Realogy 10-Q 9.30.2014
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________________
FORM 10-Q
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
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 No. 001-35674
REALOGY HOLDINGS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
20-8050955
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Commission File No. 333-148153
REALOGY GROUP LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
20-4381990
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
175 Park Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(973) 407-2000
(Registrants' telephone number, including area code)
___________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have 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) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Realogy Holdings Corp. Yes þ No ¨ Realogy Group LLC Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants have submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 Registrants were required to submit and post such files).
Realogy Holdings Corp. Yes þ No ¨ Realogy Group LLC Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers, or smaller reporting companies. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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| | | | | | | |
| Large accelerated filer | | Accelerated filer | | Non-accelerated filer | | Smaller reporting company |
| | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | |
Realogy Holdings Corp. | þ | | ¨ | | ¨ | | ¨ |
Realogy Group LLC | ¨ | | ¨ | | þ | | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Realogy Holdings Corp. Yes ¨ No þ Realogy Group LLC Yes ¨ No þ
There were 146,235,416 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of Realogy Holdings Corp. outstanding as of October 31, 2014.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
Item 1. | | |
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Item 2. | | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
PART II | | |
Item 1. | | |
Item 6. | | |
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "we," "us," "our," "our company," "Realogy," "Realogy Holdings" and the "Company" refer to Realogy Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Realogy Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Realogy Intermediate"), and Realogy Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Realogy Group"). Neither Realogy Holdings, the indirect parent of Realogy Group, nor Realogy Intermediate, the direct parent company of Realogy Group, conducts any operations other than with respect to its respective direct or indirect ownership of Realogy Group. As a result, the consolidated financial positions, results of operations and cash flows of Realogy Holdings, Realogy Intermediate and Realogy Group are the same.
Realogy Holdings is not a party to the senior secured credit facility and certain references in this report to our consolidated indebtedness exclude Realogy Holdings with respect to indebtedness under the senior secured credit facility. In addition, while Realogy Holdings is a guarantor of Realogy Group's obligations under its secured and unsecured notes, Realogy Holdings is not subject to the restrictive covenants in the indentures governing such indebtedness.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking statements included in this report and our other public filings or other public statements that we make from time to time are based on various facts and derived utilizing numerous important assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives, as well as projections of macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "plans," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. You should understand that the following important factors could affect our future results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
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• | risks related to general business, economic, employment and political conditions and the U.S. residential real estate markets, either regionally or nationally, including but not limited to: |
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◦ | a lack of improvement or a decline in the number of homesales, stagnant or declining home prices and/or a deterioration in other economic factors that particularly impact the residential real estate market and the business segments in which we operate; |
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◦ | a decrease in consumer confidence; |
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◦ | the impact of recessions, slow economic growth, disruptions in the U.S. government or banking system and high levels of unemployment in the U.S. and abroad; |
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◦ | increasing mortgage rates and down payment requirements and/or constraints on the availability of mortgage financing including but not limited to the various provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank Act"); |
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◦ | legislative, tax or regulatory changes that would adversely impact the residential real estate market, including potential reforms of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and potential tax code reform, which could reduce or eliminate the amount that taxpayers would be allowed to deduct for home mortgage interest; |
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◦ | high levels of foreclosure activity; |
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◦ | insufficient or excessive home inventory levels by market; |
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◦ | changing attitudes towards home ownership, particularly among potential first-time homebuyers who may delay, or decide not to, purchase a home; and |
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◦ | the inability or unwillingness of current homeowners to purchase their next home due to various factors, including limited or negative equity in their current home, difficult mortgage underwriting standards, attractive rates on existing mortgages and the lack of available inventory; |
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• | our geographic and high-end market concentration, particularly with respect to our company owned brokerage operations; |
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• | our inability to enter into franchise agreements with new franchisees or to realize royalty revenue growth from them; |
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• | our inability to renew existing franchise agreements or maintain franchisee satisfaction with our brands; |
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• | the lack of revenue growth or declining profitability of our franchisees. Additionally, debt incurred by our franchisees during the downturn may hinder their long-term growth and ability to repay indebtedness; |
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• | disputes or issues with entities that license us their tradenames for use in our business that could impede our franchising of those brands; |
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• | actions by our franchisees that could harm our business or reputation, non-performance of our franchisees, controversies with our franchisees or actions against us by third parties with which our franchisees have business relationships; |
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• | competition in our existing and future lines of business whether through traditional competitors or competitors with alternative business models, competition for our independent sales associates and the general impact of emerging technologies on our business; |
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• | our failure to comply with laws, regulations and regulatory interpretations and any changes in laws, regulations and regulatory interpretations, including but not limited to state or federal employment laws or regulations that would |
require classification of independent contractor sales associates to employee status for prior and future periods, the application of wage and hour regulations and the provision of employee benefits mandated by law;
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• | any adverse resolution of litigation, governmental or regulatory proceedings or arbitration awards; |
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• | the failure or significant disruption of our operations from various causes related to our critical information technologies and systems including cybersecurity threats to our data and customer/franchisee data; |
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• | adverse effects of natural disasters or environmental catastrophes that affect local housing markets in which we operate; |
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• | risks related to our international operations; |
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• | risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and interest obligations and restrictions contained in our debt agreements, including risks relating to having to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flows from operations to service our debt, risks relating to our ability to refinance our indebtedness and to incur additional debt, interest rate risk and risks relating to an event of default under our outstanding indebtedness; |
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• | changes in corporate relocation practices resulting in fewer employee relocations or reduced relocation benefits; |
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• | an increase in the claims rate of our title underwriter and an increase in mortgage rates could adversely impact the revenue stream of our title and settlement services segment; |
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• | our inability to securitize certain assets of our relocation business, which would require us to find an alternative source of liquidity that may not be available, or if available, may not be on favorable terms; |
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• | our inability to realize the benefits from acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of ZipRealty, Inc., due to the loss of key personnel of the acquired companies as well as the possibility that expected benefits and synergies of the transaction may not be achieved in a timely manner or at all; |
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• | risks that could materially adversely impact our equity investment in PHH Home Loans LLC, our joint venture with PHH Corporation ("PHH"), including increases in mortgage interest rates, the impact of regulatory changes, litigation, investigations and inquiries, or a change in control of PHH; |
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• | any remaining resolutions or outcomes with respect to Cendant Corporation's contingent liabilities under the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement (each as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013), including any adverse impact on our future cash flows; and |
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• | new types of taxes or increases in state, local or federal taxes that could diminish profitability or liquidity. |
Other factors not identified above, including those described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 Form 10-K"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), may also cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond our control. You should consider these factors in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by us and our businesses generally.
Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information under the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events unless we are required to do so by law. For any forward-looking statement contained in our public filings or other public statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Realogy Holdings Corp.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Realogy Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information 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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 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.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 27, 2014, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2013, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Florham Park, New Jersey
November 5, 2014
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Realogy Group LLC:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Realogy Group LLC and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information 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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 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.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 27, 2014, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2013, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Florham Park, New Jersey
November 5, 2014
REALOGY HOLDINGS CORP. AND REALOGY GROUP LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Revenues | | | | | | | |
Gross commission income | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 1,168 |
| | $ | 3,070 |
| | $ | 3,013 |
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Service revenue | 231 |
| | 255 |
| | 607 |
| | 671 |
|
Franchise fees | 96 |
| | 94 |
| | 251 |
| | 242 |
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Other | 42 |
| | 36 |
| | 122 |
| | 117 |
|
Net revenues | 1,531 |
| | 1,553 |
| | 4,050 |
| | 4,043 |
|
Expenses | | | | | | | |
Commission and other agent-related costs | 795 |
| | 796 |
| | 2,099 |
| | 2,050 |
|
Operating | 340 |
| | 363 |
| | 1,016 |
| | 1,043 |
|
Marketing | 52 |
| | 50 |
| | 155 |
| | 149 |
|
General and administrative | 79 |
| | 88 |
| | 214 |
| | 248 |
|
Former parent legacy costs (benefit), net | (2 | ) | | 1 |
| | (1 | ) | | — |
|
Restructuring costs, net | (1 | ) | | — |
| | (1 | ) | | 4 |
|
Depreciation and amortization | 48 |
| | 44 |
| | 140 |
| | 130 |
|
Interest expense, net | 54 |
| | 74 |
| | 197 |
| | 230 |
|
Loss on the early extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 22 |
| | 27 |
| | 68 |
|
Other (income)/expense, net | (1 | ) | | — |
| | (2 | ) | | — |
|
Total expenses | 1,364 |
| | 1,438 |
| | 3,844 |
| | 3,922 |
|
Income before income taxes, equity in earnings and noncontrolling interests | 167 |
| | 115 |
| | 206 |
| | 121 |
|
Income tax expense | 71 |
| | 9 |
| | 88 |
| | 25 |
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | (6 | ) | | (4 | ) | | (7 | ) | | (26 | ) |
Net income | 102 |
| | 110 |
| | 125 |
| | 122 |
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (2 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (3 | ) | | (4 | ) |
Net income attributable to Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group | $ | 100 |
| | $ | 109 |
| | $ | 122 |
| | $ | 118 |
|
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per share attributable to Realogy Holdings: | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share: | $ | 0.68 |
| | $ | 0.75 |
| | $ | 0.84 |
| | $ | 0.81 |
|
Diluted earnings per share: | $ | 0.68 |
| | $ | 0.74 |
| | $ | 0.83 |
| | $ | 0.81 |
|
