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WWE(R) Reports Fiscal 2005 Fourth Quarter Results
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 30, 2005–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended April 30, 2005. The Company reported net revenues of $118.3 million as compared to $126.7 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income for the quarter was $22.5 million versus $32.8 million in the prior year. Net income was $16.1 million, or $0.23 per share, as compared to net income of $19.7 million, or $0.28 per share, in the prior year quarter.
Major contributors to the fourth quarter revenue were the continued success of our international live events and WrestleMania(R) 21. In the current quarter, the Company produced 23 international live events in Asia, Australia and Europe. The fourth quarter concluded with a sold-out international tour playing 14 live events before more than 100,000 people in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Ireland. Our premier annual pay-per-view event, WrestleMania 21, achieved an estimated 983,000 pay-per-view buys, an 11% increase from the WrestleMania XX buys recorded in fourth quarter 2004. These successes, however, did not offset the lower pay-per-view buys in the quarter, due in part to the fact that the Company aired only three pay-per-view events in the current quarter as compared to four events in the year ago quarter.
EBITDA was $25.4 million in the current quarter as compared to $36.3 million in the prior year quarter. In the prior year quarter EBITDA included the reversal of $7.9 million accrued licensing agent commissions associated with litigation. Excluding this item, the comparison would be $25.4 million for the current quarter as compared to $28.4 million, a decrease of 11%.
Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer said, “Our fourth quarter results demonstrated the continued appeal of WrestleMania and that we have made significant strides to solidify our global presence in closing out fiscal 2005. We have established an ongoing presence in key territories such as the UK, Australia, Italy and Japan and can now more fully leverage our various business lines in these regions.”
Mrs. McMahon continued, “In fiscal 2006, our focus will be on new and emerging businesses, such as our WWE 24/7(TM) SVOD service, the expansion of our digital media product, theatrical films through WWE Films, and our new WWE Legends initiative that uses former Superstars as the basis for new product lines and activities. All these provide new opportunities to expand the WWE brand to new fans, and to reconnect with casual and former fans. On the international front, we will continue our expansion and plan to bring our live event tours to new territories, including New Zealand and Central America. On the domestic front, we are excited about the move of our flagship cable program, Monday Night RAW(R), to its new home on the USA network in October, and the opportunities afforded by the move of WWE SmackDown!(R) to Friday nights on UPN.”
Results By Business Segment
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from the Company’s Live and Televised segment were $97.5 million for the current quarter as compared to $101.0 million in the prior year quarter.
— Pay-Per-View revenues were $34.6 million versus $43.7 million in the prior year quarter. There were three pay-per-view events produced in the current quarter as compared to four events in the prior year quarter. The details for the number of buys (in 000s) are as follows:
Event Q4 FY05 Q4 FY04
—– ————- ———–
Royal Rumble(R) 564 582
No Way Out(R) 239 266
WrestleMania(R) 983 886
Backlash(R) – 290
Prior period events 198 378
————- ———–
Total 1,984 2,402
— Backlash was held on Sunday, May 1, 2005 and is estimated to have achieved 270,000 buys. The revenues from this event will be recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
— Live Event revenues were $29.4 million as compared to $22.2 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
— There were 76 events, including 23 international events, during the quarter as compared to 87 events, including 12 international events, during the same period last year.
— International events averaged approximately $698,000 in net revenues and averaged approximately $202,500 in profit contribution during the current quarter. This is compared to domestic event net revenues that averaged approximately $252,200 and averaged approximately $68,200 in profit contribution during this same period.
— Average attendance for our North American live events was approximately 5,900 this quarter as compared to approximately 5,000 in the prior year quarter.
— Average attendance for our international live events was 8,700 in the current quarter as compared to 8,400 in the prior year quarter.
— Television Advertising revenues were $12.5 million as compared to $13.6 million in the prior year quarter.
— Average household rating for the quarter for our RAW program was 4.0 as compared to 3.9 in the prior year quarter while average household rating for our SmackDown! program was 3.4 as compared to 3.3 in the prior year quarter.
— Television Rights Fees revenues were $20.4 million as compared to $20.9 million in the prior year quarter.
Branded Merchandise
Revenues from the Company’s Branded Merchandise segment were $20.8 million versus $25.7 million in the prior year quarter.
— Home Video revenues were $5.1 million as compared to $11.1 million in the prior year quarter. The number of total domestic units sold was approximately 434,000 in the current quarter as compared to approximately 813,000 in the prior year quarter. The decrease is partially due to the release of two very successful DVDs in the prior year quarter.
