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Aug 30, 2022

Conn’s, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conn’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: CONN) (“Conn’s” or the “Company”), a specialty retailer of home goods, including furniture, appliances, and consumer electronics, with a mission to elevate home life to home love, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended July 31, 2022.

“Challenging macroeconomic conditions continued to pressure consumer spending during our second quarter, which disproportionately affected year-over-year sales to our financial access customer segment and sales of our discretionary product categories. While we entered the second quarter with a cautious outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, the retail environment has continued to deteriorate prompting us to accelerate our efforts to reduce operating costs, and lower capital expenditures as well continue to maintain conservative credit underwriting. In July, we successfully completed our latest ABS transaction and ended the second quarter with over $211.0 million of available liquidity and cash. This provides us with the financial flexibility to support the current needs of our business, while investing in our long-term growth and transformation,” stated Chandra Holt, Conn's Chief Executive Officer.

“During the second quarter, we completed the first phase of our eCommerce platform migration, launched our store-within-a-store pilot at Belk, Inc. ("Belk"), and expanded our best-in-class payment options with the launch of a new layaway program across our retail footprint. We continue to pursue new go to market strategies and partnerships aimed at leveraging our industry-leading next-day white glove delivery capabilities. We believe we are taking the correct near-term actions to successfully navigate a difficult retail environment, while continuing to pursue long-term growth opportunities that we believe will drive value for our shareholders and our customers,” concluded Ms. Holt.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights as Compared to the Prior Fiscal Year Period (Unless Otherwise Noted):

  • Total consolidated revenue declined 17.1% to $346.6 million, due to a 19.4% decline in total net sales, and a 6.3% reduction in finance charges and other revenues;
  • Same store sales decreased 22.0%;
  • eCommerce sales increased 11.5% to a second quarter record of $19.3 million;
  • Credit spread was 960 basis points, and fiscal year-to-date the credit spread was 1,060 basis points;
  • Net earnings were $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $1.22 per diluted share for the same period last fiscal year;
  • Adjusted earnings were $0.04 per diluted share, compared to adjusted earnings of $1.22 per diluted share for the same period last fiscal year;
  • Added two new standalone stores bringing the total number of stores at July 31, 2022 to 163 and added four store-within-a store locations with Belk; and
  • The Company completed an ABS transaction demonstrating the Company’s ability to access the capital markets even during turbulent market conditions resulting in the issuance and sale of $407.7 million aggregate principal amount of Class A and Class B Notes, and issued and retained Class C Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $63.1 million.

Strategic Update

In response to challenging macroeconomic pressures, the Company has updated its near-term strategic priorities which include:

  • Reducing operating costs. The Company is conducting an extensive review and prioritization of its cost structure. The Company expects current initiatives, combined with prior actions, to generate cost savings of approximately $12.0 - $16.0 million in the back half of this fiscal year.
  • Lowering capital expenditures. The Company is delaying or eliminating several planned capital investments, including adjusting planned new store openings and distribution center expansions. As a result, Conn’s expects to reduce investments in capital expenditures for fiscal year 2023 by approximately $20.0 million compared to its prior expectation.
  • Maintaining conservative credit underwriting. The Company is focused on maintaining conservative credit underwriting and remaining disciplined in its approach to credit collections. At July 31, 2022, the weighted average credit score of outstanding balances was 611, 60+ days past due balances as a percentage of the total customer portfolio carrying value was 11.0%, and re-aged balances as a percentage of the total customer portfolio carrying value was 16.1%.  

Second Quarter Results

Net income for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $2.1 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 of $37.0 million, or $1.22 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $1.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. This compares to adjusted net income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 of $37.0 million, or $1.22 per diluted share.

Retail Segment Second Quarter Results

Retail revenues were $279.8 million for the three months ended July 31, 2022 compared to $347.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021, a decrease of $67.2 million or 19.4%. The decrease in retail revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in same store sales of 22.0%. The decrease in same store sales was primarily driven by a tightening of underwriting standards by our lease-to-own partners, the effect the benefits stimulus had on sales in the prior year period and lower consumer demand in the current period. The decrease in same store sales was partially offset by new store growth.

For the three months ended July 31, 2022, retail segment operating income was $0.1 million compared to retail segment operating income of $28.7 million for three months ended July 31, 2021. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted retail segment operating loss for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $1.4 million after excluding the gain on lease termination. On a non-GAAP basis, the adjusted retail segment operating income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 was $28.7 million. The decrease in retail segment operating income for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in revenue as described above and a decline in the retail gross margin percentage.

The decrease in retail gross margin was primarily driven by increased product costs as a result of higher freight, higher fuel costs and the deleveraging of fixed distribution costs. These increases were partially offset by an increase in RSA commissions and a more profitable product mix.

