Rent-A-Center, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2006 Results

February 5, 2007 at 9:01 PM EST

Same Store Sales Increase 1.0%

Cash Flow from Operations Exceeds $170 Million for the Year

Company Establishes Significant Reserve for Hilda Perez Litigation

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2007--Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ/NGS:RCII), the nation's largest rent-to-own operator, today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.

Fourth Quarter 2006 Results

The Company reported total revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 of $656.1 million, a $72.9 million increase from $583.2 million for the same period in the prior year. This increase of 12.5% in revenues was primarily driven by the RentWay acquisition that closed on November 15, 2006, a 1.0% increase in same store sales, and an increase in incremental revenues generated in new and acquired stores.

Reported net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 were a negative $2.3 million, when including a $58.0 million pre-tax expense for the establishment of a reserve for the Hilda Perez litigation and a $2.6 million pre-tax expense for refinancing of the senior credit facility, a decrease of $37.4 million from the reported net earnings of $35.1 million for the same period in the prior year when including a $2.1 million pre-tax restructuring expense and a $1.1 million pre-tax expense related to the damage caused by the 2005 hurricanes, as well as the $3.7 million benefit for the state tax reserve adjustment credit. Reported diluted earnings per share were a negative $0.03, when including the $0.51 per share effect of the Hilda Perez litigation and the $0.02 per share effect of refinancing expenses. This represents a decrease of $0.53 per diluted share from the $0.50 reported diluted earnings per share for the same period in the prior year, when including the $0.02 per share effect of restructuring expenses, the $0.01 per share impact in 2005 of the hurricane expenses and the $0.05 per share benefit for the state tax reserve adjustment credit in 2005.

Adjusted net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 were $35.6 million when excluding the expenses for litigation and refinancing discussed below, an increase of 6.0% or $2.0 million from the adjusted net earnings of $33.6 million for the same period in the prior year when excluding the expenses for restructuring and the expenses related to the damage caused by the 2005 hurricanes as well as the credit for the state tax reserve adjustment discussed below. The increase in adjusted net earnings is primarily attributable to an increase in same store sales. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.50 when excluding the expenses for litigation and refinancing discussed below, as compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.48 for the same period in the prior year, when excluding the expenses for restructuring and the impact in 2005 of the hurricanes as well as the credit for the state tax reserve adjustment discussed below. This represents an increase of 4.2% or $0.02 per diluted share.

"We had a very strong operating quarter, notwithstanding the reported net earnings which were impacted by the Perez litigation reserve," commented Mark E. Speese, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite the lack of class certification or judgment of liability in the Perez case, we felt it appropriate to take a pre-tax, non-cash charge at the end of the year in the amount of $58 million due to unfavorable rulings against us in this case and the information available to us at this time," Speese added.

"However, I am pleased with the operating results for the fourth quarter, where we again saw positive same store sales and met the high end of our expectations for diluted earnings per share, when excluding the litigation and refinancing expenses," Mr. Speese continued. "We also achieved these results concurrently with the acquisition of RentWay, a major rental purchase company operating 782 stores in 34 states. I want to thank all our co-workers for their dedication and efforts that led to our excellent results in the quarter," Speese added.

Year End December 31, 2006 Results

Total reported revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 increased to $2.434 billion, a $95 million increase from $2.339 billion for the same period in the prior year. This increase of 4.1% in revenues was primarily driven by the RentWay acquisition, a 1.9% increase in same store sales, and an increase in incremental revenues generated in new and acquired stores.

Reported net earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 were $103.1 million when including the expenses for litigation and refinancing discussed below, a decrease of $32.6 million from the reported net earnings of $135.7 million for the same period in the prior year when including the restructuring expenses and the expenses related to the damage caused by the 2005 hurricanes as well as the credits for the state tax reserve adjustment, the federal tax audit reserve and litigation reversion discussed below. Reported diluted earnings per share were $1.46, when including the aggregate $0.65 per share effect for litigation expenses and the aggregate $0.04 per share effect of refinancing expenses discussed below. This represents a decrease of $0.37 per diluted share from the $1.83 per reported diluted earnings per share for the same period in the prior year, when including the $0.14 per share effect of restructuring expenses and the $0.09 per share impact in 2005 of the hurricane expenses, as well as the $0.05 per share benefit for the state tax reserve adjustment credit in 2005, the $0.03 per share benefit for the federal tax audit reserve credit in 2005 and the $0.07 per share benefit for the litigation reversion credit in 2005 discussed below.

