Form 8-K Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


Current Report Pursuant
to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 19, 2011
(Date of Report - Date of Earliest Event Reported)

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-19133
 
75-2237318
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)



690 East Lamar Blvd., Suite 400, Arlington, Texas
 
76011
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(817) 460-3947
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  


NA
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  [   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. has issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011. The Company's press release dated October 19, 2011 announcing the results is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Item 2.02.

The information provided in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by the specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 Press Release dated October 19, 2011 announcing the Company's financial results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011.


SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 19, 2011   First Cash Financial Services, Inc.
             (Registrant)

  /s/   R. DOUGLAS ORR
R. Douglas Orr
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number Document
99.1 Press release dated October 19, 2011


First Cash Reports Third Quarter EPS of $0.59, Up 37%; Raises 2011 Earnings Guidance and Announces Indiana Acquisition

EXHIBIT 99.1

First Cash Reports Third Quarter EPS of $0.59, Up 37%; Raises 2011 Earnings Guidance and Announces Indiana Acquisition

ARLINGTON, Texas, Oct. 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCFS) today announced record-setting revenue, net income and earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2011 were $0.59, an increase of 37% over the prior-year third quarter. Based on the strength of these results, the Company increased its full year 2011 earnings per share guidance to a range of $2.23 to $2.25. This represents an increase of $0.05 per share over the top end of the previous guidance of $2.16 to $2.20 per share. In addition, the Company announced an agreement to acquire a five-store chain of U.S. pawn stores located in the state of Indiana and raised its estimate for 2011 store additions by five stores to an updated forecast of 85 to 90 total store additions.

Earnings Highlights

Revenue Highlights

Key Profitability Metrics

New Store Openings & Acquisitions

Financial Position & Liquidity

Fiscal 2011 Outlook

Commentary & Analysis  

Mr. Rick Wessel, First Cash's Chief Executive Officer, commented on the Company's third quarter results, "We are again very pleased with our operating results as demonstrated by both record revenue and earnings, which resulted in us again raising earnings guidance for 2011. As we begin the fourth quarter, the Company continues to see strength from its existing pawn operations, coupled with expectations for future revenue and earnings growth from its significant pipeline of new store additions in 2011." 

"During the third quarter, revenue growth in both the U.S. and Mexico continued to reflect strong customer traffic patterns across all of the Company's markets. Our merchandise sales and margins were especially strong during the quarter, and at the same time our lending products keep us well positioned to provide needed credit to the growing number of consumers who are not effectively served by traditional bank and credit card lenders.  Our geographic diversification continues to serve us well, as demonstrated by the ongoing dynamics of the U.S./Mexico border markets, where we are able to capture traffic and demand on either side of the border."   

During the first nine months of 2011, the Company added 69 new pawn locations, compared to 51 openings in the first nine months of last year. Mr. Wessel noted, "We have demonstrated our ability to execute a meaningful, pawn-focused growth strategy through de novo store openings and strategic acquisitions. We are pleased to announce the acquisition of five additional stores in Indianapolis. We previously entered this market in the first quarter of 2011 with the acquisition of four stores and their results to date have exceeded our expectations. This latest acquisition fits well with the existing Indiana footprint and provides critical mass for achieving long-term success in this market."

"The significant investment in acquisitions and new stores continues to be funded through operating cash flows, and we have increased earnings growth despite the additional expense from the accelerated store additions. While we estimate that the increased pace of store openings in 2011 created approximately $0.02 per share of additional earnings drag in the first nine months of 2011, the increased expense was more than offset by strong earnings in our existing stores. Most importantly though, we believe that the expected contributions from the new stores added in 2011 will further drive revenue and earnings growth in future periods."

Mr. Wessel further commented on the Company's growth strategy, noting that, "The most significant long-term driver of revenue and earnings growth for the Company continues to be in Mexico, where First Cash now has 442 locations and is the clear market leader in the large, full-service pawn store format.  Our new stores continue to track revenue and loan growth at or above our historical results. The Company's significant market position and substantial operating scale provide large and sustainable competitive advantages." 

The Company's balance sheet and cash flows continue to be strong. Even with the funding for the significant growth in pawn loans and store additions, the Company utilized excess cash flows to repurchase over $55 million of its stock this year. Net of the buybacks, the Company still has over $48 million of cash on hand at September 30, 2011.

