Nielsen Reports 1st Quarter 2019 Results

NEW YORK, April 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) today announced its first quarter 2019 results. Revenues were $1,563 million for the first quarter of 2019, down 2.9% reported, but up 0.4% on a constant currency basis, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Net income per share on a diluted basis was $0.12 for the first quarter of 2019, compared to net income per share on a diluted basis of $0.20 for the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.35 per share for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $0.40 per share for the first quarter of 2018. Cash flow from operations improved to $(43) million for the first quarter of 2019, from $(117) million in the first quarter of 2018. Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2019 was $(165) million, compared to $(245) million in the first quarter of 2018.

David Kenny, Chief Executive Officer of Nielsen, commented, "Our first quarter results were ahead of our expectations, reflecting solid execution and continued focus on improving operational and financial rigor across Nielsen. While I'm pleased with our first quarter results, we have a significant opportunity to accelerate our growth rate over time as we leverage and build on our incomparable data assets, our global footprint, and the critical role we play in the media and FMCG industries. We have begun our transformation into a truly product-driven, technology organization, able to make faster, bolder decisions that drive greater value for our clients and for Nielsen."

Kenny continued, "The strategic review is ongoing and the Board is focused on completing the process in as timely a manner as possible. We remain focused on executing on our growth strategy, and we're taking the right steps to position the company for both near and long-term success in order to maximize value for all of our shareholders."

First Quarter 2019 Operating Results

Revenues within the Nielsen Global Media segment for the first quarter of 2019 increased 0.2% to $826 million, or 1.3% on a constant currency basis, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Revenues in Audience Measurement increased 1.5%, or 2.2% on a constant currency basis, primarily due to continued client adoption of our Total Audience Measurement system, partly offset by pressure in local television measurement. Plan/Optimize revenues decreased 3.1%, or 0.9% on a constant currency basis. Excluding the impact of acquisitions and one-time items, Plan/Optimize revenues were flat on a constant currency basis.

Revenues within the Nielsen Global Connect segment for the first quarter of 2019 decreased 6.2% to $737 million, or 0.7% on a constant currency basis, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Revenues in Measure decreased 4.3%, or an increase of 1.7% on a constant currency basis, reflecting strong performance in our retail measurement services and improved trends in the U.S.  Predict/Activate revenues decreased 11.2%, or 6.6% on a constant currency basis, compared to the first quarter of 2018, due to continued softness in areas such as innovation and custom analytics.

Net income for the first quarter of 2019 decreased 40.3% to $43 million, or 33.8% on a constant currency basis, compared to $72 million in the first quarter of 2018, due to higher restructuring charges, higher depreciation and amortization and the phasing of strategic initiatives. Net income per share on a diluted basis was $0.12 per share for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $0.20 per share for the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.35 per share for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $0.40 per share for the first quarter of 2018, driven by higher depreciation and amortization expense and higher book taxes.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2019 decreased 1.9% to $415 million, compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 0.5% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted EBITDA margins increased 28 basis points to 26.6%, or 2 basis points on a constant currency basis, as productivity initiatives were largely offset by product mix and investments in growth initiatives.

Financial Position

As of March 31, 2019, Nielsen's cash and cash equivalents were $402 million and gross debt was $8,627 million. Net debt (gross debt less cash and cash equivalents) was $8,225 million and Nielsen's net debt leverage ratio was 4.47x at the end of the quarter. Net capital expenditures were $122 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $128 million for the first quarter of 2018. Cash taxes were $42 million for each of the first quarters ended 2019 and 2018.

Cash flow from operations improved to $(43) million for the first quarter of 2019, from $(117) million in the first quarter of 2018. Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2019 improved to $(165) million, compared to $(245) million in the first quarter of 2018. Cash flow performance was primarily driven by lower employee annual incentive payments and lower retailer investments, partially offset by the Adjusted EBITDA performance discussed above.

Capital Allocation

There were no share repurchases of common stock during the first quarter of 2019.  The company has a total of $228 million remaining for repurchase under the existing share repurchase program.