Adjusted net earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 were $152.1 million when excluding the expenses for litigation and refinancing discussed below, an increase of 7.2% or $10.2 million from the adjusted net earnings of $141.9 million for the same period in the prior year when excluding the expenses for restructuring and the expenses related to the damage caused by the 2005 hurricanes as well as the credits for the state tax reserve adjustment, the federal tax audit reserve and litigation reversion discussed below. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.15 when excluding the expenses for litigation and refinancing discussed below, as compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.91 for the same period in the prior year, when excluding the expenses for restructuring and the impact in 2005 of the hurricanes as well as the credits for the state tax reserve adjustment, the federal tax audit reserve and litigation reversion discussed below. This represents an increase of 12.6% or $0.24 per diluted share.

"I am very pleased with our operational accomplishments in 2006," Mr. Speese stated. "Our focus on execution in our core rent-to-own business resulted in same store sales increasing 1.9%. We are on-track to successfully integrate the RentWay acquisition and implement our proven business model. In addition, we continued our expansion into the financial services industry with the opening of 110 financial services locations within existing rent-to-own stores, ending the year with 150 locations," continued Mr. Speese. Mr. Speese added, "In 2007, our focus will include continued improvement of our store operations, integrating the RentWay acquisition, continuing our financial services expansion by adding financial services to between 200 and 250 rent-to-own store locations, and continuing to strengthen our balance sheet."

Through the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006, the Company generated cash flow from operations of approximately $171.9 million, while ending the quarter with $92.3 million of cash on hand. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006, the Company repurchased 202,800 shares of its common stock for $4.7 million in cash under its common stock repurchase program and has utilized a total of $360.8 million of the $400.0 million authorized by its Board of Directors since the inception of the plan.

Operations Highlights

During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company opened 12 new rent-to-own store locations, acquired 782 stores as well as accounts from two additional locations and consolidated 139 stores (of which 132 were due to the RentWay transaction) into existing locations, for a net addition of 655 stores and an ending balance of 3,406 stores. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company added financial services to 50 existing rent-to-own store locations, closed one location and ended the quarter with a total of 150 stores providing these services.

Through the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006, the Company opened 40 new rent-to-own store locations, acquired 810 stores as well as accounts from 37 additional locations, consolidated 189 (of which 132 were due to the RentWay transaction) stores into existing locations, and sold 15 stores, for a net addition of 646 stores. Through the twelve month period ending December 31, 2006, the Company added financial services to 113 existing rent-to-own store locations, consolidated one store with financial services into an existing location and closed two locations, for a net addition of 110 stores providing these services.

Since January 1, 2007, the Company has opened one new rent-to-own store location and consolidated 14 stores (of which 13 were due to the RentWay transaction) into existing locations. The Company has not added any financial services to existing rent-to-own store locations since January 1, 2007.

2006 Significant Items

2006 Litigation Expense

Hilda Perez. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a pre-tax expense of $58.0 million related to Hilda Perez v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., a putative class action filed in the Superior Court, Law Division, Camden County, New Jersey which alleges that the rent-to-own contracts entered into by Perez and a class of similarly situated individuals violated New Jersey's Retail Installment Sales Act ("RISA") and New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act ("CFA"), because such contracts imposed a time price differential in excess of the 30% per annum interest rate permitted under New Jersey's criminal usury statute. During the alleged class period, the Company entered into approximately 294,000 rent-to-own contracts in that state. As announced in March of last year, the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that rent-to-own contracts in New Jersey are "retail installment contracts" under RISA and that RISA incorporates the 30% interest rate cap in New Jersey's criminal usury statute and remanded the matter to the trial court for further proceedings. Subsequently, the New Jersey Supreme Court denied the Company's motion for reconsideration and on January 8, 2007, the United States Supreme Court denied the Company's writ of certiorari. No class has been certified in this matter, and no finding of liability or damages against the Company has been made. Nevertheless, the Company believes that a loss with respect to this matter is probable and that the amount recorded reflects management's belief as to the appropriate accounting charge for this matter at this time. The Company intends to continue its vigorous defense of this matter, while exploring opportunities to resolve it on reasonable terms. There can be no assurance that the amount of the loss ultimately incurred in this matter will not be greater than the amount recorded at this time. The Company intends to adjust this reserve in the future as circumstances warrant. The litigation expense with respect to the Hilda Perez case reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.51 in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $0.52 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

