SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
October 16, 2014
ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
DELAWARE
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001-15749
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31-1429215
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(IRS Employer
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of Incorporation)
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File Number)
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Identification No.)
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7500 DALLAS PARKWAY, SUITE 700
PLANO, TEXAS 75024
(Address and Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)
(214) 494-3000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ x ]
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
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ITEM 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure
Attached as Exhibit 99.1 is a presentation to be given to investors and others by senior officers of Alliance Data Systems Corporation.
ITEM 8.01. Other Events
The information set forth in the investor presentation materials furnished under Item 7.01 above with respect to the previously announced pending merger with Conversant, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
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Document Description
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99.1
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Investor Presentation Materials.
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Note: The information contained in this report (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in Item 8.01 above or any such other filing.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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Alliance Data Systems Corporation
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Date: October 16, 2014
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By:
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/s/ Charles L. Horn
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Charles L. Horn
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Executive Vice President and
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Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
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Document Description
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99.1
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Investor Presentation Materials.
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©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Alliance Data NYSE: ADS Third Quarter ResultsOctober 16, 2014 Exhibit 99.1
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Conversant AcquisitionOn September 11, 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Conversant, Inc. and Amber Sub LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation. The agreement provides for the merger of Conversant with and into Amber Sub LLC, with Amber Sub LLC continuing as the surviving company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The parties currently expect to close the transaction by year end. However, completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including approval by Conversant stockholders, listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the shares of Alliance Data common stock to be issued in the transaction, effectiveness of Alliance Data's registration statement on Form S-4 and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Important Information for Investors and StockholdersThis communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed merger between Conversant, Inc. and a subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation. In connection with the proposed merger, on October 2, 2014, Alliance Data filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-199128) containing a proxy statement/prospectus. After the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be delivered to stockholders of Conversant. SECURITY HOLDERS OF CONVERSANT ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE MERGER THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders can obtain copies of the registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Alliance Data and Conversant, without charge, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Alliance Data will be made available free of charge on Alliance Data’s website at www.alliancedata.com. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Conversant will be made available free of charge on Conversant’s website at www.conversantmedia.com. 1
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Safe Harbor Statement/Forward Looking StatementsCertain information set forth in this communication, including financial estimates and projections and statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed merger between Alliance Data and Conversant, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “predict,” “project,” “would” and similar expressions as they relate to each company or their respective management teams. These estimates and statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected in or suggested by such statements. Such estimates and statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger, including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations (financial or otherwise) and intentions, the estimated timetable for completing the transaction and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the management of Alliance Data and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of our control.Participants in the SolicitationAlliance Data Systems Corporation and Conversant, Inc. and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the holders of Conversant common stock in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about Alliance Data’s directors and executive officers is set forth in the proxy statement for Alliance Data’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 21, 2014. Information about Conversant’s directors and executive officers is set forth in the proxy statement for Conversant’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, through securities holdings or otherwise, is contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from Alliance Data or Conversant using the sources indicated above. 2
