ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 8, 2024 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband") (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) today reported first quarter 2024 results.
Headlines include(1):
Fair value of Charter investment was $13.4 billion as of March 31st
Liberty Broadband did not sell Charter shares to Charter from February 1, 2024 through April 30, 2024 as its fully diluted equity interest in Charter remained below 26%(2)
From February 1, 2024 through April 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband repurchased 103 thousand LBRDK shares at an average price per share of $79.88 for total cash consideration of $8.2 million
In the first quarter, GCI(3) revenue was flat at $245 million, generated $37 million in operating income and Adjusted OIBDA(4) was flat at $90 million
Share Repurchases
From February 1, 2024 through April 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband repurchased 103 thousand shares of Series C Liberty Broadband common stock (Nasdaq: LBRDK) at an average cost per share of $79.88 for total cash consideration of $8.2 million. The total remaining repurchase authorization for Liberty Broadband as of April 30, 2024 is approximately $1.7 billion.
Charter Ownership
Under the terms of Liberty Broadband and Charter's stockholder agreement, Liberty Broadband has sold and will continue to sell to Charter a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock as is necessary to maintain Liberty Broadband's percentage equity interest at 26%(2) on a fully diluted basis. Such sales are executed by Liberty Broadband monthly based on Charter's repurchase activity in the month prior.
From February 1, 2024 through April 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband did not sell Charter shares to Charter as its fully diluted equity interest in Charter remained below 26%(2).
Balance Sheet
The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and liquid investments, debt and public holdings of Liberty Broadband as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
(amounts in millions) 12/31/2023 3/31/2024
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
GCI Holdings $ 79 $ 70
Corporate and Other 79 38
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
$ 158 $ 108
Total Liberty Broadband Consolidated Cash
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
Fair Value of Public Holdings in Charter(a) $ 17,984 $ 13,385
Debt:
Senior Notes(b) $ 600 $ 600
Senior Credit Facility 394 334
Tower Obligations and Other(c) 91 90
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
$ 1,085 $ 1,024
Total GCI Holdings Debt
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
GCI Leverage(d) 2.9x 2.8x
Charter Margin Loan $ 1,460 $ 1,480
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2053(e) 1,265 1,265
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
$ 2,725 $ 2,745
Total Corporate Level Debt
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
-------------------- ------------------------------ -------------------- ------------------------------
$ 3,810 $ 3,769
Total Liberty Broadband Debt
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
Fair market value adjustment and deferred loan costs 12 (45 )
Tower obligations and finance leases (excluded from GAAP Debt) (86 ) (85 )
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
$ 3,736 $ 3,639
Total Liberty Broadband Debt (GAAP)
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
Other Financial Obligations:
_________________________
a) Represents fair value of the investment in Charter as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Represents fair value of the investment in Charter as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
b) Principal amount of Senior Notes. Principal amount of Senior Notes.
c) Includes the Wells Fargo Note Payable and current and long-term obligations under tower obligations and finance leases. Includes the Wells Fargo Note Payable and current and long-term obligations under tower obligations and finance leases.
d) As defined in GCI's credit agreement. As defined in GCI's credit agreement.
e) Principal amount of Exchangeable Senior Debentures exclusive of fair market value adjustments. Principal amount of Exchangeable Senior Debentures exclusive of fair market value adjustments.
Liberty Broadband cash decreased $50 million in the first quarter primarily due to proceeds from Charter share sales and borrowing under the Charter margin loan being more than offset by share repurchases and other investing activities. GCI cash decreased $9 million in the first quarter as cash from operations was more than offset by debt repayment and capital expenditures (net of grant proceeds) during the period.
Liberty Broadband debt decreased $41 million in the first quarter as GCI repaid $60 million under its senior credit facility, partially offset by additional borrowing under the Charter margin loan. There is $820 million of available capacity under the Charter margin loan. GCI's credit facility has undrawn capacity of $457 million (net of letters of credit), and GCI's leverage as defined in its credit agreement is 2.8x.
