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8-K - BLUEGREEN VACATIONS CORPi00491_bxg-8k.htm

 

 

CONTACT: -OR- INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Bluegreen Corporation   The Equity Group Inc.
Tony Puleo   Devin Sullivan
Chief Financial Officer   Senior Vice President
(561) 912-8270   (212) 836-9608
tony.puleo@bluegreencorp.com   dsullivan@equityny.com

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

BLUEGREEN CORPORATION REPORTS 2011 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Overview

 

Ÿ Bluegreen Resorts (“Resorts”) system-wide sales of VOIs, including sales made on behalf of third parties, were $91.0 million.
   
Ÿ Total fee-based service revenues (including sales and marketing commissions, resort management services, title and other services) rose 30% to $42.3 million for Q3 2011 from $32.6 million for Q3 2010.
   
Ÿ Income from continuing operations attributable to Bluegreen shareholders rose to $9.7 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, from a loss of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in Q3 2010. 

 

  ᴑ     Q3 2010 included a significant non-cash charge associated with increased reserve for loan losses on VOI notes receivable generated prior to December 15, 2008. 

 

Ÿ Net income in Q3 2011 was $7.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, which included a loss from discontinued operations of $2.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to a net loss in Q3 2010 of $16.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, which included a loss from discontinued operations of $16.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted share.
   
Ÿ Cash flow from operating and investing activities (“Free Cash Flow”) of $116.7 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2011.
   
Ÿ Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2011 of $70.4 million.

 

Boca Raton, Fla. – November 14, 2011 – Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE: BXG), a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company, today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

John M. Maloney Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Bluegreen, commented, “We believe that our results from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2011 validate our strategy of utilizing our core product, the points-based Bluegreen Vacation Club, as a platform to support three potential sources of revenue: our traditional timeshare (VOI) business; a growing fee-based services business; and a finance business. During the third quarter, we increased system-wide sales, generated higher income from continuing operations than in the comparable 2010 period, and produced Free Cash Flow of $41.1 million. During Q3 2011, fee-based services contributed 81% of total Resorts operating profit. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 we reduced our debt by more $100 million from December 31, 2010. We believe that our business model continues to move toward our goal of growing our fee-based services business, which has low capital requirements and which generates significant Free Cash Flow.”

 

Additional operating highlights included:

 

Ÿ In connection with its fee-based services business, Resorts sold $34.0 million of third-party VOI inventory in Q3 2011, generating sales and marketing commissions of approximately $23.5 million and contributing an estimated $6.2 million to Resorts operating profit.  This compares to sales of $22.1 million of third-party VOI inventory, which generated sales and marketing commissions of $15.1 million and contributed an estimated $4.7 million to Resorts operating profit in Q3 2010.  In Q3 2011, Bluegreen provided sales and marketing services to 7 resorts under fee-based service arrangements, as compared to 5 such arrangements during Q3 2010;
   
Ÿ Total revenues from fee-based services rose 30% to $42.3 million in Q3 2011.   As of September 30, 2011, Bluegreen  managed 45 timeshare resort properties and hotels compared to 43 as of September 30, 2010; 

 

 
 

Ÿ Cash received from Resorts sales - either at closing or within 30 days of closing and including down payments received on financed sales - represented 55% of Resorts sales for the first nine months of 2011; 
   
Ÿ Debt-to-equity (recourse and non-recourse) declined to 2.32:1 at September 30, 2011 from 2.58:1 at December 31, 2010.  Debt-to-equity (recourse only) declined to 1.08:1 at September 30, 2011 from 1.22:1 at December 31, 2010;  
   
Ÿ In September 2011, Bluegreen entered into a $30.0 million revolving timeshare receivables hypothecation facility with CapitalSource Bank; and
   
Ÿ In October 2011, Bluegreen amended, restated, and extended by one year its existing timeshare receivables purchase facility with BB&T.  The amended revolving facility allows for maximum outstanding borrowings of $50.0 million.  As of September 30, 2011, $20.6 million was outstanding under this facilty.

