Aaron's, Inc. Reports Strong Second Quarter Revenue and Earnings - Raises Outlook for 2019

ATLANTA, July 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, today announced financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

"We are pleased to report strong second quarter results, achieving meaningful revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP diluted EPS growth," said John Robinson, Chief Executive Officer. "Progressive performed at a high level, continuing its trend of growing revenues and profits through increasing invoice volume. At the same time, we continue to invest in the business to support strong expected growth with our existing partners and retailers in our pipeline. The Aaron's Business reported same-store revenues up 0.1%, a 190 basis point improvement over the prior year. We are encouraged by the progress being made in the Aaron's Business and continue to invest to improve our omnichannel platform," concluded Mr. Robinson.

Consolidated Results

For the second quarter of 2019, consolidated revenues were $968.1 million compared with $927.9 million for the second quarter of 2018. Calculated on a basis consistent with the 2019 adoption of ASC 842 related to lease accounting, revenues increased $90.3 million, or 10.3%, compared to the prior year period. The increase in consolidated revenues was primarily due to the increase in revenues at Progressive and the contribution from 152 franchised locations acquired by the Aaron's Business in 2018, partially offset by the closure of Aaron's stores in the first half of 2019.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2019 were $42.7 million compared to $38.5 million in the prior year period. Net earnings in the second quarter of 2019 included approximately $18.7 million in pretax charges primarily related to the closure of approximately 70 company-owned Aaron's stores, the majority of which were underperforming stores closed by the end of the second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the Company was $107.4 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared with $97.0 million for the same period in 2018, an increase of $10.4 million, or 10.7%, due primarily to the strong growth in our Progressive segment as well as a $3.6 million insurance recovery from hurricane losses reported in 2017. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted EBITDA was 11.1% in the second quarter of 2019 and 2018 when calculated on a basis consistent with the 2019 adoption of ASC 842.

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2019 were $0.62 compared with $0.54 in the year ago period. On a non-GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share were $0.93 in the second quarter of 2019 compared with $0.84 for the same quarter in 2018, an increase of $0.09 or 10.7%.

The Company generated $244.6 million in cash from operations during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and ended the second quarter with $100.2 million in cash, compared with a cash balance of $15.3 million at the end of 2018. During the second quarter, the company repurchased 242,860 shares for $14.4 million at an average purchase price of $59.35 per share.

Progressive Leasing Segment Results

Progressive Leasing's revenues in the second quarter of 2019 were $516.3 million compared to reported revenues of $483.7 million in the second quarter of 2018. Calculated on a basis consistent with the 2019 adoption of ASC 842, revenues increased $82.7 million or 19.1%. Invoice volume increased 20.4% in the quarter, driven by a 23.4% increase in invoice volume per active door, partially offset by a 2.5% decrease in active doors to approximately 19,800. The decrease in active door count was primarily due to a reduction in locations in our mattress and mobile phone verticals, which was partially offset by additions in other verticals. Progressive Leasing had 909,000 customers at June 30, 2019, a 19.9% increase from June 30, 2018.

Earnings before income taxes for the second quarter of 2019 were $58.4 million. EBITDA for the second quarter of 2019 was $68.2 million compared with $55.8 million for the same period of 2018, an increase of 22.3%. As a percentage of revenues, EBITDA was 13.2% for the second quarter of 2019, an increase of 30 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2018, calculated on a basis consistent with the 2019 adoption of ASC 842. This increase was due primarily to improved gross margins partially offset by an acceleration in investments to support expected revenue growth and anticipated pipeline conversion.

The provision for lease merchandise write-offs was 7.6% of revenues in the second quarter of 2019, compared with 7.5% in the same period of 2018, calculated on a basis consistent with the 2019 adoption of ASC 842.

The Aaron's Business Segment Results

For the second quarter of 2019, total revenues for the Aaron's Business increased 1.9% to $443.2 million from $435.0 million in the second quarter of 2018. The increase was primarily due to the contributions from 152 franchised locations acquired throughout 2018, partially offset by the closure of 151 underperforming stores in the first half of 2019. Same-store revenues were up 0.1% in the second quarter of 2019, an improvement of 190 basis points from the second quarter of 2018, continuing the trend of improvement experienced throughout 2018. Customer count on a same-store basis was down 4.3% during the second quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Company-operated Aaron's stores had 984,000 customers at June 30, 2019, a 2.9% increase from June 30, 2018.

