TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 12, 2015) - Element Financial Corporation (TSX:EFN) -
- US portion of GE Fleet transaction set to close August 31st creating a N.A. fleet leader to drive industry innovation
- After tax adjusted operating income per share of $0.23 (basic) in line with consensus
- Present value of 12+ year cash tax-deferral estimated at $4.50 per share
- Originations increased to $1.8 billion in Q2-2015 up from $1.5 billion in the previous quarter
- US market accounted for 74% of Q2 originations and 69% of earning assets
- Pre-tax adjusted return on average common equity increased by125 bps over the previous quarter to 12.26%
- Tangible leverage, excluding proceeds from the June capital raise, increased to 4.6:1 from 4.5:1 at the end of previous period
Element Financial Corporation (TSX:EFN) ("Element" or the "Company"), one of North America's leading fleet management and equipment finance companies, today reported financial results for the three-month and six-month periods ending June 30, 2015. Free operating cash flow amounted to $88.8 million or $0.31 per share for the three-month period. After tax adjusted operating income amounted to $67.9 million or $0.23 per share (basic) for the three-month period.
"With three quarters of our new business volume coming out of the US market, these second quarter results reaffirm the significant influence US economic growth has on our business," said Steven Hudson, Element's Chief Executive Officer. "Our steady growth in earnings and assets has benefited from the fact that our revenues are heavily weighted to the US economy while our corporate costs are predominantly based here in Canada," added Mr. Hudson.
Overall, new originations amounted to $1.8 billion for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 versus $1.5 billion reported in the previous three-month period ended March 31, 2015. Fleet Management accounted for $820.7 million of Q2 originations while the Rail Finance vertical contributed $275.1 million. Aviation Finance accounted for $164.7 million of Q2 originations while the Commercial & Vendor vertical accounted for $540.6 million. The US market accounted for 74 percent of the new origination volume reported during the period versus 72 percent in the three month period ending March 31, 2015. Year-to-date origination volumes amount to $3.3 billion which is slightly ahead of plan with respect to the Company's previous guidance of $6.5 billion of new originations during 2015.
Financial revenue for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $207.7 million or 8.3 percent of average earning assets versus $187.3 million or 7.9 percent of average earning assets in the previous quarter. Other revenue included in financial revenue amounted to $62.9 million versus $53.0 million in the previous quarter.
Interest expense was $58.1 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 compared to $53.6 million for the immediately preceding quarter ended March 31, 2015. The average cost of borrowing was 2.56 percent in Q2-2015 versus 2.53 percent reported during the previous quarter and 3.66 percent for the same period last year.
Net financial income for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $149.6 million versus $133.7 million in the preceding quarter ended March 31, 2015. Adjusted operating expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 were $60.9 million or 2.4 percent of average earning assets versus $55.3 million or 2.3 percent of average earning assets in the previous quarter.
Total finance assets increased to $11.5 billion during the three-month period as at June 30, 2015 versus $10.8 billion as at the end of the preceding quarter. Finance receivables increased to $9.5 billion and Equipment under operating leases increased to $1.9 billion as at June 30, 2015 versus $9.2 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, reported at the end of the preceding quarter.
Total debt increased to $9.5 billion as at June 30, 2015 from $9.1 billion as at March 31, 2015. The Company's tangible leverage ratio decreased to 3.07:1 as at June 30, 2015 versus 3.92:1 as at March 31, 2015. Excluding the capital raises at June 29, 2015 for subsequent M&A transactions, the pro forma tangible leverage ratio, including convertible debentures presented as debt only, was 4.6:1 as at June 30, 2015 versus 4.5:1 as at March 31, 2015.
Using a discount rate of 6.5 percent, the Company estimates that the present value of the deferral of cash income tax liabilities for the next 12 plus years represents additional unleveraged value of $4.50 per share based on the pro forma share count following the conversion of the subscription receipts expected on August 31, 2015.
