News

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2009 Financial Results

May, 26 2009

Net revenue for the second fiscal quarter was $229.7 million, compared to $539.8 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2008, which included the release of the blockbuster title Grand Theft Auto IV, which surpassed all-time records for the launch of an entertainment property. Second quarter sales were led by The Lost and Damned, the critically acclaimed first episode of downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV on Xbox LIVE®, Major League Baseball 2K9, Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS™.

Net loss for the second quarter was $10.1 million or $0.13 per share, compared to net income of $98.2 million or $1.29 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

The second quarter results include $5.3 million in stock-based compensation expense ($0.07 per share) and $1.8 million in professional fees and expenses related to unusual matters ($0.02 per share). Results for the second quarter of 2008 included $12.4 million in stock-based compensation expense ($0.16 per share) and $4.7 million in professional fees and expenses related to unusual matters, as well as business reorganization costs ($0.06 per share).

Non-GAAP net loss was $2.9 million or $0.04 per share in the second quarter, compared to net income of $115.4 million or $1.52 per share in the second quarter of 2008, which included the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV.  (Please refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures and reconciliation tables included later in this release for additional information and details on non-GAAP items.)

For the six months ended April 30, 2009, net revenues were $486.5 million, compared to $780.3 million for the same period a year ago, which included the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV.  Net loss for the first half of fiscal 2009 was $60.5 million or $0.79 per share, compared to net income of $60.2 million or $0.80 for the 2008 period. Results for the first six months of fiscal 2009 include $11.5 million in stock-based compensation expense ($0.15 per share) and $6.7 million in professional fees and expenses related to unusual matters ($0.09 per share). Results for the first six months of fiscal 2008 included $18.5 million in stock-based compensation expense ($0.25 per share) and $6.4 million in professional fees and expenses related to unusual matters, as well as business reorganization costs ($0.08 per share).

Non-GAAP net loss was $42.3 million or $0.55 per share in the first six months of 2009, versus net income of $85.1 million or $1.14 per share in the comparable period of 2008, which included the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV.  (Please refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures and reconciliation information included later in this release.)

Business Highlights

Among the recent developments, Take-Two noted the following:

· Rockstar Games announced Max Payne 3, the latest in the award-winning Max Payne franchise, which is planned for a winter 2009 release.

· 2K Games announced plans to deliver a multiplayer experience for BioShock® 2.

· Sid Meier’s Civilization IV®: The Complete Edition for Games for Windows® is now available in North America from 2K Games.

Financial Guidance

Take-Two is providing initial guidance for the third fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2009 and fourth fiscal quarter ending October 31, 2009, and is updating its guidance for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2009 to reflect the following changes in its release schedule:

• As announced today, Rockstar Games is planning to release Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, a new Xbox 360® standalone title based on the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto franchise in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. The product will consist of the two downloadable episodes of Grand Theft Auto IV, including the critically acclaimed episode The Lost and Damned, and the upcoming second episode, The Ballad of Gay Tony, together on a single disc exclusively for Xbox 360. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City will be in stores simultaneously with the release of The Ballad of Gay Tony downloadable episode on Xbox LIVE®.  Players will not be required to have the original version of Grand Theft Auto IV in order to play Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, which will be available for $39.99.


 

• Mafia II and Red Dead Redemption are now scheduled for release in the first half of fiscal 2010 to allow additional development time for the titles and to maximize their full potential in terms of the quality of the player experience and market performance.


 

• Take-Two is maintaining its guidance for non-GAAP EPS for the full fiscal year 2009, while reducing its revenue expectations, primarily based on the above changes in the release schedule, continued cost cutting initiatives, and a reduction in tax expense.


 

Key assumptions and dependencies underlying the Company’s guidance include continued consumer acceptance of the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo; the ability to develop and publish products that capture market share for these current generation systems while continuing to leverage opportunities on certain prior generation platforms; as well as the timely delivery of the titles detailed in this release.

Release Schedule for the Balance of Fiscal 2009

Following are the titles planned for release in the third quarter of fiscal 2009:


















 

Following are the titles planned for release in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009:
 

Management Comment

“Take-Two again outperformed our expectations, with higher net revenue and a smaller quarterly net loss than originally anticipated.  This is largely due to the continuing dedication of our talented team to provide the strongest possible line up of interactive entertainment titles, as well as our determination to operate efficiently while investing in innovation and creativity.  Recognizing that this remains a challenging environment for our industry and the consumer marketplace generally, we are sharply focused on executing our business plan and working to enhance shareholder value,” noted Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.

