Bluegreen Vacations Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bluegreen Vacations Corporation (NYSE: BXG) (“Bluegreen” or the
“Company”) today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2018
financial results.

4Q18 Highlights:

  • Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) of $0.27, compared to $0.91 in the prior
    year quarter. The fourth quarter of 2017 included a $0.66 per share
    income tax benefit as a result of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs
    Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”).
  • Net income attributable to shareholders was $19.8 million, compared to
    $66.4 million in the prior year quarter. The fourth quarter of 2017
    included a $47.7 million income tax benefit as a result of the impact
    of the Tax Act.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $31.7 million, compared to $35.5 million in the
    prior year quarter.
  • Total revenue of $173.7 million, compared to $177.9 million in the
    prior year quarter.
  • System-Wide Sales of Vacation Ownership Interests (VOIs) of $146.0
    million, compared to $151.9 million in the prior year quarter.
  • Completed a $117.7 million securitization of vacation ownership loans
    with a fixed, weighted-average interest rate coupon of 4.02%.

Full Year 2018 Highlights:

  • EPS of $1.18, compared to $1.77 in the prior year. 2017 included a
    $0.66 per share income tax benefit as a result of the impact of the
    Tax Act.
  • Net income attributable to shareholders was $88.0 million, compared to
    $126.6 million in the prior year. The full year 2017 included a $47.7
    million income tax benefit as a result of the impact of the Tax Act.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $141.8 million, compared to $150.3 million in the
    prior year.
  • Total revenue of $738.3 million, compared to $723.1 million in the
    prior year, a 2.1% increase from the prior year.
  • System-Wide Sales of VOIs of $624.1 million, compared to $619.3
    million a 0.8% increase from the prior year.
  • Expanded inventory sources through: (i) the acquisition of The Éilan
    Hotel and Spa in San Antonio, Texas for approximately $34.3 million,
    (ii) a fee-based service agreement at The Marquee in New Orleans,
    Louisiana, and (iii) an exclusive agreement to acquire inventory at
    The Manhattan Club, a residence-style boutique hotel in Midtown
    Manhattan.

“In 2018 we continued to build our platform with a view toward
positioning Bluegreen Vacations for growth in the coming years,” said
Shawn B. Pearson, Chief Executive Officer and President. “To that end,
we upgraded our sales and inventory technology systems, expanded our
digital capabilities and made additions to our executive team who will
enhance our partnerships and marketing programs. We also increased our
resort network in highly attractive markets including San Antonio, New
Orleans and New York City and look forward to realizing the benefits as
our new sales centers open and mature. While we expect more significant
growth in the latter part of 2019, we anticipate that our early 2019
sales growth will be similar to that achieved in 2018. We believe that
our solid balance sheet, capital-light business model with attractive
cash flow and low leverage, along with ongoing demand for our vacation
ownership resorts, positions Bluegreen for solid long-term performance.”

Financial Results

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

           
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
 
Total revenue $ 173.7 $ 177.9 (2.4 ) % $ 738.3 $ 723.1 2.1 %
Income before non-controlling interest and provision for income taxes $ 26.2 $ 28.9 (9.3 ) % $ 128.9 $ 137.0 (5.9 ) %
Net income attributable to shareholders $ 19.8 $ 66.4 (70.2 ) % $ 88.0 $ 126.6 (30.5 ) %
Earnings per share basic and diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.91 (70.3 ) % $ 1.18 $ 1.77 (33.3 ) %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 31.7 $ 35.5 (10.7 ) % $ 141.8 $ 150.3 (5.7 ) %
Capital-light revenue(1) as a percentage of total revenue 74.0% 58.9% 1,510 bp 71.0% 69.0% 200 bp
 

(1)

 

Bluegreen’s “capital-light” revenue includes revenue from the
sales of VOIs under fee-based sales and marketing arrangements,
just-in-time inventory acquisition arrangements, and secondary
market arrangements, as well as other fee-based services revenue
and cost reimbursements revenue.

 

Total Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $173.7
million, compared to $177.9 million in the prior year period, primarily
due to decreases in VOI sales and an increase in the provision for loan
losses as discussed more fully under “Segment Results” below. Adjusted
EBITDA was $31.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $35.5
million in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily due to lower total
revenue and higher net carrying cost of inventory.

