Rent-A-Center, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Results
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Rent-A-Center, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Results

Rent-A-Center posts positive consolidated same store sales of 9.1 percent and strong earnings and cash flow in the fourth quarter

PLANO, Texas - (BUSINESS WIRE) - February 25, 2019 - Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company" or "Rent-A-Center") (NASDAQ/NGS: RCII) today announced results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

"When I returned to Rent-A-Center last January as CEO, we focused the Company’s strategy on optimizing the cost structure, increasing store traffic through an enhanced value proposition and growing our franchising business. I am extremely pleased with our 2018 results as we made substantial progress in each of those areas and exceeded our financial and operational expectations," stated Mitch Fadel, Chief Executive Officer of Rent-A-Center.

Mr. Fadel continued, “Consolidated same store sales increased by 9.1 percent in the fourth quarter and extended our streak of quarterly same store sales improvement to eight consecutive quarters. The cost savings initiatives and improved operational performance led to an increase of over $100 million in adjusted EBITDA versus 2017. The operational results coupled with working capital improvements and franchise sales helped reduce our net debt by over $220 million in 2018 and we ended the year with over $155 million of cash on the balance sheet. In 2019, we expect to further benefit from the full year impact of the cost savings initiatives implemented in 2018, which are expected to reduce costs year-over-year by approximately $50 million. Customer demand is also on a positive trajectory and we will continue to refine our value proposition with a strong focus on execution in 2019."

Termination of Merger Agreement

On December 18, 2018, after the Company did not receive an extension notice from Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC (“Vintage”) that was required by December 17, 2018 to extend the Merger Agreement’s stated End Date, we terminated the Merger Agreement. Our Board of Directors determined that terminating the Merger Agreement was in the best interests of our stockholders, and instructed Rent-A-Center’s management to exercise the Company’s right to terminate the Merger Agreement and make a demand on Vintage for the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee owed to us following the termination of the Merger Agreement. On December 21, 2018, Vintage and its affiliates filed a lawsuit in Delaware Court of Chancery against Rent-A-Center, asserting that the Merger Agreement remained in effect, and that Vintage did not owe Rent-A-Center the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee. B. Riley, a guarantor of the payment of the reverse breakup fee, later joined the lawsuit brought by Vintage in Delaware Court of Chancery. In addition, Rent-A-Center brought a counterclaim against Vintage and B. Riley asserting its right to payment of the reverse breakup fee.

On February 11th and 12th of this year, a trial was held in Delaware Court of Chancery in the lawsuit arising from Rent-A-Center's termination of the Merger Agreement. While it is difficult to predict the outcome of litigation, we believe Rent-A-Center, under the express and unambiguous language of that agreement, had a clear right to terminate the Merger Agreement and that it is entitled to the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee. Oral argument on the parties' post-trial briefs is scheduled for Monday, March 11th.

Consolidated Overview

Explanations of performance for the fourth quarter of 2018 are excluding special items and compared to the fourth quarter of last year unless otherwise noted.

On a consolidated basis, total revenues were $661.8 million representing an increase of 3.6 percent primarily driven by a consolidated same store sales increase of 9.1 percent partially offset by closures of certain Core U.S. stores. Net earnings and diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, were $1.7 million and $0.03 compared to net earnings and diluted earnings per share of $34.8 million and $0.65 in the fourth quarter of last year. We note that in 2017 GAAP diluted earnings per share were benefited by $1.45 related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") passed in December of 2017, which resulted in the revaluation of net deferred tax liabilities to a 21 percent federal tax rate.

Excluding special items, the Company’s diluted earnings per share were $0.35 and the Company generated $49.0 million in adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter, compared to a loss per diluted share of $0.41 and adjusted EBITDA loss of $8.5 million in the fourth quarter of last year.

Special items impacting adjusted EBITDA of $18.7 million included charges primarily driven by cost savings initiatives, incremental legal and advisory fees, and store closure costs.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the Company generated $227.5 million of cash from operations and reduced its outstanding debt balance by $139.3 million. The Company ended the fourth quarter with $155.4 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $73.0 million as of the end of 2017. The Company's net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio ended the year at 2.1 times, reflecting a substantial reduction compared to the ratio of 8.6 times as of the end of 2017.