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares of Realogy Holdings outstanding: | | |
Basic: | 146.0 |
| | 145.6 |
| | 145.9 |
| | 145.3 |
|
Diluted: | 147.0 |
| | 146.8 |
| | 147.0 |
| | 146.5 |
|
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
REALOGY HOLDINGS CORP. AND REALOGY GROUP LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, | | September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Net income | $ | 102 |
| | $ | 110 |
| | $ | 125 |
| | $ | 122 |
|
Currency translation adjustment | (3 | ) | | 3 |
| | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Defined benefit pension plan - amortization of actuarial loss to periodic pension cost | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax | (3 | ) | | 4 |
| | (1 | ) | | 1 |
|
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income amounts | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (3 | ) | | 3 |
| | (1 | ) | | — |
|
Comprehensive income | 99 |
| | 113 |
| | 124 |
| | 122 |
|
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (2 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (3 | ) | | (4 | ) |
Comprehensive income attributable to Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group | $ | 97 |
| | $ | 112 |
| | $ | 121 |
| | $ | 118 |
|
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
REALOGY HOLDINGS CORP. AND REALOGY GROUP LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
| |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 268 |
| | $ | 236 |
|
Trade receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $30 and $37) | 174 |
| | 121 |
|
Relocation receivables | 356 |
| | 270 |
|
Deferred income taxes | 222 |
| | 186 |
|
Other current assets | 108 |
| | 104 |
|
Total current assets | 1,128 |
| | 917 |
|
Property and equipment, net | 224 |
| | 205 |
|
Goodwill | 3,463 |
| | 3,335 |
|
Trademarks | 736 |
| | 732 |
|
Franchise agreements, net | 1,512 |
| | 1,562 |
|
Other intangibles, net | 352 |
| | 365 |
|
Other non-current assets | 231 |
| | 210 |
|
Total assets | $ | 7,646 |
| | $ | 7,326 |
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 171 |
| | $ | 123 |
|
Securitization obligations | 281 |
| | 252 |
|
Due to former parent | 60 |
| | 63 |
|
Revolving credit facilities and current portion of long-term debt | 19 |
| | 19 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 411 |
| | 454 |
|
Total current liabilities | 942 |
| | 911 |
|
Long-term debt | 3,927 |
| | 3,886 |
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Deferred income taxes | 405 |
| | 337 |
|
Other non-current liabilities | 207 |
| | 179 |
|
Total liabilities | 5,481 |
| | 5,313 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 9) |
|
| |
|
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Equity: | | | |
Realogy Holdings preferred stock: $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. | — |
| | — |
|
Realogy Holdings common stock: $.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 146,262,322 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and 146,125,337 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013. | 1 |
| | 1 |
|
Additional paid-in capital | 5,665 |
| | 5,635 |
|
Accumulated deficit | (3,485 | ) | | (3,607 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (20 | ) | | (19 | ) |
Total stockholders' equity | 2,161 |
| | 2,010 |
|
Noncontrolling interests | 4 |
| | 3 |
|
Total equity | 2,165 |
| | 2,013 |
|
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 7,646 |
| | $ | 7,326 |
|
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
8
REALOGY HOLDINGS CORP. AND REALOGY GROUP LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 |
Operating Activities | | | |
Net income | $ | 125 |
| | $ | 122 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 140 |
| | 130 |
|
Deferred income taxes | 78 |
| | 14 |
|
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount | 13 |
| | 11 |
|
Non-cash portion of the loss on the early extinguishment of debt | 21 |
| | 14 |
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities | (7 | ) | | (26 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | 32 |
| | 55 |
|
Other adjustments to net income | 18 |
| | 5 |
|
Net change in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisitions and dispositions: | | | |
Trade receivables | (53 | ) | | (15 | ) |
Relocation receivables | (86 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Other assets | (1 | ) | | 8 |
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | (4 | ) | | (7 | ) |
Due to former parent | (3 | ) | | 1 |
|
Dividends received from unconsolidated entities | 1 |
| | 41 |
|
Taxes paid related to the net share settlement for stock-based compensation | (4 | ) | | (21 | ) |
Other, net | 1 |
| | (1 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 271 |
| | 330 |
|
Investing Activities | | | |
Property and equipment additions | (49 | ) | | (40 | ) |
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (203 | ) | | (5 | ) |
Change in restricted cash | — |
| | (2 | ) |
Other, net | (1 | ) | | (3 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (253 | ) | | (50 | ) |
Financing Activities | | | |
Net change in revolving credit facilities | — |
| | (70 | ) |
Proceeds from amended term loan facility | — |
| | 79 |
|
Repayments of term loan credit facility | (14 | ) | | (5 | ) |
Repurchases of First and a Half Lien Notes | (397 | ) | | (100 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes | 450 |
| | 500 |
|
Redemption of Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes | — |
| | (821 | ) |
Net change in securitization obligations | 29 |
| | (13 | ) |
Debt transaction costs | (41 | ) | | (28 | ) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 2 |
| | 1 |
|
Other, net | (14 | ) | | (26 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 15 |
| | (483 | ) |
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (1 | ) | | — |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 32 |
| | (203 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 236 |
| | 376 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 268 |
| | $ | 173 |
|
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | | | |
Interest payments (including securitization interest of $4 and $5, respectively) | $ | 197 |
| | $ | 274 |
|
Income tax payments, net | 7 |
| | 10 |
|
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
9
REALOGY HOLDINGS CORP. AND REALOGY GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in millions)
(Unaudited)
Realogy Holdings Corp. ("Realogy Holdings," "Realogy" or the "Company") is a holding company for its consolidated subsidiaries including Realogy Intermediate Holdings LLC ("Realogy Intermediate") and Realogy Group LLC ("Realogy Group") and its consolidated subsidiaries. Neither Realogy Holdings, the indirect parent of Realogy Group, nor Intermediate, the direct parent company of Realogy Group, conducts any operations other than with respect to its respective direct or indirect ownership of Realogy Group. As a result, the consolidated financial positions, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows of Realogy Holdings, Realogy Intermediate and Realogy Group are the same.
Realogy Holdings was incorporated on December 14, 2006. On April 10, 2007, Realogy Holdings, then wholly owned by investment funds affiliated with, or co-investment vehicles managed by, Apollo Management VI, L.P., an entity affiliated with Apollo Management, L.P. (collectively referred to as "Apollo"), acquired the outstanding shares of Realogy Group (then known as Realogy Corporation, a Delaware corporation) pursuant to a merger of its wholly owned subsidiary Domus Acquisition Corp., with and into Realogy Group with Realogy Holdings becoming the indirect parent company of Realogy Group. Prior to the consummation of the Realogy Holdings initial public offering and related transactions in October 2012, Realogy Holdings was owned by Apollo and members of the Company’s management.
Realogy is a global provider of residential real estate services. Realogy Group (then Realogy Corporation) was incorporated in January 2006 to facilitate a plan by Cendant Corporation (now known as Avis Budget Group, Inc.) to separate into four independent companies—one for each of Cendant's business units—real estate services (Realogy), travel distribution services ("Travelport"), hospitality services, including timeshare resorts ("Wyndham Worldwide"), and vehicle rental ("Avis Budget Group"). On July 31, 2006, the separation ("Separation") from Cendant became effective.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group. Realogy Holdings' only asset is its investment in the common stock of Realogy Intermediate, and Realogy Intermediate's only asset is its investment in Realogy Group. Realogy Holdings' only obligations are its guarantees of certain borrowings and certain franchise obligations of Realogy Group. All expenses incurred by Realogy Holdings and Realogy Intermediate are for the benefit of Realogy Group and have been reflected in Realogy Group's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Interim results may not be indicative of full year performance because of seasonal and short-term variations. The Company has eliminated all material intercompany transactions and balances between entities consolidated in these financial statements. In presenting the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and the related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
In management's opinion, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group's financial position as of September 30, 2014 and the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. As the interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared using the same accounting principles and policies used to prepare the annual consolidated financial statements, they should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2014 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their reports, dated November 5, 2014, are included on pages 4 and 5. The reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP state that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of
Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
Financial Instruments
The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value.
|
| | |
Level Input: | | Input Definitions: |
| | |
Level I | | Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. |
| |
Level II | | Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level I that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date. |
| |
Level III | | Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The availability of observable inputs can vary from asset to asset and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of asset, whether the asset is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level III. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to quoted market values. 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 fair value of interest rate swaps is determined based upon a discounted cash flow approach.
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at September 30, 2014 for assets/liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Level I | | Level II | | Level III | | Total |
Interest rate swaps (included in other non-current liabilities) | $ | — |
| | $ | 30 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 30 |
|
Deferred compensation plan assets (included in other non-current assets) | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2013 for assets/liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Level I | | Level II | | Level III | | Total |
Interest rate swaps (included in other non-current liabilities) | $ | — |
| | $ | 18 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 18 |
|
Deferred compensation plan assets (included in other non-current assets) | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
The following table summarizes the carrying amount of the Company’s indebtedness compared to the estimated fair value, primarily determined by quoted market values, at:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
Debt | Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value (a) | | Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value (a) |
Senior Secured Credit Facility: | | | | | | | |
Revolving credit facility | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Term loan facility | 1,875 |
| | 1,843 |
| | 1,887 |
| | 1,906 |
|
7.625% First Lien Notes | 593 |
| | 640 |
| | 593 |
| | 664 |
|
7.875% First and a Half Lien Notes | 332 |
| | 348 |
| | 700 |
| | 765 |
|
9.00% First and a Half Lien Notes | 196 |
| | 212 |
| | 225 |
| | 260 |
|
3.375% Senior Notes | 500 |
| | 501 |
| | 500 |
| | 504 |
|
4.50% Senior Notes | 450 |
| | 440 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Securitization obligations | 281 |
| | 281 |
| | 252 |
| | 252 |
|
_______________
| |
(a) | The fair value of the Company's indebtedness is categorized as Level I. |
Investment in PHH Home Loans and Transactions with PHH Corporation
The Company owns 49.9% of PHH Home Loans, which was created for the purpose of originating and selling mortgage loans primarily sourced through the Company’s real estate brokerage and relocation businesses. PHH Corporation ("PHH") owns the remaining percentage. The Company has an agreement with PHH and PHH Home Loans regarding the operation of the venture and a marketing agreement with PHH whereby PHH is the recommended provider of mortgage products and services promoted by the Company to its independently owned and operated franchisees. The Company also entered into a license agreement with PHH whereby PHH Home Loans was granted a license to use certain of the Company’s real estate brand names. The Company also maintains a relocation agreement with PHH whereby PHH outsources its employee relocation function to the Company and the Company subleases office space to PHH Home Loans. In connection with these agreements, the Company recorded net revenues of $1 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively and $1 million and $4 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded equity earnings related to its investment in PHH Home Loans of $4 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and equity earnings related to its investment in PHH Home Loans of $3 million and $24 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company received no cash dividends from PHH Home Loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $40 million of cash dividends from PHH Home Loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Income Taxes
The Company's provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying its estimated annual effective tax rate against the income before income taxes for the period. In addition, non-recurring or discrete items are recorded during the period in which they occur. The provision for income taxes was $71 million and $9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively and $88 million and $25 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2013, the Company did not record federal income tax expense due to a full valuation allowance for domestic operations. At December 31, 2013, the Company evaluated all available positive and negative evidence and determined that substantially all of the valuation allowance associated with U.S. federal and certain state deferred tax assets should be reversed.
