VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Sept. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAX) (the “Company”), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2017.
The Company usually reports a loss in the first half of each fiscal year while preparing for the following tax season. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company reported a GAAP net loss of $9.8 million, or $0.76 per share, compared to a loss of $9.4 million, or $0.73 per share, in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net loss was $0.73 per share compared to a $0.66 per share loss in the prior year period.
| ($ in millions except per share data) | GAAP | Non - GAAP* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Q1 2018 | Q1 2017 | Change | Q1 2018 | Q1 2017 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 8.2 | $ | 7.1 | 14.5 | % | $ | 8.2 | $ | 7.1 | 14.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | 24.1 | 22.4 | 8.0 | % | 23.6 | 20.8 | 13.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Loss before taxes | (16.1) | (15.5) | 4.0 | % | (15.6) | (14.0) | 11.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | (9.8) | (9.4) | 3.5 | % | (9.5) | (8.5) | 10.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted EPS | (0.76) | (0.73) | 4.1 | % | (0.73) | (0.66) | 10.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| *See reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures in Table D and additional information under Non-GAAP Financial Information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement
Revenues for the three months ended July 31, 2017 increased to $8.2 million, or 14.5%, from $7.1 million in the prior year period. The increase was mainly due to higher assisted tax preparation fees from the year-round accounting offices, which were acquired in the prior fiscal year, as well as an increase in other revenues of $0.5 million. Reported operating expenses increased $1.7 million, or 8.0%, largely resulting from the increased expenses of operating the acquired year-round accounting offices, while non-GAAP operating expenses increased $2.8 million, or 13.5%.
Balance Sheet
The Company had a cash balance of $6.3 million at July 31, 2017. The Company has drawn $20.6 million on its revolving credit facility as of July 31, 2017 compared to $28.0 million drawn at July 31, 2016. The Company typically draws on this facility through the beginning of each tax season to provide for cash used in operations and for operating loans to franchisees. The decrease in the usage of our credit facility is primarily due to a decrease in cash taxes paid in the first quarter compared to the prior year.
Dividend
On September 5, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend to stockholders of $0.16 per share. The dividend will be paid on October 23, 2017 to holders of record of common stock and common stock equivalents on the close of business on October 13, 2017.
About Liberty Tax, Inc.
Founded in 1997 by John T. Hewitt, Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAX) is the parent company of Liberty Tax Service. In the U.S. and Canada, last year, Liberty Tax prepared over two million individual income tax returns in more than 4,000 offices and online. Liberty Tax's online services are available through eSmart Tax, Liberty Online and DIY Tax, and are all backed by the tax professionals at Liberty Tax locations and its nationwide network of seasonal tax preparers. Liberty Tax also supports local communities with fundraising endeavors and contributes as a national sponsor to many charitable causes. For a more in-depth look, visit Liberty Tax Service and interact with Liberty Tax on Twitter and Facebook.
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 Table D titled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information to the Most Directly Comparable GAAP Financial Measures.”
Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including implied and express statements regarding future growth. These forward-looking statements, as well as Company 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; the ability to continue to pay a quarterly dividend; the impact of the launch of a new franchise brand; uncertainties regarding the Company’s ability to meet its prepared returns targets; competitive factors; regulatory factors; the Company's effective income tax rate; litigation defense expenses and costs of judgments or settlements; costs associated with compliance efforts; and changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
| Table A | ||||||||||||
| Liberty Tax, Inc. | ||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||
| Amounts in thousands | ||||||||||||
| July 31, | April 30, | July 31, | ||||||||||
| 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Current assets: | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,254 | $ | 16,427 | $ | 4,882 | ||||||
| Current receivables, net | 70,527 | 74,483 | 69,577 | |||||||||
| Assets held for sale | 14,678 | 11,989 | 16,623 | |||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | 47 | 55 | 7,093 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | - | 6,956 | 2,847 | |||||||||
| Other current assets | 4,717 | 5,757 | 2,796 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 96,223 | 115,667 | 103,818 | |||||||||
| Property, equipment, and software, net | 39,744 | 39,789 | 41,013 | |||||||||
| Notes receivable, non-current, net | 16,322 | 16,245 | 22,142 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | 173 | - | - | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 7,620 | 8,576 | 4,183 | |||||||||
| Other intangible assets, net | 21,902 | 21,224 | 15,884 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 2,814 | 2,767 | 3,246 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 184,798 | $ | 204,268 | $ | 190,286 | ||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||
| Current installments of long-term obligations | $ | 5,202 | $ | 7,738 | $ | 6,754 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 13,958 | 12,953 | 9,590 | |||||||||
