STAMFORD, Conn–Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today reported first quarter 2016 financial results.
First Quarter 2016 Highlights
- Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.70. Including special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.53.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $281 million.
- Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $118 million. Including special items, income from continuing operations was $90 million.
- Worldwide Systemwide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels increased 1.0% in constant dollars (decreased 1.3% in actual dollars) compared to 2015. Systemwide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels in North America increased 2.0% in constant dollars (increased 1.3% in actual dollars).
- Management fees, franchise fees and other income increased 6.7% compared to 2015. Core fees increased 4.2% compared to 2015.
- Earnings from Starwood’s vacation ownership and residential business decreased approximately $7 million compared to 2015.
- During the quarter, the Company signed 44 hotel management and franchise contracts, representing approximately 7,000 rooms and opened 18 hotels and resorts with approximately 3,700 rooms.
- During the quarter, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share.
- During the quarter, the Company completed the sale of the Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna for gross cash proceeds of approximately $80 million, subject to a long-term management agreement.
- On April 8, 2016, at special stockholder meetings, the stockholders of the Company and Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) approved proposals relating to Marriott’s acquisition of the Company.
- On April 20, 2016, the stockholders of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (“ILG”) approved the issuance of shares of ILG common stock in connection with the acquisition of Vistana Signature Experiences, Inc. (“Vistana”), the Company’s vacation ownership business, which is expected to be accomplished through a merger of Vistana with a wholly-owned subsidiary of ILG immediately following the spin-off of Vistana from the Company.
First Quarter 2016 Earnings Summary
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (“Starwood” or the “Company”) today reported EPS from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2016 of $0.53 compared to $0.58 in the first quarter of 2015. Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.70 for the first quarter of 2016 compared to $0.65 in the first quarter of 2015.
Special items in the first quarter of 2016 consisted primarily of restructuring and other special charges of $39 million ($24 million after-tax). Special items in the first quarter of 2015 totaled a charge of $11 million (after-tax). Excluding special items, the effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2016 was 34.4% compared to 32.5% in the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to the mix and timing of pretax income.
Income from continuing operations was $90 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $99 million in the first quarter of 2015. Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $118 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $110 million in the first quarter of 2015.
Net income was $90 million and $0.53 per share in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $99 million and $0.58 per share in the first quarter of 2015.
Thomas Mangas, Chief Executive Officer of the Company said, “We had a very strong quarter, despite facing a tough macroeconomic environment and the distraction of a very public bidding war for our company. Thanks to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of our highly talented associates around the world, we delivered adjusted EBITDA and EPS well ahead of our expectations.
“We achieved these results by staying focused on execution. With REVPAR in-line with our expectations and solid net rooms growth, we experienced the highest core fees growth in the last six quarters. Our strong pace of development continued in the first quarter, with 18 hotels opened and 44 new hotels signed, the highest level of signings in a first quarter since 2007. Our hotels outperformed the competition, increasing REVPAR Index across our three divisions, with strong REVPAR index performance at Sheraton in particular.
“Our results speak to the strength of our people, our brands and innovative spirit, the value of SPG and the power of our global systems.”
Alan Schnaid, Chief Financial Officer of the Company said, “Our outlook for the rest of 2016 remains strong. We are maintaining our expectations for full year REVPAR growth and increasing our guidance ranges for both EBITDA and EPS. With the impending completion of the spin-off of our vacation ownership business and its subsequent merger with ILG, we will take another significant step toward becoming asset light, as well as achieving an important milestone toward the completion of our merger with Marriott. As we look ahead, we remain bullish on the prospects for global hospitality, and believe that the future of our company combined with Marriott is especially bright.”
First Quarter 2016 Operating Results
Management and Franchise Revenues
Worldwide Systemwide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels increased 1.0% in constant dollars (decreased 1.3% in actual dollars) compared to the first quarter of 2015. International Systemwide REVPAR for Same-Store Hotels decreased 0.2% in constant dollars (decreased 4.4% in actual dollars).
