VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - (Marketwired - Dec 8, 2014) - Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX)
Liberty Tax, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX) (the "Company"), the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, today reported a net loss for the second fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2014 of $11.3 million, or $0.89 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.5 million, or $0.66 per share, in the prior year period. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported an adjusted non-GAAP net loss of $0.74 per share compared to an adjusted non-GAAP net loss of $0.60 per share in the prior period. Due to the seasonality of its business, the Company typically reports a loss in the second quarter.
"This is an exciting time for the tax industry and we expect to continue taking market share in a market that is growing faster than ever. We had a successful off season and believe we will deliver strong full year-over-year growth," said John Hewitt, CEO. "We believe our ACA and SiempreTax+ initiatives position us well to take advantage of the multi-year tailwinds of the ACA and immigration reform."
Revenues for the three months ended October 31, 2014 increased 5.7% to $7.7 million compared to $7.3 million in the prior year period. The increase in revenue was primarily due to increases in franchise fees and transfer fees which were driven by the Company's ability to sell during the entire quarter, without the interruption of the sales blackout period which affected the prior year period.
Operating expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2014 increased 24.2% to $26.0 million compared to $20.9 million in the prior year period. During the three months ended October 31, 2014, the Company incurred $3.3 million in non-recurring, one-time costs. These costs included approximately $2.1 million in costs related to a tentative litigation settlement, and approximately $1.2 million in one-time severance costs. These items, along with investments in new initiatives, accounted for the bulk of the increase in operating expenses. Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted operating expenses increased 16.2% to $22.7 million.
The Company has drawn $51.7 million on its revolving credit facility as of October 31, 2014, compared to $38.5 million as of October 31, 2013. This increase was due to the Company's decision to repurchase a larger amount of common stock and higher cash tax payments on prior year results.
During the first half of fiscal 2015, the Company sold approximately 105 new territories, compared to approximately 65 during the prior year period and 190 during the same period of 2013. The 2013 number of new territories includes 81 territories purchased under the now discontinued $0 franchise fee program. The 2013 number, net of these $0 franchise fee purchases, was approximately 109. New territories include territories sold to new franchisees and additional territories sold to existing franchisees.
This information gives insight into a portion of the Company's sales season; however, in order to predict total office count, other factors, including terminations and the opening of previously sold territories must be considered as well. The Company expects the total office count to increase over last year, adding more year-round offices and decreasing the number of seasonal offices.
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, December 8, 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: 38821048
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 and continuing until Monday, December 15, 2014, by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-406 (international). The conference ID code is 38821048. 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, Liberty Tax, 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 seasonal 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. 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 effect of health care reform on tax preparation-related revenue; the impact of the launch of a new franchise brand; 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.
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SOURCE Liberty Tax, Inc.
Kathy Donovan
Investor Relations
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(757) 493-8855
Martha O'Gorman
Media Relations
Liberty Tax, Inc.
Chief Marketing Officer
(757) 301-8022