Corporate & Other expenses were $19.0 million in the fourth quarter of
2018 compared to $18.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The slight
year over year increase was due to a number of factors including ongoing
higher outside legal expenses in connection with our decision to
vigorously defend claims which the Company believes to be frivolous;
increased depreciation expense in connection with the acquisition of
information technology assets to support the Company’s growth; and
investor and public relations activities related expenses.

In terms of segment results, growth in the Company’s Resort Operations
and Club Management segment was offset by results in the Sales of VOI
and Financing segment, as more fully described below.

Segment Results

Sales of VOIs and Financing Segment

(dollars in millions, except per guest and per transaction amounts)

           
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
 
System-wide sales of VOIs $ 146.0 $ 151.9 (3.9 ) % $ 624.1 $ 619.3 0.8 %
Segment adjusted EBITDA $ 36.8 $ 44.5 (17.3 ) % $ 173.7 $ 181.6 (4.4 ) %
Number of total guest tours 55,958 58,570 (4.5 ) % 238,141 252,257 (5.6 ) %
Average sales price per transaction $ 16,085 $ 15,135 6.3 % $ 15,692 $ 15,365 2.1 %
Sales to tour conversion ratio 16.3% 17.2% (5.2 ) % 16.8% 16.1% 4.3 %
Sales volume per guest (“VPG”) $ 2,624 $ 2,601 0.9 % $ 2,642 $ 2,479 6.6 %
Selling and marketing expenses, as a
% of system-wide sales of VOIs 50.5% 51.1% (60 ) bp 49.3% 51.6% (230 ) bp
Provision for loan losses 20.7% 16.4% 430 bp 16.8% 16.1% 70 bp
Cost of VOIs sold 6.8% 9.6% (280 ) bp 9.4% 7.3% 210 bp
 

During the fourth quarter of 2018, system-wide sales of VOIs were $146.0
million, compared to $151.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The
decrease in sales reflected the decrease in guest tours, partially
offset by a slightly higher average sales volume per guest (“VPG”). For
the full year, system-wide sales of VOIs were up 0.8% to $624.1 million
compared to $619.3 million in 2017.

Average sales volume per guest and average sales price per transaction
increased 0.9% and 6.3%, respectively, during the fourth quarter of 2018
compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, while guest tours declined by
4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2018 and declined 5.6% for the full year
in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to the comparable prior year
periods. We believe a key driver of these year over year changes is the
Company’s ongoing initiatives to screen the credit qualifications of
potential marketing guests which has resulted in improved efficiencies
in the sales process, at the cost of a lower number of tours.

Provision for loan losses increased to 20.7% of gross VOI sales,
compared to 16.4% in the prior year fourth quarter. The year over year
increase was driven primarily by continued attorney cease and desist
activity which resulted in required changes in estimated losses on prior
year period originations. The charge related to prior period
originations was approximately $3.7 million. The Company believes that
its zero-tolerance strategy and further steps to address this situation
in 2019, should ultimately result in a reduction of cease and desist
activity.

Fee-based sales commission revenue was $48.8 million in the fourth
quarter of 2018, compared to $50.3 million in the fourth quarter of
2017. The year over year change reflected lower sales of third-party VOI
inventory and slightly lower commission rates.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, cost of VOIs sold represented 6.8% of
sales of VOIs compared to 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017. During the
fourth quarter of 2018, cost of VOIs sold were comparatively lower as
result of a $3.6 million favorable GAAP adjustment relating to a price
increase implemented in 2018. Purchases of secondary market inventory
that were temporarily suspended in the third quarter of 2018 resumed
during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Financing revenue, net of financing expense, was $14.6 million in the
fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $15.4 million in the fourth quarter
of 2017. The year over year change reflected the Company’s higher cost
of borrowing, and lower weighted average interest rates on VOI notes
receivable as a result of the Company’s implementation of “risk-based
pricing” based on each customer’s FICO score.

Net carrying cost of inventory increased $3.3 million in the fourth
quarter of 2018 compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily due to
the carrying cost associated with the Éilan Hotel and Spa, which was
acquired in April 2018.

