Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2009
Commission File No. 000-19424
EZCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   74-2540145
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1901 Capital Parkway
Austin, Texas 78746
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number: (512) 314-3400
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
The only class of voting securities of the registrant issued and outstanding is the Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, all of which is owned by one record holder who is an affiliate of the registrant. There is no trading market for the Class B Voting Common Stock.
As of June 30, 2009, 45,682,294 shares of the registrant’s Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 2,970,171 shares of the registrant’s Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.
 
 

 

 


 

EZCORP, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
         
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 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

 


Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1.   Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                         
    June 30,     June 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2008  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)          
    (In thousands)  
Assets:
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 46,546     $ 29,812     $ 27,444  
Pawn loans
    94,648       68,022       75,936  
Payday loans, net
    7,649       6,598       7,124  
Auto title loans, net
    1,126             1  
Pawn service charges receivable, net
    16,693       10,061       12,755  
Signature loan fees receivable, net
    5,105       5,086       5,406  
Auto title loan fees receivable, net
    352              
Inventory, net
    57,141       39,444       43,209  
Deferred tax asset, net
    15,809       9,007       10,926  
Federal income tax receivable
          454        
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    14,866       5,622       9,115  
 
                 
Total current assets
    259,935       174,106       191,916  
 
                       
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
    34,784       37,248       38,439  
Property and equipment, net
    49,752       38,661       40,079  
Deferred tax asset, non-current
    9,090       5,620       8,139  
Goodwill
    100,742       24,779       24,376  
Other assets, net
    17,892       5,585       5,771  
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 472,195     $ 285,999     $ 308,720  
 
                 
 
                       
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 10,000     $     $  
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
    33,958       24,120       29,425  
Customer layaway deposits
    3,603       2,254       2,327  
Federal income taxes payable
    1,988             246  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    49,549       26,374       31,998  
 
                       
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    27,500              
Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities
    3,352       2,909       3,672  
Commitments and contingencies
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 54 million shares; 45,692,294 issued and 45,682,294 outstanding at June 30, 2009; 38,497,830 issued and 38,470,731 outstanding at June 30, 2008; 38,564,331 issued and 38,554,331 outstanding at September 30, 2008
    457       385       386  
Class B Voting Common Stock, convertible, par value $.01 per share; 3 million shares authorized; 2,970,171 issued and outstanding
    30       30       30  
Additional paid-in capital
    215,961       134,598       135,895  
Retained earnings
    181,703       118,139       134,170  
Treasury stock, at cost; 10,000 shares at June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008; 30,000 shares at June 30, 2008
    (12 )     (35 )     (12 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (6,345 )     3,599       2,581  
 
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    391,794       256,716       273,050  
 
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 472,195     $ 285,999     $ 308,720  
 
                 
See Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
Revenues:
                               
Sales
  $ 81,309     $ 53,635     $ 234,902     $ 170,472  
Pawn service charges
    32,880       22,691       92,777       67,384  
Signature loan fees
    30,815       31,223       98,409       94,917  
Auto title loan fees
    1,030             1,666        
Other
    1,740       521       4,901       1,228  
 
                       
Total revenues
    147,774       108,070       432,655       334,001  
 
                               
Cost of goods sold
    50,965       31,460       147,816       101,732  
Signature loan bad debt
    8,618       8,545       23,174       24,847  
Auto title loan bad debt
    104             153        
 
                       
Net revenues
    88,087       68,065       261,512       207,422  
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Operations
    53,833       39,873       151,955       117,308  
Administrative
    9,687       8,527       29,892       25,418  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,254       3,081       9,471       9,027  
(Gain) loss on sale / disposal of assets
    (146 )     284       (967 )     527  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    66,628       51,765       190,351       152,280  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    21,459       16,300       71,161       55,142  
 
                               
Interest income
    (59 )     (165 )     (257 )     (359 )
Interest expense
    428       72       1,064       228  
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate
    (851 )     (997 )     (3,163 )     (3,162 )
Other
    11       11       38       11  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    21,930       17,379       73,479       58,424  
Income tax expense
    7,545       6,552       25,946       22,026  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 14,385     $ 10,827     $ 47,533     $ 36,398  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.30     $ 0.26     $ 1.01     $ 0.88  
 
                       
Diluted
  $ 0.29     $ 0.25     $ 1.00     $ 0.84  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    48,628       41,419       46,932       41,380  
Diluted
    49,279       43,325       47,724       43,269  
See Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
Operating Activities:
               
Net income
  $ 47,533     $ 36,398  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    9,471       9,027  
Payday loan and auto title loan loss provisions
    6,295       5,666  
Deferred taxes
    626       (856 )
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets
    (967 )     527  
Share-based compensation
    2,753       2,826  
Income from investment in unconsolidated affiliate
    (3,163 )     (3,162 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
               
Service charges and fees receivable, net
    768       1,196  
Inventory, net
    905       (120 )
Prepaid expenses, other current assets, and other assets, net
    (2,571 )     271  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (4,663 )     (1,327 )
Customer layaway deposits
    286       198  
Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities
    (265 )     (46 )
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    (1,724 )     (352 )
Federal income taxes
    3,566       (5,003 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    58,850       45,243  
 
               
Investing Activities:
               
Loans made
    (317,064 )     (245,280 )
Loans repaid
    204,806       152,840  
Recovery of pawn loan principal through sale of forfeited collateral
    113,040       80,751  
Additions to property and equipment
    (14,350 )     (13,094 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (41,002 )     (15,467 )
Dividends from unconsolidated affiliate
    1,634       1,745  
Proceeds from sale of assets
    1,062        
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (51,874 )     (38,505 )
 
               
Financing Activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants
    4,907       189  
Stock issuance costs related to acquisitions
    (442 )      
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    1,724       352  
Debt issuance costs
    (1,178 )      
Proceeds from bank borrowings
    40,000        
Payments on bank borrowings
    (32,885 )      
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    12,126       541  
 
               
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    19,102       7,279  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    27,444       22,533  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 46,546     $ 29,812  
 
           
 
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
Pawn loans forfeited and transferred to inventory
  $ 109,258     $ 81,115  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 8,926     $ (997 )
Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting principle
  $     $ 106  
Acquisition-related stock issuance
  $ 71,197     $  
Issuance of common stock to 401(k) plan
  $     $ 135  
See Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

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EZCORP, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2009
Note A: Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Our management has included all adjustments it considers necessary for a fair presentation. These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature except for those related to acquired businesses (described in Note C). The accompanying financial statements should be read with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008. The balance sheet at September 30, 2008 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Our business is subject to seasonal variations, and operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2009 (the “current quarter” and “current year-to-date period”) are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full fiscal year.
Note B: Significant Accounting Policies
CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We account for our interest in Albemarle & Bond Holdings, plc using the equity method.
PAWN LOAN AND SALES REVENUE RECOGNITION: We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several factors, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two to three months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market (net realizable value) of the property. We record sales revenue and the related cost when this inventory is sold. Sales tax collected upon the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead is recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities” on our balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.
SIGNATURE LOAN CREDIT SERVICE REVENUE RECOGNITION: We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of the fees we expect to collect, net of direct expenses, and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce credit service fee revenue upon loan default, and increase credit service fee revenue upon collection. Signature loan credit service revenue is included in “Signature loan fees” on our statements of operations.
SIGNATURE LOAN CREDIT SERVICE BAD DEBT: We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our credit service customers seeking signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fee. Although amounts paid under letters of credit may be collected later, we charge those amounts to signature loan bad debt upon default. We record recoveries under the letters of credit as a reduction of bad debt at the time of collection. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery. We account for the sale of defaulted accounts in the same manner as internal collections of defaulted accounts.
The majority of our credit service customers obtain short-term signature loans with a single maturity date. These short-term loans, with maturity dates averaging about 18 days, are considered defaulted if they have not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Other credit service customers obtain installment loans with a series of payments due over as much as a five-month period. If one payment of an installment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one installment payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted.

 

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ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES ON SIGNATURE LOAN CREDIT SERVICES: We provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered signature loans that have not yet matured. The allowance is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. It includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including principal, accrued interest, and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers (“Expected LOC Losses”). Changes in the allowance are charged to signature loan bad debt. We include the balance of Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets. At June 30, 2009, the allowance for Expected LOC Losses on signature loans was $1.5 million and our maximum exposure for losses on letters of credit, if all brokered signature loans defaulted and none was collected, was $22.2 million. This amount includes principal, interest, and insufficient funds fees. Based on the expected loss and collection percentages, we also provide an allowance for the signature loan credit service fees we expect not to collect, and charge changes in this allowance to signature loan fee revenue.
PAYDAY LOAN REVENUE RECOGNITION: We accrue fees in accordance with state laws on the percentage of payday loans we believe to be collectible. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce fee revenue upon loan default, and increase fee revenue upon collection. Payday loan fee revenue is included in “Signature loan fees” on our statements of operations.
PAYDAY LOAN BAD DEBT: We consider a loan defaulted if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, we charge the loan principal to signature loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. We record collections of principal as a reduction of signature loan bad debt when collected. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery. We account for the sale of defaulted accounts in the same manner as internal collections of defaulted accounts.
PAYDAY LOAN ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES: We also provide an allowance for losses on payday loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable, based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. We charge any changes in the principal valuation allowance to signature loan bad debt. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to signature loan fee revenue.
INVENTORY: If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan). We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. In order to state inventory at the lower of cost (specific identification) or market (net realizable value), we record an allowance for shrinkage and excess, obsolete, or slow-moving inventory. The allowance is based on the type and age of merchandise and recent sales trends and margins. At June 30, 2009, the inventory valuation allowance was $6.0 million, or 9.4% of gross inventory. We record changes in the inventory valuation allowance as cost of goods sold.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. They are tested for impairment each July 1st, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. We recognized no impairment of our intangible assets in the current or prior year periods. We amortize intangible assets with definite lives over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 2 to 8 years for furniture, equipment, and software development costs. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $99.2 million at June 30, 2009.
VALUATION OF TANGIBLE LONG-LIVED ASSETS: We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows; significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business; or significant negative industry trends. When we determine that the net recorded amount of tangible long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we measure impairment based on the excess of the assets’ net recorded amount over the estimated fair value. No impairment of tangible long-lived assets was recognized in the current or prior year periods.

 

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FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION: Our equity investment in Albemarle & Bond is translated from the U.K. pound into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate as of Albemarle & Bond’s balance sheet date. The related interest in Albemarle & Bond’s net income is translated at the average exchange rate for each six-month period reported by Albemarle & Bond. The functional currency of our wholly-owned Empeño Fácil pawn segment is the Mexican peso. Empeño Fácil’s balance sheet accounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and its earnings are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments from Albemarle & Bond and Empeño Fácil as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have not been significant, and are reported as “Other” expense in our statements of operations.
INCOME TAXES: We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized when the rate change is enacted.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION: We account for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-based Payment.” We estimate the grant-date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the options’ vesting periods. The fair value of restricted shares is measured as the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant, which is amortized over the vesting period for each grant.
SEGMENTS: We account for our operations in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” We manage our business operations and internal reporting as three reportable segments. See Note L for further discussion and separate data for each segment.
FAIR VALUE: We adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” on October 1, 2008, resulting in no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Among other requirements, SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”) and requires an entity to report in earnings at each subsequent reporting date those unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected. Upfront costs and fees related to items for which the fair value option is elected shall be recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 159, we elected not to measure any eligible items at fair value.
We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature. We consider investments with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The recorded value of our outstanding debt is assumed to estimate its fair value, as it has no prepayment penalty and a floating interest rate based on market rates.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS: In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations — Revised” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”). SFAS No. 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination: (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in an acquiree, (2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase price, and (3) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the consolidated financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Among other changes, SFAS No. 141(R) will require us to immediately expense transaction costs that have historically been included in the purchase price allocation under existing guidance. SFAS No. 141(R) will apply prospectively to any acquisitions we complete on or after October 1, 2009.

