Form 8-K Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


Current Report Pursuant
to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 20, 2010
(Date of Report - Date of Earliest Event Reported)

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-19133
 
75-2237318
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)



690 East Lamar Blvd., Suite 400, Arlington, Texas
 
76011
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(817) 460-3947
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  


NA
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  [   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. has issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010. The Company's press release dated October 20, 2010 announcing the results is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Item 2.02.

The information provided in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by the specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 Press Release dated October 20, 2010 announcing the Company's financial results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010.


SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 20, 2010   First Cash Financial Services, Inc.
             (Registrant)

  /s/   R. DOUGLAS ORR
R. Douglas Orr
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Document

99.1 Press release dated October 20, 2010
First Cash Reports 36% Increase in Third Quarter Earnings Per Share; Raising Full Year Guidance by $0.11 to $1.70 - $1.72

EXHIBIT 99.1

First Cash Reports 36% Increase in Third Quarter Earnings Per Share; Raising Full Year Guidance by $0.11 to $1.70 - $1.72

ARLINGTON, Texas, Oct. 20, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCFS) today announced record-setting revenue, net income and earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The Company reported third quarter earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.45, a 36% increase over the prior year. The Company is increasing fiscal 2010 earnings guidance to a range of $1.70 to $1.72 per share from continuing operations, which is an $0.11 increase in the mid-point of the guidance range as compared to the previous forecast.

Earnings Highlights

Revenue Highlights

Key Profitability Metrics

New Store Openings

Financial Position & Liquidity

2010 Outlook

Commentary & Analysis  

Mr. Rick Wessel, First Cash's Chief Executive Officer, commented on the Company's third quarter 2010 results, "We are extremely pleased with the record third quarter results, as our core pawn operations continue to reflect significant strength and growth momentum. As a result of the outstanding year-to-date results and our forecast for the remainder of 2010, we are increasing our full-year earnings guidance to a range which projects year-over-year earnings growth of 25%-26%."   

The third quarter net income growth of 39% was driven by a combination of revenue growth and expanding margins. Mr. Wessel noted, "Our pawn fees continue to grow at an impressive rate, while increases in merchandise sales and related margins were strong as well. The growth in pawn receivables, highlighted by a 39% increase in Mexico, provides good visibility for future revenue and earnings growth. In short, the current operating environment for our pawn stores is robust, given increasing consumer demand for micro-finance and deep-value retail products in both the United States and Mexico."

The Company continues to execute on its growth strategy in Mexico through new store openings and maturation of the large existing store base. The total store count in Mexico now stands at 374 locations, which represents 63% of the Company's consolidated total. According to Mr. Wessel, "First Cash has a significant competitive advantage in Mexico where we are the largest operator of full-service pawn stores. The 322 large format stores we have in Mexico allow us to lend on a broader array of products, including many popular consumer electronic items, appliances and power tools. In addition, the size of the stores and their prominent locations attract heavy retail traffic. We have opened a total of 46 stores in Mexico this year, which as a group are ramping to profitability at or above our historical averages."

In the U.S., First Cash is again beginning to grow its pawn store base. The Company added five large format U.S. pawn stores by acquisition in the third quarter and expects to add at least five stores in the fourth quarter, primarily through new store openings in existing Texas markets. During the third quarter, the Company also expanded and converted two of its short-term loan stores in the Texas market into large format pawn stores and expects to convert additional stores to the larger format over time. 

The strength of the Company's cash flows and balance sheet are also at record levels. All of the store openings, acquisitions and receivables growth are being funded from current-year operating cash flows. There are no amounts outstanding on the Company's $25 million unsecured credit facility and net investable cash balances have increased to almost $20 million over the past twelve months. The balance sheet is comprised primarily of tangible assets; over the past year the tangible net worth of the Company has increased by 46%.

In summary, Mr. Wessel said, "We believe that First Cash remains well-positioned to deliver continued profitability and long-term earnings growth.  Our business model has proven to be recession-resistant and demand for our credit and retail products continues to grow in both the U.S. and Mexico. We have taken significant steps to diversify and reduce the Company's exposure to regulatory risks and our focus on the collateralized pawn lending model limits our credit risk. We believe that strong cash flows will continue to support growth through our robust store expansion strategy. In addition, the strength of the balance sheet provides tremendous strategic flexibility and will allow us to generate potential additional returns for our shareholders. We are excited about our future and remain committed to increasing shareholder value."  

