WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (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 March 31, 2022
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: 001-38432
![wh-20220331_g1.jpg](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001722684/000172268422000010/wh-20220331_g1.jpg)
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 82-3356232 | ||||||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
22 Sylvan Way | 07054 | ||||||||||
Parsippany, | New Jersey | (Zip Code) | |||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(973) 753-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Common Stock | WH | New York Stock Exchange |
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 þ No o
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 þ No o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the last practicable date:
92,099,851 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
PART I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||||
Item 1. | ||||||||
Item 2. | ||||||||
Item 3. | ||||||||
Item 4. | ||||||||
PART II | OTHER INFORMATION | |||||||
Item 1. | ||||||||
Item 1A. | ||||||||
Item 2. | ||||||||
Item 3. | ||||||||
Item 4. | ||||||||
Item 5. | ||||||||
Item 6. | ||||||||
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2022, the related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the related consolidated and combined statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 16, 2022, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated and combined financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
Basis for Review Results
The interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial statements consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
April 27, 2022
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net revenues | |||||||||||
Royalties and franchise fees | $ | 110 | $ | 78 | |||||||
Marketing, reservation and loyalty | 111 | 85 | |||||||||
Management and other fees | 35 | 19 | |||||||||
License and other fees | 19 | 20 | |||||||||
Other | 41 | 30 | |||||||||
Fee-related and other revenues | 316 | 232 | |||||||||
Cost reimbursements | 55 | 71 | |||||||||
Net revenues | 371 | 303 | |||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||
Marketing, reservation and loyalty | 104 | 92 | |||||||||
Operating | 35 | 27 | |||||||||
General and administrative | 29 | 24 | |||||||||
Cost reimbursements | 55 | 71 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24 | 24 | |||||||||
Gain on asset sale | (36) | — | |||||||||
Separation-related | — | 2 | |||||||||
Total expenses | 211 | 240 | |||||||||
Operating income | 160 | 63 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net | 20 | 28 | |||||||||
Income before income taxes | 140 | 35 | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 34 | 11 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | |||||||
Earnings per share | |||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.15 | $ | 0.26 | |||||||
Diluted | 1.14 | 0.26 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | |||||||||||
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges | 31 | 14 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | 31 | 14 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | 137 | $ | 38 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 416 | $ | 171 | |||||||
Trade receivables, net | 229 | 246 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 56 | 51 | |||||||||
Other current assets | 42 | 98 | |||||||||
Assets held for sale | 67 | 154 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 810 | 720 | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 106 | 106 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 1,525 | 1,525 | |||||||||
Trademarks, net | 1,202 | 1,202 | |||||||||
Franchise agreements and other intangibles, net | 377 | 473 | |||||||||
Other non-current assets | 272 | 243 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 4,292 | $ | 4,269 | |||||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 21 | $ | 21 | |||||||
Accounts payable | 27 | 31 | |||||||||
Deferred revenues | 84 | 70 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 235 | 258 | |||||||||
Liabilities held for sale | 13 | 17 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 380 | 397 | |||||||||
Long-term debt | 2,058 | 2,063 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 350 | 366 | |||||||||
Deferred revenues | 169 | 165 | |||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | 176 | 189 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 3,133 | 3,180 | |||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) | |||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 6.0 shares, none issued and outstanding | — | — | |||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 101.5 and 101.3 issued at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost – 9.5 and 9.0 shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | (557) | (519) | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,544 | 1,543 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 155 | 79 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | 16 | (15) | |||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,159 | 1,089 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 4,292 | $ | 4,269 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Operating activities | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities: | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24 | 24 | |||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 1 | 11 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | (26) | 1 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 8 | 5 | |||||||||
Gain on asset sale | (36) | — | |||||||||
Net change in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
Trade receivables | 17 | 10 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses | (4) | (7) | |||||||||
Other current assets | 60 | 13 | |||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | (32) | (24) | |||||||||
Deferred revenues | 19 | 9 | |||||||||
Payments of development advance notes | (7) | (8) | |||||||||
Other, net | 5 | 6 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 135 | 64 | |||||||||
Investing activities | |||||||||||
Property and equipment additions | (10) | (5) | |||||||||
Proceeds from asset sales, net | 202 | — | |||||||||
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | 192 | (5) | |||||||||
Financing activities | |||||||||||
Principal payments on long-term debt | (4) | (4) | |||||||||
Dividends to stockholders | (30) | (15) | |||||||||
Repurchases of common stock | (39) | — | |||||||||
Net share settlement of incentive equity awards | (9) | (5) | |||||||||
Other, net | — | 3 | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (82) | (21) | |||||||||
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 245 | 38 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 171 | 493 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 416 | $ | 531 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Common Shares Outstanding | Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | 92 | $ | 1 | $ | (519) | $ | 1,543 | $ | 79 | $ | (15) | $ | 1,089 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | 106 | — | 106 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | — | (30) | — | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | — | — | (38) | — | — | — | (38) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net share settlement of incentive equity awards | — | — | — | (9) | — | — | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in deferred compensation | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | 92 | $ | 1 | $ | (557) | $ | 1,544 | $ | 155 | $ | 16 | $ | 1,159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares Outstanding | Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | 93 | $ | 1 | $ | (408) | $ | 1,504 | $ | (82) | $ | (52) | $ | 963 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | 24 | — | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | — | (15) | — | (15) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net share settlement of incentive equity awards | — | — | — | (5) | — | — | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in deferred compensation | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2021 | 93 | $ | 1 | $ | (408) | $ | 1,508 | $ | (72) | $ | (38) | $ | 991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in millions, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Wyndham Hotels” or the “Company”) is a leading global hotel franchisor, licensing its renowned hotel brands to hotel owners in over 95 countries around the world.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows and all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In presenting the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. In management’s opinion, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of interim results reported. The results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or any subsequent interim period. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements included in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC.
Business Description
Wyndham Hotels operates in the following segments:
• Hotel Franchising — licenses the Company’s lodging brands and provides related services to third-party hotel owners and others.
• Hotel Management — provides hotel management services for full-service hotels.
