Report
Valens Research

HRB- Embedded Expectations Analysis - 2019 04 01

H&R Block, Inc. (HRB:USA) currently trades well below corporate averages relative to UAFRS-based (Uniform) Earnings, with an 11.2x Uniform P/E. At these levels, the market has bearish expectations for the firm, and management is concerned about their Tax Pro Go and Ask a Tax Pro services, DIY competitive pressures, and franchise performance.

Specifically, management may be exaggerating their ability to attract younger clients, and to simplify the tax filing process through their digital Tax Pro Go and Ask a Tax Pro services. Additionally, they may be downplaying concerns about DIY migration, pricing headwinds, and revenue declines. Also, they may lack confidence in their ability to sustain DIY product improvement and conversion, as well as franchise performance. Moreover, they may be exaggerating the consumer reception of their transparency products.
Underlying
H&R Block Inc.

H&R Block provides assisted, do-it-yourself, and virtual tax return preparation solutions through various channels (including in-person, online and mobile applications, virtual, and desktop software) and distributes the company-branded products and services to the general public in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and their respective territories. The company also provides additional services, such as Refund Transfers, its Peace of Mind? Extended Service Plan (POM), H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard?, H&R Block Emerald Advance? lines of credit, Tax Identity Shield?, and Refund Advance loans. For its Canadian clients the company also provides POM, H&R Block Instant Refund?, and H&R Block Pay With Refund? services.

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Valens Research
Valens Research

In 2009, just as the dust was settling from the last major equity and credit market crises, we launched a boutique research firm with the intention of breaking Wall Street’s biases and broken incentives:

  • GAAP and IFRS have failed to provide rules for reliable financial statement reporting
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