Pixium Vision receives HealthTech Award for Prima System at the MedTech Forum

Pixium Vision
receives
HealthTech
Award

for
Prima System
at
the MedTech Forum

Paris,
France,
April 21,
202
1 – 18.00 CET– Pixium Vision SA (Euronext Growth Paris – FR0011950641), a bioelectronics company that develops innovative bionic vision systems to enable patients who have lost their sight to live more independent lives, announces it has received the HealthTech Award 2020 in the category Best Product/Deal for its bionic vision Prima System.

The award, presented at the MedTech Forum 2021, recognizes the most promising game changers developing emerging technologies for healthcare in Europe, and is organized by the NOBEL Project and hosted by the MedTech Forum.


We are tremendously proud to receive this
HealthTech
Award 2020 for the
groundbreaking
work being carried out with the Prima System,” said Lloyd Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of Pixium Vision. “The Prima System has demonstrated its potential to make a significant improvement to the quality of life of patients with dry AMD and this award recognizes its capacity to improve vision. I would like to thank the entire Pixium Vision team and our collaborators for their dedication in developing the Prima System and progressing it through clinical trials and towards patients in desperate need of treatment.”

The Prima System, a photovoltaic substitute of photoreceptors providing simultaneous use of the central prosthetic and peripheral natural vision in atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is being studied in the pivotal PRIMAvera trial. The study was initiated in Q4 2020 and aims to confirm the safety and the benefits provided by the Prima System and is the last clinical step before seeking market approval in Europe.

Positive data from a French feasibility study have shown that patients with dry AMD had a significant improvement in vision when using the Prima System. This study has also demonstrated that patients could simultaneously use prosthetic central vision generated with the Prima System and their remaining peripheral vision, an important step forward in treatment for dry AMD.

About 
Pixium Vision

Pixium Vision is creating a world of bionic vision for those who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain visual perception and greater autonomy. Pixium Vision’s bionic vision systems are associated with a surgical intervention and a rehabilitation period. Prima System sub-retinal miniature photovoltaic wireless implant is in clinical testing for patients who have lost their sight due to outer retinal degeneration, initially for atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Pixium Vision collaborates closely with academic and research partners, including some of the most prestigious vision research institutions in the world, such as: Stanford University in California, Institut de la Vision in Paris, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) in Barcelona, University hospital in Bonn, and UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. The company is EN ISO 13485 certified and qualifies as “Entreprise Innovante” by Bpifrance.

For more information:  http://www.pixium-vision.com/fr

Follow us on @PixiumVision;  www.facebook.com/pixiumvision

               www.linkedin.com/company/pixium-vision  

 

Contacts

Pixium Vision

Guillaume Renondin
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
+33 1 76 21 47 68
Media relations

LifeSci Advisors

Sophie Baumont
[email protected]
+33 6 27 74 74 49

Investor relation

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem
[email protected]
+41 76 735 01 31

 



FirstCash Reports First Quarter Results; Adds 26 Stores During Quarter; Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.30 per Share

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FirstCash, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FCFS), the leading international operator of over 2,770 retail pawn stores in the U.S. and Latin America, today announced operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2021, and an update on the impact of COVID-19 on its business. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a $0.30 per share quarterly cash dividend, an increase of 11% compared to the previous quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, to be paid in May 2021.

Mr. Rick Wessel, chief executive officer, stated, “We are pleased to report strong first quarter earnings results and cash flows which exceeded our internal expectations. These rapidly improving results highlight the diversity of FirstCash’s business model and continued profitability despite the impacts of COVID-19. More importantly, our dedicated and experienced team of front line associates and store managers have consistently performed at an incredibly high level to support our customers through challenging and rapidly evolving circumstances over the past twelve months.

“The strength of first quarter sales volumes and margins in the U.S. drove a year-over-year increase in domestic retail gross profit as our stores benefited from improved inventory levels and the impact of additional federal stimulus payments to consumers. In Latin America, we continued to see a recovery in pawn lending demand as total loan balances reached near pre-pandemic levels. The Company’s operations in Latin America also realized robust retail margins and strong inventory turns. Additionally, our disciplined focus on expense control contributed to further operating margin recovery in both markets.

“Our strategic growth initiatives resulted in 24 new first quarter stores in three Latin American countries and the acquisition of two U.S. stores in Texas. With robust first quarter cash flows, we were able to significantly reduce revolving debt and we believe that we are well positioned for continued investments in growth and shareholder returns, including the increased quarterly dividend.”

This release contains adjusted earnings measures, which exclude certain extraordinary and/or non-cash expenses, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the descriptions and reconciliations to GAAP of these and other non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this release.

    Three Months Ended March 31,
    As Reported (GAAP)   Adjusted (Non-GAAP)
In thousands, except per share amounts   2021   2020   2021   2020
Revenue   $ 407,939     $ 466,490      $ 407,939     $ 466,490   
Net income   $ 33,715     $ 32,918      $ 34,928     $ 40,295   
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.82     $ 0.78      $ 0.85     $ 0.96   
EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)   $ 63,955     $ 64,624      $ 65,601     $ 74,606   
Weighted-average diluted shares   41,056     42,007      41,056     42,007   


Consolidated Earnings Highlights

  • Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter increased 5% on a GAAP basis and decreased 11% on an adjusted non-GAAP basis compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting the strongest comparative quarter since the beginning of the pandemic.
  • Earnings results reflected expected revenue declines of 13% in the first quarter, which primarily related to the impacts of COVID-19 on pawn lending and inventory levels. The revenue contraction for the quarter was the smallest since the second quarter of last year, and the Company saw significant improvement in many key operating metrics during the first quarter:
    • Retail results were stronger than anticipated and drove a 3% increase in first quarter merchandise gross profit compared to the first quarter of 2020. The increase was driven by a smaller than expected decline in U.S. retail sales of only 3% and continued margin improvements in both the U.S. and Latin America.
    • Retail sales gross margins of 42% in the first quarter remained at record levels and were a significant improvement over the 38% gross margins in the first quarter of last year.
    • Improving pawn loan demand in Latin America was offset by lower demand in the U.S. that was impacted by two rounds of stimulus payments to most of the Company’s customers. Pawn fees declined 19% on a consolidated basis for the quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.
    • Inventory levels remained stable, decreasing only 3% sequentially compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 despite the larger than expected first quarter retail sales volumes.
    • Increased inventory turns and margins resulted in a record return on earning assets (trailing twelve months net revenue divided by average pawn receivables and inventories) of 189% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 164% in the first quarter of 2020.
    • The Company continued its efforts to improve efficiency and optimize expenses which resulted in an 11% reduction in store-level expenses and a 6% reduction in administrative expenses compared to the prior-year quarter.
    • The adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2021 was over 16%, which equals the “pre-pandemic” margin in the first quarter of 2020.
    • Cash flow from operating activities was $214 million for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2021, while adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $276 million for the trailing twelve months.
    • First quarter earnings generated an improvement in the Company’s annualized return on assets and return on equity compared to the first quarter of last year.


Acquisitions and Store Opening Highlights

  • A total of 24 de novo locations were opened in Latin America during the first quarter, which included 22 locations in Mexico, one in Guatemala and one in Colombia.
  • Including two additional locations acquired in the U.S. in January, there were 26 total store additions during the first quarter. The Company has added 96 total locations over the last twelve months and 163 locations since the beginning of 2020.
  • As of March 31, 2021, the Company operated 2,771 stores, with 1,725 stores in Latin America and 1,046 stores in the U.S. The Latin American locations include 1,637 stores in Mexico, 60 stores in Guatemala, 15 stores in Colombia and 13 stores in El Salvador.


U.S. Pawn Operations

  • Retail sales for the first quarter of 2021 were stronger than anticipated, down only 3% compared to the prior-year quarter, which compares favorably to the 17% decline in the previous sequential quarter. Sales volumes were very strong in early January and again in March, consistent with the timing of stimulus payments and tax refunds. On a same store-basis, retail sales declined only 5% compared to the prior-year quarter.
  • Retail sales margins continued to expand, with a first quarter margin of 44% compared to the 39% margin in the same quarter last year. The strength in retail margins reflect continued retail demand for value-priced, pre-owned merchandise, increased buying of fresh merchandise from customers and lower levels of aged inventory, all of which limited the need for normal discounting.
  • Resulting gross profit from retail sales increased 9% compared to a year ago, reflecting the diversity and durability of the pawn business for the reasons noted above.
  • The sales results generated annualized inventory turnover rates of 3.5 times for the quarter and 3.3 times for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2021 compared to 3.1 and 2.9 times in the respective prior-year periods. Despite the larger than expected first quarter retail sales volumes, inventory levels at the end of the first quarter decreased only 6% compared to the previous sequential quarter and aged inventories remained low at only 2% of total inventories. In order to augment retail inventories and support increased turns, the Company continued to emphasize direct “buys” of merchandise purchased from customers. Retail inventory production was further bolstered by decreasing the percentage of jewelry normally scrapped and liquidated on a wholesale basis.
  • Pawn receivables at March 31, 2021 were down 24% in total compared to the prior year, which was also a sequential decline compared to an 18% decline at the beginning of the quarter, due primarily to the impact of direct federal stimulus payments delivered in early January and beginning again in March. Pawn loan originations were down 19% for the quarter, which is down sequentially, but still an improvement over the second and third quarters of 2020. Same-store pawn receivables were down 25% at quarter end and resulting total and same-store pawn fees for the first quarter were down 22% and 23%, respectively, compared to the prior-year quarter.
  • Wholesale scrap jewelry margins improved to 18% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 10% in the respective prior-year period, as the Company benefited from increased gold prices. Despite lower sales volumes, net revenue from non-core scrap jewelry sales increased 15% for the quarter compared to the prior-year quarter as a result of the increased margins.
  • Store operating expenses decreased 12% in total and on a same-store basis compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting the continued expense optimization efforts from reduced staffing levels through normal attrition, reduced store hours in some markets and other store-level cost saving initiatives.
  • Although segment pre-tax income for the first quarter was down a modest 5% compared to the prior year, the segment pre-tax margin improved to 22% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 21% for both the prior-year quarter and previous sequential quarter.

Note: Certain growth rates in “Latin America Pawn Operations” below are calculated on a constant currency basis, a non-GAAP financial measure defined at the end of this release. The average Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 was 20.3 pesos / dollar, an unfavorable change of 2% versus the comparable prior-year period.


Latin America Pawn Operations

  • All of the Company’s stores in Latin America are currently open and operating, although operations continued to be nominally impacted by restricted operating hours or days in certain markets.
  • Pawn loan origination volumes in Latin America continued to improve during the first quarter with resulting pawn loans outstanding at March 31, 2021 up 6% on a U.S. dollar translated basis and down 6% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year. Same-store pawn loans at March 31, 2021 increased 5% on a U.S. dollar translated basis and decreased 7% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year.
  • Pawn fees, which typically lag pawn receivables growth, decreased 12% in the first quarter, or 10% on a constant currency basis, as compared to the prior-year quarter, representing solid sequential improvement over the fourth quarter of 2020. On a same-store basis, pawn fees decreased 13% on a U.S. dollar basis and were down 11% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior-year quarter.
  • Retail sales in the first quarter were impacted by a combination of lower inventory levels and the absence of government stimulus programs in Latin America. Resulting retail sales for the first quarter decreased 18%, or 17% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior-year quarter. Same-store retail sales decreased 21% on a U.S. dollar basis and 19% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior-year quarter.
  • Partially offsetting the impact of lower total retail sales, retail margins continued to strengthen at 38% in the first quarter compared to 35% in the first quarter of 2020. As in the U.S., the improved margins reflect fresher inventories and continued demand for popular value-priced consumer electronics. As a result, gross profit from retail sales declined only 11% on a U.S. dollar basis, or 9% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.
  • Further reflecting the improved retail efficiency, annualized inventory turnover was a near record at 4.4 times for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2021 compared to 3.9 turns in the same period last year. Inventories aged greater than one year as of March 31, 2021 remained extremely low at 2%.
  • Store operating expenses decreased 8%, or 6% on a constant currency basis, while same-store operating expenses decreased 11%, or 9% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior-year quarter. The reduction in operating expenses reflects the continued expense optimization efforts from reduced staffing levels through normal attrition, reduced store hours and other store-level cost saving initiatives.
  • Segment pre-tax operating margin was 19% for the first quarter of 2021 (also 19% on a constant currency basis) compared to 21% in the prior-year quarter.


