The Walt Disney Company Reports Third Quarter Earnings

BURBANK, Calif. – The Walt Disney Company today reported earnings for its third fiscal quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2012. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter increased 31% to $1.01 from $0.77 in the prior-year quarter. Diluted EPS for the nine-months ended June 30, 2012 was $2.44 compared to $1.93 in the prior-year period.

“We had a phenomenal third quarter, delivering the largest quarterly earnings in the history of our company,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Earnings per share were up 31% over last year, driven by growth in every one of our businesses. We also delivered record earnings per share for the first nine months of our fiscal year, and we believe our results clearly demonstrate Disney’s unique value proposition and great potential to deliver long-term growth.”

The following table summarizes the third quarter and nine-month results for fiscal 2012 and 2011 (in millions, except per share amounts):

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change
Revenues $ 11,088 $ 10,675 4 % $ 31,496 $ 30,468 3 %
Segment operating income(1) $ 3,236 $ 2,731 18 % $ 7,625 $ 6,712 14 %
Net income (2) $ 1,831 $ 1,476 24 % $ 4,438 $ 3,720 19 %
Diluted EPS (2) $ 1.01 $ 0.77 31 % $ 2.44 $ 1.93 26 %
Cash provided by operations $ 2,885 $ 1,822 58 % $ 6,431 $ 4,890 32 %
Free cash flow (1) $ 2,145 $ 1,106 94 % $ 3,580 $ 2,329 54 %
(1)

Aggregate segment operating income and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures below.

(2)

Reflects amounts attributable to shareholders of The Walt Disney Company, i.e. after deduction of noncontrolling (minority) interests.

EPS for the current quarter includes restructuring and impairment charges totaling $7 million, which had no
net impact on EPS, while the prior-year quarter included restructuring and impairment charges totaling $34 million, which had a negative impact of $0.01 on EPS. Excluding these charges, EPS for the quarter increased 29% to $1.01 from $0.78 in the
prior-year quarter.


EPS for the current nine-month period included a $184 million non-cash gain recorded in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in UTV Software Communication Limited (UTV) and $51 million of restructuring and impairment charges. On an after-tax basis, these items benefitted EPS by $0.05. The UTV gain was recorded in “Other Income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

EPS for the prior-year nine months included $75 million of gains from the sales of Miramax and BASS and $46 million of restructuring and impairment charges. On an after-tax basis, these items had a negative impact on EPS of $0.02. Excluding these and the current-year items discussed in the prior paragraph, EPS for the nine-month period increased 23% to $2.39 from $1.95 in the prior-year period.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The following table summarizes the third quarter and nine-month segment operating results for fiscal 2012 and 2011 (in millions):

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change
Revenues:

 

Media Networks

  $5,084   $4,949    3%  $14,555   $13,916    5%

Parks and Resorts

   3,441    3,170    9%   9,495    8,668    10%

Studio Entertainment

   1,625    1,620    —  %   4,423    4,892    (10)%

Consumer Products

   742    685    8%   2,369    2,233    6%

Interactive

   196    251    (22)%   654    759    (14)%

 

 

 

$11,088   $10,675    4%  $31,496   $30,468    3%

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss):

Media Networks

  $2,126   $2,094    2%  $5,048   $4,684    8%

Parks and Resorts

   630    519    21%   1,405    1,132    24%

Studio Entertainment

   313    49    >100%   642    501    28%

Consumer Products

   209    155    35%   670    609    10%

Interactive

   (42)   (86)   51%   (140)   (214)   35%

 

 

 

$3,236   $2,731    18%  $7,625   $6,712    14%

 

 

 

 


Media Networks

Media Networks revenues for the quarter increased 3% to $5.1 billion and segment operating income increased 2% to $2.1 billion. The following table provides further detail of the Media Networks results
(in millions):

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change
Revenues:

 

Cable Networks

  $3,610    $3,516     3%  $10,086    $9,410     7%

Broadcasting

   1,474     1,433     3%   4,469     4,506     (1)%

 

 

 

$5,084    $4,949     3%  $14,555    $13,916     5%

 

 

 

Segment operating income:

Cable Networks

  $1,858    $1,844     1%  $4,325    $3,972     9%

Broadcasting

   268     250     7%   723     712     2%

 