Forward-Looking Information      

This release may contain forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition and prospects of the Company. Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "projects," "expects," "may," "estimates," "should," "plans," "targets," "intends," "could," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or objectives. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, the Company's expectations of earnings per share, earnings growth, income and losses related to discontinued operations, collections results, future tax benefits, expansion strategies, store openings, liquidity, cash flow, credit losses and related provisions, debt repayments, consumer demand for the Company's products and services, competition, regulatory risks, and other performance results. These statements are made to provide the public with management's current assessment of the Company's business. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances that such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this statement, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to report any updat es or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made in this release. Such factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond the control of the Company and may include changes in regional, national or international economic conditions, changes in the inflation rate, changes in the unemployment rate, changes in consumer purchasing, borrowing and repayment behaviors, changes in credit markets, the ability to renew and/or extend the Company's existing bank line of credit, credit losses, changes or increases in competition, the ability to locate, open and staff new stores, the availability or access to sources of inventory, inclement weather, the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, the ability to hire and retain key management personnel, the ability to op erate with limited regulation as a credit services organization, new federal, state or local legislative initiatives or governmental regulations (or changes to existing laws and regulations) affecting short-term/payday loan businesses, credit services organizations and pawn businesses (in both the United States and Mexico), changes in import/export regulations and tariffs or duties, changes in anti-money laundering regulations, unforeseen litigation, changes in interest rates, monetary inflation, changes in tax rates or policies, changes in gold prices, changes in energy prices, cost of funds, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, future business decisions, public health issues and other uncertainties. These and other risks, uncertainties and regulatory developments are further and more completely described in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and updated in subsequent releases on Form 10-Q.

About First Cash

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer and provider of consumer financial services. Its 470 pawn stores make small loans secured by pledged personal property and retail a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools and other merchandise. The Company's short-term loan locations provide various combinations of financial services products, including short-term loans, check cashing, and credit services. In total, the Company owns and operates 594 stores in eight U.S. states and 20 states in Mexico. 

First Cash is a component company in both the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index® and the Russell 2000 Index®. First Cash's common stock (ticker symbol "FCFS") is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which has the highest initial listing standards of any stock exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements.

The First Cash Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at  http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3365

STORE COUNT ACTIVITY

The following table details store openings and closings for the three months ended September 30, 2010: 

  Pawn Locations    
  Large Format Small Format Short-Term  
  Pawn Pawn Loan Total
  Locations (1) Locations (2) Locations Locations
United States:        
Total locations, beginning of period  97  26  93  216
New locations opened or acquired  5  --   --   5
Stores converted to large format pawn  2  (2)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (1)  (1)
Total locations, end of period  104  24  92  220
         
Mexico:        
Total locations, beginning of period  305  17  32  354
New locations opened or acquired  17  3  --   20
Total locations, end of period  322  20  32  374
         
Total:        
Total locations, beginning of period  402  43  125  570
New locations opened or acquired  22  3  --   25
Stores converted to large format pawn  2  (2)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (1)  (1)
Total locations, end of period  426  44  124  594

The following table details store openings and closings for the nine months ended September 30, 2010: 

  Pawn Locations    
  Large Format Small Format Short-Term  
  Pawn Pawn Loan Total
  Locations (1) Locations (2) Locations Locations
United States:        
Total locations, beginning of period 97 26 94 217
New locations opened or acquired 5  --   --  5
Stores converted to large format pawn 2  (2)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   --   (2)  (2)
Total locations, end of period 104 24 92 220
         
Mexico:        
Total locations, beginning of period 286 11 32 329
New locations opened or acquired 36 10  --  46
Locations closed or consolidated  --   (1)  --   (1)
Total locations, end of period 322 20 32 374
         
Total:        
Total locations, beginning of period 383 37 126 546
New locations opened or acquired 41 10  --  51
Stores converted to large format pawn 2  (2)  --   -- 
Locations closed or consolidated  --   (1)  (2)  (3)
Total locations, end of period 426 44 124 594
(1)  The large format locations include retail showrooms and accept a broad array of pawn collateral including electronics, tools and jewelry. At September 30, 2010, 64 of the U.S. large format pawn stores also offered short-term loans or credit services.
(2)  The smaller format locations typically have limited or no retail operations and accept only jewelry and small electronic items as pawn collateral. At September 30, 2010, all of the U.S. and Mexico small format pawn stores also offered short-term loans or credit services.

