The company starts to focus on games for next-generation consoles as they head into 2005. ATARI REPORTS FISCAL 2005 SECOND QUARTER AND SIX-MONTH FINANCIAL RESULTS
Quarterly Net Revenue Up 18% Year-Over-Year; Publishing Net Revenue Up 29%
NEW YORK – November 4, 2004 – Atari, Inc., a leader in interactive entertainment, today announced financial results for the fiscal 2005 second quarter and six-month period ended September 30, 2004.
Net revenue for the second quarter ended September 30, 2004, increased 18% to $71.4 million compared to $60.6 million in the comparable year-earlier period. Publishing net revenue was up 29% to $58.0 million compared to $45.0 million in the prior September quarter, while distribution revenue was $13.4 million compared to $15.6 million in the comparable year-earlier quarter. Increased revenue for the period was driven by higher unit volume, better average selling prices and an increase in sales of higher priced console products. Additionally, sales were supported by the launch of Test Drive: Eve of Destruction (PS2 and Xbox), Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury (GBA), Terminator 3: The Redemption (PS2, Xbox and GameCube), Demon Stone (PS2) and Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament (PS2), as well as continued sales of DRIV3R (PS2 and Xbox), launched in the previous quarter.
Net loss for the quarter was $16.9 million, or $0.14 per share, compared with a net loss of $28.7 million, or $0.38 per share, in the year earlier period, before a $39.4 million, or $0.52 per share, one-time non-cash dividend relating to the Company's September 2003 recapitalization and public offering. Including the $39.4 million dividend, loss attributable to common shareholders for the second quarter ended September 30, 2003, was $68.1 million, or $0.90 per share.
Net revenue for the six-month period ended September 30, 2004, was $181.7 million versus $211.9 million in the comparable year-earlier period. Publishing net revenue was $157.7 million versus $180.6 million in the prior six-month period, while distribution revenue was $24.0 million versus $31.3 million in the comparable year-earlier period. Net loss for the six-month period was $4.8 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to net loss of $4.9 million, or $0.07 per share, in the year-earlier period, before the one-time non-cash dividend relating to the Company's September 2003 recapitalization and public offering. Including the $39.4 million dividend, or $0.54 per share, loss attributable to common shareholders for the six-month period ended September 30, 2003, was $44.3 million, or $0.61 per share.
Atari's product lineup for the remainder of fiscal 2005 is expected to include the following key releases, among many others:
For the third quarter ending December 31, 2004: Axis & Allies (PC), Atari Anthology (PS2 and Xbox), Backyard Basketball (GBA), Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (PS2), Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (GameCube), Duel Masters (PS2), Duel Masters 2: Kaijudo Showdown (GBA), Demon Stone (Xbox and PC), Godzilla: Save The Earth (PS2 and Xbox), RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 (PC), Sid Meier's Pirates! (PC), and YuYu Hakusho: Tournament Tactics (GBA), and the Company's stand-alone, plug-and-play Atari Flashback Classic Game Console.
For the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2005: Act of War: Direct Action (PC), Backyard Baseball 2006 (GBA), Dragon Ball Z: Sagas (PS2, Xbox and GameCube), and Dragonshard (PC).
"Our goal for the remainder of Fiscal 2005 is to focus on profitability through the strategic management of our catalogue of establish franchises, while keeping an eye toward the future growth of the industry," stated Bruno Bonnell, Chairman, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Atari. "We are poised for expansion on to new platforms such as the Nintendo DS and Sony's PlayStation Portable, as well as the next generation of consoles from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. With a strong foothold among the mass-audience and hardcore gamers, Atari will continue to be an innovator in the entertainment industry and remains on track to grow profits, ultimately creating greater shareholder value."
For the 2005 fiscal third quarter ending December 31, 2004, Atari anticipates net revenue between $160 million and $175 million. The Company expects to report net income in the range of $15 million to $20 million, or $0.12 to $0.17 per share.
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, Atari anticipates full-year net revenue between $450 million and $470 million. The Company anticipates net income and earnings per share in the range of $25 million to $30 million, or $0.20 to $0.25 per share, in line with its prior guidance.
On November 3, 2004, a subsidiary of IESA issued to Atari a secured note relating to royalty and other payments that were due to Atari by IESA or its subsidiaries during the period ended September 30, 2004. The secured note has a principal amount of $23.1 million, bears interest at market rate and will mature on March 31, 2005. Atari will reduce the sums due under the note by applying royalties and other amounts that become due by Atari to IESA or its subsidiaries, which will result in the prepayment of most if not all of the note prior to maturity.
Atari will host a teleconference with a simultaneous webcast at 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the Company's second quarter and six-month results. To access the teleconference, please dial 1-800-299-0148 (domestic) or 1-617-801-9711 (international), access code 96651539, or listen to it live via the Internet by accessing the Company's Web site (www.atari.com). For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the Company's Web site or by dialing 1-888-286-8010 (domestic) or 1-617-801-6888 (international), playback access code 76666404, beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call and available through November 9, 2004.
Topic: Atari Announces Financial Results (Read 1834 times)