 

 

$2,126    $2,094     2%  $5,048    $4,684     8%

 

 

 

 

Cable Networks

Operating income at Cable Networks increased $14 million to $1.9 billion for the quarter due to growth at the domestic Disney Channels and ABC Family, partially offset by a decrease at ESPN. Higher
operating income at the domestic Disney Channels was due to increased affiliate revenue from contractual rate increases, while the increase at ABC Family reflected lower marketing and sales costs due to fewer series premieres. The decrease at ESPN
was driven by lower recognition of deferred affiliate fees related to annual programming commitments. However, the benefits of contractual rate increases and subscriber growth on affiliate fees along with higher advertising revenue more than offset
increased programming and production costs at ESPN. Advertising revenue growth at ESPN was driven by higher rates, increased units sold and improved ratings, including the benefit of a shift in the timing of NBA games due to the NBA lockout. The
decrease in deferred affiliate fee recognition was due to a change in contractual provisions related to annual programming commitments in an affiliate contract, which shifted the recognition of $139 million of affiliate revenue to the first and
second quarter of the current year as compared to the third quarter of the prior year. Higher programming and production costs were due to the shift in the timing of NBA games and higher contractual rates for NBA and Major League Baseball
programming.

Broadcasting

Operating income at Broadcasting increased $18 million to $268 million due to higher affiliate and royalty revenue and lower programming and production costs, partially offset by lower Network advertising
revenues. Advertising revenues at the Network decreased modestly as lower ratings were partially offset by higher rates.


Parks and Resorts

Parks and Resorts revenues for the quarter increased 9% to $3.4 billion and segment operating income increased 21% to $630 million. Results for the quarter were driven by increases at Tokyo Disney Resort,
Disney Cruise Line and the domestic parks and resorts.

The increase at Tokyo Disney Resort reflected the loss of income from
the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which resulted in a temporary suspension of operations and a reduction in volume after reopening in the prior-year quarter, and the collection of related business interruption insurance proceeds in the
current-year quarter.

Operating income growth at Disney Cruise Line was due to the first full quarter of operations of the
Disney Fantasy.

Higher operating income at the domestic parks and resorts was primarily due to increased guest
spending at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort and attendance growth at Disneyland Resort, partially offset by higher costs. Increased guest spending reflected higher average ticket prices, food, beverage and merchandise spending,
and daily hotel room rates. Higher costs were driven by labor cost inflation, resort expansion and new guest offerings, and increased investments in systems infrastructure at Walt Disney World Resort.

Studio Entertainment

Studio Entertainment revenues were essentially flat at $1.6 billion and segment operating income increased $264 million to $313 million. Higher operating income was primarily due to increases in worldwide
theatrical results and worldwide television distribution, partially offset by a decrease in worldwide home entertainment.

Higher worldwide theatrical results reflected the performance of the current quarter releases including Marvel’s The Avengers
and Brave compared to Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Cars 2 in the prior-year quarter. The increase in worldwide television was driven by higher sales in international markets due to stronger performing
titles available in the current quarter.

The decrease in worldwide home entertainment was primarily due to a decline
in unit sales in the current quarter. Significant current quarter titles included John Carter and The Muppets while the prior-year quarter included Tron: Legacy, Tangled and Gnomeo & Juliet.

Consumer Products

Consumer Products revenues increased 8% to $742 million and segment operating income increased 35% to $209 million. Higher operating
income was primarily due to increases at Merchandise Licensing and at our retail business.

The increase at Merchandise
Licensing was driven by lower revenue share with the Studio Entertainment segment and higher licensing revenue in Japan as a result of the impact of the earthquake and tsunami in the prior year. Lower revenue share with Studio Entertainment in the
current-year quarter reflected a higher mix of revenues from properties subject to the revenue share in the prior-year quarter driven by sales of Cars merchandise.


At our retail business, higher operating income was driven by new stores in North America
and Europe and higher online sales.

Interactive

Interactive revenue for the quarter decreased 22% to $196 million and segment operating results improved from a loss of $86 million in the prior-year quarter to a loss of $42 million in the current
quarter. Operating results were driven by improved performance from our games and online businesses.

