Key Takeaways HRB has a Growth Score of A, with earnings projected to rise 6% in 2025 and 7.9% in 2026.H&R Block revenue growth is driven by higher U.S. assisted tax volumes and rising net average charges.H&R Block expands client engagement via Second Look, Spruc banking and AI-powered DIY tax tools.H&R Block (HRB) has a Growth Score of A, which condenses key financial metrics to reflect a fair sense of the quality and sustainability of its growth.The company’s earnings are expected to increase 6% in 2025 a ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a revenue growth of 5% in the first quarter, generating $204 million in total revenue, an increase of $10 million over the prior year [6][10] - EBITDA improved by 9.4% compared to the prior year, with a first quarter EBITDA loss of $170 million, an improvement of $18 million [6][8] - The effective tax rate decreased to 23.6% from 26.2% in the prior year, contributing to a net loss from continuing operations of $165 million, representing a 3.5% improvement [8][10] - Approximately $455 million was returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, bringing the cumulative total of capital return since 2016 to nearly $5 billion [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. assisted business saw higher volumes and net average charges, contributing to the overall revenue growth [6][7] - WAVE continued to experience double-digit growth, particularly in its high-margin subscription product, Pro Tier [6][7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. consumer tax preparation total addressable market (TAM) is estimated between $20 billion and $25 billion, while the small business TAM is over $100 billion [12][13] - The market is split roughly 55% assisted and 45% DIY, with assisted services projected to gain further market share in 2026 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to focus on more complex paid filers who demonstrate stronger loyalty and value additional services [13][14] - Investments will continue in improving customer experience and innovating products, such as the Second Look offering and Spruce for financial wellness [14][15] - The company aims to leverage technology and AI to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [15][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the upcoming tax season, with no indications of a late start despite potential complexities from new tax legislation [30][31] - The company remains cautiously optimistic about the impact of the new tax bill, expecting it to serve as a tailwind for the assisted business [31][32] - The leadership transition is seen as smooth, with a strong belief in the company's potential for long-term value creation [18] Other Important Information - The company reported a disciplined approach to capital allocation, including a 12% increase in dividends announced in August [9][10] - The leadership team is aligned on key themes for future growth, emphasizing the importance of meeting customer needs through various channels [15][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in marketing and operations in Assisted to stem share losses - Management highlighted investments in the Second Look service and AI to improve productivity and client outcomes [22][23] Question: Pricing strategy in DIY and its impact on margins and market share - The pricing strategy remains consistent with prior years, expecting low single-digit price increases across both channels [24] Question: Anticipated complexity from the new tax bill and government shutdown impact - Management indicated no expected delays for the tax season and expressed optimism about the new tax bill serving as a tailwind [30][31] Question: AI differentiation and addressing threats - AI is viewed as an opportunity to enhance client experiences and optimize operations, with ongoing developments in AI Tax Assist [34] Question: Marketing to free customers versus those likely to pay - The focus is on understanding consumer cohorts to effectively reach those likely to convert to paying clients [35][36]

Financial Performance - H&R Block announced a 12% increase to its quarterly dividend in August[28] - The company repurchased 7.9 million shares for $400 million, retiring approximately 6% of outstanding shares[29] - H&R Block reaffirms its FY26 outlook with revenue projected between $3.875 billion and $3.895 billion, and adjusted EPS between $4.85 and $5.00[33] - The company anticipates an effective tax rate of approximately 25% for FY26[33] Strategic Initiatives - H&R Block is finalizing tax season plans, incorporating learnings from the previous year[12] - The company focuses on strengthening marketing messaging, personalizing experiences, and optimizing the sales funnel[15] - H&R Block aims to enhance the client experience in retail and DIY channels, reducing friction and increasing conversion from marketing demand[15] - Key products like Second Look, AI Tax Assist, Tax Pro Review, and Spruce are being leveraged to deliver value and differentiation[15] Market Focus - H&R Block is prioritizing growth among more complex, higher lifetime value filers[53] - The company aims to meet customers where they are, both digitally and in person, combining trusted human expertise with innovation[72]