HSN, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2016 Results


HSNi Results for the First Quarter 2016:

  • Net sales decreased 3% and Adjusted EBITDA decreased 10%
  • Digital sales up 3% with sales penetration of 52%
  • Adjusted EPS was $0.54 compared to $0.63 per share

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HSN, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSNI) reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 for HSN, Inc. (“HSNi” or “Company”) and its two operating segments, HSN and Cornerstone.

 

Table 1
HSNi SUMMARY RESULTS AND KEY OPERATING METRICS
(In millions, except per share and average price point amounts)
 
   Q1 2016 Q1 2015  Change
        
Net Sales $816.8  $841.9   (3%)
        
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (a) $65.7  $73.2   (10%)
Operating Income $49.8  $57.0   (13%)
        
Net Income $28.6  $33.7   (15%)
        
Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) (b) $0.54  $0.63   (14%)
Diluted EPS $0.54  $0.63   (14%)
        
Average price point $59.99  $61.83   (3%)
Units shipped 15.0  15.2   (1%)
Gross profit rate 35.4% 35.7% (30 bps)
Return rate 15.8% 16.5% 70 bps
Digital sales penetration 51.5% 48.6% 290 bps
        
(a)  See reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP measures in Table 4.
(b)  There were no Non-GAAP adjustments to diluted EPS in the current or prior periods.

 

First Quarter 2016 Results vs First Quarter 2015 Results

  • HSNi’s net sales decreased 3% to $816.8 million.  HSN’s net sales decreased 4% to $578.4 million.  Cornerstone’s net sales decreased 1% to $238.4 million.  HSNi's digital sales grew 3% with penetration increasing 290 basis points to 51.5%.
     
  • HSNi’s Adjusted EBITDA decreased 10% to $65.7 million.  HSN's Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8% to $60.7 million.  Cornerstone's Adjusted EBITDA was $5.0 million, a decrease of $1.9 million.  HSNi's operating income decreased 13% to $49.8 million. 
     
  • Diluted EPS and Adjusted EPS were $0.54 compared to $0.63 in the prior year.
     
  • HSNi's board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share payable June 15, 2016 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2016.

“Our performance in the quarter reflected the impact of the volatile retail environment combined with the repositioning of our product portfolio,” stated Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN, Inc. “We continue to invest strategically in digital, data analytics and content while aggressively managing overall expenses in the business.  Restoring top-line growth remains our top priority as we make progress in reenergizing certain merchandising categories and brands that we believe will build momentum at HSNi as the year progresses.

“Digital-now representing over half our sales-remains a key area of strategic focus and we continue to pursue opportunities to optimize our distributed commerce platforms,” added Ms. Grossman.  “We are confident that as we accelerate our differentiated product pipeline, expand our content and reach and leverage new partnerships and platforms, we will be well positioned for long-term sustainable growth.”


Table 2     
SEGMENT RESULTS
($ in millions)
      
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 2016 2015 Change
Net Sales     
HSN$578.4  $600.5   (4%)
Cornerstone238.4  241.4   (1%)
Total HSNi$816.8  $841.9   (3%)
      
Gross Profit     
HSN$199.3  $207.5   (4%)
Cornerstone90.2  92.7   (3%)
Total HSNi$289.5  $300.2   (4%)
      
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP measure)     
HSN$60.7  $66.2   (8%)
Cornerstone5.0  7.0   (28%)
Total HSNi$65.7  $73.2   (10%)
      
Operating Income     
HSN$49.6  $54.9   (10%)
Cornerstone0.2  2.1   (91%)
Total HSNi$49.8  $57.0   (13%)
      
      
See reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP measures in Table 4.     



