IMAX Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Global theatrical industry continues opening with IMAX network in Asia almost fully operational and robust local language titles driving IMAX box office grosses near pre-pandemic levels
• IMAX ended the quarter with $305 million of cash and cash equivalents
• Company expects average monthly cash flow for fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021 to be approximately break-even, representing continued free cash flow improvement
• IMAX installed 23 systems and signed agreements for ten systems in the quarter, demonstrating continued partner demand for IMAX® theater systems despite the temporary delay of major theatrical releases
• As a result of the global pandemic, third quarter 2020 revenue was $37.3 million versus $86.4 million in the third quarter of 2019. Third quarter 2020 net (loss) attributable to common shareholders was ($47.2) million versus $9.0 million in the prior-year period. Third quarter financial results include the following non-cash items: $23.7 million or $0.40 per share deferred tax asset valuation allowance, $5.7 million film asset impairment, and a $3.9 million provision for credit losses
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (loss) was ($0.3) million in third quarter 2020 versus $32.4 million in the prior-year period

IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today reported third quarter results as the global theatrical industry continues recovery, highlighted by a notably resurgent box office in Asia. IMAX reported improved cash flow and further reduced costs while benefiting from the Company's diversified global footprint, continued growth in its theater network as well as the robust Asian film market - particularly in China and Japan - where audiences are returning to theaters attracted by a strong local language slate.

"As the only global theatrical platform for blockbuster entertainment, our experience around the world has proven that audiences will enthusiastically return to the movies where theaters are open and they feel safe. As they do return, they are coming back to IMAX — underscoring the enduring strength of our brand and the power of The IMAX Experience®," said IMAX CEO, Richard L. Gelfond.

"With continued box office revenues from our strong local language slate and revenues from theater installations, the Company estimates our average monthly cash flow will be approximately break-even through the first quarter of 2021."

"Our multi-year strategic effort to geographically diversify our business is paying off, as our strong local language slate continues to partially offset the lack of Hollywood releases in the market. From the year's number-one global box office release in China, "The Eight Hundred" — the first commercial Asian film shot entirely with IMAX cameras — to Japan's record-breaking "Demon Slayer", we believe that IMAX is poised to benefit from the impressive resurgence of the Asian film market. IMAX has no fewer than 10 local language releases in the fourth quarter of 2020, with the promising Chinese New Year box office period on its heels in February."

"IMAX remains well-positioned to manage through the continued recovery of the global film industry as cinemas await the return of Hollywood tentpoles. We have a significant financial runway with $305 million of cash on our balance sheet at the end of the third quarter."

The Company reported 2020 revenues of $37.3 million, gross margin of $3.8 million, and a net (loss) attributable to common shareholders of ($47.2) million, or ($0.80) per diluted share.

IMAX results reflect the COVID-19 related closure of the majority of the Company's network through a portion of the third quarter. Third quarter financial results also reflect the inclusion of a number of notable non-cash items related to COVID-19 driven uncertainty, the delay of Hollywood releases, and the reclosure of theaters in some markets. These non-cash items include: a $23.7 million valuation allowance to reduce the value of deferred tax assets; a $5.7 million impairment loss related to documentary and alternative content films assets; and a $3.9 million provision for current expected credit losses reflecting a reduction in the credit quality of the theater receivable balances. 

IMAX Technology Network

• IMAX Technology Network revenues decreased 73.7% to $11.4 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $43.3 million in the prior-year period. The closure of the Company's network through the first half of the quarter, the partial opening of theaters in late August and September, and the release of fewer films as Hollywood continues to delay major titles impacted year over year results.
• Gross margin for the IMAX Technology Network was $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 and was driven by lower revenue and ongoing fixed costs associated with our installed IMAX network.

 IMAX Technology Sales and Maintenance

• IMAX Technology Sales and Maintenance revenues decreased 37.1% to $23.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared with $37.6 million in the prior year period. Five fewer sales and sales type lease installations resulted in lower IMAX system revenue. IMAX maintenance revenue declined to $5.9 million as COVID-19-related closures of IMAX theater systems through a portion of the quarter prevented the recognition of revenue.
• Total gross margin for IMAX Technology Sales and Maintenance was $9.4 million compared to $18.4 million in the prior year period.

Cash Balances and Outstanding Debt

Total cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2020 were $305 million. Total debt, excluding deferred financing fees, was $300.3 million as of September 30, 2020.

Share Count and Capital Return

The weighted average diluted shares outstanding at the end of the third quarter of 2020 declined 4.3% to 58.9 million, compared to 61.5 million in the third quarter of 2019, due primarily to share repurchase activity during the twelve-month period. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company did not repurchase any stock. A total of $89.4 million remains available under the Company's outstanding share repurchase authorization, which was extended in June 2020 and now expires in June 2021.

Supplemental Materials

For more information about the Company's results, please refer to the IMAX Investor Relations website located at investors.imax.com.

Investor Relations Website and Social Media

On a weekly basis, the Company posts quarter-to-date box office results on the IMAX Investor Relations website located at investors.imax.com. The Company expects to provide such updates on Friday of each week, although the Company may change this timing without notice. Results will be displayed with a one-week lag.