In summary, Mr. Wessel said, "We believe that First Cash remains well-positioned to deliver continued profitability and earnings growth.  Our business model has proven to be profitable across business cycles and our operating cash flows should continue to support growth through accelerating store expansion and acquisition activity. In addition, our significant liquidity provides us tremendous strategic flexibility, including the ability to further invest in growth. We are optimistic about our future and remain committed to increasing shareholder value."  

Forward-Looking Information    

This release may contain forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of the Company. Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "projects," "expects," "may," "estimates," "should," "plans," "targets," "intends," "could," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or objectives. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, the Company's expectations of earnings per share, earnings growth, expansion strategies, regulatory exposures, store openings, liquidity, cash flow, consumer demand for the Company's products and services, future share repurchases and the impact thereof, completion of disposition transactions and expected gains from the sale of such operations, earnings from acquisitions, and other performance results. These statements are made to provide the public with management's current assessment of the Company's business. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances that such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this statement, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to report any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made in this release. Such factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond the control of the Company and may include changes in regional, national or international economic conditions, changes in the inflation rate, changes in the unemployment rate, changes in consumer purchasing, borrowing and repayment behaviors, changes in credit markets, the ability to renew and/or extend the Company's existing bank line of credit, credit losses, changes or increases in competition, the ability to locate, open and staff new stores, the availability or access to sources of inventory, inclement weather, the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, the ability to hire and retain key management personnel, the ability to operate with limited regulation as a credit services organization, new federal, state or local legislative initiatives or governmental regulations (or changes to existing laws and regulations) affecting consumer loan businesses, credit services organizations and pawn businesses (in both the United States and Mexico), changes in import/export regulations and tariffs or duties, changes in anti-money laundering regulations, unforeseen litigation, changes in interest rates, monetary inflation, changes in tax rates or policies, changes in gold prices, changes in energy prices, cost of funds, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, future business decisions, public health issues and other uncertainties. These and other risks, uncertainties and regulatory developments are further and more completely described in the Company's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and updated in subsequent releases on Form 10-Q.

About First Cash

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer and provider of consumer financial services. Its 557 retail pawn locations buy and sell a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools and other merchandise, and make small customer loans secured by pledged personal property. The Company's 110 consumer loan locations provide various combinations of financial services products, including consumer loans, check cashing, and credit services. In total, the Company owns and operates 667 stores in eight U.S. states and 22 states in Mexico. 

First Cash was named by Fortune Magazine as one of America's 100 fastest growing companies for 2011. First Cash is also a component company in both the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index® and the Russell 2000 Index®. First Cash's common stock (ticker symbol "FCFS") is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which has the highest initial listing standards of any stock exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements. 

The First Cash Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3365

STORE COUNT ACTIVITY

The following table details store openings and closings for the three months ended September 30, 2011: 
         
  Pawn Locations Consumer  
  Large Small Loan Total
  Format (1) Format (2) Locations (3) Locations
United States:        
Total locations, beginning of period  121  25  77  223
New locations opened or acquired  2  --   --   2
Store format conversions  1  --   (1)  -- 
Total locations, end of period  124  25  76  225
         
Mexico:        
Total locations, beginning of period  370  20  33  423
New locations opened or acquired  19  --   --   19
Store format conversions  --   (1)  1  -- 
Total locations, end of period  389  19  34  442
         
Total:        
Total locations, beginning of period  491  45  110  646
New locations opened or acquired  21  --   --   21
Store format conversions  1  (1)  --   -- 
Total locations, end of period  513  44  110  667
         

(1)     The large format locations include retail showrooms and accept a broad array of pawn collateral including jewelry, electronics, appliances, tools and other consumer hard goods. At September 30, 2011, 77 of the U.S. large format pawn stores also offered consumer loans or credit services products.

(2)     The small format locations typically have limited retail operations and accept primarily jewelry and small electronic items as pawn collateral. At September 30, 2011, all of the Texas and Mexico small format pawn stores also offered consumer loans or credit services products.

(3)     The U.S. consumer loan locations offer a credit services product and are all located in Texas. The Mexico locations offer small, short-term consumer loans. In addition to stores shown on this chart, First Cash is also an equal partner in Cash & Go, Ltd., a joint venture, which owns and operates 39 check cashing and financial services kiosks located inside convenience stores in the state of Texas.  