"With plans to close the US portion of the GE Fleet acquisition by the end of August, we are well-advanced in preparing to commence the integration of this transformative acquisition immediately after closing," said Mr. Hudson. "Once we've progressed through the first stages of this 18 month integration plan, we'll update our outlook for Element's participation in the further consolidation of the North American commercial finance industry," added Mr. Hudson.
"Combining the acquired GE Fleet operations with Element's existing North American fleet management business creates an enterprise with the scale, scope and market depth that is positioned to lead the acceleration of innovation in this industry," said Bradley Nullmeyer, Element's President.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the results with analysts will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed by dialing the following numbers:
| North America Toll-Free: | 1-866-696-5910 passcode 4233335 |
| Local & International: | 416-340-2217 passcode 4233335 |
A series of presentation slides will be referenced by management during the conference call. These slides will be available on the Company's website in advance of the conference call and may be accessed at http://www.elementcorp.com/investors/presentations-1.
The conference call will be recorded and can be accessed until September 11, 2015 by dialing 1-800-408-3053 or 905-694-9451 and entering the pass code 8185907.
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements and MD&A
Element's unaudited interim financial statements and related management discussion and analysis as at and for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
Non-IFRS Measures
The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and the accounting policies we adopted in accordance with IFRS.
The Company believes that certain Non-IFRS Measures can be useful to investors because they provide a means by which investors can evaluate the Company's underlying key drivers and operating performance of the business, exclusive of certain adjustments and activities that investors may consider to be unrelated to the underlying economic performance of the business of a given period. Throughout this Press Release, management used a number of terms and ratios which do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other organizations. A full description of these measures can be found in the Management Discussion & Analysis that accompanies the financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.
The following table provide a reconciliation of non-IFRS to IFRS measures related to the Company:
| As at and for the three months ended |
As at and for the six months ended |
|||||||||||
| $ thousands (except % and per share amounts) | June 30, 2015 |
March 31, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
June 30, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
|||||||
| Reported and adjusted income measures | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | A | 25,157 | 49,497 | 11,128 | 74,654 | 26,964 | ||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of debenture synthetic discount | 1,956 | 1,472 | - | 3,428 | - | |||||||
| Share-based compensation | 9,438 | 6,536 | 3,661 | 15,974 | 7,855 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets from acquisitions | 5,202 | 4,743 | 835 | 9,945 | 1,861 | |||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 39,287 | 1,181 | 13,107 | 40,468 | 13,107 | |||||||
| Provision (recovery) of income taxes | 7,724 | 14,961 | 2,603 | 22,685 | 7,849 | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income | B | 88,764 | 78,390 | 31,334 | 167,154 | 57,636 | ||||||
| Provision for taxes applicable to adjusted operating income | C | (20,833 | ) | (17,948 | ) | (6,279 | ) | (38,780 | ) | (11,926 | ) | |
| After-tax adjusted operating income | D=B-C | 67,931 | 60,442 | 25,055 | 128,374 | 45,710 | ||||||
| Cumulative preferred share dividends during the period | Y | 7,123 | 6,109 | 4,254 | 13,231 | 6,696 | ||||||
