EX-99.2 9 a15-22145_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE KING DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT AND BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED THIRD QUARTER 2015 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Company Increases CY 2015 Revenues and EPS Outlook

 

Company Delivered Record Quarterly Digital Revenues, Generating $697 Million in
Non-GAAP Digital Revenues, Growing 38% Year-Over-Year

 

Announces Agreement to Acquire King Digital Entertainment for $5.9 Billion,
Accretive to Estimated 2016 Non-GAAP EPS by ~30%
(1)

 

Santa Monica, CA — November 2, 2015 — Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced better-than-expected financial results for the third quarter of 2015 and an agreement to acquire King Digital Entertainment for $5.9 billion in equity value ($5.0 billion in enterprise value). The addition of King’s highly-complementary business further positions Activision Blizzard for growth across platforms, audiences, genres, and business models. Please see our separate press release for details.

 

As a result of this announcement, Activision Blizzard will host a conference call to discuss both the transaction and earnings. The call will be broadcast over the Internet at 5 a.m. Pacific Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time) before market opens on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. Please see further call-in details below.

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

(in millions, except EPS)

 

2015

 

Prior
Outlook*

 

2014

 

GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

990

 

$

875

 

$

753

 

EPS

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.03

)

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

1,040

 

$

930

 

$

1,170

 

EPS

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.23

 

 


*Prior outlook was provided by the company on August 4, 2015 in its earnings release.

 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, Activision Blizzard’s GAAP net revenues were $990 million, as compared with $753 million for the third quarter of 2014. On a non-GAAP basis, the company’s net revenues were $1.04 billion, as compared with $1.17 billion for the third quarter of 2014.  For the third quarter, GAAP net revenues from digital channels were a record $629 million. On a non-GAAP basis, net revenues from digital channels were a record $697 million and represented a Q3 record 67% of the company’s total revenues, growing 38% year-over-year.

 

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Activision Blizzard Announces Q3 2015 Financial Results

 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, Activision Blizzard’s GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.17, as compared with a loss of $0.03 for the third quarter of 2014.  On a non-GAAP basis, the company’s earnings per diluted share were $0.21, as compared with $0.23 for the third quarter of 2014.

 

At constant FX(A), non-GAAP revenues were down 4% and EPS was up 13% for the quarter versus prior year.  Year-to-date, non-GAAP revenues and EPS were up 5% and 35%, respectively, year-over-year, given strong engagement and recurring digital trends on our year-round monetizing franchises.

 

Please refer to the tables at the back of this press release for a reconciliation of the company’s GAAP and non-GAAP results.

 

Bobby Kotick, Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard, said, “We continue to benefit from our focus on creating the world’s best interactive entertainment. Our incredibly talented employees around the world once again delivered great content and strong financial results. Mobile gaming is the largest and fastest-growing opportunity for interactive entertainment and we will have one of the world’s most successful mobile game companies and its talented teams providing great content to new customers, in new geographies throughout the world. King has a truly fantastic management team and over 1,600 incredibly talented employees and we are excited to welcome them into the Activision Blizzard family.”

 

Selected Business Highlights:

 

·                  Activision Publishing had its highest ever third quarter non-GAAP operating income, driven by strong engagement and digital revenue, with Q3 monthly active users (MAUs)(B) up 17% year-over-year, and the largest Q3 and year-to-date digital revenues in its history. Activision Publishing continues to have 3 of the top 5 games on next-generation consoles life-to-date.(2)

 

·                  Activision Publishing’s Call of Duty® franchise year-to-date non-GAAP revenues increased by a double-digit percentage year-over-year due to strong catalog sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, both for full game and Supply Drops. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare remains the No. 1 game on next-generation consoles life-to-date, as it has been since its launch a year ago.(2)

 

·                 On September 15, 2015, Activision Publishing and Bungie released The Taken King, the largest update to the Destiny universe yet, which was enthusiastically received by fans and critics alike. Day-one downloads broke PlayStation records, day-one engagement saw the highest number of active players in Destiny’s history, daily player engagement is now well above 3 hours per day and the Destiny community has climbed to over 25 million registered players. Since its launch, Destiny has become the most watched console game on Twitch.

 

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·                  On September 20, 2015, Activision Publishing released Skylanders® SuperChargers, the next installment in the franchise with all new vehicles, action figures and exclusive Nintendo characters. Even with increased competition, SuperChargers is one of Skylanders’ highest-rated entries to date and has strong engagement, with more toys per player than last year.

 

·                 Blizzard Entertainment’s third quarter MAUs(B) were up 50% year-over-year, reflecting strong engagement with the online player community.

 

·                 World of Warcraft® subscriptions remained relatively stable, ending the quarter at 5.5 million subscribers(C). Players are excited about the upcoming expansion, Legion, which will feature a new class, customizable Artifact weapons, class order halls, and much more. World of Warcraft remains the No. 1 subscription-based MMORPG in the world.

 

·                  On August 24, 2015, Blizzard Entertainment launched The Grand Tournament™, the second expansion for Hearthstone®: Heroes of Warcraft, with over 130 new cards. As a result of this new content, continued strength on mobile, and continued strength across geographies, key engagement metrics grew 77% year-over-year and set a new quarterly revenue record for the franchise.

