Blackhawk Announces Third Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Adjusted Operating Revenues Rise 34%; Adjusted Net Income Increases 134%


PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:HAWK) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 7, 2013.

GAAP financial results for the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012

  • Operating revenues totaled $206.0 million, an increase of 25% from $164.7 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2012. This increase was due primarily to an 18% increase in load value, a 58% increase in program, interchange, marketing and other fees due to higher marketing revenues, and a 53% increase in product sales.
  • Net income totaled $2.4 million compared to $3.1 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2012, due primarily to the inclusion in 2012 results of a $2.6 million after-tax reduction of the Cardpool contingent consideration liability as compared to a $0.2 million after-tax reduction in the third quarter of 2013.
  • Earnings per diluted share was $0.04 compared to $0.06 for the quarter ended September 8, 2012 due primarily to the lower net income described above and a 4% increase in diluted shares outstanding.

Non-GAAP financial results for the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012 (see Table 2 for Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures)

  • Adjusted operating revenues totaled $100.6 million, an increase of 34% from $75.2 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2012.
  • Adjusted EBITDA totaled $11.5 million, an increase of 59% from $7.2 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2012.
  • Adjusted net income totaled $4.0 million, an increase of 134% from $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2012.
  • Adjusted EPS was $0.08, an increase of 167% from $0.03 for the quarter ended September 8, 2012.

"Load value growth rebounded to 18% in the third quarter," said Bill Tauscher, CEO. "Strong revenue growth in both our closed and open gift businesses contributed to a 34% increase in adjusted operating revenues. We remain focused on expanding displays of our gift cards and improving per store productivity in preparation for the important holiday season."

Distribution partner commissions as a percentage of commissions and fees for the quarter ended September 7, 2013 was 66.6% which is consistent with recent quarterly trends.

Mr. Tauscher added, "We also saw some operating leverage in certain expenses related to our core prepaid card businesses, for which we will provide further detail during our earnings call."

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2013 financial results this morning at 7:00 a.m. PDT / 10:00 a.m. EDT. Hosting the call will be Bill Tauscher, Chief Executive Officer, Talbott Roche, President, and Jerry Ulrich, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer. The conference call can be accessed via the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.blackhawknetwork.com/. Following the call, an archived audio webcast will be available on the Company's investor relations website, or the call replay can be accessed by dialing (888) 286-8010 and entering the participant passcode 47782528. The replay will be available until Thursday, October 17, 2013.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk is a leading prepaid payment network utilizing proprietary technology to offer a broad range of gift cards, other prepaid products and payment services in the United States and 18 other countries. Blackhawk is a majority-owned subsidiary of Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY). More information is available at www.blackhawknetwork.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Blackhawk regards the non-GAAP financial measures provided in this press release as useful measures of operational and financial performance of its business. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to Blackhawk's financial results as determined in accordance with GAAP are included at the end of this press release following the accompanying financial data. The use of non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations as they do not reflect all items of income, expense, or cash flows that affect Blackhawk's financial performance under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore comparability may be limited. Blackhawk encourages investors and others to review Blackhawk's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements relate to, among other things, continued growth in our operating revenues and earnings. Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "guidance," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "continuing," "ongoing," and similar words or phrases and the negative of such words and phrases. Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties which are, in many instances, beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in or contemplated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the following: our ability to grow at historic rates or at all, the consequences should we lose one or more of our top distribution partners or fail to attract new distribution partners to our network or if the financial performance of our distribution partners' businesses decline, our reliance on our content providers, the demand for their products and our exclusivity arrangements with them, our reliance on relationships with card issuing banks, the consequences to our future growth if our distribution partners fail to actively and effectively promote our products and services, the requirement that we comply with applicable laws and regulations, the requirement that we comply with increasingly stringent money-laundering rules and regulations, reputational harm that could be caused by abuse of our prepaid products, failure to comply with, or further expansion of, consumer protection regulations, failure by us to comply with federal banking regulation, costs of compliance with or changes in state unclaimed property laws and regulations and tax codes, failure to maintain our existing money transmitter licenses or permits or failure to obtain new licenses or permits in a timely manner, other changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject or to which we become subject in the future, the intense competitive pressure faced by our business, fluctuations in our financial results from quarter to quarter, seasonal fluctuations in our business, any decline in the attractiveness of gift cards to consumers, our ability to increase our revenues from prepaid products or services, including GPR cards, declines in consumer confidence, any interruption in the efficient operation of our transaction processing systems, any data security breach, litigation, investigations or regulatory examinations, fraudulent or other illegal activity involving our products and services, changes in card association rules or standards, any inability to operate and scale our technology, our failure to keep pace with the rapid technological developments in our industry and the greater electronic payments industry, changes in the telecom industry, assertions by third parties of infringement by us, our distribution partners or our content providers, our inability to adequately protect our brands and other intellectual property rights, settlement risk from retailers that sell our products and services, disruption caused by replacing any third party vendor, future acquisitions or investments, our ability to attract and retain key personnel, risks related to our international operations, and risks related to our ongoing relationship with Safeway. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date hereof and disclaim any obligation to do so. Please refer to our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the registration statement filed in connection with our initial public offering.

BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
         
  Twelve Weeks Ended Thirty Six Weeks Ended
  September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012 September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012
OPERATING REVENUES:        
Commissions and fees  $ 158,270  $ 133,993  $ 479,564  $ 411,356
Program, interchange, marketing and other fees  25,352  16,039  78,617  53,862
Product sales  22,374  14,619  58,727  40,954
Total operating revenues  205,996  164,651  616,908  506,172
         
OPERATING EXPENSES:        
Distribution partner commissions   105,361  89,458  319,496  268,040
Processing and services  34,927  29,594  101,321  85,406
Sales and marketing  30,502  22,891  98,791  72,260
Costs of products sold  21,493  14,349  55,993  40,180
General and administrative  9,979  4,123  31,894  22,672
Total operating expenses  202,262  160,415  607,495  488,558
         
OPERATING INCOME  3,734  4,236  9,413  17,614
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
Interest income and other income, net  59  262  432  972
Interest expense  --   (1)  --   (11)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE  3,793  4,497  9,845  18,575
         
INCOME TAX EXPENSE  1,544  1,494  3,972  6,876
NET INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST  2,249  3,003  5,873  11,699
Add: Loss attributable to non-controlling interest (net of tax)  106  88  319  121
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.  $ 2,355  $ 3,091  $ 6,192  $ 11,820
         
EARNINGS PER SHARE:        
Basic  $ 0.05  $ 0.06  $ 0.12  $ 0.23
Diluted  $ 0.04  $ 0.06  $ 0.12  $ 0.23
         
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic  51,615  50,058  50,811  50,055
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted  53,074  50,820  51,982  50,792
     
 
BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
   September 7, 2013   December 29, 2012 
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 103,453  $ 172,665
Overnight cash advances to Parent  9,000  495,000
Settlement receivables, net  167,945  510,853
Accounts receivable, net  91,634  101,001
Deferred income taxes  10,499  10,499
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  57,674  53,968
Total current assets  440,205  1,343,986
     
Property, equipment and technology, net  71,384  66,998
Intangible assets, net  22,198  1,699
Goodwill  42,729  42,729
Restricted cash  --   8,968
Deferred income taxes  983  1,937
Other assets  70,473  67,394
TOTAL ASSETS  $ 647,972  $ 1,533,711
     
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Settlement payables  $ 351,938  $ 1,231,429
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   108,575  154,542
Total current liabilities  460,513  1,385,971
     
Warrant and common stock liabilities  --   26,675
Deferred income taxes  9,959  266
Other liabilities  15,986  23,152
Total liabilities  486,458  1,436,064
     
