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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 000-55409
QVC, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
23-2414041
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
 
1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, Pennsylvania
(Address of principal executive offices)
19380
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (484) 701-1000
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x
(do not check if
smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
None of the voting stock of the registrant is held by a non-affiliate of the registrant. There is no publicly traded market for any class of voting stock of the registrant. There is one holder of record of our equity, Liberty QVC Holding, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation.
 




QVC, Inc.
2016 QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q


Table of Contents






Item 1. Financial Statements
QVC, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
 
March 31,

December 31,

(in millions, except share amounts)
2016

2015

Assets
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
361

327

Restricted cash
11

11

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $88 at March 31, 2016 and $86 at December 31, 2015
1,031

1,370

Inventories
1,007

929

Prepaid expenses
57

42

Total current assets
2,467

2,679

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $987 at March 31, 2016 and $941 at December 31, 2015
1,065

1,002

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net
294

339

Goodwill
5,062

5,035

Other intangible assets, net
2,886

2,936

Other noncurrent assets
59

67

Total assets
$
11,833

12,058

Liabilities and equity


Current liabilities:


Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations
$
10

9

Accounts payable-trade
558

658

Accrued liabilities
702

872

Total current liabilities
1,270

1,539

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations
5,472

5,393

Deferred compensation
12

13

Deferred income taxes
802

827

Other long-term liabilities
241

168

Total liabilities
7,797

7,940

Equity:


QVC, Inc. stockholder's equity:


Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1 authorized share


Additional paid-in capital
6,837

6,827

Accumulated deficit
(2,782
)
(2,669
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(113
)
(140
)
Total QVC, Inc. stockholder's equity
3,942

4,018

Noncontrolling interest
94

100

Total equity
4,036

4,118

Total liabilities and equity
$
11,833

12,058


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-1


QVC, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

Net revenue
$
2,013

1,938

Cost of goods sold
1,280

1,221

Gross profit
733

717

Operating expenses:
 
 
Operating
142

137

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation
182

181

Depreciation
34

33

Amortization
114

120


472

471

Operating income
261

246

Other (expense) income:
 
 
Equity in losses of investee
(1
)
(1
)
Interest expense, net
(53
)
(59
)
Foreign currency gain
2

10


(52
)
(50
)
Income before income taxes
209

196

Income tax expense
(80
)
(72
)
Net income
129

124

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(8
)
(9
)
Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
121

115


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-2


QVC, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

Net income
$
129

124

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
34

(102
)
Total comprehensive income
163

22

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(15
)
(8
)
Comprehensive income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
148

14


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-3


QVC, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

Operating activities:
 
 
Net income
$
129

124

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Equity in losses of investee
1

1

Deferred income taxes
(19
)
(27
)
Foreign currency gain
(2
)
(10
)
Depreciation
34

33

Amortization
114

120

Noncash interest
2

2

Stock-based compensation
6

8

Change in other long-term liabilities
5

1

Effects of changes in working capital items
6

33

Net cash provided by operating activities
276

285

Investing activities:
 
 
Capital expenditures
(39
)
(31
)
Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights
(1
)
(44
)
Changes in other noncurrent assets
(2
)
(3
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(42
)
(78
)
Financing activities:
 
 
Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations
(438
)
(412
)
Principal borrowings of debt from senior secured credit facility
515

351

Payment of debt origination fees

(3
)
Dividends paid to Liberty
(234
)
(59
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
(21
)
(20
)
Other financing activities
(9
)
(1
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(187
)
(144
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(13
)
(10
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
34

53

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
327

347

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
361

400

Effects of changes in working capital items:
 
 
Decrease in accounts receivable
$
379

350

Increase in inventories
(71
)
(103
)
Increase in prepaid expenses
(15
)
(5
)
Decrease in accounts payable-trade
(115
)
(67
)
Decrease in accrued liabilities and other
(172
)
(142
)
Effects of changes in working capital items
$
6

33


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-4


QVC, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
 
Common stock
 
Additional paid-in capital

Accumulated deficit

Accumulated other
comprehensive loss

Noncontrolling interest

Total equity

(in millions, except share data)
Shares

Amount

Balance, December 31, 2015
1

$

6,827

(2,669
)
(140
)
100

4,118

Net income



121


8

129

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax




27

7

34

Dividends paid to Liberty and noncontrolling interest and other



(234
)

(21
)
(255
)
Impact of tax liability allocation and indemnification agreement with Liberty


6




6

Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of
stock-based compensation


(6
)



(6
)
Excess tax benefit resulting from stock-based compensation


4




4

Stock-based compensation


6




6

Balance, March 31, 2016
1

$

6,837

(2,782
)
(113
)
94

4,036


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-5

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


(1) Basis of Presentation
QVC, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("QVC" or the "Company") is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the Internet and mobile applications.
In the United States ("U.S."), QVC's live programming is distributed via its nationally televised shopping program 24 hours per day, 364 days per year. Internationally, QVC's program services are based in Germany, the United Kingdom ("U.K."), Italy, Japan, and France.
In Germany, QVC distributes its program 24 hours per day with 17 hours of live programming. In Japan, QVC distributes live programming 24 hours per day. In the UK, QVC distributes its program 24 hours per day with 16 hours of live programming. In Italy, QVC distributes programming live for 17 hours per day on satellite and digital terrestrial television and an additional seven hours per day of recorded programming on satellite and seven hours per day of general interest programming on digital terrestrial television. On weekdays, QVC distributes shopping programming in France live for eight hours per day, and distributes an additional 14 hours per day of recorded programming and two hours per day of general interest programming. On weekends, QVC distributes shopping programming in France live for 12 hours per day, and distributes an additional 10 hours per day of recorded programming and two hours per day of general interest programming.
Historically, QVC reported its results on a country-by-country basis. During the year ended December 31, 2015, QVC began reporting its results based on two operating segments: QVC-US, which is comprised of our U.S. operations and QVC-International, which is comprised of our international operations in Germany, Japan, the U.K., Italy and France. Refer to note 11 for additional information.
The Company's Japanese operations ("QVC-Japan") are conducted through a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., LTD ("Mitsui") for a television and multimedia retailing service in Japan. QVC-Japan is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by Mitsui. The Company and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on their respective ownership interests. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, QVC-Japan paid dividends to Mitsui of $21 million and $20 million, respectively.
The Company also has a joint venture with CNR Media Group, formerly known as China Broadcasting Corporation, a limited liability company owned by China National Radio (''CNR''). The Company owns a 49% interest in a CNR subsidiary, CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. (''CNRS''). CNRS operates a retail business in China through a shopping television channel with an associated website. Live programming is distributed for 17 hours per day and recorded programming for seven hours per day. This joint venture is accounted for as an equity method investment recorded as equity in losses of investee in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty"), which owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. The QVC Group common stock (Nasdaq: QVCA and QVCB), tracks the assets and liabilities of the QVC Group. The QVC Group tracks the Company, zulily, llc (as of October 1, 2015) and Liberty's 38% equity interest in HSN, Inc., one of the Company's two closest televised shopping competitors, along with cash and certain liabilities. The QVC Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather, it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group.
On October 1, 2015, Liberty acquired all of the outstanding shares of zulily, inc. ("zulily") (now known as zulily, llc) and QVC declared and paid a dividend to Liberty in the amount of $910 million with funds drawn from the Company’s credit facility to support Liberty’s purchase. zulily is an online retailer offering customers a fun and entertaining shopping experience with a fresh selection of new product styles launched each day for a limited time period. zulily is attributed to the QVC Group and the Company believes that its business is complementary to the Company. zulily is not part of the results of operations or financial position of QVC presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, QVC and zulily engaged in multiple transactions relating to sales, sourcing of merchandise, marketing initiatives and business advisory services. The gross value of these transactions totaled less than $2 million, which did not have a material impact on QVC's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.