Improved results from
our games business were driven by an increase at social games due to lower acquisition accounting impacts, which had an adverse impact on the prior-year quarter, and improved title performance in the current quarter. Console game results for the
current quarter were comparable to the prior-year quarter as lower sales volume was offset by minimum guarantee recognition and lower marketing and product development costs. Lower sales volume reflected fewer significant titles in release in the
current year and the strong prior year performance of Cars 2 and Lego Pirates of the Caribbean compared to Brave in the current quarter. Lower product development costs reflected our ongoing shift from console games to social
and other interactive platforms.

Online results reflected higher cost allocations to other company businesses related to
website design and maintenance.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense was as follows (in
millions):

Quarter Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Interest expense

  $(115)  $(113) Interest and investment income

   22    25

 

 

Net interest expense  $(93)  $(88)

 

 

Interest expense for the quarter was essentially flat as the impact of higher average debt balances was
largely offset by lower effective interest rates.


Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the current quarter decreased to 32.8% compared to 33.7% in the prior-year quarter primarily due to an increase in earnings from foreign operations subject to tax at
rates lower than the federal statutory income tax rate.

Cash Flow

Cash provided by operations and free cash flow were as follows (in millions):

Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change
Cash provided by operations

$6,431   $4,890   $1,541

Investments in parks, resorts and other property   (2,851)   (2,561)   (290)

 

 

Free cash flow (1)  $3,580   $2,329   $1,251

 

 

 

(1)

Free cash flow is not a financial measure defined by GAAP. See the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures that follows below.

Cash provided by operations increased 32% to $6.4 billion for the current nine month period compared to
$4.9 billion in the prior-year nine month period. The increase was due to higher segment operating results, the timing of receivable collections, and lower pension contributions, partially offset by higher income tax payments.


Capital Expenditures and Depreciation Expense

Investments in parks, resorts and other property were as follows (in millions):

Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Media Networks

 

Cable Networks

  $88    $79

Broadcasting

   42     86

 

 

Total Media Networks

   130     165

 

Parks and Resorts

Domestic

   1,840     1,799

International

   459     270

 

 

Total Parks and Resorts

   2,299     2,069

 

Studio Entertainment   49     86  Consumer Products   46     63  Interactive   16     16  Corporate   311     162

 

Total investments in parks, resorts and other property  $2,851    $2,561

 

 

Capital expenditures increased from $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion driven by an increase at Parks and
Resorts due to resort expansion and new guest offerings at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris and construction costs at Shanghai Disney Resort, and an increase at Corporate driven by investments in facilities and information technology
infrastructure.

Depreciation expense was as follows (in millions):

Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Media Networks

Cable Networks

$ 107 $ 99

Broadcasting

74 76

Total Media Networks

181 175

Parks and Resorts

Domestic

689 628

International

234 241

Total Parks and Resorts

923 869

Studio Entertainment 42 42
Consumer Products 41 36
Interactive 12 12
Corporate 141 111

Total depreciation expense $ 1,340 $ 1,245


Borrowings

Total borrowings and net borrowings are detailed below (in millions):

June 30,
2012
October 1,
2011
Change
Current portion of borrowings

$2,569   $3,055   $(486)

Long-term borrowings   12,454    10,922    1,532

 

 

Total borrowings   15,023    13,977    1,046  Less: cash and cash equivalents   (4,374)   (3,185)   (1,189)

 

 

Net borrowings (1)  $10,649   $10,792   $(143)

 

 

 

(1)

Net borrowings is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures that follows.

The total borrowings shown above include $1,956 million and $2,311 million attributable to our consolidated international theme parks as
of June 30, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents attributable to our consolidated international theme parks totaled $532 million and $778 million as of June 30, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents earnings per share excluding the impact of certain items, net borrowings, free cash flow, and aggregate segment operating income, all of which are important financial
measures for the Company but are not financial measures defined by GAAP.

These measures should be reviewed in conjunction
with the relevant GAAP financial measures and are not presented as alternative measures of earnings per share, borrowings, cash flow or net income as determined in accordance with GAAP. Net borrowings, free cash flow, and aggregate segment operating
income as we have calculated them may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Earnings per share
excluding certain items
– The Company uses earnings per share excluding certain items to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operations exclusive of certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period.
The Company believes that information about earnings per share exclusive of these impacts is useful to investors, particularly where the impact of the excluded items is significant in relation to reported earnings, because the measure allows for
comparability between periods of the operating performance of the Company’s business and allows investors to evaluate the impact of these items separately from the impact of the operations of the business.