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Agenda Speakers: Ed Heffernan President and CEO Charles Horn EVP and CFO Melisa Miller EVP and President – Retail ServicesThird Quarter 2014 Consolidated ResultsSegment ResultsLiquidity2014 Final GuidanceInitial 2015 Guidance 3
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Third Quarter 2014 Consolidated Results(MM, except per share) Note: EPS is ‘net income attributable to ADS stockholders per diluted share’. Core EPS is ‘core earnings attributable to ADS stockholders per diluted share’. Adjusted EBITDA, net is ‘adjusted EBITDA net of funding costs and non-controlling interest’. Quarter Ended September 30, Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 2013 % Change Revenue $ 1,319 $ 1,096 +20% EPS $ 2.74 $ 2.01 +36% Core EPS $ 3.47 $ 2.67 +30% Adjusted EBITDA, net $ 376 $ 328 +15% Diluted shares outstanding 59.9 66.0 -9% Organic revenue growth of 10 percent compared to the third quarter of 2013.Solid acceleration in growth rate for adjusted EBITDA, net.Stable diluted share count going forward. 4
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 LoyaltyOne (MM) BrandLoyalty contributed $110 million in revenue and $21 million ($13 million, net) in adjusted EBITDA.Unfavorable FX rates reduced revenue and adjusted EBITDA, net by $10 million and $3 million, respectively.Timing of promotional activity by certain large sponsors negatively impacted issuance growth.AIR MILES adjusted EBITDA margins were 27 percent for the third quarter of 2014. Quarter Ended September 30, Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 2013 % Change Revenue $ 324 $ 213 +52% Adjusted EBITDA $ 78 $ 62 +25% Non-controlling interest -8 0 Adjusted EBITDA, net $ 70 $ 62 +12% Adjusted EBITDA % 24% 29% -5% Key Metrics: AIR MILES® reward miles issued 1,287 1,342 -4% AIR MILES reward miles redeemed 993 887 +12% Average CDN FX rate 0.92 0.96 -4% 5
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Epsilon (MM) Backlog remains up double digit compared to last year. Roll-out of two new Agency clients slightly behind schedule. Solid 20 percent growth in volumes from Agility Harmony digital messaging platform (DMP). Quarter Ended September 30, Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 2013 % Change Technology $ 128 $ 116 +10% Data 57 54 +6% Agency 193 187 +3% Total revenue $ 378 $ 356 +6% Adjusted EBITDA, net $ 84 $ 78 +7% Adjusted EBITDA, net % 22% 22% 0% 6
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Private Label Services and Credit (MM) Revenue increased 17 percent on a 22 percent increase in average credit card receivables. Operating expenses increased only 14 percent reflecting strong expense leveraging. The provision for loan losses increased 26 percent driven by strong growth in ending card receivables. Quarter Ended September 30, Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 2013 % Change Finance charges, net $ 598 $ 508 +18% Other revenue 24 23 +5% Total revenue $ 622 $ 531 +17% Operating expenses 221 194 +14% Provision for loan losses 115 91 +26% Funding costs 31 30 +5% Adjusted EBITDA, net $ 255 $ 216 +18% Adjusted EBITDA, net % 41% 41% 0% 7
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Private Label Services and Credit (MM) The acquisition of two card portfolios (about $380 million) during the third quarter, pressured gross yields.The allowance for loan loss reserve rate was 5.7 percent at September 30, 2014 compared to 6.2 percent at September 30, 2013. The decrease is due to improved loss experience. Reservable ending credit card receivables were $9.0 billion at September 30, 2014. This number excludes acquired card receivables, which are recorded net of anticipated charge-offs at the acquisition date. Quarter Ended September 30, Quarter Ended September 30, Key metrics: 2014 2013 Change Total gross yield 28.5% 29.7% -1.2% Credit sales $ 4,479 $ 3,628 +23% Average credit card receivables $ 8,737 $ 7,155 +22% Ending credit card receivables $ 9,295 $ 7,457 +25% Allowance for loan losses $ 511 $ 462 +11% Principal loss rates 4.0% 4.3% -0.3% Normalized principal loss rates 4.1% 4.5% -0.4% Delinquency rate 4.4% 4.5% -0.1% Return on average assets 5.9% 6.0% -0.1% 8
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Private Label Credit and Services Ensuring Our Data-Driven Model with Mobile – 36 million active cardholders Amanda has an Android phone or iPhone 1. She downloads the retailer’s app2. Virtual card appears on her phone Mobile Customer: In-store Experience 1. She scans QR code to apply while shopping2. She enters: Name, birthdate, SSN, Address, and Phone3. The data is sent to ADS and Amanda is approved in 30 seconds Loyalty program initiated / updated Opts in for location-based offers (60% opt-in rate) Amanda’s virtual card is scanned at POS or she taps phone at POS (NFC, Android)Purchases with virtual card are 40%+ more than traditional method APPLY DOWNLOAD AND ACCESS PURCHASE MORE 9