Segment Operating Performance

CORE U.S. fourth quarter revenues of $466.6 million increased 4.9 percent due to a same store sales increase of 8.8 percent offset by the rationalization of the Core U.S. store base. Gross profit as a percent of total revenue versus the prior year decreased 30 basis points. Labor and other store expenses decreased by $6.7 million and $13.7 million, respectively, primarily driven by lower store count and the cost savings initiatives. Adjusted EBITDA was $52.4 million and as a percent of total revenue increased 700 basis points versus the prior year.

ACCEPTANCE NOW fourth quarter revenues of $173.1 million decreased 1.5 percent primarily due to closures in 2017 partially offset by a same store sales increase of 9.6 percent. Gross profit as a percent of total revenue versus prior year decreased 290 basis points primarily due to the intercompany book value adjustment on returned Acceptance NOW products and certain value proposition enhancements. Labor and other store expenses decreased by $24.4 million primarily driven by the cost savings initiatives and lower skip/stolen losses. Adjusted EBITDA was $23.8 million and as a percent of total revenue increased 10.9 percentage points versus the prior year.

MEXICO fourth quarter revenues increased 12.1 percent on a constant currency basis. Gross profit as a percent of total revenue versus prior year increased 90 basis points driven by higher rental and fees gross margin. Other store expense improved 70 basis points versus prior year driven by lower skip/stolen losses. Adjusted EBITDA was $0.5 million and as a percent of total revenue increased 110 basis points versus prior year.

FRANCHISING fourth quarter revenues of $9.5 million increased primarily due an increase in merchandise sales driven by higher store count and a 2018 accounting standard change for franchise advertising fees. Adjusted EBITDA was $0.7 million.

CORPORATE fourth quarter operating expenses decreased $6.4 million compared to the prior year primarily due to the realization of cost savings partially offset by higher incentive compensation.

SAME STORE SALES
(Unaudited)
Table 1        
Period       Core U.S.    

Acceptance
Now

    Mexico     Total
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 (1)       8.8 %     9.6 %     13.8 %     9.1 %
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (1)       5.2 %     6.7 %     12.8 %     5.7 %
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 (1)       (3.6 )%     6.7 %     (2.3 )%     (2.0 )%
                           

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. 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 24th full month following account transfer.

(1) Given the severity of the 2017 hurricanes, the Company instituted a change to the same store sales store selection starting in the month of September 2017, excluding geographically impacted regions for 18 months.

2019 Guidance (1)

The Company is providing the following guidance for its 2019 fiscal year which has been updated to reflect the impact of a franchise transaction completed in January of 2019.

  • Consolidated revenues of $2.585 billion to $2.630 billion
    • Core U.S. revenues of $1.765 billion to $1.790 billion
    • Acceptance NOW revenues of $725 million to $740 million
  • Consolidated Same Store Sales increases in the low to mid-single digits
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $220 million to $250 million
  • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.75 to $2.15
  • Free cash flow of $115 million to $145 million (2)
  • Net debt of $270 million to $235 million
  • Leverage ratio of 1.25x to 0.90x

(1) Guidance does not include the impact of new franchising transactions beyond the transaction completed in January of 2019, refinancing the balance sheet or the reverse breakup fee associated with the termination of the Merger Agreement.

(2) Free cash flow defined as Net cash provided by operating activities less purchase of property assets (reference table 3).

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

To supplement the Company's financial results presented on a GAAP basis, Rent-A-Center uses the non-GAAP measures ("special items”) indicated in Table 2 below, which primarily excludes financial impacts in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to cost savings initiatives, incremental legal and advisory fees, capitalized software write downs, store closures, and hurricane impacts. Gains or charges related to store closures will generally recur with the occurrence of these events in the future. The presentation of these financial measures is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Rent-A-Center management believes that excluding special items from the GAAP financial results provides investors a clearer perspective of the Company's ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results. This press release also refers to the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and Free Cash Flow (net cash provided by operating activities less purchase of property assets). Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided in Tables 3 and 4, below.

