BFC Financial Corporation Reports Financial Results

For the Third Quarter, 2015

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – November 17, 2015 -- BFC Financial Corporation ("BFC" or the "Company") (OTCQB: BFCF; BFCFB) reported financial results for  the three months ended September 30, 2015.

BFC Selected Financial Data

Third Quarter 2015 compared to Third Quarter 2014:

 

 

“BFC’s underlying core business segments, Bluegreen and BBX Capital, have continued to grow and evolve, reflecting our broader goal of transitioning into a business with diverse cash flow streams and long term growth,” commented BFC’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alan B. Levan. “As previously stated, our goal is to increase value over time as opposed to focusing on quarterly or annual earnings. Since we expect our investments to be longer term, we anticipate and are willing to accept that our earnings are likely to be uneven. While capital markets generally encourage short term results, our objective continues to be long term growth as measured by increases in book value per share over time.”

As of September 30, 2015,  BFC had total consolidated assets of $1.3 billion, shareholders' equity attributable to BFC of $353.8 million, and total consolidated equity of $462.5 million.  At  September 30, 2015, BFC’s book value per share was $4.18 vs. $3.03 at December 31, 2014.

The results of operations and financial condition of the companies in which BFC holds a controlling financial interest, including BBX Capital Corporation (“BBX Capital”) (NYSE: BBX) and Woodbridge Holdings, LLC (“Woodbridge”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bluegreen Corporation (“Bluegreen”), are consolidated in BFC’s financial statements. BFC holds an approximate 81% ownership interest in BBX Capital. Woodbridge is owned 54% by BFC and 46% by BBX Capital. Woodbridge’s principal asset is its 100% ownership interest in Bluegreen.

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The following selected information relates to the operating activities of Bluegreen Corporation and BBX Capital Corporation. See supplemental tables for consolidating income statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Bluegreen Corporation

 

Bluegreen is a sales, marketing and resort management company, focused on the vacation ownership industry. 

 

Bluegreen Selected Financial Data

Third Quarter 2015 compared to Third Quarter 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

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Bluegreen Summary for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

 

System-wide sales of VOIs were $162.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, and $151.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the number of tours increased by 4% and the number of new prospect tours increased 5% compared to the same period in 2014. The increase in the number of tours reflects efforts to expand marketing to new sales prospects. Additionally, the average price per transaction increased by 6% during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.

 

Fee-Based Sales Commission Revenue was $51.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, and $38.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014.  Bluegreen earned an average sales and marketing commission of 72% during the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to 66% during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in the third quarter of 2015 includes an incentive commission of $1.1 million related to the achievement of certain sales thresholds pursuant to the terms and conditions of the applicable arrangement.

 

As a percentage of system-wide sales of VOIs, selling and marketing expenses increased to 50% during the three months ended September 30, 2015 from 48% during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in selling and marketing expenses during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the comparable 2014 period was a result of Bluegreen’s focus on attempting to increase its marketing efforts to new prospects as opposed to existing owners, which resulted in higher costs per tour from new and expanding marketing channels. Sales to existing owners generally involve lower marketing expenses than sales to new prospects. Bluegreen expects to continue to increase its focus on sales to new prospects and, as a result, sales and marketing expenses generally and as a percentage of sales may continue to increase.

 

Other fee-based services revenue increased 3% to $24.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Fee-based management services revenues increased during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 due to an increase in club and resort management revenues and owner program service revenues, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of owners in the Bluegreen Vacation Club.

 

Net interest spread was $13.8 million and $11.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in net interest spread during the third quarter of 2015 primarily reflects lower costs of borrowings and lower average outstanding debt balances primarily related to the repayment of a relatively higher cost debt facility. 

 

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Bluegreen generated “free cash flow” (cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures) of $32.7 million and $43.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Expenditures incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015 related to the construction of VOI inventory at Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations resorts was the primary reason for this decrease.

 

 

BBX Capital Corporation

 

BBX Capital is involved in the acquisition, ownership and management of joint ventures and investments in real estate and real estate development projects, as well as acquisitions, investments and management of middle market operating businesses, in each case directly or indirectly through subsidiaries or joint ventures. 

BBX Capital Selected Financial Data (Consolidated)

Third Quarter 2015 compared to Third Quarter 2014:

 

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More complete and detailed information regarding BBX Capital and its financial results, business, operations and risks is available in BBX Capital’s earnings press release for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and BBX Capital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov,  and on BBX Capital’s website, www.BBXCapital.com.

