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Conn's, Inc. Completes Strategic Repositioning of Business, Announces Planned Leadership Succession, and Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2016 Financial Results and August 2015 Sales and Delinquency Data

September 9, 2015 6:00 AM

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Conn’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: CONN), a specialty retailer of furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products, and provider of consumer credit, today announced that, following a thorough exploration of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, it has completed a strategic repositioning of its business and implemented a long-planned leadership succession. The Company today also reported financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2015 and August 2015 sales and delinquency data.

Strategic Initiatives

In separate press releases issued today, Conn’s announced a number of strategic initiatives that collectively represent a major transformation in the business and position the Company to execute its growth strategies while reducing risk and enhancing shareholder value. These actions include the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, entering into an agreement to securitize $1.4 billion of retail installment contract receivables, Board authorization to repurchase up to $75.0 million of securities, and termination of the stockholders’ rights plan. The actions represent the culmination of an exploration of strategic alternatives that was initiated by the Company’s Board of Directors in October 2014.

Further details are as follows:

Management and Governance Changes

Securitization Transaction

Repurchase of Securities

Termination of Stockholders’ Rights Plan

Taken together, these actions represent the completion of a carefully considered strategic plan, developed under the leadership of Conn’s Board of Directors, to position the Company for continued future growth and enhanced long-term shareholder value.

Financial Results

Second quarter fiscal 2016 significant items included (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

Theodore M. Wright, Conn’s Executive Chairman, commented, "In the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the retail segment expanded with new store growth and positive same store sales. Greater than 60-day delinquency was 9.2% as of the end of the current quarter, compared to 8.7% as of the comparable quarter last year and 8.4% as of the end of the previous quarter."

Mr. Wright continued, "The retail segment successfully opened four new stores during the second quarter in key existing markets, consistent with our proven growth strategy of planned store openings. Furniture and mattress sales were 33.7% of total product sales for the quarter. Retail gross margin was 41.8% compared to our long term goal of 42%."

Retail Segment Second Quarter Results (on a year-over-year basis unless otherwise noted)

Total retail revenues were $325.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2016, an increase of $37.0 million, or 12.8%. The retail revenue growth reflects the impact of the net addition of 9 stores over the past 12 months, resulting from 15 new store openings and 6 store closures since July 31, 2014, and an increase in same store sales of 3.1%. Excluding the impact of our decision to exit video game products, digital cameras, and certain tablets, same store sales for the quarter increased 6.7%.

The following table presents net sales and changes in net sales by category:

Three Months Ended July 31, % Same store
(dollars in thousands) 2015 % of Total 2014 % of Total Change Change % change
Furniture and mattress $ 98,882 30.4 % $ 81,373 28.2 % $ 17,509 21.5 % 6.9 %
Home appliance 97,260 29.9 $ 84,355 29.3 $ 12,905 15.3 9.2
Consumer electronics 69,682 21.5 68,945 23.9 737 1.1 (5.9 )
Home office 22,940 7.1 24,061 8.3 (1,121 ) (4.7 ) (9.6 )
Other 4,975 1.5 5,432 1.9 (457 ) (8.4 ) (12.9 )
Product sales 293,739 90.4 264,166 91.6 29,573 11.2 2.2
Repair service agreement commissions 27,756 8.5 20,732 7.2 7,024 33.9 9.7
Service revenues 3,451 1.1 3,383 1.2 68 2.0
Total net sales $ 324,946 100.0 % $ 288,281 100.0 % $ 36,665 12.7 % 3.1 %

The following provides a summary of items impacting performance by product category during the quarter compared to the prior-year period:

Retail gross margin was 41.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 2016, an increase of 100 basis points from the prior-year period, primarily due to higher retrospective commissions on repair service agreements.