| Due to Area Developers (ADs) | 9,168 | 23,143 | 10,449 | |||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 208 | 6,442 | - | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue - current | 2,854 | 2,892 | 3,687 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 31,390 | 53,168 | 30,480 | |||||||||
| Long-term obligations, excluding current installments, net | 17,816 | 18,461 | 18,298 | |||||||||
| Revolving credit facility | 20,611 | - | 27,984 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue and other - non-current | 5,466 | 5,817 | 6,555 | |||||||||
| Deferred income tax liability | 3,585 | 10,367 | 6,259 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 78,868 | 87,813 | 89,576 | |||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||||||
| Special voting preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share | 127 | 127 | 126 | |||||||||
| Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share | 2 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
| Exchangeable shares, $0.01 par value per share | 10 | 10 | 10 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 8,925 | 8,371 | 7,897 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes | (1,065 | ) | (2,084 | ) | (1,580 | ) | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 97,931 | 110,029 | 94,254 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 105,930 | 116,455 | 100,710 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 184,798 | $ | 204,268 | $ | 190,286 | ||||||
| Table B | |||||||||||||||
| Liberty Tax, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations | |||||||||||||||
| Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share and share data | |||||||||||||||
| Three months ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | $ change | % change | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
| Franchise fees | $ | 71 | $ | 240 | $ | (169 | ) | -70.4 | % | ||||||
| Area Developer fees | 1,068 | 970 | 98 | 10.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Royalties and advertising fees | 1,689 | 1,455 | 234 | 16.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Financial products | 582 | 536 | 46 | 8.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest income | 2,297 | 2,658 | (361 | ) | -13.6 | % | |||||||||
| Assisted tax preparation fees, net of discounts (1) | 1,639 | 986 | 653 | 66.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Other revenue | 842 | 304 | 538 | 177.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenue | 8,188 | 7,149 | 1,039 | 14.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | 9,991 | 9,682 | 309 | 3.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Other costs and expenses | 9,202 | 8,279 | 923 | 11.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Area Developer expense | 372 | 460 | (88 | ) | -19.1 | % | |||||||||
| Advertising expense | 2,376 | 1,918 | 458 | 23.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | 2,196 | 2,012 | 184 | 9.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 24,137 | 22,351 | 1,786 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (15,949 | ) | (15,202 | ) | (747 | ) | 4.9 | % | |||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) | 110 | (8 | ) | 118 | -1475.0 | % | |||||||||
| Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities | - | 50 | (50 | ) | n/a | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (281 | ) | (344 | ) | 63 | -18.3 | % | ||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (16,120 | ) | (15,504 | ) | (616 | ) | 4.0 | % | |||||||
| Income tax benefit | (6,362 | ) | (6,074 | ) | (288 | ) | 4.7 | % | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (9,758 | ) | $ | (9,430 | ) | $ | (328 | ) | 3.5 | % | ||||
| Net loss per share of Class A and Class B | |||||||||||||||
| common stock: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | (0.76 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | 4.1 | % | ||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding basic and diluted | 12,882,550 | 12,894,740 | (12,190 | ) | -0.1 | % | |||||||||
| (1) Assisted tax preparation fees are now being reported separately and represent total revenues earned from | |||||||||||||||
| Company-owned offices. 2016 revenue has been adjusted for comparison purposes. | |||||||||||||||
| Table C | ||||||||
| Liberty Tax, Inc. | ||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
| Unaudited, amounts in thousands | ||||||||
| Three months ended July 31, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (9,758 | ) | $ | (9,430 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts | 1,408 | 1,380 | ||||||
| Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | 2,196 | 2,012 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 554 | 683 | ||||||
| Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities | - | (50 | ) | |||||
| Gain on bargain purchases and sales of Company-owned offices | (536 | ) | (28 | ) | ||||
| Deferred tax expense | (34 | ) | 578 | |||||
| Changes in accrued income taxes | (6,187 | ) | (10,997 | ) | ||||
| Changes in other assets and liabilities | (2,167 | ) | (6,071 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (14,524 | ) | (21,923 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Issuance of operating loans to franchisees and ADs | (11,275 | ) | (10,828 | ) | ||||
| Payments received on operating loans to franchisees and ADs | 1,545 | 1,096 | ||||||
| Purchases of AD rights, Company-owned offices, and acquired customer lists | (352 | ) | (1,802 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of Company-owned offices and AD rights | 76 | 46 | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities | - | 5,049 | ||||||
| Purchase of property, equipment, and software | (1,110 | ) | (1,556 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (11,116 | ) | (7,995 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Dividends paid | (2,339 | ) | (2,223 | ) | ||||
| Repayment of amounts due to former ADs and franchisees | - | (423 | ) | |||||
| Repayment of long-term obligations | (3,283 | ) | (416 | ) | ||||
