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8-K - FORM 8-K - ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INCd388019d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Encore Capital Group Announces Record Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results

Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations Increased 41% to $0.82 per Fully Diluted Share, Excluding One-Time Charges Associated with the Acquisition of Propel Financial Services; Quarterly Gross Collections Increased 23% to $241 Million

SAN DIEGO, August 2, 2012 — Encore Capital Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECPG), through its subsidiaries (the “Company”), a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of assets, today reported consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

“For the quarter, we delivered strong financial results, while making investments designed to provide long-term strategic advantages and further strengthen our industry-leading debt purchasing and recovery platform,” said Brandon Black, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our deliberate and disciplined approach to portfolio underwriting and management drove record earnings, collections, and operating cash flow.”

The Company also noted progress with the integration of the previously-announced acquisition of Propel Financial Services, LLC, a leader in the tax lien transfer industry. Black commented: “Our long-term prospects are enhanced by the Propel acquisition and I’m pleased to report that the integration is proceeding smoothly. During the quarter, Propel achieved two important milestones; the funding of its 25,000th transfer and surpassing $250 million dollars in cumulative tax lien transfers.”

Second Quarter of 2012 Highlights:

 

   

Gross collections from the portfolio purchasing and recovery business were $240.6 million, a 23% increase over the $195.1 million in the same period of the prior year.

 

   

Investment in receivable portfolios in the portfolio purchasing and recovery business was $231.0 million, to purchase $6.0 billion in face value of debt, compared to $93.7 million, to purchase $3.0 billion in face value of debt in the same period of the prior year.

 

   

Available capacity under the Encore Capital Group revolving credit facility, subject to borrowing base and applicable debt covenants, was $65.5 million as of June 30, 2012. Total debt, consisting of the revolving credit facility, senior secured notes and capital lease obligations, was $702.3 million as of June 30, 2012, compared to $389.0 million as of December 31, 2011.

 

   

Revenue from receivable portfolios, net of allowance adjustments, was $138.7 million, a 25% increase over the $111.1 million in the same period of the prior year. Revenue recognized on receivable portfolios, as a percentage of portfolio collections, excluding the effects of net portfolio allowances, decreased to approximately 57% from 58% in the same period of the prior year.

 

   

Total operating expenses were $102.8 million, a 26% increase over the $81.5 million in the same period of the prior year. Adjusted operating expense (operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense, tax lien transfer segment operating expenses, and acquisition related expenses) per dollar collected decreased to 39.5%


Encore Capital Group, Inc.

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compared to 40.9% in the same period of the prior year. The comparability of costs per dollar collected is affected by certain one-time events, such as divestiture expenses, as more fully described below under Additional Financial Information.

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA, defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition related expenses, and portfolio amortization, was $147.9 million, a 27% increase over the $116.3 million in the same period of the prior year.

 

   

Total interest expense increased to $6.5 million, as compared to $5.4 million in the same period of the prior year.

 

   

Income from continuing operations was $19.0 million, or $0.74 per fully diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $14.8 million, or $0.58 per fully diluted share in the same period of the prior year. Excluding the one-time charges associated with the acquisition of Propel, earnings were $0.82 per fully diluted share.

 

   

Total stockholders’ equity per share was $15.63 at the end of the quarter, an 8.1% increase over $14.46 at December 31, 2011.

Acquisition of Propel Financial Services

On May 8, 2012, Encore completed the acquisition of Propel Financial Services, LLC, a Texas-based tax lien transfer company. Propel assists property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes by acquiring their tax obligations from the local tax authority and works with the property owner to create an affordable payment plan. Encore acquired Propel at a purchase price of approximately $187 million, utilizing Propel’s new $160 million credit facility and Encore’s existing cash and credit facilities.

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, we incurred approximately $3.8 million in accounting, consulting, and legal expenses related to the acquisition of Propel. Excluding these expenses, the acquisition is expected to be accretive to 2012 earnings.

For more information about Propel, please visit the company’s website at www.propelfinancialservices.com

Discontinued Operations

During the second quarter, on May 16, 2012, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of its bankruptcy servicing subsidiary Ascension Capital Group, Inc. (“Ascension”) to a subsidiary of American InfoSource, L.P., (“AIS”). As part of the sale, the Company agreed to fund normal operating losses in the first year of ownership, not to exceed $4.0 million. If the business grows and becomes profitable, the Company will be paid an earn-out equal to 30 to 40% of the EBITDA of the Ascension business for the first five years after closing.