I-6

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

QVC engages with CommerceHub, Inc. ("CommerceHub"), an approximately 99% owned subsidiary of Liberty, to handle communications between QVC and certain of its vendors for drop ship sales and returns. CommerceHub is not part of the results of operations or financial position of QVC presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, and 2015, QVC paid CommerceHub for the related services totaling less than $1 million, respectively, which did not have a material impact on QVC's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of QVC, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in QVC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates include, but are not limited to, sales returns, uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence, depreciable lives of fixed assets, internally-developed software, valuation of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes and stock‑based compensation.
On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08 which clarifies principal versus agent considerations, and in April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10 which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance for licensing. The updated guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has started a preliminary assessment, but has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which provides explicit guidance to help companies evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The new guidance clarifies that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the license consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If the arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company has has adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016, and has determined there is no significant effect of the standard on its financial reporting.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The new principle is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and applies to entities that measure inventory using a method other than last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has determined there is no significant effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.


I-7

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Statements - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s ongoing financial reporting.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which revises the accounting related to lessee accounting. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. The new lease guidance also simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2019 and should be applied through a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined what the effects of adopting this ASU will be on its ongoing financial reporting.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. Once adopted, the Company will record excess tax benefits on the statement of operations rather than additional paid-in capital. However, the Company has not yet determined all of the effects that adopting this ASU will have on its ongoing financial reporting.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company has reclassified costs of $31 million on the consolidated statements of operations from operating to selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation due to continued convergence of broadcast and e-commerce operations which included programming, broadcasting, personnel and production costs.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts relating to the QVC-International segment disclosure to conform with the current period presentation. Refer to note 11 for additional information.
(2) Cable and Satellite Television Distribution Rights, Net
Cable and satellite television distribution rights consisted of the following:
(in millions)
March 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Cable and satellite television distribution rights
$
2,271

2,259

Less accumulated amortization
(1,977
)
(1,920
)
Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net
$
294

339

The Company recorded amortization expense of $47 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, related to cable and satellite television distribution rights.


I-8

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

As of March 31, 2016, related amortization expense for each of the next five years ended December 31 was as follows (in millions):
Remainder of 2016
$
136

2017
125

2018
12

2019
9

2020
8

The decrease in future amortization expense in 2018 is primarily due to the end of affiliation agreement terms for contracts in place at the time of Liberty's acquisition of QVC in 2003.
(3) Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:
(in millions)
QVC-U.S.

QVC-Germany

QVC-Japan

QVC-U.K.

QVC-Italy

Total

Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
4,190

278

251

193

123

5,035

Exchange rate fluctuations

9

18

(5
)
5

27

Balance as of March 31, 2016
$
4,190

287

269

188

128

5,062

(4) Other Intangible Assets, Net
Other intangible assets consisted of the following:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Gross
cost

Accumulated
amortization

Other intangible assets, net

Gross
cost

Accumulated
amortization

Other intangible assets, net

Purchased and internally developed software
$
643

(444
)
199

625

(418
)
207

Affiliate and customer relationships
2,413

(2,162
)
251

2,409

(2,115
)
294

Debt origination fees
9

(1
)
8

9

(2
)
7

Trademarks (indefinite life)
2,428


2,428

2,428


2,428


$
5,493

(2,607
)
2,886

5,471

(2,535
)
2,936

The Company recorded amortization expense of $67 million and $73 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to other intangible assets.
As of March 31, 2016, the related amortization and interest expense for each of the next five years ended December 31 was as follows (in millions):
Remainder of 2016
$
206

2017
188

2018
51

2019
11

2020
3

The decrease in future amortization expense in 2018 is primarily due to the end of the useful lives of the affiliate and customer relationships in place at the time of Liberty's acquisition of QVC in 2003.


I-9

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

(5) Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
(in millions)
March 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Accounts payable non-trade
$
184

240

Accrued compensation and benefits
109

116

Income taxes
94

116

Deferred revenue
81

83

Allowance for sales returns
80

106

Sales and other taxes
41

79

Accrued interest
37

58

Other
76

74

 
$
702

872

(6) Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
(in millions)
March 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

3.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, net of original issue discount
$
399

399

5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022
500

500

4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023, net of original issue discount
750

750

4.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2024, net of original issue discount
600

600

4.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, net of original issue discount
599

599

5.45% Senior Secured Notes due 2034, net of original issue discount
399

399

5.95% Senior Secured Notes due 2043, net of original issue discount
300

300

Senior secured credit facility
1,894

1,815

Capital lease obligations
72

72

Less debt issuance costs, net
(31
)
(32
)
Total debt
5,482

5,402

Less current portion
(10
)
(9
)
Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations
$
5,472

5,393

Senior Secured Notes
All of QVC's senior secured notes are secured by the capital stock of QVC and certain of its subsidiaries and have equal priority to the senior secured credit facility. The interest on all of QVC's senior secured notes is payable semi-annually.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
QVC had $355.8 million available under the terms of the senior secured credit facility at March 31, 2016. The interest rate on the senior secured credit facility was 2.2% at March 31, 2016.


I-10

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

On March 9, 2015, QVC amended and restated its senior secured credit facility (the "Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement"), which is a multi-currency facility that provides for a $2.25 billion revolving credit facility with a $250 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit and $1.5 billion of uncommitted incremental revolving loan commitments or incremental term loans. QVC may elect that the loans extended under the senior secured credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR Rate or LIBOR, as each is defined in the senior secured credit facility agreement, plus a margin of 0.25% to 1.75% depending on various factors. Each loan may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty at any time other than customary breakage costs. Any amounts prepaid on the revolving credit facility may be reborrowed. Payment of loans may be accelerated following certain customary events of default. The senior secured credit facility is secured by the capital stock of QVC.
The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain restrictions on the Company and each of its restricted subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) with respect to, among other things: incurring additional indebtedness; creating liens on property or assets; making certain loans or investments; selling or disposing of assets; paying certain dividends and other restricted payments; dissolving, consolidating or merging; entering into certain transactions with affiliates; entering into sale or leaseback transactions; restricting subsidiary distributions; and limiting the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, which is defined in QVC’s senior secured credit facility as the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated Adjusted OIBDA for the most recent four fiscal quarter period. The Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation).
Other Debt Related Information
QVC was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at March 31, 2016.
During the quarter, there were no significant changes to QVC's debt credit ratings.
The weighted average rate applicable to all of the outstanding debt (excluding capital leases) prior to amortization of bond discounts and related debt issuance costs was 3.8% as of March 31, 2016.
(7) Leases and Transponder Service Arrangements
Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases and capital transponder leases with initial terms of one year or more and the lease related to the Company's west coast distribution center (build to suit lease) at March 31, 2016 consisted of the following:
(in millions)
Capital transponders

