Liberty Interactive Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2012 Financial Results

Liberty Interactive Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2012 Financial Results

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty") (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB, LVNTA, LVNTB) today reported fourth quarter and year end 2012 results. Highlights include⁽¹⁾:

Attributed to Liberty Interactive Group

• Grew consolidated QVC revenue by 2% and adjusted OIBDA⁽²⁾ by 4% in Q4

  • Grew QVC US revenue by 2% and adjusted OIBDA by 7%

  • QVC.com revenue as a percent of total US revenue increased to 43%, a 3 point increase

    • Mobile penetration was 23% of QVC.com orders

    • QVC is the second largest mobile commerce multi-category retailer in 2012, behind only Amazon, according to Internet Retailer

    • QVC tied for 2^nd (with Apple) in ForeSee Mobile Retail Satisfaction Index: Holiday Retail Edition

  • Operating income increased 13%

• Repurchased $177 million of Liberty Interactive stock from November 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013

Attributed to Liberty Ventures Group

• Purchased additional 4.8 million shares of TripAdvisor, Liberty now has voting control of the company with 57% of the total votes

• Announced full redemption of 3.25% exchangeable debentures due 2031

"QVC continues to produce solid results, with significant growth in eCommerce and mobile revenue. We are proud that a new customer satisfaction survey from ForeSee ranked QVC as one of the top performing mobile eCommerce companies," stated Greg Maffei, Liberty President and CEO. "We accelerated our repurchases of Liberty Interactive stock and bought $177 million worth of shares. Attributable to Liberty Ventures, we purchased additional shares of TripAdvisor acquiring voting control of the company."

LIBERTY INTERACTIVE GROUP - Liberty Interactive Group's revenue increased 2% to $3.1 billion in the fourth quarter and 4% to $10 billion for the year. Adjusted OIBDA increased 1% to $626 million for the quarter and 4% to $1.9 billion for the year. Operating income decreased 7% to $382 million for the quarter and 1% to $1.1 billion for the year. The increase in revenue was the result of increased revenue for QVC and the eCommerce companies. The increase in adjusted OIBDA was due to favorable results at QVC, which was offset by unfavorable results at the eCommerce companies. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the increase in stock compensation expense and the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets at certain eCommerce subsidiaries. Operating income has been reduced by $325 million and $323 million of non-tax-deductible amortization related to Liberty's acquisition of QVC for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

QVC

QVC's consolidated net revenue increased 2% in the fourth quarter to $2.7 billion and 3% to $8.5 billion for the year. Adjusted OIBDA increased 4% to $603 million in the fourth quarter and 5% to $1.8 billion for the year.

"We see 2012 as a year highlighted by global expansion and mobile leadership for QVC," said Mike George, QVC President and CEO. "We expanded globally by launching a joint venture in China and ended the year reaching 48 million homes in China, up from 32 million at the start of the year. Additionally, we completed important foundation work that will prepare us for more rapid global expansion in the coming years. Furthermore, QVC is now recognized as an industry leader in mobile commerce. We're truly changing the way the world shops - together with our loyal and expanding customer base."

QVC's US revenue increased 2% to $1.8 billion in the fourth quarter and 3% to $5.6 billion for the year. The fourth quarter and full year sales showed strength in home and beauty products and full year results also showed strength in apparel sales. For the fourth quarter and full year, these increases were partially offset by a decline in electronics and jewelry product sales. Average selling price ("ASP") increased 2% from $60.35 to $61.83 and units sold declined 1% compared to the prior year fourth quarter. The return rate was relatively flat compared to the prior year. For the full year, ASP increased 3% from $55.74 to $57.52 and units sold remained flat. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue increased 55 basis points due to the mix of products sold, namely apparel that returns at higher rates. In the fourth quarter, eCommerce revenue increased 10% to $781 million and grew to 43% from 40% as a percentage of total US net revenue. For the year, eCommerce revenue increased 12% to $2.2 billion and grew to 40% from 37% as a percentage of total US net revenue. Adjusted OIBDA increased 7% to $429 million in the fourth quarter and 5% to $1.3 billion for the year. Adjusted OIBDA margin⁽²⁾ increased 109 basis points and 50 basis points for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. Adjusted OIBDA margin increased in the fourth quarter and full year due partially to a $20 million net favorable settlement that occurred in the fourth quarter. For the full year, adjusted OIBDA margin was also positively impacted by an improved gross margin as a result of a favorable net shipping and handling position including warehouse productivity and a decrease in credit card processing fees due to a change in US legislation associated with debit card purchases resulting in lower fees charged to merchants.

QVC's international revenue increased 1% in the fourth quarter to $864 million and 3% to $2.9 billion for the year. The fourth quarter results included the negative impact of the strengthening of the US dollar against the Japanese Yen and Euro that was somewhat offset by the weakening of the US dollar against the Pound Sterling. The full year results included the negative impact of unfavorable exchange rates in each of QVC's markets. Adjusted OIBDA decreased 2% to $174 million in the fourth quarter, but increased 6% to $536 million for the year. Adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 63 basis points and increased 50 basis points for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively.

QVC Japan's revenue grew 6% and 11% in local currency in the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. The increases in the fourth quarter and the full year were primarily due to increased sales in home, apparel and accessories products. QVC Japan's ASP in local currency decreased 3% and 1% for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. However, units shipped increased 11% and 14% for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. QVC Japan's fourth quarter and year-to-date returns as a percent of gross product revenue in local currency increased 106 basis points and 92 basis points, respectively, due primarily to the shift in sales mix to apparel that returns at higher rates. QVC Japan's adjusted OIBDA in local currency increased 8% for the fourth quarter and 17% for the full year. Adjusted OIBDA margin remained flat and increased 99 basis points for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. Adjusted OIBDA margin increased for the full year primarily due to lower packaging expense, lower commissions expense as a percentage of revenue and fixed cost leverage.

