EX-99.1 2 fourthquarter2016earningsr.htm EXHIBIT 99.1EARNINGS RELEASE 4Q2016 Exhibit



EXHIBIT 99.1

Contact:
Aaron's, Inc.
SCR Partners
 
Garet Hayes
Jeff Black
 
Director of Public Relations
615.760.3679
 
678.402.3000
JBlack@scr-ir.com



Aaron's, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2016 Results

Total Revenues $795.0 Million for the Quarter; $3.208 Billion for the Year
Diluted EPS $0.30 for the Quarter; $1.91 for the Year
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.50 for the Quarter; $2.30 for the Year
Ended Year with $309 Million in Cash; Net Debt to Total Capitalization of 9.6%
Provides 2017 Outlook

ATLANTA, February 17, 2017 - Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, today announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Aaron’s Inc. “Company” conducts its operations through three primary businesses: 1) Aaron's branded lease-to-own stores and Aarons.com; 2) the Progressive virtual lease-to-own business; and 3) Dent-A-Med, Inc. “DAMI”, our second-look financing business. Going forward, we will refer to our Aaron's branded lease-to-own stores and Aarons.com as our "Aaron's Business," which we formerly referred to as our “Core” business.
2016 was another strong year for the Company. We served more customers than in any year in the Company’s history and delivered record financial performance,” said John Robinson, Chief Executive Officer. “The results reflect disciplined execution across an omnichannel platform that spans retail stores, e-commerce and virtual lease-to-own.”
“Earnings for 2016 were driven by outstanding performance at Progressive,” continued Mr. Robinson. “Favorable lease portfolio performance generated improved profitability for Progressive, and strong door growth contributed to a double-digit increase in invoice volume. We’re excited about the prospects for Progressive as we enter 2017.”
“During 2016, we took aggressive action in the Aaron’s Business to strengthen our management team, reduce costs, and increase our focus on execution in our stores and on




Aarons.com,” Mr. Robinson stated. “We continue to innovate our model to drive revenue while maintaining a disciplined approach to right-sizing our store base and managing our expenses.”
“We significantly strengthened our balance sheet in 2016, which provides us with the financial flexibility to continue to invest in our business and return excess capital to shareholders. In 2016, we returned nearly $42 million to our shareholders through stock repurchases and cash dividends. The Company ended the year with $309 million in cash and a net debt to capitalization ratio of 9.6%, with 9.1 million shares remaining on our existing share repurchase authorization,” Mr. Robinson concluded.
Financial Summary
For the fourth quarter of 2016, Company revenues, which includes the Aaron's, Progressive and DAMI businesses, decreased 3.2% to $795.0 million compared with $821.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Net earnings were $21.6 million compared with $21.7 million in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share were $0.30 in both periods. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 33.0% compared with 36.8% for the prior year period.
On a non-GAAP basis, net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $36.3 million compared with $29.8 million for the same period in 2015, and earnings per share assuming dilution were $0.50 in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $0.41 for the same quarter in 2015. In 2016, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude the effects of amortization expense resulting from our 2014 acquisition of Progressive, a gain related to the sale of our HomeSmart business and Aaron's Business restructuring charges. In 2015, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude the effects of amortization expense resulting from our 2014 acquisition of Progressive, transaction costs related to the October 2015 DAMI acquisition and a loss due to a lease termination on a Company aircraft. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release.
Adjusted EBITDA for the Company, which excludes the aforementioned charges and adjustments, was $73.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with $67.4 million for the same period in 2015. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release.





