News

Life Time Fitness Logo

Life Time Fitness Announces Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2014 Financial Results
For the Year, Revenue Grew 7.0%, Net Income was $114.4 million and Diluted EPS was $2.94 For the Year, Adjusted Net Income was $117.8 and Adjusted Diluted EPS was $3.03
"Our core focus in 2014 was on reducing membership attrition rates and I am pleased with the progress we achieved via our connectivity and engagement initiatives"

CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM), The Healthy Way of Life Company, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

Fourth quarter 2014 revenue grew 8.3% to $315.3 million from $291.0 million during the same period last year. Revenue for the full year grew 7.0% to $1.291 billion from $1.206 billion in 2013.

Net income for the quarter was $22.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to net income of $25.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, for 4Q 2013. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $27.0 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $26.0 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, for 4Q 2013. Net income for the full year was $114.4 million, or $2.94 per diluted share, compared to net income of $121.0 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, for 2013. Adjusted net income for the full year was $117.8 million, or $3.03 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $121.7 million, or $2.93 per diluted share, for 2013. The adjustments to net income and diluted earnings per share are reflected in the reconciliations of net income to adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share, provided below.

“Our core focus in 2014 was on reducing membership attrition rates and I am pleased with the progress we achieved via our connectivity and engagement initiatives,” said Bahram Akradi, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “For the quarter and full year, we also saw steady growth in our revenue, including dues and in-center revenue. Additionally, we experienced the second straight quarter of sequential improvement in our same-center sales metrics, which we expect to be positive in 2015, along with growth in membership levels. We are off to a good start this year and look forward to continuing our improvement across these metrics. As always, we remain focused on delivering an unparalleled Healthy Way of Life experience to our members, while driving shareholder value.”

As previously announced, the Company’s board of directors continues to review strategic alternatives, including the exploration of a conversion of real estate assets into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), which the Board believes could provide substantial benefits to the Company and its shareholders. The Company is unable to comment further at this time but expects to provide shareholders with additional information, as appropriate.

During the fourth quarter, the Company opened its sixth planned center for the year, located in Henderson, Nevada, marking the Company’s second center in the Las Vegas market. In 2015, plans call for six new center openings in existing and new markets, led by Raleigh, North Carolina, the Company’s seventh North Carolina location, in March. The remaining planned new center openings will be in the Sacramento, California; Toronto, Ontario; Boston, Massachusetts; Mt. Laurel, New Jersey (greater Philadelphia market); and, Long Island, New York markets.

Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014, Financial Highlights:

Total revenue for the fourth quarter grew 8.3% to $315.3 million from $291.0 million in 4Q 2013. Total revenue for 2014 grew 7.0% to $1.291 billion from $1.206 billion during the prior-year period.

     
   

4Q 2014 vs. 4Q 2013

   

(in millions except revenue per membership data)

   

 

Membership dues

 

$200.5 vs. $190.0 (up 5.5%)

In-center revenue   $100.3 vs. $89.0 (up 12.6%)
Other revenue   $11.5 vs. $8.6 (up 33.4%)
     
Average center revenue per Access membership   $441 vs. $412 (up 6.8%)
Average in-center revenue per Access membership   $148 vs. $132 (up 11.9%)
Same-center revenue (open 13 months or longer)   Up 0.6%
Same-center revenue (open 37 months or longer)   Down 0.2%
     
     
   

YTD 2014 vs. YTD 2013

   

(in millions except revenue per membership data)

     

Membership dues

 

$810.7 vs. $766.8 (up 5.7%)

In-center revenue   $411.0 vs. $375.5 (up 9.4%)
Other revenue   $56.7 vs. $49.6 (up 14.4%)
     
Average center revenue per Access membership   $1,767 vs. $1,656 (up 6.7%)
Average in-center revenue per Access membership   $597 vs. $545 (up 9.6%)
Same-center revenue (open 13 months or longer)   Up 0.2%
Same-center revenue (open 37 months or longer)   Down 0.3%
     

Total memberships grew 2.5% to 809,445 at December 31, 2014, from 789,490 at December 31, 2013.

  • Access memberships were 683,530 at December 31, 2014, compared to 678,619 at December 31, 2013.
  • Non-Access memberships were 125,915 at December 31, 2014, compared to 110,871 at December 31, 2013.
  • Attrition in 4Q 2014 was 9.4% compared to 9.8% in the prior-year period. Attrition for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2014, was 35.2% compared to attrition of 35.8% during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013.

