Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

28/02/2018 05:30

Source: PR News

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Full Year 2017 Highlights:

  • Tour revenues increased 10% to $266.5 million
  • Net loss available to common stockholders was $8.7 million, including a $12.7 million non-cash expense related to U.S. tax law change
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 4% to $43.5 million
  • Repurchased $6.2 million of stock and warrants
  • Lindblad segment Net Yield increased 1% to $985 and Occupancy was 87%
  • Bookings in 2017 for future travel increased 26% over bookings in 2016
  • Expanded capacity with the launch of the National Geographic Quest in July 2017

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIND; the "Company" or "Lindblad"), a global provider of expedition cruises and adventure travel experiences, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

Sven-Olof Lindblad, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "Lindblad's financial growth during 2017 highlights the opportunity we have to deliver substantial returns as we expand our capacity to take advantage of the growing demand for high quality, authentic experiential travel.   The July launch of our first new-build vessel, the National Geographic Quest, contributed considerably to the Company's significant revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth in the back half of the year and we are poised to build on that momentum in the years ahead.  Bookings for 2018 travel are 24% above the same point a year ago for 2017 and we are seeing broad based demand for both returning and new itineraries.  The upcoming year will also see the next step in our fleet expansion with the anticipated launch of the National Geographic Venture in December and we just began cutting the steel last month for our state-of-the-art, polar ice class vessel, which is expected to be delivered in early 2020.  Overall we have contracted to expand our available guest nights by over 50% from pre-expansion levels so we can further capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for authentic expedition travel."

FULL YEAR RESULTS

Tour Revenues

Full year tour revenues of $266.5 million increased $24.2 million, or 10%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to a $15.2 million increase at Natural Habitat, which was acquired in May of 2016, and a $9.0 million increase at the Lindblad segment, despite the estimated $12.4 million impact from voyage cancellations in 2017.  These cancellations included four expeditions on the National Geographic Orion to repair the engine, two voyages on the National Geographic Sea Lion to repair the air conditioning system and four voyages due to the delayed launch of the National Geographic Quest. Excluding the impact of these voyage cancellations in 2017, the Company estimates that total Company tour revenue would have increased 15% over the prior year to $278.9 million.

Lindblad segment revenues of $216.8 million increased $9.0 million, or 4%, compared to 2016, primarily from a $7.3 million increase in ticket revenue, due mostly to increased Available Guest Nights and slightly higher Net Yield, and a $1.7 million increase in other revenue mainly from $2.3 million of insurance revenue related to the National Geographic Orion voyage cancellations. Excluding the impact of the voyage cancellations in 2017, the Company estimates that Lindblad segment revenue would have increased 10% over the prior year to $229.2 million.   

For the full year, Available Guest Nights increased 3% primarily due to the launch of the National Geographic Quest in July 2017 and a full year of charter expeditions to Cuba, partially offset by the voyage cancellations on the National Geographic Orion and National Geographic Sea Lion.  Net Yield increased 1% to $985 from increased pricing and changes in itineraries.  Occupancy decreased to 87% due to lower bookings for 2017 travel throughout the first half of 2016 and due to the cancellation of the highly booked voyages. 

Natural Habitat revenues of $49.7 million increased $15.2 million, or 44%, compared to a year ago due primarily to a full year of operating results in 2017 and higher ticket revenue from additional guests.

Net Income

Net loss available to common stockholders of $8.7 million for 2017, $0.19 per diluted share, decreased $13.5 million as compared with net income available to common stockholders of $4.9 million, $0.10 per diluted share, in 2016.  The decline versus a year ago reflects the increased operating results, which were more than offset primarily by a $12.7 million non-cash impact from the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $5.2 million of additional stock-based compensation expense due primarily to grants under the 2016 CEO share allocation plan, which provides our CEO the ability to transfer shares from his existing holdings in the Company to eligible employees. 

Adjusted EBITDA

Full year 2017 Adjusted EBITDA of $43.5 million increased $1.8 million, or 4%, compared to 2016, due to $1.8 million of additional contributions from Natural Habitat and a slight increase at the Lindblad segment despite the impact of the voyage cancellations in the current year.  Excluding the impact of the voyage cancellations in 2017, the Company estimates that total Company Adjusted EBITDA would have increased 26% over the prior year to $52.5 million.