2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS |
There were no recently issued accounting pronouncements applicable to the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
3. REVENUE RECOGNITION |
Deferred Revenues
Deferred revenues, or contract liabilities, generally represent payments or consideration received in advance for goods or services that the Company has not yet provided to the customer. Deferred revenues as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows:
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Deferred initial franchise fee revenues | $ | 149 | $ | 145 | |||||||
Deferred loyalty program revenues | 79 | 76 | |||||||||
Deferred co-branded credit card program revenues | 11 | — | |||||||||
Deferred other revenues | 14 | 14 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 253 | $ | 235 |
Deferred initial franchise fees represent payments received in advance from prospective franchisees upon the signing of a franchise agreement and are generally recognized to revenue within 13 years. Deferred loyalty revenues represent the portion of
7
loyalty program fees charged to franchisees, net of redemption costs, that have been deferred and will be recognized over time based upon loyalty point redemption patterns. Deferred co-branded credit card program revenue represents payments received in advance from the Company’s co-branded credit card partners, primarily for card member activity, which is typically recognized within one year.
Performance Obligations
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. The consideration received from a customer is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. The following table summarizes the Company’s remaining performance obligations for the twelve-month periods set forth below:
4/1/2022 - 3/31/2023 | 4/1/2023 - 3/31/2024 | 4/1/2024 - 3/31/2025 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Initial franchise fee revenues | $ | 16 | $ | 8 | $ | 7 | $ | 118 | $ | 149 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loyalty program revenues | 49 | 20 | 8 | 2 | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Co-branded credit card program revenues | 11 | — | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 84 | $ | 29 | $ | 16 | $ | 124 | $ | 253 |
Disaggregation of Net Revenues
The table below presents a disaggregation of the Company’s net revenues from contracts with customers by major services and products for each of the Company’s segments:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Hotel Franchising | |||||||||||
Royalties and franchise fees | $ | 103 | $ | 75 | |||||||
Marketing, reservation and loyalty | 111 | 85 | |||||||||
License and other fees | 19 | 20 | |||||||||
Other | 39 | 29 | |||||||||
Total Hotel Franchising | 272 | 209 | |||||||||
Hotel Management | |||||||||||
Royalties and franchise fees | 7 | 3 | |||||||||
Owned hotel revenues | 30 | 13 | |||||||||
Management fees | 5 | 6 | |||||||||
Cost reimbursements | 55 | 71 | |||||||||
Other | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Total Hotel Management | 99 | 94 | |||||||||
Net revenues | $ | 371 | $ | 303 |
Capitalized Contract Costs
The Company incurs certain direct and incremental sales commissions costs in order to obtain hotel franchise and management contracts. Such costs are capitalized and subsequently amortized beginning upon hotel opening over the first non-cancellable period of the agreement. In the event an agreement is terminated prior to the end of the first non-cancellable period, any unamortized cost is immediately expensed. In addition, the Company also capitalizes costs associated with the sale and installation of property management systems to its franchisees, which are amortized over the remaining non-cancellable period of the franchise agreement. As of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, capitalized contract costs were $33 million, of which $4 million and $5 million, respectively, was included in other current assets and $29 million and $28 million, respectively, was included in other non-current assets on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
8
4. EARNINGS PER SHARE |
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on net income divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (in millions, except per share data):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | |||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 92.5 | 93.4 | |||||||||
Stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) | 0.7 | 0.4 | |||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 93.2 | 93.8 | |||||||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.15 | $ | 0.26 | |||||||
Diluted | 1.14 | 0.26 | |||||||||
Dividends: | |||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per share | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.16 | |||||||
Aggregate dividends paid to stockholders | $ | 30 | $ | 15 |
Stock Repurchase Program
The following table summarizes stock repurchase activity under the current stock repurchase program (in millions, except per share data):
Shares | Cost | Average Price Per Share | |||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2021 | 9.0 | $ | 519 | $ | 57.55 | ||||||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 | 0.5 | 38 | 83.72 | ||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2022 | 9.5 | $ | 557 | $ | 58.81 |
The Company had $443 million of remaining availability under its program as of March 31, 2022.
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivables for the three months ended:
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, | $ | 81 | $ | 72 | |||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 1 | 11 | |||||||||
Bad debt write-offs | (2) | (4) | |||||||||
Balance as of March 31, | $ | 80 | $ | 79 |
9
6. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE |
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company’s Board approved a plan to sell its two owned hotels. In March 2022, the Company completed the sale of its Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort. See Note 15 - Other Expenses and Charges for more information on the sale. As of March 31, 2022, the assets and liabilities of its remaining owned hotel were reported in assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following with respect to assets and liabilities held for sale:
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||
Trade receivables, net | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | |||||||
Other current assets | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 62 | 146 | |||||||||
Total assets held for sale | $ | 67 | $ | 154 | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | 5 | $ | 8 | |||||||
Deferred revenues | 5 | 6 | |||||||||
Other liabilities | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Total liabilities held for sale | $ | 13 | $ | 17 |
7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
Intangible assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following:
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Impairment | Net Carrying Amount | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Impairment | Net Carrying Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | 1,539 | $ | 14 | $ | 1,525 | $ | 1,539 | $ | 14 | $ | 1,525 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unamortized intangible assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademarks | $ | 1,201 | $ | 1,201 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized intangible assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Franchise agreements | $ | 895 | $ | 520 | $ | 375 | $ | 895 | $ | 513 | $ | 382 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Management agreements | 16 | 14 | 2 | 135 | 44 | 91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademarks | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 913 | $ | 535 | $ | 378 | $ | 1,033 | $ | 559 | $ | 474 |
In March 2022, the Company completed the exit of its select-service hotel management business and received an $84 million termination fee, under the terms of the agreement with CorePoint Lodging (“CPLG”) which effectively resulted in the sale of the rights to the management contracts which were acquired as part of the La Quinta Holdings purchase in 2018. The termination fee proceeds were completely offset by the write-off of the remaining balance resulting in a full recovery of the related hotel management contract intangible asset. Such proceeds were reported in proceeds from asset sales on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The franchise agreements for these hotels remained in place at their stated fee structure.
10
8. FRANCHISING, MARKETING AND RESERVATION ACTIVITIES |
Royalties and franchise fee revenues on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income include initial franchise fees of $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
In accordance with its franchise agreements, the Company is generally contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation fees it collects from franchisees for the operation of an international, centralized, brand-specific reservation system and for marketing purposes such as advertising, promotional and co-marketing programs, and training for the respective franchisees.
