UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 11, 2016

 

                  ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.                    

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

 

001-15839

 

95-4803544

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

3100 Ocean Park Boulevard,
Santa Monica, CA

 

 

 

90405

(Address of Principal Executive
Offices)

 

 

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (310) 255-2000

 

 

 

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



 

Certain Information Not Filed.  The information in Item 2.02 of this Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached to this Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall such Item 2.02 or such Exhibit 99.1 or any of the information contained therein be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 2.02.                              Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On February 11, 2016, Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing results for the Company for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  As previously announced, the Company is hosting a conference call and webcast in conjunction with that release.

 

Item 8.01.        Other Events.

 

Cash Dividend.  On February 2, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.26 per share to be paid on May 11, 2016 to shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock on March 30, 2016.

 

Item 9.01.                              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)  Exhibits

 

99.1                    Press Release dated February 11, 2016 (furnished not filed)

 

2



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: February 11, 2016

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/  Dennis Durkin

 

 

 

 Dennis Durkin

 

 

 

 Chief Financial Officer

 

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated February 11, 2016 (furnished not filed)

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD ANNOUNCES

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2015 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

 

Record Digital Revenues in the Quarter and Full Year, Grew 32% Year-Over-Year for GAAP and 20% for Non-GAAP, Represented More Than 50% of Revenues for the First Time

 

Monthly Active UsersA in 2015 Grew 25% Year-Over-Year, Reached an All-Time High

 

Upon Close of King Acquisition, Company Will Have More Than a Half Billion Monthly Active UsersA

 

Full Year 2015 GAAP Earnings Per Share Grew 5% from 2014, and at Constant FXB, Full Year 2015 Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share Grew 13% Above 2014’s Record

 

Generated Operating Cash Flow of $1.2 Billion in 2015

 

2016 Cash Dividend Increased By 13% to $0.26 Per Common Share

 

 

Santa Monica, CA – February 11, 2016 – Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced fourth quarter and full year results.

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

Calendar Year

 

(in millions, except EPS)

 

2015

 

  Prior

Outlook*

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

GAAP  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

1,353

 

$

1,218

 

$

1,575

$

4,664

 

$

4,408

 

EPS

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.49

$

1.19

 

$

1.13

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

2,118

 

$

2,148

 

$

2,213

$

4,621

 

$

4,813

 

EPS

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.82

 

$

0.94

$

1.32

 

$

1.42

 

*Prior outlook was provided by the company on November 2, 2015 in its earnings release.

 

For calendar year 2015, Activision Blizzard delivered GAAP net revenues of $4.66 billion, as compared with $4.41 billion for 2014. GAAP net revenues from digital channels were $2.50 billion and represented a record 54% of the company’s total net revenues. The company delivered record GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.19, as compared with $1.13 per diluted share for 2014.

 

On a non-GAAP basis, for the calendar year 2015, the company delivered net revenues of $4.62 billion, as compared with $4.81 billion for 2014. Non-GAAP net revenues from digital channels were a record $2.63 billion and represented a record 57% of the company’s total non-GAAP net revenues. Non-GAAP earnings per share were $1.32, as compared with $1.42 per diluted share for 2014.

 

1



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, Activision Blizzard’s GAAP net revenues were $1.35 billion, as compared with $1.58 billion for the fourth quarter of 2014. GAAP net revenues from digital channels were a record $724 million and represented a Q4 record 54% of the company’s total revenues, growing 34% year-over-year. GAAP earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $0.21, as compared with $0.49 for the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

On a non-GAAP basis, for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the company’s net revenues were $2.12 billion, as compared with $2.21 billion for the fourth quarter of 2014.  Non-GAAP net revenues from digital channels were a record $780 million and represented a Q4 record 37% of the company’s total non-GAAP net revenues, growing 14% year-over-year.  Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $0.83, as compared with $0.94 for the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

At constant FXB, calendar year 2015  non-GAAP net revenues and EPS were up 4% and 13%, respectively, year-over-year, driven by strong engagement and recurring digital trends on our year-round monetizing franchises. Operating margin at constant FXB was also ahead of 2012’s all-time high of 34%. Non-GAAP net revenues and EPS for the quarter were roughly flat versus prior year at constant FXB.

 

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, “With our expected closing of the acquisition of King Digital later this month, we will have the largest game network in the world, with over 500 million users playing our games every month.A Our entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and soon Candy Crush, will reach people on mobile, console and desktop devices in almost every country in the world.  This gives us the opportunity to engage our global audiences and create revenue streams from content and services.  Our esports initiatives, enhanced by our recent acquisition of Major League Gaming, allow us to reward our players around the world for their dedication and investment in our games.  We expect to generate approximately $6.25 billion in revenues and over $2.0 billion of operating income in 2016 and we will have over 9,000 of the most talented people making, marketing and selling great games around the world.”

