EZCORP INC

Previous wording

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of EZCORP, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “we,” “us”, “our”, “EZCORP” or the “Company”). The following discussion should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere within this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. See “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,2023, as supplemented by the information set forth in “Part I, Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and “Part II, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of this Report, for a discussion of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions associated with these statements.

Current wording

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of EZCORP, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “we,” “us”, “our”, “EZCORP” or the “Company”). The following discussion should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere within this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. See “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,2024, as supplemented by the information set forth in “Part I, Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and “Part II, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of this Report, for a discussion of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions associated with these statements.

Previous wording

At our pawn stores, we advance cash against the value of collateralized tangible personal property. We earn pawn service charges (“PSC”) for those cash advances, and the PSC rate varies by state and transaction size. At the time of the transaction, we take possession of the pawned collateral, which consists of tangible personal property, generally jewelry, consumer electronics, tools, sporting goods or musical instruments. If the customer chooses to redeem their pawn, they will repay the amount advanced plus any accrued PSC. If the customer chooses not to redeem their pawn, the pawned collateral becomes our inventory, which we sell in our retail merchandise sales activities or, in some cases, scrap for its inherent gold or precious stone content. Consequently, the success of our pawn business is largely dependent on our ability to accurately assess the probability of pawn redemption and the estimated resale or scrap value of the collateralized personal property.

Current wording

At our pawn stores, we advance cash against the value of collateralized tangible personal property. We earn pawn service charges (“PSC”) for those cash advances, and the PSC rate varies by state and transaction size. At the time of the transaction, we take possession of the pawned collateral, which consists of tangible personal property, generally jewelry, consumer electronics, tools, sporting goods and musical instruments. If the customer chooses to redeem their pawn, they will repay the amount advanced plus any accrued PSC. If the customer chooses not to redeem their pawn, the pawned collateral becomes our inventory, which we sell in our retail merchandise sales activities or, in some cases, scrap for its inherent gold or precious stone content. Consequently, the success of our pawn business is largely dependent on our ability to accurately assess the probability of pawn redemption and the estimated resale or scrap value of the collateralized personal property.

Previous wording

Our ability to offer quality second-hand goods at prices significantly lower than original retail prices attracts value-conscious customers. The gross profit on sales of inventory depends primarily on our assessment of the estimated resale or scrap value at the time the property is either accepted as pawn collateral or purchased and our ability to sell that merchandise in a timely manner. As a significant portion of our inventory and sales involve gold and jewelry, our results can be influenced by the market price of gold and diamonds.

Current wording

Our ability to offer quality pre-owned goods at prices significantly lower than original retail prices attracts value-conscious customers. The gross profit on sales of inventory depends primarily on our assessment of the estimated resale or scrap value at the time the property is either accepted as pawn collateral or purchased and our ability to sell that merchandise in a timely manner. As a significant portion of our inventory and sales involve gold and jewelry, our results can be influenced by the market price of gold and diamonds.

Previous wording

In the United States, PSC is historically highest in our fourth fiscal quarter (July through September) due to a higher average loan balance during the summer lending season. PSC is historically lowest in our third fiscal quarter (April through June) following the tax refund season and merchandise sales are highest in our first and second fiscal quarters (October through March) due to the holiday season, jewelry sales surrounding Valentine’s Day and the availability of tax refunds. In Latin America, most of our customers receive additional compensation from their employers in December, and many receive additional compensation in June or July, applying downward pressure on loan balances and fueling some merchandise sales in those periods. In Mexico, we saw similar downward pressure in loan balances during the third quarter of fiscal 2023 due to a change in law related to company profit sharing payments to employees. We anticipated this change would impact pawn loan redemptions annually in May and June; however, in 2024, the demand for pawn loans in Mexico exceeded any downward pressure related to profit sharing payments. As a net effect of these and other factors and excluding discrete charges, our consolidated income before tax is generally highest in our first fiscal quarter (October through December) and lowest in our third fiscal quarter (April through June).

