EZCORP Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results

About this update from Ezcorp, Inc.

Pawn Loans Outstanding and Record Sales Driving Strong Revenue and Earnings Growth AUSTIN, Texas --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW), a leading provider of pawn transactions in the United States and Latin America , today announced results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2022 . Unless otherwise noted, all amounts in this release are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and comparisons shown are to the same period in the prior year. FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS Pawn loans outstanding (PLO) up 19% to $209.9 million . Total revenue increased 20%, and gross profit increased 15%. Merchandise sales gross margin remains within our targeted range at 36%. Net income for the quarter was $16.8 million , an increase of $1.1 million . Diluted earnings per share of $0.25 was up from $0.21 . On an adjusted basis1, diluted earnings per share was $0.28 , compared to $0.22 in the prior-year quarter. Return on earning assets (ROEA) remains strong at 163%. Refinanced convertible debt, that included the repurchase of $109.4 million convertible notes due 2024 and $69.1 million convertible notes due 2025, and the issuance of $230.0 million due 2029. CEO COMMENTARY AND OUTLOOK Chief Executive Officer Lachie Given stated, “We began fiscal 2023 with another outstanding quarter, continuing to execute on our three-year strategic plan. Our PLO was the highest on record for this quarter, and we achieved our strongest ever quarterly sales result. The challenging macro-economic backdrop continues to drive increased demand for our two core products, which are providing solutions for our customers' short-term cash needs and selling second-hand goods. And our team’s relentless focus on improving the performance of every one of our 1,186 stores, continues to drive our excellent financial and operating results. "We remain committed to market-leading customer service, by investing in our store-based and support teams, technology improvements, process efficiencies and automation, as we provide our customers with a fast, convenient and respectful solution to address their short-term cash needs. Additionally, our neighborhood retail locations provide affordable pre-owned and recycled general merchandise and jewelry to our cost-conscious and environmentally concerned consumers. “During the first quarter, we acquired nine stores in the Houston, Texas area and one store in Las Vegas, Nevada . We opened two de novo stores in Latin America and expect to open more this quarter. We now have 2.4 million EZ+ Rewards members across all geographies, an increase of 26% over the fourth quarter of 2022. “We proactively addressed our near-term convertible debt maturities with a successful placement of $230 million of 7-year convertible notes, materially de-risking the balance sheet while providing a stable, low cash-cost capital base from which to continue to grow. We retired approximately $178.5 million of convertible notes maturing in 2024 and 2025 and repurchased approximately $5 million in shares as part of this financing, in addition to the $2 million in shares we acquired during the quarter as part of our announced buy-back program. “During the quarter, we launched new initiatives to enhance work-life balance for our team members and increase employer competitiveness at all levels. I believe we have the best, most passionate, engaged and productive team members in the industry. We are committed to doing everything we can to retain and incentivize them because it is their operational excellence that drives our financial results and ultimately enhances value for all shareholders,” concluded Given. CONSOLIDATED RESULTS Three Months Ended December 31 As Reported Adjusted1 in millions, except per share amounts 2022 2021 2022 2021 Total revenues $ 264.3 $ 221.0 $ 261.6 $ 221.0 Gross profit $ 152.5 $ 132.1 $ 151.1 $ 132.1 Income before tax $ 24.5 $ 21.3 $ 28.0 $ 21.4 Net income $ 16.8 $ 15.7 $ 21.4 $ 16.0 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.25 $ 0.21 $ 0.28 $ 0.22 EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) $ 38.1 $ 31.0 $ 37.9 $ 31.1 Diluted earnings per share were $0.25 , up from $0.21 . On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share were $0.28 , up from $0.22 . Income before taxes improved to $24.5 million from $21.3 million , while adjusted EBITDA increased 22% to $37.9 million . PLO increased 19% to $209.9 million , up $33.3 million . On a same-store basis2, PLO increased 16% due to increased loan demand, reflecting growth above pre-COVID levels. Total revenues increased 20% and gross profit increased 15%, reflecting improved pawn service charge (PSC) revenue, merchandise sales and merchandise sales gross profit. PSC increased 22% as a result of higher average PLO . Merchandise sales gross margin remains within our targeted range at 36%. Aged general merchandise has increased to 1.6% of total general merchandise inventory. Net inventory increased 31%, reflecting a return towards normalized inventory levels. Inventory turnover remained strong at 2.8x for the quarter, down from 3.0x. Store expenses increased 16%, primarily due to increased labor in-line with store activity, and to a lesser extent, expenses related to our loyalty program and rent associated with lease renewals. On a same-store basis, store expenses increased 14%. General and administrative expenses were flat. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter was $207.7 million , down 11% year-over-year. The decrease is primarily due to the increase in PLO and inventory, the acquisition of new stores, and strategic investments, partially offset by the net cash proceeds associated with the convertible debt refinancing. SEGMENT RESULTS U.S. Pawn PLO ended the quarter at $166.9 million , up 18% or 15% on a same store basis. Total revenue was up 19% and gross profit increased 13%, reflecting increased PSC, higher merchandise sales and improved merchandise sales gross profit. PSC increased 23% as a result of higher average PLO . Merchandise sales gross margin decreased to 38% from 43%, reflecting a more normalized operating environment. Aged general merchandise remains less than 1% of total general merchandise inventory. Net inventory increased 31% reflecting a return towards normalized inventory levels. Inventory turnover decreased to 2.6x from 2.8x. Store expenses increased 13%, primarily due to increased labor in-line with store activity, and to a lesser extent, expenses related to our loyalty program and rent associated with lease renewals. Segment contribution increased 14% to $39.3 million . Segment store count increased by 10 stores during this quarter due to two acquisitions. Latin America Pawn PLO improved to $43.0 million , up 21% (17% on constant currency basis). On a same store basis, PLO increased 19% (15% on a constant currency basis). Total revenue was up 21% (16% on constant currency basis) and gross profit increased 23% (18% on a constant currency basis), reflecting increased PSC, higher merchandise sales and improved merchandise sales gross profit. PSC increased 20% (15% on a constant currency basis) as a result of higher average PLO . Merchandise sales gross margin increased from 29% to 30%. Aged general merchandise inventory increased to 2.9% from 0.5% of total merchandise inventory. Net inventory increased 32% (27% on a constant currency basis), reflecting a return towards normalized inventory levels. Inventory turnover remains strong at 3.3x, down from 3.6x. Store expenses increased 25% (20% on a constant currency basis), primarily due to increased labor in-line with store activity, and to a lesser extent, expenses related to our loyalty program and rent associated with lease renewals. Same-store expenses increased 22% (18% on a constant currency basis). Segment contribution increased 16% (12% on a constant currency basis) to $7.5 million . On an adjusted basis, segment contribution was up 15% to $7.5 million . Segment store count increased by 1 store due to the net impact of opening 2 de novo stores and consolidating 1 store during the quarter. FORM 10-Q EZCORP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission . The report is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://investors.ezcorp.com . CONFERENCE CALL EZCORP will host a conference call on Thursday, February 2, 2023 , at 8:00 am Central Time to discuss First Quarter Fiscal 2023 results. Analysts and institutional investors may participate on the conference call by dialing (844) 200-6205, Conference ID: 341829, or internationally by dialing (929) 526-1599. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through this link: http://investors.ezcorp.com/ . A replay of the conference call will be available online at http://investors.ezcorp.com/ shortly after the end of the call. ABOUT EZCORP Formed in 1989, EZCORP has grown into a leading provider of pawn transactions in the United States and Latin America . We also sell merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from pawn lending operations and pre-owned and recycled merchandise purchased from customers. We are dedicated to satisfying the short-term cash needs of consumers who are both cash and credit constrained, focusing on an industry-leading customer experience. EZCORP is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol EZPW and is a member of the S&P 1000 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index. Follow us on social media: Facebook EZPAWN Official https://www.facebook.com/EZPAWN/ EZCORP Instagram Official https://www.instagram.com/ezcorp_official/ EZPAWN Instagram Official https://www.instagram.com/ezpawnofficial/ EZCORP Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/company/ezcorp/ FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the company’s strategy, initiatives and expected performance. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations as to the outcome and timing of future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including all statements regarding the company's strategy, initiatives and future performance, that address activities or results that the company plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates, will, should or may occur in the future, including future financial or operating results, are forward-looking statements. Actual results for future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and other factors, including operating risks, liquidity risks, legislative or regulatory developments, market factors, current or future litigation and risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For a discussion of these and other factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects, see the Company’s annual, quarterly and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission . The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time. Note: Percentages are calculated from the underlying numbers in thousands and, as a result, may not agree to the percentages calculated from numbers in millions. 1“Adjusted” basis, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes certain items. “Constant currency” basis, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. “Free cash flow”, which is a non-GAAP measure, includes certain adjustments to cash flow from operating activities. For additional information about these calculations, as well as a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Information” at the end of this release. 2“Same Store” basis, which is a financial measure, includes stores open the entirety of the comparable periods. EZCORP, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended December 31 , (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2022 2021 (Unaudited) Revenues: Merchandise sales $ 163,787 $ 137,720 Jewelry scrapping sales 7,884 6,944 Pawn service charges 92,593 76,025 Other revenues, net 63 305 Total revenues 264,327 220,994 Merchandise cost of goods sold 104,877 83,111 Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold 6,953 5,772 Gross profit 152,497 132,111 Operating expenses: Store expenses 100,803 86,771 General and administrative 15,476 15,545 Depreciation and amortization 7,988 7,574 (Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets and other (16 ) 5 Total operating expenses 124,251 109,895 Operating income 28,246 22,216 Interest expense 6,190 2,431 Interest income (664 ) (304 ) Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates (1,584 ) (1,138 ) Other income (234 ) (120 ) Income before income taxes 24,538 21,347 Income tax expense 7,760 5,626 Net income $ 16,778 $ 15,721 Basic earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.28 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.25 $ 0.21 Weighted-average basic shares outstanding 56,308 56,183 Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding 83,779 81,948 EZCORP, Inc. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) December 31 , 2022 December 31 , 2021 (Unaudited) Assets: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 207,658 $ 233,274 Restricted cash 8,359 8,692 Pawn loans 209,855 176,586 Pawn service charges receivable, net 34,921 29,765 Inventory, net 156,064 119,313 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 45,559 31,209 Total current assets 662,416 598,839 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 37,789 42,513 Other investments 39,220 16,500 Property and equipment, net 55,612 52,201 Right-of-use asset, net 230,554 201,527 Goodwill 297,361 284,619 Intangible assets, net 58,029 61,458 Notes receivable, net 1,224 1,190 Deferred tax asset, net 12,428 15,623 Other assets 7,682 5,851 Total assets $ 1,402,315 $ 1,280,321 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities: Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 69,930 $ 75,531 Customer layaway deposits 16,276 13,142 Operating lease liabilities, current 52,799 51,843 Total current liabilities 139,005 140,516 Long-term debt, net 358,984 311,844 Deferred tax liability, net — 221 Operating lease liabilities 188,730 161,841 Other long-term liabilities 10,261 11,398 Total liabilities 696,980 625,820 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $0 .01per share; shares authorized: 100 million; issued and outstanding: 52,877,930 as of December 31, 2022 ; 53,344,218 as of December 31, 2021 ; and 53,454,885 as of September 30, 2022 529 533 Class B Voting Common Stock, convertible, par value $0.01 per share; shares authorized: 3 million; issued and outstanding: 2,970,171 30 30 Additional paid-in capital 343,012 339,955 Retained earnings 414,929 369,359 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (53,165 ) (55,376 ) Total equity 705,335 654,501 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,402,315 $ 1,280,321 EZCORP, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended December 31 , (in thousands) 2022 2021 (Unaudited) Operating activities: Net income $ 16,778 $ 15,721 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 7,988 7,574 Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 378 374 Non-cash lease expense 13,596 12,694 Deferred income taxes 656 587 Other adjustments (91 ) (30 ) Provision for inventory reserve 532 (820 ) Stock compensation expense 1,886 1,698 Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates (1,584 ) (1,138 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt 3,545 — Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Service charges and fees receivable (691 ) (419 ) Inventory (1,881 ) (2,314 ) Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets (2,280 ) (2,330 ) Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (34,761 ) (29,531 ) Customer layaway deposits (752 ) 551 Income taxes 6,574 4,741 Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates 1,775 1,660 Net cash provided by operating activities 11,668 9,018 Investing activities: Loans made (189,074 ) (166,480 ) Loans repaid 109,125 95,542 Recovery of pawn loan principal through sale of forfeited collateral 88,030 65,297 Capital expenditures, net (7,182 ) (4,985 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (12,884 ) — Issuance of notes receivable (15,500 ) (1,000 ) Investment in unconsolidated affiliates (2,133 ) (2,477 ) Investment in other investments (15,000 ) (16,500 ) Net cash used in investing activities (44,618 ) (30,603 ) Financing activities: Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (1,138 ) (792 ) Proceeds from issuance of debt 230,000 — Debt issuance cost (7,403 ) — Cash paid on extinguishment of debt (1,951 ) — Payments on debt (178,488 ) — Repurchase of common stock (7,027 ) — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 33,993 (792 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 605 719 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 1,648 (21,658 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 214,369 263,624 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 216,017 $ 241,966 EZCORP, Inc. OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 (Unaudited) (in thousands) U.S. Pawn Latin America Pawn Other Investments Total Segments Corporate Items Consolidated Revenues: Merchandise sales $ 118,314 $ 45,473 $ — $ 163,787 $ — $ 163,787 Jewelry scrapping sales 7,176 708 — 7,884 — 7,884 Pawn service charges 69,310 23,283 — 92,593 — 92,593 Other revenues 25 16 22 63 — 63 Total revenues 194,825 69,480 22 264,327 — 264,327 Merchandise cost of goods sold 73,256 31,621 — 104,877 — 104,877 Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold 6,216 737 — 6,953 — 6,953 Other cost of revenues — — — — — — Gross profit 115,353 37,122 22 152,497 — 152,497 Store expenses 73,304 27,499 — 100,803 — 100,803 General and administrative — (3 ) — (3 ) 15,479 15,476 Depreciation and amortization 2,755 2,215 — 4,970 3,018 7,988 (Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets and other 3 (19 ) — (16 ) — (16 ) Interest expense — — — — 6,190 6,190 Interest income — (169 ) — (169 ) (495 ) (664 ) Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates — — (1,584 ) (1,584 ) — (1,584 ) Other (income) expense — 70 4 74 (308 ) (234 ) Segment contribution $ 39,291 $ 7,529 $ 1,602 $ 48,422 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 48,422 $ (23,884 ) $ 24,538 Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (in thousands) U.S. Pawn Latin America Pawn Other Investments Total Segments Corporate Items Consolidated Revenues: Merchandise sales $ 102,078 $ 35,642 $ — $ 137,720 $ — $ 137,720 Jewelry scrapping sales 4,980 1,964 — 6,944 — 6,944 Pawn service charges 56,557 19,468 — 76,025 — 76,025 Other revenues 22 240 43 305 — 305 Total revenues 163,637 57,314 43 220,994 — 220,994 Merchandise cost of goods sold 57,832 25,279 — 83,111 — 83,111 Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold 3,975 1,797 — 5,772 — 5,772 Gross profit 101,830 30,238 43 132,111 — 132,111 Segment and corporate expenses (income): Store expenses 64,689 22,082 — 86,771 — 86,771 General and administrative — — — — 15,545 15,545 Depreciation and amortization 2,670 1,980 — 4,650 2,924 7,574 Gain on sale of disposal of assets and other — 5 — 5 — 5 Interest expense — — — — 2,431 2,431 Interest income — (182 ) — (182 ) (122 ) (304 ) Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates — — (1,138 ) (1,138 ) — (1,138 ) Other (income) expense — (134 ) (12 ) (146 ) 26 (120 ) Segment contribution $ 34,471 $ 6,487 $ 1,193 $ 42,151 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 42,151 $ (20,804 ) $ 21,347 EZCORP, Inc. STORE COUNT ACTIVITY (Unaudited) Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 U.S. Pawn Latin America Pawn Consolidated As of September 30, 2022 515 660 1,175 New locations opened — 2 2 Locations acquired 10 — 10 