Credit Segment Second Quarter Results (on a year-over-year basis unless otherwise noted)

Credit revenues increased 9.5% in the second quarter to $70.4 million. The credit revenue growth was attributable to the increase in the average receivable portfolio balance outstanding. The total customer portfolio balance was $1.5 billion at July 31, 2015, rising 23.1%, or $272.6 million from July 31, 2014. The portfolio interest and fee income yield on an annualized basis was 16.1% for the second quarter, a decline of 210 basis points year-over-year primarily as a result of the introduction of 18- and 24-month equal-payment, no-interest finance programs beginning in October 2014 to certain higher credit quality borrowers, as well as higher provision for uncollectible interest and our discontinuation of charging customers certain payment fees.

Provision for bad debts for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was $51.3 million, an increase of $11.7 million from the same prior-year period. This increase was impacted by the following:

Additional information on the credit portfolio and its performance may be found in the Customer Receivable Portfolio Statistics table included within this press release and in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2015, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Second Quarter Net Income Results

Net income for the three months ended July 31, 2015 was $16.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, which included net charges of $1.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share on an after-tax basis, from legal and professional fees related to the exploration of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation. This compares to net income for the three months ended July 31, 2014 of $17.7 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, which included net charges of $1.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share on an after-tax basis, related to store closures and relocations.

Store Update

During the second quarter, the Company opened four new Conn's HomePlus® stores in Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Since July 31, 2014, the Company has had 15 new store openings and 6 store closures, for a net increase of 9 stores during this time.

Capital and Liquidity

The recently announced securitization transaction will result in Conn’s receiving upfront proceeds of approximately $1.08 billion, net of transaction costs and reserves, that will be used to pay down the entire balance on the Company’s revolving credit facility. The securitization transaction did not include the sale of the residual equity in the securitization portfolio. Conn’s is in the process of selling the residual equity of the securitized portfolio. The Company may elect to retain all or a portion of the residual equity in the securitized portfolio if that is determined to be in its best economic interest. Conn’s intends to execute periodic securitizations of future originated loans including the sale of any remaining residual equity. This approach creates a diversified capital structure that provides the Company with access to multiple debt markets by maintaining its existing asset-based revolving credit facility and its outstanding senior notes.

Under the terms of the securitization transaction, the customer loan principal and interest payment cash flows will go first to the servicer and the holders of the securitization bonds, and then to the residual equity holders. The Company will retain the servicing of the securitized loan portfolio and will receive a monthly fee of 4.75% (annualized) based on the outstanding balance of the securitized loans. For the month ended August 31, 2015, the resulting servicing revenue to us is expected to be approximately $5.7 million. This amount will decline over time as the account balances are repaid or charged off. In addition, the Company will retain all credit insurance income together with certain recoveries related to credit insurance and repair service agreements on charged-off accounts previously reflected as a reduction of net charge-offs.

The Board of Directors authorized an aggregate repurchase program of up to $75.0 million of outstanding shares of its common stock or its 7.250% Senior Notes Due 2022. This authorization is the maximum amount permitted under the Company’s credit facility and senior note indenture. Common stock and senior note repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, at management’s discretion, based on market and business conditions. We have no obligation to repurchase shares or senior notes under the authorization, and the timing and value of the shares and notes that are repurchased will be at the discretion of management and will depend on a number of factors, including the price of the Company's common stock and the senior notes. We may suspend or discontinue repurchases at any time without notice.

As of July 31, 2015, the Company had $563.9 million of borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility, including standby letters of credit issued, with immediately available borrowing capacity of $315.0 million.