The following table reconciles reported earnings per share to earnings per share excluding
certain items:

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Change
Diluted EPS as reported

$1.01    $0.77     31%  $2.44   $1.93     26%

Exclude:

Restructuring and impairment charges (1)

   —       0.01     nm    0.02    —       nm

Other income (2)

   —       —           (0.06)   0.02     nm

 

 

 

Diluted EPS excluding certain items (3)  $1.01    $0.78     29%  $2.39   $1.95     23%

 

 

 

 

(1)

Restructuring and impairment charges for the current quarter and nine months were $7 million and $51 million, respectively, primarily for severance and
other related costs. Restructuring and impairment charges for the prior-year quarter and nine months were $34 million and $46 million, respectively, primarily for severance and facilities costs. The nine months also included an impairment charge
related to the sale of assets. The impairment charge included assets that had tax basis significantly in excess of the book value and resulted in a $44 million tax benefit on the restructuring and impairment charges.

(2)

Other income for the current nine-months consists of the UTV Gain ($184 million). Other income for the prior-year nine months consists of gains on the
sales of Miramax and BASS ($75 million). The tax effect on these gains exceeded the pretax benefit and resulted in a $32 million after tax loss.

(3)

Diluted EPS excluding certain items may not equal the sum of the column due to rounding.

Net borrowings – The Company believes that information about net borrowings provides investors with a useful perspective on our financial
condition. Net borrowings reflect the subtraction of cash and cash equivalents from total borrowings. Since we earn interest income on our cash balances that offsets a portion of the interest expense we pay on our borrowings, net borrowings can be
used as a measure to gauge net interest expense. In addition, a portion of our cash and cash equivalents is available to repay outstanding indebtedness when the indebtedness matures or when other circumstances arise. However, we may not immediately
apply cash and cash equivalents to the reduction of debt, nor do we expect that we would use all of our available cash and cash equivalents to repay debt in the ordinary course of business.

Free cash flow – The Company uses free cash flow (cash provided by operations less investments in parks, resorts and other property), among other measures, to evaluate the ability of its
operations to generate cash that is available for purposes other than capital expenditures. Management believes that information about free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to service debt, make
strategic acquisitions and investments and pay dividends or repurchase shares.

Aggregate segment operating income – The Company
evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on segment operating income, and management uses aggregate segment operating income as a measure of the performance of operating businesses separate from non-operating factors. The Company
believes that information about aggregate segment operating income assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net
income, thus providing separate insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results.


A reconciliation of segment operating income to net income is as follows (in millions):

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Segment operating income

$3,236   $2,731   $7,625   $6,712

Corporate and unallocated shared expenses   (107)   (101)   (334)   (335) Restructuring and impairment charges   (7)   (34)   (51)   (46) Other income   —      —      184    75  Net interest expense   (93)   (88)   (278)   (266)

 

 

 

Income before income taxes   3,029    2,508    7,146    6,140  Income taxes   (993)   (845)   (2,363)   (2,133)

 

 

 

Net income  $2,036   $1,663   $4,783   $4,007

 

 

 

 

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

In conjunction with this release, The Walt Disney Company will host a conference call today, August 7, 2012, at 5:00 PM EDT/2:00 PM PDT via a live Webcast. To access the Webcast go to
www.disney.com/investors. The discussion will be available via replay through August 14, 2012 at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Management believes certain statements in this earnings release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does
not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments or asset acquisitions or dispositions), as well as from developments beyond the
Company’s control, including:

  • changes in domestic and global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences
  • adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
  • health concerns;
  • international, political, or military developments; and
  • technological developments.

Such developments may affect travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect:

  • the performance of the Company’s theatrical and home entertainment releases;
  • the advertising market for broadcast and cable television programming;
  • expenses of providing medical and pension benefits;
  • demand for our products; and
  • performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
October 1, 2011 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and subsequent reports.