The operations, including goodwill and intangible impairment losses of Ascension and the loss on the sale including the $4.0 million loss contingency, are presented as discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.


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Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss Second quarter and full year results.

Members of the public are invited to listen to the event via a listen-only telephone conference call line or the Internet. To access the live telephone conference call, please dial (877) 670-9781 or (408) 940-3818. To access the live webcast via the Internet, log on at the Investors page of the Company’s website at www.encorecapital.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has included information concerning Adjusted EBITDA because management utilizes this information, which is materially similar to a financial measure contained in covenants used in the Company’s credit agreement, in the evaluation of its operations and believes that this measure is a useful indicator of the Company’s ability to generate cash collections in excess of operating expenses through the liquidation of its receivable portfolios. The Company has included information concerning adjusted operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense, tax lien transfer segment operating expenses, and acquisition related expenses in order to facilitate a comparison of approximate cash costs to cash collections for the debt purchasing business in the periods presented. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating expenses, have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, net income and total operating expenses as indicators of Encore Capital Group’s operating performance. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures, as presented by Encore Capital Group, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company has included a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to reported earnings under GAAP and a reconciliation of adjusted operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense, tax lien transfer segment operating expenses, and acquisition related expenses, to the GAAP measure total operating expenses.

About Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Encore Capital Group is a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of assets. Through its subsidiaries, the Company purchases portfolios of consumer receivables from major banks, credit unions, and utility providers, and partners with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Through its Propel Financial Services, LLC subsidiary, the Company assists property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes by structuring affordable monthly payment plans. Encore’s success and future growth are driven by its sophisticated and widespread use of analytics, its broad investments in data and behavioral science, the significant cost advantages provided by its highly-efficient operating model and proven investment strategy, and the Company’s demonstrated commitment to conducting business ethically and in ways that support its consumers’ financial recovery.

Headquartered in San Diego, Encore is a publicly traded NASDAQ Global Select company (ticker symbol: ECPG) and a component stock of the Russell 2000, the S&P SmallCap 600, and the Wilshire 4500. More information about the Company can be found at www.encorecapital.com.


Encore Capital Group, Inc.

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Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including, most importantly, those statements preceded by, or that include, the words “may,” “believe,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates” or the negation thereof, or similar expressions, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). These statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future operating results, performance, business plans or prospects. For all “forward-looking statements,” the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company and its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.


Encore Capital Group, Inc.

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Contact:

Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Paul Grinberg (858) 309-6904

paul.grinberg@encorecapital.com

Adam Sragovicz (858) 309-9509

adam.sragovicz@encorecapital.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW


Encore Capital Group, Inc.

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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)

 

     June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
Assets     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 15,014      $ 8,047   

Accounts receivable, net

     1,745        3,265   

Investment in receivable portfolios, net

     869,859        716,454   

Deferred court costs, net

     40,170        38,506   

Property tax payment agreements receivable, net

     139,421        —     

Interest receivable

     4,115        —     

Property and equipment, net

     20,161        17,796   

Other assets

     21,592        11,968   

Goodwill

     55,318        15,985   

Identifiable intangible assets, net

     550       462   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,167,945      $ 812,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity     

Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 41,149      $ 29,628   

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     15,799        15,709   

Debt

     702,316        388,950   

Other liabilities

     5,040        6,661   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     764,304        440,948   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 24,797 shares and 24,520 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

     248        245   

Additional paid-in capital

     128,615        123,406   

Accumulated earnings

     277,854        249,852   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,076     (1,968
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     403,641        371,535   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,167,945      $ 812,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


Encore Capital Group, Inc.