Current wording

In the United States, PSC is historically highest in our fourth fiscal quarter (July through September) due to a higher average loan balance during the summer lending season. PSC is historically lowest in our third fiscal quarter (April through June) following the tax refund season and merchandise sales are highest in our first and second fiscal quarters (October through March) due to the holiday season, jewelry sales surrounding Valentine’s Day and the availability of tax refunds. In Latin America, most of our customers receive additional compensation from their employers in December, and many receive additional compensation in June or July, applying downward pressure on loan balances and fueling some merchandise sales in those periods. In Mexico, we saw similar downward pressure in loan balances during the third quarter of fiscal 2023 due to a change in law related to company profit sharing payments to employees. We anticipated this change would impact pawn loan redemptions annually in May and June; however, in fiscal 2024, the demand for pawn loans in Mexico exceeded any downward pressure related to profit sharing payments. As a net effect of these and other factors and excluding discrete charges, our consolidated income before tax is generally highest in our first fiscal quarter (October through December) and lowest in our third fiscal quarter (April through June).

Previous wording

We remain focused on optimizing our balance of pawn loans outstanding (“PLO”) and the resulting higher PSC. The following chart presents sources of gross profit, including PSC, merchandise sales gross profit (“Merchandise sales GP”) and jewelry scrapping gross profit (“Jewelry Scrapping GP”) for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

We remain focused on optimizing our balance of pawn loans outstanding (“PLO”) and the resulting higher PSC. The following chart presents sources of gross profit, including PSC, merchandise sales gross profit (“Merchandise sales GP”) and jewelry scrapping gross profit (“Jewelry Scrapping GP”) for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

The following chart presents sources of gross profit by geographic disbursement for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

The following chart presents sources of gross profit by geographic disbursement for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we provide certain other non-GAAP financial information on a constant currency basis (“constant currency”) and “same-store” basis. We use constant currency results to evaluate our Latin America Pawn operations, which are denominated primarily in Mexican pesos, Guatemalan quetzales and other Latin American currencies. We analyze results on a same-store basis (which is defined as stores open during the entirety of the comparable periods) to better understand existing store performance without the influence of increases or decreases resulting solely from changes in store count. We believe presentation of constant currency and same-store results is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our Latin America Pawn operations and reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a better understanding and evaluation of factors and trends affecting our business. We provide non-GAAP financial information for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of our GAAP consolidated financial statements. We use this non-GAAP financial information to evaluate and compare operating results across accounting periods. Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not rather than or superior to, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.

Current wording

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we provide certain other non-GAAP financial information on a constant currency basis (“constant currency”) and “same-store” basis. We use constant currency results to evaluate our Latin America Pawn operations, which are denominated primarily in Mexican pesos, Guatemalan quetzales and other Latin American currencies. We analyze results on a same-store basis (which is defined as stores open during the entirety of the comparable periods) to better understand existing store performance without the influence of increases or decreases resulting solely from changes in store count. We believe presentation of constant currency and same-store results is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our Latin America Pawn operations and reflects an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with GAAP results, provides a better understanding and evaluation of factors and trends affecting our business. We provide non-GAAP financial information for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of our GAAP consolidated financial statements. We use this non-GAAP financial information to evaluate and compare operating results across accounting periods. Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not rather than or superior to, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.

Previous wording

Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations items denominated in local currency to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. In addition, we have an equity method investment that is denominated in Australian dollars and is translated into U.S. dollars. We used the end-of-period rate for balance sheet items and the average closing daily exchange rate on a monthly basis during the appropriate period for statement of operations items. Our statement of operations constant currency results reflect the monthly exchange rate fluctuations and are not directly calculable from the rates below. Constant currency results, where presented, also exclude the foreign currency gain or loss. The end-of-period and approximate average exchange rates for each applicable currency as compared to U.S. dollars as of and for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

Current wording

Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations items denominated in local currency to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. In addition, we have an equity method investment that is denominated in Australian dollars and is translated into U.S. dollars. We used the end-of-period rate for balance sheet items and the average closing daily exchange rate on a monthly basis during the appropriate period for statement of operations items. Our statement of operations constant currency results reflect the monthly exchange rate fluctuations and are not directly calculable from the rates below. Constant currency results, where presented, also exclude the foreign currency gain or loss. The end-of-period and approximate average exchange rates for each applicable currency as compared to U.S. dollars as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

Previous wording

•Other Investments — Represents our equity interest in the net income of Cash Converters along with our investment in Rich Data Corporation (“RDC”) and our investment in and notes receivable from Founders.

Current wording

•Other Investments — Represents our equity interest in Cash Converters and our investment in and notes receivable from Founders.

Previous wording

Merchandise sales increased 6%, and gross margin decreased to 38% from 39%. Aged general merchandise, which is inventory over one year old, increased to 5.0% to $2.0 million of total general merchandise inventory. Excluding luxury handbags in our three Max Pawn stores in Las Vegas, aged general merchandise remains under 1%.

Current wording

Merchandise sales increased 3%, and gross margin was flat at 37%. Aged general merchandise, which is inventory over one year old, increased to 2.6%, or $1.2 million of total general merchandise inventory. Excluding our three Max Pawn luxury stores in Las Vegas, aged general merchandise was 1%.

Previous wording

Net inventory increased 6%, as expected with the growth in PLO. Inventory turnover remained flat at 2.6x.

Current wording

Net inventory increased 17%, in line with the growth in PLO. Inventory turnover decreased to 2.5x, from 2.7x .

Previous wording

Store expenses increased 8% and 6% on a same-store basis, primarily due to increased labor in-line with store activity and to a lesser extent, expenses related to our loyalty program.

Current wording

Store expenses increased 8% (5% on a same-store basis), primarily due to labor costs (including higher health benefits) supporting more store activity, offset by a decrease in expenses related to our loyalty program.

Previous wording

PLO improved to $62.4 million, up 24% (30% on constant currency basis). On a same-store basis, PLO increased 20% (26% on a constant currency basis) due to improved operational performance and increased loan demand.

Current wording

PLO improved to $54.6 million, up 4% (19% on constant currency basis). On a same-store basis, PLO increased 2% (17% on a constant currency basis) due to improved operational performance and increased loan demand.

Previous wording

Total revenues was up 15% (13% on constant currency basis), and gross profit increased 21% (19% on a constant currency basis), reflecting increased PSC, higher merchandise sales and improved merchandise sales gross profit.

Current wording

Total revenues were up 7% (18% on constant currency basis), and gross profit increased 4% (14% on a constant currency basis), mainly due to increased PSC and higher merchandise sales.

Previous wording

PSC increased 22% (19% on a constant currency basis) as a result of higher average PLO.

Current wording

PSC increased to $29.2 million, up 7% (17% on a constant currency basis) as a result of higher average PLO.

Previous wording

Segment contribution was $2.0 million, an increase of $0.5 million primarily due to our interest income from our notes receivable investment in Founders offset by the decrease in our share of equity in income of Cash Converters.

Current wording

Segment contribution was $2.2 million, an increase of $0.5 million primarily due to the increase in our share of equity in net income of Cash Converters.

Previous wording

Segment contribution increased $4.9 million or 11% over the prior year quarter, primarily due to improved operating results of the U.S. Pawn and Latin America Pawn segments above.

Current wording

Segment contribution increased $7.3 million or 12% over the prior year quarter, primarily due to improved operating results of the U.S. Pawn and Latin America Pawn segments above.

Previous wording

General and administrative expense increased $2.2 million or 12%, primarily due to labor, incentive compensation and, to a lesser extent, costs related to the implementation and ongoing support of Workday.

