Liberty Broadband Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Liberty Broadband Corporation (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) reported its Q2 2022 results, showing a fair value of its Charter investment at $23.5 billion. The company generated $1.1 billion from selling 2.2 million Charter shares while maintaining a 26% equity interest. GCI's revenue remained flat at $238 million, with operating income at $10 million, reflecting a 44% decline. Liberty Broadband repurchased 9 million shares for $1 billion. The company's debt decreased to $3.9 billion, and cash remained stable at $301 million as of June 30, 2022.

Positive

• Fair value of Charter investment at $23.5 billion.
• Generated $1.1 billion from Charter share sales.
• Repurchased 9 million shares for $1 billion, showing commitment to return of capital.

Negative

• GCI's operating income declined 44% to $10 million.
• Consumer revenue decreased 3%, driven by declines in video and voice products.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) today reported second quarter 2022 results. Headlines include⁽¹⁾:

• Fair value of Charter investment was $23.5 billion as of June 30^th
• From May 1^st through July 31^st Liberty Broadband received $1.1 billion of proceeds from sale of 2.2 million Charter shares to Charter
  • Maintained fully diluted equity interest in Charter of 26%⁽²⁾
• From May 1^st through July 31^st, Liberty Broadband repurchased 9.0 million LBRDA/K shares at an average price per share of $116.40 for total cash consideration of $1.0 billion
• In the second quarter, GCI⁽³⁾ revenue was flat at $238 million, generated $10 million in operating income and grew adjusted OIBDA⁽⁴⁾ 1% to $90 million

Share Repurchases

From May 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022, Liberty Broadband repurchased approximately 6.3 million shares of Series C Liberty Broadband common stock (Nasdaq: LBRDK) at an average cost per share of $117.40 for total cash consideration of $737 million and repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares of Series A Liberty Broadband common stock (Nasdaq: LBRDA) at an average cost per share of $114.08 for total cash consideration of $310 million. The total remaining repurchase authorization for Liberty Broadband as of August 1, 2022 is approximately $700 million.

Charter Ownership

Under the terms of Liberty Broadband and Charter’s stockholder agreement, Liberty Broadband has sold and will continue to sell to Charter a number of shares of Class A common stock as is necessary to maintain Liberty Broadband’s percentage equity interest at 26% on a fully diluted basis. Such sales are executed by Liberty Broadband monthly based on Charter’s repurchase activity in the month prior.

From May 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022, Liberty Broadband sold approximately 2.2 million shares of Charter Class A common stock to Charter for total proceeds of approximately $1.1 billion.

Balance Sheet

The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and liquid investments, debt and public holdings of Liberty Broadband as of March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

(amounts in millions)		3/31/2022				6/30/2022
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
GCI Holdings		$	111			$	80
Corporate and Other			189				221
Total Liberty Broadband Consolidated Cash		$	300			$	301
Fair Value of Public Holdings in Charter(a)		$	28,595			$	23,502
Debt:
Senior Notes(b)		$	600			$	600
Senior Credit Facility			399				398
Tower Obligations and Other(c)			97				95
Total GCI Holdings Debt		$	1,096			$	1,093
GCI Leverage(d)			2.9x				2.9x
Charter Margin Loan		$	1,600			$	1,400
1.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050(e)			825				825
1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046(e)			15				15
2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050(e)			575				575
Total Corporate Level Debt		$	3,015			$	2,815
Total Liberty Broadband Debt		$	4,111			$	3,908
Fair market value adjustment and deferred loan costs			(6	)			(45	)
Tower obligations and finance leases (excluded from GAAP Debt)			(91	)			(90	)
Total Liberty Broadband Debt (GAAP)		$	4,014			$	3,773
Other Financial Obligations:
Indemnification Obligation(f)		$	239			$	175
Preferred Stock(g)			180				180

_______________________
a)		Represents fair value of the investment in Charter as of March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022. A portion of the Charter equity securities are considered covered shares and subject to certain contractual restrictions in accordance with the indemnification obligation, as described below.
b)		Principal amount of Senior Notes.
c)		Includes the Wells Fargo Note Payable and current and long-term obligations under finance leases and tower obligations.
d)		As defined in GCI's credit agreement.
e)		Principal amount of Senior Exchangeable Debentures exclusive of fair market value adjustments.
f)		Indemnity to Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”), pursuant to an indemnification agreement (the "indemnification agreement"), with respect to the Liberty Interactive LLC ("LI LLC") 1.75% exchangeable debentures due 2046 (the "Charter exchangeable debentures"), as described below.
g)		Liquidation value of preferred stock. Preferred stock has a 7% coupon, $25/share liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends and 1/3 vote per share. The redemption date is the first business day following March 8, 2039. The preferred stock is considered a liability for GAAP purposes.