QVC Germany's revenue declined 3% and 4% in local currency in the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. The decrease in revenue in the fourth quarter was due primarily to declines in sales of home, beauty and electronics products, offset by an increase in apparel. Full year revenue declines were primarily due to decreases in sales in the health and fitness, apparel and accessories categories, partially offset by an increase in sales of beauty products. QVC Germany's ASP in local currency decreased 5% and 3% for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. Units shipped increased 1% in the fourth quarter, but decreased 3% for the full year. QVC Germany's fourth quarter return rate as a percent of gross product revenue in local currency increased 26 basis points from the prior year due primarily to increased sales of apparel products that have higher return rates, while full year returns as a percent of gross product revenue declined 138 basis points from the prior year due primarily to declining sales in higher return categories, including apparel. QVC Germany's adjusted OIBDA in local currency decreased 13% for the fourth quarter and decreased 3% for the full year. Adjusted OIBDA margin decreased 205 basis points and remained flat for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. Adjusted OIBDA margin decreased in the fourth quarter due primarily to unfavorable product margins.

QVC UK's revenue increased 3% in local currency for both the fourth quarter and the full year. The increase in the fourth quarter was primarily due to sales in the electronics and home categories. The increase in revenue for the full year was primarily due to an increase in sales of beauty products. QVC UK's ASP in local currency increased 7% and 3% for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. Units shipped decreased 3% in the fourth quarter and remained flat for the full year. QVC UK's fourth quarter and full year return rates as a percent of gross product revenue in local currency increased 27 and 28 basis points, respectively, from the prior year. QVC UK's adjusted OIBDA in local currency increased 1% for the fourth quarter, but decreased 6% for the full year. Adjusted OIBDA margin increased slightly and decreased 151 basis points for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. For the full year, adjusted OIBDA margin decreased primarily due to lower product margins and higher transition and running costs associated with QVC UK's new headquarters move in June 2012.

QVC Italy continues the trend upward with sequential fourth quarter sales growth of 44% in local currency over the third quarter of 2012. QVC Italy's revenue increased 119% and 168% in local currency in the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. QVC Italy's sales were primarily from the cooking and dining, beauty and apparel product categories. The adjusted OIBDA deficit improved by 44% in the fourth quarter and 34% for the year. QVC Italy's ASP in local currency increased 5% and 2% for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively. Units shipped increased 111% in the fourth quarter and 171% for the full year.

On July 4, 2012, QVC entered into a joint venture with China Broadcasting Corporation, a limited liability company, owned by China National Radio ("CNR") for a 49% interest in a CNR subsidiary, CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. ("CNRS"). CNRS had sequential sales growth in the fourth quarter of 37% in local currency over the third quarter of 2012. CNRS revenue increased 14% and 85% in local currency for the fourth quarter and the full year 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011, respectively. This joint venture is being accounted for as an equity method investment, and as a result, QVC reported a $1 million and $4 million reduction in net income for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.

QVC's outstanding bank and bond debt was $3.4 billion at December 31, 2012, an increase of $1.0 billion since the prior year. The increase was primarily associated with borrowings to fund the Liberty Ventures Group as part of the Liberty Interactive Group's recapitalization of its common stock.

eCommerce Businesses

In the aggregate, Liberty Interactive Group's eCommerce businesses increased revenue 5% to $451 million for the fourth quarter and 11% to $1.5 billion for the year. Adjusted OIBDA decreased 29% to $35 million for the quarter and 22% to $96 million for the year. Operating income decreased 230% to a $39 million loss for the quarter and 247% to an $81 million loss for the year. The increase in revenue was the result of increased marketing efforts driving additional traffic, greater conversion resulting from site optimization, broader inventory offerings and a lift in sales from discounted pricing of seasonal inventory. The decrease in adjusted OIBDA was the result of increased spending in paid search as a percentage of revenue, increased promotional activity to move seasonal inventory resulting in lower gross margins and lower advertising revenue due to pricing and a shift to mobile applications. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to an impairment of goodwill and other intangibles at Celebrate Interactive and Evite as a result of continued declining operating results and unfavorable trends during 2012.

Share Repurchases

From November 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013, Liberty repurchased approximately 9.0 million Series A Liberty Interactive shares at an average cost per share of $19.76 for total cash consideration of $177.0 million. Since the creation of the Liberty Interactive stock in May 2006, Liberty has repurchased approximately 184.2 million shares at an average cost per share of $19.02 for aggregate cash consideration of $3.5 billion. These repurchases represent approximately 26.3% 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 current repurchase authorization for Liberty Interactive Group stock is approximately $1.2 billion.

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, MotoSport and Right Start, and also owns interests in HSN and Lockerz.

LIBERTY VENTURES GROUP - Fair value of the equity method securities and non-strategic AFS securities attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group decreased from $4.9 billion at September 30, 2012 to $3.6 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to the sale of 12 million shares of Expedia and the consolidation of TripAdvisor due to the acquisition of the controlling interest during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Share Repurchases

There were no repurchases of Liberty Ventures Group stock from November 1, 2012 through January 31, 2012. 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 interests in TripAdvisor, and Expedia, and minority interests in Time Warner and Time Warner Cable.

FOOTNOTES