 

·                 Blizzard Entertainment brought new players into Heroes of the Storm with the release of The Eternal Conflict, a series of content and hero additions based on the Diablo® universe.  Blizzard also held the Heroes of the Storm regional championships as part of its Road to BlizzCon® esports series, including the Americas Championship in Las Vegas and the Europe Championship in Prague.

 

·                 Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo III continued to bring in new players in Q3, and in China, the game passed the 2-million-unitmilestone.

 

·                  Blizzard Entertainment began closed beta testing for Overwatch™ on October 27, 2015, with over 7 million players signed-up to participate, not including China.

 

Company Outlook:

 

·                 On August 6, 2015, Blizzard Entertainment revealed Legion, the sixth expansion to World of Warcraft, including the deadly new Demon Hunter hero class and Artifacts, customizable legendary weapons that transform and grow in power as players battle.

 

·                 On August 18, 2015, Activision Publishing announced Skylanders Battlecast, bringing cards to life in a free-to-play mobile card battle game.  Players will be able to purchase physical card packs at retail stores or digital card packs in-game. The title is expected to launch in 2016.

 

·                  On October 20, 2015, Activision Publishing brought back the pop culture phenomenon that previously reached over 40 million players in North America and Europe with the launch of Guitar Hero® Live. Reception from players and critics alike has been very positive. The game is

 

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designed to be a living, breathing platform to keep players engaged, and so far average time per player is nearly two hours a day.

 

·                  On October 22, 2015, Activision Blizzard announced a new division that will build on the Company’s competitive gaming leadership by creating all-new ways to deliver the best-in-class fan experience across games, platforms and geographies, furthering the development of its world-leading esports ecosystem. Former CEO of ESPN and the NFL Network Steve Bornstein serves as the division’s Chairman and Mike Sepso, who was most recently a co-founder and president of Major League Gaming (MLG), serves as its Senior Vice President.

 

·                  On November 6, 2015, Activision Publishing expects to release the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops III from its award-winning studio, Treyarch.  Momentum ahead of launch has been strong and engagement for Call of Duty: Black Ops II grew quarter-over-quarter again to nearly 12 million MAUs(B), an unprecedented level for a game that is three years old and only available on old-generation consoles.

 

·                  On November 6, 2015, Activision Blizzard will host Investor Day. Presentations by senior management will be webcast live beginning at 8:30 AM PT on the events and presentations section of the Company’s investor relations website at http://investor.activisionblizzard.com/events.cfm. A replay of the event will also be available.

 

·                  Blizzard Entertainment’s ninth BlizzCon will be returning to the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7. One of the biggest attractions at BlizzCon will be the culmination of this year’s Road to BlizzCon esports tournaments, with the global champions for World of Warcraft, StarCraft® II, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm being crowned. For the latest announcements and information, please visit www.blizzcon.com.

 

·                 On November 10, 2015, Blizzard Entertainment expects to launch StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, the third installment of the company’s real-time strategy sequel. Pre-purchases have outpaced Heart of the Swarm®, the previous installment. Legacy of the Void will be a standalone product that won’t require any prior releases, so it will be easier than ever for new players to get into the game and experience all of the latest content. Players are already enjoying the prologue content.

 

·                  Given the weakening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar, the company’s 2015 international revenues and earnings are translated at lower rates than in 2014. This also impacts the company’s 2015 outlook as compared to 2014 actual results because approximately 50% of the company’s revenues, and a higher percentage of profits, are generated outside the U.S. while a much higher percentage of the company’s costs are incurred in the U.S. See comparison table, below.

 

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Activision Blizzard’s fourth quarter and calendar year 2015 outlook is, as follows:

 

 

 

Prior Outlook*

 

Current Outlook

 

(in millions, except
EPS)

 

GAAP
Outlook

 

Non-GAAP
Outlook

 

GAAP
Outlook

 

Non-GAAP
Outlook

 

CY 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

4,425

 

$

4,600

 

$

4,530

 

$

4,650

 

EPS

 

$

1.06

 

$

1.30

 

$

1.07

 

$

1.31

 

Fully Diluted Shares**

 

750

 

750

 

750

 

750

 

Q4 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

1,218

 

$

2,148

 

EPS

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.82

 

Fully Diluted Shares**

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

753

 

753

 

 

The following table compares our CY14 actual earnings per share to CY15 outlook earnings per share.

 

 

 

Comparison

 

 

 

EPS

 

Prior Non-GAAP
Outlook*

 

Current Non-GAAP
Outlook

 

Change

 

CY14 – Actuals

 

$

1.42

 

$

1.42

 

 

 

Slate / Operations

 

0.15

 

0.17

 

0.02

 

Foreign Currency

 

(0.19

)

(0.20

)

(0.01

)

Tax Rate & Share Count

 

(0.08

)

(0.08

)

 

 

CY15 – Outlook

 

$

1.30

 

$

1.31

 

0.01

 

 

Currency Assumptions for 2015 Outlook (Q3-Q4):

 

·                  $1.10 USD/Euro for current outlook and prior outlook* (vs. a $1.33 average for 2014)

·                  $1.54 USD/British Pound Sterling for current and prior outlook* (vs. a $1.65 average for 2014)

·                  Note: Revenue and EPS increase if the Euro or British Pound Sterling strengthen vs. USD.

