Core Viewpoint - UPBD's MSCI ESG rating has been downgraded from AA to A as of October 30, 2025, indicating a decline in the company's environmental, social, and governance performance [1] Group 1 - The downgrade reflects a significant change in UPBD's ESG performance metrics [1]

Core Insights - Upbound Group, Inc. (UPBD) reported strong third-quarter 2025 results, with revenues and earnings exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, showing year-over-year growth [1][3][10] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.00, surpassing the consensus estimate of 98 cents, and increased from 95 cents in the prior year [3] - Total revenues reached $1,164.7 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1,144 million, marking a 9% year-over-year increase driven by higher rentals, fees, and merchandise sales [3] - Adjusted EBITDA totaled $123.6 million, up 5.7% from the previous year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.6%, down 30 basis points year-over-year [4] Segment Performance - Rent-A-Center segment revenues declined 4.7% year-over-year to $461.1 million, attributed to a reduced number of company-owned stores and a smaller portfolio [5] - Acima segment revenues increased 10.4% year-over-year to $625.3 million, with applications growing approximately 13% and Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) advancing 11% to $484 million [7] - Brigit reported total revenues of $57.7 million, representing over 40% year-over-year growth, with average monthly revenue per user rising 11.4% [9] Guidance and Outlook - The company has revised its fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA and EPS guidance downward due to margin compression in Acima and weaker Rent-A-Center performance [2] - Expected revenues for 2025 are projected to be between $4.60 billion and $4.75 billion, with adjusted EBITDA anticipated between $500 million and $510 million [15]