Development Advance Notes
The Company may, at its discretion, provide development advance notes to certain franchisees or hotel owners in order to assist them in converting to one of its brands, in building a new hotel to be flagged under one of its brands or in assisting in other franchisee expansion efforts. Provided the franchisee/hotel owner is in compliance with the terms of the franchise/management agreement, all or a portion of the development advance notes may be forgiven by the Company over the period of the franchise/management agreement, which typically ranges from 10 to 20 years. Otherwise, the related principal is due and payable to the Company. In certain instances, the Company may earn interest on unpaid franchisee development advance notes.
The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the following with respect to development advances:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
Other non-current assets | $ | 112 | $ | 108 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income: | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Forgiveness of notes (a) | $ | 3 | $ | 2 | |||||||
Bad debt expense related to notes | 1 | — | |||||||||
______________________
(a) Amounts are recorded as a reduction of royalties and franchise fees and marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues.
9. INCOME TAXES |
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and state jurisdictions, as well as in foreign jurisdictions. Through May 31, 2018, the Company was part of a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and consolidated and combined state returns with Wyndham Worldwide (“former Parent”), now known as Travel + Leisure Co. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2015. The Company is no longer subject to state and local, or foreign, income tax examinations for years prior to 2014.
The Company made cash income tax payments, net of refunds, of $2 million and received income tax refunds, net of payments, of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, the Company had $5 million and $48 million of income tax receivables as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which was reported on other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company’s effective tax rates were 24.3% and 31.4% during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During 2022, the lower effective tax rate was primarily related to a higher tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation. During 2021, the higher effective tax rate was primarily related to the remeasurement of net deferred tax liabilities as a result of changes in certain state tax rates and non-deductible separation costs.
11
10. LONG-TERM DEBT AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS |
The Company’s indebtedness consisted of:
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt: (a) | Amount | Weighted Average Rate (b) | Amount | Weighted Average Rate (b) | |||||||||||||||||||
$750 million revolving credit facility (due May 2023) | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Term loan (due May 2025) | 1,537 | 3.17% | 1,541 | 3.07% | |||||||||||||||||||
4.375% senior unsecured notes (due August 2028) | 493 | 4.38% | 493 | 4.38% | |||||||||||||||||||
Finance leases | 49 | 4.50% | 50 | 4.50% | |||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt | 2,079 | 2,084 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current portion of long-term debt | 21 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 2,058 | $ | 2,063 |
______________________
(a) The carrying amount of the term loan and senior unsecured notes are net of deferred debt issuance costs of $14 million and $15 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(b) Weighted average interest rates are based on period-end balances, including the effects from hedging.
The Company amended its term loan and revolving credit facility in April 2022. See Note 17 - Subsequent Event for more information.
Maturities and Capacity
The Company’s outstanding debt as of March 31, 2022 matures as follows:
Long-Term Debt | |||||
Within 1 year | $ | 21 | |||
Between 1 and 2 years | 22 | ||||
Between 2 and 3 years | 22 | ||||
Between 3 and 4 years (a) | 1,495 | ||||
Between 4 and 5 years | 7 | ||||
Thereafter | 512 | ||||
Total | $ | 2,079 |
______________________
(a) In connection with the term loan A issuance in April 2022 (see Note 17 - Subsequent Event), $400 million of this amount was extended two additional years.
As of March 31, 2022, the available capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility was as follows:
Revolving Credit Facility | |||||
Total capacity | $ | 750 | |||
Less: Letters of credit | 9 | ||||
Available capacity | $ | 741 |
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs
The Company classifies deferred debt issuance costs related to its revolving credit facility within other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such deferred debt issuance costs were $2 million as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Cash Flow Hedge
In 2018, the Company hedged a portion of its $1.6 billion term loan. The pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps hedge $1.1 billion of the Company’s term loan interest rate exposure, of which $600 million expires in the second quarter of
12
2024 and has a weighted average fixed rate of 2.51% and $500 million expires in the fourth quarter of 2024 and has a weighted average fixed rate of 0.99%. The variable rates of the swap agreements are based on one-month LIBOR. The aggregate fair value of these interest rate swaps was an asset of $18 million and a liability of $23 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which was included within other non-current assets and non-current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The effect of interest rate swaps on interest expense, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was $5 million and $6 million of expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
There was no hedging ineffectiveness recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2022 or 2021. The Company expects to reclassify immaterial gains from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) (loss) to interest expense during the next 12 months.
Interest Expense, Net
The Company incurred net interest expense of $20 million and $28 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Cash paid related to such interest was $24 million and $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
11. FAIR VALUE |
The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis and utilizes the fair value hierarchy to determine such fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value driver is observable.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs used when little or no market data is available. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input (closest to Level 3) that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques, as appropriate. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of all other financial instruments are as follows:
March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||
Debt | $ | 2,079 | $ | 2,062 |
The Company estimates the fair value of its debt using Level 2 inputs based on indicative bids from investment banks or quoted market prices with the exception of finance leases, which are estimated at carrying value.
Financial Instruments
Changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates expose the Company to market risk. The Company uses cash flow hedges as part of its overall strategy to manage its exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. As a matter of policy, the Company only enters into transactions that it believes will be highly effective at offsetting the underlying risk, and it does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. The Company estimates the fair value of its derivatives using Level 2 inputs.
13
Interest Rate Risk
A portion of debt used to finance the Company’s operations is exposed to interest rate fluctuations. The Company uses various hedging strategies and derivative financial instruments to create a desired mix of fixed and floating rate assets and liabilities. Derivative instruments currently used in these hedging strategies include interest rate swaps. The derivatives used to manage the risk associated with the Company’s floating rate debt are derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. See Note 10 - Long-Term Debt and Borrowing Arrangements for the impact of such cash flow hedges.
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company has foreign currency rate exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide, particularly with respect to the Canadian Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Euro, British Pound, Brazilian Real and Argentine Peso. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts at various times to manage and reduce the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, forecasted royalties and forecasted earnings and cash flows of foreign subsidiaries and other transactions. Gains from freestanding foreign currency exchange contracts were not material and $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Such gains are included in operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company accounts for Argentina as a highly inflationary economy. Foreign currency exchange losses related to Argentina were not material and $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Such losses are included in operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Credit Risk and Exposure
The Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to various agreements and sales transactions. The Company manages such risk by evaluating the financial position and creditworthiness of such counterparties and often by requiring collateral in instances in which financing is provided. The Company mitigates counterparty credit risk associated with its derivative contracts by monitoring the amounts at risk with each counterparty to such contracts, periodically evaluating counterparty creditworthiness and financial position, and where possible, dispersing its risk among multiple counterparties.
