|
RevPAR Up 7.6%, Company�s Total Debt Now $2.827 billion |
DALLAS (Feb. 6, 2003) -Wyndham International, Inc. (AMEX:WBR) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ending Dec. 31, 2002. Business Performance On a comparable pro forma basis, which reflects adjustments for acquisitions
and dispositions, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA), as adjusted, was $55.7 million for the fourth quarter versus
$54.4 million for the same period in 2001. For the full year of 2002,
pro forma EBITDA, as adjusted, was $301.3 million, versus $398.5 million
in 2001. The pro forma results have been adjusted to remove
the operating results of all assets sold during 2002, as if sold on Jan.
1, 2001.
Revenue per available room (RevPAR) continued to improve each quarter of the year. RevPAR for the Company�s comparable owned and leased hotels improved from a decline of 23.1 percent in the fourth quarter 2001 to an increase of 7.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002, which exceeded the Company�s guidance of 5.0 to 7.0 percent. The increase for the fourth quarter was comprised of a 7.1 percentage point increase in occupancy and a 4.2 percent reduction in average daily rate (ADR) for a RevPAR of $67.82. �Given the challenging climate for the lodging industry, we made a strategic decision to grow our market share through a focus on occupancy. Our strategy paid off as RevPAR improved steadily throughout the year,� said Wyndham International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fred J. Kleisner. Branded Performance For the fourth quarter 2002, comparable owned and operated Wyndham hotels and resorts had a RevPAR of $75.75, a 14.2 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2001. For the year, these hotels and resorts experienced a RevPAR decline of only 2.4 percent, derived from a 3.1 percentage point increase in occupancy and a 6.7 percent decline in ADR. RevPAR on all comparable Wyndham owned and leased properties declined 6.8 percent during the year, which was comprised of a 1.1 percentage point increase in occupancy and an 8.3 percent decline in rate compared to 2001. Wyndham-branded owned and leased properties increased their RevPAR penetration index within its competitive set each month of the fourth quarter versus the prior year: October +150 bps
Further, these properties ended the year with a RevPAR index of over
100 percent.
The operating margins for Wyndham-branded properties remained strong despite occupancy gains from guests paying lower rates, creating margin compression. For the fourth quarter, hotel gross operating profit margins at Wyndham-branded owned and operated hotels and resorts maintained the same margins as in the prior year even with significant cost increases in property and casualty insurance. These fixed cost increases were offset by variable cost reductions reflecting the effectiveness of proactive business planning. Financial Highlights Cash and equivalents were $181.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2002, inclusive of $143.8 million of restricted cash. Cash and equivalents increased by $15.7 million from the $165.4 million on hand at the end of the third quarter 2002. During the fourth quarter, debt decreased by $460 million due primarily to the application of net asset sale proceeds. As of Dec. 31, 2002, the Company�s total debt was $2.827 billion. The breakdown of the debt at year-end was as follows: Revolver $156.4 million; IRLs $447.7 million; Term Loans $1.183 billion; and Mortgage and other indebtedness $1.039 billion. At the end of the fourth quarter, liquidity was approximately $256 million. The Company defines liquidity as revolver availability, plus cash available at the corporate level. Said Mr. Kleisner: �Since the beginning of 2000, we have maintained a strong liquidity position, notwithstanding the sluggish economy that began in 2001 and continues into 2003. We will continue to manage cash very tightly and make prudent spending decisions in light of the current economic conditions.� Wyndham began 2002 with approximately $280 million of mortgage loans coming due in the year. Through extensions and refinancings, the Company eliminated its 2002 maturities. In addition, it is currently in the process of receiving bids to refinance its 2003 and 2004 mortgage pool maturities and to push the maturity dates by at least five years. Additionally, during the quarter, the Company spent approximately $23 million on capital expenditures. For the full year of 2003, Wyndham expects to commit approximately $83 million in maintenance capital expenditures. Strategic Plan In 2002, the Company sold 20 hotel properties and its investment in Shula�s Steakhouse for gross proceeds of approximately $590 million, including the sale of 14 non-strategic assets to Westbrook Hotel Partners