Rent-A-Center, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results

Business Wire, Oct 29, 2007

Reported Diluted Earnings per Share of $0.37

Repurchased 2.3 Million Shares of Common Stock and Reduced Debt by $31.2 Million

Cash Flow from Operations Exceeds $270 Million for the Year to Date

PLANO, Texas -- Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ/NGS:RCII), the nation's largest rent-to-own operator, today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Third Quarter 2007 Results

The Company reported total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 of $709.7 million, an increase of $122.5 million from the reported total revenues of $587.2 million for the same period in the prior year. This 20.9% increase in revenues was primarily driven by the Rent-Way acquisition that closed on November 15, 2006. Same store revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 decreased 1.8%.

Reported net earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 were $25.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.4% from the reported net earnings of $25.2 million for the same period in the prior year.

Reported diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 were $0.37, an increase of $0.01, or 2.8% from the reported diluted earnings per share of $0.36 for the same period in the prior year. Reported net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 includes $0.04 per share as a result of the receipt of accelerated royalty payments from former franchisees in consideration of the termination of their franchise agreements, as discussed below.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company generated cash flow from operations of approximately $127.2 million, while ending the quarter with $100.3 million of cash on hand. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 2,307,400 shares of its common stock for $45.1 million in cash under its common stock repurchase program. To date, the Company has repurchased a total of 18,235,950 shares and has utilized approximately $441.0 million of the $500.0 million authorized by its Board of Directors since the inception of the plan. In addition, during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company reduced its outstanding indebtedness by approximately $31.2 million.

"Our third quarter financial results for total revenue and earnings per diluted share were within our guidance range; however, the business environment was very challenging throughout the quarter," commented Mark E. Speese, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Although we believe that our customer continues to face financial challenges, we have been encouraged by the positive results from our operational initiatives, as well as an increase in demand in October," Speese continued. "As we prepare to enter 2008, we intend to focus on enhancing store level operations, improving operational efficiencies, and further investing in our financial services business, while maintaining a solid balance sheet," Speese stated.

The Company also announced today that it has reached a prospective settlement with the plaintiffs to resolve Terry Walker, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., et al., a putative class action filed in federal court in Texarkana, Texas, alleging that the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors violated various federal securities laws. Under the terms contemplated, the Company anticipates its insurance carrier will pay an aggregate of approximately $3.6 million in cash, which will be distributed to an agreed upon class of claimants who purchased the Company's common stock from April 25, 2001 through October 8, 2001, as well as used to pay costs of notice and settlement administration, and attorneys' fees and expenses. In connection with the settlement, neither the Company nor any officer and director defendants are admitting liability for any securities laws violations.

The terms of the prospective settlement are subject to the parties entering into a definitive settlement agreement and obtaining court approval. While the Company believes that the terms of this prospective settlement are fair, there can be no assurance that the settlement, if completed, will be approved by the court in its present form. The Company expects its insurance carrier to fund the prospective settlement and related costs.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Results

Total reported revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $2.189 billion, an increase of $0.411 billion, or 23.1% from the reported total revenues of $1.778 billion for the same period in the prior year. Same store revenues for the nine month period ending September 30, 2007 increased 1.4%.

Reported net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $81.6 million, a decrease of $23.8 million from the reported net earnings of $105.4 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease is primarily a result of the $51.3 million litigation expense recorded in the first quarter of 2007 in connection with the settlement of the Perez matter, as discussed below.