— In the prior year quarter, The Monday Night War was released and sold 118,000 units and WrestleMania XX, which went on sale in April, sold 114,000 units. The release date for WrestleMania 21 was May 10, 2005, subsequent to our fiscal year-end, and has sold approximately 120,000 units.
— Licensing revenues were $3.7 million for both quarters.
— Publishing revenues were $3.6 million as compared to $3.1 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due in part to a higher cover price and increased advertising related revenues.
— Merchandise revenues were $6.1 million as compared to $5.8 million in the prior year quarter.
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution for the quarter was $50.4 million as compared to $65.2 million in the prior year quarter. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 43% for the current quarter as compared to 51% for the prior year quarter.
— The profit contribution margin from our Live and Televised segment was approximately 42% for the current quarter as compared to 47% in the prior year quarter. The decrease is due in part to the lower number of pay-per-view buys.
— The profit contribution margin from our Branded Merchandise segment was approximately 46% for the current quarter as compared to 68% in the prior year quarter. The prior year quarter included the reversal of $7.9 million of accrued licensing agent commissions associated with litigation. In addition, the prior year quarter also included a $2.9 million impairment charge for our e-commerce engine. Excluding these items, the profit contribution margin for the prior year quarter was 49% as compared to 46% in the current quarter. This decrease reflects lower revenue contribution from the high-margin home video business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $24.4 million for the current quarter as compared to $26.5 million for the prior year quarter.
— Decreased advertising and promotion expenses and lower employee costs, including management bonuses, were offset by an increase in professional fees related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
Stock compensation costs
Stock compensation costs were $0.5 million in the current quarter as compared to $2.3 million for the prior year quarter.
— Stock compensation costs decreased primarily due to a charge of $1.1 million recorded in the prior year quarter related to the accelerated vesting of restricted stock units previously awarded to certain employees based upon the Company achieving EBITDA related targets under its Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization was $2.9 million for the current quarter as compared to $3.5 million for the prior year quarter.
Year ended results
Total revenues for fiscal 2005 were $366.4 million as compared to $374.9 million in the prior year. EBITDA was $62.2 million for the current year as compared to $85.9 million in the prior year. EBITDA for the prior year included $13.8 million of favorable adjustments comprised of the reversal of $7.9 million accrued licensing agent commissions associated with litigation and $5.9 million related to the favorable settlement of litigation. Excluding these items, EBITDA was $62.2 million in the current year as compared to $72.1 million in the prior year. Operating income for the current year was $50.3 million versus $73.6 million in the prior year. Net income was $39.1 million, or $0.56 per share, as compared to net income of $48.2 million, or $0.70 per share, in the prior year.
Outlook for Fiscal Year 2006
The Company has provided the following outlook for fiscal year 2006. This outlook is subject to various risks and uncertainties outlined in the forward-looking statements included in this release and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings of the Company. While the Company has provided a “range” for each estimate this in no way precludes actual results from being more or less than the range suggested by this outlook.
Range
—————————-
Total Revenues $355 – $370 million
EBITDA: $53 – $58 million
Income from Continuing Operations $31 – $34 million
Earnings Per Share from
Continuing Operations – Diluted $0.44 – $0.48
Note: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter earnings results for fiscal year 2005. 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) 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 in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
April 30, April 30, April 30, April 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004
—————————————
Net revenues $118,305 $126,733 $366,431 $374,909
Cost of revenues 67,953 61,578 213,289 207,121
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 24,447 26,535 86,874 78,170
Stock compensation costs 476 2,348 4,101 3,675
Depreciation and amortization 2,899 3,510 11,874 12,363
——– ——– ——– ——–
Operating income 22,530 32,762 50,293 73,580
Investment income, net 1,755 1,436 5,362 5,906
Interest expense 153 182 642 767
Other (loss) income, net (221) 262 1,346 1,275
——— ——— ——— ———
Income before income taxes 23,911 34,278 56,359 79,994
Provision for income taxes 7,882 13,130 18,581 30,421
——– ——– ——– ——–
Income from continuing
operations 16,029 21,148 37,778 49,573
——– ——– ——– ——–
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations 104 (1,413) 1,369 (1,381)
——– ——– ——– ——–
Net income $ 16,133 $ 19,735 $ 39,147 $ 48,192
======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings per share – Basic:
Continuing operations $ 0.23 $ 0.31 $ 0.55 $ 0.72
Discontinued operations – (0.02) 0.02 (0.02)
——– ——– ——– ——–
Net income $ 0.23 $ 0.29 $ 0.57 $ 0.70
======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings per share – Diluted:
Continuing operations $ 0.23 $ 0.30 $ 0.54 $ 0.72
Discontinued operations – (0.02) 0.02 (0.02)
——– ——– ——– ——–
Net income $ 0.23 $ 0.28 $ 0.56 $ 0.70
======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic 68,847 68,413 68,617 68,621
Diluted 69,379 69,424 69,376 69,036
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
As of As of
April 30, April 30,
2005 2004
———————
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 56,568 $ 48,467
Short-term investments 201,487 224,824
Accounts receivable, net 61,901 62,703
Inventory, net 1,057 856
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,191 13,596
Assets of discontinued operations 544 691
———- ——–
Total current assets 336,748 351,137
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT – NET 66,638 71,369
FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS 28,771 431
INTANGIBLE ASSETS – NET 2,608 4,492
OTHER ASSETS 6,640 6,212
ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – 20,703
———- ——–
TOTAL ASSETS $ 441,405 $454,344
========== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 756 $ 700
Accounts payable 15,669 13,118
Dividends payable – 4,106
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 21,151 42,131
Deferred income 20,843 23,512
Liabilities of discontinued operations 254 2,401
———- ——–
Total current liabilities 58,673 85,968
LONG-TERM DEBT 7,198 7,955
LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – 7,316
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Class A common stock 210 136
Class B common stock 479 548
Additional paid-in capital 254,716 250,775
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (908) (1,120)
Retained earnings 121,037 102,766
———- ——–
Total stockholders’ equity 375,534 353,105
———- ——–
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 441,405 $454,344
========== ========
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Year Ended
April 30, April 30,
2005 2004
——————–
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET INCOME $ 39,147 $ 48,192
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations,
net of tax (1,369) 1,381
Depreciation and amortization 11,874 12,363
Realized losses on sales of investments 1,039 –
Amortization of investment income (424) (1,052)
Stock compensation costs 4,084 2,814
Unrealized gain on value of warrants (714) (671)
Provision for doubtful accounts 655 (2,295)
Provision for inventory obsolescence 1,549 237
Provision for deferred income taxes 1,190 5,087
Impairment of long-lived asset – 2,942
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 385 (11,332)
Inventory (1,749) (255)
Prepaid expenses and other assets 519 3,301
Feature film production assets (28,340) (431)
Accounts payable 2,552 (1,070)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (5,902) 7,917
Deferred income (2,176) (1,737)
——– ———
Net cash provided by continuing operations 22,320 65,391
Net cash used in discontinued operations (5,830) (3,477)
——– ———
Net cash provided by operating activities 16,490 61,914
——– ———
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (5,060) (5,266)
Buyout of corporate aircraft – (20,122)
Purchase of other assets (195) (1,641)
Purchases of short-term investments (61,471) (238,014)
Purchases from sales or maturities of short-term
investments 82,553 154,051
——– ———
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing
operations 15,827 (110,992)
Net cash used in discontinued operations – –
——– ———
Net cash (used in) provided by investing
activities 15,827 (110,992)
——– ———
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of long-term debt (700) (1,248)
Purchase of treasury stock 496 (19,031)
Dividends paid (24,716) (10,954)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options 704 305
——– ———
Net cash used in continuing operations (24,216) (30,928)
Net cash provided by discontinued
operations – –
——– ———
Net cash used in financing activities (24,216) (30,928)
——– ———
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS 8,101 (80,006)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 48,467 128,473
——– ———
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 56,568 $ 48,467
======== =========
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Supplemental Information – EBITDA
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
April April April April
30, 30, 30, 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004
————————————–
Net income reported on U.S. GAAP
basis $16,133 $19,735 $39,147 $48,192
(Income) / loss from
discontinued operations (104) 1,413 (1,369) 1,381
Provision for income taxes 7,882 13,130 18,581 30,421
Interest and other, net (1,381) (1,516) (6,066) (6,414)
Depreciation and amortization 2,899 3,510 11,874 12,363
——— ——– ——— ———
EBITDA $25,429 $36,272 $62,167 $85,943
========= ======== ========= =========
Non-GAAP Measure:
EBITDA is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest, 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 income from continuing operations, 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 Twelve Months Ended
April 30, April 30, April 30, April 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004
—————————————
Net cash provided by continuing
operations $7,178 $13,729 $22,320 $65,391
Less cash used for capital
expenditures:
Purchase of property and
equipment (1,202) (1,781) (5,060) (5,266)
Purchase of corporate aircraft – – – (20,122)
Purchase of other assets (35) – (195) (1,641)
——– ——— ——— ———
Free Cash Flow $5,941 $11,948 $17,065 $38,362
======== ========= ========= =========
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 performance 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.