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For more detailed information regarding BFC and its financial results, business, operations and risks, and Bluegreen Corporation, please see BFC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on BFC’s website, www.BFCFinancial.com.

 

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About BFC Financial Corporation: 

BFC (OTCQB: BFCF; BFCFB) is a holding company whose principal holdings include an 81% ownership interest in BBX Capital Corporation (NYSE: BBX) and its indirect ownership interest in Bluegreen Corporation.  BFC owns a 54% equity interest in Woodbridge, the parent company of Bluegreen. BBX Capital owns the remaining 46% equity interest in Woodbridge. As of September 30, 2015, BFC had total consolidated assets of $1.3 billion, shareholders' equity

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attributable to BFC of $353.8 million, and total consolidated equity of $462.5 million. BFC’s book value per share at September 30, 2015 was $4.18. 

 

About Bluegreen Corporation:

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen is a sales, marketing and resort management company, focused on the vacation ownership industry and pursuing a capital-light business strategy. Bluegreen manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 193,000 owners, over 64 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,500 resorts worldwide. Bluegreen also offers a portfolio of comprehensive, turnkey, fee-based services, including resort management services, financial services, and sales and marketing services, to or on behalf of third parties.

 

About BBX Capital Corporation:

BBX Capital (NYSE: BBX) is involved in the acquisition, ownership and management of joint ventures and investments in real estate and real estate development projects, as well as acquisitions, investments and management of middle market operating businesses. In addition, BBX Capital and its controlling shareholder, BFC Financial Corporation, have a 46% and 54% respective ownership interest in Bluegreen Corporation. As a result of their ownership interests, BBX Capital and BFC together own 100% of Bluegreen. As of September 30, 2015, BBX Capital had total consolidated assets of $390.7 million, shareholders' equity attributable to BBX Capital of $319.6 million, and total consolidated equity of $320.8 million. BBX Capital’s book value per share at September 30, 2015 was $19.49.

 

For further information, please visit our family of companies:

BFC Financial Corporation: www.BFCFinancial.com

Bluegreen Corporation: www.BluegreenVacations.com

BBX Capital: www.BBXCapital.com

BBX Capital Real Estate: www.BBXCapitalRealEstate.com

BBX Capital Partners: www.BBXCapitalPartners.com

BBX Sweet Holdings: www.BBXSweetHoldings.com    

Renin Corporation: www.ReninCorp.com

 

BFC Financial Contact Info:

Investor Relations: Leo Hinkley, Managing Director, 954- 940-4994

Email: LHinkley@BFCFinancial.com

 

Media Contact: Kip Hunter Marketing, 954-765-1329

Aimee Adler/ Jodi Goldstein

Email: aimee@kiphuntermarketing.com,  jodi@kiphuntermarketing.com   

 

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This press release contains forward-looking statements based largely on current expectations of BFC or its subsidiaries that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All opinions, forecasts, projections, future plans or other statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words or

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phrases such as “plans,” “believes,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “our view,” “we see,” “would” and words and phrases of similar import. The forward looking statements in this document are also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. We can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond our control. When considering forward-looking statements, the reader should keep in mind the risks, uncertainties and other cautionary statements made herein.  In addition, some factors which may affect the accuracy of the forward-looking statements apply generally to the industries in which our subsidiaries operate, including the vacation ownership industry in which Bluegreen operates, and the investment, development, and asset management and real estate-related industries in which BBX Capital operates, while other factors apply more specifically to BFC. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties affecting BFC and its subsidiaries, and their respective results, operations, markets, products, services and business strategies, including risks associated with the ability to successfully implement currently anticipated plans and generate earnings, diverse cash flow streams or long term growth, or for operations or investments to result in increased value, including book value per share, over time; the performance of entities in which BFC and BBX Capital have made investments may not be profitable or their results as anticipated; BFC is dependent upon dividends from its subsidiaries to fund its operations; BFC’s subsidiaries may not be in a position to pay dividends or otherwise make a determination to pay dividends to its shareholders; dividend payments may be subject to certain restrictions, including restrictions contained in debt instruments; any payment of dividends by a subsidiary of BFC is subject to declaration by such subsidiary’s board of directors or managers (which, in the case of BBX Capital, is comprised of a majority of independent directors under the listing standards of the NYSE) as well as the boards of directors of both BBX Capital and BFC in the case of dividend payments by Woodbridge; and dividend decisions may not be made in BFC’s interests; the risks relating to BFC’s goal of transitioning into a business platform with diverse activities, including that such goal may not be achieved when anticipated or at all; the risk that BFC may not achieve growth through its operating businesses or real estate opportunities to the extent anticipated or at all; the risks relating to the monetization of BBX Capital’s legacy portfolio; the risks related to litigation and other legal proceedings involving BFC and its subsidiaries, including the legal and other professional fees and other costs and expenses of such proceedings, as well as the impact of any finding of liability or damages on the financial condition and operating results of BFC or its subsidiaries, and with respect to the adverse judgment in the action brought by the SEC against BBX Capital and its Chairman, who also serves as BFC’s Chairman, risks relating to civil fines, claims for reimbursement by insurers, and reputational risks and risks relating to the potential loss of the services of BFC’s Chairman.  The Company’s investment in Woodbridge, which owns Bluegreen Corporation, exposes the Company to risks of Bluegreen’s business and its ability to pay dividends to Woodbridge, and risks inherent in the vacation ownership industry, including the risk that Bluegreen’s marketing expenses will continue to increase, particularly if Bluegreen’s marketing  efforts focus primarily on sales to new customers rather than sales to existing owners

