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WW Announces First Quarter 2020 Results and Accelerates Digital Transformation

April 28, 2020 4:06 PM

NEW YORK, April 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ: WW) today announced its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and withdrew its previously provided full year fiscal 2020 guidance due to uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our business had a very strong start to the year, driven by the successful launch and marketing of our new myWW program and increased awareness from the WW Presents: Oprah’s 2020 Vision tour,” said Mindy Grossman, the Company’s President and CEO. “As we navigate this rapidly changing and uncertain environment created by COVID-19, our first priority is ensuring the health and safety of our employees and members, as well as providing them with the support, encouragement, and community integral to the WW experience. We took quick global coordinated action and pivoted to move all of our in-person group workshops, which serve about a quarter of our members, to a virtual platform, keeping the WW community connected no matter where they are. We are accelerating our digital transformation, focusing our strategy and resources to enhance the member experience and engagement by delivering a connected, digital, and deeply-human experience. Now more than ever, we have the opportunity to demonstrate WW’s trusted leadership in weight loss and wellness.”

“WW ended the first quarter with 5.0 million subscribers, reflecting a new Q1 quarter-end record and a 9% increase versus the prior year period,” said Nick Hotchkin, the Company’s CFO, Operating Officer, North America and President, Emerging Markets. “Beginning in mid-March, the crisis started to negatively impact our recruitments and resulted in Studio closures. While we have seen some recovery, given the uncertainty around 2020 revenue levels, we are withdrawing our full year 2020 financial guidance. We have strong liquidity and a highly cash generative business model. To further bolster our financial flexibility, we are implementing a $100 million cost-savings initiative. We continue to be excited about our long-term growth opportunities with our digital platform.”

Q1 2020 Consolidated Results







% Change
% Change
Adjusted for
Constant
Currency(1)
Three Months Ended
March 28, March 30,
2020 2019
(in millions except percentages and per share amounts)

Service Revenues, net$324.7 $306.7 5.8% 6.9%
Product Sales and Other, net 75.7 56.4 34.1% 35.0%
Revenues, net$400.4 $363.2 10.2% 11.3%
Operating Income$24.9 $21.9 13.6% 12.6%
Adjustments
Goodwill Impairment$3.7 --
Adjusted Operating Income(1)$28.5 $21.9 30.3% 33.8%
Net Loss*($6.1) ($10.7) 43.3% 39.4%
EPS($0.09) ($0.16) 43.7% 39.8%


Total Paid Weeks
65.4 58.7 11.4% N/A
Digital(2) Paid Weeks 46.2 39.0 18.5% N/A
Studio + Digital(3) Paid Weeks 19.2 19.7 (2.7%) N/A
End of Period Subscribers(4) 5.0 4.6 9.2% N/A
Digital Subscribers 3.6 3.1 15.9% N/A
Studio + Digital Subscribers 1.4 1.5 (5.1%) N/A
___________________________________

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.

(1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” attached to this release for further detail on adjustments to GAAP financial measures.
(2) “Digital” refers to providing subscriptions to the Company’s digital product offerings, including the Personal Coaching + Digital product.
(3) “Studio + Digital” refers to providing access to the Company’s weekly in-person workshops combined with the Company’s digital subscription product offerings to commitment plan subscribers. The “Studio + Digital” business also includes the provision of access to workshops for members who do not subscribe to commitment plans, including the Company’s “pay-as-you-go” members.
(4) “Subscribers” refers to Digital subscribers and Studio + Digital subscribers who participate in recur bill programs in Company-owned operations.
*Except in the case of the financials attached to this release, “Net Loss” refers to Net Loss attributable to WW International, Inc.

Q1 2020 Business and Financial Highlights

Other Items

Full Year Fiscal 2020 Guidance Withdrawal

Due to the disruption and uncertainty related to COVID-19, the Company is withdrawing its full year fiscal 2020 revenue and earnings guidance, which was provided on February 25, 2020.

First Quarter 2020 Conference Call and Webcast

The Company has scheduled a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET. During the conference call, Mindy Grossman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Nicholas Hotchkin, Chief Financial Officer, Operating Officer, North America & President, Emerging Markets, will discuss the first quarter of fiscal 2020 results and answer questions from the investment community.

