EZCorp - 10-Q quarterly report FY2011 Q2

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yesþ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

The only class of voting securities of the registrant issued and outstanding is the Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, all of which is owned by an affiliate of the registrant. There is no trading market for the Class B Voting Common Stock.

As of March 31, 2011, 46,954,535 shares of the registrant’s Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 2,970,171 shares of the registrant’s Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

See accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Our management has included all adjustments it considers necessary for a fair presentation. These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature except for those related to acquired businesses (described in Note C). The accompanying financial statements should be read with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010. The balance sheet at September 30, 2010 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Our business is subject to seasonal variations and operating results for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2011 (the “current quarter” and “current year-to-date period”) are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full fiscal year.

Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We account for our investments in Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC and Cash Converters International Limited using the equity method.

Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition: We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several factors, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market value of the property. We record sales revenue and the related cost when this inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. Sales tax collected upon the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.

Signature Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue Recognition: We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of the fees we expect to collect, net of direct expenses, and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce credit service fee revenue upon loan default, and increase credit service fee revenue upon collection. Signature loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Signature loan fees” on our statements of operations.

Signature Loan Credit Service Bad Debt: We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees and late fees. Although amounts paid under letters of credit may be collected later, we charge those amounts to signature loan bad debt upon default. We record recoveries under the letters of credit as a reduction of bad debt at the time of collection. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery, and record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of the sale.

The majority of our credit service customers obtain short-term signature loans with a single maturity date. These short-term loans, with maturity dates averaging about 16 days, are considered defaulted if they have not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Other credit service customers obtain installment loans with a series of payments due over as much as a five-month period. If one payment of an installment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one installment payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted.

Allowance for Losses on Signature Loan Credit Services: We provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered signature loans that have not yet matured. The allowance is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. It includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including loan principal, accrued interest, insufficient funds fees and late fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers (collectively, “Expected LOC Losses”). Changes in the allowance are charged to signature loan bad debt. We include the balance of Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets. At March 31, 2011, the allowance for Expected LOC Losses on signature loans was $0.8 million and our maximum exposure for losses on letters of credit, if all brokered signature loans defaulted and none was collected, was $18.8 million. This amount includes principal, interest, insufficient funds fees and late fees. Based on the expected loss and collection percentages, we also provide an allowance for the signature loan credit service fees we expect not to collect, and charge changes in this allowance to signature loan fee revenue.

Signature Loan Revenue Recognition: We accrue fees in accordance with state and provincial laws on the percentage of signature loans (payday loans and installment loans) we have made that we believe to be collectible. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce fee revenue upon loan default, and increase fee revenue upon collection.

Signature Loan Bad Debt: We consider a payday loan defaulted if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. If one payment of an installment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one installment payment is delinquent at any time, the entire installment loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, we charge the loan principal to signature loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. We record collections of principal as a reduction of signature loan bad debt when collected. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery and record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of the sale.

Signature Loan Allowance for Losses: We provide an allowance for losses on signature loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable, based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. We charge any changes in the principal valuation allowance to signature loan bad debt. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to signature loan fee revenue.

Auto Title Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue Recognition: We earn auto title credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan, and reserve the percentage of fees we expect not to collect. Auto title loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Auto title loan fees” on our statements of operations.

Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses on Auto Title Loan Credit Services: We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, all amounts owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any late fees. Through a charge to auto title loan bad debt, we provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered auto title loans, and record actual charge-offs against this allowance. The allowance includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including principal, accrued interest and late fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers or through the sale of repossessed vehicles. We include the allowance for expected losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets. At March 31, 2011, the allowance was $0.2 million and our maximum exposure for losses on letters of credit, if all brokered auto title loans defaulted and none was collected, was $7.7 million.

Auto Title Loan Revenue Recognition: We accrue fees in accordance with state laws on the percentage of auto title loans we have made that we believe to be collectible. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan.

