HSN, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

For the First Quarter 2011:

 
  HSNi net sales increased 6% with e-commerce sales up 13%
 
  HSNi Adjusted EBITDA improved 11% to $57.3 million
 
  Adjusted EPS increased 14% to $0.41

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HSN, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSNI) reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 for HSN, Inc. ("HSNi") and its two operating segments, HSN and Cornerstone.

Table 1                                                                                   
                                                                                     SUMMARY RESULTS AND KEY OPERATING METRICS (a)
                                                                 ($ in millions, except per share and average price point amounts)
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                              Q1 2011                    Q1 2010                    Change 
                                                                                                                              
                                   Net Sales                    $ 724.0                    $ 683.2                          6%
                                   Non-GAAP:                                                                                   
                             Adjusted EBITDA                     $ 57.3                     $ 51.8                         11%
                       Adjusted Net Income                      $ 24.4                     $ 21.5                         14%
                                Adjusted EPS                     $ 0.41                     $ 0.36                         14%
                                       GAAP:                                                                                   
                            Operating Income                     $ 41.3                     $ 37.5                         10%
                                Net Income                      $ 20.3                     $ 17.7                         15%
                               Diluted EPS                      $ 0.34                     $ 0.30                         13%
                                                                                                                              
                                       HSNi:                                                                                   
                         Average price point                    $ 62.43                    $ 59.79                          4%
                    Units shipped (millions)                        13.2                        12.7                          4%
                         Gross profit margin                        35.1%                        34.6%                      50 bps
                               Return rate                         19.2%                        17.4%                   (180 bps)
                  E-commerce net sales % (b)                        40.0%                        37.6%                   240 bps 
                                                                                                                              
(a) Segment results for HSNi's two operating segments, HSN and Cornerstone, are presented separately in Tables 2 and 3 of this release.
                                                                    (b) E-commerce net sales as a percent of total HSNi net sales.
                                                                                                                              
                                                                       See reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP measures in Table 4.
 

First Quarter 2011 Results vs First Quarter 2010 Results

 
  HSNi's net sales grew 6% over the prior year to $724.0 million. HSN's net sales increased 1% to $526.2 million which included 7% sales growth at HSN.com. Cornerstone's net sales increased 20% to $197.8 million with e-commerce sales growth of 23%.
   
 
  HSNi's Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $57.3 million compared to $51.8 million in the prior year. These results were driven by a 6% increase in net sales and a 50 basis point increase in gross profit margin, partially offset by a 6% increase in operating expenses, excluding non-cash charges. Operating income increased 10% to $41.3 million compared to $37.5 million in the prior year.   
   
 
  Adjusted EPS increased 14% to $0.41 compared to $0.36 in the prior year. GAAP diluted EPS increased 13% to $0.34 compared to $0.30 in the prior year.  

"Our focus on maximizing performance through innovative product launches and events, strategic partnerships and increased digital efforts led to HSNi sales growth of 6%, e-commerce sales penetration of 40% and an Adjusted EPS gain of 14%," said Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN, Inc. "We are committed to positioning our business for long-term success by delivering on our strategy of offering unique products and experiences, deepening customer engagement and accelerating e-commerce growth across the portfolio."

Table 2                                     
                                                                                         SEGMENT RESULTS
                                                                                         ($ in millions)
                                                                                                    
                                                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                                                              March 31,
                                                                          2011          2010     Change
                                                       Net Sales                                     
                                                           HSN       $ 526.2       $518.9         1%
                                                   Cornerstone          197.8        164.3        20%
                                                      Total HSNi      $ 724.0       $683.2         6%
                                                                                                    
                                                  Gross Profit                                      
                                                             HSN      $ 177.2       $171.6         3%
                                                     Cornerstone          76.8         64.9        18%
                                                    Total HSNi       $ 254.0       $236.5         7%
                                                                                                    
                              Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP measure)                                     
                                                           HSN        $ 52.2      $ 50.3         4%
                                                   Cornerstone            5.1          1.5       244%
                                                      Total HSNi       $ 57.3      $ 51.8        11%
                                                                                                    
                                         Operating Income (Loss)                                     
                                                           HSN        $ 40.8      $ 39.3         4%
                                                   Cornerstone            0.5        (1.8)       129%
                                                      Total HSNi       $ 41.3      $ 37.5        10%
                                                                                                    
     See reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures in Table 4.                                     
 
Table 3                                          
                                                   SEGMENT KEY OPERATING METRICS
                                                                            
                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                      March 31,
                                             2011           2010      Change 
                               HSN:                                          
                Average price point      $ 61.85      $ 59.36             4%
           Units shipped (millions)           9.9           9.9             1%
                Gross profit margin          33.7%          33.1%         60 bps
                      Return rate           20.7%          18.2%      (250 bps)
         E-commerce net sales % (a)          33.2%          31.6%        160 bps
                       Cornerstone:                                          
                Average price point      $ 64.20      $ 61.28             5%
           Units shipped (millions)           3.2           2.8            15%
                Gross profit margin          38.8%          39.5%       (70 bps)
                      Return rate           14.9%          14.7%       (20 bps)
         E-commerce net sales % (a)          57.9%          56.6%        130 bps
     Catalog circulation (millions)          66.1          58.7            13%
                                                                            
                     (a) E-commerce net sales as a percent of segment net sales.

