· Total revenue for the full year grew 12.0% or 9.2% in constant currency
· Digital revenue for the full year grew 20.4% or 18.5% in constant currency
· Net income for the full year was $312 million versus $149 million in the prior year
· OIBDA for the full year was $478 million versus $473 million in the prior year
· Total revenue for the quarter grew 13.3% or 14.8% in constant currency
· Digital revenue for the quarter grew 21.4% or 23.1% in constant currency
· Net loss for the quarter was $13 million versus $38 million in the prior-year quarter
· OIBDA for the quarter was $72 million versus $60 million in the prior-year quarter
Warner Music Group Corp. today announced its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results for the period ended September 30, 2018.
“We’ve had another terrific year and revenue exceeded $4 billion for the first time in our fifteen-year history as a standalone company,” said Steve Cooper, Warner Music Group’s CEO. “We continue to invest in our business for the benefit of our recording artists and songwriters and to fuel our long-term growth.”
“The fact that we ended the year with over $500 million in cash, despite significant spend on A&R, marketing, M&A and dividends, is evidence of the underlying strength of our business,” added Eric Levin, Warner Music Group’s Executive Vice President and CFO. “We’re on a great run and I’m looking forward to many more years of success.”
Fourth-Quarter Results
Revenue grew 13.3% (or 14.8% in constant currency). Growth in Recorded Music digital, licensing and artist services and expanded-rights revenue and growth in Music Publishing digital, performance, synchronization and mechanical revenue were partially offset by a decline in Recorded Music physical revenue. Revenue grew in all regions. Digital revenue grew 21.4% (or 23.1% in constant currency), and represented 57.4% of total revenue, compared to 53.5% in the prior-year quarter.
Operating income was $16 million compared to an operating loss of $1 million in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA was $72 million, up 20.0% from $60 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin increased 0.4 percentage points to 6.9% from 6.5% in the prior-year quarter. The increase in operating income, OIBDA and OIBDA margin was the result of revenue growth and lower variable compensation expense, which were partially offset by increased investment in A&R and marketing. OIBDA includes an $11 million benefit from a digital performance underpayment settlement for sound recordings offset by a $4 million true-up of a prior-quarter advance recovery estimate and a $7 million increase in the management fee to Access as a result of higher covenant EBITDA. Adjusted OIBDA rose 61.0% to $95 million and Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 2.7 percentage points to 9.1% from 6.4% due to the same factors which impacted operating income, OIBDA and OIBDA margin.
Net loss was $13 million compared to a net loss of $38 million in the prior-year quarter and Adjusted net income was $10 million compared to an Adjusted net loss of $39 million in the prior-year quarter. The improvement was due to higher operating income, higher other income associated with prior-year-quarter losses on the Company’s Euro-denominated debt due to changes in exchange rates and a prior-year-quarter non-cash loss on investments.
Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) exclude certain costs related to the relocation of the Company’s U.S. shared service center to Nashville and the Company’s Los Angeles office consolidation and restructuring in the quarter, and certain costs related to the Nashville relocation, Los Angeles office consolidation, restructuring and PLG-related asset sales in the prior-year quarter. See below for calculations and reconciliations of OIBDA, Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss).
As of September 30, 2018, the Company reported a cash balance of $514 million, total debt of $2.819 billion and net debt (total long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs, minus cash) of $2.305 billion.
Cash provided by operating activities was $160 million compared to $226 million in the prior-year quarter. The change was largely a result of timing for deferred revenue and higher royalties payable. Free Cash Flow, defined below, was $114 million compared to $106 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting lower net cash paid for investments and acquisitions, which was partially offset by higher capital expenditures related to the Los Angeles office consolidation.
Full-Year Results
Total revenue increased 12.0% (or 9.2% in constant currency). Growth in Recorded Music digital, licensing and artist services and expanded-rights revenue and growth in Music Publishing digital, performance, synchronization and mechanical revenue were partially offset by a decline in Recorded Music physical revenue. Domestic revenue rose 10.5% and international revenue rose 12.7% (or 7.8% in constant currency). Prior to intersegment eliminations, domestic and international revenue represented 43.7% and 56.3% of total revenue, respectively, compared to 44.2% and 55.8% of total revenue, respectively, in the prior year. Revenue grew in all regions. Digital revenue grew 20.4% (or 18.5% in constant currency), and represented 56.2% of total revenue, compared to 52.3% in the prior year.
