THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conn's, Inc. (NASDAQ:CONN) ("Conn's" or the "Company"), a specialty retailer of home goods, including furniture and mattresses, appliances, and consumer electronics, today announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended January 31, 2024.   "Since completing the transformative transaction with W.S. Badcock ("Badcock") in December 2023, we have focused on successfully integrating the two organizations, aligning around a common culture, and establishing a platform to drive significant revenue and cost synergies in the coming quarters.   As a result of our team's efforts, we have removed approximately $50 million of combined expenses during the fourth quarter and we have identified over $50 million of additional cost synergies that we expect to realize over the next 18 months.   In addition, during this period we expect to drive over $50 million of revenue synergies as we transition Badcock's credit program to Conn's in-house loan product, offer Conn's successful eCommerce capabilities to Badcock's customers, and pursue shared retail growth strategies," stated Norm Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer.   "While we expect the macro-environment to remain challenging throughout our fiscal year 2025, I am confident that the Badcock transaction, combined with existing strategic initiatives underway, will position us to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. As a result, we expect to experience year-over-year improvements in both retail sales and profitability throughout fiscal year 2025," concluded Mr. Miller. Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights as Compared to the Prior Fiscal Year Period (Unless Otherwise Noted): Total consolidated revenue increased 9.3% to $366.1 million, due to an 8.6% increase in total net sales, and a 10.7% increase in finance charges and other revenues The Badcock transaction, which closed on December 18, 2023, contributed $68.4 million to total consolidated revenue Net income per diluted share was $1.75, and included $16.3 million of one-time transaction expenses, $14.2 million of one-time expenses related to the extinguishment of debt, and a $104.9 million bargain purchase gain associated with the Badcock transaction Adjusted net loss was $1.25 per diluted share Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Highlights as Compared to the Prior Fiscal Year Period (Unless Otherwise Noted): Total consolidated revenue declined 7.8% to $1.2 billion, due to a 9.1% decline in total net sales, and a 3.6% reduction in finance charges and other revenues Net loss per diluted share was $3.17, and included $16.3 million of one-time transaction expenses Adjusted net loss was $6.22 per diluted share Key Business Highlights Completed the transformative transaction with Badcock in December 2023, creating a retailer with significant reach across 15 states and powered by best-in-class payment offerings, compelling eCommerce capabilities, and a premium shopping experience Pursued strategies aimed at improving Conn's retail performance and better serving Conn's core credit constrained customers, which drove a 21.6% year-over-year increase in annual credit applications, and a 38.2% year-over-year increase in annual eCommerce sales producing record annual eCommerce sales of $109.3 million Increased retail gross margin for fiscal year 2024 by 189 basis points to 35.9% Removed more than $50 million of costs in fiscal year 2024, with additional efforts underway to reduce costs and drive efficiencies Enhanced Conn's balance sheet by completing a $252.6 million ABS transaction during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 with the Class A bond 13 times oversubscribed and the Class B bond 9 times oversubscribed Fourth Quarter Results Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $43.3 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, compared to net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 of $42.8 million, or $1.79 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $31.0 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, which excludes charges and credits, debt extinguishment loss and the bargain purchase gain due to the acquisition. This compares to adjusted net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 of $36.7 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, which excludes charges and credits for asset disposal and store closure costs. Consolidated amounts within this earnings release include the results of Badcock from December 18, 2023 through January 31, 2024 only. Retail Segment Fourth Quarter Results Retail revenues were $296.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2024 compared to $270.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $26.1 million, or 9.6%. The increase in retail revenue was primarily driven by Badcock revenue of $60.3 million offset by a decrease in Conn's same store sales of 14.4%. The decrease in same store sales resulted from lower discretionary spending for home-related products following several periods of excess consumer liquidity resulting in the acceleration of sales. The decrease in same store sales was partially offset by new store growth. For the three months ended January 31, 2024, retail segment operating loss was $38.1 million compared to retail segment operating loss of $19.