Liberty Broadband cash was flat in the second quarter. The primary sources of cash were Charter share sales in the period and proceeds from the sale of Skyhook Holdings, Inc. (“Skyhook”), offset by share repurchases and debt repayment at Liberty Broadband. GCI cash decreased $31 million in the second quarter as cash from operations was more than offset by a $70 million dividend paid to Liberty Broadband and capital expenditures during the quarter.

Skyhook was a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband until its sale on May 2, 2022 for aggregate consideration of approximately $194 million, including amounts held in escrow of approximately $23 million. Liberty Broadband recognized a gain on the sale of $179 million, net of fees contingent upon closing, in the second quarter of 2022, which is recorded in Gain (loss) on dispositions, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Liberty Broadband debt decreased $203 million in the second quarter due to repayment on the Charter margin loan. There is $900 million available capacity under the Charter margin loan. GCI’s credit facility has undrawn capacity of $397 million (net of letters of credit), and GCI’s leverage as defined in its credit agreement is 2.9x.

Liberty Broadband has an indemnification agreement with Qurate Retail with respect to Qurate Retail’s Charter exchangeable debentures. Pursuant to the indemnification agreement, Liberty Broadband will compensate Qurate Retail for any payments made in excess of the adjusted principal amount of the LI LLC Charter exchangeable debentures to any holder that exercises its exchange right on or before the put/call date of October 5, 2023. This indemnity is supported by a negative pledge in favor of Qurate Retail on the reference shares of Class A common stock of Charter held at Liberty Broadband that underlie the LI LLC Charter exchangeable debentures. The indemnification obligation on Liberty Broadband’s balance sheet is valued based on the estimated exchange feature in the LI LLC Charter exchangeable debentures. As of June 30, 2022, a holder of the LI LLC Charter exchangeable debentures has the ability to exchange, and accordingly, the indemnification obligation is classified as a current liability.

GCI Operating and Financial Results
			2Q21				2Q22				% Change
(amounts in millions, except operating metrics)
GCI Consolidated Financial Metrics
Revenue
Consumer		$	120			$	117				(3	)%
Business			118				121				3	%
Total revenue		$	238			$	238				-	%
Operating income		$	18			$	10				(44	)%
Operating income margin (%)			7.4	%			4.2	%			(320	)bps
Adjusted OIBDA(a)		$	89			$	90				1	%
Adjusted OIBDA margin(a) (%)			37.3	%			37.8	%			50	bps
GCI Consumer
Financial Metrics
Revenue
Wireless		$	45			$	47				4	%
Data			53				57				8	%
Other			22				13				(41	)%
Total revenue		$	120			$	117				(3	)%
Operating Metrics
Wireless:
Revenue generating lines in service(b)			189,100				194,000				3	%
Data:
Revenue generating cable modem subscribers(c)			145,400				154,500				6	%
GCI Business
Financial Metrics
Revenue
Wireless		$	20			$	13				(35	)%
Data			87				97				11	%
Other			11				11				-	%
Total revenue		$	118			$	121				3	%

_______________________
a)		See reconciling schedule 1.
b)		A revenue generating wireless line in service is defined as a wireless device with a monthly fee for services.
c)		A revenue generating cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased.

Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion compares financial information for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to the same period in 2021.

GCI revenue was flat in the second quarter. Consumer revenue was down 3% driven by significant declines in the lower margin video and voice products included in Other consumer revenue, partially offset by 4% and 8% growth in consumer wireless and data revenue, respectively. Business revenue was up 3% with growth in data revenue more than offsetting the impact of extending a roaming wireless contract with a large partner in the fourth quarter of 2021, which results in lower quarterly and annual revenue in 2022, but will benefit GCI from the extension of the agreement for several years as well as the continued receipt of backhaul services for GCI’s network post expiration. The previous agreement was expected to be terminated in 2022.

Operating income declined in the second quarter due to a $10 million accrual for a potential litigation settlement and adjusted OIBDA grew 1% primarily due to mix shift into higher margin revenue.