Operating leases

Build to suit lease

Remainder of 2016
$
8

15


2017
13

19

5

2018
15

17

6

2019
13

12

6

2020
10

11

6

Thereafter
20

84

73

Total
$
79

158

96

The Company has entered into twelve separate capital lease agreements with transponder suppliers to transmit its signals in the U.S., Germany and France at an aggregate monthly cost of $1 million. Depreciation expense related to the transponders was $3 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Total future minimum capital lease payments of $79 million include $7 million of imputed interest. The transponder service agreements for our U.S. transponders expire between 2019 and 2023. The transponder service agreements for our international transponders expire between 2019 and 2024.
Expenses for operating leases, principally for data processing equipment, facilities, satellite uplink service agreements and the west coast distribution center land, amounted to $7 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


I-11

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

On July 2, 2015, QVC entered into a lease (the “Lease”) for a west coast distribution center. Pursuant to the Lease, the landlord is building an approximately one million square foot rental building in Ontario, California (the “Premises”), and thereafter will lease the Premises to QVC as its new west coast distribution center for an initial term of 15 years. Under the Lease, QVC is required to pay an initial base rent of approximately $6 million per year, increasing to approximately $8 million per year by the final year of the initial term, as well as all real estate taxes and other building operating costs. QVC also has an option to extend the term of the Lease for up to two consecutive terms of 10 years each.
QVC has the right to purchase the Premises and related land from the landlord by entering into an amended and restated agreement at any time during the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth months of the Lease's initial term with a $10 million initial payment and annual payments of $12 million over a term of 13 years.
The Company has concluded that it is the deemed owner (for accounting purposes only) of the Premises during the construction period under build to suit lease accounting. Building construction began in July of 2015. During the construction period, the Company is recording estimated project construction costs incurred by the landlord as a projects in progress asset and a corresponding long-term liability in “Property and equipment, net” and “Other long-term liabilities,” respectively, on its consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Company will pay for normal tenant improvements and certain structural improvements and will record these amounts as part of the projects in progress asset. As of March 31, 2016 the projects in progress asset and long-term liability related to the west coast distribution center was approximately $74 million of which $58 million was incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Once the landlord completes the construction of the Premises (estimated to be mid 2016), the Company will evaluate the Lease in order to determine whether the Lease meets the criteria for “sale-leaseback” treatment under U.S. GAAP. If the Lease meets the “sale-leaseback” criteria, the Company will remove the asset and the related liability from its consolidated balance sheet and treat the Lease as either an operating or capital lease based on its assessment of the accounting guidance. However, the Company currently expects that upon completion of construction of the Premises that the Lease will not meet the "sale-leaseback" criteria.
If the Lease does not meet “sale-leaseback” criteria, the Company will treat the Lease as a financing obligation and lease payments will be attributed to: (1) a reduction of the principal financing obligation; (2) imputed interest expense; and (3) land lease expense representing an imputed cost to lease the underlying land of the Premises. In addition, the building asset will be depreciated over its estimated useful life. Although the Company will not begin making monthly lease payments pursuant to the Lease until February 2017, the portion of the lease obligations allocated to the land are being treated for accounting purposes as an operating lease that commenced in 2015. If the Company does not exercise its right to purchase the Premises and related land, the Company will derecognize both the net book values of the asset and the financing obligation at the conclusion of the lease term.
(8) Income Taxes
The Company calculates its interim income tax provision by applying its best estimate of the annual expected effective tax rate to its ordinary year-to-date income or loss. The tax or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect are individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which those items occur.
The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in foreign jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences as a result of differences between amounts measured and recognized in accordance with tax laws and financial accounting standards, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as the tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on the prior quarters is included in the tax expense for the current quarter.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a tax provision of $80 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 38.3%. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded a tax provision of $72 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 36.7%. These rates differ from the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% due primarily to state tax expense.


I-12

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

QVC is party to ongoing discussions with the Internal Revenue Service under the Compliance Assurance Process audit program. The Company files Federal tax returns on a consolidated basis with its parent company, Liberty. The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2016, the Company, or one of its subsidiaries, was under examination in California, New York State, New York City, and Pennsylvania as well as in Germany and the U.K. The Company has received assessments related to an examination in Germany. The Company believes that any amounts ultimately paid in connection with the assessments will be creditable against its U.S. federal tax liability.
The amounts of the tax-related balances due to Liberty at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $67 million and $71 million, respectively, and were included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company is a party to a Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement (the “Tax Agreement”) with Liberty. The Tax Agreement establishes the methodology for the calculation and payment of income taxes in connection with the consolidation of the Company with Liberty for income tax purposes. Generally, the Tax Agreement provides that the Company will pay Liberty an amount equal to the tax liability, if any, that it would have if it were to file as a consolidated group separate and apart from Liberty, with exceptions for the treatment and timing of certain items, including but not limited to deferred intercompany transactions, credits, and net operating and capital losses. To the extent that the separate company tax expense is different from the payment terms of the Tax Agreement, the difference is recorded as either a dividend or capital contribution.
(9) Commitments and Contingencies
The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that the amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Network and information systems, including the Internet and telecommunication systems, third party delivery services and other technologies are critical to our business activities. Substantially all our customer orders, fulfillment and delivery services are dependent upon the use of network and information systems, including the use of third party telecommunication and delivery service providers. If information systems including the Internet or telecommunication services are disrupted, or if the third party delivery services experience a disruption in their transportation delivery services, we could face a significant disruption in fulfilling our customer orders and shipment of our products. We have active disaster recovery programs in place to help mitigate risks associated with these critical business activities.
(10) Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
For assets and liabilities required to be reported or disclosed at fair value, U.S. GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.


I-13

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

The Company's assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value were as follows:


Fair value measurements at March 31, 2016 using
 
(in millions)
Total

Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)

Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

Current assets:




Cash equivalents
$
217

217



Short-term liabilities:




Net investment hedge
16


16


Long-term liabilities:




Debt (note 6)
5,390


5,390




Fair value measurements at December 31, 2015 using
 
(in millions)
Total

Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)

Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

Current assets:




Cash equivalents
$
218

218



Net investment hedge
3


3


Long-term liabilities:








Debt (note 6)
5,189


5,189


The majority of the Company's Level 2 financial liabilities are debt instruments with quoted market prices that are not considered to be traded on "active markets," as defined in U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the financial instruments are reported in the foregoing tables as Level 2 fair value instruments.
QVC entered into a hedge of a net investment in a foreign subsidiary during the fourth quarter of 2015 and the underlying derivative matured on March 15, 2016. The Company entered into a similar hedge of the same net investment in a foreign subsidiary effective March 15, 2016. The purpose of this investment is similar to the previous hedge which is to protect QVC's investment in the foreign subsidiary against the variability of the U.S. dollar and Euro exchange rate. The current hedge contract entails both the exchange of a U.S. Libor and Euribor interest payments monthly over a six month term and the exchange of approximately $555 million, and the U.S. Dollar equivalent of Euro 500 million, at the maturity date. The gain or loss is and will be recognized in other comprehensive income and is classified as Level 2 in the table above. No amount of the gain or loss has been reclassified into earnings as of the balance sheet date nor is expected to be reclassified in the next twelve months.
(11) Information about QVC's Operating Segments
During the year ended December 31, 2015, QVC began reporting its results based on two operating segments: QVC-U.S. and QVC-International, as a result of the One Q Reorganization Plan ("One Q"). The One Q organizational structure is intended to allow the Company to better leverage its global scale and capabilities, to enhance its competitive position and to create operational efficiencies. Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, QVC began allocating certain additional corporate costs for management reporting purposes, which were historically included in its QVC-U.S. segment, to the QVC-International segment. These management cost allocations are related to certain functions such as merchandising, commerce platforms, information technology, human resources, legal, finance, brand and communications, corporate development and administration that support all of QVC’s operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, these costs totaled approximately $9 million.


I-14

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

QVC's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is QVC's Chief Executive Officer. QVC's CODM has ultimate responsibility for enterprise decisions. QVC's CODM determines, in particular, resource allocation for, and monitors performance of, the consolidated enterprise, QVC-U.S. and QVC-International. The segment managers have responsibility for operating decisions, allocating resources and assessing performance within their respective segments. QVC's CODM relies on internal management reporting that analyzes enterprise results and segment results to the Adjusted OIBDA level (see below).
QVC-U.S. and QVC-International are retailers of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised-shopping programs as well as via the Internet and mobile applications in certain markets.
The Company evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as net revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, gross margin, average sales price per unit, number of units shipped and revenue or sales per subscriber equivalent. The Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). The Company believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its segments, including the ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking among the Company's businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation, that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Performance measures
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Net
revenue

Adjusted
OIBDA

Net
revenue

Adjusted
OIBDA

QVC-U.S.
$
1,407

326

1,342

306

QVC-International
606

89

596

101

Consolidated QVC
$
2,013

415

1,938

407

Net revenue amounts by product category are not available from our general purpose financial statements.
Other information
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Depreciation

Amortization

Depreciation

Amortization

QVC-U.S.
$
17

102

16

106

QVC-International
17

12

17

14

Consolidated QVC
$
34

114

33

120


March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Total
assets

Capital
expenditures

Total
assets

Capital
expenditures

QVC-U.S.
$
9,710

31

9,913

169

QVC-International
2,123

8

2,145

46

Consolidated QVC
$
11,833

39

12,058

215



I-15

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by segment were as follows:
(in millions)
March 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

QVC-U.S.
$
558

501

QVC-International
507

501

Consolidated QVC
$
1,065

1,002

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to income before income taxes:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

Adjusted OIBDA
$
415

407

Stock-based compensation
(6
)
(8
)
Depreciation and amortization
(148
)
(153
)
Equity in losses of investee
(1
)
(1
)
Interest expense, net
(53
)
(59
)
Foreign currency gain
2

10

Income before income taxes
$
209

196

(12) Other Comprehensive Loss
The change in the component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes ("AOCL"), is summarized as follows:
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments

AOCL

Balance at January 1, 2016
$
(140
)
(140
)
Other comprehensive income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
27

27

Balance at March 31, 2016
(113
)
(113
)
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2015
$
(39
)
(39
)
Other comprehensive loss attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
(101
)
(101
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
(140
)
(140
)
The component of other comprehensive income is reflected in QVC's condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, net of taxes. The following table summarizes the tax effects related to the component of other comprehensive income:
(in millions)
Before-tax amount

Tax benefit

Net-of-tax amount

Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
$
28

6

34

Other comprehensive income
28

6

34

 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
$
(128
)
26

(102
)
Other comprehensive loss
(128
)
26

(102
)


I-16

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)

(13) Guarantor/Non-guarantor Subsidiary Financial Information
The following information contains the condensed consolidating financial statements for the Company, the parent on a stand-alone basis (QVC, Inc.), the combined subsidiary guarantors (Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.; Affiliate Investment, Inc.; AMI 2, Inc.; ER Marks, Inc.; QVC International Ltd; QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.; QVC San Antonio, LLC; Global Holdings I, Inc.; and Global Holdings II, Inc.) and the combined non-guarantor subsidiaries pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. Certain non-guarantor subsidiaries are majority-owned by QVC International Ltd, which is a guarantor subsidiary.
These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company's financial information on the same basis of accounting as the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions, such as management fees, royalty revenue and expense, interest income and expense and gains on intercompany asset transfers. Goodwill and other intangible assets have been allocated to the subsidiaries based on management’s estimates. Certain costs have been partially allocated to all of the subsidiaries of the Company.
With One Q as mentioned in note 11, QVC began allocating certain additional corporate costs for management reporting purposes, which were historically included in its QVC-U.S. segment, to the QVC-International segment.
The subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the Company. All guarantees are full and unconditional and are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its U.S. subsidiaries, including the guarantors, by dividend or loan. The Company has not presented separate notes and other disclosures concerning the subsidiary guarantors as the Company has determined that such material information is available in the notes to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.


I-17

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
March 31, 2016
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Assets
Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents
$
2

192

167


361

Restricted cash
9


2


11

Accounts receivable, net
766


265


1,031

Inventories
748


259


1,007

Prepaid expenses
28


29


57

Total current assets
1,553

192

722


2,467

Property and equipment, net
297

66

702


1,065

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

257

37


294

Goodwill
4,190


872


5,062

Other intangible assets, net
797

2,050

39


2,886

Other noncurrent assets
6


53


59

Investments in subsidiaries
3,608

2,685


(6,293
)

Total assets
$
10,451

5,250

2,425

(6,293
)
11,833

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:





Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations
$
3


7


10

Accounts payable-trade
328


230


558

Accrued liabilities
66

207

429


702

Intercompany accounts payable (receivable)
480

1,408

(1,888
)


Total current liabilities
877

1,615

(1,222
)

1,270

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations
5,421


51


5,472

Deferred compensation
13


(1
)

12

Deferred income taxes
99

735

(32
)

802

Other long-term liabilities
99

1

141


241

Total liabilities
6,509

2,351

(1,063
)

7,797

Equity:





QVC, Inc. stockholder's equity
3,942

2,899

3,394

(6,293
)
3,942

Noncontrolling interest


94


94

Total equity
3,942

2,899

3,488

(6,293
)
4,036

Total liabilities and equity
$
10,451

5,250

2,425

(6,293
)
11,833



I-18

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Assets
Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents
$

112

215


327

Restricted cash
9


2


11

Accounts receivable, net
1,114


256


1,370

Inventories
714


215


929

Prepaid expenses
18


24


42

Total current assets
1,855

112

712


2,679

Property and equipment, net
295

67

640


1,002

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

297

42


339

Goodwill
4,190


845


5,035

Other intangible assets, net
842

2,050

44


2,936

Other noncurrent assets
5


62


67

Investments in subsidiaries
3,569

2,687


(6,256
)