 

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In April 2008, FASB issued FSP No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets,” which amends the list of factors an entity should consider in developing renewal or extension assumptions used in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The new guidance applies to (1) intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets and (2) intangible assets acquired in both business combinations and asset acquisitions. Under FSP FAS 142-3, entities estimating the useful life of a recognized intangible asset must consider their historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements or, in the absence of historical experience, must consider assumptions that market participants would use about renewal or extension. We must adopt FSP FAS 142-3 in our fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. We do not expect adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2009, FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” which requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments in interim and annual financial statements. We adopted this standard on June 30, 2009, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (“SFAS No. 165”). SFAS No. 165 establishes principles and standards related to the accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. SFAS No. 165 requires us to recognize, in the financial statements, subsequent events that provide additional information about conditions that existed at the balance sheet date. Subsequent events that provide information about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date shall not be recognized in the financial statements under SFAS No. 165. We adopted this standard on June 30, 2009, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No 46(R)” (“SFAS No. 167”). SFAS No. 167 retains the scope of Interpretation 46(R) with the addition of entities previously considered qualifying special purpose entities, as the concept of these entities was eliminated in SFAS No. 166. We must adopt this standard in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. We expect adoption of SFAS No. 167 will have no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” (“SFAS No. 168”). Under SFAS No. 168, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification will become the only source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) to be applied by non-governmental entities. On the effective date of this statement, the Codification will supersede all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. We must adopt this standard September 30, 2009. As the Codification does not create new accounting rules but only provides a comprehensive system to reorganize existing U.S. GAAP in a single authoritative source, its adoption will have no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Note C: Acquisitions
On October 22, 2007, we completed the acquisition of twenty Mexico pawnshops from MMFS Intl., S.A. de C.V, a subsidiary of Mister Money Holdings, Inc., for $15.5 million cash and direct transaction costs.
The purchase price was allocated as follows (in thousands):
         
Current assets:
       
Pawn loans
  $ 3,230  
Pawn service charges receivable, net
    224  
Inventory, net
    940  
Deferred tax asset
    41  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    40  
 
     
Total current assets
    4,475  
 
       
Property and equipment
    800  
Non-compete agreement
    2,000  
Goodwill
    8,156  
Other assets, net
    131  
 
     
Total assets
  $ 15,562  
 
       
Liabilities:
       
Accrued liabilities
  $ (30 )
Customer deposits
    (65 )
 
     
Total liabilities
    (95 )
 
     
Net assets acquired
  $ 15,467  
 
     
The results of the acquired stores have been consolidated with our results since their acquisition. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The goodwill noted above was recorded in the Empeño Fácil Mexico pawn segment and is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes over the fifteen years following the acquisition.
On November 13, 2008, we acquired the operating assets of 11 pawnshops in the Las Vegas, Nevada area that operated under the Pawn Plus, Pawn Place and ASAP Pawn brands for approximately $34.4 million. The purchase price was paid by issuing approximately 1.1 million shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock valued at $17.3 million, paying $17.0 million to the seller and incurring $0.1 million in transaction costs. We estimated the fair value of the stock issued in the asset purchase at $15.45 per share, based on the market price of our stock surrounding the closing date of the acquisition.
Since the date of acquisition, the total purchase price increased approximately $48,000 due to additional transaction related costs that were not known at the point of acquisition. We engaged an external valuation specialist as part of our process in determining the fair values. Taking into consideration their updated analysis and facts learned after the acquisition, the preliminary purchase price allocation was adjusted.
The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary. We are gathering information to finalize the valuation of assets and liabilities. Any subsequent adjustments to separately identified tangible or intangible assets will be recorded with an offsetting adjustment to goodwill. We will complete the valuation within a year of the acquisition. Other assets recorded include the estimated $6.7 million value of pawn licenses acquired. As these are considered indefinite lived intangible assets, they will not be amortized but will be tested at least annually for potential impairment.
The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based on several strategic and synergistic benefits we expect to realize from the acquisition. These benefits include a greater presence in a prime pawn market, a meaningful entry into the auto title loan business, increased scale and the ability to implement certain processes and practices at the acquired stores in our existing and planned other operations. The goodwill arising from this acquisition was recorded in the U.S. Pawn segment and is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes over the fifteen years following the acquisition.

 

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The results of the acquired stores have been consolidated with our results since their acquisition. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
The purchase price is preliminarily allocated as follows, including the adjustments discussed above (in thousands):
         
Current assets:
       
Pawn loans
  $ 5,442  
Payday loans, net
    55  
Auto title loans, net
    1,090  
Pawn service charges receivable, net
    1,231  
Signature loan fees receivable, net
    7  
Auto title loan fees receivable, net
    84  
Inventory, net
    2,860  
Deferred tax asset, net
    334  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    79  
 
     
Total current assets
    11,182  
 
       
Property and equipment, net
    392  
Goodwill
    16,312  
Other assets, net
    6,711  
 
     
Total assets
  $ 34,597  
 
       
Liabilities:
       
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
  $ (27 )
Customer layaway deposits
    (135 )
 
     
Total liabilities
    (162 )
 
     
Net assets acquired
  $ 34,435  
 
     
On December 31, 2008, we acquired through a merger all of the capital stock of Value Financial Services, Inc. (“VFS”) for a total estimated acquisition price of $77.7 million plus the assumption of VFS’s debt of $30.4 million, aggregating to approximately $108.1 million. VFS operated 67 pawn stores, located mostly in Florida. See our registration statement on Form S-4 (File number 333-153703), as amended and filed with the SEC on December 2, 2008, for a detailed description of the procedure for calculation and payment of the merger consideration to VFS shareholders.
The total purchase price was comprised of the issuance of approximately 4.1 million shares of EZCORP’s Class A Non-voting Common Stock originally valued at $64.6 million, $13.6 million of cash paid to VFS shareholders, and transaction costs of $0.9 million, less $1.4 million of cash acquired. We estimated the fair value of the stock issued in the acquisition at $15.92 per share, based on the average daily closing market price of our stock from two days before to two days after the announcement of the merger agreement.
Since the date of acquisition, the total purchase price increased approximately $0.3 million due to additional transaction related costs identified after the point of acquisition. We engaged an external valuation specialist as part of our process in determining the fair values. Taking into consideration their updated analysis and facts learned after the acquisition, the preliminary purchase price allocation was adjusted.
The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary. We are gathering information to finalize the valuation of assets and liabilities. Any subsequent adjustments to separately identified tangible or intangible assets will be recorded with an offsetting adjustment to goodwill. We will complete the valuation within a year of the acquisition. Other assets recorded include the estimated $4.9 million fair value of the acquired trademark and trade names and $0.6 million of favorable lease assets. As we expect to use the trademark and trade names indefinitely, they will not be amortized but will be tested at least annually for potential impairment. The favorable lease assets will be amortized over the related lease terms used for straight-line rent purposes.

 

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The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based on several strategic and synergistic benefits we expect to realize from the acquisition. These benefits include a greater presence in prime pawn markets including making us the largest pawnshop operator in Florida, expected administrative savings, increased scale and the ability to implement certain processes and practices at the acquired company in our existing and future operations. The goodwill arising from this acquisition was recorded in the U.S. Pawn segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes due to the acquisition being a stock acquisition rather than an asset acquisition.
The purchase price is preliminarily allocated as follows, including the adjustments discussed above (in thousands):
         
Current assets:
       
Pawn loans
  $ 17,886  
Pawn service charges receivable, net
    3,491  
Inventory, net
    16,265  
Deferred tax asset, net
    4,557  
Federal income taxes receivable
    53  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    1,434  
 
     
Total current assets
    43,686  
 
       
Property and equipment, net
    5,580  
Deferred tax asset, non-current
    1,578  
Goodwill
    61,542  
Other assets, net
    5,830  
 
     
Total assets
  $ 118,216  
 
       
Current Liabilities:
       
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ (4,000 )
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
    (9,276 )
Customer layaway deposits
    (872 )
 
     
Total Current liabilities
    (14,148 )
 
       
Long-term debt
    (26,385 )
 
     
Total Liabilities
    (40,533 )
 
     
Net assets acquired
  $ 77,683  
 
     
The total purchase price presented above excludes contingent consideration paid under the terms of the acquisition, which depended on the price at which VFS shareholders sold their EZCORP shares. Between the closing of the acquisition and June 30, 2009, we paid $10.7 million of contingent consideration to VFS shareholders related to the sale of approximately 3.9 million EZCORP shares. At June 30, 2009, approximately 0.2 million shares remained eligible for contingent payments if the EZCORP shares were sold by May 5, 2009. In accordance with accounting rules for contingent payments based on the acquirer’s stock price, all contingent consideration paid was recorded as a reduction of the additional paid-in capital recorded with the stock issuance and did not change the total recorded purchase price. See our registration statement on Form S-4 (File number 333-153703), as amended and filed with the SEC on December 2, 2008, for a detailed description of the terms of the contingent payments to VFS shareholders.
Separate audited historical financial statements of VFS for the year ended December 31, 2007 and unaudited interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 are presented in our registration statement on Form S-4 (File number 333-153703) filed with the SEC on December 2, 2008.
The results of the acquired stores have been consolidated with our results since their acquisition. The following table summarizes unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations assuming the acquisition had occurred on the first day of fiscal 2008. Although VFS’s historical fiscal year ends on a different date than that of EZCORP, all VFS data included in the pro forma information are actual amounts for the periods indicated. We have not finalized our purchase price allocation, and accordingly, this pro forma information does not include all potential adjustments to that allocation or costs related to the acquisition.

 

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We expect and have realized operating synergies and administrative savings. These come primarily from using the best practices from EZCORP and VFS in each business, economies of scale, reduced administrative support staff and the closure of VFS’s corporate offices. The pro forma information does not include any potential operating efficiencies or cost savings from expected synergies. The pro forma information is not necessarily an indication of the results that would have been achieved had the acquisition been completed as of the date indicated or that may be achieved in the future. As VFS was acquired December 31, 2008, the information presented below for the three months ended June 30, 2009 includes the results from VFS, requiring no pro forma adjustments for that period.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (Unaudited and Pro Forma)  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
Revenues:
                               
Sales
  $ 81,309     $ 74,055     $ 262,817     $ 237,289  
Pawn service charges
    32,880       30,453       101,627       90,099  
Signature loan fees
    30,815       31,223       98,409       94,917  
Auto title loan fees
    1,030             1,666        
Other
    1,740       884       5,373       2,406  
 
                       
Total revenues
    147,774       136,615       469,892       424,711  
 
                               
Cost of goods sold
    50,965       43,833       164,967       142,305  
Signature loan bad debt
    8,618       8,545       23,174       24,847  
Auto title loan bad debt
    104             153        
 
                       
Net revenues
    88,087       84,237       281,598       257,559  
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Operations
    53,833       49,585       162,824       146,343  
Administrative
    9,687       11,333       35,249       35,237  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,254       3,558       9,744       10,482  
(Gain) loss on sale/disposal of assets
    (146 )     293       (938 )     588  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    66,628       64,769       206,879       192,650  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    21,459       19,468       74,719       64,909  
 
                               
Interest expense, net
    369       396       1,296       1,336  
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate
    (851 )     (997 )     (3,163 )     (3,162 )
Other
    11       11       38       11  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    21,930       20,058       76,548       66,724  
Income tax expense
    7,545       7,623       27,129       25,149  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 14,385     $ 12,435     $ 49,419     $ 41,575  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.30     $ 0.27     $ 1.02     $ 0.91  
 
                       
Diluted
  $ 0.29     $ 0.26     $ 1.01     $ 0.88  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    48,628       45,477       48,285       45,438  
Diluted
    49,279       47,383       49,077       47,327  
The table above includes an actual (for the three months ended June 30, 2009) or pro forma loss of interest income from cash paid to former VFS shareholders through June 30, 2009 for contingent consideration. It does not include a pro forma loss of interest income for any contingent payments that will be required on the sale of the 0.2 million EZCORP shares remaining eligible for contingent consideration at June 30, 2009, as we do not yet know the amount of contingent consideration we will pay related to those shares, if any. As discussed above, we expect little to no additional claims for contingent consideration.

 

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The following items occurred in the six months ended March 31, 2008 and, as a result, are included in pro forma results for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2008 but are excluded from the quarter then ended. Included in pro forma administrative expense in the nine months ended June 30, 2008 is a non-recurring $1.2 million charge for the write-off of costs related to VFS’s previously planned initial public offering, which it abandoned to pursue the acquisition by EZCORP. Included in the pro forma administrative expense in the nine months ended June 30, 2008 is a non-recurring charge of $0.8 million for VFS’s in-process development of a point of sale system that was abandoned and replaced by EZCORP’s point of sale system.
Note D: Earnings Per Share
We compute basic earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. We compute diluted earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards.
Components of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net income (A)
  $ 14,385     $ 10,827     $ 47,533     $ 36,398  
 
                               
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock (B)
    48,628       41,419       46,932       41,380  
Dilutive effect of stock options, warrants, and restricted stock
    651       1,906       792       1,889  
 
                       
Weighted average common stock and common stock equivalents (C)
    49,279       43,325       47,724       43,269  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earnings per share (A/B)
  $ 0.30     $ 0.26     $ 1.01     $ 0.88  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted earnings per share (A/C)
  $ 0.29     $ 0.25     $ 1.00     $ 0.84  
 
                       
Anti-dilutive options, warrants and restricted stock grants have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the assumed proceeds upon exercise, as defined by SFAS No. 123(R), were greater than the cost to re-acquire the same number of shares at the average market price, and therefore the effect would be anti-dilutive.
As described in Note C, we issued approximately 1.1 million shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock on November 13, 2008 and approximately 4.1 million shares on December 31, 2008 in conjunction with the completion of two acquisitions on those dates. The additional shares have been included in our calculations of weighted average shares outstanding since the dates of the acquisitions. The year-to-date dilutive effect of the additional shares will increase in the remainder of fiscal 2009 as they are outstanding for a larger portion of the year.
Note E: Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate
At June 30, 2009, we owned 16,298,875 common shares of Albemarle & Bond Holdings, plc, or approximately 29.58% of Albemarle & Bond’s total outstanding shares. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. Since Albemarle & Bond’s fiscal year ends three months prior to ours, we report the income from this investment on a three-month lag. Albemarle & Bond files interim and annual financial reports for its fiscal periods ending December 31 and June 30. The income reported for our year-to-date period ended June 30, 2009 represents our percentage interest in the estimated results of Albemarle & Bond’s operations from July 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.

 

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Below is summarized financial information for Albemarle & Bond’s most recently reported results (using average exchange rates for the periods indicated):
                 
    Six Months Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  
Turnover (gross revenues)
  $ 45,977     $ 50,660  
Gross profit
    34,859       36,574  
Profit after tax (net income)
    7,718       7,230  
Note F: Contingencies
Currently and from time to time, we are defendants in various legal and regulatory actions. While we cannot determine the ultimate outcome of these actions, we believe their resolution will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, we cannot give any assurance as to their ultimate outcome.
Note G: Comprehensive Income
Certain revenues, expenses, gains and losses are excluded from net income and instead are included as a component of total stockholders’ equity. Comprehensive income includes these items plus all items recognized in net income. Comprehensive income for the quarter and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2009 was $15.7 million and $38.6 million. For the comparable 2008 periods, comprehensive income was $11.5 million and $37.4 million. The difference between comprehensive income and net income results primarily from the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments determined in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.” At June 30, 2009, the accumulated balance of foreign currency activity excluded from net income was $(7.6) million, net of applicable tax of $1.3 million. The net $(6.3) million is presented as “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the balance sheet at June 30, 2009.
Note H: Long-term Debt
Our syndicated credit agreement provides for, among other things, (i) an $80 million revolving credit facility, maturing December 31, 2011, that we may, under the terms of the agreement, request to be increased to a total of $110 million and (ii) a $40 million term loan, maturing December 31, 2012. Our term loan requires $2.5 million quarterly principal payments. At June 30, 2009, $37.5 million was outstanding under the term loan, but the $80 million revolving credit facility remained unused.
Pursuant to the credit agreement, we may choose either a Eurodollar rate or the base rate. We may choose to pay interest to the lenders for outstanding borrowings at the Eurodollar rate plus 175 to 250 basis points or the base rate plus 0 to 50 basis points, depending upon the leverage ratio computed at the end of each calendar quarter. Our rates are currently at the minimum of the range. Regardless of our leverage ratio and as an inducement to our lenders, we paid interest at the Eurodollar rate plus 250 basis points from December 31, 2008 through June 30, 2009. On the unused amount of the revolving credit facility, we pay a commitment fee of 25 to 30 basis points depending on the leverage ratio calculated at the end of each quarter. Terms of the credit agreement require, among other things, that we meet certain financial covenants. We were in compliance with all covenants at June 30, 2009 and expect to remain in compliance based on our current and anticipated performance. The payment of dividends is prohibited and additional debt is restricted.
Upon acquiring VFS, we assumed VFS’s outstanding debt of $30.4 million. Immediately after the acquisition, on December 31, 2008, we repaid and terminated VFS’s outstanding bank debt of $30.1 million plus accrued interest. The remaining $0.3 million of VFS’s debt we assumed in the acquisition was comprised of outstanding debentures that we repaid and retired in early January 2009 with no prepayment penalty.
Deferred financing costs of $1.0 million related to our credit agreement are included in Other assets, net in our June 30, 2009 balance sheet. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over their three-year estimated useful life.

 

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Note I: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table presents the balance of each major class of indefinite-lived intangible asset at the specified dates:
                         
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008     September 30, 2008  
    (In thousands)  
Pawn licenses
  $ 8,229     $ 1,549     $ 1,549  
Trade Name
    4,870              
Goodwill
    100,742       24,779       24,376  
 
                 
Total
  $ 113,841     $ 26,328     $ 25,925  
 
                 
The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of definite-lived intangible asset at the specified dates:
                                                 
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008     September 30, 2008  
    Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying     Accumulated  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization  
    (In thousands)  
License application fees
  $ 345     $ (334 )   $ 345     $ (311 )   $ 345     $ (318 )
Real estate finders’ fees
    556       (357 )     556       (340 )     556       (345 )
Non-compete agreements
    2,534       (1,095 )     2,998       (712 )     2,899       (829 )
Favorable lease asset
    644       (63 )                        
 
                                   
Total
  $ 4,079     $ (1,849 )   $ 3,899     $ (1,363 )   $ 3,800     $ (1,492 )
 
                                   
Total amortization expense from definite-lived intangible assets for the quarter and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2009 was $121,000 and $359,000. For the comparable 2008 periods, amortization expense was $146,000 and $414,000. The favorable lease asset is amortized to rent expense and is included in Operations expense on our statements of operations. The following table presents our estimate of amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years as of October 1, 2008, including the effect of current year acquisitions (in thousands):
         
Fiscal Year   Amortization Expense  
2009
  $ 480  
2010
  $ 472  
2011
  $ 465  
2012
  $ 433  
2013
  $ 30  
These amounts exclude amortization of the favorable lease asset, which is amortized to rent expense over the related lease terms. As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, amortization expense may vary from these estimates.
Note J: Common Stock, Warrants, Options, and Share-based Compensation
Our income includes the following share-based compensation expense, determined in accordance with the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123(R):
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (in thousands)  
Gross share-based compensation cost
  $ 971     $ 902     $ 2,753     $ 2,826  
Income tax benefit
    (320 )     (275 )     (946 )     (874 )
 
                       
Share-based compensation cost, net of tax benefit
  $ 651     $ 627     $ 1,807     $ 1,952  
 
                       

 

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Stock option and warrant exercises resulted in the issuance of 53,649 shares of Class A Non-voting Common Stock in the current quarter for total proceeds of $0.2 million. For the current year-to-date period, 1,501,063 shares of Class A Non-voting Common Stock were issued for total proceeds of $4.9 million. Also, on October 2, 2008, restrictions lapsed on 324,000 restricted shares granted in October 2006 to our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our Board of Directors. On January 14, 2009, restrictions lapsed on 120,000 restricted shares granted in January 2004 to our Chief Executive Officer. These restriction lapses resulted in the increase in the shares of Class A Non-voting Common Stock outstanding.
Effective October 1, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an award of restricted stock to 54 key employees and the Board of Directors approved an award of restricted stock to our independent directors. In total, we awarded 143,500 shares of restricted stock. The key employees’ awards will vest October 1, 2011 and the independent directors’ awards will vest 50% per year on October 1, 2009 and 2010. The aggregate market value of the restricted stock on the award date was $2.6 million.
In conjunction with the November 13, 2008 acquisition of 11 pawnshops in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, we issued approximately 1.1 million shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock valued at $17.3 million. In conjunction with the December 31, 2008 acquisition of VFS, we issued approximately 4.1 million shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock valued at $64.6 million. Both of these acquisitions and the total consideration issued are described more fully in Note C, “Acquisitions.”
Note K: Income Taxes
The current quarter’s effective tax rate is 34.4% of pretax income compared to 37.7% for the prior year quarter. For the current year-to-date period, the effective tax rate is 35.3% compared to 37.7% in the prior year-to-date period. The decrease in effective tax rates is primarily due to the current year refund claim for prior year tax credits, current year tax credits, and a lower expected Texas margin tax than in the prior year period.

 

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Note L: Operating Segment Information
We manage our business and internal reporting as three reportable segments with operating results reported separately for each segment.
    The U.S. Pawn Operations segment offers pawn related activities in our 370 domestic pawn stores, offers signature loans in 77 pawn stores and six EZMONEY stores and offers auto title loans in 35 pawn stores.
    The Empeño Fácil segment offers pawn related activities in 47 Mexico pawn stores.
    The EZMONEY Operations segment offers signature loans in 474 domestic EZMONEY stores and offers auto title loans in 246 of these EZMONEY stores.
There are no inter-segment revenues, and the amounts below were determined in accordance with the same accounting principles used in our consolidated financial statements. The following tables present operating segment information:
                                 
    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009:
                               
Revenues:
                               
Sales
  $ 78,519     $ 2,790     $     $ 81,309  
Pawn service charges
    31,409       1,471             32,880  
Signature loan fees
    523             30,292       30,815  
Auto title loan fees
    430             600       1,030  
Other
    1,706       34             1,740  
 
                       
Total revenues
    112,587       4,295       30,892       147,774  
 
                               
Cost of goods sold
    49,157       1,808             50,965  
Signature loan bad debt
    237             8,381       8,618  
Auto title loan bad debt
    30             74       104  
 
                       
Net revenues
    63,163       2,487       22,437       88,087  
 
                               
Operations expense
    37,719       1,441       14,673       53,833  
 
                       
Store operating income
  $ 25,444     $ 1,046     $ 7,764     $ 34,254  
 
                       
 
                               
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008:
                               
Revenues:
                               
Sales
  $ 51,799     $ 1,836     $     $ 53,635  
Pawn service charges
    21,378       1,313             22,691  
Signature loan fees
    650             30,573       31,223  
Auto title loan fees
                       
Other
    521                   521  
 
                       
Total revenues
    74,348       3,149       30,573       108,070  
 
                               
Cost of goods sold
    30,301       1,159             31,460  
Signature loan bad debt
    202             8,343       8,545  
Auto title loan bad debt
                       
 
                       
Net revenues
    43,845       1,990       22,230       68,065  
 
                               
Operations expense
    24,831       1,065       13,977       39,873  
 
                       
Store operating income
  $ 19,014     $ 925     $ 8,253     $ 28,192  
 
                       

 

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    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009:
                               
Revenues:
                               
Sales
  $ 227,494     $ 7,408     $     $ 234,902  
Pawn service charges
    88,558       4,219             92,777  
Signature loan fees
    1,766             96,643       98,409  
Auto title loan fees
    991             675       1,666  
Other
    4,866       35             4,901  
 
                       
Total revenues
    323,675       11,662       97,318       432,655  
 
                               
Cost of goods sold
    143,167       4,649             147,816  
Signature loan bad debt
    581             22,593       23,174  
Auto title loan bad debt
    72             81       153  
 