The Company believes that presentation of adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors as, among other things, this information impacts certain financial covenants under the Company's senior credit facilities and the indentures governing its 6.625% senior unsecured notes due November 2020 and its 4.75% senior unsecured notes due May 2021. The Company believes that presentation of free cash flow provides investors with meaningful additional information regarding the Company's liquidity. While management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies.

Reconciliation of net earnings to net earnings (loss) excluding special items:

               
Table 2       Three Months Ended December 31,     Twelve Months Ended December 31,
        2018     2017     2018     2017
(in thousands, except per share data)       Amount    

Per Share

    Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share     Amount     Per Share
Net earnings       $ 1,664     $ 0.03     $ 34,824       $ 0.65       $ 8,492     $ 0.16     $ 6,653       $ 0.12  
Special items, net of taxes:                                                  
Other charges (1)         14,500       0.26       17,009         0.32         45,725       0.83       37,256         0.70  
Debt refinancing charges         373       0.01                       373       0.01       1,239         0.02  
Tax Cut and Jobs Act gain                     (77,505 )       (1.45 )                   (77,505 )       (1.45 )
Discrete income tax items         2,567       0.05       3,566         0.07         3,244       0.06       3,642         0.07  
Net earnings (loss) excluding special items       $ 19,104     $ 0.35     $ (22,106 )     $ (0.41 )     $ 57,834     $ 1.06     $ (28,715 )     $ (0.54 )
                                                   

(1) Other charges for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily includes financial impacts, net of tax, related to cost savings initiatives, incremental legal and advisory fees, store closures, capitalized software write-downs, and hurricane damage. Other charges for the three months ended December 31, 2017 primarily includes charges, net of tax, related to capitalized software write-downs, hurricane damage, closure of Acceptance Now locations, incremental legal and advisory fees, legal settlements, and charges related to previous store closure plans. Charges related to store closures are primarily comprised of losses on rental merchandise, lease obligation costs, employee severance, asset disposals, and miscellaneous costs incurred as a result of the closures.

Reconciliation of net cash provided by operations to free cash flow:

         
Table 3       Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)       2018     2017
Net cash provided by operating activities      

$

227,505

     

$

110,533

 
Purchase of property assets         (27,962 )       (65,460 )
Free cash flow      

$

199,543

     

$

45,073

 
               
Proceeds from sale of stores      

$

25,317

     

$

4,638

 
Acquisitions of businesses         (2,048 )       (2,525 )
Free cash flow including acquisitions and divestitures      

$

222,812

     

$

47,186

 
               

Webcast Information

Rent-A-Center, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter results, guidance and other operational matters on Tuesday morning, February 26, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. ET. For a live webcast of the call, visit http://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.

