Liberty Interactive Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2013 Financial Results

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Liberty Interactive Corporation (“Liberty”) (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB, LVNTA, LVNTB) today reported third quarter 2013 results. Highlights include⁽¹⁾:

Attributed to Liberty Interactive Group

• Grew QVC US revenue by 5% and adjusted OIBDA⁽²⁾ by 9%
  • QVC US operating income increased by 10%
  • QVC.com revenue as a percent of total US revenue increased to 41%, a 2 point increase
  • QVC US mobile penetration was 32% of QVC.com orders
• Repurchased $303 million LINTA shares from August 1 to October 31, 2013
• Announced plan to create QVC Group and Liberty Digital Commerce Group tracking stocks out of Liberty Interactive Group

Attributed to Liberty Ventures Group

• Announced plan to spin-off Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings
• Invested $300 million in Abengoa solar project

“QVC again posted solid results in the US, while the international markets proved more challenging and were negatively impacted by currency fluctuations in Japan and the UK. We announced our plan to create the new QVC Group and Liberty Digital Commerce Group tracking stocks,” stated Greg Maffei, Liberty President and CEO. “We repurchased $303 million of Liberty Interactive stock from August 1 to October 31, and $854 million year to date. We announced our plan to spin-off Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings (which is attributable to Liberty Ventures) and we expect the spin-off to occur in the first half of 2014.”

LIBERTY INTERACTIVE GROUP - Liberty Interactive Group's revenue increased 2% to $2.2 billion in the third quarter, adjusted OIBDA was relatively flat at $396 million and operating income increased 3% to $199 million. The increase in revenue was due to favorable results at QVC and the eCommerce companies.

QVC

QVC's consolidated net revenue increased 2% in the third quarter to $1.9 billion. During the same period, adjusted OIBDA increased 3% to $408 million and operating income remained relatively flat at $259 million. On a constant currency basis, consolidated net revenue increased 4% and adjusted OIBDA grew 5% in the third quarter as the US denominated results were negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations, primarily the strengthening of the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen, which decreased 20%.

“QVC had strong results in the third quarter, and marked great success in the growth of our global TV and digital platforms,” said Mike George, QVC President and CEO. “We’ve expanded QVC’s audience reach to 290 million homes worldwide, and created new digital platforms that include the launch of toGather, our new social commerce platform. We’re delivering a unique shopping experience that is perfectly aligned with the megatrends that are reshaping the retail industry today.”

QVC's US revenue increased 5% to $1.3 billion in the third quarter primarily as a result of strength in the home, accessories and beauty categories. Average selling price per unit ("ASP") increased 5% from $55.21 to $57.88 and units sold increased 1% compared to the prior year third quarter. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue improved 42 basis points due primarily to lower product return mix within the categories. In the same period, QVC US eCommerce revenue increased 12% to $535 million and grew to 41% from 39% as a percentage of total QVC US net revenue. Adjusted OIBDA increased 9% to $304 million and adjusted OIBDA margin⁽²⁾ increased 86 basis points in the third quarter. Adjusted OIBDA margin increased primarily due to improved product margins, due in part to a favorable product mix, and favorable warehouse and freight expenses.

QVC's international revenue in US Dollars decreased 5% in the third quarter to $644 million. The third quarter results included the negative impact of the strengthening of the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen, and to a lesser extent, the UK Pound Sterling, which were somewhat offset by the weakening of the US Dollar against the Euro. Adjusted OIBDA decreased 13% to $104 million and adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 132 basis points in the third quarter. In constant currency, QVC's international revenue and adjusted OIBDA increased 2% and decreased 4%, respectively.

QVC Japan's revenue decreased 1% in local currency in the third quarter. QVC Japan's ASP in local currency decreased 3%, but units sold increased 4% in the third quarter. Japan experienced growth in apparel that was more than offset by declines in accessories and beauty sales as well as a 205 basis point increase in the return rate driven by the higher mix of apparel that returns at a higher rate. QVC Japan's adjusted OIBDA in local currency decreased 14% and adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 277 basis points in the third quarter. The decrease in adjusted OIBDA margin was primarily due to lower product margins, increased programming distribution costs and higher personnel expenses.