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Bluegreen shareholders (defined as income from continuing operations less net income attributable to non-controlling interest) rose to $9.7 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share in Q3 2010. Income from continuing operations for Q3 2010 included a non-cash charge of $24.5 million to increase the reserve for loan losses on VOI notes receivable generated prior to December 15, 2008 (the date Bluegreen implemented credit underwriting standards), partially offset by a related $8.7 million non-cash reduction of cost of sales.

 

As previously disclosed, Bluegreen’s Board of Directors made a determination during June 2011 to seek to sell Bluegreen Communities or all or substantially all of its assets. As a consequence, Bluegreen Communities is accounted for as a discontinued operation for all periods in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. On October 12, 2011, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) with a third-party (the “Buyer”), providing for the sale of substantially all of the assets that comprise Bluegreen Communities for a purchase price of i) $31.5 million in cash, and ii) a cash amount equal to 20% of the net proceeds (as calculated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement) the Buyer receives upon its sale, if any, of two specified parcels of real estate to be purchased by the Buyer under the Agreement. The Buyer has advised Bluegreen that they need to obtain debt and/or equity financing in order to close the transaction, but obtaining such financing is not a Buyer condition of closing. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be consummated on the contemplated terms, including the contemplated time frame, or at all. Additional information regarding this proposed transaction is available in Bluegreen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, for Q3 2011 was $2.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $16.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in Q3 2010. The loss from discontinued operations for Q3 2010 included non-cash pre-tax inventory impairment charges of $20.8 million.

 

As a result of the above-referenced items, net income for Q3 2011 was $7.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $16.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, in Q3 2010.

 

 
 

BLUEGREEN RESORTS

Supplemental Financial Data and Reconciliation of System-Wide Sales of VOIs to GAAP Gross Sales of VOIs

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010

(In 000’s, except percentages) (unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2011  Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
   Traditional
Timeshare
Business
  Fee-Based
Services
Business
  Total  % of
System-wide
sales of
VOIs, net(6)
  Traditional
Timeshare
Business
  Fee-Based
Services
Business
  Total  % of
System-wide
sales of
VOIs, net(6)
System-wide sales of VOI’s (1)  $56,993   $33,983   $90,976        $67,383   $22,090   $89,473      
Change in sales deferred under timeshare accounting rules   (335)   —      (335)        4,854    —      4,854        
System-wide sales of VOIs, net (1)   56,658    33,983    90,641    100%   72,237    22,090    94,327    100%
Less: Sales of third-party VOIs   —      (33,983)   (33,983)    (37)   —      (22,090)   (22,090)    (23)
Gross sales of VOIs   56,658    —      56,658    63    72,237    —      72,237    77 
Estimated uncollectible VOI
notes receivable (2)
   (10,770)   —      (10,770)    (19)   (33,448)   —      (33,448)    (46)
Sales of VOIs   45,888    —      45,888    51    38,789    —      38,789    41 
Cost of VOIs sold (3)   (11,349)   —      (11,349)    (25)   (13,696)   —      (13,696)    (35)
Gross profit (3)   34,539    —      34,539    75    25,093    —      25,093    65 
Fee-based sales commission revenue   —      23,460    23,460    26    —      15,148    15,148    16 
Other resort fee-based services revenues   —      18,838    18,838    21    —      17,476    17,476    19 
Cost of other resort  fee-based services   —      (10,550)   (10,550)   (12)   —      (9,255)   (9,255)   (10)
Net carrying cost of VOI inventory   (2,362)   —      (2,362)   (3)   (2,329)   —      (2,329)   (2)
Selling and marketing expense (4)   (25,462)   (15,272)   (40,734)   (45)   (30,263)   (9,255)   (39,518)   (42)
Resorts G & A expense (4)   (3,334)   (2,000)   (5,334)    (6)   (3,818)   (1,167)   (4,985)    (5)
Bluegreen Resorts operating profit (5)  $3,381   $14,476   $17,857     20 %   ($11,317)  $12,947   $1,630     2 %