Lease revenue and fees for the three months ended June 30, 2019 increased 8.0% compared with the same period in 2018. Non-retail sales, which primarily consist of merchandise sales to the Company's franchisees, decreased 36.4% for the second quarter of 2019 compared with the same period of the prior year. The decline is attributed primarily to the franchisee acquisitions completed in 2018.

Earnings before income taxes for the second quarter of 2019 were $0.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $39.7 million including a $3.6 million insurance recovery from hurricane losses reported in 2017. This compares to $42.4 million for the same period in 2018, a decrease of $2.7 million or 6.4%, due primarily to the timing of 2019 marketing expenses. As a percentage of revenues, Adjusted EBITDA decreased 80 basis points to 8.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared with 9.7% for the same period last year.

Write-offs for damaged, lost or unsaleable merchandise were 5.6% of revenues in the second quarter of 2019, compared with 4.0% for the same period last year. Contributing to the increase in write-offs was an increase in promotional offerings, higher ticket leases, store closure activity during the first half of 2019, and an increasing mix of e-commerce as a percent of revenue.

At June 30, 2019, the Aaron's Business had 1,171 Company-operated stores and 357 franchised stores.

Significant Components of Revenue and Franchise Performance

Consolidated lease revenues and fees for the three months ended June 30, 2019 increased 14.0% over the same period of the prior year, calculated on a basis consistent with the 2019 adoption of ASC 842. Franchise royalties and fees decreased 29.0% in the second quarter of 2019 compared with the same period a year ago, primarily as a result of the lower number of franchised stores. Franchise revenues totaled $108.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, a decrease of 31.7% from the same period for the prior year. Same-store revenues for franchised stores increased 1.2% and same-store customer counts declined 2.7% for the second quarter of 2019 compared with the same quarter in 2018. Franchised stores had 254,000 customers at the end of the second quarter of 2019. Revenues and customers of franchisees are not revenues and customers of the Aaron's Business or the Company.

2019 Outlook


                                                                                                                    
          Current Outlook(1)               
          Previous Outlook



     
              (In thousands, except per share amounts)                                                   
           Low    
            High      
          Low  
       High



     Aaron's Inc. - Total Revenues                                                                                     $
            3,905,000                          $
            4,065,000             $
     3,905,000 $
     4,065,000



     Aaron's Inc. - Adjusted EBITDA                                                                            430,000                           452,000                         415,000    442,000



     Aaron's Inc. - Diluted EPS                                                                                   3.11                              3.26                            3.15       3.35



     Aaron's Inc. - Diluted Non-GAAP EPS                                                                          3.85                              4.00                            3.65       3.85



     Aaron's Inc. - Capital Expenditures                                                                       100,000                           120,000                         100,000    120,000





     Progressive - Total Revenues                                                                            2,100,000                         2,175,000                       2,100,000  2,175,000



     Progressive - EBITDA                                                                                      275,000                           285,000                         260,000    275,000





     Aaron's Business - Total Revenues                                                                       1,775,000                         1,855,000                       1,775,000  1,855,000



     Aaron's Business - Adjusted EBITDA                                                                        160,000                           170,000                         160,000    170,000



     Aaron's Business - Annual Same Store Revenues                                                                0.0%                             2.0%                           0.0%      2.0%





     DAMI - Total Revenues                                                                                      30,000                            35,000                          30,000     35,000



     DAMI - Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                    (5,000)                          (3,000)                        (5,000)   (3,000)





     
              (1) See the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" section accompanying this press release.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by webcast accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, 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. Progressive Leasing provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 20,000 retail partner locations in 46 states. The Aaron's Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its approximately 1,500 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. 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 "continue," "expect," "believe," "guidance," "outlook," "will," "expectations," and "trends" and similar terminology. These risks and uncertainties include factors such as changes in general economic conditions, competition, pricing, legal and regulatory proceedings and investigations, customer privacy; consumer, third party and employee fraud; information security, customer demand, the execution and results of our strategy and expense reduction and store closure and consolidation initiatives (including the risk that the costs associated with these initiatives exceeds expectations), risks related to M&A activities, including our recent franchisee acquisitions and the risk that the financial performance from those acquisitions and from M&A activities do not meet our expectations, risks related to Progressive Leasing's "virtual" lease-to-own business, the outcome of Progressive Leasing's pilot or test programs with various retailers and the results of Progressive Leasing's efforts to expand its relationships with existing retailer partners and establish new partnerships with additional retailers, increases in lease merchandise write-offs and bad debt expense associated with Progressive Leasing's growth in doors and customers and changes in product mix, 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, 2018. Statements in this release that are "forward-looking" include without limitation statements about our expectations regarding: the strength of our lease-to-own businesses; the results of our investments in the Aaron's Business and Progressive Leasing; the results of our business transformation initiatives in the Aaron's Business; revenue growth and pipeline conversions for Progressive Leasing; same store sales for the Aaron's Business and the updated 2019 fiscal year Outlook set forth in this press release, for the Company on a consolidated basis, and for Progressive Leasing, the Aaron's Business and DAMI. 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)                  
              (Unaudited)