On April 18, 2019, our board of directors approved our quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per common share. The dividend is payable on June 19, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 05, 2019.

2019 Full Year Guidance

The company is maintaining its full year guidance as highlighted below:

• Total revenue growth on a constant currency basis: Flat to +1.5%
• Adjusted EBITDA margin: 28 - 29%
• Adjusted EBITDA: $1,800 - $1,900 million
• Adjusted earnings per share: $1.63 - $1.77
• Free cash flow: $525 - $575 million

2019 Guidance Non-GAAP Reconciliations

The below table presents a reconciliation from forecasted revenue to revenue on a constant currency basis for our 2019 guidance:

The below table presents the reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA for our 2019 guidance:

The below table presents reconciliation from Net Income Attributable to Nielsen Shareholders to Adjusted Net Income to calculate Adjusted Earnings per Share (diluted) for our 2019 guidance:

The below table presents reconciliation from net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for our 2019 guidance:

Conference Call and Webcast

Nielsen will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2019 results at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (ET) on April 30, 2019. The audio and slides for the call can be accessed live by webcast at http://nielsen.com/investors or by dialing +1-833-236-2755. Callers outside the U.S. can dial +1-647-689-4180. The passcode for the call is "1175319." An audio replay and transcript will be available on the investor relations website after the call.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes information that could constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include those set forth under "2019 Full Year Guidance" above as well as those that may be identified by words such as "will," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "could" and similar expressions. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and events could differ materially from what presently is expected. Factors leading thereto may include, without limitations, our ongoing review of strategic alternatives, general economic conditions, conditions in the markets Nielsen is engaged in, behavior of customers, suppliers and competitors, technological developments, as well as legal and regulatory rules affecting Nielsen's business and other specific risk factors that are outlined in our disclosure filings and materials, which you can find on http://ir.nielsen.com, such as our most recent 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports that have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please consult these documents for a more complete understanding of these risks and uncertainties. This list of factors is not intended to be exhaustive. Such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf as a result of new information, future events, or other factors, except as required by law.

About Nielsen

Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what's happening now, what's happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge. For more than 90 years Nielsen has provided data and analytics based on scientific rigor and innovation, continually developing new ways to answer the most important questions facing the media, advertising, retail and fast-moving consumer goods industries. An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world's population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.

From time to time, Nielsen may use its website and social media outlets as channels of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the company is routinely posted and accessible on our website at http://www.nielsen.com/investors and our Twitter account at http://twitter.com/Nielsen.

Results of Operations—(Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018)

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts included in our condensed consolidated statements of operations:

Certain Non-GAAP Measures

We use the non-GAAP financial measures discussed below to evaluate our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and indebtedness. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors regarding financial and business trends related to our results of operations, cash flows and indebtedness and that when this non-GAAP financial information is viewed with our GAAP financial information, investors are provided with valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance and is consistent with how management evaluates the company's operating performance and liquidity. In addition, these non-GAAP measures address questions the Company routinely receives from analysts and investors and, in order to assure that all investors have access to similar data the Company has determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors.  None of the non-GAAP measures presented should be considered as an alternative to net income or loss, operating income or loss, cash flows from operating activities, total indebtedness or any other measures of operating performance and financial condition, liquidity or indebtedness derived in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures have important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Our use of these terms may vary from the use of similarly-titled measures by others in our industry due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation and differences due to items subject to interpretation.

Constant Currency Presentation

We evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance and is consistent with how management evaluates the Company's performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our prior-period local currency financial results using the current period exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our current period reported results. No adjustment has been made to foreign currency exchange transaction gains or losses in the calculation of constant currency net income.

Organic Constant Currency Presentation

We define organic constant currency revenue as constant currency revenue excluding the net effect of business acquisitions and divestitures over the past twelve months. Refer to the Constant Currency Presentation section above for the definition of constant currency. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

The below table presents a reconciliation from revenue on a reported basis to revenue on a constant currency basis and organic constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The below table presents a reconciliation of Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA on a reported basis to a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss from our consolidated statements of operations before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, share-based compensation expense and other non-operating items from our consolidated statements of operations as well as certain other items that arise outside the ordinary course of our continuing operations specifically described below.