In US Dollars, QVC Japan's revenue and adjusted OIBDA decreased 22% and 31%, respectively. The decrease in revenue and adjusted OIBDA during the quarter was driven by a 20% decline in the Japanese Yen, which created significant pressure on US Dollar denominated results.

QVC Germany's revenue remained relatively flat in local currency in the third quarter. QVC Germany's ASP in local currency decreased 3%, while units sold increased 6% in the third quarter. QVC Germany had growth in apparel and home sales, offset by a decrease in jewelry and beauty as well as a 170 basis point increase in the return rate due to the greater mix of apparel that returns at a higher rate as well as higher returns in the apparel, jewelry and home categories. QVC Germany's adjusted OIBDA in local currency decreased 3% and adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 54 basis points for the third quarter. Adjusted OIBDA margin decreased primarily due to higher information technology and personnel expenses, partially offset by a reversal of an accrual made in connection with additional taxes and social security contributions related to a reclassification of certain workers.

QVC UK's revenue grew 7% in local currency in the third quarter primarily due to sales in the home and accessories categories. QVC UK's ASP in local currency increased 9%, while units sold decreased 1% in the third quarter. UK's adjusted OIBDA in local currency increased 25% and adjusted OIBDA margin increased 258 basis points in the third quarter. The increase in adjusted OIBDA margin was primarily due to improved product margins.

QVC Italy's revenue increased 27% in local currency in the third quarter. QVC Italy's sales were primarily from the home, beauty and apparel product categories. QVC Italy's ASP in local currency decreased 5%, but units sold increased 31% in the third quarter. In the same period, the adjusted OIBDA deficit remained at €4 million as compared to the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to one-time warehouse transition costs from the QVC Germany Distribution Center to an outsourced provider in Italy.

CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. ("CNRS"), QVC's joint venture in China, experienced a revenue increase of 54% in local currency in the third quarter. In the same period, CNRS' adjusted OIBDA deficit improved by 44%. This joint venture is being accounted for as an equity method investment.

QVC's outstanding bank and bond debt was $3.5 billion at September 30, 2013, an increase of $101 million since December 31, 2012.

eCommerce Businesses

In the aggregate, Liberty Interactive Group's eCommerce businesses increased revenue 7% to $298 million for the third quarter. The increased revenue was the result of increased marketing efforts driving additional traffic, investments in site improvements, increased shipping charges and broader inventory offerings. Additionally, the increased revenue was partially driven by the selling of product at a discount to continue to manage inventory to appropriate levels. Adjusted OIBDA decreased $9 million to a loss of $5 million. The decrease in adjusted OIBDA was the result of lower product margins as a result of continued product discounts and promotions and increased credit card chargebacks. Operating income improved by 18% to a loss of $46 million. The decrease in operating loss was primarily attributable to less significant impairments during the current quarter, offset by greater depreciation and amortization and stock compensation expense.

On October 10, 2013, Liberty announced that its board has authorized management to pursue a plan to recapitalize its Liberty Interactive Group tracking stock into two new tracking stocks, one (currently the Liberty Interactive Group common stock) to be renamed the QVC Group common stock and the other to be designated as the Liberty Digital Commerce Group common stock. In the recapitalization, record holders of Series A and Series B Liberty Interactive Group common stock would receive 1 share of the corresponding series of Liberty Digital Commerce Group common stock for each 10 shares of the renamed QVC Group common stock held by them as of the effective date. Liberty intends to attribute to the Liberty Digital Commerce Group its subsidiaries Provide Commerce, Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com, CommerceHub, Right Start, and Evite along with cash and certain liabilities. The QVC Group, which is currently known as the Liberty Interactive Group, would have attributed to it Liberty’s subsidiary QVC, Inc. and its approximate 38% interest in HSN, Inc., along with cash and certain liabilities. Liberty expects that the Series A and Series B Liberty Digital Commerce Group common stock will trade under the symbols “LDCA” and “LDCB” and that the Series A and Series B QVC Group common stock will trade under the symbols “QVCA” and “QVCB,” in each case, on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

The recapitalization is subject to various conditions, including the requisite approval of the holders of Liberty Interactive Group common stock and Liberty Ventures Group common stock at a stockholders’ meeting and the receipt of the opinion of tax counsel. Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, the recapitalization is expected to occur in the first half of 2014.