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Litigation
The Company is involved, at times, in claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries arising in the ordinary course of its business, including but not limited to: breach of contract, fraud and bad faith claims with franchisees in connection with franchise agreements and with owners in connection with management contracts, as well as negligence, breach of contract, fraud, employment, consumer protection and other statutory claims asserted in connection with alleged acts or occurrences at owned, franchised or managed properties or in relation to guest reservations and bookings. The Company may also at times be involved in claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries relating to bankruptcy proceedings involving efforts to collect receivables from a debtor in bankruptcy, employment matters, claims of infringement upon third parties’ intellectual property rights, claims relating to information security, privacy and consumer protection, fiduciary duty/trust claims, tax claims, environmental claims and landlord/tenant disputes. Along with many of its competitors, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in litigation matters filed in state and federal courts, alleging statutory and common law claims related to purported incidents of sex trafficking at certain franchised and managed hotel facilities. These matters are in the pleading or discovery stages at this time. As of March 31, 2022, the Company is aware of approximately 30 pending matters filed naming the Company and/or subsidiaries. Based upon the status of these matters, the Company has not made a determination as to the likelihood of loss of any one of these matters and is unable to estimate a range of losses at this time.
The Company records an accrual for legal contingencies when it determines, after consultation with outside counsel, that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In making such determinations, the Company evaluates, among other things, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome, and when it is probable that a liability has been incurred, its ability to make a reasonable estimate of loss. The Company reviews these accruals each reporting period and makes revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, including changes to its strategy in dealing with these matters.
The Company believes that it has adequately accrued for such matters with reserves of $6 million as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The Company also had receivables of $4 million and $3 million as of March 31, 2022 and
14
December 31, 2021, respectively, for certain matters which are covered by insurance and were included in other current assets on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and, although the Company believes that its accruals are adequate and/or that it has valid defenses in these matters, unfavorable results could occur. As such, an adverse outcome from such proceedings for which claims are awarded in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, could be material to the Company with respect to earnings and/or cash flows in any given reporting period. As of March 31, 2022, the potential exposure resulting from adverse outcomes of such legal proceedings could, in the aggregate, range up to approximately $4 million in excess of recorded accruals. However, the Company does not believe that the impact of such litigation will result in a material liability to the Company in relation to its combined financial position or liquidity.
Guarantees
Separation-related guarantees
The Company assumed one-third of certain contingent and other corporate liabilities of former Parent incurred prior to the spin-off, including liabilities of former Parent related to, arising out of or resulting from certain terminated or divested businesses, certain general corporate matters of former Parent and any actions with respect to the separation plan or the distribution made or brought by any third party.
Former Parent’s Sale of its European Vacation Rentals Business
In connection with the sale of the European Vacation Rentals business, the Company was entitled to one-third of the excess of net proceeds from the sale above a pre-set amount. During 2019, the Buyer notified former Parent of certain proposed post-closing adjustments of approximately $44 million which could serve to reduce the net consideration received from the sale of the European Vacation Rentals business. On December 13, 2021, former Parent entered into a settlement agreement, contingent upon regulatory approval, to settle the post-closing adjustment claims for $7 million which will be split one-third and two-thirds between the Company and former Parent, respectively. The Company had a $2 million reserve for such settlement as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
15
13. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company has a stock-based compensation plan available to grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock-settled appreciation rights (“SSARs”), RSUs, performance-vesting restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and/or other stock-based awards to key employees and non-employee directors. Under the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. 2018 Equity and Incentive Plan (“Stock Plan”), which became effective on May 14, 2018, a maximum of 10.0 million shares of common stock may be awarded. As of March 31, 2022, 5.1 million shares remained available.
During March 2022, the Company granted incentive equity awards totaling $27 million to key employees and senior officers in the form of RSUs. The RSUs generally vest ratable over a period of four years based on continuous service. Additionally, the Company approved incentive equity awards to key employees and senior officers in the form of PSUs with a maximum grant value of $12 million. The PSUs generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date based on continuous service with the number of shares earned (0% to 200% of the target award) depending on the extent of the Company achieving certain performance metrics.
Incentive Equity Awards Granted by the Company
The activity related to the Company’s incentive equity awards for the three months ended March 31, 2022 consisted of the following:
RSUs | PSUs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of RSUs | Weighted Average Grant Price | Number of PSUs | Weighted Average Grant Price | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | 1.2 | $ | 60.37 | 0.3 | $ | 57.51 | |||||||||||||||||
Granted (a) | 0.3 | 82.74 | 0.1 | (b) | 82.74 | ||||||||||||||||||
Vested | (0.3) | 52.99 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Canceled | — | — | (0.1) | 52.71 | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | 1.2 | (c) | $ | 67.05 | 0.3 | (d) | $ | 73.04 |
______________________
(a)Represents awards granted by the Company primarily in March 2022.
(b)Represents awards granted by the Company at the maximum achievement level of 200% of target payout. Actual shares that may be issued can range from 0% to 200% of target.
(c)RSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2022 have an aggregate unrecognized compensation expense of $70 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.0 years.
(d)PSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2022 have an aggregate maximum potential unrecognized compensation expense of $21 million, which may be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years based on attainment of targets.
There were no stock options granted in 2022. The activity related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2022 consisted of the following:
Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 | 1.1 | $ | 56.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Granted | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercised | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Canceled | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2022 | 1.1 | $ | 55.93 | 4.4 | $ | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
Unvested as of March 31, 2022 | 0.5 | (a) | $ | 56.13 | 4.3 | $ | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Exercisable as of March 31, 2022 | 0.6 | $ | 55.79 | 4.4 | $ | 18 |
______________________
(a)Unvested options as of March 31, 2022 are expected to vest over time and have an aggregate unrecognized compensation expense of $4 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.
16
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense was $8 million and $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
14. SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The reportable segments presented below represent the Company’s operating segments for which separate financial information is available and is utilized on a regular basis by its chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources. In identifying its reportable segments, the Company also considers the nature of services provided by its operating segments. Management evaluates the operating results of each of its reportable segments based upon net revenues and “adjusted EBITDA”, which is defined as net income/(loss) excluding net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, early extinguishment of debt charges, impairment charges, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition- or separation-related), gain/(loss) on asset sale, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and development advance notes amortization. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of performance for its segments which, when considered with U.S. GAAP measures, allows a more complete understanding of its operating performance. The Company uses this measure internally to assess operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. The Company’s presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | Net Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hotel Franchising | $ | 272 | $ | 155 | $ | 209 | $ | 105 | |||||||||||||||
Hotel Management | 99 | 20 | 94 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Reportable Segments | 371 | 175 | 303 | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and Other | — | (16) | — | (13) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Company | $ | 371 | $ | 159 | $ | 303 | $ | 97 |
The table below is a reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA.