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
   Traditional
Timeshare
Business
  Fee-Based
Services
Business
  Total  % of
System-wide
sales of
VOIs, net(6)
  Traditional
Timeshare
Business
  Fee-Based
Services
Business
  Total  % of
System-wide
sales of
VOIs, net(6)
System-wide sales of VOI’s (1)  $150,755   $77,844   $228,599        $168,185   $56,045   $224,230      
Change in sales deferred under timeshare accounting rules   (1,639)   —      (1,639)         (1,660)   —      (1,660)      
System-wide sales of VOIs, net (1)   149,116    77,844    226,960    100%   166,525    56,045    222,570    100%
Less: Sales of third-party VOIs   —      (77,844)   (77,844)    (34)   —      (56,045)   (56,045)    (25)
Gross sales of VOIs   149,116    —      149,116    66    166,525    —      166,525    75 
Estimated uncollectible VOI
notes receivable (2)
   (21,521)   —      (21,521)    (14)   (58,050)   —      (58,050)    (35)
Sales of VOIs   127,595    —      127,595    56    108,475    —      108,475    49 
Cost of VOIs sold (3)   (32,003)   —      (32,003)    (25)   (32,130)   —      (32,130)    (30)
Gross profit (3)   95,592    —      95,592    75    76,345    —      76,345    70 
Fee-based sales commission revenue   —      52,532    52,532    23    —      37,458    37,458    17 
Other resort fee-based services revenues   —      53,325    53,325    23    —      50,181    50,181    23 
Cost of other resort  fee-based services   —      (28,286)   (28,286)   (12)   —      (25,197)   (25,197)   (11)
Net carrying cost of VOI inventory   (9,863)   —      (9,863)   (4)   (7,910)   —      (7,910)   (4)
Selling and marketing expense (4)   (68,514)   (35,767)   (104,281)   (46)   (76,331)   (25,690)   (102,021)   (46)
Resorts G & A expense (4)   (9,372)   (4,893)    (14,265)    (6)   (10,839)   (3,648)   (14,487)    (7)
Bluegreen Resorts operating profit (5)  $7,843   $36,911   $44,754     20 %   ($18,735)  $33,104   $14,369     6%

 

 
 

(1) Amount for “fee-based services business” represents sales of VOIs made on behalf of third parties, which are transacted as sales of timeshare interests in the Bluegreen Vacation Club and through the same sales and marketing process as the sale of the Company’s VOI inventory as represented under “traditional timeshare business.”

 

(2) Percentages for estimated uncollectible VOI notes receivable are calculated as a percentage of gross sales of VOIs.

 

(3) Percentages for cost of VOIs sold and the associated gross profit are calculated as a percentage of sales of VOIs.

 

(4) Selling and marketing expenses and Resorts G&A expenses are allocated pro rata based on system-wide sales of VOIs, net.

 

(5) General and administrative expenses attributable to corporate overhead have been excluded from the table. Corporate general and administrative expenses totaled $9.3 million and $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $28.5 million and $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

(6) Unless otherwise indicated.

 

System-wide sales of VOIs rose to $91.0 million in Q3 2011 from $89.5 million in Q3 2010, the result of a higher number of sales transactions, partially offset by a decline in average sales price per transaction. Total VOI sales transactions rose to 7,662 in Q3 2011 from 7,361 in Q3 2010, with a deliberate decrease in Bluegreen VOIs sales transactions (traditional timeshare business) offset by an increase in the number of sales made on behalf of third parties (fee-based services business). Total prospect tours in Q3 2011 rose to 48,773 from 47,750 in Q3 2010, with new prospect tours increasing to 29,125 in Q3 2011 from 28,463 in Q3 2010. Total sale-to-tour conversion ratio in Q3 2011 rose to 15.7% from 15.4% in Q3 2010, and the new prospect sale-to-tour conversion ratio was 11.1% in Q3 2011 compared to 10.1% in Q3 2010. Average sales price per transaction declined to $11,851 for Q3 2011 from $12,240 for Q3 2010.

