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H&R Block Inc.: Q1 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 10.2 percent: Total revenue reached $224.3 million, up $20.8 million from $203.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Growth came from several services: Management tied the increase to international services, tax protection and identity services, small business services and U.S. tax preparation. Source
  • Net loss from continuing operations grew: Net loss from continuing operations was $188.1 million, up 13.8%; loss per share from continuing operations rose 21.4% to $1.53. Source
  • Operating expenses rose 11.1%: Total operating expenses were $456.2 million, up $45.6 million from $410.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Field pay and benefits drove the increase: Management named higher field compensation and benefits, increased general corporate expenses, and higher occupancy and equipment costs as the main drivers. Source
  • Returned $156.9 million year to date: Dividends and share repurchases year to date total $156.9 million, per the release. Source
  • Strategic initiatives continue: Management said it keeps advancing strategic initiatives meant to improve the client experience and support future growth. Source

“We are pleased with our start to fiscal 2027, including revenue growth of more than 10%,”

Curtis Campbell, president and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue SourceFiscal 2027$4.11 to $4.16 billionKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal 2027$1.11 to $1.14 billionKept
Effective tax rate SourceFiscal 2027approximately 23%Kept
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2027$6.04 to $6.24Kept
Quarterly dividend SourceDividend payable January 6, 2027$0.46 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Fiscal 2027 guidance reaffirmed; the four ranges match the August 2026 release. Source
  • New: Non-GAAP adjustments now include severance and related costs of discrete strategic initiatives, which the August 2026 release did not list. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 10.2 percent: Total revenue reached $224.3 million, up $20.8 million from $203.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Growth came from several services: Management tied the increase to international services, tax protection and identity services, small business services and U.S. tax preparation. Source
  • Net loss from continuing operations grew: Net loss from continuing operations was $188.1 million, up 13.8%; loss per share from continuing operations rose 21.4% to $1.53. Source
  • Adjusted loss per share rose 16.7%: Adjusted net loss from continuing operations was $172.1 million and adjusted loss per share was $1.40, with management citing fewer shares from repurchases. Source
  • First quarter is seasonally small: Management said the business is highly seasonal; this period contributes modestly to annual revenue and typically produces a net loss. Source

Segments and services

  • U.S. services revenue rose 10.4%: Total U.S. services revenue was $138.7 million against $125.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • International services rose 12.5%: International services revenue was $74.8 million against $66.5 million, and total service revenues were $213.5 million against $192.1 million. Source
  • Royalties and other revenue declined: Royalties and other revenues were $10.8 million against $11.4 million, with U.S. royalties and other revenue both lower than the prior-year quarter. Source

“we continue to execute our disciplined capital allocation priorities,”

Tiffany Mason, chief financial officer

Products and customers

  • Tax protection and identity grew 17.6%: Tax protection and identity services revenue was $34.3 million against $29.2 million; card and related services were $7.7 million against $7.9 million. Source
  • Small business services up 12.4%: Small business services revenue was $34.9 million against $31.0 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • U.S. tax preparation and software up 5.1%: Total U.S. tax preparation and software revenue was $55.1 million against $52.4 million; assisted consumer preparation was $30.7 million and assisted small business preparation was $20.6 million. Source

Costs and operating expenses

  • Operating expenses rose 11.1%: Total operating expenses were $456.2 million, up $45.6 million from $410.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Field pay and benefits drove the increase: Management named higher field compensation and benefits, increased general corporate expenses, and higher occupancy and equipment costs as the main drivers. Source
  • Field compensation rose 23.3%: Field compensation and benefits were $102.1 million against $82.8 million; the line also holds the severance charge covered later in this summary. Source

“Our focus remains on executing our strategy and positioning H&R Block for long-term success.”

Curtis Campbell, president and chief executive officer

Cash, balance sheet and capital returns

  • Operating cash use was similar: Net cash used in operating activities was $358.5 million, against $356.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Cash balance fell from June: Cash and cash equivalents were $390.5 million at September 30, 2026, down from $958.7 million at June 30, 2026. Source
  • Capital expenditures rose about 58%: Capital expenditures were $20.8 million against $13.2 million; payments for business acquisitions were $10.3 million. Source
  • Returned $156.9 million year to date: Dividends and share repurchases year to date total $156.9 million, per the release. Source
  • Repurchased 2.2 million shares in quarter: Shares repurchased and retired totaled 2.2 million at an aggregate $100.3 million, or $45.68 per share. Source
  • About $500 million left on program: Roughly $500 million remains on the $1.5 billion repurchase program, compared with about $600 million in the prior release. Source

Strategy, investment and leadership

  • Strategic initiatives continue: Management said it keeps advancing strategic initiatives meant to improve the client experience and support future growth. Source
  • Investment alongside capital returns: The CFO said the company invested in the business for future growth while also paying dividends and repurchasing shares. Source
  • Severance tied to leadership transition: The company recorded $8.0 million of severance tied to the transition, and this charge is excluded from adjusted results. Source

Coming up, as management said on 9 November 2026

  • Dividend record date December 3: Shareholders of record on December 3, 2026 receive the quarterly dividend. 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.