Burdusis/French/Corso. As previously announced on August 10, 2006, the Company has reached a settlement with the plaintiffs to resolve the Jeremy Burdusis, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., et al./Israel French, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Kris Corso, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. coordinated matters pending in state court in Los Angeles, California. The terms of the settlement are subject to the parties obtaining final court approval. A hearing on a motion for final approval of the settlement is currently scheduled for February 21, 2007. The Company intends to fund the entire settlement amount within 14 days of final approval by the court. The Company recorded a pre-tax expense of $4.95 million in the third quarter of 2006 to account for the settlement amount and attorneys' fees. The litigation expense with respect to the Burdusis/French/Corso settlement reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

California Attorney General. As announced on October 30, 2006, the Company reached a settlement with the California Attorney General to resolve the inquiry received in the second quarter of 2004 regarding the Company's business practices in California with respect to its cash prices and its membership program. As part of the settlement, the Company has agreed to pay restitution to certain customers in the aggregate amount of approximately $9.6 million. The Company is in the process of selecting a settlement administrator to implement the restitution program and expects to fund the restitution account in the second quarter of 2007. To account for the settlement costs, as well as the Company's attorneys' fees, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2006. The litigation expense with respect to the California Attorney General settlement reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.09 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

2006 Refinancing Expense

2006 Senior Credit Facility Refinancing Expenses. During the third quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a pre-tax expense of approximately $2.2 million to write off the remaining unamortized balance of financing costs from our previous credit agreement closed in July 2004. This refinancing expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.02 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company re-financed its credit agreement in connection with the RentWay acquisition and recorded a pre-tax expense of approximately $2.6 million to write off the remaining unamortized balance of financing costs from our previous credit agreement closed in July 2006. This refinancing expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.02 in both the fourth quarter of 2006 and for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

2005 Significant Items

2005 Store Consolidation Plan Expenses. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring expense of approximately $2.1 million as part of the store consolidation plan announced on September 6, 2005. The costs with respect to these store closings relate primarily to lease terminations of approximately $2.8 million, fixed asset disposals of approximately $1.5 million and the proceeds from the sale of stores net of inventory costs of $2.3 million. This restructuring expense reduced diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 by $0.02.

For the third and fourth quarter of 2005 combined, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring expenses of approximately $15.2 million as part of the store consolidation plan. The costs with respect to these store closings relate primarily to lease terminations of approximately $9.3 million, goodwill impairment of approximately $4.5 million, fixed asset disposals of approximately $3.3 million and the proceeds from the sale of stores net of inventory costs of $2.3 million. This restructuring expense reduced diluted earnings per share for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 by $0.14.

2005 Hurricane Related Expenses. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a pre-tax expense of approximately $1.1 million related to the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. These costs relate primarily to inventory losses. This expense reduced diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 by $0.01.

For the third and fourth quarter of 2005 combined, the Company recorded pre-tax expenses of approximately $8.9 million related to the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. These costs relate primarily to inventory losses of approximately $4.5 million and goodwill impairment of approximately $3.7 million. These expenses reduced diluted earnings per share for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 by $0.09.

2005 Tax Reserve Adjustment and Litigation Reversion Credits. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a $3.7 million state tax reserve credit for a reserve adjustment due to a change in estimate related to potential loss exposures. The state tax reserve credit increased diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 by $0.05.

Also in 2005, the Company recorded a $2.0 million tax audit reserve credit in the second quarter associated with the examination and favorable resolution of the Company's 1998 and 1999 federal tax returns. In addition, the Company recorded an $8.0 million pre-tax credit in the first quarter associated with the settlement of the Griego/Carrillo litigation. The state tax reserve credit in the fourth quarter, the federal tax audit reserve credit in the second quarter and the litigation reversion credit in the first quarter increased diluted earnings per share for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 by $0.05, $0.03, and $0.07, respectively.