 

Charges for estimated uncollectible VOI notes receivable decreased by 68% in Q3 2011 from Q3 2010. The Company updates its estimates of uncollectible VOI notes receivable each quarter, and consequently, the charge against sales in a particular quarter for such uncollectibles may be impacted, favorably or unfavorably, by a change in expected losses on prior periods’ financed sales. In Q3 2010 and, to a lesser extent, in Q3 2011, we increased our allowance for loan losses for loans generated prior to December 15, 2008, the date on which we implemented our FICO score-based credit standards.

 

As a percentage of system-wide sales of VOIs, net, selling and marketing expenses rose to 45% in Q3 2011 from 42% in Q3 2010, due to the fluctuations in the mix of marketing programs, including a reduced proportion of sales to existing owners, which carry a relatively lower marketing cost, and changes in sales deferred under timeshare accounting rules. Selling and marketing expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were consistent with such expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, at 46% of system-wide sales in both periods.

 

Operating profit from the fee-based services business rose to $14.5 million in Q3 2011 from $12.9 million in Q3 2010, reflecting an increase in sales of third-party inventory.

 

Operating profit at Resorts rose to $17.9 million, or 20% of system-wide sales of VOI’s, net, for Q3 2011 from $1.6 million, or 2% of system-wide sales of VOI’s, net, for Q3 2010. Resorts operating profit for Q3 2010 included the previously discussed non-cash charge to increase the reserve for loan losses on VOI notes receivable generated prior to December 15, 2008, partially offset by the related non-cash reduction of cost of sales.

 

INTEREST INCOME AND INTEREST EXPENSE

 

Net interest spread is the excess of interest income primarily earned on $635.9 million of VOI notes receivable held as of September 30, 2011, net of interest expense incurred on $497.0 million of receivable-backed debt and $214.8 million of other debt as of September 30, 2011. Pre-tax income from net interest spread in Q3 2011 was $10.3 million as compared to $11.3 million in Q3 2010, due to the continued decrease in Bluegreen’s VOI notes receivable portfolio, reflecting continuing efforts to increase the amount of sales that are realized in cash, and growth in sales on behalf of fee-based services clients, as such sales typically do not result in a Bluegreen note receivable.

 

 
 

DEFINITIVE MERGER AGREEMENT WITH BFC FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

As Bluegreen announced today, it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with BFC Financial Corporation (“BFC”) (Pink Sheets: BFCF.PK) which provides for a merger that will, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, result in Bluegreen becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of BFC.

 

ABOUT BLUEGREEN CORPORATION

 

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE:BXG) is a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company. Bluegreen Resorts manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 160,000 owners, over 59 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide. Bluegreen also offers a portfolio of comprehensive, turnkey, fee-based service resort management, financial services, and sales and marketing on behalf of third parties. For more information, visit www.bluegreencorp.com.

 

Statements in this release may constitute forward looking statements and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based largely on expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with economic, credit market, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, products and services; risks relating to the merger with BFC, including the potential benefits of the merger and the risk that the merger may not be consummated in accordance with the contemplated terms, including in the contemplated timeframe, or at all; the general risks associated with strategic transactions, including the Company’s decision to sell Bluegreen Communities; additional impairment charges may be required with respect to the assets of Bluegreen Communities; the agreement to sell Bluegreen Communities may not be consummated on the terms of the agreement or at all; the sale of Communities may not result in anticipated improvements in our operating results and financial condition; the Company’s efforts to improve its liquidity through cash sales and larger down payments on financed sales may not be successful; the performance of the Company’s vacation ownership notes receivable may deteriorate, and the FICO® score-based credit underwriting standards may not have the expected effects on the performance of the receivables; the Company may not be in a position to draw down on its existing credit lines or may be unable to renew, extend, or replace such lines of credit; the Company may require new credit lines to provide liquidity for its operations, including facilities to sell or finance its notes receivable; the Company may not be able to successfully securitize additional timeshare loans and/or obtain adequate receivable credit facilities in the future; risks relating to pending or future litigation, regulatory proceedings, claims and assessments; sales and marketing strategies may not be successful; marketing costs may increase and not result in increased sales; sales to existing owners may not continue at current levels or decrease; fee-based service initiatives may not be successful and may not grow or generate profits as anticipated; deferred sales may not be recognized to the extent or at the time anticipated; and the risks and other factors detailed in the Company’s SEC filings, including those contained in the “Risk Factors” sections of such filings.