                                                                          
               Three Months Ended            
              Six Months Ended


                                                                                
              June 30,                     
              June 30,


                                                                           2019                   2018         2019       2018

                                                                                                                        ---


     Revenues:



     Lease Revenues and Fees                                                     $
              907,565                          $
              845,938              $
          1,851,722 $
          1,716,005



     Retail Sales                                                        8,898                              6,592                           21,707      15,108



     Non-Retail Sales                                                   34,124                             53,661                           71,105     106,891



     Franchise Royalties and Fees                                        8,605                             12,125                           17,812      24,987



     Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable                               8,610                              9,208                           17,256      18,750



     Other                                                                 339                                335                              642         927




     Total                                                                       $
              968,141                          $
              927,859              $
          1,980,244 $
          1,882,668





     Costs and Expenses:



     Depreciation of Lease Merchandise                                 474,868                            415,414                          975,688     855,422



     Retail Cost of Sales                                                5,651                              4,156                           14,283       9,818



     Non-Retail Cost of Sales                                           28,948                             47,068                           58,144      95,088



     Operating Expenses                                                383,576                            388,337                          770,792     778,569



     Restructuring Expenses (Reversals), Net                            18,738                              (882)                          32,019          24



     Other Operating Income, Net                                       (3,486)                             (165)                         (4,383)      (248)




     Total                                                                       $
              908,295                          $
              853,928              $
          1,846,543 $
          1,738,673





     Operating Profit                                                   59,846                             73,931                          133,701     143,995



     Interest Income                                                       944                                154                            1,045         356



     Interest Expense                                                  (4,300)                           (3,807)                         (9,256)    (8,133)



     Impairment of Investment                                                -                          (20,098)                                   (20,098)



     Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net                             329                              (200)                           1,637         612




     Earnings Before Income Tax Expense                                           $
              56,819                           $
              49,980                $
          127,127   $
          116,732





     Income Tax Expense                                                 14,169                             11,479                           28,399      25,985




     Net Earnings                                                                 $
              42,650                           $
              38,501                 $
          98,728    $
          90,747






     Earnings Per Share                                                             $
              0.63                             $
              0.55                   $
          1.46      $
          1.30



     Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution                                           $
              0.62                             $
              0.54                   $
          1.44      $
          1.27





     Weighted Average Shares Outstanding                                67,687                             69,645                           67,492      69,875



     Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution              68,793                             70,837                           68,784      71,428


                                               
              
               Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                
              
               Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                       
              
               (In thousands)




                                                                    
             (Unaudited)


                                                        June 30, 2019                                December 31, 2018




     
                ASSETS:


      Cash and Cash Equivalents                                          $
              100,242                                     $
        15,278


      Accounts Receivable (net of
       allowances of $63,000 in 2019
       and $62,704 in 2018)                                    85,257                                     98,159


      Lease Merchandise (net of
       accumulated depreciation and
       allowances of $855,365 in 2019
       and $816,928 in 2018)                                1,292,724                                  1,318,470


      Loans Receivable (net of
       allowances and unamortized
       fees of $18,947 in 2019 and
       $19,941 in 2018)                                        69,974                                     76,153


      Property, Plant and Equipment
       at Cost (net of accumulated
       depreciation of $300,983 in
       2019 and $284,287 in 2018)                             233,073                                    229,492


      Operating Lease Right-of-Use
       Assets                                                 338,805



     Goodwill                                                736,202                                    733,170


      Other Intangibles (net of
       accumulated amortization of
       $147,440 in 2019 and $130,116
       in 2018)                                               207,066                                    228,600


      Income Tax Receivable                                    11,921                                     29,148


      Prepaid Expenses and Other
       Assets                                                 104,934                                     98,222



     Total Assets                                                     $
              3,180,198                                  $
        2,826,692



                   LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:


      Accounts Payable and Accrued
       Expenses                                                          $
              226,913                                    $
        293,153


      Deferred Income Taxes Payable                           288,291                                    267,500


      Customer Deposits and Advance
       Payments                                                80,680                                     80,579


      Operating Lease Liabilities                             386,989



     Debt                                                    347,767                                    424,752



     Total Liabilities                                     1,330,640                                  1,065,984




