greeksoup/ stock research

FirstCash Holdings, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 23 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 raised, 2 lowered, 1 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue passed $1 billion again: Revenue was $1,051,651 thousand, up 26% from $836,423 thousand in the prior-year quarter, the company reported. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 30%: Diluted EPS was $2.43 on a GAAP basis and $2.69 adjusted, against $1.87 and $2.07 a year earlier. Source
  • U.S. pawn margin reached 29%: The U.S. pawn segment margin rose to a record 29%, from 27% in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Latin America income up 62%: Latin America segment pre-tax income was $50,881 thousand, up 62% in U.S. dollars and 48% in local currency. Source
  • Same-store receivables up in all pawn markets: Same-store pawn receivables rose 19% in the U.S., 30% in Latin America and 29% in the U.K., on local currency bases. Source
  • Scrap jewelry sales more than doubled: Wholesale scrap jewelry sales were $112,481 thousand, against $43,165 thousand, with cost of scrap sold at $76,727 thousand. Source
  • Operating cash flow reached $613 million: Twelve-month operating cash flow was $612,930 thousand, up 13% from the prior-year period. Source

“FirstCash is pleased to report its first quarter results highlighted by record revenue, net income and earnings per share.”

Mr. Rick Wessel, chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
U.S. retail merchandise sales growth Sourcefull year 202610% or moreRaised from high single digit
U.S. retail margin target Sourcefull year 2026approximately 42%Kept
U.S. store operating expenses growth Sourcefull year 2026high single-digit range
Latin America retail margin target Sourcefull year 2026approximately 35%Kept
Latin America operating expense growth Sourcefull year 2026, U.S. dollar basis10% to 12%Raised from 8% to 10%
U.K. pawn segment income Sourcefull year 2026$125 million to $135 millionRaised from $115 million to $125 million
AFF gross transaction volume growth Sourcefull year 2026 over 2025flat to low single digitLowered from 5% to 10%
AFF net revenue change Sourcefull year 2026decrease of 15% to 20%Lowered from decrease of 5% to 10%
Corporate administrative expenses Sourceremainder of 2026, quarterlyrun rate similar to first quarter of 2026
Interest expense growth Sourcefull year 2026 over 202510% to 15%Raised from 5% to 10%
Consolidated effective income tax rate Sourcefull year 202625.5% to 26.5% of net incomeRaised from 25% to 26%
Mexican peso sensitivity, EPS Sourcefull year 2026, annual$0.10 to $0.12 per share per full pointRaised from $0.10 per share per full point
British pound sterling sensitivity, EPS Sourcefull year 2026, annual$0.07 to $0.09 per share per full pointNew
Pawn share of net revenue and pre-tax income Sourcefull year 2026almost 90%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: U.S. pawn fee revenue growth for 2026 raised to mid-teens from low double-digit. Source
  • Guidance raised: U.S. retail merchandise sales growth for 2026 raised to 10% or more from high single digits. Source
  • Guidance raised: Latin America pawn fee growth for 2026 raised to a high-teen rate from mid-teens. Source
  • Guidance raised: Latin America retail merchandise sales growth for 2026 raised to mid-teens from high-single digits. Source
  • Guidance raised: U.K. pawn segment income for 2026 raised to $125 million to $135 million from $115 million to $125 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Interest expense growth for 2026 raised to 10% to 15% from 5% to 10%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 effective tax rate range raised to 25.5% to 26.5% from 25% to 26%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: AFF lease and loan origination volume growth for 2026 lowered to flat to low single digits from 5% to 10%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: AFF net revenue for 2026 now expected to fall 15% to 20%, from a 5% to 10% decline previously. Source

Record first quarter results

  • Revenue passed $1 billion again: Revenue was $1,051,651 thousand, up 26% from $836,423 thousand in the prior-year quarter, the company reported. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 30%: Diluted EPS was $2.43 on a GAAP basis and $2.69 adjusted, against $1.87 and $2.07 a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 29%: Adjusted EBITDA was $210,631 thousand, compared with the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Trailing twelve-month totals: Trailing twelve-month revenue was $3.9 billion, GAAP net income $354 million and adjusted EBITDA $746 million. Source

Segment results and regions

  • U.S. pawn margin reached 29%: The U.S. pawn segment margin rose to a record 29%, from 27% in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Latin America income up 62%: Latin America segment pre-tax income was $50,881 thousand, up 62% in U.S. dollars and 48% in local currency. Source
  • U.K. segment margin at 39%: Segment pre-tax operating income for the U.K. pawn segment, H&T, was $39,154 thousand, a 39% margin. Source
  • AFF income down on lapped run-off: AFF segment pre-tax operating income was $25,919 thousand, an expected decrease against the prior-year quarter. Source

“Based on the extremely strong first quarter results and accelerating pawn loan demand across all markets, we begin the second quarter with tremendous momentum.”