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 34 | 11 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24 | 24 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net | 20 | 28 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 8 | 5 | |||||||||
Development advance notes amortization | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
Gain on asset sale | (36) | — | |||||||||
Separation-related expenses | — | 2 | |||||||||
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries | — | 1 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 159 | $ | 97 |
15. OTHER EXPENSES AND CHARGES |
Gain on Asset Sale
In March 2022, the Company completed the sale of its Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort for gross proceeds of $121 million ($118 million, net of transaction costs) and recognized a $36 million gain on sale, net of transaction costs, which was attributable to the Company's hotel management business. Such gain was reported within gain on asset sale on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Additionally, the Company entered into a 20 year franchise agreement with the buyer of the property.
17
Separation-Related
Separation-related costs associated with the Company’s spin-off from former Parent were $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
16. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) |
The components of AOCI are as follows:
Net of Tax | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | Cash Flow Hedges | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $ | 2 | $ | (17) | $ | (15) | ||||||||||||||
Period change | — | 31 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | $ | 2 | $ | 14 | $ | 16 | ||||||||||||||
Net of Tax | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | (54) | $ | (52) | ||||||||||||||
Period change | — | 14 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2021 | $ | 2 | $ | (40) | $ | (38) | ||||||||||||||
17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT |
In April 2022, the Company amended its $750 million revolving credit facility, extending the maturity from May 2023 to April 2027 on similar terms as the previous facility, and issued a new $400 million senior secured term loan A facility, which matures in April 2027. The proceeds from the term loan A were used to repay a portion of the Company's existing $1.5 billion term loan facility, which is scheduled to mature in May 2025. There was no increase in rates from the existing $1.5 billion term loan facility to the new term loan A.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding our strategy and the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources, share repurchases and dividends and other non-historical statements. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time we make the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include without limitation general economic conditions; the continuation or worsening of the effects from the coronavirus pandemic, (“COVID-19”); its scope, duration, resurgence and impact on our business operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on our franchisees and property owners, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; the success of our mitigation efforts in response to COVID-19; our continued performance during the recovery from COVID-19, and any resurgence or mutations of the virus; actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including stay-in-place directives (including for instance, quarantine and isolation guidelines and mandates), safety mitigation guidance, as well as the timing, availability and adoption rate of vaccinations, booster shots and other treatments for COVID-19; concerns with or threats of other pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, including the effects of COVID-19; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the
18
economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses; our relationships with franchisees and property owners; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife; risks related to restructuring or strategic initiatives; the Company’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to our ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and the Company’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
We may use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on our website in the “Investors” section, which can currently be accessed at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of our website in addition to following our press releases, filings submitted with the SEC and any public conference calls or webcasts.
References herein to “Wyndham Hotels,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
BUSINESS AND OVERVIEW |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is a leading global hotel franchisor, licensing its renowned hotel brands to hotel owners in over 95 countries around the world.
We operate in the following segments:
• Hotel Franchising — licenses our lodging brands and provides related services to third-party hotel owners and others.
• Hotel Management — provides hotel management services for full-service hotels.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Discussed below are our key operating statistics, consolidated results of operations and the results of operations for each of our reportable segments. The reportable segments presented below represent our operating segments for which discrete financial information is available and used on a regular basis by our chief operating decision maker to assess performance and to allocate resources. In identifying our reportable segments, we also consider the nature of services provided by our operating segments. Management evaluates the operating results of each of our reportable segments based upon net revenues and adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) excluding net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, early extinguishment of debt charges, impairment charges, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition- or separation-related), gain/(loss) on asset sale, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and development advance notes amortization. We believe that adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of performance for our segments and, when considered with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) measures, gives a more complete understanding of our operating performance. We use this measure internally to assess operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures of financial performance or liquidity derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
We generate royalties and franchise fees, management fees and other revenues from hotel franchising and hotel management activities, as well as fees from licensing our “Wyndham” trademark, certain other trademarks and intellectual property. In addition, pursuant to our franchise and management contracts with third-party hotel owners, we generate marketing, reservation and loyalty fee revenues and cost reimbursement revenues that over time are offset, respectively, by the marketing, reservation and loyalty costs and property operating costs that we incur.
19
OPERATING STATISTICS |
The table below presents our operating statistics for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. “Rooms” represent the number of hotel rooms at the end of the period which are either under franchise and/or management agreements, or are Company-owned, and properties under affiliation agreements for which we receive a fee for reservation and/or other services provided. “RevPAR” represents revenue per available room and is calculated by multiplying average occupancy rate by average daily rate. “Average royalty rate” represents the average royalty rate earned on our franchised properties and is calculated by dividing total royalties, excluding the impact of amortization of development advance notes, by total room revenues. These operating statistics are drivers of our revenues and therefore provide an enhanced understanding of our business. Refer to the section below for a discussion as to how these operating statistics affected our business for the periods presented.
As of March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
Rooms | |||||||||||||||||
United States | 491,900 | 486,000 | 1% | ||||||||||||||
International | 321,400 | 311,200 | 3% | ||||||||||||||
Total rooms | 813,300 | 797,200 | 2% | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | |||||||||||||||
RevPAR | |||||||||||||||||
United States | $ | 42.11 | $ | 30.62 | 38% | ||||||||||||
International (a) | 21.95 | 15.83 | 39% | ||||||||||||||
Global RevPAR (a) | 34.06 | 24.90 | 37% | ||||||||||||||
Average Royalty Rate | |||||||||||||||||
United States | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % | — | ||||||||||||
International | 2.3 | % | 2.0 | % | 30 bps | ||||||||||||
Global average royalty rate | 4.0 | % | 4.0 | % | — | ||||||||||||
______________________
(a)Excluding currency effects, international RevPAR increased 46% and global RevPAR increased 39%.
As of March 31, 2022, rooms grew 2% compared to the prior year, reflecting 120 basis points of growth in the U.S. and 330 basis points of growth internationally. These increases included strong growth in both the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S. and the direct franchising business in China, which grew 6% and 12%, respectively.