Total operating expenses during 4Q 2014 were $267.2 million compared to $241.4 million for 4Q 2013. Total operating expenses for 2014 were $1.061 billion compared to $977.3 million for 2013.

  • Income from operations margin was 15.2% for 4Q 2014 compared to 17.1% in the prior-year period.
  • Income from operations margin was 17.8% for 2014 compared to 19.0% for 2013.
     
   

4Q 2014 vs. 4Q 2013

   

(expense as a percent of total revenue)

     
Center operations   56.9% vs. 57.5%
Advertising and marketing   3.6% vs. 4.2%
General and administrative   5.3% vs. 4.6%
Other operating   6.8% vs. 6.2%
Depreciation and amortization   12.2% vs. 10.5%
     
   

YTD 2014 vs. YTD 2013

   

(expense as a percent of total revenue)

     
Center operations   57.7% vs. 57.1%
Advertising and marketing   3.3% vs. 3.5%
General and administrative   4.9% vs. 4.9%
Other operating   5.2% vs. 5.4%
Depreciation and amortization   11.1% vs. 10.1%
     

Net income for the quarter was $22.4 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to net income of $25.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, for 4Q 2013. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $27.0 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $26.0 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, for 4Q 2013. Net income for the full year was $114.4 million, or $2.94 per diluted share, compared to net income of $121.0 million, or $2.92 per diluted share for 2013. Adjusted net income for the full year was $117.8 million, or $3.03 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $121.7 million, or $2.93 per diluted share for 2013. The adjustments to net income and diluted earnings per share are reflected in the reconciliations of net income to adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share.

EBITDA for 4Q 2014 was $86.8 million compared to $80.4 million in 4Q 2013. For 2014, EBITDA was $374.3 million compared with $351.8 million in the prior-year period.

  • As a percentage of total revenue, EBITDA in 4Q 2014 was 27.5% compared to 27.6% in the prior-year period.
  • For full year 2014, EBITDA, as a percentage of total revenue, was 29.0% compared to 29.2% for 2013.

Cash flows from operating activities for 2014 totaled $260.7 million compared to $259.4 million in the prior-year period.

Weighted average fully diluted shares for 4Q 2014 totaled 38.0 million compared to 41.3 million in 4Q 2013. For 2014, weighted average fully diluted shares totaled 38.9 million compared to 41.5 million for the prior-year period.

2015 Business Outlook:

The following statements are based on the Company’s current expectations for fiscal year 2015. These 2015 expectations are subject to the risks and uncertainties further described in the Company’s forward-looking statements:

  • Revenue is expected to be $1.390-1.415 billion.
  • Net income is expected to be $120.0-128.0 million.
  • Diluted earnings per share is expected to be $3.15-3.35.

Expected net income and diluted earnings per share for 2015 exclude any expenses related to the Company’s exploration of strategic alternatives, including the REIT, which may be incurred in 2015.

As announced on February 19, 2015, the Company will hold a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2014 results. Akradi, Eric Buss, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and John Heller, vice president, Finance and Investor Relations, will host the conference call. The conference call will be webcast and may be accessed via the Company’s Investor Relations section of its website at lifetimefitness.com. A replay of the call will be available the same day via the Company’s website beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. ET.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.:

As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest — or discovering new passions — both inside and outside of Life Time’s distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company’s Healthy Way of Life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of February 26, 2015, the Company operated 113 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available atlifetimefitness.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can usually be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “evolve,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “looking ahead,” “may,” “opinion,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “will” and similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. Among these factors are attracting and retaining members, risks related to our debt levels and debt covenants, the ability to access our existing credit facility and obtain additional financing, strains on our business from continued and future growth, including potential acquisitions and other strategic initiatives, risks related to maintenance and security of our data, potential recognition of compensation expense related to performance-based stock grants, competition from other health and fitness centers, identifying and acquiring suitable sites for new centers, delays in opening new centers, unanticipated expenses relating to regulatory matters or litigation, the ability to convert our real estate assets into a REIT, the potential advantages, benefits and impact of, and opportunities created by, converting our real estate assets into a REIT, including potential tax benefits, and other factors set forth in the risk factor section of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which such statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date. All remarks made during the Company’s preliminary financial results webcast will be current at the time of the webcast and the Company is under no obligation to update the recording.