Liquidity and Shareholder Returns

  • The Company generated $214 million in cash flow from operations and $276 million in adjusted free cash flow during the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $237 million of cash flow from operations and $238 million of adjusted free cash flow during the same prior-year period.
  • Utilizing strong first quarter cash flows, the Company was able to reduce outstanding debt by $79 million during the quarter. The Company’s strong liquidity position includes cash balances at March 31, 2021 of $55 million and ample borrowing capacity under bank lines of credit.
  • The Company also utilized its cash flow and liquidity to invest $25 million in acquisitions, capital expenditures, primarily for new stores, and purchases of store real estate during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
  • The Board of Directors declared a $0.30 per share second quarter cash dividend on common shares outstanding, which will be paid on May 28, 2021 to stockholders of record as of May 14, 2021. On an annualized basis, the increased dividend is now $1.20 per share, representing and 11% increase. Any future dividends are subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.
  • During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 84,000 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $5 million and an average cost per share of $59.06. The Company has $117 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorizations. Future share repurchases are subject to expected liquidity, acquisition opportunities, debt covenant restrictions and other relevant factors.


2021 Outlook

Given the continued uncertainties related to COVID-19, the Company is not currently providing earnings guidance. However, the following factors are expected to impact operating trends in 2021:


  • Impact of COVID-19:
    The extent to which COVID-19 continues to impact the Company’s operations will depend on future developments, which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence. This includes the ongoing duration and severity of the pandemic, the pace of economic recovery and the duration of governmental responses such as stimulus programs, enhanced child tax credits and extended unemployment benefits as seen in the U.S.

    • U.S. pawn loan demand, which had partially recovered in the second half of last year, has dampened slightly this year, which the Company attributes primarily to the two rounds of federal stimulus payments, with the most recent beginning in late March ($1,400 for most eligible people), which created significant additional short-term liquidity for many customers. Resulting same-store pawn balances are currently down 18% compared to the prior year (2020) and 32% compared to more normalized 2019 levels. Daily new loan origination activity has started to improve since early April, with same-store new loan volumes currently down approximately 25% to 30% compared to 2019, indicating that the impact from the latest round of stimulus payments has peaked and is beginning to recover.

      While the most recent round of U.S. stimulus payments appear to be less impactful compared to the pandemic-related declines in the second quarter of 2020, the recovery of domestic loan demand will still likely be tempered for the next several months. In addition, given the significant retail sales volume in March, retail sales could be impacted by lower inventory levels in the near term. As a reminder, the Company had very strong retail sales in the second quarter of last year and more normalized pawn fee revenue at the onset of the pandemic as consumers paid down loans and related fees.

    • In Mexico, which comprises the majority of the Company’s LatAm operations and where there have been minimal stimulus programs, same-store pawn loans are currently 3% above prior-year levels and 11% below this point in 2019. Inventories, while expected to recover on a lagging basis to pawn receivables, begin the second quarter 23% below the prior year which will continue to impact retail sales volumes in the near term.

  • Income tax rate:
    For the full year of 2021, the effective income tax rate, under current codes in the U.S. and Mexico, is expected to range from 27% to 28% compared to 25.8% in 2020.

  • New store openings, consolidations and repositionings:
    Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, including significant construction, utility and permitting delays, the Company has a solid pipeline of additional stores leased, under construction or completed and awaiting permits. While there continue to be COVID-19 related operating challenges in many expansion markets, the Company expects 50 to 60 new store openings in 2021. In addition, the Company continues to believe there are significant opportunities for accretive consolidations, expansions and/or relocations of acquired small format stores in Mexico.


Additional Commentary and Analysis
   

Mr. Wessel provided the following additional insights on the Company’s first quarter operating results:

“Our first quarter results were encouraging, driven primarily by the continued re-opening of the economies in most of our markets in both the U.S. and Latin America. The Company’s U.S. operations saw robust retail sales as more customers visited our stores, ready to spend their stimulus payments and tax refunds. We saw strong demand across all merchandise categories, such as jewelry, electronics, power tools and sporting goods, and were able to meet most of the demand with fresh, just in-time inventories that commanded record gross margins.

“As with most consumer lenders, our loan origination volumes are significantly improved over last year, although balances remain below normal levels given the unprecedented liquidity for many consumers at the current time. While demand for consumer credit will likely take additional time to fully rebound, we remain positive on the long-term recovery in U.S. pawn loan demand, especially given our geographic footprint and unique competitive positioning as a small-dollar, non-recourse lender.

“In Latin America we are seeing a somewhat quicker recovery, as evidenced by our end of quarter pawn receivables in Mexico, which were up on a dollar-basis and down only 6% in the local currency compared to last year. There is a solid backlog of layaway deposits, up 12% sequentially in local currency, which is a leading indicator for future retail sales. Similar to the U.S., we have also been able to expand retail margins and recover operating profits with improved inventory turns and expense control.

“As we have highlighted, most of FirstCash’s key earnings metrics and margins continue to improve compared to the second half of 2020. With an anticipated further recovery in pawn lending activity, our goal is to structurally maintain a significant portion of the gross margin improvements and expense efficiencies, which we believe will further drive the Company’s long-term profitability.

“Store expansion is off to a fast start in 2021, as 24 de novo stores have been opened in Latin America while two stores have been acquired in the U.S. Over the past 15 months, the Company has added 163 new locations in four countries and while the impacts of the pandemic have dampened their collective contribution to-date, we are optimistic for rapid earnings accretion from these locations as the recovery continues.

“We remain committed to taking advantage of additional strategic opportunities as well, primarily through potential acquisitions in our existing markets. In addition, the Company continues to make substantial investments in technology and corporate infrastructure to drive collaboration, efficiencies and further reduce operating costs. Finally, we note the ongoing optimization of our real estate portfolio through strategic relocations, rent optimization and purchases of the underlying real estate in some locations. Through these activities, we have reduced same-store rent expense in our U.S. segment by 4% this quarter compared to the prior-year quarter and also of importance, we control our destiny in the typically high profit locations where we have acquired the real estate.

“As we begin the second quarter, we believe we have ample capacity to open and acquire additional stores, fund a further expected recovery in pawn loan demand and fund shareholder returns,” concluded Mr. Wessel.


About FirstCash

FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores with over 2,770 retail pawn locations and 17,000 employees in 24 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and four countries in Latin America including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and El Salvador. FirstCash focuses on serving cash and credit constrained consumers through its retail pawn locations, which buy and sell a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments and other merchandise, and make small consumer pawn loans secured by pledged personal property.

FirstCash is a component company in both the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index® and the Russell 2000 Index®. FirstCash’s common stock (ticker symbol “FCFS”) is traded on the Nasdaq, the creator of the world’s first electronic stock market. For additional information regarding FirstCash and the services it provides, visit FirstCash’s website located at http://www.firstcash.com.


Forward-Looking Information
    

This release contains forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of FirstCash, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”). Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “projects,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “should,” “plans,” “targets,” “intends,” “could,” “would,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “confident,” “optimistic,” or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, objectives, estimates, guidance, expectations and future plans. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.

While the Company believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made in this release. Such factors may include, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and regulatory developments (1) related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the unknown duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be impacted by variants of the COVID-19 virus and the timing, availability and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the impact of governmental responses that have been, and may in the future be, imposed in response to the pandemic, including stimulus programs which could adversely impact lending demand and regulations which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to continue to fully operate, potential changes in consumer behavior and shopping patterns which could impact demand for both the Company’s pawn loan and retail products, changes in the economic conditions in the United States and Latin America, which potentially could have an impact on discretionary consumer spending or impact demand for pawn loan products, and currency fluctuations, primarily involving the Mexican peso and (2) those discussed and described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risks described in Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” thereof, and in the other reports filed subsequently by the Company with the SEC. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Company to control, nor can the Company predict, in many cases, all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to report any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

FIRSTCASH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    2021   2020
Revenue:        
Retail merchandise sales   $ 272,042     $ 296,629  
Pawn loan fees   115,522     142,115  
Wholesale scrap jewelry sales   20,375     26,371  
Consumer loan and credit services fees       1,375  
Total revenue   407,939     466,490  
         
Cost of revenue:        
Cost of retail merchandise sold   157,153     184,695  
Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold   17,197     22,847  
Consumer loan and credit services loss provision       (361 )
Total cost of revenue   174,350     207,181  
         
Net revenue   233,589     259,309  
         
Expenses and other income:        
Store operating expenses   137,324     153,500  
Administrative expenses   30,999     32,902  
Depreciation and amortization   10,612     10,674  
Interest expense   7,230     8,418  
Interest income   (158 )   (185 )
Merger and acquisition expenses   166     68  
Loss on foreign exchange   267     2,685  
Write-off of certain Cash America merger related lease intangibles   878     3,630  
Impairment of certain other assets       1,900  
Total expenses and other income   187,318     213,592  
         
Income before income taxes   46,271     45,717  
         
Provision for income taxes   12,556     12,799  
         
Net income   $ 33,715     $ 32,918  
         
Earnings per share:        
Basic   $ 0.82     $ 0.79  
Diluted   $ 0.82     $ 0.78  
         
Weighted-average shares outstanding:        
Basic   41,034     41,912  
Diluted   41,056     42,007  
         
Dividends declared per common share   $ 0.27     $ 0.27  

Certain amounts in the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been reclassified in order to conform to the 2021 presentation.



FIRSTCASH, INC.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited, in thousands)

    March 31,   December 31,
    2021   2020   2020
ASSETS            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 54,641     $ 75,464     $ 65,850  
Fees and service charges receivable   35,334     40,121     41,110  
Pawn loans   265,438     314,296     308,231  
Inventories   185,336     227,876     190,352  
Income taxes receivable   8,236     4,279     9,634  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   8,629     10,736     9,388  
Total current assets   557,614     672,772     624,565  
             
Property and equipment, net   384,617     329,066     373,667  
Operating lease right of use asset   287,418     280,840     298,957  
Goodwill   974,051     927,290     977,381  
Intangible assets, net   83,229     84,999     83,651  
Other assets   9,365     9,188     9,818  
Deferred tax assets   3,869     8,718     4,158  
Total assets   $ 2,300,163     $ 2,312,873     $ 2,372,197  
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 79,575     $ 74,805     $ 81,917  
Customer deposits   38,727     39,728     34,719  
Income taxes payable   7,139     9,832     1,148  
Lease liability, current   86,529     82,355     88,622  
Total current liabilities   211,970     206,720     206,406  
             
Revolving unsecured credit facilities   44,000     355,519     123,000  
Senior unsecured notes   493,108     296,744     492,916  
Deferred tax liabilities   73,020     64,728     71,173  
Lease liability, non-current   186,972     181,787     194,887  
Total liabilities   1,009,070     1,105,498     1,088,382  
             
Stockholders’ equity:            
Common stock   493     493     493  
Additional paid-in capital   1,218,323     1,224,113     1,221,788  
Retained earnings   811,921     749,126     789,303  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (130,767 )   (180,472 )   (118,432 )
Common stock held in treasury, at cost   (608,877 )   (585,885 )   (609,337 )
Total stockholders’ equity   1,291,093     1,207,375     1,283,815  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 2,300,163     $ 2,312,873     $ 2,372,197  

Certain amounts in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2020 have been reclassified in order to conform to the 2021 presentation.



