EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY NETFLIX, INC. ON OCTOBER 20, 2008 Press release issued by Netflix, Inc. on October 20, 2008

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    IR CONTACT:    Deborah Crawford
Monday, October 20, 2008       VP, Investor Relations
      408 540-3712
   PR CONTACT:    Steve Swasey
      VP, Corporate Communications
      408 540-3947

Netflix Announces Q3 2008 Financial Results

Subscribers – 8.7 million

Revenue – $341.3 million

GAAP Net Income – $20.4 million

GAAP EPS – $0.33 per diluted share

LOS GATOS, Calif., October 20, 2008 – Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008.

“In the third quarter we delivered strong earnings growth despite a challenging economic environment that contributed to slower-than-expected subscriber growth,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and chief executive officer. “Additionally, we made important progress in our expansion into Internet delivery with significant new content and hardware partnerships announced this past quarter.”

Third-Quarter 2008 Financial Highlights

Subscribers. Netflix ended the third quarter of 2008 with approximately 8,672,000 total subscribers, representing 23 percent year-over-year growth from 7,028,000 total subscribers at the end of the third quarter of 2007 and 3 percent sequential growth from 8,411,000 subscribers at the end of the second quarter of 2008.

Net subscriber change in the quarter was an increase of 261,000, compared to an increase of 286,000 for the same period of 2007 and an increase of 168,000 for the second quarter of 2008.

Gross subscriber additions for the quarter totaled 1,528,000, representing 18 percent year-over-year growth from 1,297,000 gross subscriber additions in the third quarter of 2007 and 10 percent quarter-over-quarter growth from 1,384,000 gross subscriber additions in the second quarter of 2008.

Of the 8,672,000 total subscribers at quarter end, 98 percent, or 8,490,000 were paid subscribers. The other 2 percent, or 182,000, were free subscribers. Paid subscribers represented 97 percent of total subscribers at the end of the third quarter of 2007 and 98 percent of total subscribers at the end of the second quarter of 2008.

Revenue for the third quarter of 2008 was $341.3 million, representing 16 percent year-over-year growth from $294.0 million for the third quarter of 2007, and 1 percent sequential increase from $337.6 million for the second quarter of 2008.


Gross margin1 for the third quarter of 2008 was 34.2 percent, compared to 33.9 percent for the third quarter of 2007 and 31.8 percent for the second quarter of 2008.

GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $20.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $15.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2007 and GAAP net income of $26.6 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2008. GAAP net income grew 30 percent on a year-over-year basis and GAAP EPS grew 43 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Non-GAAP net income was $22.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008, compared to non-GAAP net income of $17.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2007 and non-GAAP net income of $28.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP net income grew 27 percent on a year-over-year basis and non-GAAP EPS grew 38 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Non-GAAP net income equals net income on a GAAP basis before stock-based compensation expense, net of taxes.

Stock-based compensation for the third quarter of 2008 was $3.0 million, compared to $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2007 and $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. Stock-based compensation is presented in the same lines of the Consolidated Statements of Operations as cash compensation paid to the same individuals.

Subscriber acquisition cost2 for the third quarter of 2008 was $32.21 per gross subscriber addition, compared to $37.89 for the same period of 2007 and $28.89 for the second quarter of 2008.

Churn3 for the third quarter of 2008 was 4.2 percent, compared to 4.2 percent for the third quarter of 2007 and for the second quarter of 2008. Churn includes free subscribers as well as paying subscribers who elect not to renew their monthly subscription service during the quarter.

Free cash flow4 for the third quarter of 2008 was $26.2 million, compared to $36.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 and $12.7 million for the second quarter of 2008.

Cash provided by operating activities for the third quarter of 2008 was $73.2 million, compared to $77.7 million for the third quarter of 2007 and $78.1 million for the second quarter of 2008.

 

 

1

Gross margin is defined as revenues less cost of subscription and fulfillment expenses divided by revenues.

 

2

Subscriber acquisition cost is defined as the total marketing expense, which includes stock-based compensation for marketing personnel, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations divided by total gross subscriber additions during the quarter.

 

3

Churn is defined as customer cancellations in the quarter divided by the sum of beginning subscribers and gross subscriber additions, divided by three months.

 

4

Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities and investing activities excluding the non-operational cash flows from purchases and sales of short-term investments and cash flows from investment in business.

