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

January 26, 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 twelve month periods ended December 31, 2010. The Company's press release dated January 26, 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 January 26, 2011 announcing the Company's financial results for the three month and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2010.


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: January 26, 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 January 26, 2011
First Cash Reports 42% Increase in Fourth Quarter Net Income

EXHIBIT 99.1

First Cash Reports 42% Increase in Fourth Quarter Net Income

Initiates 2011 EPS Guidance of $2.02 to $2.10

ARLINGTON, Texas, Jan. 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCFS) today announced record-setting revenue, net income and earnings per share for both the three months and the year ended December 31, 2010. Earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.59 for the quarter and $1.75 for the year, as net income from continuing operations increased 42% and 32% for the respective fourth quarter and full-year periods. In addition, the Company has initiated guidance for fiscal 2011 earnings from continuing operations at a range of $2.02 to $2.10 per share.

Earnings Highlights

Revenue Highlights

Key Profitability Metrics

New Store Openings

Financial Position & Liquidity

2011 Outlook

Commentary & Analysis  

Mr. Rick Wessel, First Cash's Chief Executive Officer, commented on the 2010 results, "We are extremely pleased to announce another year of record-setting operating results. We grew top line revenue by 19% and expanded both gross and operating profit margins, all of which propelled the net income growth of 32%. Importantly, our fourth quarter results were especially strong, which provides significant momentum as we enter 2011."

In addition to record revenue and earnings, the Company achieved other key milestones in 2010. For the first time in Company history, over 50% of total revenues were generated in Mexico. In addition, the full year operating margin reached 20%, which was another first, while the Company also added its 600th store during the fourth quarter of 2010. According to Mr. Wessel, "We are proud of these accomplishments. They are a credit to our diverse and talented team of managers and store associates and reflect their energy and commitment to excellence."

In looking at fourth quarter results, growth in net income was driven by a combination of strong loan demand, impressive retail sales and increased operating margins.  The rate of year-over-year pawn receivable growth, 57% in Mexico and 13% in the U.S., accelerated during the quarter as compared to growth rates at the end of the third quarter. In addition, the important fourth quarter retail sales were up 44% in Mexico and 8% in the U.S. Mr. Wessel noted, "The growth in pawn receivables drove a 30% increase in consolidated fourth quarter pawn service fee revenue, providing visibility for pawn revenue and earnings growth in the first half of 2011. In short, the current operating environment for our pawn stores is robust, given increasing consumer demand for micro-credit and deep-value retail products in both the United States and Mexico."

The Company continues to execute on its growth strategy in Mexico through new store openings and maturation of the existing, but largely immature, store base. The total store count in Mexico now stands at 386 locations, which represents 63% of the Company's consolidated total store count. According to Mr. Wessel, "We believe that First Cash has a significant competitive advantage in Mexico where we are by far the largest operator of full-service pawn stores. The 333 large format stores we have in Mexico allow us to lend on a broader array of products, including many popular consumer electronic items, appliances and power tools. In addition, the size of the stores and their prominent locations attract heavy retail traffic. We opened a total of 58 stores in Mexico this year, and our pipeline of stores slated for opening in 2011 is well-positioned."

In the U.S., First Cash added a total of 14 large format pawn stores in 2010, increasing the U.S. store count from 97 to 111 full service locations. Seven of the new locations were added in the fourth quarter, primarily de novo stores in the Company's Texas markets. Coupled with the mid-year acquisition of five stores on the East Coast, the Company believes that the added stores will drive additional U.S. revenue and profitability. The Company expects to add additional U.S. pawn stores in 2011 which are included in the consolidated store opening target.   

The strength of the Company's cash flows and balance sheet liquidity continued to be impressive. All of the 2010 store openings, acquisitions and receivables growth were funded from operating cash flows. There are no amounts outstanding on the Company's $25 million unsecured credit facility, and net investable cash balances have increased approximately $45 million over the past twelve months.

In summary, Mr. Wessel said, "We believe that First Cash remains well-positioned to deliver continued profitability and long-term earnings growth.   Our business model has proven to be recession resistant and the demand for our credit and retail products continues to grow in both the U.S. and Mexico. Our outstanding operating results in 2010 serve to provide strong validation of our operating model and ongoing strategy. We believe that strong cash flows will continue to support growth through our robust store expansion strategy. In addition, the strength of the balance sheet provides tremendous strategic flexibility and will allow us to generate additional returns for our shareholders. We are excited 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, store openings, liquidity, cash flow, consumer demand for the Company's products and services, competition, strategic options, 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 whic h 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 c hanges to existing laws and regulations) affecting short-term/payday 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 2009 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 488 pawn stores make small loans secured by pledged personal property and retail a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools and other merchandise. The Company's short-term loan locations provide various combinations of financial services products, including short-term loans, check cashing, and credit services. In total, the Company owns and operates 612 stores in eight U.S. states and 21 states in Mexico. 