Selling and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased
on an absolute basis and as a percentage of system-wide sales due in
part to a higher percentage of sales to the Company’s existing owners
and the reduction of certain fixed selling and marketing expenses in
connection with the corporate realignment initiative commenced during
the fourth quarter of 2017. Selling and marketing expenses in the fourth
quarter of 2017 included a $4.8 million, one-time payment to Bass Pro,
Inc. (“Bass Pro”) as well as $1.2 million of severance costs, both of
which were added back to Segment Adjusted EBITDA, with no such material
expenses in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The Company has continued to meet with Bass Pro’s leadership in an
effort to resolve the issues which arose between the parties in 2017 and
2018. Although the resolution of the outstanding issues with Bass Pro
has taken a great deal longer than the Company had hoped, the Company
believes it is diligently working towards a mutually beneficial
agreement. While there is no assurance that a resolution will be
reached, the Company remains optimistic that it will achieve a
resolution of the outstanding issues. The Company is hopeful that the
resolution will address the timing of entry into the Cabela’s stores and
an extension of the parties’ agreements. If reached, the resolution may
include a restructuring of the amount and timing of compensation paid to
Bass Pro. In the meantime, the Company continues to execute its vacation
package marketing strategy under its current agreement with Bass Pro,
including the recent opening of a Bluegreen kiosk in the new Bass Pro
location at the Silverton Casino in Las Vegas and to add another
in-store sales kiosk location in Rogers, Arkansas in the second quarter.
At Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations, LLC (the “Joint Venture”), the Joint
Venture has commenced construction of cabins at the Wilderness Club at
Big Cedar resort in the normal course of business.

Resort Operations and Club Management Segment

(dollars in millions)

           
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
 
Resort operations and club management revenue $ 41.1 $ 36.5 12.4 % $ 168.4 $ 149.7 12.4 %
Segment adjusted EBITDA $ 12.5 $ 11.4 9.5 % $ 50.6 $ 43.4 16.6 %
Resorts managed 50 48 4.2 % 50 48 4.2 %
 

In the fourth quarter of 2018, resort operations and management club
revenue increased by $4.6 million, or 12.4%, to $41.1 million from the
prior year quarter. The increase was driven in part by the additional
resorts managed at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to
2017, as well as fee increases under certain management contracts.
Segment adjusted EBITDA grew by 9.5% to $12.5 million.

Acquisition Activity

During 2018, the Company completed three transactions which added
resorts to its network.

  • The Marquee in New Orleans, LA. In March, the Company entered into a
    fee-based service agreement with Marquee Developer, LLC, owner and
    developer, of The Marquee, which is expected to add 94 units of resort
    inventory. The Marquee resort VOIs will be sold through The Bluegreen
    Vacation Club, and will be available for Vacation Club guests in 2019.
    The Company opened a 5,400 square foot sales office at The Marquee in
    December 2018.
  • The Éilan Hotel & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. In April the Company
    acquired the Éilan Hotel & Spa for approximately $34.3 million, and
    has opened a 11,320 square foot sales office at the Éilan Hotel & Spa.
    The Éilan is a 165-guest room, boutique hotel featuring a
    10-treatment-room spa, resort-style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness
    center, tennis courts and virtual golf.
  • The Manhattan Club in New York City. In July, the Company entered into
    an exclusive agreement to acquire the remaining VOI inventory at The
    Manhattan Club under Bluegreen’s “capital-light” Secondary Market
    program through periodic purchases over time. The Manhattan Club is 31
    stories, boasts a modern fitness center, business center, Owners’
    lounge and 296 penthouse, one-bedroom – two bath suites, and executive
    suites.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2018, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaled
$219.4 million. Bluegreen had availability of approximately $193.3
million under its receivable-backed purchase and credit facilities,
inventory lines of credit and corporate credit line as of December 31,
2018, subject to eligible collateral and the terms of the facilities, as
applicable. The Company’s net debt-to-EBITDA as of December 31, 2018 was
only 0.17x (excluding receivable-backed notes payable).

In October, the Company completed a $117.7 million securitization of
investment-grade vacation ownership loan-backed notes with a fixed,
weighted-average interest rate coupon of 4.02%. Proceeds from the notes
sale were primarily used to pay down the balance on certain of the
Company’s receivable-backed debt facilities and the remainder was used
for general corporate purposes.