Core Insights - Upbound Group (UPBD) reported $1.16 billion in revenue for Q3 2025, a 9% year-over-year increase, with an EPS of $1.00 compared to $0.95 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14 billion, resulting in a surprise of +1.82%, while the EPS also surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.98 by +2.04% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Subscriptions and fees generated $57.66 million, slightly above the estimated $56.88 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase [4] - Revenues from Brigit were reported at $57.66 million, again exceeding the two-analyst average estimate of $56.88 million [4] - Other revenues amounted to $7.62 million, below the average estimate of $8.18 million, but showing a significant year-over-year change of +322.7% [4] - Store revenues from merchandise sales reached $198.1 million, surpassing the estimated $191.8 million, marking a +31.4% change compared to the previous year [4] - Store revenues from rentals and fees totaled $901.34 million, exceeding the average estimate of $889.89 million, with a year-over-year change of +2.7% [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of Upbound Group have returned +1.3%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has changed by +3.6% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - The company has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Hal Koury as Chief Financial Officer and Rebecca Wooters as Chief Growth Officer, both bringing extensive experience in financial services and digital transformation [1][5][51] - The company reported strong financial results for the quarter, with revenue increasing by 9% year-over-year to $1.16 billion and adjusted EBITDA rising by 5.7% to $123.6 million [6][20] - Asima achieved its eighth consecutive quarter of GMV growth, up 11% year-over-year, while Bridget experienced significant growth with a 40% increase in revenue and a 27% rise in subscribers [6][17][31] Executive Appointments - Hal Koury, previously CFO at Goeasy, brings relevant experience in non-prime lending and retail banking [1] - Rebecca Wooters, former Chief Digital Officer at Signet Jewelers, has a track record of transforming businesses into digital omnichannel retailers [1][5] Financial Performance - Revenue for the quarter reached $1.16 billion, a 9% increase from the previous year, driven by growth in Asima and the addition of Bridget [20] - Adjusted EBITDA was $123.6 million, reflecting a 5.7% year-over-year increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.6% [20] - Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1, up 5.3% from the year-ago quarter [20] Segment Performance - Asima's GMV grew by 11% year-over-year, with a focus on adding new merchants and enhancing customer experience [31][32] - Bridget's revenue increased by 40% year-over-year, with a significant rise in active subscribers and a strong average revenue per user (ARPU) [35][37] - Rent-A-Center reported a revenue of $461 million, down 4.7% year-over-year, but showed improvement in same-store sales, which were down 3.6% [39][40] Market Dynamics - The consumer environment is characterized by economic uncertainty, impacting spending priorities and payment behavior [8][59] - The company anticipates that these conditions may lead to increased demand for low weekly payments for durable goods [9] - Asima's underwriting has tightened in response to macroeconomic pressures, which may impact GMV growth in the near term [10][47] Strategic Initiatives - Asima activated its 100,000th merchant location, enhancing its merchant portfolio and customer experience [22] - Bridget is testing new financial products and marketing strategies to drive subscriber growth and improve customer acquisition [25][66] - Rent-A-Center has implemented operational improvements and promotional strategies to enhance customer engagement and sales performance [27][29] Future Outlook - The company expects revenue for the full year to be in the range of $4.6 billion to $4.075 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $500 million and $510 million [47][49] - Asima is projected to achieve mid-single-digit GMV growth in the fourth quarter, while Bridget is expected to see high single-digit revenue growth [48][49] - The company remains focused on leveraging digital transformation and AI to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency [51][70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Upbound Group reported Q3 2025 revenue of $1.16 billion, a 9% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA of $123.6 million, up 5.7% year-over-year [7][22][47] - The adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.6%, down 30 basis points from the previous year [22] - Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1, reflecting a 5.3% increase compared to the same quarter last year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rent-A-Center's revenue was $461 million, down 4.7% year-over-year, with same-store sales improving sequentially from a negative 4% to 3.6% [41][20] - Acima achieved 11% GMV growth in Q3, marking its eighth consecutive quarter of growth, with revenue growth of 10.4% and an EBITDA margin of 12% [13][36] - Brigit experienced a 40% revenue growth and a 27% increase in subscribers year-over-year, contributing $9.3 million in adjusted EBITDA with a margin of over 16% [19][40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macroeconomic environment remains challenging, with inflation impacting consumer confidence and spending behavior [11][62] - Job growth is slowing, and price levels are affecting the core customer base, which is primarily cash-strapped [11][62] - Acima's focus on the jewelry category has led to a shift in customer behavior, impacting gross margins [15][36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to elevate financial opportunities for all, adapting to changing consumer needs and accelerating innovation [5][6] - New leadership appointments, including a Chief Financial Officer and a Chief Growth Officer, are expected to enhance customer experience and drive growth [6][7] - Strategic initiatives include enhancing the merchant portfolio and customer experience at Acima, as well as expanding Brigit's product offerings [23][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for the holiday season, noting that while macro conditions are uncertain, there are opportunities for growth [46][47] - The company anticipates GMV growth in the mid-single digits for Acima in Q4, with a long-term outlook of high single digits to low double digits growth [47][58] - Rent-A-Center is expected to approach flat to positive same-store sales in Q4, driven by improved execution and inventory management [20][70] Other Important Information - Upbound generated over $50 million in free cash flow in Q3, totaling $167 million year-to-date [22][45] - The company has a net leverage ratio of approximately 2.9 times and has refinanced its Term Loan B to enhance liquidity [44][45] - The adjusted tax rate for the quarter was 24.5%, lower than the recent run rate due to a one-time item [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the impact of underwriting changes at Acima on growth? - Management acknowledged that underwriting changes will impact GMV growth in Q4, guiding for mid-single-digit growth, but expects to return to high single digits in 2026 [56][58] Question: How is the consumer environment affecting different segments? - Management characterized the consumer as stressed, with inflation impacting disposable income, but noted differences between Rent-A-Center and Acima consumers [62][64] Question: What is driving the positive outlook for Rent-A-Center? - The positive outlook is attributed to improved execution, strategic initiatives, and a strong inventory position heading into the holiday season [70][100] Question: How is Brigit performing in the current environment? - Brigit is expected to lean into the current environment, with increased demand for liquidity tools and a focus on subscriber growth [94][96]

™ Third Quarter Earnings Review October 30, 2025 Disclosures Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding our goals, plans and projections with respect to our operations, financial position and business strategy, including those related to our acquisition of Bridge IT, Inc. ("Brigit") on January 31, 2025. Such forward-looking statements generally ...