The Walt Disney Company

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited; in millions, except per share data)

Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
Revenues

  $11,088   $10,675   $31,496   $30,468       Costs and expenses

   (8,128)   (8,229)   (24,657)   (24,554)

Restructuring and impairment charges   (7)   (34)   (51)   (46)      Other income   —      —      184    75       Net interest expense   (93)   (88)   (278)   (266)      Equity in the income of investees   169    184    452    463

 

 

 

Income before income taxes   3,029    2,508    7,146    6,140       Income taxes   (993)   (845)   (2,363)   (2,133)

 

 

 

Net income   2,036    1,663    4,783    4,007       Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (205)   (187)   (345)   (287)

 

 

 

Net income attributable to The Walt Disney Company (Disney)  $1,831   $1,476   $4,438   $3,720

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Disney:

Diluted

  $1.01   $0.77   $2.44   $1.93

 

 

 

 

Basic

  $1.02   $0.78   $2.47   $1.97

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:

Diluted

   1,812    1,912    1,818    1,924

 

 

 

 

Basic

   1,791    1,883    1,794    1,891

 

 

 

 


The Walt Disney Company

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited; in millions, except per share data)

June 30,
2012
October 1,
2011
ASSETS

 

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

  $4,374   $3,185

Receivables

   5,951    6,182

Inventories

   1,485    1,595

Television costs

   721    674

Deferred income taxes

   1,482    1,487

Other current assets

   741    634

 

 

Total current assets

   14,754    13,757     Film and television costs   4,396    4,357  Investments   2,397    2,435  Parks, resorts and other property, at cost

Attractions, buildings and equipment

   37,624    35,515

Accumulated depreciation

   (20,254)   (19,572)

 

17,370    15,943

Projects in progress

   2,413    2,625

Land

   1,161    1,127

 

 

Total parks, resorts and other property, at cost

   20,944    19,695     Intangible assets, net   5,069    5,121  Goodwill   25,044    24,145  Other assets   2,687    2,614

 

$75,291   $72,124

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY         Current liabilities

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

  $5,516   $6,362

Current portion of borrowings

   2,569    3,055

Unearned royalties and other advances

   3,032    2,671

 

 

Total current liabilities

   11,117    12,088     Borrowings   12,454    10,922  Deferred income taxes   3,150    2,866  Other long-term liabilities   6,497    6,795  Commitments and contingencies         Disney Shareholders’ equity

Preferred stock, $.01 par value

 

Authorized – 100 million shares, Issued – none

   —      —

Common stock, $.01 par value

 

Authorized – 4.6 billion shares, Issued – 2.8 billion shares

   31,427    30,296

Retained earnings

   41,720    38,375

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (2,443)   (2,630)

 

70,704    66,041

Treasury stock, at cost, 991.1 million shares at June 30, 2012 and 937.8 million shares at October 1,
2011

   (30,698)   (28,656)

 

 

Total Disney Shareholders’ equity

   40,006    37,385  Noncontrolling interests   2,067    2,068

 

 

Total equity

   42,073    39,453

 

$75,291   $72,124

 

 


The Walt Disney Company

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited; in millions)

Nine Months Ended
June 30,
2012
July 2,
2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Net income

  $4,783   $4,007

Depreciation and amortization

   1,495    1,379

Gains on dispositions

   (184)   (75)

Deferred income taxes

   153    207

Equity in the income of investees

   (452)   (463)

Cash distributions received from equity investees

   501    463

Net change in film and television costs

   (185)   216

Equity-based compensation

   311    310

Other

   200    14

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

Receivables

   236    (532)

Inventories

   76    (105)

Other assets

   (77)   59

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

   (462)   (839)

Income taxes

   36    249

 

 

Cash provided by operations

   6,431    4,890

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Investments in parks, resorts and other property

   (2,851)   (2,561)

Proceeds from dispositions

   15    564

Acquisitions

   (737)   (172)

Other

   103    2

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

   (3,470)   (2,167)

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Commercial paper borrowings, net

   (558)   620

Borrowings

   3,251    500

Reduction of borrowings

   (1,672)   (308)

Dividends

   (1,076)   (756)

Repurchases of common stock

   (2,042)   (3,029)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   844    1,101

Other

   (427)   (160)

 

 

Cash used in financing activities

   (1,680)   (2,032)

 

Impact of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents   (92)   106

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents   1,189    797  Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   3,185    2,722

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $4,374   $3,519