Activision Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results

Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) today announced financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007. Net revenues for the second quarter were a record $317.7 million, a 69% increase, as compared to net revenues of $188.2 million reported for the same quarter last fiscal year. Net income for the second fiscal quarter was $0.7 million, or break-even earnings per share, as compared to a net loss of $24.3 million, or a loss per share of $0.09 reported for the second quarter of last fiscal year. Excluding the impact of expenses related to equity-based compensation, the company had net income of $4.9 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.02 for the second quarter. This compares to a net loss of $21.3 million and a loss per share of $0.08, excluding the impact of expenses related to equity-based compensation for the second quarter of last fiscal year. Net revenues for the six-month period ended September 30, 2007 were $813.2 million, as compared to net revenues of $376.2 million reported for the six-month period of last fiscal year. Net income for the first six months was $28.5 million, or earnings per diluted share of $0.09, as compared with a net loss of $42.6 million, or a loss per share of $0.15, reported for the same period last fiscal year. Excluding the impact of expenses related to equity-based compensation, the company had net income of $37.7 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.12 for the first six months of fiscal 2008. This compares to a net loss of $36.1 million and a loss per share of $0.13, excluding the impact of expenses related to equity-based compensation for the six-month period of last fiscal year. Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO of Activision, stated, "Our second quarter net revenues were the highest in our company’s history and we ended the quarter with $962 million in cash and short-term investments. We significantly strengthened our development capabilities through our acquisition of Bizarre Creations, a proven top-tier developer of racing games which will facilitate our entry into this important segment.” Kotick continued, "During Q3, we shipped more units of our internally developed, wholly owned franchise, Guitar Hero III®: Legends of Rock, than any other game in Activision’s history. Within the first seven days, consumer sell through was more than $100 million in North America alone -- our largest product launch ever. Our third-quarter slate is expected to deliver our strongest quarterly results to date, with forecasted net revenues in excess of $1 billion. The eagerly anticipated Call of Duty 4™: Modern Warfare™ will launch tomorrow, and all of our holiday titles in North America will be in retail distribution by mid-week. We are continuing to leverage our strong portfolio of franchises across key geographies and gaming platforms. As a result of our strong performance in the first six months of the fiscal year, and our solid third quarter release slate, we are raising our fiscal year 2008 net revenues and earnings outlook.” Business Highlights During the second quarter, Activision released three titles -- one title worldwide, Guitar Hero™ Encore: Rocks the 80s™ on the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system from Sony, and two titles in Europe -- TRANSFORMERS: The Game on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system from Sony, Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PC, and the Nintendo DS™; and the online multiplayer game Enemy Territory: Quake Wars on the PC. Other quarterly business highlights are as follows: The Guitar Hero™ franchise is the #1 best-selling franchise in the U.S. for the calendar year, and the #3 franchise in the U.S. for the quarter, according to The NPD Group. For the quarter, in Europe, TRANSFORMERS: The Game was the #2 third-party title on all platforms, according to Charttrack and Gfk, and in the U.S., it ranked as a top-10 best-selling console and handheld title, according to The NPD Group. Worldwide, TRANSFORMERS was also #1 third-party handheld title for the quarter, including the #1 best-selling game for the Nintendo DS and the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and Gfk. On September 26, 2007, Activision announced that it had acquired U.K.-based developer Bizarre Creations, one of the world’s premier video game developers and a leader in the racing category. The acquisition will enable Activision to enter the $1.4 billion racing category, which is the fourth most popular videogame genre and represents more than 10% of the total video game market worldwide. For the quarter, Activision’s international publishing net revenues grew 80% over the prior year, and for the first six months of the fiscal year were up 145% as compared to the same period for last fiscal year. In the U.S., for the second quarter, Activision doubled its console and hand-held market share from 5% to 10% year over year, according to The NPD Group. For the third quarter, Activision has already shipped Bee Movie Game in connection with DreamWorks Animation’s theatrical release; Enemy Territory: Quake Wars in North America; Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock; Spider-Man™: Friend or Foe; and Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground. Activision’s Call of Duty™ 4: Modern Warfare™ will be released worldwide on November 6, 2007. Company Outlook Today, Activision