Auto Title Loan Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses: Based on historical collection experience, the age of past-due loans and amounts we expect to receive through the sale of repossessed vehicles, we provide an allowance for losses on auto title loans and related fees receivable. We charge any increases in the principal valuation allowance to auto title loan bad debt and charge uncollectable loans against this allowance. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to auto title loan fee revenue.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations: Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit or highly liquid investments or mutual funds with original contractual maturities of three months or less. We hold cash at major financial institutions that often exceed FDIC insured limits. We manage our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and cash concentrations by investing in high quality instruments or funds, concentrating our cash deposits in high quality financial institutions and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institutions issuing investments or holding such deposits. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations.

Inventory: If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan). We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. In order to state inventory at the lower of cost (specific identification) or market value, we record an allowance for excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. At March 31, 2011, the inventory valuation allowance was $7.0 million or 9.1% of gross inventory. We record changes in the inventory valuation allowance as cost of goods sold.

Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. They are tested for impairment each July 1^st, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired, based on cash flows and other market valuation methods. We recognized no impairment of our intangible assets in the current or prior year periods. We amortize intangible assets with definite lives over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Property and Equipment: We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 30 years for buildings and 2 to 7 years for furniture, equipment, and software development costs. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $121.4 million at March 31, 2011.

Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets: We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant negative industry trends or legislative changes prohibiting us from offering our loan products. When we determine that the net recorded amount of tangible long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we measure impairment based on the excess of the assets’ net recorded amount over the estimated fair value. No impairment of tangible long-lived assets was recognized in the current or prior year periods.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: We have elected not to measure at fair value any eligible items for which fair value measurement is optional. We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature. The recorded value of our outstanding debt is assumed to estimate its fair value, as it has no prepayment penalty and a floating interest rate based on market rates.

Foreign Currency Translation: Our equity investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters are translated from British pounds and Australian dollars, respectively, into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates as of the investees’ balance sheet date. The related interest in the investees’ net income is translated at the average exchange rates for each six-month period reported by the investees. The functional currency of our wholly-owned Empeño Fácil pawn

segment is the Mexican peso and the functional currency of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiary CASHMAX is the Canadian dollar. Empeño Fácil’s and CASHMAX’s balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments from Albemarle & Bond, Cash Converters, Empeño Fácil and CASHMAX as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have not been significant, and are reported as “Other” expense in our statements of operations.

Income Taxes: We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized when the rate change is enacted.

Stock Compensation: We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718-10-25 (Compensation — Stock Compensation). The fair value of restricted shares is measured as the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant, which is amortized over the vesting period for each grant. We have not granted any stock options since fiscal 2007. When granted, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the options’ vesting periods.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2009, FASB amended ASC 810-10-65 (Consolidation). Amended ASC 810-10-65 relates to the consolidation of variable interest entities. It eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires ongoing qualitative reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This guidance also requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. We adopted this amended standard October 1, 2010, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2010, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This update amends FASB ASC 310 (Receivables) to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. We adopted this amended standard on October 1, 2010, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The additional required disclosures are included in Note M.

Between June and September 2010, we acquired, through asset purchases, five pawn stores located in the Chicago metropolitan area, eight pawn stores located in Central and South Florida, two pawn stores located in Corpus Christi, Texas and one pawn store in Las Vegas, Nevada for approximately $21.8 million in cash. The stores were acquired from five separate sellers. We recorded approximately $4.9 million of net tangible assets and $1.0 million of intangible assets attributable to non-compete agreements and a pawn license. Goodwill of $15.9 million, which is expected to be fully tax deductible, was recorded in the U.S. Pawn Operations segment as part of these acquisitions. The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based on several strategic and synergistic benefits we expect to realize from the acquisitions. These benefits include our initial entry into Chicago, a greater presence in prime pawn markets and the ability to further leverage our expense structure through increased scale.

