H&R Block Reports Fiscal 2008 Third Quarter Results

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported earnings from continuing operations for the quarter ended Jan. 31, 2008, of $25 million, or $0.08 per share prior to severance charges, compared with $21.9 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior year period. The Company took a pretax charge in the current period of $26.3 million, or $0.05 per share, for expenses in connection with corporate staff reductions and executive severance. Current period earnings from continuing operations after the severance charge were $9.3 million, or $0.03 per share. For the quarter, total revenues from continuing operations rose 4.4% to $972.6 million, compared with $931.2 million in the year-ago period. This reflects top-line growth in the Tax Services segment of $33.9 million and at H&R Block Bank of $16.8 million. "This quarter marks the first full quarter of our new management team, and of our renewed focus on H&R Block’s preeminent tax services practice. In every possible area of the tax market we are trying to sharpen focus and competitive intensity,” said Richard C. Breeden, Chairman of H&R Block. "We are only halfway through tax season, but we believe we have good marketplace traction and excellent opportunities based on our market share, the quality of our tax professionals and the strength of our brand. To date, we are seeing a healthy increase in both the number of retail tax clients served and average revenue per retail tax client,” added Mr. Breeden. "At the same time in every sector of our business, we are adding discipline to the capital allocation process and seeking to eliminate costs to improve our competitive strength.” During the quarter, the net loss from discontinued operations was $56.6 million, or $0.17 per share, compared with a loss of $82.2 million, or $0.25 per share in the prior year. The Company reported a net loss from discontinued operations of $366.2 million, or $1.13 per share, during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. This loss in the current period reflects loan loss provisions and repurchase reserves, impairments of residual interests and expenses related to the previously announced closing of origination activities. Total remaining loans held both on and off balance sheet by the company for sale at Option One are now $21.9 million, net of reserves. Net loss for the quarter was $47.4 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to a net loss of $60.3 million, or $0.18 per share, in the prior year. For the nine months ended January 31, 2008, the Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $236.6 million, or $0.73 per share, an increase of 9.1% from a net loss of $216.9 million, or $0.67 per share, in the prior-year period. For the nine months, discontinued operations posted a net loss of $615.6 million, or $1.90 per share, compared to a prior-period net loss of $131.2 million, or $0.41 per share. For the nine month period consolidated net loss was $852.2 million, or $2.63 per share, compared with a net loss of $348.1 million, or $1.08 per share, in the comparable period during fiscal year 2007. Tax Services For the quarter ended January 31, revenue in the Tax Services segment grew 5.4% year-over-year. Net tax preparation and related fees increased 3.3%, reflecting a 7.0% increase in net average fee per U. S. retail client served to $172.58. This was partially offset by a 3.5% decline in retail clients served through January 31. The company believes the decline in clients reflects a slow start to the tax season due to various factors, including uncertainty surrounding legislation regarding the Alternate Minimum Tax. Pretax income from the tax segment for the period ended January 31 was $45.9 million, down from $60.0 million in the prior year. The reduction in pretax income notwithstanding the increase in revenue results primarily from an adjustment in bad debt reserves due to the elimination during the quarter of certain cooperative collections arrangements related to settlement products. During the month of February 2008, the number of retail tax clients served increased 6.8% compared to February 2007, which had one less day. Also during February, net retail tax preparation and related fees increased approximately 12.6% compared with the prior year. As of February 29, year-to-date client growth in retail tax preparation has been 2.6%. The Company believes that after adjustments for differences in the number of days in the respective periods, the total number of retail tax clients year-to-date is up by approximately 1.3% compared with the prior year, while the average retail fee year to date is up by approximately 6.1%. The company’s digital tax business, consisting of TaxCut® software and online products, showed a decline in the number of clients for the quarter ended January 31 of 10.8%. Digital revenues were down only 1.9% in the quarter, reflecting the mitigating impact of price increases. "Our tax business is tracking toward a solid season despite a slower start than in prior years. Volume increased nicely in February, and we are now putting our time and effort into ensuring that we have a strong close to our season,” said Alan M. Bennett, interim CEO. "We are targeting growth in late season filers who value the expertise of our highly trained tax professionals. At the same time, we’re hoping to see clients who aren’t typically required to file come to Block to complete a 2007 tax return so they can receive the Economic Stimulus Package rebates,” added Bennett. Consumer Financial Services The Consumer Financial Services segment includes H&R Block Financial Advisors and H&R Block Bank. For the quarter ended January 31, segment revenues were $117.1 million, up 8.9% from $107.5 million in the prior period. Pretax income during the quarter grew nearly 19% to $13.0 million, all of which was attributable to income growth at H&R Block Bank. Nine month segment revenues were $332.7 million, up 24.2% from $267.9 million a year earlier. Pretax income rose 81.5% to $10.1 million from $5.6 million. The Company has continued to experience strong customer acceptance of its Emerald Card. By the end of the season, the company projects aggregate growth of more than 25% in the number of clients with an Emerald Card. Through January 31, we extended an Emerald Advance line of credit to nearly 900,000 clients, providing more than $400 million in aggregate credit. This new program increased aggregate bank revenues and also helped maintain tax client retention rates. Overall, revenues at H&R Block Bank were $39.3 million, up 75.0% from $22.5 million in the prior year period, while pretax income was $12.3 million, up 90.9% from $6.5 million in the prior year period. "Our Emerald Card is proving quite popular with clients who can use it to avoid expensive third-party check cashing services,” said Tim Gokey, President of H&R Block’s Retail Tax Services. "We believe that the Emerald Card is assisting with client retention, and we see growing use of the Emerald Card by customers for direct deposit of paychecks. The Emerald Advance line of credit that was a new product for existing tax customers this year gives us an alternative to traditional tax-related financial products that we believe will prove important in the future,” said Gokey. Fiscal 2008 third quarter revenues at H&R Block Financial Advisors declined 8.5% to $77.8 million, reflecting challenging market conditions including declining interest rates. Pretax income declined 85.1% to $0.7 million from $4.5 million in the prior period. Business Services For the quarter ended January 31, Business Services had revenues of $191.9 million, which were essentially flat compared with the same quarter last year. Pretax income for the quarter was $6.6 million, compared with pretax income of $1.2 million last year. This increase in income in part reflects improved operating efficiencies as previously acquired businesses were integrated into the Company’s McGladrey unit. For the nine months, revenues rose to $623.8 million from $616.3 million, while pretax income was $16.5 million compared to a loss in the prior period of $4.7 million. During the quarter McGladrey established an expense reduction program parallel to that previously announced by H&R Block as a whole for overhead costs. McGladrey has identified initial cost reductions of $15 million annually starting in fiscal 2009, and these cost reductions were not previously included in the Company’s overall cost saving projections. Conference Call At 8 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 6, 2008, the company will host a