Total assets
$
10,756

5,213

2,345

(6,256
)
12,058

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:





Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations
$
3


6


9

Accounts payable-trade
396


262


658

Accrued liabilities
229

207

436


872

Intercompany accounts payable (receivable)
562

1,271

(1,833
)


Total current liabilities
1,190

1,478

(1,129
)

1,539

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations
5,342


51


5,393

Deferred compensation
14


(1
)

13

Deferred income taxes
94

744

(11
)

827

Other long-term liabilities
98


70


168

Total liabilities
6,738

2,222

(1,020
)

7,940

Equity:





QVC, Inc. stockholder's equity
4,018

2,991

3,265

(6,256
)
4,018

Noncontrolling interest


100


100

Total equity
4,018

2,991

3,365

(6,256
)
4,118

Total liabilities and equity
$
10,756

5,213

2,345

(6,256
)
12,058



I-19

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Net revenue
$
1,444

233

665

(329
)
2,013

Cost of goods sold
876

42

409

(47
)
1,280

Gross profit
568

191

256

(282
)
733

Operating expenses:





Operating
109

59

72

(98
)
142

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation
263


103

(184
)
182

Depreciation
12

2

20


34

Amortization
60

41

13


114


444

102

208

(282
)
472

Operating income
124

89

48


261

Other (expense) income:





Equity in losses of investee


(1
)

(1
)
Interest expense, net
(53
)



(53
)
Foreign currency gain (loss)
3

(2
)
1


2

Intercompany interest (expense) income

(21
)
21




(50
)
(23
)
21


(52
)
Income before income taxes
74

66

69


209

Income tax expense
(28
)
(26
)
(26
)

(80
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax
83

56


(139
)

Net income
129

96

43

(139
)
129

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(8
)

(8
)
8

(8
)
Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
121

96

35

(131
)
121



I-20

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Net revenue
$
1,380

202

657

(301
)
1,938

Cost of goods sold
859

25

386

(49
)
1,221

Gross profit
521

177

271

(252
)
717

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
87

57

72

(79
)
137

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation
258


96

(173
)
181

Depreciation
10

3

20


33

Amortization
59

40

21


120


414

100

209

(252
)
471

Operating income
107

77

62


246

Other (expense) income:
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in losses of investee


(1
)

(1
)
Interest expense, net
(58
)

(1
)

(59
)
Foreign currency gain (loss)
14


(4
)

10

Intercompany interest (expense) income
(6
)
11

(5
)



(50
)
11

(11
)

(50
)
Income before income taxes
57

88

51


196

Income tax expense
(26
)
(25
)
(21
)

(72
)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax
93

9


(102
)

Net income
124

72

30

(102
)
124

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(9
)

(9
)
9

(9
)
Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
115

72

21

(93
)
115







I-21

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Net income
$
129

96

43

(139
)
129

Foreign currency translation adjustments
34


34

(34
)
34

Total comprehensive income
163

96

77

(173
)
163

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(15
)

(15
)
15

(15
)
Comprehensive income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
148

96

62

(158
)
148

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Net income
$
124

72

30

(102
)
124

Foreign currency translation adjustments
(102
)

(102
)
102

(102
)
Total comprehensive (loss) income
22

72

(72
)

22

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(8
)

(8
)
8

(8
)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
14

72

(80
)
8

14




I-22

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Operating activities:










Net cash provided by operating activities
$
181

77

18


276

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(29
)
(2
)
(8
)

(39
)
Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

1

(2
)

(1
)
Changes in other noncurrent assets
25


(27
)

(2
)
Intercompany investing activities
151

22


(173
)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
147

21

(37
)
(173
)
(42
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations
(436
)

(2
)

(438
)
Principal borrowings of debt from senior secured credit facility
515




515

Other financing activities
(9
)



(9
)
Dividends paid to Liberty
(234
)



(234
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest


(21
)

(21
)
Net short-term intercompany debt (repayments) borrowings
(82
)
137

(55
)


Other intercompany financing activities
(80
)
(155
)
62

173


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(326
)
(18
)
(16
)
173

(187
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(13
)

(13
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
2

80

(48
)

34

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

112

215


327

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
2

192

167


361



I-23

QVC, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
(in millions)
Parent
issuer-
QVC, Inc.

Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated-
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
116

106

63


285

Investing activities:





Capital expenditures
(22
)
(1
)
(8
)

(31
)
Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

(44
)


(44
)
Other investing activities
1


(1
)


Changes in other noncurrent assets
(4
)

1


(3
)
Intercompany investing activities
243

150


(393
)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
218

105

(8
)
(393
)
(78
)
Financing activities:





Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations
(410
)

(2
)

(412
)
Principal borrowings of debt from senior secured credit facility
351




351

Payment of debt origination fees
(3
)



(3
)
Other financing activities
(1
)



(1
)
Dividends paid to Liberty
(59
)



(59
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest


(20
)

(20
)
Net short-term intercompany debt borrowings (repayments)
(63
)
144

(81
)


Other intercompany financing activities
(100
)
(259
)
(34
)
393


Net cash used in financing activities
(285
)
(115
)
(137
)
393

(144
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(10
)

(10
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
49

96

(92
)

53

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
2

123

222


347

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
51

219

130


400




I-24


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, product and marketing strategies; new service offerings; revenue growth and subscriber trends; the recoverability of our goodwill and other long-lived assets; our projected sources and uses of cash and the anticipated impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
customer demand for our products and services and our ability to adapt to changes in demand;
competitor responses to our products and services;
increased digital TV penetration and the impact on channel positioning of our programs;
the levels of online traffic on our websites and our ability to convert visitors into consumers or contributors;
uncertainties inherent in the development and integration of new business lines and business strategies;
our future financial performance, including availability, terms and deployment of capital;
our ability to successfully integrate and recognize anticipated efficiencies and benefits from the businesses we acquire;
the ability of suppliers and vendors to deliver products, equipment, software and services;
the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation;
availability of qualified personnel;
changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings;
changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, distributors, suppliers and vendors;
domestic and international economic and business conditions and industry trends;
consumer spending levels, including the availability and amount of individual consumer debt;
advertising spending levels;
changes in distribution and viewing of television programming, including the expanded deployment of personal video recorders, video on demand and IP television and their impact on home shopping programming;
rapid technological changes;
failure to protect the security of personal information, subjecting us to potentially costly government enforcement actions and/or private litigation and reputational damage;
the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we operate;
threatened terrorist attacks, political unrest in international markets and ongoing military action around the world;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and
Liberty Interactive Corporation's ("Liberty") dependence on our cash flow for servicing its debt and for other purposes.