| After-tax adjusted operating income attributable to common shareholders | D1=D-Y | 60,808 | 54,333 | 20,801 | 115,143 | 39,014 | ||||||
| Selected cash flow amounts | ||||||||||||
| Free operating cash flow | B | 88,764 | 78,390 | 31,334 | 167,154 | 57,636 | ||||||
| Selected statement of financial position amounts | ||||||||||||
| Finance receivables, before allowance for credit losses | E | 9,497,573 | 9,236,081 | 3,164,453 | 9,497,573 | 3,164,453 | ||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | F | 19,313 | 18,475 | 11,767 | 19,313 | 11,767 | ||||||
| Earning assets | ||||||||||||
| Net investment in finance receivable | G | 8,564,167 | 8,439,702 | 3,134,007 | 8,564,167 | 3,134,007 | ||||||
| Equipment under operating leases | H | 1,938,032 | 1,624,053 | 909,783 | 1,938,032 | 909,783 | ||||||
| Investment in managed fund | H1 | 129,896 | - | - | 129,896 | - | ||||||
| Total earning assets | I=G+H+H1 | 10,632,095 | 10,063,755 | 4,043,790 | 10,632,095 | 4,043,790 | ||||||
| Average earning assets, net | J | 9,990,215 | 9,489,167 | 3,795,053 | 9,738,821 | 3,578,232 | ||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets | K | 914,452 | 925,777 | 182,804 | 914,452 | 182,804 | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | L | 439,198 | 324,987 | 103,976 | 439,198 | 103,976 | ||||||
| Secured borrowings | M | 8,682,200 | 8,790,235 | 2,356,990 | 8,682,200 | 2,356,990 | ||||||
| Unsecured convertible debentures | N | 829,470 | 305,140 | 299,264 | 829,470 | 299,264 | ||||||
| Total debt | O=M+N | 9,511,670 | 9,095,375 | 2,656,254 | 9,511,670 | 2,656,254 | ||||||
| Average debt | P | 9,088,283 | 8,483,365 | 2,509,655 | 8,786,040 | 2,346,948 | ||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | Q | 3,269,854 | 3,058,637 | 1,726,331 | 3,269,854 | 1,726,331 | ||||||
| Preferred shares | R | 534,038 | 365,113 | 357,243 | 534,038 | 357,243 | ||||||
| Common shareholders' equity | S=Q-R | 2,735,816 | 2,693,524 | 1,369,088 | 2,735,816 | 1,369,088 | ||||||
| Average common shareholders' equity | T | 2,663,526 | 2,625,651 | 1,371,122 | 2,644,595 | 1,366,362 | ||||||
| Average total shareholders' equity | U | 3,088,007 | 2,990,763 | 1,622,345 | 3,039,556 | 1,563,793 | ||||||
Non-IFRS and IFRS Key Annualized Operating Ratios and per Share Information:
| As at and for the three months ended |
As at and for the six months ended |
|||||||||||||||
| $ thousands (except % and per share amounts) | June 30, 2015 |
March 31, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
June 30, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
|||||||||||
| Free operating cashflow per share [basic] (1) | (B-Y)/W | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.58 | $ | 0.27 | |||||
| After-tax adjusted operating income per share [basic] | (D1)/W | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.21 | |||||
| After-tax proforma diluted adjusted operating income per share | (D1+Z)/X1 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.20 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.42 | $ | 0.20 | |||||
| Key annualized operating ratios | ||||||||||||||||
| Leverage ratios | ||||||||||||||||
| Financial leverage ratio | O/Q | 2.91 | 2.97 | 1.54 | 2.91 | 1.54 | ||||||||||
| Tangible leverage ratio (2) | 3.07 | 3.92 | 1.35 | 3.07 | 1.53 | |||||||||||
| Average financial leverage ratio | P/U | 2.94 | 2.84 | 1.55 | 2.89 | 1.50 | ||||||||||
| Average tangible leverage ratio (2) | 3.67 | 3.84 | 1.78 | 3.73 | 1.53 | |||||||||||
| Other key operating ratios | ||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of finance receivables | F/E | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.37 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.37 | % | |||||
| Adjusted operating income on average common shareholders' equity | (B-Y)/T | 12.26 | % | 11.01 | % | 7.90 | % | 11.64 | % | 7.46 | % | |||||
| Adjusted operating income on average earning assets | B/J | 3.55 | % | 3.30 | % | 3.30 | % | 3.43 | % | 3.22 | % | |||||
