QVC Group, Inc 10-Q for FY2022 Q1
QVC Group, Inc. (QVCAQ)
About this 10-Q
QVC Group, Inc filed this 10-Q on May 6, 2022, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (FY2022 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2022, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $2.88B
- down 13.6% from $3.34B a year earlier
- Net income
- $1M
- down 99.5% from net income of $206M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $0.00
- compared with $0.49 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
| |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | |
Accelerated Filer ☐ | Non-accelerated Filer ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes
The number of outstanding shares of Qurate Retail, Inc.'s common stock as of April 30, 2022 was:
Series A common stock | | | |
Series B common stock | | | |
Table of Contents
I-2
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
|
| March 31, |
| December 31, |
| |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | |
| | amounts in millions | | |||
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | |
| | |
Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $ | |
| |
| | |
Inventory, net | |
| |
| | |
Indemnification agreement receivable | | | | | | |
Other current assets | |
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| | |
Total current assets | |
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Property and equipment, net | |
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| | |
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 5): | | | | | | |
Goodwill | |
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| | |
Trademarks | |
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 5) | |
| |
| | |
Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization | |
| |
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Total assets | | $ | |
| | |
(continued)
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-3
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(unaudited)
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions, |
| |||
| | except share amounts |
| |||
Liabilities and Equity |
| |
|
|
| |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | |
| | |
Accrued liabilities | |
| |
| | |
Current portion of debt, $ | |
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| | |
Other current liabilities | |
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Total current liabilities | |
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Long-term debt (note 6) | |
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| | |
Deferred income tax liabilities | |
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| | |
Preferred stock (note 7) | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | |
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| | |
Total liabilities | |
| |
| | |
Equity | | | | | | |
Stockholders' equity: | | | | | | |
Series A common stock, $ | |
| |
| | |
Series B common stock, $ | |
|
| | ||
Series C common stock, $ | | | | | ||
Additional paid-in capital | |
| |
| — | |
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Retained earnings | |
| |
| | |
Total stockholders' equity | |
| |
| | |
Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries | |
| |
| | |
Total equity | |
| |
| | |
Commitments and contingencies (note 8) | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-4
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
| | Three months ended |
| |||
| | March 31, |
| |||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions, except per share amounts |
| |||
| $ | |
| | | |
Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | |
|
| |
| | | |
Operating expense | |
| |
| | |
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 2) | |
| |
| | |
Restructuring and fire related costs, net | | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
Operating income (loss) | |
| |
| | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | |
Interest expense | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 4) | |
| |
| | |
Other, net | |
| |
| | |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | |
| |
| | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net earnings (loss) | | | | | | |
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders | | $ | |
| | |
| | | | | | |
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A and Series B Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders per common share (note 3): | | $ | |
| | |
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A and Series B Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders per common share (note 3): | | $ | |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-5
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
(unaudited)
| | Three months ended |
| |||
| | March 31, |
| |||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | |
| | |
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to debt credit risk adjustments | | | | | ( | |
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Comprehensive earnings (loss) | |
| ( |
| | |
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests | |
| |
| | |
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders | | $ | ( |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-6
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
| | Three months ended |
| |||
| | March 31, |
| |||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | |
| | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| |
| | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| |
| | |
Share of (earnings) losses of affiliates, net | |
| |
| | |
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | |
| |
| | |
Other, net | |
| ( |
| | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | | | | | | |
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable | |
| |
| | |
Decrease (increase) in inventory | | | ( | | ( | |
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets | | | | | | |
(Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable | | | ( | | ( | |
(Decrease) increase in accrued and other liabilities | | | ( | | ( | |
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities | |
| ( |
| | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | |
Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Capital expenditures | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Expenditures for television distribution rights | | | ( | | ( | |
Cash proceeds from dispositions of investments | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | | | — | | | |
Other investing activities, net | | | | | ( | |
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | |
Borrowings of debt | |
| |
| | |
Repayments of debt | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Repurchases of Qurate Retail common stock | |
| — |
| ( | |
Withholding taxes on net settlements of stock-based compensation | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | | | ( | | ( | |
Dividends paid to common shareholders | | | ( | | ( | |
Other financing activities, net | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | |
| |
| ( | |
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | |
| |
| ( | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | |
| |
| | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | | $ | |
| | |
The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total amount presented in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:
| | | | | |
| | | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | in millions | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | ||
| | | |||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows | | $ | | ||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-7
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Stockholders' Equity | | | | | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Additional | | other | | | | Noncontrolling | | |
|
| | Preferred | | Common stock | | paid-in | | comprehensive | | Retained | | interest in equity | | Total |
| |||
|
| stock |
| Series A |
| Series B |
| capital |
| earnings (loss) |
| earnings |
| of subsidiaries |
| equity |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | | $ | — | | | | — | | — | | ( | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) | |
| — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | |
| — | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | — | | ( | | ( | |
Stock-based compensation | | | — | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | — | | | |
Distribution to noncontrolling interest | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | ( | |
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | — | | — | | — | | ( | |
Other | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | | — | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2022 | | $ | — | | | | — | | | | ( | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Stockholders' Equity | | | | | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Additional | | other | | | | Noncontrolling | | | | ||
| | Preferred | | Common stock | | paid-in | | comprehensive | | Retained | | interest in equity | | Total | | |||
|
| stock |
| Series A |
| Series B |
| capital |
| earnings (loss) |
| earnings |
| of subsidiaries |
| equity | | |
| | amounts in millions | | |||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2021 | | $ | — | | | | — | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) | |
| — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| — | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | — | | ( | | ( | |
Stock-based compensation | | | — | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | — | | | |
Series A Qurate Retail stock repurchases | | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | — | | — | | — | | ( | |
Distribution to noncontrolling interest | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | ( | |
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | — | | — | | — | | ( | |
Other | | | — | | — | | — | | ( | | — | | | | — | | ( | |
Reclassification | | | — | | — | | — | | | | — | | ( | | — | | — | |
Balance at March 31, 2021 | | $ | — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| |
| |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-8
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Qurate Retail, Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively, "Qurate Retail," the "Company," “Consolidated Qurate Retail,” “us,” “we,” or “our” unless the context otherwise requires). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Qurate Retail is made up of wholly-owned subsidiaries QVC, Inc. (“QVC”), which includes HSN, Inc. (“HSN”), Cornerstone Brands, Inc. (“Cornerstone”), Zulily, LLC (“Zulily”), and other cost and equity method investments.
Qurate Retail is primarily engaged in the video and online commerce industries in North America, Europe and Asia. The businesses of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, QVC, Cornerstone and Zulily, are seasonal due to a higher volume of sales in the fourth calendar quarter related to year-end holiday shopping.
The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with current period presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Qurate Retail's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 10-K”).
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Qurate Retail considers (i) fair value measurements, (ii) accounting for income taxes, and (iii) estimates of retail-related adjustments and allowances to be its most significant estimates.
In December 2019, a new coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China and has subsequently spread across the globe causing a global pandemic, impacting all countries where Qurate Retail operates. As a result of the spread of COVID-19, certain local governmental agencies have imposed travel restrictions, local quarantines or stay at home restrictions to contain the spread, which has caused a significant disruption to most sectors of the economy.
Management is not presently aware of any events or circumstances arising from COVID-19 that would require the Company to update the estimates, judgments or revise the carrying value of our assets or liabilities. Management's estimates may change, however, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and any such changes will be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from estimates, and any such differences may be material to our financial statements.
