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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 27, 2010


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, 2009. The Company's press release dated January 27, 2010 announcing the results is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Item 2.02.
 
The Company recorded the sale of its 22 payday loan stores in California, Washington and Oregon ("West Coast stores") in December 2009. The gain from the sale, along with the earnings from operations for all of the West Coast stores, net of tax, have been classified as discontinued operations for financial reporting purposes. The following chart compares previously reported diluted net earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share reflecting the West Coast stores as discontinued operations:
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
Mar 31,
2009
   
Jun 30,
2009
   
Sep 30,
2009
   
Dec 31,
2009
   
Dec 31,
2009
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                             
As Previously Reported
                             
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.32     $ 0.31     $ 0.35       N/A       N/A  
Discontinued Operations (1)
    0.06       0.07       0.04       N/A       N/A  
Total
  $ 0.38     $ 0.38     $ 0.39       N/A       N/A  
                                         
Adjusted  (Unaudited)
                                       
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.31     $ 0.30     $ 0.34     $ 0.44     $ 1.39  
Discontinued Operations (2)
    0.07       0.08       0.05       0.05       0.26  
Total
  $ 0.38     $ 0.38     $ 0.39     $ 0.49     $ 1.65  
 
   
Quarter Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
Mar 31,
2008
   
Jun 30,
2008
   
Sep 30,
2008
   
Dec 31,
2008
   
Dec 31,
2008
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                             
As Previously Reported
                             
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.31     $ 0.30     $ 0.29     $ 0.37     $ 1.28  
Discontinued Operations (1)
    (0.09 )     (0.07 )     (1.83 )     0.02       (1.99 )
Total
  $ 0.22     $ 0.23     $ (1.54 )   $ 0.39     $ (0.71 )
                                         
Adjusted  (Unaudited)
                                       
Continuing Operations
  $ 0.30     $ 0.29     $ 0.28     $ 0.35     $ 1.22  
Discontinued Operations (2)
    (0.08 )     (0.06 )     (1.82 )     0.04       (1.93 )
Total
  $ 0.22     $ 0.23     $ (1.54 )   $ 0.39     $ (0.71 )
 
(1)
Reflects previously discontinued Auto Master operation and payday loan/credit services operations in the District of Columbia, Michigan and certain locations in Texas.
   
(2) Reflects the West Coast stores as discontinued operations combined with the previously discontinued Auto Master operation and payday loan/credit services operations in the District of Columbia, Michigan and certain locations in Texas.
 
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 27, 2010 announcing the Company's financial results for the three month and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009.


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.

    First Cash Financial Services, Inc.
(Registrant)

January 27, 2010
(Date)
  /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 27, 2010
First Cash Reports Record Fourth Quarter EPS of $0.44; Up 26%

EXHIBIT 99.1

First Cash Reports Record Fourth Quarter EPS of $0.44; Up 26%

Same-Store Pawnshop Revenues Increase 17% for the Quarter

ARLINGTON, Texas, Jan. 27, 2010 (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, 2009. Earnings per share from continuing operations for the fourth quarter were $0.44, an increase of 26% over the prior year, and $1.39 for the year, as the Company's core pawn operations continued to post strong growth in revenue and operating profits. The earnings results for both the quarter and the year were at the top of the range provided in the Company's updated forecast earlier this month, when it raised earnings guidance for continuing operations by $0.05 per sh are.

The Company completed the previously announced sale of its West Coast payday lending and check-cashing operations as part of its ongoing strategy for increasing focus and growth on the Company's core pawn operations.  The Company utilized the cash received from this sale, along with strong operating cash flows, to pay off in-full its bank credit facility. Comparatively, the Company had $69 million outstanding on the credit facility at the beginning of 2009. 

In addition, the Company has initiated guidance for its fiscal 2010 earnings from continuing operations at a range of $1.53 to $1.59 per share.