Derivative Instruments
The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts largely to manage its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company primarily manages its foreign currency exposure to the Euro, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar and British Pound. The Company has elected not to utilize hedge accounting for these forward contracts; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the fluctuations in the value of these forward contracts generally offset the impact of changes in the value of the underlying risk that they are intended to economically hedge. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with a fair value of less than $1
million and a notional value of $27 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with a fair value of less than $1 million and a notional value of $28 million.
The Company also enters into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates associated with its variable rate borrowings. The Company has five interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $1,025 million to offset the variability in cash flows resulting from the term loan facility. The first swap, with a notional value of $225 million, commenced in July 2012 and expires in February 2018 and the second swap, with a notional value of $200 million, commenced in January 2013 and expires in February 2018. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into three forward starting interest rate swaps, each with a notional value of $200 million, to commence in August 2015 and expire in August 2020. The Company has elected not to utilize hedge accounting for these interest rate swaps; therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The fair value of derivative instruments was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Liability Derivatives | | Fair Value |
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | | Balance Sheet Location | | September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
Interest rate swap contracts | | Other non-current liabilities | | $ | 30 |
| | $ | 18 |
|
The effect of derivative instruments on earnings was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | | Location of (Gain) or Loss Recognized for Derivative Instruments | | (Gain) or Loss Recognized on Derivatives |
Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Interest rate swap contracts | | Interest expense | | $ | (3 | ) | | $ | 8 |
| | $ | 19 |
| | $ | 2 |
|
Foreign exchange contracts | | Operating expense | | (2 | ) | | 1 |
| | (2 | ) | | — |
|
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash primarily relates to amounts specifically designated as collateral for the repayment of outstanding borrowings under the Company’s securitization facilities and other obligations. Such amounts approximated $14 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and are primarily included within Other current assets on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $6 million in capital lease additions, which resulted in non-cash accruals to fixed assets and other long-term liabilities.
Significant non-cash transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included the issuance of common stock of $22 million for stock-based compensation. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $11 million in capital lease additions and $6 million in tenant improvements primarily related to the new corporate headquarters, both of which resulted in non-cash accruals to fixed assets and other long-term liabilities.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
The net periodic pension benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was less than $1 million and was comprised of a benefit of $2 million for the expected return on assets offset by interest cost and amortization of actuarial loss of $2 million. The net periodic pension cost for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was less than $1 million and was comprised of interest cost and amortization of actuarial loss of $2 million offset by a benefit of $2 million for the expected return on assets.
The net periodic pension benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was less than $1 million and was comprised of a benefit of $6 million for the expected return on assets offset by interest cost and amortization of actuarial loss of $6 million. The net periodic pension cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $1 million and was comprised of interest cost and amortization of actuarial loss of $6 million, partially offset by a benefit of $5 million for the expected return on assets.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the FASB amended guidance requiring companies to present in the statement of financial position, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent that a net operating loss carryforward or tax credit carryforward at the reporting date is not available under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, the unrecognized tax benefit would be presented in the statement of financial position as a liability. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company presents unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with the amended guidance and therefore the new standard had no impact on the Company's financial statement presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU"). ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2014, the FASB and IASB issued a converged standard on revenue recognition that will have an effect on most entities to some extent. The objective of the revenue standard is to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries, and across capital markets. The revenue standard contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and the timing of revenue recognition. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
2014 Acquisitions
On August 14, 2014, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of ZipRealty, Inc., (“ZipRealty”) for a cash purchase price of $167 million. The Company acquired ZipRealty's residential brokerage operations with 23 offices across the United States and its integrated real estate technology platform. The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulted in goodwill of $92 million, software and fixed assets of $18 million, other assets of $6 million, deferred tax assets of $46 million, customer relationships intangibles of $1 million, pendings and listings of $3 million, other intangibles of $7 million and other liabilities of $6 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, in addition to the ZipRealty acquisition discussed above, the Company acquired thirteen real estate brokerage and property management operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, NRT, for cash consideration of $36 million and established $15 million of liabilities related to contingent consideration. These acquisitions resulted in goodwill of $35 million, trademarks of $4 million, other assets of $2 million, pendings and listings of $3 million, other intangibles of $8 million and other liabilities of $1 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company acquired two title and settlement operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, TRG, for cash consideration of $1 million. These acquisitions resulted in goodwill of $1 million and pendings and listings of less than $1 million.
None of the 2014 acquisitions were significant to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows individually or in the aggregate.
2013 Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company acquired fifteen real estate brokerage operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, NRT, for cash consideration of $32 million and established $4 million of liabilities related to contingent consideration. These acquisitions resulted in goodwill of $31 million and pendings and listings and other intangibles of $5 million that were assigned to the Company Owned Brokerage Services segment.
None of the 2013 acquisitions were significant to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows individually or in the aggregate.
Goodwill by segment and changes in the carrying amount are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Real Estate Franchise Services | | Company Owned Brokerage Services | | Relocation Services | | Title and Settlement Services | | Total Company |
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 3,264 |
| | $ | 819 |
| | $ | 641 |
| | $ | 397 |
| | $ | 5,121 |
|
Accumulated impairment losses | (1,023 | ) | | (158 | ) | | (281 | ) | | (324 | ) | | (1,786 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2013 | 2,241 |
| | 661 |
| | 360 |
| | 73 |
| | 3,335 |
|
Goodwill acquired | 51 |
| | 76 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | 128 |
|
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | 2,292 |
| | $ | 737 |
| | $ | 360 |
| | $ | 74 |
| | $ | 3,463 |
|
Intangible assets are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of September 30, 2014 | | As of December 31, 2013 |
| Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount |
Amortizable—Franchise agreements (a) | $ | 2,019 |
| | $ | 507 |
| | $ | 1,512 |
| | $ | 2,019 |
| | $ | 457 |
| | $ | 1,562 |
|
Unamortizable—Trademarks (b) | $ | 736 |
| | | | $ | 736 |
| | $ | 732 |
| | | | $ | 732 |
|
Other Intangibles | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortizable—License agreements (c) | $ | 45 |
| | $ | 7 |
| | $ | 38 |
| | $ | 45 |
| | $ | 6 |
| | $ | 39 |
|
Amortizable—Customer relationships (d) | 530 |
| | 247 |
| | 283 |
| | 529 |
| | 219 |
| | 310 |
|
Unamortizable—Title plant shares (e) | 10 |
| | | | 10 |
| | 10 |
| | | | 10 |
|
Amortizable—Pendings and listings (f) | 4 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
|
Amortizable—Other (g) | 24 |
| | 5 |
| | 19 |
| | 9 |
| | 4 |
| | 5 |
|
Total Other Intangibles | $ | 613 |
| | $ | 261 |
| | $ | 352 |
| | $ | 595 |
| | $ | 230 |
| | $ | 365 |
|
_______________
(a) Generally amortized over a period of 30 years.
| |
(b) | Primarily relates to the Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, The Corcoran Group, Coldwell Banker Commercial and Cartus tradenames, which are expected to generate future cash flows for an indefinite period of time. |
| |
(c) | Relates to the Sotheby’s International Realty and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agreements which are being amortized over 50 years (the contractual term of the license agreements). |
| |
(d) | Relates to the customer relationships at the Relocation Services segment, the Title and Settlement Services segment and the Real Estate Franchise Services segment. These relationships are being amortized over a period of 5 to 20 years. |
| |
(e) | Primarily related to the Texas American Title Company title plant shares. Ownership in a title plant is required to transact title insurance in certain states. The Company expects to generate future cash flows for an indefinite period of time. |
| |
(f) | Generally amortized over a period of 5 months. |
| |
(g) | Consists of covenants not to compete which are amortized over their contract lives and other intangibles which are generally amortized over periods ranging from 5 to 10 years. |
Intangible asset amortization expense is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Franchise agreements | $ | 17 |
| | $ | 17 |
| | $ | 50 |
| | $ | 50 |
|
License agreement | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
|
Customer relationships | 9 |
| | 10 |
| | 28 |
| | 28 |
|
Pendings and listings | 3 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
| | — |
|
Other | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
|
Total | $ | 29 |
| | $ | 27 |
| | $ | 86 |
| | $ | 80 |
|
Based on the Company’s amortizable intangible assets as of September 30, 2014, the Company expects related amortization expense for the remainder of 2014, the four succeeding years and thereafter to approximate $27 million, $101 million, $98 million, $94 million, $92 million and $1,442 million, respectively.