Qurate Retail has entered into certain agreements with Liberty Media Corporation ("LMC") (for accounting purposes, a related party of the Company), a separate publicly traded company. These agreements include a reorganization agreement, services agreement and facilities sharing agreement. As a result of certain corporate transactions, LMC and Qurate Retail may have obligations to each other for certain tax related matters. Neither Qurate Retail nor LMC has any stock ownership, beneficial or otherwise, in the other. In connection with a split-off transaction that occurred in the first quarter of 2018 (the “GCI Liberty Split-Off”), Qurate Retail and GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”) entered into a tax sharing agreement. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, GCI Liberty agreed to indemnify Qurate Retail for taxes and tax-related losses resulting from the GCI Liberty Split-Off to the extent such taxes or tax-related losses (i) result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, the breach of certain restrictive covenants made by GCI Liberty (applicable to actions or failures to act by GCI Liberty and its subsidiaries following the completion of the GCI Liberty Split-Off), or (ii) result from Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code applying to the GCI Liberty Split-Off as a result of the GCI Liberty Split-Off being part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, a 50-
I-9
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
percent or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of GCI Liberty (or any successor corporation). Following a merger between Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) and GCI Liberty, Liberty Broadband (for accounting purposes, a related party of the Company) has assumed the tax sharing agreement.
In December 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to the services agreement in connection with LMC’s entry into a new employment arrangement with Gregory B. Maffei, the Company’s Chairman of the Board (the “Chairman” or “Mr. Maffei”). Under the amended services agreement, components of his compensation will either be paid directly to him by each of the Company, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., and Liberty Broadband (collectively, the “Service Companies”) or reimbursed to LMC, in each case, based on allocations among LMC and the Service Companies set forth in the amended services agreement, currently set at
The reorganization agreement with LMC provides for, among other things, provisions governing the relationship between Qurate Retail and LMC, including certain cross-indemnities. Pursuant to the services agreement, LMC provides Qurate Retail with certain general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support. Qurate Retail reimburses LMC for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by LMC in providing these services and for Qurate Retail's allocable portion of costs associated with any shared services or personnel based on an estimated percentage of time spent providing services to Qurate Retail. Under the facilities sharing agreement, LMC shares office space and related amenities at its corporate headquarters with Qurate Retail. Under these various agreements, approximately $
(2) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has granted to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, restricted stock (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value (“GDFV”) of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are $
I-10
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Qurate Retail – RSUs
The following table presents the number and weighted average GDFV of RSUs granted by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
| | Three months ended | | |||
| | March 31, 2022 | | |||
| | RSUs Granted (000's) | | Weighted Average GDFV | | |
| | | | | | |
Series A Qurate Retail common stock, subsidiary employees (1) | | | | $ | | |
Series A Qurate Retail common stock, Qurate Retail employees and directors (2) | | | | $ | | |
Series A Qurate Retail common stock, Qurate Retail President and CEO (3) | | | | $ | | |
Series B Qurate Retail common stock, Qurate Retail Chairman of the Board (4) | | | | $ | | |
| (1) | Grants mainly vest equally over |
| (2) | Grants mainly vest |
| (3) | Grant vests |
| (4) | Grant vests |
For awards that are performance-based, performance objectives, which are subjective, are considered in determining the timing and amount of compensation expense recognized. When the satisfaction of the performance objectives becomes probable, the Company records compensation expense. The probability of satisfying the performance objectives is assessed at the end of each reporting period.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Exchange Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2021, by and between Mr. Maffei and the Company, on March 25, 2022, Mr. Maffei transferred to the Company an aggregate of
Qurate Retail—Outstanding Awards
The following tables present the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of the options to purchase Qurate Retail common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company, as well as the weighted average remaining life and aggregate intrinsic value of the options.
| | | | |||||||||
|
| |
| | |
| Weighted |
| Aggregate |
| ||
| | | | | | | average | | intrinsic | | ||
| | Series A | | | | | remaining | | value | | ||
| | (000's) | | WAEP | | life | | (millions) | | |||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2022 |
| | | $ | | | | | | | | |
Granted |
| — | | $ | — | | | | | | | |
Exercised |
| ( | | $ | | | | | | | | |
Forfeited/Cancelled |
| ( | | $ | | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding at March 31, 2022 |
| | | $ | |
| years | | $ | | | |
Options exercisable at March 31, 2022 |
| | | $ | |
| years | | $ | | | |
I-11
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
| | | | |||||||||
|
| |
| | |
| Weighted |
| Aggregate |
| ||
| | | | | | | average | | intrinsic | | ||
| | Series B | | | | | remaining | | value | | ||
| | (000's) | | WAEP | | life | | (millions) | | |||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2022 |
| | | $ | | | | | | | | |
Granted |
| — | | $ | — | | | | | | | |
Exercised |
| — | | $ | — | | | | | | | |
Forfeited/Cancelled | | — | | $ | — | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding at March 31, 2022 |
| | | $ | |
| years | | $ | — | | |
Options exercisable at March 31, 2022 |
| | | $ | |
| years | | $ | — | | |
The following table presents the number and weighted average GDFV of RSUs granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.
| | | | Weighted | | | | Weighted | | ||
| | Series A | | Average | | Series B | | Average | | ||
| | (000's) | | GDFV | | (000's) | | GDFV | | ||
RSUs outstanding at January 1, 2022 |
| | | $ | | | — | | $ | — | |
Granted |
| | | $ | | | | | $ | | |
Vested |
| ( | | $ | | | — | | $ | — | |
Forfeited/Cancelled |
| ( | | $ | | | — | | $ | — | |
RSUs outstanding at March 31, 2022 |
| | | $ | | | | | $ | |
|
As of March 31, 2022, Qurate Retail also had
As of March 31, 2022, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $
As of March 31, 2022, Qurate Retail reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options approximately
(3) Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding ("WASO") for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during periods in which losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive.
I-12
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Excluded from diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are
| | Qurate Retail Common Stock | | ||
|
| Three months ended | | ||
| | March 31, | | ||
| | 2022 | | 2021 | |
| | number of shares in millions | | ||
Basic WASO |
| | | | |
Potentially dilutive shares |
| | | | |
Diluted WASO |
| | | | |
(4) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
| | Fair Value Measurements at | | Fair Value Measurements at |
| |||||||||
| | March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| |||||||||
| | |
| Quoted |
| |
| |
| Quoted |
| |
| |
| | | | | prices | | | | | | prices | | |
|
| | | | | in active | | Significant | | | | in active | | Significant |
|
| | | | | markets for | | other | | | | markets for | | other |
|
| | | | | identical | | observable | | | | identical | | observable |
|
| | | | | assets | | inputs | | | | assets | | inputs |
|
Description | | Total | | (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | Total | | (Level 1) | | (Level 2) |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||
Cash equivalents | | $ | |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | |
Indemnification asset | | $ | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Debt | | $ | |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |
The majority of the Company's Level 2 financial assets and liabilities are primarily debt instruments and derivative instruments with quoted market prices that are not considered to be traded on "active markets," as defined in GAAP. The fair values for such instruments are derived from a typical model using observable market data as the significant inputs.
