Printer Friendly
The Free Library
14,559,951 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

Bluegreen Corporation Reports Record 2005 First Quarter Financial Results.


BOCA RATON Boca Raton (bō`kə rətōn`), city (1990 pop. 61,492), Palm Beach co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic; inc. 1925. Boca Raton is a popular resort and retirement community that experienced significant industrial development in the 1970s and 80s. , Fla. -- Bluegreen Corporation

Q1 2005 Highlights Versus Q1 2004

--Net income increased 37.4% to $6.5 million, or $.21 per diluted di·lute  
tr.v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes
1. To make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water.

2. To lessen the force, strength, purity, or brilliance of, especially by admixture.
 share

--Bluegreen Resorts sales up 23.5% to $65.6 million

--Bluegreen Communities sales rose 16.1% to $38.4 million

--Book value increased to $8.98 at March 31, 2005 from $8.76 at December December: see month.  31, 2004

Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE NYSE

See: New York Stock Exchange
: BXG), a leading provider of leisure products and lifestyle choices, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005 (see attached tables).

George George, river, c.345 mi (560 km) long, rising in a lake on the Quebec-Labrador boundary, E Canada. It flows N through Indian Lake (125 sq mi/324 sq km) to Ungava Bay (an arm of Hudson Strait).  F. Donovan Don·o·van   , William Joseph Known as "Wild Bill." 1883-1959.

American army officer and public official who founded and directed (1942-1945) the Office of Strategic Services, an intelligence-gathering agency that was a forerunner of the CIA.
, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bluegreen(R), commented, "We are pleased with our financial results for the first quarter of 2005, which reflected same-Resort growth at many of our timeshare A form of shared property ownership, commonly in vacation or recreation condominium property, in which rights vest in several owners to use property for a specified period each year.  properties, a solid performance from our new off-site off-site
adj.
Taking place or located away from the site, as of a particular activity: an off-site waste treatment operation.



off
 Resort sales offices and continued profitability at our Communities business."

Net income for the first quarter of 2005 increased 37.4% to $6.5 million, or $.21 per diluted share, on approximately 31.3 million weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding ("shares outstanding"), compared to net income of $4.7 million, or $.17 per diluted share, on approximately 30.3 million shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2004.

Total sales increased 20.7% to $104.0 million from $86.2 million in the same period last year, reflecting higher sales at both the Resorts and Communities business segments. Total operating revenues operating revenue

Revenue from any regular source. Revenue from sales is adjusted for discounts and returns when calculating operating revenue. Compare other revenue.
 rose 21.4% to $130.0 million from $107.1 million in the first quarter of 2004. This increase was due to higher total sales of real estate, a 33.1% rise in other resort and communities operations revenue, and a 30.3% rise in interest income. These increases were offset by a 39.5% decrease in gain on sale of notes receivable, due primarily to increases in the related cost of funds Cost of Funds

The interest rate paid on an outstanding loan.

Notes:
Money isn't free! Cost of funds is the cost of borrowing money.
See also: Interest Rate



Cost of funds

Interest rate associated with borrowing money.
 and other relevant variables in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period.

Bluegreen Resorts The Bluegreen Resort Company was started in 1984, to partner with timeshare resorts. It has grown into a major player in the timeshare community. Bluegreen is traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol BXG. Its primary competitor is Marriott Vacation Club International.

Resorts sales in the first quarter of 2005 increased 23.5% to a first quarter record $65.6 million from $53.1 million in the same period last year. This increase was primarily attributable to double-digit dou·ble-dig·it
adj.
Being between 10 and 99 percent: double-digit inflation. 
 same-Resort sales increases at many of the Company's sales offices, most notably at The Fountains(TM) Resort in Orlando Orlando, city, United States
Orlando (ôrlăn`dō), city (1990 pop. 164,693), seat of Orange co., central Fla., in a lake region; inc. 1875. In a citrus fruit and farm area, it is one of the world's most visited vacation spots.
, FL, but also at Grande Villas at World Golf Village(R) in St. Augustine, FL; MountainLoft(TM) in Gatlinburg, TN; Mountain Run at Boyne(TM) in Boyne, MI; Shore Crest(R) Vacation Villas in Myrtle Beach, SC; and Christmas Mountain Village(R) in Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Dells may refer to:
  • Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
  • The Dells of the Wisconsin River
  • Together with nearby Lake Delton, the city forms an area known as "the Dells," a Midwestern tourist destination which is located in parts of Sauk, Columbia, Adams and Juneau
, WI. New sales sites in Dallas, TX and The Hammocks at Marathon(TM) in Marathon, FL also contributed to higher sales during the first quarter of 2005.