 

2


Business Outlook

The Company’s performance expectations for the fourth quarter of 2008 and full-year 2008 are as follows:

Fourth-Quarter 2008

 

   

Ending subscribers of 8.85 million to 9.15 million, down from 8.95 million to 9.25 million

 

   

Revenue of $351 million to $357 million, down slightly from $353 million to $359 million

 

   

GAAP net income of $18 million to $23 million, unchanged from prior guidance

 

   

GAAP EPS of $0.30 to $0.38 per diluted share, unchanged from prior guidance

Updated Full-Year 2008

 

   

Ending subscribers of 8.85 million to 9.15 million

 

   

Revenue of $1.356 billion to $1.362 billion

 

   

GAAP net income of $78.3 million to $83.3 million

 

   

GAAP EPS of $1.24 to $1.32 per diluted share

Float and Trading Plans

The Company estimates the public float at approximately 50,148,071 shares as of September 30, 2008, up slightly from 49,996,277 shares as of June 30, 2008, based on registered shares held in street name with the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation. From time to time executive officers of Netflix may elect to buy or sell stock in Netflix. All open market sales by executive officers are made pursuant to the terms of 10b5-1 Trading Plans approved by the Company and generally adopted no less than three months prior to the first date of sale under such plan.

Earnings Call

The Netflix earnings call will be webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and may be accessed at http://ir.netflix.com. The call will consist of prepared remarks, followed by a Q&A with questions submitted via email. Please email your questions to dcrawford@netflix.com. The company will read the questions aloud on the call and respond to as many questions as possible.

Following completion of the call, a replay of the webcast will be available at http://ir.netflix.com. The telephone replay of the call will be available from approximately 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time on October 20, 2008 through midnight on October 24, 2008. To listen to a replay, call (719) 457-0820, access code 4207224.

 

3


Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Management believes that non-GAAP net income is a useful measure of operating performance because it excludes the non-cash impact of stock option accounting. In addition, management believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of liquidity because it excludes the non-operational cash flows from purchases and sales of short-term investments, cash flows from investment in business and cash flows from financing activities. However, these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net income and net cash provided by operating activities, or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation to the GAAP equivalents of these non-GAAP measures is contained in tabular form on the attached unaudited financial statements.

About Netflix

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from 55 distribution centers. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our subscriber growth, revenue, GAAP net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2008 and the full-year 2008. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ, including, without limitation: our ability to attract new subscribers and retain existing subscribers, especially in the current uncertain economic environment; our ability to manage our subscriber acquisition cost as well as the cost of content delivered to our subscribers; fluctuations in consumer usage of our service; the deterioration of the U.S. economy and its affect on online commerce or the filmed entertainment industry; conditions that effect our delivery through the U.S. Postal Service, including regulatory changes; changes in the costs of acquiring DVDs or electronic content; customer spending on DVDs and related products; disruption in service on our website or with our computer systems; and widespread consumer adoption of different modes of viewing in-home filmed entertainment. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2008. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

 

4


Netflix, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2008
    June 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007**
    September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007**
 

Revenues

   $ 341,269     $ 337,614     $ 293,972     $ 1,005,066     $ 902,985  

Cost of revenues:

          

Subscription

     186,573       193,769       163,707       567,498       495,734  

Fulfillment expenses *

     37,923       36,318       30,746       109,890       90,384  
                                        

Total cost of revenues

     224,496       230,087       194,453       677,388       586,118  
                                        

Gross profit

     116,773       107,527       99,519       327,678       316,867  

Operating expenses:

          

Technology and development *

     23,368       22,186       18,112       65,821       52,526  

Marketing *

     49,217       39,984       49,149       144,096       166,508  

General and administrative *

     11,742       13,419       12,863       38,900       38,834  

Gain on disposal of DVDs

     (1,628 )     (2,263 )     (2,310 )     (4,724 )     (5,500 )

Gain on legal settlement

     —         —         —         —         (7,000 )
                                        

Total operating expenses

     82,699       73,326       77,814       244,093       245,368  
                                        

Operating income

     34,074       34,201       21,705       83,585       71,499  

Other income (expense):

          

Interest expense on lease financing obligations

     (677 )     (681 )     (296 )     (1,781 )     (893 )

Interest and other income (expense)

     1,536       2,404       5,089       11,600       15,411  
                                        

Income before income taxes

     34,933       35,924       26,498       93,404       86,017  

Provision for income taxes

     14,562       9,345       10,851       33,110       35,100  
                                        

Net income

   $ 20,371     $ 26,579     $ 15,647     $ 60,294     $ 50,917  
                                        

Net income per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.34     $ 0.43     $ 0.24     $ 0.98     $ 0.75  

