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Strong execution and focus on core business driving solid financial performance, with record results across key metrics for China business.
IMAX Corporation reported revenues of $104.8 million, gross profit of $59.6 million and net income attributable to common shareholders of $11.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the second-quarter ended June 30, 2019. Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders for the quarter was $19.7 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA was $41.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 43.8%. For reconciliations of reported results to non-GAAP financial results, and for the definition and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, please refer to Tables 8 - 10 and the discussion of non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release.
IMAX reports an 6.6% growth in revenue driven by growth in global box office. 10.0% growth in commercial network. And 28.8% growth in IMAX Greater China box office.
Delivered GAAP net income per share of $0.19, compared to $0.12; adjusted net income per share of $0.32, compared to $0.30 per share.
On-track to deliver low double-digit growth in IMAX global box office for full-year 2019.
"IMAX is on track to deliver its best year ever at the box office, with the success of Spider-Man: Far From Home, The Lion King, and our record-breaking, first local language animated release in China this past weekend, Ne Zha, leading a strong second half film slate and building on our solid first-half," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Our continued success is driven by the privileged position we hold in the entertainment ecosystem, where our end-to-end technology empowers world-class creators to bring cultural events and communal experiences to life on a global scale."
Second Quarter 2019 Results
Box Office Update (Table 2)
Gross box office from IMAX DMR® films was $364.9 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $342.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, representing an increase of 6.5%. The $22.3 million increase in gross box office was principally driven by a $29.1 million increase in China box office. A total of 19 films (15 new and 4 carryovers) were exhibited in the quarter, compared to 14 films (10 new and 4 carryovers) in the second quarter of 2018.
"Through our strong relationships with creators, the power of our global network and our continued cost discipline, we are now delivering top-line growth, EBITDA margin expansion and enhanced returns on capital for investors," Gelfond added. "We continue to enhance IMAX's position in the entertainment ecosystem and have established a solid foundation to deliver further growth in the quarters and years ahead."
Global Network Update (Table 3)
The total IMAX® theater network consisted of 1,541 systems as of June 30, 2019, of which 1,445 were in commercial multiplexes. Including upgrades, there were 612 theaters in backlog as of June 30, 2019, compared to the 635 in backlog as of June 30, 2018.
IMAX also signed contracts for 54 new theaters and 19 upgrades in the second quarter of 2019, reflecting the strong demand for our systems. During the quarter, the Company installed 35 theater systems, 27 of which were for new theater locations. For a breakdown of theater system signings, backlog, installations, and network by type for the second quarter of 2019, please refer to Table 3 at the end of this earnings release.
Second Quarter Consolidated Results
The gross margin across all segments in the second quarter of 2019 was $59.6 million, or 56.8% of total revenues, compared to $60.4 million, or 61.4% of total revenues, in the second quarter of 2018. The slight decline in gross margin was driven by higher cost of revenues in our Network and Theater businesses, as well as a decline in revenues in our New Business segment as a result of a residual one-time payment to the Company of $2.6 million in the prior year period related to our discontinued virtual reality initiative. Operating expenses (which includes SG&A, excluding stock-based compensation, plus R&D) were $26.8 million in the quarter representing an 10.9% decline from the prior year period.
Second Quarter Segment Results (Tables 1 and 7)
Network Business
Network business revenues increased 6.3% to $64.7 million in the quarter, compared with $60.9 million in the prior-year period. The $3.8 million increase in revenues was driven principally by a $3.1 million, or 8.7%, increase in IMAX DMR revenues and a $0.6 million, or 2.3% increase in revenues from joint revenue-sharing arrangements. The strong increase in IMAX DMR revenues was driven by a $22.3 million increase in IMAX global box office.
The blended take-rate (defined as total Network revenue divided by total IMAX global box office) for IMAX DMR and joint revenue sharing arrangements was 17.7% in the quarter, compared to 17.8% in the prior year period. The slight decline is due to mix of global box office, including the strong performance of Greater China.
Gross margin for the Network business was 66.8%, compared to 70.5% in the prior-year period. The decline in gross margin for the business was due to higher contractual marketing costs driven by the strong performance of Avengers: Endgame, as well as a 50% increase in the number of releases in the quarter from the 10 new films released in the prior year period.
Theater Business
Theater business segment revenues increased 13.2% to $34.9 million in the quarter, compared with $30.9 million in the prior year period. The $4.1 million increase in revenues was driven principally by the higher number of installations in the quarter, as well as higher maintenance revenue on our expanded commercial theater network, partially offset by lower financing revenue. The commercial theater network increased 10.0% to 1,445 commercial multiplex theaters in the current quarter. (Please refer to Table 3 for detail on our signings, installations and theater network at the end of this earnings release).