FIRSTCASH, INC.


OPERATING INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

The Company’s reportable segments are as follows:

  • U.S. operations
  • Latin America operations – includes operations in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and El Salvador

The Company provides revenues, cost of revenues, store operating expenses, pre-tax operating income and earning assets by segment. Store operating expenses include salary and benefit expense of store-level employees, occupancy costs, bank charges, security, insurance, utilities, supplies and other costs incurred by the stores.


U.S. Operations Segment Results

The following table details earning assets, which consist of pawn loans and inventories, as well as other earning asset metrics of the U.S. operations segment as of March 31, 2021 as compared to March 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands, except as otherwise noted):

  As of March 31,   Increase /
  2021   2020   (Decrease)
U.S. Operations Segment                
Earning assets:                
Pawn loans $ 169,642     $ 224,121       (24 ) %
Inventories   128,308       162,142       (21 ) %
  $ 297,950     $ 386,263       (23 ) %
                 
Average outstanding pawn loan amount (in ones) $ 215     $ 182       18   %
                 
Composition of pawn collateral:                
General merchandise 30 %   31 %      
Jewelry 70 %   69 %      
  100 %   100 %      
                 
Composition of inventories:                
General merchandise 44 %   42 %      
Jewelry 56 %   58 %      
  100 %   100 %      
                 
Percentage of inventory aged greater than one year 2 %   3 %      
                 
Inventory turns (trailing twelve months cost of merchandise sales divided by average inventories) 3.3 times   2.9 times      



FIRSTCASH, INC.


OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents segment pre-tax operating income and other operating metrics of the U.S. operations segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):

  Three Months Ended        
  March 31,    
  2021   2020   Decrease
U.S. Operations Segment                  
Revenue:                  
Retail merchandise sales $ 189,957     $ 195,966         (3 ) %  
Pawn loan fees   76,397       97,857         (22 ) %  
Wholesale scrap jewelry sales   9,203       15,478         (41 ) %  
Consumer loan and credit services fees (1)         1,375         (100 ) %  
Total revenue   275,557       310,676         (11 ) %  
                   
Cost of revenue:                  
Cost of retail merchandise sold   106,530       119,529         (11 ) %  
Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold   7,513       14,006         (46 ) %  
Consumer loan and credit services loss provision (1)         (361 )       (100 ) %  
Total cost of revenue   114,043       133,174         (14 ) %  
                   
Net revenue   161,514       177,502         (9 ) %  
                   
Segment expenses:                  
Store operating expenses   95,247       107,706         (12 ) %  
Depreciation and amortization   5,382       5,401           %  
Total segment expenses   100,629       113,107         (11 ) %  
                   
Segment pre-tax operating income $ 60,885     $ 64,395         (5 ) %  
                   
Operating metrics:                  
Retail merchandise sales margin 44 %   39   %        
Wholesale scrap jewelry sales margin 18 %   10   %        
Net revenue margin 59 %   57   %        
Segment pre-tax operating margin 22 %   21   %        

(1)   Effective June 30, 2020, the Company no longer offers an unsecured consumer loan product in the U.S.

FIRSTCASH, INC.

OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)


Latin America Operations Segment Results

The Company’s management reviews and analyzes certain operating results in Latin America on a constant currency basis because the Company believes this better represents the Company’s underlying business trends. Constant currency results are non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current-year results at prior-year average exchange rates. The wholesale scrap jewelry sales in Latin America are priced and settled in U.S. dollars, and are not affected by foreign currency translation, as are a small percentage of the operating and administrative expenses in Latin America, which are billed and paid in U.S. dollars. Amounts presented on a constant currency basis are denoted as such. See the “Constant Currency Results” section below for additional discussion of constant currency results.

The following table provides exchange rates for the Mexican peso, Guatemalan quetzal and Colombian peso for the current and prior-year periods:  

    March 31,   Favorable /
    2021   2020   (Unfavorable)
Mexican peso / U.S. dollar exchange rate:              
End-of-period   20.6   23.5     12   %
Three months ended   20.3   19.9     (2 ) %
               
Guatemalan quetzal / U.S. dollar exchange rate:              
End-of-period   7.7   7.7       %
Three months ended   7.8   7.7     (1 ) %
               
Colombian peso / U.S. dollar exchange rate:              
End-of-period   3,737   4,065     8   %
Three months ended   3,553   3,533     (1 ) %



FIRSTCASH, INC.


OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table details earning assets, which consist of pawn loans and inventories, as well as other earning asset metrics of the Latin America operations segment as of March 31, 2021 as compared to March 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands, except as otherwise noted):

                      Constant Currency Basis
                      As of        
                      March 31,   Increase /
  As of March 31,   Increase /   2021   (Decrease)
  2021   2020   (Decrease)   (Non-GAAP)   (Non-GAAP)
Latin America Operations Segment                              
Earning assets:                              
Pawn loans $ 95,796     $ 90,175       6   %     $ 84,498       (6 ) %  
Inventories   57,028       65,734       (13 ) %     50,324       (23 ) %  
  $ 152,824     $ 155,909       (2 ) %     $ 134,822       (14 ) %  
                               
Average outstanding pawn loan amount (in ones) $ 76     $ 56       36   %     $ 67       20   %  
                               
Composition of pawn collateral:                              
General merchandise 66 %   70 %                    
Jewelry 34 %   30 %                    
  100 %   100 %                    
                               
Composition of inventories:                              
General merchandise 58 %   62 %                    
Jewelry 42 %   38 %                    
  100 %   100 %                    
                               
Percentage of inventory aged greater than one year 2 %   1 %                    
                               
Inventory turns (trailing twelve months cost of merchandise sales divided by average inventories) 4.4 times   3.9 times                    



FIRSTCASH, INC.


OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents segment pre-tax operating income and other operating metrics of the Latin America operations segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):

                      Constant Currency Basis
                      Three Months        
                Ended        
    Three Months Ended           March 31,   Increase /
    March 31,   Increase /   2021   (Decrease)
    2021     2020   (Decrease)   (Non-GAAP)   (Non-GAAP)
Latin America Operations Segment                              
Revenue:                              
Retail merchandise sales   $ 82,085       $ 100,663       (18 ) %     $ 83,937       (17 ) %  
Pawn loan fees   39,125       44,258       (12 ) %     40,010       (10 ) %  
Wholesale scrap jewelry sales   11,172       10,893       3   %     11,172       3   %  
Total revenue   132,382       155,814       (15 ) %     135,119       (13 ) %  
                               
Cost of revenue:                              
Cost of retail merchandise sold   50,623       65,166       (22 ) %     51,763       (21 ) %  
Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold   9,684       8,841       10   %     9,902       12   %  
Total cost of revenue   60,307       74,007       (19 ) %     61,665       (17 ) %  
                               
Net revenue   72,075       81,807       (12 ) %     73,454       (10 ) %  
                               
Segment expenses:                              
Store operating expenses   42,077       45,794       (8 ) %     42,960       (6 ) %  
Depreciation and amortization   4,263       4,063       5   %     4,350       7   %  
Total segment expenses   46,340       49,857       (7 ) %     47,310       (5 ) %  
                               
Segment pre-tax operating income   $ 25,735       $ 31,950       (19 ) %     $ 26,144       (18 ) %  
                               
Operating metrics:                              
Retail merchandise sales margin 38 %   35 %         38 %        
Wholesale scrap jewelry sales margin 13 %   19 %         11 %        
Net revenue margin 54 %   53 %         54 %        
Segment pre-tax operating margin 19 %   21 %         19 %        



FIRSTCASH, INC.


OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)


Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table reconciles pre-tax operating income of the Company’s U.S. operations segment and Latin America operations segment discussed above to consolidated net income (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
  2021   2020
Consolidated Results of Operations      
Segment pre-tax operating income:      
U.S. operations $ 60,885       $ 64,395    
Latin America operations 25,735       31,950    
Consolidated segment pre-tax operating income 86,620       96,345    
       
Corporate expenses and other income:      
Administrative expenses 30,999       32,902    
Depreciation and amortization 967       1,210    
Interest expense 7,230       8,418    
Interest income (158 )     (185 )  
Merger and acquisition expenses 166       68    
Loss on foreign exchange 267       2,685    
Write-off of certain Cash America merger related lease intangibles 878       3,630    
Impairment of certain other assets       1,900    
Total corporate expenses and other income 40,349       50,628    
       
Income before income taxes 46,271       45,717    
       
Provision for income taxes 12,556       12,799    
       
Net income $ 33,715       $ 32,918    



FIRSTCASH, INC.


STORE COUNT ACTIVITY

The following table details store count activity:

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
    U.S.   Latin America    
    Operations Segment   Operations Segment   Total Locations
Total locations, beginning of period   1,046     1,702     2,748  
New locations opened       24     24  
Locations acquired   2         2  
Consolidation of existing pawn locations (1)   (2 )   (1 )   (3 )
Total locations, end of period   1,046     1,725     2,771  

(1)   Store consolidations were primarily acquired locations over the past four years which have been combined with overlapping stores and for which the Company expects to maintain a significant portion of the acquired customer base in the consolidated location.

FIRSTCASH, INC.

RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(UNAUDITED)

The Company uses certain financial calculations such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow and constant currency results as factors in the measurement and evaluation of the Company’s operating performance and period-over-period growth. The Company derives these financial calculations on the basis of methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), primarily by excluding from a comparable GAAP measure certain items the Company does not consider to be representative of its actual operating performance. These financial calculations are “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined under the SEC rules. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures in operating its business because management believes they are less susceptible to variances in actual operating performance that can result from the excluded items, other infrequent charges and currency fluctuations. The Company presents these financial measures to investors because management believes they are useful to investors in evaluating the primary factors that drive the Company’s core operating performance and provide greater transparency into the Company’s results of operations. However, items that are excluded and other adjustments and assumptions that are made in calculating these non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, the Company’s GAAP financial measures. Further, because these non-GAAP financial measures are not determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, the non-GAAP financial measures, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

While acquisitions are an important part of the Company’s overall strategy, the Company has adjusted the applicable financial calculations to exclude merger and acquisition expenses to allow more accurate comparisons of the financial results to prior periods. In addition, the Company does not consider these merger and acquisition expenses to be related to the organic operations of the acquired businesses or its continuing operations and such expenses are generally not relevant to assessing or estimating the long-term performance of the acquired businesses. Merger and acquisition expenses include incremental costs directly associated with merger and acquisition activities, including professional fees, legal expenses, severance, retention and other employee-related costs, contract breakage costs and costs related to the consolidation of technology systems and corporate facilities, among others.

The Company has certain leases in Mexico which are denominated in U.S. dollars. The lease liability of these U.S. dollar denominated leases, which is considered a monetary liability, is remeasured into Mexican pesos using current period exchange rates resulting in the recognition of foreign currency exchange gains or losses. The Company has adjusted the applicable financial measures to exclude these remeasurement gains or losses because they are non-cash, non-operating items that could create volatility in the Company’s consolidated results of operations due to the magnitude of the end of period lease liability being remeasured and to improve comparability of current periods presented with prior periods.