 

 

Selected Business Highlights:

 

·                 At constant FXB, Activision Publishing’s 2015 non-GAAP operating income grew 30%, and revenues grew 7%. Average MAUsA for the year were up 20% year-over-year, reaching an all-time

 

2



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

high, and digital revenues grew over 65%. Activision Publishing now has 4 of the top 10 games on next-generation consoles life-to-date, including Call of Duty®: Black Ops III at number one.1

 

·                 Activision Publishing’s Call of Duty franchise revenues grew double digits year-over-year both for the full year and in Q4, ending the quarter with the highest MAUsA in franchise history. The strong performance was driven by Call of Duty: Black Ops III, which had the biggest entertainment opening weekend of 2015, and was the #1 console game globally for the calendar year.2 Call of Duty was the #1 franchise in North America for the seventh year in a row.1 Black Ops III also has the highest season pass attach rate for downloadable content in franchise history. The Call of Duty franchise has now surpassed 250 million units sold life-to-date worldwide with over $15 billion in total sales, including in-game content, since it first launched in 2003.2

 

·                 Activision Publishing’s Destiny achieved record digital attach rates on its critically acclaimed Q3 expansion, The Taken King. Destiny’s 25+ million registered users have logged nearly 3 billion hours playing the game.

 

·                 Activision Publishing’s casual titles, namely Q3 release Skylanders® SuperChargers and Q4 release Guitar Hero® Live, performed weaker than expected, we believe largely due to greater competition in the toys to life genre and due to the casual audience’s shift to mobile devices.

 

·                Blizzard Entertainment reached an all-time high for MAUsA in 2015.  Fourth quarter MAUsA were up nearly 25% year-over-year, reflecting strong engagement with the online player community. At constant FXB, Blizzard’s 2015 revenues are above 2014’s record results.

 

·                 On November 6, 2015, Blizzard Entertainment revealed that Hearthstone®: Heroes of Warcraft had surpassed the 40 million-registered-player milestone. On November 12, 2015, Blizzard launched The League of Explorers™, the third adventure for the franchise, with 45 new cards. This Adventure sold over 20% more units as of the first 6 weeks after launch than the prior Adventure in the same time frame.  As a result of this new content, and continued strength across platforms and geographies, Hearthstone hit all-time franchise highs in multiple categories, including MAUsA, at the end of Q4.

 

·                On November 6, 2015, Blizzard Entertainment kicked off presales for Legion, the upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft®. Pre-purchasers will receive the expansion’s level-100 character boost, as well as early access to the Demon Hunter class when available. World of Warcraft remains the #1 subscription-based MMORPG in the world.

 

·                On November 10, 2015, Blizzard Entertainment launched Legacy of the Void, the standalone third chapter of StarCraft® II, selling through over 1 million copies in the first 24 hours of launch. Legacy of the Void received multiple Strategy Game of the Year awards. At BlizzCon® on November 6, 2015, Blizzard announced plans for a series of standalone mission packs.

 

·                At BlizzCon, Blizzard Entertainment announced Heroes of the Storm’s upcoming Arena mode, planned for release in 2016, featuring smaller maps and shorter sessions. Heroes of the Storm

 

3



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

ended the year taking home multiple awards, including Best Competitive Multiplayer and Best MOBA from Game Informer.

 

Company Outlook:

 

·                 On November 2, 2015, the company announced its agreement to acquire King Digital Entertainment for approximately $5.9 billion in equity value ($4.8 billion in enterprise value).  Following the closing of the transaction, the addition of King’s business is expected to further position Activision Blizzard for growth across platforms, audiences, genres, and business models. Our outlook for 2016 includes King, assuming we receive the necessary regulatory approvals to allow us to complete the transaction, which is currently expected to close later this month.

 

·                 On December 22, 2015, Activision Publishing announced that the field is set for the inaugural Call of Duty World League Pro Division, with 800 professional esports teams across the world vying for more than $3 million in cash prizes playing Call of Duty: Black Ops III, culminating with the Call of Duty Championship presented by PlayStation 4 in the fall of 2016.

 

·                 On February 2, 2016, Activision Publishing launched the first of four map packs for Call of Duty: Black Ops III, delivering four new, epic multiplayer maps in addition to an all-new Zombies experience, available first on PlayStation 4.

 

·                 In Q4 2016, Activision Publishing plans to release an innovative new Call of Duty game from its studio, Infinity Ward, the makers of the Modern Warfare series.

 

·                 Activision Publishing, along with its partners at Bungie, expects to bring a large new expansion to Destiny in 2016 and to release a full game sequel in 2017.

 

·                Activision Publishing expects a new Skylanders game to launch in 2016 along with Skylanders Academy, a new TV series celebrating the beloved kids franchise.

 

·                 On January 28, 2016, Blizzard Entertainment announced the 2016 Heroes of the Dorm™ competition, featuring online team brawler Heroes of the Storm, with more than $500,000 in tuition and other prizes on the line as part of this year’s event. Esports fans will be able to follow the action on ESPN networks, who will once again deliver live coverage of the events on television and digital platforms.

 

·                 Blizzard Entertainment’s team-based shooter, Overwatch™, will be coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in spring of 2016. An initial closed beta test ran from October 27, 2015 to December 10, 2015, and the game reached top-viewed status on Twitch. Closed beta testing resumed on February 9, 2016.

 

·                Blizzard’s World of Warcraft is expected to launch its highly anticipated expansion, Legion, this summer, following the June release of the Warcraft film by Legendary Pictures.

