Print This ReleaseInvestor Relations:
Derek Drysdale 816-854-4513 derek.drysdale@hrblock.com
Media Relations:
Gene King 816.854.4287 gene.king@hrblock.com
H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2010 First Quarter Results
FOR RELEASE SEP 04, 2009
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- Net loss from continuing operations of $0.39 per share is flat to prior year despite incremental costs from prior-year franchise acquisition
- Company reiterates fiscal 2010 earnings guidance of $1.60 - $1.80 per share from continuing operations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported a net loss from continuing operations for the fiscal first quarter ended July 31, 2009, of $130.6 million, or 39 cents per share compared to a loss of $128.4 million, or 39 cents per share in the first quarter a year ago. Improved pre-season results from Business Services and lower corporate expenses were partially offset by an expected larger loss in Tax Services. The increase in Tax Services expense reflects the anticipated inclusion of additional expense attributable to tax offices acquired as part of last year’s acquisition of the Company’s major Southwest franchise operation, severance costs and the timing of some planned expenses as part of the Company’s preparation for tax season 2010.
“First quarter results were in-line with our expectations and reflected our continuing success in driving out non-value added costs while making the necessary investments to ensure our success in fiscal 2010 and beyond,” said Russ Smyth, president and chief executive officer of H&R Block. “We are focused on efforts to enhance our field-level performance and marketing effectiveness to improve client attraction, retention and satisfaction,” added Smyth.
Fiscal first quarter revenues from continuing operations grew 1.3% over the prior-year period to $275.5 million. Results from discontinued operations improved to a net loss of $3.0 million compared to a net loss of $4.3 million in the first quarter a year ago. Consolidated net loss for the quarter was $133.6 million, or 40 cents per share, essentially flat compared to a loss of $132.7 million, or 41 cents per share a year ago.
Segment Reporting Changes
The Company changed its segment reporting effective May 1, 2009. Net interest margin and other gains / losses associated with H&R Block Bank’s mortgage portfolio and related assets are now reported in corporate operations. The remainder of the Bank’s operations is reported in the Tax Services segment. The Bank, through its Emerald suite of products provided to tax clients, primarily supports H&R Block’s tax network in growing its business. In making these changes, the Company eliminated its previous reporting of a Consumer Financial Services segment.
Tax Services
First quarter Tax Services revenues rose 7.7% year-over-year to $88.0 million. Tax preparation fees increased $4.2 million, or 14.2%, primarily due to favorable results in the Company’s Australian tax operations.
The segment reported a pretax loss of $172.0 million compared to $163.7 million a year ago. This primarily reflects a net impact of $7.4 million due to the Southwest franchise acquisition that occurred in the fiscal third quarter of last year,$3.5 million of severance expense, and $2.9 million of incremental expenses for information technology projects to prepare for the upcoming tax season. Expense increases were partially offset by savings achieved through closing underperforming retail office locations and renegotiating leases.
The Company continues to expect that the Tax Services segment will deliver improved margins totaling 100 basis points over the next two fiscal years.
Business Services
First quarter segment revenues rose 1.7% year-over-year to $177.6 million. Core revenues, primarily tax and consulting, increased $8.3 million, or 5.8%, over the prior-year period. Those gains were partially offset by a decline in capital markets revenues.
The segment’s fiscal first quarter pretax income was $1.3 million compared to a pretax loss of $0.3 million a year ago, reflecting revenue growth and continued cost reduction efforts.
Corporate
Corporate operations reported a pretax loss of $40.2 million for the first quarter ended July 31, 2009, compared to a loss of $49.0 million in the prior year. The improvement was due to prior-year impairments of residual interests in mortgage loan securitizations and other real estate owned totaling $9.1 million that did not recur. The total allowance for loan loss reserves was $91.7 million at July 31, 2009, compared to $84.1 million at fiscal 2009 year-end.
Guidance
The Company continues to expect its fiscal 2010 earnings from continuing operations will be in the range of $1.60 to $1.80 per share.
Conference Call
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern time today, the Company will conduct a conference call for analysts and investors. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:
U.S./Canada (877) 247-6355 or International (706) 679-0371
Access Code: 27388973
The call also will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The webcast link is http://investor-relations.hrblock.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time Sept. 4, 2009, and continuing until Sept. 18, 2009, by dialing (800) 642-1687 (U.S./Canada) or (706) 645-9291 (international). The replay passcode is 27388973. The webcast will be available for replay at http://investor-relations.hrblock.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which are any statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements, as well as the Company’s guidance, are based upon the Company’s current expectations 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, uncertainties regarding the Company’s ability to attract and retain clients; meet its prepared returns targets; uncertainties and potential contingent liabilities arising from our former mortgage loan origination and servicing business; uncertainties in the residential mortgage market and its impact on loan loss provisions; uncertainties pertaining to the commercial debt market; competitive factors; the Company’s effective income tax rate; litigation; uncertainties regarding the level of share repurchases; and changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in Item 1A of the Company’s 2009 annual report on Form 10-K and in other filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world’s preeminent tax services provider, having prepared more than 500 million tax returns since 1955. In fiscal 2009, H&R Block had annual revenues of $4.1 billion and prepared more than 24 million tax returns worldwide, utilizing more than 120,000 highly trained tax professionals. The Company provides tax return preparation services in person, online through H&R Block Online, through its TaxCut® software and through other channels. The Company is also one of the leading providers of business services through RSM McGladrey. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.
