Nielsen Reports 3rd Quarter 2019 Results

NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) announced its third quarter 2019 results, reaffirmed revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow guidance for 2019, and increased Adjusted EPS guidance for 2019. Separately, the Company announced today that its Board of Directors has concluded its previously announced review of strategic alternatives and has decided to separate the Global Media and Global Connect businesses through a spin-off of the Global Connect business.

David Kenny, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with our third quarter results. Both Media and Connect revenues were ahead of our expectations, reflecting strong execution as well as our focus on driving faster, bolder decisions to enhance value for Nielsen and for our clients. We also announced today the conclusion of our strategic review and our decision to separate Global Media and Global Connect. As we look forward, we remain focused on executing on our growth strategies and positioning both businesses to create value for our shareholders."

Third Quarter 2019 Results

• 3rd quarter revenues were $1,616 million, up 1.0%, or 2.4% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year. 
• Nielsen Global Media revenues increased 3.9% to $870 million, or 4.6% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year. 
• Audience Measurement revenues increased 4.2%, or 4.7% 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 increased 3.3%, or 4.2% on a constant currency basis, driven in part by growth at Gracenote as expected, offset in part by pressure in Telecom.
• Nielsen Global Connect revenues decreased 2.2% to $746 million, or flat on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year.
• Measure revenues decreased 2.8%, or 0.4% on a constant currency basis, reflecting stronger performance in retail measurement services and improved trends in Emerging Markets, offset by declines in Developed Markets. 
• Predict/Activate revenues decreased 0.9%, or an increase of 0.9% on a constant currency basis, reflecting an improvement in custom analytics, partly offset by pressure in innovation.
• Net loss for the third quarter was $472 million, compared to net income of $96 million in the third quarter of 2018. Net loss per share on a diluted basis was $1.33 per share, compared to net income per share on a diluted basis of $0.27 for the third quarter of 2018.  During the third quarter of 2019, the company recorded an impairment charge of $1,004 million, or $2.82 per share, related to the writedown of goodwill in our Connect segment as a result of our interim impairment assessment. Net loss was also impacted by a tax benefit related to the resolution of prior year audits and lower restructuring charges. 
• Adjusted earnings per share was $0.51 per share, compared to $0.45 per share in the prior year, driven by a lower effective tax rate and higher operating profit.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.1% to $476 million, or 1.7% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year. 
• Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 2 basis points to 29.5%, or a decrease of 20 basis points on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year, as productivity initiatives were more than offset by investments in growth initiatives.

Financial Position

• As of September 30, 2019, Nielsen's cash and cash equivalents were $389 million and gross debt was $8,487 million.
• Net debt (gross debt less cash and cash equivalents) was $8,098 million and Nielsen's net debt leverage ratio was 4.38x at the end of the quarter.    
• Cash flow from operations increased to $413 million for the third quarter of 2019, from $387 million in the prior year. Cash flow performance was primarily driven by working capital timing and lower restructuring payments, partially offset by higher interest and tax payments.
• Cash taxes were $63 million for the third quarter of 2019, compared to $35 million in the prior year.
• Net capital expenditures were $112 million for the third quarter of 2019, compared to $121 million in the prior year. 
• Free cash flow for the third quarter of 2019 increased to $301 million, compared to $266 million in the prior year. 

Strategic Review Outcome

Separately, Nielsen announced today that it plans to spin-off the company's Global Connect business, creating two independent, publicly traded companies—the Global Media business and the Global Connect business—each of which will have sharper strategic focus and greater opportunity to leverage its unique competitive advantages. The strategic review was led by James Attwood, who had taken on the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. With the strategic review concluded, he will return to his role as Chairman of the Board.  Please refer to the Company's separate press release announcing the planned spin-off for further details.

Capital Allocation 

Nielsen did not repurchase ordinary shares during the third quarter of 2019. The Company has a total of $228 million remaining for repurchases under the existing share repurchase program as of September 30, 2019. 

In conjunction with the strategic review outcome, on November 3, 2019, the Board of Directors approved a reduction of the dividend, with the goal of strengthening the balance sheet and providing added flexibility to invest for growth. Beginning with the next dividend payment in December 2019, the Company will reduce its quarterly cash dividend payment to $0.06, from $0.35, per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on December 5, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 21, 2019.

2019 Full Year Guidance

The Company is reiterating 2019 Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and raising Adjusted EPS 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: $1.77 - $1.83 (previously $1.70 - $1.80) 
• 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 a reconciliation from Net Income/(Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for our 2019 guidance:

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

The below table presents a 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 today's announcements at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (ET) on November 7, 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.  

A replay of the event will be available on Nielsen's Investor Relations website, http://nielsen.com/investors, from 11:00 a.m. ET, November 7, 2019, until 11:59 p.m. ET, November 14, 2019. The replay can be accessed from within the U.S. by dialing +1-800-585-8367. Other callers can access the replay at +1-416-621-4642. The replay pass code is 8199309.

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 above relating to those set forth above under "2019 Full Year Guidance," those regarding our plan to spin-off the company's Global Connect business 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 limitation, the expected benefits and costs of the spin-off transaction, the expected timing of completion of the spin-off transaction, the ability of Nielsen to complete the spin-off transaction considering the various conditions to the completion of the spin-off transaction (some of which are outside Nielsen's control, including those conditions related to regulatory approvals), business disruption during the pendency of or following the spin-off transaction, diversion of management time on the spin-off transaction-related issues, failure to receive the required shareholder approval of the spin-off transaction, retention of existing management team members, the reaction of customers and other parties to the spin-off transaction, the qualification of the spin-off transaction as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including whether or not an IRS ruling will be sought or obtained), potential dissynergy costs between Nielsen Global Connect and Nielsen Global Media, the impact of the spin-off transaction on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties, 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://www.nielsen.com/investors, such as our 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 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018)

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

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

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 12 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

The below table presents reconciliations from diluted net income per share to Adjusted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 12 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 September 30, 2019 is as follows:  

SOURCE Nielsen Holdings plc

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