Qurate Retail, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-33982
QURATE RETAIL, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of | 84-1288730 (I.R.S. Employer |
12300 Liberty Boulevard (Address of principal executive offices) | 80112 (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (720) 875-5300
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Series A common stock | QRTEA | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series B common stock | QRTEB | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | QRTEP | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ☒ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | Non-accelerated Filer ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company ☐ | Emerging Growth Company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
The number of outstanding shares of Qurate Retail, Inc.'s common stock as of October 31, 2023 was:
Series A common stock | 380,697,040 | ||
Series B common stock | 8,700,380 |
Table of Contents
I-2
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
| September 30, |
| December 31, |
| ||
2023 | 2022 | | ||||
amounts in millions | | |||||
Assets | | |||||
Current assets: | | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,099 |
| 1,275 | | |
Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $92 million and $111 million, respectively |
| 952 |
| 1,394 | | |
Inventory, net |
| 1,229 |
| 1,346 | | |
Indemnification agreement receivable | 21 | 50 | | |||
Other current assets |
| 184 |
| 210 | | |
Total current assets |
| 3,485 |
| 4,275 | | |
Property and equipment, net |
| 506 |
| 570 | | |
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 5): | | |||||
Goodwill |
| 3,457 |
| 3,501 | | |
Trademarks |
| 2,698 |
| 2,718 | | |
| 6,155 |
| 6,219 | | ||
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 5) |
| 567 |
| 612 | | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 577 | 585 | | |||
Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization |
| 147 |
| 310 | | |
Total assets | $ | 11,437 |
| 12,571 | |
(continued)
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-3
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, |
| ||||
2023 | 2022 |
| ||||
amounts in millions, |
| |||||
except share amounts |
| |||||
Liabilities and Equity |
|
|
|
| ||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 813 |
| 976 | ||
Accrued liabilities |
| 804 |
| 1,133 | ||
Current portion of debt, $307 million and $614 million measured at fair value (note 6) |
| 730 |
| 828 | ||
Other current liabilities |
| 109 |
| 162 | ||
Total current liabilities |
| 2,456 |
| 3,099 | ||
Long-term debt (note 6) |
| 4,835 |
| 5,525 | ||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
| 1,515 |
| 1,440 | ||
Preferred stock (note 7) | 1,270 | 1,266 | ||||
Operating lease liabilities | 539 | 518 | ||||
Other liabilities |
| 129 |
| 198 | ||
Total liabilities |
| 10,744 |
| 12,046 | ||
Equity | ||||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||
Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 4,000,000,000 shares; and 380,510,994 shares at September 30, 2023 and 374,390,323 shares at December 31, 2022 |
| 4 |
| 4 | ||
Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 150,000,000 shares; and 8,700,380 shares at September 30, 2023 and 8,373,512 shares at December 31, 2022 |
|
| ||||
Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 4,000,000,000 shares; no shares issued | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 90 |
| 53 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes |
| 28 |
| 18 | ||
Retained earnings |
| 468 |
| 337 | ||
Total stockholders' equity |
| 590 |
| 412 | ||
Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries |
| 103 |
| 113 | ||
Total equity |
| 693 |
| 525 | ||
Commitments and contingencies (note 8) | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 11,437 |
| 12,571 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-4
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| |||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||
amounts in millions, except per share amounts |
| ||||||||||
$ | 2,479 |
| 2,744 |
| 7,772 |
| 8,580 | ||||
Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||
| 1,603 |
| 1,905 |
| 5,146 |
| 5,885 | ||||
Operating expense |
| 186 |
| 205 |
| 573 |
| 599 | |||
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 2) |
| 415 |
| 464 |
| 1,359 |
| 1,370 | |||
Restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) (note 8) | 19 | (134) | (189) | (123) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 105 |
| 107 |
| 309 |
| 371 | |||
Impairment of intangible assets (note 5) | — | 3,081 | — | 3,081 | |||||||
Gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions (note 8) | — | (277) | (119) | (520) | |||||||
| 2,328 |
| 5,351 |
| 7,079 |
| 10,663 | ||||
Operating income (loss) |
| 151 |
| (2,607) |
| 693 |
| (2,083) | |||
Other income (expense): | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
| (119) |
| (107) |
| (336) |
| (343) | |||
Dividend and interest income | 14 | 2 | 39 | 5 | |||||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 4) |
| (15) |
| (8) |
| (95) |
| 29 | |||
Loss on disposition of Zulily, net | — | — | (64) | — | |||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt | 1 | 14 | 45 | 8 | |||||||
Tax sharing income (expense) with Liberty Broadband | (4) | 36 | (12) | 78 | |||||||
Other, net |
| 5 |
| 21 |
| 13 |
| 69 | |||
| (118) |
| (42) |
| (410) |
| (154) | ||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
| 33 |
| (2,649) |
| 283 |
| (2,237) | |||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
| (21) |
| (87) |
| (119) |
| (265) | |||
Net earnings (loss) | 12 | (2,736) | 164 | (2,502) | |||||||
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
| 11 |
| 11 |
| 36 |
| 41 | |||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders | $ | 1 |
| (2,747) | 128 |
| (2,543) | ||||
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A and Series B Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders per common share (note 3): | $ | 0.00 |
| (7.21) | 0.33 | (6.69) | |||||
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A and Series B Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders per common share (note 3): | $ | 0.00 |
| (7.21) | 0.33 | (6.69) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-5
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 12 |
| (2,736) |
| 164 |
| (2,502) | ||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| (47) |
| (127) |
| (51) |
| (330) | ||
Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on debt, net | — | (14) | (32) | (14) | ||||||
Credit risk on fair value debt instruments gains (loss) | 1 | 30 | 82 | 204 | ||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| (46) |
| (111) |
| (1) |
| (140) | ||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| (34) |
| (2,847) |
| 163 |
| (2,642) | ||
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
| 8 |
| 5 |
| 25 |
| 16 | ||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Qurate Retail, Inc. shareholders | $ | (42) |
| (2,852) |
| 138 |
| (2,658) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-6
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Nine months ended |
| |||||
September 30, |
| |||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 164 |
| (2,502) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 309 |
| 371 | ||
Impairment of intangible assets | — | 3,081 | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 40 |
| 46 | ||
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net |
| 95 |
| (29) | ||
Gain on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions | (119) | (520) | ||||
Gain on insurance proceeds, net of fire related costs | (225) | (139) | ||||
Insurance proceeds received for operating expenses and business interruption losses | 226 | 96 | ||||
Loss on disposition of Zulily, net | 64 | — | ||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt | (45) | (8) | ||||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
| 62 |
| 45 | ||
Other, net |
| 13 |
| (59) | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable |
| 378 |
| 483 | ||
Decrease (increase) in inventory | 63 | (163) | ||||
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets | 90 | 98 | ||||
(Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable | (103) | (418) | ||||
(Decrease) increase in accrued and other liabilities | (410) | (419) | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| 602 |
| (37) | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Capital expenditures |
| (151) |
| (171) | ||
Expenditures for television distribution rights | (111) | (36) | ||||
Cash proceeds from dispositions of investments | 71 | 12 | ||||
Cash paid for disposal of Zulily | (35) | — | ||||
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | 202 | 701 | ||||
Insurance proceeds received for fixed asset loss | 54 | 184 | ||||
Payments for settlements of financial instruments | (179) | — | ||||
Proceeds from settlements of financial instruments | 167 | — | ||||
Other investing activities, net | — | 14 | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| 18 |
| 704 | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
Borrowings of debt |
| 1,137 |
| 2,069 | ||
Repayments of debt |
| (1,893) |
| (2,577) | ||
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest |
| (35) |
| (39) | ||
Dividends paid to common shareholders | (8) | (11) | ||||
Indemnification agreement settlement | 26 | — | ||||
Other financing activities, net | (3) | (13) | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| (776) |
| (571) | ||
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| (17) |
| (59) | ||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| (173) |
| 37 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
| 1,285 |
| 596 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 1,112 |
| 633 |
The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total amount presented in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:
September 30, | December 31, | ||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||
in millions | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,099 | | 1,275 |
| | 13 | | 10 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows | | $ | 1,112 | | 1,285 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-7
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
| Stockholders' Equity | |||||||||||||||||
| | | Accumulated | | ||||||||||||||
| | | Additional | other | Noncontrolling |
| ||||||||||||
Preferred | Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | interest in equity | Total |
| |||||||||||
| stock |
| Series A |
| Series B |
| capital |
| earnings (loss) |
| earnings |
| of subsidiaries |
| equity |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | — | 4 | — | 53 | 18 | 337 | 113 | 525 | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — | 128 | 36 | 164 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | 10 | — | (11) | (1) | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | 36 | ||||||||||
Distribution to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | (35) | (35) | ||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | (1) | — | — | — | (1) | ||||||||||
Other | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | 5 | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | — | 4 | — | 90 | 28 | 468 | 103 | 693 |
Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | Noncontrolling | ||||||||||||||||
Preferred | Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | interest in equity | Total | ||||||||||||
| stock |
| Series A |
| Series B |
| capital |
| earnings (loss) |
| earnings |
| of subsidiaries |
| equity | |||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | — | 4 | — | 79 | 71 | 467 | 106 | 727 | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | 12 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | (43) | — | (3) | (46) | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||
Distribution to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | (11) | (11) | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | — | 4 | — | 90 | 28 | 468 | 103 | 693 |
I-8
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (continued)
(unaudited)
Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | Noncontrolling | ||||||||||||||||
Preferred | Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | interest in equity | Total | ||||||||||||
| stock |
| Series A |
| Series B |
| capital |
| earnings (loss) |
| earnings |
| of subsidiaries |
| equity | |||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | — | 4 | — | — | (79) | 2,925 | 136 | 2,986 | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — | (2,543) | 41 | (2,502) | |||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | (115) | — | (25) | (140) | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 44 | — | — | — | 44 | ||||||||||
Distribution to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | (39) | (39) | ||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | (7) | — | — | — | (7) | ||||||||||
Other | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | — | 6 | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | — | 4 | — | 38 | (194) | 387 | 113 | 348 |
Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | Accumulated | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||
Additional | other | Noncontrolling | | |||||||||||||||
Preferred | Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | interest in equity | Total | | |||||||||||
| stock |
| Series A |
| Series B |
| capital |
| earnings (loss) |
| earnings |
| of subsidiaries |
| equity | | ||
amounts in millions | | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2022 | $ | — | 4 | — | 23 | (89) | 3,134 | 119 | 3,191 | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — | (2,747) | 11 | (2,736) | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | (105) | — | (6) | (111) | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | 14 | ||||||||||
Distribution to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | (11) | (11) | ||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | — | 4 | — | 38 | (194) | 387 | 113 | 348 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-9
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Qurate Retail, Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively, "Qurate Retail," the "Company," “Consolidated Qurate Retail,” “us,” “we,” or “our” unless the context otherwise requires). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Qurate Retail is made up of wholly-owned subsidiaries QVC, Inc. (“QVC”), which includes HSN, Inc. (“HSN”), Cornerstone Brands, Inc. (“CBI”), and other cost method investments.
Qurate Retail is primarily engaged in the video and online commerce industries in North America, Europe and Asia. The businesses of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, QVC and CBI, are seasonal due to a higher volume of sales in the fourth calendar quarter related to year-end holiday shopping.
The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with current period presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Qurate Retail's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 10-K”).
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Qurate Retail considers (i) fair value measurements, (ii) accounting for income taxes, and (iii) estimates of retail-related adjustments and allowances to be its most significant estimates.