I-25


For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Overview
QVC, Inc. (unless otherwise indicated or required by the context, the terms "we," "our," "us," the "Company" and "QVC" refer to QVC, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries) is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the Internet and mobile applications.
In the United States, QVC's live programming is distributed via its nationally televised shopping program 24 hours per day, 364 days per year. Internationally, QVC's program services are based in Germany, the United Kingdom ("U.K."), Italy, Japan, and France.
In Germany, QVC distributes its program 24 hours per day with 17 hours of live programming. In Japan, QVC distributes live programming 24 hours per day. In the UK, QVC distributes its program 24 hours per day with 16 hours of live programming. In Italy, QVC distributes programming live for 17 hours per day on satellite and digital terrestrial television and an additional seven hours per day of recorded programming on satellite and seven hours per day of general interest programming on digital terrestrial television. On weekdays, QVC distributes shopping programming in France live for eight hours per day, and distributes an additional 14 hours per day of recorded programming and two hours per day of general interest programming. On weekends, QVC distributes shopping programming in France live for 12 hours per day, and distributes an additional 10 hours per day of recorded programming and two hours per day of general interest programming.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, QVC began reporting its results based on two operating segments: QVC-U.S. and QVC-International, as a result of the One Q Reorganization Plan ("One Q"). The One Q organizational structure is intended to allow the Company to better leverage its global scale and capabilities, to enhance its competitive position and to create operational efficiencies. Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, QVC began allocating certain additional corporate costs for management reporting purposes, which were historically included in its QVC-U.S. segment, to the QVC-International segment. These management cost allocations are related to certain functions such as merchandising, commerce platforms, information technology, human resources, legal, finance, brand and communications, corporate development and administration that support all of QVC’s operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, these costs totaled approximately $9 million.
The Company's Japanese operations ("QVC-Japan") are conducted through a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., LTD ("Mitsui") for a television and multimedia retailing service in Japan. QVC-Japan is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by Mitsui. The Company and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on their respective ownership interests. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, QVC-Japan paid dividends to Mitsui of $21 million and $20 million, respectively.
The Company also has a joint venture with CNR Media Group, formerly known as China Broadcasting Corporation, a limited liability company owned by China National Radio (''CNR''). The Company owns a 49% interest in a CNR subsidiary, CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. (''CNRS''). CNRS operates a retail business in China through a shopping television channel with an associated website. Live programming is distributed for 17 hours per day and recorded programming for seven hours per day. This joint venture is accounted for as an equity method investment recorded as equity in losses of investee in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty"), which owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. The QVC Group common stock (Nasdaq: QVCA and QVCB), tracks the assets and liabilities of the QVC Group. The QVC Group tracks the Company, zulily, llc (as of October 1, 2015) and Liberty's 38% equity interest in HSN, Inc., one of the Company's two closest televised shopping competitors, along with cash and certain liabilities. The QVC Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather, it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group.


I-26


On October 1, 2015, Liberty acquired all of the outstanding shares of zulily, inc. ("zulily") (now known as zulily, llc) and QVC declared and paid a dividend to Liberty in the amount of $910 million with funds drawn from the Company’s credit facility to support Liberty’s purchase. zulily is an online retailer offering customers a fun and entertaining shopping experience with a fresh selection of new product styles launched each day for a limited time period. zulily is attributed to the QVC Group and the Company believes that its business is complementary to the Company. zulily is not part of the results of operations or financial position of QVC presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, QVC and zulily engaged in multiple transactions relating to sales, sourcing of merchandise, marketing initiatives and business advisory services. The gross value of these transactions totaled less than $2 million, which did not have a material impact on QVC's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
QVC engages with CommerceHub, Inc. ("CommerceHub"), an approximately 99% owned subsidiary of Liberty, to handle communications between QVC and certain of its vendors for drop ship sales and returns. CommerceHub is not part of the results of operations or financial position of QVC presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, and 2015, QVC paid CommerceHub for the related services totaling less than $1 million, respectively, which did not have a material impact on QVC's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Strategies and challenges of business units
QVC's goal is to become the preeminent global multimedia shopping community for people who love to shop, and to offer a shopping experience that is as much about entertainment and enrichment as it is about buying. QVC's objective is to provide an integrated shopping experience that utilizes all forms of media including television, the Internet and mobile devices. QVC intends to employ several strategies to achieve these goals and objectives. Among these strategies are to (i) extend the breadth, relevance and exposure of the QVC brand; (ii) source products that represent unique quality and value; (iii) create engaging presentation content in televised programming, mobile and online; (iv) leverage customer loyalty and continue multi-platform expansion; and (v) create a compelling and differentiated customer experience. In addition, QVC expects to expand globally by leveraging its existing systems, infrastructure and skills in other countries around the world.
QVC's future net revenue growth will primarily depend on international expansion, sales growth from e-commerce and mobile platforms, additions of new customers from households already receiving QVC's television programming and increased spending from existing customers. QVC's future net revenue may also be affected by (i) the willingness of cable television and direct-to-home satellite system operators to continue carrying QVC's programming service; (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult due to governmental action or from distributors converting analog customers to digital; (iii) changes in television viewing habits because of personal video recorders, video-on-demand and Internet video services; and (iv) general economic conditions.
The prolonged economic uncertainty in various regions of the world in which our subsidiaries and affiliates operate could adversely affect demand for our products and services since a substantial portion of our revenue is derived from discretionary spending by individuals, which typically falls during times of economic instability. Global financial markets continue to experience disruptions, including increased volatility and diminished liquidity and credit availability. If economic and financial market conditions in the U.S. or other key markets, including Japan and Europe, remain uncertain, persist, or deteriorate further, our customers may respond by suspending, delaying, or reducing their discretionary spending. A suspension, delay or reduction in discretionary spending could adversely affect revenue. Accordingly, our ability to increase or maintain revenue and earnings could be adversely affected to the extent that relevant economic environments remain weak or decline. Such weak economic conditions may also inhibit our expansion into new European and other markets. We currently are unable to predict the extent of any of these potential adverse effects.


I-27


Results of Operations
QVC's operating results were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

Net revenue
$
2,013

1,938

Costs of goods sold
1,280

1,221

Gross profit
733

717

Operating expenses:
 
 
Operating
142

137

Selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation
176

173

Adjusted OIBDA
415

407

Stock-based compensation
6

8

Depreciation
34

33

Amortization
114

120

Operating income
261

246

Other (expense) income:
 
 
Equity in losses of investee
(1
)
(1
)
Interest expense, net
(53
)
(59
)
Foreign currency gain
2

10


(52
)
(50
)
Income before income taxes
209

196

Income tax expense
(80
)
(72
)
Net income
129

124

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(8
)
(9
)
Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. stockholder
$
121

115

Net revenue
Net revenue by segment was as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

QVC-U.S.
$
1,407

1,342

QVC-International
606

596

Consolidated QVC
$
2,013

1,938

QVC's consolidated net revenue increased 3.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The three month increase in net revenue of $75 million was primarily comprised of $125 million due to 5.6% increase in units sold and a $10 million decrease in estimated product returns. The increase was partially offset by $40 million due to a 1.7% decrease in average selling price per unit ("ASP"), a $9 million decrease in shipping and handling revenue and $8 million in unfavorable foreign currency rates in all countries.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the changes in revenue and expenses were affected by changes in the exchange rates for the Japanese Yen, the Euro and the U.K. Pound Sterling. In the event the U.S. Dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's revenue and operating cash flow will be negatively affected.


