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Monday, October 20, 2008

Netflix Announces Q3 2008 Financial Results

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., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 margin(1) 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 cost(2) 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.

Churn(3) 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 flow(4) 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.

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.

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.

   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.      Netflix, Inc.   Consolidated Statements of Operations   (unaudited)   (in thousands, except per share data)                                Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended                         September    June   September   September  September                             30,       30,      30,         30,        30,                            2008      2008     2007**      2008       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,      December 31,                                                  2008               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   June   September  September September                               30,       30,      30,        30,       30,                              2008      2008     2007*      2008      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,   June 30,  September 30,                                           2008         2008         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.  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: ekasenchak@netflix.com

Source: Netflix, Inc.

CONTACT: IR, Deborah Crawford, VP, Investor Relations, +1-408-540-3712,
or PR, Steve Swasey, VP, Corporate Communications, +1-408-540-3947, both of
Netflix, Inc.

Web site: http://www.netflix.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

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