Qurate Retail has entered into certain agreements with Liberty Media Corporation ("LMC"), a separate publicly traded company. These agreements include a reorganization agreement, services agreement and facilities sharing agreement. As a result of certain corporate transactions, LMC and Qurate Retail may have obligations to each other for certain tax related matters. Neither Qurate Retail nor LMC has any stock ownership, beneficial or otherwise, in the other. In connection with a split-off transaction that occurred in the first quarter of 2018 (the “GCI Liberty Split-Off”), Qurate Retail and GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”) entered into a tax sharing agreement. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, GCI Liberty agreed to indemnify Qurate Retail for taxes and tax-related losses resulting from the GCI Liberty Split-Off to the extent such taxes or tax-related losses (i) result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, the breach of certain restrictive covenants made by GCI Liberty (applicable to actions or failures to act by GCI Liberty and its subsidiaries following the completion of the GCI Liberty Split-Off), or (ii) result from Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code applying to the GCI Liberty Split-Off as a result of the GCI Liberty Split-Off being part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, a 50-percent or greater interest (measured by vote or value) in the stock of GCI Liberty (or any successor corporation). Following a merger between Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) and GCI Liberty, Liberty Broadband has assumed the tax sharing agreement.
Pursuant to the services agreement, in connection with LMC’s employment arrangement with Gregory B. Maffei, the Company’s Chairman of the Board (the “Chairman” or “Mr. Maffei”), components of Mr. Maffei’s compensation will either be paid directly to him by each of the Company, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. and Liberty Broadband (collectively, the “Service Companies”) or reimbursed to LMC, in each case, based on allocations among LMC and the Service Companies set forth in the amended services agreement, currently set at 11% for the Company but subject to adjustment on an annual basis and upon the occurrence of certain events.
I-10
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The reorganization agreement with LMC provides for, among other things, provisions governing the relationship between Qurate Retail and LMC, including certain cross-indemnities. Pursuant to the services agreement, LMC provides Qurate Retail with certain general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support. Qurate Retail reimburses LMC for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by LMC in providing these services and for Qurate Retail's allocable portion of costs associated with any shared services or personnel based on an estimated percentage of time spent providing services to Qurate Retail. Under the facilities sharing agreement, LMC shares office space and related amenities at its corporate headquarters with Qurate Retail. Under these various agreements, approximately $2 million and $1 million was reimbursable to LMC for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $6 million was reimbursable to LMC for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Qurate Retail had a tax sharing payable to LMC and Liberty Broadband in the amount of approximately $17 million and $18 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, included in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Zulily, LLC (“Zulily”) was a wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail until its divestiture on May 24, 2023. Qurate Retail recognized a loss on the divestiture of $64 million in the second quarter of 2023. Zulily is included in Corporate and other through May 23, 2023 and is not presented as a discontinued operation as the disposition did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on Qurate Retail’s operations and financial results.
Included in revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations is $200 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and $301 million and $652 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to Zulily. Included in net earnings (loss) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations is a loss of $361 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and losses of $44 million and $431 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to Zulily. Included in total assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 is $257 million related to Zulily.
(2) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has granted to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, restricted stock (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and RSAs) based on the grant-date fair value (“GDFV”) of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are $10 million and $15 million of stock-based compensation during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $40 million and $46 million of stock-based compensation during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
I-11
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Qurate Retail—RSUs
The following table presents the number and weighted average GDFV of RSUs granted by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Nine months ended | ||||||
September 30, 2023 | ||||||
RSUs Granted (000's) | Weighted Average GDFV | |||||
Qurate Retail Series A common stock, subsidiary employees (1) | 1,980 | $ | 0.91 | |||
Qurate Retail Series A common stock, Qurate Retail employees and directors (2) | 680 | $ | 1.40 | |||
Qurate Retail Series A common stock, Qurate Retail President and CEO (3) | 1,869 | $ | 1.51 | |||
Qurate Retail Series B common stock, Qurate Retail Chairman of the Board (4) | 353 | $ | 5.51 |
(1) | Grant vests equally over three years. |
(2) | Grants mainly vest one year from the month of grant, subject to the satisfaction of certain performance objectives. |
(3) | Grant vests one year from the month of grant, subject to the satisfaction of certain performance objectives. Grant was made in connection with the employment agreement of our President and Chief Executive Officer. |
(4) | Grant vests one year from the month of grant, subject to the satisfaction of certain performance objectives. Grant was made in connection with our Chairman’s employment agreement. |
Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail granted 20.4 million performance-based, cash-settled RSUs of Qurate Retail Series A common stock (“QRTEA”) to subsidiary employees. These RSUs vest equally over three years, subject to the satisfaction of certain performance objectives. The liability and compensation expense related to such awards is adjusted at the end of each reporting period based on the closing market price of QRTEA on the last trading day of the quarter combined with the probability of satisfying the performance objectives.
For awards that are performance-based, performance objectives, which are subjective, are considered in determining the timing and amount of compensation expense recognized. When the satisfaction of the performance objectives becomes probable, the Company records compensation expense. The probability of satisfying the performance objectives is assessed at the end of each reporting period.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Exchange Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2021, by and between Mr. Maffei and the Company, on March 25, 2022, Mr. Maffei transferred to the Company an aggregate of 229,022 shares of QRTEA received by Mr. Maffei upon vesting of the performance-based restricted stock unit award granted to Mr. Maffei on March 10, 2021 and in exchange, the Company issued to Mr. Maffei an equivalent number of shares of Qurate Retail Series B common stock (“QRTEB”). Each share of QRTEB is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of QRTEA.
Qurate Retail—Outstanding Awards
The following tables present the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of the options to purchase Qurate Retail common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company, as well as the weighted average remaining life and aggregate intrinsic value of the options.
I-12
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
|
|
| Weighted |
| Aggregate |
| ||||||
average | intrinsic | |||||||||||
Series A | remaining | value | ||||||||||
(000's) | WAEP | life | (millions) | |||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2023 |
| 32,914 | $ | 8.78 | ||||||||
Granted |
| — | $ | — | ||||||||
Exercised |
| (14) | $ | 2.17 | ||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled |
| (8,572) | $ | 11.66 | ||||||||
Options outstanding at September 30, 2023 |
| 24,328 | $ | 7.76 |
| 2.7 | years | $ | — | |||
Options exercisable at September 30, 2023 |
| 15,753 | $ | 8.86 |
| 2.2 | years | $ | — |
|
|
| Weighted |
| Aggregate |
| ||||||
average | intrinsic | |||||||||||
Series B | remaining | value | ||||||||||
(000's) | WAEP | life | (millions) | |||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2023 |
| 2,221 | $ | 12.25 | ||||||||
Granted |
| — | $ | — | ||||||||
Exercised |
| — | $ | — | ||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | (1,498) | $ | 12.20 | |||||||||
Options outstanding at September 30, 2023 |
| 723 | $ | 12.35 |
| 1.1 | years | $ | — | |||
Options exercisable at September 30, 2023 |
| 723 | $ | 12.35 |
| 1.1 | years | $ | — |
The following table presents the number and weighted average GDFV of RSUs granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.
Weighted | | Weighted | |||||||||
Series A | Average | | Series B | Average | |||||||
(000's) | GDFV | | (000's) | GDFV | |||||||
RSUs outstanding at January 1, 2023 |
| 23,166 | $ | 5.09 | | 327 | $ | 4.95 | |||
Granted |
| 4,529 | $ | 1.23 | | 353 | $ | 5.51 | |||
Vested |
| (6,307) | $ | 6.04 | | (327) | $ | 4.95 | |||
Forfeited/Cancelled |
| (5,576) | $ | 5.30 | | — | $ | — | |||
RSUs outstanding at September 30, 2023 |
| 15,812 | $ | 3.54 | | 353 | $ | 5.51 |
|
As of September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail also had 1.1 million QRTEB RSAs and 26 thousand Qurate Retail 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock RSAs and RSUs outstanding. The QRTEB unvested RSAs had a GDFV of $13.65 per share, and 25 thousand of the Qurate Retail 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock unvested RSUs had an incremental cost of $50.93 per share.
As of September 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $43 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.
As of September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options approximately 24.3 million shares of QRTEA and 0.7 million shares of QRTEB.
I-13
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(3) Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding ("WASO") for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during periods in which losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive.
Excluded from diluted EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are 25 million and 34 million potential common shares, respectively, because their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Excluded from diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are 27 million and 32 million potential common shares, respectively, because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
Qurate Retail Common Stock | |||||||||
| Three months ended |
| Nine months ended | ||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
number of shares in millions | | ||||||||
Basic WASO |
| 388 | 381 |
| 386 |
| 380 | | |
Potentially dilutive shares |
| 1 | 1 |
| 1 |
| 3 | | |
Diluted WASO |
| 389 | 382 |
| 387 |
| 383 | |
(4) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at | Fair Value Measurements at |
| ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 |
| ||||||||||||
|
| Quoted |
|
|
| Quoted |
|
| ||||||
prices | prices |
| ||||||||||||
in active | Significant | in active | Significant |
| ||||||||||
markets for | other | markets for | other |
| ||||||||||
identical | observable | identical | observable |
| ||||||||||
assets | inputs | assets | inputs |
| ||||||||||
Description | Total | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | Total | (Level 1) | (Level 2) |
| |||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||
Cash equivalents | $ | 823 |
| 823 |
| — |
| 938 |
| 938 |
| — | ||
Indemnification asset | $ | 21 | — | 21 | 50 | — | 50 | |||||||
Debt | $ | 307 |
| — |
| 307 |
| 614 |
| — |
| 614 |
The majority of the Company's Level 2 financial assets and liabilities are primarily debt instruments and derivative instruments with quoted market prices that are not considered to be traded on "active markets," as defined in GAAP. The fair values for such instruments are derived from a typical model using observable market data as the significant inputs.
The indemnification asset relates to Liberty Broadband’s agreement to indemnify Liberty Interactive LLC (“LI LLC”) and pertains to the ability of holders of LI LLC’s 1.75% exchangeable debentures due 2046 (the “1.75% Exchangeable Debentures”) to exercise their exchange right according to the terms of the debentures on or before October 5, 2023. Such amount will equal the difference between the exchange value and par value of the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures at the time the exchange occurs. The indemnification asset recorded in the condensed consolidated balance
I-14
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
sheets as of September 30, 2023 represents the fair value of the estimated exchange feature included in the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures primarily based on market observable inputs (Level 2). As of September 30, 2023, a holder of the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures had the ability to put their debentures on October 5, 2023, and accordingly, such indemnification asset is included as a current asset in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2023.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, indemnification payments of $26 million were made to Qurate Retail by Liberty Broadband in connection with exchanges of $253 million of the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures that settled in the period. Subsequent to September 30, 2023, all remaining 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures were either retired or exchanged.
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Equity securities | (2) | — | (19) | (5) | ||||||
Exchangeable senior debentures |
| (25) |
| 130 |
| (72) |
| 320 | ||
Indemnification asset | 12 | (138) | (3) | (287) | ||||||
Other financial instruments | — | — | (1) | 1 | ||||||
$ | (15) |
| (8) |
| (95) |
| 29 |
The Company has elected to account for its exchangeable debt using the fair value option. Changes in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations are primarily due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which the debt is exchangeable. The Company isolates the portion of the unrealized gain (loss) attributable to the change in the instrument specific credit risk and recognizes such amount in other comprehensive earnings (loss). The change in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk was a gain of $1 million and a gain of $22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and a gain of $108 million and a gain of $246 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized less than
million and $45 million, respectively, of previously unrecognized gains related to the retirement of a portion of the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures, which was recognized through gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The cumulative change was a gain of $552 million as of September 30, 2023, net of the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses.(5) Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
Corporate and | ||||||||||||
| QxH | QVC Int'l | CBI |
| Other |
| Total |
| ||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | 2,693 | 778 | 12 |
| 18 |
| 3,501 | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| — | (26) | — |
| — |
| (26) | ||||
Disposition (1) | — | — | — | (18) | (18) | |||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | 2,693 | 752 | 12 |
| — |
| 3,457 |
(1) | Zulily goodwill was eliminated as a result of the divestiture of Zulily on May 24, 2023 (see note 1). |
I-15
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $79 million and $81 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $231 million and $241 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Based on its amortizable intangible assets as of September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail expects that amortization expense will be as follows for the next five years (amounts in millions):
Remainder of 2023 |
| $ | 81 | |
2024 | $ | 271 | ||
2025 | $ | 134 | ||
2026 | $ | 74 | ||
2027 | $ | 3 |
Impairments
In the third quarter of 2022, as a result of financial performance of certain subsidiary businesses, macroeconomic conditions including inflation and higher interest rates and a decline in the Company’s stock price, the Company initiated a process to evaluate those subsidiaries’ current business models and long-term business strategies. It was determined during the third quarter of 2022 that an indication of impairment existed for the QxH and Zulily reporting units related to their tradenames and goodwill. Tradename impairments in the amounts of $180 million and $140 million for QxH (related to the HSN tradename) and Zulily, respectively, were recorded during the third quarter of 2022, in the impairment of intangible assets line item in the consolidated statements of operations. Goodwill impairments in the amounts of $2,535 million and $226 million for QxH and Zulily, respectively, were recorded during the third quarter of 2022, in the impairment of intangible assets line item in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s share price has been challenged as a result of current business trends and global economic conditions. The Company will continue to monitor QVC’s current business performance versus the current and updated long-term forecasts, among other relevant considerations, to determine if the carrying value of its assets (including Goodwill and Trademarks) are appropriate. Future outlook declines in revenue, cash flows, or other factors could result in a sustained decrease in fair value that may result in a determination that material carrying value adjustments are required.
I-16
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(6) Long-Term Debt
Debt is summarized as follows:
Outstanding |
| ||||||||
principal at | Carrying value |
| |||||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| |||
amounts in millions |
| ||||||||
Corporate level debentures | |||||||||
8.5% Senior Debentures due 2029 | $ | 287 |
| 286 |
| 286 | |||
8.25% Senior Debentures due 2030 |
| 505 |
| 503 |
| 503 | |||
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2029 | 353 | 95 | 134 | ||||||
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2030 | 428 | 114 | 157 | ||||||
1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 | 77 | 98 | 323 | ||||||
Subsidiary level notes and facilities | |||||||||
QVC 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 |
| — |
| — |
| 214 | |||
QVC 4.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 |
| 423 |
| 423 |
| 600 | |||
QVC 4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 | 586 | 585 | 599 | ||||||
QVC 4.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 | 575 | 575 | 575 | ||||||
QVC 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 | 500 | 500 | 500 | ||||||
QVC 5.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2034 | 400 | 399 | 399 | ||||||
QVC 5.95% Senior Secured Notes due 2043 |
| 300 |
| 300 |
| 300 | |||
QVC 6.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2067 | 225 | 225 | 225 | ||||||
QVC 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2068 | 500 | 500 | 500 | ||||||
QVC Senior Secured Credit Facility | 995 | 995 | 1,075 | ||||||
Deferred loan costs | — | (33) | (37) | ||||||
Total consolidated Qurate Retail debt | $ | 6,154 |
| 5,565 |
| 6,353 | |||
Less current classification |
| (730) |
| (828) | |||||
Total long-term debt | $ | 4,835 |
| 5,525 |
QVC Senior Secured Notes
In June 2022, QVC completed its purchase of $536 million of the outstanding 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") pursuant to a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding 2023 Notes (the “Tender Offer”). The remaining outstanding 2023 Notes were repaid at maturity in March 2023.
During the second quarter of 2023, QVC purchased $177 million of the outstanding 4.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") and $15 million of the outstanding 4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025. As a result of the repurchases, QVC recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt in the condensed consolidated statements of operations of $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the remaining outstanding 2024 Notes are classified within the current portion of long term debt as they mature in less than one year.
The senior secured notes permit QVC to make unlimited dividends or other restricted payments so long as QVC is not in default under the indentures governing the senior secured notes and QVC’s consolidated leverage ratio is not greater than 3.5 to 1.0 (the “senior secured notes leverage basket”). As of September 30, 2023, QVC’s consolidated leverage ratio (as calculated under QVC’s senior secured notes) was greater than 3.5 to 1.0 and as a result QVC is restricted in its ability to make dividends or other restricted payments under the senior secured notes. Although QVC will not be able to make unlimited dividends or other restricted payments under the senior secured notes leverage basket, QVC will continue to be permitted to make unlimited dividends to parent entities of QVC to service the principal and interest when due in respect of indebtedness of such parent entities (so long as there is no default under the indentures governing QVC’s senior secured notes) and permitted to make certain restricted payments to parent entities of QVC under an intercompany tax sharing agreement in respect of certain tax obligations of QVC and its subsidiaries.
I-17
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
QVC Senior Secured Credit Facility
On October 27, 2021, QVC amended and restated its latest credit agreement (as amended and restated, the “Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) and refinanced QVC’s existing bank credit facility by entering into the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Zulily, CBI, and QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC (“QVC Global”), each a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail, as borrowers (QVC, Zulily, CBI and QVC Global, collectively, the “Borrowers”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties named therein. In connection with the Zulily divestiture (see note 1), Zulily is no longer a co-borrower in the Credit Facility, and Zulily repaid its outstanding borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement using cash contributed from Qurate Retail, which was approximately $80 million.
The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is a multi-currency facility providing for a $3.25 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), with a $450 million sub-limit for letters of credit and an alternative currency revolving sub-limit equal to 50% of the revolving commitments thereunder. The Credit Facility may be borrowed by any Borrower, with each Borrower jointly and severally liable for the outstanding borrowings. Borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at either the alternate base rate (such rate, the “ABR Rate”) or a LIBOR-based rate (or the applicable non-U.S. Dollar equivalent rate) (such rate, the “Term Benchmark/RFR Rate”) at the applicable Borrower’s election in each case plus a margin. Borrowings that are ABR Rate loans will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the base rate plus a margin that varies between 0.25% and 0.625% depending on the Borrowers’ combined ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated EBITDA (the “consolidated leverage ratio”). Borrowings that are Term Benchmark/RFR Rate loans will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable rate plus a margin that varies between 1.25% and 1.625% depending on the Borrowers’ consolidated leverage ratio. Each loan may be prepaid at any time and from time to time without penalty other than customary breakage costs. No mandatory prepayments will be required other than when borrowings and letter of credit usage exceed availability; provided that, if CBI, QVC Global or any other borrower under the Credit Facility (other than QVC) is removed, at the election of QVC, as a borrower thereunder, all of its loans must be repaid and its letters of credit are terminated or cash collateralized. Any amounts prepaid on the Credit Facility may be reborrowed.
On June 20, 2023, QVC, QVC Global and CBI, as borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto entered into an agreement whereby, in accordance with the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, LIBOR-based rate loans denominated in U.S. dollars made on or after June 30, 2023 would be replaced with SOFR-based rate loans. Borrowings that are Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”)-based loans will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable SOFR rate, plus a credit spread adjustment, plus a margin that varies between 1.25% and 1.625% depending on the Borrowers’ consolidated leverage ratio.
The loans under the Credit Facility are scheduled to mature on October 27, 2026. Payment of the loans may be accelerated following certain customary events of default.
The payment and performance of the Borrowers’ obligations under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of QVC’s, QVC Global’s, and CBI’s Material Domestic Subsidiaries (as defined in the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), if any, and certain other subsidiaries of any Borrower that such Borrower has chosen to provide guarantees. Further, the borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are secured, pari passu with QVC’s existing notes, by a pledge of all of QVC’s equity interests. The borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are also secured by a pledge of all of CBI’s equity interests.
The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain restrictions on the Borrowers and each of their respective restricted subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) with respect to, among other things: incurring additional indebtedness; creating liens on property or assets; making certain loans or investments; selling or disposing of assets; paying certain dividends and other restricted payments; dissolving, consolidating or merging; entering into certain transactions with affiliates; entering into sale or leaseback transactions; restricting subsidiary distributions; and limiting the Borrowers’ consolidated leverage ratio.
I-18
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Borrowings under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement may be used to repay outstanding indebtedness, pay certain fees and expenses, finance working capital needs and general purposes of the Borrowers and their respective subsidiaries and make certain restricted payments and loans to the Borrowers’ respective parents and affiliates.
Availability under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at September 30, 2023 was $2,145 million. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was 6.8% and 4.5% at September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Exchangeable Senior Debentures
The Company has elected to account for its exchangeable senior debentures using the fair value option. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized as unrealized gains (losses) in the statements of operations. See note 4 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value. As of September 30, 2023 the Company’s 3.75% and 4.0% Exchangeable Debentures have been classified as current because the Company does not own shares to exchange the debentures. The 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures are classified as current as the Company does not own the shares to exchange the debentures and the holders have the ability to put their debentures on October 5, 2023. The Company reviews the terms of the debentures on a quarterly basis to determine whether a triggering event has occurred to require current classification of the exchangeables upon a call event.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a portion of the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures were exchanged for total principal amount of $253 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2023, all remaining 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures were either retired or exchanged.
Debt Covenants
Qurate Retail and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all debt covenants at September 30, 2023.
Fair Value of Debt
Qurate Retail estimates the fair value of its debt based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rate offered to Qurate Retail for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2). The QVC 6.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2067 (“2067 Notes”) and the QVC 6.25% Senior Secured Notes Due 2068 (“2068 Notes”) are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and the Company considers them to be actively traded. As such, the 2067 Notes and 2068 Notes are valued based on their trading price (Level 1). The fair value of Qurate Retail's publicly traded debt securities that are not reported at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023 are as follows (amounts in millions):
Senior debentures | $ | 250 | ||
QVC senior secured notes |
| $ | 2,114 |
Due to the variable rate nature, Qurate Retail believes that the carrying amount of its other debt, not discussed above, approximated fair value at September 30, 2023.
(7) Preferred Stock
On September 14, 2020, Qurate Retail issued its 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). There were 13,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized and 12,706,862 shares of Preferred Stock issued and
at September 30, 2023.Priority. The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of Qurate Retail, with respect to dividend rights, rights of redemption and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Qurate Retail’s affairs. Shares of Preferred Stock are not convertible into shares of common stock of Qurate Retail.
I-19
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Dividends. Holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends at a rate of 8.0% per annum of the liquidation price (as described below) on a cumulative basis, during the term. If declared, accrued dividends will be payable quarterly on each dividend payment date, beginning December 15, 2020 and thereafter on each March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 during the term (or, if such date is not a business day, the next business day after such date). If Qurate Retail fails to pay dividends or the applicable redemption price with respect to any redemption within 30 days after the applicable dividend payment or redemption date, the dividend rate will increase as provided by the Certificate of Designations for the Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”). Accrued dividends that are not paid within 30 days after the applicable dividend payment date will be added to the liquidation price until paid together with all dividends accrued thereon.
The ability of Qurate Retail to declare or pay any dividend on, or purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, any of its common stock or any other stock ranking on parity with the Preferred Stock will be subject to restrictions if Qurate Retail does not pay all dividends and all redemption payments on the Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Certificate of Designations.
Distributions upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon Qurate Retail’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, each holder of shares of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, before any distribution is made to the holders of Qurate Retail common stock, an amount equal to the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the immediately preceding dividend payment date, subject to the prior payment of liabilities owed to Qurate Retail’s creditors and the preferential amounts to which any stock senior to the Preferred Stock is entitled. The Preferred Stock has a liquidation price equal to the sum of (i) $100, plus (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) that have been added to the liquidation price.