Diluted

   $ 0.33     $ 0.42     $ 0.23     $ 0.95     $ 0.73  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     60,408       61,782       66,469       61,651       67,723  

Diluted

     62,272       63,857       68,090       63,658       69,560  

*  Stock-based compensation included in expense line items:

    

Fulfillment expenses

   $ 126     $ 108     $ 99     $ 340     $ 327  

Technology and development

     950       849       1,002       2,795       2,590  

Marketing

     460       455       547       1,424       1,599  

General and administrative

     1,499       1,493       1,465       4,511       4,218  

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(unaudited)

          

Non-GAAP net income reconciliation:

          

GAAP net income

   $ 20,371     $ 26,579     $ 15,647     $ 60,294     $ 50,917  

Stock-based compensation

     3,035       2,905       3,113       9,070       8,734  

Income tax effect of stock-based compensation

     (1,266 )     (755 )     (1,276 )     (3,298 )     (3,560 )
                                        

Non-GAAP net income

   $ 22,140     $ 28,729     $ 17,484     $ 66,066     $ 56,091  
                                        

Non-GAAP net income per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.37     $ 0.47     $ 0.26     $ 1.07     $ 0.83  

Diluted

   $ 0.36     $ 0.45     $ 0.26     $ 1.04     $ 0.81  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     60,408       61,782       66,469       61,651       67,723  

Diluted

     62,272       63,857       68,090       63,658       69,560  

 

** Certain amounts have been corrected for the change in the accounting for two of our building leases.


Netflix, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and par value data)

 

     As of
     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 111,524     $ 177,439

Short-term investments

     139,304       207,703

Prepaid expenses

     9,982       6,116

Prepaid revenue sharing expenses

     15,274       6,983

Deferred tax assets

     7,023       2,254

Other current assets

     18,268       16,037
              

Total current assets

     301,375       416,532

Content library, net

     122,558       132,455

Property and equipment, net

     128,541       113,175

Deferred tax assets

     19,831       16,865

Other assets

     10,694       4,465
              

Total assets

   $ 582,999     $ 683,492
              

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 109,277     $ 104,445

Accrued expenses

     31,625       36,466

Current portion lease financing obligations

     1,090       823

Deferred revenue

     65,897       71,665
              

Total current liabilities

     207,889       213,399

Lease financing obligations, excluding current portion

     38,287       35,652

Other liabilities

     11,990       4,629
              

Total liabilities

     258,166       253,680

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007; 59,119,998 and 64,912,915 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     62       65

Additional paid-in capital

     331,489       402,710

Treasury stock at cost (2,991,684 shares)

     (90,028 )     —  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (2,410 )     1,611

Retained earnings

     85,720       25,426
              

Total stockholders’ equity

     324,833       429,812
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 582,999     $ 683,492
              


Netflix, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2008
    June 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007*
    September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007*
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net income

   $ 20,371     $ 26,579     $ 15,647     $ 60,294     $ 50,917  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

          

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles

     8,643       8,188       5,945       23,313       16,057  

Amortization of content library

     47,596       57,012       48,237       162,178       148,664  

Amortization of discounts and premiums on investments

     122       177       23       436       (48 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     3,035       2,905       3,113       9,070       8,734  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (1,093 )     (2,554 )     (5,170 )     (4,467 )     (21,264 )

Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment

     (1 )     —         128       101       128  

Gain (loss) on sale of short-term investments

     494       78       (170 )     (3,746 )     (364 )

Gain on disposal of DVDs

     (3,205 )     (4,059 )     (3,937 )     (9,856 )     (11,731 )

Deferred taxes

     (3,894 )     (2,502 )     (358 )     (7,255 )     (1,235 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

          

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (209 )     (10,659 )     111       (8,306 )     (4,495 )

Accounts payable

     (1,056 )     9,124       6,048       6,869       (387 )

Accrued expenses

     4,730       (14,551 )     11,433       (1,994 )     33,376  

Deferred revenue

     (1,989 )     (489 )     (4,201 )     (5,768 )     (13,357 )

Other assets and liabilities

     (313 )     8,896       814       8,376       1,026  
                                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     73,231       78,145       77,663       229,245       206,021  
                                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Purchases of short-term investments

     (22,950 )     (65,937 )     (51,972 )     (180,841 )     (370,112 )

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

     50,609       21,682       41,264       247,610       165,379  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (9,226 )     (14,662 )     (7,412 )     (36,319 )     (34,393 )

Acquisition of intangible asset

     (62 )     (1,000 )     —         (1,062 )     —    

Acquisitions of content library

     (41,564 )     (55,175 )     (39,452 )     (161,862 )     (165,346 )