HSN Segment Results for the First Quarter 2011

HSN's net sales increased 1% to $526.2 million following strong comparable sales growth the prior year of 9%. The sales growth was driven by electronics and fashion, partially offset by lower sales in fitness and housewares. HSN.com sales increased 7% over the prior year's increase of 15% and represent 33.2% of HSN's net sales, up from 31.6% in the prior year. Average price point and units shipped increased 4% and 1%, respectively.  The return rate increased 250 basis points primarily due to higher than anticipated returns of certain electronics sold in the fourth quarter of 2010 and changes in product mix.

Gross profit increased 3% to $177.2 million. Gross profit margin improved 60 basis points to 33.7% from 33.1%. The increase was primarily attributable to decreased shipping costs due to a new outbound shipping contract.     

Adjusted EBITDA increased 4% to $52.2 million compared to $50.3 million in the prior year.  The increase was due to the 3% increase in gross profit, partially offset by a 3% increase in operating expenses, excluding non-cash charges. Operating income was $40.8 million compared to $39.3 million in the prior year.

Cornerstone Segment Results for the First Quarter 2011

Net sales for Cornerstone increased 20% to $197.8 million due to strength at Cornerstone's three largest brands, Frontgate, Ballard Designs and Garnet Hill; as well as investment in catalog circulation and digital marketing. E-commerce sales penetration increased 130 basis points to 57.9%.

Gross profit increased 18% to $76.8 million. Gross profit margin declined 70 basis points to 38.8% from 39.5% in the prior year. The margin decline was primarily attributable to increased promotional activity to drive additional demand and higher inbound freight costs, partially offset by leverage over fixed warehousing costs and the favorable impact of a new outbound shipping contract.     

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $5.1 million from $1.5 million. The increase was primarily due to the growth in net sales, partially offset by the decline in the gross profit margin and an increase in selling and marketing costs, particularly catalog production and distribution costs. Operating income was $0.5 million compared to an operating loss of $1.8 million in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2011, HSNi had cash and cash equivalents of $344.2 million, down from $354.3 million at December 31, 2010. Net cash used in operating activities in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $8.3 million compared to $10.0 million in the prior year. 

OTHER INFORMATION

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of HSNi, its operating segments and its consolidated subsidiaries that are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact. These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and on our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments and projections about our business and our industry, and such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of performance and there are a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors (many of which are outside our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include but are not limited to: the continued impact of the current macroeconomic environment on consumer confidence and spending levels; whether national economic stimulus initiatives and measures to improve the economy will be successful in achieving their objectives within the expected timeframes; other changes in political, business and economic conditions, particularly those that affect consumer confidence, consumer spending or e-commerce growth; changes in our relationships with pay television operators, vendors, manufacturers and other third parties; changes in product delivery costs, particularly if we are unable to offset them; our ability to offer new or alternative products and services in a cost effective manner and consumer acceptance of these products and services; any technological or regulatory developments that could negatively impact the way we do business, including regulations regarding state and local sales and use taxes; HSNi's business prospects and strategy, including whether HSNi's initiatives will be effective; and the loss of any key member of our senior management team.  More information about potential factors that could affect HSNi's business and financial results is included in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  Other unknown or unpredictable factors that could also adversely affect HSNi's business, financial condition and results of operations may arise from time to time.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, any forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made or attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of HSNi management as of the date of this press release. Such statements speak only to the date such statements are made and HSNi does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. Historical results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.

Conference Call

Mindy Grossman, Chief Executive Officer, and Judy Schmeling, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will hold a conference call on May 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, to discuss these results. Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial 877-307-0246 or 224-357-2394 at least five minutes prior to the call. There will also be a simultaneous audio webcast available via HSNi's website at http://www.hsni.com

A replay of the conference call can be accessed until Wednesday, May 18, 2011, by dialing 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291, plus the passcode 59499214 and will also be hosted on HSNi's website for a limited time. 

About HSN, Inc.