August 2015 Sales and Delinquency Data

Conn's reported $112.7 million in total retail net sales for the month ended August 31, 2015, a 5.3% increase compared to the same prior year period. The following table presents the Company's percentage change in same store sales for the month ended August 31, 2015, compared to the same prior-year period, and the 60-plus day delinquency rate as of August 31, 2015:

Month Ended
August 31, 2015
Same store sales % change (as compared to the same prior-year period):
Furniture and mattress 9.5

%

Home appliance 2.0
Consumer electronic (7.2 )
Home office (12.7 )
Other (28.6 )
Product sales (0.5 )
Repair service agreement commissions 2.2
Total net sales (0.2

)

%

As of August 31, 2015
60-plus day delinquency rate 9.7

%

Mr. Wright commented, "Greater than 60-day delinquency was 9.7% as of August 31, 2015 compared to 9.2% as of August 31, 2014. Greater than 60-day delinquency as of August 31, 2015 increased seasonally compared to the July 31, 2015 rate of 9.2%."

"Same store sales for the month decreased 0.2% against an increase of 3.3% in August last year. Same store sales were impacted by our decision to exit video game products, digital cameras, and certain tablets. Excluding the impact from these products, same store sales for the month increased 3.7%. Same store sales for the month ended August 31, 2015 were also negatively impacted by the fact that August of last year included our Labor Day weekend promotions and three days out of the four day holiday weekend. In particular, sales of furniture, mattresses and appliances are significantly elevated on holiday weekends. Considering this impact of the holiday shift, we are pleased with recent trends in these categories."

"For the month of August, excluding the impact from video game products and digital cameras, same store sales for consumer electronics increased by 2.3%. The television category increased 2.9% due to higher average selling prices as a result of an increase in the proportion of television sales from Ultra HD televisions, partially offset by lower same store unit sales. Same store unit sales increased in the furniture and mattress category, partially offset by lower average selling prices. Same store unit sales and average selling prices increased in the home appliance category. Excluding the impact from tablets, same store sales for home office were down 2.2% due to lower average selling prices, partially offset by higher same store unit sales."

The above August 2015 amounts are preliminary estimates and are subject to change upon completion of the Company's financial statement closing process. The Company has provided monthly same store sales, portfolio balance and 60-plus day delinquency rate data for all monthly periods since and including February 2012 on its investor relations website, at ir.conns.com.

The Company expects to release September sales and delinquency data on October 8, 2015.

Outlook and Guidance

During fiscal 2016, the Company discontinued offering video game products, digital cameras and certain tablets. During fiscal 2015, net sales and product margin from the sale of these products were approximately $50.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively. The Company also experienced significantly higher charge-off rates and lower product margins associated with purchases of these products by its customers.

The following are the Company's expectations for the business for the third quarter of fiscal 2016:

For fiscal year 2016, the Company is:

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call on September 9, 2015, at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET, to discuss our second quarter fiscal 2016 financial results. Participants can join the call by dialing 877-754-5302 or 678-894-3020. The conference call will also be broadcast simultaneously via webcast on a listen-only basis. A link to the earnings release, webcast and second quarter fiscal 2016 conference call presentation will be available at ir.conns.com.

Replay of the telephonic call can be accessed through September 16, by dialing 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 and Conference ID: 23023875.

About Conn’s, Inc.

Conn’s is a specialty retailer currently operating approximately 95 retail locations in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The Company’s primary product categories include:

Additionally, Conn’s offers a variety of products on a seasonal basis. Unlike many of its competitors, Conn’s provides flexible in-house credit options for its customers in addition to third-party financing programs and third-party rent-to-own payment plans.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company’s future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections, and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct, and actual results may differ materially. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect the Company’s ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: general economic conditions impacting the Company's customers or potential customers; the Company’s ability to execute periodic securitizations of future originated loans including the sale of any remaining residual equity on favorable terms; the Company's ability to continue existing customer financing programs or to offer new customer financing programs; changes in the delinquency status of the Company’s credit portfolio; unfavorable developments in ongoing litigation; increased regulatory oversight; higher than anticipated net charge-offs in the credit portfolio; the success of the Company’s planned opening of new stores; technological and market developments and sales trends for the Company’s major product offerings; the Company’s ability to protect against cyber-attacks or data security breaches and to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of the Company's customers and employees; the Company’s ability to fund its operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from the Company’s revolving credit facility, and proceeds from accessing debt or equity markets; and the other risks detailed in the Company’s most recent SEC reports, including but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

CONN-G

CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Revenues:
Total net sales $ 324,946 $ 288,281 $ 623,425 $ 565,910
Finance charges and other revenues 71,104 64,683 137,701 122,502
Total revenues 396,050 352,964 761,126 688,412
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 187,124 168,717 360,596 329,499
Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 1,550 1,871 2,862 3,290
Delivery, transportation and handling costs 13,787 13,164 26,136 25,327
Selling, general and administrative expenses 104,832 94,139 200,507 182,180
Provision for bad debts 51,646 39,585 99,189 61,843
Charges and credits 1,013 1,492 1,632 3,246
Total costs and expenses 359,952 318,968 690,922 605,385
Operating income 36,098 33,996 70,204 83,027
Interest expense 10,055 6,247 19,483 10,971
Income before income taxes 26,043 27,749 50,721 72,056
Provision for income taxes 9,505 10,099 18,506 25,937
Net income $ 16,538 $ 17,650 $ 32,215 $ 46,119
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.45 $ 0.49 $ 0.88 $ 1.27
Diluted $ 0.45 $ 0.48 $ 0.87 $ 1.25
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 36,466 36,209 36,416 36,172
Diluted 37,042 36,972 36,967 36,951
CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED RETAIL SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Revenues:
Product sales $ 293,739 $ 264,166 $ 565,365 $ 518,386
Repair service agreement commissions 27,756 20,732 51,552 40,986
Service revenues 3,451 3,383 6,508 6,538
Total net sales 324,946 288,281 623,425 565,910
Other revenues 659 343 808 809
Total revenues 325,605 288,624 624,233 566,719
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 187,124 168,717 360,596 329,499
Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 1,550 1,871 2,862 3,290
Delivery, transportation and handling costs 13,787 13,164 26,136 25,327
Selling, general and administrative expenses 76,683 69,172 144,910 133,339
Provision for bad debts 324 393 44
Charges and credits 1,013 1,492 1,632 3,246
Total costs and expenses 280,481 254,416 536,529 494,745
Operating income 45,124 34,208 $ 87,704 $ 71,974
Retail gross margin 41.8 % 40.8 % 41.5 % 41.1 %
Delivery, transportation and handling costs as a percent of product sales and repair service agreement commissions 4.3 % 4.6 % 4.2 % 4.5 %
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of revenues 23.6 % 24.0 % 23.2 % 23.5 %
Operating margin 13.9 % 11.9 % 14.0 % 12.7 %
Store count:
Beginning of period 91 79 90 79
Opened 4 8 7 10
Closed (1 ) (2 ) (3 )
End of period 95 86 95 86
CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CREDIT SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Revenues -
Finance charges and other revenues $ 70,445 $ 64,340 $ 136,893 $ 121,693
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses 28,149 24,967 55,597 48,841
Provision for bad debts 51,322 39,585 98,796 61,799
Total costs and expenses 79,471 64,552 154,393 110,640
Operating income (loss) (9,026 ) (212 ) (17,500 ) 11,053
Interest expense 10,055 6,247 19,483 10,971
Income (loss) before income taxes $ (19,081 ) $ (6,459 ) $ (36,983 ) $ 82
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of revenues 40.0 % 38.8 % 40.6 % 40.1 %
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized) 7.9 % 8.8 % 8.0 % 8.8 %
Operating margin (12.8 )% (0.3 )% (12.8 )% 9.1 %
CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CUSTOMER RECEIVABLE PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except average outstanding customer balance and average income of credit customer)
As of July 31,
2015 2014
Total customer portfolio balance $ 1,451,937 $ 1,179,314
Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances 596 592
Number of active accounts 738,508 666,099
Weighted average months since origination of outstanding balance 8.6 8.5
Average outstanding customer balance $ 2,366 $ 2,272
Percent of balances 60+ days past due to total customer portfolio balance 9.2 % 8.7 %
Percent of re-aged balances to total customer portfolio balance 13.0 % 12.1 %
Account balances re-aged more than six months $ 52,688 $ 28,224
