WWE issued the following this morning:
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Reports Q1 Results
$15.6 Million Operating Income
$0.16 E.P.S.
"One of our key achievements in the current quarter was the successful re-launch of the ECW® brand," stated Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer. "The ECW resurgence in the quarter included an ECW branded pay-per-view event, a live event tour, and a summer cable television run on the SCI FI Channel. Based on its popularity, the SCI FI Channel will continue to broadcast the ECW television program through December 2007.
"Our results this quarter are positively impacted by the continued strength of our Home Video business," continued Mrs. McMahon. "This is evidenced by the more than 1.1 million DVDs sold, representing our best selling quarter ever."
Comparability of Quarters
Due to our arrangement with USA Network, the current quarter reflects the absence of all domestic cable advertising revenues, which accounted for approximately $8.0 million in revenues in the prior year quarter. Also, the Company aired four pay-per-view events during the current quarter as compared to five events in the prior year quarter. The additional event in the prior year quarter, Backlash®, contributed approximately $4.3 million in revenues, and $2.1 million in profit contribution.
Results By Business Segment for the 1st Quarter
We modified our business segment reporting to include four reportable segments in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2006. Results from the prior year quarter have been adjusted for comparability to the new segment reporting structure. Based on our decision to change the financial reporting to a calendar year basis, we are currently in an eight month transition period from May 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006. Consequently, this quarter is referred to as Q1 of the 2006 transition period.
The following chart reflects net revenues and profit contribution by segment for the quarters ended July 28, 2006, and July 29, 2005. (Dollars in millions) July 28, July 29, Net Revenues 2006 2005 ------------ ---------- ---------- Live and Televised Entertainment $ 64.4 $ 71.9 Consumer Products 23.3 18.2 Digital Media 5.6 3.7 WWE Films -- -- ----------- ---------- Total $ 93.3 $ 93.8 =========== ========== July 28, July 29, Profit Contribution 2006 2005 ---------- ---------- Live and Televised Entertainment $ 25.2 $ 29.7 Consumer Products 13.1 10.4 Digital Media 1.7 1.2 WWE Films -- -- ----------- ---------- Total operating income $ 40.0 $ 41.3 =========== ========== Profit contribution margin 43% 44% ----------- ----------
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $64.4 million for the current quarter as compared to $71.9 million in the prior year quarter, a decrease of 10%, reflecting the absence of domestic cable advertising revenues.
The details for the number of buys (in 000's) are as follows: Event Q1 Transition 06 Q1 F06 --------- ---------------- ------- Backlash(R) - 273 Judgment Day(R) 231 236 ECW(R) One Night Stand 280 268 Vengeance(R) 313 320 Great American Bash(R) 224 233 Prior events 166 115 ----------------- -------------- Total 1,214 1,445 ================= ==============
Consumer Products
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $23.3 million versus $18.2 million in the prior year quarter, a 28% increase.
Digital Media
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $5.6 million as compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter, a 51% increase.
WWE Films
Our first feature film, See No Evil, was released on May 19, 2006, and generated approximately $15.0 million in gross domestic box office receipts and is currently being distributed in international theatrical markets. WWE does not participate in any revenues associated with this film project until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributor have been recouped. Accordingly, no revenues have been recorded in the current quarter.
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution for the quarter was $40.0 million as compared to $41.3 million in the prior year quarter. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 43% for the current quarter as compared to 44% for the prior year quarter. The decline in the profit contribution is due in part to the absence of domestic television advertising revenues in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $22.5 million for the current quarter as compared to $22.8 million in the prior year quarter.
EBITDA
EBITDA was approximately $17.5 million in the current quarter as compared to $18.5 million in the prior year.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by continuing operations was $2.4 million for the quarter ended July 28, 2006, as compared to $21.6 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2005. In the current quarter we spent approximately $12.6 million on the production of feature films and approximately $1.5 million for the purchase of additional film libraries.
Change in Fiscal Year
As previously disclosed, the Company will switch to a calendar year basis beginning with calendar year 2007. This change is intended to simplify our communication with shareholders and will enable us to report our financial results in a timeframe consistent with the majority of our media and entertainment peers. We will issue one additional quarterly report for our second fiscal quarter ending October 27, 2006, and will subsequently file a transitional annual report for the eight months ended December 31, 2006.
Transition Period Outlook
We continue to expect the results of our 2006 transition period to be approximately even with the $30 million of Net Income and $0.43 EPS from continuing operations in the comparable prior year period.