In the quarter ended December 31, 2010, we acquired three pawn stores located in the Chicago metropolitan area and one pawn store located in Marietta, Georgia for approximately $13.7 million in cash. The stores were acquired from four separate sellers. One of the stores in Chicago was acquired by purchasing all of the capital stock of the corporation that owned it, and the other three were acquired through asset purchases. We recorded approximately $2.8 million of net tangible assets, $0.1 million of intangible assets attributable to non-compete agreements and $10.8 million of goodwill, all of which was recorded in the U.S. Pawn Operations segment. Of the total goodwill,

$6.1 million is expected to be fully tax deductible and $4.7 million is expected to be non-deductible. The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based on several strategic and synergistic benefits we expect to realize from the acquisitions. These benefits include a greater presence in a prime pawn market and the ability to further leverage our expense structure through increased scale.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2011, we acquired five pawn stores located in Central and South Florida for approximately $17.8 million in cash. The stores were acquired from two separate sellers. One of the stores was acquired by purchasing all of the capital stock of the corporation that owned it, and the other four were acquired through asset purchases. We recorded approximately $2.8 million of net tangible assets, $0.1 million of intangible assets attributable to non-compete agreements and $14.9 million of goodwill, all of which was recorded in the U.S. Pawn Operations segment. Of the total goodwill, $10.0 million is expected to be fully tax deductible and $4.9 million is expected to be non-deductible. The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based on several strategic and synergistic benefits we expect to realize from the acquisitions. These benefits include a greater presence in a prime pawn market and the ability to further leverage our expense structure through increased scale.

All stores were acquired as part of our continuing strategy to acquire domestic pawn stores to enhance and diversify our earnings. Transaction related expenses were not material and were expensed as incurred. The results of all acquired stores have been consolidated with our results since their acquisition. The purchase price allocation of stores acquired in the twelve months ended March 31, 2011 is preliminary as we continue to receive information regarding the acquired assets. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the acquisitions were not significant on either an individual or an aggregate basis.

We compute basic earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. We compute diluted earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards.

Potential common shares are required to be excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if the assumed proceeds upon exercise or vest, as defined by FASB ASC 718-10-25, are greater than the cost to re-acquire the same number of shares at the average market price, and therefore the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Components of basic and diluted earnings per share and excluded anti-dilutive potential common shares are as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):

At March 31, 2011, we owned 16,644,640 common shares of Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC, representing almost 30% of its total outstanding shares. Our total cost for those shares was approximately $27.6 million. Albemarle & Bond is primarily engaged in pawnbroking, retail jewelry sales, check cashing and lending in the United Kingdom. We account for the investment using the equity method. Since Albemarle & Bond’s fiscal year ends three months prior to ours, we report the income from this investment on a three-month lag. Albemarle & Bond files semi-annual financial reports for its fiscal periods ending December 31 and June 30. The income reported for our year-to-date period ended March 31, 2011 represents our percentage interest in the results of Albemarle & Bond’s operations from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

In its functional currency of British pounds, Albemarle & Bond’s total assets increased 16% from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010 and its net income for the six months ended December 31, 2010 decreased 1% including the drag from new stores. Below is summarized financial information for Albemarle & Bond’s most recently reported results after translation to U.S. dollars (using the exchange rate as of December 31 of each year for balance sheet items and average exchange rates for the income statement items for the periods indicated):

At March 31, 2011, we owned 124,418,000 shares, or approximately 33% of the total common shares of Cash Converters International Limited, which is a publicly traded company headquartered in Perth, Australia. We acquired the shares between November 2009 and May 2010 for approximately $57.8 million. Cash Converters franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 600 specialty financial services and retail stores that provide pawn loans, short-term unsecured loans and other consumer finance products, and buy and sell second-hand goods. Cash Converters has significant store concentrations in Australia and the United Kingdom.

We account for our investment in Cash Converters using the equity method. Since Cash Converters’ fiscal year ends three months prior to ours, we report the income from this investment on a three-month lag. Cash Converters files semi-annual financial reports for its fiscal periods ending December 31 and June 30. The income reported for our year-to-date period ended March 31, 2011 represents our percentage interest in the results of Cash Converters’ operations from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Our results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 reflect our share of Cash Converters’ 56 days of earnings from November 6, 2009 to December 31, 2009. This amount was estimated through daily proration of Cash Converters’ reported results for the six months ended December 31, 2009.