increased its fiscal year 2008 net revenues and earnings per share outlook. For the full fiscal year, the company expects net revenues of $2.07 billion and earnings per diluted share of $0.55. Excluding the impact of equity-based compensation expense, the company expects earnings per diluted share of $0.65 for the full fiscal year. For the back half of the fiscal year, Activision expects that the acquisition of Bizarre Creations will be dilutive by approximately $0.02 - $0.03 per share and this has been incorporated into the above fiscal year outlook. For the third quarter, the company expects net revenues of $1.05 billion and earnings per diluted share of $0.51. Excluding the impact of equity-based compensation expense, the company expects earnings per diluted share of $0.55 for the third quarter. Conference Call Today at 4:30 p.m. EST, Activision’s management will host a conference call and Webcast to discuss its second quarter fiscal year 2008 results and outlook. The company welcomes all members of the financial and media communities to visit the "Investor Relations” area of www.activision.com to listen to the conference call via live Webcast, or to listen to the call live by dialing into (719) 325-4778 in the U.S. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Activision provides net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share data both including (in accordance with GAAP) and excluding (non-GAAP) the impact of expenses related to employee stock options, employee stock purchase plans, restricted stock rights and other equity-based compensation and the associated tax benefits. Prior to April 1, 2006, Activision accounted for equity-based compensation under the Accounting Principles Board, Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” ("APB No. 25”). In accordance with the APB No. 25, the company historically used the intrinsic value method to account for equity-based compensation. Beginning on April 1, 2006, the company has accounted for equity-based compensation using the fair value method under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("FAS 123(R)”). Net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share, excluding (in both cases) the impact of expenses related to equity-based compensation, are not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and the exclusion of those amounts has the effect of increasing non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share (and reducing non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP loss per share) by the same amounts as compared with GAAP net income (loss) and GAAP earnings (loss) per share for the period. Activision recognizes that there are limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP financial measures as they do not reflect net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share results as determined in accordance with GAAP, and may reduce comparability with other companies that calculate similar non-GAAP measures differently. Management compensates for the limitations resulting from the exclusion of expenses related to equity-based compensation by considering the amount and impact of these expenses separately and by considering the company’s GAAP as well as non-GAAP results and, in this release, by presenting the most comparable GAAP measures, net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share, directly ahead of non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, and by providing a reconciliation in the accompanying table that shows and describes the adjustments made. Management does not believe the limitations resulting from the exclusion of these expenses are material, particularly when this non-GAAP financial measure is disclosed with its most comparable GAAP financial measure, net income (loss), and earnings (loss) per share. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information to measure the company's financial performance because they allow for a better comparison of results in the periods reported herein to those in historical periods. Internally, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the company's operating results, as well as in planning and forecasting. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share do not include the impact of certain expenses required to be recorded in order to present net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, and the terms non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share do not have a standardized meaning. Therefore, other companies may use the same, or similarly named measures, but exclude different items, which may not provide investors a comparable view of the company's performance in relation to other companies in the same industry. About Activision Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In this release, they are identified by references to dates after the date of this release and words such as "outlook”, "will,” "will be,” "remains,” "to be,” "plans,” "believes”, "may”, "expects,” "intends,” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause Activision’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales of Activision’s titles in its fiscal year 2008, shifts in consumer spending trends, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms (including next-generation hardware), declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision’s products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and foreign exchange rate changes. Other such