Percent of total allowance for bad debts to total customer portfolio balance 11.3 % 7.2 %
Percent of total customer portfolio balance represented by no-interest receivables 36.1 % 36.6 %
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Total applications processed 311,995 295,983 604,597 561,248
Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed 617 607 617 606
Percent of total applications approved and utilized 44.9 % 45.3 % 44.6 % 46.6 %
Average down payment 3.3 % 3.6 % 3.7 % 3.9 %
Average income of credit customer at origination $ 40,600 $ 39,700 $ 40,500 $ 39,200
Average total customer portfolio balance $ 1,417,100 $ 1,137,890 $ 1,393,603 $ 1,110,501
Interest income and fee yield (annualized) 16.1 % 18.2 % 16.3 % 17.9 %
Percent of charge-offs, net of recoveries, to average total customer portfolio balance (annualized) 11.7 % 10.0 % 11.9 % 9.0 %
Weighted average monthly payment rate 4.9 % 5.0 % 5.2 % 5.4 %
Provision for bad debts (credit segment) as a percentage of average total customer portfolio balance (annualized) 14.5 % 13.9 % 14.2 % 11.1 %
Percent of retail sales paid for by:
In-house financing, including down payment received 82.5 % 77.0 % 83.9 % 77.2 %
Third-party financing 7.0 % 13.0 % 4.9 % 12.1 %
Third-party rent-to-own options 4.1 % 3.9 % 4.6 % 4.0 %
93.6 % 93.9 % 93.4 % 93.3 %
CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
July 31, January 31,
2015 2015
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,868 $ 12,223
Customer accounts receivable, net of allowances 685,933 643,094
Other accounts receivable 78,939 67,703
Inventories 173,577 159,068
Deferred income taxes 22,504 20,040
Income taxes recoverable 615 11,058
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 17,198 12,529
Total current assets 985,634 925,715
Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowances 583,082 558,257
Property and equipment, net 133,674 120,218
Deferred income taxes 41,386 33,505
Other assets 8,296 9,627
Total assets $ 1,752,072 $ 1,647,322
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt $ 789 $ 395
Accounts payable 105,311 85,355
Accrued expenses 41,675 39,630
Other current liabilities 19,308 19,629
Total current liabilities 167,083 145,009
Deferred rent 62,669 52,792
Long-term debt 811,240 774,015
Other long-term liabilities 22,459 21,836
Total liabilities 1,063,451 993,652
Stockholders' equity 688,621 653,670
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,752,072 $ 1,647,322
CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF RETAIL SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME, AS ADJUSTED
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Retail segment operating income, as reported $ 45,124 $ 34,208 $ 87,704 $ 71,974
Adjustments:
Store and facility closure and relocation costs 1,492 425 3,246
Legal and professional fees related to evaluation of strategic alternatives and securities-related litigation 1,013 1,207
Retail segment operating income, as adjusted $ 46,137 $ 35,700 $ 89,336 $ 75,220
Retail segment total revenues $ 325,605 $ 288,624 $ 624,233 $ 566,719
Retail segment operating margin:
As reported 13.9 % 11.9 % 14.0 % 12.7 %
As adjusted 14.2 % 12.4 % 14.3 % 13.3 %

Basis for presentation of non-GAAP disclosures:

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), we also provide retail segment adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin. These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures but should be considered in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, and are intended to provide additional insight into our operations and the factors and trends affecting the business. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to financial statement readers because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics we use in our financial and operational decision making and (2) they are used by some of its institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze our operating results.

S.M. Berger & Company

Andrew Berger, 216-464-6400

Source: Conn’s, Inc.

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