     
                SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:


      Common Stock, Par Value $0.50
       Per Share: Authorized:
       225,000,000 Shares at June 30,
       2019 and December 31, 2018;
       Shares Issued: 90,752,123 at
       June 30, 2019 and December 31,
       2018                                                    45,376                                     45,376


      Additional Paid-in Capital                              277,533                                    278,922



     Retained Earnings                                     2,101,915                                  2,005,344


      Accumulated Other Comprehensive
       Loss                                                      (45)                                   (1,087)





     Less: Treasury Shares at Cost


      Common Stock: 23,204,626 Shares
       at June 30, 2019 and
       23,567,979 at December 31,
       2018                                                 (575,221)                                 (567,847)


      Total Shareholders' Equity                            1,849,558                                  1,760,708



      Total Liabilities and
       Shareholders' Equity                                            $
              3,180,198                        2,826,692


                                          
              
                Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                       
              
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows





     (Unaudited)                                                          
              Six Months Ended

                                                                               
               June 30,



     (In Thousands)                                                 2019                              2018

                                                                                                       ---


     
                OPERATING ACTIVITIES:



     Net Earnings                                                           $
              98,728                         $
     90,747


      Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Cash Provided by
       Operating Activities:


      Depreciation of Lease Merchandise                           975,688                                       855,422


      Other Depreciation and Amortization                          53,862                                        44,591



     Accounts Receivable Provision                               137,611                                       113,077


      Provision for Credit Losses on Loans
       Receivable                                                   9,223                                         9,540



     Stock-Based Compensation                                     14,231                                        15,143



     Deferred Income Taxes                                        19,928                                        39,684



     Impairment of Assets                                         26,267                                        20,098



     Non-Cash Lease Expense                                       58,073



     Other Changes, Net                                          (3,390)                                      (1,076)


      Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Effects
       of Acquisitions and Dispositions:



     Additions to Lease Merchandise                          (1,141,863)                                   (1,034,838)


      Book Value of Lease Merchandise Sold or
       Disposed                                                   196,219                                       199,846



     Accounts Receivable                                       (126,112)                                     (97,385)


      Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets                           (6,847)                                      (7,965)



     Income Tax Receivable                                        17,227                                        54,242



     Operating Lease Liabilities                                (62,541)


      Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses                      (21,465)                                     (36,165)


      Customer Deposits and Advance Payments                        (200)                                        1,819


      Cash Provided by Operating Activities                       244,639                                       266,780



     
                INVESTING ACTIVITIES:



     Investments in Loans Receivable                            (29,506)                                     (31,797)



     Proceeds from Loans Receivable                               27,720                                        30,150



     Proceeds from Investments                                         -                                          666


      Outflows on Purchases of Property, Plant
       and Equipment                                             (48,059)                                     (32,785)


      Proceeds from Property, Plant and
       Equipment                                                    1,425                                         4,349


      Outflows on Acquisitions of Businesses and
       Customer Agreements, Net of Cash Acquired                  (7,612)                                     (14,401)


      Proceeds from Dispositions of Businesses
       and Customer Agreements, Net of Cash
       Disposed                                                       755                                           318


      Cash Used in Investing Activities                          (55,277)                                     (43,500)



     
                FINANCING ACTIVITIES:


      Repayments on Revolving Facility, Net                      (16,000)



     Repayments on Debt                                         (61,465)                                     (96,173)



     Dividends Paid                                              (4,717)                                      (2,111)



     Acquisition of Treasury Stock                              (14,414)                                     (68,432)


      Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans                    5,056                                         4,134


      Shares Withheld for Tax Payments                           (12,977)                                     (17,282)



     Debt Issuance Costs                                               -                                         (55)


      Cash Used in Financing Activities                         (104,517)                                    (179,919)


                   EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
                    AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                              119                                          (75)


      Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                        84,964                                        43,286


      Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of
       Period                                                      15,278                                        51,037



      Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period                            $
              100,242                         $
     94,323


                                                                                                                 
              
                Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                 
              
                Quarterly Revenues by Segment


                                                                                                                         
              
                (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                            
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                         
              Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                           
              June 30, 2019


                                                                                                    Progressive
                                                                                                     Leasing(1)                  Aaron's Business              DAMI              Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                                ---


     Lease Revenues and Fees                                                                                                 $
              516,333                                                      $
              391,232              
              $          $
      907,565



     Retail Sales                                                                                                -                                           8,898                                                                           8,898



     Non-Retail Sales                                                                                            -                                          34,124                                                                          34,124



     Franchise Royalties and Fees                                                                                -                                           8,605                                                                           8,605



     Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable                                                                       -                                                                                                 8,610                     8,610



     Other                                                                                                       -                                             339                                                                             339



     Total Revenues                                                                                                          $
              516,333                                                      $
              443,198                           $
     8,610  $
      968,141





                   (1) For the three months ended June 30, 2019, Progressive Leasing incurred bad debt expense of $59,374 which was recorded as a reduction to Lease Revenues and Fees as a result of the Company's adoption of ASC 842, Leases.