Earnings Per Share

Revenue Highlights

Key Profitability Metrics

New Locations

Financial Position & Liquidity

Sale of West Coast Payday Lending Operations

Income From Auto Master Operation


2010 Outlook

Commentary & Analysis  

Mr. Rick Wessel, First Cash's Chief Executive Officer, commented on the Company's fourth quarter 2009 results, "We are very pleased with our record fourth quarter results, which produced a 26% increase in both revenues and earnings.  Our pawn operations were highly profitable in 2009, even in a challenging consumer environment.  In addition, we continued throughout 2009 to build upon our strong position as a leading retailer and provider of consumer finance services in Mexico, as evidenced by our store growth and increased market share."

Fourth quarter retail sales increased solidly in the U.S. and were exceptionally strong in Mexico, where they increased by 33%. In addition, sales of scrap jewelry increased significantly during the quarter based on the strength of high transaction volumes and increased gold prices. Growth in pawn service fees continued to reflect strong consumer lending demand in the U.S., where fees were up 23%, and continued expansion into new and developing markets in Mexico, as fees grew by 31%.

Mr. Wessel noted, "The Company continued to execute its long-term growth strategy plan through the addition of 66 new stores in Mexico and the U.S. in 2009. By leveraging our ten-plus years of experience in Mexico, we have developed a deep infrastructure for opening and operating new stores in this highly profitable market. The opening of 60 large full-service pawn stores in Mexico this year was a significant and record-setting achievement for the Company. We continue to identify new expansion opportunities and we expect to have almost 400 stores in Mexico by the end of 2010.

Even with the rapid store expansion program, the Company continues to improve its balance sheet. First Cash now has total assets of $256 million, liabilities of only $44 million, and no balances outstanding on its $90 million bank credit facility. The Company expects it will again generate significant free cash flow in 2010, which will be used to fund our continuing new store expansion program and allow us to pursue other strategic opportunities to further expand our pawn operations.

"The recently completed sale of the Company's West Coast payday lending operations is another positive event for the Company," according to Mr. Wessel. "The sale of these stores is consistent with our long-term strategy for focusing growth and resources on our core pawn business and reducing regulatory risks. The Company's storefront payday operations have been essentially reduced to only two states, Texas and Illinois, and will represent less than 13% of revenue in 2010. In addition, this decision allows First Cash to redeploy management resources and capital to further grow our core pawn operations."

In summary, Mr. Wessel said, "We believe that First Cash is well-positioned to deliver continued profitability and meaningful long-term growth. Our expansion plans for 2010 will remain focused on our pawn business and are expected to be self-funded from operating cash flows.  In addition, our significantly under-levered balance sheet provides us tremendous strategic flexibility and will allow us to generate potential additional returns for our shareholders."  

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, income and losses related to discontinued operations, collections results, future tax benefits, expansion strategies, store openings, liquidity, cash flow, credit losses and related provisions, debt repayments, consumer demand for the Company's products and services, competition, regulatory risks, 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 updat es 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 op erate 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 short-term/payday loan businesses, credit services organizations and pawn businesses (in both the U.S. and Mexico), 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 2008 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 specialty retailer and provider of consumer financial services. Its pawn stores make small loans secured by pledged personal property, retail a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools and other merchandise, and in certain locations, provide other short-term loans and credit services products. The Company's short-term loan locations provide various combinations of short-term loan products, installment loans, check cashing, credit services and other financial services products. The Company owns and operates over 546 stores in eight U.S. states and 19 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 and twelve months ended December 31, 2009: 

  U.S. Locations  Mexico  
      Locations  
      Pawn/  
    Short-Term Short-Term  
  Pawn Loan Loan Total
  Stores Stores Stores Locations
Three Months Ended December 31, 2009        
Total locations, beginning of period 97 142 314 553
New locations opened -- -- 15 15
Discontinued payday loan operations:        
Locations sold -- (22) -- (22)
Total locations, end of period 97 120 329 546
         
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2009        
Total locations, beginning of period 94 162 269 525
New locations opened 1 3 60 64
Locations acquired 2 -- -- 2
Locations closed or consolidated -- (1) -- (1)
Discontinued payday loan operations:        
Locations sold -- (30) -- (30)
Locations closed -- (14) -- (14)
Total locations, end of period 97 120 329 546

 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 U.S. 