Rent-A-Center will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter results on Tuesday morning, February 6, 2007, at 10:45 a.m. EST. For a live webcast of the call, visit http://investor.rentacenter.com. Certain financial and other statistical information that will be discussed during the conference call will also be provided on the same website.

Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas, currently operates 3,393 company-owned stores nationwide and in Canada and Puerto Rico. The stores generally offer high-quality, durable goods such as major consumer electronics, appliances, computers and furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements that generally allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed upon rental period. ColorTyme, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of 283 rent-to-own stores operating under the trade name of "ColorTyme."

The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. These statements do not include the potential impact of any repurchases of common stock the Company may make, reduction in outstanding indebtedness, or the potential impact of acquisitions or dispositions that may be completed after February 5, 2007.

FIRST QUARTER 2007 GUIDANCE:

Revenues

  • The Company expects total revenues to be in the range of $749 million to $764 million.


  • Store rental and fee revenues are expected to be between $653 million and $665 million.


  • Total store revenues are expected to be in the range of $739 million to $754 million.


  • Same store sales are expected to be in the flat to 1.0% range.


  • The Company expects to open approximately 5 new rent-to-own store locations.


  • The Company expects to add financial services to 30-40 rent-to-own store locations.

Expenses

  • The Company expects cost of rental and fees to be between 22.1% and 22.5% of store rental and fee revenue and cost of merchandise sold to be between 68% and 73% of store merchandise sales.


  • Store salaries and other expenses are expected to be in the range of 55.0% to 56.5% of total store revenue.


  • General and administrative expenses are expected to be between 3.9% and 4.1% of total revenue.


  • Net interest expense is expected to be approximately $23.0 million, depreciation of property assets to be approximately $17.0 million and amortization of intangibles is expected to be approximately $4.0 million.


  • The effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 37.0% to 37.5% of pre-tax income.


  • Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $0.62 to $0.68.


  • Diluted shares outstanding are estimated to be between 71.1 million and 72.1 million.

FISCAL 2007 GUIDANCE:

Revenues

  • The Company expects total revenues to be in the range of $2.935 billion and $2.985 billion.


  • Store rental and fee revenues are expected to be between $2.610 billion and $2.650 billion.


  • Total store revenues are expected to be in the range of $2.895 billion and $2.945 billion.


  • Same store sales are expected to be in the 1.0% to 2.0% range.


  • The Company expects to open 25-35 new store locations.


  • The Company expects to add financial services to 200-250 rent-to-own store locations.

Expenses

  • The Company expects cost of rental and fees to be between 22.0% and 22.4% of store rental and fee revenue and cost of merchandise sold to be between 75% and 80% of store merchandise sales.


  • Store salaries and other expenses are expected to be in the range of 57.0% to 58.5% of total store revenue.


  • General and administrative expenses are expected to be between 3.8% and 4.0% of total revenue.


  • Net interest expense is expected to be between $85.0 million and $90.0 million, depreciation of property assets is expected to be between $65.0 million and $70.0 million and amortization of intangibles is expected to be approximately $15.5 million.


  • The effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 37.0% to 37.5% of pre-tax income.


  • Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $2.24 to $2.32.


  • Diluted shares outstanding are estimated to be between 71.5 million and 73.0 million.

This press release and the guidance above contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "should," "anticipate," or "believe," or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The actual future performance of the Company could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to open new rent-to-own stores; the Company's ability to acquire additional rent-to-own stores on favorable terms; the Company's ability to enhance the performance of these acquired stores; the Company's ability to control store level costs; the Company's ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to the Company's customer demographic; the Company's ability to identify and successfully enter into new lines of business offering products and services that appeal to the Company's customer demographic, including the Company's financial services products; the resolution of the Company's litigation including without limitation Perez; the passage of legislation adversely affecting the rent-to-own or financial services industries; interest rates; the Company's ability to enter into new and collect on the Company's rental purchase agreements; the Company's ability to enter into new and collect on the Company's short term loans; economic pressures affecting the disposable income available to the Company's targeted consumers, such as high fuel and utility costs; changes in estimates with respect to self insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves; changes in the Company's effective tax rate; the Company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; changes in the number of share-based compensation grants, methods used to value future share-based payments and changes in estimated forfeiture rates with respect to share-based compensation; changes in the Company's stock price and the number of shares of common stock that we may or may not repurchase; changes in our debt ratings; the negotiation of and entry into definitive settlement documentation with respect to the Burdusis/French/Corso settlement; one or more parties filing an objection to the Burdusis/French/Corso settlement; the court could refuse to approve the Burdusis/French/Corso settlement or could require changes to the settlement that are unacceptable to the Company or the plaintiffs; the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the RentWay stores into the Company's operating system; the Company's ability to enhance the performance of the acquired RentWay stores; the Company's ability to realize the cost savings anticipated in connection with the RentWay acquisition; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