The indemnification asset relates to Liberty Broadband’s agreement to indemnify Liberty Interactive LLC (“LI LLC”) and pertains to the ability of holders of LI LLC’s
I-13
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
| | Three months ended |
| |||
| | March 31, |
| |||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Equity securities | | | ( | | | |
Exchangeable senior debentures | |
| |
| | |
Indemnification asset | | | ( | | ( | |
Other financial instruments | | | | | | |
| | $ | |
| | |
The Company has elected to account for its exchangeable debt using the fair value option. Changes in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations are primarily due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which the debt is exchangeable. The Company isolates the portion of the unrealized gain (loss) attributable to the change in the instrument specific credit risk and recognizes such amount in other comprehensive earnings (loss). The change in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk was a gain of $
(5) Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Corporate and | | | |
|
| QxH | | QVC Int'l | | Zulily |
| Other |
| Total |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | | $ | | | | | |
| |
| | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | |
| — | | ( | | — |
| — |
| ( | |
Balance at March 31, 2022 | | $ | | | | | |
| |
| | |
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $
Remainder of 2022 |
| $ | | |
2023 | | $ | | |
2024 | | $ | | |
2025 | | $ | | |
2026 | | $ | | |
I-14
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(6) Long-Term Debt
Debt is summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Outstanding | | | | | |
| |
| | principal at | | Carrying value |
| ||||
|
| March 31, 2022 |
| March 31, 2022 |
| December 31, 2021 |
| ||
| | amounts in millions |
| ||||||
Corporate level debentures | | | | | | | | | |
| $ | |
| | |
| | | |
|
| |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Subsidiary level notes and facilities | | | | | | | | | |
QVC | |
| |
| | |
| | |
QVC | |
| |
| | |
| | |
QVC | | | | | | | | | |
QVC | | | | | | | | | |
QVC | | | | | | | | | |
QVC | | | | | | | | | |
QVC | |
| |
| | |
| | |
QVC | | | | | | | | | |
QVC | | | | | | | | | |
QVC Senior Secured Credit Facility | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred loan costs | | | — | | | ( | | ( | |
Total consolidated Qurate Retail debt | | $ | |
| | |
| | |
Less current classification | | | |
| | ( |
| ( | |
Total long-term debt | | | | | $ | |
| | |
QVC Senior Secured Notes
As of March 31, 2022, the
QVC Senior Secured Credit Facility
On October 27, 2021, QVC amended and restated its latest credit agreement (as amended and restated, the “Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) and refinanced QVC’s existing bank credit facility by entering into a fifth amended and restated agreement with QVC, Zulily, Cornerstone, and QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC (“QVC Global”), each a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail, as borrowers (QVC, Zulily, Cornerstone and QVC Global, collectively, the “Borrowers”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties named therein.
The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is a multi-currency facility providing for a $
I-15
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
combined ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated EBITDA (the “consolidated leverage ratio”). Borrowings that are Term Benchmark/RFR Rate loans will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable rate plus a margin that varies between
The loans under the New Credit Facility are scheduled to mature on October 27, 2026. Payment of the loans may be accelerated following certain customary events of default.
The payment and performance of the Borrowers’ obligations under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of QVC’s, QVC Global’s, Zulily’s and Cornerstone’s Material Domestic Subsidiaries (as defined in the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), if any, and certain other subsidiaries of any Borrower that such Borrower has chosen to provide guarantees. Further, the borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are secured, pari passu with QVC’s existing notes, by a pledge of all of QVC’s equity interests. The borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are also secured by a pledge of all of Zulily’s and Cornerstone’s equity interests.
The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain restrictions on the Borrowers and each of their respective restricted subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) with respect to, among other things: incurring additional indebtedness; creating liens on property or assets; making certain loans or investments; selling or disposing of assets; paying certain dividends and other restricted payments; dissolving, consolidating or merging; entering into certain transactions with affiliates; entering into sale or leaseback transactions; restricting subsidiary distributions; and limiting the Borrowers’ consolidated leverage ratio.
Borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement may be used to repay outstanding indebtedness, pay certain fees and expenses, finance working capital needs and general purposes of the Borrowers and their respective subsidiaries and make certain restricted payments and loans to the Borrowers’ respective parents and affiliates.
Availability under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at March 31, 2022 was $
Exchangeable Senior Debentures
The Company has elected to account for its exchangeable senior debentures using the fair value option. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized as unrealized gains (losses) in the statements of operations. See note 4 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value. As of March 31, 2022 the Company’s exchangeable debentures have been classified as current because the Company does not own shares to exchange the debentures or they are currently exchangeable. The Company reviews the terms of the debentures on a quarterly basis to determine whether a triggering event has occurred to require current classification of the exchangeables upon a call event. Although we do not own shares underlying certain of the exchangeable senior debentures, the Company has entered into certain derivative transactions in order to hedge against upward price fluctuations on certain shares. Such derivative instruments are recognized in the other current assets line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and are marked to fair value each reporting period. The changes in fair value are recognized in the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net line item in the condensed statement of operations.
Debt Covenants
Qurate Retail and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 2022.
I-16
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Fair Value of Debt
Qurate Retail estimates the fair value of its debt based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rate offered to Qurate Retail for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2). The QVC
| | | | |
Senior debentures | | $ | | |
QVC senior secured notes |
| $ | | |
Due to the variable rate nature, Qurate Retail believes that the carrying amount of its other debt, not discussed above, approximated fair value at March 31, 2022.
(7) Preferred Stock
On September 14, 2020, Qurate Retail issued its
Priority. The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of Qurate Retail, with respect to dividend rights, rights of redemption and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Qurate Retail’s affairs. Shares of Preferred Stock are not convertible into shares of common stock of Qurate Retail.
Dividends. Holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends at a rate of
The ability of Qurate Retail to declare or pay any dividend on, or purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, any of its common stock or any other stock ranking on parity with the Preferred Stock will be subject to restrictions if Qurate Retail does not pay all dividends and all redemption payments on the Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
Distributions upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon Qurate Retail’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, each holder of shares of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, before any distribution is made to the holders of Qurate Retail common stock, an amount equal to the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the immediately preceding dividend payment date, subject to the prior payment of liabilities owed to Qurate Retail’s creditors and the preferential amounts to which any stock senior to the Preferred Stock is entitled. The Preferred Stock has a liquidation price equal to the sum of (i) $
Mandatory and Optional Redemption. The Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption on March 15, 2031 at the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the most recent dividend
I-17
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
payment date. On or after the fifth anniversary of September 14, 2020 (the “Original Issue Date”), Qurate Retail may redeem all or a portion of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, at the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the most recent dividend payment date plus, if the redemption is (x) on or after the fifth anniversary of the Original Issue Date but prior to its sixth anniversary,
Voting Power. Holders of the Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights or powers, except as specified in the Certificate of Designations or as required by Delaware law.
Preferred Stock Directors. So long as the aggregate liquidation price of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock exceeds
Recognition. As the Preferred Stock is subject to unconditional mandatory redemption in cash and was issued in the form of a share, the Company concluded the Preferred Stock was a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument and should be classified as a liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Preferred Stock was initially recorded at its fair value, which was determined to be the liquidation preference of $
(8) Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Qurate Retail may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Fire at Rocky Mount Fulfillment Center
On December 18, 2021, QVC experienced a fire at its Rocky Mount, Inc. fulfillment center in North Carolina. Rocky Mount was QVC’s second-largest fulfillment center for the operating segment comprised of QVC U.S. and HSN (“QxH”) and QVC’s primary returns center for hard goods.