| After-tax adjusted operating income on average common shareholders' equity | (D-Y)/T | 9.13 | % | 8.28 | % | 6.07 | % | 8.71 | % | 5.71 | % | |||||
| After-tax adjusted operating income on average earning assets | D/J | 2.72 | % | 2.55 | % | 2.64 | % | 2.64 | % | 2.55 | % | |||||
| Per share information | ||||||||||||||||
| Number of shares outstanding (including special warrants) | V | 265,923 | 264,094 | 189,503 | 265,923 | 189,503 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding [basic] | W | 264,516 | 264,066 | 189,503 | 264,291 | 189,360 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding [diluted] | X | 271,252 | 269,561 | 194,808 | 270,370 | 194,698 | ||||||||||
| Proforma diluted average number of shares outstanding (3) | X1 | 301,074 | 291,120 | 194,615 | 292,353 | 194,472 | ||||||||||
| Cumulative preferred share dividends during the period | Y | $ | 7,123 | $ | 6,109 | $ | 4,254 | $ | 13,231 | $ | 6,696 | |||||
| Other effects of dilution adjusted operating income basis (3) | Z | $ | 5,472 | $ | 3,632 | $ | - | $ | 7,270 | $ | - | |||||
| Net income (loss) per share [basic] | (A-Y)/W | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.11 | |||||
| Net income (loss) per share [diluted] | (A-Y)/X | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.10 | |||||
| Book value per share | S/V | $ | 10.29 | $ | 10.20 | $ | 7.22 | $ | 10.29 | $ | 7.22 | |||||
| (1) | Prior period free operating cashflow per share [basic] has been restated for the change in definition applied in the current period. |
| (2) | The tangible leverage ratio has been computed to conform and be in accordance with the Company's latest secured borrowing agreements, June 30, 2014 has |
| been restated to conform to the current period presentation. | |
| (3) | March 31, 2015 has been adjusted to include the effects of dilution of convertible debentures outstanding during the period. |
Selected Financial Information and Financial Ratios
The following tables summarize key financial data and key operating ratios for the three-month and six-month periods ended:
| As at and for the three months ended |
As at and for the six months ended |
||||
| June 30, 2015 |
March 31, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
June 30, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
|
| (in $000's for stated values, except ratios and per share amounts) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| After tax adjusted operating income (loss) per share (basic) (1) | 0.23 | 0.21 | 0.11 | 0.44 | 0.21 |
| Free operating cash flows per share (basic) (1) | 0.31 | 0.27 | 0.14 | 0.58 | 0.27 |
| Financial revenue (1) | 207,739 | 187,320 | 75,077 | 395,059 | 141,577 |
| Adjusted operating income (1) | 88,764 | 78,390 | 31,334 | 167,154 | 57,636 |
| After tax adjusted operating income (1) | 67,931 | 60,442 | 25,055 | 128,374 | 45,710 |
| Income before taxes | 32,881 | 64,458 | 13,731 | 97,339 | 34,813 |
| Net income | 25,157 | 49,497 | 11,128 | 74,654 | 26,964 |
| Total assets | 15,285,559 | 12,531,007 | 5,483,252 | 15,285,559 | 5,483,252 |
| New originations | 1,801,054 | 1,457,433 | 792,603 | 3,258,487 | 1,876,617 |
| Secured borrowings | 8,682,200 | 8,790,235 | 2,356,990 | 8,682,200 | 2,356,990 |
| Convertible debentures | 829,470 | 305,140 | 299,264 | 829,470 | 299,264 |
| Total debt | 9,511,670 | 9,095,375 | 2,656,254 | 9,511,670 | 2,656,254 |
| Average finance receivables (1) | 8,378,176 | 8,098,172 | 2,993,305 | 8,236,816 | 2,899,728 |
| Average equipment under operating leases (1) | 1,595,173 | 1,390,995 | 801,748 | 1,493,487 | 678,504 |
| Average investment in managed fund | 16,866 | - | - | 8,518 | - |
| Average earning assets (1) | 9,990,215 | 9,489,167 | 3,795,053 | 9,738,821 | 3,578,232 |
| Average debt outstanding (1) | 9,088,283 | 8,483,365 | 2,509,655 | 8,786,040 | 2,346,948 |
| Number of shares outstanding (including special warrants) | 265,923 | 264,094 | 189,503 | 265,923 | 189,503 |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding (including special warrants) [basic] | 264,516 | 264,066 | 189,503 | 264,291 | 189,360 |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding [diluted] | 271,252 | 269,561 | 194,808 | 270,370 | 194,698 |