Share Repurchases

From August 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013, Liberty repurchased approximately 12.4 million Series A Liberty Interactive shares (Nasdaq: LINTA) at an average cost per share of $24.37 for total cash consideration of $303.3 million. Since the creation of the Liberty Interactive stock in May 2006, Liberty has repurchased approximately 220.0 million shares at an average cost per share of $19.65 for aggregate cash consideration of $4.3 billion. These repurchases represent approximately 31.2% of the shares outstanding at the time of creation of the Liberty Interactive stock. All repurchases up to August 9, 2012, the date on which the Liberty Interactive stock was recapitalized to create the Liberty Ventures stock, were comprised of shares of the combined stocks. The total remaining repurchase authorization for Liberty Interactive Group stock is approximately $406 million.

Liberty Interactive Group holds controlling interests in companies that are engaged in digital commerce, including QVC, Provide Commerce, Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com, Celebrate Interactive, CommerceHub, and also owns an interest in HSN.

LIBERTY VENTURES GROUP - As of September 30, 2013, the fair value of the public equity method securities and other public holdings attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group was $1,662 million and $947 million, respectively. When compared to June 30, 2013, the fair value of Liberty Ventures Group's public equity method securities decreased 6%. The Liberty Ventures Group's other public holdings balance increased 3% primarily due to changes in market prices of certain securities during the third quarter.

On October 10, 2013, Liberty announced that its board has also authorized management to pursue a plan to spin-off to holders of its Liberty Ventures Group common stock shares of a newly formed company to be called Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings (“Trip Holdings”). Trip Holdings would be comprised of, among other things, Liberty’s 22% economic and 57% voting interest in TripAdvisor, as well as Liberty’s BuySeasons business, which is currently a part of Liberty’s subsidiary Celebrate Interactive, LLC (“Celebrate Interactive”) and an anticipated net debt balance of $350 million. BuySeasons would be reattributed from the Liberty Interactive Group to the Liberty Ventures Group prior to the spin-off and cash equal to the fair market value of BuySeasons would be reattributed from the Liberty Ventures Group to the Liberty Interactive Group. The Evite business, also currently a part of Celebrate Interactive, would remain at Liberty attributed to the Liberty Interactive Group (or, assuming the completion of the recapitalization, the new Liberty Digital Commerce Group). In the spin-off, record holders of Series A and Series B Liberty Ventures common stock would receive 1 share of the corresponding series of Trip Holdings common stock for each share of the Liberty Ventures common stock held by them as of a to-be-determined record date. Liberty expects that the Series A and Series B Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings common stock will trade under the symbols “LTRPA” and “LTRPB” and that the Series A and Series B Liberty Ventures Group common stock will continue to trade under the symbols “LVNTA” and “LVNTB,” in each case, on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

The spin-off is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of Liberty and its completion will be subject to various conditions, including the receipt of an IRS private letter ruling and an opinion of tax counsel. Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, the completion of the spin-off is expected to occur in the first half of 2014.

Share Repurchases

There were no repurchases of Liberty Ventures Group common stock (Nasdaq: LVNTA) from August 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013. The Liberty Ventures Group does not have an outstanding stock repurchase authorization at this time.

The businesses and assets attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group are all of Liberty's businesses and assets other than those attributed to the Liberty Interactive Group and include its subsidiary TripAdvisor, its interest in Expedia, and minority interests in Time Warner and Time Warner Cable. TripAdvisor is a separate publicly traded company and additional information about TripAdvisor can be obtained through its website and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FOOTNOTES

NOTES

Unless otherwise noted, the foregoing discussion compares financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2013 to the same period in 2012.

The following financial information with respect to Liberty's equity affiliates and available for sale securities is intended to supplement Liberty's consolidated statements of operations which are included in its Form 10-Q.

Cash and Debt

The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and liquid investments and debt information.