                       
Net revenues
    179,855       7,013       74,644       261,512  
 
                               
Operations expense
    102,764       4,024       45,167       151,955  
 
                       
Store operating income
  $ 77,091     $ 2,989     $ 29,477     $ 109,557  
 
                       
 
                               
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008:
                               
Revenues:
                               
Sales
  $ 165,749     $ 4,723     $     $ 170,472  
Pawn service charges
    64,089       3,295             67,384  
Signature loan fees
    2,131             92,786       94,917  
Auto title loan fees
                       
Other
    1,224       4             1,228  
 
                       
Total revenues
    233,193       8,022       92,786       334,001  
 
                               
Cost of goods sold
    98,853       2,879             101,732  
Signature loan bad debt
    741             24,106       24,847  
Auto title loan bad debt
                       
 
                       
Net revenues
    133,599       5,143       68,680       207,422  
 
                               
Operations expense
    72,831       2,810       41,667       117,308  
 
                       
Store operating income
  $ 60,768     $ 2,333     $ 27,013     $ 90,114  
 
                       
The following table reconciles store operating income, as shown above, to our consolidated income before income taxes:
                                 
                     
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (in thousands)  
Consolidated store operating income
  $ 34,254     $ 28,192     $ 109,557     $ 90,114  
Administrative expenses
    9,687       8,527       29,892       25,418  
Depreciation and amortization
    3,254       3,081       9,471       9,027  
(Gain) loss on sale / disposal of assets
    (146 )     284       (967 )     527  
Interest income
    (59 )     (165 )     (257 )     (359 )
Interest expense
    428       72       1,064       228  
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate
    (851 )     (997 )     (3,163 )     (3,162 )
Other
    11       11       38       11  
 
                       
Consolidated income before income taxes
  $ 21,930     $ 17,379     $ 73,479     $ 58,424  
 
                       

 

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The following table presents separately identified segment assets:
                                 
    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  
Assets at June 30, 2009:
                               
Pawn loans
  $ 91,451     $ 3,197     $     $ 94,648  
Payday loans, net
    463             7,186       7,649  
Auto title loans, net
    695             431       1,126  
Inventory, net
    54,115       3,026             57,141  
 
                       
Total separately identified recorded segment assets
  $ 146,724     $ 6,223     $ 7,617     $ 160,564  
 
                       
 
Brokered signature loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders
  $ 260     $     $ 20,673     $ 20,933  
Brokered auto title loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders
  $ 133     $     $ 1,040     $ 1,173  
 
                               
Assets at June 30, 2008:
                               
Pawn loans
  $ 63,741     $ 4,281     $     $ 68,022  
Payday loans, net
    421             6,177       6,598  
Auto title loans, net
                       
Inventory, net
    37,303       2,141             39,444  
 
                       
Total separately identified recorded segment assets
  $ 101,465     $ 6,422     $ 6,177     $ 114,064  
 
                       
 
Brokered signature loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders
  $ 390     $     $ 22,009     $ 22,399  
Brokered auto title loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders
  $     $     $     $  
 
                               
Assets at September 30, 2008:
                               
Pawn loans
  $ 71,393     $ 4,543     $     $ 75,936  
Payday loans, net
    472             6,652       7,124  
Auto title loans, net
                1       1  
Inventory, net
    40,357       2,852             43,209  
 
                       
Total separately identified recorded segment assets
  $ 112,222     $ 7,395     $ 6,653     $ 126,270  
 
                       
 
Brokered signature loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders
  $ 384     $     $ 23,169     $ 23,553  
Brokered auto title loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders
  $     $     $     $  
Brokered loans are not recorded as an asset on our balance sheets, as we do not own a participation in the loans made by independent lenders. We monitor the principal balance of these loans, as our credit service fees, auto title loan fees and bad debt are directly related to their volume due to the letters of credit we issue on these loans. The balances shown above are the gross principal balances of the loans outstanding at the specified dates.

 

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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The discussion in this section contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this report.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 vs. Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
The following table presents selected, unaudited, consolidated financial data for our three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (the current and prior year quarters):
                         
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Percentage  
    2009     2008     Change  
    (in thousands)        
Net revenues:
                       
Sales
  $ 81,309     $ 53,635       51.6 %
Pawn service charges
    32,880       22,691       44.9 %
Signature loan fees
    30,815       31,223       (1.3 )%
Auto title loan fees
    1,030             N/A  
Other
    1,740       521       234.0 %
 
                   
Total revenues
    147,774       108,070       36.7 %
 
                       
Cost of goods sold
    50,965       31,460       62.0 %
Signature loan bad debt
    8,618       8,545       0.9 %
Auto title loan bad debt
    104             N/A  
 
                   
Net revenues
  $ 88,087     $ 68,065       29.4 %
 
                   
Net income
  $ 14,385     $ 10,827       32.9 %
 
                   
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009 vs. Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008
The following table presents selected, unaudited, consolidated financial data for our nine-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (the current and prior year-to-date periods):
                         
    Nine Months Ended June 30,     Percentage  
    2009     2008     Change  
    (in thousands)        
Net revenues:
                       
Sales
  $ 234,902     $ 170,472       37.8 %
Pawn service charges
    92,777       67,384       37.7 %
Signature loan fees
    98,409       94,917       3.7 %
Auto title loan fees
    1,666             N/A  
Other
    4,901       1,228       299.1 %
 
                   
Total revenues
    432,655       334,001       29.5 %
 
                       
Cost of goods sold
    147,816       101,732       45.3 %
Signature loan bad debt
    23,174       24,847       (6.7 )%
Auto title loan bad debt
    153             N/A  
 
                   
Net revenues
  $ 261,512     $ 207,422       26.1 %
 
                   
Net income
  $ 47,533     $ 36,398       30.6 %
 
                   

 

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Consolidated signature loan data (combined payday loan and credit service activities) are as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
                               
Fee revenue
  $ 30,815     $ 31,223     $ 98,409     $ 94,917  
Bad debt:
                               
Net defaults, including interest on brokered loans
    8,020       8,054       23,169       23,578  
Insufficient funds fees, net of collections
    248       267       723       862  
Change in valuation allowance
    313       177       (880 )     191  
Other related costs
    37       47       162       216  
 
                       
Net bad debt
    8,618       8,545       23,174       24,847  
 
                       
Fee revenue less bad debt
  $ 22,197     $ 22,678     $ 75,235     $ 70,070  
 
                       
 
                               
Average signature loan balance outstanding during period (a)
  $ 26,396     $ 27,514     $ 28,350     $ 28,311  
Signature loan balance at end of period (a)
  $ 28,582     $ 28,997     $ 28,582     $ 28,997  
Participating stores at end of period
    557       532       557       532  
Signature loan bad debt, as a percent of fee revenue
    28.0 %     27.4 %     23.5 %     26.2 %
Net default rate (a) (b)
    5.2 %     5.0 %     4.8 %     4.8 %
     
(a)   Signature loan balances include payday loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
 
(b)   Principal defaults net of collections, as a percentage of signature loans made and renewed.

 

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Overview
At 897 locations open on June 30, 2009, we lend or provide credit services to individuals who do not have cash resources or access to credit to meet their short-term cash needs. We offer pawn loans in our 370 domestic pawn stores (operating as EZPAWN or Value Pawn) and 47 Mexico pawn stores (operating as Empeño Fácil). Pawn loans are non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible personal property. At these stores, we also sell merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from our pawn lending operations, to customers looking for good value. In our 480 EZMONEY stores (six of which are managed by our U.S. Pawn Operations segment) and 77 of our domestic pawn stores open June 30, 2009, we offer short-term non-collateralized loans, often called payday loans, or fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans (collectively, “signature loans”). In 246 of our EZMONEY stores and 35 of our domestic pawn stores, we offer 30-day auto title loans collateralized by the titles to borrowers’ automobiles, or fee-based credit services to customers seeking auto title loans (collectively, “auto title loans”).
We manage our business as three segments. The U.S. Pawn Operations segment offers pawn related activities in all 370 U.S. pawn stores, signature loans in 77 U.S. pawn stores and six EZMONEY stores, and auto title loans in 35 U.S. pawn stores. The Empeño Fácil segment offers pawn related activities in all 47 Mexico pawn stores. The EZMONEY Operations segment offers signature loans in 474 EZMONEY stores and offers auto title loans in 246 of these stores. This segment accounts for approximately 98% of our consolidated signature loan revenues and 58% of our auto title loan revenues in the current quarter. The following tables present store data by operating segment:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2009  
    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
Stores in operation:
                               
Beginning of period
    377       45       476       898  
New openings
          2       2       4  
Acquired
                       
Sold, combined, or closed
    (1 )           (4 )     (5 )
 
                       
End of period
    376       47       474       897  
 
                       
 
Average number of stores during the period
    377       46       475       897  
                                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009  
    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
Stores in operation:
                               
Beginning of period
    300       38       471       809  
New openings
          8       16       24  
Acquired
    77       1             78  
Sold, combined, or closed
    (1 )           (13 )     (14 )
 
                       
End of period
    376       47       474       897  
 
                       
 
Average number of stores during the period
    355       42       473       870  
 
                               
Composition of ending stores:
                               
Pawn
    370       47             417  
Signature loan stores adjoining domestic pawn stores
    6             151       157  
Signature loan stores — free standing
                323       323  
 
                       
Total stores in operation
    376       47       474       897  
 
                       
 
Total stores offering signature loans
    83             474       557  
Total stores offering auto title loans
    35             246       281  

 

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    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
Stores in operation:
                               
Beginning of period
    300       26       456       782  
New openings
          4       13       17  
Acquired
                       
Sold, combined, or closed
                (14 )     (14 )
 
                       
End of period
    300       30       455       785  
 
                       
 
Average number of stores during the period
    300       28       459       787  
                                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    U.S. Pawn     Empeño     EZMONEY        
    Operations     Fácil     Operations     Consolidated  
Stores in operation:
                               
Beginning of period
    300       4       427       731  
New openings
          6       47       53  
Acquired
          20             20  
Sold, combined, or closed
                (19 )     (19 )
 
                       
End of period
    300       30       455       785  
 
                       
 
Average number of stores during the period
    300       24       446       770  
 
                               
Composition of ending stores:
                               
Pawn
    294       30             324  
Signature loan stores adjoining domestic pawn stores
    6             150       156  
Signature loan stores — free standing
                305       305  
 
                       
Total stores in operation
    300       30       455       785  
 
                       
 
Total stores offering signature loans
    77             455       532  
Total stores offering auto title loans
                       
We earn pawn service charge revenues on our pawn lending. While allowable service charges vary by state and loan size, a majority of our U.S. pawn loans earn 20% per month, or 240% annually. Our average U.S. pawn loan amount typically ranges between $80 and $100 but varies depending on the valuation of each item pawned. The total U.S. loan term ranges between 60 and 120 days, consisting of the primary term and grace period. In Mexico, pawn service charges range from 13% to 20% per month, but a majority of our pawn loans earn 18% net of applicable taxes. The total Mexico pawn loan term is 40 days, consisting of the primary term and grace period.
In our pawnshops, we acquire inventory for retail sales primarily through pawn loan forfeitures and, to a lesser extent, through purchases of customers’ merchandise. The gross profit on sales of inventory depends primarily on our assessment of the loan or purchase value at the time the property is either accepted as loan collateral or purchased. Improper value assessment in the lending or purchasing process can result in lower margins or reduced marketability of the merchandise.