     
LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
         
    December 31,   December 31,
    2014   2013
    (Unaudited)    
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 9,175     $ 8,334  
Accounts receivable, net     9,446       8,298  
Center operating supplies and inventories     35,936       32,778  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     25,844       25,802  
Deferred membership origination costs     9,051       9,945  
Deferred income taxes     6,689       6,881  
Income tax receivable     12,596       6,698  
Total current assets     108,737       98,736  
Property and equipment, net     2,417,931       2,147,627  
Restricted cash     513       850  
Deferred membership origination costs     6,039       5,210  
Goodwill     61,101       49,195  
Intangible assets, net     42,542       29,299  
Other assets     44,755       42,684  
Total assets   $ 2,681,618     $ 2,373,601  
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Current maturities of long-term debt   $ 22,455     $ 24,505  
Current portion of financing lease obligation     1,474       1,231  
Accounts payable     35,422       28,645  
Construction accounts payable     31,972       47,342  
Accrued expenses     70,578       67,435  
Deferred revenue     38,652       34,875  
Total current liabilities     200,553       204,033  
Long-term debt, net of current portion     1,178,455       824,093  
Financing lease obligation, net of current portion     54,491       55,966  
Deferred rent liability     24,519       23,752  
Deferred income taxes     97,208       97,674  
Deferred revenue     6,088       5,246  
Other liabilities     15,180       19,123  
Total liabilities     1,576,494       1,229,887  
Shareholders' equity:        
Common stock     781       843  
Additional paid-in capital     253,067       402,147  
Retained earnings     860,709       746,339  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (9,433 )     (5,615 )
Total shareholders' equity     1,105,124       1,143,714  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 2,681,618     $ 2,373,601  
                 
                 
LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share data)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2014   2013   2014   2013
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    
Revenue:                
Membership dues   $ 200,495     $ 189,999     $ 810,707     $ 766,846  
Enrollment fees     2,996       3,374       12,224       13,941  
In-center revenue     100,253       89,037       410,953       375,517  
Total center revenue     303,744       282,410       1,233,884       1,156,304  
Other revenue     11,512       8,628       56,736       49,600  
Total revenue     315,256       291,038       1,290,620       1,205,904  
Operating expenses:                
Center operations     179,411       167,278       744,343       689,246  
Advertising and marketing     11,170       12,366       42,853       42,712  
General and administrative     16,831       13,386       63,112       58,986  
Other operating     21,300       17,903       67,020       64,558  
Depreciation and amortization     38,525       30,454       143,931       121,843  
Total operating expenses     267,237       241,387       1,061,259       977,345  
Income from operations     48,019       49,651       229,361       228,559  
Other income (expense):                
Interest expense, net     (12,171 )     (7,935 )     (42,296 )     (30,800 )
Equity in earnings of affiliate     234       296       1,056       1,399  
Total other income (expense)     (11,937 )     (7,639 )     (41,240 )     (29,401 )
Income before income taxes     36,082       42,012       188,121       199,158  
Provision for income taxes     13,717       16,149       73,751       78,181  
Net income   $ 22,365     $ 25,863     $ 114,370     $ 120,977  
                 
Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.59     $ 0.63     $ 2.95     $ 2.93  
Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.59     $ 0.63     $ 2.94     $ 2.92  
                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic     37,708       40,996       38,793       41,263  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted     37,957       41,295       38,928       41,482  
                                 
 
LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
     
    For the Year Ended
    December 31,
    2014   2013
    (Unaudited)    
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income   $ 114,370     $ 120,977  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