First Cash is also an equal partner in Cash & Go, Ltd., a joint venture, which owns and operates 39 check cashing and financial services kiosks located inside convenience stores in the United States. 

Discontinued Operation

In September 2010, the Company discontinued its internet-based credit services product offered in Maryland due to a change in state law which significantly restricts the offering of such products. As a result, earnings from continuing operations have been reclassified to exclude the Maryland credit services results in 2010 and comparative prior-year periods. Earnings per share from these discontinued operations were $0.01 per share for the third quarter and $0.02 year-to-date. Fiscal year 2009 earnings per share from the discontinued Maryland operations were $0.01 per share for the third quarter, $0.02 year-to-date and $0.03 for the full year. The following table compares previously reported diluted net earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share reflecting the Maryland credit services business as a discontinued operation:

 
Quarter Ended
Year Ended
Quarter Ended
  Mar. 31, 2009 June 30, 2009 Sept. 30, 2009 Dec. 31, 2009 Dec. 31, 2009 Mar. 31, 2010 June 30, 2010 Sept. 30, 2010
Diluted per share amounts: Unaudited   Unaudited
As previously reported                
Continuing operations $0.31  $0.30 $0.34 $0.44 $1.39 $0.36 $0.36  N/A 
Discontinued operations (1)  0.07  0.08  0.05  0.05  0.26  0.03  0.02  N/A 
Total $0.38  $0.38 $0.39 $0.49 $1.65 $0.39 $0.38  N/A 
                 
As adjusted                
Continuing operations $0.30 $0.30 $0.33 $0.43 $1.36 $0.35 $0.35 $0.45
Discontinued operations (2)  0.08  0.08  0.06  0.06  0.29  0.04  0.03  0.01
Total $0.38 $0.38 $0.39 $0.49 $1.65 $0.39 $0.38 $0.46
                 
(1)  Reflects previously reported discontinued operations from Auto Master and the West Coast, Michigan and certain Texas short-term loan/credit services stores.
(2)  Reflects Maryland internet-based credit services product as a discontinued operation combined with previously reported discontinued operations from Auto Master and the West Coast, Michigan and certain Texas short-term loan/credit services stores.
 
         
FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME    
(UNAUDITED)    
     
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2010 2009 2010 2009
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)
   
Revenue:        
Pawn merchandise sales  $ 65,937  $ 56,058  $ 186,309  $ 156,121
Pawn service fees  26,378  21,791  72,718  58,239
Short-term loan and credit services fees  15,614  13,494  41,603  37,362
Other  253  300  878  990
   108,182  91,643  301,508  252,712
Cost of revenue:        
Cost of goods sold  38,993  34,297  112,543  92,803
Short-term loan and credit services loss provision  4,737  4,198  10,287  9,501
Other  39  45  121  127
   43,769  38,540  122,951  102,431
Net revenue  64,413  53,103  178,557  150,281
         
Expenses and other income:        
Store operating expenses  29,952  25,306  85,563  73,073
Administrative expenses  10,296  9,059  29,224  24,742
Depreciation and amortization  2,518  2,534  7,629  7,390
Interest expense  74  174  347  602
Interest income  (22)  (3)  (45)  (60)
   42,818  37,070  122,718  105,747
         
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  21,595  16,033  55,839  44,534
         
Provision for income taxes  7,639  5,957  20,159  16,453
Income from continuing operations  13,956  10,076  35,680  28,081
         
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax  281  1,898  2,422  6,686
Net income  $ 14,237  $ 11,974 $ 38,102 $ 34,767
         
Basic income per share:        
Income from continuing operations $ 0.46 $ 0.34 $ 1.18 $ 0.95
Income from discontinued operations  0.01  0.06  0.09  0.23
Net income per basic share $ 0.47 $ 0.40 $ 1.27 $ 1.18
         
Diluted income per share:        
Income from continuing operations $ 0.45 $ 0.33 $ 1.16 $ 0.93
Income from discontinued operations   0.01  0.06  0.07  0.22
Net income per diluted share $ 0.46 $ 0.39 $ 1.23 $ 1.15
         
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic  30,253  29,801  30,118  29,466
Diluted  31,041  30,322  30,855  30,115
         
       
FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.    
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    
(UNAUDITED)    
     
  September 30, December 31,
  2010 2009 2009
  (in thousands)
ASSETS      
       
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 32,694  $ 18,552 $ 26,777
Service fees receivable  10,936  8,754  8,185
Pawn receivables  72,012  59,585  53,719
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance  2,947  3,086  3,076
Inventories  44,018  38,410  34,437
Other  6,110  13,768  10,392
Total current assets  168,717  142,155  136,586
       