During fiscal year 2016, revenues increased 0.9% to $3.208 billion compared with $3.180 billion for the prior year. Net earnings were $139.3 million versus $135.7 million last year. Diluted earnings per share were $1.91 compared with $1.86 per share a year ago.
On a non-GAAP basis, net earnings for fiscal year 2016 were $167.7 million compared with $157.0 million for 2015 and diluted earnings per share were $2.30 compared with $2.15 in 2015. Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in 2016 exclude the effects of amortization expense resulting from the 2014 acquisition of Progressive, a gain on the sale of the Company's headquarters building, retirement and severance charges, a loss resulting from the Company's sale of its HomeSmart business and the Aaron's Business restructuring. In 2015, non-GAAP results exclude the effects of Progressive amortization, the transaction costs related to the October 2015 DAMI acquisition and a loss due to a lease termination on a Company aircraft. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release.
Adjusted EBITDA for the Company, which excludes the aforementioned other charges and adjustments, was $342.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared with $323.8 million for the same period in 2015. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release.
The Company generated $465.4 million in cash from operations during 2016 and ended the year with $308.6 million in cash compared with $14.9 million at the end of 2015.
Aaron's Business Results
For the fourth quarter of 2016, total revenues for the Aaron's Business decreased 14.5% to $463.5 million from $542.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Total revenues for fiscal year 2016 decreased 8.5% to $1.946 billion compared with $2.127 billion for fiscal year 2015.
On May 13, 2016, the Company completed the sale of its HomeSmart business. Revenues for the HomeSmart business through May 13, 2016 were $25.4 million. Revenues for the HomeSmart business were $15.8 million and $63.2 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Excluding the sale of HomeSmart, total revenues for the Aaron's Business decreased 12.0% and 6.9% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively. Lease revenue and fees for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 decreased 6% and 3.4%, respectively, excluding the sale of HomeSmart. Non-retail sales, which primarily consist of merchandise sales to the Company's franchisees,





decreased 29.5% for the fourth quarter and 20.7% for the twelve months of 2016, compared with the prior-year periods.
Earnings before income taxes for the Aaron's Business was $4.8 million and $123.0 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively, compared with $26.6 million and $160.6 million for the same periods a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $32.4 million and $191.2 million, respectively, compared with $42.9 million and $215.8 million for the same periods a year ago. As a percentage of revenue, Adjusted EBITDA was 7.0% and 9.8% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively, compared with 7.9% and 10.1% for the same periods in 2015. Write offs for damaged, lost or unsaleable merchandise were 4.6% of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to 4.7% for the same period last year.
Same store revenues (revenues earned in Company-operated stores open for the entirety of both quarters) decreased 5.8% during the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with the fourth quarter of 2015, and customer count on a same store basis was down 4.2%. Company-operated Aaron's stores had 973,000 customers at December 31, 2016, a 6.0% decrease from the end of 2015, excluding HomeSmart customers for both periods.
At December 31, 2016, the Company had 1,165 Company-operated stores and 699 franchised stores. During the fourth quarter of 2016, 61 Company-operated stores and four franchised stores were consolidated or closed. Two Company-operated stores were sold to a third party.
As discussed previously, the Company has undertaken a review of its store base to identify underperforming stores and right size its footprint in existing markets. As part of that review, in addition to closing 61 stores in the fourth quarter of 2016 and consolidating their customer accounts into other stores, the Company has identified approximately 70 additional stores to be closed in the second quarter of 2017. The Company may decide to close additional stores in future periods.
The decision to close approximately 70 stores in the second quarter of 2017 resulted in a pre-tax charge of approximately $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company expects to incur an additional pre-tax charge of approximately $13 million in the second quarter of 2017 with respect to the stores that have been identified for closure.





Progressive Results
Progressive's revenues in the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 17.3% to $324.0 million from $276.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Progressive's revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were $1.238 billion compared with $1.050 billion in the prior year period. Active doors increased 36% in the fourth quarter of 2016 to approximately 18,000. Invoice volume per active door declined 13% in the quarter, driven by strong growth in new doors. Progressive had 598,000 customers at December 31, 2016, a 17% increase from December 31, 2015.
Earnings before income taxes for Progressive was $29.0 million and $104.7 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively, compared with $9.8 million and $54.5 million for the same periods a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $41.7 million and $155.5 million, respectively, compared with $25.5 million and $109.0 million for the same periods of 2015. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted EBITDA was 12.9% and 12.6%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared with 9.2% and 10.4% for the same periods in 2015. Write offs for damaged, lost or unsaleable merchandise were 5.9% of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to 7.1% in the same period of 2015.
DAMI Results
Revenues for DAMI were $7.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $24.1 million for the 2016 fiscal year. DAMI's loss before income taxes was $1.6 million and $9.3 million for the three and twelve months ending December 31, 2016, respectively. Its pre-tax, pre-provision loss was $552,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $3.6 million for the year.
Pre-tax, pre-provision loss is a non-GAAP measure that represents loss before income taxes adjusted so that loan charge-offs and recoveries are recognized in earnings as they occur by excluding the effect on earnings of changes to management's provision for estimated future loan losses. Results for DAMI were in line with expectations. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” and the related non-GAAP reconciliation accompanying this press release for more information regarding the calculation of pre-tax, pre-provision loss.