| |
4. | ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of:
|
| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
Accrued payroll and related employee costs | $ | 111 |
| | $ | 146 |
|
Accrued volume incentives | 29 |
| | 31 |
|
Accrued commissions | 29 |
| | 21 |
|
Restructuring accruals | 3 |
| | 6 |
|
Deferred income | 67 |
| | 73 |
|
Accrued interest | 40 |
| | 63 |
|
Other | 132 |
| | 114 |
|
| $ | 411 |
| | $ | 454 |
|
5. SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Total indebtedness is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 |
Senior Secured Credit Facility: | | | |
Revolving credit facility | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Term loan facility | 1,875 |
| | 1,887 |
|
7.625% First Lien Notes | 593 |
| | 593 |
|
7.875% First and a Half Lien Notes | 332 |
| | 700 |
|
9.00% First and a Half Lien Notes | 196 |
| | 225 |
|
3.375% Senior Notes | 500 |
| | 500 |
|
4.50% Senior Notes | 450 |
| | — |
|
Total Short Term & Long Term Debt | $ | 3,946 |
| | $ | 3,905 |
|
Securitization Obligations: | | | |
Apple Ridge Funding LLC | $ | 268 |
| | $ | 229 |
|
Cartus Financing Limited | 13 |
| | 23 |
|
Total Securitization Obligations | $ | 281 |
| | $ | 252 |
|
Indebtedness Table
As of September 30, 2014, the total capacity, outstanding borrowings and available capacity under the Company’s borrowing arrangements were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest Rate | | Expiration Date | | Total Capacity | | Outstanding Borrowings | | Available Capacity |
Senior Secured Credit Facility: | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving credit facility (1) | (2) | | March 2018 | | $ | 475 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 475 |
|
Term loan facility | (3) | | March 2020 | | 1,891 |
| | 1,875 |
| | — |
|
First Lien Notes | 7.625% | | January 2020 | | 593 |
| | 593 |
| | — |
|
First and a Half Lien Notes | 7.875% | | February 2019 | | 332 |
| | 332 |
| | — |
|
First and a Half Lien Notes | 9.00% | | January 2020 | | 196 |
| | 196 |
| | — |
|
Senior Notes | 3.375% | | May 2016 | | 500 |
| | 500 |
| | — |
|
Senior Notes | 4.50% | | April 2019 | | 450 |
| | 450 |
| | — |
|
Securitization Obligations: (4) | | | | | | | | | |
Apple Ridge Funding LLC | | | June 2015 | | 325 |
| | 268 |
| | 57 |
|
Cartus Financing Limited (5) | | | August 2015 | | 41 |
| | 13 |
| | 28 |
|
| | | | | $ | 4,803 |
| | $ | 4,227 |
| | $ | 560 |
|
_______________
| |
(1) | On October 31, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility and no outstanding letters of credit on such facility, leaving $475 million of available capacity. |
| |
(2) | Interest rates with respect to revolving loans under the senior secured credit facility are based on, at Realogy Group’s option, (a) adjusted LIBOR plus 2.75% or (b) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.'s prime rate ("ABR") plus 1.75%. |
| |
(3) | Consists of a $1,891 million term loan, less a discount of $16 million. There is 1% per annum amortization of principal. The interest rate with respect to the term loan under the senior secured credit facility is based on, at Realogy Group’s option, (a) adjusted LIBOR plus 3.00% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%) or (b) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s prime rate ("ABR") plus 2.00% (with an ABR floor of 1.75%). |
| |
(4) | Available capacity is subject to maintaining sufficient relocation related assets to collateralize these securitization obligations. |
| |
(5) | Consists of a £20 million revolving loan facility and a £5 million working capital facility. |
Maturities Table
As of September 30, 2014, the combined aggregate amount of maturities for long-term borrowings, excluding securitizations, for the remainder of 2014 and each of the next four years is as follows:
|
| | | | |
Year | | Amount |
Remaining 2014 | | $ | 5 |
|
2015 | | 19 |
|
2016 | | 519 |
|
2017 | | 19 |
|
2018 | | 19 |
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility
On March 5, 2013, Realogy Group entered into an amended and restated senior secured credit agreement (the "Amended and Restated Credit Agreement"), which as described below was further amended in March 2014. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement replaces the agreement that had been entered into on April 10, 2007 and refinances the prior term loan facility and prior revolving credit facility.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for (a) a seven-year term loan facility initially issued in the aggregate principal amount of $1,920 million at 99% of par with a maturity date of March 5, 2020, the proceeds of which were utilized to pay off the $1,822 million principal amount of the existing term loan borrowings under the prior facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and to pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the refinancing and for general corporate purposes; and (b) a five-year, $475 million revolving credit facility with a maturity date of March 5, 2018, which includes (i) a $250 million letter of credit subfacility and (ii) a swingline loan subfacility. Initial borrowings under the new revolving credit facility were used to repay the outstanding indebtedness under the prior revolving credit facility.
On March 10, 2014, Realogy Group entered into a first amendment (the “First Amendment”) to its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2013. The First Amendment repriced the remaining $1,905 million of term loan issued under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement through a refinancing of the existing term loan with a new term loan. The interest rate with respect to the new term loan is based on, at Realogy Group's option, adjusted LIBOR plus 3.00% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%) or ABR plus 2.00% (with an ABR floor of 1.75%). The interest rate with respect to revolving loans under the revolving credit facility is based on, at Realogy Group's option, adjusted LIBOR plus 2.75% or ABR plus 1.75%. The maturity date for the new term loan remains March 5, 2020, and all other material provisions under the Credit Agreement remain unchanged.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement retained a synthetic letter of credit facility which matures on October 10, 2016. The synthetic letter of credit facility may be utilized for general corporate purposes, including the support of Realogy Group’s obligations with respect to Cendant contingent and other liabilities assumed under the Separation and Distribution Agreement. In 2014, the Company entered into a new, unsecured letter of credit facility and issued approximately $80 million of letters of credit thereunder, which had previously been issued under the synthetic letter of credit facility. The new facility is discussed below under "Other Bank Facilities." As of September 30, 2014, the capacity under the synthetic letter of credit facility was reduced to $55 million from $119 million as of December 31, 2013 and is being utilized for a $53 million letter of credit with Cendant for potential contingent obligations.
The term loan facility has quarterly amortization payments totaling 1% per annum of the $1,905 million of term loan principal issued under the First Amendment with the balance payable in March 2020. The synthetic letter of credit facility provides for quarterly amortization payments totaling 1% per annum of the principal amount of the synthetic letter of credit facility outstanding with the balance payable upon the final maturity date.
The obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are secured to the extent legally permissible by substantially all of the assets of Realogy Group, Realogy Intermediate and all of their domestic subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries.
Realogy Group’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains financial, affirmative and negative covenants and requires Realogy Group to maintain a senior secured leverage ratio, in certain circumstances, not to exceed 4.75 to 1.00. Maintenance of this ratio is required if the amount of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility together with the amount of letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility at the end of the quarter, exceed 25% of the revolving credit facility capacity. In this report, the Company refers to the term "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean EBITDA as so defined for purposes of determining compliance with the senior secured leverage covenant. The senior secured leverage ratio measured at any applicable quarter end is Realogy Group's total senior secured net debt divided by the trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA. Total senior secured net debt does not include the First and a Half Lien Notes, other indebtedness secured by a lien that is pari passu or junior in priority to the First and a Half Lien Notes, unsecured indebtedness, including the 3.375% Senior Notes and the 4.50% Senior Notes, or securitization obligations. At September 30, 2014, Realogy Group’s borrowings and outstanding letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility did not exceed 25% of the revolving credit facility capacity and accordingly the covenant was not applicable at September 30, 2014; however the Company has continued to calculate the senior secured leverage ratio. At September 30, 2014, Realogy Group’s senior secured leverage ratio was 3.01 to 1.00.
First Lien Notes
The $593 million of First Lien Notes are senior secured obligations of Realogy Group and mature on January 15, 2020. The First Lien Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.625% per annum and interest is payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The First Lien Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Realogy Intermediate and each domestic subsidiary of Realogy Group that is a guarantor under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Realogy Group's outstanding debt securities. The First Lien Notes are also guaranteed by Realogy Holdings, on an unsecured senior subordinated basis. The First Lien Notes are secured by the same collateral as the Company’s existing secured obligations under its Senior Secured Credit Facility and the First and a Half Lien Notes. The priority of the collateral liens securing the First Lien Notes is (i) equal to the collateral liens securing the Company's first lien obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and (ii) senior to the collateral liens securing the Company’s other secured obligations not secured by a first priority lien, including the First and a Half Lien Notes.
First and a Half Lien Notes
The First and a Half Lien Notes are senior secured obligations of Realogy Group. The 7.875% First and a Half Lien Notes mature in February 2019 and interest is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 9.00% First and a Half Lien Notes mature in January 2020 and interest is payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The First and a Half Lien Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Realogy Intermediate and each domestic subsidiary of Realogy Group that is a guarantor under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Realogy Group's outstanding debt securities. The First and a Half Lien Notes are also guaranteed by Realogy Holdings, on an unsecured senior subordinated basis. The First and a Half Lien Notes are secured by the same collateral as the Company’s existing secured obligations under its Senior Secured Credit Facility and the First Lien Notes. The priority of the collateral liens securing the First and a Half Lien Notes is junior to the collateral liens securing the Company’s first lien obligations under its Senior Secured Credit Facility and the First Lien Notes. The priority of the collateral liens securing each series of the First and a Half Lien Notes is equal to one another.
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased $29 million of its 9.00% First and a Half Lien Notes through open market purchases for an aggregate purchase price of $35 million, including $1 million of accrued interest and a premium of $5 million.
In the first half of 2014, the Company repurchased $368 million of its 7.875% First and a Half Lien Notes through open market purchases for an aggregate purchase price of $406 million, including $4 million of accrued interest and a premium of $34 million.
Unsecured Notes
The 3.375% Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations of Realogy Group that mature on May 1, 2016. Interest on the 3.375% Senior Notes is payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The 3.375% Senior Notes are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each domestic subsidiary of Realogy Group that is a guarantor under the Senior
Secured Credit Facility and Realogy Group's outstanding debt securities. The 3.375% Senior Notes are guaranteed by Realogy Holdings on an unsecured senior subordinated basis.
On April 7, 2014, Realogy Group issued $450 million of 4.50% Senior Notes in a private offering. The 4.50% Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations that mature on April 15, 2019. Interest on the 4.50% Senior Notes is payable semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 4.50% Senior Notes are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each domestic subsidiary of Realogy Group that is a guarantor under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Realogy Group's outstanding debt securities. The 4.50% Senior Notes are guaranteed by Realogy Holdings on an unsecured senior subordinated basis. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase a portion of the Company's 7.875% First and a Half Lien Notes.
Other Bank Facilities
In June 2014, the Company entered into a three-year, unsecured letter of credit facility, which provides for the issuance of letters of credit required for general corporate purposes by the Company. In the third quarter of 2014, the Company increased the capacity of the facility by $54 million to $81 million. The fixed pricing to the Company is based on a spread above the credit default swap rate for senior unsecured debt obligations of the Company over the applicable letter of credit period. Realogy Group's obligations under the unsecured letter of credit facility are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each domestic subsidiary of Realogy Group that is a guarantor under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Realogy Group's outstanding debt securities. As of September 30, 2014, $80 million of the facility is being utilized.
Securitization Obligations
Realogy Group has secured obligations through Apple Ridge Funding LLC under a securitization program with an expiration date in June 2015, $268 million of outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2014 and a total borrowing capacity of $325 million.
Realogy Group, through a special purpose entity known as Cartus Financing Limited, has agreements providing for a £20 million revolving loan facility (which was reduced from £35 million in August 2014) and a £5 million working capital facility, both of which expire in August 2015. There are $13 million of outstanding borrowings on the facilities at September 30, 2014. These Cartus Financing Limited facilities are secured by the relocation assets of a U.K. government contract in this special purpose entity and are therefore classified as permitted securitization financings as defined in Realogy Group’s senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the 3.375% Senior Notes, the 4.50% Senior Notes and the First and a Half Lien Notes.