 

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One indicator of lower marketability is how long we have held the inventory. The table below summarizes the age of our inventory and the related valuation allowance on a consolidated basis:
                                 
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008  
    Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Jewelry:
                               
Gross inventory held one year or less
  $ 27,424       79.1 %   $ 20,362       81.5 %
Gross inventory held more than one year
    7,235       20.9 %     4,624       18.5 %
 
                       
Total jewelry inventory, gross
    34,659       100.0 %     24,986       100.0 %
 
                               
General merchandise:
                               
Gross inventory held one year or less
    26,414       92.9 %     17,456       93.1 %
Gross inventory held more than one year
    2,022       7.1 %     1,302       6.9 %
 
                       
Total general merchandise, gross
    28,436       100.0 %     18,758       100.0 %
 
                               
Total inventory:
                               
Gross inventory held one year or less
    53,838       85.3 %     37,818       86.5 %
Gross inventory held more than one year
    9,257       14.7 %     5,926       13.5 %
 
                       
Total inventory, gross
    63,095       100.0 %     43,744       100.0 %
Valuation allowance
    (5,954 )     (9.4 %)     (4,300 )     (9.8 %)
 
                           
Total inventory, net
  $ 57,141             $ 39,444          
 
                           
We record a valuation allowance for shrinkage and excess, obsolete, or slow-moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise and recent sales trends and margins. We generally establish a higher allowance percentage on general merchandise, as it is more susceptible to obsolescence, and establish a lower allowance percentage on jewelry, as it retains much greater commodity value. The total allowance was 9.4% of gross inventory at June 30, 2009 compared to 9.8% at June 30, 2008. Changes in the valuation allowance are charged to merchandise cost of goods sold.
At June 30, 2009, 295 of our 480 EZMONEY stores and 44 of our 370 domestic pawn stores offered credit services to customers seeking signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. We do not participate in any of the loans made by the lenders, but earn a fee for helping customers obtain credit and for enhancing customers’ creditworthiness by providing letters of credit.
In connection with our credit services, the unaffiliated lenders offer customers two types of signature loans. In all stores offering signature loan credit services, customers can obtain short-term loans, with principal amounts up to $1,500 but averaging about $550. Terms of these short-term loans are generally less than 30 days, averaging about 18 days, with due dates corresponding with the customers’ next payday. We typically earn a fee of 20% of the loan amount for our short-term loan credit services. In 89 of the EZMONEY stores offering credit services, customers can obtain longer-term unsecured installment loans from the unaffiliated lenders. The installment loans typically carry terms of about five months with ten equal installment payments due on customers’ paydays. Installment loan principal amounts range from $1,525 to $3,000, but average about $2,000. With each semi-monthly or bi-weekly installment payment, we earn a fee of 10% of the initial loan amount. At June 30, 2009, short-term loans comprised 97% of the balance of signature loans brokered through our credit services, and installment loans comprised the remaining 3%.
We earn payday loan fee revenues on our payday loans. In 33 domestic pawn stores and 185 EZMONEY stores, we make payday loans subject to state law. The average payday loan amount is approximately $430 and the term is generally less than 30 days, averaging about 17 days. We typically charge a fee of 15% to 22% of the loan amount for a 7 to 23-day period.
At June 30, 2009, 246 of our EZMONEY stores and 35 of our U.S. pawn stores offered auto title loans, or credit services to assist customers in obtaining auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. Auto title loans are 30-day loans secured by the titles to customers’ automobiles. Loan principal amounts range from $150 to $9,000, but average about $700. We earn a fee of 12.5% to 25% of auto title loan amounts.

 

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On October 22, 2007, we completed the acquisition of twenty Mexico pawnshops from MMFS Intl., S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Mister Money Holdings, Inc. for $15.5 million cash and direct transaction costs. Results of the acquired stores are included in our consolidated results from the date of acquisition, which includes most of the prior year-to-date period.
On November 13, 2008, we acquired 11 pawnshops located in the Las Vegas, Nevada area that operated under the Pawn Plus, Pawn Place and ASAP Pawn brands for total consideration of approximately $34.4 million plus direct transaction costs. Approximately half the purchase consideration was funded with the issuance of EZCORP Class A Non-voting Common Stock and the remaining half was funded in cash. Results of the acquired stores are included in our results from the date of acquisition.
On December 31, 2008, we acquired Value Financial Services, Inc. (“VFS”). We acquired VFS’s 67 pawn stores, mostly in Florida, for a total acquisition price of $77.7 million, plus the assumption of VFS’s debt of $30.4 million, for an aggregate cost of approximately $108.1 million. In accordance with accounting rules for contingencies based on our stock price, this excludes $10.7 million of contingent payments made since the acquisition. The contingent payments were recorded as a reduction of Additional paid-in capital. We do not expect any additional contingent payments. Results of the acquired stores are included in our results of operations beginning January 1, 2009.
For the current quarter, consolidated total revenues increased 37%, or $39.7 million to $147.8 million, compared to the prior year quarter. Same store total revenues increased 2%, with the remainder of the increase coming from acquired stores. The overall increase in total consolidated revenues was comprised of a $27.7 million increase in merchandise and jewelry scrapping sales, a $10.2 million increase in pawn service charges, $1.0 million in auto title loan fees introduced this year and a $1.2 million increase in other revenues, partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in signature loan fees. The 78 pawn stores acquired in the December 2008 quarter contributed total revenues of $35.1 million, store operating income of $6.1 million, operating income of $5.3 million, and net income of $3.2 million. The acquired stores contributed approximately $0.04 diluted earnings per share in the current quarter after the effect of shares issued in the acquisitions.
In the current quarter, the U.S. Pawn Operations segment contributed $6.4 million greater store operating income compared to the prior year quarter, primarily from the $6.1 million store operating income at acquired domestic pawn stores. Our Empeño Fácil segment contributed $0.1 million greater store operating income compared to the prior year quarter. Our EZMONEY Operations segment store operating income decreased $0.5 million, due to lower fees net of bad debt and higher operating costs at new and existing stores. After a $1.2 million increase in administrative expenses and a $0.4 million improvement in gain on the disposal of assets, operating income increased $5.2 million to $21.5 million. After a $0.5 million increase in net interest expense, a $0.1 million decrease in our equity in the net income of Albemarle & Bond and a $1.0 million increase in income taxes, our consolidated net income improved to $14.4 million from $10.8 million in the prior year quarter.

 

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Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 vs. Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
The following discussion compares our results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 to the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The discussion should be read with the accompanying financial statements and related notes.
U.S. Pawn Operations Segment
The following table presents selected financial data for the U.S. Pawn Operations segment:
                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Sales
  $ 78,519     $ 51,799  
Pawn service charges
    31,409       21,378  
Signature loan fees
    523       650  
Auto title loan fees
    430        
Other
    1,706       521  
 
           
Total revenues
    112,587       74,348  
 
               
Cost of goods sold
    49,157       30,301  
Signature loan bad debt
    237       202  
Auto title loan bad debt
    30        
 
           
Net revenues
    63,163       43,845  
 
               
Operations expense
    37,719       24,831  
 
           
Store operating income
  $ 25,444     $ 19,014  
 
           
 
Other data:
               
Gross margin on sales
    37 %     42 %
Annualized inventory turnover
    3.7x       3.5x  
Average pawn loan balance per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 247     $ 217  
Average inventory per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 146     $ 127  
Average yield on pawn loan portfolio (a)
    150 %     145 %
Pawn loan redemption rate
    79 %     80 %
Average signature loan balance per store offering signature loans at quarter end (b)
  $ 9     $ 11  
Average auto title loan balance per store offering auto title loans at quarter end (c)
  $ 24     $  
     
(a)   Average yield on pawn loan portfolio is calculated as annualized pawn service charge revenues for the period divided by the average pawn loan balance during the period.
 
(b)   Signature loan balances include payday loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
 
(c)   Auto title loan balances include title loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
The U.S. Pawn segment total revenues increased $38.2 million, or 51% from the prior year quarter to $112.6 million. Same store total revenues increased $3.1 million, or 4% , and acquired stores contributed $35.1 million. The overall increase in total revenues was comprised of a $26.7 million increase in merchandise and jewelry scrapping sales, a $10.0 million increase in pawn service charges, a $1.2 million increase in other revenues and $0.4 million in auto title loan revenues, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in signature loan revenues. The U.S. Pawn segment accounted for 76% of our consolidated total revenues in the current quarter.
Our current quarter U.S. pawn service charge revenues increased $10.0 million, or 47% from the prior year quarter to $31.4 million. Same store pawn service charges increased $1.6 million, or 8%, and acquired stores contributed $8.4 million. The same store improvement was due primarily to a 6% higher average same store pawn loan balance.

 

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The table below presents our sales volume, gross profit, and gross margins in the U.S. Pawn Operations segment:
                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in millions)  
 
               
Merchandise sales
  $ 48.2     $ 34.1  
Jewelry scrapping sales
    30.3       17.7  
 
           
Total sales
  $ 78.5     $ 51.8  
 
               
Gross profit on merchandise sales
  $ 18.5     $ 14.4  
Gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales
  $ 10.8     $ 7.1  
 
               
Gross margin on merchandise sales
    38.5 %     42.3 %
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
    35.6 %     39.9 %
Overall gross margin
    37.4 %     41.5 %
The current quarter’s merchandise sales gross profit increased $4.1 million, or 28% from the prior year quarter to $18.5 million. This was due to $14.9 million in sales from the 77 domestic pawn stores acquired in November and December 2008, partially offset by a $0.8 million, or 2% decrease in same store sales and a 3.8 percentage point decrease in gross margins to 38.5%. Same store sales of general merchandise increased 4%, while same store jewelry sales decreased 5% as gold jewelry has become more expensive and as customer purchases of luxury items slowed in the current environment. The decrease in gross margins was due primarily to more aggressive discounting of jewelry in a more challenging retail environment in the current quarter.
The current quarter’s gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales increased $3.7 million, or 53% from the prior year quarter to $10.8 million on greater volume and a 4.3 percentage point decrease in gross margins to 35.6%. Acquired stores contributed $4.2 million, offset by a $0.5 million same store decrease in scrap gross profit. Including $11.3 million from acquired stores, scrapping revenues increased $12.7 million, or 72%, on 75% more volume, partially offset by a 2% decrease in proceeds realized per gram of jewelry scrapped. Jewelry scrapping sales in both the current and prior year quarters include the sale of approximately $0.5 million of loose diamonds removed from scrapped jewelry. Primarily as a result of the increased volume, scrap cost of goods increased $8.9 million.
The segment’s signature loan contribution, or fee revenues less bad debt, decreased $0.2 million compared to the prior year quarter to $0.3 million. The decrease resulted from lower fee revenues on a lower average loan balance and an increase in bad debt to 45.3% of fees, from 31.1% in the prior year quarter.
The U.S. pawn segment began offering auto title loans with its acquisition of 11 pawnshops in the Las Vegas, Nevada area in mid-November 2008 and expanded to a total of 35 stores by June 30, 2009. The segment’s auto title loan contribution, or fees less bad debt, was $0.4 million in the current quarter, with bad debt at 7.0% of fees.
Operations expense increased to $37.7 million (60% of net revenues) in the current quarter from $24.8 million (57% of net revenues) in the prior year quarter. The increase in dollar and percentage terms was primarily due to higher operating costs at acquired stores.
In the current quarter, the $19.1 million greater net revenues from U.S. pawn activities and the $0.4 million in auto title loan contribution, partially offset by the $0.2 million decrease in signature loan contribution and the $12.9 million higher operations expense, resulted in a $6.4 million overall increase in store operating income from the U.S. Pawn Operations segment. Acquired stores comprised $6.1 million of the $6.4 million increase in store operating income. For the current quarter, the U.S. Pawn Operations segment made up 74% of consolidated store operating income compared to 68% in the prior year quarter.

 

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Empeño Fácil Segment
The following table presents selected financial data for the Empeño Fácil segment:
                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Sales
  $ 2,790     $ 1,836  
Pawn service charges
    1,471       1,313  
Other
    34        
 
           
Total revenues
    4,295       3,149  
 
               
Cost of goods sold
    1,808       1,159  
 
           
Net revenues
    2,487       1,990  
 
               
Operations expense
    1,441       1,065  
 
           
Store operating income
  $ 1,046     $ 925  
 
           
 
               
Other data:
               
Gross margin on sales
    35 %     37 %
Annualized inventory turnover
    2.5x       2.5x  
Average pawn loan balance per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 68     $ 143  
Average inventory per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 64     $ 71  
Average yield on pawn loan portfolio (a)
    180 %     135 %
     
(a)   Average yield on pawn loan portfolio is calculated as annualized pawn service charge revenues for the period divided by the average pawn loan balance during the period.
The average exchange rate used to translate Empeño Fácil’s current quarter results was 22% lower than in the prior year quarter. This devaluation of the peso affected all revenue and expense items. A 46% higher store operating income in local currency resulted in a $0.1 million improvement in store operating income to $1.0 million when translated into U.S. dollars. The following comments discuss the segment’s results after translation to U.S. dollars.
Empeño Fácil’s total revenues increased $1.1 million, or 36% in the current quarter to $4.3 million. Same store total revenues increased 1%, and new stores contributed $1.1 million. The overall increase in total revenues was comprised of a $0.9 million increase in merchandise and jewelry scrapping sales and a $0.2 million increase in pawn service charges. The Empeño Fácil segment accounted for 3% of our consolidated total revenues in the current quarter.
Empeño Fácil’s pawn service charge revenues increased $0.2 million, or 12% in the current quarter to $1.5 million. Same store pawn service charges decreased approximately $0.1 million, or 9%, and new stores contributed $0.3 million. The same store decrease was due to a $1.4 million lower average loan balance mostly from the peso devaluation, partially offset by a 45 percentage point improvement in total average yield to 180%. The yield increased primarily due to an increase in pawn service charge rates in certain geographic areas compared to the prior year. The total average loan balance per store decreased due to new stores and a devaluation of the peso between the periods.

 

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The table below presents our sales volume, gross profit, and gross margins in the Empeño Fácil segment:
                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Merchandise sales
  $ 2,285     $ 1,614  
Jewelry scrapping sales
    505       222  
 
           
Total sales
  $ 2,790     $ 1,836  
 
               
Gross profit on merchandise sales
  $ 845     $ 585  
Gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales
  $ 137     $ 92  
 
               
Gross margin on merchandise sales
    37.0 %     36.2 %
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
    27.1 %     41.4 %
Overall gross margin
    35.2 %     36.9 %
The current quarter’s merchandise gross profit increased $0.3 million from the prior year quarter to $0.8 million. This was due to a $0.1 million, or 4% same store sales increase and $0.6 million in sales from new stores, combined with a 0.8 percentage point increase in gross margins to 37.0%. The gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales was $0.1 million in both the current and prior year quarters, as higher proceeds were offset by a lower gross margin.
Operations expense increased to $1.4 million (58% of net revenues) in the current quarter from $1.1 million (54% of net revenues) in the prior year quarter. The increase was due primarily to new stores which typically produce a loss in their first six to nine months of operation.
In the current quarter, the $0.5 million greater net revenues were partially offset by the $0.4 million higher operations expense, resulting in a $0.1 million increase in store operating income from the Empeño Fácil segment. Empeño Fácil made up 3% of consolidated store operating income in both the current and prior year quarters.

 

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EZMONEY Operations Segment
The following table presents selected financial data for the EZMONEY Operations segment:
                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Signature loan fees
  $ 30,292     $ 30,573  
Auto title loan fees
    600        
 
           
Total revenues
    30,892       30,573  
 
               
Signature loan bad debt
    8,381       8,343  
Auto title loan bad debt
    74        
 
           
Net revenues
    22,437       22,230  
 
           
 
               
Operations expense
    14,673       13,977  
 
           
Store operating income
  $ 7,764     $ 8,253  
 
           
 
Other data:
               
Signature loan bad debt as a percent of signature loan fees
    27.7 %     27.3 %
Auto title loan bad debt as a percent of auto title loan fees
    12.3 %      
Average signature loan balance per store offering signature loans at quarter end (a)
  $ 59     $ 62  
Average auto title loan balance per store offering title loans at quarter end (b)
  $ 6     $  
     
(a)   Signature loan balances include payday loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
 
(b)   Auto title loan balances include title loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
The EZMONEY Operations segment total revenues increased $0.3 million, or 1% to $30.9 million, compared to the prior year quarter. The $0.4 million, or 1% decrease in same store total revenues was more than offset by $0.7 million of revenue at new stores net of closed stores, including the 11 Florida stores closed in June 2008. We believe the same store revenue decrease was primarily due to higher levels of unemployment and increased competition in some areas. As unemployment levels have risen, fewer potential customers qualify for a payday loan (a necessary condition) and consumer confidence and the consumer’s willingness to take out a loan, even if employed, is lower. The EZMONEY Operations segment accounted for 21% of our current quarter’s consolidated total revenues.
The segment’s signature loan net revenues decreased $0.3 million, or 1% to $21.9 million in the current quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a lower average signature loan balance, with bad debt marginally higher at 27.7% of fees compared to 27.3% in the prior year quarter.
The segment’s net revenues from auto title loans were $0.5 million in the current quarter, with bad debt at 12.3% of related fees. These loans were not offered in the prior year quarter. We expect continued growth in the contribution from auto title loans as the product matures in the 246 EZMONEY stores currently offering the product and as it is introduced into additional stores.
Operations expense increased to $14.7 million (65% of net revenues) from $14.0 million (63% of net revenues) in the prior year quarter. The increase was mostly from additional labor, rent, and other costs at new and existing stores net of stores closed.
In the current quarter, the $0.3 million lower net revenues from signature loans and $0.7 million greater operations expense were partially offset by the $0.5 million net revenues from auto title loans, resulting in a $0.5 million net decrease in store operating income from the EZMONEY Operations segment. In the current quarter, EZMONEY Operations made up 23% of consolidated store operating income compared to 29% in the prior year quarter.

 

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Other Items
The items discussed below affect our consolidated financial results, but are not allocated among segments.
Administrative expenses in the current quarter were $9.7 million (11% of net revenues) compared to $8.5 million (13% of net revenues) in the prior year quarter. Excluding $0.4 million current quarter expense directly attributable to the 78 stores acquired in November and December 2008 and a $0.6 million settlement of a lawsuit in the prior year quarter, administrative expenses increased $1.4 million. This increase was primarily due to a $0.7 million increase in administrative labor and benefits as we continued to build the infrastructure to support our growth and a $0.5 million increase in professional fees.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $3.3 million in the current quarter, compared to $3.1 million in the prior year quarter. Depreciation on assets placed in service, primarily related to acquired pawn stores and new EZMONEY and Empeño Fácil stores, was largely offset by assets that were retired or became fully depreciated in the period.
In the current quarter, we recognized a $0.1 million net gain on the disposal of assets as insurance proceeds received for destroyed assets exceeded the net book value of those assets, most of which were replaced. In the prior year quarter, we incurred a $0.3 million loss on disposal of assets primarily due to the closure of eleven Florida EZMONEY stores.
We earned $0.1 million of interest income on our invested cash in the current quarter, for an annualized rate of return of 0.5%. In the prior year quarter, we earned $0.2 million of interest income on our invested cash, yielding 2.5%. The yield decreased due to lower market rates in the current quarter.
We borrowed $40 million on December 31, 2008 to complete the VFS acquisition, and repaid $2.5 million of these borrowings on April 3, 2009. Our $0.4 million interest expense represents the interest on the borrowed funds, the amortization of deferred financing costs and the commitment fee on our unused available credit. With no debt outstanding in the prior year quarter, interest expense of $0.1 million represented primarily the amortization of deferred financing costs and the commitment fee on our line of credit. Our outstanding term debt requires $2.5 million quarterly principal payments.
Our equity in the net income of Albemarle & Bond decreased $0.1 million, or 15% in the current quarter to $0.9 million. On a constant currency basis, our equity interest in the net income of Albemarle & Bond increased 14%.
The current quarter income tax expense was $7.5 million (34.4% of pretax income) compared to $6.6 million (37.7% of pretax income) for the prior year quarter. The decrease in effective tax rate is primarily due to the current quarter refund claim for prior year tax credits, current quarter tax credits, and a lower expected Texas margin tax than in the prior year period.
Consolidated operating income for the current quarter improved $5.2 million over the prior year quarter to $21.5 million. Contributing to this were the $6.4 million and $0.1 million increases in store operating income in our U.S. Pawn and Empeño Fácil segments and the $0.4 million improvement in gain on disposal of assets, partially offset by the $0.5 million lower store operating income in the EZMONEY segment and the $1.2 million increase in administrative expenses. After a $0.5 million increase in net interest expense, a $1.0 million increase in income taxes and other smaller items, net income improved to $14.4 million from $10.8 million in the prior year quarter. Stores acquired in November and December 2008 contributed $3.2 million of the net income growth.

 

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Nine Months Ended June 30, 2009 vs. Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008
The following discussion compares our results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 to the nine months ended June 30, 2008. The discussion should be read with the accompanying financial statements and related notes.
U.S. Pawn Operations Segment
The following table presents selected financial data for the U.S. Pawn Operations segment:
                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Sales
  $ 227,494     $ 165,749  
Pawn service charges
    88,558       64,089  
Signature loan fees
    1,766       2,131  
Auto title loan fees
    991        
Other
    4,866       1,224  
 
           
Total revenues
    323,675       233,193  
 
               
Cost of goods sold
    143,167       98,853  
Signature loan bad debt
    581       741  
Auto title loan bad debt
    72        
 
           
Net revenues
    179,855       133,599  
 
               
Operations expense
    102,764       72,831  
 
           
Store operating income
  $ 77,091     $ 60,768  
 
           
 
Other data:
               
Gross margin on sales
    37 %     40 %
Annualized inventory turnover
    3.7x       3.5x  
Average pawn loan balance per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 247     $ 217  
Average inventory per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 146     $ 127  
Average yield on pawn loan portfolio (a)
    151 %     146 %
Pawn loan redemption rate
    80 %     79 %
Average signature loan balance per store offering signature loans at quarter end (b)
  $ 9     $ 11  
Average auto title loan balance per store offering auto title loans at quarter end (c)
  $ 24     $  
     
(a)   Average yield on pawn loan portfolio is calculated as annualized pawn service charge revenues for the period divided by the average pawn loan balance during the period.
 
(b)   Signature loan balances include payday loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
 
(c)   Auto title loan balances include title loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
The U.S. Pawn segment year-to-date total revenues increased 39%, or $90.5 million to $323.7 million, compared to the prior year-to-date period. Same store total revenues increased $16.0 million, or 7%, and acquired stores contributed $74.5 million. The overall increase in total revenues was comprised of a $61.7 million increase in merchandise and jewelry scrapping sales, a $24.5 million increase in pawn service charges, a $3.7 million increase in other revenues, and $1.0 million in auto title loan fees, offset by a $0.4 million decrease in signature loan revenues. The U.S. Pawn segment accounted for 75% of our consolidated total revenues in the current year-to-date period.
U.S. pawn service charge revenues increased $24.5 million, or 38% from the prior year-to-date period to $88.6 million. Same store pawn service charges increased $6.6 million, or 10% primarily due to a 9% higher average same store pawn loan balance. Acquired stores generated $17.8 million of pawn service charges.