In its functional currency of Australian dollars, Cash Converters’ total assets increased 17% from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010 and its net income improved 42% for the six months ended December 31, 2010. Below is summarized financial information for Cash Converters’ most recently reported results after translation to U.S. dollars (using the exchange rate as of December 31 of each year for balance sheet items and average exchange rates for the income statement items for the periods indicated):

The table below summarizes the recorded value and fair value of each of these strategic investments at the dates indicated. These fair values are considered level one estimates within the fair value hierarchy of FASB ASC 820-10-50, and were calculated as (a) the quoted stock price on each company’s principal market multiplied by (b) the number of shares we owned multiplied by (c) the applicable foreign currency exchange rate at the dates indicated. We included no control premium for owning a large percentage of outstanding shares.

Included in “Other Assets, net” on our balance sheets are available for sale securities with a fair value of $4.7 million at March 31, 2011, $3.8 million at March 31, 2010 and $4.9 million at September 30, 2010. This is considered to be a level one measurement of fair value as it is based on the ending market price for the securities at that date, as quoted on an active public securities exchange.

In March 2011, we announced plans to increase our ownership of Cash Converters’ outstanding shares from 33% to 53% for a total cost of approximately $70 million. Following the additional investment, we and Cash Converters plan to establish two joint ventures, under which we will roll out a suite of financial services products globally under the Cash Converters brand. The joint ventures are conditional upon the share purchase which, in turn, requires the approval of Cash Converters’ shareholders. We expect to close the transaction in our fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011, at which point we will begin to consolidate Cash Converters’ results with ours and discontinue use of the equity method for our current investment in Cash Converters.

The following table presents the balance of each major class of indefinite-lived intangible asset at the specified dates (in thousands):

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by segment, over the periods presented (in thousands):

The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of definite-lived intangible asset at the specified dates (in thousands):

The amortization of most definite lived intangible assets is recorded as amortization expense. The favorable lease asset and other intangibles are amortized to Operations expense (rent expense) over the related lease terms. The following table presents the amount and classification of amortization recognized as expense in each of the periods presented (in thousands):

The following table presents our estimate of the amount and classification of amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets for each of the five succeeding full fiscal years beginning October 1, 2010 (in thousands):

As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, amortization and operations expense may vary from these estimates.

Our syndicated credit agreement provides for, among other things, (i) an $80 million revolving credit facility, maturing December 31, 2011, that we may, under the terms of the agreement, request to be increased to a total of $110 million and (ii) a $40 million term loan, maturing December 31, 2012. Our term loan requires $2.5 million quarterly principal payments. At March 31, 2011, $20 million was outstanding under the term loan and bank letters of credit totaling $5 million were outstanding, leaving $75 million available on our revolving credit facility. The outstanding bank letters of credit secure our obligations under letters of credit we issue to unaffiliated lenders as part of our credit service operations.

Pursuant to the credit agreement, we may choose to pay interest to the lenders for outstanding borrowings at the Eurodollar rate plus 175 to 250 basis points or the bank’s base rate plus 0 to 50 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio computed at the end of each calendar quarter. Our rates are currently at the minimum of the range. On the unused amount of the revolving credit facility, we pay a commitment fee of 25 to 30 basis points depending on our leverage ratio calculated at the end of each quarter. Terms of the credit agreement require, among other things, that we meet certain financial covenants. We were in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2011. The payment of dividends and additional debt are restricted. The recorded value of our debt approximates its fair value as it is all variable rate debt and carries no pre-payment penalty.

Deferred financing costs of $0.3 million related to our credit agreement are included in Other assets, net in our March 31, 2011 balance sheet. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over their three-year estimated useful life.

Our net income includes the following compensation costs related to our stock compensation arrangements (in thousands):

Included in the compensation cost for the six months ended March 31, 2011 is $7.3 million for the accelerated vesting of restricted stock upon the retirement of our former Chief Executive Officer on October 31, 2010, and a related $2.5 million income tax benefit. In the six months ended March 31, 2011, stock option exercises resulted in the issuance of 23,800 shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock for total proceeds of $0.2 million. All options and restricted stock relate to our Class A Non-voting Common Stock.