| Total shareholders' equity | 3,269,854 | 3,058,637 | 1,726,331 | 3,269,854 | 1,726,331 |
| Average common shareholders' equity (1) | 2,663,526 | 2,625,651 | 1,371,122 | 2,644,595 | 1,366,362 |
| Earnings per share [basic] | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.23 | 0.11 |
| Earnings per share [diluted] | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.23 | 0.10 |
| (1) | For additional information, see "Description of Non-IFRS Measures" section. |
The following table summarizes key operating ratios as at and for the three and six months ended:
| As at and for the three-months ended |
As at and for the six months ended |
||||||||||||
| June 30, 2015 |
March 31, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
June 30, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
|||||||||
| Leverage ratios | |||||||||||||
| Tangible leverage ratio (7) | 4.19 | 4.51 | 1.84 | 4.19 | 1.84 | ||||||||
| Average tangible leverage ratio (7) | 4.63 | 4.45 | 1.91 | 4.54 | 1.79 | ||||||||
| Financial leverage ratio (2) (3) | 2.91 | 2.97 | 1.54 | 2.91 | 1.54 | ||||||||
| Average financial leverage ratio (2) | 2.94 | 2.84 | 1.55 | 2.89 | 1.50 | ||||||||
| Tangible leverage ratio (2) (4) (5) (6) | 3.07 | 3.92 | 1.35 | 3.07 | 1.53 | ||||||||
| Average tangible leverage ratio (2) (4) (5) (6) | 3.67 | 3.84 | 1.78 | 3.73 | 1.76 | ||||||||
| Other ratios and yields | |||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of finance receivables (2) | 0.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.37 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.37 | % | |||
| Annualized credit loss provision as a percentage of average finance receivables (2) | 0.16 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.47 | % | |||
| Portfolio average remaining life (in months, excluding equipment under operating leases) (2) | 28.9 | 26.2 | 27.3 | 28.9 | 27.3 | ||||||||
| Adjusted operating income on average common shareholders' equity (2) (5) | 12.26 | % | 11.01 | % | 7.90 | % | 11.64 | % | 7.46 | % | |||
| Adjusted operating income on average earning assets (2) | 3.55 | % | 3.30 | % | 3.30 | % | 3.43 | % | 3.22 | % | |||
| After-tax adjusted operating income on average common shareholders' equity (2) (5) | 9.13 | % | 8.28 | % | 6.07 | % | 8.71 | % | 5.71 | % | |||
| After-tax adjusted operating income on average earning assets (2) | 2.72 | % | 2.55 | % | 2.64 | % | 2.64 | % | 2.55 | % | |||
| Book value per share | $ | 10.29 | $ | 10.20 | $ | 7.22 | $ | 10.29 | $ | 7.22 | |||
| (1) | All are ratios presented on an annualized basis. |
| (2) | For additional information, see "Description of Non-IFRS Measures" section. |
| (3) | Financial leverage ratio is computed as total debt (the sum of secured borrowings and extendible convertible debentures) divided by total shareholders' equity. |
| (4) | The tangible leverage ratio has been computed beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2014 to conform to the terms of the Company's latest secured borrowing agreements. |
| (5) | June 30, 2014 has been restated to conform to the current period definitions in the "Description of Non-IFRS Measures" section. |
| (6) | Computed under bank covenant. |
| (7) | Computed under bank covenant save for the inclusion of convertible debentures as equity. |
Results of Operations - For the three months ended June 30, 2015, March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company's results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2015, March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014 and six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014:
| For the three-month periods ended |
For the six-month periods ended |
||||
| June 30, 2015 |
March 31, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
June 30, 2015 |
June 30, 2014 |
|
| (in 000's for stated values, except per unit amounts) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Net Financial Income | |||||
| Interest income | 119,521 | 111,593 | 51,547 | 231,114 | 100,092 |
| Rental revenue, net (1) | 28,592 | 25,981 | 14,501 | 54,573 | 24,675 |
| Total interest income and rental revenue, net | 148,113 | 137,574 | 66,048 | 285,687 | 124,767 |
| Interest expense | 58,108 | 53,602 | 22,985 | 111,710 | 44,518 |
| Net interest income and rental revenue, net before provision for credit losses | 90,005 | 83,972 | 43,063 | 173,977 | 80,249 |
| Provision for credit losses | 3,284 | 3,227 | 3,868 | 6,511 | 6,826 |
| Net interest income and rental revenue, net | 86,721 | 80,745 | 39,195 | 167,466 | 73,423 |
| Management fees and other revenues | 62,910 | 52,973 | 12,897 | 115,883 | 23,636 |
| Net financial income | 149,631 | 133,718 | 52,092 | 283,349 | 97,059 |
| Operating Expenses | |||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 36,391 | 34,023 | 12,564 | 70,414 | 25,131 |
| General and administration expenses | 24,476 | 21,305 | 8,194 | 45,781 | 14,292 |
| Amortization of debenture synthetic discount | 1,956 | 1,472 | - | 3,428 | - |
| Share-based compensation | 9,438 | 6,536 | 3,661 | 15,974 | 7,855 |
| 72,261 | 63,336 | 24,419 | 135,597 | 47,278 | |
| Business acquisition costs | |||||
| Amortization of intangibles from acquisition | 5,202 | 4,743 | 835 | 9,945 | 1,861 |
| Transaction and integration costs | 39,287 | 1,181 | 13,107 | 40,468 | 13,107 |
| 44,489 | 5,924 | 13,942 | 50,413 | 14,968 | |
| Net income before taxes | 32,881 | 64,458 | 13,731 | 97,339 | 34,813 |
| Tax expense | 7,724 | 14,961 | 2,603 | 22,685 | 7,849 |
| Net income for the period | 25,157 | 49,497 | 11,128 | 74,654 | 26,964 |
| Earnings per share [basic] | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.23 | 0.11 |
| Earnings per share [diluted] | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.23 | 0.10 |
| (1) | Rental revenue, net is equal to rental income earned on equipment under operating leases, less depreciation on equipment under operating leases. |
Overall Performance Highlights for the Three and Six-Months Ended June 30, 2015
The Company's earning assets, consisting of the Company's net investment in finance receivables, equipment under operating leases and investment in managed fund, have grown substantially during the period to June 30, 2015 to $10,632.1 million from $9,028.9 million reported at December 31, 2014. The growth over December 31, 2014 is primarily due to the combined effect of the total new originations for the year in the amount of $3,258.5 million, helped by the large contribution of the Trinity vendor program and origination volume contributed by PHH Arval, net of repayments, syndication activities, amortization of equipment under operating leases and changes in foreign exchange rates of $1,655.3 million.
Net income before income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $32.9 million compared to net income before income taxes of $13.7 million reported for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and net income before income taxes of $64.5 million reported in the immediately preceding quarter. The increase over the comparative quarter ended June 30, 2014 is the result of the growth in average earning assets, offset by transaction costs incurred in the current quarter related to the acquisition of GE Capital's Fleet management operations. The decrease over the immediately preceding quarter is a result of transaction costs incurred during the current quarter related to the acquisition of GE Capital's Fleet management operations. Net income before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $97.3 million compared to net income before income taxes of $34.8 million reported for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase over the comparative six months ended June 30, 2014, is a result of growth in assets and related income during the intervening period, net of increases in business acquisition costs related to the GE Capital Fleet transaction announced on June 29, 2015.
