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FirstCash Completes Acquisition of H&T Group; Combination Establishes FirstCash as U.K.'s Leading Pawnbroker; Now Operates over 3,300 Retail Pawn Locations in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K.
Globenewswire· 2025-08-14 11:34
Core Viewpoint - FirstCash Holdings, Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of H&T Group plc, marking its entry into the European market and enhancing its position as a global leader in the pawn industry with over 3,300 retail locations and annualized pro forma revenues nearing $4 billion [2][4]. Company Overview - FirstCash is a leading international operator of pawn stores, serving cash and credit-constrained consumers with more than 3,300 locations across the U.S., Latin America, and the U.K. [11]. - The company focuses on buying and selling a variety of merchandise and providing small non-recourse pawn loans secured by personal property [11]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition of H&T, the largest pawn store operator in the U.K. with 286 locations, was finalized on August 14, 2025, with H&T shareholders receiving 650 pence per share, totaling an equity value of £289 million (approximately $383 million) [8]. - FirstCash also assumed H&T's net debt of approximately £64 million (around $85 million) [8]. Financial Impact - H&T's stand-alone financial metrics for the full year 2025 are projected to include revenues between $315 million and $340 million, net income of $35 million to $38 million, and EBITDA of $60 million to $65 million [6]. - The expected earnings per share accretion for FirstCash from H&T for the remainder of 2025 is anticipated to be in the range of $0.20 to $0.25 per share [6][7]. Strategic Importance - The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings, with strong pawn customer demand and double-digit pawn receivable growth reported by H&T in 2025 [5]. - The combination of FirstCash and H&T is seen as a platform for further international expansion, with H&T's market-leading position providing access to an attractive market [4][5].
FirstCash Reports Record Second Quarter Operating Results; Strong Performance Across All Segments Drives Over 30% Year-to-Date EPS Growth; Increases Quarterly Cash Dividend 11%
Globenewswire· 2025-07-24 10:00
Core Insights - FirstCash Holdings, Inc. reported strong operating results for the second quarter and year-to-date periods, with significant growth in pawn demand and earnings across its segments [2][27][31] - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per share, marking an 11% increase from the previous dividend [1][20] Financial Performance - For the three months ended June 30, 2025, revenue was $830.622 million, with net income of $59.805 million, representing a 22% increase year-over-year on a GAAP basis [4][5] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the second quarter increased by 31% compared to the prior-year quarter, reaching $1.79 [5][10] - Year-to-date net income increased by 30% over the prior-year period on a GAAP basis, totaling $143.396 million [5][10] Segment Performance - Pawn demand remains robust, with same-store pawn receivables up 13% in both the U.S. and Latin America [2][11] - The U.S. pawn segment reported a record pre-tax operating income of $98 million for the second quarter, an 8% increase compared to the prior-year quarter [11][46] - The Latin America pawn segment saw a 10% increase in pre-tax operating income on a U.S. dollar basis, with a 22% increase on a local currency basis [15][29] Acquisition and Expansion - The company expects to complete the acquisition of H&T Group plc, the largest pawnbroker in the U.K., by the end of the third quarter of 2025 [2][10] - The acquisition will expand FirstCash's operations into Europe, creating the largest publicly traded pawn platform in the U.S., Latin America, and the U.K. with over 3,300 locations [10][31] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - Consolidated operating cash flows for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025, grew by 26% to $555 million [20][32] - The company repurchased 525,000 shares of common stock at a total cost of $60 million over the past twelve months [20][32] - The annualized dividend is now $1.68 per share, reflecting an 11% increase over the previous annualized dividend [20][32] Outlook - The outlook for 2025 remains positive, with expected year-over-year growth in income driven by continued growth in earning asset balances and store additions [21][26] - Same-store pawn loans are projected to grow by 10% to 12% for the full year, up from previous expectations of 9% to 11% [21][26]
FirstCash to Acquire H&T Group, the Leading Operator of Pawnshops in the United Kingdom
Globenewswire· 2025-05-14 06:15
Core Viewpoint - FirstCash is strategically entering the UK market by acquiring H&T Group plc, enhancing its geographic diversification and growth opportunities while strengthening its position as a global leader in pawn operations [1][2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - FirstCash will pay 650 pence per share for H&T, totaling approximately £297 million or $394 million USD, including a final dividend of 11 pence per share [1]. - The acquisition has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to H&T's shareholder approval and regulatory approvals in the UK [5]. Group 2: Strategic and Financial Benefits - The acquisition expands FirstCash's geographic footprint into the UK, creating the largest publicly traded pawn platform across the U.S., Latin America, and the UK [2][6]. - H&T's established brand and network of 285 stores will enhance FirstCash's scale and operational efficiencies, unlocking further growth opportunities in the UK and potentially other European markets [6]. - The transaction is expected to be meaningfully accretive to EBITDA and EPS, strengthening FirstCash's financial profile and long-term shareholder value [6]. Group 3: Leadership and Management - H&T's experienced management team will provide local expertise, positioning FirstCash to drive strong execution and continued momentum in the UK market [6].