                 Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                   STATEMENT OF EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS

(In Thousands of Dollars,
 except per share data)
                                   Three Months Ended December 31,
                               ---------------------------------------
                                  2006         2006
                               ------------ ------------ -----------
                                 Before        After
                                Litigation   Litigation
                                Expense &    Expense &
                                Refinancing  Refinancing
                                  Charges      Charges
                               ------------ ------------ -----------

Total Revenue                   $  656,126   $  656,126
Operating Profit                    77,396       19,396  (1)
Net Earnings                        35,596       (2,320) (1,2)
Diluted Earnings per Common
 Share                          $     0.50   $    (0.03) (1,2)
Adjusted EBITDA                 $   95,296   $   95,296

Reconciliation to Adjusted
 EBITDA:

Earnings before income taxes        59,845         (793)
Add back:
 Restructuring expense                  --           --
 Hurricane expense impact               --           --
 Finance charges from
  refinancing                           --        2,638
 Litigation expense                     --       58,000
 Interest expense, net              17,551       17,551
 Depreciation of property
  assets                            15,172       15,172
 Amortization of intangibles         2,728        2,728
                               ------------ ------------ -----------

Adjusted EBITDA                 $   95,296   $   95,296



                                  Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                               ---------------------------------------
                                  2006         2006
                               ------------ ------------ -----------
                                 Before        After
                                Litigation   Litigation
                                Expense &    Expense &
                                Refinancing  Refinancing
                                  Charges      Charges
                               ------------ ------------ -----------

Total Revenue                   $2,433,908   $2,433,908
Operating Profit                   295,244      221,944  (1,5,6)
Net Earnings                       152,147      103,092  (1,2,4,5,6)
Diluted Earnings per Common
 Share                          $     2.15   $     1.46  (1,2,4,5,6)
Adjusted EBITDA                 $  356,468   $  356,468

Reconciliation to Adjusted
 EBITDA:

Earnings before income taxes       242,241      164,138
Add back:
 Restructuring expense                  --           --
 Hurricane expense impact               --           --
 Litigation expense/
  (reversion)                           --       73,300
 Finance charges from
  refinancing                           --        4,803
 Interest expense, net              53,003       53,003
 Depreciation of property
  assets                            55,651       55,651
 Amortization of intangibles         5,573        5,573
                               ------------ ------------ -----------

Adjusted EBITDA                 $  356,468   $  356,468


                 Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                   STATEMENT OF EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS

(In Thousands of Dollars, except
 per share data)
                                     Three Months Ended December 31,
                                  ------------------------------------
                                       2005           2005
                                  --------------- -------------- -----
                                      Before          After
                                    Restructuring  Restructuring
                                    and Hurricane  and Hurricane
                                    Expenses and   Expenses and
                                     State Tax      State Tax
                                      Reserve        Reserve
                                       Credit         Credit
                                  --------------- -------------- -----

Total Revenue                         $  583,213     $  583,213
Operating Profit                          63,073         59,811  (3)
Net Earnings                              33,596         35,050  (3)
Diluted Earnings per Common Share     $     0.48     $     0.50  (3)
Adjusted EBITDA                       $   77,764     $   77,764

Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:

Earnings before income taxes              51,742         48,480
Add back:
 Restructuring expense                        --          2,138
 Hurricane expense impact                     --          1,124
 Finance charges from refinancing             --             --
 Litigation expense                           --             --
 Interest expense, net                    11,331         11,331
 Depreciation of property assets          13,364         13,364
 Amortization of intangibles               1,327          1,327
                                  --------------- -------------- -----