I-28


The percentage increase in net revenue for each of QVC's segments in U.S. Dollars and in constant currency was as follows:

Three months ended March 31, 2016
 

U.S. Dollars

Constant currency

QVC-U.S.
4.8
%
4.8
%
QVC-International
1.7
%
3.1
%
QVC-U.S. net revenue growth for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily due to a 7.0% increase in units shipped and a favorable impact in estimated product returns. The increase was offset by a 2.8% decrease in ASP and a 7.8% decrease in net shipping and handling revenue. QVC-US experienced shipped sales growth in apparel, accessories and home, offset by decreases in jewelry and electronics. The decrease in estimated product returns was primarily due to net adjustments to prior period estimates based on lower actual experience in electronics and accessories. Net shipping and handling revenue decreased in the U.S. as a result of the Company's new shipping and handling pricing which became effective February 2, 2015 that provides for changes in standard shipping rates.
QVC-International net revenue growth in constant currency was primarily due to a 3.4% increase in units shipped mainly in the U.K, offset by an increase in estimated product returns primarily in the U.K. and Germany. QVC-International experienced shipped sales growth in constant currency in all categories except jewelry. The increase in estimated product returns was primarily due to increase in units shipped and a shift in sales mixes from jewelry to accessories.
Gross profit
QVC's gross profit percentage was 36.4% and 37.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the gross profit percentage decreased primarily due to increased freight costs from increased carrier rates and volume in the U.S. and a decrease in product margins internationally.
Operating expenses
QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, credit card processing fees and telecommunications expenses. Operating expenses increased $5 million or 3.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, operating expenses increased primarily due to $2 million increases in both commissions and customer service expenses in the U.S. The increase in commissions expense was primarily due to increased sales on commission and the increase in customer service expenses was primarily due to increased calls handled and average handling call times.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)
QVC's SG&A expenses include personnel, information technology, provision for doubtful accounts, production costs, credit card income, marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses increased $3 million, and as a percentage of net revenue, decreased from 8.9% to 8.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015 as a result of a variety of reasons.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the increase was primarily due to increases in bad debt expense of $5 million and software expense of $2 million, offset by decreases in personnel costs of $5 million. The increase in bad debt expense is primarily related to the Easy-Pay program in the U.S. The increase in software expense is primarily due to an increase in maintenance for security software that was implemented in the third quarter of 2015. The decrease in personnel costs was primarily due to a decrease in severance mostly in the U.S.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to options and restricted stock granted to certain officers and employees. QVC recorded $6 million and $8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Stock-based compensation decreased slightly due to the decrease in value of the grants being expensed over the vesting period.


I-29


Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization consisted of the following:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in millions)
2016

2015

Affiliate agreements
$
36

37

Customer relationships
43

43

Acquisition related amortization
79

80

Property and equipment
34

33

Software amortization
24

29

Channel placement amortization and related expenses
11

11

Total depreciation and amortization
$
148

153

Equity in losses of investee
The losses were associated with our joint venture in China that is accounted for as an equity method investment.
Interest expense, net
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, consolidated interest expense, net decreased $6 million or 10.2% as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in interest expense, net is primarily due to the redemption of the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 in the second quarter of 2015 partially offset by the greater outstanding balance on the senior secured credit facility.
Foreign currency gain
Certain loans between QVC and its subsidiaries are deemed to be short-term in nature, and accordingly, the translation of these loans is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the change in foreign currency gain was also due to variances in interest and operating payables balances between QVC and its international subsidiaries denominated in the currency of the subsidiary and the effects of currency exchange rate changes on those balances.
Income taxes
Our effective tax rate was 38.3% and 36.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These rates differ from the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to state tax expense. The effective tax rate increased during 2016 compared to the prior year primarily due to an increase in a valuation allowance. We do not expect our effective tax rates to differ significantly in future periods.
Adjusted Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted OIBDA)
QVC defines Adjusted OIBDA as net revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). QVC's chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate the businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among the businesses. QVC believes that this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of the businesses, including the ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows QVC to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and perform benchmarking among its businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.


I-30


The primary material limitations associated with the use of Adjusted OIBDA as compared to GAAP results are (i) it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in the industry, and (ii) it excludes financial information that some may consider important in evaluating QVC's performance. QVC compensates for these limitations by providing disclosure of the difference between Adjusted OIBDA and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of QVC's operating results. Refer to Note 11 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to income before income taxes.
Seasonality
QVC's business is seasonal due to a higher volume of sales in the fourth calendar quarter related to year-end holiday shopping. In recent years, QVC has earned, on average, between 22% and 23% of its revenue in each of the first three quarters of the year and 32% of its revenue in the fourth quarter of the year.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
Historically, QVC's primary sources of cash have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings. In general, QVC uses this cash to fund its operations, make capital purchases, make payments to Liberty, make interest payments and minimize QVC's outstanding senior secured credit facility balance.
As of March 31, 2016, substantially all of QVC's cash and cash equivalents were invested in AAA rated money market funds and time deposits with banks rated equal to or above A.
Senior Secured Notes
All of QVC's senior secured notes are secured by the capital stock of QVC and certain of its subsidiaries and have equal priority to the senior secured credit facility. The interest on all of QVC's senior secured notes is payable semi-annually.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
QVC had $355.8 million available under the terms of the senior secured credit facility at March 31, 2016. The interest rate on the senior secured credit facility was 2.2% at March 31, 2016.
The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including certain restrictions on the Company and each of its restricted subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) with respect to, among other things: incurring additional indebtedness; creating liens on property or assets; making certain loans or investments; selling or disposing of assets; paying certain dividends and other restricted payments; dissolving, consolidating or merging; entering into certain transactions with affiliates; entering into sale or leaseback transactions; restricting subsidiary distributions; and limiting the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, which is defined in QVC’s senior secured credit facility as the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated Adjusted OIBDA for the most recent four fiscal quarter period.
Other Debt Related Information
QVC was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at March 31, 2016.
During the quarter, there were no significant changes to QVC's debt credit ratings.
There are no restrictions under the debt agreements on QVC's ability to pay dividends or make other restricted payments if QVC is not in default on its senior secured notes or credit facility, and QVC's consolidated leverage ratio would be no greater than 3.5 to 1.0. As a result, Liberty will, in many instances, be permitted to rely on QVC's cash flow for servicing Liberty's debt and for other purposes, including repurchases of Liberty's common stock, or to fund acquisitions or other operational requirements of Liberty and its subsidiaries. These events may deplete QVC's equity or require QVC to borrow under the senior secured credit facility, increasing QVC's leverage and decreasing liquidity. QVC has made significant distributions to Liberty in the past.


