Rent-A-Center, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

February 24, 2021 at 4:30 PM EST

Consolidated Revenues of $716M, up 7.3%

Diluted EPS $1.00; Non-GAAP Diluted EPS $1.03, up 77.2%

Provides 2021 Guidance Reflecting Approximately 30% Anticipated Accretion from Acima Acquisition

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2021-- Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company" or "Rent-A-Center") (NASDAQ/NGS: RCII) today announced results for the quarter ended December 31, 2020.

“This past year was pivotal for Rent-A-Center," said Mitch Fadel, Chief Executive Officer. "Strong performance in our Rent-A-Center business and growth in the retail partner channel drove record revenues and earnings despite operational challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. We made important investments to support our digital strategy, and ended the year with the announcement of our acquisition of Acima, which we believe can significantly accelerate long-term growth and profitability."

“We expect Acima to drive significant accretion to non-GAAP Diluted EPS in 2021 and 2022," continued Mr. Fadel. "The acquisition dramatically increases our growth profile, and we believe we can achieve $6 billion in consolidated total revenue with mid-teens consolidated EBITDA margins in 2023 as we benefit from scale, profitability, and free cash flow generation. Acima's approach to origination, decisioning, servicing and collections is best in class, and its platform should support more opportunities to drive invoice volume growth and pursue new retail partner relationships."

"We're similarly confident that our omni-channel strategy can maintain strong long-term growth for Rent-A-Center," continued Mr. Fadel. "E-commerce and digital payments are enhancing our engagement with our customers, and we have a strategic advantage compared to other firms competing in the virtual lease-to-own (‘LTO’) industry to further leverage our last-mile capabilities."

"We believe there is a substantial opportunity in front of us, and our two platforms allow us to serve customers across multiple touchpoints as the LTO industry experiences broad based adoption via digital technology and growing popularity with a younger generation."

“The hurdles we overcame in 2020 underscored the dedication of our co-workers throughout the organization to serve our customers and our ability to perform across economic cycles, and we could not be more excited about our prospects to drive the business forward," concluded Mr. Fadel.

Consolidated Results

On a consolidated basis, total revenues increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 to $716.5 million, or by 7.3 percent compared to the same period in 2019, primarily due to an increase in same store sales revenue of 13.7 percent in the Rent-A-Center Business segment and a 4.8 percent increase in total revenues in the Preferred Lease segment, partially offset by a lower store count in the Rent-A-Center Business as a result of our refranchising efforts and the rationalization of our Rent-A-Center Business store base.

On a GAAP basis, the Company generated $54.6 million in operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $67.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, with the decrease primarily due to the gain on the sale-leaseback of our corporate headquarters in 2019. Net earnings and diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, were $56.3 million and $1.00 respectively in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to net earnings and diluted earnings per share of $40.5 million and $0.72 respectively in the fourth quarter of 2019 representing increases in net earnings and diluted earnings per share of 39.0 percent and 38.9 percent, respectively.

Special items in the fourth quarter of $28.8 million were primarily related to the loss incurred upon the sale of our Rent-A-Center Business stores in California to a franchisee, service costs related to the execution of the definitive merger agreement to acquire Acima Holdings LLC, and legal settlement reserves. These impacts were offset by the release of approximately $19.2 million in domestic and foreign tax valuation allowances.

The Company's Non-GAAP fourth quarter 2020 diluted earnings per share were $1.03 compared to $0.58 in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 77.2 percent. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter was $97.0 million compared to $63.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 52.2 percent. Adjusted EBITDA margin as a percentage of total revenues in the fourth quarter was 13.5 percent, an increase of 400 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company generated $236.5 million of cash from operations. The Company ended the fourth quarter of 2020 with $159.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $197.5 million of outstanding indebtedness. The Company's net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio ended the fourth quarter at 0.1 compared to 0.7 times as of the end of the fourth quarter 2019. The Company ended the fourth quarter of 2020 with $369 million of liquidity which included $209 million of remaining availability on its previous revolving credit facility.