Excluding currency effects, global RevPAR for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 39% compared to the prior year period, including 38% growth in the U.S. and 46% internationally. The increase was driven by approximately two-thirds of stronger pricing power and one-third from higher occupancy levels.
20
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 |
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee-related and other revenues | $ | 316 | $ | 232 | $ | 84 | 36 | % | |||||||||||||||
Cost reimbursement revenues | 55 | 71 | (16) | (23 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues | 371 | 303 | 68 | 22 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing, reservation and loyalty expense | 104 | 92 | 12 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost reimbursement expense | 55 | 71 | (16) | (23 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||
Gain on asset sale | (36) | — | (36) | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 88 | 77 | 11 | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses | 211 | 240 | (29) | (12 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 160 | 63 | 97 | 154 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 20 | 28 | (8) | (29 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 140 | 35 | 105 | 300 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 34 | 11 | 23 | 209 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | $ | 82 | 342 | % |
Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased $68 million, or 22%, compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by:
•$32 million of higher royalty and franchise fees primarily due to higher RevPAR;
•$26 million of higher marketing, reservation and loyalty fees, primarily reflecting the RevPAR increase; and
•$16 million of higher management and other fees primarily reflecting the RevPAR increase and strong operating performance at our owned hotels; partially offset by
•$16 million of lower cost-reimbursement revenues in our hotel management business as a result of CorePoint Lodging asset sales and the completion of the exit from our select-service hotel management business.
Total expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased $29 million, or 12%, compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by:
• a $36 million gain related to the sale of our owned hotel Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort in March 2022; and
•$16 million of lower cost-reimbursement expenses consistent with the revenue decline discussed above; partially offset by
•$12 million of higher marketing, reservation and loyalty expenses primarily as a result of the higher marketing revenues; and
•$8 million of higher operating expenses, primarily associated with higher volume-related expenses at our owned hotels.
Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased $8 million, or 29%, compared to the prior-year period as a result of the redemption of our $500 million senior notes in April 2021.
Our effective tax rates were 24.3% and 31.4% during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During 2022, the lower effective tax rate was primarily related to a higher tax benefit associated with stock based compensation. During 2021, the higher effective tax rate was primarily related to the remeasurement of net deferred tax liabilities as a result of changes in certain state tax rates and non-deductible separation costs.
As a result of these items, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022, increased $82 million compared to the prior-year period.
21
The table below is a reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA.
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 106 | $ | 24 | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 34 | 11 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24 | 24 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net | 20 | 28 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 8 | 5 | |||||||||
Development advance notes amortization | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
Gain on asset sale | (36) | — | |||||||||
Separation-related expenses | — | 2 | |||||||||
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries | — | 1 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 159 | $ | 97 |
Following is a discussion of the results of each of our segments and Corporate and Other for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021:
Net Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | % Change | 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hotel Franchising | $ | 272 | $ | 209 | 30% | $ | 155 | $ | 105 | 48% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hotel Management | 99 | 94 | 5% | 20 | 5 | 300 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and Other | — | — | n/a | (16) | (13) | (23 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Company | $ | 371 | $ | 303 | 22% | $ | 159 | $ | 97 | 64% |
Hotel Franchising
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
Total rooms | 793,200 | 748,700 | 6% | ||||||||||||||
Global RevPAR (a) | $ | 33.08 | $ | 24.02 | 38% |
______________________
(a) Excluding currency effects, global RevPAR increased 40%.
Rooms increased 6% from the prior year period primarily due to U.S openings and the conversion of managed properties to franchise due to the completion of the exit from our select-service hotel management business.
Excluding currency effects, global RevPAR increased 40% from the prior year period due to a 38% increase in the U.S. and a 45% increase internationally.
Net revenues increased $63 million, or 30%, compared to the first quarter of 2021, primarily driven by higher RevPAR which resulted in:
•$28 million of higher royalty and franchise fees; and
•$26 million of higher marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $50 million, or 48%, compared to the first quarter of 2021, primarily driven by the revenue increases discussed above, partially offset by $13 million of higher expenses primarily due to higher marketing, reservation and loyalty expense.
Hotel Management
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
Total rooms | 20,100 | 48,500 | (59%) | ||||||||||||||
Global RevPAR (a) | $ | 56.55 | $ | 38.17 | 48% |
______________________
(a) Excluding currency effects, global RevPAR increased 49%.
22
Rooms declined 59% from the prior year period, driven by CorePoint Lodging asset sales and the conversion of managed properties to franchise due to the completion of the exit from our limited-service hotel management business.
Global RevPAR increased 48% from the prior year period primarily due to a 63% increase in U.S. RevPAR and 48% in international RevPAR.
Net revenues increased $5 million, or 5%, compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by:
•$17 million of higher owned hotel revenues due to improved operating performance; and
•$4 million of higher termination fees primarily due to CPLG asset sales; partially offset by
•$16 million of lower cost-reimbursement revenues as discussed above, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $15 million, compared to the prior-year period primarily driven by the revenue increases discussed above (excluding cost reimbursements), partially offset by $7 million of higher volume-related expenses related to our owned hotels.
Corporate and Other
Adjusted EBITDA was unfavorable by $3 million compared to the prior-year period, primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses.
DEVELOPMENT |
We awarded 165 new contracts this quarter, including 50 new construction projects for our new extended-stay brand, compared to 112 in the first quarter 2021. On March 31, 2022, our global development pipeline consisted of approximately 1,600 hotels and approximately 204,000 rooms. Our pipeline grew 9% year-over-year, including 12% domestically and 7% internationally. Approximately 63% of our development pipeline is international and 79% is new construction, of which approximately 35% has broken ground. Approximately 80% of our global development pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, including nearly 70% in the U.S.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
Financial Condition
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | Change | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 4,292 | $ | 4,269 | $ | 23 | |||||||||||
Total liabilities | 3,133 | 3,180 | (47) | ||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,159 | 1,089 | 70 |
Total assets increased $23 million from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 primarily due to an increase in cash as a result of $202 million in net proceeds from asset sales, partially offset by an $87 million reduction in assets held for sale due to the completed sale of our owned hotel Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort and an $84 million reduction in intangible assets related to CorePoint. Total liabilities decreased $47 million from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 primarily due to a reduction in deferred income taxes and in the value of our interest rate swap. Total equity increased $70 million from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 primarily due to our net income for the period, partially offset by $38 million of stock repurchases and $30 million of dividends.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our business generates sufficient cash flow to not only support our current operations as well as our future growth needs and dividend payments to our stockholders, but also to create additional value for our stockholders in the form of share repurchases or business investment.