The information posted on the Company's corporate and Investor Relations website may be deemed material to investors. Accordingly, investors, media and others interested in the Company should monitor the Company's website in addition to the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30AM ET to discuss its third quarter 2020 financial results. This call is being webcast by PGI and can be accessed at investors.imax.com. To access the call via telephone, interested parties in the US and Canada should dial (800) 367-2403 approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the call begins. Other international callers should dial (647) 490-5367. The conference ID for the call is 4692103. A replay of the call will be available via webcast at investors.imax.com or via telephone by dialing (888) 203-1112 (US and Canada), or (647) 436-0148 (international). The Conference ID for the telephone replay is 4692103.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of September 30, 2020, there were 1,632 IMAX theater systems (1,542 commercial multiplexes, 13 commercial destinations, 77 institutional) operating in 82 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK.1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, IMAX nXos® and Films to the Fullest^®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

For additional information please contact:

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include, but are not limited to, references to business and technology strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of business, operations and technology, future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), plans and references to the future success of IMAX Corporation together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company") and expectations regarding the Company's future operating, financial and technological results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with the expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions and any future international expansion, including those related to economic, political and regulatory policies of local governments and laws and policies of the United States and Canada; risks related to the Company's growth and operations in China; the performance of IMAX DMR^® films; the signing of IMAX Theater System agreements; conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry; risks related to currency fluctuations; the potential impact of increased competition in the markets within which the Company operates; competitive actions by other companies; the failure to respond to change and advancements in digital technology; risks relating to recent consolidation among commercial exhibitors and movie studios; risks related to new business initiatives; conditions in the in-home and out-of-home entertainment industries; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Company; risks related to cyber-security and data privacy; risks related to the Company's inability to protect the Company's intellectual property; general economic, market or business conditions; the failure to convert IMAX Theater System backlog into revenue; changes in laws or regulations; the failure to fully realize the projected cost savings and benefits from any of the Company's restructuring initiatives; the impact of COVID-19 on our financial condition and results of operations and on the businesses of our customers and exhibitor partners;  and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this earnings release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and actual results or anticipated developments by the Company may not be realized, and even if substantially realized, may not have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These factors, other risks and uncertainties and financial details are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Primary Reporting Groups

The Company has the following reportable segments: (i) IMAX DMR; (ii) Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements; (iii) IMAX Systems, (iv) IMAX Maintenance; (v) Other Theater Business; (vi) New Business Initiatives; (vii) Film Distribution; and (viii) Film Post-production. The Company organizes its reportable segments into the following four categories, identified by the nature of the product sold or service provided:

IMAX CORPORATION
OTHER INFORMATION
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

In this release, the Company presents adjusted net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and free cash flow as supplemental measures of the Company's performance, which are not recognized under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share exclude, where applicable: (i) share-based compensation; (ii) exit costs, restructuring charges and associated impairments, (iii) gain (loss) in the fair value of investments, (iv) COVID-19 government relief benefits, as well as the related tax impact of these adjustments, and (v) the income tax effects related to the removal of the indefinitely reinvested assertion on the historical earnings of certain subsidiaries.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are important supplemental measures that allow management and users of the Company's financial statements to view operating trends and analyze controllable operating performance on a comparable basis between periods without the after-tax impact of share-based compensation and certain unusual items included in net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders. Although share-based compensation is an important aspect of the Company's employee and executive compensation packages, it is a non-cash expense and is excluded from certain internal business performance measures.

A reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders and the comparable per share amounts, the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders, adjusted net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility and Adjusted EBITDA margin is presented in the table below. The Company believes that net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders is the most directly comparable GAAP measure because it reflects the earnings relevant to the Company's shareholders, rather than including the non-controlling interest. As such, beginning in the first quarter of 2020, the Company has updated the reconciliations for such non-GAAP financial measures included herein.

In addition to the non-GAAP financial measures discussed above, management also uses "EBITDA," as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, and which is referred to herein as "Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility." As allowed by the Credit Agreement, Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility includes adjustments in addition to the exclusion of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Accordingly, this non-GAAP financial measure is presented to allow a more comprehensive analysis of the Company's operating performance and to provide additional information with respect to the Company's compliance against its Credit Agreement requirements in the current period, if applicable. In addition, the Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility presents relevant and useful information widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the Company's industry to evaluate, assess and benchmark the Company's results.

EBITDA is defined as net (loss) income excluding (i) interest expense, net of interest income; (ii) income tax (benefit) expense; and (iii) depreciation and amortization, including film asset amortization. Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility is defined as EBITDA excluding: (i) share-based and other non-cash compensation; (ii) gain (loss) in fair value of investments; (iii) write-downs, net of recoveries, including asset impairments and credit loss expense; (iv) gain (loss) from equity accounted investments; (v) exit costs, restructuring charges and associated impairments; (vi) legal arbitration award; and (vii) executive transition costs.

Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities minus cash used in investing activities (from the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows). Cash provided by operating activities consist of net (loss) income, plus depreciation and amortization, plus the change in deferred income taxes, plus other non-cash items, plus changes in working capital, less investment in film assets, plus other changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash used in investing activities includes capital expenditures, acquisitions and other cash used in investing activities. Management views free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, as a measure of the Company's after-tax cash flow available to reduce debt, add to cash balances, and fund other financing activities. Free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. A reconciliation of cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow is presented below.

These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. Additionally, the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP amounts. A reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is presented below.