A rent-to-own industry leader, Plano, Texas-based, Rent-A-Center, Inc., is focused on improving the quality of life for its customers by providing them the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality, durable products such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation. The Company owns and operates approximately 2,300 stores in the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, and approximately 1,200 Acceptance Now kiosk locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of approximately 280 rent-to-own stores operating under the trade names of "Rent-A-Center", "ColorTyme", and "RimTyme". For additional information about the Company, please visit our website at www.rentacenter.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and the guidance above contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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," "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are accurate. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences and spending; factors affecting the disposable income available to the Company's current and potential customers; changes in the unemployment rate; the outcome of the litigation initiated by Vintage Capital and B. Riley challenging the validity of the termination of the Merger Agreement and the Company's right, or the ability, to collect on the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee; risks relating to operations of the business and the Company’s financial results arising out of the termination of the Merger Agreement; the effect of the termination of the Merger Agreement on the Company’s relationships with third parties, including its employees, franchisees, customers, suppliers, business partners and vendors, which may make it more difficult to maintain business and operations relationships, and negatively impact the operating results of the Company’s business segments and the Company’s business generally; the risk of material price volatility with respect to trading in the Company’s common stock during litigation related to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the Company's ability to continue to effectively operate and execute its strategic initiatives as a stand-alone enterprise following the termination of the Merger Agreement; capital market conditions, including availability of funding sources for the Company; changes in the Company’s credit ratings; difficulties encountered in improving the financial and operational performance of the Company's business segments, including its ability to execute its franchise strategy; the Company’s ability to recapitalize its debt, including its revolving credit facility expiring December 31, 2019, and senior notes maturing in November 2020 and May 2021 on favorable terms, if at all; risks associated with pricing changes and strategies being deployed in the Company's businesses; the Company's ability to continue to realize benefits from its initiatives regarding cost-savings and other EBITDA enhancements, efficiencies and working capital improvements; the Company's ability to continue to effectively operate and execute its strategic initiatives; failure to manage the Company's store labor and other store expenses; disruptions caused by the operation of the Company's store information management system; the Company's transition to more-readily scalable, “cloud-based” solutions; the Company's ability to develop and successfully implement digital or E-commerce capabilities, including mobile applications; disruptions in the Company's supply chain; limitations of, or disruptions in, the Company's distribution network, and the impact, effects and results of the changes the Company has made and is making to its distribution methods; rapid inflation or deflation in the prices of the Company's products; the Company's ability to execute and the effectiveness of a store consolidation, including the Company's ability to retain the revenue from customer accounts merged into another store location as a result of a store consolidation; the Company's available cash flow; the Company's ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to its customer demographic; consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's brand; the Company's ability to retain the revenue associated with acquired customer accounts and enhance the performance of acquired stores; the Company's ability to enter into new and collect on its rental or lease purchase agreements; the passage of legislation adversely affecting the Rent-to-Own industry; the Company's compliance with applicable statutes or regulations governing its transactions; changes in interest rates; changes in tariff policies; adverse changes in the economic conditions of the industries, countries or markets that the Company serves; information technology and data security costs; 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 and employees; changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves; changes in the Company's effective tax rate; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; the resolution of the Company's litigation; and 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, 2017, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018. 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

STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (LOSS) HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED
         
Table 4       Three Months Ended December 31,
        2018           2018     2017           2017
        Before           After     Before           After
        Special Items           Special Items     Special Items           Special Items
        (Non-GAAP           (GAAP     (Non-GAAP           (GAAP
(In thousands, except per share data)       Earnings)           Earnings)     Earnings)           Earnings)
Total revenues       $ 661,750           $ 661,750     $ 638,954             $ 638,954  
Operating profit (loss)         32,283    

(1)

      13,624       (27,254 )    

(3)

      (54,893 )
Net earnings (loss)         19,104    

(1)(2)

      1,664       (22,106 )    

(3)(4)

      34,824  
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share       $ 0.35    

(1)(2)

    $ 0.03     $ (0.41 )    

(3)(4)

    $ 0.65  
Adjusted EBITDA       $ 48,955           $ 48,955     $ (8,543 )           $ (8,543 )
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:                                      
Earnings (loss) before income taxes       $ 22,368    

(1)

    $ 3,234     $ (38,605 )    

(3)

    $ (66,244 )
Add back:                                      
Other charges                     18,659                     27,639  
Debt refinancing charges                     475                      
Interest expense, net         9,915             9,915       11,351               11,351  
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles         16,672             16,672       18,711               18,711  
Adjusted EBITDA       $ 48,955           $ 48,955     $ (8,543 )           $ (8,543 )
                                                   

(1) Excludes the effects of approximately $18.7 million of pre-tax charges including $12.3 million related to cost savings initiatives, $4.3 million in incremental legal and advisory fees, $0.9 million related to store closure costs, $0.8 million in capitalized software write-downs, $0.4 million related to the 2018 hurricanes. These charges increased net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2018, by approximately $14.5 million and $0.26, respectively.

(2) Excludes the effects of $2.6 million of discrete income tax adjustments and $0.5 million of pre-tax debt refinancing charges that increased net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2018, by approximately $2.9 million and $0.06, respectively.

(3) Excludes the effects of approximately $27.6 million of pre-tax charges including $18.2 million for capitalized software write-downs, $3.5 million for hurricane impacts, $3.1 million for the closure of Acceptance Now locations, $2.0 million for incremental legal and advisory fees, $0.5 million in legal settlements, and $0.3 million for previous store closure plans. These charges reduced net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2017, by approximately $17.0 million and $0.32, respectively.