Financial Performance - Consolidated revenues for Q3 2025 reached $1,164.7 million, a 9.0% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by the acquisition of Brigit and higher rentals and merchandise sales [6]. - Net earnings on a GAAP basis were $13.2 million, down from $30.9 million in the prior year, resulting in a net profit margin of 1.1%, a decrease of 180 basis points year-over-year [6]. - Adjusted EBITDA increased 5.7% year-over-year to $123.6 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.6%, down 30 basis points compared to the prior year [6]. - Total revenues for Q3 2025 reached $1,164.7 million, a 8.9% increase from $1,068.9 million in Q3 2024 [28]. - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was $563.1 million, compared to $511.1 million in Q3 2024, reflecting a gross margin improvement [28]. - The company reported a net earnings of $13.2 million for Q3 2025, down from $30.9 million in Q3 2024, resulting in a diluted earnings per share of $0.22 [28]. - The company reported a total revenue increase of 5% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting strong operational performance [39]. - For the three months ended September 30, 2025, the consolidated net earnings (loss) were $(112,769) thousand, resulting in an operating profit (loss) of $(73,237) thousand [48]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the same period was $123,561 thousand, with Acima contributing $75,002 thousand and Rent-A-Center contributing $74,709 thousand [48]. Segment Performance - Acima's Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) grew 11.0% year-over-year to $484.0 million, with new merchants and an expanding direct-to-consumer marketplace contributing significantly to this growth [7]. - Brigit segment revenue increased over 40% year-over-year, with paying subscribers rising approximately 27% year-over-year to 1.44 million [7]. - The Rent-A-Center segment reported a revenue decline of 4.7% year-over-year to $461.1 million, with same store sales decreasing 3.6% year-over-year [7]. - The Acima segment generated revenues of $625.3 million in Q3 2025, up from $566.2 million in Q3 2024 [28]. Guidance and Future Outlook - The company tightened its FY 2025 guidance, maintaining revenue expectations of $4.60 - $4.75 billion while adjusting adjusted EBITDA guidance to $500 - $510 million [10]. - Future guidance indicates an expected revenue growth of 10% for the upcoming quarter, driven by new product launches and market expansion strategies [39]. - The company is committed to responsible growth as it enters 2026, reflecting its updated FY 2025 guidance [13]. Liquidity and Debt - The company ended the quarter with liquidity of over $360 million and a net leverage ratio of 2.9x, down from 3.0x in the previous quarter [12]. - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $107.0 million as of September 30, 2025, up from $85.1 million a year earlier [30]. - The company’s senior debt increased to $1,102.7 million as of September 30, 2025, from $794.3 million a year earlier [30]. - The net leverage ratio as of Q3 2025 was 2.9x, with outstanding debt of $1,564,000,000 and net debt of $1,457,000,000 [76]. Expenses and Legal Matters - Operating expenses increased to $510.3 million in Q3 2025, compared to $441.0 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to higher non-labor operating expenses [28]. - Legal matters incurred expenses of $32.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2025, significantly affecting the operating profit [39]. - The company recognized $10.0 million in legal accruals and $0.6 million in litigation expenses related to regulatory lawsuits [61]. - Legal matters expenses totaled $12,612 thousand, primarily related to regulatory investigations and lawsuits [50]. Acquisitions - The company acquired Brigit on January 31, 2025, which is expected to enhance its financial service offerings [25]. - The acquisition of Brigit is expected to contribute an additional $20 million in revenue over the next year, enhancing market presence [39]. - The company reported $6,218 thousand in transaction costs associated with the Brigit acquisition [64]. - The company incurred $3,656,000 in transaction fees related to the Brigit acquisition [67].

Core Viewpoint - Upbound Group, Inc. is set to report its financial results for Q3 2025 on October 30, 2025, before market opening, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1] Financial Reporting - The financial results will be announced before the market opens on October 30, 2025 [1] - A conference call is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results [1]

Group 1 - Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:UPBD) provides lease-to-own and installment purchase options for household goods, including furniture, appliances, electronics, computers, and smartphones [1] - The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share on September 18, payable by October 21 to shareholders of record on September 30, resulting in a yield of 7.1% [1] - Jim Cramer expressed skepticism about UPBD's business model, stating it is the least known and has not been proven [1] Group 2 - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to UPBD [2]

Group 1: Remitly Global, Inc. - Jim Cramer expressed a negative outlook on Remitly Global, preferring traditional banks over this company [1] - JMP Securities analyst David M. Scharf maintained a Market Outperform rating for Remitly Global but lowered the price target from $32 to $23 [1] - Remitly shares fell 2% to settle at $15.72 on Monday [4] Group 2: Upbound Group, Inc. - Jim Cramer also expressed disapproval of Upbound Group [1] - Upbound Group declared a quarterly cash dividend of 39 cents per share for the fourth quarter [1] - Upbound Group shares declined 3.1% to settle at $22.03 on Monday [4] Group 3: USA Rare Earth, Inc. - Jim Cramer noted that USA Rare Earth fits a speculative pattern, with potential interest from the president for a stake [2] - CEO Barbara Humpton mentioned that the company is in regular talks with the White House, indicating possible deal speculation [2] - USA Rare Earth shares gained 1.4% to settle at $26.32 [4]