·                  Currency assumptions have not changed since prior outlook since actual spot rates for the Euro and British Pound Sterling have not significantly changed, however, the actual mix of our revenues has skewed more heavily towards international revenues than previously planned.

 


*           Prior outlook was provided by the company on August 4, 2015 in its earnings release.

** Fully diluted weighted average shares include participating securities and dilutive options on a weighted average basis.

 

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Conference Call

 

Activision Blizzard will host a conference call that will be broadcast over the Internet at 5 a.m. Pacific Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time) before market opens on November 3, 2015. The previously scheduled conference call for 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) is cancelled. Details for the call have changed and are as follows:

 

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

 

5:00 a.m. Pacific Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time)

 

To listen to the call, please log onto:

 

http://investor.activision.com/events.cfm

 

Or dial:

 

U.S. and Canada: 888-596-2572

 

International: 913-312-0653

 

Passcode: 9960349

 

King will announce third quarter 2015 results and hold its conference call for analysts and investors on November 4, 2015 as regularly scheduled.

 

About Activision Blizzard

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc., a member of the S&P 500, is the world’s most successful standalone interactive entertainment company. It develops and publishes games based on some of the most beloved entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty®, Destiny, Skylanders®, Guitar Hero®, World of Warcraft®, StarCraft®, Diablo®, and Hearthstone®: Heroes of Warcraft™. The company is one of the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies To Work For®” 2015. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, it has operations throughout the world, and its games are played in 196 countries. Activision Blizzard makes games for leading interactive platforms. More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activisionblizzard.com.

 


(1) Based on 2016E IBES Consensus estimates as of October 30, 2015. Assumes $2.3 billion of incremental term loan financing at 3.25% interest rate based on Activision Blizzard current Term Loan interest rate and US marginal tax rate of 36.3%. Assumes transaction closes on March 31, 2016 and additional dilutive share impact to EPS of 5 million shares from our internal estimate of conversion equity based on outstanding options, restricted shares, and restricted stock units of King as of October 30, 2015 (i.e. no further assumption of exercises, vesting, grants of equity awards post October 30, 2015). Does not include any synergies.

(2) The NPD Group and GfK Chart-Track

 

(A) Constant FX Definition:  Constant FX provides current period results converted into USD using the average exchange rates from the comparative prior periods rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective current periods.

 

(B) Monthly Active User (MAU) Definition:  We monitor MAUs as a key measure of the overall size of our user base and their regular engagement with our portfolio of games. MAUs are the number of individuals who played a particular game in

 

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a given month. We calculate average MAUs in a period by adding the total number of MAUs in each of the months in a given period and dividing by the number of months in the period.  An individual who plays two of our games would be counted as two users.  For Activision Publishing MAUs, an individual who plays the same game on two platforms or devices in the relevant period would be counted as two users due to technical limitations.  For Blizzard MAUs, an individual who plays the same game on two platforms or devices in the relevant period would be counted as one user.

 

(C) Subscriber Definition:  World of Warcraft subscribers include individuals who have paid a subscription fee or have an active prepaid card to play World of Warcraft, as well as those who have purchased the game and are within their free month of access. Internet Game Room players who have accessed the game over the last thirty days are also counted as subscribers. The above definition excludes all players under free promotional subscriptions, expired or cancelled subscriptions, and expired prepaid cards. Subscribers in licensees’ territories are defined along the same rules.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:  As a supplement to our financial measures presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), Activision Blizzard presents certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, these non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the items associated with the company’s results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Activision Blizzard provides net revenues, net income (loss), earnings (loss) per share and operating margin data and guidance both including (in accordance with GAAP) and excluding (non-GAAP) certain items. When relevant, the Company also provides constant FX information to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying businesses performed excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations. In addition, Activision Blizzard provides EBITDA (defined as GAAP net income (loss) before interest (income) expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) and adjusted EBITDA (defined as non-GAAP operating margin (see non-GAAP financial measure below) before depreciation).  The non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following items, as applicable in any given reporting period:

 

·                  the change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales with respect to certain of the company’s online-enabled games;

·                  expenses related to stock-based compensation;

·                  the amortization of intangibles from purchase price accounting;

·                  fees and other expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses and accruals) related to the acquisition of 429 million shares of our common stock on October 11, 2013 from Vivendi, pursuant to the stock purchase agreement dated July 25, 2013 and the $4.75 billion debt financings related thereto; and

·                  fees and other expenses related to the proposed acquisition of King Digital Entertainment plc and the debt financings related thereto; and

·                  the income tax adjustments associated with any of the above items.

 

In the future, Activision Blizzard may also consider whether other items should also be excluded in calculating the non-GAAP financial measures used by the company.  Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with additional useful information to measure Activision Blizzard’s financial and operating performance.  In particular, the measures facilitate comparison of operating performance between periods and help investors to better understand the operating results of Activision Blizzard by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the company’s core business, operating results or future outlook.  Internally, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the company’s operating results, and measuring compliance with the requirements of the company’s debt financing agreements, as well as in planning and forecasting.