(4) Excludes the effects of a $77.5 million gain resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $3.6 million of discrete income tax adjustments that increased net earnings per diluted share by $1.38.

         
Table 5       Twelve Months Ended December 31,
        2018           2018     2017           2017
        Before           After     Before           After
        Special Items           Special Items     Special Items           Special Items
        (Non-GAAP           (GAAP     (Non-GAAP           (GAAP
(In thousands, except per share data)       Earnings)           Earnings)     Earnings)           Earnings)
Total revenues       $ 2,660,465           $ 2,660,465     $ 2,702,540             $ 2,702,540  
Operating profit (loss)         115,461    

(1)

      56,137       (3,840 )    

(3)

      (63,059 )
Net earnings (loss)         57,834    

(1)(2)

      8,492       (28,715 )    

(3)(4)

      6,653  
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share       $ 1.06    

(1)(2)

    $ 0.16     $ (0.54 )    

(3)(4)

    $ 0.12  
Adjusted EBITDA       $ 184,407           $ 184,407     $ 70,799             $ 70,799  
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:                                      
Earnings (loss) before income taxes       $ 73,640    

(1)

    $ 13,841     $ (49,045 )    

(3)

    $ (110,200 )
Add back:                                      
Other charges                     59,324                     59,219  
Debt refinancing charges                     475                     1,936  
Interest expense, net         41,821             41,821       45,205               45,205  
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles         68,946             68,946       74,639               74,639  
Adjusted EBITDA       $ 184,407           $ 184,407     $ 70,799             $ 70,799  
                                       

(1) Excludes the effects of approximately $59.3 million of pre-tax charges including $30.4 million related to cost savings initiatives, $16.4 million in incremental legal and advisory fees, $11.6 million related to store closure costs, $1.2 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $(0.3) million related to 2018 and 2017 hurricanes impacts. These charges increased net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, by approximately $45.7 million and $0.83, respectively.

(2) Excludes the effects of $3.2 million of discrete income tax adjustments and $0.5 million of pre-tax debt refinancing charges that increased net earnings per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, by approximately $3.6 million and $0.07, respectively.

(3) Excludes the effects of approximately $59.2 million of pre-tax charges including $24.0 million for the closure of Acceptance Now locations, $18.2 million for capitalized software write-downs, $6.5 million for incremental legal and advisory fees, $5.4 million for hurricane impacts, $3.4 million for reductions at the field support center, $1.1 million for previous store closure plans, and $0.6 million in legal settlements. These charges reduced net earnings and net earnings per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, by approximately $37.3 million and $0.70, respectively.

(4) Excludes the effects of a $77.5 million gain resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, $3.6 million of discrete income tax adjustments, and $1.9 million of pre-tax debt refinancing charges that increased net earnings per diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, by approximately $72.6 million and $1.36, respectively.

         

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED

         
Table 6       December 31,
(In thousands)       2018     2017
Cash and cash equivalents       $ 155,391     $ 72,968
Receivables, net         69,645       69,823
Prepaid expenses and other assets         51,352       64,577
Rental merchandise, net              
On rent         683,808       701,803
Held for rent         123,662       167,188
Goodwill         56,845       56,614
Total assets         1,396,917       1,420,781
               
Senior debt, net       $     $ 134,125
Senior notes, net         540,042       538,762
Total liabilities         1,110,400       1,148,338
Stockholders' equity         286,517       272,443
               