Significant Components of Revenue
Consolidated lease revenues and fees for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 increased 1.5% and 3.6%, respectively, over the same prior year periods. In addition, franchise royalties and fees decreased 13.3% in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 8.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same periods a year ago. The decrease in franchise royalties and fees was the combined result of decreases in revenues generated by our franchisees and the number of franchised stores. Our franchisee revenue totaled $214.0 million in the fourth quarter and $917.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of 10.3% and 5.7%, respectively, from the same periods for the prior year. Same store revenues for franchised stores were down 7.3% and same store customer counts were down 2.3% for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the same quarter for the prior year. Franchised stores had 544,000 customers at the end of 2016, a 6.4% decline from the prior period (revenues and customers of franchisees are not revenues and customers of the Aaron's Business or Aaron's, Inc.).
2017 Outlook
The Company is providing the following outlook for the 2017 year. Diluted earnings per share is presented both on a GAAP basis and on a non-GAAP basis excluding Progressive-related intangible amortization and any future one-time or unusual items. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes any future one-time or unusual items. The Company currently expects to achieve the following:
Aaron's Inc. (Consolidated)
Revenues of approximately $3.10 billion to $3.31 billion, excluding revenues of franchisees.
Adjusted EBITDA of $320 million to $353 million.
GAAP diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.85 to $2.10.
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.15 to $2.40.
Capital expenditures of $60 million to $80 million.
Operations of both the Aaron’s Business and Progressive are expected to generate positive cash flow.






Aaron’s Business
Total revenues of approximately $1.68 billion to $1.78 billion, including lease revenues of $1.30 billion to $1.40 billion.
Same store revenues of approximately negative 12% to negative 8%.
Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $155 million to $170 million.
The above outlook includes the impact of the closure of approximately 70 stores in the second quarter of 2017.
The Company will continue to evaluate its store base for strategic growth and consolidation opportunities.
Progressive
Total revenues of approximately $1.40 billion to $1.50 billion.
EBITDA of $170 million to $185 million.
DAMI
Total revenues of approximately $25 million to $35 million.
EBITDA of approximately negative $5 million to negative $2 million.
Conference Call and Webcast
Aaron's, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly and full-year financial results on Friday, February 17, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by webcast accessible through the Company's Investor Relations website, investor.aarons.com. The webcast will be archived for playback at that same site.
About Aaron's, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. Aaron’s Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its more than 1,860 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada as well as its e-commerce platform Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 22,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through federally insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this news release regarding our business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to





differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “expect,” “expectations,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “intend,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “should” and similar terminology. These risks and uncertainties include factors such as changes in general economic conditions, competition, pricing, legal and regulatory proceedings, customer privacy, information security, customer demand, the execution and results of our strategy and expense reduction and store closure and consolidation initiatives, risks related to Progressive’s “virtual” lease-to-own business, the outcome of Progressive’s pilot or test programs with various retailers and the results of Progressive’s efforts to expand its relationships with existing retailer partners and establish new partnerships with additional retailers, and the other risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Statements in this release that are “forward-looking” include without limitation: Aaron’s projected results (including Progressive’s results) and guidance for 2017, the number of stores the Company expects to close in the second quarter of 2017 and the charges expected to be incurred in connection therewith, and management's capital allocation plans. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date of this press release.






Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
(Unaudited) 
 Three Months Ended
(Unaudited) 
 Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
December 31,
 
 
2016
2015
2016
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Lease Revenues and Fees
 
$
676,667

$
666,574

$
2,780,824

$
2,684,184

Retail Sales
 
5,872

6,817

29,418

32,872

Non-Retail Sales
 
90,182

127,943

309,446

390,137

Franchise Royalties and Fees
 
13,385

15,438

58,350

63,507

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
 
7,535

2,845

24,080

2,845

Other
 
1,313

1,582

5,598

6,211

Total
 
794,954

821,199

3,207,716

3,179,756

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation of Lease Merchandise
 
316,897

300,267

1,304,295

1,212,644

Retail Cost of Sales
 
3,530

3,950

18,580

21,040

Non-Retail Cost of Sales
 
80,923

114,895

276,608

351,777

Operating Expenses
 
340,783

358,041

1,351,785

1,357,030

Restructuring
 
15,560


20,218


Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net
 
(474
)
3,469

(6,446
)
1,324

Total
 
757,219

780,622

2,965,040

2,943,815

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit
 
37,735

40,577

242,676

235,941

Interest Income
 
903

471

2,699

2,185

Interest Expense
 
(5,429
)
(6,224
)
(23,390
)
(23,339
)
Other Non-Operating Expense, Net
 
(921
)
(444
)
(3,563
)
(1,667
)
Earnings Before Income Taxes
 
32,288

34,380

218,422

213,120

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes
 
10,657

12,654

79,139

77,411

Net Earnings
 
$
21,631

$
21,726

$
139,283

$
135,709

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.30

$
0.30

$
1.93

$
1.87

Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution
 
$
0.30

$
0.30

$
1.91

$
1.86

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
 
71,423

72,596

72,354

72,568

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Assuming Dilution
 
72,365

73,274

73,013

73,043






Selected Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands)
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
1,2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
308,561

 
$
14,942

 
Investments
 
20,519

 
22,226

 
Accounts Receivable, Net
 
95,777

 
113,439

 
Loans Receivable, Net
 
84,804

 
85,795

 
Lease Merchandise, Net
 
999,381

 
1,138,938

 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
211,271

 
225,836

 
Other Assets, Net
 
895,423

 
1,097,312

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
2,615,736

 
2,698,488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt
 
497,829

 
606,746

 
Total Liabilities
 
1,134,138

 
1,331,870

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' Equity
 
$
1,481,598

 
$
1,366,618

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 $3.7 million of capitalized deferred debt issuance costs were reclassified in the first quarter of 2016 from Other Assets, Net to be a deduction from Debt as of December 31, 2015 to conform with the current period presentation upon adoption of ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.
2 In order to conform with the current period presentation, the Company made a reclassification to the December 31, 2015 balance sheet to record the estimated insurance coverage in excess of stop-loss policy limits and to reflect certain prepayments to the insurance carrier as part of Other Assets, Net and the related gross insurance reserve as accounts payable and accrued expenses, within Total Liabilities above, rather than presenting them on a net basis.

Selected Cash Flow Data
(In thousands)

 
 
(Unaudited) 
 Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
$
465,444

 
$
166,761

Cash Used by Investing Activities
 
(20,081
)
 
(108,850
)
Cash Used by Financing Activities
 
(151,871
)
 
(46,518
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash & Cash Equivalents
 
127

 

Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
293,619

 
11,393

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
14,942

 
3,549

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
308,561

 
$
14,942







Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Quarterly Revenues by Segment
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

THREE MONTHS ENDED
December 31, 2016
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other
Consolidated Total
Lease Revenues and Fees
$
352,706

$
323,961

$

$

$

$

$

$
676,667

Retail Sales
5,872







5,872

Non-Retail Sales
86,642





3,540


90,182

Franchise Royalties and Fees




13,385



13,385

Manufacturing Revenue





19,170

(19,170
)

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable



7,535




7,535

Other
1,102






211

1,313

 
$
446,322

$
323,961

$

$
7,535

$
13,385

$
22,710

$
(18,959
)
$
794,954



THREE MONTHS ENDED
December 31, 2015
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other
Consolidated Total
Lease Revenues and Fees
$
375,084

$
276,130

$
15,512

$

$

$

$
(152
)
$
666,574

Retail Sales
6,578


239





6,817

Non-Retail Sales
127,077





866


127,943

Franchise Royalties and Fees




15,438



15,438

Manufacturing Revenue





27,106

(27,106
)

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable



2,845




2,845

Other
1,314






268

1,582

 
$
510,053

$
276,130

$
15,751

$
2,845

$
15,438

$
27,972

$
(26,990
)
$
821,199













Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Twelve Months Revenues by Segment
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
December 31, 2016
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other
Consolidated Total
Lease Revenues and Fees
$
1,518,439

