NEW YORK -- Nov. 9, 2005 -- Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), a global character-based entertainment and licensing company, today reported operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005, revised its financial guidance for 2005 and initiated financial guidance for 2006.
Marvel's Chairman, Morton Handel, commented, "We are pleased with the box office success of the Fantastic Four feature film, which launched this character franchise and has grossed over $329 million worldwide to date. Marvel's business model continues to be solidly profitable and generates strong free cash flow.
"As reviewed in more detail below, Marvel is revising its 2005 financial guidance to reflect the contribution of a landmark, long-term license agreement in the video game category which has largely offset some weaker than expected performance in our toy operation. However, our 2006 outlook reflects a difficult year for both toys and licensing. Despite the near-term challenges, the management team and Board remain confident in the long-term power of Marvel's business model, which will generate high levels of cash in coming years. Accordingly, the Board has approved an additional $250 million share repurchase authorization. We believe repurchases will be accretive to earnings and will provide a very attractive long-term return on investment as we proceed beyond 2006. Those years will include the release of both the Spider-Man and Fantastic Four sequels in 2007 and the anticipated launch of Marvel's own film slate starting in 2008."
Marvel also disclosed that it has secured a $150 million line of credit from HSBC Bank USA, of which $125 million will be available, together with the Company's cash from operations, for repurchasing shares of Marvel's common stock.
Guidance and Drivers: Marvel is fine-tuning its 2005 guidance for net sales, net income and EPS to reflect the company's expectations for the balance of 2005. Cash Flow from operations is expected to exceed $100 million in 2005 and is expected to exceed $70 million in 2006 as the cash payments from licensing contracts recorded as revenue in 2005 and prior years, are received by the Company.
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. - Financial Guidance
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(in millions,
except per- Updated 2005 Previous 2005 Initial 2006 2004
share amounts) Guidance Guidance (1) Guidance (3) Actual
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Net sales $385 - $395 $370 - $390 $270 - $300 $513
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Net income $111 - $114 $111 - $120 $38 - $53 $125 (2)
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Diluted EPS $1.02 - $1.07 $1.01 - $1.06 $0.37 - $0.52 $1.10 (2)
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(1) Previous 2005 guidance ranges were updated on a conference call on
September 6th in conjunction with the Company's completion of its $525
million non-recourse film slate debt facility.
(2) Includes a one-time charge of approximately $12 million associated
with the early redemption in June 2004 of the Company's 12% Senior
Notes due 2009.
(3) 2006 Guidance includes approximately $16 million, or $0.09 per
share, in interest and non-cash amortization expenses related to
Marvel's $525 million feature film production credit facility.
The following are expected to be some of the key factors in Marvel's revised full-year 2005 financial performance and are reflected in the Company's financial guidance ranges. The licensing division is expected to generate approximately 60% of the Company's total sales for 2005 with licensing operating margins ranging between 58% and 62%.
- Includes licensing revenues of $50 million, to be recorded in the fourth quarter, for a new video game licensing agreement.
- Over $20 million in license revenue to be derived from Spider-Man Merchandising L.P. (the limited partnership between Marvel and Sony, referred to as "Spider-Man L.P."), nearly all of which was recorded in the first nine months of 2005.
- The Fantastic Four movie release and related licensing, as well as licensing associated with other entertainment projects slated for 2005 or thereafter.
- Income related to an estimated $70 - $75 million (reduced from $80 million) of wholesale sales of Fantastic Four toys by our master toy licensee. Approximately $66 million of wholesale sales were recorded in the first nine months of 2005.
- Lower-than-anticipated contributions from new toy product launches related to TNA Wrestling and the Curious George film franchise, most of which have been pushed into 2006 due to the weak retail environment. Marvel had anticipated aggregate revenues of approximately $20 million from these franchises in 2005, and now expects only $3 million in 2005.
- Domestic licensing overages and cash-basis revenues of $19 million (compared to $37 million in 2004), including $15 million recorded in the first nine months of 2005. Marvel's earlier estimated domestic overage contribution was $35 million and was reduced principally to reflect slower-than-anticipated consumer sell-thru of the Marvel brand, as well as a less optimistic view of contract conversion to overage status than has occurred.
- International licensing revenues to exceed $35 million, including $30 million recorded in the first nine months of 2005, versus Marvel's earlier estimate of over $30 million.
- Modest top-line and bottom-line growth from the publishing division, which remains on track through the first nine months of 2005.