 

4



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

·                 On January 4, 2016, Activision Blizzard announced the acquisition of Major League Gaming, a leader in creating and streaming premium live gaming events, organizing professional competitions and running competitive gaming leagues. The acquisition expands Activision Blizzard’s reach across the rapidly-growing esports ecosystem by adding proven live streaming capabilities and technologies to the Activision Blizzard Media Networks division, led by former ESPN CEO Steve Bornstein and Major League Gaming co-founder Mike Sepso.

 

·                 Activision Blizzard’s first quarter and calendar year 2016 outlook is as follows. Please note that this outlook includes King Digital Entertainment in our results based on an assumed transaction close later this month.

 

 

(in millions, except EPS)

 

GAAP
Outlook**

 

Non-GAAP
Outlook**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CY 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

6,100

 

$

6,250

 

EPS

 

$

0.45

 

$

1.75

 

Fully Diluted Shares*

 

767

 

767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q1 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

1,260

 

$

800

 

EPS

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.11

 

Fully Diluted Shares*

 

756

 

756

 

 

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

** Outlook includes King Digital Entertainment based on an assumed transaction close later this month. The outlook includes certain estimates and assumptions associated with the King transaction based on the data currently available to us considering the transaction has not closed. Additionally, our GAAP outlook includes estimates and assumptions that may be materially different from those at the transaction close, including our stock price at and around the transaction close date, market inputs and assumptions in our stock option expenses, allocation of the purchase consideration to the acquired assets, and related tax impact from the transaction, among others.

 

Currency Assumptions for 2016 Outlook:

·                 $1.11 USD/Euro for current outlook (vs. a $1.11 average for 2015 and a $1.33 average for 2014)

·                 $1.45 USD/British Pound Sterling for current outlook (vs. a $1.53 average for 2015 and a $1.65 average for 2014)

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

 

Board Declares Cash Dividend and Authorizes Debt Repayment

 

The company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.26 per common share, payable on May 11, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March

 

5



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

30, 2016, which represents a 13% increase from the cash dividend paid in 2015.

 

The Board of Directors also approved a repayment of up to $1.5 billion of the company’s outstanding debt during 2016.

 

 

Conference Call

Today at 4:30 p.m. EST, Activision Blizzard’s management will host a conference call and Webcast to discuss the company’s results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and management’s outlook for 2016. The company welcomes all members of the financial and media communities and other interested parties to visit the “Investor Relations” area of www.activisionblizzard.com to listen to the conference call via live Webcast or to listen to the call live by dialing into 888-239-5257 in the U.S. with passcode 1448926.

 

About Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard, Inc., a member of the S&P 500, is the world’s most successful standalone interactive entertainment company. Activision Blizzard develops and publishes games based on some of the most beloved entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty®, Destiny, Skylanders®, 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, Activision Blizzard has operations throughout the world, and its games are played in 196 countries. More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activisionblizzard.com.

 

1 The NPD Group

2 The NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track and Activision Blizzard internal estimates

 

 

A 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 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 and King 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.

 

B 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. We have provided various measurements at constant FX. Refer to the tables at the back of this press release for a reconciliation of the company’s GAAP and non-GAAP results.  For the full year and fourth quarter of 2015, we estimated $364 million and $125 million exchange rate impacts on non-GAAP revenues, respectively, and $0.28 and $0.11 on non-GAAP EPS, respectively. Exchange rates impact our non-GAAP operating margins by approximately 240 basis points for the full year 2015. For the full year 2015, we estimated $169 million and $111 million exchange rate impacts on Activision Publishing’s non-GAAP revenues and operating income. For the full year 2015, we estimated $170 million exchange rate impacts on Blizzard’s non-GAAP revenues.

 

No Profit Forecasts:  Other than the specific information relating to the combined outlook for Activision Blizzard and King Digital Entertainment for 2016 set out in this press release, no statement in this press release is intended to constitute a profit forecast for any period, nor should any statements be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share will necessarily be greater or lesser than those for the relevant preceding financial periods for Activision Blizzard and/or King

 

6



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

Digital Entertainment, as appropriate.

 

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;

·                  fees and other expenses related to acquisitions, including the acquisition of King Digital Entertainment, 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.

 

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

 

7



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

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 and the timing and expected impact of that proposed transaction, including without limitation, the expected impact on Activision Blizzard’s future financial results; 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: uncertainties as to whether and when the proposed acquisition of King Digital Entertainment will close; uncertainties as to whether and when Activision Blizzard will be able to realize the anticipated financial results of such acquisition; the integration of King Digital Entertainment being more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the diversion of management time and attention to issues relating to the proposed acquisition and integration of King Digital Entertainment; sales levels of Activision Blizzard’s titles including, following completion of the proposed acquisition, King Digital Entertainment 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 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 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

 

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company, including information provided to the Company by King Digital Entertainment and our preliminary assessment on the impact to our financial information of purchase price accounting, 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, February 11, 2016.