In the second quarter, GCI spent $55 million on capital expenditures, including accrued capital expenditures. Capital expenditure spending was related primarily to improvements to the wireless and hybrid fiber coax networks. GCI's net capital expenditures for the full year 2022 are expected to be approximately $150 million.

FOOTNOTES

1)		Liberty Broadband will discuss these highlights and other matters on Liberty Broadband's earnings conference call that will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.D.T.) on August 5, 2022. For information regarding how to access the call, please see “Important Notice” later in this document.
2)		Calculated pursuant to Liberty Broadband and Charter’s stockholder agreement.
3)		Liberty Broadband’s principal operating asset is GCI Holdings, LLC (“GCI” or “GCI Holdings”), Alaska's largest communications provider, and also holds an interest in Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter").
4)		For a definition of adjusted OIBDA and adjusted OIBDA margin and applicable reconciliations, see the accompanying schedules.

NOTES

LIBERTY BROADBAND FINANCIAL METRICS
(amounts in millions)		2Q21				2Q22
Revenue
GCI Holdings		$	238			$	238
Corporate and other			4				1
Total Liberty Broadband Revenue		$	242			$	239
Operating Income (Loss)
GCI Holdings		$	18			$	10
Corporate and other			(20	)			(11	)
Total Liberty Broadband Operating Income (Loss)		$	(2	)		$	(1	)
Adjusted OIBDA (Loss)
GCI Holdings		$	89			$	90
Corporate and other			(14	)			(7	)
Total Liberty Broadband Adjusted OIBDA (Loss)		$	75			$	83

Important Notice: Liberty Broadband (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP) will discuss Liberty Broadband’s earnings release on a conference call which will begin at 11:15 a.m. (E.D.T.) on August 5, 2022. The call can be accessed by dialing (800) 458-4121 or (323) 794-2093, passcode 5262692, at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to https://www.libertybroadband.com/investors/news-events/ir-calendar. Links to this press release and replays of the call will also be available on Liberty Broadband’s website.

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, future financial prospects, capital expenditures, matters relating to Liberty Broadband’s equity interest in Charter and Charter’s buyback of common stock, Liberty Broadband’s participation in Charter’s buyback of common stock, indemnification by Liberty Broadband, the continuation of our stock repurchase program, benefits from extending a roaming contract, backhaul services and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of new products or services, competitive issues, regulatory matters affecting our businesses, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Liberty Broadband, changes in law and government regulations, the availability of investment opportunities, general market conditions (including as a result of COVID-19) and market conditions conducive to stock repurchases. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Liberty Broadband expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Broadband's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Broadband, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, for additional information about Liberty Broadband and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Broadband which may affect the statements made in this press release.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes a presentation of adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for Liberty Broadband (and certain of its subsidiaries) and GCI Holdings together with a reconciliation to that entity or such businesses’ operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty Broadband defines adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, transaction costs, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, acquisition and other related costs and impairment charges. Further, this press release includes adjusted OIBDA margin which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. Liberty Broadband defines adjusted OIBDA margin as adjusted OIBDA divided by revenue.

Liberty Broadband believes adjusted OIBDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business' performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Because adjusted OIBDA is used as a measure of operating performance, Liberty Broadband views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supersede operating income or any other GAAP measure, but rather to supplement such GAAP measures in order to present investors with the same information that Liberty Broadband’s management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets. Please see the tables below for applicable reconciliations.

SCHEDULE 1

The following table provides a reconciliation of GCI’s operating income to its adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

GCI HOLDINGS ADJUSTED OIBDA RECONCILIATION
(amounts in millions)		2Q21			2Q22
GCI Holdings Operating Income		$	18		$	10
Depreciation and amortization			67			66
Stock-based compensation			4			4
Litigation settlement(a)			—			10
GCI Holdings Adjusted OIBDA		$	89		$	90

_______________________
a)		GCI recorded a $10 million settlement expense in June 2022 related to legal proceedings with the Department of Justice on Rural Healthcare matters that commenced in 2019.

SCHEDULE 2

The following table provides a reconciliation of operating income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted OIBDA for Liberty Broadband for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

LIBERTY BROADBAND ADJUSTED OIBDA RECONCILIATION
(amounts in millions)		2Q21				2Q22
Liberty Broadband Operating Income (Loss)		$	(2	)		$	(1	)
Depreciation and amortization			67				65
Stock-based compensation			10				9
Litigation settlement(a)			—				10
Liberty Broadband Adjusted OIBDA (Loss)		$	75			$	83
GCI Holdings		$	89				90
Corporate and other			(14	)			(7	)

_______________________
a)		GCI recorded a $10 million settlement expense in June 2022 related to legal proceedings with the Department of Justice on Rural Healthcare matters that commenced in 2019.