Property and equipment, net  55,653  45,787  47,980
Goodwill and intangible assets, net  76,957  69,557  70,252
Other  1,742  21,037  1,467
Total assets  $ 303,069  $ 278,536 $ 256,285
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
       
Current portion of notes payable  $ 458 $ 4,655 $ 4,111
Revolving credit facility  --   43,000  -- 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  27,327  19,295  19,984
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  6,617  9,030  10,958
Other  --   562  238
Total current liabilities  34,402  76,542  35,291
       
Notes payable, net of current portion  1,505  5,919  5,265
Deferred tax liabilities  6,822  999  3,290
Total liabilities  42,729  83,460  43,846
       
Stockholders' equity  260,340  195,076  212,439
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 303,069 $ 278,536 $ 256,285

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 
OPERATING INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

The following table details the components of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009 (in thousands). Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates, which is more fully described elsewhere in this release. 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
  2010 2009 Increase/(Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
Constant Currency
Basis
Domestic revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales $ 17,199 $ 15,766  $ 1,433 9 % 9 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  10,891  8,971  1,920 21 % 21 %
Pawn service fees  11,022  10,074  948 9 % 9 %
Short-term loan and credit services fees  14,444  12,464  1,980 16 % 16 %
Other  252  269  (17) (6)% (6)%
   53,808  47,544  6,264 13 % 13 %
           
Foreign revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  28,135  20,590  7,545 37 % 32 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  9,712  10,731  (1,019) (9)% (9)%
Pawn service fees  15,356  11,717  3,639 31 % 26 %
Short-term loan fees  1,170  1,030  140 14 % 10 %
Other  1  31  (30) (97)% (97)%
   54,374  44,099  10,275 23 % 20 %
           
Total revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  45,334  36,356  8,978 25 % 22 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  20,603  19,702  901 5 % 5 %
Pawn service fees  26,378  21,791  4,587 21 % 19 %
Short-term loan and credit services fees  15,614  13,494  2,120 16 % 15 %
Other  253  300  (47) (16)% (16)%
  $ 108,182 $ 91,643 $ 16,539 18 % 16 %

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)

The following table details the components of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (in thousands). Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates, which is more fully described elsewhere in this release. 

         
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
  2010 2009 Increase/ (Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
Constant Currency
Basis
Domestic revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales $ 51,037 $ 47,839 $ 3,198 7 % 7 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  29,296  22,289  7,007 31 % 31 %
Pawn service fees  31,596  27,239  4,357 16 % 16 %
Short-term loan and credit services fees  38,238  34,645  3,593 10 % 10 %
Other  866  941  (75) (8)% (8)%
   151,033  132,953  18,080 14 % 14 %
           
Foreign revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  76,811  56,266  20,545 37 % 27 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  29,165  29,727  (562) (2)% (2)%
Pawn service fees  41,122  31,000  10,122 33 % 23 %
Short-term loan fees  3,365  2,717  648 24 % 15 %
Other  12  49  (37) (76)% (77)%
   150,475  119,759  30,716 26 % 19 %
           
Total revenue:          
Pawn retail merchandise sales  127,848  104,105  23,743 23 % 18 %
Pawn scrap jewelry sales  58,461  52,016  6,445 12 % 12 %
Pawn service fees  72,718  58,239  14,479 25 % 20 %
Short-term loan and credit services fees  41,603  37,362  4,241 11 % 11 %
Other  878  990  (112) (11)% (11)%
  $ 301,508  $ 252,712 $ 48,796 19 % 16 %

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
OPERATING INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)

The following table details pawn receivables, short-term loan receivables, active CSO loans outstanding from an independent third-party lender and inventories as of September 30, 2010, as compared to September 30, 2009 (in thousands). Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year balances at the prior year end-of-period exchange rate, which is more fully described elsewhere in this release. 