 

###

 

(Tables to Follow)

 

8



 

Activision Blizzard Announces Q4 2015 Financial Results

 

 

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

 

9



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

  $

711

 

  $

1,094

 

  $

 2,447

 

  $

 2,786

 

Subscription, licensing and other revenues1

 

642

 

481

 

2,217

 

1,622

 

Total net revenues

 

1,353

 

1,575

 

4,664

 

4,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - product costs

 

361

 

432

 

921

 

999

 

Cost of sales - online

 

63

 

61

 

224

 

232

 

Cost of sales - software royalties and amortization

 

98

 

124

 

412

 

260

 

Cost of sales - intellectual property licenses

 

16

 

14

 

28

 

34

 

Product development

 

193

 

184

 

646

 

571

 

Sales and marketing

 

289

 

247

 

734

 

712

 

General and administrative

 

83

 

75

 

380

 

417

 

Total costs and expenses

 

1,103

 

1,137

 

3,345

 

3,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

250

 

438

 

1,319

 

1,183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

49

 

50

 

198

 

202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

201

 

388

 

1,121

 

981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

42

 

27

 

229

 

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

  $

 159

 

  $

361

 

  $

 892

 

  $

 835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share 2

 

  $

 0.22

 

  $

0.49

 

  $

 1.21

 

  $

 1.14

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

733

 

720

 

728

 

716

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share 2

 

  $

 0.21

 

  $

0.49

 

  $

 1.19

 

  $

 1.13

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution

 

744

 

729

 

739

 

726

 

 

 

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 6 million and 8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2015, respectively, and 12 million and 15 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively.  For the three months and year ended December 31, 2015, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $158 million and $881 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $159 million and $892 million, respectively, for the same periods. For the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $355 million and $817 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $361 million and $835 million, respectively, for the same periods.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2015

 

December 31,
2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

  $

1,823

 

  $

4,848

 

Cash in escrow

 

3,561

 

 

Short-term investments

 

8

 

10

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

679

 

659

 

Inventories, net

 

128

 

123

 

Software development

 

336

 

452

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

30

 

5

 

Other current assets

 

383

 

444

 

Total current assets

 

6,948

 

6,541

 

Long-term investments

 

9

 

9

 

Software development

 

80

 

20

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

 

18

 

Property and equipment, net

 

189

 

157

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

268

 

258

 

Other assets

 

173

 

85

 

Intangible assets, net

 

49

 

29

 

Trademark and trade names

 

433

 

433

 

Goodwill

 

7,095

 

7,086

 

Total assets

 

  $

15,244

 

  $

14,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

  $

284

 

  $

325

 

Deferred revenues

 

1,702

 

1,797

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

625

 

592

 

Total current liabilities

 

2,611

 

2,714

 

Long-term debt, net

 

4,079

 

4,324

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

3

 

4

 

Other liabilities

 

483

 

361

 

Total liabilities

 

7,176

 

7,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

10,242

 

9,924

 

Treasury stock

 

(5,637)

 

(5,762)

 

Retained earnings

 

4,096

 

3,374

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(633)

 

(303)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

8,068

 

7,233

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

  $

15,244

 

  $

14,636

 

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

  $

892

 

  $

835

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(27)

 

(44)

 

Provision for inventories

 

43

 

39

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

95

 

90

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

1

 

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses1

 

399

 

256

 

Amortization of debt discount and debt financing costs

 

7

 

7

 

Stock-based compensation expense2

 

92

 

104

 

Excess tax benefits from stock awards

 

(67)

 

(39)

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(40)

 

(177)

 

Inventories

 

(54)

 

(2)

 

Software development and intellectual property licenses

 

(350)

 

(349)

 

Other assets

 

21

 

18

 

Deferred revenues

 

(27)

 

475

 

Accounts payable

 

(25)

 

(12)

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

233

 

90

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,192

 

1,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments

 

145

 

21

 

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

 

(145)

 

 

Acquisition of business

 

(46)

 

 

Cash in escrow

 

(3,561)

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(111)

 

(107)

 

Decrease in restricted cash

 

2

 

2

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,716)

 

(84)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees

 

106

 

175

 

Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock rights

 

(83)

 

(66)

 

Excess tax benefits from stock awards

 

67

 

39

 

Dividends paid

 

(170)

 

(147)

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(250)

 

(375)

 

Payment of debt financing costs

 

(7)

 

 

Proceeds received from shareholder settlement

 

202

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(135)

 

(374)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(366)

 

(396)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,025)

 

438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,848

 

4,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

1,823

 

  $

4,848

 

 

1 Excludes deferral and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.

2 Includes the net effects of capitalization, deferral, and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

4

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year over Year

 

Three Months Ended

 

Year over Year

 

 

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

% Increase

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

% Increase

 

 

 

2013

 

2014

 

2014

 

2014

 

2014

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

(Decrease)

 

 

Cash Flow Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Cash Flow

 

  $

880

 

  $

136

 

  $

106

 

  $

(145)

 

  $

1,195

 

36

%

 

  $

209

 

  $

135

 

  $

(181)

 

  $

1,029

 

(14

)%

 

Capital Expenditures

 

16

 

37

 

25

 

28

 

17

 

6

 

 

21

 

28

 

46

 

16

 

(6

)

 

Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow1

 

864

 

99

 

81

 

(173)

 

1,178

 

36

 

 

188

 

107

 

(227)

 

1,013

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Cash Flow - TTM2

 

1,264

 

1,075

 

1,072

 

977

 

1,292

 

2

 

 

1,365

 

1,394

 

1,358

 

1,192

 

(8

)

 

Capital Expenditures - TTM2

 

74

 

94

 

100

 

106

 

107

 

45

 

 

91

 

94

 

112

 

111

 

4

 

 

Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow - TTM2

 

  $

1,190

 

  $

981

 

  $

972

 

