Liberty Interactive Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2014 Financial Results

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty Interactive") (Nasdaq: QVCA, QVCB, LVNTA, LVNTB) today reported third quarter 2014 results. Highlights include⁽¹⁾:

Liberty Interactive Corporation

• Reattributed Digital Commerce companies and approximately $1 billion in cash from QVC Group to Liberty Ventures Group in exchange for 67.67 million newly issued shares of Liberty Ventures Group
  • Liberty Interactive Group renamed QVC Group and trading under new tickers QVCA and QVCB
  • Newly issued Liberty Ventures Group shares distributed to QVC Group holders tax-free
  • Cash and liquid investments attributed to Liberty Ventures Group estimated to be $2.7 billion at year-end
  • Improved trading liquidity through Liberty Ventures Group share issuance
• Completed the spin-off of Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. ("Liberty TripAdvisor") on August 27^th

Attributed to QVC Group

• QVC US grew revenue by 5% and adjusted OIBDA⁽²⁾ by 8% in the third quarter

• QVC.com revenue as a percent of total US revenue increased 222 basis points to 43%
• QVC US mobile penetration was 41% of QVC.com orders
• QVC US operating income increased by 6%

• QVC posted strong adjusted OIBDA increases across all European operations
• QVC completed issuance of $1 billion in new Senior Notes

Attributed to Liberty Ventures Group

• Announced additional $650 million share repurchase authorization at Liberty Ventures Group
• Received approximately $350 million distribution in conjunction with spin-off of Liberty TripAdvisor

"It has been an extremely busy period for Liberty Interactive Corporation," stated Greg Maffei, Liberty Interactive President and CEO. "We completed the spin-off of Liberty TripAdvisor and the reattribution between QVC Group and Liberty Ventures Group. QVC produced very strong results in the US, and its European markets, demonstrating its ability to expand adjusted OIBDA margins. Our Digital Commerce companies, now attributed to Liberty Ventures Group, posted seasonally solid results and have strong momentum going into the fourth quarter."

On October 3, 2014, Liberty Interactive announced the reattribution from QVC Group to Liberty Ventures Group of its Digital Commerce companies, which were valued at $1.5 billion, and approximately $1 billion in cash. In return, QVC Group shareholders received approximately 67.67 million shares of Liberty Ventures Group stock (collectively, the “Reattribution”). The reattributed Digital Commerce companies are comprised of Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com, CommerceHub, Evite, Provide Commerce and The Right Start. In connection with the Reattribution, Liberty Interactive Group was renamed QVC Group and its tickers symbols were changed to QVCA and QVCB.

On July 30, 2014, Liberty Interactive executed a definitive agreement under which FTD will acquire Liberty Interactive’s Provide Commerce floral and gifting businesses. Under the terms of the agreement, Liberty Interactive will receive 10.2 million shares of FTD common stock (representing 35% of the combined company) and $121 million in cash. The definitive proxy for the transaction was filed on November 3, 2014 and the required vote of FTD shareholders is expected to occur on December 11, 2014.

QVC GROUP - QVC Group's revenue increased 5% to $2.3 billion in the third quarter, adjusted OIBDA increased 9% to $431 million and operating income increased 22% to $247 million. Both QVC and the Digital Commerce companies contributed to the increase in revenue for the quarter. Adjusted OIBDA increased at QVC, while the adjusted OIBDA loss at the Digital Commerce companies narrowed. On October 3, 2014, the Digital Commerce companies were reattributed to Liberty Ventures Group and will be reported as part of Liberty Ventures Group beginning with the fourth quarter of 2014.

QVC

QVC's consolidated revenue increased 4% to $2.0 billion in the third quarter. Adjusted OIBDA increased 8% to $439 million and operating income increased 7% to $276 million.

"We delivered our strongest quarterly performance of 2014 in the third quarter," said QVC President and CEO Mike George. "We drove good growth and generated strong operating leverage, particularly in the US, Germany, the UK and Italy. We continue to benefit from our customer-centric focus, which has resulted in outstanding customer loyalty in all our markets, as well as strong eCommerce penetration and mobile growth."

QVC US's revenue increased 5% to $1.4 billion in the third quarter primarily due to strength in the home, apparel and accessories categories, partially offset by weakness in electronics. Average selling price per unit ("ASP") increased 1% to $58.19 from $57.88 and units sold increased 4%. Returns as a percentage of gross product revenue improved 59 basis points. eCommerce revenue increased 11% to $592 million and grew to 43% from 41% as a percentage of total US revenue. Adjusted OIBDA increased 8% to $329 million and adjusted OIBDA margin⁽²⁾ increased 72 basis points. Adjusted OIBDA margin increased primarily due to improved product margins, lower state franchise tax expense associated with the timing of credits and audit settlements and higher proprietary credit card income due in part to unfavorable regulatory bank reserve adjustments experienced in the prior year, as well as the positive impact of renegotiated contract terms. These gains were partially offset by higher freight costs.