As of March 31, 2022, our liquidity approximated $1.2 billion. Given the minimal capital needs of our business, the flexible cost infrastructure and the mitigation measures taken, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, cash generated through operations and our expected access to financing facilities, together with funding through our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, anticipated capital expenditures and growth needs. As of March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of our credit agreement and expect to remain in such
23
compliance with no additional waivers or amendments required. As of March 31, 2022, we had a term loan with an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion maturing in 2025 and a five-year revolving credit facility maturing in 2023 with a maximum aggregate principal amount of $750 million, of which none was outstanding and $9 million was allocated to outstanding letters of credit. The interest rate per annum applicable to our term loan is equal to, at our option, either a base rate plus a margin of 0.75% or LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75%.
Our revolving credit facility is subject to an interest rate per annum equal to, at our option, either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% or LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, in either case based upon the total leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries.
In April 2022, we amended our $750 million revolving credit facility, extending the maturity from May 2023 to April 2027 on similar terms as the previous facility, and issued a new $400 million senior secured term loan A facility, which matures in April 2027. The proceeds from the term loan A were used to repay a portion of our existing $1.5 billion term loan facility, which is scheduled to mature in May 2025. There was no increase in rates from the existing $1.5 billion term loan facility to the new term loan A.
As of March 31, 2022, $1.1 billion of our term loan is hedged with pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps hedging our term loan interest rate exposure. The aggregate fair value of these interest rate swaps was an $18 million asset as of March 31, 2022.
The Federal Reserve has established the Alternative Reference Rates Committee to identify alternative reference rates for when the U.S. dollar LIBOR ceases to exist after June 2023. Our credit facility, which includes our revolving credit facility and term loan, gives us the option to use LIBOR as a base rate and our interest rate swaps are based on the one-month U.S. dollar LIBOR rate. In the event that LIBOR is no longer published, the credit facility allows us and the administrative agent of the facility to replace LIBOR with an alternative benchmark rate, subject to the right of the majority of the lenders to object thereto. In April 2022 we amended and extended the revolving credit portion of the credit facility and the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”) will be utilized as the new benchmark rate. In addition, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association issued protocols to allow swap parties to amend their existing contracts, though the Company’s existing swaps will continue to reference LIBOR for the foreseeable future.
As of March 31, 2022, our credit rating was Ba1 from Moody’s Investors Service and BB+ from Standard and Poor’s Rating Agency. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal by the assigning rating organization. Reference in this report to any such credit rating is intended for the limited purpose of discussing or referring to aspects of our liquidity and of our costs of funds. Any reference to a credit rating is not intended to be any guarantee or assurance of, nor should there be any undue reliance upon, any credit rating or change in credit rating, nor is any such reference intended as any inference concerning future performance, future liquidity or any future credit rating.
Our liquidity and access to capital may be impacted by our credit ratings, financial performance and global credit market conditions. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, cash generated through operations and our expected access to financing facilities, together with funding through our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, anticipated capital expenditures and growth needs.
CASH FLOW |
The following table summarizes the changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | |||||||||||||||
Cash provided by/(used in) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 135 | $ | 64 | $ | 71 | |||||||||||
Investing activities | 192 | (5) | 197 | ||||||||||||||
Financing activities | (82) | (21) | (61) | ||||||||||||||
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 245 | $ | 38 | $ | 207 |
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $71 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to higher net income in 2022 as well as favorable collections experience and working capital management.
24
Net cash provided by investing activities increased $197 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to the proceeds from the sale of the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort and the termination fee received from CPLG in connection with the exit of our select-service management business in the first quarter of 2022.
Net cash used in financing activities increased $61 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to $39 million of stock repurchases and an increase of $15 million in dividends.
Capital Deployment
Our first priority is to invest in the business. This includes deploying capital to attract high quality assets into our system, investing in select technology improvements across our business that further our strategic objectives and competitive position, brand refresh programs to improve quality and protect brand equity, business acquisitions that are accretive and strategically enhancing to our business, and/or other strategic initiatives. We also expect to maintain a regular dividend payment. Excess cash generated beyond these needs would be available for enhanced stockholder return in the form of stock repurchases.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we spent $10 million on capital expenditures, primarily related to information technology. During 2022, we anticipate spending approximately $40 million on capital expenditures.
In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, we spent $7 million on development advance notes. During 2022, we anticipate spending approximately $55 million on development advance notes. We may also provide other forms of financial support such as enhanced credit support to further assist in the growth of our business.
We expect all our cash needs to be funded from cash on hand and cash generated through operations, and/or availability under our revolving credit facility.
Stock Repurchase Program
In May 2018, our Board approved a share repurchase plan pursuant to which we were authorized to purchase up to $300 million of our common stock. In August 2019, the Board increased the capacity of the program by $300 million and in February 2022, increased an additional $400 million. Under the plan, we may, from time to time, purchase our common stock through various means, including, without limitation, open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or tender offers, subject to the terms of the tax matters agreement entered into in connection with our spin-off.
Due to our confidence in our ability to generate significant cash flow, the resiliency of our business model and the ongoing recovery of travel demand, we resumed our share repurchase program in August of 2021. Under our current stock repurchase program, we repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares at an average price of $83.72 for a cost of $38 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, we had $443 million of remaining availability under our program.
Dividend Policy
We declared cash dividends of $0.32 per share in the first quarter of 2022 ($30 million in aggregate), which is consistent with our pre-pandemic quarterly dividend per share.
The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock is at the discretion of our Board and depends upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business, covenants associated with certain debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that our Board deems relevant.
LONG-TERM DEBT COVENANTS |
Our credit facilities contain customary covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on indebtedness; liens; mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; dispositions, restricted debt payments, restricted payments and transactions with affiliates. Events of default in these credit facilities include, among others, failure to pay interest, principal and fees when due; breach of a covenant or warranty; acceleration of or failure to pay other debt in excess of a threshold amount; unpaid judgments in excess of a threshold amount, insolvency matters; and a change of control. The credit facilities require us to comply with a financial covenant to be tested quarterly, consisting of a maximum first-lien leverage ratio of 5.0 times. The ratio is calculated by dividing consolidated first lien indebtedness (as defined in the credit agreement) net of consolidated unrestricted cash as of the measurement date by consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement), as measured on a trailing four-fiscal-quarter basis preceding the measurement date. As of March 31, 2022, our annualized first-lien leverage ratio was 1.8 times which was unusually low due to the higher than normal cash balance as a result of the proceeds from the sale of
25
the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort and the termination fee received from CPLG in connection with the exit of our select-service management business in the first quarter of 2022.