The SG&A decrease in the retail segment was primarily due to a decline in variable costs and declines in advertising and labor costs as a result of cost saving initiatives. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in occupancy costs due to higher utilities costs and new store growth.

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

  Three Months Ended July 31,           Same Store
(dollars in thousands)   2022   % of Total     2021   % of Total   Change   % Change   % Change
Furniture and mattress $ 86,320   30.9 %   $ 109,259   31.5 %   $ (22,939 )   (21.0 )%   (24.6 )%
Home appliance   120,748   43.2       135,444   39.1       (14,696 )   (10.9 )   (13.1 )
Consumer electronics   31,860   11.4       48,413   14.0       (16,553 )   (34.2 )   (36.2 )
Home office   8,857   3.2       17,986   5.2       (9,129 )   (50.8 )   (50.1 )
Other   7,664   2.7       9,143   2.6       (1,479 )   (16.2 )   (16.9 )
Product sales   255,449   91.4       320,245   92.4       (64,796 )   (20.2 )   (22.7 )
Repair service agreement commissions (1)   21,615   7.7       23,700   6.8       (2,085 )   (8.8 )   (15.3 )
Service revenues   2,448   0.9       2,840   0.8       (392 )   (13.8 )    
Total net sales $ 279,512   100.0 %   $ 346,785   100.0 %   $ (67,273 )   (19.4 )%   (22.0 )%

(1) The total change in sales of repair service agreement commissions includes retrospective commissions, which are not reflected in the change in same store sales.

Credit Segment Second Quarter Results

Credit revenues were $66.8 million for the three months ended July 31, 2022 compared to $71.4 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021, a decrease of $4.6 million or 6.4%. The decrease in credit revenue was primarily due to a 4.9% decrease in the average outstanding balance of the customer accounts receivable portfolio as well as a decline in insurance commissions.

Provision for bad debts increased to $26.8 million for the three months ended July 31, 2022 from $10.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021, an overall change of $16.7 million. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by a smaller decrease in the allowance for bad debts during the three months ended July 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended July 31, 2021 and a year-over-year increase in net charge-offs of $4.9 million. The decrease in the allowance for bad debts during the three months ended July 31, 2022 was primarily driven by a decrease in the customer account receivable portfolio balance and an improvement in historical loss rates. During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in the rate of delinquencies and re-ages, a decrease in the customer account receivable portfolio and an improvement in the forecasted unemployment rate that drove a $5.0 million decrease in the economic adjustment.

Credit segment operating income was $7.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2022, compared to operating income of $25.5 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021.  The decrease was primarily due to the increase in the provision for bad debts and the decrease in credit revenue.

Additional information on the credit portfolio and its performance may be found in the Customer Accounts Receivable Portfolio Statistics table included within this press release and in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2022, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2022 (the “Second Quarter Form 10-Q”).

Store and Facilities Update

The Company opened two new standalone stores during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 bringing the total store count to 163 in 15 states and opened  four store-within-a-store locations with Belk. During fiscal year 2023, the Company plans to open a total of 10 to 12 standalone locations and 15 to 20 store-within-a-store locations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of July 31, 2022, the Company had $186.8 million of immediately available borrowing capacity under its $650.0 million revolving credit facility. The Company also had $24.3 million of unrestricted cash available for use.

On July 21, 2022, the Company completed an ABS transaction resulting in the issuance and sale of approximately $407.7 million in aggregate principal amount of Class A and Class B Notes secured by customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by a consolidated VIE, which resulted in proceeds of approximately $402.8 million, net of debt issuance costs. The Company retained Class C Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $63.1 million.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call on August 30, 2022, at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET, to discuss its three months ended July 31, 2022 financial results. Participants can join the call by dialing 877-451-6152 or 201-389-0879. 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 year 2023 conference call presentation will be available at ir.conns.com.

Replay of the telephonic call can be accessed through September 6, 2022 by dialing 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671 and Conference ID: 13729951.

About Conn’s, Inc.