Table 3     
SEGMENT KEY OPERATING METRICS
      
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 2016 2015  Change
HSN:     
Average price point$54.18  $57.30   (5%)
Units shipped (millions)12.1  12.0   —%
Gross profit rate34.5% 34.6% (10 bps)
Return rate16.8% 17.7% 90 bps
Digital sales penetration43.8% 40.7% 310 bps
Cornerstone:     
Average price point$83.38  $78.71   6%
Units shipped (millions)2.9  3.2   (7%)
Gross profit rate37.8% 38.4% (60 bps)
Return rate13.2% 13.3% 10 bps
Digital sales penetration70.0% 68.1% 190 bps
Catalog circulation (millions)83.7  83.7   —%

 

HSN Segment Results for the First Quarter 2016

HSN’s net sales were $578.4 million, a decrease of 4% from the prior year.  Sales grew in electronics, wellness and culinary, offset by decreases in other categories.  Approximately half of the decline in net sales was attributable to the conclusion of a direct-response television marketing campaign during the current quarter.  Digital sales grew 4% with penetration increasing 310 basis points to 43.8%.  The return rate improved 90 basis points to 16.8% and average price point decreased 5% primarily due to changes in product mix.

Gross profit decreased 4% to $199.3 million.  Gross profit rate decreased 10 basis points to 34.5% primarily due to an increase in shipping promotions and changes in product mix, offset by lower procurement costs.  Operating expenses (excluding non-cash charges) decreased 2% to $138.6 million and were 24.0% as a percentage of net sales compared to 23.5% in the prior year.  The decrease in operating expenses included lower costs for direct-response television marketing.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8% to $60.7 million.  Operating income decreased 10% to $49.6 million.

Cornerstone Segment Results for the First Quarter 2016

Cornerstone's net sales decreased 1% to $238.4 million due to lower sales in the apparel brands which were impacted by a decrease in catalog circulation.  Digital sales grew 2% with penetration increasing 190 basis points to 70.0%.

Gross profit decreased 3% to $90.2 million. Gross profit rate decreased 60 basis points to 37.8% primarily due to increased sales promotions, partially offset by lower procurement costs.  Operating expenses (excluding non-cash charges) decreased 1% to $85.2 million and were 35.7% as a percentage of net sales compared to 35.5% in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.9 million to $5.0 million.  Operating income decreased $1.9 million to $0.2 million. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2016, HSNi had cash and cash equivalents of $46.8 million compared to $63.9 million at December 31, 2015 and $77.5 million at March 31, 2015.  Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased $3.9 million to $32.4 million compared to $36.3 million in the prior year.

As of March 31, 2016, total debt was $623.8 million, resulting in a ratio of total debt to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in HSNi's credit agreement, of approximately 1.8x as compared to a maximum allowable leverage ratio of 3.5x.

HSNi's board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share payable June 15, 2016 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2016.  During the first quarter of 2016, HSNi repurchased approximately 181,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $8.7 million, representing an average cost of $48.04 per share.  Since inception of its share repurchase program authorized in January 2015, HSNi has repurchased a total of 1.1 million shares at an aggregate cost of $67.2 million at an average cost of $59.54 per share.  As of March 31, 2016, there were 2.9 million shares remaining under the existing share repurchase authorization.

OTHER INFORMATION

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance and financial condition of HSNi, its operating segments and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions which may not prove to be accurate.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or historical facts and there are a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors (many of which are outside our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include but are not limited to: our ability to attract new and retain existing customers in a cost-effective manner; our exposure to intense competition and our ability to effectively compete for customers; changes in political, business and economic conditions, particularly those that affect consumer confidence, consumer spending or digital sales growth; changes in our relationships with pay television operators, vendors, manufacturers and other third parties; failure to attract and retain television viewers and secure a suitable programming tier of carriage and channel placement for the HSN television network programming; changes in shipping and handling costs, particularly if we are unable to offset them; any technological or regulatory developments that could negatively impact the way we do business, including regulations regarding state and local sales and use taxes; risks associated with possible systems failures and/or security breaches, including any breach that results in the theft, transfer or unauthorized access or disclosure of customer, employee or company information, or the failure to comply with various laws applicable to HSNi in the event of such a breach; any material change in HSNi’s business prospects and/or strategy, including whether HSNi’s initiatives and investments will be effective; our ability to offer new or innovative products and services through various platforms in a cost effective manner and consumer acceptance of these products and services; risks associated with litigation, audits, claims and assessments; risks associated with acquisitions including the ability to successfully integrate new businesses and achieve expected benefits and results; and the loss of any key member of our senior management team.  More information about potential factors that could affect HSNi’s business and financial results is included in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors that could also adversely affect HSNi’s business, financial condition and results of operations may arise from time to time.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, any forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate.  All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made or attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice.  Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of HSNi management as of the date of this press release.  Such statements speak only to the date such statements are made and HSNi does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.  Historical results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.