Adjusted EBITDA                       $   77,764     $   77,764



                                    Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                  ------------------------------------
                                       2005           2005
                                  --------------- -------------- -----
                                      Before          After
                                    Restructuring  Restructuring
                                    and Hurricane  and Hurricane
                                    Expenses and   Expenses and
                                     Tax Audit      Tax Audit
                                      Reserve,       Reserve,
                                     State Tax      State Tax
                                    Reserve and    Reserve and
                                     Litigation     Litigation
                                       Credits        Credits
                                  --------------- -------------- -----

Total Revenue                         $2,339,107     $2,339,107
Operating Profit                         265,803        249,771  (7,8)
Net Earnings                             141,886        135,738  (7,8)
Diluted Earnings per Common Share     $     1.91     $     1.83  (7,8)
Adjusted EBITDA                       $  327,223     $  327,223

Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:

Earnings before income taxes             225,100        209,068
Add back:
 Restructuring expense                        --         15,166
 Hurricane expense impact                     --          5,199
 Litigation expense/ (reversion)              --         (8,000)
 Finance charges from refinancing             --             --
 Interest expense, net                    40,703         40,703
 Depreciation of property assets          53,382         53,382
 Amortization of intangibles               8,038         11,705  (9)
                                  --------------- -------------- -----

Adjusted EBITDA                       $  327,223     $  327,223

(1) Including the effects of a $58.0 million pre-tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2006 associated with the litigation expense with respect to the Hilda Perez case. The expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.51 in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $0.52 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

(2) Including the effects of a $2.6 million pre-tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2006 for the refinancing of the Company's senior credit facility. This refinancing expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.02 in both the fourth quarter of 2006 and for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

(3) Including the effects of a $2.1 million pre-tax restructuring expense as part of the store consolidation plan announced September 6, 2005, $1.1 million in pre-tax expenses related to the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, and a $3.7 million state tax reserve credit for a reserve adjustment. The expenses reduced diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 by $0.02 for the restructuring expense, and by $0.01 for the hurricane expenses, while the state tax reserve credit increased diluted earnings per share by $0.05.

(4) Including the effects of a $2.2 million pre-tax expense in the third quarter of 2006 for the refinancing of the Company's senior credit facility. This refinancing expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.02 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

(5) Including the effects of a $4.95 million pre-tax expense in the third quarter of 2006 associated with the settlement of the Burdusis/French/Corso litigation. The expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

(6) Including the effects of a $10.4 million pre-tax expense in the third quarter of 2006 associated with the settlement with the California Attorney General. The expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.09 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006.

(7) Including the effects of a $15.2 million pre-tax restructuring expense as part of the store consolidation plan announced September 6, 2005, $8.9 million in pre-tax expenses related to the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, and a $3.7 million state tax reserve credit for a reserve adjustment. The expenses reduced diluted earnings per share for the twelve month period ending December 31, 2005 by $0.14 for the restructuring expense, and by $0.09 for the hurricane expenses, while the state tax reserve credit increased diluted earnings per share by $0.05.

(8) Including the effects of an $8.0 million pre-tax credit in the first quarter 2005 associated with the settlement of the Griego/Carrillo litigation reversion, and a $2.0 million tax audit reserve credit associated with the examination and favorable resolution of the Company's 1998 and 1999 federal tax returns in the second quarter of 2005. These credits increased diluted earnings per share for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005 by $0.07 for the litigation reversion credit and $0.03 for the federal tax audit reserve credit.

(9) Includes $3.667 million of goodwill impairment related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in the third quarter of 2005.

Selected Balance Sheet Data:                December 31,  December 31,
(in Thousands of Dollars)                        2006         2005
                                            ------------- ------------

Cash and cash equivalents                    $   92,344    $   57,627
Prepaid expenses and other assets                82,218        38,524
Rental merchandise, net
    On rent                                     810,399       588,978
    Held for rent                               239,466       161,702
Total Assets                                  2,756,461     1,948,664

Senior debt                                     993,278       424,050
Subordinated notes payable                      300,000       300,000
Total Liabilities                             1,829,346     1,125,232
Stockholders' Equity                            927,115       823,432
                 Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In Thousands of Dollars, except per share data)   Three Months Ended
                                                       December 31,
                                                   -------------------
                                                     2006      2005
                                                   --------- ---------
                                                        Unaudited