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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Revenues

        

Revenue from receivable portfolios, net

   $ 138,731      $ 111,093      $ 265,136      $ 216,419   

Tax lien transfer

        

Interest income

     2,982        —          2,982        —     

Interest expense

     (650     —          (650     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     2,332        —          2,332        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     141,063        111,093        267,468        216,419   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        

Salaries and employee benefits (excluding stock-based compensation expense)

     22,651        17,129        42,689        33,796   

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,539        1,810        4,805        3,575   

Cost of legal collections

     41,024        40,686        79,659        77,195   

Other operating expenses

     12,427        8,250        24,025        17,040   

Collection agency commissions

     4,166        3,596        8,125        7,510   

General and administrative expenses

     18,582        9,089        32,240        18,767   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,420        958        2,660        1,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     102,809        81,518        194,203        159,745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     38,254        29,575        73,265        56,674   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other (expense) income

        

Interest expense

     (6,497     (5,369     (12,012     (10,962

Other income

     77        35        349        160   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (6,420     (5,334     (11,663     (10,802
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     31,834        24,241        61,602        45,872   

Provision for income taxes

     (12,846     (9,475     (24,506     (17,824
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     18,988        14,766        37,096        28,048   

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (2,392     9        (9,094     406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 16,596      $ 14,775      $ 28,002      $ 28,454   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     24,919        24,433        24,850        24,384   

Diluted

     25,825        25,610        25,822        25,594   

Basic earnings (loss) per share from:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.76      $ 0.60      $ 1.49      $ 1.15   

Discontinued operations

   $ (0.10   $ 0.00      $ (0.37   $ 0.02   

Net basic earnings per share

   $ 0.67      $ 0.60      $ 1.13      $ 1.17   

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.74      $ 0.58      $ 1.44      $ 1.09   

Discontinued operations

   $ (0.10   $ 0.00      $ (0.37   $ 0.02   

Net diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.64      $ 0.58      $ 1.08      $ 1.11   

Other comprehensive loss:

        

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments

     (2,944     (888     (1,822     (52

Income tax benefit related to unrealized gain on derivative instruments

     1,154        351        714        23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (1,790     (537     (1,108     (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 14,806      $ 14,238      $ 26,894      $ 28,425   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited, In Thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011  

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 28,002      $ 28,454   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,660        1,862   

Impairment charge for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets

     10,400        —     

Amortization of loan costs and premium on property tax payment agreements receivable

     1,210        901   

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,805        3,575   

Income tax provision in excess of (less than) income tax payments

     89        (162

Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

     (1,689     (4,727

Loss on sale of discontinued operations

     2,416        —     

(Reversal) provision for allowances on receivable portfolios, net

     (789     6,504   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition

    

Other assets

     298        63   

Deferred court costs

     (1,664     (3,910

Prepaid income tax and income taxes payable

     (6,455     24   

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities

     5,322        (841
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     44,605        31,743   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

    

Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired

     (185,990     —     

Purchases of receivable portfolios

     (361,446     (184,376

Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net

     207,205        163,144   

Proceeds from put-backs of receivable portfolios

     1,625        1,698   

Originations of property tax payment agreements receivable

     (14,072     —     

Collections applied to property tax payment agreements receivable, net

     7,467        —     

Purchases of property and equipment

     (2,595     (1,461
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (347,806     (20,995
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

    

Payment of loan costs

     (1,619     (814

Proceeds from senior secured notes

     —          25,000   

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities

     383,399        55,000   

Repayment of revolving credit facilities

     (70,500     (87,000

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     2,583        1,248   

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

     (2,177     (3,388

Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

     1,689        4,727   

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (3,207     (1,766
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     310,168        (6,993
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     6,967        3,755   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     8,047        10,905   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 15,014      $ 14,660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 11,075      $ 9,718   

Cash paid for income taxes

     23,108        17,814   

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Fixed assets acquired through capital lease

     2,779        1,726   


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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

Supplemental Financial Information Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP Net Income and Adjusted Operating Expenses Excluding Stock-based Compensation Expense, Tax Lien Transfer Segment Operating Expenses, and Acquisition Related Expenses to GAAP Total Operating Expenses (In Thousands) (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011  

GAAP net income, as reported

   $ 16,596      $ 14,775   

Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2,392        (9

Interest expense

     6,497        5,369   

Provision for income taxes

     12,846        9,475   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,420        958   

Amount applied to principal on receivable portfolios

     101,813        83,939   

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,539        1,810   

Acquisition related expenses

     3,774        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 147,877      $ 116,317   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011  

GAAP total operating expenses, as reported

   $ 102,809      $ 81,518   

Stock-based compensation expense

     (2,539     (1,810

Tax lien transfer segment operating expenses

     (1,513     —     

Acquisition related expenses

     (3,774     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense, tax lien transfer segment operating expenses, and acquisition related expenses

   $ 94,983      $ 79,708   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SOURCE Encore Capital Group, Inc.