Mandatory and Optional Redemption. The Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption on March 15, 2031 at the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the most recent dividend payment date. On or after the fifth anniversary of September 14, 2020 (the “Original Issue Date”), Qurate Retail may redeem all or a portion of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, at the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the most recent dividend payment date plus, if the redemption is (x) on or after the fifth anniversary of the Original Issue Date but prior to its sixth anniversary, 4.00% of the liquidation price, (y) on or after the sixth anniversary of the Original Issue Date but prior to its seventh anniversary, 2.00% of the liquidation price and (z) on or after the seventh anniversary of the Original Issue Date, zero. Both mandatory and optional redemptions must be paid in cash.
Voting Power. Holders of the Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights or powers, except as specified in the Certificate of Designations or as required by Delaware law.
Preferred Stock Directors. So long as the aggregate liquidation price of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock exceeds 25% of the aggregate liquidation price of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on the Original Issue Date, holders of Preferred Stock will have certain director election rights as described in the Certificate of Designations whenever dividends on shares of Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid for two consecutive dividend periods and whenever Qurate Retail fails to pay the applicable redemption price in full with respect to any redemption of the Preferred Stock or fails to make a payment with respect to the Preferred Stock in connection with a liquidation or Extraordinary Transactions (as defined in the Certificate of Designations).
Recognition. As the Preferred Stock is subject to unconditional mandatory redemption in cash and was issued in the form of a share, the Company concluded the Preferred Stock was a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument and should be classified as a liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Preferred Stock was initially recorded at its fair value, which was determined to be the liquidation preference of $100 per share. Given the liability classification of the Preferred Stock, all dividends accrued will be classified as interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Preferred Stock (level 1) was $364 million as of September 30, 2023.
I-20
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(8) Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Qurate Retail may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Fire at Rocky Mount Fulfillment Center
On December 18, 2021, QVC experienced a fire at its Rocky Mount fulfillment center in North Carolina. Rocky Mount was QVC’s second-largest fulfillment center for the operating segment comprised of QVC U.S. and HSN (“QxH”) and QVC’s primary returns center for hard goods. QVC maintains property, general liability and business interruption insurance coverage. Based on provisions of QVC's insurance policies, the Company recorded estimated insurance recoveries for fire related costs for which recovery is deemed probable.
As of December 31, 2022 QVC had an insurance receivable of $40 million recorded in trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In June 2023, QVC agreed to a final insurance settlement with its insurance company and received all remaining proceeds related to the Rocky Mount claim. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, QVC recorded cumulative fire related costs of $407 million and $439 million, respectively, of which $5 million and $32 million were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Cumulative costs as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, include $119 million of costs that were not reimbursable by QVC’s insurance policies. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, QVC received cumulative insurance proceeds of $380 million and $660 million, respectively, and recorded net gains, representing the proceeds received in excess of recoverable losses recognized of $132 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and losses of $5 million and net gains of $208 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Of the $280 million of insurance proceeds received during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $210 million represents recoveries for business interruption losses. The fire related costs and gains related to insurance recoveries are included in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
In February 2023, QVC sold the Rocky Mount fulfillment center to an independent third party and received net cash proceeds of $15 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, QVC received an additional $2 million of proceeds from the sale that were released from escrow. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, QVC received the final $2 million of proceeds from the sale that were released from escrow. QVC recognized gains on the sale of $2 million and $17 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the property. The gain is included in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded $147 million of fire related costs including $95 million for the write-down of Rocky Mount inventory which was included in cost of goods sold. Due to the circumstances surrounding the write-downs of inventory, these write-downs have been excluded from Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in note 9).
Project Athens
On June 27, 2022, Qurate Retail announced a five-point turnaround plan designed to stabilize and differentiate its core QxH and QVC International businesses and expand the company's leadership in video streaming commerce (“Project Athens”). Project Athens main initiatives include: (i) improve customer experience and grow relationships; (ii) rigorously execute core processes; (iii) lower cost to serve; (iv) optimize the brand portfolio; and (v) build new high growth businesses anchored in strength.
I-21
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
During 2022, QVC commenced the first phase of Project Athens including actions to reduce inventory and a planned workforce reduction. These initiatives are consistent with QVC’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implements its turnaround plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, QVC implemented a workforce reduction and recorded restructuring charges of $13 million, in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Zulily Restructuring
In the first quarter of 2022, Zulily began to execute a series of transformation initiatives, beginning with the announcement of the closure of its fulfillment center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and reduction in corporate workforce. These initiatives were consistent with Zulily’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implemented its turnaround plan. Zulily recorded no restructuring charges during the three months ended September 30, 2022, related to its reduction in corporate workforce, and $5 million and $3 million of restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to its reduction in corporate workforce. Zulily recorded $3 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended September 30, 2022, and $8 million of restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, principally related to its regional office space strategy and expenses associated with the Pennsylvania facility closure. See note 1 for a discussion regarding the Company’s divestiture of Zulily on May 24, 2023.
Gains on sale leaseback transactions
In November 2022, QVC entered into agreements to sell two properties located in Germany and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) to an independent third party. Under the terms of the agreements, QVC received net cash proceeds of $102 million related to its German facility and $80 million related to its U.K. facility when the sale closed in January 2023. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into agreements to lease each of the properties back from the purchaser over an initial term of 20 years with the option to extend the terms of the property leases for up to four consecutive terms of five years. QVC recorded a gain of $69 million and $44 million related to the successful sale leaseback of the German and U.K. properties, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the properties. QVC accounted for the leases as operating at the close of the sale leaseback transaction, leases and recorded a $42 million and $32 million right-of-use asset and operating lease liability for the and properties, respectively.
On October 31, 2022, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $167 million to mitigate the foreign currency risk associated with the sale and leaseback of Germany and U.K. properties. The forwards did not qualify as cash flow hedges under GAAP. Changes in the fair value of the forwards are reflected in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The forward contracts were in a net liability position of $10 million as of December 31, 2022, which was included in in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The contracts expired in January 2023 which resulted in a net cash settlement of $12 million.
As of December 31, 2022, assets of $71 million primarily related to the Germany and U.K. properties were classified as held for sale, and included in other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization in the consolidated balance sheet, as the proceeds from the sale were used to repay a portion of the Credit Facility borrowings which were classified as noncurrent as of December 31, 2022. Qurate Retail classifies obligations as current when they are contractually required to be satisfied in the next twelve months.
In June 2022, QVC modified the finance lease for its distribution center in Ontario, California which reduced the term of the lease and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership of the distribution center at the end of the lease term. QVC will make annual payments over the modified lease term. Since the lease was modified and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership at the end of the lease term, the Company accounted for the modification similar to a sale and leaseback transaction, and as a result, recognized a $240 million gain on the sale of the distribution center during the second quarter of 2022 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received (including cash of $250 million and forgiveness of the remaining financing obligation of $84 million) and the carrying value of the distribution center. The gain is included in gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions in the consolidated statement of
I-22
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
operations. The Company accounted for the modified lease as an operating lease and recorded a $37 million right-of-use asset and a $31 million operating lease liability, with the difference attributable to prepaid rent.
In July 2022, QVC sold five owned and operated properties located in the U.S. to an independent third party and received net cash proceeds of $443 million. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into agreements to lease each of the properties back from the purchaser over an initial term of 20 years with the option to extend the terms of the property leases for up to four consecutive terms of five years. QVC recognized a $277 million gain related to the successful sale leaseback for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the properties. The Company accounted for the leases as operating leases and recorded a $207 million right-of-use asset and a $205 million operating lease liability, with the difference attributable to initial direct costs.
Other
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, QVC recorded a $16 million provision for an unresolved matter between HSN and the Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") concerning the imposition of civil penalties for allegedly failing to timely submit a report under the Consumer Product Safety Act in relation to handheld clothing steamers sold by HSN under the Joy Mangano brand names My Little Steamer® and My Little Steamer® Go Mini that were subject to a voluntary recall previously announced on May 26, 2021. The civil penalty was recorded in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(
(9) Information About Qurate Retail's Operating Segments
Qurate Retail, through its ownership interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the video and online commerce industries. Qurate Retail identifies its reportable segments as (A) those operating segments that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual Adjusted OIBDA (as defined below) or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of Qurate Retail's annual pre-tax earnings.
The Qurate Retail chief operating decision maker primarily evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, Qurate Retail reviews nonfinancial measures such as unique website visitors, number of units shipped, conversion rates and active customers, as appropriate.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail has identified the following operating segments as its reportable segments:
● | QxH – QVC U.S. and HSN market and sell a wide variety of consumer products in the U.S., primarily by means of their televised shopping programs and via the Internet through their websites and mobile applications. |
● | QVC International – QVC International markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in several foreign countries, primarily by means of its televised shopping programs and via the Internet through its international websites and mobile applications. |
● | CBI – CBI consists of a portfolio of aspirational home and apparel brands in the U.S. that sell merchandise through brick-and-mortar retail locations as well as via the Internet through their websites. |
Qurate Retail's operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company's Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the 2022 10-K.
I-23
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Performance Measures
Disaggregated revenue by segment and product category consisted of the following:
Three months ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||
QxH | QVC Int'l | CBI | Corp and other | Total | ||||||||
in millions | ||||||||||||
Home | | $ | 631 | | 220 | | 246 | — | | 1,097 | | |
Apparel | | | 304 | | 105 | | 39 | — | | 448 | | |
Beauty | | | 235 | | 141 | | — | — | | 376 | | |
Accessories | | | 204 | | 49 | | — | — | | 253 | | |
Electronics | | | 124 | | 16 | | — | — | | 140 | | |
Jewelry | | | 76 | | 44 | | — | — | | 120 | | |
Other revenue | | | 43 | | 2 | | — | — | | 45 | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | 1,617 | | 577 | | 285 | — | | 2,479 | |
Nine months ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||
QxH | QVC Int'l | CBI | Corp and other | Total | ||||||||
in millions | ||||||||||||
Home | | $ | 1,868 | | 701 | | 735 | 76 | | 3,380 | | |
Apparel | | | 939 | | 329 | | 125 | 113 | | 1,506 | | |
Beauty | | | 745 | | 417 | | — | 14 | | 1,176 | | |
Accessories | | | 619 | | 156 | | — | 78 | | 853 | | |
Electronics | | | 316 | | 48 | | — | 2 | | 366 | | |
Jewelry | | | 218 | | 118 | | — | 11 | | 347 | | |
Other revenue | | | 131 | | 6 | | — | 7 | | 144 | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | 4,836 | | 1,775 | | 860 | 301 | | 7,772 | |
I-24
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Three months ended | |||||||||||
September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||
QxH | QVC Int'l | CBI | Corp and other | Total | |||||||
in millions | |||||||||||
Home | | $ | 621 | | 208 | | 283 | | 53 | | 1,165 |
Apparel | | | 330 | | 100 | | 44 | | 79 | | 553 |
Beauty | | | 252 | | 129 | | — | | 9 | | 390 |
Accessories | | | 190 | | 49 | | — | | 47 | | 286 |
Electronics | | | 152 | | 20 | | — | | 2 | | 174 |
Jewelry | | | 73 | | 45 | | — | | 6 | | 124 |
Other revenue | | | 45 | | 3 | | — | | 4 | | 52 |
Total Revenue | | $ | 1,663 | | 554 | | 327 | | 200 | | 2,744 |
Nine months ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||
QxH | QVC Int'l | CBI | Corp and other | Total | ||||||||
in millions | ||||||||||||
Home | | $ | 1,950 | | 729 | | 825 | 167 | | 3,671 | | |
Apparel | | | 982 | | 334 | | 140 | 265 | | 1,721 | | |
Beauty | | | 766 | | 419 | | — | 30 | | 1,215 | | |
Accessories | | | 633 | | 162 | | — | 145 | | 940 | | |
Electronics | | | 411 | | 71 | | — | 5 | | 487 | | |
Jewelry | | | 231 | | 139 | | — | 23 | | 393 | | |
Other revenue | | | 128 | | 8 | | — | 17 | | 153 | | |
Total Revenue | | $ | 5,101 | | 1,862 | | 965 | 652 | | 8,580 | |
For segment reporting purposes, Qurate Retail defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation and, where applicable, separately identified items impacting comparability. Qurate Retail believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and where applicable, separately identified impairments, litigation settlements, restructuring, penalties, acquisition-related costs, fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses) and gains (losses) on sale leaseback transactions, that are included in the measurement of operating income (loss) pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net earnings (loss), cash flows provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Qurate Retail generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.