Acima Holdings, LLC Acquisition

On February 17, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of Acima Holdings. The acquisition combines Acima's capabilities with Rent-A-Center's Preferred Dynamix platform creating flexible LTO solutions across e-commerce, digital and mobile channels. The Company engaged AlixPartners to advise on the integration and synergy identification processes, and integration is currently underway and proceeding on schedule with internal timelines.

In connection with the acquisition of Acima, on February 17, 2021, the Company refinanced its prior debt facilities, entering into credit agreements providing for a five year asset-based revolving credit facility with commitments of $550 million (which commitments may be increased by up to an additional $125 million in the aggregate, subject to certain conditions), and a seven-year term loan in the amount of $875 million, which was fully drawn at the closing of the Acima acquisition. On such date, the Company also issued in an unregistered offering $450 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2029, which will mature on February 15, 2029 unless earlier redeemed in accordance with their terms.

Recent Dividend

As previously announced, the Rent-A-Center Board of Directors declared on December 2, 2020 a cash dividend of $0.31 per share for the first quarter of 2021, which was paid on January 12, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2020. The cash dividend of $0.31 per share represents an increase of 6.9% over the fourth quarter of 2020.

Preferred Lease Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 revenues increased 4.8 percent to $201.1 million as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 and were driven primarily by virtual retail partner growth partially offset by challenges with availability of products at many retail partners. Preferred Lease invoice volume increased approximately 25 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 through new virtual retail partner additions and organic growth in virtual and staffed locations. As a percent of revenue, skip/stolen losses were 11.6 percent, 260 basis points lower than in the fourth quarter of 2019. Skip/stolen losses benefited by approximately 130 basis points as a result of reversing our remaining incremental merchandise loss reserve created earlier in the year to address potential COVID-19 losses. On a GAAP basis, segment operating profit was $17.3 million in the fourth quarter, representing an increase of $0.3 million versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $18.3 million, representing an increase of $0.7 million versus the prior year, driven by higher revenue, partially offset by lower gross profit margin due to a higher mix of virtual and merchandise sales, and lower operating expenses.

Beginning in Q1 2021, the Preferred Lease Segment will include the results of the acquired Acima operations from the date of acquisition and will be referred to as the Acima Segment.

Rent-A-Center Business Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 revenues of $464.3 million increased 5.8 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily due to an increase in same store sales revenue of 13.7 percent driven by 53 percent growth in e-commerce sales, and despite the impact of refranchising approximately 100 stores in California which are no longer reflected in the Rent-A-Center Business segment revenues. Skip/stolen losses as a percent of revenue were 2.6 percent, 150 basis points lower than in the fourth quarter of 2019. Lower skip/stolen losses are partially due to the increased adoption of digital payments which has resulted in improved collections. On a GAAP basis, segment operating profit was $80.4 million in the fourth quarter, representing an increase of $14.8 million versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $102.9 million, representing an increase of $30.8 million versus the prior year. Both the segment operating profit and Adjusted EBITDA increases were driven primarily by increased operating leverage as a result of higher revenues and lower operating expenses due, in part, to a lower store count. At December 31, 2020, the Rent-A-Center Business segment had 1,845 company-operated locations.

Franchising Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 revenues of $36.8 million increased 57.0 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily due to a higher store count, resulting from the refranchising of approximately 100 California stores during 2020 and higher inventory purchases by franchisees. On a GAAP basis, segment operating profit was $3.9 million in the fourth quarter, representing an increase of $1.4 million versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $3.9 million, representing an increase of $1.4 million versus the prior year. At December 31, 2020, there were 462 franchise-operated locations.

Mexico Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 revenues of $14.3 million represent an increase of 11.4 percent on a constant currency basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. On a GAAP basis, segment operating profit was $2.1 million in the fourth quarter, representing an increase of $0.6 million versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.2 million, representing an increase of $0.6 million versus the prior year. At December 31, 2020, the Mexico business had 121 company-operated locations.

Corporate Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 expenses decreased by $1.5 million, or approximately 3.8 percent, versus the prior year.