The Apple Ridge entities and the Cartus Financing Limited entity are consolidated special purpose entities that are utilized to securitize relocation receivables and related assets. These assets are generated from advancing funds on behalf of clients of Realogy Group’s relocation business in order to facilitate the relocation of their employees. Assets of these special purpose entities are not available to pay Realogy Group’s general obligations. Under the Apple Ridge program, provided no termination or amortization event has occurred, any new receivables generated under the designated relocation management agreements are sold into the securitization program and as new eligible relocation management agreements are entered into, the new agreements are designated to the program. The Apple Ridge program has restrictive covenants and trigger events, including performance triggers linked to the age and quality of the underlying assets, foreign obligor limits, multicurrency limits, financial reporting requirements, restrictions on mergers and change of control, any uncured breach of Realogy Group’s senior secured leverage ratio under Realogy Group’s senior secured credit facility, and cross-defaults to Realogy Group’s material indebtedness. The occurrence of a trigger event under the Apple Ridge securitization facility could restrict our ability to access new or existing funding under this facility or result in termination of the facility, either of which would adversely affect the operation of our relocation business.
Certain of the funds that Realogy Group receives from relocation receivables and related assets must be utilized to repay securitization obligations. These obligations were collateralized by $340 million and $268 million of underlying relocation receivables and other related relocation assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Substantially all relocation related assets are realized in less than twelve months from the transaction date. Accordingly, all of Realogy Group's securitization obligations are classified as current in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Interest incurred in connection with borrowings under these facilities amounted to $1 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively and $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. This interest is recorded within net revenues in the accompanying Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations as related borrowings are utilized to fund Realogy Group's relocation business where interest is generally earned on such assets. These securitization obligations represent floating rate debt for which the average weighted interest rate was 2.4% and 2.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Loss on the Early Extinguishment of Debt and Write-Off of Deferred Financing Costs
As a result of the March 2014 amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to reprice the term loan thereunder and the repurchases of First and a Half Lien Notes in the first half of 2014, the Company recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $27 million and wrote off deferred financing costs of $3 million to interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
As a result of refinancing transactions, note redemptions and note repurchases, the Company recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $68 million and wrote off financing costs of $2 million to interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
| |
6. | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company has stock-based compensation plans available under which non-qualified stock options, rights to purchase shares of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share units and other awards settleable in, or based upon, Realogy Holdings common stock may be issued to employees, consultants or directors of Realogy.
The number of shares authorized for issuance under the Realogy 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan are 2.8 million shares and 6.8 million shares, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the total number of shares available for future grant under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan was 0.1 million shares and 2.6 million shares, respectively.
The 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan was adopted in February 2014 and includes a mix of options, restricted stock units and performance share units granted under the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The 2014 performance share unit awards ("PSUs") are incentives that reward grantees based upon the Company's financial performance over a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2016. The number of shares that may be issued under the PSU is variable and based upon the extent to which the performance goals are achieved over the performance period (with a range of payout from 0% to 200% of the target award). The shares earned will be distributed in early 2017.
The 2014 PSUs contain two performance metrics: (1) improvement in the Company's net debt leverage ratio measured as of December 31, 2016, defined as the ratio of the Company's net debt at December 31, 2016 to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined under the senior secured credit facility) for the year ending December 31, 2016, and (2) improvement in the Company's operating margin defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues, each for the year ending December 31, 2016.
Incentive Equity Awards Granted by Realogy Holdings
A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below (number of shares in millions):
|
| | | | | | |
| Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Outstanding at January 1, 2014 | 3.22 |
| | $ | 28.04 |
|
Granted | 0.32 |
| | 43.44 |
|
Exercised (a) (b) | (0.10 | ) | | 20.93 |
|
Forfeited/Expired | (0.04 | ) | | 24.64 |
|
Outstanding at September 30, 2014 (c) | 3.40 |
| | $ | 29.74 |
|
______________ | |
(a) | The intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $2.1 million. |
| |
(b) | Cash received from options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $2.1 million. |
| |
(c) | Options outstanding at September 30, 2014 had an intrinsic value of $38.0 million and had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.8 years. |
A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance share unit activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below (number of shares in millions): |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Restricted Stock | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Restricted Stock Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Performance Share Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
Nonvested at January 1, 2014 | 0.31 |
| $ | 35.21 |
| | 0.43 |
| $ | 43.86 |
| | 0.04 |
| $ | 43.93 |
|
Granted | — |
| — |
| | 0.50 |
| 47.11 |
| | 0.33 |
| 46.93 |
|
Vested (a) | (0.14 | ) | 45.02 |
| | (0.16 | ) | 45.11 |
| | — |
| — |
|
Forfeited | — |
| — |
| | (0.02 | ) | 46.04 |
| | — |
| — |
|
Nonvested at September 30, 2014 | 0.17 |
| $ | 27.14 |
| | 0.75 |
| $ | 45.72 |
| | 0.37 |
| $ | 46.62 |
|
| |
(a) | The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units which vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $6.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively. |
The fair value of the options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions. Expected volatility was based on historical volatilities of the Company and select comparable companies. The expected term of the options granted represents the period of time that options were expected to be outstanding and is based on the "simplified method" in accordance with accounting guidance. The Company utilizes the simplified method to determine the expected life of options as the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant, which corresponds to the expected term of the options.
|
| | | |
| 2014 Options |
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ | 18.35 |
|
Expected volatility | 41.5 | % |
Expected term (years) | 6.25 |
|
Risk-free interest rate | 1.4 | % |
Dividend yield | — |
|
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
As of September 30, 2014, there was $54 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share units under the plans. Unrecognized compensation costs for the options, restricted stock and restricted stock units will be recorded in future periods as compensation expense and have a remaining weighted average period of 1.8 years. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to the incentive equity awards of $11 million and $32 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $6 million and $13 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
Phantom Value Plan
On January 5, 2011, the Board of Directors of Realogy Group approved the Realogy Group LLC Phantom Value Plan (the “Phantom Value Plan”), which was intended to provide certain of the Company's executive officers, with an incentive (the “Incentive Award”) to remain in the service of the Company, increase interest in the success of Realogy and create the opportunity to receive compensation based upon Realogy’s success. On January 5, 2011, the Board of Directors of Realogy Group made initial grants of Incentive Awards in an aggregate amount of $22 million to certain executive officers of the Company. Under the Phantom Value Plan, each participant was eligible to receive a cash payment in the same proportion to his or her Incentive Award as the cash received by RCIV Holdings ("RCIV"), an affiliate of Apollo, upon the sale of shares of common stock bore to $1.338 billion (the face amount of the Realogy Group convertible debt issued to RCIV in January 2011 in exchange for debt it had previously purchased). The sale of shares by RCIV in the second and third quarter of 2013 triggered payments under the Phantom Value Plan.
All of the participants elected to receive their payments in shares of common stock and therefore received unrestricted shares of common stock equal to the dollar amount then due, plus restricted shares of such common stock equal to the amount then due multiplied by 0.15. The restricted shares of common stock vested based on the participants' continued employment, on the first anniversary of issuance. The Company recognized stock compensation expense of $17 million and $42 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to the issuance of common stock. The Company also recognized $5 million related to the issuance of restricted shares of common stock during the year ended December 31, 2013 and an additional $2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. No further expense will be recorded in connection with the Phantom Value Plan as the shares of restricted stock have fully vested.
| |
7. | TRANSACTIONS WITH FORMER PARENT AND SUBSIDIARIES |
Transfer of Cendant Corporate Liabilities and Issuance of Guarantees to Cendant and Affiliates
The Company has certain guarantee commitments with Cendant (pursuant to the assumption of certain liabilities and the obligation to indemnify Cendant, Wyndham Worldwide and Travelport for such liabilities). These guarantee arrangements primarily relate to certain contingent litigation liabilities, contingent tax liabilities, and other corporate liabilities, of which the Company assumed and is generally responsible for 62.5%. Upon separation from Cendant, the liabilities assumed by the Company were comprised of certain Cendant corporate liabilities which were recorded on the historical books of Cendant as well as additional liabilities which were established for guarantees issued at the date of Separation related to certain unresolved contingent matters that could arise during the guarantee period. Regarding the guarantees, if any of the companies responsible for all or a portion of such liabilities were to default in its payment of costs or expenses related to any such liability, the Company would be responsible for a portion of the defaulting party or parties’ obligation. To the extent such recorded liabilities are in excess or are not adequate to cover the ultimate payment amounts, such excess or deficiency will be reflected in the results of operations in future periods.
The due to former parent balance was $60 million and $63 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The due to former parent balance is comprised of the Company’s portion of the following: (i) Cendant’s remaining state and foreign contingent tax liabilities, (ii) accrued interest on contingent tax liabilities, (iii) potential liabilities related to Cendant’s terminated or divested businesses, and (iv) potential liabilities related to the residual portion of accruals for Cendant operations.
8. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share attributable to Realogy Holdings
Basic earnings per share is computed based on net income available to Realogy Holdings stockholders divided by the basic weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings per share is computed consistently with the basic computation while giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares and common share equivalents that were outstanding during the period. Realogy Holdings uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of unvested stock awards and unexercised options. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in millions, except per share data) | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Net income attributable to Realogy Holdings shareholders | $ | 100 |
| | $ | 109 |
| | $ | 122 |
| | $ | 118 |
|
Basic weighted average shares | 146.0 |
| | 145.6 |
| | 145.9 |
| | 145.3 |
|
Stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units (a) | 1.0 |
| | 1.2 |
| | 1.1 |
| | 1.2 |
|
Weighted average diluted shares | 147.0 |
| | 146.8 |
| | 147.0 |
| | 146.5 |
|
Earnings Per Share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.68 |
| | $ | 0.75 |
| | $ | 0.84 |
| | $ | 0.81 |
|
Diluted | $ | 0.68 |
| | $ | 0.74 |
| | $ | 0.83 |
| | $ | 0.81 |
|
_______________
| |
(a) | Excludes 3.7 million and 3.6 million of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, that are anti-dilutive to the diluted earnings per share computation. |
Excludes 3.1 million of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSUs") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 that are anti-dilutive to the diluted earnings per share computation.
| |
9. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Litigation
The Company is involved in claims, legal proceedings, alternative dispute resolution and governmental inquiries related to alleged contract disputes, business practices, intellectual property and other commercial, employment, regulatory and tax matters. Examples of such matters include but are not limited to allegations:
| |
• | that the Company is vicariously liable for the acts of franchisees under theories of actual or apparent agency; |
| |
• | by former franchisees that franchise agreements were breached including improper terminations; |
| |
• | that residential real estate sales associates engaged by NRT—in certain states—are potentially employees instead of independent contractors, and therefore may bring claims against NRT for breach of contract, wage and hour classification claims, wrongful discharge and unemployment and workers' compensation and obtain benefits, back wages, indemnification, penalties related to classification practices and expense reimbursement available to employees; |
| |
• | concerning claims for alleged RESPA or state real estate law violations including but not limited to claims challenging the validity of sales associates indemnification, and administrative fees; |
| |
• | concerning claims generally against the company owned brokerage operations for negligence, misrepresentation or breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the performance of real estate brokerage or other professional services; and |
| |
• | concerning claims generally against the title company contending that, as the escrow company, the company knew or should have known that a transaction was fraudulent or concerning other title defects or settlement errors. |
Real Estate Business Litigation
Bararsani v. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Company. On November 15, 2012, plaintiff Ali Bararsani filed a putative class action complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court, California, against Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Company ("CBRBC") alleging that CBRBC had misclassified current and former affiliated sales associates as independent contractors when they were actually employees. The complaint, as amended, further alleges that, because of the misclassification, CBRBC has violated several sections of the California Labor Code including one for failing to reimburse the plaintiff and purported class for business related expenses and a second for failing to keep proper records. The amended complaint also asserts an Unfair Business Practices claim for misclassifying the sales associates. The Plaintiff, on behalf of a purported class, seeks the benefit of the California labor laws for expenses and other sums, plus asserted penalties, attorneys’ fees and interest. The Company believes that CBRBC has properly classified the sales associates as independent contractors and that it has and continues to operate in a manner consistent with applicable law, and longstanding, widespread industry practice for many decades.
On July 31, 2013, CBRBC filed a Demurrer with the Court seeking to dismiss the amended complaint. The Demurrer asserted that the claims raised by the plaintiff were without basis under California law because the California Business and Professions Code sets out the applicable three-part test for classification of real estate sales associates as independent contractors and all elements of the test have been satisfied by CBRBC and the affiliated sales associates. Plaintiff filed an Opposition on August 12, 2013 and a hearing was held on August 28, 2013. The Court denied the Demurrer and stated that it would look to the more complex multi-factor common law test to determine whether the plaintiff was misclassified. CBRBC filed a Petition for a Writ of Mandate with the California Court of Appeals seeking its discretionary review of that decision on September 30, 2013 and on November 8, 2013, the Court of Appeal denied the Petition.
On March 25, 2014, the Court denied plaintiff’s ex parte application which sought, in part, to invalidate, for purposes of this litigation, arbitration clauses with class action waivers in independent contractor agreements executed by some putative members of the class following the commencement of the litigation. Plaintiffs filed a Writ of Mandate with the California Court of Appeal seeking its discretionary review of the Court's decision to deny plaintiff's application. On June 2, 2014, the Court of Appeal summarily denied the petition. The case is now in the discovery phase.
The case raises significant classification claims that potentially apply to the real estate industry in general and that have not been previously challenged in any significant manner in California or other jurisdictions. As with all class action
litigation, the case is inherently complex and subject to many uncertainties. We believe that CBRBC has properly classified the current and former affiliated sales associates. There can be no assurance, however, that if the action continues and a large class is subsequently certified, the plaintiffs will not seek a substantial damage award, penalties and other remedies. Given the early stage of this case, the novel claims and issues presented and the great uncertainties regarding which sales associates, if any, may be part of a class, if one is certified, we cannot estimate a range of reasonably potential losses for this litigation. The Company believes it has complied with all applicable laws and regulations and will vigorously defend this action.
Cendant Corporate Litigation
Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of July 27, 2006 among Cendant, Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide and Travelport, each of Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide and Travelport have assumed certain contingent and other corporate liabilities (and related costs and expenses), which are primarily related to each of their respective businesses. In addition, Realogy has assumed 62.5% and Wyndham Worldwide has assumed 37.5% of certain contingent and other corporate liabilities (and related costs and expenses) of Cendant or its subsidiaries, which are not primarily related to any of the respective businesses of Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide, Travelport and/or Cendant’s vehicle rental operations, in each case incurred or allegedly incurred on or prior to the date of the separation of Travelport from Cendant.
* * *
The Company believes that it has adequately accrued for legal matters as appropriate. The Company records litigation accruals for legal matters which are both probable and estimable.
Litigation and other disputes are inherently unpredictable and subject to substantial uncertainties and unfavorable resolutions could occur. In addition, class action lawsuits can be costly to defend and, depending on the class size and claims, could be costly to settle. As such, the Company could incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims with liability that are materially in excess of amounts accrued and these settlements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular period.
Tax Matters
The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes and recording related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company is regularly under audit by tax authorities whereby the outcome of the audits is uncertain. The Company believes there is appropriate support for positions taken on its tax returns. The liabilities that have been recorded represent the best estimates of the probable loss on certain positions and are adequate for all open years based on an assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law applied to the facts of each matter. However, the outcomes of tax audits are inherently uncertain.
Under the Tax Sharing Agreement with Cendant, Wyndham Worldwide and Travelport, the Company is generally responsible for 62.5% of payments made to settle claims with respect to tax periods ending on or prior to December 31, 2006 that relate to income taxes imposed on Cendant and certain of its subsidiaries, the operations (or former operations) of which were determined by Cendant not to relate specifically to the respective businesses of Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide, Avis Budget or Travelport.
With respect to any remaining legacy Cendant tax liabilities, the Company and its former parent believe there is appropriate support for the positions taken on Cendant’s tax returns. However, tax audits and any related litigation, including disputes or litigation on the allocation of tax liabilities between parties under the Tax Sharing Agreement, could result in outcomes for the Company that are different from those reflected in the Company’s historical financial statements.
Contingent Liability Letter of Credit
In April 2007, the Company established a standby irrevocable letter of credit for the benefit of Avis Budget Group in accordance with the Separation and Distribution Agreement. The synthetic letter of credit was utilized to support the Company’s payment obligations with respect to its share of Cendant contingent and other corporate liabilities. The stated amount of the standby irrevocable letter of credit is subject to periodic adjustment to reflect the then current estimate of Cendant contingent and other liabilities. The letter of credit was $53 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The standby irrevocable letter of credit will be terminated if (i) the Company’s senior unsecured credit rating is raised
to BB by Standard and Poor’s or Ba2 by Moody’s or (ii) the aggregate value of the former parent contingent liabilities falls below $30 million.
Escrow and Trust Deposits
As a service to its customers, the Company administers escrow and trust deposits which represent undisbursed amounts received for the settlement of real estate transactions. With the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in July 2010, deposits at FDIC-insured institutions are permanently insured up to $250 thousand. These escrow and trust deposits totaled $349 million at September 30, 2014 and $271 million at December 31, 2013. These escrow and trust deposits are not assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these deposits.
The reportable segments presented below represent the Company’s operating segments for which separate financial information is available and which is utilized on a regular basis by its chief operating decision maker to assess performance and to 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 revenue and EBITDA, which is defined as net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest (income) expense, net (other than Relocation Services interest for secured assets and obligations) and income taxes, each of which is presented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenues (a) (b) |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Real Estate Franchise Services | $ | 199 |
| | $ | 193 |
| | $ | 539 |
| | $ | 521 |
|
Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services | 1,175 |
| | 1,178 |
| | 3,107 |
| | 3,046 |
|
Relocation Services | 125 |
| | 127 |
| | 318 |
| | 322 |
|
Title and Settlement Services | 111 |
| | 134 |
| | 300 |
| | 364 |
|
Corporate and Other (c) | (79 | ) | | (79 | ) | | (214 | ) | | (210 | ) |
Total Company | $ | 1,531 |
| | $ | 1,553 |
| | $ | 4,050 |
| | $ | 4,043 |
|
_______________
| |
(a) | Revenues for the Real Estate Franchise Services segment include intercompany royalties and marketing fees paid by the Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment of $79 million and $214 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $79 million and $210 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Transactions between segments are eliminated in consolidation. Such amounts are eliminated through the Corporate and Other line. |
| |
(b) | Revenues for the Relocation Services segment include intercompany referral and relocation fees paid by the Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment of $13 million and $32 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $14 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Such amounts are recorded as contra-revenues by the Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment. There are no other material inter-segment transactions. |
| |
(c) | Includes the elimination of transactions between segments. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| EBITDA (a) (b) |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Real Estate Franchise Services | $ | 136 |
| | $ | 133 |
| | $ | 352 |
| | $ | 338 |
|
Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services | 93 |
| | 91 |
| | 164 |
| | 185 |
|
Relocation Services | 47 |
| | 45 |
| | 80 |
| | 82 |
|
Title and Settlement Services | 15 |
| | 17 |
| | 27 |
| | 41 |
|
Corporate and Other | (18 | ) | | (50 | ) | | (76 | ) | | (143 | ) |
Total Company | $ | 273 |
| | $ | 236 |
| | $ | 547 |
| | $ | 503 |
|
Less: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 48 |
| | $ | 44 |
| | $ | 140 |
| | $ | 130 |
|
Interest expense, net | 54 |
| | 74 |
| | 197 |
| | 230 |
|
Income tax expense | 71 |
| | 9 |
| | 88 |
| | 25 |
|
Net income attributable to Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group | $ | 100 |
| | $ | 109 |
| | $ | 122 |
| | $ | 118 |
|
_______________
| |
(a) | Includes a net benefit of $2 million of former parent legacy items and the reversal of prior year restructuring of $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $22 million related to the loss on early extinguishment of debt, $19 million related to the Phantom Value Plan and a net cost of $1 million of former parent legacy items for the three months ended September 30, 2013. |
| |
(b) | Includes $27 million related to the loss on early extinguishment of debt and $2 million related to the Phantom Value Plan, partially offset by a net benefit of $1 million of former parent legacy items and the reversal of prior year restructuring of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $68 million related to the loss on the early extinguishment of debt, $45 million related to the Phantom Value Plan and $4 million of restructuring costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. |
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the 2013 Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts in tables are in millions. Neither Realogy Holdings, the indirect parent of Realogy Group, nor Realogy Intermediate, the direct parent company of Realogy Group, conducts any operations other than with respect to its respective direct or indirect ownership of Realogy Group. As a result, the condensed consolidated financial positions, results of operations and cash flows of Realogy Holdings, Realogy Intermediate and Realogy Group are the same. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" in this report and "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in our 2013 Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
We are a global provider of real estate and relocation services and report our operations in the following four segments:
| |
• | Real Estate Franchise Services (known as Realogy Franchise Group or RFG)—franchises the Century 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, ERA®, Sotheby's International Realty®, and Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate brand names. As of September 30, 2014, our franchise systems had approximately 13,400 franchised and company owned offices and approximately 250,300 independent sales associates operating under our franchise and proprietary brands in the U.S. and 104 other countries and territories around the world, which included approximately 720 of our company owned and operated brokerage offices with approximately 45,200 independent sales associates. |
| |
• | Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services (known as NRT)—operates a full-service real estate brokerage business principally under the Coldwell Banker®, Corcoran Group®, Sotheby's International Realty®, ZipRealty® and Citi Habitats brand names in more than 45 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. This segment also includes the Company's share of earnings for our PHH Home Loans venture. |
| |
• | Relocation Services (known as Cartus)—primarily offers clients employee relocation services such as homesale assistance, providing home equity advances to transferees (generally guaranteed by the client), home finding and other destination services, expense processing, relocation policy counseling and consulting services, arranging household goods moving services, coordinating visa and immigration support, intercultural and language training and group move management services. |
| |
• | Title and Settlement Services (known as Title Resource Group or TRG)—provides full-service title, settlement and vendor management services to real estate companies, affinity groups, corporations and financial institutions with many of these services provided in connection with the Company's real estate brokerage and relocation services business. |
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Acquisition of ZipRealty
On August 14, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of ZipRealty pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 15, 2014 for a purchase price of $167 million. The acquisition of ZipRealty resulted in the Company acquiring a technology-based residential brokerage operation with 23 offices across the United States as well as an integrated technology platform. The ZipRealty brokerage operations have been integrated into our company-owned operations and the Company intends to leverage ZipRealty’s technology platform across our business, to enable both our franchise brands and our company-owned operations to better serve their customers.