 

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The table below presents our sales volume, gross profit, and gross margins in the U.S. Pawn Operations segment:
                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in millions)  
 
               
Merchandise sales
  $ 150.1     $ 116.8  
Jewelry scrapping sales
    77.4       48.9  
 
           
Total sales
  $ 227.5     $ 165.7  
 
               
Gross profit on merchandise sales
  $ 57.6     $ 47.2  
Gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales
  $ 26.7     $ 19.7  
 
               
Gross margin on merchandise sales
    38.4 %     40.4 %
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
    34.5 %     40.3 %
Overall gross margin
    37.1 %     40.4 %
Merchandise gross profit increased $10.4 million, or 22% from the prior year-to-date period to $57.6 million. This was due to a $0.5 million same store sales increase and $32.8 million in sales from the 77 domestic pawn stores acquired in November and December 2008, partially offset by a 2.0 percentage point decrease in gross margins to 38.4%. The decrease in gross margins was due primarily to more aggressive discounting of jewelry in a more challenging retail environment in the current year.
The gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales increased $7.0 million, or 36% from the prior year-to-date period to $26.7 million on greater volume, partially offset by a 5.8 percentage point decrease in gross margins to 34.5%. Acquired stores contributed $8.7 million, offset by a $1.7 million same store decrease in scrap gross profit. Including $22.5 million from acquired stores, scrapping revenues increased $28.5 million, or 58%, on 58% more volume. Jewelry scrapping sales include the current year-to-date period sale of approximately $0.7 million of loose diamonds removed from scrapped jewelry, compared to approximately $0.8 million in the prior year-to-date period. Generally, we forward contract the price we will receive from the refiner 30 to 90 days in advance of the delivery of specified quantities of jewelry. In the last two years, we have periodically adjusted the amount we lend on jewelry and pay to purchase jewelry from customers, increasing the cost of these items. As a result of the greater volume and a higher average cost per gram of jewelry scrapped, scrap cost of goods increased approximately $21.4 million.
The segment’s signature loan contribution, or fee revenues less bad debt, decreased $0.2 million when compared to the prior year-to-date period to $1.2 million due to a lower average loan balance. Signature loan bad debt improved to 32.9% of fees from 34.8% in the prior year-to-date period.
The U.S. pawn segment began offering auto title loans with its acquisition of 11 pawnshops in the Las Vegas, Nevada area in mid-November 2008 and expanded to a total of 35 stores by June 30, 2009. The segment’s auto title loan contribution, or fees less bad debt, was $0.9 million in the current year-to-date period, with bad debt at 7.3% of fees.
Operations expense increased to $102.8 million (57% of net revenues) in the current year-to-date period from $72.8 million (55% of net revenues) in the prior year-to-date period. The increase in dollar and percentage terms was primarily due to higher operating costs at acquired stores.
In the current year-to-date period, the $45.5 million greater net revenues from U.S. pawn activities and the $0.9 million in auto title loan contribution, partially offset by the $29.9 million higher operations expense and a $0.2 million decrease in signature loan contribution, resulted in a $16.3 million overall increase in store operating income from the U.S. Pawn Operations segment. Acquired stores comprised $12.9 million of the $16.3 million increase in store operating income. For the current year-to-date period, the U.S. Pawn Operations segment made up 70% of consolidated store operating income compared to 67% in the prior year-to-date period.

 

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Empeño Fácil Segment
The following table presents selected financial data for the Empeño Fácil segment:
                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Sales
  $ 7,408     $ 4,723  
Pawn service charges
    4,219       3,295  
Other
    35       4  
 
           
Total revenues
    11,662       8,022  
 
               
Cost of goods sold
    4,649       2,879  
 
           
Net revenues
    7,013       5,143  
 
               
Operations expense
    4,024       2,810  
 
           
Store operating income
  $ 2,989     $ 2,333  
 
           
 
               
Other data:
               
Gross margin on sales
    37 %     39 %
Annualized inventory turnover
    2.2x       2.7x  
Average pawn loan balance per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 68     $ 143  
Average inventory per pawn store at quarter end
  $ 64     $ 71  
Average yield on pawn loan portfolio (a)
    164 %     137 %
     
(a)   Average yield on pawn loan portfolio is calculated as annualized pawn service charge revenues for the period divided by the average pawn loan balance during the period.
The average exchange rate used to translate Empeño Fácil’s current period results was 21% lower than in the prior year-to-date period. This devaluation of the peso affected all revenue and expense items. A 63% higher store operating income in local currency resulted in a $0.7 million, or 28% improvement in store operating income to $3.0 million when translated into U.S. dollars. The following comments discuss the segment’s results after translation to U.S. dollars.
All components of the current period’s results grew as the average store count increased from 24 stores in the prior year-to-date period to 42 in the current year-to-date period. The results of the 20 stores acquired on October 22, 2007 are included in the prior year’s results from the acquisition date. The current period’s results reflect three full quarters’ contribution from those stores and the contribution from other stores opened since the beginning of the prior year-to-date period.
Empeño Fácil’s total revenues increased $3.6 million, or 45% in the current year-to-date period to $11.7 million. Same store total revenues increased $0.5 million, or 6%, and new stores contributed $3.1 million. The overall increase in total revenues was comprised of a $2.7 million increase in merchandise and jewelry scrapping sales and a $0.9 million increase in pawn service charges. Empeño Fácil accounted for 3% of our consolidated total revenues in the period.
Empeño Fácil’s pawn service charge revenues increased $0.9 million, or 28% in the current year-to-date period to $4.2 million. Same store pawn service charges decreased approximately 1%, and new stores contributed $0.9 million. The same store decrease was due to a $0.7 million lower average loan balance, partially offset by a 27 percentage point improvement in total average yield to 164%. The yield increased primarily due to an increase in pawn service charge rates in certain geographic areas compared to the prior year. The average loan balance per store decreased due to new stores and a devaluation of the peso between the periods.

 

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The table below presents our sales volume, gross profit, and gross margins in the Empeño Fácil segment:
                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Merchandise sales
  $ 6,167     $ 4,101  
Jewelry scrapping sales
    1,241       622  
 
           
Total sales
  $ 7,408     $ 4,723  
 
               
Gross profit on merchandise sales
  $ 2,340     $ 1,587  
Gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales
  $ 419     $ 257  
 
               
Gross margin on merchandise sales
    37.9 %     38.7 %
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
    33.8 %     41.3 %
Overall gross margin
    37.2 %     39.0 %
The current period’s merchandise gross profit increased $0.8 million from the prior year-to-date period to $2.3 million. This was due to a $0.3 million, or 8% same store sales increase and $1.8 million of sales from new and acquired stores, partially offset by a 0.8 percentage point decrease in gross margins to 37.9%.
The current period’s gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales increased $0.2 million, or 63% from the prior year-to-date period to $0.4 million. This was due to a $0.6 million increase in jewelry scrapping sales, partially offset by a 7.5 percentage point decrease in margins.
Operations expense increased to $4.0 million (57% of net revenues) from $2.8 million (55% of net revenues) in the prior year-to-date period. The increase was due primarily to new stores which typically produce a loss for their first six to nine months of operation.
In the current year-to-date period, the $1.9 million greater net revenues were partially offset by $1.2 million higher operations expense, resulting in a $0.7 million overall increase in store operating income. Empeño Fácil made up 3% of consolidated store operating income in the current and prior year-to-date periods.

 

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EZMONEY Operations Segment
The following table presents selected financial data for the EZMONEY Operations segment:
                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
               
Signature loan fees
  $ 96,643     $ 92,786  
Auto title loan fees
    675        
 
           
Total revenues
    97,318       92,786  
 
               
Signature loan bad debt
    22,593       24,106  
Auto title loan bad debt
    81        
 
           
Net revenues
    74,644       68,680  
 
               
Operations expense
    45,167       41,667  
 
           
Store operating income
  $ 29,477     $ 27,013  
 
           
 
Other data:
               
Signature loan bad debt as a percent of signature loan fees
    23.4 %     26.0 %
Auto title loan bad debt as a percent of auto title loan fees
    12.0 %      
Average signature loan balance per store offering signature loans at quarter end (a)
  $ 59     $ 62  
Average auto title loan balance per store offering title loans at quarter end (b)
  $ 6     $  
     
(a)   Signature loan balances include payday loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
 
(b)   Auto title loan balances include title loans (net of valuation allowance) recorded on our balance sheets and the principal portion of active brokered loans outstanding from unaffiliated lenders, the balance of which is not included on our balance sheets.
The EZMONEY Operations segment total revenues increased $4.5 million, or 5% in the current year-to-date period to $97.3 million. This was due to a $1.7 million, or 2% same store increase and $2.8 million of total revenues at new stores net of closed stores, including the 11 Florida stores closed in June 2008. The EZMONEY Operations segment accounted for 22% of our consolidated total revenues in the current year period.
The segment’s signature loan net revenues increased $5.4 million, or 8% to $74.1 million in the current year-to-date period. The increase resulted from the contribution from new stores net of closed stores and a 2.6 percentage point improvement in bad debt to 23.4% of fees. The improvement in bad debt was due to continuing improvements in the store level execution of servicing the customer and the loan, as well as enhanced productivity measurement tools and enhanced use of technology in our collections department.
The segment’s net revenues from auto title loans were $0.6 million in the current year-to-date period, with bad debt at 12.0% of fees. These loans were not offered in the prior year period. We expect continued growth in the contribution from auto title loans as the product matures in the 246 EZMONEY stores currently offering the product and as it is introduced into additional stores.
Operations expense increased to $45.2 million (61% of net revenues) from $41.7 million (61% of net revenues) in the prior year-to-date period. The increase was mostly from additional labor, rent, and other costs at new and existing stores net of stores closed.
In the current year-to-date period, the $5.4 million higher signature loan net revenues, $0.6 million net revenues from auto title loans and $3.5 million greater operations expense resulted in a $2.5 million net increase in store operating income from the EZMONEY Operations segment. For the current year-to-date period, EZMONEY Operations made up 27% of consolidated store operating income compared to 30% in the prior year-to-date period.

 

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Other Items
The items discussed below affect our consolidated financial results, but are not allocated among segments.
Administrative expenses in the current year-to-date period were $29.9 million (11% of net revenues) compared to $25.4 million (12% of net revenues) in the prior year-to-date period. Excluding $1.3 million current year expense directly attributable to the 78 stores acquired in November and December 2008 and a $0.6 million settlement of a lawsuit in the prior year, administrative expenses increased $3.8 million. This increase was primarily due to a $3.0 million rise in administrative labor and benefits as we continued to build the infrastructure to support our growth and a $0.4 million increase in professional fees. In the current year-to-date period, we realized a $1.1 million cash tax savings upon the exercise of stock options granted in 1998 to our Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board. Terms of the grants required us to pay a bonus to the executives equal to the tax savings realized. Although these items were cash neutral, the tax savings were recorded primarily as an addition to stockholders’ equity, while the bonus was recorded as administrative expense. This charge is included in the current year-to-date period administrative labor and benefits. We do not expect this to recur, as no other outstanding options contain similar terms.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $9.5 million in the current year-to-date period, compared to $9.0 million in the prior year. Depreciation on assets placed in service, primarily related to acquired pawn stores and new EZMONEY and Empeño Fácil stores, was largely offset by assets that were retired or became fully depreciated in the period.
In the current year-to-date period, we recognized a $1.0 million net gain on the disposal of assets as insurance proceeds received for destroyed assets exceeded the net book value of those assets, most of which were replaced. In the prior year period, we incurred a $0.5 million loss on disposal of assets.
We earned $0.3 million of interest income on our invested cash in the current year-to-date period for an annualized rate of return of 1.0%. In the prior year-to-date period, we earned $0.4 million of interest income on our invested cash, yielding 2.9%. The yield decreased due to lower market rates in the current period.
We borrowed $40 million on December 31, 2008 to complete the VFS acquisition, and repaid $2.5 million of these borrowings on April 3, 2009. Our $1.1 million interest expense represents interest on the borrowed funds, the amortization of deferred financing costs and the commitment fee on our unused available credit. With only short-term borrowings in the prior year-to-date period, interest expense of $0.2 million represented primarily the amortization of deferred financing costs and the commitment fee on our line of credit. Our outstanding term debt requires $2.5 million quarterly principal payments.
Our equity in the net income of Albemarle & Bond was $3.2 million in both the current and prior year periods. On a constant currency basis, our equity interest in the net income of Albemarle & Bond increased 21%.
The current year-to-date income tax expense was $25.9 million (35.3% of pretax income) compared to $22.0 million (37.7% of pretax income) in the prior year period. The decrease in effective tax rate is primarily due to the current year refund claim for prior year tax credits, current year tax credits, and a lower expected Texas margin tax than in the prior year-to-date period.
Consolidated operating income for the current year-to-date period improved $16.0 million, or 29% over the prior year-to-date period to $71.2 million. Contributing to this were the $16.3 million, $2.5 million and $0.7 million increases in store operating income in our U.S. Pawn, EZMONEY and Empeño Fácil segments and the $1.5 million improvement in gain on disposal of assets, partially offset by the $4.5 million increase in administrative expenses. After a $0.9 million increase in net interest expense and a $3.9 million increase in income taxes and other smaller items, net income improved $11.1 million to $47.5 million. Stores acquired in November and December 2008 contributed $6.4 million of the net income growth.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
In the current year-to-date period, our $58.9 million cash flow from operations consisted of (a) net income plus several non-cash items, aggregating to $62.6 million, net of (b) $3.7 million of normal, recurring changes in operating assets and liabilities. In the prior year-to-date period, our $45.2 million cash flow from operations consisted of (a) net income plus several non-cash items, aggregating to $50.4 million, net of (b) $5.2 million of normal, recurring changes in operating assets and liabilities. The primary differences in cash flow from operations between the two periods were an increase in collected pawn service charges and signature loan fees and an increase in the gross profit on sales of inventory, net of higher operating expenses and taxes paid. Much of the increased cash flow was from the acquired pawn stores.
The $51.9 million of net cash used in investing activities during the current year-to-date period was funded by cash flow from operations and $7.1 million of borrowings net of repayments. Our most significant investments were the $23.8 million of cash used in the acquisition of 67 VFS stores (including contingent consideration payments), $17.2 million of cash used in the acquisition of 11 pawnshops in the Las Vegas, Nevada area and $14.4 million of additions to property and equipment. These investments were partially offset by $0.8 million of customer loan repayments and principal recovery through the sale of forfeited pawn loan collateral in excess of the amount of loans made, the $1.6 million of dividends received from an unconsolidated affiliate, the $1.1 million proceeds from disposal of assets and $6.6 million of cash and tax benefits received from the exercise of stock options and warrants.
In the VFS acquisition on December 31, 2008, we assumed VFS’s $30.4 million of debt. To complete the acquisition, we borrowed $40.0 million on our new credit agreement. We subsequently retired VFS’s debt and later repaid $2.5 million of our term loan. Upon the closing of our new credit facility, we paid $1.2 million of debt issuance costs. In the current year-to-date period, we paid $0.4 million for the issuance of acquisition-related stock.
The net effect of these and other smaller cash flows was a $19.1 million increase in cash on hand, providing a $46.5 million ending cash balance.
We typically invest our excess cash in institutional mutual funds that hold short-term, high quality investments. At June 30, 2009, $34.4 million of our excess funds were invested in the Invesco AIM Premier Portfolio fund and the Invesco AIM Liquid Assets Portfolio fund. These funds invest primarily in short-term money market instruments that blend top-tier, high quality U.S. dollar denominated obligations, including: securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit and time deposits from banks, repurchase agreements, commercial instruments, municipal securities and master notes. Each of these funds is participating in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Temporary Guaranty Program for Money Market Funds, currently approved through September 18, 2009. The majority of our operating cash is held at Wells Fargo Bank.
Below is a summary of our cash needs to meet future aggregate contractual obligations (in millions):
                                         
