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Blackhawk Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

February 15, 2017 4:00 PM

PLEASANTON, Calif., Feb. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAWK) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

GAAP ResultsQ4'16Q4'15 FY'16FY'15
$ in millions except per share amounts
Operating Revenues$780.6$756.4 $1,899.8$1,801.1
Net Income$24.7$41.6 $4.7$45.6
Diluted Earnings per Share$0.43$0.73 $0.08$0.81
Non-GAAP ResultsQ4'16Q4'15 FY'16FY'15
$ in millions except per share amounts
Adjusted Operating Revenues$352.0$335.3 $889.3$829.2
Adjusted EBITDA$107.3$107.6 $189.2$193.9
Adjusted Net Income$57.1$58.6 $82.0$89.7
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share$1.00$1.03 $1.43$1.59

“While the transition to EMV by certain distribution partners caused year-over-year declines in our U.S. retail segment in 2016, we made good progress towards further diversifying our earnings base, delivering strong top line growth and margin expansion in the international and incentives segments," commented CEO and president Talbott Roche. "Total company operating revenues for the fourth quarter grew 3% despite the continued EMV headwind at some of our larger distribution partners. We continue to believe the negative EMV impact(1) on U.S. retail is largely a 2016 event and we remain focused on rebuilding customer awareness and increasing gift card purchase frequency as we move into 2017. In the final four weeks of fiscal 2016, U.S. retail open loop gift transaction dollar volume recovered to 88% of 2015 levels for the same four week period."

During the fourth quarter, two of the Company's largest, non-EMV compliant distribution partners achieved EMV compliance a month behind schedule in most of their stores. Once compliant, these distribution partners removed sales restrictions and again began to sell a full selection of open loop gift products. While these two distribution partners experienced improving sales throughout the fourth quarter, volumes for the full quarter were below the Company's earlier forecast. This was the primary factor causing fourth quarter revenues, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income to fall short of the Company's expectations. For the fourth quarter of 2016, the estimated impact related to EMV was $19 million on adjusted operating revenues and $18 million on adjusted EBITDA.

“GAAP operating income was lower compared to the comparable 2015 periods due to the EMV impact, but also the result of a significant increase in amortization expenses related to acquisitions completed during 2015 and 2016,” said CFO Jerry Ulrich. “But our diversification through acquisitions into the incentives and rewards markets and continued international expansion helped offset the EMV impact on U.S. retail segment adjusted EBITDA in 2016. We also made permanent staff reductions and reduced certain management incentives in the fourth quarter to partially offset the EMV impact.”

Free cash flow totaled $109 million in fiscal 2016. A reconciliation table of GAAP cash flow to free cash flow is provided in Table 3 of this press release.

GAAP financial results for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015

Non-GAAP financial results for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 (see Table 2 for Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures)

(1) Reference to “EMV impact” refers to our estimates of the impact on our revenues and earnings of measures taken by some U.S. retail distribution partners related to their delay in implementing the new secure payment card requirements from Europay, Mastercard and Visa (“EMV” mandate). The failure to implement EMV in their point-of-sale systems by October 2015 transferred the liability for fraudulent credit card payments from card issuers to the retailers. In order to limit chargebacks related to fraudulent credit cards used to purchase certain prepaid products in their stores, some of our distribution partners began taking measures in late January 2016 to limit or control the sale of high value prepaid cards and, in particular, open loop products. While the type of restrictive measures varied by distribution partner, the following types of restrictions were in place during 2016: establishment of limits on using credit cards to purchase gift cards, a move to cash or debit only for purchases of certain gift cards and removal of high denomination open loop products from store shelves. We believe that some of the restrictions remained in a very limited number of our distribution partners by the end of 2016 as most partners had implemented EMV compliant point of sale systems by then.

2017 Guidance

Guidance for fiscal 2017 provided in the table below reflects current assumptions and estimates regarding each of the Company’s various operating businesses and shared services resources. The full year 2017 guidance includes some carryover negative impact estimated at $14 million on adjusted operating revenues and $12 million on adjusted EBITDA related to recovery from EMV resulting from restrictive measures taken by certain of our distribution partners during 2016, as described above.

Further details regarding the Company’s 2017 guidance including a breakdown of guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2017 will be provided on the earnings call.

Annual GAAP Guidance

$ in millions except per share amounts2017 Guidance 2016 Actual% Change
Operating Revenues $2,148 to $2,312 $1,900 13% to 22%
Net Income $22 to $26 $5 337% to 416%
Diluted EPS $0.35 to $0.44 $0.08 333% to 444%

Annual Non-GAAP Guidance

$ in millions except per share amounts 2017 Guidance 2016 Actual% Change
Adjusted Operating Revenues $1,028 to $1,141 $889 16% to 28%
Adjusted EBITDA $225 to $250 $189 19% to 32%
Adjusted Net Income $91 to $100 $82 11% to 22%
Adjusted Diluted EPS $1.56 to $1.70 $1.43 9% to 19%
Reduction in income taxes payable $58 $58 -
Reduction in income taxes payable per share (diluted) $0.98 $1.02 (3)%

The guidance above includes 2017 estimated financial results for closed acquisitions, but does exclude approximately $56 million of adjusted operating revenues and $4 million of adjusted EBITDA related to the meetings and events unit of Grass Roots which the Company intends to divest in 2017. Excluding the anticipated disposition of the meetings and events unit of Grass Roots, 2017 guidance does not account for the impact of any future acquisitions, dispositions, partnerships or similar transactions, any changes to the Company’s existing capital structure or business model or any adverse outcome to any litigation or government investigation, and any such developments could have an impact on the Company’s guidance. Also see “Forward Looking Statements” below.

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to provide additional details on its fourth quarter 2016 financial results and discuss 2017 financial guidance on Wednesday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. PST / 5:00 p.m. EST. A copy of the webcast presentation slides will be posted to the presentations tab of the Company's investor relations website at approximately 1 p.m. PST on February 15, 2017. Hosting the call will be Talbott Roche, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Ulrich, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Bill Tauscher, Executive Chairman. Participants may access the live webcast by visiting the Company’s investor relations website located at ir.blackhawknetwork.com.

Analyst Day

The Company will host its Analyst Day on Thursday, February 16, 2017 beginning at 8:00 a.m. PST / 11:00 a.m. EST. During this half day event, Talbott Roche, Jerry Ulrich, Bill Tauscher and several other members of Blackhawk’s senior leadership team will discuss details about the Company’s market opportunities, business segment strategies, technology platforms and products, growth targets and capital investment plans. A live video webcast of the analyst day can be accessed by visiting the Company’s investor relations website located at ir.blackhawknetwork.com.

Replays of both the earnings and analyst day webcasts will be available on the Company’s investor relations website until Friday, March 24, 2017.

About Blackhawk NetworkBlackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. is a leading prepaid and payments global company that supports the program management and distribution of gift cards, prepaid telecom products and financial service products in a number of different retail, digital and incentive channels. Blackhawk’s digital platform supports prepaid across a network of digital distribution partners including retailers, financial service providers, and mobile wallets. For more information, please visit www.blackhawknetwork.com or product websites Cardpool, Gift Card Lab, Gift Card Mall, GiftCards.com and OmniCard.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Blackhawk regards the non-GAAP financial measures provided in this press release as useful measures of the operational and financial performance of its business. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share measures are prepared and presented to eliminate the effect of items from EBITDA, Net income and Diluted earnings per share that the Company does not consider indicative of its core operating performance within the period presented. Adjusted operating revenues are prepared and presented to offset the distribution commissions paid and other compensation to distribution partners and business clients. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Adjusted operating revenues. Adjusted operating revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other organizations because other organizations may not calculate these measures in the same manner as Blackhawk. Investors are encouraged to evaluate our adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate.

The Company believes Adjusted operating revenues, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted net income, Adjusted diluted earnings per share, Reduction in income taxes payable and Adjusted free cash flow are useful to evaluate the Company's operating performance for the following reasons:

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 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. Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases such as “guidance,” “believes,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “outlook,” “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 generate adequate taxable income to enable us to fully utilize the tax benefits referred to in this release; changes in applicable tax law that preclude us from fully utilizing the tax benefits referred to in this release; our ability to grow adjusted operating revenues and adjusted net income as anticipated; 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 timing and manner that our distribution partners restore the full offering of our products after they achieve EMV compliance; changes in consumer behavior away from our distribution partners or our products resulting from limits or controls implemented by our distribution partners during their transition to EMV compliance; the consequences if consumers do not return to purchase our products at distribution partner stores; the requirement that we comply with applicable laws and regulations, including increasingly stringent money-laundering rules and regulations; and other risks and uncertainties described in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risks and uncertainties set forth in Item 1A under the heading Risk Factors in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2016 which was filed on March 2, 2016, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 10, 2016 which was filed on October 19, 2016 and in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 which is expected to be filed prior to or on March 1, 2017, and other subsequent periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 other than as may be required by law.

BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)
16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016 December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
OPERATING REVENUES:
Commissions and fees$565,062 $550,462 $1,315,755 $1,259,801
Program and other fees128,599 96,719 336,317 268,661
Marketing42,200 45,759 94,298 104,871
Product sales44,689 63,494 153,408 167,745
Total operating revenues780,550 756,434 1,899,778 1,801,078
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Partner distribution expense391,393 379,850 933,142 874,043
Processing and services128,634 103,901 355,268 304,232
Sales and marketing108,623 103,985 274,799 260,638
Costs of products sold40,104 57,032 143,267 154,625
General and administrative31,601 32,045 99,428 92,172
Transition and acquisition7,305 1,548 11,465 7,639
Amortization of acquisition intangibles21,527 9,198 57,060 27,550
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 2,100 (7,567)
Total operating expenses729,187 687,559 1,876,529 1,713,332
OPERATING INCOME51,363 68,875 23,249 87,746
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income and other income (expense), net(3,707) (32) (449) (1,970)
Interest expense(7,996) (4,605) (21,864) (13,171)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)39,660 64,238 936 72,605
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)14,782 22,361 (4,102) 26,796
NET INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS24,878 41,877 5,038 45,809
Income attributable to non-controlling interests, net of tax(228) (263) (380) (200)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.$24,650 $41,614 $4,658 $45,609
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic$0.44 $0.75 $0.08 $0.84
Diluted$0.43 $0.73 $0.08 $0.81
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic55,474 55,087 55,734 54,294
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted56,966 56,900 57,260 56,313

BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands)(Unaudited)
Year-end 2016 Year-end 2015
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$1,008,125 $914,576
Restricted cash10,793 3,189
Settlement receivables, net641,691 626,077
Accounts receivable, net262,672 241,729
Other current assets131,375 103,319
Total current assets2,054,656 1,888,890
Property, equipment and technology, net172,381 159,357
Intangible assets, net350,185 240,898
Goodwill570,398 402,489
Deferred income taxes362,302 339,558
Other assets85,856 81,764
TOTAL ASSETS$3,595,778 $3,112,956
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Settlement payables$1,626,827 $1,605,021
Consumer and customer deposits173,344 84,761
Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses153,885 119,087
Deferred revenue150,582 113,458
Note payable, current portion9,856 37,296
Notes payable to Safeway3,163 4,129
Other current liabilities51,176 57,342
Total current liabilities2,168,833 2,021,094
Deferred income taxes27,887 18,652
Note payable137,984 324,412
Convertible notes payable429,026
Other liabilities39,653 14,700
Total liabilities2,803,383 2,378,858
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock56 56
Additional paid-in capital608,568 561,939
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(48,877) (40,195)
Retained earnings228,451 207,973
Total Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. equity788,198 729,773
Non-controlling interests4,197 4,325
Total stockholders’ equity792,395 734,098
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY$3,595,778 $3,112,956

BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)(Unaudited)
52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interests$5,038 $45,809
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and technology48,379 40,983
Amortization of intangibles62,045 32,366
Amortization of deferred program and contract costs29,015 28,991
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount6,506 1,187
Employee stock-based compensation expense32,592 30,130
Change in fair value of contingent consideration2,100 (7,567)
Loss on property, equipment and technology disposal / write-down9,838 1,761
Deferred income taxes(8,899) 29,810
Other5,093 4,800
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Settlement receivables6,076 (111,678)
Settlement payables19,907 231,662
Accounts receivable, current and long-term(13,012) (57,171)
Other current assets(13,891) (17,210)
Other assets(24,690) (20,434)
Consumer and customer deposits13,772 (54,402)
Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses(14,835) (2,988)
Deferred revenue33,362 14,363
Other current and long-term liabilities(21,707) 16,877
Income taxes, net8,542 (2,609)
Net cash provided by operating activities185,231 204,680
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures for property, equipment and technology(52,332) (52,738)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired(220,605) (115,481)
Investments in unconsolidated entities(10,541) (5,877)
Change in restricted cash(7,691) 1,811
Other1,408 (98)
Net cash used in investing activities(289,761) (172,383)
52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisition liability (1,811)
Proceeds from issuance of note payable250,000
Repayment of note payable(463,750) (11,250)
Payments of financing costs(16,544) (2,063)
Borrowings under revolving bank line of credit2,985,490 2,473,529
Repayments on revolving bank line of credit(2,985,490) (2,473,529)
Repayments on notes payable to Safeway(890) (14,285)
Repayment of debt assumed in business acquisitions(8,964)
Proceeds from convertible debt500,000
Payments for note hedges(75,750)
Proceeds from warrants47,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plans10,302 13,817
Other stock-based compensation related(2,284) (1,729)
Repurchase of common stock(34,843)
Other(156) (1,494)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities204,121 (18,815)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(6,042) (10,521)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents93,549 2,961
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year914,576 911,615
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year$1,008,125 $914,576
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash payments during the year for:
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)$12,756 $11,691
Income taxes paid (refunds received)$(2,854) $13,880
Spin-Off income taxes paid (refunds received) funded by (remitted to) Safeway$(890) $(14,285)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Net deferred tax assets recognized for tax basis step-up with offset to Additional paid-in capital$ $363,889
Notes payable to Safeway contributed to Additional paid-in capital$ $8,229
Financing of business acquisition with contingent consideration$21,652 $
Forgiveness of notes receivable and accrued interest as part of business acquisition$5,445
Intangible assets recognized for the issuance of fully vested warrants$ $3,147
Conversion of income tax payable and deferred taxes to (from) additional paid-in capital$ $(882)

BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION(Tables 1, 2 & 3 in thousands except percentages and per share amounts)(Unaudited)
TABLE 1: OTHER OPERATIONAL DATA
16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016 December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Transaction dollar volume$6,947,031 $6,964,390 $16,717,834 $16,624,633
Prepaid and processing revenues$693,661 $647,181 $1,652,072 $1,528,462
Prepaid and processing revenues as a % of transaction dollar volume10.0% 9.3% 9.9% 9.2%
Partner distribution expense as a % of prepaid and processing revenues56.4% 58.7% 56.5% 57.2%

TABLE 2: RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016 December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Prepaid and processing revenues:
Commissions and fees$565,062 $550,462 $1,315,755 $1,259,801
Program and other fees128,599 96,719 336,317 268,661
Total prepaid and processing revenues$693,661 $647,181 $1,652,072 $1,528,462
Adjusted operating revenues:
Total operating revenues$780,550 $756,434 $1,899,778 $1,801,078
Partner distribution expense(391,393) (379,850) (933,142) (874,043)
Marketing revenues(42,200) (45,759) (94,298) (104,871)
Revenue adjustments from purchase accounting5,055 4,467 16,930 7,073
Adjusted operating revenues$352,012 $335,292 $889,268 $829,237
Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interests$24,878 $41,877 $5,038 $45,809
Interest and other (income) expense, net3,707 32 449 1,970
Interest expense7,996 4,605 21,864 13,171
Income tax expense14,782 22,361 (4,102) 26,796
Depreciation and amortization38,340 23,950 110,424 73,349
EBITDA89,703 92,825 133,673 161,095
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Employee stock-based compensation7,727 10,274 32,592 30,130
Acquisition-related employee compensation expense(155) 465 3,218
Asset impairment5,500 5,500
Revenue adjustments from purchase accounting4,510 4,467 15,624 7,073
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 2,100 (7,567)
Other (gains)/losses, net (754)
Adjusted EBITDA$107,285 $107,566 $189,200 $193,949
Adjusted EBITDA margin:
Total operating revenues$780,550 $756,434 $1,899,778 $1,801,078
Operating income$51,363 $68,875 $23,249 $87,746
Operating margin6.6% 9.1% 1.2% 4.9%
Adjusted operating revenues$352,012 $335,292 $889,268 $829,237
Adjusted EBITDA$107,285 $107,566 $189,200 $193,949
Adjusted EBITDA margin30.5% 32.1% 21.3% 23.4%
Adjusted net income:
Income before income tax expense$39,660 $64,238 $936 $72,605
Employee stock-based compensation7,727 10,274 32,592 30,130
Acquisition-related employee compensation(155) 465 3,218
Asset impairment5,500 5,500
Revenue adjustments from purchase accounting4,510 4,467 15,624 7,073
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 2,100 (7,567)
Amortization of intangibles23,057 10,732 62,045 32,366
Other (gains)/losses, net2,375 (323)
Adjusted income before income tax expense82,674 89,711 118,939 137,825
Income tax expense (benefit)14,782 22,361 (4,102) 26,796
Tax expense on adjustments10,586 8,519 40,691 21,144
Adjusted income tax expense25,368 30,880 36,589 47,940
Adjusted net income before allocation to non-controlling interests57,306 58,831 82,350 89,885
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests, net of tax(228) (263) (380) (200)
Adjusted net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.$57,078 $58,568 $81,970 $89,685