I-31


Additional Cash Flow Information
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, QVC's primary uses of cash were $438 million of principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations, $234 million of dividends to Liberty, $40 million of capital and cable and satellite television distribution rights expenditures and $21 million in dividend payments from QVC-Japan to Mitsui. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $515 million of principal borrowings from the senior secured credit facility and $276 million of cash provided by operating activities. As of March 31, 2016, QVC's cash and cash equivalents balance (excluding restricted cash) was $361 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, QVC's primary uses of cash were $412 million of principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations, $59 million of dividends to Liberty, $75 million of capital and cable and satellite television distribution rights expenditures and $20 million in dividend payments from QVC-Japan to Mitsui. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $351 million of principal borrowings from the senior secured credit facility and $285 million of cash provided by operating activities. As of March 31, 2015, QVC's cash and cash equivalents balance (excluding restricted cash) was $400 million.
The change in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the previous year was primarily due to variances in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and prepaid expenses, offset by variances in accounts receivable and inventories. The variances in accrued liabilities and accounts payable balances are primarily due to the timing of payments to vendors. The variance in inventories are primarily due to the level of increases in inventory balances in both segments. The variance in prepaid expenses are primarily due to increases in prepaid contracts in the U.S.
As of March 31, 2016, $150 million of the $361 million in cash and cash equivalents was held by foreign subsidiaries. Cash in foreign subsidiaries is generally accessible, but certain tax consequences may reduce the net amount of cash we are able to utilize for U.S. purposes. QVC accrues taxes on the unremitted earnings of its international subsidiaries. Approximately more than one-half of this foreign cash balance was that of QVC-Japan. QVC owns 60% of QVC-Japan and shares all profits and losses with the 40% minority interest holder, Mitsui. We believe that we currently have appropriate legal structures in place to repatriate foreign cash as tax efficiently as possible and meet the business needs of QVC.
Other
Capital expenditures spending in 2016 is expected to be between $210 to $220 million, including $39 million already expended.

Refer to the chart under the "Off-balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations" section below for additional information concerning the amount and timing of expected future payments under QVC's contractual obligations at March 31, 2016.
QVC has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible QVC may incur losses upon the conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, that may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.


I-32


Off-balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Information concerning the amount and timing of required payments, both accrued and off-balance sheet, under our contractual obligations at March 31, 2016 is summarized below:

Payments due by period
 
(in millions)
Remainder of 2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

Long-term debt (1)
$



400

1,894

3,150

5,444

Interest payments (2)
137

210

210

203

162

1,062

1,984

Capital lease obligations (including imputed interest)
8

13

15

13

10

20

79

Operating lease obligations
15

19

17

12

11

84

158

Build to suit lease
$

5

6

6

6

73

96

(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations and the issue discounts on the 3.125%, 4.375%, 4.85%, 4.45%, 5.45% and 5.95% Senior Secured Notes.
(2) Amounts (i) are based on the terms of QVC's senior secured credit facility and senior secured notes, (ii) assumes the interest rates on the floating rate debt remain constant at the rates in effect as of March 31, 2016, (iii) assumes that our existing debt is repaid at maturity and (iv) excludes capital lease obligations.
Our purchase obligations did not materially change as of March 31, 2016.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08 which clarifies principal versus agent considerations, and in April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10 which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance for licensing. The updated guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has started a preliminary assessment, but has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which provides explicit guidance to help companies evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The new guidance clarifies that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the license consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If the arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company has has adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016, and has determined there is no significant effect of the standard on its financial reporting.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The new principle is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and applies to entities that measure inventory using a method other than last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has determined there is no significant effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.


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In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Statements - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s ongoing financial reporting.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which revises the accounting related to lessee accounting. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. The new lease guidance also simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2019 and should be applied through a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined what the effects of adopting this ASU will be on its ongoing financial reporting.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. Once adopted, the Company will record excess tax benefits on the statement of operations rather than additional paid-in capital. However, the Company has not yet determined all of the effects that adopting this ASU will have on its ongoing financial reporting.


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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
QVC is exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to ongoing investing and financial activities and the conduct of operations by subsidiaries in different foreign countries. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. QVC has established procedures and internal processes governing the management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage exposure to such risks.
Interest rate risk
QVC is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of borrowing activities. Over the long-term, QVC manages the exposure to interest rates by maintaining what QVC believes is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. QVC believes this best protects itself from interest rate risk.
The table below summarizes the Company’s debt obligations, related interest rates and fair value of debt at March 31, 2016:
(in millions, except percentages)
2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

Fair Value

Fixed rate debt (1)
$



400


3,150

3,550

3,496

Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate debt
%
%
%
3.1
%
%
4.9
%
4.7
%
N/A

Variable rate debt
$




1,894


1,894

1,894

Average interest rate on variable rate debt
%
%
%
%
2.2
%
%
2.2
%
N/A

(1) Amounts exclude capital lease obligations and the issue discounts on the 3.125%, 4.375%, 4.45%, 4.85%, 5.45% and 5.95% Senior Secured Notes.
N/A - Not applicable.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
QVC is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to the monetary assets and liabilities and the financial results of its foreign subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. Dollars that result in unrealized gains or losses are referred to as translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholder's equity. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in income as unrealized (based on period-end transactions) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. Cash flows from operations in foreign countries are translated at the average rate for the period. Accordingly, QVC may experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings and equity with respect to its holdings solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. QVC's reported Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended March 31, 2016 would have been impacted by approximately $1 million for every 1% change in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar.
The credit facility provides QVC with the ability to borrow in multiple currencies. This allows QVC to somewhat mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risks. As of March 31, 2016, no borrowings in foreign currencies were outstanding.
Effective March 15, 2016, QVC entered into a hedge of a net investment in a foreign subsidiary and the value of the hedge is affected by changes in the value of the Euro. A 1% change in the value of the Euro will result in a change in the value of this hedge transaction of approximately $6 million.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and its principal accounting and financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016 with the consideration of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as discussed in more detail in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 under Part II, Item 9A. Management has continued to monitor the implementation of the remediation plan described in our 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which has been updated below.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the first quarter of 2016, we continued to review the design of our controls, made adjustments and continued implementing controls to alleviate the noted control deficiencies. Other than these items, there has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Remediation Plan for Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In response to the material weakness identified in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting as set forth in Part II, Item 9A in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company developed a plan with oversight from the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Liberty to remediate the material weakness. The remediation efforts implemented include the following:
A monitoring control was established to identify inappropriate user access and incompatible or conflicting functions. The work of the identified individuals, with such duties, were then reviewed to determine whether they inappropriately utilized the incompatible or conflicting functions to perform any inappropriate activity.
Monitoring controls over manual and post-close journal entries were enhanced to ensure that there is adequate oversight over such entries.
Additionally, procedures were established to validate the completeness and accuracy of reports used in the financial reporting process to support control activities.
The Company believes the foregoing efforts effectively remediated the material weakness described in “Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” after the assessment date and prior to the filing of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. However, because the reliability of the internal control process requires repeatable execution, the successful on-going remediation of this material weakness will require on-going review and evidence of effectiveness.
Additionally, the Company intends to continue to monitor the incompatible or conflicting roles and related end user access to determine whether additional adjustments, to reduce or eliminate the occurrences of segregation of duties issues, should be made to such roles. This could further reduce the reliance on the monitoring controls identified.



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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
32.1

Section 1350 Certification**
101.INS

XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document*
*Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.


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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
QVC, Inc.
Date: May 9, 2016
By:/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE
 
Michael A. George
 
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
Date: May 9, 2016
By:/s/ THADDEUS J. JASTRZEBSKI
 
Thaddeus J. Jastrzebski
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


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EXHIBIT INDEX



Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
32.1

Section 1350 Certification**
101.INS

XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document*
* Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.


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