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(unaudited)
		June 30,			December 31,
		2022			2021
		amounts in millions,
		except share amounts
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	301		191
Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $4 and $4, respectively			179		206
Prepaid and other current assets			71		62
Total current assets			551		459
Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method			12,051		13,260
Property and equipment, net			1,013		1,031
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
Goodwill			755		762
Cable certificates			550		550
Other			37		37
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net			546		573
Tax sharing receivable			44		86
Other assets, net			191		210
Total assets		$	15,738		16,968
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	100		99
Deferred revenue			21		25
Current portion of debt, including zero and $25 measured at fair value, respectively			3		28
Indemnification obligation			175		324
Other current liabilities			149		106
Total current liabilities			448		582
Long-term debt, net, including $1,342 and $1,403 measured at fair value, respectively			3,770		3,733
Obligations under finance leases and tower obligations, excluding current portion			88		89
Long-term deferred revenue			36		35
Deferred income tax liabilities			1,999		1,998
Preferred stock			203		203
Other liabilities			166		189
Total liabilities			6,710		6,829
Equity
Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,633,055 and 23,232,342 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			—		—
Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,328,901 and 2,544,548 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			—		—
Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 132,311,691 and 144,854,780 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			1		1
Additional paid-in capital			4,319		6,214
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes			30		14
Retained earnings			4,662		3,898
Total stockholders' equity			9,012		10,127
Non-controlling interests			16		12
Total equity			9,028		10,139
Commitments and contingencies
Total liabilities and equity		$	15,738		16,968

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION
(unaudited)
		Three months ended
		June 30,
		2022				2021
		amounts in millions, except per share amounts
Revenue		$	239			242
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)			60			67
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation			105			110
Depreciation and amortization			65			67
Litigation settlement, net of recoveries			10			—
			240			244
Operating income (loss)			(1	)		(2	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (including amortization of deferred loan fees)			(30	)		(29	)
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate			386			249
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate			(11	)		(15	)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net			77			(125	)
Gain (loss) on dispositions, net			179			—
Other, net			(18	)		23
Earnings (loss) before income taxes			582			101
Income tax benefit (expense)			(117	)		(45	)
Net earnings (loss)			465			56
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests			—			—
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders		$	465			56
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share		$	2.89			0.30
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share		$	2.87			0.30

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
(unaudited)
		Six months ended
		June 30,
		2022				2021
		amounts in millions
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)		$	764			108
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			129			131
Stock-based compensation			18			20
Litigation settlement, net of recoveries			10			110
Share of (earnings) losses of affiliate, net			(689	)		(438	)
(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate			67			97
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net			(214	)		26
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)			1			(18	)
(Gain) loss on dispositions, net			(179	)		—
Other, net			(3	)		(2	)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Current and other assets			113			137
Payables and other liabilities			1			(60	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			18			111
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(78	)		(50	)
Cash received for Charter shares repurchased by Charter			1,806			1,762
Cash proceeds from dispositions, net			163			—
Other investing activities, net			4			2
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			1,895			1,714
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings of debt			300			717
Repayment of debt, finance leases and tower obligations			(203	)		(1,781	)
Repurchases of Liberty Broadband common stock			(1,890	)		(1,957	)
Other financing activities, net			(3	)		(2	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(1,796	)		(3,023	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			117			(1,198	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period			206			1,433
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period		$	323			235

 

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Liberty Broadband Corporation

Courtnee Chun, 720-875-5420

Source: Liberty Broadband Corporation

FAQ

What were Liberty Broadband's Q2 2022 earnings results?

Liberty Broadband reported a Q2 2022 operating income of $10 million, down 44% year-over-year.

How much did Liberty Broadband repurchase in shares during Q2 2022?

The company repurchased approximately 9 million shares for a total cash consideration of $1 billion.

What is the fair value of Liberty Broadband's investment in Charter?

As of June 30, 2022, the fair value of Liberty Broadband's investment in Charter was reported at $23.5 billion.

What was the status of Liberty Broadband's debt as of June 30, 2022?

Liberty Broadband's total debt decreased to $3.9 billion as of June 30, 2022.

How did GCI perform financially in Q2 2022?

GCI's revenue was flat at $238 million, with an operating income decline of 44%.