Mr. Rick Wessel, chief executive officer

Pawn receivables and demand

  • Same-store receivables up in all pawn markets: Same-store pawn receivables rose 19% in the U.S., 30% in Latin America and 29% in the U.K., on local currency bases. Source
  • U.S. receivables double-digit streak: The eleventh consecutive quarter of double-digit U.S. same-store receivables growth was reported. Source
  • April balances still rising: U.S. same-store receivables were up 19% at March 31, with April balances presently up over 20%. Source
  • Paydowns lower than normal: Lower than normal first-quarter pawn loan paydowns were reported, despite larger than average U.S. tax refunds. Source

Merchandise sales and inventory

  • U.S. retail sales grew 13%: U.S. retail merchandise sales rose 13%, or 9% on a same-store basis; management said retail sales were stronger than expected. Source
  • Scrap jewelry sales more than doubled: Wholesale scrap jewelry sales were $112,481 thousand, against $43,165 thousand, with cost of scrap sold at $76,727 thousand. Source
  • Latin America retail sales up 33%: LatAm retail merchandise sales rose 33% in U.S. dollars and 15% in constant currency, total and same-store. Source
  • Aged inventory stayed low: Inventories aged over one year were 1.7% of U.S. inventories, consistent with the prior year. Source

Costs and expenses

  • Operating expenses rose 26%: Operating expenses were $269,429 thousand, against $214,586 thousand; administrative expenses were $65,778 thousand. Source
  • Interest expense climbed: Interest expense was $34,528 thousand, against $27,471 thousand; interest income fell to $227 thousand. Source
  • Leased depreciation fell, loan losses rose: Depreciation of leased merchandise fell to $81,059 thousand from $88,819 thousand; provision for loan losses rose to $42,844 thousand. Source
  • Income tax provision rose: Provision for income taxes was $37,426 thousand against $27,626 thousand; net income was $107,702 thousand. Source

Store network and strategy

  • 340 locations added in twelve months: Over the last twelve months, 340 locations were added: 290 in the U.K., 24 in the U.S. and 26 in Latin America. Source
  • Network at 3,334 locations: Pawn locations at March 31, 2026 totaled 3,334: 1,207 U.S., 1,838 Latin America and 289 U.K. Source
  • Owned real estate portfolio grows: The company owns 458 pawn properties; 15 were acquired in the first quarter and 51 over the past twelve months. Source
  • Acquisition capability cited as edge: Management called its ability to source, finance and close acquisitions quickly, then integrate them, a meaningful competitive advantage. Source

Cash flow, leverage and returns

  • Operating cash flow reached $613 million: Twelve-month operating cash flow was $612,930 thousand, up 13% from the prior-year period. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow down 1%: Adjusted free cash flow was $266,845 thousand for twelve months, down 1%, attributed to pawn loan growth. Source
  • Leverage ratio declined: Net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 2.9x on trailing actuals and 2.6x including pro forma acquisition EBITDA. Source
  • Buybacks in the first quarter: The company repurchased 261,000 shares for $50 million at an average price of $191.79. Source
  • Returns on equity and assets: Return on equity was 16% and return on assets 7% for the twelve months; adjusted ROE was 19% and adjusted ROA 8%. Source
  • Remaining buyback authority: Under its current authorization, $100 million remains available for future repurchases, subject to liquidity and market conditions. Source

Retail POS payment solutions

  • Originations rose 3%: Gross transaction volume of lease and loan originations rose 3% in the quarter, after a 3% decrease in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Gross revenues fell 11%: Gross revenues for the quarter decreased 11%, primarily from merchant bankruptcies in late 2024. Source
  • Charge-off rate within target range: The combined net charge-off rate for lease and finance products was 5.6%, against 5.4%, within the targeted range. Source
  • Merchant base widening: Management said AFF's penetration into other retail verticals is increasing door counts and merchant diversification. Source

Coming up, as management said on 23 April 2026

  • Second-quarter dividend payment: The $0.42 dividend is payable May 29, 2026 to holders of record on May 15, 2026. Source
  • H&T systems migration completing: H&T stores are moving to the proprietary pawn point-of-sale platform, which management expects to complete over the next few months. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Same-store retail sales (U.S. pawn) Source+9%
Average outstanding pawn loan amount Source$260 (total pawn segments)
Total inventories Source$538,791 thousand
Pawn store additions (first quarter) Source8 added in Q1
Retail sales margin (U.S. pawn) Source44% (42% prior year)
Inventory turns (total pawn) Source3.0 times

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cited ongoing weakness in the retail furniture industry, which affects the AFF business. Source
  • Demand: Management assumes the same-store comparisons for Latin America pawn fees could moderate during 2026. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: H&T profitability in the first quarter was described as well ahead of the company's original expectations. Source
  • On track: Management said the AFF full-year 2026 revenue decline is as expected. Source
  • Not stated: The company continues to expect improved year-over-year scrap jewelry sales and margins. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.