 

Activision Blizzard’s non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, and the terms non-GAAP net revenues, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per share, non-GAAP operating margin, and non-GAAP or adjusted EBITDA 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 Activision Blizzard’s performance in relation to other companies.

 

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In addition to the reasons stated above, which are generally applicable to each of the items Activision Blizzard excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures, there are additional specific reasons why the company believes it is appropriate to exclude the change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales with respect to certain of the company’s online-enabled games.

 

Since Activision Blizzard has determined that some of our games’ online functionality represents an essential component of gameplay and, as a result, a more-than-inconsequential separate deliverable, we recognize revenues attributed to these game titles over their estimated service periods, which may range from five months to a maximum of less than a year. The related cost of sales is deferred and recognized as the related revenues are recognized. Internally, management excludes the impact of this change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales in its non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating the company’s operating performance, when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, and when assessing the performance of its management team.  Management believes this is appropriate because doing so enables an analysis of performance based on the timing of actual transactions with our customers, which is consistent with the way the company is measured by investment analysts and industry data sources. In addition, excluding the change in deferred revenues and the related cost of sales provides a much more timely indication of trends in our operating results.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:  The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about (1) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, cash flow or other financial items; (2) statements of our plans and objectives, including those related to product releases; (3) statements of future financial or operating performance; (4) statements relating to the agreement to acquire King Digital Entertainment plc and the potential impact of that proposed transaction; and (5) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. The company generally uses words such as “outlook,” “forecast,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “to be,” “plan,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “might,” “expects,” “intends,” “intends as,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” “future,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and other similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk, reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.

 

The Company cautions that a number of important factors could cause Activision Blizzard’s actual future results and other future circumstances to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: sales levels of Activision Blizzard’s titles; increasing concentration of revenue among a small number of titles; Activision Blizzard’s ability to predict consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres, and preferences among hardware platforms; the amount of our debt and the limitations imposed by the covenants in the agreements governing our debt; adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, particularly during the console transitions; counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers; maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, financing providers, licensees, licensors, manufacturers, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality titles;  changing business models, including digital delivery of content and the increased prevalence of free-to-play games; product delays or defects; competition, including from used games and other forms of entertainment; rapid changes in technology and industry standards; possible declines in software pricing; product returns and price protection; the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive entertainment market; litigation risks and associated costs; protection of proprietary rights; shifts in consumer spending trends; capital market risks; applicable regulations; domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies; tax rates and foreign exchange rates; the impact of the current macroeconomic environment; and the other factors identified in “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Additional information regarding forward-looking statements related to acquisition of King announced today are set for in the press release announcing the acquisition.

 

The forward-looking statements in this presentation are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and, while believed to be true when made, may ultimately prove to be incorrect.  The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company’s assumptions or otherwise.  The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the original date of this press release, August 4, 2015, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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###

 

(Tables to Follow)

 

For Information Contact:

 

Amrita Ahuja

Mary Osako

SVP, Investor Relations

SVP, Global Communications

(310) 255-2075

(424) 322-5166

Amrita.Ahuja@Activision.com

Mary.Osako@Activision.com

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

  $

425

 

  $

337

 

  $

1,736

 

$

1,693

 

Subscription, licensing and other revenues1

 

565

 

416

 

1,576

 

1,140

 

Total net revenues

 

990

 

753

 

3,312

 

2,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - product costs

 

195

 

156

 

560

 

568

 

Cost of sales - online

 

56

 

56

 

161

 

170

 

Cost of sales - software royalties and amortization

 

81

 

34

 

314

 

136

 

Cost of sales - intellectual property licenses

 

5

 

7

 

12

 

20

 

Product development

 

159

 

131

 

453

 

387

 

Sales and marketing

 

189

 

221

 

445

 

465

 

General and administrative

 

109

 

140

 

297

 

342

 

Total costs and expenses

 

794

 

745

 

2,242

 

2,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

196

 

8

 

1,070

 

745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

51

 

51

 

151

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

 

145

 

(43)

 

919

 

593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

18

 

(20)

 

186

 

119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

  $

127

 

  $

(23)

 

  $

733

 

$

474

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share 2

 

  $

0.17

 

  $

(0.03)

 

  $

0.99

 

$

0.65

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

730

 

718

 

727

 

714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share 2

 

  $

0.17

 

  $

(0.03)

 

  $

0.98

 

$

0.64

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution

 

739

 

718

 

736

 

725

 

 

 

1                    Subscription, licensing and other revenues represent revenues from World of Warcraft subscriptions, licensing royalties from our products and franchises, value-added services, downloadable content, and other miscellaneous revenues.