 

SAME STORE SALES
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Table 1

 

Period

 

Rent-A-Center

Business

 

 

Mexico

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 (1)

 

13.7

%

 

 

10.5

%

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 (1)

 

12.9

%

 

 

4.3

%

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

 

1.2

%

 

 

7.6

%

 

Note:  Same store sale methodology - Same store sales generally represents revenue earned in stores that were operated by us for 13 months or more and are reported on a constant currency basis as a percentage of total revenue earned in stores of the segment during the indicated period. The Company excludes from the same store sales base any store that receives a certain level of customer accounts from closed stores or acquisitions. The receiving store will be eligible for inclusion in the same store sales base in the 30th full month following account transfer.

(1) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related temporary store closures, all 32 stores in Puerto Rico were excluded starting in March 2020 and will remain excluded for 18 months.

 

2021 Guidance

Beginning in Q1 2021, the Preferred Lease Segment will include the results of the acquired Acima operations from the date of acquisition and will be referred to as the Acima Segment. Acima's corporate related expense will be reflected in the Corporate Segment.

Consolidated(1)

  • Revenues of $4.305 to $4.455 billion
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $570 to $620 million(2)
  • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $5.00 to $5.55(2)(4)
  • Free cash flow of $145 to $195 million(2)

Acima Segment (3)

  • Revenues of $2.290 to $2.390 billion
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $320 to $350(2) million

Rent-A-Center Business Segment

  • Revenues of $1.830 to $1.880 billion
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $375 to $395(2) million

(1) Consolidated includes Acima (referred to as Preferred Lease through Q1 2021), Rent-A-Center Business, Franchising, Mexico and Corporate Segments.

(2) Non-GAAP financial measure. See descriptions below in this release. Because of the inherent uncertainty related to the special items identified in the tables below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measures or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort.

(3) Acima Segment refers to the historical Preferred Lease Segment and newly acquired Acima business as of the acquisition date.

(4) Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of intangible amortization assets created as a result of the Acima acquisition.

 

Webcast Information

Rent-A-Center, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter results, guidance and other operational matters on the morning of Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. ET. For a live webcast of the call, visit https://investor.rentacenter.com. Certain financial and other statistical information that will be discussed during the conference call will also be provided on the same website. Residents of the United States and Canada can listen to the call by dialing (800) 399-0012. International participants can access the call by dialing (404) 665-9632.

About Rent-A-Center, Inc.

Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCII) is an industry leading omni-channel lease-to-own provider for the cash and credit constrained customer. The Company focuses on improving the quality of life for its customers by providing access and the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality, durable products via small payments over time under a flexible lease-purchase agreement and no long-term debt obligation. Preferred Lease (which, beginning in Q1 2021, will include the Acima business) provides virtual and staffed lease-to-own solutions to retail partners in stores and online enabling our partners to grow sales by expanding their customer base utilizing our differentiated offering. The Rent-A-Center Business and Mexico segments provide lease-to-own options on products such as furniture, appliances, consumer electronics, and computers in approximately 1,970 Rent-A-Center stores in the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico and on its e-commerce platform, Rentacenter.com. The Franchising segment is a national franchiser of approximately 460 franchise locations. Rent-A-Center is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website at Rentacenter.com or Investor.rentacenter.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release and the guidance above and the Company's related conference call contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "continue," "maintain," "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology and including, among others, statements concerning (i) the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business operations, financial performance, and prospects, (ii) the future business prospects and financial performance of our Company following the closing of the Company's merger with Acima (the "Merger"), (iii) cost and revenue synergies and other benefits expected to result from the Merger, (iv) the Company's guidance and expected financial results for 2021 and future periods, (v) other statements regarding the Company's strategy and plans and other statements that are not historical facts. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially and adversely from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to: (1) risks relating to the Merger, including (i) the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the Merger may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, (ii) the possibility that costs, difficulties or disruptions related to the integration of Acima operations into the Company's other operations will be greater than expected, (iii) the Company's ability to (A) effectively adjust to changes in the composition of the Company's offerings and product mix as a result of the Merger and continue to maintain the quality of existing offerings and (B) successfully introduce other new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis, (iv) changes in the Company's future cash requirements as a result of the Merger, whether caused by unanticipated increases in capital expenditures or working capital needs, unanticipated liabilities or otherwise, and (v) the impacts of the Company's additional debt incurred to finance the Merger; (2) the Company's ability to identify potential acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions and successfully integrate acquired companies; (3) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government and regulatory restrictions issued to combat the pandemic, including adverse changes in such restrictions, and impacts on (i) demand for the Company's lease-to-own products offered in the Company's operating segments, (ii) the Company's Preferred Lease retail partners, (iii) the Company's customers and their willingness and ability to satisfy their lease obligations, (iv) the Company's suppliers' ability to satisfy its merchandise needs, (v) the Company's employees, including the ability to adequately staff its operating locations, (vi) the Company's financial and operational performance, and (vii) the Company's liquidity; (4) the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences and spending, including the availability of credit to the Company's target consumers; (5) factors affecting the disposable income available to the Company's current and potential customers; (6) changes in the unemployment rate; (7) capital market conditions, including availability of funding sources for the Company; (8) changes in the Company's credit ratings; (9) difficulties encountered in improving the financial and operational performance of the Company's business segments; (10) risks associated with pricing changes and strategies being deployed in the Company's businesses; (11) the Company's ability to continue to realize benefits from its initiatives regarding cost-savings and other EBITDA enhancements, efficiencies and working capital improvements; (12) the Company's ability to continue to effectively execute its strategic initiatives, including mitigating risks associated with any potential mergers and acquisitions, or refranchising opportunities; (13) failure to manage the Company's store labor and other store expenses, including merchandise losses; (14) disruptions caused by the operation of the Company's store information management systems; (15) risks related to the Company's virtual lease-to-own business, including the Company's ability to continue to develop and successfully implement the necessary technologies; (16) the Company's ability to achieve the benefits expected from its integrated virtual and staffed retail partner offering and to successfully grow this business segment; (17) exposure to potential operating margin degradation due to the higher cost of merchandise in the Company's Preferred Lease offering and potential for higher merchandise losses; (18) the Company's transition to more-readily scalable, “cloud-based” solutions; (19) the Company's ability to develop and successfully implement digital or E-commerce capabilities, including mobile applications; (20) the Company's ability to protect its proprietary intellectual property; (21) disruptions in the Company's supply chain; (22) limitations of, or disruptions in, the Company's distribution network; (23) rapid inflation or deflation in the prices of the Company's products; (24) the Company's ability to execute and the effectiveness of store consolidations, including the Company's ability to retain the revenue from customer accounts merged into another store location as a result of a store consolidation; (25) the Company's available cash flow and its ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue paying dividends; (26) increased competition from traditional competitors, virtual lease-to-own competitors, online retailers and other competitors, including subprime lenders; (27) the Company's ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to its current and future targeted customer segments; (28) consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's brands; (29) the Company's ability to retain the revenue associated with acquired customer accounts and enhance the performance of acquired stores; (30) the Company's ability to enter into new, and collect on, its rental or lease purchase agreements; (31) changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations and the enactment of new laws and regulations adversely affecting the Company's business, including any legislative or regulatory enforcement efforts that seek to re-characterize store-based or virtual lease-to-own transactions as credit sales and to apply consumer credit laws and regulations to the Company's business; (32) the Company's compliance with applicable statutes or regulations governing its businesses; (33) the impact of any additional social unrest such as that experienced in 2020 or otherwise, and resulting damage to the Company's inventory or other assets and potential lost revenues; (34) changes in interest rates; (35) changes in tariff policies; (36) adverse changes in the economic conditions of the industries, countries or markets that the Company serves; (37) information technology and data security costs; (38) the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to the Company's information technology and other networks and the Company's ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of its customers, employees and retail partners; (39) changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves; (40) changes in the Company's effective tax rate; (41) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (42) the Company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls, including in connection with the integration of Acima; (43) litigation or administrative proceedings to which the Company is or may be a party to from time to time; and (44) the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (when filed) and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 
 
 
 

Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - UNAUDITED

 

Table 2

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rentals and fees

$

580,781

 

 

$

558,573

 

 

$

2,263,091

 

 

$

2,224,402

 

 

Merchandise sales

78,024

 

 

63,766

 