Locations sold, combined or closed — (1 ) (1 ) As of December 31, 2022 525 661 1,186 Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 U.S. Pawn Latin America Pawn Consolidated As of September 30, 2021 516 632 1,148 New locations opened — 1 1 Locations acquired — — — Locations sold, combined or closed — — — As of December 31, 2021 516 633 1,149 Non-GAAP Financial Information (Unaudited) In addition to the financial information prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), we provide certain other non-GAAP financial information on a constant currency ("constant currency") and adjusted basis. We use constant currency results to evaluate our Latin America Pawn operations, which are denominated primarily in Mexican pesos, Guatemalan quetzales and other Latin American currencies. We believe that presentation of constant currency and adjusted results is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our operations and reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. We provide non-GAAP financial information for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of our GAAP consolidated financial statements. We use this non-GAAP financial information primarily to evaluate and compare operating results across accounting periods. Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not instead of or superior to, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations items denominated in local currency to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. In addition, we have an equity method investment that is denominated in Australian dollars and is translated into U.S. dollars. We used the end-of-period rate for balance sheet items and the average closing daily exchange rate on a monthly basis during the appropriate period for statement of operations items. The end-of-period and approximate average exchange rates for each applicable currency as compared to U.S. dollars as of and for the three and three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: December 31 , Three Months Ended December 31 , 2022 2021 2022 2021 Mexican peso 19.5 20.5 19.7 20.7 Guatemalan quetzal 7.7 7.5 7.7 7.6 Honduran lempira 24.4 24.1 24.3 23.9 Australian dollar 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.4 Our statement of operations constant currency results reflect the monthly exchange rate fluctuations and so are not directly calculable from the above rates. Constant currency results, where presented, also exclude the foreign currency gain or loss. Miscellaneous Non-GAAP Financial Measures Three Months Ended December 31 , (in millions) 2022 2021 Net income $ 16.8 $ 15.7 Interest expense 6.2 2.4 Interest income (0.7 ) (0.3 ) Income tax expense 7.8 5.6 Depreciation and amortization 8.0 7.6 EBITDA $ 38.1 $ 31.0 Total Revenues Gross Profit Income Before Tax Tax Effect Net Income Diluted EPS EBITDA 2023 Q1 Reported $ 264.3 $ 152.5 $ 24.5 $ 7.8 $ 16.8 $ 0.25 $ 38.1 Extinguishment of Debt Impact 3.5 (1.0 ) 4.5 0.03 — FX Impact 0.2 0.1 0.1 — 0.2 Constant currency impact (2.7 ) (1.4 ) (0.2 ) (0.3 ) — — (0.4 ) 2023 Q1 Adjusted $ 261.6 $ 151.1 $ 28.0 $ 6.6 $ 21.4 $ 0.28 $ 37.9 Total Revenues Gross Profit Income Before Tax Tax Effect Net Income Diluted EPS EBITDA 2022 Q1 Reported $ 221.0 $ 132.1 $ 21.3 $ 5.6 $ 15.7 $ 0.21 $ 31.0 FX Impact 0.1 (0.1 ) 0.3 0.01 0.1 2022 Q1 Adjusted $ 221.0 $ 132.1 $ 21.4 $ 5.5 $ 16.0 $ 0.22 $ 31.1 Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 (in millions) U.S. Dollar Amount Percentage Change YOY Consolidated revenue $ 264.3 20 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (2.7 ) Constant currency consolidated revenue $ 261.6 18 % Consolidated gross profit $ 152.5 15 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (1.4 ) Constant currency consolidated gross profit $ 151.1 14 % Consolidated net inventory $ 156.1 31 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (1.4 ) Constant currency consolidated net inventory $ 154.7 30 % Latin America Pawn gross profit $ 37.1 23 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (1.4 ) Constant currency Latin America Pawn gross profit $ 35.7 18 % Latin America Pawn PLO $ 43.0 21 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (1.4 ) Constant currency Latin America Pawn PLO $ 41.6 17 % Latin America Pawn PSC revenues $ 23.3 20 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (0.8 ) Constant currency Latin America Pawn PSC revenues $ 22.5 15 % Latin America Pawn merchandise sales $ 45.5 28 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (1.9 ) Constant currency Latin America Pawn merchandise sales $ 43.6 22 % Latin America Pawn segment profit before tax $ 7.5 16 % Currency exchange rate fluctuations (0.2 ) Constant currency Latin America Pawn segment profit before tax $ 7.3 12 % View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230201005841/en/ Email: [email protected] Phone: (512) 314-2220 Source: EZCORP, Inc.

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