Restructuring charges: We exclude restructuring expenses, which primarily include employee severance, office consolidation and contract termination charges, from our Adjusted EBITDA to allow more accurate comparisons of the financial results to historical operations and forward-looking guidance. By excluding these expenses from our non-GAAP measures, management is better able to evaluate our ability to utilize our existing assets and estimate the long-term value these assets will generate for us. Furthermore, we believe that the adjustments of these items more closely correlate with the sustainability of our operating performance.

Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets: We exclude the impact of charges related to the impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets. We believe that the exclusion of these impairments, which are non-cash, allows for more meaningful comparisons of operating results to peer companies. We believe that this increases period-to-period comparability and is useful to evaluate the performance of the total company.

Share-based compensation expense: We exclude the impact of costs relating to share-based compensation. Due to the subjective assumptions and a variety of award types, we believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense, which is typically non-cash, allows for more meaningful comparisons of operating results to peer companies. Share-based compensation expense can vary significantly based on the timing, size and nature of awards granted.

Other non-operating expenses, net: We exclude foreign currency exchange transaction gains and losses primarily related to intercompany financing arrangements as well as other non-operating income and expense items, such as, gains and losses recorded on business combinations or dispositions, sales of investments, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and early redemption payments made in connection with debt refinancing. We believe that the adjustments of these items more closely correlate with the sustainability of our operating performance.

Other items: To measure operating performance, we exclude certain expenses and gains that arise outside the ordinary course of our continuing operations. Such costs primarily include legal settlements, acquisition related expenses, business optimization costs and other transaction costs. We believe the exclusion of such amounts allows management and the users of the financial statements to better understand our financial results.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP, and our use of the term Adjusted EBITDA may vary from the use of similarly-titled measures by others in our industry due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation and differences due to items subject to interpretation. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA for a particular period expressed as a percentage of revenues for that period.

We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure our performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within our operating segments, to evaluate and fund incentive compensation programs and to compare our results to those of our competitors. In addition to Adjusted EBITDA being a significant measure of performance for management purposes, we also believe that this presentation provides useful information to investors regarding financial and business trends related to our results of operations and that when non-GAAP financial information is viewed with GAAP financial information, investors are provided with a more meaningful understanding of our ongoing operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or loss, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or cash flows as measures of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Adjusted Earnings per Share

We define Adjusted Earnings per Share as net income attributable to Nielsen shareholders per share (diluted) from continuing operations from our consolidated statements of operations, excluding depreciation and amortization associated with acquired tangible and intangible assets, restructuring charges, impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, share-based compensation expense, other non-operating items from our consolidated statements of operations and certain other items considered unusual or non-recurring in nature, adjusted for income taxes related to these items. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of the Company's ongoing operating performance.

The below table presents reconciliations from net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

The below table presents reconciliations from diluted net income per share to Adjusted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus contributions to the Nielsen Foundation, less capital expenditures, net. We believe providing free cash flow information provides valuable supplemental liquidity information regarding the cash flow that may be available for discretionary use by us in areas such as the distributions of dividends, repurchase of common stock, voluntary repayment of debt obligations or to fund our strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, if any. However, free cash flow does not represent residual cash flows entirely available for discretionary purposes; for example, the repayment of principal amounts borrowed is not deducted from free cash flow. Key limitations of the free cash flow measure include the assumptions that we will be able to refinance our existing debt when it matures and meet other cash flow obligations from financing activities, such as principal payments on debt. Free cash flow is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP. The following table presents reconciliation from net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:

Net Debt and Net Debt Leverage Ratio

The net debt leverage ratio is defined as net debt (gross debt less cash and cash equivalents) as of the balance sheet date divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months then ended. Net debt and the net debt leverage ratio are commonly used metrics to evaluate and compare leverage between companies and are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of net debt and the net debt leverage ratio as of March 31, 2019 is as follows:

SOURCE Nielsen Holdings plc

Related Links

http://www.nielsen.com

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