Store Revenue
   Rentals and Fees                                $594,520  $523,063
   Merchandise Sales                                 37,020    37,812
   Installment Sales                                  8,500     6,565
   Other                                              5,344     2,890
                                                   --------- ---------

                                                    645,384   570,330

Franchise Revenue
   Franchise Merchandise Sales                        9,625    11,762
   Royalty Income and Fees                            1,117     1,121
                                                   --------- ---------

      Total Revenue                                 656,126   583,213

Operating Expenses
   Direct Store Expenses
      Cost of Rentals and Fees                      131,944   113,873
      Cost of Merchandise Sold                       30,473    29,018
      Cost of Installment Sales                       3,669     2,720
      Salaries and Other Expenses                   373,174   341,391
   Franchise Cost of Merchandise Sold                 9,203    11,326
                                                   --------- ---------

                                                    548,463   498,328


   General and Administrative Expenses               27,539    21,609
   Amortization of Intangibles                        2,728     1,327
   Restructuring Charge                                  --     2,138
   Litigation Expense                                58,000        --
                                                   --------- ---------

      Total Operating Expenses                      636,730   523,402
                                                   --------- ---------

      Operating Profit                               19,396    59,811

Finance Charges from Refinancing                      2,638        --
Interest Income                                      (1,362)   (1,408)
Interest Expense                                     18,913    12,739
                                                   --------- ---------

      Earnings before Income Taxes                     (793)   48,480

Income Tax Expense                                    1,527    13,430
                                                   --------- ---------

      NET EARNINGS                                   (2,320)   35,050

BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES                        70,095    69,942
                                                   ========= =========

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE                    $  (0.03) $   0.50
                                                   ========= =========

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES                      71,191    70,647
                                                   ========= =========

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE                  $  (0.03) $   0.50
                                                   ========= =========
                 Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In Thousands of Dollars, except per share      Twelve Months Ended
 data)                                               December 31,
                                               -----------------------
                                                  2006        2005
                                               ----------- -----------
                                                      Unaudited

Store Revenue
   Rentals and Fees                            $2,174,239  $2,084,757
   Merchandise Sales                              175,954     177,292
   Installment Sales                               26,877      26,139
   Other                                           15,607       7,903
                                               ----------- -----------

                                                2,392,677   2,296,091

Franchise Revenue
   Franchise Merchandise Sales                     36,377      37,794
   Royalty Income and Fees                          4,854       5,222
                                               ----------- -----------

      Total Revenue                             2,433,908   2,339,107

Operating Expenses
   Direct Store Expenses
      Cost of Rentals and Fees                    476,462     452,583
      Cost of Merchandise Sold                    131,428     129,624
      Cost of Installment Sales                    11,346      10,889
      Salaries and Other Expenses               1,385,437   1,358,760
   Cost of Franchise Merchandise Sold              34,862      36,319
                                               ----------- -----------

                                                2,039,535   1,988,175


   General and Administrative Expenses             93,556      82,290
   Amortization of Intangibles                      5,573      11,705
   Restructuring charge                                --      15,166
   Litigation Expense / (Reversion)                73,300      (8,000)
                                               ----------- -----------

      Total Operating Expenses                  2,211,964   2,089,336
                                               ----------- -----------

      Operating Profit                            221,944     249,771

Finance Charges from Refinancing                    4,803          --
Interest Income                                    (5,556)     (5,492)
Interest Expense                                   58,559      46,195
                                               ----------- -----------

      Earnings before Income Taxes                164,138     209,068

Income Tax Expense                                 61,046      73,330
                                               ----------- -----------

      NET EARNINGS                                103,092     135,738


BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES                      69,676      73,018
                                               =========== ===========

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE                $     1.48  $     1.86
                                               =========== ===========

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES                    70,733      74,108
                                               =========== ===========

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE              $     1.46  $     1.83
                                               =========== ===========

CONTACT: Rent-A-Center, Inc.
David E. Carpenter, 972-801-1214
Vice President of Investor Relations
dcarpenter@racenter.com

SOURCE: Rent-A-Center, Inc.