In conjunction with the Cash America merger in 2016, the Company recorded certain lease intangibles related to above or below market lease liabilities of Cash America which are included in the operating lease right of use asset on the consolidated balance sheets. As the Company continues to opportunistically purchase real estate from landlords at certain Cash America stores, the associated lease intangible, if any, is written-off and gain or loss is recognized. The Company has adjusted the applicable financial measures to exclude these gains or losses given the variability in size and timing of these transactions and because they are non-cash, non-operating gains or losses. The Company believes this improves comparability of operating results for current periods presented with prior periods.

FIRSTCASH, INC.

RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)


Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Management believes the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share provides investors with greater transparency and provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial performance and prospects for the future by excluding items that management believes are non-operating in nature and not representative of the Company’s core operating performance of its continuing operations. In addition, management believes the adjustments shown below are useful to investors in order to allow them to compare the Company’s financial results for the current periods presented with the prior periods presented.

The following table provides a reconciliation between net income and diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which are shown net of tax (in thousands, except per share amounts):

  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020
  In Thousands   Per Share   In Thousands   Per Share
Net income and diluted earnings per share, as reported $ 33,715     $ 0.82     $ 32,918     $ 0.78  
Adjustments, net of tax:              
Merger and acquisition expenses 116         50      
Non-cash foreign currency loss related to lease liability 421     0.01     3,069     0.07  
Non-cash write-off of certain Cash America merger related lease intangibles 676     0.02     2,795     0.07  
Non-cash impairment of certain other assets (1)         1,463     0.04  
Adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share $ 34,928     $ 0.85     $ 40,295     $ 0.96  

(1)   Impairment related to a non-operating asset in which the Company determined that an other than temporary impairment existed as of March 31, 2020.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the gross amounts, the impact of income taxes and the net amounts for the adjustments included in the table above (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020
  Pre-tax   Tax   After-tax   Pre-tax   Tax   After-tax
Merger and acquisition expenses $ 166     $ 50     $ 116     $ 68     $ 18     $ 50  
Non-cash foreign currency loss related to lease liability 602     181     421     4,384     1,315     3,069  
Non-cash write-off of certain Cash America merger related lease intangibles 878     202     676     3,630     835     2,795  
Non-cash impairment of certain other assets             1,900     437     1,463  
Total adjustments $ 1,646     $ 433     $ 1,213     $ 9,982     $ 2,605     $ 7,377  



FIRSTCASH, INC.


RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)


Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA

The Company defines EBITDA as net income before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, interest expense and interest income and adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for certain items as listed below that management considers to be non-operating in nature and not representative of its actual operating performance. The Company believes EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by investors to assess a company’s financial performance, and adjusted EBITDA is used in the calculation of the net debt ratio as defined in the Company’s senior unsecured notes covenants. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (dollars in thousands):         

                Trailing Twelve
    Three Months Ended   Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
    2021   2020   2021   2020
Net income   $ 33,715     $ 32,918     $ 107,376     $ 154,881  
Income taxes     12,556       12,799       36,877       56,604  
Depreciation and amortization     10,612       10,674       42,043       42,704  
Interest expense     7,230       8,418       28,156       34,083  
Interest income     (158 )     (185 )     (1,513 )     (1,036 )
EBITDA     63,955       64,624       212,939       287,236  
Adjustments:                        
Merger and acquisition expenses     166       68       1,414       1,685  
Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain) related to lease liability     602       4,384       (2,533 )     3,791  
Loss on extinguishment of debt                 11,737        
Non-cash write-off of certain Cash America merger related lease intangibles     878       3,630       4,303       3,630  
Non-cash impairment of certain other assets           1,900             1,900  
Consumer lending wind-down costs and asset impairments                 109       3,454  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 65,601     $ 74,606     $ 227,969     $ 301,696  
                         
Net debt ratio calculation:                        
Total debt (outstanding principal)               $ 544,000     $ 655,519  
Less: cash and cash equivalents                 (54,641 )     (75,464 )
Net debt               $ 489,359     $ 580,055  
Adjusted EBITDA               $ 227,969     $ 301,696  
Net debt ratio (net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA)               2.1 : 1     1.9 : 1  



FIRSTCASH, INC.


RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)


Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow

For purposes of its internal liquidity assessments, the Company considers free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow. The Company defines free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities less purchases of furniture, fixtures, equipment and improvements and net fundings/repayments of loan receivables, which are considered to be operating in nature by the Company but are included in cash flow from investing activities. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow adjusted for merger and acquisition expenses paid that management considers to be non-operating in nature.

Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are commonly used by investors as an additional measure of cash generated by business operations that may be used to repay scheduled debt maturities and debt service or, following payment of such debt obligations and other non-discretionary items, may be available to invest in future growth through new business development activities or acquisitions, repurchase stock, pay cash dividends or repay debt obligations prior to their maturities. These metrics can also be used to evaluate the Company’s ability to generate cash flow from business operations and the impact that this cash flow has on the Company’s liquidity. However, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow from operating activities or other income statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow (in thousands):

            Trailing Twelve
    Three Months Ended   Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
    2021   2020   2021   2020
Cash flow from operating activities   $ 69,174     $ 77,385     $ 214,053     $ 237,284  
Cash flow from investing activities:                
Loan receivables, net (1)   42,394     52,279     97,123     44,469  
Purchases of furniture, fixtures, equipment and improvements   (9,491 )   (10,581 )   (36,453 )   (45,234 )
Free cash flow   102,077     119,083     274,723     236,519  
Merger and acquisition expenses paid, net of tax benefit   116     50     1,057     1,222  
Adjusted free cash flow   $ 102,193     $ 119,133     $ 275,780     $ 237,741  

(1)   Includes the funding of new loans net of cash repayments and recovery of principal through the sale of inventories acquired from forfeiture of pawn collateral.

FIRSTCASH, INC.

RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)


Constant Currency Results

The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. However, certain performance metrics discussed in this release are presented on a “constant currency” basis, which is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company’s management uses constant currency results to evaluate operating results of business operations in Latin America, which are primarily transacted in local currencies.

The Company believes constant currency results provide valuable supplemental information regarding the underlying performance of its business operations in Latin America, consistent with how the Company’s management evaluates such performance and operating results. Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating certain balance sheet and income statement items denominated in local currencies using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current comparable period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations for purposes of evaluating period-over-period comparisons. Business operations in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia are transacted in Mexican pesos, Guatemalan quetzales and Colombian pesos. The Company also has operations in El Salvador where the reporting and functional currency is the U.S. dollar. See the Latin America operations segment tables elsewhere in this release for an additional reconciliation of certain constant currency amounts to as reported GAAP amounts.

For further information, please contact:
Gar Jackson
Global IR Group
Phone:    (817) 886-6998
Email:     [email protected]

Doug Orr, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Phone:     (817) 258-2650
Email:      [email protected]
Website:   investors.firstcash.com



Anthem Reports First Quarter 2021 Results, Raises Full Year Outlook

Anthem Reports First Quarter 2021 Results, Raises Full Year Outlook

  • First quarter GAAP net income was $6.71 per share, including net negative adjustment items of $0.30 per share. Adjusted net income was $7.01* per share.
  • Operating revenue grew by 9.0%, or 10.7% adjusted for the repeal of the health insurance tax, over the prior year quarter to $32.1 billion.
  • Medical enrollment increased by 1.4 million members year over year and 596 thousand members sequentially to 43.5 million members.
  • Second quarter 2021 dividend of $1.13 per share declared to shareholders.
  • Raising full year adjusted net income outlook from greater than $24.50* per share to greater than $25.10* per share.

INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Anthem, Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) reported first quarter 2021 results that reflect strong financial performance.

“Our results in the first quarter reflect strong execution and a continued focus on supporting our communities through the pandemic,” said Gail K. Boudreaux, President and CEO. “We expect the positive momentum in the first quarter to persist through the balance of the year, driven by our commitment to delivering affordable healthcare and innovative solutions for those we serve. At Anthem, we are modernizing our business while transforming into a digitally-enabled platform for health. Our solid performance demonstrates the value we bring to the market and I am confident that we are well positioned to capitalize on future opportunities for growth.”

*Refer to GAAP reconciliation tables.

CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS

Earnings Per Share: GAAP net income was $6.71 per share in the first quarter, including net negative adjustment items of $0.30 per share. Adjusted net income was $7.01* per share.

*Please refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables.

Membership: Medical enrollment totaled approximately 43.5 million members at March 31, 2021, an increase of 1.4 million lives, or 3.3 percent from the prior year quarter. Government Business enrollment increased by 1.8 million lives compared to the prior year quarter, attributable to Medicaid, reflecting organic growth, aided by the temporary suspension of eligibility recertification efforts in our markets, and growth in Medicare Advantage. Commercial & Specialty Business enrollment decreased by 411 thousand lives compared to the prior year quarter primarily attributable to higher in-group change in the group fee-based business as a result of the economic environment, partially offset by growth in Individual.

During the first quarter of 2021, medical enrollment increased sequentially by 596 thousand lives, reflecting organic growth in the Medicaid and Medicare businesses, higher BlueCard activity, and sales in excess of lapses in our Commercial risk-based businesses, partially offset by higher in-group change in the group fee-based business.

Operating Revenue: Operating revenue was $32.1 billion in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $2.7 billion, or 9.0 percent, versus the prior year quarter and 10.7 percent after adjusting for the health insurance tax. The increase was driven by higher premium revenue due to growth in Medicaid and Medicare.The increase was further attributable to pharmacy product revenue related to IngenioRx, partially offset by the impact of lower premium revenue due to the repeal of the health insurance tax in 2021.

Benefit Expense Ratio:The benefit expense ratio was 85.6 percent in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 140 basis points versus the prior year quarter and a decrease of 10 basis points after adjusting for the health insurance tax. The increase was driven by costs associated with COVID-19, including testing and vaccine administration, and to a lesser extent, the repeal of the health insurance tax in 2021. These increases were partially offset by reduced non-COVID healthcare utilization and the impact of one less calendar day compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Medical claims reserves established at December 31, 2020 developed better than the Company’s expectations during the first quarter of 2021.

Days in Claims Payable:Days in Claims Payable was 46.9 days as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 3.5 days from December 31, 2020 and an increase of 5.0 days as compared to March 31, 2020.

SG&A Expense Ratio: The SG&A expense ratio was 12.2 percent in the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of 60 basis points from 12.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, primarily driven by the repeal of the health insurance tax in 2021 and growth in operating revenue, partially offset by increased spend to support growth.

Operating Cash Flow: Operating cash flow was $2.5 billion, or 1.5 times net income in the first quarter of 2021. Operating cash flow was primarily driven by changes in working capital, membership growth in our Government business, and higher net income, offset by the repeal of the health insurance tax in 2021.

Share Repurchase Program: During the first quarter of 2021, the Company repurchased 1.4 million shares of its common stock for $447 million, at a weighted average price of $316.06. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $5.6 billion remaining of Board-approved share repurchase authorization.

Cash Dividend:During the first quarter of 2021, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $1.13 per share, representing a distribution of cash totaling $277 million.

On April 20, 2021, the Audit Committee declared a second quarter 2021 dividend to shareholders of $1.13 per share. On an annualized basis, this equates to a dividend of $4.52 per share. The second quarter dividend is payable on June 25, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 10, 2021.