Note: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., will host a conference call on August 31, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company's first quarter earnings results for the 2006 transition period. All interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 800-895-0231 (conference ID: WWE). Please reserve a line 15 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. A presentation that will be referenced during the call can be found at the Company web site at corporate.wwe.com. A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes, and can be accessed at corporate.wwe.com.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., (NYSE: WWE - News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information on the Company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Consolidated Income Statements (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended July 28, July 29, 2006 2005 --------- --------- Net revenues $ 93,267 $ 93,812 Cost of revenues 53,266 52,501 Selling, general and administrative expenses 22,508 22,815 Depreciation and amortization 1,860 2,696 -------- -------- Operating income 15,633 15,800 Investment income, net 2,486 1,872 Interest expense 137 152 Other expense, net (496) (73) --------- --------- Income from continuing operations before income taxes 17,486 17,447 Provision for income taxes 6,184 6,269 -------- -------- Income from continuing operations 11,302 11,178 -------- -------- Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes - 2 -------- -------- Net income $ 11,302 $ 11,180 ======== ======== Earnings per share - basic and diluted: Continuing operations $ 0.16 $ 0.16 Discontinued operations 0.00 0.00 -------- -------- Net income $ 0.16 $ 0.16 ======== ======== Shares used in per share calculations: Basic 70,708 68,899 Diluted 71,364 69,627 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) As of As of July 28, April 30, 2006 2006 --------------------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and equivalents $ 130,869 $ 175,203 Short-term investments 133,417 105,655 Accounts receivable, net 57,858 67,775 Inventory, net 2,544 1,788 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,017 11,140 Assets of discontinued operations 461 457 --------- --------- Total current assets 336,166 362,018 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 67,857 67,570 FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS 48,656 36,094 INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 2,738 1,461 OTHER ASSETS 12,060 12,247 --------- --------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 467,477 $ 479,390 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current portion of long-term debt $ 833 $ 817 Accounts payable 15,305 19,826 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 33,979 36,017 Deferred income 18,211 19,874 Liabilities of discontinued operations 294 294 --------- --------- Total current liabilities 68,622 76,828 LONG-TERM DEBT 6,167 6,381 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Class A common stock 229 227 Class B common stock 479 479 Additional paid-in capital 280,314 277,693 Accumulated other comprehensive income 58 355 Retained earnings 111,608 117,427 --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity 392,688 396,181 --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 467,477 $ 479,390 ========= ========= World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended July 28, July 29, 2006 2005 --------- --------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 11,302 $ 11,180 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes - (2) Revaluation of warrants 866 (639) Depreciation and amortization 1,860 2,696 Amortization of investment income (122) (263) Stock compensation costs 1,534 579 Provision for doubtful accounts - 370 Provision for inventory obsolescence 448 307 (Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes (587) 308 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 9,917 7,179 Inventory (1,204) (534) Prepaid expenses and other assets 123 200 Feature film production assets (12,562) (1,952) Accounts payable (4,520) 243 Accrued expenses and other liabilities (3,154) 4,537 Deferred income (1,541) (2,588) -------- -------- Net cash provided by continuing operations 2,360 21,621 Net cash provided by discontinued operations - 136 -------- -------- Net cash provided by operating activities 2,360 21,757 -------- -------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property and equipment (1,890) (255) Purchase of other film library assets (1,534) - Purchase of short-term investments (45,854) (1,325) Proceeds from sales or maturities of short-term investments 17,850 5,470 -------- -------- Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations (31,428) 3,890 Net cash used in discontinued operations - - -------- -------- Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (31,428) 3,890 -------- -------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayments of long-term debt (199) (184) Dividends paid (16,954) (8,267) Issuance of stock, net 229 187 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,291 529 Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements 367 - -------- -------- Net cash used in continuing operations (15,266) (7,735) Net cash used in discontinued operations - - -------- -------- Net cash used in financing activities (15,266) (7,735) -------- -------- NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (44,334) 17,912 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 175,203 56,568 -------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $130,869 $ 74,480 ======== ======== World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Supplemental Information - EBITDA (dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended July 28, July 29, 2006 2005 ----------- ----------- Net income reported on U.S. GAAP basis $ 11,302 $ 11,180 Income from discontinued operations, net - (2) Provision for income taxes 6,184 6,269 Interest and other, net (1,852) (1,647) Depreciation and amortization 1,860 2,696 ---------- ---------- EBITDA $ 17,494 $ 18,496 ========== ========== Non-GAAP Measure: EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations before interest and other income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Although it is not a recognized measure of performance under U.S. GAAP, EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company's performance. The Company uses EBITDA to measure its own performance and to set goals for operating managers. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Supplemental Information- Free Cash Flow (dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended July 28, July 29, 2006 2005 Net cash provided by continuing operations $ 2,360 $ 21,621 Less cash used in capital expenditures: Purchase of property and equipment (1,890) (255) Purchase of other film library assets (1,534) - ----------- ----------- Free Cash Flow $ (1,064) $ 21,366 =========== =========== Non-GAAP Measure: We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by continuing operations less cash used for capital expenditures. Although it is not a recognized measure of liquidity under U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow provides useful information regarding the amount of cash our continuing business is generating after capital expenditures, available for reinvesting in the business and for payment of dividends.
Page 1
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!