Alliance Data Reports First Quarter 2015 Results

DALLAS, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Revenue increased 30 percent to $1.6 billion while adjusted EBITDA, net increased 29 percent to $430 million for the first quarter of 2015. EPS increased 12 percent to $2.32 and core EPS increased 31 percent to $3.65 for the first quarter of 2015, both aided by a 4 percent decrease in diluted shares outstanding. 

Diluted shares outstanding were 63.6 million for the first quarter of 2015, down 4 percent compared to the same period in 2014. The maturity of the convertible senior notes during the second quarter of 2014 coupled with the repurchase of 2 million shares during the first quarter of 2015 more than offset the 4.6 million shares issued during the fourth quarter of 2014 in connection with the Conversant acquisition.

Ed Heffernan, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Data, commented, "Despite having to overcome foreign currency translation hits of $64 million to revenue and $0.10 to core EPS, our results came in significantly above guidance, powered by organic revenue growth of approximately 19 percent. This strong organic growth, coupled with the addition of Conversant and some help from share repurchases, drove a 31 percent increase in core EPS for the first quarter.

"Of particular importance was the achievement of several key goals during the first quarter: (1) AIR MILES^® reward miles issued, a key metric in our Canadian program, increased a robust 7 percent compared to 2014, avoiding the slow start we experienced the previous two years; (2) BrandLoyalty launched its North America initiative, while producing exceptional results with adjusted EBITDA double that of last year on a constant currency basis; (3) Epsilon^® successfully leveraged its growth with organic revenue and adjusted EBITDA up 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively; and (4) Card Services is all about portfolio growth, which was up over 30 percent compared to the same period last year. Our critical goals of transitioning Conversant^® to a more data-driven digital display platform and of returning the business to solid organic growth are underway and, as expected, should produce results in the second half of the year."

Heffernan continued, "Our one major headwind this year continues to be a strong U.S. dollar. We now expect lower translation rates to negatively impact our revenue and core EPS for the year by about $250 million and $0.50, respectively, compared to 2014. To counter this pressure, we plan to use our share repurchase program to mitigate a large portion, if not all, of this headwind. During the first quarter, core EPS exceeded our expectations by about $0.10. As such, we are raising guidance to $14.90 from $14.80, representing growth just under 20 percent compared to 2014."  

SEGMENT REVIEW

LoyaltyOne^®: Revenue increased 18 percent to $388 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 9 percent to $77 million for the first quarter of 2015. On a constant currency basis, revenue and adjusted EBITDA increased 37 percent and 26 percent, respectively, for the first quarter of 2015. The strong performance was primarily driven by BrandLoyalty, which achieved constant currency revenue growth of 100 percent.

AIR MILES reward miles issued increased 7 percent compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to strength in the grocer vertical, while AIR MILES reward miles redeemed increased 15 percent compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to higher redemptions related to the instant reward option.  

Epsilon: Revenue increased 45 percent to $505 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased 88 percent to $104 million for the first quarter of 2015, aided by the acquisition of Conversant. Excluding Conversant, revenue and adjusted EBITDA increased 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively, for the first quarter of 2015, driven by double-digit growth in database/loyalty solutions. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 500 basis points to 21 percent for the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to the Conversant acquisition.   

Agility Harmony®, the Company's digital messaging platform, continues to ramp up with email volumes increasing over 21 percent compared to the first quarter of 2014. Recent functionality additions include SMS text messaging, mobile push or app notifications, schedule intelligence (when to send a notification for optimum open rates) and real-time integration with Epsilon data. Integration with the Conversant technology stack is ongoing.

Card Services (previously named Private Label Services and Credit): Revenue increased 27 percent to $715 million and adjusted EBITDA, net increased 16 percent to $282 million for the first quarter of 2015.

Operating expenses increased 21 percent to $262 million, while the loan loss provision increased 90 percent to $135 million, driven by accelerating growth in average card receivables and the turn of acquired card receivables. Portfolio funding costs were $36 million for the first quarter of 2015, or 1.3 percent of average credit card receivables, 20 basis points better than the first quarter of 2014.

Credit sales increased 37 percent to $5 billion for the first quarter of 2015, supported by an 11 percent increase in core cardholder spending. Average credit card receivables increased 33 percent to $10.7 billion compared to the first quarter of 2014, while principal loss rates for the first quarter of 2015 were consistent with the prior year quarter at 4.9 percent.

2015 Revised Guidance: 

The Company is raising its core EPS guidance for 2015 to $14.90 from $14.80, a 19 percent increase compared to 2014. The Company is maintaining its revenue guidance of $6.5 billion for 2015.

Despite continuing foreign exchange headwinds, the Company expects revenue of approximately $1.5 billion and core EPS of approximately $3.20 ($3.32 on a constant currency basis), increases of 19 percent and 10 percent, respectively, for the second quarter of 2015.

Financial Measures

In addition to the results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company may present financial measures that are non-GAAP measures, such as constant currency financial measures, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, net of funding costs and non-controlling interest, core earnings and core earnings per diluted share (core EPS). The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, viewed in addition to and not in lieu of the Company's reported GAAP results, provide useful information to investors regarding the Company's performance and overall results of operations. These metrics are an integral part of the Company's internal reporting to measure the performance of reportable segments and the overall effectiveness of senior management. Reconciliations to comparable GAAP financial measures are available in the accompanying schedules and on the Company's website. The financial measures presented are consistent with the Company's historical financial reporting practices. Core earnings and core earnings per diluted share represent performance measures and are not intended to represent liquidity measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and are not identical to corresponding measures used in other various agreements or public filings.

Conference Call

Alliance Data will host a conference call on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the Company's first quarter 2015 results. The conference call will be available via the Internet at www.alliancedata.com. There will be several slides accompanying the webcast. Please go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary software. The recorded webcast will also be available on the Company's website.

If you are unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and enter "14228922". The replay will be available at approximately 11:45 A.M. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, April 16th.

About Alliance Data

Alliance Data^® (NYSE: ADS) is a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, Alliance Data consists of three businesses that together employ more than 15,000 associates at approximately 100 locations worldwide.

Alliance Data's Card Services business is a leading provider of marketing-driven branded credit card programs. Epsilon^® is a leading provider of multichannel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and also includes Conversant^®, the leader in personalized digital marketing. LoyaltyOne^® owns and operates the AIR MILES^® Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, and holds a majority interest in Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers.

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Safe Harbor Statement/Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain 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. Such statements may use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue, " "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "predict," "project," "would," and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our management's beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise, except as required by law.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this presentation regarding Alliance Data Systems Corporation's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. Risk factors may be updated in Item 1A in each of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each quarterly period subsequent to the Company's most recent Form 10-K.

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SOURCE Alliance Data Systems Corporation

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http://www.alliancedata.com

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