| Borrowings under revolving credit facility | 20,706 | 28,002 | ||||||
| Repayments under revolving credit facility | (95 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||
| Tax benefit of stock option exercises | - | 60 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 14,989 | 24,982 | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, net | 478 | (88 | ) | |||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (10,173 | ) | (5,024 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 16,427 | 9,906 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 6,254 | $ | 4,882 | ||||
| Table D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty Tax, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information to the Most Directly Comparable GAAP Financial Measures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP); however, we believe that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment ("EBITDA") and non-GAAP results should be evaluated, in addition to, and not as an alternative for, net loss as determined in accordance with GAAP. We consider our non-GAAP financial results to be a useful metric for management and investors to evaluate and compare current year results with prior periods. Because not all companies use the same calculations, our definition of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled figures from other companies. In addition, when evaluating non-GAAP results, we exclude certain items that are not considered to be part of future operating results. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The following is a reconciliation of GAAP Net loss to EBITDA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended July 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss - as reported | $ | (9,758 | ) | $ | (9,430 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 281 | 344 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | (6,362 | ) | (6,074 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges | 2,196 | 2,012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments | (3,885 | ) | (3,718 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | (13,643 | ) | $ | (13,148 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| The following is a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amounts may not add or recalculate due to rounding. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended July 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating | Loss from | Pre-tax | Net | Basic & Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | Expenses | Operations | EBITDA | Loss | Loss | EPS | ||||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | $ | 8,188 | $ | 24,137 | $ | (15,949 | ) | $ | (13,643 | ) | $ | (16,120 | ) | $ | (9,758 | ) | $ | (0.76 | ) | |||||
| Adjustments: (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive recruitment costs | (325 | ) | 325 | 325 | 325 | 197 | $ | 0.02 | ||||||||||||||||
| Compliance Task Force and related costs | (172 | ) | 172 | 172 | 172 | 104 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments | - | (497 | ) | 497 | 497 | 497 | 301 | 0.03 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP | $ | 8,188 | $ | 23,640 | $ | (15,452 | ) | $ | (13,146 | ) | $ | (15,623 | ) | $ | (9,457 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | |||||
| For the three months ended July 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating | Loss from | Pre-tax | Net | Basic & Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | Expenses | Operations | EBITDA | Loss | Loss | EPS | ||||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | $ | 7,149 | $ | 22,351 | $ | (15,202 | ) | $ | (13,148 | ) | $ | (15,504 | ) | $ | (9,430 | ) | $ | (0.73 | ) | |||||
| Adjustments: (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive severance including stock-based compensation | - | (877 | ) | 877 | 877 | 877 | 533 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||
| Compliance Task Force and related costs | - | (640 | ) | 640 | 640 | 640 | 389 | 0.03 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on available-for-sale securities | - | - | - | (50 | ) | (50 | ) | (30 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||
| Total Adjustments | - | (1,517 | ) | 1,517 | 1,467 | 1,467 | 892 | 0.07 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP | $ | 7,149 | $ | 20,834 | $ | (13,685 | ) | $ | (11,681 | ) | $ | (14,037 | ) | $ | (8,538 | ) | $ | (0.66 | ) | |||||
| (1) The net loss impact of the adjustments is calculated using the effective tax rate for the period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP Financial Information
The Company believes that EBITDA and non-GAAP net loss should be evaluated, in addition to, and not as an alternative for, net loss as determined in accordance with GAAP. Both metrics are used by management when evaluating the performance of the Company. Because not all companies use the same calculations, our definition of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled figures from other companies. In addition, when evaluating non-GAAP financial information, we exclude certain items that are not considered to be part of future operating results and which management excludes when evaluating the performance of the Company. Descriptions of the items which are excluded are as follows:
Executive severance including stock-based compensation: We exclude from our non-GAAP financial measures cash and non-cash stock-based compensation and perquisites associated with the separation of employment with executives of the Company.
Executive recruitment costs: We exclude from our non-GAAP financial measures one-time costs incurred to attract and hire new executives.
Compliance Task Force and related costs: We exclude from our non-GAAP financial measures third-party expenses we incur related to our Compliance Task Force. These expenses include professional and legal fees.
Gain on available-for-sale securities: We exclude from our non-GAAP financial measures gains and losses we record when we sell equity securities and other investments.