Ben Feder, Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two, added, “Our guidance for fiscal year 2009 demonstrates our confidence in the Company’s strong and balanced portfolio, along with the strides we have made in enhancing the efficiency of our business.  Take-Two’s expected results for the remainder of this fiscal year reflect a high quality release schedule that is diversified by franchise, genre and platform, with the heaviest volume of releases scheduled for the fourth quarter. We are well positioned for the future, in an industry with an expanding consumer base and exciting growth opportunities, through our focus on producing a select offering of interactive entertainment titles that are among the most compelling in the market.”

Conference Call

Take-Two will host a conference call today at 4:30 pm Eastern Time to review these results and discuss other topics.  The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-0984 or (201) 689-8577.  A live listen-only webcast of the call will be available by visiting http://ir.take2games.com and a replay will be available following the call at the same location.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures



In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company uses non-GAAP measures of financial performance that exclude certain non-recurring or non-cash items.  Non-GAAP gross profit, income (loss) from operations, net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share are measures that exclude certain non-recurring or non-cash items and should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  They are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.  These non-GAAP financial measures may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies.



The non-GAAP measures exclude the following items from the Company’s statements of operations:

• Business reorganization, restructuring and related expenses

• Stock-based compensation

• Professional fees and expenses associated with unusual legal and other matters, including the Company's concluded process to evaluate its strategic alternatives


 

• Income tax effects of the items listed above


 

In addition, the Company may consider whether other significant non-recurring items that arise in the future should also be excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures it uses.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in gaining an understanding of the Company’s ongoing business. These non-GAAP financial measures also provide for comparative results from period to period.  Therefore, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude certain items as follows:

Business reorganization, restructuring and related expenses

In March 2007, the Company’s stockholders elected a new slate of members to Take-Two’s Board of Directors, who immediately removed the Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer. Subsequently, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer resigned.  As a result of these actions and the implementation of a business reorganization plan, the Company incurred significant costs in the fiscal years ended October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2008 to reduce headcount, relocate employees and consolidate sales and operational functions. These costs were related to severance, asset write-offs and associated professional fees.  As of October 31, 2008, the Company had substantially concluded the reorganization plan.

The Company does not engage in reorganization activities on a regular basis and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude business reorganization expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.

Stock-based compensation

The Company does not consider stock-based compensation charges when evaluating business performance and management does not contemplate stock-based compensation expense in its short and long-term operating plans.  The Company places greater emphasis on stockholder dilution than accounting charges when assessing the impact of stock-based equity awards.

Professional fees and expenses associated with unusual legal and other matters, including the Company’s concluded strategic review process

The Company incurred significant legal, consulting and investment banking expenses in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 related to the tender offer by Electronic Arts Inc. to acquire all of the Company’s outstanding shares, which was launched in March 2008 and expired in August 2008, and the Company’s related strategic review process which was completed in October 2008.

Additionally, the Company has realized significant legal and other professional fees associated with both the investigation of its historical stock option granting process and the Company’s responses to related governmental inquiries and civil lawsuits. The Company has also incurred legal expenses related to the tender offer by Electronic Arts. One of management’s primary objectives is to bring conclusion to its outstanding legal matters.  The Company continues to incur expenses for professional fees and has accrued for legal settlements that are outside its ordinary course of business. As a result, the Company has excluded such expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) is a financial measure not calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Management uses EBITDA adjusted for business reorganization and related expenses (“Adjusted EBITDA”), among other measures, in evaluating the performance of the Company’s business units.  Adjusted EBITDA is also a significant component of the Company’s incentive compensation plans. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, net income/(loss) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play; and distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the Company's future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: our dependence on key management and product development personnel, our dependence on our Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles for current generation platforms, the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games, the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games, our reliance on a primary distribution service provider for a significant portion of our products, our ability to raise capital if needed, risks associated with international operations, the matters relating to the investigation by a special committee of our board of directors of the Company's stock option grants and the claims and proceedings relating thereto (including stockholder and derivative litigation, actions by governmental agencies and negative tax or other implications for the Company resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors) and risks associated with the Company's concluded process to evaluate its strategic alternatives including stockholder litigation arising therefrom. Other important factors and information are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, in the section entitled "Risk Factors," as updated in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009, and the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.