Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - NELNET INCnni22813form8-k.htm
EX-99.3 - SHAREHOLDER LETTER - NELNET INCexhitbit993ceoslettertosha.htm
EX-99.2 - SUPPLEMENT - NELNET INCexhibit992-nnix123112x10kx.htm


Nelnet Reports Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
GAAP net income $1.20 per share
Net income $1.05 per share, excluding impairment, derivative market value, and foreign currency adjustments
Purchased $3.0 billion of student loans in the quarter
Repurchased 746,459 shares in the quarter; 153,908 shares in 2013

LINCOLN, Neb., February 28, 2013-Nelnet (NYSE: NNI) today reported GAAP net income of $56.6 million, or $1.20 per basic share, for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with GAAP net income of $64.9 million, or $1.37 per basic share, for the same period a year ago.

Included in the company's fourth quarter results is a $2.8 million, or $0.03 per share after tax, non-cash impairment charge in the company's enrollment services segment. In addition, the derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments were income of $8.5 million after tax, or $0.18 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with income of $7.3 million after tax, or $0.15 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011. 

Excluding the impairment charge and the derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net income was $1.05 per share for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $1.22 per share, for the same period in 2011.

The decrease in year-over-year net income was expected as the company's student loan portfolio runs off due to the legislative elimination of new Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program loan originations in 2010. However, the decrease in revenue from the company's student loan portfolio is being partially offset by its growing fee-based businesses.

"2012 was another outstanding year at Nelnet,” said Mike Dunlap, Nelnet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We invested and worked hard to improve our customer experiences, create efficiencies, grow our core businesses, and diversify around our strengths. In addition, we purchased $3 billion of student loans in the quarter and continue to pursue opportunities to purchase additional portfolios."

Nelnet operates four primary business segments, earning interest income on student loans in its Asset Generation and Management operating segment, and fee-based revenue in its Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing, Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce, and Enrollment Services operating segments.

Asset Generation and Management

As of December 31, 2012, net student loan assets were $24.8 billion. A substantial portion of Nelnet's federally insured student loans are financed for the life of the loan at terms the company currently believes will generate significant future cash flow of approximately $1.97 billion, up from approximately $1.81 billion last year, as a result of the 2012 asset purchases.

On July 1, 2010, the company stopped originating federally insured student loans after legislation eliminated the origination of FFEL Program loans. As a result, the company's student loan portfolio will run off over a period of approximately 20 years.

Historically low interest rates are continuing to provide an opportunity for the company to generate substantial near-term value and cash flow from its student loan portfolio. For the fourth quarter of 2012, Nelnet reported net interest income of $90.6 million, compared with $93.3 million for the same period a year ago.  Net interest income includes $35.5 million and $39.4 million of fixed rate floor income in the fourth quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively.   

Fee-Based Revenue

The company reported total revenue from its fee-based segments in the fourth quarters of 2012 and 2011 of $98.2 million and $96.6 million, respectively.

Revenue from the company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing segment increased 7 percent, or $3.6 million, to $54.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, up from $51.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase in revenue is primarily the result of growth in servicing volume under the company's contract with the U.S.Department of Education (Department) and collection revenue from rehabilitated loans.

As of December 31, 2012, the company was servicing $68.8 billion of loans for 3.9 million borrowers on behalf of the Department, compared with $46.1 billion of loans for 3.0 million borrowers as of December 31, 2011. Revenue from this contract increased to $19.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, up from $14.0 million for the same period a year ago.






The company is allocated 30 percent of new loan volume originated by the Department during the period of August 15, 2012 through August 14, 2013, up from 16 percent the prior two contract years.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, revenue from the company's Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce segment was $17.7 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or 5 percent, from the same period in 2011. The company's fourth quarter of 2012 revenue from its Enrollment Services segment was $25.9 million, compared with $28.8 million for the same period in 2011.

Other Income

Included in other income are gains from the company's repurchase of debt, fee revenue from investment advisory services, and net investment gains of $4.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $7.9 million for the same quarter a year ago.

Operating Expenses

Excluding the impairment charge, the company reported consolidated operating expenses of $106.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $102.7 million for the same period in 2011.

Common Stock Repurchases

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the company repurchased and retired 746,459 shares of Class A common stock, under the company's stock repurchase program, for $21.3 million, or an average price of $28.53 per share. In 2012, the company repurchased 806,023 shares of Class A common stock for $22.8 million, or an average price of $28.30 per share.

From January 1, 2013 through February 26, 2013, Nelnet repurchased and retired 153,908 shares of Class A common stock for $4.7 million, or an average price of $30.50 per share. As of February 26, 2013, approximately 4,093,000 shares remain authorized for purchase under the company's repurchase program.

Cash Dividend

As previously announced, Nelnet will pay a first quarter 2013 cash dividend on the company's outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of $0.10 per share. The dividend will be paid on Friday, March 15, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Friday, March 1, 2013. The company currently plans to continue making regular quarterly dividend payments, subject to future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors.

Year End Results

GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $178.0 million, or $3.76 per basic share, compared with GAAP net income of $204.3 million, or $4.24 per basic share, for 2011. Excluding the derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net income in 2012 was $207.4 million, or $4.38 per share, compared with $215.4 million, or $4.47 per share, for 2011. The derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments were an expense of $29.4 million after tax, or $0.62 per share, during 2012, compared with an expense of $11.1 million after tax, or $0.23 per share, for 2011. 