       
Depreciation and amortization     143,931       121,843  
Deferred income taxes     (742 )     5,853  
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net     (663 )     251  
Gain on sale of land held for sale     (17 )     (74 )
Amortization of deferred financing costs     3,285       2,197  
Share-based compensation     12,903       12,469  
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation     (1,318 )     (5,895 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities     (7,448 )     1,901  
Other     (3,589 )     (93 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     260,712       259,429  
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of property and equipment     (432,259 )     (348,948 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (16,009 )     (13,238 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment     1,389       1,445  
Proceeds from sale of land held for sale     785       678  
Proceeds from property insurance settlements     -       177  
Decrease (increase) in other assets     1,564       (1,187 )
Decrease in restricted cash     337       1,237  
Net cash used in investing activities     (444,193 )     (359,836 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from long-term borrowings     161,750       125,000  
Repayments of long-term borrowings     (32,993 )     (35,276 )
Proceeds from revolving credit facility, net     224,500       56,500  
Repayments of financing lease obligation     (1,232 )     (1,012 )
Increase in deferred financing costs     (4,968 )     (4,631 )
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation     1,318       5,895  
Proceeds from stock option exercises     2,908       1,734  
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan     1,593       1,367  
Stock purchased for employee stock purchase plan     (1,531 )     (1,309 )
Repurchases of common stock     (166,878 )     (61,959 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     184,467       86,309  
         
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     (145 )     5,933  
         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     841       (8,165 )
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period     8,334       16,499  
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period   $ 9,175     $ 8,334  
         

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release and the related conference call disclose EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS, non-GAAP financial measures.

EBITDA. Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes and Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is a non-GAAP measure consisting of net income plus interest expense, net, provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. This term, as the Company defines it, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure used by other companies and is not a measure of performance presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses EBITDA as a measure of operating performance. The funds depicted by EBITDA are not necessarily available for discretionary use if they are reserved for particular capital purposes, to maintain compliance with debt covenants, to service debt or to pay taxes. EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net income, net cash provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additional details related to EBITDA are provided in the Form 8-K that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date of this press release. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA:

 
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2014   2013   2014   2013
Net income   $ 22,365   $ 25,863   $ 114,370   $ 120,977
Interest expense, net     12,171     7,935     42,296     30,800
Provision for income taxes     13,717     16,149     73,751     78,181
Depreciation and amortization     38,525     30,454     143,931     121,843
EBITDA   $ 86,778   $ 80,401   $ 374,348   $ 351,801
                 

ADJUSTED NET INCOME. Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP measure consisting of Net Income, less the impact of the adjustment of a contingent liability associated with a prior acquisition, plus the impact of costs associated with the exploration of a conversion of the Company’s real estate assets into a REIT, plus the impact of costs associated with Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation, plus the impact of the immaterial correction of the accounting treatment of a previous financing transaction. Additional details related to Adjusted Net Income are provided in the Form 8-K that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date of this press release. The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Adjusted Net Income:

         
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2014   2013   2014   2013
Net income   $ 22,365   $ 25,863   $ 114,370     $ 120,977
Impact of contingent liability reduction     -     -     (3,634 )     -
Impact of REIT exploration costs     1,661     -     3,542       -
Impact of TCPA litigation accrual     2,856     -     2,856       -
Impact of financing transaction classification     159     176     677       736
Adjusted net income   $ 27,041   $ 26,039   $ 117,811     $ 121,713
                           

ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (Adjusted Diluted EPS) is a non-GAAP measure consisting of diluted earnings per share (Diluted EPS), less the Diluted EPS impact of the adjustment of a contingent liability associated with a prior acquisition, plus the Diluted EPS impact of costs associated with the exploration of a conversion of the Company’s real estate assets into a REIT, plus the Diluted EPS impact of costs associated with Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation, plus the Diluted EPS impact of the immaterial correction of the accounting treatment of a previous financing transaction. Additional details related to Adjusted Diluted EPS are provided in the Form 8-K that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date of this press release. The following table provides a reconciliation of Diluted EPS, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Adjusted Diluted EPS:

             
RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended   For the Year Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2014   2013   2014   2013
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.59   $ 0.63   $ 2.94     $ 2.92
Impact of contingent liability reduction     -     -     (0.09 )     -
Impact of REIT exploration costs     0.04     -     0.09       -
Impact of TCPA litigation accrual     0.07     -     0.07       -
Impact of financing transaction classification     -     -     0.02       0.01
Adjusted diluted earnings per share   $ 0.71 * $ 0.63   $ 3.03     $ 2.93
*rounding  
For further information: Life Time Fitness, Inc. Investor Relations: John Heller, 952-229-7427 ir@lifetimefitness.com Media Relations: Jason Thunstrom, 952-229-7435 pr@lifetimefitness.com