 

2                    The company calculates earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method which requires the allocation of net income between common shareholders and participating security holders. We had, on a weighted-average basis, participating securities of approximately 8 million and 9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and 14 million and 16 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $125 million and $723 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $127 million and $733 million, respectively, for the same periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, net income (loss) attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $(23) million and $462 million, respectively, as compared to total net income (loss) of $(23) million and $474 million, respectively, for the same periods.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

2

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2015

 

December 31,
2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

  $

4,365

 

  $

4,848

 

Short-term investments

 

154

 

10

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

503

 

659

 

Inventories, net

 

238

 

123

 

Software development

 

342

 

452

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

27

 

5

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

373

 

368

 

Other current assets

 

307

 

444

 

Total current assets

 

6,309

 

6,909

 

Long-term investments

 

9

 

9

 

Software development

 

73

 

20

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

 

18

 

Property and equipment, net

 

200

 

157

 

Other assets

 

171

 

85

 

Intangible assets, net

 

24

 

29

 

Trademark and trade names

 

433

 

433

 

Goodwill

 

7,083

 

7,086

 

Total assets

 

  $

14,302

 

  $

14,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

  $

309

 

  $

325

 

Deferred revenues

 

907

 

1,797

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

394

 

592

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,610

 

2,714

 

Long-term debt, net

 

4,078

 

4,324

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

110

 

114

 

Other liabilities

 

515

 

361

 

Total liabilities

 

6,313

 

7,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

10,209

 

9,924

 

Treasury stock

 

(5,613)

 

(5,762)

 

Retained earnings

 

3,937

 

3,374

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(544)

 

(303)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

7,989

 

7,233

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

  $

14,302

 

  $

14,746

 

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

3

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

 

Net Revenues

 

Cost of Sales -
Product Costs

 

Cost of Sales -
Online

 

Cost of Sales -
Software
Royalties and
Amortization

 

Cost of Sales -
Intellectual
Property Licenses

 

Product
Development

 

Sales and
Marketing

 

General and
Administrative

 

Total Costs and
Expenses

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

990

 

$

195

 

$

56

 

$

81

 

$

5

 

$

159

 

$

189

 

$

109

 

$

794

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales1

 

50

 

7

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

(1

 )

(4

 )

 

(6

 )

(2

 )

(15

 )

(28

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

(1

 )

 

 

 

(1

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

1,040

 

$

202

 

$

55

 

$

94

 

$

4

 

$

153

 

$

187

 

$

94

 

$

789

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

196

 

$

127

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

26

 

11

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation

 

28

 

19

 

0.03

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

251

 

$

158

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

 

Net Revenues

 

Cost of Sales -
Product Costs

 

Cost of Sales -
Online

 

Cost of Sales -
Software
Royalties and
Amortization

 

Cost of Sales -
Intellectual
Property Licenses

 

Product
Development

 

Sales and
Marketing

 

General and
Administrative

 

Total Costs and
Expenses

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

3,312

 

$

560

 

$

161

 

$

314

 

$

12

 

$

453

 

$

445

 

$

297

 

$

2,242

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales1

 

(809

 )

(165

 )

 

(128

 )

1

 

 

 

 

(292

 )

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

(10

 )

 

(20

 )

(7

 )

(33

 )

(70

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

(4

 )

 

 

 

(4

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

2,503

 

$

395

 

$

161

 

$

176

 

$

9

 

$

433

 

$

438

 

$

264

 

$

1,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

1,070

 

$

733

 

$

0.99

 

$

0.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

(517

 )

(419

 )

(0.57

 )

(0.56

 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation

 

70

 

50

 

0.07

 

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets

 

4

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

627

 

$

367

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Reflects the net change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales.

2

Includes expenses related to stock-based compensation.

3

Reflects amortization of intangible assets from purchase price accounting.

 

 

 

The per share adjustments and the GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share information are presented as calculated. The sum of these measures, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

 

 

 

The company calculates earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method which requires the allocation of net income between common shareholders and participating security holders. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate non-GAAP earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $156 million and $361 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $158 million and $367 million, respectively, for the same periods. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 730 million, participating securities of approximately 8 million, and dilutive shares of 9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 727 million, participating securities of approximately 9 million, and dilutive shares of 9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

4

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

 

Net Revenues

 

Cost of Sales -
Product Costs

 

Cost of Sales -
Online

 

Cost of Sales -
Software
Royalties and
Amortization

 

Cost of Sales -
Intellectual
Property Licenses

 

Product
Development

 

Sales and
Marketing

 

General and
Administrative

 

Total Costs and
Expenses

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

753

 

$

156

 

$

56

 

$

34

 

$

7

 

$

131

 

$

221

 

$

140

 

$

745

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales1

 

417

 

80

 

 

157

 

 

 

 

 

237

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

(1

 )

 

(5

 )

(3

 )

(13

 )

(22

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

(2

 )

 

 

 

(2

 )

Less:  Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(48

 )

(48

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

1,170

 

$

236

 

$

56

 

$

190

 

$

5

 

$

126

 

$

218

 

$

79

 

$

910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

8

 

$

(23

 )

$

(0.03

 )

$

(0.03

 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

180

 

133

 

0.18

 

0.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation

 

22

 

14

 

0.02

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:  Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings4

 

48

 

48

 

0.07

 

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

260

 

$

173

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 

Net Revenues

 

Cost of Sales -
Product Costs

 

Cost of Sales -
Online

 

Cost of Sales -
Software
Royalties and
Amortization

 

Cost of Sales -
Intellectual
Property Licenses

 

Product
Development

 

Sales and
Marketing

 

General and
Administrative

 

Total Costs and
Expenses

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

2,833

 

$

568

 

$

170

 

$

136

 

$

20

 

$

387

 

$

465

 

$

342

 

$

2,088

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales1

 

(233

 )

(83

 )

 

109

 

1

 

 

 

 

27

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

(12

 )

 

(17

 )

(6

 )

(41

 )

(76

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

(4

 )

 

 

 

(4

 )

Less:  Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(48

 )

(48

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

2,600

 

$

485

 

$

170

 

$

233

 

$

17

 

$

370

 

$

459

 

$

253

 

$

1,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

745

 

$

474

 

$

0.65

 

$

0.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

(260

 )

(212

 )

(0.29

 )

(0.29

 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation

 

76

 

46

 

0.06

 

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets

 

4

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:  Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings4

 

48

 

48

 

0.07

 

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

613

 

$

359

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Reflects the net change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales.