Adjusted EBITDA at the Lindblad segment of $38.7 million increased slightly versus 2016 as the increased tour revenues and a decline in drydock, employee and fuel costs were mostly offset by operating costs for the National Geographic Quest as well as higher charter costs, primarily related to Cuba.  Excluding the impact of the voyage cancellations, the Company estimates that Lindblad segment Adjusted EBITDA would have increased 24% over the prior year to $47.7 million.

Natural Habitat Adjusted EBITDA of $4.8 million increased $1.8 million, or 59%, compared to a year ago due primarily to a full year of operating results in 2017.  The current year also included higher revenues from additional guests which was partially offset by increased cost of tours from the additional guests as well as higher personnel costs.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Tour Revenues

Fourth quarter tour revenues of $63.2 million increased $7.1 million, or 13%, as compared to the same period in 2016. The increase was driven by $7.0 million of additional contributions from the Lindblad segment and a $0.1 million increase at Natural Habitat.

Lindblad segment tour revenues of $48.9 million increased 17% compared to the fourth quarter a year ago mainly due to a $6.4 million increase in ticket revenue, primarily from a 10% increase in Available Guest Nights mostly related to the launch of the National Geographic Quest in July of 2017 and the addition of a trans-Atlantic voyage on the National Geographic Orion.  The growth in ticket revenue also reflects a 6% increase in Net Yield to $924 due to increased pricing and changes in itineraries.  Occupancy of 86% was in-line with a year ago despite the inclusion of the trans-Atlantic voyage on the National Geographic Orion, which had a lower occupancy than traditional expeditions as anticipated.

Net Income

Net loss available to common stockholders for the fourth quarter was $16.0 million, $0.36 per diluted share, as compared with a net loss available to common stockholders of $8.7 million, $0.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016.  The decline versus a year ago reflects the increased operating results, which were more than offset by a $12.7 million non-cash impact from the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $1.4 million of higher depreciation and amortization primarily related to the addition of the National Geographic Quest to the fleet in July 2017.  The fourth quarter of 2016 also included $1.2 million of other expense primarily related to the retirement of the National Geographic Endeavour

Adjusted EBITDA

Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $4.8 million increased $3.3 million, or 221%, as compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to additional contributions from the Lindblad segment partially offset by $0.1 million decrease at Natural Habitat.

Lindblad segment Adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 million increased $3.4 million compared to the fourth quarter a year ago as the increased Tour Revenues and lower personnel costs were partially offset by higher operating costs related to the addition of the National Geographic Quest and higher commission expense related to the revenue growth.

Natural Habitat Adjusted EBITDA of $2.9 million decreased slightly versus the fourth quarter a year ago as the revenue growth was more than offset by increased personnel and marketing costs to drive long-term growth initiatives.

Segment Results


For the three months ended December 31,


For the years ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2017


2016


Change


%


2017


2016 *


Change


%

Tour revenues:
















Lindblad

$   48,924


$   41,900


$  7,024


17%


$ 216,815


$ 207,836


$  8,979


4%

Natural Habitat

14,297


14,228


69


0%


49,689


34,510


15,179


44%

Total tour revenues

63,221


56,128


7,093


13%


266,504


242,346


24,158


10%

  Impact of voyage
     cancellations

(125)


-


(125)


 NA 


12,353


-


12,353


NA

Total tour revenues
excluding voyage cancellations

$   63,096


$   56,128


$  6,968


12%


$ 278,857


$ 242,346


$36,511


15%

Operating (loss) income:
















Lindblad

$   (5,093)


$   (7,245)


$  2,152


(30%)


$     7,292


$   11,794


$ (4,502)


(38%)

Natural Habitat

2,579


2,676


(97)


(4%)


3,452


2,187


1,265


58%

Total operating (loss) income

(2,514)


(4,569)


2,055


(45%)


10,744


13,981


(3,237)


(23%)

Impact of voyage
   cancellations

(125)


-


(125)


NA


8,798


-


8,798


NA

Total operating (loss) income
 excluding voyage cancellations

$   (2,639)


$   (4,569)


$  1,930


(42%)


$   19,542


$   13,981


$  5,561


40%

Adjusted EBITDA:
















Lindblad

$     1,890


$   (1,493)


