Property ManagementCendant Writes Off Homestore
relationships with affiliated entities.
The Company has entered into these relationships principally to support its
business model of growing earnings and cash flow with minimal asset risk. The
Company"s financial statements reflect these relationships in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and such relationships are
regularly reviewed by the Company"s management, its independent auditors, its
Audit Committee and its Board of Directors.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - As of December 31, 2001, the
Company had investments in NRT Incorporated, Trip Network, FFD Development
Company, Trilegiant Corporation, Tax Services of America, Homestore.com and
Entertainment Publications. In accordance with GAAP, these investments are
accounted for using either the cost or equity method of accounting, as
appropriate, and the Company is precluded from consolidating the financial
statements of these companies. In all cases, Cendant does not have a majority
of the board seats or have voting control of the board of directors of each
entity. Following are descriptions for each of the Company"s investments in
unconsolidated entities:
NRT Incorporated
NRT is the largest real estate brokerage firm in the United States and was
formed as a joint venture with Apollo Management, L.P. Apollo owns 100% of the
common stock of NRT and Cendant owns preferred stock that is convertible into
an equal ownership with Apollo. NRT was established when Cendant acquired the
Coldwell Banker brand and, with it, over 300 Coldwell Banker company-owned
offices that became a part of the joint venture.
NRT acquires independent real estate brokerages, converts them to a Cendant
brand and operates them under 50-year franchise agreements with the Company
that are similar to those of all other Cendant real estate franchisees. These
franchise agreements, which are recorded as an asset on Cendant"s balance
sheet, require NRT to pay royalty and advertising fees on its annual gross
revenues to Cendant. During the year ended December 31, 2001, Cendant received
approximately $200 million in royalties from NRT for the use of its tradenames.
Currently, Cendant"s investment in NRT is reflected on its balance sheet as
a preferred stock investment in the amount of $384 million. At December 31,
2001, NRT had $291 million in debt, which is non-recourse to Cendant. NRT has
informed Cendant, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001, its leverage
ratio (debt/EBITDA as defined in its credit agreement) was 2.6 to 1.
The Company has the option to purchase the NRT common stock held by Apollo
for $20 million. The option is exercisable beginning later in 2002 and is
conditional upon Apollo receiving a payment of $166 million from NRT. If NRT is
unable to make the distribution to Apollo, Cendant would be required to make
the payment on behalf of NRT and would receive additional preferred stock
securities in NRT.
Trip Network, Inc.
Trip Network, Inc. (TNI) was established in 2001 to develop and launch an
Internet travel portal initiative, and is expected to significantly expand the
Internet presence of Cendant"s travel brands. TNI was established with a $20
million contribution of assets in return for a preferred stock investment.
Additionally, TNI was also funded in the first quarter of 2001 with
approximately $85 million, which was expensed through the Company"s income
statement at that time. With the Galileo and Cheap Tickets acquisitions, the
Company expanded the relationship by licensing and leasing the online assets of
those businesses. As a result, at December 31, 2001 the Company has a prepaid
asset of approximately $40 million associated with a 40-year global
distribution system agreement. The prepaid asset associated with this agreement
is being amortized over the 40-year period. At December 31, 2001, TNI had no
debt outstanding nor is Cendant contingently liable for any debt which TNI may
incur.
FFD Development Company, LLC
Before Cendant acquired Fairfield Resorts, Fairfield"s internal development
function and much of its inventory was contributed to a new, separate company,
FFD Development Company, LLC ("FFD"). The initial contribution was
approximately $60 million of inventory and $4 million of cash. In return,
Fairfield Resorts received convertible preferred stock of FFD that may be
converted into an 80% equity stake. FFD"s common equity is held by an
independent charitable trust.
FFD is the primary acquirer and developer of timeshare inventory for
Cendant. When Fairfield Resorts or other timeshare developers identify a market
for a new resort or a resort expansion, FFD, or another third-party developer,
is contracted for the development effort. As with any third party development
relationship, Cendant through Fairfield Resorts is only obligated to purchase
the resort once it is completed to the contractual specifications, a
certificate of occupancy is delivered and clear title is obtained.
FFD has its own $125 million syndicated bank facility which is non-recourse
to Cendant. At December 31, 2001, $4 million was outstanding under the
facility.
Trilegiant Corporation
Trilegiant, a direct marketing company, was established in July 2001. The
Company entered into a 40-year agreement with Trilegiant to outsource and
license the Company"s individual membership and loyalty business. Cendant will
receive a license fee of 5% of Trilegiant"s revenues, increasing to
approximately 16% over ten years. This license fee is based upon all revenues
that Trilegiant generates, whether from Cendant membership products or other
third party marketing agreements such as the recently announced partnership
between Trilegiant and AOL. As previously announced, the individual membership
business retained by Cendant combined with the incremental Cendant revenues
expected to be generated by the license agreements with Trilegiant will
contribute approximately $0.06 to $0.08 to Cendant"s earnings per share in
2002.
Cendant owns preferred stock, convertible into 20% of Trilegiant, which was
written off in the third quarter of 2001 as an operating expense. The Company
agreed to fund approximately $100 million to Trilegiant for marketing
activities; such amount is expensed through Cendant"s income statement as
marketing dollars are spent. As of December 31, 2001, $66 million of this
marketing expense had been recognized by Cendant. In addition, Cendant has
provided Trilegiant a $35 million revolving line of credit of which advances
under the facility are at the sole and unilateral discretion of Cendant. At
December 31, 2001, there were no advances outstanding under this line of
credit. There are no contingent liabilities to Cendant from the Trilegiant
relationship.
In connection with marketing agreements entered into by America On-line,
Inc. and Trilegiant, Cendant entered into a $75 million loan facility with a
subsidiary of Trilegiant whereby Cendant will advance funds in connection with
marketing performed by Trilegiant on behalf of America On-line, Inc. Under the
terms of the agreements, Trilegiant will acquire subscribers for AOL and
receive commissions. As part of its existing royalty arrangement with
Trilegiant, Cendant will participate in those commissions, which are expected
to grow over time as these marketing programs are implemented. The subsidiary
of Trilegiant will repay borrowings under the Cendant credit facility as
commissions are received from America On-line, Inc. As of December 31, 2001,
the outstanding balance of the loan facility was $24 million.
Tax Services of America
Tax Services of America, or TSA, was established as a joint venture between
the Company"s Jackson Hewitt tax preparation business and several Jackson
Hewitt franchisees. With approximately $30 million in funding from Cendant, TSA
launched a consolidation effort in the tax preparation industry. Between 1999
and 2001, TSA acquired practices that represent approximately 330,000 tax
returns. On January 18, 2002, the Company acquired the common stock of TSA for
$4 million. Accordingly, TSA will now be included in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2002.
Homestore.com
The Company"s investment in Homestore.com results from the sale of the
Company"s move.com business to Homestore.com in February 2001. In return for
the assets of move.com, the Company received a 19% interest in Homestore.com,
which is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The carrying
value of the Company"s investment in Homestore.com has been written down to $0
due to the recent market decline in Homestore.com shares and the Company"s
equity share in the losses of Homestore.com. Accordingly, Cendant will no
longer reflect the earnings or losses of Homestore.com in its financial
results. The Company has no other commitments as it relates to this investment.
Entertainment Publications, Inc.
The Company"s investment in Entertainment Publications results from the
disposition of this business in 1999. At that time the Company sold 85% of the
business to the Carlyle Group and the remaining 15% was retained. This
investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. It has
virtually no carrying value on the Company"s books and a de minimis impact on
earnings. The Company has no other commitments as it relates to this
investment.