Commitments and contingencies    
     
Redeemable equity  --   34,997
     
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock  --   -- 
Class A common stock  11  -- 
Class B common stock  41  51
Additional paid-in capital  95,225  31,542
Treasury stock  (50)  -- 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (2,930)  298
Retained earnings  69,073  30,669
Total Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. equity  161,370  62,560
 Non-controlling interest  144  90
Total stockholders' equity  161,514  62,650
TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $ 647,972  $ 1,533,711
 
BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
  Thirty Six Weeks Ended
  September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interest  $ 5,873  $ 11,699
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:    
 Depreciation and amortization  16,963  12,882
 Program development cost amortization  13,259  11,150
 Change in allowance for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments  333  (415)
 Employee stock-based compensation expense  5,279  3,467
 Distribution partner mark-to-market expense  6,961  1,928
 Change in fair value of contingent consideration  (1,255)  (3,636)
 Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards  (588)  -- 
 Other  80  262
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
 Settlement receivables  339,710  113,670
 Settlement payables  (877,287)  (669,008)
 Accounts receivable, current and long term  16,421  12,648
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (4,624)  (5,566)
 Other assets  (19,894)  (10,559)
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (22,029)  (31,871)
 Other liabilities  165  739
 Income taxes, net  (16,956)  (18,611)
 Net cash used in operating activities  (537,589)  (571,221)
     
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
 Change in overnight cash advances to Parent  486,000  470,750
 Expenditures for property, equipment and technology and intangible assets  (21,349)  (15,097)
 Change in restricted cash  8,968  -- 
 Other  (250)  (160)
 Net cash provided by investing activities  473,369  455,493
     
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
 Dividends paid  (135)  -- 
 Payments for acquisition liability  (2,281)  -- 
 Payments for initial public offering costs  (4,694)  -- 
 Reimbursement for initial public offering costs  5,540  -- 
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options  359  100
 Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards  588  -- 
 Payments for surrendered stock-based awards for taxes  (890)  (374)
 Repurchase of redeemable common stock  (171)  (937)
 Contribution from non-controlling interest  324  199
 Net cash used in financing activities  (1,360)  (1,012)
     
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (3,632)  1,405
     
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (69,212)  (115,335)
     
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Beginning of year  172,665  153,674
     
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - End of period  $ 103,453  $ 38,339
 
BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(In thousands except percentages and average transaction value)
(Unaudited)
         
TABLE 1: OTHER OPERATIONAL DATA        
  Twelve Weeks Ended Thirty Six Weeks Ended
  September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012 September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012
         
Load value  $ 1,727,753  $ 1,462,201  $ 5,256,978  $ 4,505,128
Commissions and fees as a % of load value 9.2% 9.2% 9.1% 9.1%
Distribution partner commissions paid as a % of commissions and fees 66.6% 66.8% 66.6% 65.2%
Number of load transactions  40,929  35,792  124,375  111,969
Average load transaction value  $ 42.21  $ 40.85  $ 42.27  $ 40.24
         
         
TABLE 2: RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES        
  Twelve Weeks Ended Thirty Six Weeks Ended
  September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012 September 7, 2013 September 8, 2012
Adjusted operating revenues:        
Total operating revenues  $ 205,996  $ 164,651  $ 616,908  $ 506,172
Distribution partner commissions  (105,361)  (89,458)  (319,496)  (268,040)
Adjusted operating revenues  $ 100,635  $ 75,193  $ 297,412  $ 238,132
         
Adjusted EBITDA:        
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interest  $ 2,249  $ 3,003  $ 5,873  $ 11,699
Interest income and other income, net  (59)  (262)  (432)  (972)
Interest expense  --   1  --   11
Income tax expense  1,544  1,494  3,972  6,876
Depreciation and amortization  6,312  4,813  16,963  12,882
EBITDA  10,046  9,049  26,376  30,496
Adjustments to EBITDA:        
Employee stock-based compensation  1,817  1,280  5,279  3,467
Distribution partner mark-to-market expense  (34)  636  6,961  1,928
Change in fair value of contingent consideration  (352)  (3,737)  (1,255)  (3,636)
Adjusted EBITDA  $ 11,477  $ 7,228  $ 37,361  $ 32,255
         