Non-GAAP Performance Measures

The company provides additional non-GAAP financial information related to specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its financial position and performance, including specifically, but not limited to, the impact of unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments which do not qualify for “hedge treatment” under GAAP, foreign currency transaction gains or losses resulting from the re-measurement of the company's Euro-denominated bonds to U.S. dollars, and non-cash impairments of intangible assets. The company believes these point in time estimates of asset and liability values related to financial instruments that are subject to interest and currency rate fluctuations, and items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated in advance, affect the period to period comparability of the results of the company's fundamental business operations on a recurring basis.






Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements  

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws.  These statements are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, among others, risks related to the company's student loan portfolios such as interest rate basis and repricing risk and the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations; the company's funding requirements to satisfy asset financing needs; the company's ability to maintain and increase volumes under its loan servicing contract with the Department to service federally owned student loans; changes in the student loan and educational credit and services marketplace resulting from the implementation of or changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs; changes in the demand or preferences for educational financing and related services by educational institutions, students, and their families; uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets and related asset-backed securitizations; and changes in general economic and credit market conditions. For more information, see the "Risk Factors" sections and other cautionary discussions of risks and uncertainties included in documents filed or furnished by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the cautionary information about forward-looking statements contained in the company's supplemental financial information for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012.  All information in this release is as of the date of this release. Although the company may from time to time voluntarily update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the company's expectations, the company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.









Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Interest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan interest
$
154,663

 
150,528

 
156,439

 
609,237

 
589,686

Investment interest
1,326

 
1,140

 
914

 
4,616

 
3,168

Total interest income
155,989

 
151,668

 
157,353

 
613,853

 
592,854

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on bonds and notes payable
65,391

 
66,402

 
64,062

 
268,566

 
228,289

Net interest income
90,598

 
85,266

 
93,291

 
345,287

 
364,565

Less provision for loan losses
3,500

 
5,000

 
7,000

 
21,500

 
21,250

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
87,098

 
80,266

 
86,291

 
323,787

 
343,315

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue
54,584

 
53,285

 
50,960

 
209,748

 
175,657

Tuition payment processing and campus commerce revenue
17,735

 
17,928

 
16,893

 
74,410

 
67,797

Enrollment services revenue
25,890

 
30,661

 
28,782

 
117,925

 
130,470

Other income
7,023

 
12,699

 
12,264

 
39,476

 
29,513

Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases
3,009

 
195

 
33

 
4,139

 
8,340

Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net
13,769

 
(26,224
)
 
11,778

 
(47,394
)
 
(17,807
)
Derivative settlements, net
(7,112
)
 
(5,051
)
 
(423
)
 
(14,022
)
 
(7,840
)
Total other income
114,898

 
83,493

 
120,287

 
384,282

 
386,130

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
48,633

 
46,395

 
47,026

 
192,826

 
177,951

Cost to provide enrollment services
16,172

 
20,151

 
17,744

 
78,375

 
86,548

Depreciation and amortization
8,861

 
8,402

 
8,282

 
33,625

 
29,744

Impairment expense
2,767

 

 

 
2,767

 

Other
32,811

 
29,989

 
29,639

 
125,971

 
113,415

Total operating expenses
109,244

 
104,937

 
102,691

 
433,564

 
407,658

Income before income taxes
92,752

 
58,822

 
103,887

 
274,505

 
321,787

Income tax expense
36,099

 
21,870

 
39,008

 
96,077

 
117,452

Net income
56,653

 
36,952

 
64,879

 
178,428

 
204,335

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
19

 
124

 

 
431

 

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.
$
56,634

 
36,828

 
64,879

 
177,997

 
204,335

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic
$
1.20

 
0.78

 
1.37

 
3.76

 
4.24

Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - diluted
$
1.19

 
0.77

 
1.37

 
3.74

 
4.23

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
46,911,511

 
47,086,098

 
46,996,193

 
47,010,034

 
47,860,824

Diluted
47,142,038

 
47,321,797

 
47,173,374

 
47,236,391

 
48,047,669








Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
 
As of
 
As of
 
As of
 
December 31, 2012
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
 

 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans receivable, net
$
24,830,621

 
22,559,341

 
24,297,876

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
149,343

 
186,534

 
93,350

Restricted cash and investments
911,978

 
1,003,888

 
724,131

Goodwill
117,118

 
117,118

 
117,118

Intangible assets, net
9,393

 
14,360

 
28,374

Other assets
589,442

 
527,603

 
591,368

Total assets
$
26,607,895

 
24,408,844

 
25,852,217

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds and notes payable
$
25,098,835

 
22,884,096

 
24,434,540

Other liabilities
343,847

 
348,510

 
351,472

Total liabilities
25,442,682

 
23,232,606

 
24,786,012

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity
1,165,208

 
1,175,821

 
1,066,205

Noncontrolling interest
5

 
417

 

Total equity
1,165,213

 
1,176,238

 
1,066,205

Total liabilities and equity
$
26,607,895

 
24,408,844

 
25,852,217



(code #: nnif)
Contacts:
Media, Ben Kiser, +1-402-458-3024, or Investors, Phil Morgan, +1-402-458-3038, both of Nelnet, Inc.