Life Time Fitness Announces Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results

Revenue Grew 11.4%; Diluted EPS was $0.66 and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS was $0.67

CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM), The Healthy Way of Life Company, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Revenue for the quarter grew 11.4% to $265.4 million from $238.3 million during the same period last year. Net income for the quarter was $27.0 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to net income of $23.4 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for 3Q 2010. Non-GAAP net income for the quarter was $27.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. This non-GAAP net income excluded $1.0 million (pretax) of non-cash performance share-based compensation expense.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, revenue grew 10.7% to $762.8 million from $689.2 million during the same period last year. Net income for the first nine months of 2011 was $72.8 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, as compared with $63.1 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2010. Non-GAAP net income for the first nine months of 2011 was $74.5 million, or $1.83 per diluted share. This non-GAAP net income excluded $2.9 million (pretax) of non-cash performance share-based compensation expense.

“Our third quarter results demonstrate the power of our business model as we focus on helping our customers connect and engage with the programs and services they desire, while helping them set and achieve their personal goals and objectives,” said Bahram Akradi, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “I am particularly pleased with the continued growth we’re seeing in membership dues and in-center revenue, as well as our same center sales and revenue-per-membership performance. Furthermore, I am very proud of our team members, who continue to differentiate Life Time as The Healthy Way of Life Company and brand that is having a tremendous impact on changing lives positively each and every day.”

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011, Financial Highlights:

Total revenue for the third quarter grew 11.4% to $265.4 million from $238.3 million for the prior-year period. Total revenue for the first nine months of 2011 grew 10.7% to $762.8 million from $689.2 million during the same period last year.

Memberships grew 4.9% to 653,300 at September 30, 2011, from 622,698 at September 30, 2010.

• Quarterly attrition in 3Q 2011 was 9.0%, down from 9.6% in the prior-year period.
• Attrition for the trailing 12-month period ended September 30, 2011, was 35.3% compared to trailing 12-month attrition of 37.1% at September 30, 2010.

Total operating expenses during 3Q 2011 totaled $215.5 million compared to $192.7 million for 3Q 2010. Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2011 were $626.4 million compared to $563.0 million in 2010. Excluding the $1.0 million (pretax) performance share-based compensation expense for 3Q 2011, operating expenses were $214.6 million. Excluding the $2.9 million (pretax) of performance share-based compensation expense for the first nine months of 2011, operating expenses were $623.5 million.

• Operating margin was 18.8% for 3Q 2011 compared to 19.1% in the prior-year period and operating profit increased $4.3 million.
• Operating margin for the first nine months of 2011 was 17.9% compared to 18.3% in the prior-year period and operating profit increased $10.2 million.
• Excluding the performance share-based compensation expense, non-GAAP operating margin for 3Q 2011 was 19.2%, up from 19.1% in the prior-year period. Non-GAAP operating margin for the first nine months of 2011 was 18.3%, the same as the prior-year period.

Net income for 3Q 2011 was $27.0 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared to net income of $23.4 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for 3Q 2010. Net income for the first nine months of 2011 was $72.8 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to net income of $63.1 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, for the prior-year period.

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter, excluding the performance share-based compensation expense, was $27.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. For the first nine months of 2011, non-GAAP net income, excluding the performance share-based compensation expense, was $74.5 million, or $1.83 per diluted share.

EBITDA for 3Q 2011 was $75.6 million compared to $69.3 million in 3Q 2010. For the first nine months of 2011, EBITDA was $211.0 million compared to $196.4 million in the prior-year period.

• As a percentage of total revenue, EBITDA in 3Q 2011 was 28.5% compared to 29.1% in 3Q 2010 and EBITDA increased $6.3 million.
• As a percentage of total revenue, EBITDA for the first nine months of 2011 was 27.7% compared to 28.5% in the prior-year period and EBITDA increased $14.6 million.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, excluding performance share-based compensation expense, was $76.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2011, excluding performance share-based compensation expense, was $213.9 million.

• As a percentage of total revenue, adjusted EBITDA in 3Q 2011 was 28.8%.
• For the first nine months of 2011, adjusted EBITDA was 28.0% of total revenue.

Cash flows from operating activities for the first nine months of 2011 totaled $177.3 million compared to $146.1 million in the prior-year period.

Weighted average fully diluted shares for 3Q 2011 totaled 40.9 million compared to 41.3 million in 3Q 2010. For the first nine months of 2011, weighted average fully diluted shares totaled 40.8 million, the same as in the prior-year period.

Updated 2011 Business Outlook:

The following statements, which incorporate 2011 operating trends and are subject to the risks and uncertainties described below, represent the Company’s current expectations for fiscal year 2011:

• Revenue is expected to increase approximately 10%, or $1 billion-1.005 billion (up from 8-10%, or $985 million to $1 billion), driven primarily by growth in in-center revenue and corporate businesses, as well as membership dues growth in new and ramping centers.
• Net income is expected to increase 16-18%, or $94.0-95.5 million (updated from 15-18%, or $93.0-95.0 million), driven by revenue growth and cost efficiencies.
• Non-GAAP net income (excluding the impact of performance share-based compensation expense) is expected to be $96.5-98.0 million (updated from $95.5-97.5 million).
• Diluted earnings per common share is expected to be $2.29-2.32 (updated from $2.25-2.30).
• Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share (excluding the impact of performance share-based compensation expense) is expected to be $2.35-2.38 (updated from $2.31-2.36).