Free cash flow, which the Company defines as cash flow from operating
activities, less capital expenditures, was $44.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018, compared to $51.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2017. The decrease in free cash flow was primarily
attributable to sales office expansions, increased information
technology spending, acquisition and development of traditional
inventory, and decreased working capital, partially offset by lower
income tax payments and lower purchases of secondary market and
just-in-time inventories.

In November, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share
repurchase program which authorizes the repurchase of up to 3,000,000
shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an aggregate cost of no more
than $35.0 million. The program authorizes the Company, in management’s
discretion, to repurchase shares from time to time subject to market
conditions and other factors. Through December 31, 2018, the Company had
repurchased 288,532 shares for a total cost of $4.0 million.

Dividend

On January 14, 2019, Bluegreen’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly
common stock cash dividend of $0.17 per share. The dividend is payable
February 15, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading
on January 31, 2019. This dividend represents a 13.3% increase in the
Company’s 2018 quarterly dividend rate of $0.15 per share.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Webcast

The Company has provided a pre-recorded business update and management
presentation via webcast link, indicated below, in the Investor
Relations section of its website at ir.bluegreenvacations.com. A
transcript will also be available simultaneously with the webcast. The
webcast and supplemental management presentation can be accessed on the
Investor Relations section of Bluegreen Vacations’ website at ir.bluegreenvacations.com.
The pre-recorded presentation can also be accessed at 1-844-512-2921
(domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering pin number
1132845. The business update via dial-in will be available through
midnight Friday, March 22, 2019. A transcript will also be available
simultaneously with the webcast.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release are “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. All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
based on current expectations of management and can be identified by the
use of words such as “believe”, “may”, “could”, “should”, “plans”,
“anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “expects”, and other words and
phrases of similar impact. Forward-looking statements involve risks,
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control,
that may cause actual results or performance to differ from those set
forth or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to our ability
to successfully implement our strategic plans and initiatives; generate
earnings and long-term growth; improve our digital capabilities,
including our virtual reality technology; complete sales office
expansions when planned or at all and that such expansions will be
profitable; and risks that our marketing alliances will not contribute
to growth or be profitable or that issues with our strategic partners
will not be successfully resolved; dividend payments and stock buyback
activity will continue at current levels, if at all, and the additional
risks and uncertainties described in Bluegreen’s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those
described in the “Risk Factors” section of Bluegreen’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 which is expected to be
filed on or about March 1, 2019. Bluegreen cautions that the foregoing
factors are not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made.
Bluegreen does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation,
to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

The Company refers to certain non-GAAP financial measures in this press
release, including system-wide sales of VOIs, Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted
EPS and free cash flow. Please see the supplemental tables and
definitions attached herein for additional information and
reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures.

About Bluegreen Vacations Corporation:

Bluegreen Vacations Corporation (NYSE: BXG) is a leading vacation
ownership company that markets and sells vacation ownership interests
(VOIs) and manages resorts in top leisure and urban destinations. The
Bluegreen Vacation Club is a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation
ownership plan with approximately 216,000 owners, 69 Club and Club
Associate Resorts and access to more than 11,000 other hotels and
resorts through partnerships and exchange networks as of December 31,
2018. Bluegreen Vacations also offers a portfolio of comprehensive,
fee-based resort management, financial, and sales and marketing
services, to or on behalf of third parties. Bluegreen is approximately
90% owned by BBX Capital Corporation (NYSE: BBX) (OTCQX: BBXTB), a
diversified holding company. For further information, visit www.BluegreenVacations.com.

About BBX Capital Corporation:

BBX Capital Corporation (NYSE: BBX) (OTCQX: BBXTB), is a Florida-based
diversified holding company whose activities include its 90% ownership
interest in Bluegreen Vacations Corporation (NYSE: BXG) as well as its
real estate and middle market divisions. For additional information,
please visit www.BBXCapital.com.

       

BLUEGREEN VACATIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 
For the Three Months Ended
December 31, For the Years Ended
Unaudited December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenue:
Gross sales of VOIs $ 74,192 $ 78,829 $ 305,530 $ 288,414
Provision for loan losses   (15,379 )   (12,906 )   (51,305 )   (46,397 )
Sales of VOIs 58,813 65,923 254,225 242,017
 
Fee-based sales commission revenue 48,841 50,343 216,422 229,389
Other fee-based services revenue 28,552 28,377 118,024 111,819
Cost reimbursements 15,375 11,979 62,534 52,639
Interest income 22,143 21,203 85,914 86,876
Other income, net       432     1,201     312  
Total revenue   173,724     178,257     738,320     723,052  
 
Costs and expenses:
Cost of VOIs sold 3,975 6,327 23,813 17,679
Cost of other fee-based services 18,986 15,897 72,968 64,560
Cost reimbursements 15,375 11,979 62,534 52,639
Selling, general and administrative expenses 99,867 108,942 415,403 421,199
Interest expense 9,239 6,198 34,709 29,977
Other expense, net   68              
Total costs and expenses   147,510     149,343     609,427     586,054  
 
Income before non-controlling interest and
provision for income taxes 26,214 28,914 128,893 136,998
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   3,544     (40,832 )   28,541     (2,345 )
Net income 22,670 69,746 100,352 139,343

Less: Net income attributable to
non-controlling interest

  2,881     3,342     12,390     12,760  
Net income attributable to Bluegreen
Vacations Corporation shareholders $ 19,789   $ 66,404   $ 87,962   $ 126,583  
 
Comprehensive income attributable to
Bluegreen Vacations Corporation
shareholders $ 19,789   $ 66,404   $ 87,962   $ 126,583  
 
       

BLUEGREEN VACATIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except for per share data)

 
For the Three Months Ended
December 31, For the Years Ended
Unaudited December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Earnings per share attributable to
Bluegreen
Vacations Corporation

shareholders – Basic and diluted (1)
$ 0.27 $ 0.91 $ 1.18 $ 1.77
 
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding:
Basic and diluted (1)   74,644   72,804   74,712   71,448
 
Cash dividends declared per share (1) $ 0.15 $ $ 0.60 $ 0.56
 

(1)

 

The number of shares outstanding for the purposes of
calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share and the cash
dividend reflects the stock split effected in connection with our
initial public offering during November 2017 as if the stock split
was effected January 1, 2016. See Note 1: Organization and Basis
of Presentation within the December 31, 2018 Annual Report on Form
10-K for further discussion.

   

BLUEGREEN VACATIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(In thousands)

 
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2018 2017
Operating activities:
Net income $ 100,352 $ 139,343
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 16,604 14,110
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 179 524
Provision for loan losses 51,236 46,412
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes 2,090 (42,022 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Notes receivable (63,545 ) (47,470 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets 2,704 (7,103 )
Inventory (32,022 ) (42,757 )

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other, and

deferred income   (764 )   4,933  
Net cash provided by operating activities   76,834     65,970  
 
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment   (32,539 )   (14,115 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (32,539 )   (14,115 )
 
Financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings collateralized
by notes receivable 254,494 203,001
Payments on borrowings collateralized by notes receivable (216,023 ) (195,919 )
Proceeds from borrowings under line-of-credit facilities
and notes payable 51,736 36,426
Payments under line-of-credit facilities and notes payable (43,066 ) (34,851 )
Payments of debt issuance costs (3,010 ) (3,390 )
Gross proceeds from public offering 48,652
Payments of public offering costs (1,383 )
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (4,000 )
Distributions to non-controlling interest (9,800 ) (11,270 )
Dividends paid   (44,841 )   (40,000 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (14,510 )   1,266  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
and restricted cash 29,785 53,121
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period   243,349     190,228  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 273,134   $ 243,349  
 
Supplemental schedule of operating cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 30,260   $ 26,244  
Income taxes paid $ 25,355   $ 41,035  
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing
activities:
Acquisition of inventory, property, and equipment for notes payable $ 24,258   $  
 

Contacts

Bluegreen Vacations Corporation
Investor Relations:
Nikki
Sacks, 203-682-8263
or
Evelyn Infurna, 203-682-8265
Email:
bluegreenvac@icrinc.com

Read full story here

error: Content is protected !!