Resort cost of sales declined slightly to 20.1% of sales from 20.4% in the same period last year, reflecting a favorable fa·vor·a·ble  
adj.
1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds.

2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis.

3.
 product mix. Lower cost of sales during the 2005 quarter was primarily due to the additional construction of units and consequently increased sales of vacation ownership interests in The Fountains Resort, which has a relatively low associated product In the context of fuels and lubricants, a petroleum or chemical product used as a hydraulic fluid, corrosion preventive, liquid propellant, or specialized product, required for the operation, maintenance, or storage of military equipment.  cost. As previously disclosed, resort cost of sales has more typically ranged from 23% to 25%, and Bluegreen expects that it will be at that level in the future.

Mr. Donovan noted that Bluegreen is continuing to develop or acquire new Resort properties in order to satisfy anticipated sales growth in 2005, including:

--the purchase of 80 acres of land in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Gatlinburg is a city in Sevier County, Tennessee, with a total population of 3,828, as of the 2000 U.S. census. The city is a popular vacation resort, as it rests on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along U.S.  to further expand Bluegreen's vacation ownership presence in the Smoky Mountain Smoky Mountain may refer to:
  • Great Smoky Mountains, a mountain range in the Appalachian Mountains
  • Smokey Mountain, a large pile of rubbish in Manila
  • Smokey Mountain (band), a Filipino band
 region. Bluegreen expects to construct a minimum of 250 vacation ownership units and additional amenities on this tract of land, which is adjacent to its MountainLoft(TM) Resort. Phase I construction will include the development of 3, 5-story mid-rise villas (60 vacation ownership units), which are expected to be completed in the first half of 2006, and 54 cabins (114 vacation ownership units), which are expected to be completed in the beginning of 2007. Sales through the Bluegreen Vacation Club(R) are expected to begin in 2006.

--the purchase of a 4-acre tract of land adjacent to the Harbour Lights(TM) resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Myrtle Beach is a city and in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the Grand Strand, a stretch of beaches along the South Carolina coastline, and the combined Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach MSA. . The Company has commenced construction of a 3-story, 12-unit vacation ownership residence, which should be completed by the end of 2005. Sales through the Bluegreen Vacation Club(R) are expected to commence in 2006. Bluegreen can also construct additional vacation ownership units on this property in the future.

Bluegreen Communities Bluegreen Communities™ is a publicly traded land developer on the New York Stock Exchange. Bluegreen develops planned residential communities or planned unit developments (PUDs) by acquiring large sections of unimproved land outside major U.S.

Communities sales in the first quarter of 2005 increased 16.1% to a first quarter record $38.4 million from $33.0 million in the same period last year. This increase was due primarily to strong same-site sales at Sanctuary Cove Sanctuary Cove is a gated community, in the suburb of Hope Island in the Gold Coast area of Queensland, Australia. It was the first of such developments in Australia and is notable for its impact in planning legislation in Queensland which had to be altered to allow it to proceed,  at St. Andrews Sound(TM), a Bluegreen Golf Community located among Georgia's Golden Isles; Traditions at Braselton(TM), a Bluegreen Golf Community in Braselton, GA; and Mountain Springs Ranch ranch, large farm devoted chiefly to raising and breeding cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. The cattle ranch was introduced from Latin America to Texas and the plains of the W United States and Canada. (TM), in the Texas Hill Country. Strong sales were also generated at Chapel Ridge(TM), a Bluegreen Golf Community in Chatham County Chatham County is the name of several counties in the United States:
  • Chatham County, Georgia, the state's easternmost, including Savannah
  • Chatham County, North Carolina, in the middle of the state, and mostly rural
, NC that commenced sales in July 2004, and SugarTree on the Brazos located near Fort Worth, TX, which commenced sales in January 2005.

As previously announced, because of the significant sales achieved in the Communities segment during 2004 and in the 2005 quarter, several of the Company's properties substantially sold out either during or prior to the first quarter of 2005. Others are expected to sell out earlier in 2005 than previously forecasted. Bluegreen Communities is currently exploring the acquisition of several properties in markets where it currently conducts business and in new regions of the country in order to replace these sold-out projects.

Communities cost of sales declined to 51.3% from 55.6% in the same period last year, due primarily to a higher percentage of total Communities sales being comprised of golf properties, which generally have higher associated gross margins.

As of March 31, 2005, approximately $37.2 million and $15.4 million of Communities sales and profits, respectively, were deferred under the percentage-of-completion method percentage-of-completion method

A method of recognizing revenues and costs from a long-term project in relation to the percentage completed during the course of the project.
 of accounting. It is expected that these amounts will be recognized in future periods ratably with the development of the projects.

FINANCIAL METRICS metrics Managed care A popular term for standards by which the quality of a product, service, or outcome of a particular form of Pt management is evaluated. See TQM.