I-25
QURATE RETAIL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Adjusted OIBDA is summarized as follows:
| | Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, | | ||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | | | 2023 | 2022 | | ||||
amounts in millions | | ||||||||||
QxH | $ | 201 |
| 143 | | 525 |
| 600 | | ||
QVC International | 77 | 62 | | 226 | 261 | | |||||
CBI |
| 11 |
| 10 | | 40 |
| 85 | | ||
Corporate and other |
| (4) |
| (30) | | (57) |
| (79) | | ||
Consolidated Qurate Retail | $ | 285 |
| 185 | | 734 |
| 867 | |
Other Information
September 30, 2023 |
| |||||
Total assets | Capital expenditures |
| ||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||
QxH | $ | 8,201 |
| 83 | ||
QVC International | 1,800 | 33 | ||||
CBI | 524 | 3 | ||||
Corporate and other |
| 912 |
| 32 | ||
Consolidated Qurate Retail | $ | 11,437 |
| 151 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 285 |
| 185 |
| 734 |
| 867 | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| (10) |
| (15) |
| (40) |
| (46) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
| (105) |
| (107) |
| (309) |
| (371) | ||
Restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of recoveries (including Rocky Mount inventory losses, see note 8) | (19) | 134 | 189 | 28 | ||||||
Impairment of intangible assets | — | (3,081) | — | (3,081) | ||||||
Gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions | — | 277 | 119 | 520 | ||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 151 | (2,607) | 693 | (2,083) | |||||
Interest expense |
| (119) |
| (107) |
| (336) |
| (343) | ||
Interest and dividend income | 14 | 2 | 39 | 5 | ||||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| (15) |
| (8) |
| (95) |
| 29 | ||
Loss on disposition of Zulily, net | — | — | (64) | — | ||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt | 1 | 14 | 45 | 8 | ||||||
Tax sharing expense with Liberty Broadband | (4) | 36 | (12) | 78 | ||||||
Other, net |
| 5 |
| 21 |
| 13 |
| 69 | ||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | 33 |
| (2,649) |
| 283 |
| (2,237) |
I-26
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business strategies; the impact of the fire at the Rocky Mount fulfillment center; insurance recoveries; the remediation of a material weakness; revenue growth at QVC, Inc. ("QVC"); our projected sources and uses of cash; the recoverability of our goodwill and other intangible assets; and fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
● | the continuing global and regional economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health-related risks and events, on our customers, our vendors and our businesses generally; |
● | customer demand for our products and services and our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers by anticipating customer demand and adapting to changes in demand; |
● | competitor responses to our products and services; |
● | increased digital TV penetration and the impact on channel positioning of our programs; |
● | the levels of online traffic to our businesses' websites and our ability to convert visitors into customers or contributors; |
● | uncertainties inherent in the development and integration of new business lines and business strategies; |
● | our future financial performance, including availability, terms, deployment of capital and our level of indebtedness; |
● | our ability to effectively manage our installment sales plans and revolving credit card programs; |
● | the cost and ability of shipping companies, manufacturers, suppliers, digital marketing channels, and vendors to deliver products, equipment, software and services; |
● | the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation; |
● | availability of qualified personnel; |
● | the impact of the seasonality of our businesses; |
● | changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings; |
● | changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, distributors, suppliers and vendors; |
● | domestic and international economic and business conditions and industry trends, including the impact of Brexit (as defined below) and the impact of inflation and increased labor costs; |
● | increases in market interest rates; |
● | changes in the trade policy and trade relations with China; |
● | consumer spending levels, including the availability and amount of individual consumer debt and customer credit losses; |
● | system interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in the systems and infrastructures of our businesses; |
● | advertising spending levels; |
● | changes in distribution and viewing of television programming, including the expanded deployment of video on demand technologies and Internet protocol television and their impact on home shopping programming; |
● | rapid technological changes; |
● | failure to protect the security of personal information, subjecting us to potentially costly government enforcement actions and/or private litigation and reputational damage; |
● | the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we operate; |
● | natural disasters, public health crises (including resurgences of COVID-19 and its variants), political crises, and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control, including climate change; |
● | threatened terrorist attacks, political and economic unrest in international markets and ongoing military action around the world; |
● | failure to successfully implement Project Athens (defined below); and |
I-27
● | fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. |
For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 10-K”). These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the 2022 10-K.
The information herein relates to Qurate Retail, Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively “Qurate Retail,” the “Company,” “Consolidated Qurate Retail,” “us,” “we” or “our” unless the context otherwise requires).
Overview
We own controlling interests in video and online commerce companies. Our largest businesses and reportable segments are our operating segment comprised of QVC U.S. and HSN (“QxH”) and QVC International. QVC markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in the United States (“U.S.”) and several foreign countries via highly engaging video-rich, interactive shopping experiences, primarily by means of its televised shopping programs and the Internet through its domestic and international websites and mobile applications. Cornerstone Brands, Inc. (“CBI”), consists of a portfolio of aspirational home and apparel brands, and is a reportable segment.
Our “Corporate and other” category includes corporate activity along with various cost method investments. Prior to the divesture of Zulily, LLC (“Zulily”) described below, Zulily’s results were reported in Corporate and other.
Zulily, LLC (“Zulily”) was a wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail until its divestiture on May 24, 2023. Qurate Retail recognized a loss on the divestiture of $64 million in the second quarter of 2023. Zulily is included in Corporate and other through May 23, 2023 and is not presented as a discontinued operation as the disposition did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on Qurate Retail’s operations and financial results.
Included in revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations is $200 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and $301 million and $652 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to Zulily. Included in net earnings (loss) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations is a loss of $361 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and losses of $44 million and $431 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to Zulily. Included in total assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 is $257 million related to Zulily.
On June 27, 2022, Qurate Retail announced a five-point turnaround plan designed to stabilize and differentiate its core QxH and QVC International businesses and expand the Company's leadership in video streaming commerce (“Project Athens”). Project Athens main initiatives include: (i) improve customer experience and grow relationships; (ii) rigorously execute core processes; (iii) lower cost to serve; (iv) optimize the brand portfolio; and (v) build new high growth businesses anchored in strength.
Improve Customer Experience and Grow Relationships. Qurate Retail is focused on rebuilding stronger connections with our customers. In order to improve customer experience and grow relationships, Qurate Retail is working to optimize programming using advanced analytics to align product offerings, promotions and airtime with customer preferences. In addition, we expect to invest in infrastructure which will endeavor to improve the customer's order to delivery experience by increasing personalization, reducing shipping time and improving shipment tracking visibility. We expect to develop a customer loyalty program which will provide customers with a more personalized experience.
Rigorously execute core processes. Qurate Retail is enhancing its core processes to deliver the human story telling experience behind a product while also sharing a clear and compelling value proposition. In order to rigorously execute core processes, Qurate Retail will optimize pricing and assortment by investing in enhanced Information Technology
I-28
systems that will support real-time pricing and promotion adjustments at an item level. We will also focus on growing our private label brands to drive revenue and margin at productive scale.
Lower cost to serve. Qurate Retail is right sizing its cost base to improve profitability and cash generation. In order to lower cost to serve, Qurate Retail will enhance review of spending to identify cost savings opportunities, including opportunities for workforce reduction. Additionally, we will improve product margin through market vendor efficiency and lower fulfillment costs through freight optimization and higher productivity.
Optimize the brand portfolio. Qurate Retail divested Zulily in the second quarter of 2023 consistent with its goal of optimizing the brand portfolio. Qurate Retail is exploring untapped opportunities at its CBI brands. At CBI we will continue to expand our retail footprint in addition to focusing on potential cross-brand promotion opportunities.
Build new high growth businesses anchored in strength. Finally, Qurate Retail is focused on expanding in the video streaming shopping market. In order to build new high growth businesses anchored in strength, Qurate Retail expects to expand streaming viewership by improving the current streaming experience with enhanced video and navigation and seamless transactions. Additionally, we are shaping the future streaming experience with exclusive content, program and deal concepts. We are also building a next generation shopping app featuring vendors with self-made content.
During 2022, QVC commenced the first phase of Project Athens, including actions to reduce inventory and a planned workforce reduction. These initiatives are consistent with QVC’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implements its turnaround plan, and QVC expects to incur additional expenses related to Project Athens initiatives in future periods. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, QVC implemented a workforce reduction and recorded restructuring charges of $13 million in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
QVC’s future net revenue will depend on its ability to grow through digital platforms, retain and grow revenue from existing customers, and attract new customers. QVC's future net revenue may also be affected by (i) the willingness of cable television and direct-to-home satellite system operators to continue carrying QVC's programming service; (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult due to governmental action or from distributors converting analog customers to digital; (iii) changes in television viewing habits because of video-on-demand technologies and Internet video services; (iv) QVC's ability to source new and compelling products and (v) general economic conditions.
The current economic uncertainty in various regions of the world in which our subsidiaries and affiliates operate could adversely affect demand for our products and services since a substantial portion of our revenue is derived from discretionary spending by individuals, which typically falls during times of economic instability. Global financial markets may experience disruptions, including increased volatility and diminished liquidity and credit availability. If economic and financial market conditions in the U.S. or other key markets, including Japan and Europe, continue to be uncertain or deteriorate, our customers may respond by suspending, delaying or reducing their discretionary spending. A suspension, delay or reduction in discretionary spending could adversely affect revenue. Accordingly, our ability to increase or maintain revenue and earnings could be adversely affected to the extent that relevant economic environments decline. Such weak economic conditions may also inhibit our expansion into new European and other markets. We currently are unable to predict the extent of any of these potential adverse effects.
The Company has seen inflationary pressures during the period including higher wages and merchandise costs. If these pressures persist, inflated costs may result in certain increased costs outpacing our pricing power in the near term.
On December 18, 2021, QVC experienced a fire at its Rocky Mount, Inc. fulfillment center in North Carolina. Rocky Mount was QVC’s second-largest fulfillment center, processing approximately 25% to 30% of volume for QVC U.S., and also served as QVC U.S.’s primary returns center for hard goods. The building was significantly damaged as a result of the fire and related smoke and will not reopen. QVC took steps to mitigate disruption to operations including diverting inbound orders, leveraging its existing fulfillment centers and supplementing these facilities with short-term leased space as needed. QVC sold the property in February 2023 and received net cash proceeds of $15 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, QVC received an additional $2 million of proceeds from the sale that were released from escrow. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, QVC received the final $2 million of proceeds from the sale that were
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released from escrow. QVC recognized gains on the sale of $2 million and $17 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. QVC continues to assess its network footprint and is making investments to expand capacity and increase throughput as a result of the loss of the Rocky Mount fulfillment center.