Changes in REVPAR for Worldwide Systemwide Same-Store Hotels by region:
REVPAR Region
Constant
Dollars
Actual
Dollars
Americas: North America 2.0 % 1.3 % Latin America (3.2 )% (3.2 )% Asia Pacific: Greater China 0.5 % (3.3 )% Rest of Asia 5.0 % (1.8 )% Europe, Africa & Middle East: Europe 1.0 % (5.3 )% Africa & Middle East (7.0 )% (9.1 )%
Changes in REVPAR for Worldwide Systemwide Same-Store Hotels by brand:
REVPAR Brand
Constant
Dollars
Actual
Dollars
St. Regis/Luxury Collection 0.6 % (2.1 )% W Hotels (2.1 )% (3.7 )% Westin 3.8 % 1.6 % Sheraton 0.0 % (2.3 )% Le Méridien 0.5 % (2.8 )% Four Points by Sheraton (1.0 )% (3.9 )% Aloft 2.8 % 1.1 %
Worldwide Same-Store Company-Operated gross operating profit margins increased approximately 15 basis points compared to 2015. International gross operating profit margins for Same-Store Company-Operated properties increased approximately 40 basis points. North American Same-Store Company-Operated gross operating profit margins decreased approximately 20 basis points.
Management fees, franchise fees and other income were $256 million, up $16 million, or 6.7% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Core fees increased 4.2% to $199 million. Other management and franchise revenues increased 20.0% or $9 million, primarily due to fees associated with the termination of certain franchise contracts during the quarter.
Development
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company signed 44 hotel management and franchise contracts, representing approximately 7,000 rooms, of which 32 are new builds and 12 are conversions from other brands. At March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately 540 hotels in the active pipeline representing approximately 118,000 rooms.
During the first quarter of 2016, 18 new hotels and resorts (representing approximately 3,700 rooms) entered the system, including The Element Amsterdam, (Netherlands, 160 rooms), Aloft Boston Seaport (Massachusetts, 330 rooms), The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa (Qatar, 365 rooms), The Westin at The Woodlands (Texas, 302 rooms) and The Sheraton Cascais Resort (Portugal, 146 rooms). During the quarter, seven properties (representing approximately 1,300 rooms) were removed from the system.
Owned Hotels
Worldwide REVPAR at Starwood Same-Store Owned Hotels increased 5.3% in constant dollars (increased 2.3% in actual dollars) when compared to 2015. REVPAR at Starwood Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America increased 5.4% in constant dollars (increased 2.6% in actual dollars). Internationally, Starwood Same-Store Owned Hotel REVPAR increased 5.0% in constant dollars (increased 1.9% in actual dollars).
Revenues at Starwood Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide increased 4.9% in constant dollars (increased 1.9% in actual dollars) while costs and expenses increased 1.0% in constant dollars (decreased 2.0% in actual dollars) when compared to 2015. Margins at these hotels increased approximately 330 basis points compared to 2015.
Revenues at Starwood Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America increased 4.6% in constant dollars (increased 1.7% in actual dollars) while costs and expenses increased 2.2% in constant dollars (decreased 0.5% in actual dollars) when compared to 2015. Margins at these hotels increased approximately 190 basis points compared to 2015.
Internationally, revenues at Starwood Same-Store Owned Hotels increased 5.3% in constant dollars (increased 2.0% in actual dollars) while costs and expenses decreased 0.8% in constant dollars (decreased 4.4% in actual dollars) when compared to 2015. Margins at these hotels, which include the favorable impact of the devaluation of the Argentinian Peso, increased approximately 550 basis points compared to 2015.
Revenues at Owned Hotels, which were negatively impacted by asset sales since the first quarter of 2015, were $265 million, compared to $316 million in 2015. Expenses at Owned Hotels were $217 million compared to $262 million in 2015.
Vacation Ownership and Residential
Vacation ownership and residential revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased 1.1%, to $185 million, compared to the corresponding period in 2015, primarily driven by a $26 million decrease in revenues recognized under the percentage of completion method and other deferrals. This amount was partially offset by an increase in originated contract sales of vacation ownership intervals of $22 million, primarily driven by the sales launch of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in late 2015 as well as sales of the Sheraton Flex product. The number of contracts signed increased 14.8% and the average price per vacation ownership unit sold increased 10.5% to approximately $18,100.
Selling, General, Administrative and Other
During the first quarter of 2016, selling, general, administrative and other expenses (“SG&A”) decreased 5.5% to $86 million compared to $91 million in 2015 including the impact of various cost savings initiatives announced in 2015.
Capital
Gross capital spending during the quarter included approximately $24 million of maintenance capital and $59 million of development capital.