The following table details store openings and closings for the nine months ended September 30, 2011: 

         
  Pawn Locations Consumer  
  Large Small Loan Total
  Format (1) Format (2) Locations (3) Locations
United States:        
Total locations, beginning of period  111  24  91  226
New locations opened or acquired  12  1  --   13
Store format conversions  1  --   (1)  -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (4)  (4)
Discontinued operations  --   --   (10)  (10)
Total locations, end of period  124  25  76  225
         
Mexico:        
Total locations, beginning of period  333  20  33  386
New locations opened or acquired  56  --   --   56
Store format conversions  --   (1)  1  -- 
Total locations, end of period  389  19  34  442
         
Total:        
Total locations, beginning of period  444  44  124  612
New locations opened or acquired  68  1  --   69
Store format conversions  1  (1)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (4)  (4)
Discontinued operations  --   --   (10)  (10)
Total locations, end of period  513  44  110  667
         

(1)     The large format locations include retail showrooms and accept a broad array of pawn collateral including jewelry, electronics, appliances, tools and other consumer hard goods. At September 30, 2011, 77 of the U.S. large format pawn stores also offered consumer loans or credit services products.

(2)     The small format locations typically have limited retail operations and accept primarily jewelry and small electronic items as pawn collateral. At September 30, 2011, all of the Texas and Mexico small format pawn stores also offered consumer loans or credit services products.

(3)     The U.S. consumer loan locations offer a credit services product and are all located in Texas. The Mexico locations offer small, short-term consumer loans. In addition to stores shown on this chart, First Cash is also an equal partner in Cash & Go, Ltd., a joint venture, which owns and operates 39 check cashing and financial services kiosks located inside convenience stores in the state of Texas. 

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:        
Merchandise sales  $ 87,802  $ 65,937  $ 243,465  $ 186,309
Pawn loan fees  31,741  26,378  91,277  72,718
Consumer loan and credit services fees  13,559  13,535  39,193  35,961
Other revenue  247  233  833  768
Total revenue  133,349  106,083  374,768  295,756
         
Cost of revenue:        
Cost of goods sold  53,169  38,993  150,290  112,543
Consumer loan and credit services loss provision  4,093  4,384  9,066  9,530
Other cost of revenue  57  39  155  121
Total cost of revenue  57,319  43,416  159,511  122,194
         
Net revenue  76,030  62,667  215,257  173,562
         
Expenses and other income:        
Store operating expenses  33,538  29,375  97,034  83,887
Administrative expenses  11,550  10,296  34,053  29,224
Depreciation and amortization  2,825  2,505  8,293  7,587
Interest expense  39  74  105  347
Interest income  (56)  (22)  (221)  (45)
Total expenses and other income  47,896  42,228  139,264  121,000
         
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  28,134  20,439  75,993  52,562
         
Provision for income taxes  9,850  7,209  26,600  18,940
         
Income from continuing operations  18,284  13,230  49,393  33,622
         
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax  149  1,007  6,934  4,480
Net income  $ 18,433  $ 14,237  $ 56,327  $ 38,102
         
Basic income per share:        
Income from continuing operations (basic)  $ 0.60  $ 0.44  $ 1.60  $ 1.12
Income from discontinued operations (basic)  --   0.03  0.22  0.15
Net income per basic share  $ 0.60  $ 0.47  $ 1.82  $ 1.27
         
Diluted income per share:        
Income from continuing operations (diluted)  $ 0.59  $ 0.43  $ 1.56  $ 1.09
Income from discontinued operations (diluted)  --   0.03  0.22  0.14
Net income per diluted share  $ 0.59  $ 0.46  $ 1.78  $ 1.23
         
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic  30,348  30,253  30,915  30,118
Diluted  31,195  31,041  31,713  30,855

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

  September 30, December 31,
  2011 2010 2010
  (in thousands)
ASSETS      
       
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 48,410  $ 32,694  $ 67,240
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable  11,472  10,713  10,446
Pawn loans  77,973  72,012  70,488
Consumer loans, net  929  1,041  995
Inventories  54,916  44,018  47,406
Other current assets  6,745  8,239  8,423
Total current assets  200,445  168,717  204,998
       
Property and equipment, net  68,620  55,653  58,425
Goodwill, net  69,404  68,409  68,595
Other non-current assets  2,804  2,530  2,668
Non-current assets of discontinued operations  --   7,760  7,760
Total assets $ 341,273 $ 303,069 $ 342,446
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
       