Conn's HomePlus (NASDAQ: CONN) is a specialty retailer of home goods, including furniture, appliances and consumer electronics, with a mission to elevate home life to home love. With over 160 stores across 15 states and online at Conns.com, our over 3,500 employees strive to help all customers create a home they love through access to high-quality products, next-day delivery and personalized payment options, including our flexible, in-house credit program. Additional information can be found by visiting our investor relations website at https://ir.conns.com and social channels (@connshomeplus on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including but not limited to, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals and objectives. Statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “predict,” “will,” “potential,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations. 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 our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: general economic conditions impacting our customers or potential customers; our ability to execute periodic securitizations of future originated customer loans on favorable terms; our ability to continue existing customer financing programs or to offer new customer financing programs; changes in the delinquency status of our credit portfolio; unfavorable developments in ongoing litigation; increased regulatory oversight; higher than anticipated net charge-offs in the credit portfolio; the success of our planned opening of new stores; expansion of our e-commerce business; technological and market developments and sales trends for our major product offerings; our ability to manage effectively the selection of our major product offerings; our ability to protect against cyber-attacks or data security breaches and to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees; our ability to fund our operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from our Revolving Credit Facility, and proceeds from accessing debt or equity markets; the effects of epidemics or pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; and other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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, or to provide periodic updates or guidance. 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

S.M. Berger & Company

Andrew Berger (216) 464-6400


CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

  Three Months Ended
July 31,
  Six Months Ended
July 31,
    2022       2021     2022       2021  
Revenues:              
Total net sales $ 279,512     $ 346,785   $ 551,775     $ 638,081  
Finance charges and other revenues   67,120       71,598     134,677       144,004  
Total revenues   346,632       418,383     686,452       782,085  
Costs and expenses:              
Cost of goods sold   182,718       216,042     361,100       400,921  
Selling, general and administrative expense   130,142       137,870     262,925       263,919  
Provision (benefit) for bad debts   27,226       10,262     41,956       (6,874 )
Charges and credits   (1,484 )         (1,484 )      
Total costs and expenses   338,602       364,174     664,497       657,966  
Operating income   8,030       54,209     21,955       124,119  
Interest expense   6,808       6,088     12,329       15,292  
Loss on extinguishment of debt                   1,218  
Income before income taxes   1,222       48,121     9,626       107,609  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   (907 )     11,117     1,276       25,207  
Net income $ 2,129     $ 37,004   $ 8,350     $ 82,402  
Income per share:              
Basic $ 0.09     $ 1.26   $ 0.34     $ 2.80  
Diluted $ 0.09     $ 1.22   $ 0.34     $ 2.74  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:              
Basic   23,833,100       29,438,605     24,306,524       29,382,162  
Diluted   23,916,269       30,212,448     24,461,836       30,072,401  



CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED RETAIL SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

  Three Months Ended
July 31,
  Six Months Ended
July 31,
    2022       2021       2022       2021  
Revenues:              
Product sales $ 255,449     $ 320,245     $ 505,422     $ 589,456  
Repair service agreement commissions   21,615       23,700       41,452       42,831  
Service revenues   2,448       2,840       4,901       5,794  
Total net sales   279,512       346,785       551,775       638,081  
Finance charges and other   273       224       544       433  
Total revenues   279,785       347,009       552,319       638,514  
Costs and expenses:              
Cost of goods sold   182,718       216,042       361,100       400,921  
Selling, general and administrative expense   98,035       102,157       194,065       193,050  
Provision for bad debts   409       142       588       160  
Charges and credits   (1,484 )           (1,484 )      
Total costs and expenses   279,678       318,341       554,269       594,131  
Operating income (loss) $ 107     $ 28,668     $ (1,950 )   $ 44,383  
Retail gross margin   34.6 %     37.7 %     34.6 %     37.2 %
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of revenues   35.0 %     29.4 %     35.1 %     30.2 %
Operating margin   0.0 %     8.3 %     (0.4 )%     7.0 %
Store count:              
Beginning of period   161       152       158       146  
Opened    2       3       5       9  
End of period (1)   163       155       163       155  
               

(1)    Does not include four store-within-a-store locations with Belk opened during the three and six months ended July 31, 2022.



CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CREDIT SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

  Three Months Ended
July 31,
  Six Months Ended
July 31,
    2022       2021       2022       2021  
Revenues:              
Finance charges and other revenues $ 66,847     $ 71,374     $ 134,133     $ 143,571  
Costs and expenses:              
Selling, general and administrative expense   32,107       35,713       68,860       70,869  
Provision for bad debts   26,817       10,120       41,368       (7,034 )
Total costs and expenses   58,924       45,833       110,228       63,835  
Operating income   7,923       25,541       23,905       79,736  
Interest expense   6,808       6,088       12,329       15,292  
Loss on extinguishment of debt                     1,218  
Income before income taxes $ 1,115     $ 19,453     $ 11,576     $ 63,226  
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of revenues   48.0 %     50.0 %     51.3 %     49.4 %
Selling, general and administrative expense as percent of average outstanding customer accounts receivable balance (annualized)   12.2 %     12.9 %     12.8 %     12.4 %
Operating margin   11.9 %     35.8 %     17.8 %     55.5 %



CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
(unaudited)