The current quarter’s effective tax rate is 35.4% of pretax income compared to 35.7% for the prior year quarter. For the current year-to-date period, the effective tax rate is 35.5% compared to 35.6% in the prior year-to-date period. The decrease in effective tax rates is primarily due to an increase in both domestic tax credits and the foreign tax credit on overseas earnings, partially offset by the valuation allowance established for operating losses in our Canada operations during their start-up period.

Currently and from time to time, we are defendants in various legal and regulatory actions. While we cannot determine the ultimate outcome of these actions, we believe their resolution will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, we cannot give any assurance as to their ultimate outcome.

Comprehensive income includes net income and other revenues, expenses, gains and losses that are excluded from net income but are included as a component of total stockholders’ equity. Comprehensive income for the fiscal quarter and year-to-date period ended March 31, 2011 was $34.0 million and $68.5 million. For the comparable 2010 periods, comprehensive income was $23.7 million and $49.5 million. The difference between comprehensive income and net income results primarily from the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments and the unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities. At March 31, 2011, the accumulated balance of net foreign currency and unrealized gain activity excluded from net income was $4.7 million, net of applicable tax of $1.9 million. The net $2.8 million is presented as “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the balance sheet at March 31, 2011.

We manage our business and internal reporting as three reportable segments with operating results reported separately for each segment.

There are no inter-segment revenues, and the amounts below were determined in accordance with the same accounting principles used in our consolidated financial statements. The following tables present operating segment information (in thousands):

The following table reconciles store operating income, as shown above, to our consolidated income before income taxes (in thousands):

The following table presents separately identified segment assets (in thousands):

Brokered loans are not recorded as an asset on our balance sheets, as we do not own a participation in the loans made by independent lenders. We monitor the principal balance of these loans, as our credit service fees and bad debt are directly related to their volume due to the letters of credit we issue on these loans. The balances shown above are the gross principal balances of the loans outstanding at the specified dates.

We offer a variety of loan products and credit services to customers who do not have cash resources or access to credit to meet their short-term cash needs. Our customers are considered to be in a higher risk pool with regard to creditworthiness when compared to those of typical financial institutions. As a result, our receivables do not have a credit risk profile that can easily be measured by the normal credit quality indicators used by the financial markets. We manage the risk through closely monitoring the performance of the portfolio and through our underwriting process. This process includes review of customer information, such as making a credit reporting agency inquiry, evaluating and verifying income sources and levels, verifying employment and verifying a telephone number where customers may be contacted. For auto title loans, we additionally inspect the automobile, title and reference to market values of used automobiles.

As described in Note B, “Significant Accounting Policies,” we consider a signature loan defaulted if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. If one payment of an installment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one installment payment is delinquent at any time, the entire installment loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, we charge the loan principal to signature loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce fee revenue upon loan default, and increase fee revenue upon collection. Based on historical collection experience, the age of past-due loans and amounts we expect to receive through the sale of repossessed vehicles, we provide an allowance for losses on auto title loans.

The accuracy of our allowance estimates is dependent upon several factors, including our ability to predict future default rates based on historical trends and expected future events. We base our estimates on observable trends and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The following table presents changes in the allowance for credit losses as well as the recorded investment in our financing receivables by portfolio segment for the periods presented (in thousands):

The provision presented in the table above includes only principal and excludes items such as NSF fees, late fees, repossession fees, auction fees and interest. In addition, all credit service expenses and fees related to loans made by our unaffiliated lenders are excluded, as we do not own the loans made in connection with our credit services and they are not recorded as assets on our balance sheet. Expected losses on credit services are accrued and reported in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets.

Auto title loans are our only loans that remain as recorded investments when in delinquent/nonaccrual status. We consider an auto title loan past due if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Based on experience, we establish a reserve on all auto title loans. On auto title loans more than 90 days past due, we reserve the percentage we estimate will not be recoverable through auction and reserve 100% of loans for which we have not yet repossessed the underlying collateral. No fees are accrued on any auto title loans more than 90 days past due.

The following table presents an aging analysis of past due financing receivables by portfolio segment for the periods presented (in thousands):