Upbound Group Inc (UPBD) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amidst Margin ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue: Nearly $1.1 billion, up 9.9% year-over-year.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: Approximately $125 million, decreased 4.6% year-over-year.

  • Non-GAAP EPS: $1.04, compared to $1.11 in the prior year period.

  • Acima Revenue Growth: Up 19% year-over-year.

  • Rent-A-Center Revenue Growth: Up 1.9% year-over-year.

  • Gross Margin: 49.4%, decreased 230 basis points year-over-year.

  • Lease Charge-Off Rate: Consolidated rate at 7.2%, up 30 basis points year-over-year.

  • Acima GMV Growth: 21% year-over-year.

  • Rent-A-Center Same-Store Sales Growth: 2.6% year-over-year.

  • Free Cash Flow: $600,000, down from $24.7 million in the prior year period.

  • Net Leverage Ratio: Approximately 2.8 times.

  • Dividend: $0.37 per share distributed in the quarter.

Release Date: August 01, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Upbound Group Inc (NASDAQ:UPBD) reported strong revenue growth of nearly 10% year-over-year, with Acima up 19% and Rent-A-Center up 1.9%.

  • The company achieved a notable 35% increase in applications compared to the previous year, indicating strong demand and effective marketing strategies.

  • Acima's adjusted EBITDA margin improved significantly by 310 basis points to 14.7% in the second quarter, showcasing operational efficiency.

  • The company raised the midpoint of its guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and non-GAAP diluted EPS, reflecting confidence in future performance.

  • Upbound Group Inc (NASDAQ:UPBD) successfully onboarded new merchant partners, including two of the top 50 furniture retailers in the US, enhancing its market presence.

Negative Points

  • Consolidated gross margin decreased by 230 basis points year-over-year, indicating pressure on profitability.

  • The consolidated lease charge-off rate increased by 30 basis points from the prior year period, reflecting potential risk management challenges.

  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 4.6% year-over-year, impacted by higher corporate costs and lower margins in the Rent-A-Center segment.

  • The company is involved in a legal dispute with the CFPB, which could pose regulatory and financial risks.

  • Free cash flow generation was significantly lower compared to the prior year, primarily due to increased GMV at Acima and higher working capital needs.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you discuss the impact of the trade-down opportunity and how it is affecting your business? A: Mitchell Fadel, CEO, explained that the trade-down opportunity is significant, contributing to a 35% increase in applications. This growth is driven by a combination of new merchant partnerships, direct-to-consumer channels, and increased productivity at existing merchants. The trade-down effect is estimated to account for 25-40% of the growth in GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume).