Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenue growth of 4.2% year-over-year, reaching $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2025 [6][16] - EBITDA for the fiscal year was $976 million, reflecting a 1.4% improvement compared to the previous year [18] - Net income from continuing operations was $609 million, with earnings per share increasing by 6.8% to $4.42 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Assisted revenue grew by 6.1%, while DIY revenue increased by 9.7% [7] - The company-owned assisted filing volume improved, contributing to market share growth, particularly among clients earning over $100,000 [8] - Small business services achieved double-digit top-line growth, marking a record revenue year [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced client growth across all income segments, particularly among those earning $80,000 and above [8] - Spruce mobile banking platform saw nearly 40% growth in new accounts, with total customer deposits reaching $1.75 billion since its launch [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing client experience and balancing volume, price, and mix in its offerings [16][58] - Continued emphasis on serving small businesses through a range of services, including tax, bookkeeping, and payroll [13] - Plans to acquire franchise locations at attractive EBITDA multiples to support long-term growth [14][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to capture market share and drive growth through AI and improved client experiences [12][24] - The outlook for fiscal year 2026 anticipates revenue between $3.875 billion and $3.895 billion, with EBITDA projected between $1.015 billion and $1.035 billion [23] - The company expects industry growth to align with historical trends, around 1% [22] Other Important Information - A 12% increase in the quarterly dividend was announced, marking a doubling of dividends since 2016 [6][21] - The company returned approximately $600 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in fiscal year 2025 [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the assumptions for assisted and DIY market growth next year? - Management anticipates a similar level of shift to the assisted business as seen in the previous year, driven by consumer demand for assistance [30][32] Question: Will there be changes to bank products to drive early season filers? - Management acknowledged the possibility but deferred specific comments until November for competitive reasons [35] Question: What will be shared in the first quarter call regarding the new strategy? - Management confirmed that the existing strategy will continue under the new CEO, with updates on tax season plans and broader business perspectives expected [40][41] Question: What are the impacts of legal fees and severance on guidance? - Elevated costs from healthcare, legal expenses, and severance have been factored into the fiscal year 2026 guidance, with expectations for improved cost management [46][49] Question: Is the new tax implication a tailwind for guidance? - Management believes it is a tailwind and is cautiously optimistic, using previous shifts as a proxy for future performance [51]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenue growth of 4.2% year-over-year, reaching $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2025 [6][17] - EBITDA for the fiscal year was $976 million, reflecting a 1.4% improvement compared to the previous year [19] - Net income from continuing operations was $609 million, with earnings per share increasing by 6.8% to $4.42 [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Assisted revenue grew by 6.1%, while DIY revenue increased by 9.7% [7] - Small business revenue experienced double-digit growth, marking a record revenue year for fiscal 2025 [10] - The Spruce mobile banking platform saw nearly 40% growth in newly created accounts, with total customer deposits reaching $1.75 billion since its launch [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted client growth in every income segment above $80,000, with the fastest growth in clients earning over $100,000 [8] - The company experienced a mix shift of about 21 basis points towards the assisted business, indicating a trend towards seeking assistance [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on strengthening its operations, generating meaningful cash flow, and increasing shareholder value [5] - There is a commitment to enhancing the client experience and leveraging AI to drive efficiency across the business [13][15] - The company plans to continue acquiring franchise locations to support long-term revenue and earnings growth [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming fiscal year, expecting industry growth to align with historical trends of about 1% [22] - The company anticipates small business contributions to increase significantly in fiscal 2026 and beyond [23] - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in fiscal 2025, including elevated healthcare costs and legal fees, but expressed confidence in cost-saving opportunities for fiscal 2026 [50][52] Other Important Information - The company announced a 12% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking a doubling of dividends since 2016 [6][22] - A succession plan was discussed, with Curtis set to take over as President and CEO starting January 1, 2026 [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the assumptions for assisted and DIY market growth next year? - Management indicated a similar level of shift to the assisted business as seen in the previous year, anticipating continued demand for assistance [33][34] Question: Will there be changes to bank products to drive early season filers? - Management acknowledged the possibility but preferred to reserve detailed commentary until November for competitive reasons [38] Question: What will be shared in the first quarter call regarding strategy? - Management confirmed that the strategy will remain consistent, with updates on tax season plans and broader business perspectives expected [44][45] Question: What are the impacts of legal fees and severance on guidance? - Elevated costs from healthcare, legal expenses, and severance were factored into the fiscal 2026 guidance, with expectations for improved cost management [49][52] Question: Is the new tax implication a tailwind for guidance? - Management confirmed that they believe it to be a tailwind and are cautiously optimistic based on previous shifts in the market [55] Question: What initiatives support a healthier balance of volume, price, and mix? - Management elaborated on driving price increases while also focusing on greater volume performance and complexity of clients to achieve a balanced revenue mix [61][62]

Financial Performance - H&R Block's FY25 total revenue grew by 42% to $37610 million[12,40] - The company's FY25 EBITDA reached $976 million[13] a 14% increase compared to the previous year's $9632 million[40] - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 57% to $466[40] - H&R Block forecasts FY26 revenue between $3875 billion and $3895 billion and EBITDA between $1015 billion and $1035 billion[48] Capital Allocation - The company increased its quarterly dividend by 12%[14] - H&R Block has repurchased over 43% of its shares outstanding since 2016[16] - The company plans approximately $400 million in share repurchases[49] Business Segments - Small business revenue experienced double-digit growth[27] with overall revenue increasing 13% year-over-year[27] - Newly created Spruce accounts increased by approximately 40% in FY25[29] - Approximately 50% of FY25 deposit transactions originated from non-tax sources[30,32]

Core Insights - Jeffrey J. Jones II will retire as President and CEO of H&R Block on December 31, 2025, and will remain on the Board until then, transitioning to a Strategic Advisor role until September 2026 [1][6] - Curtis Campbell, currently President of Global Consumer Tax and Chief Product Officer, will succeed Jones as CEO starting January 1, 2026 [1][5] Company Performance and Leadership - Under Jones' leadership since 2017, H&R Block has introduced innovative strategies such as Upfront Transparent Pricing and AI Tax Assist, contributing to significant brand growth and relevance [2][3] - The company increased its quarterly dividend by approximately 70% and repurchased about 40% of its shares, returning over $4.0 billion in capital to shareholders [2] - During Jones' tenure, H&R Block's stock price rose by 123%, and its market capitalization increased from $5.5 billion to $7.4 billion [2] Succession Planning - Campbell's appointment as CEO-elect follows a comprehensive succession-planning process, receiving unanimous support from the Board of Directors [5][6] - Jones expressed confidence in Campbell's ability to continue the company's transformation and sustainable revenue growth [4][5] Community Engagement and Culture - Jones initiated community impact programs such as Make Every Block Better and Fund Her Future, enhancing the company's commitment to community connections and support for small businesses [3] - H&R Block has been recognized for its high associate engagement and was featured in a Harvard Business School case study for its transformation efforts [3] Curtis Campbell's Background - Campbell has extensive experience in the tax industry, having held executive roles at Capital One, Intuit, and Amazon Web Services, and previously served as President and CEO of TaxAct [9][8] - He joined H&R Block in May 2024 and has been leading customer-centric strategies and product management excellence [8]

Company Performance - H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) stock has gained 17.5% over the past year, outperforming the industry's 32% decline and the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 13.2% growth [1] - In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, H&R Block reported adjusted earnings of $5.38 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.1% and increasing 8.9% year-over-year [2] - Total revenues for the same quarter were $2.28 billion, slightly exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.4% and reflecting a 4.2% year-over-year increase [2] Revenue Growth Drivers - The growth in assisted tax preparation revenue is attributed to a surge in net average charges and higher company-owned tax return volumes [3] - The contribution of the assisted tax preparation segment to total revenue has increased from approximately 60% in fiscal year 2022 to 63% in fiscal year 2024, with revenue rates rising by 3.5% and 5% in fiscal 2023 and 2024, respectively [3] Mobile Banking Platform - H&R Block's mobile banking platform, Spruce, has nearly 476,000 sign-ups and is approaching $1 billion in customer deposits as of June 2024 [4] - Close to 50% of fiscal 2024 deposits came from non-tax sources, indicating strong trends in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 [4] Technological Innovations - The incorporation of AI Tax Assist, a generative AI-powered technology, has boosted DIY tax preparation revenues, contributing nearly $350 million, or about 10% of total revenue, with an 11% increase from the previous year [5] - Collaboration with OpenAI is expected to enhance AI Tax Assist, attracting more customers and further boosting revenue [5] Competitive Landscape - The company operates in a highly competitive industry, necessitating continuous innovation and differentiation while managing costs effectively [6] - The need for investment in technology and talent to maintain a competitive edge complicates the balance between growth and profitability [6] Liquidity Position - H&R Block's current ratio at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was 0.78, lower than the industry's 0.92, indicating a decline of 30.8% from the previous year due to increased current debt [7] - A current ratio below 1 signals inefficiency in meeting short-term obligations [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the third quarter, the company reported revenue of $2.3 billion, an increase of 4.2% year over year [25] - EBITDA grew by 5% to $1 billion, while net income from continuing operations increased by 4.5% to $722.9 million [26] - Earnings per share from continuing operations rose by 9.2% to $5.32, with adjusted earnings per share increasing by 8.9% to $5.38 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The assisted channel saw a shift in client behavior, with a 170 basis point growth compared to 90 basis points in the DIY segment [8] - DIY revenue grew by 8% year over year, with paid net average charge (NAC) at $81.55, up 9% from the previous year [12][13] - Assisted small business tax performed well, delivering high single-digit revenue growth [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall industry volume grew approximately 1%, with a noted shift from DIY to assisted services [7] - The company improved its volume and market share trends year over year in the assisted channel [9] - The company reported a decline of 0.8% in total assisted volumes, contrasting with the broader industry volume growth of around 1.7% [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing the client experience in the assisted channel to improve conversion and retention [9] - There is a strategic emphasis on serving more complex clients with higher lifetime value [12] - The company continues to invest in its business, grow dividends, and return excess capital to shareholders through share repurchases [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that clients are increasingly seeking expert help during uncertain times, leading to a shift towards assisted services [6][8] - The company reiterated its fiscal 2025 outlook, expecting revenue in the range of $3.69 billion to $3.75 billion and EBITDA between $975 million and $1.02 billion [28] - The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 13%, lower than historical levels, providing a one-time benefit to EPS [28] Other Important Information - The company has a strong capital allocation strategy, having repurchased $400 million worth of shares and acquired 123 franchise locations this fiscal year [27] - The mobile banking platform, Spruce, has seen over 700,000 sign-ups, a nearly 50% increase compared to the prior year [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why is the assisted segment growing faster than DIY? - Management indicated that during uncertain times, consumers seek help, leading to a shift towards assisted services [34] Question: Was there a difference in volume between early and late season? - Management confirmed that the season started slow but ended strong, with record volumes in the last two days [36] Question: What accounted for the decline in franchise operations? - Management explained that the decline was primarily due to franchise buybacks, not an absolute decline in volume [42][66] Question: How did the competitive landscape change this year? - Management noted that a major competitor spent significantly on promotions, but this did not impact their performance [60] Question: What was the impact of filing extensions on volumes? - Management acknowledged some migration of volumes from Q3 to Q4 due to extensions but did not expect a material impact on guidance [70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $2.3 billion, an increase of 4.2% year over year, driven by higher net average charge (NAC) in the U.S. and greater company-owned assisted return volume [25][26] - EBITDA grew by 5% to $1 