    Payments due by Period  
            Less than 1                     More than  
Contractual Obligations   Total     year     1-3 years     4-5 years     5 years  
 
                                       
Long-term debt obligations
  $ 37.5     $ 10.0     $ 20.0     $ 7.5     $  
Interest on long-term debt obligations
    2.7       1.2       1.3       0.2        
Operating lease obligations
    134.6       32.1       52.2       28.6       21.7  
 
                             
Total
  $ 174.8     $ 43.3     $ 73.5     $ 36.3     $ 21.7  
 
                             
In addition to the contractual obligations in the table above, we are obligated under letters of credit issued to unaffiliated lenders as part of our credit service operations. At June 30, 2009, our maximum exposure for losses on letters of credit, if all brokered signature loans defaulted and none was collected, was $22.2 million. At that date, our maximum exposure for losses on letters of credit, if all brokered auto title loans defaulted and none was collected, was $1.2 million. Auto title loans are secured by customers’ automobiles. These amounts include principal, interest, insufficient funds fees and late fees.

 

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In addition to the operating lease obligations in the table above, we are responsible for the maintenance, property taxes, and insurance at most of our locations. In the most recent fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, these collectively amounted to $10.6 million. This amount will increase in fiscal 2009 with the addition of the 78 pawn stores acquired in the first quarter and the other planned store openings in the remainder of the fiscal year.
The operating lease obligations in the table above include expected rent for all our store locations for the full expected lease terms. Of the 480 EZMONEY signature loan stores, 157 adjoin an EZPAWN store. The lease agreements at approximately 80% of the remaining 323 free-standing EZMONEY stores contain provisions that limit our exposure to additional rent at these stores to only a few months if laws were enacted that had a significant negative effect on our operations at these stores. If such laws were passed, the space currently utilized by stores adjoining EZPAWN stores could be re-incorporated into the EZPAWN operations.
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, we plan to open approximately 30 Empeño Fácil pawn stores in Mexico and 17 new signature loan stores in the U.S. This includes the nine Empeño Fácil pawn stores and 16 signature loan stores opened through June 30, 2009. In the remaining three months of fiscal 2009, we expect an additional $2.8 million of capital expenditures plus the funding of working capital and start-up losses related to these store openings. We believe these new stores will create a drag on earnings and cash flow in their first year of operations before turning profitable.
Our syndicated credit agreement provides for, among other things, (i) an $80 million revolving credit facility maturing December 31, 2011 that we may, under the terms of the agreement, request to be increased to a total of $110 million and (ii) a $40 million term loan maturing December 31, 2012. Our term loan requires $2.5 million quarterly principal payments. At June 30, 2009, $37.5 million was outstanding under the term loan, but the $80 million revolving credit facility remained unused. Terms of the credit agreement require, among other things, that we meet certain financial covenants. We were in compliance with all covenants at June 30, 2009 and expect to remain in compliance based on our expected future performance. The payment of dividends is prohibited and additional debt is restricted under our credit agreement.
We anticipate that cash flow from operations, cash on hand and availability under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to fund our contractual obligations, planned store growth, capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the coming year.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We issue letters of credit (“LOCs”) to enhance the creditworthiness of our credit service customers seeking signature loans and auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. The LOCs assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed them by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fee or late fee. We do not record on our balance sheet the loans related to our credit services as the loans are made by unaffiliated lenders. We do not consolidate the unaffiliated lenders’ results with our results as we do not have any ownership interest in the lenders, do not exercise control over them and do not otherwise meet the criteria for consolidation as prescribed by FASB Financial Interpretation No. 46 regarding variable interest entities.
We include an allowance for Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheet. At June 30, 2009, the allowance for Expected LOC Losses was $1.6 million. At that date, our maximum exposure for losses on letters of credit, if all brokered signature and auto title loans defaulted and none was collected, was $23.4 million. This amount includes principal, interest, insufficient funds fees and late fees.
We have no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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Seasonality
Historically, pawn service charges are highest in our fourth fiscal quarter (July through September) due to a higher average loan balance during the summer lending season. Merchandise sales are highest in the first and second fiscal quarters (October through March) due to the holiday season, jewelry sales surrounding Valentine’s Day and the impact of tax refunds in the United States. Jewelry scrapping sales are heavily influenced by the timing of decisions to scrap excess jewelry inventory. Jewelry scrapping sales generally are greatest during our fourth fiscal quarter (July through September). This results from relatively low jewelry merchandise sales in that quarter and the higher loan balance, leading to a higher dollar amount of loan forfeitures in the summer lending season providing more inventory available for sale.
Signature loan fees are generally highest in our third and fourth fiscal quarters (April through September) due to a higher average loan balance during the summer lending season. Signature loan bad debt, both in dollar terms and as a percentage of related fees, is highest in the third and fourth quarters and lowest in the second quarter due primarily to the impact of tax refunds.
The net effect of these factors is that net revenues and net income typically are strongest in the fourth fiscal quarter and weakest in the third fiscal quarter. Our cash flow typically is greatest in the second fiscal quarter due to a high level of loan redemptions and sales in the income tax refund season.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements. We prepared those statements according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information. We must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory, allowance for losses on signature loans and auto title loans, long-lived and intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, observable trends and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We use this information to make judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The following discussion about our market risk disclosures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We are exposed to market risk related to interest rates, gold values, and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We also are exposed to regulatory risk in relation to our credit services, payday loans, auto title loans and pawn operations. We do not use derivative financial instruments.
Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates as our debt has a variable rate. If interest rates average 50 basis points more than our current rate in the remaining three months of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, our interest expense during those three months would increase by approximately $45,000. This amount is determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rate on our variable-rate term debt at June 30, 2009, including mandatory quarterly principal repayments of $2.5 million.
Our earnings and financial position are affected by changes in gold values and the resulting impact on pawn lending and jewelry sales. The proceeds of scrap sales and our ability to sell excess jewelry inventory at an acceptable margin depend on gold values. The impact on our financial position and results of operations of a hypothetical change in gold values cannot be reasonably estimated. For further discussion, you should read “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008.
Our earnings and financial position are affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to our equity investment in Albemarle & Bond and our Empeño Fácil pawn operations. Albemarle & Bond’s functional currency is the U.K. pound, and Empeño Fácil’s functional currency is the Mexican peso. The impact on our results of operations and financial position of hypothetical changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the U.K. pound or the Mexican peso cannot be reasonably estimated due to the interrelationship of operating results and exchange rates.

 

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The translation adjustment from Albemarle & Bond representing the weakening of the U.K. pound during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 (included in our June 30, 2009 results on a three-month lag as described above) was a $0.2 million decrease to stockholders’ equity. On June 30, 2009, the U.K. pound strengthened to £1.00 to $1.6520 U.S. from $1.4214 U.S. at March 31, 2009.
The translation adjustment from Empeño Fácil representing the strengthening of the Mexican peso during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 was a $1.5 million increase to stockholders’ equity. We have currently assumed permanent reinvestment of earnings and capital in Mexico. Accumulated translation gains or losses related to any future repatriation of earnings or capital would impact our earnings in the period of repatriation. On June 30, 2009, the peso strengthened to $1.00 Mexican peso to $0.0757 U.S. from $0.0695 at March 31, 2009.
We cannot predict the future valuation of the U.K. pound or Mexican peso or how further movements in them could affect our future earnings or financial position.
Forward-Looking Information
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by these laws. All statements other than statements of historical information are forward-looking and may contain information about financial results, economic conditions, trends, planned store openings, the effect of acquisitions and known uncertainties. These statements are often, but not always, made with words or phrases like “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “outlook,” “expect,” “will,” and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations regarding important risk factors. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, we cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not regard any forward-looking statement as a representation that the expected results will be achieved. Important risk factors that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations are identified in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this Quarterly Report and discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008. These factors are not intended to be an all-encompassing list of risks and uncertainties that may affect our operations, performance, development and results. You are cautioned not to overly rely on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, including changes in our business strategy or planned capital expenditures, store growth plans, the effect of acquisitions, the macro-economic environment, unemployment, or to reflect unanticipated events.

 

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Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of June 30, 2009. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include those controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that all control issues or instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, as described above, and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2009.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except as described below.
We have made certain internal control changes in our pawn operations acquired in November and December 2008. We made these control changes to subject our acquired operations to the same or similar controls as currently utilized in the remainder of our operations and accounting.

 

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PART II
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
See Note F, “Contingencies,” in the Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this filing and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
Changes in laws and regulations affecting our financial services and products could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance. Our financial products and services are subject to extensive regulation under various federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Legislative and regulatory efforts have increasingly concentrated on attempts to regulate, prohibit, or severely restrict our financial services and products, particularly signature loans, by limiting the number of loans a borrower could obtain, establishing rates that effectively prohibit our ability to operate profitably, or restricting or effectively eliminating the availability of our products and services to particular groups such as the military. Currently, there are a number of bills pending in the United States Congress to regulate signature loans that are more restrictive than the state statutes under which we currently operate. Some of these federal bills would also limit the rate we can charge on pawn loans. There has been similar state legislation in many states in which we operate, including Texas where a majority of our signature loans are made. In Mexico, similar restrictions, disclosure requirements, and rate limits are proposed from time to time. We can give no assurance that additional local, state, or federal legislation will not be enacted, or that existing laws and regulations will not be changed, that would have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial performance.
Other important risk factors that could affect our operations and financial performance, or that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations, are described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008. These factors are supplemented by those discussed under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Part I, Item 3 of this report and in Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008.
Item 6.   Exhibits
         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
  31.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURE
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.
         
  EZCORP, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: August 6, 2009  By:   /s/ Dan N. Tonissen    
    (Signature)   
    Dan N. Tonissen   
    Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer & Director 
 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
  31.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2    
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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