QVC maintains property, general liability and business interruption insurance coverage. Based on provisions of QVC's insurance policies, the Company recorded insurance recoveries for certain fire related costs for which recovery was deemed probable. During the year ended December 31, 2021, QVC recorded $
QVC is still in the process of assessing the extent of damage to property and recoverability of inventory and submitting relevant insurance claims. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, QVC recorded an $
I-18
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
down related to Rocky Mount inventory which was included in cost of goods sold. Due to the circumstances surrounding the write-down of inventory, this write-down has been excluded from Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in note 9). These write-downs are expected to be submitted as part of QVC’s business interruption insurance claim; however, there can be no guarantee they will be recovered. QVC expects to continue to record additional costs and recoveries until the property damage and inventory recoverability assessment is completed and the insurance claim is fully settled.
Zulily Restructuring
In the first quarter of 2022, Zulily began to execute a series of transformation initiatives, beginning with the announcement of the closure of its fulfillment center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. These initiatives are consistent with Zulily’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implements its turnaround plan, and Zulily expects to incur additional expenses related to these transformation initiatives in future periods. Zulily recorded $
(
(9) Information About Qurate Retail's Operating Segments
Qurate Retail, through its ownership interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the video and online commerce industries. Qurate Retail identifies its reportable segments as (A) those operating segments that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual Adjusted OIBDA (as defined below) or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of Qurate Retail's annual pre-tax earnings.
The Qurate Retail chief operating decision maker primarily evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, Qurate Retail reviews nonfinancial measures such as unique website visitors, number of units shipped, conversion rates and active customers, as appropriate.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Qurate Retail has identified the following operating segments as its reportable segments:
| ● | QxH - QVC U.S. and HSN market and sell a wide variety of consumer products in the United States, primarily by means of their televised shopping programs and via the Internet through their websites and mobile applications. |
| ● | QVC International – QVC International markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in several foreign countries, primarily by means of its televised shopping programs and via the Internet through its international websites and mobile applications. |
| ● | Zulily – Zulily markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in the United States and several foreign countries through flash sales events, primarily through its app, mobile and desktop experiences. |
Qurate Retail's operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company's Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the 2021 10-K.
I-19
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Performance Measures
Disaggregated revenue by segment and product category consisted of the following:
| | Three months ended | | |||||||||
| | March 31, 2022 | | |||||||||
| | | QxH | | QVC Int'l | | Zulily | | Corp and other | | Total | |
| in millions | | ||||||||||
Home | | $ | | | | | | | | | | |
Apparel | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beauty | | | | | | | | | — | | | |
Accessories | | | | | | | | | — | | | |
Electronics | | | | | | | | | — | | | |
Jewelry | | | | | | | | | — | | | |
Other revenue | | | | | | | | | — | | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended | |||||||||
| | March 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| | | QxH | | QVC Int'l | | Zulily | | Corp and other | | Total |
| | in millions | |||||||||
Home | | $ | | | | | | | | | |
Apparel | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beauty | | | | | | | | | — | | |
Accessories | | | | | | | | | — | | |
Electronics | | | | | | | | | — | | |
Jewelry | | | | | | | | | — | | |
Other revenue | | | | | | | | | — | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | | | | | | | | | |
I-20
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
For segment reporting purposes, Qurate Retail defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation and, where applicable, separately identified items impacting comparability. Qurate Retail believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and where applicable, separately identified impairments, litigation settlements, restructuring, acquisition-related costs and fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses), that are included in the measurement of operating income (loss) pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net earnings (loss), cash flows provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Qurate Retail generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.
Adjusted OIBDA is summarized as follows:
| | Three months ended March 31, | | |||
| | | 2022 | | 2021 | |
| | amounts in millions | | |||
QxH | | $ | |
| | |
QVC International | | | | | | |
Zulily | |
| ( |
| | |
Corporate and other | |
| |
| | |
Consolidated Qurate Retail | | $ | |
| | |
Other Information
| | March 31, 2022 |
| |||
| | Total assets | | Capital expenditures |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
QxH | | $ | |
| | |
QVC International | | | | | | |
Zulily | | | | | | |
Corporate and other | |
| |
| | |
Consolidated Qurate Retail | | $ | |
| | |
I-21
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:
| | Three months ended |
| |||
| | March 31, |
| |||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | |
| | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Restructuring and fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses, see note 8) | | | ( | | — | |
Operating income (loss) | | $ | | | | |
Interest expense | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Share of earnings (loss) of affiliates, net | |
| ( |
| ( | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net | |
| |
| | |
Other, net | |
| |
| | |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | $ | |
| | |
I-22
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business strategies; COVID-19 (as defined below); the impact of the fire at Rocky Mount fulfillment center; revenue growth at QVC, Inc. ("QVC"); our projected sources and uses of cash; the recoverability of our goodwill and other intangible assets; and fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
| ● | the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and local, state and federal governmental responses to the pandemic on the economy, our customers, our vendors and our businesses generally; |
| ● | customer demand for our products and services and our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers by anticipating customer demand and adapting to changes in demand; |
| ● | competitor responses to our products and services; |
| ● | increased digital TV penetration and the impact on channel positioning of our programs; |
| ● | the levels of online traffic to our businesses' websites and our ability to convert visitors into customers or contributors; |
| ● | uncertainties inherent in the development and integration of new business lines and business strategies; |
| ● | our future financial performance, including availability, terms, deployment of capital and our level of indebtedness; |
| ● | our ability to effectively manage our installment sales plans and revolving credit card programs; |
| ● | the cost and ability of shipping companies, manufacturers, suppliers, digital marketing channels, and vendors to deliver products, equipment, software and services; |
| ● | the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation; |
| ● | availability of qualified personnel; |
| ● | the impact of the seasonality of our businesses; |
| ● | changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings; |
| ● | changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, distributors, suppliers and vendors; |
| ● | domestic and international economic and business conditions and industry trends, including the impact of inflation and the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; |
| ● | changes in the trade policy and trade relations with China; |
| ● | consumer spending levels, including the availability and amount of individual consumer debt and customer credit losses; |
| ● | system interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in the systems and infrastructures of our businesses; |
| ● | advertising spending levels; |
| ● | changes in distribution and viewing of television programming, including the expanded deployment of video on demand technologies and Internet protocol television and their impact on home shopping programming; |
| ● | rapid technological changes; |
| ● | failure to protect the security of personal information, subjecting us to potentially costly government enforcement actions and/or private litigation and reputational damage; |
| ● | the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we operate; |
| ● | natural disasters, public health crises (including COVID-19), political crises, and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control; |
| ● | threatened terrorist attacks, political and economic unrest in international markets and ongoing military action around the world; and |
| ● | fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. |
For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 10-K”). These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other
I-23
factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the 2021 10-K.
The information herein relates to Qurate Retail, Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively “Qurate Retail,” the “Company,” “Consolidated Qurate Retail,” “us,” “we” or “our” unless the context otherwise requires).
Overview
We own controlling interests in video and online commerce companies. Our largest businesses and reportable segments are our operating segment comprised of QVC U.S. and HSN (“QxH”) and QVC International. QVC markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in the United States (“U.S.”) and several foreign countries, primarily by means of its televised shopping programs and the Internet through its domestic and international websites and mobile applications. Zulily, LLC (“Zulily”), an online retailer offering customers a fun and entertaining shopping experience with a fresh selection of new product styles launched every day, is a reportable segment.