conference call for analysts, institutional investors and shareholders. Richard C. Breeden, chairman of the board, Alan Bennett, interim chief executive officer, Tim Gokey, president of retail tax services, and Becky Shulman, senior vice president, treasurer and interim chief financial officer, will discuss the results and future expectations and will be joined by other members of senior management to respond to questions. To access the call, please dial the number below approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time: U.S./Canada (888) 680-0890– Participant Passcode: 73960248 International (617) 213-4857– Participant Passcode: 73960248 Pre-registration is available for the conference call on H&R Block's Investor Relations Web site at http://investor-relations.hrblock.com. Those who pre-register will receive a PIN to minimize connection time when accessing the live call. The call also will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The link to the webcast and a supporting slide presentation can be accessed directly at http://investor-relations.hrblock.com. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 10 a.m. EST March 6, 2008, and continuing until March 13, 2008, by dialing (888) 286-8010 (U.S./Canada) or (617) 801-6888 (international). The replay passcode is 64622338. The webcast will be available for replay on the company's Investor Relations Web site at http://investor-relations.hrblock.com. (a)all per share amounts are based on fully diluted shares. Forward Looking Statements This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which are any statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based upon the current expectations of the company and there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date on which they are made, the company’s actual results could differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties relate to, among other things, any disposition of the servicing business of Option One Mortgage Corporation, in whole or in part; uncertainties in the subprime mortgage industry and its impact on any operations of Option One Mortgage Corporation that continue to be operated by H&R Block; the liquidity demands associated with funding servicing advances to loan pools serviced by the company; potential litigation and other contingent liabilities arising from Option One Mortgage Corporation's historical and ongoing operations; uncertainties pertaining to the commercial debt market; competitive factors; regulatory capital requirements; the company’s effective income tax rate; litigation; uncertainties associated with engaging a new auditor; and changes in market, economic, political or regulatory conditions. Information concerning these risks and uncertainties is contained in Item 1A of the company’s 2007 annual report on Form 10-K and in other filings by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About H&R Block H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world’s preeminent tax services provider, having served more than 400 million clients since 1955 and generating annual revenues of $4 billion in fiscal year 2007. H&R Block provides income tax return preparation and related services and products via a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 company-owned and franchised offices and through TaxCut® online and software solutions. The company also provides business services through RSM McGladrey and certain consumer financial services. For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com. H&R BLOCK KEY OPERATING RESULTS Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data             Three months ended January 31, Revenues Income (loss)     2008   2007   2008   2007   Tax Services $ 661,787 $ 627,846 $ 45,879 $ 59,973 Business Services 191,884 192,163 6,614 1,207 Consumer Financial Services 117,112 107,511 12,988 10,959 Corporate and Eliminations   1,828     3,659   (61,362 )     (50,014 ) $ 972,611   $ 931,179 4,119 22,125 Income taxes (benefit)   (5,165 )     181   Net income from continuing operations 9,284 21,944 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (56,642 )     (82,196 ) Net loss $ (47,358 )   $ (60,252 )   Basic earnings (loss) per share: Net income from continuing operations $ 0.03 $ 0.07 Net loss from discontinued operations   (0.18 )     (0.26 ) Net loss $ (0.15 )   $ (0.19 )   Basic shares outstanding 325,074 322,350   Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Net income from continuing operations $ 0.03 $ 0.07 Net loss from discontinued operations   (0.17 )     (0.25 ) Net loss $ (0.14 )   $ (0.18 )   Diluted shares outstanding 327,202 326,048                         Nine months ended January 31, Revenues Income (loss)     2008   2007   2008   2007   Tax Services $ 822,454 $ 775,488 $ (325,559 ) $ (259,974 ) Business Services 623,755 616,334 16,489 (4,736 ) Consumer Financial Services 332,738 267,888 10,113 5,572 Corporate and Eliminations   9,697     10,322   (104,240 )     (111,330 ) $ 1,788,644   $ 1,670,032 (403,197 ) (370,468 ) Income tax benefit   (166,553 )     (153,576 ) Net loss from continuing operations (236,644 ) (216,892 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (615,565 )     (131,197 ) Net loss $ (852,209 )   $ (348,089 )   Basic and diluted loss per share: Net loss from continuing operations $ (0.73 ) $ (0.67 ) Net loss from discontinued operations   (1.90 )     (0.41 ) Net loss $ (2.63 )   $ (1.08 )   Basic and diluted shares outstanding 324,544 322,588                           H&R BLOCK CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data                   Three months ended January 31, Nine months ended January 31, 2008   2007 2008   2007 Revenues: Service revenues $ 776,411 $ 749,000 $ 1,471,891 $ 1,399,738 Other revenues: Interest income 58,655 35,961 140,092 91,646 Product and other revenues   137,545     146,218     176,661     178,648     972,611     931,179     1,788,644     1,670,032     Operating expenses: Cost of services 604,153 576,935 1,416,286 1,339,714 Cost of other revenues 97,293 69,324 199,628 113,104 Selling, general and administrative   269,019     253,968     595,719     566,011     970,465     900,227     2,211,633     2,018,829     Operating income (loss) 2,146 30,952 (422,989 ) (348,797 ) Non-operating interest expense (624 ) (12,066 ) (1,871 ) (36,292 ) Other income, net   2,597     3,239     21,663     14,621     Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes (benefit) 4,119 22,125 (403,197 ) (370,468 ) Income taxes (benefit)   (5,165 )   181     (166,553 )   (153,576 )   Net income (loss) from continuing operations 9,284 21,944 (236,644 ) (216,892 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (56,642 )   (82,196 )   (615,565 )   (131,197 )   Net loss $ (47,358 ) $ (60,252 ) $ (852,209 ) $ (348,089 )   Basic earnings (loss) per share: Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.03 $ 0.07 $ (0.73 ) $ (0.67 ) Net loss from discontinued operations   (0.18 )   (0.26 )   (1.90 )   (0.41 ) Net loss $ (0.15 ) $ (0.19 ) $ (2.63 ) $ (1.08 )   Basic shares outstanding 325,074 322,350 324,544 322,588   Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.03 $ 0.07 $ (0.73 ) $ (0.67 ) Net loss from discontinued operations   (0.17 )   (0.25 )   (1.90 )   (0.41 ) Net loss $ (0.14 ) $ (0.18 ) $ (2.63 ) $ (1.08 )   Diluted shares outstanding 327,202 326,048 324,544 322,588 H&R BLOCK Preliminary U.S. Tax Operating Data (in thousands, except average fee)                         Period 11/1-1/31   2/1-2/15   2/16-2/29 (5)   February (5)   YTD 2/29 (5) Net tax preparation & related fees: (1) Fiscal year 2008 Company-owned operations $ 439,757 $ 474,321 $ 216,490 $ 690,811 $ 1,130,568 Franchise operations   225,035     231,977     103,545     335,522     560,557   $ 664,792   $ 706,298   $ 320,035   $ 1,026,333   $ 1,691,125   Fiscal year 2007 (2) Company-owned operations $ 424,770 $ 427,286 $ 185,989 $ 613,275 $ 1,038,045 Franchise operations   218,894     211,811     86,685     298,496     517,390   $ 643,664   $ 639,097   $ 272,674   $ 911,771   $ 1,555,435   Percent change                     Company-owned operations     3.5 %     11.0 %     16.4 %     12.6 %     8.9 % Franchise operations     2.8 %     9.5 %     19.4 %     12.4 %     8.3 % Total retail operations     3.3 %     10.5 %     17.4 %     12.6 %     8.7 %   Total clients served: (3) Fiscal year 2008 Company-owned operations 2,430 2,671 1,287 3,958 6,388 Franchise operations 1,427 1,504 680 2,184 3,611 Lending products only   245     (150 )   (7 )   (157 )   88   Total retail offices 4,102 4,025 1,960 5,985 10,087 Digital tax solutions   1,136     1,051     505     