2

Includes expenses related to stock-based compensation.

3

Reflects amortization of intangible assets from purchase price accounting.

4

Reflects fees and other expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses and accruals) related to the repurchase of 429 million shares of our common stock from Vivendi (the “Purchase Transaction”) completed on October 11, 2013 and related debt financings.

 

 

 

The per share adjustments and the GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share information are presented as calculated. The sum of these measures, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

 

 

 

The company calculates earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method which requires the allocation of net income between common shareholders and participating security holders. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate non-GAAP earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $170 million and $350 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $173 million and $359 million, respectively, for the same periods. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 718 million, participating securities of approximately 14 million, and dilutive shares of 10 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 714 million, participating securities of approximately 16 million, and dilutive shares of 11 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

5

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

 $

281

 

28%

 

 $

171 

 

23%

 

 $

110

 

64 %

 

Digital online channels2

 

629

 

64

 

504 

 

67   

 

125

 

25

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

910

 

92

 

675 

 

90   

 

235

 

35

 

Distribution

 

80

 

8

 

78 

 

10   

 

2

 

3

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

990

 

100

 

753 

 

100   

 

237

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

(18)

 

 

 

416 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital online channels2

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

50

 

 

 

417 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

263

 

25

 

587 

 

50   

 

(324)

 

(55)

 

Digital online channels2

 

697

 

67

 

505 

 

43   

 

192

 

38

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

960

 

92

 

1,092 

 

93   

 

(132)

 

(12)

 

Distribution

 

80

 

8

 

78 

 

7   

 

2

 

3

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues4

 

 $

1,040

 

100%

 

 $

1,170 

 

100%

 

 $

(130)

 

(11)%

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

 $

1,344

 

41%

 

 $

1,257 

 

44%

 

 $

87

 

7 %

 

Digital online channels2

 

1,779

 

54   

 

1,358 

 

48   

 

421

 

31

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

3,123

 

94   

 

2,615 

 

92   

 

508

 

19

 

Distribution

 

189

 

6   

 

218 

 

8   

 

(29)

 

(13)

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

3,312

 

100   

 

2,833 

 

100   

 

479

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

(876)

 

 

 

(388)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital online channels2

 

67

 

 

 

155 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

(809)

 

 

 

(233)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

468

 

19   

 

869 

 

33   

 

(401)

 

(46)

 

Digital online channels2

 

1,846

 

74   

 

1,513 

 

58   

 

333

 

22

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

2,314

 

92   

 

2,382 

 

92   

 

(68)

 

(3)

 

Distribution

 

189

 

8   

 

218 

 

8   

 

(29)

 

(13)

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues4

 

 $

2,503

 

100%

 

 $

2,600 

 

100%

 

 $

(97)

 

(4)%

 

 

1

The percentages of total are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

2

Net revenues from digital online channels represent revenues from digitally distributed subscriptions, licensing royalties, value-added services, downloadable content, micro-transactions, and products.

3

We provide net revenues including (in accordance with GAAP) and excluding (non-GAAP) the impact of changes in deferred revenues.

4

Total non-GAAP net revenues presented also represents our total operating segment net revenues.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

6

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

 $

195 

 

20%

 

 $

205 

 

27%

 

 $

(10)

 

(5)% 

 

PC

 

164 

 

17   

 

165 

 

22   

 

(1)

 

(1)    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

 

245 

 

25   

 

109 

 

14   

 

136 

 

125     

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

175 

 

18   

 

161 

 

21   

 

14 

 

9     

 

Total console3

 

420 

 

42   

 

270 

 

36   

 

150 

 

56     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and other4

 

131 

 

13   

 

35 

 

5   

 

96 

 

NM

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

910 

 

92   

 

675 

 

90   

 

235 

 

35     

 

Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Distribution

 

80 

 

8   

 

78 

 

10   

 

 

3     

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

990 

 

100   

 

753 

 

100   

 

237 

 

31     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

(40)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

 

 

 

(69)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

 

88 

 

 

 

359 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

(8)

 

 

 

123 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total console3

 

80 

 

 

 

482 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and other4

 

 

 

 

— 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

50 

 

 

 

417 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

155 

 

15   

 

209 

 

18   

 

(54)

 

(26)    

 

PC

 

168 

 

16   

 

96 

 

8   

 

72 

 

75     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

 

333 

 

32   

 

468 

 

40   

 

(135)

 

(29)    

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

167 

 

16   

 

284 

 

24   

 

(117)

 

(41)    

 

Total console3

 

500 

 

48   

 

752 

 

64   

 

(252)

 

(34)    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and other4

 

137 

 

13   

 

35 

 

3   

 

102 

 

NM

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

 

960 

 

92   

 

 

1,092 

 

93   

 

 

(132)

 

(12)    

 

Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Distribution

 

80 

 

8   

 

78 

 

7   

 

 

3     

 

Total consolidated non-GAAP net revenues6

 

 $

1,040 

 

100%

 

 $

1,170 

 

100%

 

 $

(130)

 

(11)%

 

 

1

The percentages of total are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

2

Revenues from online consists of revenues from all World of Warcraft products, including subscriptions, boxed products, expansion packs, licensing royalties, and value-added services.