Based on the provisions of QVC’s insurance policies certain fire related costs were recoverable. In June 2023, QVC agreed to a final insurance settlement with its insurance company and received all remaining proceeds related to the Rocky Mount claim. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, QVC recorded cumulative fire related costs of $407 million and $439 million, respectively, of which $5 million and $32 million were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Cumulative costs as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, include $119 million of costs that were not reimbursable by QVC’s insurance policies. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, QVC received cumulative insurance proceeds of $380 million and $660 million, respectively, and recorded net gains, representing the proceeds received in excess of recoverable losses recognized of $132 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and losses of $5 million and net gains of $208 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Of the $280 million of insurance proceeds received during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $210 million represents recoveries for business interruption losses. The fire related costs and gains related to insurance recoveries are included in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
While QVC took steps to minimize the overall impact to the business, it experienced increased warehouse and logistics costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and does not anticipate these increased warehouse and logistics costs will have a material impact on future periods.
In November 2022, QVC International entered into agreements to sell two properties located in Germany and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) to an independent third party. Under the terms of the agreements, QVC received net cash proceeds of $102 million related to its German facility and $80 million related to its U.K. facility when the sale closed in January 2023. Concurrent with the sale, QVC entered into agreements to lease each of the properties back from the purchaser over an initial term of 20 years with the option to extend the terms of the property leases for up to four consecutive terms of five years. QVC recognized a $69 million and $44 million gain related to the successful sale leaseback of the German and U.K. properties, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the properties. The Company accounted for the leases as operating leases and recorded a $42 million and $32 million right-of-use asset and operating lease liability for the German and U.K. properties, respectively.
In June 2022, QVC modified the finance lease for its distribution center in Ontario, California which reduced the term of the lease and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership of the distribution center at the end of the lease term. QVC will make annual payments over the modified lease term. Since the lease was modified and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership at the end of the lease term, the Company accounted for the modification similar to a sale and leaseback transaction, and as a result, recognized a $240 million gain on the sale of the distribution center during the second quarter of 2022 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received (including cash of $250 million and forgiveness of the remaining financing obligation of $84 million) and the carrying value of the distribution center. The gain is included in gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company accounted for the modified lease as an operating lease and recorded a $37 million right-of-use asset and a $31 million operating lease liability, with the difference attributable to prepaid rent.
In July 2022, QVC sold five owned and operated properties located in the U.S. to an independent third party and received net cash proceeds of $443 million. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into agreements to lease each of the properties back from the purchaser over an initial term of 20 years with the option to extend the terms of the property leases for up to four consecutive terms of five years. QVC recognized a $277 million gain related to the successful sale leaseback for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the properties. The Company accounted for the leases as operating leases and recorded a $207 million right-of-use asset and a $205 million operating lease liability, with the difference attributable to initial direct costs.
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Results of Operations—Consolidated
General. We provide in the tables below information regarding our consolidated Operating Results and Other Income and Expense, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our principal reporting segments. The "Corporate and other" category consists of those assets or businesses which we do not disclose separately. For a more detailed discussion and analysis of the financial results of the principal reporting segments, see "Results of Operations—Businesses" below.
Operating Results
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||
QxH |
| $ | 1,617 | 1,663 | 4,836 | 5,101 | ||||
QVC International | 577 | 554 | 1,775 | 1,862 | ||||||
CBI | 285 | 327 | 860 | 965 | ||||||
Corporate and other | — | 200 | 301 | 652 | ||||||
Consolidated Qurate Retail |
| $ | 2,479 | 2,744 | 7,772 | 8,580 | ||||
Operating Income (Loss) | ||||||||||
QxH |
| $ | 91 | (2,251) | 468 | (1,848) | ||||
QVC International | 63 | 52 | 290 | 221 | ||||||
CBI | 4 | 2 | 17 | 62 | ||||||
Corporate and other | (7) | (410) | (82) | (518) | ||||||
Consolidated Qurate Retail |
| $ | 151 | (2,607) | 693 | (2,083) | ||||
Adjusted OIBDA | ||||||||||
QxH |
| $ | 201 | 143 | 525 | 600 | ||||
QVC International | 77 | 62 | 226 | 261 | ||||||
CBI | 11 | 10 | 40 | 85 | ||||||
Corporate and other | (4) | (30) | (57) | (79) | ||||||
Consolidated Qurate Retail |
| $ | 285 | 185 | 734 | 867 |
Revenue. Consolidated Qurate Retail revenue decreased 9.7% or $265 million and 9.4% and $808 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decrease in the three months ended September 30, 2023 was due to decreased revenue in the Corporate and other segment of $200 million, decreased revenue at QxH of $46 million, and decreased revenue at CBI of $42 million, partially offset by increased revenue at QVC International of $23 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in Corporate and other revenue was due to Zulily’s results only being recorded through May 23, 2023. The decrease in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was due to decreased revenue in the Corporate and other segment of $351 million, decreased revenue at QxH of $265 million, decreased revenue at CBI of $105 million, and decreased revenue at QVC International of $87 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in Corporate and other revenue was due to Zulily’s results being depressed prior to its divestiture and its results only being recorded through May 23, 2023. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of QVC and CBI.
Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation includes compensation primarily related to options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units for shares of our common stock that are granted to certain of our officers and employees.
We recorded $10 million and $15 million of stock-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $40 million and $46 million of stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease of $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to decreases at Zulily and QxH. The decrease of $6 million for the nine months ended September 30,
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2023 was primarily due to a decrease at Zulily. As of September 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Qurate Retail equity awards was approximately $43 million. Such amount will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.
Operating income. Our consolidated operating income increased $2,758 million and $2,776 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to a prior year goodwill impairment (see note 5 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements). The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was primarily as a result of gains on sale leaseback transactions and a prior year goodwill impairment, partially offset by a decline in operating results.
The increase in operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in operating income at QxH of $2,342 million, a decrease in operating loss at the Corporate and other segment of $403 million, an increase in operating income at QVC International of $11 million, and an increase in operating income at CBI of $2 million, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Operating loss in the Corporate and other segment decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily related to Zulily’s operating losses only being recorded through May 23, 2023 as a result of the divestiture of Zulily.
The increase in operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to an increase in operating income at QxH of $2,316 million, a decrease in operating loss in the Corporate and other segment of $436 million, and an increase in operating income at QVC International of $69 million, partially offset by a decrease in operating income at CBI of $45 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. Operating loss in the Corporate and other segment decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily related to Zulily’s operating losses only being recorded through May 23, 2023 as a result of the divestiture of Zulily. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of QVC and CBI.
Adjusted OIBDA. To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and where applicable, separately identified impairments, litigation settlements, restructuring, penalties, acquisition-related costs, fire related costs, net (including Rocky Mount inventory losses), and (gains) losses on sale leaseback transactions. Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net earnings (loss), cash flows provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
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The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 151 |
| (2,607) |
| 693 |
| (2,083) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 105 | 107 | 309 | 371 | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 10 | 15 | 40 | 46 | |||||
Restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) (including Rocky Mount inventory losses) | 19 | (134) | (189) | (28) | ||||||
Impairment of intangible assets | — | 3,081 | — | 3,081 | ||||||
Gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions | — | (277) | (119) | (520) | ||||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 285 | 185 | 734 | 867 |
Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA increased 54.1% or $100 million and decreased 15.3% or $133 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to an increase at QxH of $58 million, a decrease in Adjusted OIBDA losses at Corporate and other of $26 million, an increase at QVC International of $15 million, and an increase at CBI of $1 million, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The change in the Corporate and other segment for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to Zulily’s Adjusted OIBDA losses only being recorded through May 23, 2023 due to the divestiture of Zulily.
The decrease in Adjusted OIBDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to a decrease at QxH of $75 million, a decrease at CBI of $45 million, and a decrease at QVC International of $35 million, partially offset by a decrease in Adjusted OIBDA losses at Corporate and other of $22 million, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The change in the Corporate and other segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to Adjusted OIBDA losses at Zulily only being recorded through May 23, 2023 due to the divestiture of Zulily. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of QVC and CBI.
Other Income and Expense
Components of Other income (expense) are presented in the table below.
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
| ||||||||||
Interest expense |
| $ | (119) | (107) | (336) | (343) | ||||
Interest and dividend income | 14 | 2 | 39 | 5 | ||||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| (15) | (8) | (95) | 29 | |||||
Loss on disposition of Zulily, net | — | — | (64) | — | ||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt | 1 | 14 | 45 | 8 | ||||||
Tax sharing income (expense) with Liberty Broadband | (4) | 36 | (12) | 78 | ||||||
Other, net |
| 5 | 21 | 13 | 69 | |||||
Other income (expense) |
| $ | (118) | (42) | (410) | (154) |
Interest expense. Interest expense increased $12 million and decreased $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase in interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year, is due to higher interest expense as a result of higher outstanding debt and a higher interest rate on QVC’s senior secured credit facility (defined below). The decrease in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year, is due to the reversal of interest expense accrued in prior periods related to QVC’s settlement of state income tax reserves during the current period, and a decrease in Corporate level interest expense due to the
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exchanges of the 1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures during the period, partially offset by higher interest expense as a result of higher outstanding debt and a higher interest rate on QVC’s senior secured credit facility.
Interest and dividend income. Interest and dividend income increased $12 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to increases in cash balances during the first and second quarters of 2023 and higher interest rates on invested cash balances compared to the prior year.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Equity securities | (2) | — | (19) | (5) | ||||||
Exchangeable senior debentures | (25) | 130 | (72) | 320 | ||||||
Indemnification asset | 12 | (138) | (3) | (287) | ||||||
Other financial instruments | — | — | (1) | 1 | ||||||
| $ | (15) | (8) | (95) | 29 |
The changes in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are due to market activity in the applicable period related to the financial instruments that are marked to market on a periodic basis. The increase in realized and unrealized losses for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by an increase in unrealized losses on the exchangeable senior debentures driven by increases in stock prices of the securities underlying the debentures compared to the prior year, partially offset by an increase in unrealized gains on the indemnification asset (described in note 4 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements). The increase in realized and unrealized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by an increase in unrealized losses on the exchangeable senior debentures driven by increases in stock prices of the securities underlying the debentures compared to the prior year, and an increase in unrealized losses on the Company’s equity securities, partially offset by a decrease in unrealized losses on the indemnification asset (described in note 4 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).
Loss on disposition of Zulily, net. The Company recorded a net loss of $64 million associated with the disposition of Zulily during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (see note 1 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized $1 million and $45 million of gains on the extinguishment of debt, respectively, primarily due to the extinguishment of a portion of its 1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 (as described in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), and to a lesser extent, the partial extinguishments of the QVC 4.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 and QVC 4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized $14 million and $8 million, respectively, of gains on extinguishment of debt related to exchanges of the 4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2029, partially offset by a loss on extinguishment related to QVC’s purchase of a portion of the 2023 Notes.
Tax sharing income (expense) with Liberty Broadband. The Company has a tax sharing agreement with Liberty Broadband. As a result, the Company recognized tax sharing expense of $4 million and $12 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and tax sharing income of $36 million and $78 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
Other, net. Other, net income decreased $16 million and $56 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily the result of a decrease in foreign exchange gains compared to the prior year. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily the result of foreign exchange losses in the current year
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compared to foreign exchange gains in the prior year, and the sale of warrants at QVC in the prior year and no similar sale in the current year, partially offset by tax sharing income from Liberty Media Corporation.
