FirstCash Says 'Given The Strong Growth In Store Counts YTD, Q4 And Full Year Retail Sales Are Expected To Grow In Both Markets As Well. Retail Margins Are Anticipated To Remain Strong At 42% To 43% In The U.S. And 35% To 36% In Latin America'

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | October 26, 2023 08:29am

2023 Outlook

Based on strong third quarter results coupled with the recent pawn acquisitions and continued growth in earning assets, the Company's outlook for the remainder of 2023 remains highly positive which should result in further growth in revenue and earnings across all segments for the fourth quarter and full-year. Pawn operations are expected to remain the primary earnings driver in 2023 as the Company expects segment income from the combined U.S. and Latin America pawn segments to be approximately 80% of total segment level pre-tax income for the full year.

Anticipated conditions and trends for the remainder of 2023 include the following:

Pawn Operations:

• Expected fourth quarter results in the U.S. should benefit in particular from the addition of 88 U.S. locations year-to-date, of which 82 were added in the third quarter and provided limited contribution to the reported third quarter results.
• Pawn receivables at September 30, 2023 were up 22% in the U.S. and 15% in Latin America. U.S. pawn receivables continue to trend even higher thus far in October, and are now up by over 24% in total and over 12% on a same-store basis compared to the same point a year ago. The growth in pawn receivables would imply similarly expected growth in pawn fee revenue during the fourth quarter.
• Given the strong growth in store counts year-to-date, fourth quarter and full year retail sales are expected to grow in both markets as well. Retail margins are anticipated to remain strong at 42% to 43% in the U.S. and 35% to 36% in Latin America.
• While operating expenses are expected to rise in both the U.S. and Latin America in 2023 due to increased store counts along with continued inflationary impacts (primarily in Latin America), the Company anticipates continued operating leverage from the expected revenue growth from its pawn segments.
• In addition to the acquired U.S. stores, the Company expects to add approximately 65 total new locations in 2023. Management continues to see a solid pipeline of further new store openings and potential acquisition opportunities in both the U.S. and Latin America.

Posted In: FCFS