The average revenue per new theater system was $1.3 million, compared to $1.2 million in the prior year period.
Gross margin on sales and sales-type leases was 38.5% compared to 57.6% in the prior year period. The decline in gross margin is due principally to the mix of systems installed in the current quarter, compared to the prior year, as well as the Company's decision to allocate additional resources to ensure the successful roll out and launch of its new IMAX with Laser® technology. For full-year 2019, the Company anticipates margins on sales type theaters to return to approximately 50%.
Cash Balances and Outstanding Debt (Table 5)
Total cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2019 was $106.5 million, which includes $64.9 million held in the People's Republic of China. Total bank indebtedness was $23.0 million as of June 30, 2019, including the impact of $2.0 million of deferred financing fees, and represented a decrease of $14.8 million from $37.8 million at December 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2019, $275.0 million is available under the $300.0 million credit facility in place due June 28, 2023.
Share Count and Capital Return
The weighted average diluted shares outstanding in second quarter 2019 declined 3.0% to 61.5 million, compared to 63.4 million in second quarter 2018, due to share repurchase activity. In the second quarter of 2019, a total of 87,769 shares were repurchased at an average price of $19.45 for a total value of $1.7 million. A total of $126.9 million is available under the outstanding share repurchase authorization, which expires on June 30, 2020. Total shares outstanding as of June 30, 2019 was 61.3 million.
Full-Year 2019 Guidance
IMAX's guidance for full-year 2019 is as follows:
IMAX global box office is expected to experience low double-digit growth compared to the $1,032.1 million recorded in full-year 2018.
Operating expenses, defined as selling, general and administrative expenses less stock-based compensation plus research and development costs are expected to be in-line with the $110.7 million recorded in full-year 2018.
The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 23%.
Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be approximately 41% to 42%.
Total theater installations are expected in the range of 185 to 190, consisting of new theater installs of 140 to 145 systems and upgrades to IMAX with Laser of approximately 45 systems. New theater installs are heavily weighted toward the fourth quarter of 2019.
Total theaters equipped with IMAX with Laser are expected to grow to approximately 140 systems.
IMAX Corporation reported revenues of $104.8 million, gross profit of $59.6 million and net income attributable to common shareholders of $11.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the second-quarter ended June 30, 2019. Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders for the quarter was $19.7 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA was $41.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 43.8%. For reconciliations of reported results to non-GAAP financial results, and for the definition and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, please refer to Tables 8 - 10 and the discussion of non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release.
IMAX reports an 6.6% growth in revenue driven by growth in global box office. 10.0% growth in commercial network. And 28.8% growth in IMAX Greater China box office.
Delivered GAAP net income per share of $0.19, compared to $0.12; adjusted net income per share of $0.32, compared to $0.30 per share.
On-track to deliver low double-digit growth in IMAX global box office for full-year 2019.
"IMAX is on track to deliver its best year ever at the box office, with the success of Spider-Man: Far From Home, The Lion King, and our record-breaking, first local language animated release in China this past weekend, Ne Zha, leading a strong second half film slate and building on our solid first-half," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Our continued success is driven by the privileged position we hold in the entertainment ecosystem, where our end-to-end technology empowers world-class creators to bring cultural events and communal experiences to life on a global scale."
Second Quarter 2019 Results
Box Office Update (Table 2)
Gross box office from IMAX DMR® films was $364.9 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $342.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, representing an increase of 6.5%. The $22.3 million increase in gross box office was principally driven by a $29.1 million increase in China box office. A total of 19 films (15 new and 4 carryovers) were exhibited in the quarter, compared to 14 films (10 new and 4 carryovers) in the second quarter of 2018.
"Through our strong relationships with creators, the power of our global network and our continued cost discipline, we are now delivering top-line growth, EBITDA margin expansion and enhanced returns on capital for investors," Gelfond added. "We continue to enhance IMAX's position in the entertainment ecosystem and have established a solid foundation to deliver further growth in the quarters and years ahead."
Global Network Update (Table 3)
The total IMAX® theater network consisted of 1,541 systems as of June 30, 2019, of which 1,445 were in commercial multiplexes. Including upgrades, there were 612 theaters in backlog as of June 30, 2019, compared to the 635 in backlog as of June 30, 2018.