 

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In 000’s, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

   For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
  For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   2011  2010  2011  2010
Revenues:                    
Gross sales of VOIs  $56,658   $72,237   $149,116   $166,525 
Estimated uncollectible VOI notes receivable   (10,770)   (33,448)   (21,521)   (58,050)
Sales of VOIs   45,888    38,789    127,595    108,475 
                     
Fee-based sales commission revenue   23,460    15,148    52,532    37,458 
Other fee-based services revenues   18,838    17,476    53,325    50,181 
Interest income   23,533    26,461    71,986    80,878 
    111,719    97,874    305,438    276,992 
Costs and expenses:                    
Cost of VOIs sold   11,349    13,696    32,003    32,130 
Cost of other resort operations   12,912    11,584    38,149    33,107 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   56,098    53,164    149,448    149,191 
Interest expense   13,225    15,182    41,746    46,469 
Other expense, net   —      2,008    910    2,397 
    93,584    95,634    262,256    263,294 
Income before non-controlling interest,                    
provision (benefit) for income taxes and discontinued operations   18,135    2,240    43,182    13,698 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   5,939    (371)   14,650    2,888 
Income from continuing operations   12,196    2,611    28,532    10,810 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes   (2,626)   (16,130)   (40,389)   (24,969)
Net income(loss)   9,570    (13,519)   (11,857)   (14,159)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest   2,520    3,189    5,261    6,097 
Net income (loss) attributable to Bluegreen Corporation  $7,050   $(16,708)  $(17,118)  $(20,256)
                     
Income (loss) attributable to Bluegreen Corporation per common share - Basic               
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to                                
  Bluegreen shareholders  $0.31   $(0.02)  $0.75   $0.15 
  Loss per share from discontinued operations   (0.08)   (0.52)   (1.29)   (0.80)
  Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Bluegreen shareholders  $0.23   $(0.54)  $(0.55)  $(0.65)
                     
Income (loss) attributable to Bluegreen Corporation per common share - Diluted               
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to                                
  Bluegreen shareholders  $0.30   $(0.02)  $0.72   $0.15 
  Loss per share from discontinued operations   (0.08)   (0.52)   (1.26)   (0.79)
  Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Bluegreen shareholders  $0.22   $(0.54)  $(0.54)  $(0.64)
                     
Weighted average number of common shares:                    
Basic   31,245    31,178    31,211    31,162 
Diluted   32,429    31,178    32,156    31,527 

 

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In 000’s)

 

   September 30,  December 31,
    2011   2010
ASSETS  (Unaudited)   
           
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents  $70,396   $72,085 
Restricted cash ($42,932 and $41,243 held by VIEs at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)   56,521    53,922 
Notes receivable including gross securitized notes of and $471,595 $533,479 (net of allowance of $111,820 and $143,160 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)   530,206    568,985 
Prepaid expenses   8,201    4,882 
Other assets   51,940    56,790 
Inventory   308,179    337,684 
Property and equipment, net   70,739    73,815 
Assets held for sale   30,250    87,769 
Total assets  $1,126,432   $1,255,932 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Liabilities          
Accounts payable  $9,137   $8,243 
Accrued liabilities and other   60,464    60,518 
Deferred income   24,010    17,550 
Deferred income taxes   14,738    25,605 
Receivable-backed notes payable - recourse ($17,271 and $22,759 held by          
 by VIEs at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)   114,955    135,660 
Receivable-backed notes payable - non-recourse (held by VIEs)   382,089    436,271 
Lines-of-credit and notes payable   103,981    142,120 
Junior subordinated debentures   110,827    110,827 
Total liabilities   820,201    936,794 
           
           
Total shareholders’  equity   306,231    319,138 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $1,126,432   $1,255,932