Conference Call

Mindy Grossman, Chief Executive Officer, and Judy Schmeling, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, to discuss these results.  Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial 877-307-0246 or 224-357-2394 at least five minutes prior to the call.  There will also be a simultaneous audio webcast available via HSNi’s website at http://www.hsni.com

A replay of the conference call can be accessed until Wednesday, May 18, 2016 by dialing 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406, plus the pass code 86090130 and will also be hosted on the company’s website for a limited time.

About HSN, Inc.

HSN, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSNI) is a $4 billion interactive multichannel retailer with strong direct-to-consumer expertise among its two operating segments, HSN and Cornerstone. HSNi offers innovative, differentiated retail experiences on TV, online, via mobile devices, in catalogs, and in brick and mortar stores. HSN, a leading interactive multichannel retailer which offers a curated assortment of exclusive products combined with top brand names, now reaches approximately 94 million homes (24 hours a day, seven days a week, live 364 days a year). HSN.com offers a differentiated digital experience by leveraging content, community and commerce. In addition to its existing media platforms, HSN is the industry leader in transactional innovation, including services such as HSN Shop by Remote®, the only service of its kind in the U.S., the HSN Shopping App for mobile handheld devices and HSN on Demand®. Cornerstone comprises leading home and apparel lifestyle brands including Ballard Designs®, Chasing Fireflies®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill®, Grandin Road®, Improvements® and TravelSmith®. Cornerstone distributes approximately 331 million catalogs annually, operates seven separate digital sales sites and operates 14 retail and outlet stores.


GAAP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HSN, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS   
(unaudited; in thousands except per share amounts)   
    
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2016 2015
    
Net sales$816,765  $841,887 
Cost of sales527,287  541,681 
Gross profit289,478  300,206 
Operating expenses:   
Selling and marketing179,161  179,206 
General and administrative49,963  52,742 
Depreciation and amortization10,525  11,249 
Total operating expenses239,649  243,197 
Operating income49,829  57,009 
Interest expense, net(4,147) (3,297)
Income before income taxes45,682  53,712 
Income tax provision(17,097) (20,023)
Net income$28,585  $33,689 
    
Net income per share   
Basic$0.55  $0.64 
Diluted$0.54  $0.63 
    
Shares used in computing earnings per share   
Basic52,378  52,573 
Diluted52,919  53,760 
    
Dividends declared per common share$0.35  $10.35 
    



HSN, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited; in thousands)
 March 31, December 31, March 31,
 2016 2015 2015
ASSETS     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$46,785  $63,926  $77,547 
Accounts receivable, net217,878  306,575  218,651 
Inventories441,977  428,025  435,902 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets55,481  45,402  57,547 
Total current assets762,121  843,928  789,647 
Property and equipment, net206,344  211,793  194,023 
Intangible assets, net255,266  255,268  261,864 
Goodwill9,858  9,858  9,858 
Other non-current assets12,718  13,724  9,306 
TOTAL ASSETS$1,246,307  $1,334,571  $1,264,698 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable, trade$209,933  $254,704  $211,553 
Current maturities of long-term debt25,000  25,000  6,250 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities204,897  235,042  221,596 
Total current liabilities439,830  514,746  439,399 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities and unamortized deferred financing costs592,302  608,108  660,557 
Deferred income taxes42,929  44,498  53,889 
Other long-term liabilities20,006  20,657  18,124 
Total liabilities1,095,067  1,188,009  1,171,969 
Total shareholders' equity151,240  146,562  92,729 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY$1,246,307  $1,334,571  $1,264,698 
      