First Cash is 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 December 31, 2010: 

  Pawn Locations Short-Term  
  Large Small Loan Total
  Format (1) Format (2) Locations Locations
United States:        
Total locations, beginning of period  104  24  92  220
New locations opened or acquired  7  --   --   7
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (1)  (1)
Total locations, end of period  111  24  91  226
         
Mexico:        
Total locations, beginning of period  322  19  33  374
New locations opened or acquired  11  1  --   12
Total locations, end of period  333  20  33  386
         
Total:        
Total locations, beginning of period  426  43  125  594
New locations opened or acquired  18  1  --   19
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (1)  (1)
Total locations, end of period  444  44  124  612
         

The following table details store openings and closings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010: 

  Pawn Locations Short-Term  
  Large Small Loan Total
  Format (1) Format (2) Locations Locations
United States:        
Total locations, beginning of period  97  26  94  217
New locations opened or acquired  12  --   --   12
Stores converted to large format pawn  2  (2)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (3)  (3)
Total locations, end of period  111  24  91  226
         
Mexico:        
Total locations, beginning of period  286  10  33  329
New locations opened or acquired  47  11  --   58
Locations closed or consolidated  --   (1)  --   (1)
Total locations, end of period  333  20  33  386
         
Total:        
Total locations, beginning of period  383  36  127  546
New locations opened or acquired  59  11  --   70
Stores converted to large format pawn  2  (2)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   (1)  (3)  (4)
Total locations, end of period  444  44  124  612
         

(1)     The large format locations include retail showrooms and accept a broad array of pawn collateral including electronics, tools and jewelry. At December 31, 2010, 69 of the U.S. large format pawn stores also offered short-term loans or credit services products.

(2)     The smaller format locations typically have limited retail operations and accept only jewelry and small electronic items as pawn collateral. At December 31, 2010, all of the U.S. and Mexico small format pawn stores also offered short-term loans or credit services products.

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 United States. 

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

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  December 31, December 31,
  2010 2009 2010 2009
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:        
Pawn merchandise sales $ 83,600 $ 73,372 $ 269,909 $ 229,493
Pawn service fees  29,427  22,566  102,145  80,805
Short-term loan and credit services fees  16,340  14,126  57,943  51,488
Other  272  282  1,150  1,272
   129,639  110,346  431,147  363,058
Cost of revenue:        
Cost of goods sold  49,502  45,287  162,045  138,090
Short-term loan and credit services loss provision  4,453  3,868  14,740  13,369
Other  36  35  157  162
   53,991  49,190  176,942  151,621
Net revenue  75,648  61,156  254,205  211,437
         
Expenses and other income:        
Store operating expenses  32,691  27,574  118,254  100,647
Administrative expenses  11,298  9,539  40,522  34,281
Depreciation and amortization  2,877  2,677  10,506  10,067
Interest expense  44  163  391  765
Interest income  (52)  (7)  (97)  (67)
   46,858  39,946  169,576  145,693
         
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  28,790  21,210  84,629  65,744
         
Provision for income taxes  10,215  8,135  30,374  24,588
Income from continuing operations  18,575  13,075  54,255  41,156
         
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax  981  1,922  3,403  8,608
Net income $ 19,556 $ 14,997 $ 57,658 $ 49,764
         
Basic income per share:        
Income from continuing operations $ 0.61 $ 0.44 $ 1.79 $ 1.39
Income from discontinued operations  0.03  0.06  0.11  0.29
Net income per basic share $ 0.64 $ 0.50 $ 1.90 $ 1.68
         
Diluted income per share:        
Income from continuing operations $ 0.59 $ 0.43 $ 1.75 $ 1.36
Income from discontinued operations   0.03  0.06  0.11  0.29
Net income per diluted share $ 0.62 $ 0.49 $ 1.86 $ 1.65
         
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic  30,712  29,838  30,266  29,559
Diluted  31,666  30,421  31,058  30,191
         

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

  December 31,
  2010 2009
  (in thousands)
ASSETS    
     
Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,240 $ 26,777
Service fees receivable  10,685  8,185
Pawn receivables  70,488  53,719
Short-term loan receivables  3,035  3,076
Inventories  47,406  34,437
Other  6,144  10,392
Total current assets  204,998  136,586
     
Property and equipment, net  58,425  47,980
Goodwill, net  76,355  69,731
Other  2,668  1,988
Total assets $ 342,446 $ 256,285
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
     
Current portion of notes payable $ 465 $ 4,111
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  27,730  20,222
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  6,427  10,958
Total current liabilities  34,622  35,291
     
Notes payable, net of current portion  1,386  5,265
Deferred tax liabilities  8,434  3,290
Total liabilities  44,442  43,846
     
Stockholders' equity  298,004  212,439
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 342,446 $ 256,285
     

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

The following table details the components of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2009 (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)
  December 31,     Constant Currency
  2010 2009 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
Domestic revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales $ 19,943 $ 18,537 $ 1,406 8 % 8 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  10,120  12,165  (2,045) (17)% (17)%
Pawn service fees  12,475  11,084  1,391 13 % 13 %
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees  15,080  13,003  2,077 16 % 16 %
Other  272  270  2 1 % 1 %
   57,890  55,059  2,831 5 % 5 %
           
Foreign revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  40,745  28,300  12,445 44 % 37 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  12,792  14,370  (1,578) (11)% (11)%
Pawn service fees  16,952  11,482  5,470 48 % 40 %
Short-term loan fees  1,260  1,123  137 12 % 6 %
Other  --   12  (12) (100)% (100)%
   71,749  55,287  16,462 30 % 24 %
           
Total revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  60,688  46,837  13,851 30 % 25 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  22,912  26,535  (3,623) (14)% (14)%
Pawn service fees  29,427  22,566  6,861 30 % 27 %
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees  16,340  14,126  2,214 16 % 15 %
Other  272  282  (10) (4)% (4)%
  $ 129,639 $ 110,346 $ 19,293 17 % 15 %
           

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

The following table details the components of revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 (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. 