                                                                                                                                            
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                         
              Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                           
              June 30, 2018


                                                                                                Progressive Leasing              Aaron's Business              DAMI              Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                                ---


     Lease Revenues and Fees                                                                                                 $
              483,666                                                      $
              362,272              
              $          $
      845,938



     Retail Sales                                                                                                -                                           6,592                                                                           6,592



     Non-Retail Sales                                                                                            -                                          53,661                                                                          53,661



     Franchise Royalties and Fees                                                                                -                                          12,125                                                                          12,125



     Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable                                                                       -                                                                                                 9,208                     9,208



     Other                                                                                                       -                                             335                                                                             335



     Total Revenues                                                                                                          $
              483,666                                                      $
              434,985                           $
     9,208  $
      927,859



     Progressive Bad Debt Expense                                                                           50,036                                                                                                                          50,036



     Total Revenues, net of Progressive Bad Debt Expense(1)                                                                  $
              433,630                                                      $
              434,985                           $
     9,208  $
      877,823






     
                (1) See the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" section accompanying this press release.


                                                                                                                   
              
                Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                   
              
                Six Months Revenues by Segment


                                                                                                                           
              
                (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                                   
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                
              Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                  
              June 30, 2019


                                                                                                    Progressive
                                                                                                     Leasing(1)                  Aaron's Business              DAMI              Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                                ---


     Lease Revenues and Fees                                                                                               $
              1,039,734                                                      $
              811,988              
              $           $
      1,851,722



     Retail Sales                                                                                                -                                          21,707                                                                          21,707



     Non-Retail Sales                                                                                            -                                          71,105                                                                          71,105



     Franchise Royalties and Fees                                                                                -                                          17,812                                                                          17,812



     Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable                                                                       -                                                                                                17,256                    17,256



     Other                                                                                                       -                                             642                                                                             642



     Total Revenues                                                                                                        $
              1,039,734                                                      $
              923,254                           $
     17,256  $
      1,980,244






     
                (1) For the six months ended June 30, 2019, Progressive Leasing incurred bad debt expense of $115,444 which was recorded as a reduction to Lease Revenues and Fees as a result of the Company's adoption of ASC 842, Leases.




                                                                                                                                                   
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                
              Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                  
              June 30, 2018


                                                                                                Progressive Leasing              Aaron's Business              DAMI              Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                                ---


     Lease Revenues and Fees                                                                                                 $
              970,183                                                      $
              745,822              
              $           $
      1,716,005



     Retail Sales                                                                                                -                                          15,108                                                                          15,108



     Non-Retail Sales                                                                                            -                                         106,891                                                                         106,891



     Franchise Royalties and Fees                                                                                -                                          24,987                                                                          24,987



     Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable                                                                       -                                                                                                18,750                    18,750



     Other                                                                                                       -                                             927                                                                             927




     Total Revenues                                                                                                          $
              970,183                                                      $
              893,735                           $
     18,750  $
      1,882,668



     Progressive Bad Debt Expense                                                                           96,561                                                                                                                          96,561



     Total Revenues, net of Progressive Bad Debt Expense(1)                                                                  $
              873,622                                                      $
              893,735                           $
     18,750  $
      1,786,107






     
                (1) See the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" section accompanying this press release.

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 second quarter of 2019 each exclude $5.4 million in Progressive Leasing-related intangible amortization expense, $4.0 million in amortization expense resulting from franchisee acquisitions, $0.2 million in acquisition transaction and transition costs related to franchisee acquisitions and $18.7 million in restructuring charges. For the first six months of 2019 Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share excludes $10.8 million in Progressive Leasing-related intangible amortization expense, $8.0 million in amortization expense resulting from franchisee acquisitions, $0.3 million in acquisition transaction and transition costs related to franchisee acquisitions and $32.0 million in restructuring charges. Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2018 exclude $5.4 million in Progressive Leasing-related intangible amortization expense, $1.2 million in amortization expense resulting from franchisee acquisitions, $0.9 million in net restructuring charge reversals and $21.6 million of charges related to the full impairment of the Company's PerfectHome Investment and the related expenses incurred. For the first six months of 2018 Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share excludes $10.8 million in Progressive Leasing-related intangible amortization expense, $2.4 million in amortization expense resulting from franchisee acquisitions, $24.0 thousand in restructuring charges, $0.2 million in tax effects related to a Tax Act adjustment and $21.6 million of charges related to the full impairment of the Company's PerfectHome Investment and the related expenses incurred.

The EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA figures presented in this press release are calculated as the Company's earnings before interest expense, 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.

This press release also discloses non-GAAP revenues for periods prior to January 1, 2019 as if the lessor accounting impacts of ASC 842 were in effect during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. "Total Revenues, net of Progressive Bad Debt Expense" and the related percentages for the comparable prior year periods are a supplemental measure of our performance that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP in place during 2018. These non-GAAP measures assume that Progressive bad debt expense is recorded as a reduction to lease revenues and fees instead of within operating expenses in 2018. Please see Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements and the "Results of Operations" section of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 for a more comprehensive disclosure of bad debt expense and the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 related to accounting for leases for the prospective periods beginning with the first quarter of 2019.

Management believes these non-GAAP measures for 2018 provide relevant and useful information for users of our financial statements, as it provides comparability with the financial results we are reporting beginning in 2019 when ASC 842 became effective and we began reporting Progressive bad debt expense as a reduction to lease revenues and fees. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide management and investors the ability to better understand the results from the primary operations of our business in 2019 compared with 2018 by classifying Progressive bad debt expense consistently between the periods.

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 revenues and 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, Total revenues net of Progressive bad debt expense and the related percentages for the comparable prior year period, 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 per share)




                                                                                                                                                    
              (Unaudited)                              
         (Unaudited)

                                                                                                                                                
               Three Months Ended                       
          Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                     
              June 30,                                  
         June 30,



                                                                                                                                                  2019                          2018                          2019                 2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---


     Net Earnings                                                                                                                                       $
              42,650                           $
         38,501                               $
        98,728  $
        90,747



     Add Progressive Leasing-Related Intangible Amortization Expense (1)(2)                                                                     4,069                           4,176                                     8,420           8,429



     Add Franchisee-Related Intangible Amortization Expense(3)(4)                                                                               2,971                             914                                     6,216           1,868



     Add Restructuring Expense (Reversal), net (5)(6)                                                                                          14,065                           (679)                                   24,866              19



     Add Acquisition Transaction and Transition Costs(7)                                                                                          150                                                                      243



     Impairment of Investment and Related Expenses(8)                                                                                               -                         16,658                                                   16,811



     Tax Act Adjustments                                                                                                                            -                                                                                    193



     Non-GAAP Net Earnings                                                                                                                              $
              63,905                           $
         59,570                              $
        138,473 $
        118,067






     Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution                                                                                                                 $
              0.62                             $
         0.54                                 $
        1.44    $
        1.27



     Add Progressive Leasing-Related Intangible Amortization Expense (1)(2)                                                                      0.06                            0.06                                      0.12            0.12



     Add Franchisee-Related Intangible Amortization Expense(3)(4)                                                                                0.04                            0.01                                      0.09            0.03



     Add Restructuring Expense, net(5)(6)                                                                                                        0.20                          (0.01)                                     0.36



     Add Acquisition Transaction and Transition Costs(7)                                                                                            -



     Impairment of Investment and Related Expenses(8)                                                                                               -                           0.24                                                     0.24



     Tax Act Adjustments                                                                                                                            -



     Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution(9)                                                                                                     $
              0.93                             $
         0.84                                 $
        2.01    $
        1.65






     Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution                                                                                     68,793                          70,837                                    68,784          71,428





     (1)  Net of taxes of $1,352 and $2,422 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (2)  Net of taxes of $1,245 and $2,413 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (3)  Net of taxes of $987 and $1,788 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (4)  Net of taxes of $272 and $535 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (5)  Net of taxes of $4,673 and $7,153 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (6)  Net of taxes of $(203) and $5 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (7)  Net of taxes of $50 and $70 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (8)  Net of taxes of $4,967 and $4,814 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 calculated using the effective tax rate for the respective periods.



     (9)  In some cases, the sum of individual EPS amounts may not equal total non-GAAP EPS calculations due to rounding.