Adjusted EBITDA margin:        
Total operating revenues  $ 205,996  $ 164,651  $ 616,908  $ 506,172
Operating income  $ 3,734  $ 4,236  $ 9,413  $ 17,614
Operating margin 1.8% 2.6% 1.5% 3.5%
Adjusted operating revenues  $ 100,635  $ 75,193  $ 297,412  $ 238,132
Adjusted EBITDA  $ 11,477  $ 7,228  $ 37,361  $ 32,255
Adjusted EBITDA margin 11.4% 9.6% 12.6% 13.5%
         
Adjusted net income:        
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interest  $ 2,249  $ 3,003  $ 5,873  $ 11,699
Employee stock-based compensation  1,817  1,280  5,279  3,467
Distribution partner mark-to-market expense  (34)  636  6,961  1,928
Change in fair value of contingent consideration  (352)  (3,737)  (1,255)  (3,636)
Amortization of intangibles  1,206  181  2,284  544
Total pre-tax adjustments  2,637  (1,640)  13,269  2,303
Tax expense on adjustments  (987)  258  (4,758)  (1,064)
Adjusted net income before allocation to non-controlling interest  3,899  1,621  14,384  12,938
Non-controlling interest (net of tax)  $ 106  $ 88  $ 319  $ 121
Adjusted net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.  $ 4,005  $ 1,709  $ 14,703  $ 13,059
         
Adjusted EPS:        
Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.  $ 2,355  $ 3,091  $ 6,192  $ 11,820
Income allocated to participating securities  (14)  (75)  (174)  (294)
Net income attributable to common shareholders  $ 2,341  $ 3,016  $ 6,018  $ 11,526
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding  53,074  50,820  51,982  50,792
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.04  $ 0.06  $ 0.12  $ 0.23
         
Adjusted net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.  $ 4,005  $ 1,709  $ 14,703  $ 13,059
Adjusted income allocated to participating securities  (24)  (41)  (312)  (321)
Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders  $ 3,981  $ 1,668  $ 14,391  $ 12,738
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding  53,074  50,820  51,982  50,792
Adjusted diluted earnings per share   $ 0.08  $ 0.03  $ 0.28  $ 0.25
 
TABLE 3: RECONCILIATION OF GAAP CASH FLOW TO FREE CASH FLOW
A significant portion of gift card sales occurs in late December of each year as a result of the holiday selling season. The timing of December holiday sales, cash inflows from our distribution partners and cash outflows to our content providers results in significant but temporary increases in our Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, Overnight cash advances to Parent, Settlement receivables and Settlement payables balances at the end of each fiscal year relative to normal daily balances. As a result, the year over year comparison of cash generated by operating activities and total changes in cash can vary significantly. In light of this effect on interim periods, set forth below is a calculation of "free cash flow" which we calculate as the net cash flow from operating activities adjusted to exclude the impact from changes in Settlement payables and Settlement receivables, less expenditures for property, equipment and technology. Cash from the sale of prepaid products is held for a short period of time and then remitted, less our commissions, to our content providers, and is significantly impacted by the portion of gift card sales that occur in late December. Because this cash flow is temporary and highly seasonal, it is not available for other uses, and it is therefore excluded from our calculation of free cash flow. Free cash flow provides information regarding the cash that our business generates in interim periods without the fluctuations resulting from the timing of cash inflows and outflows from gift card sales in late December, which we believe is useful to understanding our business.
   
  Thirty Six Weeks Ended
Net cash flow used in operating activities, as reported September 7, 2013  September 8, 2012
Decrease in settlement payables, net of settlement receivables  $ (537,589)  $ (571,221)
Net cash used in operating activities, as adjusted  537,577  555,338
Expenditures for property, equipment and technology and intangible assets  (12)  (15,883)
Free cash flow  (21,349)  (15,097)
   $ (21,361)  $ (30,980)


            

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