$  3,383


227%


$   38,655


$   38,624


$       31


0%

Natural Habitat

2,938


2,997


(59)


(2%)


4,834


3,038


1,796


59%

Total adjusted EBITDA

4,828


1,504


3,324


221%


43,489


41,662


1,827


4%

Impact of voyage
   cancellations

(125)


-


(125)


NA


9,047


-


9,047


NA

Total adjusted EBITDA
   excluding voyage cancellations

$     4,703


$     1,504


$  3,199


213%


$   52,536


$   41,662


$10,874


26%

















* The 2016 Natural Habitat segment results represent activity from acquisition date of May 2016 through
December 31, 2016.

The impact of the cancelled voyages on tour revenues was calculated as booked tour revenue at the time of cancellation less insurance proceeds. The impact of the cancelled voyages on operating income and Adjusted EBITDA was calculated as booked tour revenue at the time of cancellation less insurance proceeds and estimated operating costs.  The cancellation of the December 28, 2016 voyage on the National Geographic Orion was not material to the results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

Liquidity

The Company's cash and cash equivalents were $96.4 million as of December 31, 2017, as compared with $135.4 million as of December 31, 2016. The decrease primarily reflects purchases of property and equipment of $80.5 million, primarily related to the three new vessel builds, and $6.2 million used to repurchase stock and warrants, partially offset by $52.9 million in net cash provided by operating activities due in large part to advanced bookings for future travel.

Free cash flow use was $27.6 million for the full year 2017 as compared with a use of $44.5 million in 2016. The improved results reflect higher bookings for future travel and increased operating performance partially offset by higher capital expenditures for new vessels. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment.

On January 8, 2018, the Company entered into a senior secured credit agreement to make available, at the Company's option, a loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $107.7 million for the purpose of providing financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of the Company's new expedition ice-class cruise vessel.  At the Company's election, the loan will bear interest either at a fixed interest rate effectively equal to 5.78% or a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00% per annum.

LINDBLAD FLEET ACTIVITIES

The Company expanded its travel offerings in July 2017 with the launch of the National Geographic Quest, which sailed in Alaska and British Columbia during the summer before voyaging to Costa Rica and Panama for the winter season. The Company's second new-build coastal vessel, the National Geographic Venture, is currently expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2018.

During the fourth quarter, the Company signed a contract with Ulstein Verft to build a new polar ice class vessel for delivery in January 2020, with potential accelerated delivery to November 2019. This state-of-the-art vessel will join the National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion as the third polar ice class vessel in the Lindblad National Geographic fleet, with the ability to voyage anywhere around the globe and specializing in polar travel.  The vessel will be capable of exploring deep into the Antarctic and Arctic waters, and will be built with the Ulstein X-BOW® design allowing for greater comfort and speed through rough waters. The contract with Ulstein Verft also includes options to build two additional polar ice class vessels, the first for delivery twelve months after the initial vessel and the second for delivery twelve months thereafter.

STOCK AND WARRANT REPURCHASE PLAN

The Company has a $35.0 million stock and warrant repurchase plan in place which authorizes the Company to purchase from time to time the Company's outstanding stock and warrants through open market repurchases and/or in privately negotiated transactions based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. During 2017, the Company repurchased 529,867 warrants and 547,058 shares of common stock under the plan for a total of $6.2 million.  As of February 26, 2018 the Company had repurchased 6.0 million warrants and 864,506 shares of common stock under the plan and had $12.1 million remaining under the plan. As of February 26, 2018, there were 45.8 million shares of common stock and 10.1 million warrants outstanding.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

The Company's current expectations for the full year 2018 are as follows:

  • Tour revenues of $308 - $315 million (16 – 18% growth)
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $54 - $57 million (24 – 31% growth)

As of February 26, 2018, the Lindblad segment had 90% of full year 2018 projected guest ticket revenues on the books versus 85% of full year 2017 revenue at the same time last year.  The Company continues to anticipate it will achieve its long-range revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company uses a variety of operational and financial metrics, including non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Occupancy, Net Yields and Net Cruise Costs, to enable it to analyze its performance and financial condition. The Company utilizes these financial measures to manage its business on a day-to-day basis and believes that they are the most relevant measures of performance. Some of these measures are commonly used in the cruise and tourism industry to evaluate performance. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide expanded insight to assess revenue and cost performance, in addition to the standard GAAP-based financial measures. There are no specific rules or regulations for determining non-GAAP measures, and as such, they may not be comparable to measures used by other companies within the industry.