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and if Bluegreen continues to utilize the new marketing program, and the risk that increased marketing efforts and/or expenses may not result in increased sales; the risk that if new customers are not sufficiently added to Bluegreen’s existing owner base, Bluegreen’s ability to continue to sell VOIs to existing owners will diminish over time; and Bluegreen may not be successful in increasing or expanding its capital-light business activities because of changes in economic conditions or otherwise, and such fee-based service activities may not be profitable, which would have an adverse impact on its results of operations and financial condition. In addition, with respect to BBX Capital, the risks and uncertainties include risks relating to the real estate market and real estate development, including risks associated with obtaining zoning and entitlements, the risk that joint venture partners may not fulfill their obligations and the projects may not be developed as anticipated or be profitable, and contracts may not be completed on the terms provided in the contract or at all; risks relating to acquisitions of operating businesses, including integration risks, and the other risks and uncertainties described in BBX Capital’s earnings press release for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and BBX Capital’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are available to view on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on BBX Capital's website, www.BBXCapital.com. Reference is also made to the risks and uncertainties detailed in reports filed by BFC with the SEC, including the “Risk Factors” section of BFC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014,  which may be viewed on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on BFC’s website at www.BFCFinancial.com.  BFC cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive. The reader should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made. This press release also contains information regarding the past performance of investments and operations, and the reader should note that prior or current performance is not a guarantee or indication of future performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following supplemental table represents BFC’s Consolidating Statement of Operations for the three months ended September  30, 2015.

 

 

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The following supplemental table represents BFC’s Consolidating Statement of Operations for the three months ended September  30, 2014.

 

 

 

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The following supplemental table represents BFC’s Consolidating Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September  30, 2015.

 

 

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The following supplemental table represents BFC’s Consolidating Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September  30, 2014.

 

 

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The following tables present Bluegreen’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as more fully described below, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, as well as a reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measure EBITDA to net income (in thousands):

 

 

EBITDA is defined as earnings, or net income, before taking into account interest income (excluding interest earned on VOI notes receivable), interest expense (excluding interest expense incurred on financings related to Bluegreen’s receivable-backed notes payable), provision for income taxes and franchise taxes, depreciation and amortization. For purposes of the EBITDA calculation, no adjustments were made for interest income earned on Bluegreen’s VOI notes receivable or the interest expense incurred on debt that is secured by such notes receivable because they are both considered to be part of the operations of Bluegreen’s business.

We consider Bluegreen’s EBITDA to be an indicator of its operating performance, and it is used to measure Bluegreen’s ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand its business. EBITDA is also used by companies, lenders, investors and others because it excludes certain items that can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be dependent on a company’s capital structure, debt levels and credit ratings. Accordingly, the impact of interest expense on earnings can vary significantly among companies. The tax positions of companies can also vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the jurisdictions in which they operate. As a result, effective tax rates and provision for income taxes can vary considerably among companies. EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization because companies utilize productive assets of different ages and use different methods of both acquiring and depreciating productive assets. These differences can result in considerable variability in the relative costs of productive assets and the depreciation and amortization expense among companies.

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