billion, while net income from continuing operations increased by 4.5% to $722.9 million [26][29] - Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations rose by 9.2% to $5.32, with adjusted EPS increasing by 8.9% to $5.38 due to higher net income and fewer shares outstanding from share repurchases [26][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The assisted channel saw a shift in client behavior, with a 170 basis point growth compared to 90 basis points in the DIY segment, indicating a preference for assisted services [7][8] - DIY revenue grew by 8% year over year, with a strong NAC of $81.55, up 9% from the previous year, reflecting a mix shift to more complex SKUs [13][14] - Assisted small business tax performed well, delivering high single-digit revenue growth, while year-round bookkeeping and payroll services achieved double-digit revenue growth [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall industry volume grew approximately 1%, with a notable shift from DIY to assisted services as clients sought expert help [7][8] - The company experienced record high volumes in tax offices during the final two days of the tax season, reflecting a trend of clients filing closer to deadlines [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing the client experience through improved tax pro matching algorithms and automated services, aiming to increase client retention and conversion [9][11] - The strategic focus remains on paid filers and those free filers who have the potential to convert to paid clients, ensuring capital is used effectively to drive financial returns [15][47] - The company continues to invest in its mobile banking platform, Spruce, which has seen significant growth in sign-ups and deposits, indicating a commitment to improving financial well-being for clients [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current economic backdrop has led consumers to seek trusted support for their tax and financial needs, reinforcing the company's value proposition [21][24] - The company reiterated its fiscal 2025 outlook, expecting revenue in the range of $3.69 billion to $3.75 billion and EBITDA between $975 million and $1.02 billion, with a lower effective tax rate providing a one-time benefit to EPS [29][30] Other Important Information - The company completed share repurchases totaling $400 million, retiring 6.5 million shares, and has approximately $1.1 billion remaining on its share repurchase program [28][29] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong capital allocation strategy, prioritizing investments in the business, growing dividends, and returning excess capital to shareholders [24][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why is the assisted segment growing faster than DIY? - Management noted that during uncertain times, consumers seek expert help, leading to a shift towards assisted services [33][34] Question: Was there a difference in volume between early and late tax season? - Management confirmed that the season started slow but ended strong, with record volumes in the last two days [35][36] Question: What accounted for the decline in franchise operations? - The decline was primarily due to franchise buybacks, with franchise locations performing well overall [38][61] Question: How did the competitive landscape change this year? - Management acknowledged that a major competitor increased spending on promotions, but this did not significantly impact their performance [55][56] Question: What is the impact of filing extensions on volumes? - Extensions due to weather events caused some migration of volumes from Q3 to Q4, but overall impact was not material to guidance [64][65] Question: What is the company's policy regarding dividends? - The company has a dividend payout ratio that is reviewed annually by the board, with a focus on reinvesting in the business first [68][70]

H&R BLOCK Q3 FY25 Financial Results Conference Call Q3 FY25 Financial Results Conference Call May 7, 2025 H&R BLOCK Q3 FY25 Financial Results Conference Call Jordyn Eskijian Program Manager, Investor Relations & ESG H&R BLOCK Q3 FY25 Financial Results Conference Call Safe Harbor Statement Forward-Looking Statement This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to histor ...

Core Insights - H&R Block and OpenAI are collaborating to develop a generative AI solution aimed at enhancing real-time assistance for over 60,000 tax professionals, ultimately benefiting millions of taxpayers [1][3] - The initiative will leverage the expertise of H&R Block's The Tax Institute, which continuously monitors tax code changes, to provide accurate and personalized support [2][5] - The first phase of the project is set to launch later this year, with a broader rollout planned for Tax Season 2026 [4] Company Overview - H&R Block provides tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions, blending digital innovation with human expertise [7] - The company has a network of 9,000 locations and serves over 20 million clients annually [1][2] - H&R Block's AI Tax Assist, launched before Tax Season 2024, combines 70 years of tax expertise with AI to streamline the DIY tax preparation process [5]