CURRENT INDUSTRY TRENDS
During the first nine months of 2014, the residential real estate industry has continued its recovery, albeit at a slower pace from the significant growth experienced in 2012 and 2013. The improvement in 2014, however, is primarily due to rising home prices as the number of homesale transactions has declined from 2013. We believe that the improvement in 2012 and 2013 was driven by high affordability of home ownership and demand that built up during an extended period of economic uncertainty, as well as historically low interest rates and lower home inventory levels leading to increases in homesale prices. This recovery followed a lengthy downturn which began in the second half of 2005 and continued through
2011. Based upon data published by NAR from 2005 to 2011, the number of annual U.S. existing homesale units declined by 40% and the median existing homesale price declined by 24%.
During the first nine months of 2014, we have seen strong demand at the high end of the housing market coinciding with low inventory levels causing the average homesale price to increase. At the low end of the market, we believe there has been a limitation on first time buyer activity due to various factors, including a continuation of difficult mortgage underwriting standards, increased down payment requirements, the impact of a slow growth economy and low inventory levels. These factors have resulted in a shift in the mix of business away from lower-priced homes, thereby leading to a higher average homesale price, and a year-over-year decrease in the total number of homesale transactions in the first nine months of 2014.
According to NAR, the inventory of existing homes for sale in the U.S. was 2.3 million homes at the end of September 2014 and is 6% above September 2013. The September 2014 inventory represents a national average supply of 5.3 months at the current homesales pace which represents a lower than normal level of inventory. For the first nine months of 2014, NAR reported in their monthly Realtor Confidence Survey that first time home buyers accounted for 28% of transactions compared to 34% for the period from August 2009 (when NAR began compiling this information) through December 2013.
For 2014, NAR is forecasting that existing homesale transactions will decrease 3% and median existing homesale price will increase 5% compared to 2013, and Fannie Mae is forecasting that existing homesale transactions will decrease 3% and median existing homesale price will increase 5% compared to 2013. For 2015, NAR is forecasting that existing homesale transactions will increase 8% and median existing homesale price will increase 4%, and Fannie Mae is forecasting that existing homesale transactions will increase 4% and median existing homesale price will increase 5%.
As reported by NAR, the housing affordability index has continued to be at historically favorable levels as a result of the cumulative homesale price declines that began in 2007 and historically low interest rates. An index above 100 signifies that a family earning the median income has sufficient income to purchase a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment and ability to qualify for a mortgage. The composite housing affordability index was 158 as of August 2014, 177 for 2013 and 197 for 2012. The housing affordability index, which has declined over the past two years as housing prices and mortgage rates increased, has improved slightly in July and August of 2014 due to lower mortgage rates and the slower pace of average home price increases. Moreover, the overall level of this index is still higher than the average of 117 for the period from 1970 through 2005. In addition, as rental prices have continued to rise, the cost of owning a home is lower than the rental of a comparable property in the vast majority of U.S. metropolitan areas.
Mortgage rates continue to be at low levels by historical standards, which we believe has helped stimulate demand in the residential real estate market. According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates on commitments for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate first mortgage averaged 6.5% for 2000 to 2005, 5.7% for 2006 to 2010 and 4.0% for 2011 through 2013. The September 2014 average mortgage rate of 4.2% continues to be historically low. In addition, consumers have financing alternatives such as adjustable rate mortgages which can be utilized to obtain a lower mortgage rate than a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.
Partially offsetting the positive impact of low mortgage rates are conservative mortgage underwriting standards, increased down payment requirements and certain homeowners having limited or negative equity in homes. Mortgage credit conditions tightened significantly during the recent housing downturn, with banks limiting credit availability to more creditworthy borrowers and requiring larger down payments, stricter appraisal standards, and more extensive mortgage documentation. Although mortgage credit conditions appear to be easing slightly, mortgages remain less available to some borrowers and it frequently takes longer to close a homesale transaction due to current mortgage and underwriting requirements.
Mortgage refinancing activity has declined significantly in 2014 compared to levels experienced in 2012 and most of 2013. In 2013, refinancing originations totaled $1.1 trillion compared to $1.5 trillion in 2012 according to Fannie Mae. In 2014, Fannie Mae forecasts that refinancing originations will decline to $0.4 trillion resulting in a decline of 62% from 2013 levels. The reduction in refinancing activity in 2014 has adversely impacted our share of earnings from our PHH Home Loans venture as well as refinancing related revenue and profitability at our title and settlement services operations.
Final regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act pertaining to qualified mortgages and qualified residential mortgages were issued in October 2014, which we believe is a positive step towards expanding credit availability.
Homesales
According to NAR, homesale transactions for 2013 increased to 5.1 million homes or 9% compared to 2012 despite modest economic growth during 2013. In 2014, NAR seasonally adjusted annualized homesale transactions fell to 4.6 million homes in the first quarter, rebounded to 4.9 million homes in the second quarter and reached 5.1 million homes in the third quarter of 2014. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, RFG and NRT homesale transactions decreased 3% and 4%, respectively, due to a decrease in homebuyer activity compared to the third quarter of 2013 and were in line with the percentage changes reported by NAR and Fannie Mae for the third quarter of 2014. The quarterly and annual year-over-year trends in homesale transactions are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2014 vs. 2013 | |
| Full Year 2013 vs. 2012 | | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter Forecast | | Full Year Forecast 2014 vs. 2013 | |
Number of Homesales | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Industry | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NAR | 9 | % | (a) | (7 | )% | (a) | (5 | )% | (a) | (4 | )% | (a) | 4 | % | (b) | (3 | )% | (b) |
Fannie Mae (c) | 9 | % | | (7 | )% | | (5 | )% | | (4 | )% | | 3 | % | | (3 | )% | |
Realogy | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Franchise Services | 10 | % | | (3 | )% | | (3 | %) | | (3 | )% | | | | | |
Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services | 9 | % | | (2 | )% | | (5 | %) | | (4 | )% | | | | | |
_______________
| |
(a) | Historical existing homesale data is as of the most recent NAR press release. |
| |
(b) | Forecasted existing homesale data, on a seasonally adjusted basis, is as of the most recent NAR forecast. |
| |
(c) | Existing homesale data, on a seasonally adjusted basis, is as of the most recent Fannie Mae press release. |
For 2015, NAR and Fannie Mae are forecasting an increase in existing homesale transactions of 8% and 4%, respectively, compared to 2014.
Homesale Price
For the full year 2013, the percentage change in the average price of homes brokered by RFG franchisees and NRT increased 9% and 6%, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, average homesale price was up 6% for RFG and 5% for NRT. RFG’s average sales price increase was higher than NAR and Fannie Mae largely due to the mix of business as the volume of activity for Sotheby’s International Realty franchisees continued to increase. We believe that the continued improvement in price in 2013 and 2014 is due to the low level of home inventory in many markets, as well as the increase in demand of higher priced homes. The quarterly and annual year-over-year trends in the price of homes are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2014 vs. 2013 | |
| Full Year 2013 vs. 2012 | | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter Forecast | | Full Year Forecast 2014 vs. 2013 | |
Price of Homes | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Industry | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NAR | 9 | % | (a) | 7 | % | (a) | 3 | % | (a) | 3 | % | (a) | 4 | % | (b) | 5 | % | (b) |
Fannie Mae (c) | 11 | % | | 9 | % | | 4 | % | | 5 | % | | 6 | % | | 5 | % | |
Realogy | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Franchise Services | 9 | % | | 12 | % | | 7 | % | | 6 | % | | | | | |
Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services | 6 | % | | 14 | % | | 7 | % | | 5 | % | | | | | |
_______________
| |
(a) | Historical homesale price data is for existing homesale average price and is as of the most recent NAR press release. |
| |
(b) | Forecasted homesale price data is for median price and is as of the most recent NAR forecast. |
| |
(c) | Existing homesale price data is for median price and is as of the most recent Fannie Mae press release. |
For 2015, NAR and Fannie Mae are forecasting an increase of 4% and 5%, respectively, in median existing homesale price compared to 2014.