 

378,717

 

 

304,630

 

 

Installment sales

19,530

 

 

20,776

 

 

68,500

 

 

70,434

 

 

Other

1,504

 

 

1,833

 

 

3,845

 

 

4,795

 

 

Total store revenues

679,839

 

 

644,948

 

 

2,714,153

 

 

2,604,261

 

 

Franchise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise sales

30,470

 

 

18,828

 

 

80,023

 

 

49,135

 

 

Royalty income and fees

6,182

 

 

4,086

 

 

20,015

 

 

16,456

 

 

Total revenues

716,491

 

 

667,862

 

 

2,814,191

 

 

2,669,852

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of rentals and fees

166,006

 

 

161,877

 

 

655,612

 

 

634,878

 

 

Cost of merchandise sold

85,288

 

 

69,006

 

 

382,182

 

 

319,006

 

 

Cost of installment sales

7,281

 

 

7,250

 

 

24,111

 

 

23,383

 

 

Total cost of store revenues

258,575

 

 

238,133

 

 

1,061,905

 

 

977,267

 

 

Franchise cost of merchandise sold

30,502

 

 

18,591

 

 

80,134

 

 

48,514

 

 

Total cost of revenues

289,077

 

 

256,724

 

 

1,142,039

 

 

1,025,781

 

 

Gross profit

427,414

 

 

411,138

 

 

1,672,152

 

 

1,644,071

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labor

144,909

 

 

156,875

 

 

579,125

 

 

630,096

 

 

Other store expenses

146,078

 

 

153,721

 

 

609,370

 

 

617,106

 

 

General and administrative expenses

39,414

 

 

36,812

 

 

153,108

 

 

142,634

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

13,587

 

 

15,316

 

 

56,658

 

 

61,104

 

 

Other charges and (gains)

28,787

 

 

(19,420

)

 

36,555

 

 

(60,728

)

 

Total operating expenses

372,775

 

 

343,304

 

 

1,434,816

 

 

1,390,212

 

 

Operating profit

54,639

 

 

67,834

 

 

237,336

 

 

253,859

 

 

Debt refinancing charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,168

 

 

Interest expense

3,367

 

 

4,817

 

 

15,325

 

 

31,031

 

 

Interest income

(207

)

 

(167

)

 

(768

)

 

(3,123

)

 

Earnings before income taxes

51,479

 

 

63,184

 

 

222,779

 

 

223,783

 

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

(4,821

)

 

22,693

 

 

14,664

 

 

50,237

 

 

Net earnings

$

56,300

 

 

$

40,491

 

 

$

208,115

 

 

$

173,546

 

 

Basic weighted average shares

54,190

 

 

54,730

 

 

54,187

 

 

54,325

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

$

1.04

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

3.84

 

 

$

3.19

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares

56,028

 

 

56,571

 

 

55,754

 

 

55,955

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

$

1.00

 

 

$

0.72

 

 

$

3.73

 

 

$

3.10

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED

 

Table 3

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

159,449

 

 

$

70,494

 

 

Receivables, net

90,003

 

 

84,123

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

50,006

 

 

46,043

 

 

Rental merchandise, net

 

 

 

 

On rent

762,886

 

 

697,270

 

 

Held for rent

146,266

 

 

138,418

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

283,422

 

 

281,566

 

 

Goodwill

70,217

 

 

70,217

 

 

Total assets

1,750,980

 

 

1,582,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

$

285,354

 

 

$

285,041

 

 

Senior debt, net

190,490

 

 

230,913

 

 

Total liabilities

1,158,900

 

 

1,123,835

 

 

Stockholders' equity

592,080

 

 

458,963

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

SEGMENT INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED

 

Table 4

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

464,261

 

 

$

438,836

 

 

$

1,852,641

 

 

$

1,800,486

 

 

Preferred Lease

201,122

 

 

191,863

 

 

810,151

 

 

749,260

 

 

Mexico

14,267

 

 

13,694

 

 

50,583

 

 

53,960

 

 

Franchising

36,841

 

 

23,469

 

 

100,816

 

 

66,146

 

 

Total revenues

$

716,491

 