Total positive net interest spread (interest income less interest expense) was $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2004. Interest income increased primarily as a result of a higher average portfolio of vacation ownership notes receivable during the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period one year ago, while interest expense declined primarily as a result of lower average debt outstanding and more interest being capitalized Capitalized

Recorded in asset accounts and then depreciated or amortized, as is appropriate for expenditures for items with useful lives longer than one year.
 due to increased construction activity.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("S,G&A") as a percentage of total sales increased to 59.6% from 59.0% in the first quarter of 2004 in connection with the additional costs of implementing the requirements associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act See SOX.  of 2002, and higher IT expenses. S,G&A as a percentage of total operating revenues was 47.7% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 47.4% in the first quarter of 2004.

Provision for loan losses decreased $723,000 to $147,000 for the first quarter of 2005 from $870,000 for the first quarter of 2004. Due to the sale of $44.9 million of notes receivable without recourse A phrase used by an endorser (a signer other than the original maker) of a negotiable instrument (for example, a check or promissory note) to mean that if payment of the instrument is refused, the endorser will not be responsible.  to Branch Banking and Trust Company in March 2005, the Company's notes receivable balance at March 31, 2005 decreased to $107.1 million from $121.9 million at December 31, 2004, and consequently the Company's provision for loan losses was favorably fa·vor·a·ble  
adj.
1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds.

2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis.

3.
 impacted. The Company's allowance for loan losses decreased as a percentage of outstanding notes receivable to 7.2% from 7.9% at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Bluegreen's balance sheet at December 31, 2004 reflected a book value of $8.98 per share compared to a book value of $8.76 per share at December 31, 2004, and a debt-to-equity ratio debt-to-equity ratio

The relationship between long-term funds provided by creditors and funds provided by owners. A firm's debt-to-equity ratio is calculated by dividing long-term debt by owners' equity. Both items are shown on the balance sheet.
 of 0.88:1 as compared to 0.85:1 at December 31, 2004. Unrestricted cash at March 31, 2005 increased to $94.5 million, the highest level in Bluegreen's history.

As outlined in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K

A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information.


Form 10-K

See 10-K.
 for the year ended December 31, 2004, Bluegreen formed a statutory business trust ("Trust") for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities ("trust preferred securities") and investing the proceeds thereof in its junior subordinated debentures subordinated debenture

An unsecured bond with a claim to assets that is subordinate to all existing and future debt. Thus, in the event that the issuer encounters financial difficulties and must be liquidated, all other claims must be satisfied before
. On March 15, 2005, the Trust issued $22.5 million of trust preferred securities, the proceeds of which, along with the Company's capital contribution to the Trust, were used to purchase an identical amount of junior subordinated debentures from the Company. Interest on the junior subordinated debentures and distributions on the trust preferred securities will be payable quarterly in arrears Adv. 1. in arrears - in debt; "he fell behind with his mortgage payments"; "a month behind in the rent"; "a company that has been run behindhand for years"; "in arrears with their utility bills"
behindhand, behind
 at a fixed rate of 9.16% through March 30, 2010 and thereafter at a floating rate of 4.90% over 3-month LIBOR LIBOR

See: London Interbank Offered Rate


LIBOR

See London interbank offered rate (LIBOR).
 until March 30, 2035, when all of the principal is due. The issuance of trust preferred securities was part of a larger pooled trust securities offering which was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Proceeds will be used by the Company for general corporate purposes. Subject to market conditions, the Company also expects to create similar trusts and participate in other pooled trust preferred securities transactions in the future as a source of additional financing or debt repayment.

ABOUT BLUEGREEN CORPORATION

Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE:BXG) is a leading provider of places where people live and play. The company has approximately 4,500 employees working in two divisions: Bluegreen Resorts and Bluegreen Communities. Bluegreen Resorts markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club(R), a flexible points-based vacation ownership system with access to over 35 resorts and an exchange network of over 3,700 resorts and other leisure products such as cruises. During 2004, Bluegreen Resorts delivered over 140,000 unique vacation experiences to over 134,000 owners. Bluegreen Communities develops, markets and sells planned residential and golf communities predominately in the southeastern and southwestern United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Bluegreen Communities has sold over 49,000 homesites in 32 states since 1985. Founded in 1966, Bluegreen is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, and in 2004 was ranked #67 on Forbes' list of the "The 200 Best Small Companies."

Statements in this release may constitute forward looking statements and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Safe Harbor

1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated.

2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive.
 Provision of the Private Securities and Litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute.