                     
Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS) - UNAUDITED
                     
Table 7       Three Months Ended December 31,       Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
(In thousands, except per share data)       2018       2017       2018       2017    
Revenues                                    
Store                                    
Rentals and fees       $ 565,163         $ 544,722         $ 2,244,860         $ 2,267,741      
Merchandise sales         64,968           65,341           304,455           331,402      
Installment sales         20,113           19,961           69,572           71,651      
Other         2,005           2,192           9,000           9,620      
Total store revenues         652,249           632,216           2,627,887           2,680,414      
Franchise                                    
Merchandise sales         6,438           3,946           19,087           13,157      
Royalty income and fees         3,063           2,792           13,491           8,969      
Total revenues         661,750           638,954           2,660,465           2,702,540      
Cost of revenues                                    
Store                                    
Cost of rentals and fees         156,008           150,847           621,860           625,358      
Cost of merchandise sold         72,657           65,898           308,912           322,628      
Cost of installment sales         7,223           7,523           23,326           23,622      
Total cost of store revenues         235,888           224,268           954,098           971,608      
Franchise cost of merchandise sold         6,298           3,805           18,199           12,390      
Total cost of revenues         242,186           228,073           972,297           983,998      
Gross profit         419,564           410,881           1,688,168           1,718,542      
Operating expenses                                    
Store expenses                                    
Labor         169,879           181,269           683,422           732,466      
Other store expenses         164,765           197,702           656,894           744,187      
General and administrative expenses         35,965           40,453           163,445           171,090      
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles         16,672           18,711           68,946           74,639      
Other charges         18,659    

(1)

    27,639    

(3)

    59,324    

(5)

    59,219    

(7)

Total operating expenses         405,940           465,774           1,632,031           1,781,601      
Operating profit (loss)         13,624           (54,893 )         56,137           (63,059 )    
Debt refinancing charges         475                     475           1,936      
Interest expense         10,306           11,650           42,968           45,996      
Interest income         (391 )         (299 )         (1,147 )         (791 )    
Earnings (loss) before income taxes         3,234           (66,244 )         13,841           (110,200 )    
Income tax (benefit) expense         1,570    

(2)

    (101,068 )  

(4)

    5,349    

(6)

    (116,853 )  

(8)

Net earnings       $ 1,664         $ 34,824         $ 8,492         $ 6,653      
Basic weighted average shares         53,521           53,312           53,471           53,282      
Basic earnings per common share       $ 0.03         $ 0.65         $ 0.16         $ 0.12      
Diluted weighted average shares         54,967           53,894           54,542           53,844      
Diluted earnings per common share       $ 0.03         $ 0.65         $ 0.16         $ 0.12      
                                     
(1)   Includes pre-tax charges of $12.3 million related to cost savings initiatives, $4.3 million in incremental legal and advisory fees, $0.9 million related to store closure costs, $0.8 million in capitalized software write-downs, $0.4 million related to the 2018 hurricanes.
(2)   Includes $2.6 million of discrete income tax adjustments.
(3)   Includes pre-tax charges of $18.2 million for capitalized software write-downs, $3.5 million for hurricane impacts, $3.1 million for the closure of Acceptance Now locations, $2.0 million for incremental legal and advisory fees, $0.5 million in legal settlements, and $0.3 million for previous store closure plans.
(4)   Includes a $77.5 million gain resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $3.6 million of discrete income tax adjustments.
(5)   Includes pre-tax charges of $30.4 million related to cost savings initiatives, $16.4 million in incremental legal and advisory fees, $11.6 million related to store closure costs, $1.2 million in capitalized software write-downs, $0.6 million for 2018 hurricane damages, and $(0.9) million related to the 2017 hurricanes.
(6)   Includes $3.2 million of discrete income tax adjustments.
(7)   Includes pre-tax charges of $24.0 million for the closure of Acceptance Now locations, $18.2 million for capitalized software write-downs, $6.5 million for incremental legal and advisory fees, $5.4 million for hurricane damages, $3.4 million for reductions at the field support center, $1.1 million for previous store closure plans, and $0.6 million in legal settlements.
(8)   Includes a $77.5 million gain resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $3.6 million of discrete income tax adjustments.
     