Initiation of 2006 Financial Guidance:
Today, Marvel is initiating full year financial guidance for 2006. Marvel's financial guidance reflects the following factors:
- Nominal contributions from feature films: X-Men 3, Ghost Rider, and The Punisher 2.
- Modest expected initial contributions from animated projects: Avengers 1 direct-to-DVD in Q2 2006 and the Fantastic Four animated television series in Europe.
- Modest contributions from wholesale sales of Ghost Rider and X-Men 3 toys by our Master Toy Licensee plus sales from Curious George and Marvel Legends.
- No contribution expected from the Spider-Man L.P. (compared to over $20 million in 2005).
- Studio revenues of $10 - $12 million (compared to over $20 million in 2005).
- Continued, modest top-line and bottom-line growth from the publishing division.
- Approximately $16 million in interest expense and non-cash amortization expenses related to Marvel's $525 million credit facility for feature film production.
- Roughly $5 million of incremental non-cash expenses related to the expensing of stock options.
- Up to $5 million in incremental expenses related to the expansion of activities and infrastructure within the Marvel Studios division.
- Marvel's guidance does not reflect the impact of any share repurchase activity under the $250 million authorization announced today.
Marvel cautions investors that inherent variability in the timing of license opportunities and entertainment events, the timing of their revenue recognition, and their level of success may contribute to sequential and year-over-year variability in its interim financial results and could have a material impact on quarterly results as well as Marvel's ability to achieve the financial performance included in its financial guidance.
Third Quarter Segment Review:
Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Segment Net Sales/Operating income
(in Millions)
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004
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Licensing: Net Sales $33.2 $64.2 $148.3 $158.1
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Operating Income (1) 20.0 49.0 88.0 118.5
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Publishing: Net Sales 25.8 22.6 69.1 63.9
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Operating Income 11.0 9.4 27.7 25.7
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Toys: Net Sales 22.1 48.4 56.0 191.0
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Operating Income 10.5 11.8 28.1 55.3
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Corporate Overhead: (6.1) (8.1) (17.4) (16.4)
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TOTAL NET SALES $81.1 $135.2 $273.4 $413.0
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TOTAL OPERATING INCOME $35.4 $62.1 $126.4 $183.1
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(1) 9-month period in 2005 includes the impact of a $10 million, one-time charge related to the settlement of litigation with Stan Lee.
# Licensing Segment net sales declined 48% from the year-ago period to $33.2 million in Q3 2005 primarily due to lower contributions from the Spider-Man L.P. for Spider-Man 2 movie merchandising a full year after the movie's June 30, 2004 release. The studio division also recorded a decline in sales as compared to the prior-year period, largely due to the receipt of a $5 million advance for Spider-Man 3 in Q3 2004. Domestic licensing net sales, excluding Spider-Man L.P. activity, increased 17% year-over-year to $20.5 million in Q3 2005 due to growth in new contract revenues, off-setting a decline in overages as compared to the year-ago period. While on track with the original full year 2005 guidance, international licensing net sales, excluding Spider-Man L.P. activity, decreased 11% year-over-year to $7.4 million in Q3 2005.
The two tables below highlight licensing revenues by division and category. The licensing forecast is done on a divisional basis. Management believes that this is a more reliable format to determine trends in the underlying businesses and will continue to provide this data on a quarterly basis. Due to the lumpiness inherent in the licensing categories in the second table, management does not believe it imparts relevant trends and will not be providing this table in future reporting.
Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Licensing Sales by Division
(in Millions)
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Three Months Nine Months Ended
Ended
9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/05 9/30/04
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Domestic Consumer Products $20.5 $17.5 $76.3 $78.4
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International Consumer Products 7.5 8.4 30.1 22.3
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Spider-Man L.P. 2.3 28.4 20.4 40.0
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Studios 2.9 9.9 21.5 17.4
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Total $33.2 $64.2 $148.3 $158.1
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Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Licensing Sales by Category
(in Millions)
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/05 9/30/04
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Apparel and accessories $9.8 $24.1 $42.7 $64.3
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Entertainment (including studios,
themed attractions and electronic
games) 4.5 19.7 46.0 35.9
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Toy Royalties 11.7 11.4 24.9 26.8
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Other (Domestics, food and other) 7.2 9.0 34.8 31.1
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Total $33.2 $64.2 $148.3 $158.1
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Operating margins in the licensing division were 60% in Q3 2005 compared to 76% in the prior-year period. The reduction in margins resulted from the combination of relatively flat costs coupled with lower revenues as compared to the prior period.