Current portion of notes payable  $ 487  $ 458  $ 465
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  31,140  27,327  27,730
Income taxes payable and deferred taxes payable  7,280  6,617  6,427
Total current liabilities  38,907  34,402  34,622
       
Notes payable, net of current portion  1,018  1,505  1,386
Deferred income tax liabilities  5,461  6,822  8,434
Total liabilities  45,386  42,729  44,442
       
Stockholders' equity  295,887  260,340  298,004
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 341,273  $ 303,069  $ 342,446

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
OPERATING INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

The following table details the components of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010 (in thousands). Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates, which is more fully described elsewhere in this release. 

           
  Three Months Ended     Increase/(Decrease)
  September 30,     Constant Currency
  2011 2010 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
United States revenue:          
Retail merchandise sales  $ 20,000  $ 17,199  $ 2,801 16 % 16 %
Scrap jewelry sales  15,661  10,891  4,770 44 % 44 %
Pawn loan fees  13,452  11,022  2,430 22 % 22 %
Credit services fees  12,336  12,341  (5) -- --
Consumer loan fees  32  24  8 33 % 33 %
Other revenue  247  232  15 6 % 6 %
   61,728  51,709  10,019 19 % 19 %
           
Mexico revenue:          
Retail merchandise sales  38,157  28,135  10,022 36 % 30 %
Scrap jewelry sales  13,984  9,712  4,272 44 % 44 %
Pawn loan fees  18,289  15,356  2,933 19 % 14 %
Consumer loan fees  1,191  1,170  21 2 % (2)%
Other revenue  --   1  (1) (100)% (100)%
   71,621  54,374  17,247 32 % 27 %
           
Total revenue:          
Retail merchandise sales  58,157  45,334  12,823 28 % 25 %
Scrap jewelry sales  29,645  20,603  9,042 44 % 44 %
Pawn loan fees  31,741  26,378  5,363 20 % 18 %
Credit services fees  12,336  12,341  (5) -- --
Consumer loan fees  1,223  1,194  29 2 % (2)%
Other revenue  247  233  14 6 % 6 %
   $ 133,349  $ 106,083  $ 27,266 26 % 23 %

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)

The following table details the components of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in thousands). Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates, which is more fully described elsewhere in this release. 

  Nine Months Ended     Increase/(Decrease)
  September 30,     Constant Currency
  2011 2010 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
United States revenue:          
Retail merchandise sales  $ 59,182  $ 51,037  $ 8,145 16 % 16 %
Scrap jewelry sales  39,987  29,296  10,691 36 % 36 %
Pawn loan fees  37,853  31,596  6,257 20 % 20 %
Credit services fees  35,373  32,434  2,939 9 % 9 %
Consumer loan fees  159  162  (3) (2)% (2)%
Other revenue  831  756  75 10 % 10 %
   173,385  145,281  28,104 19 % 19 %
           
Mexico revenue:          
Retail merchandise sales  109,420  76,811  32,609 42 % 35 %
Scrap jewelry sales  34,876  29,165  5,711 20 % 20 %
Pawn loan fees  53,424  41,122  12,302 30 % 23 %
Consumer loan fees  3,661  3,365  296 9 % 3 %
Other revenue  2  12  (10) (83)% (84)%
   201,383  150,475  50,908 34 % 28 %
           
Total revenue:          
Retail merchandise sales  168,602  127,848  40,754 32 % 27 %
Scrap jewelry sales  74,863  58,461  16,402 28 % 28 %
Pawn loan fees  91,277  72,718  18,559 26 % 22 %
Credit services fees  35,373  32,434  2,939 9 % 9 %
Consumer loan fees  3,820  3,527  293 8 % 3 %
Other revenue  833  768  65 8 % 8 %
   $ 374,768  $ 295,756  $ 79,012 27 % 24 %

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)

The following table details customer loans and inventories held by the Company and active CSO credit extensions from an independent third-party lender as of September 30, 2011, as compared to September 30, 2010 (in thousands).  Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year balances at the prior year end-of-period exchange rate, which is more fully described elsewhere in this release. 