 

$

667,862

 

 

$

2,814,191

 

 

$

2,669,852

 

 

 
 

Table 5

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

328,348

 

 

$

309,761

 

 

$

1,294,695

 

 

$

1,255,153

 

 

Preferred Lease

82,677

 

 

86,977

 

 

321,110

 

 

333,798

 

 

Mexico

10,050

 

 

9,522

 

 

35,665

 

 

37,488

 

 

Franchising

6,339

 

 

4,878

 

 

20,682

 

 

17,632

 

 

Total gross profit

$

427,414

 

 

$

411,138

 

 

$

1,672,152

 

 

$

1,644,071

 

 

 
 

Table 6

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

80,354

 

 

$

65,553

 

 

$

333,379

 

 

$

235,964

 

 

Preferred Lease

17,319

 

 

16,989

 

 

57,847

 

 

83,066

 

 

Mexico

2,055

 

 

1,451

 

 

5,798

 

 

5,357

 

 

Franchising

3,876

 

 

2,489

 

 

12,570

 

 

7,205

 

 

Total segments

103,604

 

 

86,482

 

 

409,594

 

 

331,592

 

 

Corporate

(48,965

)

 

(18,648

)

 

(172,258

)

 

(77,733

)

 

Total operating profit

$

54,639

 

 

$

67,834

 

 

$

237,336

 

 

$

253,859

 

 

 
 

Table 7

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

5,153

 

 

$

5,203

 

 

$

19,912

 

 

$

20,822

 

 

Preferred Lease

524

 

 

493

 

 

2,066

 

 

1,533

 

 

Mexico

121

 

 

84

 

 

413

 

 

401

 

 

Franchising

12

 

 

3

 

 

40

 

 

45

 

 

Total segments

5,810

 

 

5,783

 

 

22,431

 

 

22,801

 

 

Corporate

7,777

 

 

9,533

 

 

34,227

 

 

38,303

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

$

13,587

 

 

$

15,316

 

 

$

56,658

 

 

$

61,104

 

 

 
 

Table 8

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

4,664

 

 

$

4,661

 

 

$

14,869

 

 

$

10,255

 

 

Preferred Lease

55

 

 

16

 

 

161

 

 

141

 

 

Mexico

187

 

 

107

 

 

392

 

 

172

 

 

Total segments

4,906

 

 

4,784

 

 

15,422

 

 

10,568

 

 

Corporate

7,082

 

 

4,363

 

 

19,123

 

 

10,589

 

 

Total capital expenditures

$

11,988

 

 

$

9,147

 

 

$

34,545

 

 

$

21,157

 

 

 
 

Table 9

On Lease at December 31,

 

Held for Lease at December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

Lease merchandise, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

444,945

 

 

$

411,482

 

 

$

136,219

 

 

$

131,086

 

 

Preferred Lease

299,660

 

 

268,845

 

 

2,228

 

 

1,254

 

 

Mexico

18,281

 

 

16,943

 

 

7,819

 

 

6,078

 

 

Total lease merchandise, net

$

762,886

 

 

$

697,270

 

 

$

146,266

 

 

$

138,418

 

 

 
 

Table 10

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Rent-A-Center Business

$

999,252

 

 

$

953,151

 

 

Preferred Lease

389,650

 

 

357,859

 

 

Mexico

42,278

 

 

33,707

 

 

Franchising

14,729

 

 

11,095

 

 

Total segments

1,445,909

 

 

1,355,812

 

 

Corporate

305,071

 

 

226,986

 

 

Total assets

$

1,750,980

 

 

$

1,582,798

 

 

 
 
 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release and the Company's related conference call contain certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including (1) Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (net earnings, as adjusted for special items (as defined below), net of taxes, divided by the number of shares of our common stock on a fully diluted basis), (2) Adjusted EBITDA (net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for special items) on a consolidated and segment basis and (3) Free Cash Flow (net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures). “Special items” refers to certain gains and charges we view as extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring in nature and which we believe do not reflect our core business activities. For the periods presented herein, these special items are described in the quantitative reconciliation tables included below in this release. Because of the inherent uncertainty related to the special items, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measures or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort.

These non-GAAP measures are additional tools intended to assist our management in comparing our performance on a more consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not directly reflect our core operations. These measures are intended to assist management in evaluating operating performance and liquidity, comparing performance and liquidity across periods, planning and forecasting future business operations, helping determine levels of operating and capital investments and identifying and assessing additional trends potentially impacting our Company that may not be shown solely by comparisons of GAAP measures. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow have also been used as part of our incentive compensation program for our executive officers and others.

We believe these non-GAAP financial measures also provide supplemental information that is useful to investors, analysts and other external users of our consolidated financial statements in understanding our financial results and evaluating our performance and liquidity from period to period. However, non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations and are not substitutes for or superior to, and they should be read together with, our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare such measures to the non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, even if they have the same or similar names.

 
 
 
 

Reconciliation of net earnings to net earnings excluding special items and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share:

Table 11

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

(in thousands, except per share data)

Amount

 

Per Share

 

Amount

 

Per Share

 

Amount

 

Per Share

 

Amount

 

Per Share

Net earnings

$

56,300

 

 

$

1.00

 

 

$

40,491

 

 

$

0.72

 

 

$

208,115

 

 

$

3.73

 

 

$

173,546

 

 

$

3.10

 

Special items, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (gains) charges (See Tables 12 and 13 below for additional detail)

20,859

 

 

0.55

 

 

(13,777

)

 

(0.24

)

 

26,801

 

 

0.48

 

 

(46,725

)

 

(0.83

)

Debt refinancing charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,470

 

 

0.03

 

Discrete income tax items(1)

(19,724

)

 

(0.52

)

 

6,009

 

 

0.10

 

 

(37,986

)

 

(0.68

)

 

(3,194

)

 

(0.06

)

Net earnings excluding special items

$

57,435

 

 

$

1.03

 

 

$

32,723

 

 

$

0.58

 

 

$

196,930

 

 

$

3.53

 

 

$

125,097

 

 

$

2.24

 

(1) Discrete income tax items for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were benefited by the release of domestic and foreign tax valuation allowances of approximately $19.2 million. In addition, discrete income tax items for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 included benefits of approximately $16.7 million related to the carry back of income tax net operating losses available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

 
 

Reconciliation of operating profit to Adjusted EBITDA (consolidated and by segment):

Table 12

Three Months Ended December 31, 2020

(In thousands)

Rent-A-

Center

Business

 

Preferred

Lease

 

Mexico

 

Franchising

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

GAAP Operating Profit (Loss)

$

80,354

 

 

$

17,319

 

 

$

2,055

 

 

$

3,876

 

 

$

(48,965

)

 

$

54,639

 

Plus: Amortization, Depreciation

5,153

 

 

524

 

 

121

 

 

12

 

 

7,777

 

 

13,587

 

Plus: Special Items (Extraordinary, Unusual or Non-Recurring Gains or Charges)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California refranchise store sale

16,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,600

 

Acima transaction Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,400

 

 

6,400

 

Legal settlement reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

3,500

 

Asset disposals

6

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,269

 

 

1,279

 

Store closure costs

389

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

412

 

State tax audit assessment reserves

 

 

400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

400

 

COVID-19 impacts

284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

334

 

Cost savings initiatives

(8

)

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

(306

)

 

(277

)

Nationwide protest impacts

139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

139

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

102,917

 

 

$

18,284

 

 

$

2,199

 

 

$

3,888

 

 

$

(30,275

)

 

$

97,013

 

 
 

Table 13

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

(In thousands)

Rent-A-

Center

Business

 

Preferred

Lease

 

Mexico

 

Franchising

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

GAAP Operating Profit (Loss)

$

65,553

 

 

$

16,989

 

 

$

1,451

 

 

$

2,489

 

 

$

(18,648

)

 

$

67,834

 

Plus: Amortization, Depreciation

5,203

 

 

493

 

 

84

 

 

3

 

 

9,533

 

 

15,316

 

Plus: Special Items (Extraordinary, Unusual or Non-Recurring Gains or Charges)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headquarters sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,819

)

 

(21,819

)