  $

871

 

  $

1,185

 

%

 

  $

1,274

 

  $

1,300

 

  $

1,246

 

  $

1,081

 

(9

)%

 

 

1 Non-GAAP free cash flow represents operating cash flow minus capital expenditures.

2 TTM represents trailing twelve months.  Operating Cash Flow for the three months ended December 31, 2013, three months ended September 30, 2013, three months ended June 30, 2013, and three months ended March 31, 2013 was $880 million, $(50) million, $109 million, and $325 million, respectively.  Capital Expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2013, three months ended September 30, 2013, three months ended June 30, 2013, and three months ended March 31, 2013 was $16 million, $22 million, $19 million, and $17 million, respectively.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

5

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 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

 

  $

1,353

 

  $

361

 

  $

63

 

  $

98

 

  $

16

 

  $

193

 

  $

289

 

  $

83

 

  $

1,103

 

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

 

765

 

133

 

 

74

 

4

 

 

 

 

211

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

(5

 )

 

(5

 )

(2

 )

(10

 )

(22

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

(7

 )

 

 

 

(7

 )

Less: Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

 )

(5

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

2,118

 

  $

494

 

  $

63

 

  $

167

 

  $

13

 

  $

188

 

  $

287

 

  $

68

 

  $

1,280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

250

 

  $

159

 

  $

0.22

 

  $

0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

554

 

438

 

0.59

 

0.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

22

 

15

 

0.02

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

7

 

5

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions4

 

5

 

  $

5

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

838

 

  $

622

 

  $

0.84

 

  $

0.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 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

 

  $

4,664

 

  $

921

 

  $

224

 

  $

412

 

  $

28

 

  $

646

 

  $

734

 

  $

380

 

  $

3,345

 

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

 

(43

 )

(32

 )

 

(55

 )

5

 

 

 

 

(82

 )

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

(15

 )

 

(25

 )

(9

 )

(43

 )

(92

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

(11

 )

 

 

 

(11

 )

Less: Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

 )

(5

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

4,621

 

  $

889

 

  $

224

 

  $

342

 

  $

22

 

  $

621

 

  $

725

 

  $

332

 

  $

3,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

  $

1,319

 

  $

892

 

  $

1.21

 

  $

1.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

39

 

19

 

0.02

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

92

 

65

 

0.09

 

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

11

 

8

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions4

 

5

 

5

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

  $

1,466

 

  $

989

 

  $

1.34

 

  $

1.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 related to acquisitions, including the acquisition of King Digital Entertainment, and the debt financings related thereto.

 

 

 

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 months and year ended December 31, 2015, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate non-GAAP earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $617 million and $977 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $622 million and $989 million, respectively, for the same periods. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 733 million, participating securities of approximately 6 million, and dilutive shares of 11 million during the three months ended December 31, 2015. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 728 million, participating securities of approximately 8 million, and dilutive shares of 11 million during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

 

 

Refer to note B in the earnings release for information about the reconciliation of constant FX non-GAAP measures.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

6

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 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

 

 

$

1,575

 

$

432

 

$

61

 

$

124

 

$

14

 

$

184

 

$

247

 

$

75

 

$

1,137

 

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

 

 

638

 

112

 

 

52

 

(1

 )

 

 

 

163

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

 

(5

 )

 

(5

 )

(2

 )

(17

 )

(29

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

 )

 

 

 

(8

 )

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

36

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

 

$

2,213

 

$

544

 

$

61

 

$

171

 

$

5

 

$

179

 

$

245

 

$

94

 

$

1,299

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

 

$

438

 

$

361

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

475

 

349

 

0.48

 

0.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

29

 

19

 

0.03

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

8

 

5

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

(36

 )

(36

 )

(0.05

 )

(0.05

 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

 

$

914

 

$

698

 

$

0.95

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 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

 

 

$

4,408

 

$

999

 

$

232

 

$

260

 

$

34

 

$

571

 

$

712

 

$

417

 

$

3,225

 

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

 

 

405

 

29

 

 

161

 

 

 

 

 

190

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

 

 

(1

 )

(17

 )

 

(22

 )

(8

 )

(56

 )

(104

 )

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12

 )

 

 

 

(12

 )

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13

 )

(13

 )

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

 

$

4,813

 

$

1,028

 

$

231

 

$

404

 

$

22

 

$

549

 

$

704

 

$

348

 

$

3,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
Income

 

Net Income

 

Basic Earnings
per Share

 

Diluted Earnings
per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP Measurement

 

 

$

1,183

 

$

835

 

$

1.14

 

$

1.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

215

 

136

 

0.19

 

0.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Stock-based compensation2

 

 

104

 

65

 

0.09

 

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Amortization of intangible assets3

 

 

12

 

8

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

13

 

13

 

0.02

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Measurement

 

 

$

1,527

 

$

1,057

 

$

1.44

 

$

1.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 months and year ended December 31, 2014, net income attributable to Activision Blizzard, Inc. common shareholders used to calculate non-GAAP earnings per common share, assuming dilution, was $686 million and $1,034 million, respectively, as compared to total net income of $698 million and $1,057 million, respectively, for the same periods. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 720 million, participating securities of approximately 12 million, and dilutive shares of 9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2014. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, we had, on a weighted-average basis, common shares outstanding of 716 million, participating securities of approximately 15 million, and dilutive shares of 10 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

7

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Total
1

 

Amount

 

% of
Total
1

 

$ Increase
(Decrease)

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

 $

462 

 

34%

 

 $

846 

 

54%

 

 $

(384)

 

(45)%

 

Digital online channels2

 

724 

 

54   

 

539 

 

34   

 

185 

 

34    

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

1,186 

 

88   

 

1,385 

 

88   

 

(199)

 

(14)   

 

Other3

 

167 

 

12   

 

190 

 

12   

 

(23)

 

(12)   

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

1,353 

 

100   

 

1,575 

 

100   

 

(222)

 

(14)   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

709 

 

 

 

492 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital online channels2

 

56 

 

 

 

146 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

765 

 

 

 

638 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

1,171 

 

55   

 

1,338 

 

60   

 

(167)

 

(12)   

 

Digital online channels2

 

780 

 

37   

 

685 

 

31   

 

95 

 

14    

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

1,951 

 

92   

 

2,023 

 

91   

 

(72)

 

(4)   

 

Other3

 

167 

 

8   

 

190 

 

9   

 

(23)

 

(12)   

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues5

 

 $

2,118 

 

100%

 

 $

2,213 

 

100%

 

 $

(95)

 

(4)%

 

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of
Total
1

 

Amount

 

% of
Total
1

 

$ Increase
(Decrease)

 

% Increase
(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

 $

1,806 

 

39%

 

 $

2,104 

 

48%

 

 $

(298)

 

(14)%

 

Digital online channels2

 

2,502 

 

54   

 

1,897 

 

43   

 

605 

 

32    

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

4,308 

 

92   

 

4,001 

 

91   

 

307 

 

8    

 

Other3

 

356 

 

8   

 

407 

 

9   

 

(51)

 

(13)   

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

4,664 

 

100   

 

4,408 

 

100   

 

256 

 

6    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

(169)

 

 

 

104 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital online channels2

 

126 

 

 

 

301 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

(43)

 

 

 

405 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Distribution Channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

1,637 

 

35   

 

2,208 

 

46   

 

(571)

 

(26)   

 

Digital online channels2

 

2,628 

 

57   

 

2,198 

 

46   

 

430 

 

20    

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

4,265 

 

92   

 

4,406 

 

92   

 

(141)

 

(3)   

 

Other3

 

356 

 

8   

 

407 

 

8   

 

(51)

 

(13)   

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues5

 

 $

4,621 

 

100%

 

 $

4,813 

 

100%

 

 $

(192)

 

(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

Net revenues from Other include revenues from our film and tv studio and media network businesses, along with revenues that were historically shown as “Distribution”.

4

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

5

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 Months Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

 $

164 

 

12%

 

 $

266 

 

17%

 

 $

(102)

 

(38)%

 

PC

 

221 

 

16   

 

104 

 

7   

 

117 

 

113    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

497 

 

37   

 

367 

 

23   

 

130 

 

35    

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

158 

 

12   

 

380 

 

24   

 

(222)

 

(58)   

 

Total console3

 

655 

 

48   

 

747 

 

47   

 

(92)

 

(12)   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and ancillary4

 

146 

 

11   

 

268 

 

17   

 

(122)

 

(46)   

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

1,186 

 

88   

 

1,385 

 

88   

 

(199)

 

(14)   

 

Other5

 

167 

 

12   

 

190 

 

12   

 

(23)

 

(12)   

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

1,353 

 

100   

 

1,575 

 

100   

 

(222)

 

(14)   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

27 

 

 

 

132 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

30 

 

 

 

23 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

616 

 

 

 

263 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

89 

 

 

 

219 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total console3

 

705 

 

 

 

482 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and ancillary4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

765 

 

 

 

638 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

191 

 

9   

 

398 

 

18   

 

(207)

 

(52)   

 

PC

 

251 

 

12   

 

127 

 

6   

 

124 

 

98    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

1,113 

 

53   

 

630 

 

28   

 

483 

 

77    

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

247 

 

12   

 

599 

 

27   

 

(352)

 

(59)   

 

Total console3

 

1,360 

 

64   

 

1,229 

 

56   

 

131 

 

11    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and ancillary4

 

149 

 

7   

 

269 

 

12   

 

(120)

 

(45)   

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

 

1,951 

 

92   

 

 

2,023 

 

91   

 

 

(72)

 

(4)   

 

Other5

 

167 

 

8   

 

190 

 

9   

 

(23)

 

(12)   

 

Total consolidated non-GAAP net revenues7

 

 $

2,118 

 

100%

 

 $

2,213 

 

100%

 

 $

(95)

 

(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 ancillary include revenues from handheld, mobile and tablet 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

Net revenues from Other include revenues from our film and tv studio and media network businesses, along with revenues that were historically shown as “Distribution”.