* Marvel's Publishing Segment net sales increased 14% from the year-ago period to $25.8 million. This year-over-year gain resulted from higher sales of trade paperbacks into the bookstore and direct market channels of $3.2 million. Divisional operating income in Q3 2005 was $11.0 million, an operating margin of 43%, compared to an operating margin of 42% in the prior-year period.
* The transition in Marvel's Toy Segment net sales from Marvel-produced action figures and accessories based on the Lord of The Rings franchise and Spider-Man 2 movie in 2004 to lines produced by our Master Toy Licensee in 2005, led to an expected decline in segment revenue of 54% to $22.1 million. Fantastic Four toy sales by Marvel's master toy licensee were $25 million in the Q3 2005, bringing year-to-date sales of this product line to approximately $66 million. Spider-Man 2 movie toy sales were $1.6 million in Q3 2005 compared with $36.6 million in Q3 2004. Operating margins in the toy division increased to 48% in Q3 2005 from 24% in Q3 2004 due to the shift in product mix toward higher-margin toy royalty and service fees.
Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Toy Sales Summary
(in Millions)
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
9/30/05 9/30/04 9/30/05 9/30/04
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Marvel Toy Net Sales $4.9 $43.4 $12.8 $180.2
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Master Toy License:
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- Toy Royalties 8.3 3.0 21.0 6.9
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- Fees for Services Rendered 8.9 2.0 22.2 3.9
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Total Toy Segment $22.1 $48.4 $56.0 $191.0
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# Corporate Overhead was $6.1 million in Q3 2005 compared to $8.1 million in the prior-year period, principally due to decreased salaries and legal expense.
Balance Sheet Update:
During Q3 2005, Marvel repurchased 1.6 million shares for an aggregate consideration of $32.6 million, thereby completing its repurchase authorization. Marvel had cash and short-term investments of $72.7 million as of September 30, 2005. The company believes that it will end the year with in excess of $120 million in cash, excluding the impact of any share repurchases.
Marvel Studios
(Development and release dates for licensed properties are controlled
by studio partners)
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Marvel Character Feature Film Line-Up For 2006
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Film/Character Studio/Distributor Status
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X-Men 3 Fox Currently filming, May 26, 2006
release (1)
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Ghost Rider Sony Filming completed, July 14, 2006
release (1)
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The Punisher 2 Lions Gate Writer, targeted for fall 2006
release (1)
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Marvel Character Feature Film Development Pipeline (Partial List)
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Film/Character Studio/Distributor Status
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Spider-Man 3 Sony Director, May 4, 2007 release
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Fantastic Four 2Fox Director, July 4, 2007 release (1)
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Silver Surfer Fox TBD
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Wolverine Fox TBD
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Deathlok Paramount TBD
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Hulk 2 Universal TBD
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Namor Universal TBD (1)
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Black Widow Lions Gate TBD (1)
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Iron Man TBD TBD (1)
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Thor TBD TBD
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Film Projects Included in the Marvel Film-Backed Credit Facility (1)
Ant-Man, The Avengers, Black Panther, Captain America, Cloak & Dagger,
Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Power Pack and Shang-Chi. The
first film is anticipated for release in 2008.
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Marvel Character Animated Direct-to-Video Projects in Development
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Partnership with Lions Gate to develop, produce and distribute
original animated DVD features. Four projects in 2D/3D format are in
development with the first releases slated for 2006. Titles include:
Ultimate Avengers (February 21, 2006 release), Ultimate Avengers 2,
Iron Man and Doctor Strange.
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Marvel Character Animated TV Projects in Development
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Partnership with Moonscoop SAS (formerly Antefilms Productions) to
produce an original animated television series based on the Fantastic
Four. Twenty-six, 30-minute 2D/3D animated episodes are planned with
initial TV airings in 2006.
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Marvel Character Live Action TV Projects in Development
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Alter Ego, Blade, Skrull Kill Krew (1).
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(1) Represents a change from the previously supplied schedule
TBD = To Be Determined
2005/2006 Video Game Release Schedule
(Release dates are controlled by Publishing partners)
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Publisher Character Release
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Activision Spider-Man & Friends Q1 2005
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Fantastic Four Q2 2005
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Ultimate Spider-Man Q3 2005
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X-Men Legends II Q4 2005
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Electronic Arts Marvel versus EA Q4 2005
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THQ Inc Punisher Q1 2005
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Vivendi Universal Hulk: Ultimate Destruction Q3 2005
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Majesco Ghost Rider 2006
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About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. - formerly known as Marvel Enterprises, Inc. - is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