Store closures

1,251

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,281

 

State tax audit assessments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

527

 

 

527

 

Legal settlement reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

440

 

 

440

 

Legal and professional fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

227

 

 

227

 

Cost savings initiatives

222

 

 

115

 

 

 

 

 

 

(191

)

 

146

 

Insurance reimbursement proceeds

(118

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(118

)

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(104

)

 

(104

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

72,111

 

 

$

17,597

 

 

$

1,565

 

 

$

2,492

 

 

$

(30,035

)

 

$

63,730

 

 
 

Table 14

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020

(In thousands)

Rent-A-

Center

Business

 

Preferred

Lease

 

Mexico

 

Franchising

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

GAAP Operating Profit (Loss)

$

333,379

 

 

$

57,847

 

 

$

5,798

 

 

$

12,570

 

 

$

(172,258

)

 

$

237,336

 

Plus: Amortization, Depreciation

19,912

 

 

2,066

 

 

413

 

 

40

 

 

34,227

 

 

56,658

 

Plus: Special Items (Extraordinary, Unusual or Non-Recurring Gains or Charges)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California refranchise store sale

16,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,600

 

Legal settlement reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,900

 

 

7,900

 

Acima transaction costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,400

 

 

6,400

 

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,800

)

 

(2,800

)

Store closure costs

2,052

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,089

 

Asset disposals

531

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,269

 

 

1,804

 

Cost savings initiatives

577

 

 

193

 

 

 

 

 

 

813

 

 

1,583

 

State tax audit assessment reserves

261

 

 

400

 

 

 

 

 

 

564

 

 

1,225

 

COVID-19 impacts

883

 

 

115

 

 

 

 

 

 

155

 

 

1,153

 

Nationwide protest impacts

942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

942

 

Insurance reimbursement proceeds

(341

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(341

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

374,796

 

 

$

60,625

 

 

$

6,248

 

 

$

12,610

 

 

$

(123,730

)

 

$

330,549

 

 
 

Table 15

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019

(In thousands)

Rent-A-

Center

Business

 

Preferred

Lease

 

Mexico

 

Franchising

 

Corporate

 

Consolidated

GAAP Operating Profit (Loss)

$

235,964

 

 

$

83,066

 

 

$

5,357

 

 

$

7,205

 

 

$

(77,733

)

 

$

253,859

 

Plus: Amortization, Depreciation

20,822

 

 

1,533

 

 

401

 

 

45

 

 

38,303

 

 

61,104

 

Plus: Special Items (Extraordinary, Unusual or Non-Recurring Gains or Charges)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Merger termination settlement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(92,500

)

 

(92,500

)

Headquarters sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,819

)

 

(21,819

)

Legal and professional fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,429

 

 

21,429

 

Legal settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,896

 

 

12,896

 

Cost savings initiatives

8,141

 

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,593

 

 

10,234

 

Store closures

7,222

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,358

 

State tax audit assessments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,381

 

 

2,381

 

Insurance reimbursement proceeds

(1,147

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,147

)

Legal settlement reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

440

 

 

440

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

271,002

 

 

$

85,099

 

 

$

5,894

 

 

$

7,250

 

 

$

(115,010

)

 

$

254,235

 
 

Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:

 

Table 16

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

     (In thousands)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

(59,724

)

 

$

(12,713

)

 

$

236,502

 

 

$

215,416

 

Purchase of property assets

(11,988

)

 

(9,147

)

 

(34,545

)

 

(21,157

)

Hurricane insurance recovery proceeds

 

 

118

 

 

158

 

 

1,113

 

Free cash flow

$

(71,712

)

 

$

(21,742

)

 

$

202,115

 

 

$

195,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of stores

14,281

 

 

52,795

 

 

14,477

 

 

69,717

 

Acquisitions of businesses

 

 

(193

)

 

(700

)

 

(28,915

)

Free cash flow including acquisitions and divestitures

$

(57,431

)

 

$

30,860

 

 

$

215,892

 

 

$

236,174

 

 
 

 

Investors:
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
Maureen Short
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
972-801-1899
maureen.short@rentacenter.com

Source: Rent-A-Center, Inc.