HSN, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited; in thousands)
  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
  2016 2015
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to operations:    
Net income $28,585  $33,689 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 10,525  11,249 
Stock-based compensation expense 5,376  4,657 
Amortization of debt issuance costs 444  831 
Deferred income taxes (1,415) (1,925)
Bad debt expense 4,588  5,415 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards (23) (3,905)
Other 178  235 
Changes in current assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable 84,109  93,717 
Inventories (13,953) (37,197)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (9,248) (12,159)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (76,725) (58,258)
Net cash provided by operating activities 32,441  36,349 
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures (5,145) (13,145)
Net cash used in investing activities (5,145) (13,145)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Borrowings under term loan   500,000 
Repayments of term loan (6,250) (228,125)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility 45,000  200,000 
Repayments of revolving credit facility (55,000) (25,000)
Payments of debt issuance costs   (6,584)
Repurchase of common stock (8,671) (6,987)
Cash dividends paid (18,300) (542,748)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 586  3,816 
Tax withholdings related to stock-based awards (1,825) (3,919)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards 23  3,905 
Net cash used in financing activities (44,437) (105,642)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (17,141) (82,438)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 63,926  159,985 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $46,785  $77,547 



Table 4            
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP MEASURES
             
HSN, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP DETAILED SEGMENT RESULTS
(unaudited; in thousands)            
             
  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015
   HSN Cornerstone  Total  HSN Cornerstone  Total
Adjusted EBITDA $60,690  $5,042  $65,732  $66,190  $6,961  $73,151 
Stock-based compensation expense (4,039) (1,337) (5,376) (3,607) (1,050) (4,657)
Depreciation and amortization (7,003) (3,522) (10,525) (7,419) (3,830) (11,249)
Loss on disposition of fixed assets (3) 1  (2) (236)   (236)
Operating income $49,645  $184  $49,829  $54,928  $2,081  $57,009 
Interest expense, net     (4,147)     (3,297)
Income before income taxes     45,682      53,712 
Income tax provision     (17,097)     (20,023)
Net income     $28,585      $33,689 
             


HSN, INC.’S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

HSNi reports Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS, all of which are supplemental measures to GAAP. These measures are among the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, on which our internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. We believe that investors should have access to, and we are obligated to provide, the same set of tools that we use in analyzing our results.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. HSNi endeavors to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measures presented by providing the comparable GAAP measures with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measures. We encourage investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures contained in this release and which we discuss below.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding, if applicable: (1) non-cash charges including: (a) stock-based compensation expense, (b) amortization of intangibles, (c) depreciation and gains and losses on asset dispositions, and (d) goodwill, long-lived asset and intangible asset impairments; (2) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions; and (3) other significant items.  Significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, thereby affecting the comparability of results.  Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a measurement of operating efficiency and overall financial performance and HSNi believes it to be a helpful measure for those evaluating companies in the retail and media industries.  Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to HSNi's statement of operations of certain expenses, gains and losses that are excluded from the company’s definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income available to common shareholders excluding, net of tax effects, if applicable: (1) goodwill, long-lived asset and intangible asset impairments, (2) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions, (3) discontinued operations and (4) other significant items.  Significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, thereby affecting the comparability of results.  We believe Adjusted Net Income is useful to investors because it represents HSNi’s consolidated results taking into account charges which are not allocated to the operating businesses such as interest expense and taxes, but excluding the effects of goodwill and asset impairments, significant acquisition-related adjustments, discontinued operations and certain other significant items.

Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted Net Income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.  We believe Adjusted EPS is useful to investors because it represents, on a per share basis, HSNi’s consolidated results, taking into account charges which are not allocated to the operating businesses such as interest expense and taxes, but excluding the effects of goodwill and asset impairments, significant acquisition-related adjustments, discontinued operations and certain other significant items.  Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS have certain limitations in that they do not take into account the impact of goodwill and asset impairments, significant acquisition-related adjustments, discontinued operations and certain other significant items.  Therefore, we think it is important to evaluate these measures along with our consolidated statement of operations.


            

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