Operating income was $217 million down from $222 million in the prior year and operating margin was 5.4% down from 6.2% in the prior year, driven by higher revenue which was more than offset by increased investment in A&R and marketing as well as higher SG&A expenses including for variable compensation, restructuring and facilities expenses related to the Los Angeles office consolidation. Adjusted operating margin rose 0.7 percentage points to 7.3% from 6.6% in the prior year. OIBDA was $478 million, up 1.1% from $473 million in the prior year and OIBDA margin declined 1.3 percentage points to 11.9% from 13.2% in the prior year due to the same factors that impacted operating income and operating margin. OIBDA includes an $11 million benefit from a digital performance underpayment settlement for sound recordings and a $12 million advance recovery, which were partially offset by a $7 million increase in the management fee to Access as a result of higher covenant EBITDA. Adjusted OIBDA increased 14.0% to $554 million and Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 0.2 percentage points to 13.8% from 13.6% in the prior year due to revenue growth.
Net income was $312 million compared to $149 million in the prior year. Adjusted net income was $388 million compared to $162 million in the prior year, reflecting higher other income related to the net gain on the Spotify share sale, a prior-year loss on revaluation of the Company’s Euro-denominated debt due to changes in exchange rates, a prior-year non-cash loss on investments, lower interest expense in the fiscal year, higher income tax expense related to the impact of tax reform on deferred tax assets in the fiscal year, the prior-year benefit from the reversal of a U.S. deferred tax valuation allowance and the prior-year tax benefit of currency losses on inter-company loans. Net debt (total long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs, minus cash) at the end of the fiscal year was $2.305 billion versus $2.164 billion at the end of the prior year, mainly due to the difference in year-end cash balances.
Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income exclude the impact of certain costs related to the relocation of the Company’s U.S. shared service center to Nashville, the Company’s Los Angeles office consolidation and restructuring and other one-time compensation payments in the fiscal year, and certain costs related to restructuring, the Nashville relocation, and PLG-related asset sales in the prior year. See below for calculations and reconciliations of Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income.
Cash provided by operating activities was $425 million compared to $535 million in the prior year due to improved operating performance offset by higher working capital use associated with timing of royalty payables. Free Cash Flow was $830 million, compared to $409 million in the prior year, predominantly due to proceeds from the sale of equity investments, and lower cash paid for acquisitions, which more than offset higher capital expenditures associated with the Los Angeles office consolidation. Proceeds from the sale of investments were $516 million up from $73 million in the prior year. Cash paid for investments and acquisitions was $23 million compared with $139 million in the prior year. Capital expenditures were $74 million for the fiscal year as compared to $44 million in the prior year.
Fourth-Quarter Results
Recorded Music revenue grew 12.5% (or 13.9% in constant currency). Growth in digital, licensing and artist services and expanded-rights revenue was partially offset by a decline in physical revenue. Digital growth reflects a continuing shift to streaming. Licensing revenue growth was due to increased synchronization activity, timing-related higher broadcast fee income and the impact of acquisitions. The increase in artist services and expanded-rights revenue was largely attributable to higher touring and merchandise revenue, partially offset by the impact of concert promotion divestitures. Recorded Music revenue grew in all regions. Major sellers included Ed Sheeran, TWICE, The Greatest Showman soundtrack, Cardi B and Dua Lipa.
Recorded Music operating income was $31 million, up 121.4% from $14 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin was up 1.8 percentage points to 3.6% versus 1.8% in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA increased 20.4% to $65 million from $54 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin increased 0.5 percentage points to 7.5% driven by revenue growth and lower variable compensation expense offset by higher A&R expense. Adjusted OIBDA was $84 million versus $50 million in the prior-year quarter with Adjusted OIBDA margin up 3.2 percentage points to 9.7%. The increase in Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin was driven by the same factors which impacted OIBDA and OIBDA margin.
Full-Year Results
Recorded Music revenue rose 11.3% (or 8.5% in constant currency). Growth in digital, licensing and artist services and expanded-rights revenue was partially offset by a decline in physical revenue attributable to the ongoing shift to streaming. Licensing revenue growth was due to increased synchronization activity, timing-related higher broadcast fee income and the impact of acquisitions. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased due to currency fluctuations and higher merchandise revenue, which were partially offset by the impact of concert promotion divestitures and the timing of tours. Recorded Music digital revenue grew 19.3% (or 17.3% in constant currency) and represented 60.1% of total Recorded Music revenue versus 56.0% in the prior year. Domestic Recorded Music digital revenue was $1.037 billion, or 71.0% of total domestic Recorded Music revenue, versus 67.2% in the prior year. Major sellers included Ed Sheeran, The Greatest Showman soundtrack, Cardi B, Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa.