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

    Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
    December 31, December 31,
    2009 2008 2009 2008
    (unaudited)
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:          
Pawn merchandise sales $73,372 $55,919 $229,457 $193,250
Pawn service fees   22,566 17,729 80,805 69,857
Short-term loan and credit services fees 14,926 14,374 54,384 56,105
Other   282 347 1,308 1,427
    111,146 88,369 365,954 320,639
Cost of revenue:          
Cost of goods sold   45,287 33,355 138,090 111,817
Short-term loan and credit services loss provision 4,168 4,414 14,222 15,800
Other   35 57 162 293
    49,490 37,826 152,474 127,910
Net revenue   61,656 50,543 213,480 192,729
           
Expenses and other income:        
Store operating expenses 27,779 22,477 101,574 93,290
Administrative expenses 9,539 8,377 34,281 29,942
Depreciation and amortization 2,679 2,523 10,073 10,128
Interest expense   163 285 765 793
Interest income   (7) (16) (67) (55)
    40,153 33,646 146,626 134,098
           
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 21,503 16,897 66,854 58,631
           
Provision for income taxes 8,249 6,389 25,003 21,783
Income from continuing operations 13,254 10,508 41,851 36,848
           
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,743 966 7,913 (58,384)
Net income (loss)   $14,997 $11,474 $49,764 $(21,536)
         
Basic income per share:        
Income from continuing operations $0.44 $0.36 $1.42 $1.24
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 0.06 0.04 0.26 (1.97)
Net income (loss) per basic share $0.50 $0.40 $1.68 $(0.73)
           
Diluted income per share:        
Income from continuing operations $0.44 $0.35 $1.39 $1.22
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 0.05 0.04 0.26 (1.93)
Net income (loss) per diluted share $0.49 $0.39 $1.65 $(0.71)
           
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic   29,838 29,243 29,559 29,575
Diluted   30,421 29,909 30,191 30,216

 FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

      December 31,
      2009 2008
      (unaudited)
      (in thousands)
ASSETS    
         
Cash and cash equivalents $26,777 $29,006
Service charges receivable 8,263 6,708
Pawn receivables   53,719 44,170
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance 3,076 2,650
Inventories   34,437 28,738
Other     10,314 17,123
Total current assets   136,586 128,395
         
Property and equipment, net 47,980 41,198
Goodwill and intangible assets, net 70,252 75,191
Other     1,467 20,559
Total assets   $256,285 $265,343
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
         
Current portion of notes payable $4,111 $7,048
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 19,984 23,660
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities 10,958 --
Other     238 2,110
Total current liabilities   35,291 32,818
         
Revolving credit facility -- 68,500
Notes payable, net of current portion 5,265 9,389
Deferred tax liabilities   3,290 186
Total liabilities   43,846 110,893
         
Stockholders' equity   212,439 154,450
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $256,285 $265,343
         

  FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
OPERATING INFORMATION

The following table details the components of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2008 (unaudited, 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. 

          Increase/
          (Decrease)
  Three Months Ended     Constant
  December 31,     Currency
  2009 2008 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
Domestic revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales $18,537 $17,612 $925 5% 5%
Pawn scrap jewelry sales 12,165 7,022 5,143 73 % 73%
Pawn service fees 11,084 8,995 2,089 23% 23%
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees 13,803 13,486 317 2% 2%
Other 270 341 (71) (21)% (21)%
  55,859 47,456 8,403 18% 18%
           
Foreign revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales 28,300 21,264 7,036 33% 33%
Pawn scrap jewelry sales 14,370 10,021 4,349 43% 43%
Pawn service fees 11,482 8,734 2,748 31% 31%
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees 1,123 888 235 2 % 26%
Other 12 6 6 100% 100%
  55,287 40,913 14,374 35%  35%
           
Total revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales 46,837 38,876 7,961 20% 20%
Pawn scrap jewelry sales 26,535 17,043 9,492 56% 56%
Pawn service fees 22,566 17,729 4,837 27% 27%
Short-term loan and          
credit services fees 14,926 14,374 552 4% 4%
Other 282 347 (65) (19)% (19)%
  $111,146 $88,369 $22,777 26% 25%

 

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

The following table details the components of revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 (unaudited, 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. 