$
1,237,597

$
24,664

$

$

$

$
124

$
2,780,824

Retail Sales
28,690


728





29,418

Non-Retail Sales
300,411





9,035


309,446

Franchise Royalties and Fees




58,350



58,350

Manufacturing Revenue





81,239

(81,239
)

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable



24,080




24,080

Other
4,772






826

5,598

 
$
1,852,312

$
1,237,597

$
25,392

$
24,080

$
58,350

$
90,274

$
(80,289
)
$
3,207,716



TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
December 31, 2015
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other
Consolidated Total
Lease Revenues and Fees
$
1,572,778

$
1,049,681

$
61,877

$

$

$

$
(152
)
$
2,684,184

Retail Sales
31,545


1,327





32,872

Non-Retail Sales
388,006





2,131


390,137

Franchise Royalties and Fees




63,507



63,507

Manufacturing Revenue





103,889

(103,889
)

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable



2,845




2,845

Other
4,941






1,270

6,211

 
$
1,997,270

$
1,049,681

$
63,204

$
2,845

$
63,507

$
106,020

$
(102,771
)
$
3,179,756







Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information:
Non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of our performance that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 each exclude $6.6 million in Progressive-related intangible amortization expense, $214,000 of gain related to the sale of HomeSmart and $15.6 million in restructuring charges for the Aaron's Business. For the twelve months of 2016 non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude $26.4 million in Progressive-related intangible amortization expense, an $11.1 million gain from the sale of the Company’s former headquarters building, $3.7 million in retirement and severance charges, a $5.4 million loss related to the HomeSmart sale and $20.2 million in restructuring charges for the Aaron's Business. Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for 2015 exclude $6.6 million and $26.4 million in Progressive-related intangible amortization expense, $2.7 million and $3.7 million of DAMI related transaction costs and $3.5 million related to the lease termination of a Company aircraft for the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2015, respectively.
The EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA figures presented in this press release are calculated as the Company's earnings before interest, depreciation on property, plant and equipment, amortization of intangible assets and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes the other adjustments described in the calculation of non-GAAP net earnings above.
Management believes that non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide relevant and useful information, and are widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry as well as by our management in assessing both consolidated and business unit performance.
Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings provides management and investors with an understanding of the results from the primary operations of our business by excluding the effects of certain items that generally arose from larger, one-time transactions that are not reflective of the ordinary earnings activity of our operations. This measure may be useful to an investor in evaluating the underlying operating performance of our business.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA also provides management and investors with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing charges and income taxes. These measures may be useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance and liquidity because the measures:
Are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such measure, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods, book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors.
Are a financial measurement that is used by rating agencies, lenders and other parties to evaluate our creditworthiness.





Are used by our management for various purposes, including as a measure of performance of our operating entities and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.
Finally, this press release presents pre-tax, pre-provision loss for DAMI, which is also a supplemental measure not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes this measure is useful because it gives management and investors an additional, supplemental metric to assess DAMI’s underlying operational performance for the period. Due to the growth of our originated credit card loan portfolio after our October 2015 acquisition of DAMI, we believe pre-provision, pre-tax loss helps investors to assess DAMI’s operating performance until such time as the credit card portfolio reaches levels which management believes will be normal and recurring.  Management uses this measure as one of its bases for strategic planning and forecasting for DAMI. Our use of pre-provision, pre-tax loss may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate these measures in the same manner.
Non-GAAP financial measures, however, should not be used as a substitute for, or considered superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as the Company's GAAP basis net earnings and diluted earnings per share and the GAAP earnings before income taxes of the Company's segments, which are also presented in the press release. Further, we caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and pre-tax, pre-provision loss may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate these measures in the same manner.







