KANSAS CITY, Mo. - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), known for its tax preparation and financial services, has appointed Scott Manuel as its Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, a position that starts today. Manuel, reporting directly to President and CEO Jeff Jones, is tasked with advancing the company's strategic direction and enhancing its operations, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, productivity, client support, and real estate.
Manuel's previous experience includes his role as President and General Manager at Tribute Technology, where he was responsible for the integration and transformation of software companies in the funeral home services sector. His career also includes a tenure as Chief Product Officer and General Manager at McClatchy, where he spearheaded digital product transformation, and various leadership positions at Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI), contributing to the expansion of the company's product capabilities in emerging technologies.
In his new role, Manuel aims to leverage H&R Block's scale and expertise to provide added value and convenience to its customers and small business clients. He brings a wealth of experience in strategy, technology, and executional excellence to the table, which is expected to contribute significantly to H&R Block's ongoing transformation into a more agile and innovative organization.
Manuel's educational background includes an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University. He has also been recognized as an Eagle Scout and serves as a mentor and board member for various organizations.
H&R Block emphasizes its commitment to helping clients and communities, blending digital innovation with human expertise to provide optimal outcomes during tax season and beyond. The company offers a suite of services for individuals and small businesses, including its mobile banking app Spruce and small-business solutions through Block Advisors and Wave.
InvestingPro Insights
As H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) welcomes Scott Manuel to spearhead strategic and operational initiatives, the company's financial metrics reflect a solid foundation for growth and stability. With a market capitalization of $7.59 billion, H&R Block demonstrates robust fiscal health. The company's P/E ratio, a measure of its current share price relative to its per-share earnings, stands at an attractive 12.37, indicating a potentially undervalued stock relative to its earnings potential.
InvestingPro Tips highlight H&R Block's consistent approach to shareholder value, with the company not only maintaining dividend payments for 54 consecutive years but also raising its dividend for 8 consecutive years. This reflects a reliable income stream for investors, coupled with a dividend yield of 2.35% as of the last dividend ex-date on June 5, 2024. Additionally, the company's management has been actively engaging in share buybacks, a sign of confidence in the company's value and future prospects.
On the performance front, H&R Block has experienced a high return over the last year, with a 62.68% increase in the price total return, further reinforcing the company's strong market position. Moreover, analysts anticipate profitability for the company this year, which is corroborated by its positive EBITDA growth of 16.72% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024.
For investors seeking more in-depth analysis and additional InvestingPro Tips, H&R Block has 9 more tips available, which can be accessed through InvestingPro's platform at https://www.investing.com/pro/HRB. These tips offer valuable insights for making informed investment decisions in light of the company's strategic direction and financial performance.
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