IMAX also signed contracts for 54 new theaters and 19 upgrades in the second quarter of 2019, reflecting the strong demand for our systems. During the quarter, the Company installed 35 theater systems, 27 of which were for new theater locations. For a breakdown of theater system signings, backlog, installations, and network by type for the second quarter of 2019, please refer to Table 3 at the end of this earnings release.
Second Quarter Consolidated Results
The gross margin across all segments in the second quarter of 2019 was $59.6 million, or 56.8% of total revenues, compared to $60.4 million, or 61.4% of total revenues, in the second quarter of 2018. The slight decline in gross margin was driven by higher cost of revenues in our Network and Theater businesses, as well as a decline in revenues in our New Business segment as a result of a residual one-time payment to the Company of $2.6 million in the prior year period related to our discontinued virtual reality initiative. Operating expenses (which includes SG&A, excluding stock-based compensation, plus R&D) were $26.8 million in the quarter representing an 10.9% decline from the prior year period.
Second Quarter Segment Results (Tables 1 and 7)
Network Business
Network business revenues increased 6.3% to $64.7 million in the quarter, compared with $60.9 million in the prior-year period. The $3.8 million increase in revenues was driven principally by a $3.1 million, or 8.7%, increase in IMAX DMR revenues and a $0.6 million, or 2.3% increase in revenues from joint revenue-sharing arrangements. The strong increase in IMAX DMR revenues was driven by a $22.3 million increase in IMAX global box office.
The blended take-rate (defined as total Network revenue divided by total IMAX global box office) for IMAX DMR and joint revenue sharing arrangements was 17.7% in the quarter, compared to 17.8% in the prior year period. The slight decline is due to mix of global box office, including the strong performance of Greater China.
Gross margin for the Network business was 66.8%, compared to 70.5% in the prior-year period. The decline in gross margin for the business was due to higher contractual marketing costs driven by the strong performance of Avengers: Endgame, as well as a 50% increase in the number of releases in the quarter from the 10 new films released in the prior year period.
Theater Business
Theater business segment revenues increased 13.2% to $34.9 million in the quarter, compared with $30.9 million in the prior year period. The $4.1 million increase in revenues was driven principally by the higher number of installations in the quarter, as well as higher maintenance revenue on our expanded commercial theater network, partially offset by lower financing revenue. The commercial theater network increased 10.0% to 1,445 commercial multiplex theaters in the current quarter. (Please refer to Table 3 for detail on our signings, installations and theater network at the end of this earnings release).
The average revenue per new theater system was $1.3 million, compared to $1.2 million in the prior year period.
Gross margin on sales and sales-type leases was 38.5% compared to 57.6% in the prior year period. The decline in gross margin is due principally to the mix of systems installed in the current quarter, compared to the prior year, as well as the Company's decision to allocate additional resources to ensure the successful roll out and launch of its new IMAX with Laser® technology. For full-year 2019, the Company anticipates margins on sales type theaters to return to approximately 50%.
Cash Balances and Outstanding Debt (Table 5)
Total cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2019 was $106.5 million, which includes $64.9 million held in the People's Republic of China. Total bank indebtedness was $23.0 million as of June 30, 2019, including the impact of $2.0 million of deferred financing fees, and represented a decrease of $14.8 million from $37.8 million at December 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2019, $275.0 million is available under the $300.0 million credit facility in place due June 28, 2023.
Share Count and Capital Return
The weighted average diluted shares outstanding in second quarter 2019 declined 3.0% to 61.5 million, compared to 63.4 million in second quarter 2018, due to share repurchase activity. In the second quarter of 2019, a total of 87,769 shares were repurchased at an average price of $19.45 for a total value of $1.7 million. A total of $126.9 million is available under the outstanding share repurchase authorization, which expires on June 30, 2020. Total shares outstanding as of June 30, 2019 was 61.3 million.
Full-Year 2019 Guidance
IMAX's guidance for full-year 2019 is as follows:
IMAX global box office is expected to experience low double-digit growth compared to the $1,032.1 million recorded in full-year 2018.
Operating expenses, defined as selling, general and administrative expenses less stock-based compensation plus research and development costs are expected to be in-line with the $110.7 million recorded in full-year 2018.
The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 23%.
Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be approximately 41% to 42%.
Total theater installations are expected in the range of 185 to 190, consisting of new theater installs of 140 to 145 systems and upgrades to IMAX with Laser of approximately 45 systems. New theater installs are heavily weighted toward the fourth quarter of 2019.
Total theaters equipped with IMAX with Laser are expected to grow to approximately 140 systems.