The indenture, as supplemented, under which the senior notes due 2028 were issued, contains covenants that limit, among other things, our ability and that of certain of our subsidiaries to (i) create liens on certain assets; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and (iii) merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.
As of March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the financial covenants described above.
SEASONALITY |
While the hotel industry is seasonal in nature, periods of higher revenues vary property-by-property and performance is dependent on location and guest base. Based on historical performance, revenues from franchise and management contracts are generally higher in the second and third quarters than in the first or fourth quarters due to increased leisure travel during the spring and summer months. Our cash from operating activities may not necessarily follow the same seasonality as our revenues and may vary due to timing of working capital requirements and other investment activities. The seasonality of our business may cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, earnings, profit margins and cash flows. As we expand into new markets and geographical locations, we may experience increased or different seasonality dynamics that create fluctuations in operating results different from the fluctuations we have experienced in the past.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
We are involved in claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries related to our business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and, although we believe that our accruals are adequate and/or that we have valid defenses in these matters, unfavorable results could occur. As such, an adverse outcome from such proceedings for which claims are awarded in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, could be material to us with respect to earnings and/or cash flows in any given reporting period. As of March 31, 2022, the potential exposure resulting from adverse outcomes of such legal proceedings could, in the aggregate, range up to approximately $4 million in excess of recorded accruals. However, we do not believe that the impact of such litigation should result in a material liability to us in relation to our financial position or liquidity. For a more detailed description of our commitments and contingencies see Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
In presenting our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. However, events that are outside of our control cannot be predicted and, as such, they cannot be contemplated in evaluating such estimates and assumptions. If there is a significant unfavorable change to current conditions, it could result in a material impact to our consolidated results of operations, financial position and liquidity. We believe that the estimates and assumptions we used when preparing our financial statements were the most appropriate at that time. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our 2021 Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC, which includes a description of our critical accounting policies that involve subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We use various financial instruments, including interest swap contracts, to reduce the interest rate risk related to our debt. We also use foreign currency forwards to manage and reduce the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, forecasted royalties, forecasted earnings and cash flows of foreign subsidiaries and other transactions.
We are exclusively an end user of these instruments, which are commonly referred to as derivatives. We do not engage in trading, market making or other speculative activities in the derivatives markets. More detailed information about these financial instruments is provided in Note 11 - Fair Value to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our principal market exposures are interest rate and currency exchange rate risks.
We assess our exposures to changes in interest rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis measures the potential impact in earnings, fair values and cash flows based on a hypothetical 10% change (increase and decrease) in interest
26
rates. Our variable-rate borrowings, which include our term loan, a portion of which has been swapped to a fixed interest rate, and any borrowings we make under our revolving credit facility, expose us to risks caused by fluctuations in the applicable interest rates. The total outstanding balance of such variable-rate borrowings, net of swaps, was $444 million as of March 31, 2022. A hypothetical 10% change in our effective weighted average interest rate on our variable-rate borrowings would result in an immaterial increase or decrease to our annual long-term debt interest expense, and a one-point change in the underlying interest rates would result in approximately a $4 million increase or decrease in our annual interest expense.
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.
We have foreign currency rate exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide, particularly with respect to the Canadian Dollar, the Chinese Yuan, the Euro, the British Pound, the Brazilian Real and the Argentine Peso. We anticipate that such foreign currency exchange rate risk will remain a market risk exposure for the foreseeable future.
We use a current market pricing model to assess the changes in the value of our foreign currency derivatives used by us to hedge underlying exposure that primarily consists of our non-functional-currency current assets and liabilities. The primary assumption used in these models is a hypothetical 10% weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against all our currency exposures as of March 31, 2022. The gains and losses on the hedging instruments are largely offset by the gains and losses on the underlying assets, liabilities or expected cash flows. As of March 31, 2022, the absolute notional amount of our outstanding foreign exchange hedging instruments was $94 million. We have determined through such analyses that a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would have resulted in approximately a $3 million increase or decrease to the fair value of our outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts, which would generally be offset by an opposite effect on the underlying exposure being economically hedged.
Argentina is considered to be a highly inflationary economy. As of March 31, 2022, we had total net assets of $4 million in Argentina.
Our total market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors including the volatility present within the markets and the liquidity of the markets. There are certain limitations inherent in the sensitivity analyses presented. While probably the most meaningful analysis, these “shock tests” are constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and the inability to include the complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a)Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13(a)-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and operating to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As of March 31, 2022, we utilized the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
27
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We are involved in various claims, legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which, in the opinion of management, is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. See Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The discussion of our business and operations should be read together with the risk factors contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (“Annual Report”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
In May 2018, our Board of Directors (“Board”) authorized a stock repurchase program that enables us to repurchase up to $300 million of our common stock. In August 2019, our Board increased the capacity of the program by $300 million and in February 2022, increased an additional $400 million. Below is a summary of our common stock repurchases, excluding fees and expenses, by month for the quarter ended March 31, 2022:
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under Plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January | 5,853 | $ | 79.33 | 5,853 | $ | 80,530,924 | ||||||||||||||||||||
February | 78,672 | 85.80 | 78,672 | 473,781,172 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
March | 370,568 | 83.33 | 370,568 | 442,901,148 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 455,093 | $ | 83.71 | 455,093 | $ | 442,901,148 |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
The exhibit index appears on the page immediately following the signature page of this report.
28
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.
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. | ||||||||
Date: April 27, 2022 | By: | /s/ Michele Allen | ||||||
Michele Allen | ||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
Date: April 27, 2022 | By: | /s/ Nicola Rossi | ||||||
Nicola Rossi | ||||||||
Chief Accounting Officer |
29
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description | ||||
3.1 | |||||
3.2 | |||||
10.1 | |||||
15.1* | |||||
31.1* | |||||
31.2* | |||||
32** | |||||
101.INS* | 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* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
______________________
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished with this report.
30