        Increase/
        (Decrease)
  Twelve Months Ended     Constant
  December 31,     Currency
  2009 2008 Increase/(Decrease) Basis
Domestic revenue:            
Pawn retail merchandise sales $66,376 $64,162 $2,214 3%   3%
Pawn scrap jewelry sales 34,454 26,969 7,485 28%   28%
Pawn service fees 38,323 34,116 4,207 12%   12%
Short-term loan and credit services fees 50,544 53,238 (2,694) (5)%   (5)%
Other 1,211 1,419 (208) (15)%   (15)%
  190,908 179,904 11,004 6%   6%
             
Foreign revenue:            
Pawn retail merchandise sales 84,530 64,493 20,037 31%   48%
Pawn scrap jewelry sales 44,097 37,626 6,471 17%   17%
Pawn service fees 42,482 35,741 6,741 19%   34%
Short-term loan and credit services fees 3,840 2,867 973 34%   50%
Other 97 8 89 100 + %   100 + %
  175,046 140,735 34,311 24%   36%
             
Total revenue:            
Pawn retail merchandise sales 150,906 128,655 22,251 17 %   26 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales 78,551 64,595 13,956 22 %   22 %
Pawn service fees 80,805 69,857 10,948 16 %   23 %
Short-term loan and credit services fees 54,384 56,105 (1,721) (3)%   (2)%
Other 1,308 1,427 (119) (8)%   (6)%
  $365,954 $320,639 $45,315 14 %   19 %

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

The following table details pawn receivables, short-term loan receivables, and active CSO loans outstanding from an independent third-party lender as of December 31, 2009, as compared to December 31, 2008 (unaudited, 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
  December 31,     Constant Currency
  2009 2008 Increase Basis
Domestic customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables $31,277 $26,100 $5,177 20 % 20 %
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance 2,189 1,950 239 12 % 12 %
CSO short-term loans held by independent third-party (1) 12,837 12,724 113 1 % 1 %
           
  46,303 40,774 5,529 14 % 14 %
Foreign customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables 22,442 18,070 4,372 24 % 18 %
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance 887 700 187 27 % 20 %
           
  23,329 18,770 4,559 24 % 18 %
Total customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables 53,719 44,170 9,549 22 % 19 %
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance 3,076 2,650 426 16 % 13 %
CSO short-term loans held by independent third-party (1) 12,837 12,724 113 1 % 1 %
  $69,632 $59,544 $10,088 17 % 15 %

 (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, 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 and EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance. Since free cash flow and EBITDA are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, free cash flow and EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Free cash flow and EBITDA 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. 

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" (unaudited, in thousands)

  Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,
  2009 2008
Cash flow from operating activities $81,196 $57,549
Cash flow from investing activities:    
Pawn and short-term loan receivables (4,273) (10,220)
Purchases of property and equipment (15,262) (20,200)
Free cash flow $61,661 $27,129

 

 

 

 

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 (unaudited, in thousands): 

  Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,
  2009 2008
     
Income from continuing operations $41,851 $36,848
Adjustments:    
Income taxes 25,003 21,783
Depreciation and amortization 10,073 10,128
Interest expense 765 793
Interest income (67) (55)
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes,    
depreciation and amortization $77,625 $69,497
     
EBITDA margin calculated as follows:    
Total revenue from continuing operations $365,954 $320,639
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes,    
depreciation and amortization 77,625 69,497
EBITDA as a percent of revenue 21% 22%

 

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 (December 31, 2008) of 13. 8 to 1 was used, compared to the current end of period (December 31, 2009) exchange rate of 13.1 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, 2008 was 13.1 to 1, which equaled the current quarter rate of 13.1 to 1.  The average exchange rate for the prior-year twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 was 11.2 to 1, compared to the current year rate of 13.5 to 1.

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