Our “Corporate and other” category includes our consolidated subsidiary Cornerstone Brands, Inc. (“Cornerstone”), along with various cost and equity method investments.
In December 2019, COVID-19 was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China and has subsequently spread across the globe causing a global pandemic, impacting all countries where Qurate Retail operates. As a result of the spread of the virus, certain local governmental agencies have imposed travel restrictions, local quarantines or stay at home restrictions to contain the spread, which has caused a significant disruption to most sectors of the economy.
In response to these containment measures, QVC has implemented increased cleaning protocols, social distancing measures and temperature screenings for employees who enter into facilities in locations with high levels of community transmission. QVC transitioned most administrative employees to a hybrid work model and certain employees have moved to permanent work from home arrangements which has resulted in the reduction of office space. Due to ongoing staffing issues and labor shortages, QVC has increased wages and offered incentives, resulting in additional costs to the company. As a result of these resource constraints QVC has experienced some delays in shipping at certain fulfillment centers. The inability to control the spread of COVID-19, or the expansion or extension of containment measures, such as stay at home restrictions, could negatively impact QVC’s results in the future.
The stay at home restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19 required many traditional brick and mortar retailers to temporarily close their stores, but allowed distance retailers, including QVC, to continue operating. As a result, from the end of the first quarter of 2020 and continuing through the first quarter of 2021, QVC observed an increase in new customers and an increase in demand for certain categories, such as home. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021 through the first quarter of 2022, QVC observed a decline in new customers and a decline in demand for its home product category, while also seeing an increase in demand for its apparel product category.
In addition, there are several potential adverse impacts of COVID-19 that could cause a material negative impact to the Company’s financial results, including its capital and liquidity. These include governmental restrictions on QVC’s ability to continue to operate under stay at home restrictions and produce content. These include reduced demand for products we sell; decreases in the disposable income of existing and potential new customers; the impacts of any recession and other uncertainties with respect to the continuity of government stimulus programs implemented in response to COVID-19; increased currency volatility resulting in adverse currency rate fluctuations; higher unemployment; labor shortages; and an adverse impact to our supply chain and shipping disruptions for both the products we import and purchase domestically and the products we sell, including essential products experiencing higher demand, due to factory closures, labor shortages and other resource constraints. While the future impact is currently uncertain, the inability to control the spread of COVID-19 could cause any one of these adverse impacts, or combination of adverse impacts, to have a material impact on our financial results.
I-24
Beginning in the second quarter of 2021, QVC saw increased product shortages as a result of high market demand in some product categories such as home and electronics. QVC also experienced escalating shipping disruptions due to challenges in the global supply chain and labor market causing extended lead time on inventory orders. As a result, the delayed receipt of inventory ordered in prior periods impacted QVC’s ability to have the right products at the right time and has contributed to higher inventory levels as of March 31, 2022. These factors also impacted QVC’s ability to offer certain goods and ship orders timely to its customers. In addition, QVC has seen increasing inflationary pressures during the period including higher wages, freight, and merchandise costs. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as the related international response, is exacerbating inflationary pressures. If these pressures persist, inflated costs may continue to outpace QVC’s pricing power in the near term.
Early decisions by the Biden Administration confirm continuity of a bipartisan consensus in the U.S. government favoring increased confrontation of China in trade practices and economic matters, national security and human rights. The imposition of any new U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports or the taking of other actions against China in the future, and any responses by China, could impair the Company’s ability to meet customer demand and could result in lost sales or an increase in the Company’s cost of merchandise, which would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s businesses and results of operations.
On December 18, 2021, QVC experienced a fire at its Rocky Mount, Inc. fulfillment center in North Carolina. Rocky Mount was QVC’s second-largest fulfillment center, processing approximately 25% to 30% of volume for QVC U.S., and also served as QVC U.S.’s primary returns center for hard goods. The building was significantly damaged as a result of the fire and related smoke and will not reopen. QVC has made a decision not to rebuild the facility; however, it is still in the process of determining future plans for the property. QVC has taken steps to mitigate disruption to operations including diverting inbound orders, leveraging its existing fulfillment centers and supplementing these facilities with short-term leased space as needed. During the year ended December 31, 2021, QVC recorded $229 million of fire related costs for which recovery was deemed probable and received $100 million of insurance proceeds. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, QVC incurred an additional $2 million in fire related costs, net that will not be reimbursed by QVC’s insurance policies and $14 million of other fire related costs for which recovery was deemed probable based on QVC's insurance policies. While there can be no assurance, based on the provisions of QVC’s insurance policies and discussions with insurance carriers, QVC determined that recovery of certain fire related costs is probable, and recorded an insurance receivable. The insurance receivable balance was $143 million as of March 31, 2022, net of $100 million of insurance proceeds received in advance.
QVC is still in the process of assessing the extent of damage to property and recoverability of inventory and submitting relevant insurance claims. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, QVC recorded an $80 million write-down related to Rocky Mount inventory which was included in cost of goods sold. Due to the circumstances surrounding the write-down of the inventory, this write-down has been excluded from Adjusted OIBDA (as defined below). These write-downs are expected to be submitted as part of QVC’s business interruption insurance claim; however, there can be no guarantee they will be recovered. QVC expects to continue to record additional costs and recoveries until the property damage and inventory recoverability assessment is completed and the insurance claim is fully settled. While QVC has taken steps to minimize the overall impact to the business, it experienced increased warehouse and logistics costs during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and anticipates these increased warehouse and logistics costs to continue during 2022.
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Results of Operations—Consolidated
General. We provide in the tables below information regarding our consolidated Operating Results and Other Income and Expense, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our principal reporting segments. The "Corporate and other" category consists of those assets or businesses which we do not disclose separately. For a more detailed discussion and analysis of the financial results of the principal reporting segments, see "Results of Operations—Businesses" below.
Operating Results
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Revenue | | | | | | |
QxH |
| $ | 1,684 | | 1,936 | |
QVC International | | | 670 | | 774 | |
Zulily | | | 232 | | 377 | |
Corporate and other | | | 297 | | 250 | |
Consolidated Qurate Retail |
| $ | 2,883 | | 3,337 | |
| | | | | | |
Operating Income (Loss) | | | | | | |
QxH |
| $ | 42 | | 257 | |
QVC International | | | 88 | | 124 | |
Zulily | | | (38) | | (18) | |
Corporate and other | | | 14 | | 10 | |
Consolidated Qurate Retail |
| $ | 106 | | 373 | |
| | | | | | |
Adjusted OIBDA | | | | | | |
QxH |
| $ | 225 | | 349 | |
QVC International | | | 104 | | 143 | |
Zulily | | | (18) | | 6 | |
Corporate and other | | | 24 | | 19 | |
Consolidated Qurate Retail |
| $ | 335 | | 517 | |
| | | | | | |
Revenue. Consolidated Qurate Retail revenue decreased 13.6% or $454 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in the three months ended March 31, 2022 was due to decreased revenue at QxH of $252 million, decreased revenue at Zulily of $145 million and decreased revenue at QVC International of $104 million, partially offset by increased revenue in the Corporate and other segment of $47 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in Corporate and other revenue was due to an increase in revenue at Cornerstone due to strong customer demand in the home category. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of QVC and Zulily.
Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation includes compensation primarily related to options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units for shares of our common stock that are granted to certain of our officers and employees.
We recorded $15 million and $16 million of stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to decreases at QxH and Zulily. As of March 31, 2022, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Qurate Retail equity awards was approximately $152 million. Such amount will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.
