Craig Felenstein
Analyst · Stifel. Please go ahead
Thanks Sven. The strong financial results Lindblad generated during the third quarter perfectly demonstrates the opportunity we have by combining expanding capacity with a growing audience for high-quality adventure travel. The targeted strategic investments that Lindblad has made over the last several years is delivering strong financial results today, while we continue to invest in additional capacity, upgrading our technology infrastructure, and expanding our sales and marketing capabilities to provide us the ability to sustain this momentum for years to come.Turning to the third quarter of 2019. Total company revenue increased 16% versus the third quarter a year ago led by 19% growth at the Lindblad segment, and 7% growth at Natural Habitat. The strong growth contributed to a 41% increase in total company adjusted EBITDA led by 40% growth at the Lindblad segment and 43% growth at Natural Habitat.Looking at the individual segments, the Lindblad segment generated revenue of $76.6 million as compared with $64.5 million during the third quarter of 2018. The 19% year-on-year growth was primarily driven by a 14% increase in Available Guest Nights, mostly from the launch of the National Geographic Venture in December 2018.On top of the capacity expansion, we were also able to increase occupancy to 94% this past quarter, while growing net yield 7% to $1,054 per night, predominantly due to higher ticket prices across the fleet, and from the impact of changes to certain itineraries, most notably from transitioning some of our inventory on the National Geographic Orion from the South Pacific to the Russian Far East.Turning to the cost side of the business. Lindblad segment operating expenses increased 14% on a reported basis, primarily driven by an 11% increase in cost of tours led by the addition of the National Geographic Venture to the fleet in December of 2018.Fuel costs in the quarter increased 4% versus prior year, due to this fleet expansion. Fuel was 2.9% of revenue as compared to 3.4% of revenue in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting lower fuel prices across the fleet and the impact of these changes in itineraries.Sales and marketing costs increased 28% versus a year ago, due to higher commission expense associated with the revenue growth as well as from the planned marketing investments we have discussed previously, including costs associated with the rollout of our new CRM and reservation system, and increased marketing spend as we look to further capitalize on our increasing capacity and the growing demand for expedition travel.G&A expenses increased 1%, primarily due to higher personnel costs and transaction costs associated with our warrant exchange, partially offset by lower VAT taxes in Ecuador. The third quarter of 2019 also included $1.2 million of increased depreciation and amortization, mostly related to the addition of the National Geographic Venture to the fleet.Excluding stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization and transaction costs Lindblad segment operating expenses increased 12% versus the third quarter a year ago. Overall, adjusted net cruise costs on a per night basis increased only 1% to $729, primarily as a result of the increased marketing and technology costs, as well as from some additional costs on the National Geographic Orion in conjunction with its new Russian Far East itineraries.Overall, the Lindblad segment generated strong operating leverage this past quarter, with a 19% revenue growth driving a 40% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $20.6 million, despite the investments in future growth initiatives. Please note that, the third quarter did also include the unexpected government shutdown of the Bonneville lock on the Columbia River for repairs during September of 2019. This impacted several voyages and slightly reduced our overall results for the quarter.The Natural Habitat segment also generated real operating leverage this past quarter, with revenue growth of 7% to $24.4 million, due to additional departures and higher pricing driving a 43% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $3.5 million. The revenue growth was partially offset by a 3% increase in operating expenses from costs associated with additional departures as well as from the timing of marketing and personnel spend to drive additional future growth.I should also note that, we continue to see real benefits of combining the Lindblad and Natural Habitat businesses with cross-selling expanding further in 2019, including a 40% plus increase year-to-date in Natural Habitat sales of Lindblad itineraries.Total company net loss available to common stockholders in the quarter was $493,000 or $0.01 per diluted share versus net income available to common stockholders of $5.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share reported in the third quarter a year ago. The $5.6 million year-on-year increase – decrease rather was the result of increased operating results being more than offset by higher taxes of $4.7 million, a $2.7 million deemed dividend related to the warrant exchange, $2.3 million of foreign currency losses due in large part to forwards associated with the second installment payment on our second blue-water vessel, and $1.2 million of higher depreciation associated with the launch of the Venture.Please note that, the weighted average diluted share count also increased during the quarter by 1.2 million shares, predominantly due to the issuance of 3.9 million shares in conjunction with retiring all of the outstanding warrants of the company.Turning to our balance sheet. We remain extremely well positioned to invest in future growth opportunities. We ended the quarter with $104 million in unrestricted cash. Free cash flow for the nine months year-to-date was a use of $35 million, but that primarily reflects $64 million spent on the new builds. Including only maintenance CapEx, free cash flow was $30 million year-to-date.During the quarter, we also borrowed $30.5 million under our export credit agreement and used the proceeds for the second installment payment for the National Geographic Resolution. This loan will bear a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus a margin of 3%. The next contracted installment payment of approximately $31 million for the Resolution is anticipated to be paid in the second quarter of next year.Turning now to the full year 2019. Lindblad segment ticket revenue is currently pacing 11% ahead of the same point a year ago and we are already at 100% of our full year projected ticket revenues for the current year. While we continue to see very strong bookings each month at this point the vast majority of these reservations relate to 2020 and 2021. So we do not anticipate booking significant additional net ticket revenue for 2019.Given that the strong current reservation trends are concentrated in future years for both Lindblad and Natural Habitat and given some of the inventory utilization, we are still balancing outside of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest with the U.S. fleet. We expect total company tour revenue between $341 million and $346 million, or 10% to 11% growth versus 2018.Our adjusted EBITDA guidance of $67 million to $70 million or 22% to 28% versus 2018 remains unchanged. Our ability to maintain adjusted EBITDA expectations despite a slight reduction in our revenue forecast reflects the margin profile on some of our shoulder season revenue and our ability to control our variable costs. We will provide further financial guidance for 2020 on our year-end call in March. But please note that bookings for future travel remain very strong and we already have over $45 million more booked for 2020 at this point than we did for 2019 at the same point a year ago.Thank you very much for your time this morning. And now, Sven and I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.