         
  Balance at
September 30,
     
  2010 2009 Increase/(Decrease) Increase/(Decrease)
Constant Currency
Basis
Domestic customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables  $ 32,665  $ 31,237  $ 1,428 5 % 5 %
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance  1,942  2,150  (208) (10)% (10)%
CSO short-term loans held by independent third-party (1)  12,446  10,905  1,541 14 % 14 %
   47,053  44,292  2,761 6 % 6 %
           
Foreign customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables  39,347  28,348  10,999 39 % 28 %
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance  1,005  936  69 7 % (1)%
   40,352  29,284  11,068 38 % 27 %
           
Total customer receivables:          
Pawn receivables  72,012  59,585  12,427 21 % 16 %
Short-term loan receivables, net of allowance  2,947  3,086  (139) (5)% (7)%
CSO short-term loans held by independent third-party (1)  12,446  10,905  1,541 14 % 14 %
   $ 87,405  $ 73,576  $ 13,829 19 % 15 %
           
Pawn inventories:          
Domestic pawn inventories  $ 17,527 $ 19,455  $ (1,928) (10)% (10)%
Foreign pawn inventories  26,491  18,955  7,536 40 % 29 %
   $ 44,018  $ 38,410  $ 5,608 15 % 9 %
(1)   CSO short-term loans outstanding are comprised of the principal portion of active CSO loans outstanding from an independent third-party lender, which are not included on the Company's balance sheet, net of the Company's estimated fair value of its liability under the letters of credit guaranteeing the loans.          

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company uses certain financial calculations, such as free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results, which are not considered measures of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Items excluded from the calculation of free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance. Since free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Free cash flow, EBITDA and constant currency results should not be considered as alternatives to net income, cash flow provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the Company's condensed consolidated financial s tatements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Non-GAAP measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. 

Free Cash Flow

For purposes of its internal liquidity assessments, the Company considers free cash flow, which is defined as cash flow from the operating activities of continuing and discontinued operations reduced by purchases of property and equipment and net cash outflow from pawn and short-term/payday loan customer receivables. Free cash flow is commonly used by investors as a measure of cash generated by business operations that will be used to repay scheduled debt maturities and can be used to invest in future growth through new business development activities or acquisitions, repurchase stock, or repay debt obligations prior to their maturities. These metrics can also be used to evaluate the Company's ability to generate cash flow from business operations and the impact that this cash flow has on the Company's liquidity. The following table reconciles "net cash flow from operating activities" to "free cash flow" (unaudited, in thousands):

  Trailing Twelve Months Ended
September 30,
  2010 2009
Cash flow from operating activities  $ 85,747 $ 75,296
Cash flow from investing activities:    
Pawn and short-term loan receivables  (13,157)  (17,033)
Purchases of property and equipment  (17,767)  (15,248)
Free cash flow $ 54,823 $ 43,015
     

FIRST CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

EBITDA

EBITDA is commonly used by investors to assess a company's leverage capacity, liquidity and financial performance. The following table provides a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to EBITDA (unaudited, in thousands): 

   
  Trailing Twelve Months Ended
September 30,
  2010 2009
     
Income from continuing operations  $ 48,755 $ 38,384
Adjustments:    
Income taxes  28,294  22,723
Depreciation and amortization  10,306  9,912
Interest expense  510  887
Interest income  (52)  (76)
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization $ 87,813 $ 71,830
     
EBITDA margin calculated as follows:    
Total revenue from continuing operations  $ 411,854 $ 340,428
Earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization  87,813  71,830
EBITDA as a percent of revenue 21% 21%

Constant Currency Results

Certain performance metrics discussed in this release are presented on a "constant currency" basis, which may be considered a non-GAAP measurement of financial performance under GAAP. The Company's management uses constant currency results to evaluate operating results of certain business operations in Mexico, which are transacted primarily in Mexican pesos. Pawn scrap jewelry in Mexico is sold in U.S. dollars and, accordingly, does not require a constant currency adjustment. Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating certain balance sheet and income statement items denominated in Mexican pesos using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current comparable period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations for purposes of evaluating period-over-period comparisons. For balance sheet items, the closing exchange rate at the end of the applicable prior-year period (September 30, 2009) of 13.5 to 1 wa s used, compared to the current end of period (September 30, 2010) exchange rate of 12.5 to 1. For income statement items, the average closing daily exchange rate for the appropriate period was used. The average exchange rate for the prior-year quarter ended September 30, 2009 was 13.3 to 1, compared to the current quarter rate of 12.8 to 1. The average exchange rate for the prior-year nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 was 13.7 to 1, compared to the current year-to-date rate of 12.7 to 1. 

CONTACT:  First Cash Financial Services, Inc.
          Rick Wessel, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
          Doug Orr, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
          (817) 505-3199
          investorrelations@firstcash.com
          www.firstcash.com