factors include the further implementation, acceptance and effectiveness of the remedial measures recommended or adopted by the special sub-committee of independent directors established in July 2006 to review our historical stock option granting practices, by the Board and by Activision, the outcome of the SEC’s formal investigation and the derivative litigation filed in July 2006 against certain current and former directors and officers of Activision relating to Activision’s stock option granting practices, and the possibility that additional claims and proceedings will be commenced, including additional action by the SEC and/or other regulatory agencies, and other litigation (unrelated to stock option granting practices) and any additional risk factors identified in Activision’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision as of the date of this release, and Activision assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands, except earnings (loss) per share data)                         Quarter ended September 30, Six months ended September 30,         2007     2006     2007   2006       Net revenues $ 317,746 $ 188,172 $ 813,201 $ 376,241 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales - product costs 151,996 127,374 369,225 235,997 Cost of sales - software royalties and amortization 38,427 9,348 116,679 28,609 Cost of sales - intellectual property licenses 14,533 4,356 47,012 14,272 Product development 33,085 25,608 65,982 51,233 Sales and marketing 51,868 32,550 120,580 68,729   General and administrative   37,382     26,346     73,176   48,260     Total costs and expenses   327,291     225,582     792,654   447,100   Operating income (loss) (9,545 ) (37,410 ) 20,547 (70,859 ) Investment income, net   12,132     8,032     23,694   16,307   Income (loss) before income tax provision (benefit) 2,587 (29,378 ) 44,241 (54,552 ) Income tax provision (benefit)   1,889     (5,076 )   15,717   (11,941 ) Net income (loss) $ 698   $ (24,302 ) $ 28,524 $ (42,611 )               Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.00 $ (0.09 ) $ 0.10 $ (0.15 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding   287,315     280,627     285,450   279,487                 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.00 $ (0.09 ) $ 0.09 $ (0.15 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution   313,263     280,627     312,510   279,487   ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands)   September 30,   March 31, 2007 2007       (Unaudited)     ASSETS         Current assets: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments $ 961,760 $ 954,849 Accounts receivable, net 109,725 148,694 Inventories 189,033 91,231 Software development 104,236 107,779 Intellectual property licenses 10,645 27,784 Deferred income taxes 60,032 51,564     Other current assets   31,453     19,332     Total current assets   1,466,884     1,401,233 Software development 40,433 23,143 Intellectual property licenses 71,145 72,490 Property and equipment, net 53,500 46,540 Deferred income taxes 38,252 48,791 Other assets 10,738 6,376   Goodwill   280,248     195,374   Total assets $ 1,961,200   $ 1,793,947             LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY       Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 158,059 $ 136,517     Accrued expenses and other liabilities   255,266     204,652     Total current liabilities   413,325     341,169     Other liabilities   18,325     41,246     Total liabilities   431,650     382,415 Shareholders’ equity: Common stock - - Additional paid-in capital 1,045,891 963,553 Retained earnings 456,301 427,777     Accumulated other comprehensive income   27,358     20,202     Total shareholders’ equity   1,529,550     1,411,532     Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,961,200   $ 1,793,947 ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME (In thousands, except earnings (loss) per share data)                       Quarter ended September 30, 2007   Cost of Sales - Software Royalties and Amorti-zation Product Development   Sales and Marketing   General and Adminis-trative   Total Costs and Expenses GAAP Measurement $ 38,427 $ 33,085   $ 51,868   $ 37,382   $ 327,291   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   248   2,414     1,868     2,339     6,869 Non-GAAP Measurement   $ 38,179 $ 30,671   $ 50,000   $ 35,043   $ 320,422 Quarter ended September 30, 2007   Operating Income (Loss)   Net Income (Loss)   Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share   Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share GAAP Measurement $ (9,545 ) $ 698 $ 0.00 $ 0.00   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   (6,869 )   (4,183 )   (0.01 )   (0.01 ) Non-GAAP Measurement   $ (2,676 ) $ 4,881   $ 0.02   $ 0.02   Six months ended September 30, 2007 Cost of Sales - Software Royalties and Amorti-zation Product Development Sales and Marketing   General and Adminis-trative   Total Costs and Expenses GAAP Measurement $ 116,679 $ 65,982 $ 120,580 $ 73,176 $ 792,654   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   2,093   3,921   3,639   5,376   15,029 Non-GAAP Measurement   $ 114,586 $ 62,061 $ 116,941 $ 67,800 $ 777,625 Six months ended September 30, 2007 Operating Income (Loss)   Net Income (Loss)   Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share   Total Costs and Expenses GAAP Measurement $ 20,547 $ 28,524 $ 0.10 $ 0.09   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   (15,029 )   (9,153 )   (0.03 )   (0.03 ) Non-GAAP Measurement   $ 35,576   $ 37,677   $ 0.13   $ 0.12   1Includes expense related to employee stock options, employee stock purchase plan and restricted stock rights under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment." See explanation above regarding the Company's practice on reporting non-GAAP financial measures. The per share equity-based compensation adjustment is presented as calculated, and the GAAP and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share information is also presented as calculated. The sum of these measures, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding. ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME (In thousands, except earnings (loss) per share data)                       Quarter ended September 30, 2006   Cost of Sales - Software Royalties and Amorti-zation Product Development Sales and Marketing General and Adminis-trative Total Costs and Expenses GAAP Measurement   $ 9,348 $ 25,608 $ 32,550 $ 26,346 $ 225,582   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   -   991   889   3,011   4,891 Non-GAAP Measurement   $ 9,348 $ 24,617 $ 31,661 $ 23,335 $ 220,691 Quarter ended September 30, 2006   Operating Income (Loss)   Net Income (Loss)   Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share   Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share GAAP Measurement   $ (37,410 ) $ (24,302 ) $ (0.09 ) $ (0.09 )   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   (4,891 )   (2,979 )   (0.01 )   (0.01 ) Non-GAAP Measurement   $ (32,519 ) $ (21,323 ) $ (0.08 ) $ (0.08 ) Six months ended September 30, 2006 Cost of Sales - Software Royalties and Amorti-zation   Product Development Sales and Marketing   General and Adminis-trative   Total Operating Expenses GAAP Measurement $ 28,609 $ 51,233 $ 68,729 $ 48,260 $ 447,100   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   36   2,670   1,929   6,105   10,740 Non-GAAP Measurement   $ 28,573 $ 48,563 $ 66,800 $ 42,155 $ 436,360 Six months ended September 30, 2006 Operating Income (Loss)   Net Income (Loss)   Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share   Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share GAAP Measurement $ (70,859 ) $ (42,611 ) $ (0.15 ) $ (0.15 )   Less: Equity-Based Compensation Adjustment1   (10,740 )   (6,541 )   (0.02 )   (0.02 ) Non-GAAP Measurement   $ (60,119 ) $ (36,070 ) $ (0.13 ) $ (0.13 ) 1Includes expense related to employee stock options, employee stock purchase plan and restricted stock rights under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment." See explanation above regarding the Company's practice on reporting non-GAAP financial measures. The per share equity-based compensation adjustment is presented as calculated, and the GAAP and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share information is also presented as calculated. The sum of these measures, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding. ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION For the Quarter and Six Months Ended September 30, 2007 (Amounts in thousands)           Percent Increase Quarter Ended (Decrease) September 30, 2007 September 30, 2006       Amount % of Total   Amount % of Total   Geographic Revenue Mix North America $ 161,804 51 % $ 74,249 40 % 118 %   International   155,942 49 %     113,923 60 % 37 %   Total net revenues $ 317,746 100 %   $ 188,172 100 % 69 %                     Segment/Platform Mix Publishing: Console $ 200,159 63 % $ 84,136 45 % 138 % Hand-held 39,070 12 % 23,202 12 % 68 %   PC   14,530 5 %     18,066 10 % -20 %   Total publishing net revenues $ 253,759 80 %   $ 125,404 67 % 102 %   Distribution: Console $ 40,325 13 % $ 33,337 18 % 21 % Hand-held 18,670 6 % 23,372 12 % -20 %   PC     4,992 1 %     6,059 3 % -18 %   Total distribution net revenues $ 63,987 20 %   $ 62,768 33 % 2 %   Total net revenues $ 317,746 100 %   $ 188,172 100 % 69 %           Percent Increase Six Months Ended (Decrease) September 30, 2007 September 30, 2006       Amount % of Total   Amount % of Total   Geographic Revenue Mix North America $ 471,340 58 % $ 173,863 46 % 171 %   International   341,861 42 %     202,378 54 % 69 %   Total net revenues $ 813,201 100 %   $ 376,241 100 % 116 %                     Segment/Platform Mix Publishing: Console $ 558,932 69 % $ 174,325 46 % 221 % Hand-held 95,686 12 % 49,786 13 % 92 %   PC   28,363 3 %     36,055 10 % -21 %   Total publishing net revenues $ 682,981 84 %   $ 260,166 69 % 163 %   Distribution: Console $ 83,426 10 % $ 62,125 17 % 34 % Hand-held 37,786 5 % 41,585 11 % -9 %   PC     9,008 1 %     12,365 3 % -27 %   Total distribution net revenues $ 130,220 16 %   $ 116,075 31 % 12 %   Total net revenues $ 813,201 100 %   $ 376,241 100 % 116 % ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION For the Quarter and Six Months Ended September 30, 2007                   Quarter Ended Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended September 30, 2007 September 30, 2006 September 30, 2007 September 30, 2006               Publishing Net Revenues     PC 6% 14% 4% 14%     Console 79% 67% 82% 67% Sony PlayStation 3 4% 0% 5% 0% Sony PlayStation 2 47% 45% 39% 41% Microsoft Xbox 360 23% 14% 31% 12% Nintendo Wii 5% 0% 7% 0% Other 0% 8% 0% 14%     Hand-held 15% 19% 14% 19% Sony PlayStation Portable 6% 5% 4% 3% Nintendo Dual Screen 8% 7% 8% 7% Nintendo Game Boy Advance 1% 7% 2% 9%                 Total publishing net revenues 100% 100% 100% 100%