Income taxes. During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we had earnings before income taxes of $33 million and losses before income taxes of $2,649 million, respectively, and income tax expense of $21 million and $87 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we had earnings before income taxes of $283 million and losses before income taxes of $2,237 million, respectively, and income tax expense of $119 million and $265 million, respectively. Income tax expense was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% during the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to foreign income tax expense and non-deductible interest expense related to the 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”). The most significant portion of the losses before income taxes during the three months ended September 30, 2022 related to a goodwill impairment that is not deductible for tax purposes. Income tax expense was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to foreign income tax expense, non-deductible stock compensation, and non-deductible interest expense related to the Preferred Stock, partially offset by a tax benefit from a change in the Company’s effective state tax rate used to measure deferred taxes. The most significant portion of the losses before income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 relate to a goodwill impairment that is not deductible for tax purposes.
Net earnings. We had net earnings of $12 million and net losses of $2,736 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and net earnings of $164 million and net losses of $2,502 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in net earnings (loss) was the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.
Material Changes in Financial Condition
As of September 30, 2023, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents are invested in U.S. Treasury securities, securities of other government agencies, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.
The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, equity issuances, dividend and interest receipts, proceeds from asset sales, debt (including availability under QVC’s bank credit facilities (the “Credit Facility”), as discussed in note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements), and cash generated by the operating activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Cash generated by the operating activities of our subsidiaries is only a source of liquidity to the extent such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted. For example, under QVC’s bond indentures, it is able to pay dividends or make other restricted payments if it is not in default on its senior secured notes and its consolidated leverage ratio is no greater than 3.5 to 1.0. In addition, under the Credit Facility QVC is able to pay dividends or make other restricted payments if it is not in default on the Credit Facility and the consolidated leverage ratio of QVC, QVC Global Corporate Holdings, LLC and CBI is no greater than 4.0 to 1.0. Further, under QVC’s bond indentures and the Credit Facility, unlimited dividends are permitted to service the debt of parent entities of QVC so long as there is no default (i.e., no leverage test is needed).
As of September 30, 2023, QVC’s consolidated leverage ratio (as calculated under QVC’s senior secured notes) was greater than 3.5 to 1.0 and as a result QVC is restricted in its ability to make dividends or other restricted payments under the senior secured notes. Although QVC will not be able to make unlimited dividends or other restricted payments under the senior secured notes leverage basket, QVC will continue to be permitted to make unlimited dividends to parent entities of QVC to service the principal and interest when due in respect of indebtedness of such parent entities (so long as there is no default under the indentures governing QVC’s senior secured notes) and permitted to make certain restricted payments to Qurate Retail under an intercompany tax sharing agreement in respect of certain tax obligations of QVC and its subsidiaries.
Qurate Retail and certain of its subsidiaries’ debt credit ratings were downgraded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as follows: (i) Fitch Ratings downgraded Qurate Retail, LI LLC, and QVC’s long-term issuer default ratings from “BB-” to “B”, LI LLC’s senior unsecured rating from “BB-” to “CCC+”, and QVC’s senior secured rating from “BB+” to “B+” (ii) S&P Global downgraded LI LLC’s issuer credit rating from “B-” to “CCC+”, LI LLC’s senior unsecured rating from “CCC” to “CCC-”, and QVC’s senior secured rating from “B+” to “B-” and (iii) Moody’s
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downgraded LI LLC corporate family rating from “B1” to “B3”, LI LLC’s senior unsecured rating from “B3” to “Caa2”, and QVC’s senior secured debt ratings from “Ba3” to “B2.”
As of September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail's liquidity position included the following:
Cash and cash | ||||
equivalents | ||||
amounts in millions | ||||
QVC |
| $ | 279 | |
CBI | 43 | |||
Corporate | 777 | |||
Total Qurate Retail |
| $ | 1,099 |
| Borrowing capacity | |||
amount in millions | ||||
Credit Facility | $ | 2,145 |
To the extent that the Company recognizes any taxable gains from the sale of assets we may incur tax expense and be required to make tax payments, thereby reducing any cash proceeds. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had approximately $165 million of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash held in foreign subsidiaries that is available for domestic purposes with no significant tax consequences upon repatriation to the U.S. QVC accrues foreign taxes on the unremitted earnings of its international subsidiaries. Approximately 75% of QVC’s foreign cash balance was that of QVC-Japan (as defined below). QVC owns 60% of QVC-Japan and shares all profits and losses with the 40% minority interest holder, Mitsui & Co., LTD (“Mitsui”).
Additionally, we believe our businesses will generate positive cash flow from operations during 2023.
Nine months ended |
| |||||
September 30, |
| |||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||
Cash Flow Information | ||||||
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| $ | 602 | (37) | ||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| $ | 18 | 704 | ||
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| $ | (776) | (571) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Qurate Retail's primary uses of cash were net debt repayments of $756 million, capital expenditures of $151 million, expenditures for television distribution rights of $111 million, dividends paid to noncontrolling interest of $35 million, cash paid related to the disposal of Zulily of $35 million, and net payments for settlements of financial instruments of $12 million, partially offset by insurance proceeds related to the Rocky Mount fire of $280 million (see note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of $202 million, cash proceeds from disposition of investments of $71 million, and an indemnification agreement settlement of $26 million.
The projected uses of Qurate Retail cash for the remainder of 2023 are continued capital improvement spending between $80 million and $110 million, debt service payments (including approximately $50 million for interest payments on outstanding debt), repayment of debt, and payment of dividends to the holders of the Preferred Stock. We also may be required to make net payments of income tax liabilities to settle items under discussion with tax authorities. We expect that cash on hand and cash provided by operating activities and borrowing capacity in future periods will be sufficient to fund projected uses of cash.
The Company may from time to time repurchase any level of its outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, redemptions, tender offers or otherwise. Repurchases or retirement of debt, if any, will
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depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Results of Operations—Businesses
QVC. QVC is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the Internet and mobile applications. In the U.S., QVC’s televised shopping programs, including live and recorded content, are distributed across multiple channels nationally on a full-time basis, including QVC, QVC 2, QVC 3, HSN and HSN2. QVC’s U.S. programming is also available on QVC.com and HSN.com, which we refer to as “QVC’s U.S. websites” virtual multichannel video programming distributors (including Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV); applications via streaming video; Facebook Live, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Xfinity Flex and Samsung TV Plus; mobile applications; social media pages and over-the-air broadcasters.
QVC’s digital platforms enable consumers to purchase goods offered on its televised programming, along with a wide assortment of products that are available only on QVC’s U.S. websites. QVC.com and its other digital platforms (including its mobile applications, social media pages and others) are natural extensions of its business model, allowing customers to engage in its shopping experience wherever they are, with live or on-demand content customized to the device they are using. In addition to offering video content, QVC’s U.S. websites allow shoppers to browse, research, compare and perform targeted searches for products, read customer reviews, control the order-entry process and conveniently access their account.
QVC’s international televised shopping programs, including live and recorded content, are distributed to households outside of the U.S., primarily in Germany, Austria, Japan, the U.K., the Republic of Ireland and Italy. In some of the countries where QVC operates, its televised shopping programs are distributed across multiple QVC channels: QVC Style and QVC2 in Germany and QVC Beauty, QVC Extra, and QVC Style in the U.K. Similar to the U.S., QVC’s international businesses also engage customers via websites, mobile applications, and social media pages. QVC’s international business employs product sourcing teams who select products tailored to the interests of each local market.
QVC's Japanese operations (“QVC-Japan”) are conducted through a joint venture with Mitsui. QVC-Japan is owned 60% by QVC and 40% by Mitsui. QVC and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on their respective ownership interests. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, QVC-Japan paid dividends to Mitsui of $35 million and $39 million, respectively.
QVC's operating results were as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Net revenue |
| $ | 2,194 |
| 2,217 |
| 6,611 |
| 6,963 | |
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation, amortization and Rocky Mount inventory losses shown below) | (1,424) |
| (1,526) |
| (4,368) |
| (4,680) | |||
Operating expenses | (175) |
| (186) |
| (530) |
| (543) | |||
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) | (317) |
| (300) |
| (962) |
| (879) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 278 |
| 205 |
| 751 |
| 861 | |||
Restructuring, penalties and fire related (costs), net of recoveries (including Rocky Mount inventory losses) | (19) | 137 | 196 | 39 | ||||||
Gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions | — | 277 | 119 | 520 | ||||||
Impairment of intangible assets | — | (2,715) | — | (2,715) | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | (7) |
| (9) |
| (27) |
| (27) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (98) |
| (94) |
| (281) |
| (305) | |||
Operating income |
| $ | 154 |
| (2,199) |
| 758 |
| (1,627) |
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Net revenue was generated in the following geographical areas:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
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September 30, | September 30, |
| |||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
amounts in millions |
| ||||||||||||
QxH |
| $ | 1,617 |
| 1,663 |
| 4,836 |
| 5,101 | ||||
QVC International | 577 | 554 | 1,775 | 1,862 | |||||||||
Consolidated QVC |
| $ | 2,194 | 2,217 | 6,611 | 6,963 |
QVC's consolidated net revenue decreased 1.0% and 5.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The three month decrease in net revenue is primarily due to a 1.0% decrease in units shipped driven by QxH, partially offset by QVC International. The decrease was also impacted by a $17 million increase in estimated product returns across both segments. These decreases were partially offset by $15 million in favorable foreign exchange rates and a slight increase in average selling price per unit (“ASP”) driven by QxH, partially offset by QVC International. The nine month decrease in net revenue is primarily due to a 5.9% decrease in units shipped across both segments, $52 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates, a $36 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue at QxH and to a lesser extent QVC International and a $16 million increase in estimated product returns, driven by QxH. These declines were partially offset by a 2.8% increase in ASP across both segments.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the changes in revenue and expenses were affected by changes in the exchange rates for the U.K. Pound Sterling, the Euro and the Japanese Yen. In the event the U.S. Dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's revenue and operating cash flow will be negatively affected.
In describing QVC’s operating results, the term currency exchange rates refers to the currency exchange rates QVC uses to convert the operating results for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar. QVC calculates the effect of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activity translated using the prior period's currency exchange rates. QVC refers to the results of this calculation as the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Constant currency operating results refers to operating results without the impact of the currency exchange rate fluctuations. The disclosure of constant currency amounts or results permits investors to better understand QVC’s underlying performance without the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations.
The percentage change in net revenue for each of QVC's geographic areas in U.S. Dollars and in constant currency was as follows:
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September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2023 |
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| U.S. Dollars | Foreign Currency Exchange Impact | Constant Currency | U.S. Dollars | Foreign Currency Exchange Impact | Constant currency |
| ||||||||||||
QxH |
| (2.8) | % | — | % | (2.8) | % | (5.2) | % | — | % | (5.2) | % | ||||||
QVC International |
| 4.2 | % | 2.7 | % | 1.5 | % | (4.7) | % | (2.8) | % | (1.9) | % |
The decrease in QxH net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to a 2.7% decrease in units shipped, and a $13 million increase in estimated product returns. These declines were partially offset by a 1% increase in ASP. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, QxH experienced shipped sales growth in accessories, jewelry and home with declines in all other categories. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, QxH net revenue decreased due to a 6.8% decrease in units shipped, a $16 million increase in estimated product returns, and a $31 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue. These declines were partially offset by a 2.9% increase in ASP. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, QxH experienced shipped sales declines across all categories.
QVC International’s net revenue growth in constant currency for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to a 2.7% increase in units shipped driven by the U.K. and to a lesser extent Japan and Germany. This increase was partially offset by a 0.7% decrease in ASP across the U.K. and Japan. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, QVC International experienced shipped sales growth in constant currency in beauty, home and apparel with
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declines across all other product categories except jewelry, which remained flat. QVC International’s net revenue decline in constant currency for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to a 3.9% decrease in units shipped across all markets except the U.K. and a $5 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue. These declines were partially offset by a 2.8% increase in ASP across all markets except the U.K. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, QVC-International experienced shipped sales growth in constant currency in beauty and apparel with declines across all other product categories except accessories, which remained flat.
