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Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2014 Financial ResultsNEW YORK --(Business Wire)-- Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. ("TSI" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:CLUB), a leading owner and operator of health clubs located primarily in major cities from Washington, DC north through New England, operating under the brand names "New York Sports Clubs," "Boston Sports Clubs," "Washington Sports Clubs," "Philadelphia Sports Clubs" and "BFX Studio" announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014. Third Quarter Overview:
Robert Giardina, Chief Executive Officer of TSI, commented: "While our third quarter revenue results continued to be impacted by weak membership trends, we were able to meet our Adjusted EBITDA expectations. We are working hard to implement our strategic initiatives and have shifted much of our focus to converting a group of clubs to our new high value - low price model that we expect will better position them in our rapidly changing industry. We converted 17 clubs during the third quarter and early results are tracking to our expectations. We now plan to convert an additional 40 to 45 clubs, for a total of approximately 60 clubs, to this model by year-end and over time, we may convert additional clubs and incorporate facets of this model into many of our other clubs. We are on track to close the eight or nine clubs we identified earlier this year and we are receiving terrific feedback from the fitness community regarding our first BFX opening in New York. While the implementation of our strategic initiatives will negatively impact our results in the near-term, we believe they will enable us to get in front of the emerging trends in the industry and positively impact our financial results and shareholder value once fully implemented."
Total revenue for Q3 2014 decreased $4.5 million, or 3.9%, compared to the same quarter last year. Revenue at clubs operated for over 12 months ("comparable club revenue") decreased 4.5% in Q3 2014, reflecting a 4.6% decrease in membership, the effect of which was partially offset by a 0.1% increase in the combined effect of ancillary club revenue, joining fees and other revenue.
Total operating expenses increased $1.8 million, or 1.7%, in Q3 2014 compared to the same quarter last year. Operating margin was 2.2% for Q3 2014 compared to 7.5% in Q3 2013. The total months of club operation decreased 0.2% for Q3 2014 compared to Q3 2013. Payroll and related. Payroll and related expenses increased $561,000, or 1.3%, to $44.0 million in Q3 2014 compared to Q3 2013, primarily reflecting increases in employment levels relating to the club opened in 2014, as well as our new BFX Studio. Club operating. Club operating expenses increased $1.4 million, or 3.0%, to $46.7 million in Q3 2014 compared to Q3 2013, primarily reflecting increased advertising spend of $539,000 related to the conversion of some of our locations to our new high value - low price model, as well as increased repair and maintenance expense of $527,000. Rent and occupancy expenses remained relatively flat in Q3 2014 compared to the prior-year period. In Q3 2014, we closed five underperforming clubs before their lease expiration dates, which resulted in a net occupancy gain of $1.6 million. Offsetting this gain were increases in occupancy costs related to leases commenced for new and future clubs and BFX Studio units, as well as increases at our mature clubs. General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $568,000, or 7.8%, in Q3 2014 compared to Q3 2013 primarily reflecting approximately $550,000 in legal fees and damages related to the Ajilon litigation, and $126,000 in costs associated with closing clubs, which mainly included legal costs. Depreciation and amortization. In Q3 2014 compared to Q3 2013, depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $911,000, or 7.3%, due to a decline in our depreciable fixed asset base. Impairment of fixed assets. There were no impairment losses in Q3 2014. In Q3 2013, we recorded an impairment loss of $439,000 on fixed assets at one underperforming club. Net loss for Q3 2014 was $867,000 compared to net income of $2.6 million for Q3 2013. Cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 totaled $1.9 million, a decrease of $48.4 million compared to the same period last year. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, there was a decrease in cash received related to membership dues and joining fees of $12.8 million, and for-pay programs of $1.2 million, all related to lower membership volume in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the prior-year period. The cash decrease also reflected an increase in cash paid for income taxes of $23.3 million (after utilization of net operating losses and carryforwards) primarily related to the legal sale of the East 86th Street property, which is treated as a financing arrangement for accounting purposes, but recognized as of the date of sale for Federal and State income taxes. In addition, there were increased payments for rent of $5.2 million and utilities of $2.8 million. These cash decreases were partially offset by the decline in cash paid for interest of $2.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash flow from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 totaled $71.9 million, an increase of $71.6 million compared to the same period last year. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, financing activities consisted of $83.4 million in cash proceeds from the sale of the East 86th Street property, partially offset by $3.2 million of real property transfer taxes, broker fees and other costs associated with the property sale. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we also made principal payments totaling $2.4 million on the 2013 Term Loan Facility and paid cash dividends to common stockholders of $7.7 million. Property Sale: The sale of our East 86th Street property has been recorded as a building financing arrangement in our condensed consolidated financial statements, and accordingly, no gain has been recognized at this time in connection with the sale. Except for payments under the leases for the existing club and a possible new club, we do not expect to make any cash payments to the purchaser/landlord with respect to the building financing arrangement. For additional detail concerning the accounting treatment of the transaction, see Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Outlook: Based on the current business environment, recent performance and current trends in the marketplace and subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, our outlook for the fourth quarter of 2014 includes the following:
The Q4 2014 guidance includes approximately $2.0 million of incremental advertising and marketing costs and approximately $1.0 million of lost revenue related to the conversion of some of our locations to our new high value - low price model. Memberships at these clubs are offered at a reduced price and advertising and marketing spend is increased in this model. As of September 30, 2014, 17 clubs had been converted to our new high value - low price model, and we expect an additional 40 to 45 clubs to be converted by the end of 2014. These converted clubs will show earnings pressure in the near-term related to the lower dues and the increase in marketing spend. However we believe this will improve results at the respective locations and increase market share for our brands in the long-run from the increased membership sales volume. We will continue to make modifications and adjustments as we feel necessary in connection with the implementation of this model. We reviewed our club portfolio earlier this year and made the decision to close between eight and nine of our lower performing clubs in the second half of 2014, with possible additional clubs to be closed during 2015, in an effort to consolidate a portion of these members into other existing clubs. As of September 30, 2014, five clubs had been closed, and an additional three to four clubs are expected to be closed in the fourth quarter of 2014. The Q4 2014 guidance above does not include estimated charges of $300,000 to $400,000 of club operating expenses, which are expected to be incurred during the fourth quarter related to the closure of these clubs. Investing Activities Outlook: For the year ending December 31, 2014, we currently plan to invest $42.0 million to $46.0 million in capital expenditures compared to $33.8 million of capital expenditures in 2013, which included acquisition purchase prices. The 2014 amount includes approximately $17.0 million to $18.0 million related to 2014 and 2015 club openings, including those under our new BFX Studio concept. Total capital expenditures also includes approximately $19.0 million to $21.0 million to continue enhancing or upgrading existing clubs and approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million principally related to major renovations at clubs with recent lease renewals. We also expect to invest approximately $3.0 million to continue to enhance our management information and communication systems. We expect these capital expenditures to be funded by available cash on hand and the after-tax proceeds from the legal sale of the East 86th Street property. To the extent the proceeds of the sale of the East 86th Street property are not reinvested, we may be required to use such amounts to pay down our outstanding debt, as provided under the terms of our 2013 Senior Credit Facility. Based on our unit growth projection and increased capital expenditures related to the building of new clubs and new BFX Studio locations, together with our operating forecast, we do not expect there will be an excess cash flow payment required at that time. For the year ending December 31, 2015, we currently plan to invest $30.0 million to $34.0 million in capital expenditures. This amount includes approximately $5.5 million to $6.5 million related to planned 2015 club openings, including those under our new BFX Studio concept. Total capital expenditures also includes approximately $19.0 million to $21.0 million to continue enhancing or upgrading existing clubs and approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million principally related to major renovations at certain clubs. We also expect to invest approximately $2.5 million to continue to enhance our management information and communication systems. We expect these capital expenditures to be funded by cash flow from operations and available cash on hand. Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements under the captions "Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Outlook" and "Investing Activities Outlook", statements regarding future financial results and performance, potential sales revenue, potential club closures, HVLP conversions, and other statements that are predictive in nature or depend upon or refer to events or conditions, or that include words such as "outlook", "believes", "expects", "potential", "continues", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "predicts", "intends", "plans", "estimates", "anticipates", "target", "could" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company's control, including, among others, the level of market demand for the Company's services, economic conditions affecting the Company's business, the geographic concentration of the Company's clubs, competitive pressure, the ability to achieve reductions in operating costs and to continue to integrate acquisitions, environmental matters, the application of Federal and state tax laws and regulations, any security and privacy breaches involving customer data, the levels and terms of the Company's indebtedness, and other specific factors discussed herein and in other releases and public filings made by the Company (including the Company's reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission). The Company believes that all forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions when made; however, the Company cautions that it is impossible to predict actual results or outcomes or the effects of risks, uncertainties or other factors on anticipated results or outcomes and that, accordingly, one should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of subsequent events or developments. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results or outcomes discussed in any forward-looking statement. About Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.: New York-based Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. is a leading owner and operator of fitness clubs in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and, through its subsidiaries, operated 158 fitness clubs as of September 30, 2014, comprising 107 New York Sports Clubs, 28 Boston Sports Clubs, 15 Washington Sports Clubs (two of which are partly-owned), five Philadelphia Sports Clubs, and three clubs located in Switzerland. These clubs collectively served approximately 479,000 members. For more information on TSI, visit http://www.mysportsclubs.com. The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 8:30AM (Eastern) to discuss the third quarter results. Robert Giardina, Chief Executive Officer, Dan Gallagher, President and Chief Operating Officer and Carolyn Spatafora, Chief Financial Officer, will host the conference call. The conference call will be Web cast and may be accessed via the Company's Investor Relations section of its Web site at www.mysportsclubs.com. A replay and transcript of the call will be available via the Company's Web site beginning November 12, 2014. From time to time we may use our Web site as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible at http://www.mysportsclubs.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about us by enrolling your email by visiting the "Email Alerts" section at http://www.mysportsclubs.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA EBITDA consists of net income (loss) plus interest expense (net of interest income), provision (benefit) for corporate income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA, as shown in the periods above, is the Company's EBITDA excluding certain items, such as any fixed asset or goodwill impairments, rental income from former tenant, rent related to building financing arrangement costs and loss on extinguishment of debt. The EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA calculations above do not reflect the possible charges of future club closures. EBITDA is not a measure of liquidity or financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA, as we define it, may not be identical to similarly titled measures used by some other companies. EBITDA has material limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flows from operating activities, operating income or other cash flow or income data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The items excluded from EBITDA, but included in the calculation of reported net income, are significant components of the consolidated statements of cash flows and income, and must be considered in performing a comprehensive assessment of our liquidity. EBITDA excludes, among other items, the effect of depreciation and amortization, which is a significant component of our reported GAAP data. Depreciation and amortization, which is a non-cash item, totaled $11.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Although a premise underlying depreciation and amortization is that it will be reinvested in our business to restore, replenish or purchase property, equipment and other related assets, the funds represented by depreciation and amortization could, in the Company's discretion, be utilized for other purposes (e.g., debt service). Accordingly, EBITDA may be useful as a supplemental measure to GAAP financial data for demonstrating our ability to satisfy our liquidity and capital resource requirements. Investors or prospective investors in the Company regularly request EBITDA as a supplemental analytical measure to, and in conjunction with, our GAAP financial data. We understand that these investors use EBITDA, among other things, to assess our ability to service our existing debt and to incur debt in the future, to evaluate our executive compensation programs, to assess our ability to fund our capital expenditure program, and to gain insight into the manner in which the Company's management and board of directors analyze our liquidity. We believe that investors find the inclusion of EBITDA in our press releases to be useful and helpful to them. Our management and board of directors also use EBITDA as a supplemental measure to our GAAP financial data for purposes broadly similar to those used by investors. The purposes to which EBITDA may be used by investors, and is used by our management and board of directors, include the following:
Adjusted EBITDA has similar uses and limitations as EBITDA. We do not, and investors should not, place undue reliance on EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of our liquidity.
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