* * *
Other Housing Factors
We believe that long-term demand for housing and the growth of our industry are primarily driven by the affordability of housing, the economic health of the U.S. economy, positive demographic trends such as population growth, the increase in household formation, historically low interest rates, job growth, the inherent attributes of homeownership vs. renting and the influence of local housing dynamics of supply vs. demand. Factors that may negatively affect a sustained housing recovery include:
| |
• | higher mortgage rates due to increases in long-term interest rates as well as reduced availability of mortgage financing; |
| |
• | insufficient inventory levels leading to lower unit sales; |
| |
• | changing attitudes towards home ownership, particularly among potential first-time homebuyers who may delay, or decide not to, purchase homes; |
| |
• | the impact of limited or negative equity of current homeowners, as well as the lack of available inventory may limit their proclivity to purchase an alternative home; |
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• | reduced affordability of homes; |
| |
• | continuing high levels of unemployment and associated lack of consumer confidence; |
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• | unsustainable economic recovery in the U.S. or a weak recovery resulting in only modest economic growth; |
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• | economic instability stemming from ongoing high levels of U.S. debt; |
| |
• | a decline in home ownership levels in the U.S.; |
| |
• | legislation or additional regulation which curtails Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae's activities and/or results in the wind down of these entities could increase mortgage costs, result in more stringent underwriting guidelines imposed by lenders or cause other disruptions in the mortgage industry; and |
| |
• | legislative or regulatory reform, including but not limited to reform that adversely impacts the financing of the U.S. housing market or amends the Internal Revenue Code in a manner that negatively impacts home ownership such as reform that reduces the amount that certain taxpayers would be allowed to deduct for home mortgage interest. |
Many of the trends impacting our businesses that derive revenue from homesales also impact our Relocation Services business, which is a global provider of outsourced employee relocation services. In addition to general residential housing trends, key drivers of our Relocation Services business are global corporate spending on relocation services, which has not returned to levels that existed prior to the most recent recession, as well as employment relocation trends. Our Relocation Services business is subject to a competitive pricing environment and lower average revenue per relocation as a result of a shift in the mix of services and number of services being delivered per move. These factors have, and may continue to, put pressure on the growth and profitability of this segment.
* * *
While data provided by NAR and Fannie Mae are two indicators of the direction of the residential housing market, we believe that homesale statistics will continue to vary between us and NAR and Fannie Mae because they use survey data in their historical reports and forecasting models whereas we use data based on actual reported results. In addition to the differences in calculation methodologies, there are geographical differences and concentrations in the markets in which we operate versus the national market. For instance, comparability is impaired due to NAR’s utilization of seasonally adjusted annualized rates whereas we report actual period over period changes and their use of median price for their forecasts compared to our average price. Additionally, NAR historical data is subject to periodic review and revision and these revisions could be material. NAR and Fannie Mae generally update their forecasts on a monthly basis and a subsequent forecast may change materially from a forecast that was previously issued. While we believe that the industry data presented herein is derived from the most widely recognized sources for reporting U.S. residential housing market statistical data, we do not endorse or suggest reliance on this data alone. We also note that forecasts are inherently uncertain or speculative in nature and actual results for any period could materially differ.
KEY DRIVERS OF OUR BUSINESSES
Within our Real Estate Franchise Services segment and our Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment, we measure operating performance using the following key operating statistics: (i) closed homesale sides, which represents
either the "buy" side or the "sell" side of a homesale transaction, (ii) average homesale price, which represents the average selling price of closed homesale transactions, (iii) average homesale broker commission rate, which represents the average commission rate earned on either the "buy" side or "sell" side of a homesale transaction and (iv) net effective royalty rate which represents the average percentage of our franchisees’ commission revenues payable to our Real Estate Franchise Services segment, net of volume incentives achieved.
From 2007 through December 2013, the average broker commission rate remained fairly stable; however, we expect that over the long term the average brokerage commission rates could modestly decline as a result of increases in average homesale prices. A continuing housing recovery should result in an increase in our revenues but could put pressure on brokerage commissions, which could negatively impact the rate of revenue growth.
In general, most of our third-party franchisees are entitled to volume incentives. These incentives decrease during times of declining homesale transaction volumes and increase during market recoveries when there is a corresponding increase in homesale transaction volume. As a result, the net effective royalty rate may be impacted by the cyclical residential housing market. In addition, these tiered volume incentives only impact the incremental revenues recorded and the calculation of the net effective royalty rate. Over the past five years, the net effective royalty rate has been declining due to several factors including, a consolidation of distressed franchisees into viable affiliates and company owned operations, the termination of certain franchisees who generally were not sizable enough to earn significant rebates, and over the last two calendar years, an increase in overall homesale transaction volume.
Royalty fees are charged to all franchisees pursuant to the terms of the relevant franchise agreements and are included in each of the real estate brands' franchise disclosure documents. Non-standard incentives are occasionally used as consideration for new or renewing franchisees. Due to the limited number of franchisees that receive these non-standard incentives, they are excluded from the calculation of the net effective royalty rate, which we believe provides a more meaningful average for typical franchisees. Had these non-standard incentives been included, the net effective royalty rate would be lower by approximately 16 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Our Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment has a significant concentration of real estate brokerage offices and transactions in geographic regions where home prices are at the higher end of the U.S. real estate market, particularly the east and west coasts, while our Real Estate Franchise Services segment has franchised offices that are more widely dispersed across the United States. Accordingly, operating results and homesale statistics may differ between our Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment and our Real Estate Franchise Services segment based upon geographic presence and the corresponding homesale activity in each geographic region. In addition, the share of commissions earned by sales associates directly impacts the margin earned by our Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment. Such share of commissions earned by sales associates varies by region and can increase as sales associates increase their level of homesale transactions. It also is impacted by the level of recruitment by competitors of sales associates affiliated with our brokerage. Competitive pressures can increase the commissions necessary to attract and maintain relationships with productive sales associates. Commission schedules are generally progressive to incentivize sales associates to achieve higher levels of production. The level of commissions earned by sales associates are generally subject to review and reset on the anniversary of the sales associates' engagement with the broker.
Within our Relocation Services segment, we measure operating performance using the following key operating statistics: (i) initiations, which represent the total number of new transferees and the total number of real estate closings for affinity members and (ii) referrals, which represent the number of referrals from which we earn revenue from real estate brokers.
In our Title and Settlement Services segment, operating performance is evaluated using the following key metrics: (i) purchase title and closing units, which represent the number of title and closing units we process as a result of home purchases, (ii) refinance title and closing units, which represent the number of title and closing units we process as a result of homeowners refinancing their home loans, and (iii) average fee per closing unit, which represents the average fee we earn on purchase title and refinancing title sides. An increase or decrease in homesale transactions will impact the financial results of our Title and Settlement Services segment; however, the financial results are not significantly impacted by a change in homesale price. In addition, an increase in mortgage rates will most likely have a negative impact on refinancing title and closing units.
A decline in the number of homesale transactions and decline in homesale prices could adversely affect our results of operations by: (i) reducing the royalties we receive from our franchisees, (ii) reducing the commissions our company owned brokerage operations earn, (iii) reducing the demand for our title and settlement services, (iv) reducing the referral fees we earn in our relocation services business, and (v) increasing the risk of franchisee default due to lower homesale
volume. Our results could also be negatively affected by a decline in commission rates charged by brokers or greater commission payments to sales associates.
The following table presents our drivers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. See "Results of Operations" below for a discussion as to how these drivers affected our business for the periods presented.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For Three Months Ended September 30, | | For Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | % Change | | 2014 | | 2013 | | % Change |
Real Estate Franchise Services (a) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Closed homesale sides | 306,338 |
| | 315,432 |
| | (3 | %) | | 803,760 |
| | 827,632 |
| | (3 | %) |
Average homesale price | $ | 255,780 |
| | $ | 240,408 |
| | 6 | % | | $ | 249,782 |
| | $ | 231,538 |
| | 8 | % |
Average homesale broker commission rate | 2.51 | % | | 2.53 | % | | (2) bps |
| | 2.52 | % | | 2.54 | % | | (2) bps |
|
Net effective royalty rate | 4.49 | % | | 4.46 | % | | 3 bps |
| | 4.48 | % | | 4.50 | % | | (2) bps |
|
Royalty per side | $ | 301 |
| | $ | 281 |
| | 7 | % | | $ | 294 |
| | $ | 275 |
| | 7 | % |
Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services | | | | | | | | | | |
Closed homesale sides | 89,472 |
| | 93,083 |
| | (4 | %) | | 233,960 |
| | 244,021 |
| | (4 | %) |
Average homesale price | $ | 498,650 |
| | $ | 475,823 |
| | 5 | % | | $ | 501,324 |
| | $ | 465,335 |
| | 8 | % |
Average homesale broker commission rate | 2.46 | % | | 2.49 | % | | (3) bps |
| | 2.47 | % | | 2.50 | % | | (3) bps |
|
Gross commission income per side | $ | 12,985 |
| | $ | 12,527 |
| | 4 | % | | $ | 13,130 |
| | $ | 12,341 |
| | 6 | % |
Relocation Services | | | | | | | | | | | |
Initiations | 44,019 |
| | 42,788 |
| | 3 | % | | 133,223 |
| | 130,050 |
| | 2 | % |
Referrals | 29,259 |
| | 28,406 |
| | 3 | % | | 73,101 |
| | 70,341 |
| | 4 | % |
Title and Settlement Services | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase title and closing units | 32,355 |
| | 33,540 |
| | (4 | %) | | 86,234 |
| | 89,204 |
| | (3 | %) |
Refinance title and closing units | 6,520 |
| | 17,625 |
| | (63 | %) | | 20,129 |
| | 65,247 |
| | (69 | %) |
Average fee per closing unit | $ | 1,956 |
| | $ | 1,579 |
| | 24 | % | | $ | 1,914 |
| | $ | 1,469 |
| | 30 | % |
_______________
| |
(a) | Includes all franchisees except for our Company Owned Real Estate Brokerage Services segment. |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussed below are our condensed 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 separate financial information is available and which is utilized 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 revenue and EBITDA. EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, net interest (income) expense (other than Relocation Services interest for securitization assets and securitization obligations) and income taxes, each of which is presented on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As discussed above under "Industry Trends," our results of operations are significantly impacted by industry and economic factors that are beyond our control.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014&