for gross proceeds of approximately $517 million. In total, since 1999, the Company has sold 102 assets for approximately $1.5 billion. Wyndham has 34 non-strategic assets remaining to be sold. The Company expects to generate gross proceeds in the range of $750 million to $900 million from the sale of these remaining non-strategic assets. The net proceeds will be used to reduce debt. Wyndham has and will continue to focus its business development in the acquisition of management and franchise contracts with little to no capital investment as well as the conversion of non-proprietary-branded hotels to the Wyndham flag. During 2002, Wyndham signed seven new franchise agreements. The largest franchise agreement was the 850-room Wyndham Nassau located in the Bahamas. The property was converted from Marriott on Nov. 1, 2002. On Dec. 1, 2002, the Company converted the Hilton Little Rock to a Wyndham Hotel. In addition, during the year, the Company has, or is in the process of, converting three other owned, non-proprietary hotels to the Wyndham brand: the Condado Plaza in Puerto Rico, the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale in Florida and the Hilton Columbus in Georgia. 2003 Guidance For the first quarter of 2003, RevPAR is forecasted to be negative 1 to 2 percent as compared to the first quarter of 2002, and EBITDA, as adjusted, is forecasted to be between $82 and $87 million. For the full year of 2003, the Company is estimating RevPAR to be flat to slightly positive, and full year EBITDA, as adjusted, is expected to be essentially flat as compared to 2002, in the range of $300-$305 million. Said Mr. Kleisner: �Our 2003 projections assume that there is no measurable recovery in the economy until the end of 2003, there are no major terrorist attacks against the US, and we have not built in any impact of a potential war with Iraq. When Sept. 11 happened, it took us 14 days to implement a plan; in the event of war in Iraq, we will be ready to implement our plan within 24 hours.� Mr. Kleisner continued: �Wyndham will remain nimble to react to changes in our industry and make the necessary adjustments to our business operating plan to maintain a financially sound company.� The Company has also taken additional expense reductions to offset the increases in fixed expenses such as property, health and directors and officers insurance. These additional measures include the reduction in the workforce and a wage freeze for all non-hourly employees in both the field and the corporate office. The Company expects these actions will help keep 2003 operating margins slightly above 2002 levels.
|
2002 OPERATING STATISTICS BY QUARTER
Twelve Months Ended
COMPARABLE OWNED & LEASED HOTELS
Non-Proprietary Branded (d)
Total Portfolio
NOTE: All hotel statistics exclude assets sold to date. (a) Brand statistics are based
on comparable owned and operated
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Quarter Ended December 31,
Expenses:
Revenues net of direct
Adjustments (2):
Depreciation and
Loss from continued
Income from discontinued
Net loss
$(43,093) $(61,739) $(36,976) $(57,083)
EBITDA, as adjusted
$55,675 $54,449 $69,054
$75,222
(1) The Comparable Pro Forma
financial statements have been
(2) Adjustments exclude unusual
and infrequent expenses to provide
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Quarter Ended December 31,
Net loss $(43,093) $(61,739) $(36,976) $(57,083) Interest expense
53,583 64,767 53,631
65,327
Interest, depreciation
EBITDA, as adjusted
$55,675 $54,449 $69,054
$75,222
Per Share Calculations: Loss from continued
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
Basic and diluted weighted
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Expenses:
Revenues net of direct
Adjustments(2):
Depreciation and
Loss from continued
Income from discontinued
Loss before
Net loss
$(513,834) $(492,894) $(499,716) $(138,940)
EBITDA, as adjusted $301,258
$398,498 $356,403 $479,981
(1) The Comparable Pro Forma
financial statements have been
(2) Adjustments exclude unusual
and infrequent expenses to provide
WYNDHAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Twelve Months Ended
Net loss $(513,834) $(492,894) $(499,716) $(138,940) Interest expense
227,838 288,120 227,899
294,409
Per Share Calculations: Loss from continued
Basic and diluted loss
Basic and diluted
Wyndham International, Inc. offers upscale and luxury hotel and resort accommodations through proprietary lodging brands and a management services division. Based in Dallas, Wyndham owns, leases, manages and franchises hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Sections 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including projections about future operating results. |
###
Wyndham International, Inc. Elizabeth Williams [email protected] (214) 863-1389 |