As indicated previously, management believes that adjusted operating income, a Non-IFRS Measure, is the most appropriate operating measure of the Company's performance as it excludes non-cash items related to share-based compensation and business acquisition costs which do not relate to maintaining operating activities. Adjusted operating income for the three month period ended June 30, 2015 was $88.8 million, an increase of $57.5 million or 183.3% over the amount reported during the comparative quarter ended June 30, 2014 and an increase of $10.4 million or 13.2% over the amount reported during the immediately preceding quarter ended March 31, 2015. The increase over the comparative quarter ended June 30, 2014 is the result of the acquisition of the PHH Arval on July 7, 2014 and strong organic growth. The increase over the immediately preceding quarter is primarily due to the continued growth in average earning assets and fees earned from syndications and capital advisory transactions. Adjusted operating income for the six month period ended June 30, 2015 was $167.2 million, an increase of $109.6 million or 190.0% over the amount reported during the comparative period ended June 30, 2014. The increase over the comparative period ended June 30, 2014 is primarily the result of the acquisition of the PHH Arval on July 7, 2014 and strong organic growth.
As indicated previously, Management also believes that Free Operating Cash Flows and Free Operating Cash Flows per Share as described in the Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A are a key statistics to properly assess the operating performances of the Company to mostly reflect the substantial value being created by the very long deferral of cash income taxes and the investment value produced by that deferral. Thus, while the Company is reporting after-tax adjusted operating income per share (basic) of $0.23 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, free operating cash flows per share (basic) reaches $0.31, compared to $0.11 and $0.14, respectively, for the comparative three months ended June 30, 2014, and $0.21 and $0.27, respectively, for the immediately preceding quarter ended March 31, 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, after-tax adjusted operating income per share is $0.44, while free operating cash flows per share reaches $0.58 per share, compared to $0.21 and $0.27, respectively, for the comparative period ended June 30, 2014.
Consolidated Financial Position
The following table sets forth a summary of the Company's consolidated financial position as of the dates presented:
| As at | |||
| June 30, 2015 |
March 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
|
| (in 000's for stated values, except per unit amounts) | $ | $ | $ |
| Cash | 86,945 | 19,763 | 66,869 |
| Restricted cash | 488,202 | 521,497 | 443,238 |
| Cash held in escrow | 1,997,329 | - | - |
| Finance receivables | 9,478,260 | 9,217,606 | 8,465,989 |
| Equipment under operating leases | 1,938,032 | 1,624,053 | 1,279,670 |
| Investment in managed fund | 129,896 | - | - |
| Derivative financial instruments | 45,632 | 14,472 | 5,746 |
| Deferred tax assets | 49,250 | 53,318 | 39,405 |
| Non-portfolio assets | 1,072,013 | 1,080,298 | 989,585 |
| Total assets | 15,285,559 | 12,531,007 | 11,290,502 |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 439,198 | 324,987 | 368,113 |
| Subscription receipts escrow liability | 1,997,329 | - | - |
| Secured borrowings | 8,682,200 | 8,790,235 | 7,751,395 |
| Convertible debentures | 829,470 | 305,140 | 303,147 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 16,950 | 15,545 | 11,196 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 50,558 | 36,463 | 25,700 |
| Total liabilities | 12,015,705 | 9,472,370 | 8,459,551 |
| Shareholders' equity | 3,269,854 | 3,058,637 | 2,830,951 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 15,285,559 | 12,531,007 | 11,290,502 |
About Element Financial Corporation
With total assets in excess of $15.3 billion, Element Financial Corporation is one of North America's leading equipment finance companies. Element operates across North America in four verticals of the equipment finance market - Fleet Management, Rail Finance, Commercial & Vendor Finance, and Aviation Finance.
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Element and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of Element's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements regarding the closing, subsequent integration and financial impact of the acquisition of various fleet management businesses from GE Capital, new originations in the current quarter, the anticipated pipeline of prospective transactions, and proposed purchases of portfolios of finance assets. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Element, including risks regarding the equipment finance industry, economic factors, risks related to completion of the proposed purchases of portfolios of finance assets, and many other factors beyond the control of Element. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this outlook can be found in Element's 2014 MD&A, and 2014 Annual Information Form, all of which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Element undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Contact Information:
Senior Vice President
(416) 386-1067 ext. 2313
jsadler@elementcorp.com
Michel Beland
Chief Financial Officer
(416) 386-1067 ext. 2225
mbeland@elementcorp.com