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted retail segment operating loss for the three months ended January 31, 2024 was $21.8 million, which excludes charges and credits for one-time transaction expenses. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted retail segment operating loss for the three months ended January 31, 2023 was $11.7 million, which excludes charges and credits for asset disposal and store closure costs. The following table presents net sales and changes in net sales by category:   Three Months Ended January 31,                 Same Store (dollars in thousands) 2024   % of Total   2023   % of Total   Change   % Change   % Change Furniture and mattress $ 120,334     40.9 %   $ 85,984     31.8 %   $ 34,350     39.9 %   (7.8 )% Home appliance   86,253     29.2       96,891     35.8       (10,638 )   (11.0 )   (20.6 ) Consumer electronics   32,835     11.1       42,493     15.7       (9,658 )   (22.7 )   (27.4 ) Home office   11,590     3.9       9,871     3.6       1,719     17.4     12.1   Other   20,783     7.0       12,763     4.8       8,020     62.8     19.5   Product sales   271,795     92.1       248,002     91.7       23,793     9.6     (14.4 ) Repair service agreement commissions (1)   21,138     7.2       20,190     7.5       948     4.7     (14.3 ) Service revenues   2,043     0.7       2,265     0.8       (222 )   (9.8 )       Total net sales $ 294,976     100.0 %   $ 270,457     100.0 %   $ 24,519     9.1 %   (14.4 )% (1) The total change in sales of repair service agreement commissions includes retrospective commissions, which are not reflected in the change in same store sales.     Credit Segment Fourth Quarter Results Credit revenues were $70.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2024 compared to $64.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $6.7 million or 10.4%. The increase in credit revenue was primarily due to Badcock adding $8.1 million of which $4.8 million relates to the change in fair value of Badcock accounts receivable. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of 4.3% in the average balance of the Conn's customer receivable portfolio.   Provision for bad debts increased to $52.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2024 compared to $44.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of $8.4 million. The increase was driven by an increase in the allowance charge on Conn's loans of $7.8 million. Credit segment operating loss was $12.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2024, compared to operating loss of $13.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023. The improvement in credit segment operating loss for the three months ended January 31, 2024 as compared to the three months ended January 31, 2023 was primarily driven by a decrease in provision for bad debts as well as by an increase in credit revenue, as described above. Additional information on the credit portfolio and its performance may be found in the Customer Accounts Receivable Portfolio Statistics table included within this press release and in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, which we expect to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 15, 2024. Store and Facilities Update The Company opened one new Conn's store during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024. In addition, the Company added 376 stores through the Badcock transaction in December 2023, bringing the total store count to 553 (including 308 dealer stores) in 15 states. Liquidity and Capital Resources On December 18, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No.3 (the "Revolving Credit Agreement Amendment") to the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement. The Amendment, among other things, extends the maturity date, increases the existing interest rate margins and amends the minimum excess availability covenant. Additional detail with respect to the Amendment No.3 to the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement may be found in the Third Quarter Form 10-Q. On December 18, 2023, the Company entered into a second-lien term loan and security agreements (the "BRF Term Loan"). The Term Loan provides for an aggregate commitment of $108.0 million to the Borrowers pursuant to a secured term loan credit facility maturing on February 20, 2027, which was fully drawn on December 18, 2023. Additional detail with respect to the Term Loan Amended can be found in the Third Quarter Form 10-Q. On January 26, 2024, the Company completed an ABS transaction resulting in the issuance and sale of $259.4 million aggregate principal amount of Class A, Class B and Class C Notes secured by customer accounts receivables and restricted cash held by a consolidated VIE, which resulted in net proceeds of $252.6 million, net of debt issuance costs. As of January 31, 2024, the Company had $155.3 million of available borrowing capacity under its $555.0 million revolving credit facility. In addition, the Company had $50.0 million of borrowing capacity available under the Delayed Draw Term Loan resulting in a total available borrowing capacity of $205.3 million. The Company also had $18.7 million of unrestricted cash available for use. Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call on April 11, 2024 at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET, to discuss its financial results for the three months and full year ended January 31, 2024. Participants can join the call by dialing 877-451-6152 or 201-389-0879. The conference call will also be broadcast simultaneously via webcast on a listen-only basis. A link to the earnings release, webcast and fourth quarter and full year fiscal year 2024 conference call presentation will be available at ir.conns.com. Replay of the telephonic call can be accessed through April 18, 2024 by dialing 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671 and using Conference ID: 13743445. About Conn's, Inc. Conn's HomePlus (NASDAQ:CONN) is a specialty retailer of home goods, including furniture and mattresses, appliances and consumer electronics. With over 550 stores across 15 states and online at Conns.com and Badcock.com, our approximately 4,500 employees strive to help all customers create a home they love through access to high-quality products, next-day delivery and personalized payment options, including our flexible, in-house credit program. Additional information can be found by visiting our investor relations website at ir.conns.com and social channels (@connshomeplus/@badcockfurniture on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn). This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding benefits of the proposed transaction, integration plans and expected synergies, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, business strategy, plans, goals, and objectives. Statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "predict," "will," "potential," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations. We can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct, and actual results may differ materially. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: our ability to integrate the W.S. Badcock business, the possibility that our shareholders may not approve the issuance of non-voting common stock required for conversion of the preferred stock issued in connection with the transaction, the risk that any announcement relating to the transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Conn's common stock, the risk that the transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on our ability to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with suppliers and customers, our ability to achieve synergies, our inability to operate the combined company as effectively and efficiently as expected, the condition of the W.S. Badcock business being materially worse than the condition we expect it to be in and/or including unanticipated liabilities, our inability to achieve the intended benefits of the transaction for any other reason, general economic conditions impacting our customers or potential customers; our ability to execute periodic securitizations of future originated customer loans on favorable terms; our ability to continue existing customer financing programs or to offer new customer financing programs; changes in the delinquency status of our credit portfolio; unfavorable developments in ongoing litigation; increased regulatory oversight; higher than anticipated net charge-offs in the credit portfolio; the success of our planned opening of new stores; expansion of our eCommerce business; technological and market developments and sales trends for our major product offerings; our ability to manage effectively the selection of our major product offerings; our ability to protect against cyber-attacks or data security breaches and to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees; our ability to fund our operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from our Revolving Credit Facility or our Delayed Draw Term Loan; proceeds from accessing debt or equity markets; the effects of epidemics or pandemics; and other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to provide periodic updates or guidance. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. CONN-G S.M. Berger & Company Andrew Berger (216) 464-6400   CONN'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(unaudited)(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)     Three Months Ended January 31,   Year Ended January 31,   2024   2023   2024   2023 Revenues:               Total net sales $ 293,687     $ 270,457     $ 978,331     $ 1,076,590   Finance charges and other revenues   72,390       64,418       259,352       265,937   Total revenues   366,077       334,875       1,237,683       1,342,527   Costs and expenses:               Cost of goods sold   181,408       179,292       629,688       710,234   Selling, general and administrative expense   166,384       137,043       561,628       526,212   Provision for bad debts   52,746       44,134       154,080       121,193   Charges and credits   16,301       7,838       17,565       14,360   Total costs and expenses   416,839       368,307       1,362,961       1,371,999   Operating loss   (50,762 )     (33,432 )     (125,278 )     (29,472 ) Interest expense   26,093       13,084       81,707       36,891   Loss on extinguishment of debt   14,221       —       14,221       —   Loss before income taxes   (91,076 )     (46,516 )     (221,206 )     (66,363 ) Benefit for income taxes   (29,520 )     (3,713 )     (39,456 )     (7,071 ) Bargain purchase gain   (104,857 )     —       (104,857 )     —   Net income (loss) $ 43,301     $ (42,803 )   $ (76,893 )   $ (59,292 ) Income (loss) per share:               Basic $ 1.77     $ (1.79 )   $ (3.17 )   $ (2.46 ) Diluted $ 1.75     $ (1.79