Operating income. Our consolidated operating income decreased $267 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in operating income at QxH of $215 million, a decrease in
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operating income at QVC International of $36 million, and a decrease in operating income at Zulily of $20 million, partially offset by an increase in operating income at the Corporate and other segment of $4 million, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Operating income in the Corporate and other segment increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily related to strong revenue growth and product margin expansion partially offset by supply chain costs at Cornerstone, and a decrease in corporate expenses. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of QVC and Zulily.
Adjusted OIBDA. To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and where applicable, separately identified impairments, litigation settlements, restructuring, acquisition-related costs and fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses). Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net earnings (loss), cash flows provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA:
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Operating income (loss) | | $ | 106 |
| 373 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 130 | | 128 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 15 | | 16 | |
Restructuring and fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses) | | | 84 | | — | |
Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 335 | | 517 | |
Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA decreased 35.2% or $182 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to a decrease at QxH of $124 million, a decrease at QVC International of $39 million, and a decrease at Zulily of $24 million, partially offset by an increase at Corporate and other of $5 million, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The change in the Corporate and other segment for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to strong revenue growth and product margin expansion partially offset by supply chain costs at Cornerstone, and a decrease in corporate expenses. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of QVC and Zulily.
Other Income and Expense
Components of Other income (expense) are presented in the table below.
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
| | | | | | |
Interest expense |
| $ | (117) | | (117) | |
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates |
| | (1) | | (32) | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| | 30 | | 41 | |
Other, net |
| | 53 | | 13 | |
Other income (expense) |
| $ | (35) | | (95) | |
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Interest expense. Interest expense remained flat for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. Share of losses of affiliates decreased $31 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The losses decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to the sale and wind down of the Company’s alternative energy entities as the federal tax credits expire. Historically, the alternative energy entities typically operated at a loss, and the Company recorded its share of such losses, but had favorable tax attributes and credits, which were recorded in the Company’s tax accounts.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Equity securities | | | (10) | | 7 | |
Exchangeable senior debentures | | | 124 | | 46 | |
Indemnification asset | | | (85) | | (52) | |
Other financial instruments | | | 1 | | 40 | |
|
| $ | 30 | | 41 | |
The changes in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are due to market activity in the applicable period related to the financial instruments that are marked to market on a periodic basis. The decrease in realized and unrealized gains for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by a decrease in unrealized gains related to derivative instruments, a decrease in unrealized gains on the indemnification asset (described in note 4 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) and increased unrealized losses related to several of the Company’s equity securities, partially offset by an increase in unrealized gains on the exchangeable senior debentures driven by more growth in stock prices of the securities underlying the debentures than the prior year.
Other, net. Other, net income increased $40 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was primarily the result of the sale of warrants at QVC, an increase in tax sharing benefit with Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) and an increase in foreign currency exchange gains, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Income taxes. We had income tax expense of $58 million and $54 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Income tax expense was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% during the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to non-deductible expenses from a decrease in the fair value of the indemnification receivable owed to Qurate from Liberty Broadband, as well as state and foreign income tax expense. Income tax expense was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to tax benefits from tax credits generated by our alternative energy investments, partially offset by state and foreign income tax expense.
Net earnings. We had net earnings of $13 million and $224 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The change in net earnings (loss) was the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.
Material Changes in Financial Condition
As of March 31, 2022, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents are invested in U.S. Treasury securities, securities of other government agencies, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.
The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, equity issuances, dividend and interest receipts, proceeds from asset sales, debt (including availability under QVC’s bank credit facilities, as discussed in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements), and cash generated by the operating activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Cash generated by the operating activities of our subsidiaries is only a source of liquidity to the extent
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such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted. For example, under QVC’s bond indentures, it is able to pay dividends or make other restricted payments if it is not in default on its senior secured notes and its consolidated leverage ratio is no greater than 3.5 to 1.0. In addition, under QVC’s bank credit facility it is able to pay dividends or make other restricted payments if it is not in default on the bank credit facility and the consolidated leverage ratio of QVC, QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC, Zulily and Cornerstone is no greater than 4.0 to 1.0. Further, under QVC’s bond indentures and the bank credit facility credit agreement, unlimited dividends are permitted to service the debt of Qurate Retail so long as there is no default (i.e., no leverage test is needed).
As of March 31, 2022, Qurate Retail's liquidity position included the following:
| | Cash and cash | | |
| | equivalents | | |
| | amounts in millions | ||
QVC |
| $ | 522 | |
Zulily | | | 4 | |
Corporate and other | | | 82 | |
Total Qurate Retail |
| $ | 608 | |
| | | | |
| | | Borrowing capacity | |
| | | amount in millions | |
QVC Senior Secured Credit Facility | | $ | 2,481 | |
To the extent that the Company recognizes any taxable gains from the sale of assets we may incur tax expense and be required to make tax payments, thereby reducing any cash proceeds. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $233 million of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash held in foreign subsidiaries that is available for domestic purposes with no significant tax consequences upon repatriation to the United States. QVC accrues foreign taxes on the unremitted earnings of its international subsidiaries. Approximately 84% of QVC’s foreign cash balance was that of QVC-Japan (as defined below). QVC owns 60% of QVC-Japan and shares all profits and losses with the 40% minority interest holder, Mitsui & Co., LTD (“Mitsui”).
Additionally, our operating businesses have generated, on average, more than $1 billion in annual cash provided by operating activities over the prior three years and we do not anticipate any significant reductions in that amount in future periods.
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Cash Flow Information | | | | | | |
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| $ | (179) | | 153 | |
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| $ | (16) | | (180) | |
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| $ | 229 | | (23) | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, Qurate Retail's primary sources of cash were net debt borrowings of $265 million and cash proceeds from dispositions of investments of $12 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $43 million and dividends paid to noncontrolling interests of $14 million.
The projected uses of Qurate Retail cash for the remainder of 2022 are continued capital improvement spending between $228 million and $255 million, debt service payments (including approximately $213 million for interest payments on outstanding debt), repayment of debt, the potential buyback of common stock under the approved share buyback program, payment of dividends to the holders of Qurate Retail 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) and additional investments in existing or new businesses. We also may be required to make net payments of income tax liabilities to settle items under discussion with tax authorities. We expect that cash on hand and cash provided by operating activities and borrowing capacity in future periods will be sufficient to fund projected uses of cash.
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Results of Operations—Businesses
QVC. QVC is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the Internet and mobile applications. In the U.S., QVC’s televised shopping programs, including live and recorded content, are broadcast across multiple channels nationally on a full-time basis, including QVC, QVC 2, QVC 3, HSN and HSN2. QVC U.S. programming is also available on QVC.com and HSN.com, QVC’s U.S. websites; virtual multichannel video programming distributors (including Hulu + Live TV, AT&T TV, and You Tube TV); applications via streaming video; Facebook Live, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Xfinity Flex and Samsung TV Plus; mobile applications; social pages and over-the-air broadcasters.
QVC’s digital platforms enable consumers to purchase goods offered on its broadcast programming, along with a wide assortment of products that are available only on its U.S. websites. QVC.com and its other digital platforms (including its mobile applications, social pages and others) are natural extensions of its business model, allowing customers to engage in its shopping experience wherever they are, with live or on-demand content customized to the device they are using. In addition to offering video content, QVC’s U.S. websites allow shoppers to browse, research, compare and perform targeted searches for products, read customer reviews, control the order-entry process and conveniently access their account.