QVC's international revenue in US Dollars increased 1% to $652 million in the third quarter. The results included the positive impact of the weakening of the US Dollar against the UK Pound Sterling, which was mostly offset by the strengthening of the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. Adjusted OIBDA increased 6% to $110 million and adjusted OIBDA margin increased 72 basis points. Third quarter results included $3 million of costs related to the scheduled launch of QVC France in the second quarter of 2015.

QVC Japan's revenue declined 4% in local currency in the third quarter reflecting declines in all categories except beauty and electronics. The decline in QVC Japan’s revenue in local currency was primarily due to a local consumption tax increase that became effective April 1, 2014. ASP in local currency decreased 2% and units sold declined 3%. Returns as a percentage of gross product revenue in local currency improved 207 basis points with improvement in all categories and a lower mix of apparel and accessories. Adjusted OIBDA in local currency decreased 7% and adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 51 basis points. The decrease in adjusted OIBDA margin was primarily due to lower product margins, higher commission fees and lack of sales leverage of fixed costs, partially offset by lower advertising and event-related expenses.

QVC Germany's revenue increased 3% in local currency in the third quarter. Germany experienced strength primarily in the home category, which was partially offset by declines in apparel and jewelry. ASP in local currency increased 6% and units sold decreased 6%. Returns as a percentage of gross product revenue in local currency improved 194 basis points primarily due to a positive mix shift from apparel and jewelry to home, which typically returns at lower rates. Adjusted OIBDA in local currency increased 12% and adjusted OIBDA margin increased 182 basis points. Adjusted OIBDA margin increased primarily due to lower fixed costs, obsolescence and freight costs, which were partially offset by lower product margins and higher bad debt expenses.

QVC UK's revenue grew 3% in local currency in the third quarter primarily due to gains in the home and beauty categories. ASP in local currency increased 2% and units sold increased 2%. Adjusted OIBDA in local currency increased 9% and adjusted OIBDA margin increased 125 basis points. The increase in adjusted OIBDA margin was primarily due to sales leverage of fixed costs and lower freight costs.

QVC Italy's revenue increased 18% in local currency in the third quarter primarily due to gains in all categories except electronics. ASP in local currency increased 1% and units sold increased 18%. The adjusted OIBDA deficit in local currency improved 73% and adjusted OIBDA margin improved 1,492 basis points. The increase in adjusted OIBDA margin was primarily due to sales leverage of fixed costs and lower product distribution expenses.

CNRS, QVC’s joint venture in China operating under the brand CNR Mall, generated revenue growth of 14% in local currency in the third quarter. Adjusted OIBDA deficit in local currency increased 45% primarily due to new television distribution agreements that will expand reach into more homes and higher fixed costs, which were partially offset by revenue growth and improved product margins. This joint venture is being accounted for as an equity method investment, and as a result, QVC reported a $2 million reduction in net income in the third quarter.

QVC's outstanding bank and bond debt was $4.1 billion at September 30, 2014, compared with $3.9 billion at June 30, 2014.

Digital Commerce Companies

In the aggregate, the Digital Commerce companies’ revenue increased 12% to $310 million for the quarter. Each of the significant Digital Commerce companies experienced varying increases in revenue. Provide experienced modest revenue growth due to softness in demand for their products and slightly lower average order values. Bodybuilding and Backcountry revenue grew due to increases in transactions on relatively stable average order values. CommerceHub grew revenue 32% due to an equivalent percentage increase in transactions processed. Adjusted OIBDA for the Digital Commerce businesses increased $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the adjusted OIBDA losses were approximately 1% and 2% as a percentage of revenue, respectively. The improvement in adjusted OIBDA margin was primarily due to improved gross margins at Bodybuilding and Backcountry, cost savings initiatives and the revenue growth at CommerceHub. These improvements were partially offset by a $5 million reserve that was recorded on RedEnvelope inventory during the period in anticipation of winding down the business in early 2015 combined with $2 million of transaction costs associated with the FTD transaction. Excluding these items, Provide was relatively flat and the other Digital Commerce businesses experienced increases in adjusted OIBDA.

