PRA Group, Inc. Collects a Decent Quarter

Image source: PRA Group.

PRA Group Inc.(NASDAQ: PRAA)released second-quarter 2016 results Monday after the market close. Though shares of the non-performing loans collection specialist initially jumped nearly 7% the following day, they've since given up those gains, and now sit little changed from the start of this week. Let's take a closer look at what drove PRA Group's second-quarter performance, and what to expect going forward.

PRA Group results: The raw numbers

Q2 2016 Actuals

Q2 2015 Actuals

Growth (YOY)

GAAP revenue

$228.5 million

$237.2 million

(3.7%)

GAAP net income

$36.5 million

$51.4 million

(29%)

GAAP earnings per share (diluted)

$0.79

$1.06

(25.5%)

Data source: PRA Group.

What happened with PRA Group this quarter?

  • Results were hurt by a combination of non-cash charges and continued declines in PRA's Americas-insolvency business.
  • Adjusted for the negative impact of foreign currencies, revenue would have been modestly higher, at $230 million
  • On an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis, which excludes unusual items like acquisitions expenses, currency adjustments, and legal costs not associated with normal operations, net income declined 26.6% year over year, to $38.3 million. Adjusted net income per diluted share declined 23.1%, to $0.83 -- roughly in line with expectations.
  • Cash collections during the quarter were $387.2 million (or $391.3 million at constant currencies), down slightly from $389.6 million in last year's second quarter.
  • Achieved annualized return on equity of 16.4%, and adjusted annualized return on equity of 17.3%.
  • Investments of $249.5 million, helping increase estimatedremaining collections to $5.33 billion.
  • Cash collection by geographic source:
  • Americas-core cash collection declined 2.3% year over year, to $213.7 million.
  • Americas-insolvency cash collection fell 27.1%, to $67.7 million.
  • Europe-core cash collection grew 34.4% year over year, to just under $103 million.
  • Europe-insolvency cash collection grew 126.8%, to $2.7 million.
  • Portfolio acquisitions by geographic source:
  • Americas-core grew 32.8% year over year, to $130.5 million.
  • Americas-insolvency grew 76.5%, to $33.7 million.
  • Europe-core declined 22.2%, to $68.8 million.
  • Europe-insolvency increased nearly sixfold, to $16.4 million.
  • Ended the quarter with cash and equivalents of $117.1 million, deferred tax liabilities of $276.4 million, borrowings of $1.91 billion, and equity attributable to PRA Group of $886.1 million.
  • Subsequent to the end of the quarter, announced the acquisition of eGov Systems, a relatively smallweb-based payment portal and integrated revenue-administration company that focuses on the government sector.

What PRA Group management had to say

PRA Group CEO Steve Frederickson stated:

Looking forward

PRA Group didn't provide specific quarterly financial guidance -- and never has. But during the subsequent conference call, Frederickson elaborated that -- with the caveat that "one or even two quarters does not make a trend" -- the company is "encouraged to see the insolvency investment increase," leading to its largest buying quarter since early 2014. Further, PRA sees a strong pipeline for acquisitions in Europe, as well as early signs that indicate the credit cycle is turning, which itself should increase the supply of non-performing loans in the United States.

In the end, this was a decent -- but not great -- performance from PRA, as the company offered a potential light at the end of the tunnel as it positions itself for an eventual return to sustained growth. Until investors see more concrete signs of improvement, however, I suspect PRA Group stock will remain depressed.

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The son of PRA Group's CEO is currently employed by The Motley Fool. Steve Symington has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends PRA Group. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.