The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The definitions of non-GAAP financial measures along with a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial information to GAAP are included in the supplemental financial schedules beginning on page 11.

Conference Call Information

The Company has scheduled a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 28, 2018 to discuss the earnings of the Company. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (844) 378-6487 (United States), (855) 669-9657 (Canada) or (412) 542-4182 (outside the U.S.). A replay of the call will be available at the Company's investor relations website, http://www.investors.expeditions.com.

About Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. is an expedition travel company that focuses on ship-based voyages through its Lindblad Expeditions brand and on land-based travel through its subsidiary, Natural Habitat Adventures, an adventure travel and ecotourism company with a focus on responsible nature travel.

Lindblad Expeditions works in partnership with National Geographic to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership's educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools.

Natural Habitat partners with the World Wildlife Fund to offer and promote conservation and sustainable travel that directly protects nature. Natural Habitat's adventures include polar bear tours in Churchill, Canada, Alaskan grizzly bear adventures and African safaris.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include the Company's financial projections and may also generally be identified as such because the context of such statements will include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe the Company's financial guidance or future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) changes adversely affecting the business in which the Company is engaged; (ii) management of the Company's growth and its ability to execute on its planned growth; (iii) general economic conditions; (iv) the Company's business strategy and plans; (v) unscheduled disruptions in our business due to weather events, mechanical failures, or other events; (vi) compliance with laws and regulations; (vii) compliance with the financial and/or operating covenants in the Company's Second amended and restated credit agreement; (viii) adverse publicity regarding the cruise industry in general; (ix) loss of business due to competition; (x) the result of future financing efforts; (xi) the inability to meet revenue and Adjusted EBITDA projections; (xii) delays and costs overruns with respect to the construction and delivery of newly constructed vessels; and (xiii) those risks described in the Company's filings with the SEC. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about factors that may affect the Company's performance may be found in its filings with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov or at http://www.expeditions.com in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)






As of December 31,


2017


2016

ASSETS




Current Assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$    96,443


$  135,416

Restricted cash and marketable securities

7,057


9,015

Inventories

1,794


1,665

Marine operating supplies

5,045


4,142

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

21,351


20,782

   Total current assets

131,690


171,020





Property and equipment, net

250,952


186,236

Goodwill

22,105


22,105

Intangibles, net

9,554


11,132

Other long-term assets

10,047


13,090

Deferred tax assets

-


4,118

   Total assets

$  424,348


$  407,701





LIABILITIES 




Current Liabilities:




Unearned passenger revenues

$  112,238


$    91,501

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

30,422


30,662

Long-term debt - current

1,750


1,750

   Total current liabilities

144,410


123,913





Long-term debt, less current portion

164,186


164,128

Deferred tax liabilities

2,444


-

Other long-term liabilities

684


681

   Total liabilities

311,724


288,722





COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES








REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

6,302


5,170





STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY




Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized;




no shares issued and outstanding

-


-

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized;




45,427,030 and 45,659,762 issued; 44,787,608 and 45,470,219 outstanding




as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

5


5

Additional paid-in capital

42,498


43,097

Retained earnings 

63,819


70,707

   Total stockholders' equity

106,322


113,809

   Total liabilities, stockholders' equity and
      redeemable noncontrolling interest

$  424,348


$  407,701





 

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share data)










For the three months ended
December 31,


For the years ended
December 31,


(unaudited)






2017


2016


2017


2016







Tour revenues

$      63,221


$      56,128


$    266,504


$    242,346

Cost of tours

35,746


31,866


135,526


118,977

Gross profit

27,475


24,262


130,978


123,369









Operating expenses:








General and administrative

13,818


15,156


60,529


51,896

Selling and marketing

10,833


9,778


42,354


39,072

Depreciation and amortization

5,339


3,897


17,351


18,420

   Total operating expenses

29,990


28,831


120,234


109,388









Operating (loss) income

(2,515)


(4,569)


10,744


13,981









Other income (expense):








Interest expense, net

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