Current wording

General and administrative expense increased $2.1 million or 13%, primarily due to labor (including incentive compensation) and, to a lesser extent, ongoing support costs related to Workday.

Previous wording

Our cash and equivalents balance was $218.0 million at June 30, 2024 compared to $220.6 million at September 30, 2023. At June 30, 2024, our cash and equivalents were held in cash depository accounts with major banks or invested in high quality, short-term liquid investments.

Current wording

Our cash and cash equivalents balance was $174.5 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $170.5 million at September 30, 2024. At December 31, 2024, our cash and equivalents were held in cash depository accounts with major banks or invested in high quality, short-term liquid investments.

Previous wording

The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities year-over-year was primarily due to changes in working capital primarily related to the timing of payments of accounts payable and income taxes, offset by an increase in net income (when considering adjustments for non-cash items affecting net income).

Current wording

The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities year-over-year was primarily due an increase in net income as well as changes in working capital primarily related to the timing of payments of prepaid expenses, accounts payable, inventory, customer layaway deposits and income taxes.

Previous wording

The $11.3 million decrease in cash flows used in investing activities year-over-year was primarily due to a $29.6 million decrease in cash flows used to fund acquisitions, strategic investments and capital expenditures and a $21.2 million increase in cash inflows from the sale of forfeited collateral, offset by an increase of $43.0 million in net pawn lending outflows.

Current wording

The $2.8 million decrease in cash flows used in investing activities year-over-year was primarily due to a $17.3 million decrease in net cash flows used related to strategic investments, capital expenditures and other, a $3.6 million increase in cash inflows from the sale of forfeited collateral, partially offset by an $18.1 million increase in net pawn lending outflows.

Previous wording

The net effect of these changes was an $1.7 million decrease in cash on hand during the current year to date period, resulting in a $227.2 million ending cash and restricted cash balance.

Current wording

The net effect of these changes was a $4.1 million increase in cash on hand during the current year to date period, resulting in a $183.9 million ending cash and restricted cash balance.

Previous wording

On May 3, 2022, our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our Class A Common Stock over three years. As of June 30, 2024, we have repurchased 2,572,794 shares of our Class A Common Stock under the program for $23.0 million. Execution of the program will be responsive to fluctuating market conditions and valuations, liquidity needs and the expected return on investment compared to other opportunities.

Current wording

On May 3, 2022, our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our Class A Common Stock over three years. As of December 31, 2024, we have repurchased 3,096,011 shares of our Class A Common Stock under the program for $29.0 million. Execution of the program will be responsive to fluctuating market conditions and valuations, liquidity needs and the expected return on investment compared to other opportunities.

Previous wording

In “Part II, Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, we reported that we had $736.6 million in total contractual obligations as of September 30, 2023. There have been no material changes to this total obligation since September 30, 2023.

Current wording

In “Part II, Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024, we reported that we had $673.5 million in total contractual obligations as of September 30, 2024. There have been no material changes to this total obligation since September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

We are responsible for the maintenance, property taxes and insurance at most of our locations. In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, these collectively amounted to $16.3 million.

Current wording

We are responsible for the maintenance, property taxes and insurance at most of our locations. In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, these collectively amounted to $17.7 million.

Previous wording

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by these laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made with words or phrases like “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection” and similar expressions. Such statements are only predictions of the outcome and timing of future events based on our current expectations and currently available information and, accordingly, are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, we cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not regard any forward-looking statements as a representation that the expected results will be achieved. Important risk factors that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations are identified and described in “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,2023 and “Part II, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of this Report.

Current wording

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by these laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made with words or phrases like “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection” and similar expressions. Such statements are only predictions of the outcome and timing of future events based on our current expectations and currently available information and, accordingly, are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, we cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not regard any forward-looking statements as a representation that the expected results will be achieved. Important risk factors that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations are identified and described in “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,2024 and “Part II, Item 1A — Risk Factors” of this Report.