QVC's cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue was 64.9% and 68.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 66.1% and 67.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 is primarily due to product margin expansion, and lower inventory obsolescence across both segments and lower freight and warehousing costs at QxH. The decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is primarily due to lower inventory obsolescence and lower freight costs driven by QxH and product margin expansion driven by QVC International. These decreases were partially offset by higher warehousing costs across both segments. Higher warehousing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are primarily due to higher rent expense of $29 million as a result of warehouses sold and leased back during the prior year and current period, partially offset by favorability at QxH as a result of strains on QVC’s fulfillment network due to the loss of the Rocky Mount fulfillment center impacting the prior year that did not recur at the same level in the current year. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, warehousing costs at QxH included comparable rent expense in the prior period, so the decrease was the result of prior year strains on QVC’s fulfillment network due to the loss of the Rocky Mount fulfillment center that did not recur at the same level in the current year.
QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, credit card processing fees and telecommunications expenses. Operating expenses were 8.0% of net revenue for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and were 8.4% and 7.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Operating expenses decreased $11 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and decreased $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the decreases in operating expenses are primarily due to lower customer service personnel costs at QxH. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the decreases in operating expenses are primarily due to lower customer service personnel costs at QxH and favorable exchange rates, partially offset by higher commissions expense at QxH.
QVC's SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) include personnel, information technology, provision for doubtful accounts, production costs, and marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses increased $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in the prior year, and as a percentage of net revenue increased from 13.5% to 14.4%. Such expenses increased $83 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in the prior year, and as a percentage of net revenue increased from 12.6% to 14.6%. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the increase was primarily due to a $12 million increase in consulting costs primarily at QxH and to a lesser extent QVC International. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increase was primarily due to a $60 million increase in consulting expenses primarily at QxH and to a lesser extent QVC International and a $37 million increase in personnel costs across both segments and an $8 million increase in rent expense at QxH. These increases were partially offset by a $19 million decrease in credit losses, primarily at QxH and a $10 million decrease in marketing expenses, primarily at QxH. The increase in consulting expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 is primarily related to Project Athens. The increase in personnel costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was driven by higher benefits expense in comparison to the prior year. The decrease to estimated credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was due to unfavorable adjustments recognized in the prior year based on actual collections experience.
QVC recorded a loss of $19 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and a gain of $196 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 in restructuring, penalties and fire related costs, net of recoveries. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the loss was primarily related to a Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) civil penalty of $16 million (see note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) and $5 million of other fire related costs, partially offset by a $2 million gain on the sale of the Rocky Mount property. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the gain related to a $240 million gain on insurance proceeds received in excess of fire losses and a $17 million gain on the sale of the Rocky Mount property, partially offset by $32 million of other fire related costs,
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the CPSC civil penalty of $16 million and $13 million of restructuring costs related to workforce reduction. QVC recorded gains of $137 million and $39 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, in restructuring, penalties, and fire related costs, net of recoveries. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the gain primarily related to insurance proceeds received for inventory and fixed asset losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the gain primarily related to insurance proceeds received for inventory and fixed asset losses partially offset by write-downs on Rocky Mount inventory. Fire related costs, net includes expenses directly related to the Rocky Mount fulfillment center fire net of expected and received insurance recoveries and gain on the sale of the Rocky Mount property. Expenses indirectly related to the Rocky Mount fulfillment center fire, including operational inefficiencies, are primarily included in Cost of goods sold.
QVC recorded $119 million of gains on intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily related to the sale leaseback of two properties located in Germany and the U.K. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, QVC recorded $277 million and $520 million of gains on sale leaseback transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the gain related to the sale leaseback of five owned and operated U.S. properties. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the gain was primarily related to the sale leaseback of six owned and operated U.S. properties.
There were no impairment losses recorded by QVC for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. QVC recorded impairment losses of $2,715 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, related to the decrease in the fair value of the HSN indefinite-lived tradename and the QxH reporting unit as a result of the quantitative assessments that were performed by the Company (see to note 5 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).
Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to options and restricted stock units granted to certain officers and employees. QVC recorded $7 million and $27 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $9 million and $27 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization increased $4 million and decreased $24 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and included $15 million of acquisition related amortization for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and $46 million of acquisition related amortization for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to increased software amortization as a result of software additions including an enhancement to QVC's Enterprise Resource Planning system that was placed into service in the second quarter of 2023, partially offset by a decrease in channel placement amortization and related expenses as a result of adjustments recognized related to lower subscriber counts. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily related to assets disposed of related to the six owned and operated U.S. properties sold and leased back during 2022 and the Germany and the U.K. properties sold and leased back during the first quarter of 2023, as well as lower channel placement amortization and related expenses due to adjustments recognized related to lower subscriber counts and a reduction in channel placement assets due to reduced contract terms, partially offset by an increase in software amortization due to software additions including an enhancement to QVC's Enterprise Resource Planning system that was placed into service in the second quarter of 2023.
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CBI. CBI consists of a portfolio of aspirational home and apparel brands. The home brands are comprised of Ballard Designs, Frontgate, and Grandin Road, while Garnet Hill focuses primarily on apparel and accessories and is categorized as an apparel brand. There are also 29 retail and outlet stores located throughout the U.S., primarily comprised of Ballard Designs and Frontgate stores.
CBI's stand-alone operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
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| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Net revenue |
| $ | 285 |
| 327 |
| 860 |
| 965 | |
Costs of goods sold | (179) |
| (218) |
| (537) |
| (602) | |||
Operating expenses | (11) |
| (12) |
| (33) |
| (35) | |||
SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) | (84) |
| (87) |
| (250) |
| (243) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 11 |
| 10 |
| 40 |
| 85 | |||
Stock-based compensation | — |
| (2) |
| (2) |
| (3) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (7) |
| (6) |
| (19) |
| (20) | |||
Restructuring costs | — | — | (2) | — | ||||||
Operating income (loss) |
| $ | 4 |
| 2 |
| 17 |
| 62 |
CBI's consolidated net revenue decreased 12.8% and 10.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases in net revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were the result of a decrease in ASP of 7% and 6%, respectively, related to increased promotional activity, and a decrease in units shipped of 5% and 4%, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in units shipped was due to softness across home categories and the apparel segment.
CBI's cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue was 62.8% and 66.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 62.4% and 62.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue was primarily due to lower supply chain costs.
Operating expenses are principally comprised of credit card processing fees and customer service expenses which are variable expenses that support sales activity. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, operating expenses decreased slightly compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The slight decreases were due to lower revenue compared to the prior year.
CBI’s SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) include print, digital and retail marketing. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, as a percentage of net revenue, these expenses increased from 26.6% to 29.5%, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as a percentage of net revenue, these expenses increased from 25.2% to 29.1%. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue were primarily attributable to lower revenue compared to the prior year, as discussed above. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue was primarily attributable to higher marketing expense related to additional brick-and-mortar retail stores compared to the same period in the prior year, coupled with lower revenue compared to the prior year, as discussed above.
CBI’s total depreciation and amortization expense remained relatively flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.
CBI had restructuring charges of $2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as a result of a corporate restructuring in May 2023. The costs relate to severance expense and outplacement services.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to our ongoing investing and financial activities and the conduct of operations by our subsidiaries in different foreign countries. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing and investment activities, which include investments in fixed and floating rate debt instruments and borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund business operations. The nature and amount of our long-term and short-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. We manage our exposure to interest rates by maintaining what we believe is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We believe this best protects us from interest rate risk. We have achieved this mix by (i) issuing fixed rate debt that we believe has a low stated interest rate and significant term to maturity, (ii) issuing variable rate debt with appropriate maturities and interest rates and (iii) entering into interest rate swap arrangements when we deem appropriate. As of September 30, 2023, our debt is comprised of the following amounts:
Variable rate debt | Fixed rate debt |
| |||||||||
|
| Weighted |
|
| Weighted |
| |||||
Principal | average | Principal | average |
| |||||||
amount | interest rate | amount | interest rate |
| |||||||
dollar amounts in millions |
| ||||||||||
QVC |
| $ | 995 | 6.8 | % | $ | 3,509 | 5.2 | % | ||
CBI | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | |||
Corporate and other |
| $ | — | — | % | $ | 1,650 | 5.9 | % |
Qurate Retail is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations related primarily to the monetary assets and liabilities and the financial results of QVC's foreign subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the statements of operations are generally translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. Dollars that result in unrealized gains or losses are referred to as translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in income as unrealized (based on period-end translations) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. Cash flows from our operations in foreign countries are translated at the average rate for the period. Accordingly, Qurate Retail may experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings and equity with respect to our holdings solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. QVC's reported Adjusted OIBDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 would have been impacted by approximately $2 million, for every 1% change in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar.
We periodically assess the effectiveness of our derivative financial instruments. With regard to interest rate swaps, we monitor the fair value of interest rate swaps as well as the effective interest rate of the interest rate swap yields, in comparison to historical interest rate trends. We believe that any losses incurred with regard to interest rate swaps would be largely offset by the effects of interest rate movements on the underlying debt facilities. These measures allow our management to evaluate the success of our use of derivative instruments and to determine when to enter into or exit from derivative instruments.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including
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its chief executive officer and its principal accounting and financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2023 because of the material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting as discussed in the 2022 10-K. Management is monitoring the implementation of the remediation plan described in the 2022 10-K, as described below.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s quarter ended September 30, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Remediation Plan for Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In response to the material weakness described in the 2022 10-K, the Company developed a plan with oversight from the audit committee of the board of directors to remediate the material weakness. The remediation activities include:
● | Enhancing the ITGC risk assessment process; |
● | Evaluating talent and addressing identified gaps; |
● | Delivering training on internal control over financial reporting; |
● | Improving change management and logical access control activities that contributed to the ITGC material weakness including removing all inappropriate IT system access associated with the ITGC material weakness; |
● | Implementing user activity monitoring for control activities contributing to the ITGC material weakness; and |
● | Implementing additional compensating control activities over the completeness and accuracy of data provided by the affected systems. |
In addition, considering the divestiture of Zulily, the Company has transitioned administration of the inventory management system and associated IT controls impacted by the material weakness described in the 2022 10-K from Zulily to QVC.
The Company believes the foregoing efforts will remediate the material weakness described in the 2022 10-K. Because the reliability of the internal control process requires repeatable execution, the successful on-going remediation of the material weakness will require on-going review and evidence of effectiveness prior to concluding that the controls are effective.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Share Repurchase Programs
In May 2019, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of $500 million of Qurate Retail Series A common stock (“QRTEA”) or Qurate Retail Series B common stock (“QRTEB”). In August 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of $500 million of QRTEA or QRTEB.
There were no repurchases of QRTEA or QRTEB during the three months ended September 30, 2023 under the Company’s share repurchase program.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, no shares of QRTEA, QRTEB, or Qurate Retail 8.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock were surrendered by our officers and employees to pay withholding taxes and other deductions in connection with the vesting of their restricted stock, restricted stock units, and options.
Item 5. Other Information
None of the Company’s directors or officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023.
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Quarterly Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
31.1 | ||
31.2 | ||
32 | ||
99.1 | ||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document* - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document* | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document* | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document* | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document* | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document* | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)* |
* | Filed herewith |
** | Furnished herewith |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
QURATE RETAIL, INC. | |||
Date: November 3, 2023 | By: | /s/ DAVID RAWLINSON II | |
David Rawlinson II President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date: November 3, 2023 | By: | /s/ BRIAN J. WENDLING | |
Brian J. Wendling Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
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