QVC’s international televised shopping programs, including live and recorded content, are distributed to households outside of the U.S., primarily in Germany, Austria, Japan, the United Kingdom ("U.K."), the Republic of Ireland and Italy. In some of the countries where QVC operates, its televised shopping programs are broadcast across multiple QVC channels: QVC Style and QVC2 in Germany and QVC Beauty, QVC Extra, and QVC Style in the U.K. Similar to the U.S., QVC’s international businesses also engage customers via websites, mobile applications, and social pages. QVC’s international business employs product sourcing teams who select products tailored to the interests of each local market.
QVC's Japanese operations (“QVC-Japan”) are conducted through a joint venture with Mitsui. QVC-Japan is owned 60% by QVC and 40% by Mitsui. QVC and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on their respective ownership interests. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, QVC-Japan paid dividends to Mitsui of $14 million and $16 million, respectively.
QVC's operating results were as follows:
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Net revenue |
| $ | 2,354 |
| 2,710 | |
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, amortization and Rocky Mount inventory losses shown below) | | | (1,561) |
| (1,758) | |
Operating expenses | | | (178) |
| (186) | |
SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) | | | (286) |
| (274) | |
Adjusted OIBDA | | | 329 |
| 492 | |
Fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses) | | | (82) | | — | |
Stock-based compensation | | | (8) |
| (9) | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | (109) |
| (102) | |
Operating income |
| $ | 130 |
| 381 | |
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Net revenue was generated in the following geographical areas:
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
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|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| ||
| | amounts in millions |
| ||||
QxH |
| $ | 1,684 |
| | 1,936 | |
QVC International | | | 670 | | | 774 | |
Consolidated QVC |
| $ | 2,354 | | | 2,710 | |
QVC's consolidated net revenue decreased 13.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in net revenue is primarily due to a 10.6% decrease in units shipped, $50 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates and a $29 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue. These declines were partially offset by a $25 million decrease in estimated product returns.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the changes in revenue and expenses were affected by changes in the exchange rates for the Japanese Yen, the Euro and the U.K. Pound Sterling. In the event the U.S. Dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's revenue and operating cash flow will be negatively affected.
In describing QVC’s operating results, the term currency exchange rates refers to the currency exchange rates QVC uses to convert the operating results for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar. QVC calculates the effect of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activity translated using the prior period's currency exchange rates. QVC refers to the results of this calculation as the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Constant currency operating results refers to operating results without the impact of the currency exchange rate fluctuations. The disclosure of constant currency amounts or results permits investors to better understand QVC’s underlying performance without the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations.
The percentage change in net revenue for each of QVC's geographic areas in U.S. Dollars and in constant currency was as follows:
| | Three months ended | | |||||||
| | March 31, 2022 | | |||||||
|
| U.S. Dollars | | Foreign Currency Exchange Impact | | Constant Currency | | |||
QxH |
| (13.0) | % | | — | % | | (13.0) | % | |
QVC International |
| (13.4) | % | | (6.4) | % | | (7.0) | % | |
The decrease in QxH net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to a 12.4% decrease in units shipped and a $23 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue, which was partially offset by a $19 million decrease in estimated product returns. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, QxH experienced shipped sales growth in apparel with declines in all other categories. The decrease in estimated product returns was driven by lower sales volume, partially offset by a shift in product mix to higher return rate categories.
QVC International net revenue decline in constant currency for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to a 6.4% decrease in units shipped across all markets except Japan and a $5 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue. These declines were partially offset by a $7 million decrease in estimated product returns and a slight increase in ASP. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, QVC International experienced shipped sales decline in constant currency across all product categories except apparel.
QVC's future net revenue growth will primarily depend on sales growth from e-commerce, mobile platforms, and applications via streaming video, additions of new customers from households already receiving QVC's televised programming and increased spending from existing customers. QVC's future net revenue may also be affected by (i) the willingness of cable television and direct-to-home satellite system operators to continue carrying QVC's programming service; (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult due to governmental action or from distributors converting analog customers to digital; (iii) changes in television viewing habits
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because of video-on-demand technologies and Internet video services; (iv) QVC’s ability to source new and compelling products; and (v) general economic conditions.
QVC's cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue was 66.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to 64.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is primarily due to higher fulfillment costs across the business driven by increased freight and warehousing costs. Higher fulfillment costs at QxH were also impacted by strains on QVC’s fulfillment network due to the loss of the Rocky Mount fulfillment center and higher wages, partially offset by efficiencies from fulfillment centers closed in the prior year. The increase in cost of goods sold was also impacted by increased inventory obsolescence primarily at QxH due to higher levels of inventory partially offset by lower obsolescence at QVC International. These increases were partially offset by higher product margin at QxH driven by a mix shift into apparel and targeted pricing actions.
QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, credit card processing fees and telecommunications expenses. Operating expenses decreased $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to a $4 million decrease in commissions across the business, and a $4 million decrease due to favorable exchange rates. The decrease in commissions is primarily due to lower sales volume.
QVC's SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) include personnel, information technology, provision for doubtful accounts, production costs, and marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses increased $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same period in the prior year, and as a percentage of net revenue, increased from 10.1% to 12.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the increase was primarily due to a $10 million increase in estimated credit losses primarily at QxH, a $4 million increase in personnel costs primarily at QxH and a $2 million increase in IT expenses. These increases were partially offset by $6 million in favorable exchange rates. The increase to estimated credit losses was due to lower expected collections in the current year compared to favorable adjustments recognized in the prior year based on actual collections experience.
QVC recorded $82 million of fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to a write-down on Rocky Mount inventory. Fire related costs, net includes expenses directly related to the Rocky Mount fulfillment center fire net of expected and received insurance recoveries. Expenses indirectly related to the Rocky Mount fulfillment center fire, including operational inefficiencies, are primarily included in cost of goods sold. These indirect expenses will be submitted as part of QVC’s insurance claim; however, there can be no guarantee they will be recovered.
Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to options and restricted stock units granted to certain officers and employees. QVC recorded $8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Depreciation and amortization increased $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and included $16 million of acquisition related amortization for both of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The increase was primarily related to software amortization associated with QVC’s new enterprise resource planning system and increased channel placement amortization and related expenses, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation due to assets disposed of related to the Rocky Mount fulfillment center fire.
Zulily. Zulily is an online retailer offering customers a fun and entertaining shopping experience with a fresh selection of new product styles launched each day. The Zulily website was launched in January 2010 with the goal of revolutionizing the way consumers shop. Through its app, mobile and desktop experiences, Zulily helps its customers discover new and unique products at great values that they would likely not find elsewhere. Zulily’s merchandise includes women’s, children’s and men’s apparel and other products such as home, accessories and beauty products.
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Zulily's stand-alone operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
| | Three months ended |
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| | March 31, |
| |||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
| | amounts in millions |
| |||
Net revenue |
| $ | 232 |
| 377 | |
Costs of goods sold | | | (178) |
| (288) | |
Operating expenses | | | (7) |
| (10) | |
SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) | | | (65) |
| (73) | |
Adjusted OIBDA | | | (18) |
| 6 | |
Restructuring charges | | | (2) | | — | |
Stock-based compensation | | | (3) |
| (4) | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | (15) |
| (20) | |
Operating income (loss) |
| $ | (38) |
| (18) | |
Zulily's consolidated net revenue decreased 38.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was the result of a 45.6% decline in total units shipped offset by a 12.4% increase in ASP. The decline in shipped units resulted from a 30% decline in active customers due to a reduction in total marketing spend and product scarcity.