3

Downloadable content and their related revenues are included in each respective console platforms and total console.

4

Revenues from mobile and other includes revenues from handheld and mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game related revenues, such as standalone sales of toys and accessories products from the Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

5

We provide net revenues including (in accordance with GAAP) and excluding (non-GAAP) the impact of changes in deferred net revenues.

6

Total non-GAAP net revenues presented also represents our total operating segment net revenues.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

7

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

 $

687

 

21%

 

 $

601

 

21

 

 $

86

 

14 %

 

PC

 

427

 

13

 

447

 

16

 

(20)

 

(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

 

996

 

30

 

353

 

12

 

643

 

182

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

741

 

22

 

1,049

 

37

 

(308)

 

(29)

 

Total console3

 

1,737

 

52

 

1,402

 

49

 

335

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and other4

 

272

 

8

 

165

 

6

 

107

 

65

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

3,123

 

94

 

2,615

 

92

 

508

 

19

 

Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Distribution

 

189

 

6

 

218

 

8

 

(29)

 

(13)

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

3,312

 

100

 

2,833

 

100

 

479

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

(165)

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

52

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

 

(365)

 

 

 

214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

(363)

 

 

 

(513)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total console3

 

(728)

 

 

 

(299)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and other4

 

32

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

(809)

 

 

 

(233)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

522

 

21

 

637

 

25

 

(115)

 

(18)

 

PC

 

479

 

19

 

465

 

18

 

14

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

 

631

 

25

 

567

 

22

 

64

 

11

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

378

 

15

 

536

 

21

 

(158)

 

(29)

 

Total console3

 

1,009

 

40

 

1,103

 

42

 

(94)

 

(9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and other4

 

304

 

12

 

177

 

7

 

127

 

72

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

2,314

 

92

 

2,382

 

92

 

(68)

 

(3)

 

Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Distribution

 

189

 

8

 

218

 

8

 

(29)

 

(13)

 

Total consolidated non-GAAP net revenues6

 

 $

2,503

 

100%

 

 $

2,600

 

100%

 

 $

(97)

 

(4)%

 

 

1

The percentages of total are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

2

Revenues from online consists of revenues from all World of Warcraft products, including subscriptions, boxed products, expansion packs, licensing royalties, and value-added services.

3

Downloadable content and their related revenues are included in each respective console platforms and total console.

4

Revenues from mobile and other includes revenues from handheld and mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game related revenues, such as standalone sales of toys and accessories products from the Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

5

We provide net revenues including (in accordance with GAAP) and excluding (non-GAAP) the impact of changes in deferred net revenues.

6

Total non-GAAP net revenues presented also represents our total operating segment net revenues.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

8

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 $

495

 

50%

 

 $

350

 

46%

 

 $

145

 

41% 

 

Europe

 

367

 

37

 

316

 

42

 

51

 

16

 

Asia Pacific

 

128

 

13

 

87

 

12

 

41

 

47

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

990

 

100

 

753

 

100

 

237

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

45

 

 

 

274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

11

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific

 

(6)

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in net revenues

 

50

 

 

 

417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

540

 

52

 

624

 

53

 

(84)

 

(13)

 

Europe

 

378

 

36

 

451

 

39

 

(73)

 

(16)

 

Asia Pacific

 

122

 

12

 

95

 

8

 

27

 

28

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues3

 

 $

1,040

 

100%

 

 $

1,170

 

100%

 

 $

(130)

 

(11)%

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 $

1,750

 

53%

 

 $

1,384

 

49%

 

 $

366

 

26% 

 

Europe

 

1,219

 

37

 

1,172

 

41

 

47

 

4

 

Asia Pacific

 

343

 

10

 

277

 

10

 

66

 

24

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

3,312

 

100

 

2,833

 

100

 

479

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

(502)

 

 

 

(136)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

(298)

 

 

 

(102)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific

 

(9)

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in net revenues

 

(809)

 

 

 

(233)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

1,248

 

50

 

1,248

 

48

 

 

 

Europe

 

921

 

37

 

1,070

 

41

 

(149)

 

(14)

 

Asia Pacific

 

334

 

13

 

282

 

11

 

52

 

18

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues3

 

 $

2,503

 

100%

 

 $

2,600

 

100%

 

 $

(97)

 

(4)%

 

 

1

The percentages of total are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

2

We provide net revenues including (in accordance with GAAP) and excluding (non-GAAP) the impact of changes in deferred net revenues.