                     
Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
SEGMENT INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED
                     
Table 8       Three Months Ended December 31,       Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
(In thousands)       2018       2017       2018       2017    
Revenues                                    
Core U.S.       $ 466,631         $ 444,735         $ 1,855,712         $ 1,835,422      
Acceptance Now         173,127           175,827           722,562           797,987      
Mexico         12,491           11,654           49,613           47,005      
Franchising         9,501           6,738           32,578           22,126      
Total revenues       $ 661,750         $ 638,954         $ 2,660,465         $ 2,702,540      
                     
Table 9       Three Months Ended December 31,       Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
(In thousands)       2018       2017       2018       2017    
Gross profit                                    
Core U.S.       $ 324,578         $ 310,473         $ 1,299,809         $ 1,276,212      
Acceptance Now         83,175           89,551           339,616           400,002      
Mexico         8,608           7,924           34,364           32,592      
Franchising         3,203           2,933           14,379           9,736      
Total gross profit       $ 419,564         $ 410,881         $ 1,688,168         $ 1,718,542      
                     
Table 10       Three Months Ended December 31,       Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
(In thousands)       2018       2017       2018       2017    
Operating profit (loss)                                    
Core U.S.       $ 32,652    

(1)

  $ 6,955    

(4)

  $ 147,787    

(7)

  $ 86,196    

(11)

Acceptance Now         23,086    

(2)

    (977 )  

(5)

    93,951    

(8)

    48,618    

(12)

Mexico         299           (138 )         2,605    

(9)

    (260 )  

(13)

Franchising         698           1,516           4,385           5,081      
Total segments         56,735           7,356           248,728           139,635      
Corporate         (43,111 )  

(3)

    (62,249 )  

(6)

    (192,591 )  

(10)

    (202,694 )  

(14)

Total operating profit (loss)       $ 13,624         $ (54,893 )       $ 56,137         $ (63,059 )    
                                     
(1)   Includes approximately $13.6 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $12.3 million for cost savings initiatives, $0.9 million for store closure costs, $0.1 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $0.3 million related to 2018 hurricane impacts.
(2)   Includes approximately $0.4 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to capitalized software write-downs.
(3)   Includes approximately $4.7 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $4.3 million for incremental legal and advisory fees, and $0.4 million in capitalized software write-downs.
(4)   Includes approximately $4.6 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $2.4 million in hurricane impacts, $1.9 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $0.3 million in previous store closure plans.
(5)   Includes approximately $5.6 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $3.1 million for the closure of Acceptance Now locations, $1.4 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $1.1 million in hurricane impacts.
(6)   Includes approximately $17.4 million of pre-tax charges related to $14.9 million for capitalized software write-downs, $2.0 million in incremental legal and advisory fees, and $0.5 million in legal settlements.
(7)   Includes approximately $31.7 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $20.2 million for cost savings initiatives, $11.7 million for store closure costs and $0.5 million related to 2018 hurricane impacts, $0.1 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $(0.8) million related to 2017 hurricane impacts.
(8)   Includes approximately $5.3 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $3.5 million for cost savings initiatives, $2.2 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $(0.4) million for store closure adjustments.
(9)   Includes approximately $0.3 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to store closure costs.
(10)   Includes approximately $22.0 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $16.4 million for incremental legal and advisory fees, $6.7 million for cost savings initiatives, $0.4 million in capitalized software write-downs, and $(1.5) million related to a favorable contract termination settlement.
(11)   Includes approximately $7.2 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $3.8 million in hurricane impacts, $1.9 million in capitalized software write-downs, $0.9 million in previous store closure plans, and $0.6 million in legal settlements.
(12)   Includes approximately $27.0 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $24.0 million for the closure of Acceptance Now locations, $1.6 million in hurricane impacts, and $1.4 million in capitalized software write-downs.
(13)   Includes approximately $0.3 million of pre-tax charges primarily related to $0.2 million for closure of stores and $0.1 million for legal settlements.
(14)   Includes approximately $24.7 million of pre-tax charges related to $14.9 million for capitalized software write-downs, $6.5 million in incremental legal and advisory fees, and $3.4 million for reductions at the field support center, partially offset by $0.1 million in legal settlements.
     
                   
Table 11       Three Months Ended December 31,     Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
(In thousands)       2018     2017     2018     2017    
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles                              
Core U.S.       $ 6,084     $ 7,355     $ 25,566     $ 31,070    
Acceptance Now         389       515       1,677       2,498  

(1)

Mexico         167       424       1,006       1,973    
Franchising         39       44       172       177    

Total segments

        6,679       8,338       28,421       35,718    
Corporate         9,993       10,373       40,525       38,921    
Total depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles       $ 16,672     $ 18,711     $ 68,946     $ 74,639    
                               

(1) We recorded an impairment charge of $3.9 million to our intangible assets, related to a vendor relationship, in the Acceptance Now segment during the first quarter of 2017 not included in the table above.

