Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) Information


A Brief History of Liberty Broadband Corporation

Liberty Broadband Corporation, a leading telecommunications and media company, has evolved significantly since its inception. As of 2024, it continues to hold a substantial stake in Charter Communications, a major player in the cable and broadband industry.

Company Overview

Liberty Broadband was formed as a spin-off from Liberty Media Corporation in 2014. The primary focus of Liberty Broadband is its investment in Charter Communications, which it views as a growth engine in its portfolio.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband reported net earnings of $578 million, compared to $483 million in the same period of 2023. This reflects a year-over-year growth driven by increased revenues and operational efficiencies.

Financial Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9M 2024 9M 2023
Net Earnings (millions) $142 $162 $578 $483
Revenue (millions) $13,795 $13,584 $41,159 $40,896
Operating Income (millions) $3,335 $3,126 $9,729 $9,292
Adjusted OIBDA (millions) $5,626 $5,420 $16,747 $16,340

Investment in Charter Communications

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband owned approximately 26% of Charter Communications. This strategic investment has been critical for Liberty Broadband's financial health, contributing significantly to its revenue stream and overall valuation.

Recent Developments

In the third quarter of 2024, Charter's revenue increased by $211 million, primarily driven by growth in mobile lines and advertising sales, despite a decline in video subscribers. The operational adjustments made to reduce programming costs have also positively impacted profitability.

Charter Financial Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Revenue (millions) $13,795 $13,584
Operating Expenses (millions) $8,294 $8,299
Net Income (millions) $1,474 $1,436
Net Income Attributable to Charter Shareholders (millions) $1,280 $1,255

Stock Performance and Shareholder Returns

Liberty Broadband's stock performance has been closely tied to the performance of Charter Communications. The company has engaged in stock repurchase programs, with approximately $89 million of stock repurchased in 2024. The dividends paid on Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock have been consistent, with a quarterly dividend of approximately $0.44 per share declared on August 15, 2024.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband reported a cash and cash equivalents balance of $168 million. The company's liquidity position is supported by its investments and cash flows from its operations.

Cash Flow Metrics (millions) 9M 2024 9M 2023
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $103 ($46)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities $69 ($129)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities ($174) ($115)

Future Outlook

Liberty Broadband is positioned to continue benefiting from its investment in Charter Communications as the demand for broadband and telecommunications services grows. The company’s focus on operational efficiency and strategic investments is expected to sustain its growth trajectory in the coming years.



A Who Owns Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK)

Ownership Structure

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) has an approximate 32.0% economic ownership interest in Charter Communications, Inc., with a carrying value of approximately $12.8 billion and a market value of approximately $14.8 billion.

Voting Rights and Control

Liberty Broadband's voting control of Charter is capped at 25.01% due to the provisions in the Stockholders Agreement, which limits voting power despite the higher economic ownership.

Major Shareholders

The ownership of Liberty Broadband is influenced significantly by the following major shareholders:

  • John C. Malone, through the JM Trust, controls a substantial portion of Liberty Broadband's Series B and Series C common stock.
  • Institutional investors and mutual funds also hold significant stakes in the company.

Stock Performance

Liberty Broadband's stock performance as of September 30, 2024, shows the following metrics:

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $9.5 billion
Series C Common Stock Outstanding 143 million shares
Series A Common Stock Outstanding 1 million shares
Series B Common Stock Outstanding 1 million shares

Financial Overview

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband reported:

  • Net earnings of $578 million
  • Operating revenue totaling $753 million
  • Cash and cash equivalents balance of $168 million

Share Repurchase Activity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of its Series C common stock for a total purchase price of $89 million.

Dividend Information

Liberty Broadband has declared a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.44 per share of its preferred stock, which was paid on October 15, 2024.

Shareholder Agreement Dynamics

Liberty Broadband's relationship with Charter is governed by a Stockholders Agreement that outlines the rights and obligations of Liberty and its affiliates in relation to Charter's shares and governance.

Recent Transactions

Liberty Broadband sold 698,011 shares of Charter Class A common stock for $226 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as part of its strategy to maintain its ownership percentage.



Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) Mission Statement

Overview

Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) is committed to providing high-quality telecommunications services through its ownership interest in Charter Communications, Inc. This mission is reflected in its strategic investments and operational goals aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving customer experiences across various platforms.

Mission Statement

The mission statement of Liberty Broadband emphasizes the importance of innovation, customer satisfaction, and community engagement. The company strives to deliver superior broadband services, leveraging advanced technologies to meet the growing demands of consumers and businesses alike.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband reported a net income of $578 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $483 million during the same period in 2023. The net earnings for the third quarter of 2024 were $142 million, down from $162 million in 2023.