TABLE 2: RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (continued)
16 Weeks Ended 16 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016 December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Adjusted diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.$24,650 $41,614 $4,658 $45,609
Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(27) (85) (28) (147)
Net income available for common shareholders$24,623 $41,529 $4,630 $45,462
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding56,966 56,900 57,260 56,313
Diluted earnings per share$0.43 $0.73 $0.08 $0.81
Adjusted net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.$57,078 $58,568 $81,970 $89,685
Adjusted distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(51) (117) (108) (247)
Adjusted net income available for common shareholders$57,027 $58,451 $81,862 $89,438
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding56,966 56,900 57,260 56,313
Increase in common share equivalents
Adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding56,966 56,900 57,260 56,313
Adjusted diluted earnings per share$1.00 $1.03 $1.43 $1.59
Reduction in income taxes payable:
Reduction in income taxes payable resulting from amortization of spin-off tax basis step-up$9,424 $9,448 $29,191 $29,587
Reduction in income taxes payable from amortization of acquisition intangibles, utilization of acquired NOLs, deductible stock-based compensation and convertible debt5,094 7,250 29,103 25,591
Reduction in income taxes payable$14,518 $16,698 $58,294 $55,178
Adjusted diluted weighted average shares outstanding56,966 56,900 57,260 56,313
Reduction in income taxes payable per share$0.25 $0.29 $1.02 $0.98

TABLE 3: RECONCILIATION OF GAAP CASH FLOW TO ADJUSTED 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, 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.

52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
December 31, 2016 January 2, 2016
Net cash flow provided by operating activities$185,231 $204,680
Changes in settlement payables and consumer and customer deposits, net of settlement receivables(39,755) (65,582)
Benefit from settlement timing16,995 41,035
Adjust for: Safeway cash tax payment (refunded)(890) (14,285)
Adjusted net cash flow provided by operating activities161,581 165,848
Expenditures for property, equipment and technology(52,332) (52,738)
Adjusted free cash flow$109,249 $113,110
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Adjusted free cash flow:
Adjusted EBITDA$189,200 $193,949
Less: Expenditures for property, equipment and technology(52,332) (52,738)
Less: Interest paid(12,756) (11,691)
Less: Cash taxes (paid)/refunded2,854 (13,880)
Less: Revenue adjustments from purchase price accounting, net(15,624) (7,073)
Change in working capital and other(19,088) (36,492)
Cash benefit from settlement timing16,995 41,035
Adjusted free cash flow$109,249 $113,110

TABLE 4: FULL YEAR 2017 GUIDANCE - RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In millions except per share amounts)
Adjusted operating revenues:Low High
Total operating revenues$2,148 $2,312
Partner distribution expense(1,052) (1,095)
Marketing revenues(72) (80)
Revenue adjustments from purchase accounting4 4
Adjusted operating revenues$1,028 $1,141
Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interests$22 $26
Interest and other (income) expense, net32 41
Income tax expense13 17
Depreciation and amortization116 121
EBITDA183 205
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Employee stock-based compensation38 41
Other adjustments4 4
Adjusted EBITDA$225 $250
Adjusted net income:
Income before income tax expense$33 $43
Employee stock-based compensation38 41
Amortization of intangibles62 64
Other4 4
Adjusted income before income tax expense137 152
Income tax expense13 17
Tax expense on adjustments33 35
Adjusted income tax expense46 52
Adjusted net income$91 $100
Adjusted diluted earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share$0.35 $0.44
Employee stock-based compensation0.46 0.50
Amortization of intangibles0.71 0.72
Other0.04 0.04
Adjusted diluted earnings per share$1.56 $1.70

INVESTORS/ANALYSTS:
Patrick Cronin
(925) 226-9973
[email protected]

MEDIA:
Teri Llach
(925) 226-9028
[email protected]

Source: Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.

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