Investment Portfolio & Capital Position:During the first quarter of 2021, the Company recorded net realized losses of $4 million. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded net realized losses of $81 million.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company’s net unrealized gain position in the investment portfolio was $776 million, consisting primarily of fixed maturity securities. As of March 31, 2021 cash and investments at the parent company totaled approximately $4.6 billion.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

Anthem, Inc. has four reportable segments: Commercial & Specialty Business (comprised of Individual, Group risk-based, Group fee-based, and BlueCard businesses); Government Business (comprised of the Medicaid, Medicare, and Federal Health Products & Services businesses); IngenioRx, and Other (comprised of the Diversified Business Group and corporate expenses not allocated to our other reportable segments).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anthem, Inc.

 

 

Reportable Segment Highlights

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Change

 

 

 

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & Specialty Business

$9,491

 

$9,361

 

1.4

%

 

 

 

Government Business

19,283

 

17,466

 

10.4

%

 

 

 

IngenioRx

5,862

 

5,197

 

12.8

%

 

 

 

Other

2,370

 

1,027

 

130.8

%

 

 

 

Eliminations

(4,908)

 

(3,603)

 

NM2

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenue1

$32,098

 

$29,448

 

9.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Gain / (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & Specialty Business

$1,268

 

$1,420

 

(10.7)

%

 

 

 

Government Business

478

 

411

 

16.3

%

 

 

 

IngenioRx

407

 

349

 

16.6

%

 

 

 

Other

8

 

14

 

NM2

 

 

 

Total Operating Gain1

$2,161

 

$2,194

 

(1.5)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial & Specialty Business

13.4

%

 

15.2

%

 

(180) bp

 

 

 

Government Business

2.5

%

 

2.4

%

 

10 bp

 

 

 

IngenioRx

6.9

%

 

6.7

%

 

20 bp

 

 

 

Total Operating Margin1

6.7

%

 

7.5

%

 

(80) bp

 

 

(1)

See “Basis of Presentation.”

(2)

“NM” = calculation not meaningful.

Commercial & Specialty Business: Operating gain in the Commercial & Specialty Business segment totaled $1,268 million in the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of $152 million from an operating gain of $1,420 million in the first quarter of 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to costs associated with COVID-19, including testing and vaccine administration, as well as investments to support growth. These decreases were partially offset by reduced non-COVID healthcare utilization and the impact of one less calendar day compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Government Business: Operating gain in the Government Business segment was $478 million in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $67 million, or 16.3 percent, from $411 million in the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily driven by growth in Medicaid membership and the impact of one less calendar day compared to the first quarter of 2020. These increases were partially offset by costs associated with COVID-19 net of reduced non-COVID healthcare utilization, experience rated rebates in the Medicaid business, and lower risk revenue.

IngenioRx: Operating gain was $407 million in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of $58 million, or 16.6 percent, from $349 million in the first quarter of 2020. The increase was driven by an out of period adjustment and growth in integrated medical and pharmacy membership.

Other: The Company reported an operating gain of $8 million in the Other segment for the first quarter of 2021, compared with an operating gain of $14 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease is attributable to increased corporate expenses, partially offset by growth in the Diversified Business Group.

OUTLOOK

Full Year 2021:

  • GAAP net income is now expected to be greater than $24.05 per share, including approximately $1.05 per share of net unfavorable items. Excluding these items, adjusted net income is expected to be greater than $25.10* per share.
  • Medical membership is expected to be in the range of 44.1 – 44.7 million. Risk-based membership is expected to be in the range of 18.6 – 19.0 million. Fee-based membership is expected to be in the range of 25.5 – 25.7 million.
  • Operating revenue is expected to be approximately $135.1 billion, including premium revenue of $114.5 billion – $115.5 billion.
  • Benefit expense ratio is expected to be in the range of 88.0% plus or minus 50 basis points.
  • SG&A ratio is expected to be 10.8% plus or minus 50 basis points.
  • Operating cash flow is expected to be greater than $5.7 billion.
  • Investment income is now expected to be $970 million.
  • Interest expense is now expected to be $820 million.

* Refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables.

Basis of Presentation

  1. Operating revenue and operating gain/loss are the key measures used by management to evaluate performance in each of its reporting segments, allocate resources, set incentive compensation targets and to forecast future operating performance. Operating gain/loss is calculated as total operating revenue less benefit expense, cost of products sold and selling, general and administrative expense. It does not include net investment income, net realized gains/losses on financial instruments, interest expense, amortization of other intangible assets, gains/losses on extinguishment of debt or income taxes, as these items are managed in a corporate shared service environment and are not the responsibility of operating segment management. Refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables.
  2. Operating margin is defined as operating gain divided by operating revenue.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (“EDT”) to discuss the company’s first quarter results and outlook. The conference call should be accessed at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call with the following numbers:

888-947-9963 (Domestic)

866-430-8786 (Domestic Replay)

312-470-0178 (International)

203-369-0937 (International Replay)

The access code for today’s conference call is 9054819. The replay will be available from 11:30 a.m. EDT today, until the end of the day on May 20, 2021. The call will also be available through a live webcast at www.antheminc.com under the “Investors” link. A webcast replay will be available following the call.

About Anthem, Inc.

Anthem is a leading health benefits company dedicated to improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. Through its affiliated companies, Anthem serves more than 116 million people, including more than 43 million within its family of health plans. We aim to be the most innovative, valuable and inclusive partner. For more information, please visit www.antheminc.com or follow @AnthemInc on Twitter.

Anthem, Inc.

Membership Summary

(Unaudited and in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change from

Medical Membership

 

March 31,

2021

 

March 31,

2020

 

December 31,

2020

 

March 31,

2020

 

December 31,

2020

Commercial & Specialty Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual

731

 

 

717

 

 

680

 

 

2.0

%

 

7.5

%

Group Risk-Based

3,837

 

 

3,841

 

 

3,799

 

 

(0.1)

%

 

1.0

%

Commercial Risk-Based

4,568

 

 

4,558

 

 

4,479

 

 

0.2

%

 

2.0

%

BlueCard®

6,166

 

 

6,197

 

 

6,059

 

 

(0.5)

%

 

1.8

%

Group Fee-Based

19,515

 

 

19,905

 

 

19,551

 

 

(2.0)

%

 

(0.2)

%

Commercial Fee-Based

25,681

 

 

26,102

 

 

25,610

 

 

(1.6)

%

 

0.3

%

Total Commercial & Specialty Business

30,249

 

 

30,660

 

 

30,089

 

 

(1.3)

%

 

0.5

%

Government Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medicare Advantage

1,538

 

 

1,341

 

 

1,428

 

 

14.7

%

 

7.7

%

Medicare Supplement

930

 

 

914

 

 

933

 

 

1.8

%

 

(0.3)

%

Total Medicare

2,468

 

 

2,255

 

 

2,361

 

 

9.4

%

 

4.5

%

Medicaid

9,172

 

 

7,615

 

 

8,852

 

 

20.4

%

 

3.6

%

Federal Employees Health Benefits

1,632

 

 

1,614

 

 

1,623

 

 

1.1

%

 

0.6

%

Total Government Business

13,272

 

 

11,484

 

 

12,836

 

 

15.6

%

 

3.4

%

Total Medical Membership

43,521

 

 

42,144

 

 

42,925

 

 

3.3

%

 

1.4

%

Other Membership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and Disability Members

4,766

 

 

5,158

 

 

5,064

 

 

(7.6)

%

 

(5.9)

%

Dental Members

6,599

 

 

6,476

 

 

6,385

 

 

1.9

%

 

3.4

%

Dental Administration Members

1,488

 

 

1,311

 

 

1,316

 

 

13.5

%

 

13.1

%

Vision Members

7,798

 

 

7,510

 

 

7,536

 

 

3.8

%

 

3.5

%

Medicare Part D Standalone Members

450

 

 

383

 

 

413

 

 

17.5

%

 

9.0

%

Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Change

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

27,676

 

 

$

25,517

 

 

8.5

%

Product revenue

 

2,737

 

 

2,344

 

 

16.8

%

Administrative fees and other revenue

 

1,685

 

 

1,587

 

 

6.2

%

Total operating revenue

 

32,098

 

 

29,448

 

 

9.0

%

Net investment income

 

291

 

 

254

 

 

14.6

%

Net realized losses on financial instruments

 

(4)

 

 

(81)

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

32,385

 

 

29,621

 

 

9.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit expense

 

23,699

 

 

21,489

 

 

10.3

%

Cost of products sold

 

2,313

 

 

1,984

 

 

16.6

%

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

3,925

 

 

3,781

 

 

3.8

%

Interest expense

 

192

 

 

194

 

 

(1.0)

%

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

80

 

 

83

 

 

(3.6)

%

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

1

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

30,209

 

 

27,532

 

 

9.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

2,176

 

 

2,089

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

509

 

 

566

 

 

(10.1)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,667

 

 

$

1,523

 

 

9.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ net income

 

$

1,665

 

 

$

1,523

 

 

9.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ net income per diluted share

 

$

6.71

 

 

$

5.94

 

 

13.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted shares

 

248.2

 

 

256.4

 

 

(3.2)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit expense as a percentage of premiums

 

85.6

%

 

84.2

%

 

140

bp

Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of total operating revenue

 

12.2

%

 

12.8

%

 

(60)

bp

Income before income taxes as a percentage of total revenue

 

6.7

%

 

7.1

%

 

(40)

bp

“NM” = calculation not meaningful

Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In millions)

March 31,

2021

 

December 31,

2020

Assets

(Unaudited)

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,326

 

 

$

5,741

 

Fixed maturity securities

24,555

 

 

23,433

 

Equity securities, current

3,630

 

 

1,559

 

Premium receivables

6,111

 

 

5,279

 

Self-funded receivables

3,109

 

 

2,849

 

Other receivables

3,071

 

 

2,830

 

Other current assets

4,693

 

 

4,060

 

Total current assets

54,495

 

 

45,751

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term investments:

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

558

 

 

562

 

Other invested assets

4,474

 

 

4,285

 

Property and equipment, net

3,533

 

 

3,483

 

Goodwill

21,708

 

 

21,691

 

Other intangible assets

9,352

 

 

9,405

 

Other noncurrent assets

1,563

 

 

1,438

 

Total assets

$

95,683

 

 

$

86,615

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Medical claims payable

$

12,347

 

 

$

11,359

 

Other policyholder liabilities

5,075

 

 

4,590

 

Unearned income

1,139

 

 

1,259

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

5,329

 

 

5,493

 

Current portion of long-term debt

700

 

 

700

 

Other current liabilities

10,159

 

 

6,052

 

Total current liabilities

34,749

 

 

29,453

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

22,534

 

 

19,335

 

Reserves for future policy benefits

776

 

 

794

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

1,961

 

 

2,019

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

1,745

 

 

1,815

 

Total liabilities

61,765

 

 

53,416

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

Common stock

2

 

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

9,253

 

 

9,244

 

Retained earnings

24,793

 

 

23,802

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(195)

 

 

150

 

Total shareholders’ equity

33,853

 

 

33,199

 

Noncontrolling interests

65

 

 

 

Total equity

33,918

 

 

33,199

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

95,683

 

 

$

86,615

 

Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

Three Months Ended March 31

 

2021

 

2020

Operating activities

 

 

 

Net income

$1,667

 

$1,523

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

Net realized gains on financial instruments

4

 

 

81

 

Depreciation and amortization

282

 

 

270

 

Deferred income taxes

31

 

 

57

 

Share-based compensation

64

 

 

67

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

Receivables, net

(1,258)

 

 

(639)

 

Other invested assets

(20)

 

 

63

 

Other assets

(288)

 

 

(525)

 

Policy liabilities

1,455

 

 

692

 

Unearned income

(119)

 

 

(109)

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

358

 

 

588

 

Income taxes

438

 

 

491

 

Other, net

(109)

 

 

(44)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

2,505

 

 

2,515

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

Purchases of investments

(6,978)

 

 

(3,896)

 

Proceeds from sale of investments

4,650

 

 

2,728

 

Maturities, calls and redemptions from investments

998

 

 

597

 

Changes in securities lending collateral

(731)

 

 

(77)

 

Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

(27)

 

 

(1,908)

 

Purchases of property and equipment

(204)

 

 

(204)

 

Other, net

(15)

 

 

(24)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(2,307)

 

 

(2,784)

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

Net (repayments of)/proceeds from commercial paper borrowings

(250)

 

 

905

 

Net proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

 

375

 

Net proceeds from long-term borrowings

3,462

 

 

248

 

Changes in securities lending payable

731

 

 

77

 

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

(447)

 

 

(529)

 

Cash dividends

(277)

 

 

(240)

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock plans

89

 

 

44

 

Taxes paid through withholding of common stock under employee stock plans

(91)

 

 

(107)

 

Other, net

171

 

 

(94)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

3,388

 

 

679

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

(1)

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

3,585

 

 

408

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

5,741

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$9,326

 

$5,345

Anthem, Inc.

Reconciliation of Medical Claims Payable

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

Years Ended December 31

 

2021

 

2020

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross medical claims payable, beginning of period

$

11,135

 

 

$

8,647

 

 

$

8,647

 

 

$

7,266

 

 

$

7,814

 

Ceded medical claims payable, beginning of period

(46)

 

 

(33)

 

 

(33)

 

 

(34)

 

 

(105)

 

Net medical claims payable, beginning of period

11,089

 

 

8,614

 

 

8,614

 

 

7,232

 

 

7,709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business combinations and purchase adjustments

 

 

339

 

 

339

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net incurred medical claims:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

24,215

 

 

21,230

 

 

85,094

 

 

78,695

 

 

69,581

 

Prior years redundancies(1)

(1,488)

 

 

(700)

 

 

(637)

 

 

(500)

 

 

(930)

 

Total net incurred medical claims

22,727

 

 

20,530

 

 

84,457

 

 

78,195

 

 

68,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net payments attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year medical claims

15,031

 

 

13,744

 

 

74,629

 

 

70,294

 

 

62,748

 

Prior years medical claims

6,748

 

 

6,109

 

 

7,692

 

 

6,519

 

 

6,579

 

Total net payments

21,779

 

 

19,853

 

 

82,321

 

 

76,813

 

 

69,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net medical claims payable, end of period

12,037

 

 

9,630

 

 

11,089

 

 

8,614

 

 

7,232

 

Ceded medical claims payable, end of period

39

 

 

60

 

 

46

 

 

33

 

 

34

 

Gross medical claims payable, end of period

$

12,076

 

 

$

9,690

 

 

$

11,135

 

 

$

8,647

 

 

$

7,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year medical claims paid as a percentage of current year net incurred medical claims

62.1

%

 

64.7

%

 

87.7

%

 

89.3

%

 

90.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior year redundancies in the current year as a percentage of prior year net medical claims payable less prior year redundancies in the current year

15.5

%

 

8.8

%

 

8.0

%

 

7.4

%

 

13.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior year redundancies in the current year as a percentage of prior year net incurred medical claims

1.8

%

 

0.9

%

 

0.8

%

 

0.7

%

 

1.3

%

(1)

Negative amounts reported for net incurred medical claims related to prior years result from claims being settled for amounts less than originally estimated.

Anthem, Inc.

GAAP Reconciliation

(Unaudited)

Anthem, Inc. has referenced “Adjusted Net Income” and “Adjusted Net Income Per Share,” which are non-GAAP measures, in this document. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to be alternatives to any measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition to these non-GAAP measures, references are made to the measures “Operating Revenue” and “Operating Gain.” Each of these measures is provided to further aid investors in understanding and analyzing the company’s core operating results and comparing Anthem, Inc.’s financial results. A reconciliation of Operating Revenue to Total Revenue is set forth in the Consolidated Statements of Income herein. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, together with a reconciliation of reportable segments operating gain to income before income tax expense, is reported below. Prior amounts may be grouped differently to conform to current presentation.

 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

2021

 

2020

 

Change

 

Shareholders’ net income

$

1,665

 

 

$

1,523

 

 

9.3

%

 

Add / (Subtract):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on financial instruments

4

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

80

 

 

83

 

 

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Transaction and integration related costs

9

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

Litigation expenses

6

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments

(25)

 

 

(46)

 

 

 

 

Net adjustment items

74

 

 

139

 

 

 

 

Adjusted shareholders’ net income

$

1,739

 

 

$

1,662

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ net income per diluted share

$

6.71

 

 

$

5.94

 

 

13.0

%

 

Add / (Subtract):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on financial instruments

0.02

 

 

0.31

 

 

 

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

0.32

 

 

0.32

 

 

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction and integration related costs

0.04

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

Litigation expenses

0.02

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

Tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments

(0.10)

 

 

(0.18)

 

 

 

 

Rounding impact

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

Net adjustment items

0.30

 

 

0.54

 

 

 

 

Adjusted shareholders’ net income per diluted share

$

7.01

 

 

$

6.48

 

 

8.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Year

2021 Outlook

 

 

 

Shareholders’ net income per diluted share

Greater than $24.05

 

 

 

Add / (Subtract):

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on financial instruments

$0.02

 

 

 

 

Transaction and integration related costs

$0.04

 

 

 

 

Litigation expenses

$0.02

 

 

 

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

Approximately $1.31

 

 

 

Tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments

Approximately $(0.34)

 

 

 

Net adjustment items

Approximately $1.05

 

 

 

Adjusted shareholders’ net income per diluted share

Greater than $25.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

 

 

(In millions)

2021

 

2020

 

Change

 

Reportable segments operating gain

$

2,161

 

 

$

2,194

 

 

(1.5)

%

 

Net investment income

291

 

 

254

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on financial instruments

(4)

 

 

(81)

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

(192)

 

 

(194)

 

 

 

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

(80)

 

 

(83)

 

 

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

$

2,176

 

 

$

2,089

 

 

4.2

%

 

Anthem, Inc.

Reclassified Membership Summary

(Unaudited and in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Membership

December 31,

2020

 

September 30,

2020

 

June 30,

2020

 

March 31,

2020

Commercial & Specialty Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual

680

 

 

701

 

 

711

 

 

717

 

Group Risk-Based

3,799

 

 

3,774

 

 

3,789

 

 

3,841

 

Commercial Risk-Based

4,479

 

 

4,475

 

 

4,500

 

 

4,558

 

BlueCard®

6,059

 

 

6,106

 

 

6,171

 

 

6,197

 

Group Fee-Based

19,551

 

 

19,508

 

 

19,699

 

 

19,905

 

Commercial Fee-Based

25,610

 

 

25,614

 

 

25,870

 

 

26,102

 

Total Commercial & Specialty Business

30,089

 

 

30,089

 

 

30,370

 

 

30,660

 

Government Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medicare Advantage

1,428

 

 

1,416

 

 

1,366

 

 

1,341

 

Medicare Supplement

933

 

 

933

 

 

921

 

 

914

 

Total Medicare

2,361

 

 

2,349

 

 

2,287

 

 

2,255

 

Medicaid

8,852

 

 

8,569

 

 

8,180

 

 

7,615

 

Federal Employees Health Benefits

1,623

 

 

1,618

 

 

1,616

 

 

1,614

 

Total Government Business

12,836

 

 

12,536

 

 

12,083

 

 

11,484

 

Total Medical Membership

42,925

 

 

42,625

 

 

42,453

 

 

42,144

 

Other Membership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and Disability Members

5,064

 

 

5,029

 

 

5,110

 

 

5,158

 

Dental Members

6,385

 

 

6,356

 

 

6,400

 

 

6,476

 

Dental Administration Members

1,316

 

 

1,315

 

 

1,318

 

 

1,311

 

Vision Members

7,536

 

 

7,487

 

 

7,457

 

 

7,510

 

Medicare Part D Standalone Members

413

 

 

405

 

 

392

 

 

383

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect our views about future events and financial performance and are generally not historical facts. Words such as “expect,” “feel,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to: financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding future performance. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. You are also urged to carefully review and consider the various risks and other disclosures discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors that affect our business. Except to the extent otherwise required by federal securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impact of large scale medical emergencies, such as public health epidemics and pandemics, including COVID-19, and catastrophes; trends in healthcare costs and utilization rates; our ability to secure sufficient premium rates, including regulatory approval for and implementation of such rates; the impact of federal and state regulation, including ongoing changes in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended (collectively, the “ACA”) and the ultimate outcome of legal challenges to the ACA; changes in economic and market conditions, as well as regulations that may negatively affect our liquidity and investment portfolios; our ability to contract with providers on cost-effective and competitive terms; competitive pressures and our ability to adapt to changes in the industry and develop and implement strategic growth opportunities; reduced enrollment; unauthorized disclosure of member or employee sensitive or confidential information, including the impact and outcome of any investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation related thereto; risks and uncertainties regarding Medicare and Medicaid programs, including those related to non-compliance with the complex regulations imposed thereon; our ability to maintain and achieve improvement in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Star ratings and other quality scores and funding risks with respect to revenue received from participation therein; a negative change in our healthcare product mix; costs and other liabilities associated with litigation (including the ultimate outcome of litigation between Cigna Corporation and us related to the merger agreement between the parties), government investigations, audits or reviews; risks and uncertainties related to our pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”), business including non-compliance by any party with the PBM services agreement between us and CaremarkPCS Health, L.L.C.; medical malpractice or professional liability claims or other risks related to healthcare and PBM services provided by our subsidiaries; general risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances; changes in U.S. tax laws; possible impairment of the value of our intangible assets if future results do not adequately support goodwill and other intangible assets; possible restrictions in the payment of dividends from our subsidiaries and increases in required minimum levels of capital; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and pay dividends on our common stock due to the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings and other considerations; the potential negative effect from our substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness; a downgrade in our financial strength ratings; the effects of any negative publicity related to the health benefits industry in general or us in particular; failure to effectively maintain and modernize our information systems; events that may negatively affect our licenses with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; the impact of international laws and regulations; intense competition to attract and retain employees; and various laws and provisions in our governing documents that may prevent or discourage takeovers and business combinations.

Investor Relations
Stephen Tanal

[email protected]

Media

Michelle Vanstory

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Indiana United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Health Hospitals Insurance Finance General Health

MEDIA:

Tower Semiconductor Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Conference Call

MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel –
April
2
1
,
202
1Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ/ TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions, will issue its first quarter 2021 earnings release on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2021 financial results and second quarter 2021 guidance on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (09:00 a.m. Central, 08:00 a.m. Mountain, 07:00 a.m. Pacific and 05:00 p.m. Israel time).

This call will be webcasted and can be accessed through the Investor Relations section on Tower Semiconductor’s website at https://ir.towersemi.com/ or can also be accessed by calling the following numbers: U.S. Toll Free: 1-888-642-5032; Israel: 03-918-0609; International: +972-3-918-0609. The teleconference will be available for replay for 90 days.

About
Tower Semiconductor

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: TSEM, TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology and manufacturing platforms for integrated circuits (ICs) in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating positive and sustainable impact on the world through long term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as Transfer Optimization and development Process Services (TOPS) to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor operates two manufacturing facilities in Israel (150mm and 200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm) and three facilities in Japan (two 200mm and one 300mm) through TPSCo. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.

