Shutterfly announces formation of Strategic Review Committee

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY), the leading retailer and manufacturing platform dedicated to helping capture, preserve, and share life’s important moments, today announced that its Board of Directors has formed a Strategic Review Committee and retained Morgan Stanley as financial advisor, as it continues an ongoing review of strategic alternatives. The Strategic Review Committee is also evaluating the Company’s capital structure and capital return policy.

In recent months, Shutterfly was approached by a third party about the potential acquisition of the Company. The Company and Board subsequently engaged with several additional third parties regarding a potential acquisition of the Company, but no proposals have been received.

“Our Board continues to be committed to evaluating all options that maximize shareholder value. We have engaged with any serious indication of interest in the past, and given recent interest we believe it is prudent to form a Strategic Review Committee to fully consider any expressions of interest going forward. As we take this step, we also believe Shutterfly is in a position of strength as a leader in each of its businesses with opportunities to create shareholder value,” said Will Lansing, Chairman of the Board.

The Board and management have also reviewed Shutterfly’s capital structure, including appropriate leverage levels and potential share buybacks. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company paid down $200 million of debt, consistent with its previous commitment to retain a BB debt rating, while remaining compliant with its debt covenants. As part of this review, the Company affirmed its objective of maintaining gross leverage of 2.5-3.0x Adjusted EBITDA on an annual basis, and to return cash in excess of our operating and financing needs to shareholders in the form of share repurchases, within the parameters of appropriate cash management that meet the needs of Shutterfly’s highly seasonal business, where substantially all of the Company’s cash flow is generated in the last four months of the year. Currently, the management team believes it will be in position to begin executing on a capital return plan during the fourth quarter of 2019.

The Board has not set a timetable for the conclusion of its review of strategic alternatives, and it does not intend to comment further unless and until the Board has approved a specific course of action or the Company has otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate or required by law. There can be no assurance that the review of strategic alternatives will result in a transaction or other outcome.

About Shutterfly, Inc.

Shutterfly, Inc. is the leading retailer and manufacturing platform for personalized products and communications. Founded in 1999, Shutterfly, Inc. has three divisions: Shutterfly Consumer, Lifetouch, and Shutterfly Business Solutions. Shutterfly Consumer and Lifetouch help consumers capture, preserve, and share life’s important moments through professional and personal photography, and personalized products. The Shutterfly brand brings photos to life in photo books, gifts, home décor, and cards and stationery. Lifetouch is the national leader in school photography, built on the enduring tradition of “Picture Day,” and also serves families through portrait studios and other partnerships. Shutterfly Business Solutions delivers digital printing services that enable efficient and effective customer engagement through personalized communications. For more information about Shutterfly, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFLY), visit www.shutterflyinc.com.