GCI Operating and Financial Results
1Q23 1Q24 % Change
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
(amounts in millions, except operating metrics)
GCI Consolidated Financial Metrics
Revenue
$ 118 $ 117 (1) %
Consumer
128 128 -- %
Business
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
$ 246 $ 245 -- %
Total revenue
==================== ==================== ==================== ====================
$ 29 $ 37 28 %
Operating income
11.8% 15.1% 330 bps
Operating income margin (%)
$ 90 $ 90 -- %
Adjusted OIBDA(a)
36.6% 36.7% 10 bps
Adjusted OIBDA margin(a) (%)
GCI Consumer
Financial Metrics
Revenue
$ 59 $ 60 2 %
Data
47 47 -- %
Wireless
12 10 (17) %
Other
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
$ 118 $ 117 (1) %
Total revenue
==================== ==================== ==================== ====================
Operating Metrics
Data:
159,100 159,800 -- %
Cable modem subscribers(b)
Wireless:
193,700 199,000 3 %
Lines in service(c)
GCI Business
Financial Metrics
Revenue
$ 106 $ 108 2 %
Data
13 12 (8) %
Wireless
9 8 (11) %
Other
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
__________________________
a) See reconciling schedule 1. See reconciling schedule 1.
b) A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Data cable modem subscribers as of March 31, 2024, include 900 subscribers that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer subscribers in the first quarter of 2024 and are not new additions. A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Data cable modem subscribers as of March 31, 2024, include 900 subscribers that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer subscribers in the first quarter of 2024 and are not new additions.
Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion compares financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to the same period in 2023.
GCI revenue was flat in the first quarter. Consumer revenue was down 1% driven by declines in video revenue, partially offset by demand for consumer data. Business revenue was flat as growth in data was offset by declines in wireless and other revenues.
Operating income increased by $8 million in the first quarter driven by lower depreciation expense as certain assets became fully depreciated during 2023. Adjusted OIBDA was flat in line with revenue.
In the first quarter, GCI spent $46 million, net, on capital expenditures. Capital expenditure spending was related primarily to improvements to the wireless and data networks in rural Alaska. GCI's net capital expenditures for the full year 2024 are expected to be approximately $200 million related to additional high-returning investments in middle and last mile connectivity, with continued network expansion in GCI's most important markets in rural Alaska including the Bethel and AU-Aleutians fiber projects.
FOOTNOTES
1) Liberty Broadband will discuss these highlights and other matters on Liberty Broadband's earnings conference call that will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.T.) on May 8, 2024. For information regarding how to access the call, please see "Important Notice" later in this document. Liberty Broadband will discuss these highlights and other matters on Liberty Broadband's earnings conference call that will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.T.) on May 8, 2024. For information regarding how to access the call, please see "Important Notice" later in this document.
2) Calculated pursuant to the stockholder agreement between Liberty Broadband and Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter"). Calculated pursuant to the stockholder agreement between Liberty Broadband and Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter").
3) Liberty Broadband's principal operating asset is GCI Holdings, LLC ("GCI" or "GCI Holdings"), Alaska's largest communications provider. Liberty Broadband also holds an interest in Charter. Liberty Broadband's principal operating asset is GCI Holdings, LLC ("GCI" or "GCI Holdings"), Alaska's largest communications provider. Liberty Broadband also holds an interest in Charter.
NOTES
LIBERTY BROADBAND FINANCIAL METRICS
(amounts in millions) 1Q23 1Q24
---------------------------------- -------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------
Revenue
GCI Holdings $ 246 $ 245
Corporate and other -- --
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
$ 246 $ 245
Total Liberty Broadband Revenue
==================== ============== ==================== ==================== ============== ====================
Operating Income
GCI Holdings $ 29 $ 37
Corporate and other (13 ) (9 )
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
$ 16 $ 28
Total Liberty Broadband Operating Income
==================== ============== ==================== ==================== ============== ====================
Adjusted OIBDA
GCI Holdings $ 90 $ 90
Corporate and other (8 ) (5 )
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
Important Notice: Liberty Broadband (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) will discuss Liberty Broadband's earnings release on a conference call which will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.T.) on May 8, 2024. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-3944 or (412) 902-0038, passcode 13742820, at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to https://www.libertybroadband.com/investors/news-events/ir-calendar. Links to this press release and replays of the call will also be available on Liberty Broadband's website.
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, future financial prospects, capital expenditures, matters relating to Liberty Broadband's equity interest in Charter and Charter's buyback of common stock, Liberty Broadband's participation in Charter's buyback of common stock, the continuation of our stock repurchase program and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of new products or services, competitive issues, regulatory matters affecting our businesses, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Liberty Broadband, changes in law and government regulations, the availability of investment opportunities, general market conditions (including as a result of inflationary pressures) and market conditions conducive to stock repurchases. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Liberty Broadband expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Broadband's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Broadband, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, for additional information about Liberty Broadband and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Broadband which may affect the statements made in this press release.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes a presentation of Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for Liberty Broadband (and certain of its subsidiaries) and GCI Holdings together with a reconciliation to that entity or such businesses' operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty Broadband defines Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, transaction costs, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring and impairment charges. Further, this press release includes Adjusted OIBDA margin which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. Liberty Broadband defines Adjusted OIBDA margin as Adjusted OIBDA divided by revenue.