###

Contact Information:

Tower Semiconductor Investor Relations                        
Noit Levy, SVP Investor Relations                
[email protected]                                 

Attachment



HUNTER TECHNOLOGY – STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WELLDATABASE

VANCOUVER, British Columbia , April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hunter Technology Corp. (TSX-V: HOC; OTCQB: HOILF; WKN: A2QEYH, FSE: RWPM, ISIN: CA4457371090) (“Hunter” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with WellDatabase, a leading oil and gas data Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company headquartered in Houston, Texas, specializing in consolidating, and analysing oil and gas data.

The WellDatabase partnership will allow Hunter to fully integrate with and capitalize on WellDatabase’s decades of operational E&P data from across the United States and Canada. Enhanced value benefits to OilEx users include:

  • Access to profiles on millions of oil and gas wells, from a variety of sources.
  • Streamlining of real time market information for producers, enhancing the competitiveness of the physical oil market information for purchasers.
  • Enhanced ability for independent producers to claim their production sites and easily access their data.
  • Delivery of additional value-added services including allocated and organized production data, well productivity and economics analytics overlayed with advanced mapping.

“Data has become a necessity in our industry
,
” said John Ferrell, Co-Founder and CEO of WellDatabase.  “We are proud to partner with innovative tech companies, like Hunter, to collectively deliver better resources and results to the oil and gas industry for superior mapping, analytics, and data management.”

Hunter’s OilEx platform is powered by blockchain technology and designed to support end-to-end process flow for physical oil transactions from deal discovery, negotiation, and contracts through to settlement. Hunter is now taking the next steps in the development of its integrated platforms by partnering with WellDatabase.  The availability of deeper data will streamline and enhance the ability of producers to offer their product and for buyers to improve the discovery of attractive transaction opportunities in a visual map-based interface on OilEx, leading to higher transaction volumes. The resulting real-world benefits are optimized prices, simpler processes, improved transparency, and the support of environmental responsibility.

About Hunter Technology Corp.

Hunter Technology Corp. develops interactive software platforms powered by blockchain technology that digitalize and streamline physical oil trading throughout the transaction lifecycle. With its solutions, Hunter delivers more favorable economics and fair market access for all and promotes the transition towards a more environmentally and ethically responsible ecosystem.  Its flagship product OilEx will connect independent oil producers, buyers, and traders in a trusted digital marketplace to optimize prices, simplify processes, improve transparency, and support a reduced carbon footprint.  Through its data analytics capabilities, Hunter will offer real time supply chain management tools for tracking the origin, transhipment, and processing of hydrocarbons and the environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance during their life cycle.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Florian M Spiegl
Chief Executive Officer
(888) 977-0970

For further information on Hunter, visit our
website at
www.huntertechnology.com

For more information on WellDatabase, visit https://welldatabase.com/



NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.

This news release contains certain statements which may constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) regarding Hunter’s business development plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, including factors beyond Hunter’s control, and often contain words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, and “intend”, statements that an action or event “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, “will” or be “on track to” be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements (including execution risk, market risk, industry risk, market reaction, the impact of general economic conditions and competition from other industry participants, as well as stock market volatility). In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, Hunter’s business development plans as well as Hunter’s future performance as it develops its business. Although Hunter believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors, estimates and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to delays, development and marketing risks, unforeseen requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, commodity prices, inability to access, on favorable terms, sufficient capital from internal and external sources, the ability to access, hire and retain employees; regulatory changes and impacts, timing and completion of the Company’s online platforms as well as general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, Hunter does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Trading in the securities of Hunter should be considered highly speculative. There can be no assurance that Hunter will be able to achieve all or any of its proposed objectives. Please review Hunter’s SEDAR filings including its management discussion and analysis available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com for a more fulsome discussion of risk factors affecting Hunter.



Mondelēz International and Olam Food Ingredients Announce Partnership in Asia to Create World’s Largest Sustainable Commercial Cocoa Farm

  • Leading chocolate maker and largest cocoa supplier aim to strengthen sustainable cocoa sourcing in Indonesia
  • 2,000-hectare cocoa farming model of the future to restore environmental productivity, improve farmer livelihoods and empower local communities

CHICAGO, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ), a global leader in snacking, and Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), a leading supplier of cocoa beans and cocoa ingredients, have today announced a new collaboration in Indonesia to create the world’s single largest sustainable commercial cocoa farm. The model builds on Mondelēz International’s experience with the company’s signature sustainable sourcing program, Cocoa Life, and OFI’s ambition for sustainable cocoa, Cocoa Compass, to test a scalable approach for the future of commercial cocoa farming.

From sensors in fields to irrigation systems, the project will use advanced climate smart and plant science technology – rarely used to grow cocoa at this scale – as innovations included in this 2,000-hectare cocoa farm on Seram, the largest island in Maluku province in Indonesia. The model tests a modernised and professional blueprint for best practice cocoa farming, optimal land usage and farming community planning which will be explored as a potential model for replication across the region.

Demand for cocoa is growing across Asia, which is set to become the second largest consuming region of cocoa ingredients in the world. Indonesia is a key cocoa-producing country in the region, but farmers have struggled with rising temperatures, low yields and crop disease. Combining their respective expertise in cocoa growing research and development, sustainable cocoa farm management, and good agricultural practices, Mondelēz International and OFI will tackle these problems by improving the livelihoods of partner cocoa farmers, empowering communities and restoring the environmental productivity of a previously deforested landscape.
The partnership aims to deliver:

  • The creation of 700 jobs for local residents in an area which has limited income opportunities due to its isolated location. Nearly half of these employment opportunities will go to women.
  • 2,000 hectares of previously deforested brown field land, which will be planted with cocoa, shade trees, forest and fruit trees to promote biodiversity and carbon capture. More than 1,080 hectares have already been planted across the total plantation area of 3,380 hectares.
  • An area of 47 hectares which has been identified as High Conservation Value forest and is being fully protected as a vital habitat for flora and fauna.
  • A seedling nursery which can grow up to one million high-yielding cocoa seedlings each year.
  • Access to healthcare and education for all employees and their families, as well as housing, electricity, water, day care for the 200 families who live on site.

Quentin Roach, SVP Supply Chain & Chief Procurement Officer, Mondelēz International
comments: “As one of the world’s leading chocolate makers, we’re on a mission to make cocoa right and to secure a sustainable future for an ingredient essential to our business. With nine years of measurable impact demonstrating improved farmer’s livelihoods and reduced environmental impact of cocoa farming through our signature sustainable sourcing program, Cocoa Life, we’re excited to leverage our know-how in a collaborative approach to sustainable raw material sourcing with a geographically customized solution. Creating opportunities to innovate, in partnership with our suppliers, and exploring the ability to scale high-yielding, forest-positive, income-generating approaches to commercial cocoa farming on the single largest farm of its kind offers attractive potential and is an important step forward on our journey to lead the future of a sustainable and resilient cocoa supply. This initiative sits alongside Mondelēz International’s existing Cocoa Life program in Indonesia and our cocoa crop science technical center in Pasuruan, established to support sustainable cocoa farming practices and drive positive change for farmers and communities in the region.”

Gerard A. Manley, CEO of OFI’s Cocoa Business, comments: “This could be truly game-changing for the future of cocoa in Indonesia and beyond. We would like to thank the regional and national governments of Indonesia for their support. Ever since we launched our first sustainability program in the country more than 16 years ago, we have been committed to supporting Indonesian cocoa farmers while also protecting the environment. We reaffirmed this commitment through our acquisition in 2019 of the country’s largest cocoa processor, BT Cocoa, to connect the full supply chain from cocoa beans to cocoa ingredients. We’re now combining our expertise and knowledge with Mondelēz International, a steward of some of the world’s most iconic snack and chocolate brands. Having just announced the achievement of our 2020 sustainability goals, we believe this partnership is a further significant step towards our Cocoa Compass ambition to have a positive impact on the future of cocoa.”

Notes to editors

  • This release should be read in conjunction with the SGX announcement issued by Olam International Ltd. entitled “Joint venture with Mondelēz International, Inc.”

About Mondelēz International

Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2020 net revenues of approximately $27 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

About Cocoa Life

Cocoa Life is Mondelēz International’s signature sustainable sourcing program through which the company is leading a transformation to build a thriving cocoa sector. As a vital ingredient, Cocoa Life was launched in 2012 as a $400 million USD investment to create a sustainable future for cocoa by holistically tackling the complex challenges cocoa farmers and their communities face. By 2022 Cocoa Life will empowering over 200,000 farmers and reach one million community members across six cocoa-growing countries: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, India, the Dominican Republic and Brazil. Cocoa Life’s approach goes beyond certification, working on the ground, together with the men and women who make their living from cocoa to improve livelihoods, strengthen communities and inspire the next generation of cocoa farmers. Learn more at www.cocoalife.org.

About Olam Food Ingredients

Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) is a new operating group born out of Olam International. OFI offers sustainable, natural, value-added food products and ingredients so that consumers can enjoy the healthy and indulgent products they love. It consists of Olam’s industry-leading businesses of Cocoa, Coffee, Edible Nuts, Spices and Dairy.

OFI has built a unique global value chain presence including its own farms, farm-gate origination and manufacturing facilities. OFI partners with customers, leveraging its complementary and differentiated portfolio of “on-trend” food products, to co-create solutions that anticipate and meet changing consumer preferences as demand increases for healthier food that’s traceable and sustainable.

About OFI’s cocoa business

OFI is a leading supplier of cocoa beans and cocoa ingredients (cocoa powder, cocoa butter and cocoa liquor) and ranks amongst the top three processors worldwide. A leader in sustainable cocoa, its sustainability ambition, Cocoa Compass, sets challenging goals for its direct source supply chain which include helping 150,000 farmers to achieve a living income, eliminating child labour from its supply chain and creating a net increase in tree carbon stock by 2030. It sources from all major cocoa growing countries across Africa, Asia and South America, and has a cocoa processing, milling and refining presence in, or adjacent to, primary consumption markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Supplying to over 2,000 customers globally, OFI is a close collaborative partner in their innovation and product development programmes.

Its portfolio of ingredient brands is led by deZaan, with its heritage of more than 100 years of excellence, as well as African brand Unicao, South American brand Joanes, the regional Macao and Huysman cocoa powder brands, BT Cocoa in Indonesia, and Britannia confectionery and speciality fats brand. OFI has a global cocoa bean grind capacity in excess of 820,000 metric tonnes, and a refining and milling presence of over 80,000 metric tonnes in, or adjacent to, primary consumption markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words, such as “will,” “may,” “expect,” “aim,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify Mondelēz International’s forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the company’s sustainability strategies, goals and initiatives such as sustainable cocoa sourcing and the expected results of these initiatives. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Mondelēz International’s control, which could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in its forward-looking statements. Please see Mondelēz International’s risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Mondelēz International’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Mondelēz International disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

Contact: Maggie McKerr (Media)
  +1 847 943 5678
  [email protected]



GBT Filed a Financial Software Application Patent, Targeted to be Used with its Database Management and AI Technology

SAN DIEGO, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) (“GBT” or the “Company”) filed with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) a provisional patent for systems and methods of a financial software application to prioritize and consolidate credit cards charge system. The system will be offered as a web based and mobile application. The system is targeted to use GBT’s patented database management technology and empowered by its Artificial Intelligence technology. The software design contemplates an automatic, characterized, and prioritized consolidation of different credit cards into one card method, point of sale, smartphone applications and computer software.