Zulily's cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue was 76.7% and 76.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the increase was primarily due to unfavorable fixed costs and fulfillment costs driven mostly by sales deleverage, partially offset by favorable product margin.
Operating expenses are principally comprised of credit card processing fees and customer service expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating expenses decreased compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to decreased sales volumes.
Zulily’s SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) include personnel related costs for general corporate functions, marketing and advertising expenses, information technology, and the costs associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, including rent. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, as a percentage of net revenue, these expenses increased from 19.4% to 28.0%. The increase was primarily attributable to sales deleverage partially offset by reduced marketing spend.
Zulily recorded $2 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended March 31, 2022 principally related to its regional office space strategy and expenses associated with its Pennsylvania facility closure.
Zulily’s total depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year primarily due to amortization of Zulily’s customer relationship asset reaching the end of its useful life on December, 31, 2021, partially offset by accelerated depreciation resulting from its Pennsylvania facility closure.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to our ongoing investing and financial activities and the conduct of operations by our subsidiaries in different foreign countries. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing and investment activities, which include investments in fixed and floating rate debt instruments and borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund
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business operations. The nature and amount of our long-term and short-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. We manage our exposure to interest rates by maintaining what we believe is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We believe this best protects us from interest rate risk. We have achieved this mix by (i) issuing fixed rate debt that we believe has a low stated interest rate and significant term to maturity, (ii) issuing variable rate debt with appropriate maturities and interest rates and (iii) entering into interest rate swap arrangements when we deem appropriate. As of March 31, 2022, our debt is comprised of the following amounts:
| | Variable rate debt | | Fixed rate debt |
| ||||||
|
| | |
| Weighted |
| | |
| Weighted |
|
| | Principal | | average | | Principal | | average |
| ||
| | amount | | interest rate | | amount | | interest rate |
| ||
| | dollar amounts in millions |
| ||||||||
QxH and QVC International |
| $ | 402 | | 1.8 | % | $ | 4,575 | | 5.0 | % |
Zulily | | $ | 200 | | 1.8 | % | $ | — | | — | % |
Corporate and other |
| $ | 20 | | 1.8 | % | $ | 1,951 | | 5.3 | % |
Qurate Retail is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations related primarily to the monetary assets and liabilities and the financial results of QVC's foreign subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the statements of operations are generally translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. Dollars that result in unrealized gains or losses are referred to as translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in income as unrealized (based on period-end translations) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. Cash flows from our operations in foreign countries are translated at the average rate for the period. Accordingly, Qurate Retail may experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings and equity with respect to our holdings solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. QVC's reported Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2022 would have been impacted by approximately $1 million, for every 1% change in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar.
We periodically assess the effectiveness of our derivative financial instruments. With regard to interest rate swaps, we monitor the fair value of interest rate swaps as well as the effective interest rate of the interest rate swap yields, in comparison to historical interest rate trends. We believe that any losses incurred with regard to interest rate swaps would be largely offset by the effects of interest rate movements on the underlying debt facilities. These measures allow our management to evaluate the success of our use of derivative instruments and to determine when to enter into or exit from derivative instruments.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and its principal accounting and financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2022 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchase Programs
In May 2019, the board authorized the repurchase of $500 million of Series A Qurate Retail common stock (“QRTEA”) or Series B Qurate Retail common stock (“QRTEB”). In August 2021, the board authorized the repurchase of $500 million of QRTEA or QRTEB.
There were no repurchases of QRTEA or QRTEB during the three months ended March 31, 2022 under the Company’s share repurchase program.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, no shares of QRTEA, QRTEB or Preferred Stock were surrendered by our officers and employees to pay withholding taxes and other deductions in connection with the vesting of their restricted stock, restricted stock units, and options.
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Quarterly Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
| | |
31.1 | | |
31.2 | | |
32 | | |
99.1 | | |
101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance Document* - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document* |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document* |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document* |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document* |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document* |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)* |
* | Filed herewith |
** | Furnished herewith |
II-2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | QURATE RETAIL, INC. | |
Date: May 6, 2022 | | By: | /s/ DAVID RAWLINSON II |
| | | David Rawlinson II President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: May 6, 2022 | | By: | /s/ BRIAN J. WENDLING |
| | | Brian J. Wendling Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
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CERTIFICATION
I, David Rawlinson II, certify that:
Date: May 6, 2022
CERTIFICATION
I, Brian J. Wendling, certify that:
Date: May 6, 2022
Brian J. Wendling | | |
Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | | |
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)
Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Qurate Retail, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby certify, to such officer's knowledge, that:
The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022 (the "Form 10-Q") of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: May 6, 2022 | | /s/ DAVID RAWLINSON II |
| | David Rawlinson II President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: May 6, 2022 | | /s/ BRIAN J. WENDLING |
| | Brian J. Wendling Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.
Qurate Retail, Inc.
Reconciliation of Qurate Retail, Inc. ("Qurate Retail") Net Assets and
Net Earnings to Liberty Interactive LLC ("Liberty LLC") Net Assets and Net Earnings
March 31, 2022
(unaudited)
amounts in millions
| | | | |
Qurate Retail Net Assets |
| $ | 3,007 | |
Reconciling items: | | | | |
Zulily, LLC ("Zulily") net assets | | | (189) | |
Cornerstone Brands, Inc. ("Cornerstone") net assets (1) | | | (231) | |
Equity investment in Cornerstone held by Liberty LLC (1) | | | 83 | |
Tax sharing agreement with Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband") | | | 63 | |
Preferred Stock liability (2) | | | 1,265 | |
Preferred restricted stock unit liability (2) | | | 29 | |
Accrued preferred dividends payable (2) | | | 4 | |
Liberty LLC Net Assets | | $ | 4,031 | |
| | | | |
Qurate Retail Net Earnings | | $ | 13 | |
Reconciling items: | | | | |
Zulily net (earnings) loss | | | 30 | |
Cornerstone net (earnings) loss (1) | | | (18) | |
Cornerstone equity method investment share of earnings (loss) | | | 7 | |
Liberty Broadband tax sharing expense | | | (23) | |
Accrued preferred dividends payable (2) | | | 25 | |
Liberty LLC Net Earnings | | $ | 34 | |
| | | | |
| (1) | On December 29, 2017, Qurate Retail acquired the approximate remaining 62% of HSN, Inc. (which includes its televised shopping business “HSN” and its catalog retail business “Cornerstone”) it did not already own. On December 31, 2018, Qurate Retail transferred their 100% ownership interest in HSN to QVC, Inc. through a transaction amongst entities under common control and based on the guidance for accounting for transactions amongst entities under common control HSN’s results have been excluded for the entire period. Liberty LLC continues to hold 38% of Cornerstone and accounts for its ownership in Cornerstone as an equity method investment. |
| (2) | On September 14, 2020, Qurate Retail issued the 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). Holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends at a fixed rate of 8.0% per year on a cumulative basis, beginning December 15, 2020 and thereafter on each of March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 during the term. As the Preferred Stock is subject to unconditional mandatory redemption in cash and was issued in the form of a share, Qurate Retail concluded the Preferred Stock was a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument and should be classified as a liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. |