               
Table 12       Three Months Ended December 31,     Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)       2018     2017     2018     2017
Capital expenditures                          
Core U.S.       $ 4,372     $ 5,173     $ 17,173     $ 26,506
Acceptance Now         47       1,198       203       2,723
Mexico         144       21       295       124
Total segments         4,563       6,392       17,671       29,353
Corporate         908       5,540       10,291       36,107
Total capital expenditures       $ 5,471     $ 11,932     $ 27,962     $ 65,460
                           
               
Table 13       On Rent at December 31,     Held for Rent at December 31,
(In thousands)       2018     2017     2018     2017
Rental merchandise, net                          
Core U.S.       $ 424,829     $ 408,993     $ 117,294     $ 156,039
Acceptance Now         242,978       278,443       1,207       4,940
Mexico         16,001       14,367       5,161       6,209
Total rental merchandise, net       $ 683,808     $ 701,803     $ 123,662     $ 167,188
                           
             
Table 14           December 31,
(In thousands)           2018     2017
Assets                  
Core U.S.           $ 714,914     $ 776,296
Acceptance Now             312,151       350,970
Mexico             29,321       33,529
Franchising             4,287       3,802
Total segments             1,060,673       1,164,597
Corporate             336,244       256,184
Total assets           $ 1,396,917     $ 1,420,781
                   
         
Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
LOCATION ACTIVITY – UNAUDITED
         
Table 15       Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
        Core U.S.    

Acceptance Now
Staffed

   

Acceptance Now
Direct

    Mexico     Franchising     Total
Locations at beginning of period       2,205       1,107       119       122       244       3,797  
New location openings             23                         23  
Acquired locations remaining open                               39       39  
Conversions                                      
Closed locations                                      
Merged with existing locations       (8 )     (24 )     (23 )                 (55 )
Sold or closed with no surviving location       (39 )                       (2 )     (41 )
Locations at end of period       2,158       1,106       96       122       281       3,763  
Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations                                      
         
Table 16       Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
        Core U.S.    

Acceptance Now
Staffed

   

Acceptance Now
Direct

    Mexico     Franchising     Total
Locations at beginning of period       2,406       1,175       76       131       227       4,015  
New location openings             26       13             1       40  
Acquired locations remaining open                               1       1  
Conversions             (48 )     48                    
Closed locations                                      
Merged with existing locations       (11 )     (47 )     (12 )                 (70 )
Sold or closed with no surviving location       (14 )                       (4 )     (18 )
Locations at end of period       2,381       1,106       125       131       225       3,968  
Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations       2                               2  
         
Table 17       Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
        Core U.S.    

Acceptance Now
Staffed

   

Acceptance Now
Direct

    Mexico     Franchising     Total
Locations at beginning of period       2,381       1,106       125       131       225       3,968  
New location openings             122       7             3       132  
Acquired locations remaining open       1                         71       72  
Conversions             (3 )     3                    
Closed locations                                      
Merged with existing locations       (137 )     (119 )     (39 )     (8 )           (303 )
Sold or closed with no surviving location       (87 )                 (1 )     (18 )     (106 )
Locations at end of period       2,158       1,106       96       122       281       3,763  
Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations       6                               6  
         
Table 18       Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
        Core U.S.    

Acceptance Now
Staffed

   

Acceptance Now
Direct

    Mexico     Franchising     Total
Locations at beginning of period       2,463       1,431       478       130       229       4,731  
New location openings             222       24       1       1       248  
Acquired locations remaining open                               4       4  
Conversions             (63 )     63                    
Closed locations                                      
Merged with existing locations       (51 )     (483 )     (439 )                 (973 )
Sold or closed with no surviving location       (31 )     (1 )     (1 )           (9 )     (42 )
Locations at end of period       2,381       1,106       125       131       225       3,968  
Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations       8                               8  

Media Contact:

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

SOURCE Rent-A-Center, Inc.

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