  Balance at     Increase/(Decrease)
  September 30,     Constant Currency
  2011 2010 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
United States:          
Pawn loans  $ 38,791  $ 32,665  $ 6,126 19 % 19 %
CSO credit extensions held by independent third-party (1)  12,763  12,446  317 3 % 3 %
Other  41  36  5 14 % 14 %
   51,595  45,147  6,448 14 % 14 %
           
Mexico:          
Pawn loans  39,182  39,347  (165) -- 7 %
Other  888  1,005  (117) (12)% (5)%
   40,070  40,352  (282) (1)% 7 %
           
Total:          
Pawn loans  77,973  72,012  5,961 8 % 13 %
CSO credit extensions held by independent third-party (1)  12,763  12,446  317 3 % 3 %
Other  929  1,041  (112) (11)% (4)%
   $ 91,665  $ 85,499  $ 6,166 7 % 11 %
           
           
Pawn inventories:          
U.S. pawn inventories  $ 23,149  $ 17,527  $ 5,622 32 % 32 %
Mexico pawn inventories  31,767  26,491  5,276 20 % 29 %
   $ 54,916  $ 44,018  $ 10,898 25 % 30 %

(1)     CSO amounts are comprised of the principal portion of active CSO extensions of credit by an independent third-party lender, which are not included on the Company's balance sheet, net of the Company's estimated fair value of its liability under the letters of credit guaranteeing the loans.

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company uses certain financial calculations, such as free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results, which are not considered measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Items excluded from the calculation of free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance. Since free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results should not be considered as alternatives to net income, cash flow provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Non-GAAP measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. 

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

EBITDA is commonly used by investors to assess a company's leverage capacity, liquidity and financial performance. The following table provides a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to EBITDA (in thousands): 

  Trailing Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,
  2011 2010
     
Income from continuing operations  $ 67,145  $ 45,875
Adjustments:    
Income taxes  36,328  26,552
Depreciation and amortization  11,157  10,249
Interest expense  149  510
Interest income  (273)  (52)
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization  $ 114,506  $ 83,134
     
EBITDA margin calculated as follows:    
Total revenue from continuing operations  $ 502,274  $ 403,909
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization  114,506  83,134
EBITDA as a percentage of revenue 23% 21%

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

Free Cash Flow

For purposes of its internal liquidity assessments, the Company considers free cash flow, which is defined as cash flow from the operating activities of continuing and discontinued operations reduced by purchases of property and equipment and net cash outflow from pawn and consumer loans. Free cash flow is commonly used by investors as a measure of cash generated by business operations that will be used to repay scheduled debt maturities and can be used to invest in future growth through new business development activities or acquisitions, repurchase stock, or repay debt obligations prior to their maturities. These metrics can also be used to evaluate the Company's ability to generate cash flow from business operations and the impact that this cash flow has on the Company's liquidity. The following table reconciles "net cash flow from operating activities" to "free cash flow" (in thousands):

  Trailing Twelve Months Ended
  September 30,
  2011 2010
Cash flow from operating activities, including discontinued operations  $ 78,505  $ 85,747
Cash flow from investing activities:    
Pawn and consumer loans  (18,113)  (13,157)
Purchases of property and equipment  (26,540)  (17,767)
Free cash flow  $ 33,852  $ 54,823

Constant Currency

Certain performance metrics discussed in this release are presented on a "constant currency" basis, which may be considered a non-GAAP financial measurement of financial performance under GAAP. The Company's management uses constant currency results to evaluate operating results of certain business operations in Mexico, which are transacted primarily in Mexican pesos. Pawn scrap jewelry in Mexico is sold in U.S. dollars and, accordingly, does not require a constant currency adjustment. Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating certain balance sheet and income statement items denominated in Mexican pesos using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current comparable period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations for purposes of evaluating period-over-period comparisons. For balance sheet items, the closing exchange rate at the end of the applicable prior-year period (September 30, 2010) of 12.5 to 1 was used, compared to the current end of period (September 30, 2011) exchange rate of 13.5 to 1. For income statement items, the average closing daily exchange rate for the appropriate period was used. The average exchange rate for the prior-year quarter ended September 30, 2010 was 12.8 to 1, compared to the current-quarter rate of 12.3 to 1. The average exchange rate for the prior-year nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 was 12.7 to 1, compared to the current year-to-date rate of 12.0 to 1. 

CONTACT:  Rick Wessel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
          Doug Orr, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
          Phone:   (817) 505-3199
          Email:   investorrelations@firstcash.com
          Website: www.firstcash.com