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Liquidity LiquidityCorporate:$1.4 billion in usable liquidity at September 30, 2014ADS issued $600 million of 5.375% senior notes during the quarterDebt levels remain moderate; leverage ratio of 2.1x at September 30, 2014Banks (Comenity Bank and Comenity Capital Bank): $3.7 billion of available liquidity at September 30, 2014No dividends were paid to parent during the quarterComenity Bank regulatory ratios at September 30, 2014 were Tier 1: 16 percent; Leverage: 15 percent; Total Risk-based: 17 percent Repurchase Program$218 million of $400 million board authorization spent year-to-date; 873 thousand shares acquired 10
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 2013 2014 Actual Final Guidance % Increase Revenue $ 4,319 $ 5,300 +23% Core Earnings $ 669 $ 771 +15% Diluted shares outstanding 66.9 62.2 -7% Core EPS $ 10.01 $ 12.40 +24% Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,374 $ 1,585 +15% Adjusted EBITDA, net * $ 1,250 $ 1,410 +13% 2014 Final Guidance($MM, except per share) +10% organic Core EPS guidance increased by $0.05 from second quarter 2014 guidance. The acquisition of two card portfolios (about $600 million) during the fourth quarter creates a drag to core EPS of approximately $0.12. A timing issue due to on-boarding late in the year. * Net of portfolio funding costs and 40 percent non-controlling interest in BrandLoyalty. 11
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 2014 2015 Final Guidance Initial Guidance % Increase Revenue $ 5,300 $ 6,625 +25% Core Earnings $ 771 $ 958 +24% Diluted shares outstanding 62.2 64.7* Core EPS $ 12.40 $ 14.80 to $15.00 ~20% Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,585 $ 1,975 +24% Adjusted EBITDA, net** $ 1,410 $ 1,800 +27% Initial 2015 Guidance($MM, except per share) * Includes 4.7 million shares to be issued as part of pending Conversant (CNVR) acquisition. ** Net of portfolio funding costs and 40 percent (2014) and 30 percent (2015) non-controlling interest in BrandLoyalty. Initial core EPS guidance of $14.80 to $15.00 for 2015. Assumes the Conversant acquisition is completed by January 1, 2015. Continued card receivables growth creates a drag to core EPS of approximately $0.25. This is a timing issue as initial provision build leads revenue recognition. 12
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 2015 Guidance 20 percent growth in average and ending card receivables, or about $1.8 billion and $2.2 billion, respectivelyContinued strong growth rates will trigger reserve build despite stable loan loss ratesModerate gross yield compression, or about 60 bps, due to mix and influence of new programsNew client signings expected to add $2 billion of card receivables by year 3Stable principal loss and funding ratesHigh double-digit revenue and low double-digit adjusted EBITDA growthDampening impact to adjusted EBITDA from reserve build attributable to growthMid-single-digit growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for AIR MILESApproximately 4 percent growth in AIR MILES reward miles issuedMid-teens growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for BrandLoyalty Continued migration of programs into consumers’ digital devicesBrazil: dotz collectors expected to grow to 16 million by year-endRio & Sao Paulo regions launched Loyalty One Private Label 13
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 High-single-digit organic revenue and adjusted EBITDA growthBalanced growth across data, database/loyalty platforms, digital agency and distributionDouble-digit growth in email and other digital offerings as Agility Harmony rampsAdditionally, the pending acquisition of CNVR is expected to add $670 million and $230 million in revenue and adjusted EBITDA, respectivelyPotential upside from revenue and cost synergiesHigh-single-digit organic revenue and adjusted EBITDA growthImplement cross-sell strategy to bring products to ADS’ top 500 clientsComplete transition to high-touch , targeted display model based upon 1st party transactional off-line and on-line dataApproximately $1.1 billion in free cash flow prior to regulatory capital supportCorporate cash interest expense of approximately $160 million in 2015 due to pending CNVR acquisition and payments to BrandLoyalty under earn-out and stepped acquisition arrangements Core depreciation and amortization of approximately $160 million in 2015Non-controlling interest in BrandLoyalty decreases to 30 percent in 2015 Epsilon Consolidated 2015 Guidance cont. 14
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Past – Present – Future Pre-Recession Great Recession Great Recession Recovery Recovery 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014e 2015e CAGR Revenue (in billions) $2.0 $2.0 $2.0 $2.8 $3.2 $3.6 $4.3 $5.3 $6.6 16% Adjusted EBITDA, net(in millions) $0.6 $0.6 $0.6 $0.6 $0.8 $1.0 $1.2 $1.4 $1.8 14% Core EPS $3.88 $4.42 $5.16 $5.86 $7.63 $8.71 $10.01 $12.40 $14.80 18% ADS Long-term Model: Organic revenue growth 3 times that of GDP M&A/share repurchases incremental ≥60 percent adjusted EBITDA converted to free cash flowAnnual growth in revenue, adjusted EBITDA, net and core EPS of 16 percent, 14 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, over the last eight years. This compares to 2 percent and 5 percent in revenues and operating earnings, respectively, for the marketAnnual stock return of 18 percent since 2007 compared to 4 percent for overall marketBottom line: powerful combination of high growth, strong free cash flow and consistent earnings performance 15
©2014 ADS Alliance Data Systems, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Earnings Release | October 16, 2014 Q & A