Financial Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9 Months 2024 9 Months 2023
Net Income (millions) $142 $162 $578 $483
Operating Income (millions) $30 $21 $79 $60
Revenue (millions) $262 $240 $753 $731
Cash and Cash Equivalents (millions) N/A N/A $168 N/A

Investment in Charter Communications

Liberty Broadband's strategic investment in Charter Communications is a cornerstone of its mission. As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband owned approximately 32% of Charter, with a carrying value of $12.8 billion and a market value of $14.8 billion. This investment is crucial for driving growth and operational efficiency.

Recent Developments

In 2024, Liberty Broadband has focused on optimizing its capital structure and enhancing shareholder value through strategic buybacks and investments in technology. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company reported capital expenditures of $183 million, reflecting its commitment to infrastructure development.

Investment Metrics 2024 2023
Capital Expenditures (millions) $183 $149
Repurchased Shares (millions) $300 $1,415
Net Cash from Operating Activities (millions) $103 ($46)

Conclusion

Liberty Broadband Corporation continues to align its mission with its financial strategies, focusing on sustainable growth and shareholder returns while enhancing its service offerings through innovative technologies.



How Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) Works

Business Overview

Liberty Broadband Corporation primarily operates through its subsidiary, GCI Holdings, which provides a variety of telecommunications services in Alaska. The company is heavily invested in Charter Communications, holding a significant equity interest.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband reported the following financial results:

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Net Earnings $142 million $162 million $578 million $483 million
Comprehensive Earnings $172 million $151 million $596 million $519 million
Net Cash from Operating Activities $103 million ($46 million) $103 million ($46 million)
Cash and Cash Equivalents $168 million $158 million $168 million $158 million

Investment in Charter Communications

Liberty Broadband's investment in Charter is accounted for using the equity method. As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband's carrying value in Charter was approximately $12.8 billion, with a market value of around $14.8 billion. The company holds approximately 32% economic ownership in Charter.

Operational Segments

GCI Holdings operates in various segments, providing data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services. Key performance indicators as of September 30, 2024, are as follows:

Service Type Subscribers
Cable Modem Subscribers 156,400
Wireless Lines in Service 200,300

Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband incurred capital expenditures of $183 million, compared to $149 million in the prior year. The company generated cash flows from investing activities of $69 million.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $8 million, with a total of $22 million for the nine months. The company granted 183,000 options to purchase shares of Series C common stock during this period.

Debt and Financing Activities

Liberty Broadband's financial activities include significant debt management. As of September 30, 2024, the company repurchased approximately $300 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.125% Debentures due 2053. Additionally, it issued $860 million in Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2054.

Liquidity and Financial Resources

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband's liquidity sources included cash balances and cash generated from operating activities of its subsidiaries. The company had a cash and cash equivalents balance of $168 million, with investments primarily in U.S. Treasury securities.

Tax and Earnings

The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was 22%. The company had net earnings before income taxes of $743 million.



How Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) Makes Money

Investment in Charter Communications

Liberty Broadband Corporation primarily generates revenue through its significant investment in Charter Communications, which as of September 30, 2024, represented an approximate 32.0% economic ownership interest. The carrying value of this investment was around $12.8 billion, while the market value was approximately $14.8 billion.

Revenue Streams

Liberty Broadband's revenue streams are categorized into several segments, primarily driven by its ownership in Charter. The total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $753 million, compared to $731 million for the same period in 2023.

Revenue Source Q3 2024 (in millions) Q3 2023 (in millions) YTD 2024 (in millions) YTD 2023 (in millions)
Consumer Data $125 $105 $342 $317
Consumer Wireless $12 $12 $36 $38
Business Data $125 $105 $342 $317
Total Revenue $262 $240 $753 $731

Operating Income and Expenses

The operating income for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, was $79 million compared to $60 million for the same period in 2023. The operating expenses for the same period were $674 million, with selling, general, and administrative expenses accounting for $329 million.

Share of Earnings from Charter

Liberty Broadband's share of earnings from its investment in Charter was $923 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $892 million for the same period in 2023. This reflects the performance of Charter, which reported significant revenue growth driven by mobile lines and advertising sales.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband had cash and cash equivalents of $168 million. The net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $103 million. The company also reported capital expenditures of $183 million during the same period.

Debt and Financing Activities

Liberty Broadband's financing activities included the repurchase of approximately $300 million in aggregate principal amount of its debentures due 2053. The company had outstanding debt of approximately $263 million as of September 30, 2024.

Preferred Stock Dividends

Liberty Broadband's preferred stock holders are entitled to receive dividends that accrue at a rate of 7.00% per annum. A quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.44 per share was declared on August 15, 2024.

Future Outlook

For the remainder of 2024, projected uses of cash include potential buybacks of common stock, net capital expenditures of approximately $20 million, and interest payments on outstanding debt totaling approximately $60 million.

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Resources:

  1. Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View Liberty Broadband Corporation (LBRDK)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.