MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO - (Marketwired - July 30, 2014) - easyhome Ltd. (TSX:EH) ("easyhome" or the "Company"), the Canadian leader in providing goods and financial services to the cash and credit constrained consumer, today announced its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.
Revenue for the second quarter of 2014 increased to $63.2 million, an increase of 17.6% from $53.8 million in the second quarter of 2013. The growth was driven primarily by the expansion of easyfinancial and the related growth of its consumer loans receivable portfolio. Total same store sales growth in the quarter was 19.7%. Operating income for the quarter was $7.7 million, up $2.2 million or 41% compared to the second quarter of 2013. Net income for the quarter was $4.5 million, an increase of 46% compared with $3.1 million reported in the second quarter of 2013. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter, increased by 27% to $0.33 compared to $0.26 for the second quarter of 2013.
"easyhome delivered record revenues and its best second quarter financial performance in the Company's history," said David Ingram, easyhome's President and Chief Executive Officer. "easyhome Leasing continued to generate solid earnings and cash flows while easyfinancial grew revenues and operating earnings by expanding its consumer loans receivable portfolio. As a result, our operating income increased by 41%."
During the second quarter of 2014, the consumer loans receivable portfolio experienced record growth of $21.9 million compared with growth of $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2013. The gross consumer loans receivable as at June 30, 2014 was $145.4 million compared with $83.9 million as at June 30, 2013, growing 73% over the preceding 12 months.
Additionally, and as previously announced, the Company replaced its existing credit facilities with a new $200 million credit facility subsequent to the end of the quarter. The additional financing will support the expected growth of easyfinancial until the end of 2015 without the need for additional equity financing while reducing its cost of borrowing.
Other highlights for the second quarter of 2014 include:
easyfinancial Services
easyhome Leasing
Overall
For the first half of the year, easyhome recorded revenues of $123.6 million, up 16.4% compared with $106.2 million in the first half of 2013. Operating income for the period was $15.6 million compared with $10.5 million in the first six months of 2013, an increase of 49% while net income increased by $3.1 million or 52%. Earnings per share increased from $0.50 to $0.66 cents, an increase of $0.16 or 32%.
In addition to securing the additional capital, the Company is also moving forward with the launch of a new master brand that will support all of its business units. On September 15, it will be launched nationwide on television and on-line. It will also allow easyhome to maximize its advertising dollars by promoting all of its easy brands under one umbrella with a common message. The launch will present an investment spend of $0.06 to $0.08 per share during the third quarter of 2014, after which advertising expenditures will return to a normal run rate versus revenue.
"The master brand strategy has been carefully planned over the last nine months," said Mr. Ingram. "The shift in marketing spend from flyer based activity to digital and television content represents a major change in our spend allocation to promote our omni-channel strategy. In addition, it complements our commitment to be Canada's largest provider of consumer loans as an alternative to traditional banks and payday lenders."
As a result of the access to additional capital, the expected benefit of the master brand launch and the strong growth of the easyfinancial consumer loans receivable portfolio over the past several quarters, the Company has revised its loan book and sales growth targets. The Company now anticipates that the loan book will reach $180 - $190 million by the end of 2014 and that the previous target of a $250 million loan book by the end of 2016 will be achieved at or before the end of 2015. The Company now anticipates that the loan book will grow to between $320 and $350 million by the end of 2016. Consequently, the Company has also revised its revenue growth targets for 2014 to 14% to 16% (from 10% to 12%).
The Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend payment of $0.085 per share payable on October 10, 2014 to the holders of common shares of record as at the close of business on September 26, 2014.
As at June 30, 2014, easyhome Ltd. operated 238 easyhome leasing stores (including 9 consolidated franchise locations and 60 other franchise locations) and 139 easyfinancial locations.
easyhome Ltd. is the Canadian leader in providing goods and financial services to the cash and credit constrained consumer. easyhome Ltd. serves its customers through two key operating divisions, easyhome Leasing and easyfinancial. easyhome Leasing is Canada's largest merchandise leasing Company, offering top quality, brand-name household furnishings, appliances and home electronic products to consumers under weekly or monthly leasing agreements through both corporate and franchise stores. easyfinancial is a leading provider of consumer loans as an alternative to traditional banks and payday lenders. easyhome Ltd. is listed on the TSX under the symbol 'EH'. For more information, visit www.easyhome.ca.
The above analysis refers to certain financial measures, including same store revenue growth and gross consumer loans receivable which are not determined in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). These measures do not have standardized meanings and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are defined in our Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period which is available on SEDAR or on the Company's website at www.easyhome.ca or can be determined by reference to our financial statements. We discuss these measures as we believe that they facilitate the understanding of the results of our operations and financial position.
This news release includes forward-looking statements about easyhome Ltd., including its business operations, strategy and expected financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes' or negative versions thereof and similar expressions. In addition, any statement that may be made concerning future financial performance (including revenue, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects about future events is also a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including expected growth, results of operations and business prospects and are inherently subject to, among other things, risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our operations, economic factors and the industry generally. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us, due to, but not limited to important factors such as our ability to enter into new lease and/or financing agreements, collect on existing lease and/or financing agreements, open new locations on favourable terms, secure new franchised locations, purchase products which appeal to our customers at a competitive rate, cope with changes in legislation, react to uncertainties related to regulatory actions, raise capital under favourable terms, manage the impact of litigation (including shareholder litigation), control costs at all levels of the organization and maintain and enhance our system of internal controls. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which may not be appropriate for other purposes. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.
David Ingram
easyhome Ltd.
President & Chief Executive Officer
(905) 272-2788
Steve Goertz
easyhome Ltd.
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(905) 272-2788
www.easyhome.ca
goeasy Ltd. is a full service provider of goods and alternative financial services that improve the lives of everyday Canadians.