Proceeds from sale of DVDs

     3,787       5,379       4,760       13,673       17,756  

Investment in business

     —         —         —         (6,000 )     —    

Other assets

     3       20       615       31       779  
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (19,403 )     (109,693 )     (52,197 )     (124,770 )     (385,937 )
                                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Principal payments of lease financing obligations

     (234 )     (230 )     (98 )     (586 )     (290 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     2,576       4,524       417       15,642       3,864  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     1,093       2,554       5,170       4,467       21,264  

Repurchases of common stock

     (90,028 )     —         (35,333 )     (189,913 )     (65,548 )
                                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (86,593 )     6,848       (29,844 )     (170,390 )     (40,710 )
                                        

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (32,765 )     (24,700 )     (4,378 )     (65,915 )     (220,626 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     144,289       168,989       184,182       177,439       400,430  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 111,524     $ 144,289     $ 179,804     $ 111,524     $ 179,804  
                                        

Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:

          

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 73,231     $ 78,145     $ 77,663     $ 229,245     $ 206,021  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (9,226 )     (14,662 )     (7,412 )     (36,319 )     (34,393 )

Acquisition of intangible asset

     (62 )     (1,000 )     —         (1,062 )     —    

Acquisitions of content library

     (41,564 )     (55,175 )     (39,452 )     (161,862 )     (165,346 )

Proceeds from sale of DVDs

     3,787       5,379       4,760       13,673       17,756  

Other assets

     3       20       615       31       779  
                                        

Non-GAAP free cash flow

   $ 26,169     $ 12,707     $ 36,174     $ 43,706     $ 24,817  
                                        

 

* Certain amounts have been corrected for the change in the accounting for two of our building leases.


Netflix, Inc.

Consolidated Other Data

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except percentages, average monthly revenue per paying subscriber and subscriber acquisition cost)

 

     As of / Three Months Ended  
     September 30,
2008
    June 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007*
 

Subscriber information:

      

Subscribers: beginning of period

     8,411       8,243       6,742  

Gross subscriber additions: during period

     1,528       1,384       1,297  

Gross subscriber additions year-to-year change

     17.8 %     34.6 %     (1.0 %)

Gross subscriber additions quarter-to-quarter sequential change

     10.4 %     (25.7 %)     26.2 %

Less subscriber cancellations: during period

     (1,267 )     (1,216 )     (1,011 )

Subscribers: end of period

     8,672       8,411       7,028  

Subscribers year-to-year change

     23.4 %     24.8 %     24.1 %

Subscribers quarter-to-quarter sequential change

     3.1 %     2.0 %     4.2 %

Free subscribers: end of period

     182       176       183  

Free subscribers as percentage of ending subscribers

     2.1 %     2.1 %     2.6 %

Paid subscribers: end of period

     8,490       8,235       6,845  

Paid subscribers year-to-year change

     24.0 %     24.6 %     24.7 %

Paid subscribers quarter-to-quarter sequential change

     3.1 %     1.6 %     3.6 %

Average monthly revenue per paying subscriber

   $ 13.60     $ 13.78     $ 14.57  

Churn

     4.2 %     4.2 %     4.2 %

Subscriber acquisition cost

   $ 32.21     $ 28.89     $ 37.89  

Margins:

      

Gross margin

     34.2 %     31.8 %     33.9 %

Operating margin

     10.0 %     10.1 %     7.4 %

Net margin

     6.0 %     7.9 %     5.3 %

Expenses as percentage of revenues:

      

Technology and development

     6.8 %     6.6 %     6.2 %

Marketing

     14.4 %     11.8 %     16.7 %

General and administrative

     3.4 %     4.0 %     4.4 %

Gain on disposal of DVDs

     (0.4 %)     (0.7 %)     (0.8 %)
                        

Total operating expenses

     24.2 %     21.7 %     26.5 %

Year-to-year change:

      

Total revenues

     16.1 %     11.2 %     14.9 %

Fulfillment expenses

     23.3 %     21.6 %     30.4 %

Technology and development

     29.0 %     18.0 %     53.1 %

Marketing

     0.1 %     (11.6 %)     (17.2 %)

General and administrative

     (8.7 %)     (2.9 %)     29.7 %

Gain on disposal of DVDs

     (29.5 %)     (0.8 %)     102.3 %

Total operating expenses

     6.3 %     6.9 %     (2.7 %)

 

* Certain amounts have been corrected for the change in the accounting for two of our building leases.