When a credit card user is using his/her account, in most instances the selection of the card is done arbitrarily or by credit availability. In many cases the credit card user is not utilizing his/her other cards lower interests and benefits. The patent protects an automated software tool and method that would combine all of his/hers credits cards accounts into one credit facilitate account. This one credit system, automatically prioritize and charges according to the user’s best interest. Furthermore, it will “consolidate” all the line of credits from his/her differ credit cards into one “large” line of credit. The one credit system accumulates the users’ credit cards available credit into one account. When a transaction is made, the system searches the user’s most beneficial credit account and charges or allocates the amount to it.

The system will be managed by GBT’s Artificial Intelligence technology and use its patented, database sharing method to enable high performance and security. The system will consider the best financial aspects of all credit card account, automatically selecting the user’s best interest one. Among these aspects are lowest interest rates, membership fees, cash advanced, line of credit, benefits like mileage, gift certificates, and similar. The assigned application number is 63175564 and the filing date is April 16, 2021. The company intends to file a nonprovisional application during the next few months.

“We are excited to start another activity of implementing our technology in wide variety of domains. This one is in the financial arena. This patent aims to protect a prioritized, characterized credit card system to automatically enable making the best financial decision with user’s credit cards. The technology covered by the patent application contemplates the automatic ranking of the user’s credit card benefits like interest rate, reward programs and similar and use the one with the highest rank to execute charges. In this way users will be always using their best interest financial credit account. The system will combine all user’s credit accounts and will enable consolidation of all credit lines into one account. Our Artificial Intelligence technology will be the brain to empower the entire system and we’ll be implementing our patented database management technology for fast performance and high security. Our AI system will enable a personal “credit advisor” that helps with all credit lines financial decisions, always keeping in mind the user’s best interest. This is the first time that we will be using our technology in the financial arena and we look forward for further future expansion in this domain.” Stated Danny Rittman the Company’s CTO.

There is no guarantee that the Company will be successful in researching, developing or implementing this system or that it will be granted the patent. In order to successfully implement this system, the Company will need to raise adequate capital to support its research and, if successfully researched, developed and granted regulatory approval, the Company would need to enter into a strategic relationship with a third party that has experience in manufacturing, selling and distributing this product. There is no guarantee that the Company will be successful in any or all of these critical steps.

About Us

GBT Technologies, Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) (“GBT”) (http://gbtti.com) is a development stage company which considers itself a native of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Enabled Mobile Technology Platforms used to increase IC performance. GBT has assembled a team with extensive technology expertise and is building an intellectual property portfolio consisting of many patents. GBT’s mission, to license the technology and IP to synergetic partners in the areas of hardware and software. Once commercialized, it is GBT’s goal to have a suite of products including smart microchips, AI, encryption, Blockchain, IC design, mobile security applications, database management protocols, with tracking and supporting cloud software (without the need for GPS). GBT envisions this system as a creation of a global mesh network using advanced nodes and super performing new generation IC technology. The core of the system will be its advanced microchip technology; technology that can be installed in any mobile or fixed device worldwide. GBT’s vision is to produce this system as a low cost, secure, private-mesh-network between any and all enabled devices. Thus, providing shared processing, advanced mobile database management and sharing while using these enhanced mobile features as an alternative to traditional carrier services.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Company’s ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Company’s successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Company’s products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release.

Contact:
Dr. Danny Rittman, CTO
[email protected]



Iron Mountain Completes Agreement to Expand Data Center Footprint to India With Joint Venture With Web Werks

Iron Mountain Completes Agreement to Expand Data Center Footprint to India With Joint Venture With Web Werks

Pan-Indian expansion includes Pune, Delhi NCR, the second most active peering location in Mumbai

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM), the storage and information management services company, today announced that, further to the press release dated February 24, 2021, it has closed on the agreement to form a joint venture with Web Werks, one of India’s top colocation data center providers. Iron Mountain expects to invest $150 million over the next two years and anticipates being the majority investor in the venture after the investment period.

Web Werks — which already operates three Tier 3, carrier-neutral data centers in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi NCR — recently announced that they have acquired a land parcel to build a standalone purpose-built Greenfield data center in Navi Mumbai. This new standalone 100,000 square foot structure will be a next-generation, Uptime Tier 3 designed data center with 12.5MW of power and a rich interconnectivity ecosystem consisting of major Telcos, 160+ ISPs and three major Internet Exchanges: De-CIX, Extreme IX and NIXI. The new facility, expected to be ready for service by mid 2022, abuts Web Werks’ existing data center in Navi Mumbai.

“We are very pleased to reach today’s milestone and to join forces with the talented and seasoned team at Web Werks in order to meet the strong customer demand in India,” stated Michael Goh, General Manager, Asia-Pacific at Iron Mountain Data Centers. “Together we look forward to expanding and building new highly connected, secure and compliant data centers in the pan-India region for our hyperscale, network, content and enterprise customers.”

With the latest land expansion, Web Werks is expected to have a combined footprint of 325,000 square feet, provide 16.5 MW of capacity, house six worldwide Points of Presence (POPs), enable access to 160+ ISPs, support 6,000+ servers and support a growing customer base of 850+.

“India is one of the fastest growing digital markets in the world with 560 million internet subscribers and a rapidly growing number of businesses adopting digital transformation and moving workloads to the cloud,” stated Nikhil Rathi, CEO, Web Werks. “We are one of the few data center providers that can provide a pan-India footprint backed by the interconnected, compliant and scalable infrastructure needed to support the insatiable demand in the region.”

For more information please visit www.ironmountain.com/datacenters.

About Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), founded in 1951, is the global leader for storage and information management services. Trusted by more than 225,000 organizations around the world, and with a real estate network of nearly 93 million square feet across approximately 1,450 facilities in 56 countries, Iron Mountain stores and protects billions of valued assets, including critical business information, highly sensitive data, and cultural and historical artifacts. Providing solutions that include secure records storage, information management, digital transformation, secure destruction, as well as data centers, cloud services and art storage and logistics, Iron Mountain helps customers lower cost and risk, comply with regulations, recover from disaster, and enable a more digital way of working. Visit www.ironmountain.com for more information.

About Web Werks

With a combined footprint capability of 225,000 square feet, Web Werks operates 3 strategically located Data centers in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi NCR along with 3 worldwide Points of Presence (POPs). Web Werks currently operates 4 megawatts (MW) of capacity supporting 6,000+ servers running 850 clients. Web Werks through its Data centers also provides access to a robust, neutral interconnection ecosystem of carrier, content and cloud providers including over 160 Internet Service Providers (ISP) and 5 Internet Exchanges. As market leaders in hyper connected infrastructure, Web Werks supports a broad base of well-known brands from Enterprise, BFSI, SMEs and OTTs who require the ability to efficiently and effectively scale their online businesses. For more information please visit www.webwerks.com.

Forward Looking Statement

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other securities laws and is subject to the safe-harbor created by such Act. Forward-looking statements include, but are not, limited to the anticipated closing of the transaction, the timing and size of additional investments, Iron Mountain’s expected ownership stake and the expected value of the joint venture and future expansion growth in the region. These forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. When Iron Mountain uses words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions, it is making forward-looking statements. Although Iron Mountain believes that its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, Iron Mountain’s expected results may not be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from its expectations. In addition, important factors that could cause actual results to differ from Iron Mountain’s expectations include, among others Iron Mountain’s ability to close the proposed transaction in accordance with its terms, the risk that the conditions to completing the transaction will not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all and risks that we may not through the joint venture be able to achieve the expectations for the business and value based on challenges with the operations, risks in the market or gain the ownership or control we expect. Other risks described more fully in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports or incorporated therein. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements except as statements of Iron Mountain’s present intentions and of its present expectations, which may or may not occur. Except as required by law, Iron Mountain undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations:

Greer Aviv

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

+1 (617) 535-2887

[email protected]

Nathan McCurren

Director, Investor Relations

+1 (617) 535-2997

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Networks Other Technology Data Management

MEDIA:

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Genesis Energy, L.P. Sets Date for Release of First Quarter Results and Conference Call

Genesis Energy, L.P. Sets Date for Release of First Quarter Results and Conference Call

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Genesis Energy, L.P. (NYSE: GEL) will announce its earnings for the First Quarter ended March 31, 2021 on May 5, 2021, before the market opens.

Genesis Energy, L.P.’s First Quarter Earnings Conference Call will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Central time (9:30 a.m. Eastern time). This call can be accessed at www.genesisenergy.com. Choose the Investor Relations button. For those unable to attend the live broadcast, a replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the event.

Genesis Energy, L.P. is a diversified midstream energy master limited partnership headquartered in Houston, Texas. Genesis’ operations include offshore pipeline transportation, sodium minerals and sulfur services, marine transportation and onshore facilities and transportation. Genesis’ operations are primarily located in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, Wyoming and the Gulf of Mexico.

Genesis Energy, L.P.

Ryan Sims

SVP – Finance and Corporate Development

(713) 860-2521

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Oil/Gas Natural Resources Energy Mining/Minerals Other Energy

MEDIA:

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Red Canary Adds New Executives to Expand Global Operations


John Turner and Rick Caccia Join from Google to Lead Sales and Marketing

DENVER, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Canary, a leading provider of SaaS-based security operations solutions, today announced the addition of two new executives to accelerate global go-to-market operations. Industry veterans John Turner and Rick Caccia, both most recently with Google Cloud, will lead sales and marketing as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, respectively. Both have extensive security industry experience and each has led their functions at companies during successful IPOs.

Most recently, Turner was head of sales for Google Cloud’s Security business unit, including both security products and security capabilities within the Google Cloud Platform. He previously spent seven years at Symantec, where he was vice president of the technology sales organization. Prior to Google, Turner served as the senior vice president of sales at TriNet, both up to and after TriNet’s IPO in 2014. During Turner’s tenure, Selling Power Magazine selected TriNet as one of the Top 100 Sales Organizations to Sell For.

Caccia was the head of marketing for Google Cloud’s Security business unit, covering product marketing and demand generation for security products and Google Cloud Platform security functionality. Prior to Google, he was CMO for Exabeam, a SIEM and User Behavior Analytics leader. Earlier, he was the vice president of product marketing at ArcSight, another SIEM market leader, from pre-IPO through its acquisition by HP in 2010.

“Following record growth in 2020 and our recent Series C fundraising of $81 million, Red Canary is expanding rapidly,” said Brian Beyer, CEO and co-founder. “JT and Rick will help us expand our global go-to-market capabilities as the company scales to the next level. We have previously worked with both as partners and are excited to welcome them as co-workers.”

“Throughout my career, I have looked for companies with strong winning cultures, great teamwork, and products that customers love, and Red Canary certainly fits that profile,” said Turner. “In addition, Rick and I have worked together previously to build effective teams. I look forward to helping Red Canary expand its winning sales culture globally.”

“Having worked in security analytics in some form for over a decade, I understand how hard the task is for customers,” said Caccia. “Red Canary stands out as a company that is truly focused on making life better for customers and being a security ally. I am excited to work with JT and the Red Canary team to help customers get better outcomes, around the globe.”

About Red Canary

Red Canary is the leading security ally enabling every organization to make its greatest impact without fear of cyber-attack. The company provides outcome-focused solutions for security operations teams, who rely on Red Canary to analyze and respond to endpoint telemetry, manage alerts across the network, and provide cloud environment runtime threat detection. With Red Canary, security teams can make a measurable improvement to security operations within minutes. To learn more, visit RedCanary.com.

Two photos accompanying this announcement are available at :

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c19b9d41-4046-4e0b-9324-66f434b1908a



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9efc41b9-a795-48b2-ad8f-6e291d19a2ce



Media contact:
Paula Brici
Eskenzi PR
+1 949 677-6527
[email protected]