Reconciliation of Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution to Non-GAAP
Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution
(In thousands, except earnings per share)
 
(Unaudited) 
 Three Months Ended
(Unaudited) 
 Twelve Months Ended
 
December 31,
December 31,
 
2016
2015
2016
2015
Net Earnings
$
21,631

$
21,726

$
139,283

$
135,709

Add Progressive-Related Intangible Amortization Expense (1)(2)
4,413

4,163

16,803

16,780

Less Gain on Sale of Building (3)


(7,060
)

Add Retirement and Severance Charges (4)


2,349


Add Loss on Sale of HomeSmart (5)
(143
)

3,463


Add Restructuring (6)
10,424


12,893


Add DAMI Transaction Costs (7)

1,732


2,326

Add Loss Aircraft Lease Termination (8)

2,212


2,229

 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Net Earnings
$
36,325

$
29,833

$
167,731

$
157,044

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution
$
0.30

$
0.30

$
1.91

$
1.86

Add Progressive-Related Intangible Amortization Expense (1)(2)
0.06

0.06

0.23

0.23

Less Gain on Sale of Building (3)


(0.10
)

Add Retirement and Severance Charges (4)


0.03


Add Loss on Sale of HomeSmart (5)


0.05


Add Restructuring (6)
0.14


0.18


Add DAMI Transaction Costs (7)

0.02


0.03

Add Loss Aircraft Lease Termination (8)

0.03


0.03

 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution (9)
$
0.50

$
0.41

$
2.30

$
2.15

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution
72,365

73,274

73,013

73,043

(1) 
Net of taxes of $2,175 and $9,547 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. 
(2) 
Net of taxes of $2,425 and $9,570 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. 
(3) 
Net of taxes of $4,011 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the period. 
(4) 
Net of taxes of $1,334 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the period. 
(5) 
Net of taxes of $71 and $1,968 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. 
(6) 
Net of taxes of $5,136 and $7,325 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. 
(7) 
Net of taxes of $1,009 and $1,326 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. 
(8) 
Net of taxes of $1,288 and $1,271 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods. 
(9) 
In some cases the sum of individual EPS amounts may not equal total EPS calculations. 






DAMI Pre-tax, Pre-provision Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
 
(Unaudited) 
 Three Months Ended
(Unaudited) 
 Twelve Months Ended
 
December 31,
December 31,
 
2016
2015
2016
2015
Loss Before Income Taxes
$
(1,587
)
$
(1,964
)
$
(9,273
)
$
(1,964
)
Add: Adjustment to Increase Allowance for Loan Losses
During Period
1,035

937

5,687

937

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Loss
$
(552
)
$
(1,027
)
$
(3,586
)
$
(1,027
)

Due to the growth of our originated credit card loan portfolio subsequent to the October 2015 acquisition of DAMI, we believe pre-provision, pre-tax loss helps investors to assess DAMI’s operating performance until such time as the credit card portfolio reaches levels which management believes will be normal and recurring. Our use of pre-provision, pre-tax loss may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because not all companies and analysts calculate these measures in the same manner.  





Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Quarterly Segment EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other1
Consolidated Total
Net Earnings
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
21,631

Income Taxes







10,657

Earnings (Loss)
Before Income Taxes
8,396

29,034

214

(1,587
)
10,844

(886
)
(13,727
)
32,288

Interest Expense (Income)
2,130

4,817


1,075


(1
)
(2,592
)
5,429

Depreciation
6,922

1,282


121

252

312

4,638

13,527

Amortization
526

6,588


145




7,259

EBITDA
$
17,974

$
41,721

$
214

$
(246
)
$
11,096

$
(575
)
$
(11,681
)
$
58,503

Loss on Sale of HomeSmart


(214
)




(214
)
Restructuring
14,051






1,509

15,560

Adjusted EBITDA
$
32,025

$
41,721

$

$
(246
)
$
11,096

$
(575
)
$
(10,172
)
$
73,849

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other1
Consolidated Total
Net Earnings
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
21,726

Income Taxes







12,654

Earnings (Loss)
Before Income Taxes
30,917

9,764

367

(1,964
)
11,358

513

(16,575
)
34,380

Interest Expense (Income)
1,920

5,339

233

764


4

(2,036
)
6,224

Depreciation
7,040

1,030

606

86

330

353

3,863

13,308

Amortization
504

6,588

12

132




7,236

EBITDA
$
40,381

$
22,721

$
1,218

$
(982
)
$
11,688

$
870

$
(14,748
)
$
61,148

DAMI Related Transaction Costs

2,741


 



2,741

Loss on Aircraft Lease Termination



 


3,500

3,500

Adjusted EBITDA
$
40,381

$
25,462

$
1,218

$
(982
)
$
11,688

$
870

$
(11,248
)
$
67,389

1Other segment is primarily revenues attributable to (i) leasing space to unrelated third parties in the corporate headquarters building during 2015 and (ii) several minor unrelated activities. The pre-tax losses or earnings in the Other segment are the net result of the activity mentioned above, net of the portion of corporate overhead not allocated to the reportable segments for management purposes.









Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Twelve Months Segment EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other1
Consolidated Total
Net Earnings
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
139,283

Income Taxes







79,139

Earnings (Loss)
Before Income Taxes
$
127,306

$
104,686

$
(3,479
)
$
(9,273
)
$
46,766

$
(27
)
$
(47,557
)
$
218,422

Interest Expense (Income)
8,257

20,042

294

4,116


1

(9,320
)
23,390

Depreciation
28,384

4,377

810

423

1,149

1,297

17,124

53,564

Amortization
1,875

26,350

19

570




28,814

EBITDA
$
165,822

$
155,455

$
(2,356
)
$
(4,164
)
$
47,915

$
1,271

$
(39,753
)
$
324,190

Gain on Sale of Building






(11,071
)
(11,071
)
Retirement Charges






3,683

3,683

Loss on Sale of HomeSmart


5,431





5,431

Restructuring
16,622




88


3,508

20,218

Adjusted EBITDA
$
182,444

$
155,455

$
3,075

$
(4,164
)
$
48,003

$
1,271

$
(43,633
)
$
342,451

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other1
Consolidated Total
Net Earnings
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
135,709

Income Taxes







77,411

Earnings (Loss)
Before Income Taxes
$
162,996

$
54,525

$
606

$
(1,964
)
$
48,576

$
2,520

$
(54,139
)
$
213,120

Interest Expense (Income)
7,751

21,959

900

764


26

(8,061
)
23,339

Depreciation
29,246

2,520

2,465

86

1,429

1,482

14,805

52,033

Amortization
1,655

26,350

33

132




28,170

EBITDA
$
201,648

$
105,354

$
4,004

$
(982
)
$
50,005

$
4,028

$
(47,395
)
$
316,662

DAMI Related Transaction Costs

3,652






3,652

Loss on Aircraft Lease Termination






3,500

3,500

Adjusted EBITDA
$
201,648

$
109,006

$
4,004

$
(982
)
$
50,005

$
4,028

$
(43,895
)
$
323,814


1Other segment is primarily attributable to (i) leasing space to unrelated third parties in the corporate headquarters building during 2015 and (ii) several minor unrelated activities. The pre-tax losses or earnings in the Other segment are the net result of the activity mentioned above, net of the portion of corporate overhead not allocated to the reportable segments for management purposes.






Reconciliation of 2017 Projected Outlook for EBITDA

 
Fiscal Year 2017
 
Aaron's Business
Progressive
DAMI
Consolidated
(in thousands)
Range
Range
Range
Range
Estimated Net Earnings
 
 
 
$134,000 - $155,000
Taxes1
76,000 - 88,000
Projected Earnings Before Taxes
$98,000 - $113,000
$123,000 - $138,000
$(11,000) - $(8,000)
210,000 - 243,000
Interest Expense (Income)
19,000
5,000
24,000
Depreciation
43,000
5,000
1,000
49,000
Amortization
1,000
23,000
24,000
Projected EBITDA
142,000 - 157,000
170,000 - 185,000
(5,000) - (2,000)
307,000 - 340,000
Projected Other Adjustments, Net2
13,000
13,000
Projected Adjusted EBITDA
$155,000 - $170,000
$170,000 - $185,000
$(5,000) - $(2,000)
$320,000 - $353,000
1 Taxes are calculated on a consolidated basis and are not identifiable by company divisions.
2 Projected Other Adjustments include the non-GAAP charges related to the Aaron's Business restructuring.




Reconciliation of 2017 Projected Outlook for Earnings Per Share
Assuming Dilution to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution

 
Fiscal Year 2017
 
Low Range
High Range
Projected Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution
$
1.85

$
2.10

Add Projected Progressive-Related Intangible Amortization Expense
0.20

0.20

Add Sum of Other Adjustments1
0.10

0.10

Projected Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution
$
2.15

$
2.40

1 Projected Other Adjustments include the non-GAAP charges related to the Aaron's Business restructuring.