Share Repurchases

From August 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014, Liberty Interactive repurchased approximately 5.7 million Series A QVC Group shares (Nasdaq: QVCA) at an average cost per share of $28.73 for total cash consideration of $165 million. Beginning in mid-September, Liberty Interactive was unable to repurchase shares, pending the public announcement of the Reattribution and its quarterly earnings. Since the creation of the QVC Group stock (including its predecessor, Liberty Interactive Group) in May 2006, Liberty Interactive has repurchased shares for aggregate cash consideration of $5.3 billion, representing approximately 36.1% of the shares outstanding at the time of the creation of the QVC Group stock. All repurchases up to August 9, 2012, the date on which the QVC Group stock was recapitalized to create the Liberty Ventures Group stock, were comprised of shares of the combined stocks. The total remaining repurchase authorization for QVC Group stock is approximately $784 million, which includes $350 million authorized by Liberty Interactive’s Board of Directors in August for repurchase of either QVC Group or Liberty Ventures Group stock.

QVC Group consists of Liberty Interactive’s subsidiary, QVC, Inc., and Liberty Interactive’s interest in HSN, Inc.⁽³⁾

LIBERTY VENTURES GROUP - As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of the public equity method securities and other public holdings attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group was $2.4 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. When compared to June 30, 2014, the fair value of Liberty Ventures Group's public equity method securities increased 8%. The Liberty Ventures Group's other public holdings balance decreased 1% primarily due to changes in market prices of certain securities during the third quarter.

On August 27, 2014, Liberty Ventures Group completed the spin-off of Liberty TripAdvisor (Nasdaq: LTRPA, LTRPB). Liberty TripAdvisor is comprised of, among other things, a 22% economic and 57% voting interest in TripAdvisor, as well as 100% of BuySeasons, a costume and party supply retailer, and approximately $350 million in corporate level net debt. Immediately prior to the spin-off, Liberty TripAdvisor distributed approximately $350 million in cash to Liberty Interactive, which is attributable to Liberty Ventures Group. Following the spin-off, Liberty TripAdvisor has been reflected as discontinued operations. Certain amounts in this release have been adjusted to reflect Liberty TripAdvisor as discontinued operations.

Share Repurchases

There were no repurchases of Liberty Ventures Group common stock (Nasdaq: LVNTA) from August 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014. In connection with the approval of the spin-off of Liberty TripAdvisor, Liberty Interactive's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $350 million worth of shares of Liberty Interactive stock, which authorization may be used to repurchase either QVC Group stock or Liberty Ventures Group stock. On October 9, 2014, Liberty Interactive’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $650 million of Liberty Ventures Group stock.

The businesses and assets attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group are all of Liberty Interactive's businesses and assets other than those attributed to the QVC Group, including its interest in Expedia, its subsidiaries Provide Commerce, Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com, CommerceHub, The Right Start, and Evite, and minority interests in Time Warner, Time Warner Cable, Lending Tree and Interval Leisure Group⁽³⁾.

FOOTNOTES

NOTES

Unless otherwise noted, the foregoing discussion compares financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2014 to the same period in 2013.

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

Fair Value of Public Holdings

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 QVC Group increased by approximately $48 million during the third quarter. Cash flow from operations and new borrowings were partially offset by stock repurchases, debt repayments, and capital expenditures. Total debt attributed to the QVC Group increased by $198 million, primarily due to the issuance of $1.0 billion in new senior notes at QVC. Net proceeds were used to redeem QVC’s 7.5% senior notes due October 2019 and to fund working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.

Total cash and liquid investments attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group increased $359 million, primarily due to cash received upon completion of the spin-off of Liberty TripAdvisor.

Important Notice: Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: QVCA, QVCB, LVNTA, LVNTB) President and CEO, Greg Maffei will discuss Liberty Interactive's earnings release in a conference call which will begin at 5:15 p.m. (E.S.T.) on November 4, 2014. The call can be accessed by dialing (888) 455-2271 or (719) 325-2173 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Replays of the conference call can be accessed until 7:15 p.m. (E.S.T.) on November 11, 2014, by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 plus the passcode 1670709. 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, future financial prospects, international expansion, including the launch of QVC France and the expected expenditures in connection therewith, 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 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, 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 Interactive's condensed 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 Interactive (QVC) at September 30, 2014, which Liberty Interactive 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.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release includes a presentation of adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for Liberty Interactive, QVC (and certain of its subsidiaries), and the Digital Commerce companies together with a reconciliation to that entity's operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty Interactive 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 Interactive defines adjusted OIBDA margin as adjusted OIBDA divided by revenue.

Liberty Interactive 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 Interactive 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 Interactive'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 QVC Group's adjusted OIBDA to its operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended September 30, 2013, December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY

SCHEDULE 2

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for QVC (and certain of its subsidiaries) and the Digital Commerce businesses to that entity or such businesses' operating income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended September 30, 2013, December 31, 2013, March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively. As there are no material reconciling items between adjusted OIBDA and operating income for the QVC China joint venture for the referenced periods, no reconciliation has been provided.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY

Liberty Interactive Corporation
Courtnee Ulrich (720) 875-5420

Source: Liberty Interactive Corporation

Released November 4, 2014