Strategic Investments

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Strategic Investments

NOTE 5: STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS

Cash Converters International Limited

As of March 31, 2024, we owned 273,939,157 shares, or approximately 43.7%, of Cash Converters. We acquired our original investment (representing approximately 30% of the outstanding shares) in November 2009 and have increased our ownership through the acquisition of additional shares periodically since that time.

We received cash dividends from Cash Converters of $1.7 million and $1.8 million during the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The following tables present summary financial information for Cash Converters’ most recently reported results at December 31, 2023 after translation to U.S. dollars:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2023		2022
Current assets	$	186,572	$	189,179
Non-current assets	137,271		98,301
Total assets	$	323,843	$	287,480
Current liabilities	$	101,097	$	91,601
Non-current liabilities	79,926		56,792
Shareholders’ equity	142,820		139,087
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	323,843	$	287,480

	Half-Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2023		2022
Gross revenues	$	124,874	$	98,768
Gross profit	$	73,675	$	63,800
Net profit (loss)	$	6,499	$	(73,197)

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded our share of income of $1.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively, from Cash Converters. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2023 we recorded a loss of $32.5 million and $30.9 million, respectively, from Cash Converters, which included $32.4 million as our share of their non-cash goodwill impairment charge during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that was recorded to “Equity in net (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

See Note 6: Fair Value Measurements for the fair value and carrying value of our investment in Cash Converters.

Founders One, LLC

In October 2021, we invested $15.0 million in exchange for a non-redeemable voting participating preferred equity interest in Founders One, LLC (“Founders”), a then newly-formed entity with one other member.

On December 2, 2022, we contributed an additional $15.0 million to Founders associated with our preferred interest. In addition, we loaned $15.0 million to Founders in exchange for a Demand Promissory Note secured by the common interest in Founders held by the other member.

In October 2023, we contributed an additional $15.0 million to Founders associated with our preferred interest, bringing our total preferred equity investment in Founders to $45.0 million.

We have an interest in Founders, a variable interest entity, but because the Company is not the primary beneficiary, we do not consolidate Founders. Further, as we are not the appointed manager, we do not have the ability to direct the activities of the investment entity that most significantly impact its economic performance. Consequently, our preferred equity investment in Founders is accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative within ASC 321, Investments — Equity Securities. As of March 31, 2024, our $45.0 million carrying value of the preferred equity investment and $15.0 million Demand Promissory Note are included in “Other investments” and “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, our maximum exposure for losses related to our investment in Founders was our $45.0 million preferred equity investment and $15.0 million Demand Promissory Note plus accrued and unpaid interest.

See Note 6: Fair Value Measurements for the fair value and carrying value of our loan to Founders