HSN, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSNI) is a $3 billion interactive multi-channel retailer with strong direct-to-consumer expertise among its two operating segments, HSN and Cornerstone. HSNi offers innovative, differentiated retail experiences on TV, online, via mobile devices, in catalogs, and in brick and mortar stores. HSN, a leading interactive multi-channel retailer which offers a curated assortment of exclusive products combined with top brand names, now reaches approximately 96 million homes (24 hours a day, seven days a week, live 364 days a year). HSN.com is a top 10 trafficked e-commerce site that offers a differentiated e-commerce experience by leveraging content, community and commerce. In addition to its existing media platforms, HSN is the industry leader in transactional innovation, including services such as HSN Shop by Remote®, the only service of its kind in the U.S., the HSN Shopping App for mobile handheld devices and HSN on Demand®. Cornerstone comprises leading home and apparel lifestyle brands including  Ballard Designs®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill®, Improvements®, Smith + Noble®, The Territory Ahead® and TravelSmith®. Cornerstone distributes more than 275 million catalogs annually, operates seven separate e-commerce sites and operates 18 retail and outlet stores. 

The HSN, Inc. logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8695

GAAP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       HSN, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (unaudited; in thousands except per share amounts)
                                                                   
                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                2011             2010
                                                                   
                         Net sales       $ 723,982      $ 683,213
                     Cost of sales          470,028         446,729
                        Gross profit         253,954         236,484
               Operating expenses:                                 
               Selling and marketing         129,817         120,499
          General and administrative          58,160          54,439
          Production and programming          15,283          14,100
     Depreciation and amortization            9,404           9,951
            Total operating expenses         212,664         198,989
                    Operating income          41,290          37,495
               Interest expense, net         (7,959)         (8,309)
          Income before income taxes          33,331          29,186
                Income tax provision        (13,050)        (11,533)
                          Net income       $ 20,281       $ 17,653
                                                                   
               Net income per share:                                
                               Basic         $ 0.35         $ 0.31
                           Diluted          $ 0.34         $ 0.30
                                                                   
         Shares used in computing earnings per share:                
                               Basic          58,214          56,800
                           Diluted           60,338          59,045
HSN, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                             
                          (unaudited; in thousands)                                                             
                                                            March 31,       December 31,                 March 31,
                                                                 2011               2010                      2010
                                             ASSETS                                                             
                                    Current assets:                                                             
                          Cash and cash equivalents        $ 344,187        $ 354,259               $ 261,080
                           Accounts receivable, net           160,700           195,748                  143,449
                                        Inventories           307,790           296,390                  271,773
                              Deferred income taxes            27,465            28,801                   22,059
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets            51,411            42,443                   42,231
                               Total current assets           891,553           917,641                  740,592
                        Property and equipment, net           150,567           154,987                  152,045
                             Intangible assets, net           260,482           260,623                  261,045
                           Other non-current assets            10,872            12,492                   16,686
                                       TOTAL ASSETS      $ 1,313,474      $ 1,345,743             $ 1,170,368
               LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                             
                               Current liabilities:                                                             
                            Accounts payable, trade        $ 204,916        $ 244,301      $      186,462
               Current maturities of long-term debt            11,640             5,820                    6,349
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities           195,886           216,114                  181,843
                          Total current liabilities           412,442           466,235                  374,654
          Long-term debt, net of current maturities           297,166           302,938                  327,660
                              Deferred income taxes            77,470            80,203                   77,934
                        Other long-term liabilities            21,271            19,904                   14,912
                                  Total liabilities           808,349           869,280                  795,160
                                                                                                               
                         TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY           505,125           476,463                  375,208
         TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      $ 1,313,474      $ 1,345,743             $ 1,170,368
 
HSN, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                   
                                                         (unaudited; in thousands)                                   
                                                                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                                                                             March 31,
                                                                                             2011                 2010
                                                                                                                    