The live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s corporate website, corporate.ww.com, in the Investors section under Presentations and Events. Supplemental investor materials will also be available in the same location prior to the start of the webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available on this site for approximately 90 days.

Statement regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following provides information regarding non-GAAP financial measures used in this earnings release and today’s scheduled conference call:

To supplement the Company's consolidated results presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the Company has disclosed non-GAAP financial measures of operating results that exclude or adjust certain items. Operating income and operating income margin are discussed both as reported (on a GAAP basis) and, with respect to the first quarter of fiscal 2020, as adjusted (on a non-GAAP basis), to exclude the impairment change for the Company’s goodwill related to its Brazil operations. The Company also presents in the attachments to this release the non-GAAP financial measures earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (“EBITDAS”), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and goodwill impairment (“Adjusted EBITDAS”), net debt, and a net debt to Adjusted EBITDAS ratio. In addition, the Company presents certain of its financial results on a constant currency basis in addition to GAAP results. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period. The Company calculates constant currency by calculating current-year results using prior-year foreign currency exchange rates.

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information for its and investors' evaluation of the Company's business performance and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of the Company's business. While management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company's business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly entitled measures reported by other companies. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" attached to this release and reconciliations, if any, included elsewhere in this release for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

About WW International, Inc.
WW – Weight Watchers reimagined – is a global wellness company powered by the world’s leading commercial weight management program. We inspire millions of people to adopt healthy habits for real life. Through our engaging tech-enabled experience and face-to-face group workshops, members follow our livable and sustainable program of healthy eating, physical activity, and a helpful mindset. Leveraging more than five decades of experience in building inspired communities and our deep expertise in behavioral science, we aim to democratize wellness and to deliver wellness for all. To learn more about the WW approach to healthy living, please visit ww.com. For more information about our global business, visit our corporate website at corporate.ww.com.

This news release and any attachments include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, in particular, revenue and earnings guidance and any statements about the Company’s plans, strategies and prospects and the impact of the COVID-19 virus. The Company generally uses the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “aim” and similar expressions in this news release and any attachments to identify forward-looking statements. The Company bases these forward-looking statements on its current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things: the impact of the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus on the Company’s business and on the business environment and markets in which the Company operates; competition from other weight management and wellness industry participants or the development of more effective or more favorably perceived weight management methods; the Company’s ability to continue to develop new, innovative services and products and enhance its existing services and products or the failure of its services, products or brands to continue to appeal to the market, or the Company’s ability to successfully expand into new channels of distribution or respond to consumer trends; the ability to successfully implement new strategic initiatives, including the Company’s strategic digital transformation; the effectiveness of the Company’s advertising and marketing programs, including the strength of its social media presence; the impact on the Company’s reputation of actions taken by its franchisees, licensees, suppliers and other partners; the impact of the Company’s substantial amount of debt, debt service obligations and debt covenants, and the Company’s exposure to variable rate indebtedness; the ability to generate sufficient cash to service the Company’s debt and satisfy its other liquidity requirements; uncertainties regarding the satisfactory operation of the Company’s technology or systems; the impact of data security breaches or privacy concerns, including the costs of compliance with evolving privacy laws and regulations; the recognition of asset impairment charges; the loss of key personnel, strategic partners or consultants or failure to effectively manage and motivate the Company’s workforce; the inability to renew certain of the Company’s licenses, or the inability to do so on terms that are favorable to the Company; the expiration or early termination by the Company of leases; risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s international operations, including regulatory, economic, political, social, intellectual property and foreign currency risks; uncertainties related to a downturn in general economic conditions or consumer confidence; the Company’s ability to successfully make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, including its ability to successfully integrate, operate or realize the anticipated benefits of such businesses; the seasonal nature of the Company’s business; the impact of events that discourage or impede people from gathering with others or accessing resources; the Company’s ability to enforce its intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, as well as the impact of its involvement in any claims related to intellectual property rights; the outcomes of litigation or regulatory actions; the impact of existing and future laws and regulations; the Company’s failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; the possibility that the interests of Artal Group S.A., the largest holder of the Company’s common stock and a shareholder with significant influence over the Company, will conflict with the Company’s interests or the interests of other holders of the Company’s common stock; the impact that the sale of substantial amounts of the Company’s common stock by existing large shareholders, or the perception that such sales could occur, could have on the market price of the Company’s common stock; and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should understand that many important factors, including those discussed herein, could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available on the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov and via the Company’s website at corporate.ww.com).


WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
UNAUDITED
March 28, December 28,
2020 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$292,273 $182,736
Other current assets 140,369 112,654
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 432,642 295,390
Property and equipment, net 63,186 54,066
Operating lease assets 149,757 151,983
Goodwill, franchise rights and other intangible assets, net 958,008 970,392
Other assets 30,079 26,483
TOTAL ASSETS$1,633,672 $1,498,314
LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT
Portion of long-term debt due within one year$244,250 $96,250
Portion of operating lease liabilities due within one year 33,843 33,236
Other current liabilities 282,190 264,584
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 560,283 394,070
Long-term debt 1,462,140 1,479,920
Long-term operating lease liabilities 125,535 128,464
Deferred income taxes, other 186,557 177,681
TOTAL LIABILITIES$2,334,515 $2,180,135
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 3,630 3,722
Shareholders' deficit (704,473) (685,543)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT$1,633,672 $1,498,314



WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended
March 28, March 30,
2020 2019
Service revenues, net (1) $324,657 $306,726
Product sales and other, net (2) 75,704 56,438
Revenues, net 400,361 363,164
Cost of services (3) 135,566 128,957
Cost of product sales and other 53,804 33,259
Cost of revenues 189,370 162,216
Gross profit 210,991 200,948
Marketing expenses 117,933 114,249
Selling, general and administrative expenses 64,526 64,802
Goodwill impairment 3,665 -
Operating income 24,867 21,897
Interest expense 31,551 35,195
Other expense, net 24 303
Loss before income taxes (6,708) (13,601)
Benefit from income taxes (651) (2,875)
Net loss (6,057) (10,726)
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest (6) 39
Net loss attributable to WW International, Inc. $(6,063) $(10,687)
Loss Per Share attributable to WW International, Inc.
Basic $(0.09) $(0.16)
Diluted $(0.09) $(0.16)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 67,436 66,964
Diluted 67,436 66,964
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(1) Consists of net “Digital Subscription Revenues” and net “Studio + Digital Fees”. “Digital Subscription Revenues” consist of the fees associated with subscriptions for the Company’s Digital offerings, including the Personal Coaching + Digital product. “Studio + Digital Fees” consist of the fees associated with the Company's subscription plans for combined workshops and digital offerings and other payment arrangements for access to workshops.
(2) Consists of sales of consumer products in workshops, via e-commerce, and through several trusted retail partners, revenues from licensing, magazine subscriptions, publishing and third-party advertising in publications and on the Company's websites and sales from the By Mail product, other revenues (including revenues from the WW Presents: Oprah’s 2020 Vision tour), and franchise fees with respect to commitment plans and royalties.
(3) Consists of cost of revenues and operating expenses for the Company's Digital and Studio + Digital services.



WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
OPERATIONAL STATISTICS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)
UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended
March 28, March 30, Variance
2020 2019
Digital Paid Weeks (1)
North America29,420 24,608 19.6%
CE 12,960 11,154 16.2%
UK 2,881 2,436 18.3%
Other (2)943 792 19.1%
Total Digital Paid Weeks46,205 38,990 18.5%
Studio + Digital Paid Weeks (1)
North America12,964 13,244 (2.1%)
CE 3,016 3,124 (3.5%)
UK 2,614 2,716 (3.7%)
Other (2)593 633 (6.4%)
Total Studio + Digital Paid Weeks19,187 19,716 (2.7%)
Total Paid Weeks (1)
North America42,384 37,852 12.0%
CE 15,976 14,279 11.9%
UK 5,496 5,151 6.7%
Other (2)1,536 1,425 7.8%
Total Paid Weeks65,392 58,706 11.4%
End of Period Digital Subscribers (3)
North America2,311 1,968 17.4%
CE 1,032 914 12.9%
UK 221 193 14.5%
Other (2)72 61 17.5%
Total End of Period Digital Subscribers3,636 3,136 15.9%
End of Period Studio + Digital Subscribers (3)
North America940 982 (4.3%)
CE 231 244 (5.3%)
UK 183 199 (7.9%)
Other (2)44 48 (8.8%)
Total End of Period Studio + Digital Subscribers1,398 1,473 (5.1%)
Total End of Period Subscribers (3)
North America3,251 2,951 10.2%
CE 1,263 1,158 9.1%
UK 404 392 3.1%
Other (2)116 110 5.9%
Total End of Period Subscribers5,034 4,609 9.2%
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(1) The “Paid Weeks” metric reports paid weeks by WW customers in Company-owned operations for a given period as follows: (i) “Digital Paid Weeks” is the total paid subscription weeks for the Company’s digital subscription products (including Personal Coaching + Digital); (ii) “Studio + Digital Paid Weeks” is the sum of total paid commitment plan weeks which include workshops and digital offerings and total “pay-as-you-go” weeks; and (iii) “Total Paid Weeks” is the sum of Digital Paid Weeks and Studio + Digital Paid Weeks.
(2) Represents Australia, New Zealand and emerging markets.
(3) The “End of Period Subscribers” metric reports WW subscribers in Company-owned operations at a given period end as follows: (i) “End of Period Digital Subscribers” is the total number of Digital, including Personal Coaching + Digital, subscribers; (ii) “End of Period Studio + Digital Subscribers” is the total number of commitment plan subscribers that have access to combined workshops and digital offerings; and (iii) “End of Period Subscribers” is the sum of End of Period Digital Subscribers and End of Period Studio + Digital Subscribers.



WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)
UNAUDITED
Q1 2020 Variance
2020
Constant
Q1 2020 Q1 2019 2020 Currency
Currency Constant vs vs
GAAP Adjustment Currency GAAP 2019 2019
Selected Financial Data
Consolidated Company Revenues$400,361 $3,689 $404,050 $363,164 10.2% 11.3%
Consolidated Digital Subscription Revenues (1)$174,545 $1,919 $176,464 $148,855 17.3% 18.5%
Consolidated Studio + Digital Fees (2)$150,112 $1,264 $151,376 $157,871 (4.9%) (4.1%)
Consolidated Service Revenues (3)$324,657 $3,183 $327,840 $306,726 5.8% 6.9%
Consolidated Product Sales and Other (4)$75,704 $506 $76,210 $56,438 34.1% 35.0%
North America
Digital Subscription Revenues (1)$116,349 $64 $116,413 $98,760 17.8% 17.9%
Studio + Digital Fees (2)$112,843 $54 $112,897 $117,599 (4.0%) (4.0%)
Service Revenues (3)$229,192 $118 $229,310 $216,359 5.9% 6.0%
Product Sales and Other (4)$54,514 $(0) $54,513 $33,652 62.0% 62.0%
Total Revenues$283,706 $116 $283,822 $250,011 13.5% 13.5%
CE
Digital Subscription Revenues (1)$46,638 $1,367 $48,005 $40,183 16.1% 19.5%
Studio + Digital Fees (2)$21,519 $603 $22,122 $23,949 (10.1%) (7.6%)
Service Revenues (3)$68,157 $1,970 $70,127 $64,132 6.3% 9.3%
Product Sales and Other (4)$11,833 $345 $12,178 $12,025 (1.6%) 1.3%
Total Revenues$79,990 $2,315 $82,305 $76,157 5.0% 8.1%
UK
Digital Subscription Revenues (1)$7,576 $136 $7,712 $6,418 18.0% 20.2%
Studio + Digital Fees (2)$11,129 $189 $11,318 $11,263 (1.2%) 0.5%
Service Revenues (3)$18,705 $325 $19,030 $17,681 5.8% 7.6%
Product Sales and Other (4)$6,323 $72 $6,395 $6,930 (8.8%) (7.7%)
Total Revenues$25,028 $397 $25,425 $24,611 1.7% 3.3%
Other (5)
Digital Subscription Revenues (1)$3,982 $352 $4,334 $3,494 14.0% 24.1%
Studio + Digital Fees (2)$4,621 $417 $5,038 $5,060 (8.7%) (0.4%)
Service Revenues (3)$8,603 $769 $9,372 $8,554 0.6% 9.6%
Product Sales and Other (4)$3,034 $90 $3,124 $3,831 (20.8%) (18.5%)
Total Revenues$11,637 $859 $12,496 $12,385 (6.0%) 0.9%
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(1) “Digital Subscription Revenues” consist of the fees associated with subscriptions for the Company’s Digital offerings, including the Personal Coaching + Digital product.
(2) “Studio + Digital Fees” consist of the fees associated with the Company's subscription plans for combined workshops and digital offerings and other payment arrangements for access to workshops.
(3) “Service Revenues” equal “Digital Subscription Revenues" plus “Studio + Digital Fees”.
(4) “Product Sales” are sales of consumer products in workshops, via e-commerce, and through several trusted retail partners, and “Other” are revenues from licensing, magazine subscriptions, publishing and third-party advertising in publications and on the Company's websites and sales from the By Mail product, other revenues (including revenues from the WW Presents: Oprah’s 2020 Vision tour), and, in the case of the consolidated financial results and Other reportable segment, includes franchise fees with respect to commitment plans and royalties.
(5) Represents Australia, New Zealand, emerging markets and franchise revenues.



WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)
UNAUDITED
Q1 2020 Variance
2020 Constant Currency
Q1 2020 Q1 2019 2020 2020
Adjusted 2020 Adjusted 2020 Adjusted
Currency Constant Constant vs vs vs vs
GAAP Adjustment (1) Adjusted AdjustmentCurrency Currency GAAP 2019 2019 2019 2019
Selected Financial Data
Gross Profit$210,991 $- $210,991 $2,205 $213,196 $213,196 $200,948 5.0% 5.0% 6.1% 6.1%
Gross Margin 52.7% 52.7% 52.8% 52.8% 55.3%
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses$64,526 $- $64,526 $499 $65,025 $65,025 $64,802 (0.4%) (0.4%) 0.3% 0.3%
Operating Income$24,867 $3,665 $28,532 $(207) $24,660 $29,291 $21,897 13.6% 30.3% 12.6% 33.8%
Operating Income Margin 6.2% 7.1% 6.1% 7.2% 6.0%
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(1) Excludes the impairment charge of $3,665 for the Company's goodwill related to its Brazil operations.



WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(IN THOUSANDS)
UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended
March 28, March 30,
2020 2019
Net Loss $(6,063) $(10,687)
Interest 31,551 35,195
Taxes (651) (2,875)
Depreciation and Amortization 12,211 11,405
Stock-based Compensation 3,965 4,812
EBITDAS $41,013 $37,850
Goodwill Impairment (1) 3,665 -
Adjusted EBITDAS $44,678 $37,850
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(1)Impairment charge of the Company's goodwill related to its Brazil operations.



WW INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIO)
UNAUDITED
Trailing Twelve
Q2 2019 Q3 2019 Q4 2019 Q1 2020 Months
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAS
Net Income (Loss)$53,834 $47,086 $29,383 $(6,063) $124,240
Interest 34,732 33,118 32,222 31,551 131,623
Taxes 16,586 13,123 4,679 (651) 33,737
Depreciation and Amortization 11,288 10,850 11,474 12,211 45,823
Stock-based Compensation 4,872 5,243 5,544 3,965 19,624
EBITDAS$121,312 $109,420 $83,302 $41,013 $355,047
Goodwill Impairment (1)$- $- $- $3,665 $3,665
Adjusted EBITDAS$121,312 $109,420 $83,302 $44,678 $358,712
Total Debt $1,706,390
Less: Cash 292,273
Net Debt $1,414,117
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDAS 3.9 X
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
(1)Impairment charge of the Company's goodwill related to its Brazil operations.

For more information, contact:
Investors:
Corey Kinger
VP Investor Relations
212.601.7569
[email protected]

Media:
Nicole Penn
VP Corporate Communications
917.734.0802
[email protected]

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