When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation.
 Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based largely on expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the risks and uncertainties associated with economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, products and services, as well as the risk that Company-wide growth and growth at the Resorts business will not occur as anticipated, the Company will not be able to acquire land or identify new projects, as anticipated, for the Communities segment , sales and marketing strategies related to new Resorts and Communities properties will not be as successful as anticipated and the risks and other factors detailed in the Company's SEC filings, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2005 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q

See 10-Q.
 to be filed on or about May 10, 2005.
BLUEGREEN CORPORATION
               Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
                   (In 000's, Except Per Share Data)

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                ----------------------
                                                 March 31,  March 31,
                                                    2005       2004
                                                ---------- -----------
                                               (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
REVENUES:
---------
Vacation ownership sales                           $65,644    $53,147
Homesite sales                                      38,377     33,044
                                                ---------- -----------
Total sales                                        104,021     86,191

Other resort and communities operations revenue     18,044     13,552
Interest income                                      6,542      5,021
Gain on sale of notes receivable                     1,441      2,380
                                                ---------- -----------
Total operating revenues                           130,048    107,144
                                                ---------- -----------

EXPENSES:
---------
Cost of sales:
  Vacation ownership cost of sales                  13,195     10,859
  Homesite cost of sales                            19,692     18,381
                                                ---------- -----------
Total cost of sales                                 32,887     29,240
Cost of other resort and communities operations     19,636     13,545
Selling, general and administrative expense         62,033     50,817
Interest expense                                     3,215      3,999
Provision for loan losses                              147        870
Other expense                                          858        201
                                                ---------- -----------
Total operating expenses                           118,776     98,672
                                                ---------- -----------
Income before minority interest and provision
 for income tax                                     11,272      8,472
Minority interest in income of consolidated
 subsidiary                                            773        829
                                                ---------- -----------
Income before provision for income taxes            10,499      7,643
Provision for income taxes                           4,042      2,943
                                                ---------- -----------

Net income                                          $6,457     $4,700
                                                ========== ===========

Net income per share:
 Basic:                                              $0.21      $0.19
                                                ========== ===========
 Diluted:                                            $0.21      $0.17
                                                ========== ===========

Weighted average number of common and
  common equivalent shares:
  Basic                                             30,316     25,190
                                                ========== ===========
  Diluted                                           31,294     30,319
                                                ========== ===========


                         BLUEGREEN CORPORATION
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                              (in 000's)

                                                    March     December
                                                  31, 2005    31, 2004
ASSETS                                           (Unaudited)

Cash and cash equivalents (unrestricted)            $94,547   $79,142
Cash and cash equivalents (restricted)               18,399    19,396
Contracts receivable, net                            41,151    28,085
Notes receivable, net                               107,116   121,949
Prepaid expenses                                      7,381     7,810
Other assets                                         24,945    22,359
Inventory, net                                      217,709   205,213
Retained interests in notes receivable sold          80,473    72,099
Property and equipment, net                          75,080    74,244
Intangible assets and goodwill                        4,465     4,512
                                                 ----------- ---------
Total assets                                       $671,266  $634,809
                                                 =========== =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Accounts payable                                    $11,233   $11,552
Accrued liabilities and other                        49,138    44,351
Deferred income                                      30,396    24,235
Deferred income taxes                                62,477    58,150
Receivable-backed notes payable                      40,324    43,696
Lines-of-credit and notes payable                    65,288    71,949
10.50% senior secured notes payable                 110,000   110,000
Junior subordinated debentures                       23,196         -
                                                 ----------- ---------
Total liabilities                                   392,052   363,933

Minority interest                                     6,782     6,009

Total shareholders' equity                          272,432   264,867
                                                 ----------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity         $671,266  $634,809
                                                 =========== =========
COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:Business Wire
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Apr 26, 2005
Words:2308
Previous Article:Smart-Tek Communications, Inc. Awarded Iona Building Contract.
Next Article:ImageRight Signs Tennant Risk Services; Hartford Wholesaler Goes Paperless.
Topics:



Related Articles
Bluegreen Announces Record First Quarter Results; Total Sales and Net Income Reach Record Levels.
Bluegreen Corporation Reports Record First Quarter Financial Results.
Bluegreen Corporation Schedules Second Quarter Financial Results and Conference Call.
Bluegreen Corporation Reports Record 2005 Second Quarter Financial Results.
Bluegreen Corporation Schedules 2005 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results.
Bluegreen Corporation Reports 2005 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results; Acquires 1,579-Acre Property to Develop Bluegreen Golf Community in...
Bluegreen Corporation Schedules 2006 First Quarter Financial Results.
Bluegreen Corporation Reports 2006 Third Quarter Financial Results.(Company overview)
Bluegreen Corporation Schedules 2007 First Quarter Financial Results and Conference Call.
Bluegreen Corporation Reports 2007 First Quarter Results.(Financial report)

Terms of use | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles