Jim Mikolaichik
Analyst · Goldman Sachs
Thank you, Mark, and good morning, everyone. Before we get into the details on the quarter, as Mark mentioned, we adopted an accounting standards update regarding revenue recognition or ASC 606 at the beginning of the first quarter. The most important change resulting from these new accounting rules is that, we’re now deferring all sales revenue and direct expenses for inventory under construction until that project is complete. Previously, we had recognized these revenues and expenses under the percentage of completion method. However, we have provided additional schedules in the release, which reconcile the current period between both approaches. All that said the key takeaway is that, day-to-day operations and economics of our business are unchanged. And given our strong start and how we see the rest of the year unfolding relative to expectations, we’re increasing our annual guidance. As Mark highlighted, first quarter operating results were very strong with increased volumes and metrics in our real estate business and excellent growth in margins in our recurring finance, resort, club and rental business. First quarter revenue decreased to 8% to $367 million. Without the impact of 606, first quarter revenue increased 8% to $430 million. The primary variance was $59 million of deferred VOI sales related to two projects, which are both under construction in the quarter. A schedule that reconciles our first quarter results between the old and new accounting rules is in the press release. First quarter net income decreased 40%. However, without the impact of 606, net income increased by 8%, as a lower tax rate offset revenue reportability and expense timing in our real estate business that should normalize over the balance of the year. When we defer revenues and direct expenses for projects under construction, under both the current and previous accounting rules, we don’t defer indirect costs and this causes a timing mismatch that recognizes costs ahead of revenues. Under the new rule, the effect is more pronounced, so first quarter total segment adjusted EBITDA declined 23% and margins contract 570 basis points. Without 606, total segment adjusted EBITDA increased 2% and margins declined 230 basis points. Now let’s move to the individual business lines. Real estate is our only business significantly affected by 606. So I’ll walk you through how these reporting changes affect us and also discuss some of the factors that impacted flow-through this quarter and how that plays out for the rest of the year. As Mark indicated, we experienced growth in tours, VPG, pricing, and close rates. Contract sales increased 14.6% and the strength was broad-based across our markets and we saw it from both new buyers and existing owners. Driven by a successful launch of Ocean Tower, owned contract sales were up 40%, while fee-for-service contract sales declined 2%. And our fee-for-service mix in the quarter was 52%, compared to 60% last year. Real state revenues decreased 19% in the quarter. This reflects $66 million of revenue deferrals from projects in Hawaii and New York that are still under construction. It also reflects flat fee-for-service commissions and some timing items affecting revenue reportability outside of 606. And without the impact of 606, real state revenue increased 9%. Real estate margin declined 56% in the quarter. This reflects the revenue items just discussed, higher sales and marketing costs, and a modest reduction in product cost percentage. Sales and marketing costs increased due to the launch of Ocean Tower and investments that we’re making in expanded distribution and new markets. Without the impact of 606, real estate margin declined 10%, which still reflects some revenue reportability, increased investment, and the timing of indirect selling and marketing expense recognition. To wrap up real estate, I’ll point out a few schedules in the press release. In the New Accounting Standards section, you’ll find schedules related to revenue and expense deferrals and expected recognitions under 606. We currently plan to complete residences in New York City in the second quarter and Ocean Tower in Hawaii in the fourth quarter. Toward the end of the release, there’s also a table that bridges our real estate margin calculation. Turning to our financing business, margin increased to 8% as modestly higher costs offset some of the revenue gains from growth in the receivables portfolio, a higher weighted average interest rate and higher servicing fees. The size of the consumer finance portfolio remains steady in the quarter, while our average interest rate increased a few basis points. Our long-term allowance was also unchanged from year-end. In the past three months, our percentage of loans over 30 days past due and our annualized default rate have both modestly improved. Let’s move on to our resort club and rental business, which as Mark discussed, had a great quarter. Resort and club revenues increased 8%, driven by 7.1% NOG and management fees from recently opened properties. Margins were very strong at 71.8%. Rental and ancillary revenues also increased 11% on higher ADRs at our owned inventory and more rental availability at fee-for-service properties. Costs remained in line and margin increased 21%. When combining these two business lines into our resort operations and club management segment, the segment adjusted EBITDA margin increased 220 basis points to 60.2%. Bridging the gap between the segments and adjusted EBITDA, licensees fees increased $3 million to $23 million, G&A expenses were flat, and the Elara joint venture contributed $2 million. Total adjusted EBITDA declined 34% to $62 million. And without 606, total adjusted EBITDA increased 1% to $95 million. Before I get to the balance sheet, I’m sure most of you recognize that HNA fully divested their 25% HGV’s stake in mid-March. As part of the transaction, we repurchased 2.5 million shares for a net cost of $109 million. Our effective price was approximately 7% below the closing price at the day of the deal, and we purchased 10% of the offering, or 2.5% of the float. This transaction removed an overhang neutralized costs to HGV and allowed for a discounted repurchase, while still preserving the ability to partner on potential business opportunities in the future. Turning to the balance sheet. Our leverage moves up in the quarter. Our corporate leverage is 1.4 times on a trailing basis, or 1.2 times on a net basis. Without deferrals, those ratios are 1.2 and 1, respectively. In April, we borrowed $100 million on our $200 million bank revolver. In addition to the $100 million of capacity, we have remaining on the revolver, we have over $320 million of undrawn capacity on our timeshare facility. I would also note that, we expect to be in the market shortly raising additional capital. And currently, we’re looking to upsize and extend our maturities with a new term loan and revolver. While this could change, we think we could get favorable pricing to our existing terms, given the current rate environment. Additionally, we are still planning to access the ABS market in the third quarter. Turning to cash flow. First quarter free cash flow was $7 million, compared to $125 million last year. This reflects the timing issues we discussed throughout last year, including license fees and deferred tax payments from Hurricane Irma. First quarter adjusted free cash flow was negative $32 million, compared to a positive $131 million last year. And we generated modest positive cash from our ABS deal and warehouse refinancing last year, and this year, we had only outflows from non-recourse debt. Given the strong start to the year, we’re revising our contract sales growth guidance to 8% to 10% from 6% to 8%. Along with that, we are also increasing our 2018 adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $485 million to $505 million. This includes an estimated positive net deferral impact of $68 million that was previously recognized in 2016 and 2017 under the percentage of completion accounting that under the new rules will be recognized when we finish the construction of the residences in New York City later this year. To compare our current 2018 guidance to 2017 results, you can subtract $68 million from our guidance range and get a reasonable approximation of what our guidance would look like until the previous accounting rules. There are some other minor changes to the line items in our guidance, which are outlined in the guidance schedule in the earnings release. This completes our prepared remarks. I’ll now turn the call over to the operator, and we look forward to your questions. Operator?