                                                                
              
              DAMI Pre-tax, Pre-provision Loss


                                                                         
              
              (In thousands)




                                                           
              (Unaudited)                   
              (Unaudited)

                                                      
               Three Months Ended            
               Six Months Ended


                                                            
              June 30,                      
              June 30,


                                                       2019                   2018       2019          2018

                                                                                                     ---


     Loss Before Income Taxes                                $
              (1,725)                          $
              (2,292)       $
     (4,393) $
     (3,598)


      Adjustment to Increase (Decrease) Allowance for
       Loan Losses During Period                        420                              887                               (187) 132



     Pre-tax, Pre-provision Loss                             $
              (1,305)                          $
              (1,405)       $
     (4,580) $
     (3,466)


                                                                                                                  
             
            Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                  
             
            Non-GAAP Financial Information


                                                                                                                     
            
             Quarterly Segment EBITDA


                                                                                                                          
         
                (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                              
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                           
              Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                             
              June 30, 2019


                                                                                                      Progressive Leasing         Aaron's Business   
              DAMI     Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                        ---


     Net Earnings                                                                                                                                                                          $
        42,650



     Income Taxes(1)                                                                                                                                                              14,169




     Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                                          58,406                                         138                                (1,725)  56,819



     Interest Expense                                                                                              2,242                                       1,209                                    849    4,300



     Depreciation                                                                                                  2,160                                      15,077                                    201   17,438



     Amortization                                                                                                  5,421                                       4,296                                    145    9,862




     EBITDA                                                                                                                    $
              68,229                                             $
        20,720             $
       (530)  $
      88,419




     Restructuring Expenses                                                                                            -                                     18,738                                         18,738



     Acquisition Transaction and Transition Costs                                                                      -                                        200                                            200




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                           $
              68,229                                             $
        39,658             $
       (530) $
      107,357





                                                                                                                                              
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                           
              Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                             
              June 30, 2018


                                                                                                      Progressive Leasing         Aaron's Business   
              DAMI     Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                        ---


     Net Earnings                                                                                                                                                                          $
        38,501



     Income Taxes(1)                                                                                                                                                              11,479




     Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                                          44,575                                       7,697                                (2,292)  49,980



     Interest Expense                                                                                              4,249                                     (1,210)                                   768    3,807



     Depreciation                                                                                                  1,531                                      13,069                                    257   14,857



     Amortization                                                                                                  5,421                                       2,053                                    145    7,619




     EBITDA                                                                                                                    $
              55,776                                             $
        21,609           $
       (1,122)  $
      76,263




     Restructuring Reversals, Net                                                                                      -                                      (872)                                  (10)   (882)



     Impairment of Investment and Related Expenses                                                                     -                                     21,625                                         21,625




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                           $
              55,776                                             $
        42,362           $
       (1,132)  $
      97,006






     (1)  Taxes are calculated on a consolidated basis and are not identifiable by company segments.


                                                                                                                  
             
             Aaron's, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                  
             
             Non-GAAP Financial Information


                                                                                                                    
             
             Six Months Segment EBITDA


                                                                                                                          
          
                (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                               
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                            
              Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                              
              June 30, 2019


                                                                                                      Progressive Leasing          Aaron's Business   
              DAMI   Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                       ---


     Net Earnings                                                                                                                                                                         $
        98,728



     Income Taxes(1)                                                                                                                                                             28,399




     Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                                         113,794                                       17,726                              (4,393) 127,127



     Interest Expense                                                                                              4,964                                        2,563                                1,729    9,256



     Depreciation                                                                                                  3,947                                       29,665                                  391   34,003



     Amortization                                                                                                 10,842                                        8,727                                  290   19,859



     EBITDA                                                                                                                    $
              133,547                                           $
        58,681           $
     (1,983) $
     190,245




     Restructuring Expenses                                                                                            -                                      32,019                                       32,019



     Acquisition Transaction and Transition Costs                                                                      -                                         313                                          313




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                           $
              133,547                                           $
        91,013           $
     (1,983) $
     222,577





                                                                                                                                               
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                            
              Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                              
              June 30, 2018


                                                                                                      Progressive Leasing          Aaron's Business   
              DAMI   Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                       ---


     Net Earnings                                                                                                                                                                         $
        90,747



     Income Taxes(1)                                                                                                                                                             25,985




     Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes                                                                          79,554                                       40,776                              (3,598) 116,732



     Interest Expense                                                                                              8,624                                      (2,033)                               1,542    8,133



     Depreciation                                                                                                  2,999                                       26,155                                  499   29,653



     Amortization                                                                                                 10,842                                        3,806                                  290   14,938




     EBITDA                                                                                                                    $
              102,019                                           $
        68,704           $
     (1,267) $
     169,456




     Restructuring Expenses (Reversals), Net                                                                           -                                          34                                 (10)      24



     Impairment of Investment and Related Expenses                                                                     -                                      21,625                                       21,625




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                           $
              102,019                                           $
        90,363           $
     (1,277) $
     191,105






     (1)  Taxes are calculated on a consolidated basis and are not identifiable by company segments.


                                                                                              
              
                Reconciliation of 2019 Current Outlook for Adjusted EBITDA


                                                                                                                    
              
                (In thousands)




                                                                                   
              Fiscal Year 2019 Ranges


                                                                                     
              Progressive Leasing                       
              Aaron's Business               
            DAMI                   
         Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ---


     Estimated Net Earnings                                                                                               -                                                                                            
              $208,200 - $224,700



     Taxes(1)                                                                                                             -                                                                                          
         63,500 - 69,000



     Projected Earnings Before Taxes                                                         
              $237,000 - $247,000                        
              $45,200 - $55,200    
            $(10,500) - $(8,500)    
         271,700 - 293,700



     Interest Expense                                                                                                 9,000                                                6,000                             3,500                                18,500



     Depreciation                                                                                                     8,000                                               62,500                             1,000                                71,500



     Amortization                                                                                                    21,000                                               14,000                             1,000                                36,000




     Projected EBITDA                                                                
              275,000 - 285,000                        
              127,700 - 137,700            
        (5,000) - (3,000)             
         397,700 - 419,700



     Projected Other Adjustments, Net(2)                                                                                  -                                              32,300                                                                 32,300



     Projected Adjusted EBITDA                                                               
              $275,000 - $285,000                      
              $160,000 - $170,000     
            $(5,000) - $(3,000)       
              $430,000 - $452,000

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ===




     (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 2019 Previous Outlook for Adjusted EBITDA


                                                                                                                   
              
                (In thousands)




                                                                                   
              Fiscal Year 2019 Ranges


                                                                                     
              Progressive Leasing                       
              Aaron's Business               
           DAMI                  
        Consolidated Total

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ---


     Estimated Net Earnings                                                                                               -                                                                                         
             $210,300 - $231,000



     Taxes(1)                                                                                                             -                                                                                       
        64,700 - 71,000



     Projected Earnings Before Taxes                                                         
              $216,500 - $231,500                        
              $68,000 - $78,000    
           $(9,500) - $(7,500)   
        275,000 - 302,000



     Interest Expense                                                                                                13,500                                                2,500                           3,500                              19,500



     Depreciation                                                                                                     8,000                                               66,000                           1,500                              75,000



     Amortization                                                                                                    22,000                                               10,000                                                             32,000




     Projected EBITDA                                                                
              260,000 - 275,000                        
              146,500 - 156,500            
       (5,000) - (3,000)           
        401,500 - 428,500



     Projected Other Adjustments, Net(2)                                                                                  -                                              13,500                                                             13,500



     Projected Adjusted EBITDA                                                               
              $260,000 - $275,000                      
              $160,000 - $170,000    
           $(5,000) - $(3,000)      
             $415,000 - $442,000

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ===




     (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 2019 Current Outlook for Earnings Per Share


                                                                           
              
                Assuming Dilution to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution




                                                                                                                                                                        
          Fiscal Year 2019 Range


                                                                                                                                                                      
        Low   
              High

                                                                                                                                                                                              ---


     Projected Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution                                                                                                                             $
              3.11          $
     3.26



     Add Projected Intangible Amortization Expense(1)                                                                                                                    0.38                        0.38



     Add Sum of Other Adjustments(2)                                                                                                                                     0.36                        0.36



     Projected Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution                                                                                                                    $
              3.85          $
     4.00






     (1)   Includes projected amortization expense related to the acquisition of Progressive Leasing and the franchisee acquisitions.



     (2)   Includes the projected non-GAAP charges related to the Aaron's Business restructuring.


                                                                             
              
                Reconciliation of 2019 Previous Outlook for Earnings Per Share


                                                                           
              
                Assuming Dilution to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution




                                                                                                                                                                        
          Fiscal Year 2019 Range


                                                                                                                                                                      
        Low   
              High

                                                                                                                                                                                              ---


     Projected Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution                                                                                                                             $
              3.15          $
     3.35



     Add Projected Intangible Amortization Expense(1)                                                                                                                    0.35                        0.35



     Add Sum of Other Adjustments(2)                                                                                                                                     0.15                        0.15



     Projected Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution                                                                                                                    $
              3.65          $
     3.85






     (1)   Includes projected amortization expense related to the acquisition of Progressive Leasing and the franchisee acquisitions.



     (2)   Includes the projected non-GAAP charges related to the Aaron's Business restructuring.

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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.