VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - (Marketwired - Jun 18, 2014) - JTH Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX)
JTH Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported its financial results for fiscal year 2014. Total customers served in the U.S. and Canada including online grew 6% to 2.4 million. Tax returns prepared in offices in the U.S. grew 5%, exceeding the IRS reported growth rate of .7%. The Company's average net fee increased 6%. The increase in average net fee and the number of returns processed coupled with more customers utilizing financial products drove increased revenue. Operating expenses grew slightly slower than revenue. Diluted earnings per share increased 21% to $1.51. On an adjusted non-GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share increased 4% to $1.45.
"Fiscal 2014 proved to be another year of continued growth for the Company, with revenue growth of 8%, overall growth in tax returns filed of 6% and systemwide revenue growth of 10.5%. We grew faster than the entire industry and continue to gain market share from our competitors," said John Hewitt, Chairman and CEO. "Our franchisees are excited and motivated for next year and will continue to deliver outstanding service to our customers."
Growth in assisted tax preparation volume of 4% and an increase in average net fee of 6% drove higher royalties and advertising revenue. Tax preparation revenue was up largely because of the growth in the Company's online Do It Yourself ("DIY") business, primarily driven by the acquisition of certain assets of an online provider, and more revenue generated through our Company-owned offices. Financial product revenue increased due to a higher adoption of financial products by customers, and because the Company was able to negotiate more favorable terms with vendors.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expense was primarily due to supporting increased revenue and restatement-related expenses. The increase in depreciation, amortization and impairment expense was driven by the release of the first phase of the Company's next generation of tax preparation software (NextGen). The increase in area developer expense is a direct reflection of the increase in royalties.
The increase in cash was largely due to improved performance, higher collections on notes and accounts receivable and proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities. This increase in cash flow allowed for the outstanding balance on the line of credit to be paid on March 7, 2014, eighteen days earlier than in 2013, and for the repurchase of 800,000 shares of our Class A common stock in June 2014 from an affiliate in a privately negotiated transaction to reduce our share count.
The Company plans to withdraw the Registration Statement filed on Form S-1 in 2011. Our market cap has increased and we are no longer categorized as a smaller reporting company, making us eligible to file a Form S-3 in October 2014, once we have been current with all SEC filings for a full year. We expect to maintain our flexibility going forward by making the Form S-3 filing at that time.
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on June 18, 2014, the Company will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and stockholders. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time:
U.S. 855-611-0856
International 518-444-5569
Conference ID Code: 53934581
The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format. The link to the webcast can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at www.libertytax.com.
A telephonic replay of the call will be available beginning shortly after the call continuing until Wednesday, June 25, 2014, by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international). The conference ID code is 53934581. A replay of the webcast will also be available at the site listed above beginning shortly after its conclusion.
Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, JTH Holding, Inc., is the parent company of Liberty Tax Service. Liberty Tax is the fastest-growing tax preparation franchise and has prepared almost 18 million individual income tax returns in more than 4,400 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 approximately 35,000 tax preparers. Liberty Tax also supports local communities with fundraising endeavors and contributes as a national sponsor for many charitable causes. For a more in-depth look, visit Liberty Tax Service and interact with Liberty Tax on Twitter and Facebook.
This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial information. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Information."
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 and our eligibility to file a registration statement in the future. 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; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to meet its prepared returns targets; competitive factors; the Company's effective income tax rate; litigation defense expenses and costs of judgments or settlements; 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 in other filings by the Company with the 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.
Kathy Donovan
Investor Relations
JTH Holding, Inc.
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(757) 493-8855
Martha O'Gorman
Media Relations
JTH Holding, Inc.
Chief Marketing Officer
(757) 301-8022