Asset Sales
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company completed the sale of the Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna for gross cash proceeds of approximately $80 million, subject to a long-term management agreement.
Restructuring and Other Special Charges
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an $8 million restructuring charge primarily related to the Company’s cost savings initiatives announced in 2015. The Company also recorded $31 million of other special charges primarily consisting of $19 million in costs associated with the Marriott transaction and $7 million in costs associated with the ILG transaction.
Dividend
On February 25, 2016, the Company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, which was paid on March 28, 2016 to stockholders of record as of March 14, 2016. The total dividends paid in the first quarter of 2016 were approximately $63 million.
Balance Sheet
At March 31, 2016, the Company had gross debt of $2.3 billion, cash and cash equivalents of $1.2 billion (including $64 million of restricted cash) and net debt of $1.1 billion, compared to net debt of $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2015, in each case excluding debt and restricted cash associated with securitized vacation ownership notes receivable. Net debt at March 31, 2016, including $156 million of debt and $8 million of restricted cash associated with securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, was $1.3 billion.
ILG Transaction
On April 20, 2016, the stockholders of ILG approved the proposal necessary for the acquisition of Vistana. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries will engage in a series of transactions in which certain assets and liabilities will be (a) sold directly to one or more subsidiaries of ILG, or (b) otherwise conveyed pursuant to an internal restructuring to Vistana and entities that will become Vistana subsidiaries. Immediately thereafter, all of the shares of common stock of Vistana will be distributed on a pro rata basis to the Company’s stockholders and unitholders of SLC Operating Limited Partnership, and immediately thereafter Vistana will merge with a wholly-owned subsidiary of ILG. Immediately following the completion of the ILG transaction, the Company’s stockholders will own approximately 55% of the outstanding shares of ILG on a fully-diluted basis, and the existing shareholders of ILG will own approximately 45% of ILG on a fully-diluted basis.
On April 29, 2016, ILG and the Company announced a brief delay in the planned closing of ILG’s acquisition of Vistana, while both companies work to avoid unnecessary tax withholding under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), as discussed in the Company’s and ILG’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, which were filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2016. The companies are working to finalize the procedures to identify which shareholders are properly subject to this withholding. The acquisition was previously expected to close on April 30, 2016, and is now expected to close in May, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.
Marriott Transaction
On April 8, 2016, the Company and Marriott held special stockholder meetings at which the stockholders of the Company and Marriott approved proposals relating to Marriott’s acquisition of the Company. At closing, the Company’s stockholders will receive 0.80 shares of Marriott common stock and $21.00 in cash for each share of the Company’s common stock. The transaction remains on track to close in mid-2016 and is subject to remaining regulatory approvals, including in the European Union and China, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
Outlook
- The improvement in the Company’s 2016 EBITDA outlook is driven primarily by the timing of the spin-off of the Company’s vacation ownership business (previous guidance assumed April 1, 2016), favorable shifts in foreign exchange rates compared to prior guidance and the expected improvement in performance at owned properties.
- The following outlook assumes the spin-off of the vacation ownership business and subsequent merger with ILG occurred as of April 30, 2016. Transaction costs related to the ILG and Marriott transactions are not included in full year SG&A guidance. While the Company continues to expect that the Marriott transaction will close in mid-2016, the following guidance assumes that the Company remains an independent company through the end of 2016.
For the full year 2016:
- Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $1.150 billion to $1.165 billion (based on the assumptions below).
- REVPAR at Same-Store Systemwide Hotels Worldwide is expected to be up 2% to 4% in constant dollars (approximately 60 basis points lower in actual dollars at current exchange rates).
- REVPAR at Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide is expected to be up 2% to 4% in constant and actual dollars.
- Margins at Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide are expected to increase 100 to 150 basis points.
- Core fees are expected to increase approximately 5.5% to 7.5%.
- Management fees, franchise fees and other income are expected to increase approximately 6% to 8%, including approximately $27 million related to eight months of license fees from the vacation ownership business following the ILG transaction.
- Earnings from the Company’s vacation ownership and residential business of approximately $65 million to $70 million, consisting of approximately $59 million of vacation ownership earnings in the first four months of 2016 and approximately $6 million to $11 million of residential earnings.
- SG&A is expected to be favorable by 3% to 5% compared to 2015.