Liberty Broadband believes Adjusted OIBDA 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. Because Adjusted OIBDA is used as a measure of operating performance, Liberty Broadband views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supersede operating income or any other GAAP measure, but rather to supplement such GAAP measures in order to present investors with the same information that Liberty Broadband's management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets. Please see the tables below for applicable reconciliations.
SCHEDULE 1
The following table provides a reconciliation of GCI's operating income to its Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
GCI HOLDINGS ADJUSTED OIBDA RECONCILIATION
(amounts in millions) 1Q23 1Q24
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
GCI Holdings Operating Income $ 29 $ 37
58 50
Depreciation and amortization
3 3
Stock-based compensation
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
SCHEDULE 2
The following table provides a reconciliation of operating income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted OIBDA for Liberty Broadband for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
LIBERTY BROADBAND ADJUSTED OIBDA RECONCILIATION
(amounts in millions) 1Q23 1Q24
------------------------------ -------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------
Liberty Broadband Operating Income $ 16 $ 28
58 50
Depreciation and amortization
8 7
Stock-based compensation
-------------------- ---------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
Liberty Broadband Adjusted OIBDA $ 82 $ 85
==================== ========== ==================== ==================== ========== ====================
$ 90 $ 90
GCI Holdings
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
2024 2023
---------------------------------------- --------------------
amounts in millions,
except share amounts
Assets
Current assets:
$ 108 158
Cash and cash equivalents
186 178
Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $5 and $5, respectively
56 94
Prepaid and other current assets
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
350 430
Total current assets
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method 12,281 12,116
Property and equipment, net 1,078 1,053
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
755 755
Goodwill
550 550
Cable certificates
40 40
Other
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net 449 461
Other assets, net 237 236
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
$ 15,740 15,641
Total assets
==================== ==================== ====================
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
$ 94 86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
29 30
Deferred revenue
3 3
Current portion of debt
67 59
Other current liabilities
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
193 178
Total current liabilities
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Long-term debt, net, including $1,200 and $1,255 measured at fair value, respectively 3,636 3,733
Obligations under tower obligations and finance leases, excluding current portion 81 83
Long-term deferred revenue 77 65
Deferred income tax liabilities 2,255 2,216
Preferred stock 201 202
Other liabilities 139 141
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
6,582 6,618
Total liabilities
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Equity
Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,235,286 and 18,233,573 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively -- --
Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,023,432 and 2,025,232 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively -- --
Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 122,589,251 and 123,704,814 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 1 1
Additional paid-in capital 3,018 3,107
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes 35 52
Retained earnings 6,084 5,843
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
9,138 9,003
Total stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interests 20 20
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
9,158 9,023
Total equity
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Commitments and contingencies
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2023
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
amounts in millions,
except per share amounts
Revenue $ 245 246
Operating costs and expenses:
62 62
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
105 110
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation
50 58
Depreciation and amortization
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
217 230
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
28 16
Operating income (loss)
Other income (expense):
(51 ) (45 )
Interest expense (including amortization of deferred loan fees)
280 248
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate
(28 ) (27 )
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate
76 (114 )
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net
4 14
Other, net
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 309 92
(68 ) (23 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
Net earnings (loss) 241 69
-- --
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders $ 241 69
==================== ============== ==================== ============== ====================
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share $ 1.69 0.47
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2023
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
amounts in millions
Cash flows from operating activities:
$ 241 69
Net earnings (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
50 58
Depreciation and amortization
7 8
Stock-based compensation
(280 ) (248 )
Share of (earnings) losses of affiliate, net
28 27
(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate
(76 ) 114
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net
44 22
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
(1 ) (1 )
Other, net
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
39 (6 )
Current and other assets
-- (2 )
Payables and other liabilities
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
52 41
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
(61 ) (54 )
Capital expenditures
15 --
Grant proceeds received for capital expenditures
81 42
Cash received for Charter shares repurchased by Charter
(17 ) --
Other investing activities, net
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
18 (12 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
20 1,248
Borrowings of debt
(62 ) (1,416 )
Repayments of debt, tower obligations and finance leases
(89 ) (40 )
Repurchases of Liberty Broadband common stock
-- (24 )
Indemnification payment to Qurate Retail
(1 ) (3 )
Other financing activities, net
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
(132 ) (235 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
(62 ) (206 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
176 400
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
-------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
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SOURCE: Liberty Broadband Corporation
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Liberty Broadband Corporation
Shane Kleinstein, 720-875-5432
COMTEX_452061103/1006/2024-05-08T08:15:03
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