Recorded Music operating income was $307 million up from $283 million in the prior year due to revenue growth and operating margin was down 0.3 percentage points to 9.1% versus 9.4% in the prior year due to higher compensation and higher facilities expenses related to the Los Angeles office consolidation. Recorded Music OIBDA increased 6.4% to $480 million and OIBDA margin declined 0.6 percentage points to 14.3% driven by the same factors that impacted operating income and operating margin. Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA improved 18.6% to $543 million and Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 1.0 percentage point to 16.2% due to revenue growth and revenue mix.
Fourth-Quarter Results
Music Publishing revenue rose 15.7% (or 18.0% in constant currency) with growth in all segments reflecting the ongoing shift to streaming in digital, timing of distributions in performance, higher licensing revenue in synchronization and the timing of mechanical distributions.
Music Publishing operating income was $39 million compared with $36 million in the prior-year quarter driven by revenue growth. Operating margin declined 1.5 percentage points to 22.0% due to revenue mix and higher A&R costs. Music Publishing OIBDA increased by $3 million or 5.5% to $58 million, while Music Publishing OIBDA margin declined 3.1 percentage points to 32.8% from 35.9%, due to the same factors which impacted operating income and operating margin.
Full-Year Results
Music Publishing revenue rose 14.2% (or 11.8% in constant currency) with growth in all segments. Music Publishing digital revenue rose 26.7% (or 25.4% in constant currency) reflecting the ongoing shift to streaming, and represented 36.3% of total Music Publishing revenue versus 32.7% in the prior year. Growth in performance revenue was due to higher distributions, synchronization revenue growth was driven by higher television and commercials income and mechanical revenue growth was timing-related.
Music Publishing operating income was $84 million, up 3.7% from $81 million in the prior year driven by revenue growth and operating margin was 12.9%, down 1.3 percentage points from 14.2% in the prior year, driven by revenue mix and higher A&R costs. Music Publishing OIBDA rose 4.6% to $159 million, while Music Publishing OIBDA margin declined 2.3 percentage points to 24.3%, due to the same factors which impacted operating income and operating margin.
Financial details for the fiscal year can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the period ended September 30, 2018, filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This morning, management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 A.M. EST. The call will be webcast on www.wmg.com.
About Warner Music Group
With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Elektra, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Bros., Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world’s leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This communication includes forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Warner Music Group about future events and financial performance. Words such as “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts” and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, we cannot assure you that management’s expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Please refer to our Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements.
We maintain an Internet site at www.wmg.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding Warner Music Group is routinely posted on and accessible at https://investors.wmg.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Warner Music Group by enrolling your email address through the “email alerts” section at https://investors.wmg.com. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this communication.
Basis of Presentation
The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in each reporting period. As such, all references to September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 relate to the periods ended September 28, 2018 and September 29, 2017, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of September 30.
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including the following non-GAAP financial measures:
OIBDA
OIBDA reflects our operating income before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets. We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, and believe the presentation of OIBDA helps improve the ability to understand our operating performance and evaluate our performance in comparison to comparable periods. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses. Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, OIBDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) is operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss), respectively, adjusted to exclude the impact of certain items that affect comparability. Factors affecting period-to-period comparability of the unadjusted measures in the quarter included the items listed in Figure 7 below. We use Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) to evaluate our actual operating performance. We believe that the adjusted results provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies in our industry and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. as indicators of operating performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.
Constant Currency
Because exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of revenue on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported revenue helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. We use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant-currency results by applying current-year foreign currency exchange rates to prior-year results. However, a limitation of the use of the constant-currency results as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the impact of exchange rates on our revenue. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant-currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow reflects our cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments. We use Free Cash Flow, among other measures, to evaluate our operating performance. Management believes Free Cash Flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to fund our debt service requirements, ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise. As a result, Free Cash Flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method management uses.
Because Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free Cash Flow, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, Free Cash Flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Because Free Cash Flow deducts capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments from “net cash provided by operating activities” (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure), users of this information should consider the types of events and transactions that are not reflected. We provide below a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to the most directly comparable amount reported under U.S. GAAP, which is “net cash provided by operating activities.”