6

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

7

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

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

9

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

 $

851 

 

18%

 

 $

867 

 

20%

 

 $

(16)

 

(2)%

 

PC

 

648 

 

14   

 

551 

 

13   

 

97 

 

18    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

1,492 

 

32   

 

720 

 

16   

 

772 

 

107    

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

899 

 

19   

 

1,430 

 

32   

 

(531)

 

(37)   

 

Total console3

 

2,391 

 

51   

 

2,150 

 

49   

 

241 

 

11    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and ancillary4

 

418 

 

9   

 

433 

 

10   

 

(15)

 

(3)   

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

4,308 

 

92   

 

4,001 

 

91   

 

307 

 

8    

 

Other5

 

356 

 

8   

 

407 

 

9   

 

(51)

 

(13)   

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

4,664 

 

100   

 

4,408 

 

100   

 

256 

 

6    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

(138)

 

 

 

168 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

82 

 

 

 

41 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

252 

 

 

 

477 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

(274)

 

 

 

(295)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total console3

 

(22)

 

 

 

182 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and ancillary4

 

35 

 

 

 

14 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in deferred revenues

 

(43)

 

 

 

405 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision and Blizzard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online2

 

713 

 

15   

 

1,035 

 

22   

 

(322)

 

(31)   

 

PC

 

730 

 

16   

 

592 

 

12   

 

138 

 

23    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

1,744 

 

38   

 

1,197 

 

25   

 

547 

 

46    

 

Prior-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

 

625 

 

14   

 

1,135 

 

24   

 

(510)

 

(45)   

 

Total console3

 

2,369 

 

51   

 

2,332 

 

48   

 

37 

 

2    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile and ancillary4

 

453 

 

10   

 

447 

 

9   

 

 

1    

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

4,265 

 

92   

 

4,406 

 

92   

 

(141)

 

(3)    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other5

 

356 

 

8   

 

407 

 

8   

 

(51)

 

(13)    

 

Total consolidated non-GAAP net revenues7

 

 $

4,621 

 

100%

 

 $

4,813 

 

100%

 

 $

(192)

 

(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 ancillary include revenues from handheld, mobile and tablet 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

Net revenues from Other include revenues from our film and tv studio and media network businesses, along with revenues that were historically  shown as “Distribution”.

6

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

7

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

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

10

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 $

659 

 

49%

 

 $

806 

 

51%

 

 $

(147)

 

(18)%

 

Europe

 

522 

 

39   

 

653 

 

41   

 

(131)

 

(20)   

 

Asia Pacific

 

172 

 

13   

 

116 

 

7   

 

56 

 

48    

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

1,353 

 

100   

 

1,575 

 

100   

 

(222)

 

(14)   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

447 

 

 

 

342 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

277 

 

 

 

254 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific

 

41 

 

 

 

42 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in net revenues

 

765 

 

 

 

638 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

1,106 

 

52   

 

1,148 

 

52   

 

(42)

 

(4)   

 

Europe

 

799 

 

38   

 

907 

 

41   

 

(108)

 

(12)   

 

Asia Pacific

 

213 

 

10   

 

158 

 

7   

 

55 

 

35    

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues3

 

 $

2,118 

 

100%

 

 $

2,213 

 

100%

 

 $

(95)

 

(4)%

 

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 $

2,409 

 

52%

 

 $

2,190 

 

50%

 

 $

219 

 

10% 

 

Europe

 

1,741 

 

37   

 

1,824 

 

41   

 

(83)

 

(5)   

 

Asia Pacific

 

514 

 

11   

 

394 

 

9   

 

120 

 

30    

 

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

4,664 

 

100   

 

4,408 

 

100   

 

256 

 

6    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Deferred Revenues2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

(55)

 

 

 

206 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

(20)

 

 

 

153 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific

 

32 

 

 

 

46 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in net revenues

 

(43)

 

 

 

405 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

2,354 

 

51   

 

2,396 

 

50   

 

(42)

 

(2)   

 

Europe

 

1,721 

 

37   

 

1,977 

 

41   

 

(256)

 

(13)   

 

Asia Pacific

 

546 

 

12   

 

440 

 

9   

 

106 

 

24    

 

Total non-GAAP net revenues3

 

 $

4,621 

 

100%

 

 $

4,813 

 

100%

 

 $

(192)

 

(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

11

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

For the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

Segment net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

1,492

 

 

70

%

 

 $

1,492

 

 

67

%

 

 $

 

 

%

Blizzard3

 

459

 

 

22

 

 

531

 

 

24

 

 

(72

)

 

(14

)

Activision and Blizzard total

 

1,951

 

 

92

 

 

2,023

 

 

91

 

 

(72

)

 

(4

)

Other4

 

167

 

 

8

 

 

190

 

 

9

 

 

(23

)

 

(12

)

Segments total

 

2,118

 

 

100

%

 

2,213

 

 

100

%

 

(95

)

 

(4

)

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues

 

(765

)

 

 

 

 

(638

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

1,353

 

 

 

 

 

 $

1,575

 

 

 

 

 

(222

)

 

(14

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

626

 

 

 

 

 

 $

696

 

 

 

 

 

 $

(70

)

 

(10

)%

Blizzard3

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

 

 

(31

)

 

(15

)

Activision and Blizzard total

 

803

 

 

 

 

 

904

 

 

 

 

 

(101

)

 

(11

)

 

Other4

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

NM

 

Segments total

 

838

 

 

 

 

 

914

 

 

 

 

 

(76

)

 

(8

)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

(554

)

 

 

 

 

(475

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(22

)

 

 

 

 

(29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

 

250

 

 

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

 

 

(188

)

 

(43

)

Interest and other expense, net

 