- Net rooms growth is expected to be approximately 4% to 5%.
- Shifts in exchange rates since 2015 will negatively impact full year earnings by approximately $1 million if exchange rates stay at current levels.
- Owned earnings are negatively impacted by approximately $38 million due to asset sales completed in 2015, with additional negative impact of approximately $21 million expected due to lost earnings from the five hotels to be transferred to ILG in connection with the ILG transaction. Owned earnings are negatively impacted by approximately $2 million due to asset sales completed in 2016.
- Depreciation and amortization is expected to be approximately $280 million.
- Interest expense is expected to be approximately $115 million.
- Full year effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 33.0%, and cash taxes from operating earnings are expected to be approximately $155 million.
- EPS before special items is expected to be approximately $3.00 to $3.06 (based on the assumptions above).
- Cash flow from operations is expected to be approximately $800 million to $900 million (based on the assumptions above). Cash flow from operations includes the investment in vacation ownership inventory of $70 million (for the first four months of 2016 only).
- Full year capital expenditures (excluding vacation ownership inventory) are expected to be approximately $200 million for maintenance, renovation and technology. In addition, in-flight investment projects and prior commitments for joint ventures and other investments are expected to total approximately $120 million.
For the three months ended June 30, 2016:
- Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $275 million to $285 million (based on the assumptions below).
- REVPAR at Same-Store Systemwide Hotels Worldwide is expected to increase 2% to 4% in constant dollars (approximately 50 basis points lower in actual dollars at current exchange rates).
- REVPAR at Same-Store Owned Hotels Worldwide is expected to increase 2% to 4% in constant dollars (approximately 10 basis points lower in actual dollars at current exchange rates).
- Core fees are expected to increase approximately 3% to 5%.
- Management fees, franchise fees and other income are expected to increase approximately 6% to 8%.
- Earnings from the Company’s vacation ownership and residential business are expected to be approximately $15 million to $20 million.
- EPS before special items is expected to be approximately $0.69 to $0.74 (based on the assumptions above).
Special Items
The Company’s special items included a pre-tax charge of $37 million ($28 million after-tax) in the first quarter of 2016 compared to a pre-tax charge of $13 million ($11 million after-tax) in the same period of 2015.
The following represents a reconciliation of income from continuing operations before special items to income from continuing operations including special items (in millions, except per share data):
Three Months Ended March 31,
2016
2015
Income from continuing operations before special items $ 118 $ 110 EPS before special items $ 0.70 $ 0.65 Special Items Restructuring and other special (charges) credits, net (a) (39 ) (31 ) Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net (b) 2 14 Gain on sale of an unconsolidated joint venture hotel (c) — 4 Total special items – pre-tax (37 ) (13 ) Income tax benefit for special items (d) 16 — Income tax benefit (expense) – other non-recurring items (e) (7 ) 2 Total special items – after-tax (28 ) (11 ) Income from continuing operations $ 90 $ 99 EPS including special items $ 0.53 $ 0.58 a) During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net charge primarily relates to $19 million in costs associated with the Marriott transaction, $7 million in costs associated with the ILG transaction, and $8 million in costs related to the Company’s cost savings initiatives announced in 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net charge relates to $15 million in severance costs, including $7 million associated with the resignation of the Company’s former CEO, the establishment of a $6 million reserve related to potential liabilities assumed in connection with the 2005 acquisition of Le Méridien, and $6 million in costs associated with the ILG transaction. b) During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net benefit primarily relates to the reduction of an obligation associated with a previous disposition. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net benefit primarily relates to the sale of a minority partnership interest in a hotel. c) During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net benefit relates to a gain recognized on the sale of a hotel by a joint venture in which the Company holds a minority interest. This gain is included in the equity earnings and gains from unconsolidated ventures, net line item in the statement of income. d) During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net benefit relates to tax benefits on the pre-tax special items. e) During the three months ended March 31, 2016 the net charge primarily relates to hurricane Odile insurance proceeds partially offset by a favorable change in tax reserves. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net benefit primarily relates to the change in tax reserves.
The Company has included the above supplemental information concerning special items to assist investors in analyzing Starwood’s financial position and results of operations. The Company has chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results and as a means to emphasize the results of core ongoing operations.
Due to the planned merger with Marriott, the Company will not host a conference call for its first quarter financial results.
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