3

Total non-GAAP net revenues presented also represents our total operating segment net revenues.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

9

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

Segment net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

591

 

57%

 

 $

704

 

60%

 

 $

(113)

 

(16)%

 

Blizzard3

 

369

 

35

 

388

 

33

 

(19)

 

(5)

 

Distribution4

 

80

 

8

 

78

 

7

 

2

 

3

 

Operating segment total

 

1,040

 

100%

 

1,170

 

100%

 

(130)

 

(11)

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues

 

(50)

 

 

 

(417)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

990

 

 

 

 $

753

 

 

 

237

 

31%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

122

 

 

 

 $

95

 

 

 

 $

27

 

28%  

 

Blizzard3

 

128

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

(36)

 

(22)

 

Distribution4

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Operating segment total

 

251

 

 

 

260

 

 

 

(9)

 

(3)

 

Reconciliation to consolidated operating income and consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

(26)

 

 

 

(180)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(28)

 

 

 

(22)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(1)

 

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings5

 

 

 

 

(48)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

 

196

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

188

 

NM

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

51

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

 

 $

145

 

 

 

 $

(43)

 

 

 

188

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin from total operating segments

 

24.1%

 

 

 

22.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

Segment net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

1,208

 

48%

 

 $

1,193

 

46%

 

 $

15

 

1%

 

Blizzard3

 

1,106

 

44

 

1,189

 

46

 

(83)

 

(7)

 

Distribution4

 

189

 

8

 

218

 

8

 

(29)

 

(13)

 

Operating segment total

 

2,503

 

100%

 

2,600

 

100%

 

(97)

 

(4)

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues

 

809

 

 

 

233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

3,312

 

 

 

 $

2,833

 

 

 

479

 

17%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

244

 

 

 

 $

66

 

 

 

 $

178

 

NM

 

Blizzard3

 

383

 

 

 

548

 

 

 

(165)

 

(30)

 

Distribution4

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

1

 

(100)

 

Operating segment total

 

627

 

 

 

613

 

 

 

14

 

2

 

Reconciliation to consolidated operating income and consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

517

 

 

 

260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(70)

 

 

 

(76)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(4)

 

 

 

(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings5

 

 

 

 

(48)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

 

1,070

 

 

 

745

 

 

 

325

 

44

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

151

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 $

919

 

 

 

 $

593

 

 

 

326

 

55%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin from total operating segments

 

25.1%

 

 

 

23.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

The percentages of total are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

2

Activision Publishing (“Activision”) — publishes interactive entertainment products and content.

3

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) — publishes PC games and online subscription-based games in the MMORPG category.

4

Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) — distributes interactive entertainment software and hardware products.

5

Reflects fees and other expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses and accruals) related to the repurchase of 429 million shares of our common stock from Vivendi (the “Purchase Transaction”) completed on October 11, 2013 and related debt financings.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

10

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

For the Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2015

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trailing Twelve
Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2014

 

March 31,
2015

 

June 30,
2015

 

September 30,
2015

 

September 30,
2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Net Income

 

 $

361

 

 

 $

394

 

 

 $

212

 

 

 $

127

 

 

 $

1,094

 

Interest Expense, net

 

51

 

 

50

 

 

50

 

 

51

 

 

202

 

Provision for income taxes

 

27

 

 

98

 

 

70

 

 

18

 

 

213

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

29

 

 

20

 

 

21

 

 

25

 

 

94

 

EBITDA

 

468

 

 

562

 

 

353

 

 

221

 

 

1,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales1

 

475

 

 

(362

)

 

(181

)

 

26

 

 

(42

)

Stock-based compensation expense2

 

29

 

 

23

 

 

21

 

 

28

 

 

101

 

Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings3

 

(36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 $

936

 

 

 $

223

 

 

 $

193

 

 

 $

275

 

 

 $

1,626

 

 

1                    Reflects the net change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales.

2                    Includes expenses related to stock-based compensation.

3                    Reflects fees and other expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses and accruals) related to the repurchase of 429 million shares of our common stock from Vivendi (the “Purchase Transaction”) completed on October 11, 2013 and related debt financings.

 

Trailing twelve months amounts are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of the four quarters, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

11

Outlook for the Three Months and Year Ending December 31, 2015

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

Outlook for the

 

Outlook for the

 

 

 

Three Months Ending

 

Year Ending

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues (GAAP)

 

 $

1,218  

 

 $

4,530  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excluding the impact of:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in deferred revenues1

 

930  

 

120  

 

Net Revenues (Non-GAAP)

 

 $

2,148  

 

 $

4,650 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Diluted Share (GAAP)

 

 $

0.09  

 

 $

1.07  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excluding the impact of:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales2

 

0.68  

 

0.12  

 

Stock-based compensation3

 

0.03  

 

0.10  

 

Amortization of intangible assets4

 

0.01  

 

0.01  

 

Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions5

 

0.01  

 

0.01  

 

Earnings Per Diluted Share (Non-GAAP)

 

 $

0.82  

 

 $

1.31  

 

 

1                    Reflects the net change in deferred revenues.

2                    Reflects the net change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales.

3                    Reflects expenses related to stock-based compensation.

4                    Reflects amortization of intangible assets from purchase price accounting.

5                    Reflects fees and other expenses related to the proposed acquisition of King Digital Entertainment plc and the debt financings related thereto.

 

The per share adjustments and the GAAP and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share information are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these measures, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.