49

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 $

201

 

 

 

 

 

 $

388

 

 

 

 

 

(187

)

 

(48

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin from total operating segments

 

39.6

%

 

 

 

 

41.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

Amount

 

% of Total1

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

Segment net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

2,700

 

 

58

%

 

 $

2,686

 

 

56

%

 

 $

14

 

 

1

%

Blizzard3

 

1,565

 

 

34

 

 

1,720

 

 

36

 

 

(155

)

 

(9

)

Activision and Blizzard total

 

4,265

 

 

92

 

 

4,406

 

 

92

 

 

(141

)

 

(3

)

Other4

 

356

 

 

8

 

 

407

 

 

8

 

 

(51

)

 

(13

)

Segments total

 

4,621

 

 

100

%

 

4,813

 

 

100

%

 

(192

)

 

(4

)

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

(405

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

4,664

 

 

 

 

 

 $

4,408

 

 

 

 

 

256

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision2

 

 $

868

 

 

 

 

 

 $

762

 

 

 

 

 

 $

106

 

 

14

%

Blizzard3

 

561

 

 

 

 

 

756

 

 

 

 

 

(195

)

 

(26

)

 

Activision and Blizzard total

 

1,429

 

 

 

 

 

1,518

 

 

 

 

 

(89

)

 

(6

)

 

Other4

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

NM

 

Operating segment total

 

1,466

 

 

 

 

 

1,527

 

 

 

 

 

(61

)

 

(4

)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

(39

)

 

 

 

 

(215

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(92

)

 

 

 

 

(104

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(11

)

 

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions and the Purchase Transaction and related debt Financings5

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

 

1,319

 

 

 

 

 

1,183

 

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

11

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

198

 

 

 

 

 

202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 $

1,121

 

 

 

 

 

 $

981

 

 

 

 

 

140

 

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin from total operating segments

 

31.7

%

 

 

 

 

31.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                     Other includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our distribution, film and tv studio, and media network businesses, as well as other unallocated corporate income and expenses.

5                     Reflects fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and acquisitions, including the acquisition of King Digital Entertainment, and the debt financings related thereto.

 

Refer to note B in the earnings release for information about the reconciliation of constant FX non-GAAP measures.

 



 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

12

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

 

For the Trailing Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trailing Twelve
Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2015

 

 

June 30,
2015

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

 

December 31,
 2015

 

 

December 31,
 2015

 

GAAP Net Income

 

 $

394

 

 

 $

212

 

 

 $

127

 

 

 $

159

 

 

 $

892

 

Interest Expense, net

 

50

 

 

50

 

 

51

 

 

50

 

 

200

 

Provision for income taxes

 

98

 

 

70

 

 

18

 

 

42

 

 

229

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20

 

 

21

 

 

25

 

 

30

 

 

95

 

EBITDA

 

562

 

 

353

 

 

221

 

 

281

 

 

1,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales1

 

(362

)

 

(181

)

 

26

 

 

554

 

 

39

 

Stock-based compensation expense2

 

23

 

 

21

 

 

28

 

 

22

 

 

92

 

Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 $

223

 

 

 $

193

 

 

 $

275

 

 

 $

862

 

 

 $

1,552

 

 

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 related to acquisitions, including the acquisition of King Digital Entertainment, and the debt financings related thereto.

 

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

13

 

 

 

Outlook for the Three Months Ending March 31, 2016 and Year Ending December 31, 2016

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

Outlook for the

 

Outlook for the

 

 

Three Months Ending

 

Year Ending

 

 

March 31, 2016

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues (GAAP)

 

 $

1,260

 

 

 $

6,100

 

Excluding the impact of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in deferred revenues1

 

(460

)

 

150

 

Net Revenues (Non-GAAP)

 

 $

800

 

 

 $

6,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (GAAP)

 

 $

265

 

 

 $

705

 

Excluding the impact of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales2

 

 

(300

)

 

 

176

 

Stock-based compensation3

 

 

40

 

 

 

197

 

Amortization of intangible assets4

 

 

110

 

 

 

892

 

Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions5

 

 

45

 

 

 

50

 

Operating Income (Non-GAAP)

 

 $

160

 

 

 $

2,020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Diluted Share (GAAP)

 

 $

0.21

 

 

 $

0.45

 

Excluding the impact of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales2

 

(0.30

)

 

0.15

 

Stock-based compensation3

 

0.04

 

 

0.18

 

Amortization of intangible assets4

 

0.11

 

 

0.91

 

Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions5

 

0.05

 

 

0.07

 

Earnings Per Diluted Share (Non-GAAP)

 

 $

0.11

 

 

 $

1.75

 

 

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, including the acquisition of King Digital Entertainment.

5                    Reflects fees and other expenses related to acquisitions, including the acquisition of King Digital Entertainment, and the debt financings related thereto.

 

Outlook includes King Digital Entertainment based on an assumed transaction close later this month. The outlook includes certain estimates and assumptions associated with the King transaction based on the data currently available to us considering the transaction has not closed. Additionally, our GAAP outlook includes estimates and assumptions that may be materially different from those at the transaction close, including our stock price at and around the transaction close date, market inputs and assumptions in our stock option expenses, allocation of the purchase consideration to the acquired assets, and related tax impact from the transaction, among others.

 

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.