1,556     2,692     5,238     5,076     2,465     7,541     12,779   Fiscal year 2007 (2) Company-owned operations 2,512 2,566 1,135 3,701 6,213 Franchise operations 1,485 1,453 596 2,049 3,534 Lending products only   344     (244 )   (17 )   (261 )   83   Total retail offices 4,341 3,775 1,714 5,489 9,830 Digital tax solutions   1,274     1,141     473     1,614     2,888     5,615     4,916     2,187     7,103     12,718   Percent change                     Company-owned operations     -3.3 %     4.1 %     13.4 %     6.9 %     2.8 % Franchise operations     -3.9 %     3.5 %     14.1 %     6.6 %     2.2 % Retail operations excluding lending products only     -3.5 %     3.9 %     13.6 %     6.8 %     2.6 % Total retail operations     -5.5 %     6.6 %     14.4 %     9.0 %     2.6 % Digital tax solutions     -10.8 %     -7.9 %     6.8 %     -3.6 %     -6.8 % Total -6.7 % 3.3 % 12.7 % 6.2 % 0.5 %   Net average fee - retail: (4) Fiscal year 2008 Company-owned operations $ 181.19 $ 177.99 $ 168.86 $ 175.02 $ 177.37 Franchise operations   157.91     154.72     152.77     154.12     155.62   $ 172.58   $ 169.61   $ 163.30   $ 167.59   $ 169.52   Fiscal year 2007 (2) Company-owned operations $ 169.47 $ 166.58 $ 164.22 $ 165.86 $ 167.32 Franchise operations   147.42     146.16     145.88     146.08     146.65   $ 161.27   $ 159.21   $ 157.91   $ 158.82   $ 159.82   Percent change                     Company-owned operations     6.9 %     6.8 %     2.8 %     5.5 %     6.0 % Franchise operations     7.1 %     5.9 %     4.7 %     5.5 %     6.1 % Total retail operations     7.0 %     6.5 %     3.4 %     5.5 %     6.1 %     (1)Gross tax preparation fees less coupons and discounts.   (2)Prior year numbers have not been reclassified between company-owned and franchise offices for offices which commenced company-owned operations during fiscal year 2008. Prior year numbers have been reclassified between company-owned offices and Digital tax solutions for certain products.   (3)Tax preparation clients for which revenue was earned and Emerald Advance (EA) or Instant Money Advance Loan (IMAL) clients.   (4)Calculated as net tax preparation fees divided by retail tax preparation clients served.   (5)Results are through 2/29/08 and 2/28/07 due to leap year. The additional day represents approximately 83,000 company-owned and 48,000 franchise clients served. H&R BLOCK RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Unaudited, dollars in thousands               Three Months Ended H&R Block Bank: January 31, 2008   January 31, 2007   October 31, 2007 Efficiency Ratio: Total Consumer Financial Services expenses $ 104,124 $ 96,552 $ 110,335 Less: Interest and non-banking expenses   (81,516 )   (91,983 )   (106,664 ) Non-interest banking expenses $ 22,608   $ 4,569   $ 3,671     Total Consumer Financial Services revenues $ 117,112 $ 107,511 $ 101,254 Less: Non-banking revenues and interest expense   (81,355 )   (94,800 )   (91,617 ) Banking revenue net of interest expense $ 35,757   $ 12,711   $ 9,637       63 %   36 %   38 %   Annualized Net Interest Margin: Net interest revenue - banking (1) $ 25,531 $ 6,188 $ 7,647   Net interest revenue - banking (annualized) $ 101,870   $ 25,027   $ 31,026     Divided by average bank earning assets $ 1,398,583   $ 954,577   $ 1,252,467       7.28 %   2.62 %   2.48 %   Annualized Return on Average Assets: Total Consumer Financial Services pretax income (loss) $ 12,988 $ 10,959 $ (9,081 ) Less: Non-banking pretax income (loss)   670     4,506     (4,672 ) Pretax banking income (loss) $ 12,318   $ 6,453   $ (4,409 )   Pretax banking income (loss) - annualized $ 49,272   $ 25,812   $ (17,636 )   Divided by average bank assets $ 1,420,599   $ 982,633   $ 1,274,284       3.47 %   2.63 %   -1.38 %           Three Months Ended Consolidated H&R Block: January 31, 2008 January 31, 2007 Adjusted Net Income: Net income from continuing operations as reported $ 9,284 $ 21,944 Corporate staff reductions and executive severance, net of tax benefit   15,751     -   $ 25,035   $ 21,944     Adjusted Net Earnings per Diluted Share: Net income from continuing operations as reported $ 0.03 $ 0.07 Corporate staff reductions and executive severance, net of tax benefit   0.05     -   $ 0.08   $ 0.07       (1) Excludes revenue sharing with Tax Services on Emerald Advance activities.