  Twelve Months Ended     Increase/(Decrease)
  December 31,     Constant Currency
  2010 2009 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
Domestic revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales $ 70,980 $ 66,376 $ 4,604 7 % 7 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  39,416  34,454  4,962 14 % 14 %
Pawn service fees  44,071  38,323  5,748 15 % 15 %
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees  53,318  47,648  5,670 12 % 12 %
Other  1,138  1,211  (73) (6)% (6)%
   208,923  188,012  20,911 11 % 11 %
           
Foreign revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  117,556  84,566  32,990 39 % 30 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  41,957  44,097  (2,140) (5)% (5)%
Pawn service fees  58,074  42,482  15,592 37 % 28 %
Short-term loan fees  4,625  3,840  785 20 % 13 %
Other  12  61  (49) (80)% (82)%
   222,224  175,046  47,178 27 % 20 %
           
Total revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  188,536  150,942  37,594 25 % 20 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  81,373  78,551  2,822 4 % 4 %
Pawn service fees  102,145  80,805  21,340 26 % 22 %
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees  57,943  51,488  6,455 13 % 12 %
Other  1,150  1,272  (122) (10)% (10)%
  $ 431,147 $ 363,058 $ 68,089 19 % 16 %
           

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

The following table details pawn receivables, short-term loan receivables, active CSO loans outstanding from an independent third-party lender and inventories as of December 31, 2010, as compared to December 31, 2009 (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)
  December 31,     Constant Currency
  2010 2009 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
Domestic customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables $ 35,319 $ 31,277 $ 4,042 13 % 13 %
Short-term loan receivables,           
net of allowance  2,079  2,189  (110) (5)% (5)%
CSO short-term loans held           
by independent third-party (1)  14,587  11,837  2,750 23 % 23 %
   51,985  45,303  6,682 15 % 15 %
           
Foreign customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables  35,169  22,442  12,727 57 % 49 %
Short-term loan receivables,           
net of allowance  956  887  69 8 % 2 %
   36,125  23,329  12,796 55 % 47 %
           
Total customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables  70,488  53,719  16,769 31 % 28 %
Short-term loan receivables,           
net of allowance  3,035  3,076  (41) (1)% (3)%
CSO short-term loans held           
by independent third-party (1)  14,587  11,837  2,750 23 % 23 %
  $ 88,110 $ 68,632 $ 19,478 28 % 26 %
           
           
Pawn inventories:          
Domestic pawn inventories $ 19,730 $ 17,285 $ 2,445 14 % 14 %
Foreign pawn inventories  27,676  17,152  10,524 61 % 53 %
  $ 47,406 $ 34,437 $ 12,969 38 % 33 %
           

(1)   CSO short-term loans outstanding are comprised of the principal portion of active CSO loans outstanding from 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 condensed consolidated financial s tatements 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. 

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 short-term/payday loan customer receivables. 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):

  Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,
  2010 2009
Cash flow from operating activities (1) $ 73,645 $ 85,213
Cash flow from investing activities:    
Pawn and short-term loan receivables  (23,648)  (12,964)
Purchases of property and equipment  (18,385)  (15,376)
Free cash flow $ 31,612 $ 56,873
     

(1) Cash flow from operating activities in 2009 included approximately $15 million of non-recurring cash receipts and tax refunds from the discontinued Auto Master operation.

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

EBITDA

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): 

  Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,
  2010 2009
     
Income from continuing operations $ 54,255 $ 41,156
Adjustments:    
Income taxes  30,374  24,588
Depreciation and amortization  10,506  10,067
Interest expense  391  765
Interest income  (97)  (67)
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes,     
depreciation and amortization $ 95,429 $ 76,509
     
EBITDA margin calculated as follows:    
Total revenue from continuing operations $ 431,147 $ 363,058
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes,     
depreciation and amortization  95,429  76,509
EBITDA as a percent of revenue 22% 21%
     

Constant Currency Results

Certain performance metrics discussed in this release are presented on a "constant currency" basis, which may be considered a non-GAAP 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 (December 31, 2009) of 13.1 to 1 was used, compared to the current end of period (December 31, 2010) exchange rate of 12.4 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 December 31, 2009 was 13.1 to 1, compared to the current quarter rate of 12.4 to 1. The average exchange rate for the prior-year twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 was 13.5 to 1, compared to the current year-to-date rate of 12.6 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