.43  $223.83  $(4.40) (2.0)%
Franchise operations (3) $211.01  $215.62  $(4.61) (2.1)%
DIY $27.70  $24.09  $3.61  15.0 %
         

(1) An assisted tax return is defined as a current or prior year individual or business tax return that has been accepted and paid for by the client.  A DIY online return is defined as a current year individual or business tax return that has been accepted and paid for by the client.  A DIY desktop return is defined as a current year individual or business tax return that has been electronically submitted to the IRS.
(2) Net average charge is calculated as total tax preparation fees divided by tax returns prepared.
(3) Net average charge related to H&R Block Franchise operations represents tax preparation fees collected by H&R Block franchisees divided by returns prepared in franchise offices. H&R Block will recognize a portion of franchise revenues as franchise royalties based on the terms of franchise agreements.

 
(in 000s)
     
  Three months ended January 31, Nine months ended January 31,
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE - EBITDA 2021 2020 2021 2020
         
Net loss - as reported $(232,994) $(129,683) $(365,461) $(467,929)
Discontinued operations, net 1,163  1,657  4,706  10,625 
Net loss from continuing operations - as reported (231,831) (128,026) (360,755) (457,304)
Add back:        
Income tax benefit of continuing operations (51,669) (49,004) (35,730) (188,146)
Interest expense of continuing operations 22,333  26,305  85,319  68,682 
Depreciation and amortization of continuing operations 39,856  44,147  117,163  125,409 
  10,520  21,448  166,752  5,945 
EBITDA from continuing operations $(221,311) $(106,578) $(194,003) $(451,359)
         


(in 000s, except per share amounts)
     
  Three months ended January 31, Nine months ended January 31,
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE - ADJUSTED EPS 2021 2020 2021 2020
         
Net loss from continuing operations - as reported $(231,831) $(128,026) $(360,755) $(457,304)
         
Adjustments:        
Amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions (pretax) 16,293  19,179  52,176  54,997 
Tax effect of adjustments (1) 1,012  (4,956) (4,143) (13,667)
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations $(214,526) $(113,803) $(312,722) $(415,974)
         
Diluted loss per share - as reported $(1.27) $(0.66) $(1.92) $(2.31)
Adjustments, net of tax 0.10  0.07  0.26  0.21 
Adjusted loss per share $(1.17) $(0.59) $(1.66) $(2.10)
         

(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 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 Q3 FY2021 earnings results?

H&R Block reported a revenue of $308 million for Q3 FY2021, a 41% decrease from the previous year.

What is H&R Block's outlook for the fiscal year 2021?

The company reiterates its revenue growth and earnings outlook, expecting strong performance by year-end.

What is the EPS for H&R Block for Q3 FY2021?

The GAAP loss per share for Q3 FY2021 was $(1.27), up from $(0.66) in Q3 FY2020.

When is H&R Block's next dividend payment?

H&R Block will pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share on April 1, 2021.

How much stock has H&R Block repurchased?

The company has repurchased approximately 9.5 million shares at an aggregate price of $150 million.

H&R Block, Inc.

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