  As of July 31,
    2022       2021  
Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances (1)   611       608  
Average outstanding customer balance $ 2,508     $ 2,414  
Balances 60+ days past due as a percentage of total customer portfolio carrying value (2)(3)(4)   11.0 %     7.2 %
Re-aged balance as a percentage of total customer portfolio carrying value (2)(3)(5)   16.1 %     20.4 %
Carrying value of account balances re-aged more than six months (in thousands) (3) $ 35,808     $ 70,058  
Allowance for bad debts and uncollectible interest as a percentage of total customer accounts receivable portfolio balance   17.2 %     18.3 %
Percent of total customer accounts receivable portfolio balance represented by no-interest option receivables   34.0 %     29.8 %


  Three Months Ended
July 31,
  Six Months Ended
July 31,
    2022       2021       2022       2021  
Total applications processed   257,381       336,438       525,085       634,344  
Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed (1)   620       614       620       615  
Percent of total applications approved and utilized   23.5 %     22.5 %     21.8 %     22.2 %
Average income of credit customer at origination $ 50,800     $ 47,700     $ 50,500     $ 48,100  
Percent of retail sales paid for by:              
In-house financing, including down payments received   52.1 %     50.9 %     51.0 %     49.9 %
Third-party financing   18.9 %     17.5 %     18.4 %     17.2 %
Third-party lease-to-own option   6.8 %     11.5 %     7.1 %     11.9 %
    77.8 %     79.9 %     76.5 %     79.0 %

(1)   Credit scores exclude non-scored accounts.

(2)   Accounts that become delinquent after being re-aged are included in both the delinquency and re-aged amounts.

(3)   Carrying value reflects the total customer accounts receivable portfolio balance, net of deferred fees and origination costs, the allowance for no-interest option credit programs and the allowance for uncollectible interest.

(4)   Increase was primarily due to a decrease in cash collections driven by the impact of stimulus benefits in prior year.

(5)   Decrease was primarily due to the change in the unilateral re-age policy that occurred in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 and the tightening of underwriting standards that occurred in fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022.



CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

  July 31,
2022

  January 31,
2022

Assets (unaudited)    
Current Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,256   $ 7,707
Restricted cash   47,855     31,930
Customer accounts receivable, net of allowances   434,824     455,787
Other accounts receivable   55,565     63,055
Inventories   262,952     246,826
Income taxes receivable   6,813     6,745
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   10,101     8,756
Total current assets   842,366     820,806
Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowances   398,127     432,431
Property and equipment, net   210,814     192,763
Operating lease right-of-use assets   252,653     256,267
Other assets   50,849     52,199
Total assets $ 1,754,809   $ 1,754,466
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Current finance lease obligations $ 909   $ 889
Accounts payable   77,691     74,705
Accrued expenses   89,934     109,712
Operating lease liability - current   57,940     54,534
Other current liabilities   15,517     18,576
Total current liabilities   241,991     258,416
Operating lease liability - non current   321,104     330,439
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations   602,412     522,149
Deferred tax liability       7,351
Other long-term liabilities   29,425     21,292
Total liabilities   1,194,932     1,139,647
Stockholders’ equity   559,877     614,819
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,754,809   $ 1,754,466


CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

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”), the Company also provides the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted retail segment operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted net income per diluted share and net debt. These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, comparable GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP. They 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 our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze our operating results.

RETAIL SEGMENT ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

  Three Months Ended
July 31,
  Six Months Ended
July 31,
    2022       2021     2022       2021
Retail segment operating income (loss), as reported $ 107     $ 28,668   $ (1,950 )   $ 44,383
Adjustments:              
Lease termination (1)   (1,484 )         (1,484 )    
Retail segment operating income (loss), as adjusted $ (1,377 )   $ 28,668   $ (3,434 )   $ 44,383

(1)   Represents a gain on the termination of a lease.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE

  Three Months Ended
July 31,
  Six Months Ended
July 31,
    2022       2021     2022       2021  
Net income, as reported $ 2,129     $ 37,004   $ 8,350     $ 82,402  
Adjustments:              
Lease termination (1)   (1,484 )         (1,484 )      
Loss on extinguishment of debt (2)                   1,218  
Tax impact of adjustments   337           337       (274 )
Net income, as adjusted $ 982     $ 37,004   $ 7,203     $ 83,346  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted   23,916,269       30,212,448     24,461,836       30,072,401  
Earnings per share:              
As reported $ 0.09     $ 1.22   $ 0.34     $ 2.74  
As adjusted $ 0.04     $ 1.22   $ 0.29     $ 2.77  

(1)   Represents a gain on the termination of a lease.

(2)   Represents a loss of $1.0 million from retirement of $141.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.25% senior notes due 2022 (“Senior Notes”) and a loss of $0.2 million related to the amendment of our Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement.

 


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Source: Conn's, Inc.