Travel + Leisure Co. (TNL): A Resilient Vacation Ownership and Travel Powerhouse

Travel + Leisure Co. is a global provider of hospitality services and travel products, operating in two key segments: Vacation Ownership and Travel and Membership. The company has demonstrated strong financial performance, reporting annual net income of $396 million, annual revenue of $3.75 billion, annual operating cash flow of $350 million, and annual free cash flow of $276 million.

Financials

In the latest quarter, the company reported revenue of $985 million, up 3.8% year-over-year. Net income for the quarter was $129 million, compared to $94 million in the same period last year. The company's Vacation Ownership segment saw a 5% increase in revenue, driven by a 8.9% rise in gross VOI sales and a 12.7% increase in tours. The Travel and Membership segment, meanwhile, maintained flat adjusted EBITDA on a slight decline in revenue, as higher revenue per transaction in both exchange and clubs offset the decline in transactions.

Business Overview

The company's business model has proven to be resilient, with management highlighting the strong demand for its vacation ownership product and the flexibility it offers customers. Travel + Leisure Co. has also been actively expanding its portfolio, with the recent acquisition of Accor Vacation Club, which is expected to contribute over $1 million in adjusted EBITDA this year and help the company establish a presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the company has increased its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $915 million to $935 million, reflecting the momentum in the business and the incremental provision for loan losses. Management expects a strong second half of the year, with owner nights up 6% and double-digit tour growth for the full year.

Vacation Ownership Segment

The company's Vacation Ownership segment has been a standout, with gross VOI sales reaching $607 million in the latest quarter, at the high end of the guidance range. The segment's adjusted EBITDA increased 10%, driven by the strong performance in tours, new owner mix, and volume per guest (VPG). While the company has seen an increase in loan loss provisions, primarily due to delinquencies on loans with original FICO scores below 700, management believes the overall business model remains resilient and able to overcome these headwinds.

Travel and Membership Segment

The Travel and Membership segment has also demonstrated its ability to maintain margins, with higher revenue per transaction in both exchange and clubs offsetting the decline in transactions. The company's focus on driving higher-margin transactions with its existing vacation club customers has been paying off, as evidenced by the 4% increase in revenue per transaction in the quarter.

Liquidity

Travel + Leisure Co. has a strong balance sheet, with $166 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2023. The company has been actively managing its debt, recently closing a $375 million securitization transaction at a 5.6% rate and a 96% advance rate, which represents an improvement over its previous securitization. The company's leverage ratio stood at 3.5x at the end of the quarter, and it expects this to decline to below 3.5x by the end of the year.

The company's capital allocation strategy has also been shareholder-friendly, with $105 million returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks during the quarter. The board of directors recently approved an additional $500 million in share repurchase authorization, bringing the total remaining capacity to $578 million.

Geographic Diversification

Travel + Leisure Co.'s geographic diversification is another strength, with the company's international business, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, showing strong performance. In the first half of 2023, the company's international adjusted EBITDA was up 33%, with tour flow up over 50% and VPG up in the low-single digits.

Growth Initiatives

The company's growth initiatives, such as the Sports Illustrated resorts and the continued integration of the Accor Vacation Club, also hold promise for the future. The Sports Illustrated resorts project in Tuscaloosa is progressing, with the company working to finalize the design and obtain the necessary approvals to break ground early next year.

Conclusion

Overall, Travel + Leisure Co. has demonstrated its ability to navigate a challenging environment, with a resilient business model, strong demand for its vacation ownership product, and a focus on driving higher-margin transactions. The company's geographic diversification, growth initiatives, and shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy position it well for continued success in the years ahead.