Total cash and liquid investments attributed to the Liberty Interactive Group decreased by approximately $136 million during the third quarter. Cash flows from operations were offset by capital expenditures and stock repurchases. Total debt attributed to the Liberty Interactive Group increased by $98 million, primarily due to the issuance of new senior exchangeable debentures during the quarter, partially offset by payments made on the QVC bank credit facility.

Total cash and liquid investments attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group decreased $339 million, primarily due to investments in cost and equity investees, debt repayments during the quarter and shares repurchased by subsidiary. These cash outflows were partially offset by cash flows from operations. Included in the third quarter total cash and liquid investments attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group is $596 million held at TripAdvisor, which is comprised of $276 million of cash, $156 million of short-term marketable securities and $164 million of long-term marketable securities. Although TripAdvisor is a consolidated subsidiary, they are a separate public company with a significant noncontrolling interest, therefore Liberty does not have ready access to those cash and liquid investments. Total debt outstanding attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group decreased by $64 million from the second quarter to the third quarter, primarily due to repayments made on senior exchangeable debentures.

Important Notice: Liberty (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB, LVNTA, LVNTB) President and CEO, Greg Maffei will discuss Liberty's earnings release in a conference call which will begin at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on November 5, 2013. The call can be accessed by dialing (888) 437-9357 or (719) 325-2449 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Replays of the conference call can be accessed until 6:00 p.m. (ET) on November 12, 2013, by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 plus the passcode 2267905. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to http://www.libertyinteractive.com/events. Links to this press release will also be available on Liberty's website.

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, the proposed spin-off of our interest in TripAdvisor, the proposed recapitalization of the Liberty Interactive Group tracking stock into the QVC Group tracking stock and a new Liberty Digital Commerce tracking stock, future financial prospects, international expansion, new service and product offerings, the monetization of our non-core assets, the continuation of our stock repurchase program, the estimated liabilities under exchangeable debentures and the ability of invested cash flows to meet obligations under the debentures and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of new products or services, competitive issues, regulatory matters affecting our businesses, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Liberty Interactive, changes in law and government regulations that may impact the derivative instruments that hedge certain of our financial risks, our ability to satisfy the conditions to the proposed recapitalization and spin-off and market conditions conducive to stock repurchases. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this presentation, and Liberty Interactive expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Interactive's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Interactive, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, for additional information about Liberty Interactive and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Interactive's business which may affect the statements made in this presentation.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

As a supplement to Liberty's consolidated statements of operations, which are included in its Form 10-Q, the following is a presentation of quarterly information and operating metrics on a stand-alone basis for the largest business owned by Liberty (QVC) at September 30, 2013, which Liberty has identified as a reportable segment.

Please see below for the definition of adjusted OIBDA and a discussion of why management believes the presentation of adjusted OIBDA for QVC provides useful information for investors. Schedule 2 to this press release provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for each identified reportable segment to that segment's operating income for the same period, as determined under GAAP.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release includes a presentation of adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for Liberty, QVC (and certain of its subsidiaries), and the eCommerce businesses together with a reconciliation to that entity's operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty defines adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding all stock based compensation, and excludes from that definition depreciation and amortization and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Further, this press release includes adjusted OIBDA margin which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. Liberty defines adjusted OIBDA margin as adjusted OIBDA divided by revenue.

Liberty believes adjusted OIBDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, including each business' ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Because adjusted OIBDA is used as a measure of operating performance, Liberty views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supersede operating income or any other GAAP measure, but rather to supplement such GAAP measures in order to present investors with the same information that Liberty's management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets. Please see the attached schedules for applicable reconciliations.

SCHEDULE 1

The following table provides a reconciliation of Liberty Interactive Group's adjusted OIBDA to its operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended September 30, 2012, December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 31, 2013, respectively.

SCHEDULE 2

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for QVC (and certain of its subsidiaries) and the eCommerce businesses to that entity or such businesses' operating income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended September 30, 2012, December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 31, 2013, respectively.

Liberty Interactive Corporation
Courtnee Ulrich, 720-875-5420

Source: Liberty Interactive Corporation

Released November 5, 2013