                                             Cash flows from operating activities:                                   
                                                                        Net income      $ 20,281           $ 17,653
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                                   
                                                     Depreciation and amortization          9,404               9,951
                                                Stock-based compensation expense           6,327               4,343
                             Amortization of cable and satellite distribution fees            839                 840
                                               Amortization of debt issuance costs            642                 643
                                               Loss on disposition of fixed assets            258                   3
                                                             Deferred income taxes        (1,397)               1,422
                                                                  Bad debt expense          5,093           4,882
                                       Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards        (3,511)               (468)
                                      Changes in current assets and liabilities:                                    
                                                               Accounts receivable         30,044              33,669
                                                                       Inventories       (11,400)            (10,300)
                                         Prepaid expenses and other current assets        (8,781)               3,963
                  Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities       (56,106)            (76,610)
                                             Net cash used in operating activities        (8,307)            (10,009)
                                             Cash flows from investing activities:                                   
                                                              Capital expenditures        (5,218)             (4,907)
                                             Net cash used in investing activities        (5,218)             (4,907)
                                             Cash flows from financing activities:                                   
                                                       Repayment of long-term debt             --             (4,762)
                              Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes            (58)              10,369
                                       Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards          3,511                 468
                                         Net cash provided by financing activities          3,453               6,075
                                         Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents       (10,072)             (8,841)
                                  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period        354,259             269,921
                                        Cash and cash equivalents at end of period       $344,187            $261,080
Table 4                                                          
                                                                                      RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP MEASURES
     HSN, INC. RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EPS TO GAAP DILUTED EPS                                                          
               (unaudited; in thousands except per share amounts)                                                          
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                   March 31,
                                                                                                          2011          2010
                                                   Adjusted EPS                                       $ 0.41      $ 0.36
                                            Adjusted Net Income                                     $ 24,444      $21,498
                                 Stock-based compensation expense                                      (6,327)      (4,343)
                                Amortization of intangible assets                                        (141)        (141)
                              Loss on disposition of fixed assets                                        (258)          (3)
                                           Impact of income taxes                                        2,563          642
                                                       Net Income                                    $ 20,281      $17,653
               GAAP diluted weighted average shares outstanding                                        60,338       59,045
                                                 GAAP Diluted EPS                                      $ 0.34      $ 0.30
HSN, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DETAILED SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP                                                                                                 
                                                 (unaudited; in thousands)                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                             Three Months Ended                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                 March 31, 2011                                   March 31, 2010
                                                                                         HSN      Cornerstone        Total           HSN       Cornerstone        Total 
                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                           Adjusted EBITDA            $ 52,197       $ 5,082      $ 57,279      $ 50,314        $ 1,478      $ 51,792
                                         Stock-based compensation expense              (4,176)        (2,151)        (6,327)        (3,271)         (1,072)        (4,343)
                                            Depreciation and amortization              (7,198)        (2,206)        (9,404)        (7,746)         (2,205)        (9,951)
                                      Loss on disposition of fixed assets                 (54)          (204)          (258)            (2)             (1)            (3)
                                                          Operating income            $ 40,769         $ 521         41,290      $ 39,295      $ (1,800)         37,495
                                                    Interest expense, net                                            (7,959)                                       (8,309)
                                             Income before income taxes                                              33,331                                        29,186
                                                     Income tax provision                                           (13,050)                                      (11,533)
                                                                Net income                                          $ 20,281                                     $ 17,653

SEE IMPORTANT NOTES AT END OF THIS DOCUMENT 

HSN, INC.'S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

HSNi reports Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS, all of which are supplemental measures to GAAP. These measures are among the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, on which our internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. We believe that investors should have access to, and we are obligated to provide, the same set of tools that we use in analyzing our results.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. HSNi endeavors to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measures presented by providing the comparable GAAP measures with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measures. We encourage investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures contained in this release and which we discuss below.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding, if applicable: (1) non-cash charges including: (a) stock-based compensation expense, (b) amortization of intangibles, (c) depreciation and gains and losses on asset dispositions, and (d) goodwill, long-lived asset and intangible asset impairments; (2) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions; and (3) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a measurement of operating efficiency and overall financial performance and HSNi believes it to be a helpful measure for those evaluating companies in the retail and media industries. Adjusted EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to HSNi's statement of operations of certain expenses, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles, depreciation, gains and losses on asset dispositions, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related accounting and one-time items.

Adjusted Net Income generally captures all items on the statement of operations that have been, or ultimately will be, settled in cash and is defined as net income available to common shareholders excluding, net of tax effects, if applicable: (1) stock-based compensation expense, (2) amortization of intangible assets, (3) gains and losses on asset dispositions, (4) goodwill, long-lived asset and intangible asset impairments, (5) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions, (6) one-time items and (7) discontinued operations.  We believe Adjusted Net Income is useful to investors because it represents HSNi's consolidated results taking into account charges which are not allocated to the operating businesses such as interest expense and taxes, but excluding the effects of identified non-cash expenses or one-time items.

Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted Net Income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding for Adjusted EPS purposes.  We believe Adjusted EPS is useful to investors because it represents, on a per share basis, HSNi's consolidated results, taking into account charges which are not allocated to the operating businesses such as interest expense and taxes, but excluding the effects of identified non-cash expenses or one-time items.  Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS have the same limitations as Adjusted EBITDA. Therefore, we think it is important to evaluate these measures along with our consolidated statement of operations.

CONTACT:  Felise Glantz Kissell (Analysts/Investors)
          727-872-7529
          felise.kissell@hsn.net
          
          Mia Carbonell (Media)
          917-673-0903
          mia.carbonell@hsn.net

Image: HSN, Inc. Logo

Source: HSN, Inc.