As announced on October 13, 2011, the Company will hold a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss third quarter 2011 results. Bahram Akradi, Michael Robinson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and John Heller, senior director, investor relations & treasurer, 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 1:00 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 October 20, 2011, the Company operated 92 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC^SM brands primarily in suburban locations in 21 states and 26 major markets. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such 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, our ability to access existing credit facilities 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, competition from other health and fitness centers, identifying and acquiring suitable sites for new centers, delays in opening new centers and other factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Diluted earnings per common share could also be affected by the number of shares outstanding, which depends on factors such as the number of shares issued upon exercise of stock options and future grants of awards pursuant to equity-based incentive plans as well as stock offerings and repurchases. The Company’s expectations for fiscal year 2011 exclude any additional unusual items that might occur during the fiscal year, such as litigation matters or the potential recognition of additional performance share-based compensation expense related to other 2011 and 2012 performance measures in connection with the June 2009 performance share-based restricted stock grants. While the Company has determined that 2011 diluted earnings per common share performance criteria required for vesting of 50% of the stock is probable and anticipates recognizing additional performance share-based compensation expense in 2011, the Company may not be able to meet those criteria due to risks and uncertainties, including those factors described above.

The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date. All remarks made during the Company’s financial results conference call will be current at the time of the call and the Company undertakes no obligation to update the replay.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release and the related conference call disclose certain non-GAAP financial measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes and Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is a non-GAAP disclosure 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.

In 4Q 2010, the Company determined that achieving a 2011 diluted earnings per common share performance criteria required for the vesting of 50% of performance share-based restricted stock granted in June 2009 was probable. As a result, the Company recognized a performance share-based compensation expense of $1.0 million (pretax) in 3Q 2011 and $2.9 million (pretax) in the first nine months of 2011. Adjusted EBITDA is the Company’s EBITDA excluding the above compensation expense.

Additional details related to EBITDA and Adjusted 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 and Adjusted EBITDA:

Free Cash Flow. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure consisting of net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment. This term, as the Company defines it, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure used by other companies and does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses free cash flow as a measure of cash generated after spending on property and equipment. Free cash flow should not be considered as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additional details related to free cash flow 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 cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to free cash flow:

Additional Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In 4Q 2010, the Company determined that achieving a 2011 diluted earnings per common share performance criteria required for the vesting of 50% of performance-based restricted stock granted in June 2009 was probable. As a result, the Company recognized a performance share-based compensation expense of $1.0 million (pretax) in 3Q 2011 and $2.9 million (pretax) in the first nine months of 2011. The Company believes that in order to properly understand its short-term and long-term financial trends from operations, investors may find it useful to exclude the impact of this expense from net income, diluted earnings per common share, income from operations and operating expenses. The resulting non-GAAP financial measures may also provide useful information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and may be useful for period over period comparisons of such operations. Each of the tables below reconciles these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Non-GAAP Net Income. Non-GAAP net income is a non-GAAP financial measure consisting of net income excluding the performance share-based compensation expense recognized in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to non-GAAP net income.

Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Common Share. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share is a non-GAAP financial measure consisting of diluted earnings per common share excluding the per common share impact of the performance share-based compensation expense recognized in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. The following table provides a reconciliation of diluted earnings per common share, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share.

Non-GAAP Income from Operations. Non-GAAP income from operations (non-GAAP operating margin) is a non-GAAP financial measure consisting of income from operations excluding the performance share-based compensation expense recognized in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. The following table provides a reconciliation of income from operations, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to non-GAAP income from operations.

Non-GAAP Operating Expenses. Non-GAAP operating expenses is a non-GAAP financial measure consisting of operating expenses excluding the performance share-based compensation expense recognized in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. The following table provides a reconciliation of operating expenses, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to non-GAAP operating expenses.

Reconciliation of 2011 Business Outlook. In 4Q 2010, the Company determined that achieving a 2011 diluted earnings per common share performance criteria required for the vesting of 50% of performance-based restricted stock granted in June 2009 was probable. As a result, the Company anticipates recognizing approximately $4.0 million (pretax) of performance share-based compensation expense in 2011 relating to the June 2009 grants. The Company believes that in order to properly understand its short-term and long-term financial trends from operations, investors may find it useful to exclude the impact of this expense from the Company’s 2011 business outlook. The resulting non-GAAP financial measures may also provide useful information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and may be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations.

As a consequence, the Company’s 2011 business outlook included a non-GAAP net income range, which excludes the anticipated recognition of approximately $4.0 million (pretax) of performance share-based compensation expense. The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s anticipated range of 2011 net income to the non-GAAP net income range.

Similarly, the Company’s 2011 business outlook also included a non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share range, which excludes the per common share impact of the anticipated recognition of approximately $4.0 million (pretax) of performance share-based compensation expense. The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s anticipated range of 2011 diluted earnings per common share to the non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share range.

Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Investor Contact:
John Heller, 952-229-7427
ir@lifetimefitness.com
Media Contact:
Jason Thunstrom, 952-229-7435
pr@lifetimefitness.com

Source: Life Time Fitness, Inc.

Released October 20, 2011